Frozen Storm: Searching for the Water Prison

Chapter 1
Mochina Island was experiencing a normal day, besides the fact that a huge event was taking place. It was the king's birthday and everyone was preparing to celebrate this occasion.

"Okay so we got all the food and decoration?" Zero asked while looking at a list together with Alice Hotaru.

"Yep...All ready and waiting to be dealt with." Alice replied after looking at several mages looking at the pile of decorations.

The Twilight Phoenix Guild have the honor of hosting a huge meal for the royal family at their mansion. Markus however who is possibly the closest friend of the king isn't anywhere to be found.

Setting foot in the city of Mochina island was a fairly tall, slim, and fit man with a rather youthful face. His short raven-black hair with a dark blue tint hanged near his cheeks to frame his face. The newcomer didn't seem to be searching for something, just looking around with his eyes kept half-way opened as if he didn't really care what they did for the birthday of the king. Even though this newcomer didn't try to pull attention to himself, the onlookers couldn't keep themselves from wondering why someone would wear a long, black robe over his normal uniform that was prone to attracting attention when he seemingly didn't want any attention drawn to himself.

Markus who was walking around the docks noticed the guy's power and looked towards him. "Yo kid! New to the island?" He said holding a pack of red flakes in a small white bag. "Red Rock?" Markus offered some of the flakes.

Looking to where the voice came from, Lancelot slowly tilted his head towards Markus. "I am not a kid." Looking at the offer of the flakes he called Red rock, he carefully pulled out 2 of those red flakes that he cautiously observed before eating both of them at the same time.

"Sure....So what ya doing here?" He asked waiting for the man to react to the heat. "Sorry to ask but outsiders are treated with suspicion due to the current war."

Markus gestured to two police officers and they backed off and went back to their patrol. Markus then looked back to the man. "Also need a name." He said throwing a hand fall of Red Rocks into his mouth and crunching down on them. "If you willing occupation and magic if any."

Trying to ignore the heat of the flakes, Lancelot gave the officers a short glance from the corners of his eyes before returning to the man in front of him. "Lancelot is my name, and who might you be? As for what i am doing here, you can say i am searching for a very precious one to me." His voice was casual, almost relaxed just as his body appeared to be.

"Markus Hotaru....The Infamous Storm and the Storm Phoenix Slayer." Said Markus bowing his head slightly. "I'm the guild ace to The Twilight Phoenix Guild me and my friend Zero Asahi formed a few years ago.....Well if you looking for someone my guild and i would be happy to help once all this celebrating is over."

Hearing Markus call himself the Storm Phoenix Slayer, Lancelot removed his robe almost unconsciously while starting to release his magical aura around himself. "Storm Phoenix Slayer you say? Then return Blizzardo to me unharmed this moment!" Taking a deep breath as he gathered ice in his mouth, he released it in a large blast of ice aimed towards Markus, while afterwards covering his arms, legs and chest with a protective layer of ice.

Markus simply blocked the ice by countering with a concussive blast of thunder. "If i did take one of the Ice Sisters it would be if they went feral.....I live by the code set down by the Phoenix King runt...." Said Markus charging up his next attack. "Besides the Ice Sisters haven't been seen here for decades!"

The surrounding people in the dock spoke up in defense of Markus knowing he'd never do something like that or betray his home. "Leave him alone punk!" Said one of the guards readying his sword and fire magic.

"Big sister would never go feral. Last i saw of her was a group that captured her while claiming to do so on orders of the Storm Phoenix Slayer." Concentrating magic around his left fist, he gave a punch to the ground followed by raising his left hand with which he punched the ground to release a blow of diamond dust around himself as the ground underneath them became slippery. Part of the dust and ice-cold floor was for when they would try to subdue him while it would also make it easier to clear the crowd if needed. "So give her back, or I'll do whatever i need to do to make you listen to reason."

"Why would i take her then? And even if i did i wouldn't get someone else to do it...." Said Markus as he dodged and levitated himself in the air. "Calm down and listen dude....Whoever did it was lying. Why would i capture a creature these people around you revere as envoys of the gods?....Why would i betray my home?"

Pulling out a pair of wings made of ice, Lancelot started to release enough power to encompass them in a small radius, putting projectile based weapons out of the game. "As for why you would capture her, maybe so they would worship you as a bringer of peace?" While speaking, he gathered ice and snow around his hands to make them look like claws in case he needed his claws.

Markus burst out laughing at Lancelot's words. "My my, you are somewhat ignorant to the key point of deception." Said Markus as he floated down. "I have no reason to act against the Phoenix Nobles....I'm focusing on killing Daimon the Dark Slayer and the fake.....Wait a second! I may know who really took Blizzardo....Dark Storm my doppleganger."

Raising an eyebrow at what Lancelot heard, he pulled the power back to a level that would just protect himself from projectile weapons. "Phoenix nobles? Big sister never told me about that she was a noble..." The name Daimon though, did sound familiar to him. "Daimon? Isn't he supposed to be the king of drakes or something along those lines?"

"Daimon is king of Blackwood Island." Markus said pointing to the massive island behind Lancelot way in the distance. "And yeah you "sister" is one of the 5 Ice Ladies....Some reason there are 5 of them.....The other nobles never figured that out."

