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Xydane · **07-07-2014, 01:38 PM**

Staring at Corporal Kokojo, a smirk formed into his once serious expression with ease. A plan had hit him and it came like a charging Chocobo while at the same time, it made him want to burst out laughing and drop to the floor.

'Mind your composure, dammit...'

"You want details? Wait right here and I shall return shortly."

Indeed, the knight did return but this time, he carried what seemed to be a rather large traveling pack. It's size alone was perfect to carry supplies for weeks but in this case, the pack wasn't for foodstuffs and necessities.

"Like I said, your men will wait outside the Gates but as for you..." grinned a guilty Xydane as he slowly patted the bag. "... you're coming with me."

Melkire · **07-07-2014, 11:01 PM**

Kokojo raised one eyebrow and, just to accentuate her incredulity, canted her head to one side.

"That, ser, is insensitive, insulting, grossly offensive..." She gave him an appreciative smirk. "... and practical. Refreshingly so."

The little corporal turned as the private joined them and playfully slugged her second in the thigh.

"Private Gregson. I will be accompanying this bold gentleman to Ishgard. You and the others are to await us just outside the Gates. Excuse your presence with PT; military exercises never end. When they inevitably take offense, be as humble and apologetic as need be, then make camp nearby. Keep eyes on the Gates: best case scenario, we will have Mynhier with us and an Ishgardian sortie on our asses; worst case scenario, if we aren't back within a sevenday, report home to the Lieutenant. Tell him, 'the nix has swallowed the napalm'. Do I make myself clear?"

Gregson gave the stranger a once-over with his gaze, as if committing the man's appearance and visage to memory, before turning and saluting his CO.

"Ser, yes ser!"

The corporal grinned as she returned the salute, then turned back to Xydane.

"I hope the weight, armor and all, won't inconvenience you, Ser Knight."

Xydane · **07-09-2014, 07:29 PM**

Xydane inhaled deeply as he rucked his way east, towards 'Ishgard.' The wind had picked up and the snow provided poor visibility. Step by step, his greaves crunched loudly into the cold snow.

"You know... you're quite damn heavy."

Xydane stopped, catching his breath while lowering his hood to wipe his brow. The temperature was frigid and the Lalafell's weight was giving him one hell of a workout.

In freezing climate. Damn.

"I... didn't think Lalafells were this heavy... but between you and I..." inhaled the knight as he resumed the small trek through the snow. "... I never liked the Brass Blades but you Immortal Flames though... you'll do."

Of course Xydane was honest on that statement. He along with his brother had served within the military many years ago but those times; however, felt like they never existed.

"Look at the bright side, at least you don't get to walk nor feel the bite of the wind. Even if you walked, I think you'll just sink into the snow."

His imagination finally besting him, Xydane bursted into laughter. Kokojo was probably going to whoop his ass but nonetheless, he continued to laugh. His personality always did change and Xydane knew himself to be a different character whenever he was in front of someone new. Perhaps it was because this Lalafell's company reminded him of Jajara Jara.

'Yep. You lost your composure.'

As the winds began to die down and the snow coming to a pass, the iron gates stood valiantly as the bridge to Ishgard displayed a sense of strength and magnificence.

They had finally arrived at the 'Gates of Judgement.'

Erik Mynhier · **07-10-2014, 07:30 AM**

~Day 83~
Away from the constant hum of the shards over his cage, and their effects, Erik slept deeply. His dreams were of his home, his child, his sister. All the people whom he knew and loved. His dreams ended when the sirens began to scream. They had found the guards, they would be coming. Erik stood and shook his body out, taking note of sore areas, taking note of his weaknesses. There were surprisingly few, his father's techniques being more useful then he thought they would be.

Gripping the spear, he placed his ear to the door and listened. First came a clicking, "click, click, click"... shoes. Then came the thumping, "doum, doum, doum"... the butt of a spear tapping the floor as someone walked. Then his eyes widened, "ping, clang, ping, clang"... sword and shield, Erik never cared for spears. Stepping through the door swiftly, he impaled the soldier from his jaw through to the top of his head. Stripping what armor removed fast, along with the sword and shield, Erik tossed the body into the room he had stayed in.

