Emalia Dies

Grobnak's office looked the same as it always had - and at the approach of Emalia, Grobnak leapt up from his chair. "Emalia! You're alive!" The scent of death and decay swirled around her, but it didn't seem to bother either of them. At Grobnak's approach, Emalia inwardly recoiled - the killer of her child - how dare he approach her. All this time she thought of him as decent - not knowing that all along everyone was right about his cold, calculating nature. "What is it that you have there?"

"This... is... my baby. Look at her... isn't she beautiful?"

For a shimmering moment, Brin was alive in her arms - but the vision wavered and the ball of rot came back into view with black, bloated lips pursed for suckling. "I don't understand," Grobnak interrupted. "You lost it? You were only a few weeks along."

"Nooooo," Emalia began in a hollow whisper. "She's here... she's here now."

"I... I am sorry, Emalia."

"Hold her," Emalia commanded. She thrust the decayed child into Grobnak's arms. Upon his face gathered a tear, and it drove Emalia near insanity. A growl gathered in her throat, even as the black ichor that coursed through her rewarded her for the hate. "You did this to me. You did this to her."

"Me? No, Emalia."

"Yes. You did. You gave me that disease... the disease that KILLED my baby."

"No, Emalia. If I made people ill, there would be many more deaths. I am Chosen, yes, but I am not contagious."

"LIAR!" Emalia shoved her hands into Grobnak, thrusting him backward. "Halethiel TOLD me what you did... you sick... sick bastard! YOU infected me."

"Halethiel is centuries dead! What is it about this that you people do not understand?"

"You did this to me," Emalia began. The rage that she had quelled only a bit was washing over her - the black makou prasing her for the turn in her nature. It flowed easier now - but Emalia did not know. She advanced slowly upon Grobnak. "You killed my child... and I can't live knowing you aren't going to pay. I'm going to make you pay for this, Grobnak."

"I did nothing, Fallen! Know that I will tolerate your anger and your insolence, but you will not assault me for your lack of Faith, no matter how dear you may be to me!"

"DEAR TO YOU!" Emalia barely could understand the words once they had left her mouth, so high pitched were they. Grobnak held his ground, his black eyes looking down upon her with a mix of emotions Emalia could not, and didn't try to descern.

"Bring your wrath, then. I did not hurt this child. I have done naught but seek to reveal the Truth to you, which you refuse to see."

The words were enough to halt Emalia for only a moment - until her eyes rested upon the decayed baby that Grobnak had placed in the chair. Rage like no other she'd known flooded her and she gripped Grobnak's arm with her fingers like talons. She did only what she knew to do - she pulled upon the world around her, channeling through her body the very essence of the planet, while forcing it in a torrent into Grobnak.

Emalia could barely see from her own eyes - the pain of the black makou being mixed with what she was caused only the color white to explode over and over in her vision. A scream broke from her throat as she gripped tighter - her entire body shuddering inwardly with pain that felt as though her flesh was being flayed from her skin by hooks. Only when the body before her began to fall did she relent enough to note the connection which made her kin to Grobnak's thoughts - and he to hers. Only as the ragnarok demon's wings melted into a puddle and dripped to the floor did she realize she had been wrong. Grobnak's life flickered out like a candle blown, and Emalia fell to the ground with him.

"Oh no..." The madness that capped Emalia's face broke into pure horror. "You... were... right... Oh Gods..." Feebly, Emalia tried to ignore the pain within her, to right the wrong, to find Grobnak's life and restore it - but it was too late for him - and for herself. She had fully let herself go to slay him, and with the pain digging itself into her - the attempt to pull life - to give life - Emalia's vison began to fade.

Nothing more could be done for Grobnak, and with the loss of all that held her together inside, Emalia collapsed onto Grobnak with a shuddering breath. It was her last. The remainder of her lifeforce shot from her, a brilliant explosion. When the guards finally entered, a body of a baby was in a chair, an orc laid upon the ground in a puddle of black ooze, and atop his chest was a woman in dirty white robes. All were dead.

Compounding Problems...

Sanria lay in her bed, her back to the steady breathing of Colin, who was sitting in a chair nearby. She had hit another low in her life and all she could wonder is what she could have done to change it.

Two weeks before she lay in bed, she was at the gates of the Jihad compound. She'd woken up at the gates of Throm's vanished house, and knew the only place he'd be was with Grobnak. So she stormed through the gates, entangling the front guards, and ended up for all her troubles, in a holding cell with several bruises on her arms.

But she was right. Throm was there, in the cell beside hers. She was relieved to find him, but worried about the fact that she was in here also nagged at her. The two spoke for what felt like several hours before Grobnak approached her cell door. "Have you calmed yourself, Sinner?"
"I should say so."
"This one attempted to break into the Compound and has personally insulted myself and our entire organization. What would you do with one such as this if they stormed the home of the Guardians?" Grobnak asked Throm.
"A woman after my own heart."
"Just let him out. You can do whatever you need to do to feel justified to me."
"Throm is here of his own accord, Sinner."
"Why then is he locked up?" Sanria barked.
"So that he does not leave with a dangerous substance he has stolen in the past."

Sanria could not see Throm in the next cell, willing Grobnak to shut his mouth, but confusion and sudden curiosity got the better of her. "What? What substance?"
"That is not your concern, Sinner," Grobnak hissed.
"Throm? What is he talking about?"
"All will be explained Sanria...I promise. Now is not the time though."

Another coverup. Another deflection of true purpose. Sanria slid to the ground, not really understanding until several more words had passed that Throm was in the compound seeking more black makou. Her heart, in that moment, froze and she sat with her chin on her knees. She'd put her life on the line to save Throm, only to discover that he had returned to the compound for that evil, vile substance. She felt duped.

She was put out at dawn, after hearing a bit of conversation between Grobnak and Throm... about a book... and then... about dreams. Emalia was in a dream. It gave her hope, and she raced home to share the news.

Vanishing... (1-3)

Sanria's hand slowly went back to her whip as she asked, "Where's Sandorin?"
"I don't know... he disappeared. What... what has happened? Please, tell me, what have I done?"
"You probably killed him, you monster. Where is he?"

Sanria's whip unfurled and the tips clattered down with a jingle upon the stone floor. Small electric-like arcs of fire lapped the length of the leather - activated by the user. Sanria's eyes darkened. She had a missing daughter, no lover, a missing brother, and a vile being sitting right at her feet upon which she could release her fury for not only all of those things, but the things Visha had done to her in her past. She lifted her hand and the vines enclosed the slumping figure on the floor. "I wished I could have killed you a long time ago, Visha. Threatening those I love... making me do those... those... horrible things."
"Please, I need your help. I didn't realize what had happened."
"Of course you didn't," Sanria spat.
"In my mind... I saw him in there... and the other."

She flicked her whip, barely slicing into Colin's cheek. "Lies. I tell you this much, you're not going to hurt my daughter. I'll see you dead and gone long before that."
"Emalia. Where is Emalia! Is she alright?"

Sanria's heart flared with rage. Of all the audacious things he could have said... "Oh you evil swine!" Sanria's whip found its tips slicing through the flesh of Colin's chin, fire dancing brightly before simmering down, searing the open wound before going out. "Filth!"
"Listen to me! Please! I didn't know what was inside of me but Sandorin took it out. He went into my mind..."

Sanria looked at Colin now as if for the first time. Her breath caused her shoulders to rise and fall angrily as her uncertainty worked its way through her. Finally, she let the whip drop to the ground and waved a hand, dismissing the vines from her victim. "It was not me," he continued. "Well, the old me, but worse. Whatever it was, Sandorin removed it. I finally realized it was there, he helped me to see, and I was able to help him."
"Then where is Sandorin, and where is that... thing?" Sanria whispered. She looked over with enough time to see the wound on Colin's chin ooze a bit of blood onto the floor. She reached to her pouch with regret, and pulled out several vials of salve.
"I don't know. I remember falling to the floor, I looked up and saw him for only a moment before he vanished." Colin rose and approached Sanria. "Sanria, please. Where is Emalia?"
"She's gone, Colin. To where... no one knows. None can find her."