"So why not destroy that king? Just ask Blizzardo and her sisters and they can probably deal with it for you after all. The middle one is usually grumpy though when i was able to meet them thanks to Blizzardo." Releasing the ice around his hands, he folded his ice wings slightly around himself as if to protect himself from the different directions.

"Nope point....Plus i want him myself....And i plan to wipe out every inch of his kingdom and those who follow him personally." Said Markus as his face went dark and grim and lightning ran up his arm. "Besides if i remember correctly, Bolterus told me that the 2nd oldest of the sister is a bit too aggressive....."

"She is only aggressive when provoked, at other times she is kind. She even taught me a few things while keeping the middle one friendly too." Cupping his hands together, he created an ice-cone with the purest of white snow that was filled with the same pure ice as the cone was made of before trying to give it to Markus. "Here, some ice to cool down. But besides the middle one, i only know them as one of the most kind sisters you'll ever meet."

Markus gestured to his half empty bag of Red Rocks. "I'm good...But thanks....Okay look, i'll give you a hand finding Blizzardo but at the moment i need to host a big feast for the king....You can come as my guest if ya like." Said Markus as he started to walk back to the guild.

"I can help with the ice for the feast if you want, but reading up on the information your library has over phoenix's would be good as well while you finish up with this celebration for the king." Picking up his robe from one of the chairs nearby, he put it on again before walking towards Markus and his guild.

"I mean actually join the feast... Phoenix Slayers are kinda revered here... You'll enjoy the food anyway." Said Markus looking back. "Besides, it would be rude for a guest not to enjoy the food we got.

Actually joining in with the feast for a king? Not to mention, a feast with humans? Stopping while thinking of that, he looked at his own wings for a moment before dissolving them in the air. "Sure, although i don't have anything that is fancy enough for a feast with a king..." Reciting something while keeping his voice low and his eyes closed, Lancelot seemed to relax a bit. Opening his eyes again when he was done with reciting, he kept them halfway closed as a friendly smile adorned his face again.

"Your human as well...Despite the fact you were raised by a phoenix.....And don't worry about that i'm going like this, the king is an old friend and he's oddly relaxed for his title." Said Markus finishes his Red Rocks. "Plus he'll love you! Mostly cos of your position as what a lot of the holy men refer to as a Blessed Mage, but also 'cos of your attitude."

"Those holy men need to learn more from their teachers, not the ones from this generation but the very first ones that created their religion..." Finishing his own ice slowly, he released a soft sigh on how energetic this Markus was. "Are you this energetic thanks to Bolterus his teachings or because you try to impress the others around here with your energy?"

"Here phoenixes are revered as the envoys of the 5 gods and guardians of the elements......Phoenix Slayers were raised by them....So it's understandable that we'd be revered in a similar manner....They normally just leave us to our own devices but do treat us with a degree of respects....Well only me to be honest as i'm the only Phoenix Slayer on the island......" Said Markus as he smirked. "And i don't try to impress people.....I'm here to defend my hope, family, friends and to kill Daimon.....That is it."

"Just ask help from the other phoenix's and that Daimon is dead in no time." Stopping when he saw some kids playing while their parents seemed to be paying no attention to the kids, he started to wonder a few things. "Why are their parents not keeping a closer eye on them? They can hurt themselves with those sticks."

"No need....I will kill him. I don't need the phoenixes to help me of my guild." Said Markus look back at Lancelot. "We learn from our mistakes.....If they hurt themselves they learn not to play like that again....It's the same as when you trained with Blizzardo."

"Well, i never got hurt by the training with her. She even kept always an eye on me to protect me." Disappearing from behind Markus while reappearing behind one of the kids, he grabbed hold of the stick that one of the kids was swinging down on the back of one of the other kids. "Don't attack others in the back, it is not nice."

"I could tell....In combat you get hurt.....I'm curious to see your reaction to getting hurt in a fight." Said Markus as he watch Lancelot.

Seeing the kid glare towards him, Lancelot froze the stick before snapping it in two. One of the parents even walked towards him, asking for an explanation why he interfered with the kids. "I merely made sure this kid would not attack someone else in the back. I even made sure that the ice would not reach the kid"

"This is what real life is like....This is what you must learn to survive in this world." Said Markus smirking and waving off the mum. "This is what you should've learned.....What i learned the hard way." Markus ran a finger down the long scar going across the bridge of his nose.

"Big sis never wanted to teach me those things, being rather over-protective as Snowie calls it." Seeing the kids and their parents leave the area, Lancelot looked at Markus again. "Who gave you that scar if you don't mind me asking?"

"Bolterus...My phoenix parent....To show me what to expect in this world....He hated doing it but it was a fair lesson." Said Markus smirking a little. "Now I've got at least 100 scars from various weapons and magics.....A lot are from Daimon and Dark Storm who use a type of Lightning and Fire Magic that i can't absorb...."

"Hmm, Bolterus sounds like someone that big sis would not like... She is not a fan of delivering scars to teach something. " Making another ice-cone with some ice, he started on it while waiting until they would go to his guild again.

