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"Allow Me To Cut Through Those Words!"

This article, Cruor De Violaceae, is the sole property of Blackdagger, and as such you are not allowed to use or edit it without asking for my consent. If you wish to use this article, please ask me on my talk page and, if you use this article in any way without my permission, there will be consequences.

This page, Cruor De Violaceae, is currently under construction. Please bear with the changes made by the author.


Izar walked through a deep wooded area, cursing the distance between the railroads in this Godforsaken country. He slid down a small hill, coming to a small clearing. He looked up at the sun, its position suggesting that it was just past noon, nearing one o'clock, "It shouldn't take me too much longer to reach the station." Izar said to himself, knowing he was most likely alone. He looked up to through the hole in the trees, letting the light hit him in the face and fill him with the warmth of the afternoon sun. He let out a pleasant sigh, getting ready to get moving again as he wanted to be back in Onibus by tomorrow morning. He had been gone for several months and couldn't wait to get back to his home, his friends, and of course, Akumu. He wondered if she would be indifferent to his length of absence or if she would be happy to see him. He hoped for the latter, but he wasn't sure that she would even admit it if she had. He shook the thoughts out his head, knowing he would find out tomorrow when he saw her again.

Genghis observed from the trees, examining his target. It would be a quick and simple knockout. All of Team Brazen was feeling the heat after clashing with the Shepherds. Although Genghis didn't feel anything he knew someone to mess with would give the others joy. Plus he enjoyed a challenge, and the violet haired man's magical presence was immense and slightly intimidating to even Genghis himself. The blood dragon slayer decided that his best plan of attack was to slow his foe's blood flow and began the process of slowing Izar's blood, forcing him to pass out.

Izar began walking, letting out a yawn as he found the forest to be quiet tranquil, reminding him fondly of the one behind the guild hall. Were he anywhere but Bosco he might have even found a tree lie under and take a quick nap, but this was indeed Bosco which meant he would have to keep his guard up. As Izar continued walking he felt himself getting sleepier, his vision fading in and out to the point where he was blind for several moments. That's when he began to feel the pain, his body screaming for oxygen despite him breathing normally. What the hell is going on? Izar thought, grasping his throat out of instinct as he fell to his knees, Dammnit, why does it hurt? Poison? he thought as he reached for his teleportation Lacrima, knowing that he would fair a far better chance of survival with the council than he would out in the woods alone.

With one final push, it was ensured that Genghis had forced Izar into submission, but released his control once Izar had passed out. The scarlet-haired man leaped down from the tree he had been perched in. Genghis inspected his target. A guild mark. Lean, strong, his blood smells off. He's different than a normal human. The dragon slayer lifted Izar up onto his shoulder and began to jog; hopefully, it would only take him a half hour to return to Dragon's Eye.

Izar could feel his heartbeat slowing, something was very wrong. His mind did its best to race to find solutions to his current situation, but little to nothing came through as his mind was just as foggy as his vision, perhaps even more so. He felt his hand touch the teleportation lacrima however, he fell face first into the dirt before he could activate it. He lied there, having no strength to move as he was suffocating. Fucking Bosco, was the last thing to race through Izar's mind before he completely lost consciousness.

Izar awoke later, unsure of how long he had been out. The first thing he noticed was the pain in his shoulders. As his eyes slowly adjusted to it's new surroundings, he looked up to find that his wrists were indeed chained to a wall of some sort. His shoulders were forced to bear the entirety of his weight as his feet did not touch the floor, his ankles also being chained to the wall. What the hell is this place? Izar thought as he attempted to cast Cosmic bullet, pointing his middle finger toward the cuff only to find that he could not cast the spell. He attempted to requip something only to fail at that as well, the chains being infused with powerful nullification magic. The pain in his shoulder only grew as he struggled to move but dared not make a sound, not wanting to attract the attention of whoever placed him in this situation.

A petite red-headed girl stared straight into Izar's violet eyes. "Boo." She said before skittering backward, a ring of golden keys chiming as they loosely swung from her belt. "Geeeeenghis!" She sing-sung, "He's awake, and he's cute!" The woman's scarlet hair swung around in its ponytail as she moved towards the hallway. "HEY! Guys! I said to get down here!" She screamed down the hall towards what would be some of her comrades. When she didn't hear any immediate response, the scarlet-haired woman crumpled to the ground. "Assholes..." She spent a few minutes, fiddling with a small teddy bear that was attached to the hilt of a sword before staring at Izar, her crimson eyes locking with Izar's. The woman didn't say a word, just watched the chained man.

Izar jerked back at the sudden appearance of the red haired girl. He remained silent as she spoke, just listening in hope that should could provide him with any information that might help him understand exactly what was going on. When it was clear she would not provide him with truly useful information on her own, he decided he would simply ask her. "Hey, what's going on? Where am I? Why am I chained up? I didn't do anything that would get me sent to jail, and you don't much look like a guard of any kind." Izar said, knowing he had come off a bit rude, though. Something in his gut told him it really didn't matter whether he was rude or polite, if it got him answers he didn't care.

"I'm Elise. You're in my guild, and lastly your chained up because we can't exactly have a prisoner running loose." She replied quickly and simply. The sound of footsteps echoed through the halls and three other figures appeared. A woman with wavy, thick blonde hair. A man wearing a white masked with black swirls adorning it and tufts of crimson hair and lastly a woman with short lavender hair. "Hey guys!" Elise cried happily.