Quiet as a miqo'te tracker, Erik moved through the corridors. Some who saw him took no notice as he lowered the visor of the helm, the smell of blood within overwhelming. Others who saw him and did take notice... Nald'thal took them. The first lost his head with a single swing. The second lost his eyes before death took him. Another, a shield to the face, then throat. The last three were young, and ended with such savage brutality, that the last to die wished he had been first, to spear himself what he saw in his final moments. A man with flowing, blood-soaked hair, green eyes that pierced the soul, and a strength that sent severed body parts flying with every swing.

Finally through the side halls, the Flame Captain found what he was looking for. The main lab was massive. More then a lab, it was the primary depository of the crystals and shards. Slipping in the door and locking it behind him, Erik made swift work of the two who attended the room. Their protective suits muffling his steps. Their obstructive hoods and masks blinding them to his approach. Once done Erik moved to the central vault. As he moved closer he felt the aura of the void crystals draw in his strength. Ignoring the weakness and fatigue, he moved to the vault door and placed his blade to his forearm, slicing deep. Digging his fingers in the wound he grunted and hissed until he pulled free a small red ring. Shaking his arm, he embedded the ring in the handle of the vault door. He felt the full force of the crystals now. All but his most vital aether flowing out of him toward the vault.... but he needed no aether, not for this. He lined up his slice and then raised his blade. He thought for a moment, of his rage, his fears, his hate of this place. Then he thought of his father, how as a boy he had seen him draw his very lifeforce through his hand into his blade. He remembered how the act was so twisted, so unnatural, so... dark. He gathered his life, tainted by hate into the tip of his blade, his father's son...., "RAGE!... OF....HALONE!!!" As he shouted, swinging his sword toward the door and the ring attached, he saw the black aura overtake his sword. He felt a surge of life leave him, not unlike the machine. His father had only once told him of Darkness, the Dark Knight's last resort, the skill so dangerous, it was saved for the most dire of situations. This was why he was sent here by Ul'dah. A man that could act in the presence of the crystals, if only shortly.

The door laid on the floor, cleaved in two, the cut edges melted, as if cut by flames. Also sliced was the ring. From its ruby core came a Bomb. The creature was so overwhelmed by the void crystals, that it died moments after leaving the safety of the ring, but that was the plan. Moments were enough for the creature to obey its instincts, and self-destruct. As the detonation began, Erik dived behind a wall, barely missing the blast as it engulf the crystals and shards. The explosion was itself unnatural, it was as if the force and energy released by the explosion was sucked into the vault as the positive and negative force countered one another.

As Erik raised from his hiding place, he felt the aether in the room stabilize, his senses and aether returning. He knew the sound would swiftly bring an army to him, so he moved quickly toward the storage area, looking for an exit, a loading dock, anything. As he moved he spied a room near the lab, a large book on the desk within. Grabbing the book, he noticed a door to the outside in the room. Kicking the door he splintered the door, and took his first deep breath of fresh air in three months, the cold air burning his lungs. Looking back into the room, he heard the far off sound on soldiers running toward him. He moved through the door. He would find the room on a high level. He would climb the ledges, moving from roof to roof. Resting where he could, stealing food, he made his way to the city gates in two days. From there he hid himself on a cart for the dead, "heretics" of the church, unworthy of a burial within the Holy city, riding out across the grand bridge, to and then through the Gates of Judgment. Escaping the cart he ran, wearing only loose pants, without shirt and shoes. He eventually made his way to Dragonhead. Seeking a friend, he acquired clothing and food. Nervous to stand out until he was safely in Alliance territory. On foot he traveled through the harsh snow toward the north of the Shroud. From there he walked toward Gridania. Once there he contacted the Immortal Flames and sent for the Falcon. He returned to Ul'dah exactly ninety days since he had been taken.