The two eventually made it to Markus' guild hall which was a huge mansion baring a chest on the front gate similar to the one on Markus' belt buckle. "Welcome to my family home and guild hall!" Markus said with a proud tone. "Make ya self at home and if you wish to help out feel free to do so."

Looking at the mansion, Lancelot knocked on some of the pillars before looking at the rest of the mansion. "How do you keep the heat or the sun away in here if i may ask Markus? And sure, i can arrange the ice part for that feast."

"The dining room's windows face north......Very little direct sunlight from there." Said Markus smiling at the progress of the decorations and looking worried when he saw both Zero and Ellena appear from the back garden. "This will be interesting...."

"Mind if i use the dining room as my bedroom then while i stay here?" Seeing how Markus his smile turned to worry, Lancelot didn't get why the meeting of 2 guild mates would be something that warranted a look of worry. "How interesting?"

"We got spare rooms above it so you can use one of those....and painful interesting." Said Markus before he vanished with Zero and Ellena split up to find him.

"He'll be fine.....He just blew off his role in setting the decorations up...." Said a voice from behind Lancelot. "He does that a lot when not doing a job or going through with a personal job."

Behind Lancelot stood a giant of a man wearing dark clothes and had a neutral expression on his face.

"What was his job in setting those up then?" Turning towards the man behind him, he held his right hand up. "I am Lancelot by the way, and who are you?"

The man pointed up to the lights where covers were placed projecting the royal crest of Mochina Island. "I'm Titan....One of the S-Class Mages of the guild...." Said Titan still maintaining his neutral expression. "Why are you here little one?"

Dumping some shaved ice on Titan his head, Lancelot started looking for the stairs towards the guest rooms upstairs. "I am here on the invitation of Markus."

Titan walked off without a reaction to the ice. Meanwhile Markus was still running from Ellena and Zero. He eventually climbed into the room Lancelot had picked out and hid under the window.

"Yo! Keep the noise down. I gotta avoid those two till the feast begins." Said Markus peaking over the window sill.

"Why are you avoiding them in the first place? Just do those lights that you are supposed to do and they get off of your back right?" Lancelot his voice was strangely impassive during that question, as if it seemed only normal that they would leave him alone after finishing up those lights.

"They done but it the fact i avoided doing in the first place." Said Markus as he stood up as the two passed the window. "I decided to wander around the docks and relax before tonight.....They're just annoyed i ducked out of my role....They know i don't like doing that kinda thing."

"Then why do they want you to do those things if they know you will just duck out?" Said Lancelot.

"In hopes i'll actually do them." Smirked Markus as he looked out the window only to be dragged down by Titan who got roped into the search of Markus. "Crap!!"

"Seriously why do you keep doing this Markus?!" Asked Ellena looking highly disappointed by her husband's actions. "We give you these jobs so you don't cause problems during days like this!"

"I don't cause problems...I just bring old ones to light." Smirked Markus as he stood up and brushed himself down. "I'm sorry though."

Ellena sighed and hugged him. "Lets just get everything ready and enjoy the evening. Who the walker you brought along?"

"Oh that's Lancelot the Ice Phoenix Slayer.....Kinda weird but he didn't get out much it seems" Said Markus looking up at the window.

Jumping from his current room to land next to Markus, Lancelot brushed the dust away from him after the landing. "That would be incorrect Markus, big sis only allowed me somewhere inside to sleep or change clothes. For the rest of the time i was out in the open." Turning his eyes to Ellena he made a light formal bow towards her. "I am Lancelot by the way, who might you be milady?"

"I'm Ellena and don't be so formal around here....It's nice to meet ya though" Smiled Ellena as she looked at Markus. "I see what ya mean....He hasn't really adapted much has he?"

Markus nodded with a smirk. "He's ok though....Gonna be fun to see he reaction to the king's attitude." He said walking to the back door. "Oh he's just arrived by the way."

"What??!?!??!?!?!" Said Ellena shocked. "You could've told us he was approaching!!"

"I was avoiding you and Zero....." Said Markus as he opened the doors to getting the king.

"Ellena, mind explaining why you didn't think of the fact he was avoiding you before asking why he didn't tell? Or does he has some telepathic magic too besides the magic taught by Bolterus?" Making an ice-cone with shaved ice, Lancelot made sure the shaved ice would taste like strawberry ice before giving it to her.

"Ya know, i don't really know myself....And no he doesn't. The only magics he knows are his Slayer Magic, Sword Magic, Telekinesis, Requip Magic, Repair Magic, the guild's unique magic and Unison Raid." She said taking the ice-cone and finishing almost instantly. "Anyway lets enjoy the meal and you can meet the rest of the guild members not on jobs.

Everyone gathered in the massive dining room around a long grand table covered in food and drink. The king sat at the head of the table with his two bodyguards standing behind him. Markus and Ellena sat in the seats just in front of him on ether side of the table, Lancelot sat next to Markus as the other sat down the king looked at Lancelot.

"Who's he?" Asked the king looking at Markus.

"His name is Lancelot, he's the Ice Phoenix Slayer....Seems he's after the phoenix who taught him....Dark Storm has apparently kidnapped her, so after this we're going on a hunt." Said Markus taking a sip of his drink.