Izar studied the group before him, trying to gauge exactly what he was up against. The first thing he noticed was how rag-tag the group seemed, each seeming out of place from the others in his or her own way. If there was a leader among them, Izar was unable to determine just who that person was. How exactly he might be able to use this to his advantage he did not know, "Who are you?" Izar asked, "What could you possibly want with me of all people? Surely there must be some mistake?" He continued, testing the water on how willing one might be willing to talk more than the others. He knew he was in a dangerous situation, being unable to use his magic was one thing; but he was completely powerless with his arms and legs chained to the wall the way they were. "Perhaps you could let me down? It'd be much easier to talk that way, much more civilized."

The blonde looked at the man in the mask who nodded, moving forward. The woman smiled and began to speak. "We are Team Brazen. Honestly, I don't know what you're doing here. I suppose Genghis thought that you'd be a fun toy to have around for a while... That is of course until you die." At Izar's request, Kuvira motioned to Genghis, who then let Izar out of his cuffs. "If you're thinking of escape at this moment, let me tell you that it is not a wise option. Someone could get hurt." She smiled at him as if knowing his plan. The petite, periwinkle haired woman shifted uncomfortably. Elise, however was circling Izar's body much like a predator circles prey. She seemed perfectly innocent in intent but in reality, the woman was thinking of over twenty ways to bring the man pain. Most concerning of the bunch had to be the blonde and the masked man, standing side by side a mere meter in front of Izar.

Izar rolled his shoulders, they were completely stiff. He had no idea how long he had been up there, but it would have had to have been more than a few hours for his arms to feel this way. "Thank you for letting me down. You seem to misunderstand me, while your friend did indeed bring me here by force, I'm sure it was a mistake. I don't know any of you nor much about Bosco besides the fact that I'd rather not be in it." Izar said with a slight laugh as he watched Elise out of the corner of his eye. He swallowed hard before smiling brightly, "What do you say we introduce ourselves? I'm Izar Tasya, mage of Koma Inu and member of the Magic Council. I've already had the pleasure of learning the name of this charming young lady here," Izar said, motioning toward Elise. "But I haven't had the pleasure of learning the names of the rest of you."

"If he brought you, it isn't a mistake," Kuvira stated. At the mention of the Magic Council, her face sharpened. Meanwhile, Elise had stopped and had taken her place in rank with the others behind Kuvira. "As you can see. I'm Kuvira Lyon, the leader of Team Brazen, and we are all Dragon Slayers and members of Dragon's Eye. We are, their strongest team." Everyone was surprised albeit Genghis that their leader had revealed their affiliation and her own name. "Come on now," The blonde looked at her companions. "Fess up, we don't want to be impolite to an esteemed guest," Kuvira smirked lightly. "Genghis." Said the man in the mask. "Gwen." The lavender-haired woman spoke softly, her presence growing smaller by the minute. "And last but not least... is me! Elise!" She smiled broadly, throwing her hands in the air as she spoke. "So Izar," Kuvira began, "What is so interesting about you. It's the reason you're here. Genghis only takes interested in those who are strong, or... different."

"It's nice to meet you all," Izar said with a slight bow. His smile remained present on his face despite the clearly dangerous situation he was in, "Special? As far as I know, I'm a pretty average guy." Izar said before having a false Aha! moment, "My hair! Yes, that must be it. Vibrant purple hair isn't very common. At least, that's what my significant other has told me." Izar said, trying to humanize himself. He was no fool, having a pretty good understanding of human psychology. In these types of situations, someone will dehumanize their victim, seeing them as an object more than a living breathing person. He knew the best course of action was to try and show that he was not an object, but indeed a human being with their own life and loved ones. "That being said, I don't know why my hair would interest someone enough to kidnap me. Maybe that isn't it after all." Izar said, a fake look of defeat taking over his expression. "Wait, perhaps it's because I can do this," Izar said, holding up his hand. At the tip of each figure formed a sphere of cosmic energy which then quickly solidified into one of the planets in the sol system. These planets featured Earth, Saturn, Venus, Mars, Neptune. "A pretty cool trick huh? Right?" Izar asked, "Again, I don't know why this'd get me kidnapped. Do you all have any ideas?"

"Cut the bullshit," Kuvira said, turning her right arm into a solid metal pipe via usage of the Metal Dragon's Club spell. She thrust her arm forward, letting the pole extend until it made forceful contact with Izar's stomach, shoving him backward. "Chains of the Metal Dragon." She said triggering chains that snaked from the walls and the ground, to ensnare Izar within. "These are anti-magic chains of my own creation, it is impossible for you to break through." Kuvira paused, sending a cold stare towards her teammates behind her. "Everyone out but Genghis." The duo began to walk away, not questioning the authority of their leader. "So." The blonde turned back towards the chained Izar. "Genghis has taken an interest in your and brought you here for us to toy with. I'm guessing it is something to do with your blood. He has a knack for that sort of thing." She sighed, letting her arm turn back into flesh. "Take it away Genghis." Genghis took off his mask, revealing the smooth, pale face of a mere boy in his late teens. One of the reasons why he wore a mask, was to reveal the only delicate side of himself, his age. The man walked smoothly toward Izar, taking a small syringe out of his pocket. "Hold still," Genghis spoke calmly, his deep monotone voice resounding through the cell.