Sanria dabbed Colin's chin with a paste of stinking herbal salve. She kept her eyes locked on the wound, feeling measurably more at ease knowing he did not have Visha in him any longer, but the worry pressed on her with her wayward brother being gone.
"Throm went into the lifestream to run tests," Sanria said, talking mainly to herself.
"Apparently that black makou is just as bad as I assumed."
"When? When did this happen?" Colin asked, never having heard Sanria's comment.
"When? You remember none of this? She's been done almost seven days."
"Seven days!? But just last night I was there with her!"
"No... you were not. We've all tried reaching her, and even Throm went to Grobnak to question him."
"Throm gave me that black makou, then you had me tangled."
"Colin... that was a week ago. Though, we haven't had any other success... and indeed... have had failures." Sanria immediately looked down, her lips tight, her thoughts on Throm. "Throm figures you and he shared the same odd dream," Sanria said, slightly changing the subject. "Some fellow, Halethiel, was in them."Colin's eyes widened. "Sanria... in the dream... there was another in my dream."
"Another?"
"My shadow, it spoke to this Halethiel, and he to it."
"You saw this man then?"

The two continued speaking, discussing Visha, Halethiel, the dream, and the lack of a body for Emalia. It was then that Colin said something that chilled Sanria to the core. "I took her to another plane before, when I was trying to keep her safe." The admission set both of them on a path to Colin's airship and a piece of his past.

Sanria was kept blindfolded, but the sounds she heard - the moans, the screams, the growling - sent her to the edge of her sanity. She wanted nothing more than to rip the blindfold from her eyes and defend herself, but as Colin informed her... to do so might find her lost in the planar vortex forever.

She could not tell how many places they went, nor how long time passed. Sanria could barely send out her thoughts to seek for her daughter - so terrifying was the trip. But after unknown time spent, there was only silence to greet each request. Emalia was obviously not here. But the idea of planes got Sanria thinking.

"She has to be in a plane somewhere. When we were in one plane, I could not detect anything in the others... I could not feel them even existing. If Sandorin were here, he might know how to better look for her... but..."

Sanria plopped into a chair, utterly exhausted from the strain. "How many more people have to go away," she lamented.

"None, we will find her, find them both. We just have to think this through. Who saw her last?"

A shudder sliced through Sanria as she realized just who she was helping here. It was immediate that she had to remember... this was not Visha. "You did."
"Then we have to assume that I... Visha that is... is responsible."
"It sounds almost foolish to suggest... and I don't think it's possible to do... but... do you think he could have taken her to the dream? In... his dream?"
"I just don't know. How could he? I mean, I can't even use magic. I couldn't... could I?"
"No. Not without something powerful to get her there."

Sanria's thoughts never strenthened into more. Perhaps she might have placed what powerful thing could have let Visha take Emalia into a dream - but she had never heard of such an event, let alone anything that could have allowed such a thing to happen. No, her next thoughts were of Halethiel, and who might know this man. There was only one being she could think of that would begin to have a clue, but Grobnak truly was the last person she wanted to visit.

Going Home

Emalia fluttered her eyes and focused on the wooden ceiling above. She didn't remember for a moment where she was and allowed her eyes to rove. Her body felt rather stiff and she hadn't yet moved when a voice reached her ears. "Ahh! You are awake! I had feared you might not make it, either..."
"Wh... what... happened?"
"I found you had fallen asleep in the fields below. Passed out it would seem. You have been very ill for several months now."

Emalia suddenly recalled everything - her being drug to this plane by Colin, her being trapped in this very same cabin, her being unable to find anywhere to go in this maddening landscape, and the fact that everyone was telling her she was ill from some disease Grobnak carried.
"And... I am terribly sorry to tell you this, but your baby did not make it."

Emalia's weakened body seemed to sink further into itself. She looked up at the face of Halethiel, tears in her eyes. She was too weak to seek Brin's form. Too weak to verify anything other than the fact that Brin was no longer within her. She had no choice but to believe the emaciated man. She found only enough energy to struggle to a sitting position and raise her hand to wipe at her eyes. Only then did she notice her skin looking almost the color of ash. "On a brighter note," the lank figure continued, "since you have regained consciousness, it would seem that the illness has run its course, and you should be better soon."

Emalia barely heard the words for her own sobbing. She requested Halethiel show her the body of her child, and at the sight of the tiny coffin, her heart broke.
"How... I wasn't sick... I was so sure..."
"We all make mistakes," Halethiel said. "We believe that this happened at some point during your contact with this... Grobnak."
"Grobnak... did this... to me? I can't believe... I can't believe it..."

Emalia could not detect any deception, especially with her current condition. She was informed Colin had been absent for quite some time - though he had apparently visited her weekly, since her falling into sleep. Her worry for her husband increased her "illness," as did the final view of her child - a small, blackening body.

Emalia wanted to grieve, but was almost too exhausted to do even that. She lay back on the bed, growing even more weak. She could not know that her power was cut off from the planet - there was no freeflowing lifestream here to help heal her. She could not know the depths of the lies told to her. She only requested to be left alone - unaware that she, and the body of what she thought was her child, would be transported out of the plane as soon as sleep took her over.

Into The Ocean

Slowly materializing within the large room, Throm sighed in the form of a well released exhale. As if sensing his presence, a large fireplace on the far end of the chamber burst to life. Illuminating the large table amid room, it cast the table's strange shadows to all corners of the room, emulating the visage of dancing wraiths upon the walls.

He had in fact, gained little from his 'discussion' with Grobnak. Throm's own frustrations gave way to the strange feeling he had gotten that the Rok demon actually cared for the wellbeing of Emalia. Grobnak's actions and apparent defensiveness on the issue had summoned suspicions which Throm could not ignore however. Sighing wearily once again, Throm slowly paced to a large empty arch at the head of the room. There were too many odd events as of late to be mere chance. Such events were becoming stacked as chips within Casino Nights.

The stolen Jenova Cells... The appearance of the Old Foe... The dream... Finding Black Makou within Jihad hands... Emalia sick and then disappearing along with the Black Makou... Colin's odd behavior...

Standing before the arch, Throm closed his eyes, willing the Planet's doorway open. After a moment the darkened archway burst into life, lit by an energy of bright green. Standing before the gate he cast a glance back to the room which offered safety and simplicity. Were one standing near him, they would have heard the whispered words which left his mouth before he plunged himself into the green lit gateway. His words however, fell upon no ears.

"I must give in to intuition once more if I am to set events right. I don't know how this will end...only the direction in which to tread. I know I gave my word, Sanria...and I'm sorry."

Captive (1-2)

Throm had gone and Sanria pulled up one of the chairs in the room. She gave a deep sigh as she watched Colin thrashing about on the floor. "You may as well stop. You cannot fight nature." Sanria watched as Colin's face grew red. "Emalia is not your dog, Colin. She doesn't belong to any of us."
"She belongs to me, she belongs with me, and if that creature has taken her..."
"No," Sanria sighed. "Don't you think, Colin, that I've endured this as well?"
"You keeping me here could be the very thing that takes her away - have you thought of that?"
"You understand nothing but presume to know everything," Sanria said, letting out yet another sigh. She leaned forward, looking down at the large man whose face was burning with intensity.
"Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing of you."
"I know you are worried, Colin. I am too." Sanria paused a moment, her worst fears about her daughter being confirmed. Due to this black makou business, Emalia was nowhere to be found. She hung her head at her next words, "But already, Throm's lack of thought has landed us here. He rushed here to give you two something that should not have been freely given. Now, the result is that it and my daughter are missing."
"But right now.. he could have her.. doing... who knows what to her."

Colin again struggled with the vines, though finding himself still restrained did nothing to slow him down. In fact, his face grew more red with every renewed effort he gave. It did unnerve Sanria a bit seeing him so upset. If anything happened where her spell would falter, she didn't know what he might do. "I want you to think for a moment of when you have your own daughter."
"Because of you I might not even HAVE my daughter! How can you do this, do you not care at all!?"

The words stung Sanria deeply. Immediately, she felt that it wasn't worth attempting to discuss. She knew that the moment she allowed Colin up, he would either commence thrashing her, or he would bolt from the door and put Emalia into even worse danger. She was in no way prepared for the words that were to come from her captive: "Maybe Emalia was right and that IS why you decided to just leave her behind and chase your own whims."

