Ashzan~

I feel as though my existence is redeemed. If nothing else, I have Tsuki.

"How does 'Silencer' sound?" I play with the code name in my head. It fits me well. Tsuki smiles.

"Perfect." She turns to Victor, who I still is slow motion. I release him.

~ 

Cendaren~

The voice hissed into my ears, terribly close and terribly final. Death was inches from my face.

I whipped around, fearing for my life, only to behold my attacker--a mere shadow to my eyes--suddenly jerk back and fade into nothingness. Seconds later, ten feet away, one of my soldiers collapsed to the ground as though struck by the air itself.

"Watch out!" I warned to my nearby soldiers. "The enemy is invisible! Watch for footprints."

On that note, I hurried away from the area, drawing farther and farther from the mansion wall, scanning for signs of Tsuki as I skirted around the edge of the battle. Alert though I was for the invisible foe, I was not apprehended again, and soon enough, my eyes caught on a familiar form--Ashzan.

Tensely, I watched her combat, calculating her every move. Grimm hadn't included her in his list of traitors. But was she a danger anyway?

Before my eyes, she took down five Sanukans with two shots. It was confirmed--she fought for Catastrophe. I didn't know why this was both pleasing and disappointing to me at once, and I had no time to pursue the thought.

I fought my way towards her, only to watch her disappear on the way to the distant Sanukan medical tents. She seemed to be narrowly focused on something--perhaps she was searching for the traitor?

But that last glimpse I had caught of her, just like the whispers from my invisible attacker, seemed awfully final. In a battle, anything can happen. It is why I despise them. And a strange sense in my gut suggested that I had parted ways with Ashzan Moksovinan, my soldier, for the last time.

Thank goodness I rely on logic rather than feelings to make decisions. The feeling passed briefly as I fought my way back to the mansion's wall, to the spot where Grimm had been shot. Both his body and Deeja's were gone, although the mark of their death still shone in the churned snow.

I took Grimm's place, receiving reports and delegating strategies. My lieutenants kept me informed from their birds-eye view in the tower, and I was ushered to a tent not far from the back doors, where I plotted our defense from the ground.

So far, the battle was at a standstill, but it was all hands on deck anyway. I issued an arrest warrant for all the traitors, including Saoirse and Raven. I ordered a lockdown on the laboratory, to protect our developing weapons and secrets.

The action was exhilirating, but I resented that Grimm's final act had been to force it upon me. It was all too easy to parallel the soft drumming of my own heart with the thunderous explosion of weapons outside. Was there treachery at the deepest part of my own heart? Of course, and I had always known it. I would never give up my life for this army.

Wow I've been gone too long! I'm really sorry, applications and essays have been killing me this entire summer. 

--

Raven

In all the commotion, everyone was separated. Granite and Saoirse had been making their way through the ranks of soldiers, Granite charging headfirst into the battle and the alchemists firing infused bullets. behind the two, soldiers turned into stone, others dropped to the floor and covered their eyes in ears, hearing and seeing things that wern't really there. From the air, Cuckoo and I surveyed the carnage. I had given my newly Dark powered sword a few slashes and watched as a pulse of Dark energy blast the ranks of soldiers back. Cukoo tapped on my head and I turned to them. The clockwork bird gestured to a tent in enemy grounds and I watched as Ashzan barrels into it, then hear a gunshot follow. I pressed my lips into a thin line. Casualties were unavoidable. Cuckoo then directed my attention to two people lain against the ground. Deeja and Grimm, both dead. My lips parted into a sigh. 

"Come on Cuckoo. Let's go find Saoirse and Granite," I told the clockwork as I beat my wings anddove towards the battlefield. Following the line of soldiers covered in fine dust, I eventually found the two crouching in a tree at the edge of the Decoy forest, far from the battle at hand. Granite's horns and claws had new chips and scratches in them, and Saoirse was reloading more rounds into her pistol, umbrella at her side. 

"Well?" she inquired. 

"Deeja and Grimm are dead. Ashzan supposedly shot, possibly dead as well, I didn't see the aftermath of the shot." She nodded. Her pistol clicked shut, and she began to rumage through her pouch for a jar and a chisel. Once the found it, she pulled out a vial of silver viscious liquid and poured it over the chips in Granites stone skin, and I watched as stone began to fill the cracks. Saoirse began to chip away at the excess stone to smooth out Granite's skin. 

"Raven," she started. I nodded, letting her know I was listening despite having my eyes on the battle still raging on at the horizon. "Do you think it's time we moved on to the next town?" I hummed. "We've been here for weeks, months maybe, and I think we should pack up soon and leave. I heard that the Mer Flea Market just ended, we could follow the traders and set up somewhere for a bit." She stopped her chiseling to look up at me. "Granite and I are really not suited for battle. You know that was just a facade we set up for this venture. I propose we stay here for a day or two. I'll send Cuckoo out to look for the others and let them know where we're hiding out, then we can say our goodbyes and move on."

My eyes dart down to meet hers. "Alright."