Izar felt the wind knocked out of him as the pipe slammed into his stomach, sending him back several feet until he felt his back hit the wall. He then felt the chains began to wrap their way around him. He quickly tried to collapse the planets he had just created into black holes, but they instead simply faded away. It was at that moment that Kuvira's words registered in his head, Damn, I should've just tried to fight when I had the chance. Izar thought as he felt the chains tighten around him, effectively pinning him to the wall. Izar coughed as he tried to catch his breath before shooting Kuvira a smirk. He wouldn't show weakness, that's what they wanted and he wouldn't give it to them. "Strong, and scary. I might find those traits charming under different circumstances, but right now they just make you seem like a bit of a bitch." Izar said with a slight laugh before realizing he may have gone too far. When Genghis came at him with the syringe Izar cringed a bit, hating needles more that just about anything. Izar did not find his calm voice in any way comforting, "would you mind at least disinfecting the area. I really hope that needle is clean too." Izar responded turning his head as to not have to look at the syringe coming toward him.

Genghis didn't say a word, and pricked Izar quickly, drawing some of his blood. The crimson haired man lifted the syringe towards his mouth and opened, swallowing the blood. "It's ichor, the blood of immortals." He said plainly looking at Kuvira. Internally he was in on a high, the taste of the blood was intoxicating, it was the king of all the blood he had tasted and he wanted more. The blonde let a snort escape in response. "Well you're going to have fun aren't you? I'll let you have some time to hook him up to a drainer, but then can we use him as a punching bag? I'd like to see how far his immortality will get him against us." Genghis nodded, knowing that it was better to listen to her than argue. He wanted Izar to be exclusive to himself, but it was his price to pay for the blood of an immortal. With a quick fluid motion, Genghis moved around the room and set up a small station, forcing a needle into the vein on Izar's left arm that would gradually suck his blood through a tube and into a four-liter container. It didn't take long and the bloody dragon knew that he would have some more time to play before Kuvira returned. He pricked his own hand and let scarlet liquid flow through and formed it into a blade. "Now. Be still okay?" Genghis said calmly, approaching Izar.

Izar winced slightly as the needle entered his arm and Genghis drew a bit of his blood, a look of disgust forming over Izar's face as he watched the crimson haired man drink his blood, "That cannot be sanitary," Izar said, his words completely ignored as Genghis began talking. Izar let out a fake laugh at Genghis' words, "Ichor? Immortals? This is insane, even by Bosco standards. Do you even hear yourselves?!" Izar said, feeling a bit of blood from his open injection wound on his arm trickle down his forearm and onto his hand before the wound healed itself completely. Izar watched as Kuvira left, his words being utterly ignored as though he had not said them at all. He was then hooked up to some kind of draining station that began to syphon his blood out. Izar gritted his teeth as he felt the sucking power of then machine slowly draining him of the warm red liquid that flowed through his veins. He then watched as Genghis formed a scarlet blade from his own blood before walking towards him, telling him to keep still as he brought the blade closer and closer to him until the tip touched his stomach. Izar instinctively tightened the muscles in his abdomen despite knowing it would only make it hurt worse. Izar grit his teeth hard when the blade began to slide into him, parting the skin like a hot knife would butter. Izar pulled down on his chains in an attempt to lift himself up enough so that the blade would no long be pushing its way into him, but he lost his strength half way through and fell back down onto the scarlet blade. Izar let out a muffled sound of pain despite his desperate attempts to hold it in. Izar was no stranger to pain, but the warm blade sliding into him right now was agonizing, the warmth of the blade felt like someone were pressing a hot iron onto him, but while a hot iron would cauterize the wound and stop the bleeding, Genghis' blade would not, leaving Izar's blood to soak through his shirt, down Genghis's blood blade and further down his arm.

Genghis spent the next minutes savoring the delight of cutting through flesh. As the blood dripped onto his arms he smiled, raising it upwards and greedily licking the blood off of it. It was utter reverie. Nothing had ever made Genghis feel so alive, so human. But then it was all taken away as he felt a tap on the middle of his back, the highest point that petite Gwen Dullahan could reach. "Genghis." She said, her voice trembling at the sight of her blood-stained guildmate. "What?" He said, thrusting the woman backwards, leaving a bloody handprint on her pure, snow colored dress. "Kuvira sent me to clean him up. She wants you to leave." The man snorted, angry for being interrupted. Usually he could sense anyone approaching but he had gotten so lost in his own excitement that he forgotten his own senses. Knowing that the woman wouldn't lie, he collected the large container of blood, briskly unplugged Izar from the tap and exited the cell. She waited a moment, listening for footsteps and then walked into the corner of the room. She picked up a greasy cloth and approached Izar, pressing it lightly to his abdomen. "I need to clear the blood away." She mumbled, her soft voice ringing out like tinkling bells. Once the blood was clear, a shimmering water appeared around her hands and she began to heal his wounds. "This'll be much quicker than your regenerative healing. She wants you ready as soon as possible." Soft lavender bangs fell over one of Gwen's eyes as she focused on her work, channeling an appropriate amount of magic energy into her healing.

Izar felt the blade slide out from the wound it had created in his stomach, he heard voices but couldn't bring himself to focus enough to hear exactly what they were saying. He closed his eyes, he knew it would do little. He wasn't dreaming, or in this case, having a nightmare, no. He was chained to a wall with a gaping hole in his stomach, the blade had pierced his stomach, he could feel the acid burning his insides. It was agonizing, but he was okay. He had experienced much worse before. That thought comforted him little as he knew that this was most likely just the beginning. He suddenly felt a comforting feeling wash over him, the pain subsiding. This shocked him back into focus as he stared down at the lavender haired woman whom held her hand over his wound, he recognized her from the line up earlier, Gwen had been her name. His first thought was of course, why? Why would she heal him? He didn't have to wait long before she answered his unasked question. Izar's head fell back down as she spoke, "Yes, we wouldn't want to keep the bitch queen waiting." Izar said, feeling the wound slowly beginning to close. "So this is what you do? You keep their victims alive? No, no, that's not what you do. You keep their pulse going, that's it. The truth is that they're long dead before their heart stops, isn't it? Am I right on the dot? All you do is make sure it lasts as long as possible, their pain and suffering. It must be funny to you, to see them so close to death, so close to what they desperately want, just to pull it away from them at the last moment" Izar said, knowing his words were most likely wasted. "What the hell is wrong with you people?" Izar asked weakly under his breath, "Why am I here?" Izar finished as tears began to role down his cheeks. He couldn't do anything to stop them, nor could he wipe them away, "I just wanted to be happy, for once in my life. I just wanted things to be okay."