Standing up to make an formal bow with his right arm in front of his chest as the left remained straight, Lancelot started to introduce himself as he slowly straightened up again. "Good evening milord, i am Lancelot. An Ice Phoenix Slayer like Markus already said." Taking his seat again, he pulled his glass up to eye level, sniffing a bit before placing it down again. "Markus said he would help me free big sis after this dinner, so hopefully she will be free soon again... It is boring without her up there after all, even if it would mean being able to do things that big sis prohibited in the first place."

"It's nice to meet ya kid....But i feel i must give you some advice." Said the king as he bowed his head in return. "Firstly trust Markus....His methods are weird at times but he does get the job done. Secondly you need to live a little, not to disrespect one of the Ladies of the Ice but you need to experience life in our world to get through as a mage."

"He's right Lance...." Said Alice who was sitting a couple seats down from Lancelot and Markus. "You need to grow and you can only do that by going through life and making mistakes."

The feast went on with the usual chaos of the guild. several arguments broke out over the power difference between Markus and Lancelot and another broke out about who was the best looking female member of the guild, the king just laughed at the "entertainment" going on around him.

Slipping out of the feast after finishing his own meal, Lancelot went to lie down at the roof so he could enjoy the stars while listening to the sounds and arguments of the ones below him. Why did these people kept telling him to live a little? He was already living, otherwise he would've died already right? So why did they mention to live before being able to get stronger...

Eventually Markus appeared floating on a platform of wind. "You okay Lance?" He asked stepping onto the roof. "Why'd ya slip out? Not much for crowds?"

Sitting up so he could look at Markus, he actually chose his words carefully this time. "Crowds are not really something i like, even with Blizzardo her sisters or other phoenix's i didn't like to be in a crowd."

"I assume your also thinking about what we all said?" Asked Markus as he sat on the edge on the roof. "The only reason we said that cos you need to experience things outside what you've been taught and learn from them.....You need to learn how to flow with things.....Absorb all information and adapt. Blizzardo seemed to have kept you a little sheltered from what really happens in this world....At the moment the entire region is at war.....That's why i think the kidnapping of your sister has something to do with that."

Markus then looked to the distance. "There is one place strong enough to hold her.....The Water Prison....It was made to hold a very powerful Drake that tormented the archipelago.....It suppressed the magical energy of whatever is put in it......It's location was lost to time but I've got a rough idea it's location." He said as he pointed to a small speck on the horizon. "There....The Isle of the Hawk.....It's occupied by the Oracs a race of brutish yet honorable warriors."

"If the entire region is at war, i can't blame Blizzardo for being protective. " Looking in the direction that Markus pointed to,Lancelot tilted his head slightly upon hearing the name of the water prison and the Oracs. "I've heard of the Oracs. Savages with a feeling for honor that is not fitting for their brute actions according to Snowie."

"Wars happen....Someday you'll get caught in one either way." Said Markus look at Lancelot. "Oracs are a very loyal and trustworthy race to their allies.....We've had a few Oracs join our guild in the past, they never stay long though."

Markus stood up and walk forward onto the wind. "Blizzardo may have tried to protect you but doing so can be just as damaging....." He said before lowering himself down. "If ya wanna rejoin the party feel free to do so...."

"The war will not be capable of reaching home as long as all the lady's of ice as you call them are free..." Looking with a bit of longing to the stars as Markus started to lower himself again he kept his voice low. "Who is that girl with red hair and the swirling tattoo by the way Markus?"

Markus popped back up. "That is Alice my twin....She's a bit nuts but fun to be around." Said Markus as he started to lower down again. "Oh yeah just remembered we got a new guild candidate just show up wanna see what kinda power she got?"

"Your sister huh..." Smiling softly, he stood up to follow Markus. "Sure, i am curious what the damsel can do. Maybe you could even introduce me to Alice?" How this Alice and Markus where brother and sister was weird, especially considering how they didn't look like each other but when going for the smell of them, he actually could picture them as brother and sister...

"After i test this new girl.....She apparently wants to fight me...." Said Markus gesturing to Lancelot to follow him. "I warn you though my sis is nearly as deadly as i am and has just as deadly a temper."

"If i can handle big sis and her sisters, i think i can handle her temper as well." Following Markus, Lancelot went with his fellow slayer back to the feast, returning to his former seat as Markus got ready to test the new guild candidate and her powers. Gathering some ice again, he made a new ice cone to eat and to hide a small booby-trap in the field that they would use for the test. Nothing big, just making the floor slippery enough to make one fall the moment they would step on it.

"Okay everyone lets head to the arena to see this kid's abilities." Said Markus as he led the group out to the back. "Watch the ice as well....."

They all gathered around the arena the girl landed and took up her stance instantly. The stance was relatively unknown among the crowd, although Markus recognized it instantly. "Yotohama Style Kenjutsu based off Hotaru Style Kenjutsu." He said looking at the stance which involved the girl resting the scabbard across the top of her forearm as if holding a baby, with her legs paced apart to give her good balance. "Lets see how well you've mastered it."