Sanria sat up, tilting her head to the side. A couple renegade tears rolled from her eyes as she looked down upon Colin. "What?"
"After she took care of you for all that time and once Thasmudyan came back you didn't have time for her anymore."

Sanria sat back with a sad smile. Again she was confronted with the thoughts of her daughter. The shame she felt as well as the pain of knowing how her actions drove her daughter from her life washed over her anew. "Do you see right now how you treat me?" she asked, waving a hand. The vines sprung immediately to life, wrapping themselves around Colin's mouth and head. He could still see, but speaking was no longer a luxury. "How you drop everything else because your lover is in danger?"

Sanria once again leaned forward, not bothering to hide her emotions now. Tears were in her eyes, as was rage that she had not yet been able to vent. Her face was red, blotchy, and contorted. "After eighteen years of being insane, having my own daughter taking care of me, I find the one person I had been seeking in my mind for EIGHTEEN YEARS. I didn't leave her, I was overcome with absolute joy that my lover... the one man that meant the world to me, the FATHER of YOUR WIFE had returned to me. Of COURSE I wanted to spend time with him!"

Only a sob forced Sanria to pause. "GODS you think you understand but you won't even look at your own situation to GET IT! I NEVER stopped loving Emalia, Colin. No matter what YOU or SHE may think. You would run off in an instant to save her? WELCOME TO MY WORLD. I find her and she acts as though I'm dirt, never understanding... never bothering to. Just like you. You will NOT get my daughter hurt, nor anyone else I love because you bullheadedly think she is the only living thing in the realms. I'm sorry. Throm will speak with Grobnak and you WILL wait."

Sanria wiped her eyes, letting out a couple more sobs, before finally letting Colin's mouth free. "At least I won't keep you here eighteen years waiting on it."

The tirade did nothing and Colin continued on, unrelenting. His ire rose until suddenly, he laid upon the floor, looking calm. "How did I end up down here?"

The question stopped Sanria for a moment, and she stared at the man in disbelief. She could not comprehend why Colin would ask such a thing, and this, coupled with his absolute rage, his sudden calm... her only recourse was to call on her brother. She was not going to sit in the room any longer with the chance that another odd change in Colin would crop up.

Going On a Grobnak Hunt (1-2)

Throm and Sanria arrived back at the caverns and headed directly to the room where they knew Colin and Emalia to be staying. The door opened almost at the same moment Sanria knocked. "Sanr... um, mom."
"Hello, Colin."
"I was just about to come talk to you."

The three exchanged a few more greetings as Sanria walked into the room. Emalia was obviously absent, making Sanria only slightly worried. "Where is Emalia?"
"That's exactly what I was going to ask you...I woke up this morning and she was gone."
"Gone?"
"She didn't leave via the Cavern entrance... this much I know," Throm said. The response seemed to irritate Colin a bit.
"Well how do you know she didn't leave?"
"I told you I'd keep watch from afar... I have kept my word until now."
"Well," Sanria interrupted, hoping to soothe the situation, "Emalia we can find. I'm sure she's just gone off to do... something or other."
"I just wouldn't expect her to just wander off... not now," Colin added with a deep sigh.
"You still have the black makou, yes? It's why we came."
"Yes," Colin answered, "it's right over..." Colin stopped, looking at the nightstand. "Well, it was right here..."
"You kept it on the nightstand?" Sanria asked incredulously.
"Well I didn't think it was going to just get up and walk away. I'm telling you, it was right here." Colin looked through the sheets on the bed while Sanria looked to Throm. Without projecting such thoughts, she frowned at him. 'I told you.'
Throm, however, didn't seem to notice. "It's not here."
"Do you think... she took it?"

The very notion almost made Sanria scoff. "Emalia wouldn't have touched that stuff if it is what I believe it to be... but with her, I never know for sure."

Colin turned to both Sanria and Throm with irritation clear upon his face. "Just what is going on here? Can't either of you find her, you know, with some kind of magic or something?"

Sanria turned to the windows with a sigh and closed her eyes. Though Colin and Throm continued speaking, she didn't hear them. In the same manner she sought out Throm, she sought out Emalia. Her mind stretched through the very earth itself, yet nothing in nature had any idea where her daughter was. It was unnerving, but she tried again, this time seeking Emalia's very essence... and found nothing. She spoke out, attempting to find Emalia's mind, but found nothing.

In a desperate bid to be certain, she shouted into Colin's mind, "COLIN!"
"What are you doing?" he asked, hunching down. "I'm right here!"
"She's not here... she's... she's nowhere. I tried, I tried seeking her mind, her essence, she's not here. She's..."
"Pardon?" Throm asked.
"How can she not be here? You are certain she did not leave?" Colin asked Throm. "Are you positive?"
"My guardian would have alerted me the second either you or Emalia left the waterfall," Throm replied with a nod.
"Where... where could she be? There just nothing... Nothing. Throm, try." Sanria looked at Throm, her face pale and full of concern.

Throm, too, closed his eyes and sought out Emalia. Colin's face contorted with a touch of rage as he waited. "No... he wouldn't dare."
"Who wouldn't?" Sanria asked. "What are you talking about, Colin?"
"Grobnak. If he has some hand in this-"
"I won't claim to hear the planet's voice anymore....but I get the feeling that the Lifestream does not recognize her presence," Throm interrupted.

Colin walked to the table, grabbing up his sword. Sanria's eyes opened wide. "Where are you going?"
"I've had enough of this. I'm going to do something."
"Just you wait a minute," Sanria shot. "Everyone seems to have forgone thought in favor of the rash." This did nothing to slow the massive Colin from striding toward the door. "Stop! Don't you see... just wait a minute!"
"It's obvious that all of this 'searching' isn't getting anywhere. I'm going to get answers. You both can stay here in this room if you want."
"Colin, I want to know where she is too, but I'll not run off with the posibility of hurting her. Now WAIT."
"No," Colin said, glaring at Sanria. "You wait. I'm going to go find my wife. The two of you can stay here and think until you both pass out but for all I know Grobnak had done something to her and I intend to find out."

The audacity sent Sanria into a bit of a rage. How could this man refuse to see that his temper just might cause more trouble? Sanria walked to him, stuffing a finger in his chest as she spoke. "Listen. That is my daughter and my grandchild. If you run off causing trouble with things you don't understand, you might get her hurt, wherever she is."Throm spoke as Sanria's hand was shoved away. "Grobnak... perhaps I should speak to him. His name is popping up an awful lot lately."
"Better you than this hot head," Sanria snorted.

Still, Colin insisted upon storming out. Sanria could only think of what trouble it could cause, upsetting the Jihad. She had dealt with a couple of them on occasion, and while they didn't seem as vile as others she'd dealt with, she couldn't help but realize they'd go to any lengths to acheive their objectives. She didn't worry on the consequences as she encanted a spell, entangling Colin's feet to the floor with vines. "Wait, I said."

Colin hit the floor with a crash, and turned to stare at Sanria with a burning glare. "What do you think you are doing!?"
"Making you use that brain of yours." Sanria gave a sigh as she turned back to Throm. "Will you be safe speaking with Grobnak?"
"YOU do not tell ME what to do! I'm going to go do something about MY missing wife!"

Before waiting for Throm's reply, Sanria glared down at Colin, her finger pointed threateningly. "In a minute I will have you completely entwined. Now settle down." Quickly, she renewed the strength of her spell, her vines obediantly coiling about Colin's feet and legs. She looked again to Throm. "Go... find Grobnak and I'll keep this gentleman here with me."

Throm walked to Colin and nearer to the door. He took a moment to kneel down, resting a hand on Colin. "If we're going to find her, we'll need to work as a team... not against each other."

Romance?

Nisstyre's Tavern was relatively quiet and as always, it was out of the way. The whole tavern itself was rather dark, so Sanria found it nice that Throm laid a hand on her shoulder first. With a bit in the way of greetings, the two sat down at the table where Throm had been quite hidden.