Gwen's voice caught in her throat at his words and she scrambled backward, falling onto the floor in the process. "No. You're wrong. No. No." She mumbled over and over trying to comfort herself but the reality was, that keeping victims alive was the main part of her duty, Sure she was an accomplished archer and a dragon slayer to boot, but she was kept around due to her knowledge of healing. Footsteps echoed down the hall and hot tears spilled from Gwen's face as she recognized the scent that accompanied it. "Oh? What's this?" The blonde spat, looking down at Gwen's crumpled form as rage built inside her stomach. "Did the prisoner threaten you Gwen? Did he cause you pain? Remember I said that I'd never let anyone hurt you again. Now. Don't you want to return the favor?" Kuvira's voice turned sickly sweet as she helped Gwen to her feet. "Kuvira I'm fine." She muttered, wiping away the water on her skin. "Gwen." Kuvira said, her voice growing into a cutting edge as her grip on her companion tightened. "I told you to cause him pain. Fair is fair right?" "Right." Gwen said, ripping herself away from Kuvira before drawing her arms upward and creating two tendrils of water. The woman looked straight into Izar's eyes and mouthed I'm sorry before sending the tendrils rushing towards him and down his throat.

Izar closed his eyes as he felt the water rushing down his throat and filling his lungs. He wouldn't describe the feeling as necessarily painful, not yet anyway, but the feeling was familiar to say the least. Memories came flooding back as the water completed its filling of his lungs, seeing to it that he could not breathe. The feeling reminded Izar of long ago, of another experience he had in Bosco. Izar opened his eyes, through them it would seem as though he were underwater, his hot tears stung as they clouded his vision, the two figures standing not far from him were mere blurs to him. As his consciousness began to fade, he began to feel as though he were floating. His body began to scream for oxygen, begging for it much like it had when he had been in the forest before waking here. This feeling was still quite different though, unlike before, he could not breathe at all. Every single gasp for air was met with the swallowing of more and more water. The illusion of there being no logical explanation for his dilemma that had brought him hope of escape before was gone. The water filling his lungs was a clear presence that demanded to make itself known, the chains around his wrists and ankles saw to it that he was powerless to do anything but accept it all as it was. Izar could feel the hands wrapping around him, the cold hands of death. He had felt them many times, having become very accustomed to that feeling, and the encompassing darkness that accompanied it. He knew it would only last a moment, he would die only to wake again as he had done so many times before. Death for him was no rest, simply a quick reset. He would awake fully healed, and ready for whatever other tortures awaited him. Everything past his nose had been devoured by the darkness, and his turn was next. Izar suddenly felt the water be pulled from his lungs, air filling them soon after, sending Izar into a coughing fit. He began to cough up the remaining water in his lungs before the coughing fit caused him to puke, the puke being a mix of stomach acid and the blood that had entered his stomach through the wound Genghis had made before it was healed. His breaths were deep and shaky as he tried to replaced the oxygen lost to him through the near drowning. He looked up toward the women, still little more than blurry smudges in his vision, "Why didn't you just let me drown?" Izar asked, "It's not like I would've died," Izar asked, genuinely curious. Though, he highly doubted he'd like their answers.

"I made her stop," Kuvira said plainly as Gwen's hands dropped back to her sides. "You see. Gwen here is too shy to stick up for herself and you're going to apologize for hurting her. Until then, she's just going to fill your lungs right back up with water. Painful isn't it?" Gwen herself was staring at her feet, her head bowed in shame. "Right Gwen? You won't go easy on him?" The water dragon slayer mumbled her response. "Yes. I won't stop." Her gaze rose until it once again met Izar's. "You don't mind if I watch do you? It's more fun than watching Seizei kick Elise's ass at Shogi." Kuvira said, slumping back into a metal chair of her own creation. "No, Kuvira. I don't mind." Her responses were cold and mechanical, Gwen didn't want to make her friend angry. "Alright Gwen, start it up again." The lavender-haired woman nodded, this time sending a single stream towards Izar where it promptly wrapped itself around his head, blocking his nose and mouth, and then the stream was returned into his mouth.

"I can see that," Izar said in reference to Kuvira's comment about Gwen not being able to stand up for herself. Izar didn't need to know as much about humans as he did to see that Gwen was hesitant, nervous, unlike the others. Whether she wanted to do what she was doing or not was meaningless, she was doing it, and that was all that really mattered in the end. Izar looked Gwen directly in the eyes, "I refuse to apologize for telling the truth. I won't go against my own morals to appease monsters. Go ahead Gwen." Izar said, his voice was hoarse from all of the coughing, but he hoped the seriousness of his words had been properly conveyed. Izar took in a deep breath before Gwen's water wrapped itself around his face, covering his mouth and nose for a few moments before entering his lungs. The breath of air Izar had taken in was quickly replaced by water. The water again filled his lungs to capacity, the same events that had occurred before took place. Izar could feel death closing in on him only for it to be stolen away as the water was again pulled from his lungs, leaving him gasping for air. His eyes burned with tears that flowed down his cheeks, but he refused to acknowledge them, "Go to hell," was Izar's response to the silence that followed, knowing they were awaiting some kind of apology. This process was repeated many times, each time Izar responded with something along the lines of "Fuck you", "You bitch", "Go to hell", or some combination of the three. Izar wretched as he threw up more water, he couldn't remember how many times he had been nearly drowned, but it was more than he would've liked. Curse his stubborn, somewhat prideful nature that made him refuse the women's request. He breathed heavily, unable to respond in any of the ways he had before, he would open his mouth only to find that no words would escape, only quiet whimpers among other soft sounds of held back anger and pain.