Markus reached up and a wooden sword flew into his hand. "This is a Steel Wood Bokken....." He said taking a simple stance.

"Ya sure you wanna use that?" Said the girl edging forwards slightly. "I'm not exactly weak ya know."

Markus pointed behind her to a huge mountain that towered over the estate's ground. "That's the result of my power....." Said Markus as he looked at the mountain's horn like peak. "I'll be fine."

"How the hell did you do that!?!" Asked the girl shocked.

"Drake attack... The Black Wing Lord decided to attack and i killed him at the cost of the peak." Said Markus before dashing forward stabbing the bokken forward. The girl just dodged the attack that through air pressure created a small explosion behind her.

Tapping Ellena on her right shoulder, Lancelot didn't even appear to be amazed at what Markus was showing and telling, he knew of how strong a slayer could become if they wanted to fulfill their purpose as a phoenix slayer. "Did Markus ever learn to be humble from his teacher?" Keeping an eye on the girl, he tried to memorize the different motions she would use for that so called yotohama kenjutsu style in case he could use it to supplement his own techniques.

Ellena smirked still watching the sparring match. "It's the only way he can really show his power without risking innocent people...." Said Ellena. "Even his magical power is dangerous to release as he doesn't have that great control...."

Markus kept on the offensive as the girl tried to fight back showing great skill with a blade but also showing she had a lot to learn. "Not bad.....You need to angle your left foot when using the Snowball Cut." Said Markus as he dodged a downward cut. "The technique is designed to act as a start to the Avalanche Technique."

The girl then twisted round into a lunge forward followed by a full downward spinning slash. Markus defended himself against all the attacks only just being caught by the last attack.

"Not bad kid...." Said Markus as he slowly twirled the bokken around his hand and attacking from behind despite not even moving. "Illusion Sword: Reaper Surprise....." Said Markus after landing two blows one to her shoulder and side.

The girl stayed standing despite having a dislocated shoulder and possibly cracked rib. "Going a bit rough on me huh?" Said the girl with a smirk.

"If i was going all out you'd be dead......" Said Markus opening his guard. "Try your luck...."

The girl dropped her scabbard from her now useless left arm. She then charged leaping above Markus and launching a wind blade at Markus who broke it with his head showing only a small cut. She then came down with a powerful lightning coated lunge at his face, a huge explosion erupted from the two.

Resting his head a little bored on his knuckles, he didn't see the use in testing that girl this way. "Can't he just finish the fight quickly or let her fight someone more along her level Ellena? She is hopelessly outclassed after all with how much he is still holding back." Spinning a small snowball on his ring finger he continued. "Control can be learned with enough patience, maybe someone with enough patience can learn him how to control his magic better?"

"This is to test her fighting spirit and willpower....Anyone can walk away from a fight but to know that victory is hopeless yet to keep fighting is true fighting spirit." Said Ellena looking at Lancelot. "I doubt someone who's been trained the way you have would understand."

The dust cloud cleared and all could see Markus holding the sword in his hand with the girl being held up still in the air. "Not bad kid.....Your in." Said Markus which caused the guild members to cheer. "Doc help the kid out...."

"The name is Yukie Homatsu!" Said the girl using telekinesis to sheath her blade. "what about my little sister?"

"She's in as well...." Said Ellena smiling.

"Try fighting against a phoenix Ellena. Until one learns how to slay them, victory is rather hopeless while they still practically force you to continue. Or did you meant something else with that fighting spirit?" Releasing a sigh, Lancelot turned his attention back to Markus. "Shall we go Markus, or do you need to finish up with something first?"

Markus floated up to the ledge and kicked Lancelot in the face. "First apologize to my wife.....Here we don't talk to anyone like that especially when you don't know how strong they are!" Said Markus charging both his arms with lightning. "I doubt your abilities though.....Even Blizzardo knew how to fight and would if needed.....She created the Ice Caves as proof of that."

Rubbing the place where he got kicked, Lancelot coated himself in a small protective layer of ice in case Markus would hit him again. "She knew how to fight yes, but she also insisted one knew how to control their power properly first before learning how to fight. And from what i understood of your wife, your control is not really great." Giving a small bow to Ellena was all she got by way of apologize before turning back to Markus, increasing the density of his ice on his back. "And yes, i learned how to fight already from her too. So mind apologizing for doubting my ability's?" As he spoke, he already started gathering snow around himself in case it was needed.

"You say you can fight....I doubt you can fight well." Said Markus taking out a small crystal with the colors of fire. "Shall we test that? I don't want to carry you around as dead weight as we try to find Blizzardo."

"You doubt i can fight? I doubt you can actually control your power." Disappearing with that last word, Lancelot appeared again in the arena with his arms crossed as he actually had his eyes fully open this time. "I hope this arena can handle something, or else it might get destroyed in the process."

"Active all 4 protection Lacrima...." Said Markus appearing in the arena. "My control is greater than they think....Lets just see what happens."

Markus fires several blasts of lightning at Lancelot moving around the arena while doing so.

Lancelot created a shield in the shape of a phoenix wing as he kept track of the several blasts followed by a few movements with his arm out to send feathers made of ice at the lightning blasts to cancel them out with an equal amount of force followed by another barrage of ice feathers at Markus.