Erik Mynhier · **07-10-2014, 11:48 PM**

~Day 90~
~The Debriefing~

Erik sat at the long table, the heat of Ul'dah bothering him more then he thought it would. The dark room cluttered with furniture, books, and old smells. Erik noticed right away when the door shut that he could hear nothing outside the room, it had been soundproofed. The room was for clerks to organize classified materials, many of which came from the Red Wings. The room was situated on the upper floors, not far from the Hall of Records, the original headquarters of the Wings. The room had been hastily emptied of its staff, several of who Erik knew personally, their families, their habits. Many had even been to his Starlight office parties in the Hall of Flames. Several were shocked as they were ushered out of the room and pasted the Flame Captain, Erik though never returned their looks, this was a debriefing. There was an order and flow to such things. Any who would have seen him leave his airship, his hair wild and long, met and surrounded by ten armed Flames, would have thought him some dangerous criminal. He was no criminal, this was how things were done in the military. His mind held information, the escort was to protect that information, not to detain him, he had done this long enough to know that.

He never liked heat, an odd thing he always thought, considering his place in the world. This room was especially hot, the fans on the ceiling spinning in vain. He was glad to not be in uniform, like the two men across from him at the table, Flame Coronal Ryder and Captain of the Sultansworn Jenlyns. The Coronal began as the door locked, "Captain, as always it is good to see you again, though this may prove to be a longer the normal debriefing. Can I send for something for you, food, drink?" Erik straightened, taking a look most would not recognize in the Paladin who walked the sand covered streets of Ul'dah, a stern and disciplined look, "Thank you Sir, yes please. Some water, and mustard bread... and send for my Mammet as well if you would." The Coronal nodded to the sentry at the door, who swiftly and quietly slipped out the door.

Erik turned his attention then to Jenlyns. It was uncommon for the Sultansworn to send a representative, much less the commander of the order. "Ser Erik, I would also like to welcome your return. We in the order have of late been faced with many challenges." Erik nodded, "I will help where I can Ser." Erik had been a Sultansworn for six years now, but that was just a means to an end, something all present were aware of and had agreed upon. Erik was a Sultansworn, he loved his duty, to the Sultana, to Thanalan. He knew his family would have been proud, service to his nation, like his father, but with the light of his mother, a joining of his two halves, this is what it meant to him. But when he thought honestly to himself, he was a soldier, he had always been. The title of a Sultansworn had been given to him because he had earned it in his service. He and his men in the Crimson Watch had overtaken and out foxed the thieves that had tried to steal records from the Hall. He had killed the lead thief, as Ciel dealt with his two accomplishes. But though he had been a good candidate for a long time, multi-lingual, diplomatic, educated, strong, he had never sought it, the title sought him. He remembered the day he met Jenlyns, he had come to recruit, but Erik declined, feeling his secrets made him unworthy. It was only after his commander in the Flames approached him, ordering him to accept the title. The powers that be had conspired, they had agreed that a link between the two forces was needed. Erik and his unit were swiftly becoming the Eyes and Ears of the Flames, this agreement would offer the Sultana and her Sworn those same eyes and ears, in exchange for granting the Watch's leader the unlimited access to people, places, and things that only a Sultansworn could have, to sharpen the eyes and ears. From this, Erik became a Sultansworn.

The Coronal nodded to Erik as he began to piece at the bread, Montblanc showing delight as he tore pieces off and handed it to his master. "Now that we are ready I would like to say the Sultansworn Jenlyn is here as a courtesy to the Order. That said as per General Order, 0000.3341 of the Immortal Flames Code, I hereby authorize the sharing of Level 3 classified information to Ser Jenlyns of Her Majesty's Sultansworn.

Erik told the whole ordeal, starting with the intelligence that had tipped off the Flames, the orders to allow the capture to happen, the bomb ring that had been placed inside of him. He was like stone, emotionless as he delivered his report. Both men listened as the Captain spoke, Jenlyns noticeably the more shaken of the two as Erik described the functions of the Pandora Room, the way the technology killed its victims, and finally Erik's bloodbath of an escape, "By the Twelve man! You are a Sultansworn!" Ryder snapped and angry look toward the Sultansworn Captain. Erik turned, "I am also a soldier Ser. And soldiers go to war, I was ordered to infiltrate the enemy facility, learn every detail of it, seek information about Syndicate involvement, and if possible, destroy the crystals, notes and equipment... by any means necessary." Jenlyns nodded slowly, most disturbed by the techniques Erik had used. He had been briefed when the Ala Mhigan had joined their ranks. How his father had been a wielder of the Dark Blade technique, and how he had planted that same skill into his son. Such skills were the very antithesis of the Paladin, they sickened him, "My apologies Coronal, Captain." he said with a nod. Coronal Ryder nodded politely, while throwing a jab, "Our cousins in the Sworn serve in the lavish and clean world of Her Highness. I don't hold it against any of them for not possessing the stomach for the real world. Now please Captain Mynhier, continue." Jenlyns' eyes flash anger for a moment at the comment, then turned back to Erik and nodded, "Yes. Much has happened in your time away."