She couldn't take it anymore. The repeated insults, the pain she knew was being caused by his own hands. Gwen's hands dropped to her side and the stream of water fell limp onto the ground. Kuvira glanced over, fury depicted in her brows. "Why'd you stop." the blonde asked quickly. "I'm running low on magic power. I don't want to waste it on someone as frivolous like him." Gwen's expressions were distant and cold. She was clearly still hurt by his words but she didn't wish to harm him. "Fine then." Kuvira accepted her words, too bored to analyze her expression. "Alright then." The blonde stood, dismissing Gwen. "Go upstairs and clear the ring. I'm going to have some fun." Once the petite female exited, Kuvira continued toward, releasing Izar from his chains. "Come on. Get up." She said as his body slumped to the ground. Two small strips of metal formed in Kuvira's hands as she prepared for him to attempt an escape. When he did, it would be almost instantaneous when she sent the nullifying cuffs around his arms.

Izar hit the ground, his arms too numb to allow him to catch himself. He slipped his hands underneath himself, requiring all the strength he had to lift himself up. Having his entire body weight supported by his arms for hours on end had caused his muscles to ache and tear in several places. These wounds would soon be healed, he'd have a fighting chance so long as he was no longer chained up to the wall. Izar forced himself up to a knee, leaning over to cough up the remaining water in his aching lungs. All of the coughing had most likely bruised his ribs as well, but again, they would soon be healed. He wiped his mouth as he slowly stood up to look the blond haired woman in the eye, needing to look downward as she was shorter than him. His legs had been thankfully spared the numbness his arms suffered from, this was good considering his main martial art allowed him to utilize a wide variety of kicks. Izar took in a deep breath, exhaling quietly through his nose. He needed to stay calm, he needed to have control over his own emotions and actions, even if he couldn't control the situation he was in, not yet anyways. "A ring you say? You intend to fight me? From the looks of yourself, haven't you already made enough poor life choices?" Izar said in an attempt to sound much stronger than he was at the moment. He had no doubt he could fight despite his injuries, but the weakness in his arms would make things much more difficult. If he could hold out until he regained the strength in his arms, he'd stand a real fighting chance.

Kuvira sent the strips of metal flying around Izar's wrists, tightening them into place. "Yeah. I intend to beat the shit out of you." She smiled sinisterly. As the woman began to walk towards the door she beckoned to Izar, telling him to follow. "Besides, if you kick my ass in front of my guildmates, they'll have a riot making fun of me. That is, until I shut them up again." Her gaze flickered backward as she watched him follow. "By the way, don't try anything dirty until we get into the ring. It won't end well for you and I'd like to have some fun. As much as Genghis and Elise would enjoy watching you bleed for a few hours, I'm not in the mood." When the pair reached the top of the staircase, it opened up into a wide hall with a metal cage in the center. Currently in the ring was Gwen, mopping blood splatters off of the ground. The woman quickly picked up the mop and bucket, leaving the ring.

"I can tell you from experience that using fear to rule people normally bites you in the ass in the end." Izar said as he followed Kuvira, keeping an eye out for anything that could help him if he did decide to try to make an escape of some kind. "And following you will end well for me? Please choose your words more carefully. It really doesn't matter what you intend to do to me, the simple fact of them matter is that I have all the chances in the world while you only get one. I try to escape and somehow end up bleeding out on the floor? so be it, I'll wake up feeling good as new. I get lucky and slit one of your throats in the process? Well, that's one less for me to take care of next time." Izar said as the two entered into a larger room with a large cage in the center, "A cage befitting the animals who own it." Izar said before his eyes met with Gwen's. He quickly averted them, not fully knowing how to feel. While it seemed she did not get the same sick pleasure the others got from causing people pain, that did not change the fact that she participated in it. Izar didn't like the cage. It was metal, meaning Kuvira would most likely use it against him if things didn't go her way. It was a cheap trick, to give the opponent the illusion that they have a fighting chance while knowing full well they do not. Izar stood at the cage entrance for a moment, "You're going to cheat, aren't you? Why else have a ring made entirely of metal? The second things stop going the way you want them to you're going to use the cage as a weapon. If that's the case, and you intend to use your magic anyway, why not make this a truly fair fight and allow me to use mine? Why not let me fight for my freedom? Is it because you're scared you'll lose?" Izar said, hoping his attempt at getting these chains off of him would work.

Kuvira scoffed. "I may be what you consider "evil", but I'm not that dishonorable. I will be wearing cuffs too." At the last statement, Kuvira put her arms out, allowing Elise to strap two strips of leather around her wrists. The makeshift cuffs were covered in several magic runes that automatically suppressed Kuvira's magic, an effect that could be sensed by any mage around her. "You should be able to feel my magic gone. I'm not lying." Kuvira walked into the cage first, staring at Izar to confirm that it wasn't a trick. "Like I said, I may be a bitch, but I'm not a liar... Usually."