---

I really don't know how often I'll be on here, so I'm leaving these four to the world. They'll travel, and will probably manage to pop up once and a while, but most likely, they won't be in the spotlight, and they'll stick to the side lines. Whether thats at a stall in a market, in a new land to satisfy Saoirse's science drive, or just on the road. Feel free to write their goodbye's, and I'll pop back in when I can. 

Kimi~

Tsuki shot Ashzan, and her bandaged, wounded form was the last thing I saw before Davina and I left for the smaller neighboring medical tent, where the medics were taking Skylar. I didn't want to stick around to see what happened next between Tsuki and Ashzan. Actually, I didn't want to be anywhere near conflict for the rest of my life.

That's sort of hard to do when you're in a war zone.

The medics laid Skylar down on a low, white cot, where they left her. This small tent was peaceful, with white cloth walls that created the illusion of safety and let sunlight drift gently in. Although the cannons and gunshots still thundered outside, they could be ignored here, at least for a little while.

Skylar was unconscious, I think from the medicine she'd been given to dull the pain. Thankfully, the nurses said she'd be awake shortly, and the wound was bloody but not fatal.

"I can't believe Deeja is dead," I said to Davina, feeling numb. "She gave her own life for ours...I could never do that."

"She was a hero," agreed Davina.

I stared off in silence, and suddenly, my beating heart seemed very significant. I couldn't repay Deeja. But she had died for a cause: Not just to free prisoners. Not just to defy Catastrophe. But for justice and freedom and life.

I felt ashamed of my own cowardice. "We can't let her death be for nothing," I murmured.

From now on, I'll be braver. I'll fight for Kyngdom's freedom. So no one has to die anymore.

Davina and I exited the tent to move out of the nurses' way, but something flashed near the roof and caught my eye, as most shiny things tend to do.

Perched on the canopy of the tent was a mechanical bird with a tiny slip of paper rolled up in its beak. When it spied us, the bird chirped and dropped the paper into Davina's hair.

She unfurled it curiously. It was a note from Saoirse and Raven, letting us know their location.

"They're leaving," Davina told me quietly, folding the note. "They want to say their goodbyes to all of us before they move on."

Saoirse and Raven have done so much for us, too. We should let Tsuki know about the note, and Skylar too, once she's awake.

Saoirse

--

I shifted as I sat on Granite's back. Beneath me, the gargoyle rumbled, silently asking if I was alright. I gave a wry smile, even though I knew he wouldn't see it, and gently patted his rough skin. Raven stood leaning against a tree, grippnig her sword, which I noticed was giving off wisps of Dark magic from the vial attached in the grip of the handle. A glint of light caught my eye, and I looked up to see Cuckoo leading Davina, Kimi, Tsuki, and Skylar towards the trees, the clockworks body shining in the rising sun. The battle had raged on the entire day, and tapered off into the evening. Now, as the sun rose on a new day, the results of the battle were uncertain, the winner of the two unclear. I noticed that Skylar held her arm limply in her grip, her shoulder wrapped in bandages. Holding my umbrella, I nudged Raven and she looked up at the approaching group. As they neared us, Cuckoo landed to rest on Raven's shoulder and we faced each other.

"So I guess you're leaving," Tuski started. Raven gave a soft smile and reached out to give her old friend a hug. 

"We met again, despite not knowing we would. We arn't disappearing forever, just moving on." I gave a bright toothy grin at the other girls.

"It's been an absolute honor, and so much fun, working with you. This won't be the last you see of us. Besides," I snickered. "I may or may not have done something that'll make the Generals really angry." Davina and Kimi looked at each other, and Raven looked up into the sky as if asking why she ever joined up with me in the first place.

"What did you do?" Skylar asked. I set off into a giggles, and pulled up one of the packs that hung from the saddle on Granite's back. 

"I may or may not have stolen everything in the labs." Everyone's eyes bugged out. "That's several plans and blueprints and notes for weapons, several vials of things I was concocting, this notebook of research from corresponding scientists, and..." I pulled out the source of everything.

"The Power," finished Tuski. I nodded. Raven groaned.

"You just put the biggest target on our backs, you idiot," she grumbled. I shrugged.  

"Eh. We can deal with it. I wonder what the price rates for statues are. However," I continued, "I did my on research and tests on it. It had the potental to provide some very interesting results, but for science's sake of course, I had to try playing it." I looked up at everyone. "This drum is not the real Power."

Davina nodded. "Yes, I stole it, long story."

Raven lowered her head. "The next wuestion then is where is the real one?"

I nodded in agreement. "This is why I suggest we move with merchants." I turned to the others. "Merchants are generally a great source of gossip. It's a skill they pick up to use while bartering for lower of higher prices. Raven and I will follow them, and send Cuckoo to you with regular update of what we hear, or just correspondence." I smiled, not my usual crazy grin, but a softer smile. "We'll miss you guys." Granite gave a low rumble, resembling a purr, in agreement. 