Markus vanished and appeared behind Lancelot slamming his elbow into Lancelot's back sending him forward to be kicked in the back sending him flying. Markus followed this up with a Storm Phoenix Scream. After that he pulled out the fire colored gem again and squeezed it causing a massive amount of fire to engulf him which he absorbed activating his Burning Storm Drive. "Now we have some fun...." Said Markus putting the gem away. "Don't expect any help from the others 1st rule of the arena is no helping the combatants. We fight alone till one gives up or runs out of magical power."

Blocking the scream with a new shield, Lancelot landed on hands and feet before revealing his own wings as he slowly stood up. "You apparently have some twisted idea of fun then Markus, if a fight is what you deem to be fun." His arms, legs and chest became covered by a protective layer of ice the moment he stood up again, and released his own drive form causing icicle type markings to be engraved into his skins, caused diamond dust to appear from his eyes and 5 feathers to grow on his forearms.

"I never learned to expect help from others besides Phoenix's so that is easy." Taking a deep breath, he covered himself with his ice wings before releasing a thick ice-cold fog that covered the whole arena in a matter of seconds. "How do you like this?" Using ice-shift the moment the area was covered, his question appeared to come from all directions at the same time. The first purpose was to remove the sight of Markus so that he would need to rely on his sense of hearing, touch and smell. The second purpose was in the cold, since who ever would go into the fog would gradually start to cool down, and could even get killed by freezing to death in the fog. For Lancelot, the cold was nothing since he was used to the cold temperatures of his teachers, but those who where not used to it would freeze to death within 8 minutes if they didn't find a way to remain warm.

Markus dropped to one knee placing a hand on the ground and closing his eyes. After a few seconds he smirked opening his eyes. "I hear your breath, your heart and i feel your steps." Said Markus in a grim voice. "You should've learned that a Phoenix Slayer's senses are inhuman....I can also see your soul."

Markus coated his legs with fire and lightning before rolling forward and spinning on his shoulders creating a massive vortex of fire and lightning the technique cleared the fog by evaporating it. Markus then charged at Lancelot lancing a barrage of dynamic kicks throwing fake kicks and jabbing punches the attack continued with the fire and lightning mixed in to create more damage. "I find the thrill of combat fun not the idea of killing unless it's two certain people....." The feathers on Markus' arms twitched as he launched a powerful ball of fire and lightning at Lancelot.

Hiding in the protection from his wings, Lancelot waited until Markus would use something besides martial arts before dissolving and appearing behind Markus, wielding a blade of what looked like pure ice. "Hyousetsu" While speaking that single word, he lunged forward to Markus his back while keeping the temperature 1000 degrees below zero while keeping his wings protective around him.

Markus smirked seemingly taking the hit but in reality he used an unarmed version of one of sword techniques. creating an illusion of himself but in reality moving behind Lancelot where he had a defensive blind spot. Markus landed two blows to Lancelot's back and threw him to the ground holding a flaming lightning sword to Lancelot's neck. "Not bad Lance....You've have skill in your magic but you lack a sure goal." Said Markus powering down and dispelling the sword offering to help Lancelot up. "With the right training from another source you could be a powerful mage."

Standing up on his own, he dusted the dust and sand from his clothes after dispelling his own blade. "I only got the most basic fighting techniques taught to me, the rest is what i figured out on the way from home to this island." Outside that scream and wings, almost all of the techniques where things he figured out without help or training after all.

Markus smirked "Lets go find her....But first we need to check the archives, they'll give us some clues." He said before looking to Becca. "Go to the palace and request some Royal Guard support.....The Sentinels will do.....Ellena grab ya gear, we'll need you as well."

"What about me?" said Zero looking at Markus.

"Fine you can come as well." He said smirking. "We'll need your researching skills to hunt down some clues to the prison's location."

"That won't be difficult!" Said Zero sarcastically.

Rubbing the fingers of his left hand together for a few seconds, Lancelot dumped some snow on Zero his head before sealing his drive form together with placing a small seal on his second origin. While it would boost his ability's greatly when kept active the whole time, saving it for later and using it as a trump card for later was the smarter choice after all. "No being sarcastic or moody Zero, or else it is time for you to cool down."

"You'll understand the reason for that sarcastic remark when we get there Lance." Said Markus leading the group towards the archives.

They eventually arrived at the huge building that housed the archives and went down into the bowels of the building, there they found the giant room that houses the history, knowledge and ancient magic of the archipelago.

"Only place i know with more information is the Magic Council Archives." Said Zero as he walked to a desk ahead of them. "Shogi! I need all the books, scrolls and items referencing the Water Prison and it's location and set up a Finder for me will ya?"

The old man at the desk nodded and scurried off to fulfill Zero's request.

"What are the magic council archives and that council themselves actually?" Looking around, it resembled the library that his big sis kept in their homes but there where more books than at home from what he could see... Going to one of the desks that had a comic with a phoenix on the cover, Lancelot carefully opened it to find a lot of pictures inside. "Weird book is this, why all these pictures instead of describing them with words?"