Both men offered large folders to Erik. Inside contained plots that had been stopped, a bomb, a surprise, "Askier defected?" Coronal Ryder nodded and allowed Erik to continue reading. As he read a page offered it to his Mammet, who would hold the page that was as big as he and stare without sound. Should his master ever have need, he would be able to copy it to the dot. Finishing the Flames folder he took a deep breath, the closest he had gotten to emotions in the entire meeting, "Quite a bit." Captain Jenlyns held a somber face, "Not everything ended in dramatic victories I am afraid." he said as he tapped his folder. Erik locked eyes with the man as he picked up the folder and began to read. As he read it over he came to the names, Kage, Natalie,..... Roen. He continued to read as he spoke, "This is true?" Jenlyns nodded, "Yes, every word. And I should add that per orders handed down from the Order, you are to not have contact until the situation is resolved, even with your former student. Is that clear? I will not allow you to ride off on your chocobo trying to save the day as you are prone to doing." Erik nodded, "Of course Ser." He continued to read, "Face of the Sultansworn? Who is Coatleque Crofte?" Jenlyns replied, "We had to rebuild our reputation, she is dedicated, but sadly she is also inexperienced. With you gone and the other lot dismissed, she was never even apprenticed or given a proper Trial. But despite my sternness with her, she is able enough for her duties." Erik handed the last page to Montblanc and spoke, "I will have to meet her. I am going to go for a jog later, maybe I can find her then." Jenlyns continued, "While on this topic, you have been ordered to pick up where you and Natalie left off and continue the recruitment and Trials immediately. Our numbers grow to small, we must bring in new blood and soon. I know your Red Wings take most of your time, but Ser Crofte has already taken on the aforementioned former Sultansworn's duties, as well as your own. You will take back your duties and take this one as well." Erik nodded, "Of course Ser, I will give it great attention."

After the requisite bow, salutes, and pleasantries, Erik left the room with Montblanc close behind. As he exited the building he took a slow deep breath and stretched, a low growl escaping his lips. Running his fingers through his long untied hair he sighed, "Montblanc, I need a haircut, a jog, and a chamomile tea." He looked up towards the clear sky overhead and thought, allowing his known pleasant attitude washing over him, "Maybe the heat is not so bad after all."

Melkire · **07-16-2014, 06:35 PM**

KokojoÂ scowledÂ incessantly,Â bouncing this way and that as they made their way towards 'Ishgard.'Â The false bottom above her kept threatening to flap open and pour food and water rations down into the already-cramped confines of the traveling pack. With each step the knight took, the pack shook, making matters that much worse.

SheÂ sat as best she could: legs tucked in, her body curled as best as she could manage into a ball. HerÂ sword wasÂ held against her chest, one hand on the sheath and the other on the pommel when she could spare it; her shield was strapped across her back.

"You know... you're quite damn heavy."

She jabbed back at him with one elbow as they came to a stop.Â Could he feel that through the leather? She hoped he could feel that through the leather.Â Ass. Most of the weight came from her armor; she'd chosen to climb into this infernal contraption while in full iron. If anything, he should be thanking her and her heritage for keeping his load light. Now, a Roegadyn... ha!

"I... didn't think Lalafells were this heavy... but between you and I..."

She perked her ears up hard against her celata as they started moving again. That wistful tone in his voice....
Â
"... I never liked the Brass Blades but you Immortal Flames though... you'll do."

Her expression softened, and she dropped her gaze to the falchionÂ she carried. She hadn't been born to this life, hadn't expected it, hadn't served as long as many of her peers had, her fellow corporals. That fateful family expedition to the Sagolii... the escape that had been Nymeia's grace... the refuge that had been Gridania... the circumstances that had brought her home, at last, to Ul'Dah, in time for her to devote herself to....