After exchanging hugs, and the girls filling us in on what happed on the Sanukan side of things, we were set to go. Standing on the faint trail ahead of us through the Decoy forest, Raven, Cuckoo, Granite and I stood looking back at our comrades, our friends, and gave them a final wave. Then we turned our back, closing this chapeter of adventures for us and starting a band new chapter. 

~Skylar

We all watch Saroise, Raven, and Granite fly away. I feel something on my cheek and when I wipe it away I realize it's tears. It has been nearly five years ever since I got the scar.

I turn to everyone else. "I guess I should go too. I am so sorry about this. Deeja was my fault." I sigh brushing away a few more tears. "I'm just gonna go," I say walking away.

Time to start a new... a new.. I don't know. I guess I'll find out. No one stops me. I don't expect them to. Without me Deeja would be alive, Kimi and Davina wouldn't have had to go through that. Everything would've been fine. Just fine. 

Tsuki Natsu~~

The night is quiet, other than the noises of the Thunderbirds occasionally flapping their wings and the sound of breathing. 

The battle lasted the entire day and into the night, but eventually both sides pulled back after heavy casualties. It was unclear which side won, but at least the Sanukans managed to weaken Jokull's defenses. And with Grimm dead, Caligo is in charge, but once Catastrophe learns of the attack that may change. Jokull is open to attack and I doubt that will be ignored.

The Sanukans have decided to head back to Sanukaville. Ashzan and I sit next to each other in silence on a Thunderbird carriage.

I think about what Saoirse and Raven said. 

"I guess this really is the beginning of a new chapter," I muse quietly. Ashzan looks over.

"All of Kyngdom is changing. I just hope I live through it," Ashzan says.

"There's a good chance we won't," I say quietly, "But if I fall to Catastrophe, I'm taking him with me."

"Agreed," Ashzan says. Our eyes meet for a moment, and I feel our old friendship coming back to life.

I turn back to the sky ahead of us. It's late at night, late enough for the moon to be right ahead. As I stare at it, I swear I hear a voice in my ear.

"I'll stand by your side as well, Tsuki. Death is only a minor setback."

~~~~ 

Dang y’all. I dropped off the face of Kyngdom again, and it looks like I missed quite a lot. I’ll try to catch myself up on this RP if I find the time, but it might be too late for me to rejoin this far into the plot. :/

Davina~~

The carriage is a little rickety and Kimi looks a little bit queasy. After getting her to lay down for a bit, I decide to speak with the new Sanukan recruits for a bit.

After a few moments of searching, I'm able to find Ashzan and Tsuki but Skylar is nowhere to b seen.

"I haven't seen her since the battle," Ashzan remarks. It's been two days since we left Jokull .

"Wait, didn't your father mention one of the recruits going to a base or something?" Tsuki asks.

" Oh, right. Yeah, I forgot. She went rogue. "

"You... forgot about her?" Ashzan asks.

" ....Yes. "

~~~

Tsuki~~

The wind pushed us into the ground as attempted to get off the carriage.

"Sorry," Davina said,"Winters are usually pretty rough around here."

"Noted," Ashzan grumbled. She slipped on a red cloak, courtesy of the Sanukans. For a moment I wondered briefly if there was a possibility my hand would freeze, but I dismissed it almost immediately. Saoirse was bound to have desinged it to withstand some snow and ice.

"Well, let's just get up to Sanukaville. I'm sure everyone will be pleased to meet you," Victor Starr said.

"Is it really at the very top of the mountain?" Kimi asked.

"Of course!" Davina snapped. Victor glared at her.

"Davina," He said disaprovingly, "And yes. Whjch is why we park our carriages halfway up." 

"Oh good," I remarked. "I was worried you'd make us hike up an entire mountain."

"Davina wanted to do that," Kimi added.

"Oh, lovely. I'm not going to go hiking with Davina, then," Ashzan decided.

We all laughed. The mood had become lighter now that we had left Jokull. 

I stared up at mountain, glad I'd made this decision.

~~~ 

Kimi~

Sanukaville is amazing.

For one thing, it feels great to be back up north. Although it's colder than I'm used to, the icy winds revitalize me after the dank, musty prison cell at Jokull. I can also tell that Davina is pleased to be home, at least for the time being.

The town is built off the side of Mount Sanuka, with shops extending on stilts, built from stone to withstand the weekly blizzards. Winged nanulia populate these parts. I am jealous of their colorful tails.

Davina has been showing me around these parts. Meanwhile, Ashzan and Tsuki spend a lot of time with Mayor Starr--what with being his assassins and all--and I myself have been training with some of the Sanukan soldiers so I can better handle myself next time battle comes around. My traditional weapon--a bow--has been traded for a far deadlier gun.

I've participated in a few battle meetings since our arrival here. Davina, Tsuki, Ashzan and I have been helping the Sanukans become familiar with the inside of Jokull. Apparently, Jokull has stopped recruiting since the battle, and soldiers swarm the Decoy Forest in search of the thieves who raided the laboratory.

A few Resistance envoys arrived a little while ago--they'd heard about the battle, somehow--bearing news from other areas of Kyngdom.

I feel like things are happening...but I'm not sure when they'll surface.