Izar looked at her skeptically, his disbelief in her claims mattered little as it wasn't as though he had a choice. Stepping into the cage Izar felt trapped, even more so than he had been before. This was most likely because he was indeed standing in a cage, with an animal he didn't believe wouldn't bite harder than she needed to if cornered. Again, not that any of that mattered as his was no friendly spar, Izar would be fighting to kill her as he was sure she would be doing the same. His arms were nearly healed, the decreased speed of his regenerative rate most likely being due to the magic-nullifying cuffs around his wrists. He would feel much more confidant in his fighting ability once he was able to use his arms, while his kicks were indeed quick and strong, with weak arms he would have a hard time defending himself. Izar took in a deep breath as he stared at the blond haired woman from across the small ring. "I don't understand the point in any of this. I'm not going to go down as easily as you think, so if you're doing this because you think it'd be fun to beat the shit out of someone in a completely one-sided fight, I can promise you that you're wasting your time." Izar said, beginning to bounce from one foot to the other while staying in one spot, similar to a boxer's movements during a match. "It doesn't have to be this way at all, you could save yourself a lot of time and embarrassment by just letting me go. Do so now and I promise not to tell the council or anyone else of these events, that sounds like a fair deal to me." Izar said, ready for her to launch at him at any moment. "I'll end up getting out of here sooner or later anyways, you might as well let me go before any true harm has come to either of us. Try to think rationally about this."

Kuvira bent her knees, bouncing from left to right. Her arms were slightly bent as well, in a traditional boxer's stance. She smiled. "I wasn't expecting you to be easy. You've got guts, unlike half the spineless bastards in here." At the mention of the magic council she snickered. "Come on; we've got warding and concealment magic coming out of our asses; this place is off the map. Sure, you may get out of here one day, but it won't be for a while and you'll be too drugged up to remember where you came from. So, I'm not letting you get out of this." Kuvira shot forward at an astonishing speed, throwing a quick right hook before, continuing the motion of her body to deliver a high left roundhouse seconds after it.

Izar threw up his right leg so that the sole of his foot connected with her wrist, sending the punch upwards and away from him. He then quickly dropped to a crouch, bringing that same leg back down and around in a sweeping motion toward the one leg Kuvira had on the ground. He took the round kick to his collar bone, grunting as it connected. Due to the sweeping motion of Izar's kick, he quickly moved over to the side, letting the kick continue its downward motion. Jumping to his feet, Izar grabbed his shoulder to survey the damage. It ached, but his collarbone wasn't broken. "You don't seem to get it, but I'm done talking to a brick wall. I won't need to hunt you down, because I'm going to end you here," Izar said before lunging toward her, bringing up a roundhouse kick aimed towards her face.

Kuvira slid to the ground, easing her fall then quickly and pulling her body into a back handspring. As she began to comprehend Izar's movement, she thrust her left arm while taking a step back, letting his foot collide with her forearm. She grimaced at the pressure then as his leg dropped, she moved in. Kuvira sent her right fist towards his face, simultaneously sending her left toward his stomach.

Izar jumped back to dodge the punch aimed at his stomach but failed to do the same to the one aimed at his face. The punch connected with his jaw, sending him leftward. He felt a sudden rush of light-headedness that quickly subsided. Using the momentum, Izar spun, bringing up his foot for a kick aimed at her side. Whether or not this connected, he would continue to spin, switching legs and bringing around the other to kick her in the jaw. He could feel that his arms were, while not fully healed, enough so for him to use them. He would most likely begin doing so, switching back and forth between his Krav maga and his Jeet Kune do.

As the kick came towards her, Kuvira's eyes briefly flashed in anger, then subsided back to their normal state. She ducked quickly, dodging the high kick and sprung forward towards Izar. She outstretched her arms in an attempt to lock them around his side, then would pull him into her as they fell, thus tackling him to the ground. "I fight to win. There's no way I'll let a punk like you be the death of me." She spat out as she moved.

Izar felt Kuvira's weight crash into him, sending them both to the ground. Izar brought up his knee to put a bit of space between him and her as she lied on top of him. "Is that anger I hear? Have you really lost your temper so quickly? What kind of leader are you?" Izar asked, bringing up his arms to block any punches she might throw his way. he quickly rolled over in an attempt tho throw her off of him so that he could get back to his feet.

Kuvira scrambled across the ground and quickly got to her feet, her blonde locks whipping wildly around her head. "I'm the type of leader that is respected." She raised her fists quickly and darted forward, once she was in front of Izar she thrust her left hip forward, carrying the momentum of a leftward punch toward his abdomen, the instant after she made the same motion on her right, sending that fist toward his throat. She then sprung upward, attempting to send her knee into the bottom of his jaw.

Izar quickly scrambles to his feet only to be met with a punch to the stomach, causing him to grunt. When he saw the next punch coming he ducked, dodging the punch but meeting Kuvira's knees which slammed into his jaw, sending him upwards and back. Izar felt his back touch the wall of the cage as he rubbed his aching jaw. It was only then that her words registered in his head. He stopped leaning on the wall, getting fully back to his feet again. He wiped his mouth which was red with the blood from a busted lip, "The look in their eyes, I know it all too well. That is not the look of respect." Izar says, getting ready to re-enter the fight, "They're afraid of you." he said as he sprung forward toward Kuvira, pulling both his legs into the air as he went for a drop kick aimed at her chest.