Under her breath,Â Kokojo muttered, "that's because the people suffer before the Blades... the Flames, though... the Flames are meant to suffer for the people."

Would he hear her? Could he?Â Likely not... but that didn't matter. It was something she felt had to be spoken aloud, be there ears toÂ listen or no. It was something she chose to remind herself of, sun past and sun arising. What she had volunteered for, what she had chosen... and why....

"Look at the bright side, at least you don't get to walk nor feel the bite of the wind. Even if you walked, I think you'll just sink into the snow."

Her contemplative frown - when had she started frowning? -Â fell awayÂ as the slightest of smiles dawned on her face. She chuckled along as his booming voice broke into laughter.Â

TheÂ storm must have broken, as the traveling pack jostled less and less as they went on, as the knight paused less and less, as the harsh whine of the frigid wind died down to mere whispers... then, at last...

They arrived at the 'Gates of Judgement.'

Xydane · **07-26-2014, 07:10 PM**

Xydane ceased in his steps as two Ishgardian knights approached with their spears pointed forward; their faces painted with disgust. Without turning his gaze away from the knights, Xydane whispered silently back to Kokojo.

"Don't move until I say it's clear."

"Halt! What business does a Hyur have at the Gates?! Speak quickly!" commanded one of the guards.

There was a certain twitch in the guardâ€™s eye from under his visor, as through he was waiting for any excuse to attack. Instead of cowering before the guard's intimidation, Xydane simply reached underneath his cloak and pulled out the missive.

"Business of an Inquisitor, knight."

"Inquisitor!? What is... let me see that!"

Quickly grabbing the scroll from Xydane's hand, the knight began to read silently, his eyes moving back and fourth as he struggled to believe each word that inked itself onto the parchment. From time, he would exchange glances with the other guard, make a comment or two, before finally returning the scroll to Xydane with a rather annoyed "Hmph."

"Very well, Hyur. Don't expect a welcoming presence especially with your filth sullying our holy city. Best make your business quick."

Xydane shrugged, ignoring the Knight's racist comment and walked away, waving him off. Behind him, the head guard shouted to the other as they too, made their way back to their stations.

"Open the gates!"

________________________________________________________________

There wasn't another moment to waste and Xydane lowered his hood as he remembered the details of Maulcrioux's brief. Passing through streets, alleyways, and crowds of citizens, Xydane began to move as fast as he could without the reason to create suspicion.

After a long while of walking, Xydane and Kokojo had no need to look further, for the building that held Erik Mynheir revealed itself out of an unnatural explosion. Removing the pack from his back and opening it, Xydane began to unsheath his sword as he yelled to the Flame Corporal still inside his pack.

"This is it! We must hurry!"

Melkire · **07-31-2014, 03:11 PM**

The corporal wasted no time: she rolled out of the traveling pack, rations spilling this way and that, herÂ small boots finding purchase on the cobblestones despite the blanket of snow. Her little fists clenched tight around the hilt and theÂ sheath of her sword as she gave their surroundings a cursory scan. Her eyes eventually fixated on the billowing smoke from further down the district, and she frowned as she belted her blade.

One quick glance at her companion...

"My kind are rare in these parts. Should prove a fine little distraction for your fellow 'knights'. Keep up."

And with that, she was off, sprinting down the alley, left hand holding her scabbard level as she ran, right hand poised over the hilt and ready to draw. She cut corners where she found them, darted under tables and through stalls where possible, hopped up and rolled over stonework where it wasn't. She hurried.

If the cycles spent serving with the FlamesÂ had taught her anything, it was this...

Explosions always mean trouble.

Xydane · **08-03-2014, 01:52 AM**

The little corporal was fast for her size and though she ran ahead, Xydane used little effort to catch up. Once he was narrowly behind her, he quickened his pace, passing the Lalafell in an all out sprint.

Closer and closer, the smell of fire and ash began to fill his nostrils as he closed the distance between him and the nearing building.

Embracing himself for the impact, Xydane heaved himself into the wooden door that made one of many ways inside the building. Wooden splinters flew and spun into the air as the door flew open, revealing the madness inside the room that stirred with chaos.