Sanria sat, thinking briefly how odd it was that she hadn't yet told Emalia that she was engaged to Throm. Admittedly, with the reception she had from Emalia *without* telling her, she wasn't sure when the right time would occur. Then she looked at Throm and smiled in return of his smile. "Hello, Sanria. I hope I've found you well today.""I would have been so much better were it not for that fright you sent to deliver the missive, but I will forgive you," Sanria grinned."I'll admit freely that romance was never my strong suit."

Hearing that this was an attempt at romance settled Sanria a little, though as she thought about this, she realized just how little she and Throm ever really did... how little they ever really touched... but such thoughts finally left her mind at the sight of Throm's expression fading into something more serious. How rare she got to have a day with him where there wasn't something creasing his face. 'So,' she thought, 'this isn't about romance after all.'

Throm began to tell her of his dream in which Emalia was said to have a virus given her by Grobnak, and how he was told to give as a cure black makou, to Colin. It shocked Sanria deeply that Throm would set off to do anything based on a simple dream, and even more that he would have given a substance so detrimental to Emalia and Colin after all they had been through in the north. It made her angry, but she tried her best not to show it. After all, she didn't believe Throm would to anything without good reason for it. Still, she knew that the only answer would be to go to Emalia and Colin and get the vial back (and this prospect frightened her terribly - knowing how volitile she and Emalia seemed to be anymore).

Sanria could tell by the expression on Throm's face that she had dealt him some sort of blow. She couldn't hide the fact that she didn't believe his dream. She moved to his side of the table, putting a hand gently on his cheek, then to his hands. "We will have to work on this, you know. Communication."
"I know."
"For now, I am definitely worried. In a way... I'm worried simply because Emalia *is* a lot like me... Prone to sometimes do silly things." Sanria let out a small chuckle. They discussed Emalia only a little longer before rising from the table, ready to set off to reclaim a substance that spelled nothing but wretchedness. Sanria hoped as they walked that she had prompted them to do the right thing - both for Emalia, and for themselves. She walked with her arm around his waist, thinking over so many of her decisions.

Hormonal Imbalances

Emalia sat on the edge of the bed with her tears rolling down her cheeks. Once again she had completely made a fool of herself, and while the rest of the realms knew pregnancy could make a woman crazy, no one left a memo for Emalia. All she knew is that when Throm showed up before dawn saying something was wrong with her, then not really believing her when she said she was fine - the anger she had over his interference with her parent's "happily ever after" and his doubt of her understanding of herself boiled over.

Apparently, someone from somewhere had informed Throm that Emalia had contact with Grobnak which left her infected with something like hemelia. Emalia knew this wasn't true, she could see directly into herself, she could search her very essence for anything impure, and nothing was there. But with Colin holding her hands, she could sense, like the rumble of a storm on the horizon, something was amiss.

She didn't seek out what it was, but it didn't seem to matter. While Colin believed her words, Throm seemed uncertain. It burned her up to know that he still doubted her, he still didn't believe. 'Arrogant,' she thought to herself. Then Throm was simply ready to leave without a word of what this "disease" might be, or what they could do to help Colin.

Emalia was outraged, and even more irritated that she couldn't control the torrent of feelings that shuddered through her body. Throm had come in the small hours of the morning - it was obvious by that act something was dreadfully wrong, but he was dismissive, stating all would be well. 'Like hell,' Emalia thought. He was putting her husband in danger, and possibly herself, and her baby. "You may have taken my mother, but I won't let you take Colin!"

The brief look of shock on Throm's face was replaced with a small smile that drove Emalia mad."I don't intend to take anyone Emalia...believe me."

At that instant, Emalia was ready to seek out Grobnak for herself. She wouldn't risk venturing into Colin to discover what was in there, since it could harm Brin, but she would seek out the man who did this to him. Colin tried to calm her as these thoughts raged through her.

"My timing was off...I should have waited for the morning. I came not because I feared you both would vanish overnight. I acted upon selfish impulse in the service of self pacification by knowing you two were okay," Throm said."Selfish." Emalia glared at Throm now. "Seems that way."

Listening to Colin finally, Emalia walked to the bed and sat with her head in her hand, just as she sat now. Colin and Throm had walked out, and she simply couldn't help the tears. For these moments, she was glad to have Colin. For on both sides, no one trusted her it seemed, except for him. He was her saving grace, and she tried to rid herself of the tears before he returned.

No Stone Unturned (Part I-II)

He awoke with a start. Sweat clung to his chest, gleaming from him in the low lantern light like that of a madman. Throm rolled out of his bed, the cold contact of his bare feet upon the floor bringing him to full awareness. His tides of rage ebbed as did the most vivid of details of his dream, leaving a hollow chill to run it's course through his very core being. Walking slowly through the door of the bathroom which ran adjacent to his chambers, Throm breathed a soft word and dipped his hands into the cool water which now gurgled from a silver basin. Bringing the water to his face, he sighed as it ran down his cheeks as if washing away the harsh realization of the dream. "My list of enemies grows larger these days..." he muttered to himself. Throm returned to his chambers, reaching into his wardrobe to pull a loose black shirt about his torso. Stepping into a pair of equally black pants, he gazed out of the window judging the time to be late of night by the looks of the total lack of sunlight in the sky. Throm considered the possibility of notifying Sanria as he threw his cloak about his shoulders. He shook his head at once, chasing such thoughts from his head. It was early, and it would only serve to worry her further. No...he would handle this now and then inform Sanria in short order once Emalia was fine. After all, though the daughter of Sanria was no longer officially within the ranks of the Crimson Guardians, Throm had always felt it's members bound by far more than formality. As such, if Emalia or Colin were in danger he would see to it that such a danger were put to rest. Not to mention the fact that he would not watch another plague run rampant across the Realms. A brief flash of anger shot through him at the thought of Grobnak using a living being...one carrying a child no less as a vessel for his insane plots. And within that brief flash he desired no less than to unleash hell upon the Jihad Compound. To put an end to the latent threat that had plagued the Great Realms for so long. Slowly his demeanor calmed, and only then...when the red had faded from his vision, did he allow himself to think freely. No...he in fact would go to the Jihad Compound, but only to retrieve the Black Makou which Grobnak had originally used to infect Emalia. Tonight there would be no vengeance...such wasn't his style. Tonight he would be nothing more than a whisper upon a dark breeze.

The rain pattered lightly upon the ground, soothing even Throm's nerves after the traumatic message he had been given. In the near distance, he could spot the lights of the Jihad Compound. They were dim, though easily spotted among the darkness of the night. Deciding that a simple spell of concealment would not suffice, he instead took a deep breath and concentrated. Concentrated on nothing short of the removal of his being from reality itself. At once he was enveloped in a warm feeling that seemed to eject him into all directions at the same time. Opening his eyes, the world now appeared black and white. Devoid of color he knew now that he was no longer a participant, but now a spectator within the world he called home. Raising a hand in the direction of the Jihad Compound, Throm willed time itself to slow down...or was it him who would live faster? Regardless, he allowed the deep breath to escape his mouth as the rain drops suddenly began falling as if someone had suddenly cut the throttle threefold. He looked to the tip of his hand where the rain fell straight through what would have been flesh...were he a member of linear existance. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of the two guards who stood to either side of the entrance to the grove in which lay the headquarters of the Jihad. He had observed these guards before on routine surveillance excursions. Tonight was different though. Not just due to the fact that the insubstantial world about him had all of a sudden slowed to a crawl. The mannerisms in which the guards went about their ways were different tonight. One sat nearby the other one, seemingly locked in conversation. Thinking no more of it, Throm brushed past the two, finding himself at the downward entrance into the Compound. Flitting around a passing Jenovese, Throm soon found himself inside the large lab of the Jihad, looking upon a huge vat filled with a black substance which seemed to move of it's own accord. He reached down and filled two vials from a spout at the bottom of the vat.
"One for you...one for me. Time to find out exactly what this stuff does." he whispered to himself.

Quickly he moved towards the exit of the Compound, pausing only once near a statue of a Rok demon bearing the likeness of Grobnak. The one who had started this all.
"You raving fool....what have you done now?"