"I am going to kill you," Kuvira said furiously, ducking under Izar's body. She was absolutely livid, though an inkling feeling churned in her stomach. There's no way that Genghis or Elise fears me. But... Gwen. Kuvira too a moment to look off at the side, glancing at them. Stone glares met her until her eyes briefly met with Gwen, who glanced away as soon as their eyes met. Kuvira inhaled deeply, then ripped the leather off her wrists. "Yeah. I broke my promise because I'm going to knock you out, then let Genghis drain your body until you're a fuckin' raisin." Kuvira's skin hardened, turning into metal and her fingers elongated into claws. "Come."

Izar got to his feet again, turning to see Kuvira ripping off the cuffs that were meant to make this fight fair. Izar knew he had to be careful, her metal claws ready to tear his apart the first chance they got. "It doesn't have to be like this, Kuvira. I promise you things don't have to be this way, they never did." Izar said, slowly moving around her, knowing she could lunge at him at any moment. "People aren't inherently bad, there is no child born into the world wanting to hurt another human being. It is only as we get older, as we begin to try and understand what is right and wrong, that we can sometimes get lost and wander down the wrong path without even realizing it until it's too late. Take it from me, ruling by fear, hurting others because you're sad, or angry because of what the world has done or taken from you. It's a path that only leads to regret. It's not too late to walk the right path, Kuvira." He finished, knowing he couldn't win against her barehanded. He prayed that perhaps his words would get through to her, that things didn't have to go further than they have.

"Go to hell." She shot forward sending a pinched hand straight toward his throat. She knew it wouldn't permanently kill him, but it would feel damn good. Her stomach twisted into knots and anger seeped throughout her body. Part of her knew that his words were true but it wouldn't change her. She had signed herself into this contract, and she would see it through. Gwen's stomach dropped as she saw Kuvira change her hand and she knew what Kuvira was doing. She couldn't say a word, not with Genghis' cold stare embedding itself into her. She would just have to watch someone die, again.

Izar jumped back only to feel himself hit the cage wall, unable to move out of the way quick enough to dodge Kuvira's attack. He felt the metal, blade-like claw enter is throat, ripping through his windpipe and severing spine before exiting out of the back of his neck. Izar had instinctively grabbed hold of the blade the second he felt its cold metal pierce his throat. He coughed up blood which instantly began mixing with that of the blood still pouring from his busted lip. His hands fell to the side as he slipped down to his knees, no longer able to move his body. Blood continued pouring from the wound in his throat, the red liquid oozing down to stain his shirt and then the floor as the blade was pulled from his throat, allowing him to fall to the floor. Izar's eyes stared widely at the ceiling above him as he drowned in his own blood, feeling no pain as he did so. Again... was the last word to flash through Izar's mind the final bits of light faded from his eyes.

There would be no rest of Izar as his eyes instantly shot open, finding himself once again chained to the wall. Again the muscles of his arms ached, even more so that he had remembered, meaning he had been here much longer than he had before. He had most likely been placed here again right after he had lost against Kuvira. He found himself scanning the room, looking to see if anything was different from how it had been last time he had found himself in the room. Izar took in a deep breath once he had finished his search, having not realized until now that he had been holding it since he woke up. Izar's eyes fell to the floor as the realization that he wasn't getting out of here anytime soon began to set in. He was supposed to be back in Onibus several days ago, like he had promised, but he instead hung chained to some wall God knows where in the worse country in all of Earthland. "Akumu..." Izar said nearly inaudibly under his breath, "I'm sorry. I promised..." Izar mumbled as tears began to seep from his eyes, flowing down his cheeks before the forces of gravity sent them to the floor.

"Is that who you love?" Gwen asked politely. She herself had been assigned to watch him and to speed up his healing process with her magic. The lavender-haired woman had changed out of her previously stained dress into overalls and white henley and sat with her legs crossed. Her face was relatively emotionless, though a dark purple bruise adorned her right eye. "It's a pretty name." She stated moments later breaking the silence that had settled after her first words.

Izar looked up to see the lavender-haired woman whom he knew by the name of Gwen. He quickly looked away, " I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't say anything." Izar would be dammed if he let them know about her, he'd die a thousand times over before he any of them get anywhere near her. Izar looked back up to meet the gaze of the woman, "Why're you here? Going to drown me again?" Izar said harshly. He quickly realized he may have been a bit too harsh, he knew she was different than the others. She didn't do the things she did because she wanted to, she didn't get the sick pleasure the others got from their actions. "Why do you stay?" Izar asked, "You are not bound by chains, why are you here?"

"I'm just as bound as you, though my chains are not physical." She said. "I owe both Kuvira and master a great debt, I would have died long ago if it weren't for them. I know she just uses me but... at least I can do something." Gwen spoke calmly and fiddled with the buttons on her overalls as she continued. "I love someone too. I don't know where he is now and we both hurt each other but, I still love him." The woman stood and walked toward Izar, raising her hands as glowing water circled around them. She put her hands on his torso, allowing her healing water to close up several cuts and abrasions. "If anyone asks, the minor things healed on their own. I was only supposed to help with... you know."

"A life for a life, not one for many. No debt is worth taking the lives of innocent people." Izar said, still refusing to look at the woman. Izar says nothing for several moments once Gwen has finished speaking, " I promised I'd be back by my birthday." Izar said, again falling into silence for several moments. "But I spent it here, dead. I wonder if she's worried about me? I don't know..." he said, falling silent again.Maybe she doesn't care at all. he thought as tears began to well in his eyes though they did not fall. "People don't do bad things without reason, even if that reason is wrong. That's why I tried to convince Kuvira that things didn't have to be the way they are, but I failed."