An unwary Elezen realized too late that intruders had breached as the cold taste of steel met with his tongue in an unsavory taste of bitter blood. Half of his head began to peel back and the corpse dropped onto the ground. Xydane flicked his blade in a swift manner against the air, the blood of the fallen Elezen flying off his sword. As he stepped over the body, he turned his head and noticed three other Elezens making their way down the halls towards the room. They snarled and cursed as they realized more trouble had come. One of them took notice of the fallen body and froze. His face turned pale, filling with horror but as his shock quickly subsided into rage, he clenched the hilt of his sword and rushed towards Xydane, the other two following after.

Sword in one hand and hidden blade in the other, Xydane prepared himself for the oncoming foes.

Melkire · **08-04-2014, 01:09 PM**

Kokojo didn't slow down.

Of course, that didn't mean she was right behind her knight as he barreled through the doorÂ - curseÂ his stride!Â - but she was close enough. She saw himÂ introduce steel to flesh, registered the falling body as she cleared the doorframe, pushed off to herÂ right as the Elezen fell and then doubled back to her left as she ran, full speed, past Xydane.Â The othersÂ didn'tÂ see her coming.

They were too intent on the Hyur.

She bowled into them.

Shield raised, she slammed into the middle one from the side, sent him staggering intoÂ his fellow on the left. She usedÂ the reboundÂ against her momentum to bounce offÂ to the right, and her sword flicked out and drew back in, hamstringing the Elezen there; he went crashing to the floor with a cry, pushed himself up onto one knee as she circled back around for her wounded prey.

She wasn't worried about the other two.

She'd left them for the Unrelenting.

Xydane · **08-04-2014, 08:44 PM**

The two Elezen charged, swords held high as they rushed to kill the Hyur trespasser. The first one swung down and Xydane parried with his sword, bringing his hidden blade to slash the Elezen's neck as he ran past by. The second swung high in an attempt to remove the Hyur's head from his spine. That too was an ill fated move. What the Elezen failed to realize was that Xydane didn't wear plate steel. His choice of leather provided him the opportunity to move and strike fast and indeed, Xydane was too fast. Ducking the failed decapitation, Xydane brought both body, sword, and blade into the Elezen's gut as he lunged on top of him.

Leaving the Coporal to her work, Xydane ran into the hallway and made for the left. The building held numerous rooms, twisting halls, and if navigating through it to look for one Hyur prisoner wasn't enough, the smoke and fire from the explosion only added to the confusion and chaos. Here and there, an Elezen guard would show only to be quickly struck down by the hooded man that used the smoke to his favor.

As he desperately looked to each room, Xydane roared to Kokojo whom he assumed was further down the halls, probably putting in quick work to more of the guards.

Kicking the debris that blockaded the last room in the hallway, Xydane found himself in the presence of a single male Elezen who's chest was impaled by falling wood and splinter. The Elezen coughed, blood dripping from his mouth as the smoke and injury slowly killed him.

Walking towards the Elezen and bringing the sword against his throat, Xydane frowned in disgust as he spoke.

"I can end your pain quickly if you choose to answer me. Where is Erik Mynhier?!"

Spitting a mouthful of fresh blood onto the wood that pinned him down, the Elezen smirked.

"T-the bastard.... escaped. You, however.... will not."

Turning around, Xydane soon found himself in the company of four other Elezen, their weapons drawn as they closed in to kill the trespasser inside the room.

"K-kill him! D-don't let him escape!" barked the Elezen before succumbing to his wounds. With their backs turned from the halls, Xydane hoped that Kokojo would use their complacency to her advantage.

Melkire · **08-05-2014, 03:57 PM**

A man on the ground is a dead man.

Elezen as a rule were not used to fighting from such a vantage point. Lalafell were.

It was that simple.

She followed Xydane down the hall, then turned right. What awaited her weren't prison cells but closets, storage rooms, maintenance rooms,Â offices... sheÂ foundÂ a corpse, stripped clean of clothes, in one room, and several more in another. The last chamber... the last chamber was where... the place lay in ruins:Â papers, chairs, and tables burning,Â walls charring, roof crumbling, room smoking. Â

KokojoÂ heard the knight bellow, and, though she couldn't make out any words, she got the gist. She hollered back, "Clear! We're clear! He's not here!"