Master of Puppets (Pulling Strings)

Seventy Seven had told him of the Cetra who had caused the Church so much grief, just as Grobnak had spoken of the Stream Woman, Emalia and her search for the Temple - and how her Faith was ailing. Halethiel found these things distasteful: The woman had abilities that posed a threat to their plans, and the Cetra had proven to be an irritant in an otherwise flawless system. He had no patience for liabilities - it was time they became assets.

The Cetra had recently arisen to prominence amidst other foes: The Guardians. The Stream Woman was with child by one of these Guardians, and surely the child would share her abilities. The zealotry of the Cetra was well-known to the Church. The time had come to turn it into a weapon in his own hands.

These were the thoughts that went through Halethiel's mind as he cast the spell that would bring the dreamer to him. The Cetra arrived on cue in his wonderland, eyes wide with curiosity and wonder at the world he now found himself in. Hovering in the air, he levitated the puppet-woman towards his target. Mystra herself had a message to deliver to this... Throm, whom had been so disruptive to his plans.

At the sight of his goddess gliding before him, Throm knelt in awe. She glowed, ethereal tendrils of power emanating from her body, her eyes glowing, as she spoke to him, "My worthy servant, Throm," she said, "I have summoned you to perform a task."

"You need only ask, Lady," Throm replied, looking up at his goddess as she floated before him. She seemed almost plain, for a goddess, but the description fit. He felt a little skeptical, but some portion of his consciousness came to the realization that this was a dream, and only a true goddess could contact him in this manner.

"There is a woman, Emalia, who has been contaminated by agents of the Lady of Poison. Soon, all of the Realms will be engulfed in virulent plague at her touch. She must be saved, Throm. She has been infected by a mad man called Grobnak. Only you can save her and stop this disease from spreading."

Throm felt anger stirring in his chest and his stomach tightening as she spoke. It made sense. He didn't know Colin very well, but he had seen the pair. He knew that she had left Grobnak's mad circle of friends, just as she had left the Guardians. He knew also that a man like Grobnak had no conscience - she would be the perfect subject for experimentation to him. Already he knew that he would do whatever he could to help. He could not let this pass - that snake was a threat to humanity, and to the planet itself.

"There is a substance called Black Makou that was used to make this disease. It must be used to cure it, as well. You must find some of this substance, Throm, and deliver it to Emalia's lover, Colin. He will not know what to do with it yet, but the time is soon coming when he will." As she spoke, the woman's form began to change, dissolving into a glowing white orb that pulsated from its center. "My faithful steward, will you do this?" the voice of the woman asked, still speaking from within the will o' wisp.

"I will," Throm replied, anger lending conviction to his words "and I will not rest until it is done."

Choices (1-2)

Nephesh brought out his pad of paper and wrote a note which he promptly held up. 'Are you well?' The question took both Emalia and Colin off guard, and actually left Emalia wondering for a moment what the boy could mean.
"I'm fine..."
"Goodness Nephesh, did you walk through every bush you saw?"
'I've been searching for days...'
"We did leave very quietly."

Nephesh pointed to the obelisk around Emalia's neck. In truth, she had forgotten she had even put it on. 'I sensed it when it disappeared.'
"The demiplane..." Emalia had spoken this before she had fully realized that maybe Colin wouldn't want anyone knowing. And indeed, he quickly placed a hand upon her shoulder to silence her further.
'Demiplane?'
"Yes, we just had to leave for a while."
'I cast the spell so she would heal!'
"I wanted to be sure Emalia would be undisturbed, both while she slept and after. This has been a nice, restful place."

Irritated, Nephesh planted himself on the floor of the cavern and began to tear into a sandwich he had the foresight to pack. It seemed to be the mention of the baby once more, Brin being well again, that sent Nephesh to his feet, grabbing onto Emalia with sticky sandwich hands to listen to her mostly flat stomach. Seeming content, Nephesh listened with a quizzical face as Colin and Emalia both informed him of their marriage. His note after was simple. 'Congratulations,' it read.

"I have also come to a bit of a decision," Emalia began. She still had not even informed Colin of her thoughts, and both of them looked at her with a tinge of confusion. "I... don't believe taking this journey is the right thing for me to do. I've thought it over and... I have found myself, so I don't really need that any longer... and... well, I do have a family now..."
Colin's happy smile said volumes. "Really? Are you sure dear?"
"I believe so."
"You know I'm with you all the way but that does make me feel more at ease."
'I do not want you to trek this path while the baby grows in your belly. But it is your path, Emalia.'
"Well, I've thought a lot about it and feel that perhaps it is for the best."Nephesh shook his head and held up another note. 'Father was right.'
"Right?"
'You forgot the Vows of Absolution. To abandon the ways of Ao and deceit. He has fooled you. Have you forgotten the Voice, too?'
"Nephesh, please. Emalia is allowed to make her choice."
"I can't... kill all the people. The more I think about it and... I just can't."
'Kill people?'
"My mother, my father, my brother, my uncle... All of them would die when the RoK fell.. and... none of them would return. Colin too."
'That is why we must teach them the Truth. Do you think the RoK will fall when we find the Temple?'
"I'm not one of you anymore, Nephesh. I'm your friend... but..."
'It is your destiny to find the Temple, not bring down the RoK.'
"The temple is a step, yes?"
'The Temple will be used to STOP the RoK, Emalia.'

Emalia looked to the ground, her face flushing a bit. She had heard this somewhere before, but something still did not make sense to her. She knew that the idea of Rebirth was to bring the RoK down to make way for The Apprentice to return, and to have him bring back all the Faithful. "But if the Temple is to stop the RoK, why does Grobnak wish me to go?"
'Father does not understand why you are acting this way.'
"It doesn't matter. If it's my choice, then that is what it is."
'You still don't know what the Temple is for?'

Emalia kept her sigh of irritation in check. "All I know is what I will do is start a major conflict and many people will die, one way or another. I've decided I no longer wish to do that."
'It is called the Temple of Light for a reason, Emalia.'
"And the people for and against wish to know where to find it, Nephesh. I imagine to use or destroy it as they see fit. I will not lead them there."

"Nephesh, look, she has a new family now. Why is it so wrong for her to want to stay with them and watch it grow? Your father can find someone else to do this thing."
'This conflict you think you will be starting has been going on since before you or I was born.'

"Then I don't need to worry on it. If it's been going on, I have nothing more to add that won't be or hasn't been already." Emalia's words came out with a measure of calm that, up to that point, had evaded her. She felt a clarity in them and her vision now. She was no longer angry with the Realms. She saw by merely looking at Colin how balance did occur in the scheme of life - one truly evil could change for the better. While evil did appear to be prevalent everywhere, who was to say that just based on what she knew of Colin, that things would not right themselves without mass intervention.

Nephesh continued to attempt to convince Emalia that she had not heard the truth of the message, but to Emalia, she knew all she needed. She had heard Grobnak, she had heard Nephesh, and now she heard Colin, Jessiah, and all those in disagreement. While she still believed that the RoK should be stopped for all time, she had begun to waver in her commitment to The Apprentice and all that worked for his return. Her eyes now locked onto a beautiful rose colored vision of a promising future. As Nephesh went forth to complete the journey to the temple, Colin and Emalia went to their room, and after a time, found sleep in one another's arms.

Trapped in A Rift

Emalia again stared up at the ceiling of the cabin in the woods. She had spent the night in the demiplane, having given in to Colin's cajoling and eventual romancing. She looked over at the large man sleeping beside her with a sigh. Why he wanted to prevent her from doing what needed to be done, she didn't know. Had she known where the opening to the rift was, she would have already set off the day prior. Quietly, she rose from the bed and ambled to the window to look back out over the dreary plane. She took a few moments to read over the tablet given her by Jessiah, and she walked it over to the table setting it down once she had finished. She returned to her position at the window, now thinking slowly over her role in all of this. Her resolve wavered but she continued to stare out the window in quiet contemplation. These were the times she came closest to being like her father, turning details over in her mind, examining them in an attempt to make sense of them. Then she drifted back to being like her mother, rash and ready to ignore the signs in favor of the hope she'd win the gamble.