"The archivers remember all these books by those pictures.....And the Magical Council try to manage magic and dark guilds......They do their best but they have so some real issues at times." Said Markus sitting on a chair in front of the desk. "Mochina Island and the rest of the archipelago don't really listen to them.....We prefer to do things our own way and the region has remain relatively stable for centuries cos of it....We just let their guild inspectors come in and check all the guilds are up to their standards....Well we sometimes fake it then go back to normal business once they leave."

"Magic can't be managed by a group, it can only be managed by yourself... So, what is the purpose of that council then?" Placing the comic book aside, he pulled a book to himself with a single rose on its cover. Opening it, he was glad there where no pictures inside and took a chair while starting to read in it.

"What i mean by manage it is stopping forbidden and black magic from getting out into the public.....They also stop Dark Guild from gaining too much power....Or at least try to." Said Markus examining the cover of a near by book. "They also arrest fugitive mages for various crimes like start guild wars or murder."

"The council is basically like a magical government. They set the rules for guilds, laws for mages and enforce both so mages don't cause any more problems than we already got with all the Dark Mages running around." Said Ellena as she emained several statues placed at the ends of each bookcase. "How many of your clan is honored here Markus?"

"All of them from the first member of the clan to my father....." Said Markus

After finishing the first chapter, Lancelot closed the book with more interest in that council at the moment than the book. "So basically, that council is a weaker version of phoenix slayers? Break the rules or go crazy and punishment is delivered, or did i got that wrong? "

Markus burst into laughter. "Yeah that's a somewhat misguided view of it. The Council are basically the magical government they make sure mages go by the rules and don't go around causing massacre after massacre.....Phoenix Slayers just kill the rarity that is a feral phoenix who've gained whats known as The Black Feather.....Just so you know it's a kind of illness that causes a phoenix to go mad....Strangely enough the Phoenix Lords and their parents the King and Queen of the phoenixes are immune to it. It's still rare but not unheard of for a regular phoenix to get the illness." Said Markus taking a more serious tone. "Also Phoenix Slayers aren't unbeatable....We have weaknesses like your seeming lack of physical combat....Mine is experience and human error."

Zero then returned with the books and card to use the item he requested. "Okay lets get this done we got 30 books to get through." He said dragging the trolly to the desk with the books piled up on it. "Anyone got a theory on how we'll find this place?"

"Map.....My guess is that among the clues and symbols we'll find is a map and a way to use the map." Said Markus standing up and smirking. "Remember the Red Star Job?"

"Yeah but that was luck! Besides that was sunken treasure....That's like a rule to have that kinda thing." Said Zero.

"I already told you why i lacked combat Markus..." Picking up an old history book from the pile, Lancelot started reading about the Oracs and their country. Call it a hunch or something like that, but he had heard stories about them from his sisters.

"You should really think about learning some degree of fist fighting....There is always someone who can counter your magic, either by an item or their own magic." Said Markus following Zero to The Finder a large dirty gold desk with a large glass case at the top of what seems to be piano keys. "Okay Zero place all the books in and we'll try and piece together what you can find."

"Got it....." Said Zero as he placed the books in a row and played the keys creating a dull melody. "He's right Lance....I can copy any magic out there yet i still practice unarmed and armed combat just in case someone can seal my magic....And if you fight The Sensei you'll end up having to focus on that anyway."

"The Sensei is the oldest member of the guild and probably one of the most dangerous....He's an amazing sealing mage, he uses a tactic that seals your magic or one part of it and keeps doing that till you have no more magic to use. So that's why nearly every guild member trains to fight without magic." Said Markus leaning on the far end of the Searcher.

"Though some are better than others." Smirked Ellena while she looked at Markus. "No one has beaten you yet Storm.....Not even Sensei and he's got 2 more decades of combat experience over you in combat."

Markus smirked and just shrugged just as Zero finished scanning the books. "Okay Zero put anything that looks like a clue on the left and anything that looks like pieces of a map on the right. Also bring up a map of the Archipelago in the center we'll see what we can find there." Said Markus turning his attention to the large image that appeared over a large swimming pool like section of the device.

"Fighting without being able to control your power is worse." Pulling Ellena on her sleeve, Lancelot pointed to a chapter in the history book about the Oracs sealing enemy's of pure energy in a mountain of ice. "Are they searching for something like what is described here or for something else?"

"Markus can control the bulk of his power.....Just when he unleashes it fully he has trouble regulating the damage capacity." Said Ellena looking at the page. "No that wouldn't work on a Phoenix....Thats for spirits and phantoms."

"Your reading about the Ghost Caverns.....They banish their most evil spirits to a prison of ice and pain." Said Zero pressing more keys trying to recreate the full map. "The Water prison was build in a hidden island and went deep into the ocean, hence the name."

Hidden in the ocean, while also not on any known map... Thinking back to the different story's his sisters had told him when they tried to scare him, he tried to recall a small verse of it. "From left to right, take 39 to 43 steps, just like a crab if you want to see someone's fear for ice, Start from 56 feet, to 60 feet till you can't go further to see the island of fear. Run away quick like there is no life, for all one can find is a never lasting darkness..." Trying to remember if that was the whole verse, Lancelot went to Zero while repeating the lyrics a few more times in his head. "Maybe start from the left, 39 to 43 steps, while going with the height of 56 to 60 feet in that map? Only song i remember with numbers and words in it."