Back down the hallway the little corporal darted; she came to the junction and went the other way this time, her breathing labored now as she turned one corner after another after another until finally she found....

Too many. Too late. They pressed in around the Hyur, lances drawn back for the thrust.

She dropped her shield.

"...very well. So much for the lieutenant. What can you tell me of your subordinates?"

He sighed as he dipped the brush again into the soot black dye and drew it over the barbute helmet again. The voice in his head never ceased; it was always asking questions, always pressing for weakness, for advantage.

"Only ever had the one since Halatali. Corporal Haruko Kokojo. Female. Dunesfolk. Good person. Good soldier."

"Specifics please, Master Osric. You should know that by now."

Another layer. One stripe. Two stripes. Three stripes. Jin'li had insisted that he look the part, so he had gone to great lengths and pains to smuggle his father's old armor out of the city.

"Helped me with the recruits, mostly. Occasionally accompanied me on investigations and matters of a more... personal nature."

"Skills?"

"Paladin-in-training, but her bladework is shoddy, from what I've been told.Â That said, could've been Sultansworn thrice over, if she'd chosen the Oath."

"Hmm. Why didn't she?"

"Because I asked her not to. I... needed her. Needed someone. Load's too much for one person to carry, at times."Â

"...you said 'thrice over'. If her martial prowess is so... lacking... then how?"

He put the brush aside, turned the finishedÂ helmet to face him, and sat down on the dusty dirt floor of the cavern that was Lost Hope.

"Big things come in small packages.Â She may never be one of the greats when it comes to the sword..."

He smiled.

"...but she excels at aetheric manipulation, and hasÂ a talent and potentialÂ for conjury the likes of whichÂ hasn't been seenÂ by the sultanate inÂ over three generations."

The lances speared through the air towards Xydane, only to clash against a sudden hexagonalÂ lattice of blue-white. The steel points rebounded, and the four Elezen staggered as they rocked back on their heels. One of them glanced back and gave a cry; the others turned, as well. She'd been spotted.

Kokojo's sword-arm hung at her side, the blade trailing on the ground. Her left hand - raised, palm out - rose further, drew and threw her helmet off. Her hair flowed freely... then rose, billowed, as if a sudden wind had picked up and held.

No mage, she, but long before she'dÂ found succor at StillgladeÂ Fane, she had found the Ossuary. She'd be stripping the gears again, doing as she was now, falling from grace, falling from White to Black as she released her grasp on the elemental and turned her focus to her own aether. She reached inward, pulled out the energies she needed, and a flame burst into being in the palm of her hand. She held it up, presented it to the four.

"Burn."

So they did. Fire rolled over the lattice in broiling waves as the Elezen screamed, wailed. It didn't last long -Â thaumaturgy wasn't her specialty -Â but it lasted long enough. She let the protective lattice wall drop as the heat faded, and sheÂ gave her knightÂ aÂ gift,Â presented him withÂ four unguarded backs.

That would have to be enough, because her eyes rolled back in her head.

Haruko Kokojo collapsed.

Xydane · **08-06-2014, 12:01 AM**

Seeing the opportunity Kokojo had given him, Xydane rushed towards the burning Elezen and slew them one by one, the swift sound of steel through flesh halted the noise of their screams, leaving only the thuds of their bodies falling to the ground.

As their charred corpses added to the smoke that was already building inside the room, Xydane tore off his robe and ran towards his unconscious ally, lifting her from the ground and carrying the Lalafell over of his shoulder. Though the air caused him dry and irritating coughs, the knight continued to desperately search for a way outside the burning building.

Fire rose higher as more debris began to fall with each waking second. Eyes teary and his body drenched in sweat, Xydane continued to cough as ash and smoke slowly filled his lungs. Breathing was becoming difficult and the smoke created extreme irritation upon the eyes.

Moreover, the surrounding did not spare his ears. Echoing through the building was the dying screams of other Elezen who where unfortunate to be caught in the building's collapse. He ignored their cries as he continued searching for an escape.

Xydane's vision began to drastically blur and each step felt heavier and heavier. The heat was intensifying while every hallway and room led only to a dead end. Before hope could finally dim, a small hint of light shined weakly past the wall of ash and debris. It was in that moment that the knight could wait no longer. Charging towards the light, Xydane shouldered himself through the fiery debris that stood in his way and crashed into the window, falling outside into a heap of snow. As they fell, the knight twisted in the air, using his own body to shield the Flame Corporal against the landing.