Eventually, Emalia felt the hands of Colin on her shoulders as she was turned around to face him. All he wanted was for her to stay there. If they were to stay, no one would bother them, and no one would bother Brin once she was born. Truthfully, after reading the tablet, the idea sounded appealing. In her mind, she pictured those with Hemelia running through the streets, ripping people limb from limb, and couldn't fathom bringing that about. But would she? Wasn't the disease a gift from The Apprentice? Besides, Grobnak had never done anything like that... it had to have been something different. Something had to have driven those with the blessing to madness. As she and Colin looked it over, though, his concern wasn't so much the balance as it was "so much innocent blood" that had been shed.

"What if you're wrong," Colin asked quietly. "It is a difficult situation. If this is correct, the stakes can be quite high."Emalia looked out the window, almost offended by Colin's question. "I won't be wrong."
"There is no way to tell, is there."
"No... but is there ever a way to tell anything? Nothing is ever certain, is it?"     
"I don't know. Some things are."
"Like?" Emalia turned to look at Colin over her shoulder, having found her way to the front window now.
"How I feel about you is."

There would be no more delays. Though Colin tried again to find a way to keep Emalia in the demiplane, she could no longer stay. The journey had to continue. 'Balance,' she reminded herself, 'Balance is at stake. Balance must be restored.'

Whining and Pining

Emalia slept only long enough to restore the most minimal of her energy. The very first thing she saw upon waking, was Colin. He laid by her side, his arm around her, staring down upon her with what she assumed was a mix of pity and worry. She couldn't really speak, and anytime she did her voice was simply quiet and subdued. She couldn't really move either. The whole scene was oddly reminiscent of the first time she and Colin were ever together, though this thought was far from her mind.

"I wish I could make them all just leave you alone," Colin said as he rubbed her arm.
"Me too," Emalia entoned quietly. "I don't think they will, though."

They continued talking, Emalia taking the time to explain to Colin just what she had felt when she "healed" Grobnak. She took time also to assure him that Brin was fine. So irritated at being weak, Emalia tried to rise but found herself unable to. "Emalia, please, just rest for now. Is there something you want?" Colin asked.
"I suppose not. I just hate being so weakened. I wish my father were about. He could perhaps heal me and all would be better."
"Do you know where he is?"
"Chasing my mother," Emalia muttered.
"Oh?"
"You weren't aware?" Emalia turned to look upon Colin.
"No. Should I have been?"
"Well, I thought I told you about it, but perhaps I hadn't. He went north shortly after the Vectorian invasion to help my mother," Emalia sighed in frustration. "He wouldn't even stay for me. And I asked him to."
"I see. I'm sorry. I suppose we aren't the only ones with a journey to make."

Emalia realized at that point just how many people Colin had not been introduced to. So many people in her family didn't know she was with him, or pregnant by him, and the realization made her feel guilty in an odd way. Colin, on the other hand, didn't seem to mind at all. His only thought was wishing no one was around, and that they could simply be left alone. No sooner had he made his thoughts known than a knock sounded upon the door.

Dreams of Renewal (1-2)

His blood ran thick down his arm, his head swimming in anger and sadness at the assault Emalia had made on his honor. He did not lie - he told painful truths... and sometimes, just sometimes, he kept things from people in order to protect them.

He had cut his arm once for each truth he'd wished he'd not had to tell her. Once for each time, and as deeply for each truth as he felt that it had wounded Emalia. He knew that, in time, he would heal - just as Emalia would. He only hoped that it would not take too long - no one has forever.

Then it happened. She lunged forward, reaching for his arm, and latched her hand onto his flesh. The full force of the planet seemed to slam into him, then. Electrical current, the very life-stuff of the world, charged through his body like a flight of dragons. Through the haze of pain, his senses shifted, and he could see the Child, emanating a radiant white light of cascading hues, clutching his arm. Then everything went black.

The world began swimming around him. The darkness gradually faded into light, and light gradually faded into form. His Lord stood before him: The man who had pulled him from the Wall of the False and the Faithless, so long ago. The Apprentice.

Immediately, Grobnak fell to his knees, silence and fear and worship filling every fiber of his being as he gazed upon the hem of his Lord's robe. He dared not speak: he was not worthy. How was this even possible? Was he dead once more? Had Emalia killed him?

The Apprentice held a hand over Grobnak's head, indicating that he should rise. His Lord was much taller than him - rising nearly a full two feet above him. Grobnak surveyed his surroundings and knew that he was no longer in Faerun. The sky above was a scintillating bluish purple, the trees were a whitish yellow with softly blue leaves, and each step made a noise as the red moss that grew upon the ground absorbed his weight. He could see the waves in the wind, and he was certain that he was bearing witness to The Rebirth.

"When will my sleep end?" The Apprentice asked, the deep pits of his eyes looking to Grobnak questioningly, as he placed his hand on the daemon's shoulder and walked past him. Grobnak rose to his feet as his master began walking away - the sounds of the red moss tracing his steps - looking on without an answer. In a blur of color and dream, the moment faded and another one emerged in its stead...

It was later. Night had fallen and Grobnak found himself sitting on an ornate bench made from a stone he had never seen, a bowl of hot liquid in his hands. Surveying his surroundings, he watched as white flames licked the bottom of a kettle at the center of the building he was in. Again, he was reminded of the wonders that Rebirth would offer. The Apprentice was sitting calmly beside a small stack of tree bark, performing an activity that appeared to be curing the material, as if it were animal skin, only now The Apprentice wasn't the same. It was Halethiel - the founder of all Faithful - he was speaking to, and it was The Apprentice, both at once in his foggy mind.

"It is her destiny, Lord Usurper," he whispered, his voice barely recognizable even to himself, as he told the tale of how Emalia had killed him, her pregnancy, and her quest to find the Temple of Light. What did it matter, he told himself, if he was dead any way? Halethiel had been dead for many hundreds of years - at least this time, he told himself, he was not rotting on the Wall of the False and the Faithless. Then, in another blur of color and dream, the moment faded once again, yet another moment in time emerging to replace this one...

He saw an image of a child, playing with his Lord, happily. There was something both dark and light about the girl as she giggled, The Apprentice tossing her about in his arms - a grim smile on his disease-ravaged face. Grobnak could see Halethiel's wrists as he laid on the hill, the red moss about the ground whispering to him in a thousand voices of comfort and renewal as it enclosed him in a warm embrace, and he began to feel contentment for what felt like the first time in his life.

Then he awakened, gasping for breath, greeted by others of the Faithful around him, and the full assault of reality began its assault once again on his tired mind. They needed the Swords still, and to find the Temple. For the sake of the Great Realms, he only hoped they would not be too late.

Pressure

Colin was in disbelief of what Emalia was being put through as he carried her unconsious body up to her bedroom. For how much everyone kept saying that they were talking to her for her own good the toll it was taking on her, and now their unborn child, was very disturbing.

Colin lay Emalia on her bed and stood over her, bowing his head in dismay. Today, once more, Emalia had been pushed to the limit, and beyond. First the unexpected visit from Jessiah, and then immediately afterward, Grobnak. A realization popped into his mind, "That stubborn idiot is still laying out there, helpless."

He took another moment to look at Emalia, noting her steady breathing, before leaving the bedroom and heading back outside to the collapsed Grobnak. He stepped over the threshold to stand over the fallen creature, glaring down upon his hideous form. "What is wrong with you?" Colin spoke aloud to the motionless figure. How could he not see the harm he was doing to Emalia through his insistence in talking to her about these things. "...so blind."

A new thought occured to him now, "Look at him, so helpless. You could put an end to his torment of Emalia... make it so this never happened again." He pondered that idea for a moment. There was a refreshing justice and finality in that thought and Colin was mildly suprised when he realized that he had retrieved his sword from where he had dropped it upon the ground and was now standing over Grobnak with the weapon gripped tightly in his hand. As Colin stood there his thoughts urged him on further, "It's basically his fault she's laying up there right now." Yet that wasn't completely true, was it?