Zero smirked and put in the correct coordinates something worrying. "Hmmm this might be a problem...." He said standing up pressing two more keys. "See that red line? That is Morkina territory.....They're not the friendliest of nations within the archipelago."

"Hmmm Should be interesting when we land there....." Said Markus smirking. "Just remember we're not there to start a fight!"

"Ok so your not coming then?" Asked Ellena crossing her arms and smirking at her husband knowing that even though he says they wont' start a fight he will in some capacity.

"Oh i'm coming!" Said Markus looking at her. "I'm curious to see what their doing.....I've got my suspicions about their motives."

Dumping some ice on Markus and Ellena their head, Lancelot pointed towards the Morkina territory on the map. "Mind telling me something about these Morkina's?"

"Not much to tell they're a semi-isolationist monarchy.....They have spies in every other country in the archipelago......Some members of the council and myself think they're secretly on the side of Daimon as they haven't lent much aid to the war cause." Explained Markus as brushed the ice off his head and shoulder. "Their king is an arrogant paranoid little dog.....Same goes for his spymaster Sosetsu....."

"We've done a few.....semi-legal jobs to check out things before the war officially started." Said Zero as he did the same. "It's amazing what you can get away with when you have a former Magic Council member on the job."

"Semi-legal jobs? Don't you just mean breaking in, stealing and other illegal things Zero?" Touching the glass with the map on it, Lancelot whispered Blizzardo her name softly before turning towards Markus, Zero and Ellena. "Lets just go and force them to hand big sis back to me okay?"

"Spy work don't worry. Technically they're semi-legal mainly cos we snuck into military bases and the palace." Said Zero.

"Yeah but they don't have her....The Prison is in their territory but it's not under their control." Said Markus. "We don't want to start a 3 way war...Mochina has a strong army and navy but we won't last long in a war like that."

"You are forgetting something Markus." Carefully combing the ruffles out of his robe, Lancelot  looked at Zero for a bit before turning his eyes back to his robe. "How to force powerful leaders of a country to do your bidding without it resulting in a war..." Finishing with his robe, he looked at Ellena this time. "Maybe you know what i am getting at Ellena?" If frontal assaults would not work, sneaking around and hiding their victims until they arrived at their targets. And once there, they could probably 'persuade' them to cooperate with them.

"Nope the king is as Markus said the king is arrogant and paranoid....The only reason he's giving the minimal support her's giving because the King threatened to send Markus with the best Wolves in the Royal Guard to execute him......He won't let us through without a fight no matter how minimal." Said Ellena checking her magic revolvers. "Either way we're gonna have a bit of fun before we get to the prison....Think of it as a warm up for the real fight."

"Please....Their army is poorly armed and trained.....Only decent members of the Spymaster's thugs and their wanted in the other kingdoms within the archipelago....." Said Markus looking at Ellena.

"Face it Lance either way your gonna have to pull your own weight on this....." Said Zero spinning round on his chair. "If you want your sister back your probably gonna have to kill.....Luckily we'll mostly be facing fakers so they're not truly human."

"I'll never understand that definition of fun i guess, how can fighting be fun." Throwing a snowball in Zero's face, Lancelot started to walk towards the exit. "The name is Lancelot, not Lance. And when are we going there?"

"We just find the adrenaline rush of combat fun......" Said Zero as he caught the snowball with a magma coated fist. "We'll be going in a few minutes we're waiting on some friends."

Just as Zero finished his sentence two more people came through the door Yoshi and Axel. "Ok from now on this is a Special Job guys....." Said Markus. "That means we need to keep things as low key as possible."

The group burst into laughter at what Markus said. "Markus you know that won't happen!" Said Axel taking a drag of his cigarette. "But we'll try.....So we're rescuing one of the Phoenix Nobles? Gotta say it's an honor to meet one of them at last."

"Oh thats right Axel is always on a job when Bolterus visits." Smirked Ellena as she followed Markus and Lancelot out the door with the others following behind. "So what we using from transport?"

"Airship!" Said Markus with a smile. "About time we took a trip on one."

"Fair enough." Said Ellena.

"Why not just fly to them or use a normal ship to reach our destination?" Pointing to Zero as he froze Axel's cigarette, Lancelot didn't see why they had to go with a ship made to ride the air instead of the sea. "Just let Zero here memorize how you and me manage to fly, all three of us carry one of the others and with the correct fine-tuning, we should be able to arrive at our destination within a day or two right? And i hope you do know that smoking is bad right?"

"Yeah well we haven't been on one for ages. Might as well besides it's a good to rest up before the fight." Said Zero shrugged a bit before walking out the door towards the Airship docks. "Plus they serve the most epic beef noodle."

Markus chuckled "That is true....They also serve great crispy beef stir fry." Said Markus following Zero.

Shrugging over how Markus and Zero spoke about noodles and beef, he just hoped that the food on board was edible and nutritious enough to last until the next meal.