________________________________________________________________

An hour later...

While hiding in the city's shadows, Xydane watched as Ishgardian knights rushed to investigate the building burning in the distance. Once they passed, Xydane brushed his hair back and exhaled with relief. He scanned the area to confirm a clear getaway. With the unconscious Kokojo safely inside his traveling pack, Xydane donned the bundle and continued their escape.

After an hour of sneaking his way outside the city, carefully avoiding stationed guards and suspicion, he finally reached the outskirts of The Gates of Judgment. Xydane began to run towards the other Immortal Flames camped nearby.

"Hey! I need help!"

Melkire · **08-08-2014, 09:01 PM**

Gregson was none too subtle about plodding through the snow as he hurried over.

"What's wrong? Where's the...?"

He paused as he reached Vale, as he noted that the knight wasÂ still lugging the traveling pack around.Â He paused for just a moment, then shook his head, murmured an oath under his breath, andÂ lifted the pack's flap, peered inside.

"...aw, hells." He half-turned and bellowed up the slope.Â "COAL!"

AÂ smallerÂ than average HellsguardÂ in Flame uniform lumbered over, saluted. Gregson slowly, carefully drew the pack off Xydane's shoulders, one strap at a time, beforeÂ passing it off to the Roegadyn with no small amount of effort - Xydane's fellow midlander was anything but built. In point of fact, he almost looked like a twig standing next to the knight.Â

"Get the corporal to Dragonhead. We can't do much for her here; she needs Ebner."

The big Roe nodded as he slipped one burly arm through both straps and held the pack to his chest with his other hand. Then he was off, running down the slope to the east as fast as the trunks that were his legs could carry him.

Private First Class Gregson watched them go. He shook his head and sighed.

"Not the first time she's pushed herself like that. Not something that should be done. No staff, no rod... pushing herself to go from one to the other like that... she's going to break, one of these days."

He frowned, then gestured for Xydane to follow as he slowly made his way back to camp.

"Ebner and I - Ebner's our field surgeon - we're the only ones who know. Besides the sergeant and the lieutenant, that is. Most think she can only conjure."

His left hand shot up as theyÂ approached the campfire, whipped around in a small circle that said, let's go. The few remaining Flames there began packing. Gregson bit down hard on his lower lip.

"...someone who might've been Captain Mynhier snuck out the gate a few bells ago. Jekkels spotted him. Sent Ebner aheadÂ to Dragonhead withÂ half the squad to confirm. We'll see what he has to say."

Xydane · **08-09-2014, 07:23 PM**

The thought of the little Lalafell going as far as to the point of breaking impressed Xydane. He was all too familiar with the desperation of going beyond oneâ€™s boundaries. He knew the sacrifice; to do anything for the cause, even if it meant putting your life on the line, even if it meant dying in the process. There was a hint of admiration in his eyes as he watched the pack leave with the Hellsgaurd.

Xydane turned towards Gregson as his gesture took Xydaneâ€™s attention away from the others. â€œRight,â€ he nodded, â€œLead the way.â€ Extending his arms to allow Gregson to walk first, Xydane noticed the small hints of burn marks on his own forearm. His cloak had been left behind in the castle after it caught heat and flame â€“ it was most likely burnt along with the rest of the building. The wind slowly began to pick up again and Xydaneâ€™s hair blew along with it. He sighed, placing a hand on the swordâ€™s hilt as he followed the other man.

â€œThereâ€™s a lot more to her than I thought,â€ Xydane said with an impressed tone. â€œWhen she wakes up, tell her I said thanks for saving my arse.â€

Xydane did not want to go too close to the campfire. He just escaped a burning building, after all. He was not in any hurry to catch fire once more, he humored himself. Xydane watched the Flames pack as Gregson spoke. "I'm not surprised,â€ Xydane responded, still watching the Flames, â€œWe didn't find him in there and one of the Elezen confirmed it before he died.â€ Finally Xydane turns to face Gregson, putting a comforting arm on his shoulder and said, â€œOne thing is for certain: He escaped.â€

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