Colin spoke a warning aloud to the unconscious figure, "If you have hurt her..."Or Brin."...or my child..." Colin left the threat hanging. That was right. Brin. Emalia had said there was something wrong with the baby. "Why give him the chance to even recover? It would be so easy. Noone would even see."
"But Emalia...", Colin found himself speaking aloud, "I couldn't." "But she would thank you for silencing just one of the people responsible for the state she's in. He could never betray her again." Colin found himself wanting to believe this but deep down he knew it was wrong. Emalia would never condone a cold- blooded murder like that. He closed his eyes and shook his head, trying to rid himself of the thought. "No.", Colin spoke, "I can't."

However, his thoughts would not be deterred. "You can, you just won't. And you call yourself a guardian. A threat lays right here at your feet yet you will not stamp it out!"

Colin pressed his fists to his temples, trying to physically shut out these thoughts which he knew were wrong. "I said no!", he found himself shouting, "Go away!"

Colin stood there, his jaw clenched, heavy breaths coming in hisses through his bared teeth as he fought to control his own mind. Finally, it seemed, the thoughts had ceased. What was happening to him? He was talking to himself, even arguing with himself! Colin took a deep breath and sheathed his sword. Perhaps Emalia wasn't the only one feeling the effects of all this stress. He could probably use some rest as well, but first, there was something he had promised to do.

Colin bent down and easily lifted the unconscious Grobnak off the ground, throwing him over his shoulder like a black-winged sack of potatoes. He set off at a brisk pace toward the Jihad compound, eager to drop his cargo upon their doorstep and return to rest with Emalia.

Unexpected Visitation (1-3)

"Did he forget something?" Emalia questioned as she walked to the door. "Who knows," Colin answered quietly. The face at the door was not that of Jessiah, nor of anyone she thought would be seeing. Grobnak looked at her with a sorrow on his face and immediately, her hostility went into overdrive. If it weren't for the spell Jessiah had cast upon her, it would have been inevitable that she would have faced drastic consequences for allowing herself into this mode once more.

Emalia heard Grobnak explaining both he and Nephesh were concerned, continuing to speak even though Colin attempted to stop him.
"Child, I do not mean to cause you stress. I only wish to educate you."
"I need no education. I've had enough of learning the ways all of you people operate."
"Can you not see she doesn't want any additional teaching right now?" Colin added.
"All of us people?" Grobnak echoed with a shake of his head. "Nephesh said you were angry, but I was not aware of the level of your rage."
"Every last one of you - underhanded liars the whole lot."Suprisingly, Grobnak's face changed into a pained expression. "What have I lied about?"
"To take the time to explain it all would be time too long."
"Please - if you feel anger, let it be given source. For every lie I have told, I will slash my own wrist." Grobnak indeed began to make good on his offer. He lifted his arm, holding it against his dagger.
"I've nothing more to say to you, Nephesh, Crimson, or anyone else."
"When I have paid for these lies, I will happily do so. Now this is a matter of honor. I do not lie."
"You'll pay when the RoK smashes your head in, and I will be satisfied." Emalia walked from the door, her eyes set on the couch, and seated herself with her back turned. Colin barred the way, though Grobnak did not attempt to enter. A few words passed between the two before Grobnak, determined to hear his accusations fully, thrust down a dagger into the ground and began to pray. Emalia didn't turn around, even as the sound of the slamming door echoed into the house.

"What in the world is wrong with all these people?" Emalia asked mainly of herself. "I mean, am I not supposed to be upset by all the "lack" of telling me things? I get the back of grandfather turned on me, I get spies and cronies to follow me... All for what?"
"It's ok, try not to worry about it too much. I hate to see you getting so upset."
"I don't even know what to do anymore." Emalia turned to Colin for a moment, leaning against him in the hopes that somehow, his giant arms would drown out the sound of chanting from beyond her front door.
"I don't know either. At this point I would just love to get things underway. At the least to just get away from here so we can have a bit of peace."

Emalia felt much the same. She rose quickly from Colin's embrace and grabbed the tablet from the shelf, stuffing it into her already full pack. She had convinced herself that they could walk past Grobnak, get on their horses, and ride past him without a worry. As soon as the door opened, however, the chanting ceased. "I seek only conversation. What is the harm in speaking like civil folk? You call me a liar. You impune my honor. Have I no right to know what I am accused of? Or to defend myself against that claim?"
"All of that will not matter soon enough. If anyone, you should see that."

Emalia walked past Grobnak, followed by Colin. She hadn't turned around when she heard Grobnak directing words to one she knew wasn't she. "Faithless, whatever it is that you are! BELIEVE in something! Lest you find yourself at the Wall."

She turned, knowing what had happened before with Colin and Grobnak. She wouldn't have the only person left to her be killed or slain. "You leave him alone!" she shouted. "You will not speak to me. Why should I not give him warning? If what you still seek to do comes to pass, will he not also suffer?"

Emalia watched Colin pass Grobnak by with a mere roll of his eyes. He went to the horses while Emalia glared at Grobnak. "I'm telling you to leave him alone."
"Am I wrong? Am I lying to you now, Emalia?"

Emalia's body began to shift. The anger she felt was being slowly supplanted by the calm. She knew this sensation well, and the drain it had on her. Without knowing how to control it completely, nor how to stop it, she began flooding the area around her with a distinct feeling of neutrality - not at all helping her. "I don't care! You don't need to bother bringing him into this! He's the only one that has honestly wanted to just help ME."

Emalia couldn't help the tiny tremors that began to work their way into her. After several days of this and the several major stresses that came her way, she was ill prepared to handle yet another release of her energy. Her lifeforce was expanding all around her, and as she and Grobnak argued, she desperately attempted to reign it in, to form it, to contain it. Colin stepped before her, trying to calm her, while Grobnak stood back with tears openly in his eyes, slashing his arm.

Colin turned away, sword drawn, and walked to Grobnak. With the latter refusing to leave, Colin lifted him with ease by the collar, yanking him to his feet. "Are you deaf?" Colin snarled.

"Colin... no!" Emalia heard nothing more as she began to move forward, her lifeforce seeming to weigh her down as she moved. Her body was stiff, her movements forced. Each step drained her more, but she was not going to let anything happen to Colin. At last she reached the two, and wrapped her hand around Grobnak's wound.

The shield around her instantly flowed inward, then out into Grobnak's body. As though a dam had been opened, the flood of healing and life rushed through her hand and into Grobnak. Her thoughts were for the moment, fixated on the fact that she was losing herself in this moment. The release was sweet, but to let completely go, could kill her.

As she slowed the raw power, there were instantly things she noticed. Things within Grobnak that she had no prior knowledge of. In his lifeforce were things she could only describe as dark pits, blackness of an unnatural sort. Not quite dead, not alive, she could tell these pits were consumptive - and within Grobnak, they were freely floating, slowly breeding, combining with him to become him... and he they.

All of this took place in a matter of seconds, the obvious pain on Grobnak's face, the release of his arm by Emalia, Grobnak slumping to the ground unconscious, and Emalia staggering back - breathless herself as she attempted to comprehend what she had just "seen."

Colin dropped his sword, gripping Emalia by the shoulders. "Are you alright?"
"Oh.. oh my... m... Colin he..." Emalia tried to speak, but it only came out in sputtering whispers.
"What Emalia, what is it?"
" I... I don't know... I don't know... I don't know..."

Emalia could barely move as Colin scooped her up into his arms. "Why do people always have to do this to you?" he whispered.
"We... we have... have to help him... put him... somewhere..." Emalia said, ignoring Colin's question.
"Wait, what?" Colin sighed. "Fine, let me take you to bed and I will return him to his compound."

Emalia, taking stock of her own well being, then took in a breath. She could feel Brin's lifeforce inside of her, this time, rather than bowing to the pressures, the tiny force flickered like a candle flame. There was no pain needed to tell Emalia she was in danger of losing her child, and that without the deep rest from complete release, it might happen soon. She told Colin, assuring him that Grobnak was not at fault, and then let the darkness of unconsciousness envelop her completely.

...loco...

Emalia's bed was comfortable as she lay there, hands behind her head, staring at the door smugly. Nephesh had just walked out of it, looking as though it was permanent this time. 'I don't care,' she reminded herself. And partially, that was true. She had just found out that Nephesh was sent by Grobnak and it crisped her soul to a new shade of black. She had tired of not knowing what everyone else knew, and with her exhaustion from continually using her powers (with and without trying), as well as the effects of a child inside consistantly draining her - her nerves were on edge, and she was more a hellcat than a kitten.

'I don't care,' she reminded herself a second time. And again, it was partially true. She was heading north to bring down the RoK. If she was killing everyone anyway, what did she need from them? Friendship was out of the question, since they all wanted something from her anyway. Love seemed only true on Colin's part. Companionship? No, what difference would that make? 'None,' she thought. And again... it was partially true.

'I'll find my way up there, just me and Colin. We have the map, so we don't need anyone else. I don't need anyone else.' Emalia pushed her head back a bit more into the pillows, causing them to fluff around her arms. "You'll all get what you want!" she yelled at the top of her voice, before breaking out into a laugh. "And I hope it hurts! I hope it hurts when it gets you!" Her laughter rung out anew, a deep laughter laced with high pitched hitches befitting of someone completely insane. And again, that was partially true.

Emptiness

Emalia pulled herself together enough to rise from her bed. Though it felt like hours, it had in truth been only minutes since Jayden's departure, and she rose, wiping at her eyes. Her jaw immediately set as she stormed down the stairs, grabbed her pack, and headed out of her door.

As she passed the Jihad Compound gates, the guards this time did not look at her curiously. In fact, it appeared that storming through the gates must have made her look more official, or perhaps, just less lost. She went straight to Nephesh's room, her fists curled and teeth grinding as she moved. "We need to go... now."

There was barely time to spare in Emalia's mind. She would get Westbridge behind her promptly and get things done and the temple found. She walked quickly, never looking back to be certain of Nephesh's following her, and within minutes, they were at the bridge.

Colin was sitting beside the water when Emalia and Nephesh arrived. If her face were to have worn a color, it would have been black, she appeared so determined. "We need to go."
"What's wrong?"
"We just need to go."
"Well, alright... where are we going?"
"North. We're going to find that damnable temple and prove G... Jayden wrong.He thinks he knows me... thinks I'm evil... well.."

Colin's hand rested on Emalia's arm, and she could barely keep herself from bursting into a renewed gale of tears. She scrunched her face and set her jaw even more. "Hey... Hey, what's going on?" Colin's voice asked.

Emalia glanced over at Nephesh's note, asking why Jayden would think her evil, before shaking her head, and answering them both with, "We go now, and he believes I'm evil because I choose to listen to Grobnak and follow the Apprentice."

It seemed to pass well enough. The less she had to explain to either of them, the better grasp she would have on her broken heartedness. 'Where is the woodsman?' Nephesh asked. Hellstrom. Emalia growled inwardly.
"I don't know. Chances are, he isn't going to want to come anyhow."

Colin examined the map Emalia had handed him earlier and looked up. "Well, it looks a good distance away. It would be good not to rush off. We can take some time to properly prepare this time."

She knew he was right. Both of them were, as Nephesh joined in the protest of taking flight. Her face was deep crimson, her fists were clenched. She was worn but she wouldn't dare show it... until Colin put his hands on her shoulders. At the touch of warm hands, her misshapen wall around her soul dropped to the ground and she sobbed.

The party had agreed to set of tomorrow, to at the very least allow for supplies, when the energy of magic brought Emalia to attention. She looked about, "Who is that?" and stood. A man walked from the shadows beneath the trees: silver hair and a trench coat with no sleeves. This was a stranger, and Emalia was suddenly on guard.
"Looks like I found you at last," he spoke.
"You know this man?" Colin asked Nephesh.
"He is one of the faithful," Nephesh wrote, "And a former Guardian."
"It seems like an introduction is not needed, then," the man said.

"Why are you here?" Emalia asked. Deep within, her mistrust set her to using her lifeforce. It began to slip from her and into the air in the form of calm, and having been so drained only a couple days before, then becoming again emotionally drained after he meeting with Jayden, this new development was one she could not handle. Her power was weak and the more worried and irritated and distrustful she became, the more of it leaked out and away from her.

"I was sent here by the Apostle of Ragnarok, Grobnak himself, he seemed to think you would be in need of my assistance."

This broke what little remained of Emalia's trust. This sealed her determination. She was no longer going on this journey for the Jihad - she vowed inside that right then, that tie was broken. She was no longer going to refrain from going because of the Guardians - she vowed after Jayden left her door that she was no longer of them. The only reason she would keep this journey was to bring down the RoK and bring back The Apprentice. Only two things did she now believe in. Colin, and The Apprentice. She would do it for them, and then - the rest of the populace.

Tension rose as the party discussed whether to bring the new member. Emalia had no trust, her guard was up as much as it could be, and she was weakening much faster than times before. Higher and higher spiraled her alert until her body could not take it. Her legs first gave out and she gripped Colin's arm for the second inevitability... Emalia passed out cold.

Wrong Turn at Family

Emalia now laid in her familiar bedroom, pouring her soul in the form of tears and screams into the depths of her pillow. She had left Colin dozing on the banks of the stream, promising him she would return in short order, and went to the Guardian Clan Hall to seek out Jayden. Her "grandfather" sat by the healing waters, reading, and appeared more than a little concerned when she requested to speak with him privately.

The arrived through a portal into her living room and she bade him to make himself comfortable. The discussion started well. Emalia was nearly delighted to hear that Jayden seemed not to know where the Temple was. "It turns out... that it is the place where it will be determined whether the RoK falls."
"What was your perception of the Temple?" Jayden asked.
"Just a place... nothing more."
"And this is what troubles you now?"

Emalia shook her head. "If I go, I will have lead everyone to it... If I go, everyone will know where it is... and the only step left then, is to find the sword to bring down the Rok, or destroy it... Grandfather... I would start a war."
"Then why would you wish to pursue this?"
"Because I am torn."
"Torn to what child?" Jayden asked.
"On one hand, I believe that bringing down the RoK is the answer... I... think anyway. And Grobnak tells me it is my destiny."
"This Grobnak person... He troubles me, by telling you such false things.."

Slowly the grip of distrust wrapped it's fingers around Emalia's heart. As Jayden spoke, it clenched its vice tighter. "I am a follower of all that is good and kind...And you are walking down the wrong path child..."
"I don't understand... how... How is it wrong?"
"I try to see past this...but it gets hard with every passing sun.. You are following the dark, when you MUST follow the light. Child... You must not let this happen"
"But... Grandfather, The Apprentice must be brought back... it will stop the RoK for eternity!" Emalia said with exasperation.
"That is a lie! The Apprentice is a joke child..."

Emalia's soul was crushed. She shook her head slowly, "No. He is real and if we don't stop the RoK it will happen again and again..."
"Child I warn you... Follow not in this path, it will lead to you demise, and countless lives will be taken."

Emalia listened as Jayden told more of his tale, but already, her mind was being clouded by the resistance. She believed this with her heart, and to hear Jayden - the one she called Grandfather, the one who had vouched for her so many times - demeaning her beliefs closed her even further. " I don't understand how stopping the RoK for eternity could possibly be evil..."
"Because everything about this tale, everything that has happened points to this evil... This person you think will restore balance will not!"
"He is a God... how could he not restore balance?"
"A God? How dare you speak of Gods as such lowly life forms such as this thing that should restore balance. You are lost child... Find your way...I suggest this...or you will find yourself in a dark corner praying for death..."

Jayden moved to leave and Emalia stood, a sob escaping her. How could this be the result. She looked to Jayden's back in disbelief. "I can't help the unwilling..." he said.
"Unwilling!?" Emalia nearly shouted. The swiftness that Jayden used to turn around shocked Emalia. "You raise your voice at me!?"
"Yes! Because you are wrong!" Emalia shouted over Jayden's shocked gasp. “You're wrong about me. You're wrong... wrong!"
"Goodday child..."
"Mark my words! I'll save the world! AND YOU'LL THANK ME!"

The snap of Jayden's cane accompanied his exit from her home, and Emalia fled up her stairs. So she ended up upon the pillows, sobbing deeply. Though now, her mind was made up. She'd show Jayden that she knew what to do. She would find the temple, and she'd help end the repetitive nature of the RoK. She'd restore balance, like The Apprentice intended from the start. The world depended upon her now... she wouldn't let it down.