"Kuvira is hopeless. I don't think anyone could pull her from the darkness." Gwen said, releasing the water around her. "I've got to go. Elise is coming soon. I don't know what she will or won't do but, Kuvira isn't letting you get killed again." Her gaze flickered to Izar's eyes, then back down to her feet as she began to walk away. "His name is Hans. You remind me of him. He's a good man." As she left the room, light footsteps could be heard and Elise whipped around the corner, humming a three-tone tune. "Hi-hi! She smiled broadly, swinging her arms back and forth as she stood in front of him.

Izar blinked away his tears when he saw the small woman turn the corner, entering the room. The broad smile on her face would have been comforting in nearly any other situation, but he knew that she wouldn't be here if she wasn't like the others. Gwen was the exception, not the rule. Which meant that no matter how innocent Elise made herself out to be, she was dangerous. Izar was able to forcefully muster up a small smile to return to the young woman, knowing that it'd be best to stay on her good side even if he knew he wouldn't be able to talk his way out of whatever was coming his way. Izar would bide his time and stay strong, he knew they couldn't keep him here forever. His main concern is how he would explain his absence to Akumu, he couldn't tell her he was captured and tortured for however long he was gone. Not after the way she had reacted when he told her of his drowning experience in Bosco, he wouldn't be able to bear it if he was the reason she became sad. "Hello, Elise. Good..." Izar stopped as he looked around the room in an attempt to find a window that would help him decipher the time of day. When he realized there were no visible windows and thus no way to be sure, he turned back to Elise. "I'm afraid I don't know what time of day it is, sorry."

"That's okay, neither do I!" The grin hadn't faded and the crimson-haired woman teetered, shifting her weight from side to side. It was fairly obvious that she was an energetic person not to mention her fidgety nature. "We just ate and it was really good, so. I was up on shift after Gwen and I thought you'd be hungry so..." Elise rummaged around in her coat and presented him with some cheese and half of a roll of bread. "If you promise not to fight I'll let you down so you can eat.. but, just to be safe." Elise ran over to the door and pulled one of the golden keys off of her belt and locked the door behind her before putting it back on her key ring. "So, what do you say??

Izar was naturally hesitant of the red haired woman's words. After all, the last time he was let down from the chains he was impaled through the throat. Though, after nearly a week of not eating his stomach growled loudly, giving him his answer. Shamefully, he spoke, "I promise not to fight." He felt the chains slacken, slowly lowering him to the ground. He stood on wobbly legs, struggling to keep his balance but quickly getting the hang of it again. "Thank you," he said when Elise handed him the bread and cheese. Unable to stand any longer he dropped to a cross legged position. Just as his legs had no longer been able to hold his weight, he was no longer able to hold in his curiosity, "Why?" Izar asked hesitantly. "Why did you bring me food? I know Kuvira doesn't want me to die again for whatever reason, but it takes at least a month for the average human to starve to death. Much longer for me to do the same."

"I dunno. I mean. That's what I'd want if I was in your position." Elise said, fiddling with the jingling keys. "I'd been chained, I've been beaten, but hunger is the worst, hunger drives you insane. Worse than any physical damage in my opinion." Her face was solemn and she left silence fall over the room after her words. All she had to do was make him think she was on his side. It wasn't going to hurt to tell the truth, after all, she was a sob story, much like some of her other companions.

"I'm well aware. I've starved to death once before. As it turns out, it's really hard to tell where you're going when you're in the middle of the desert where the only landmarks are the slightly large sand dune over there and the cactus over that way." Izar said, a slight smile appearing on his face before he begins eating the bread. His smile quickly fades though as he opens his mouth to speak, "You say you've experienced torture and pain before, right? Then what is the point in inflicting such pain on others? Especially those who have nothing to do with what happened to you. I've done a lot of bad things, things I've had a lot of time to reflect on, a lot of time to regret. I spend my days wishing I could take a lot of it back, I'd hate to see someone do the same." Izar said, closing his eyes to focus on whatever the red haired woman might say next.

Elise's expression shifted to a dark smile. "Because I like to." She waited a moment, satisfied by his reaction before continuing. "I grew up on it. I was supposed to be an inflicter of torment since birth; until of course they murdered my parents. Then I was the subject to it." Her smile had lessened somewhat, though she continued speaking in an oddly cheerful tone. "The slums of Rifthold are a merry place, especially when you're young and alone. The fighting ring is the only way to eat, that is if you win. Luckily I'm good at making friends and had a lovely berserker on my side... You know her well. I also met a charming orphaned aristocrat, he was handy to have around and, well, you know Gwen, she's not really that useful, besides the healing thing." Elise yawned, spreading her arms wide. "Then a few years back we got recruited, Hans shot me, stole a skysail, and poor Gwen got dragged along too. Kuvira is quite fond of her for some reason. Maybe it's just revenge. Who knows." She shrugged. Elise had a tendency to ramble and she herself was unaware of the fact that she had almost entirly avoided his question, and instead had spilled an abridged version of her life story with her prisoner.

Izar let out a quiet sigh, not really knowing what he should have expected. He highly doubted he'd have a chance of talking her into not doing whatever she was going to do, not when she gave him the answer she did. Fighting wasn't an option, things might have been different if he could just run past her but she'd locked the door. Whatever magic she had would no doubt outmatch him as he could barely stand as it is. "I see. I suppose that means there's no talking my way out of this is there? So, what do you do? Drink blood like the other guy? Turn your limbs into metal like Kuvira? Drown people like Gwen? I think I at least deserve to know that much, wouldn't you agree?. He was silent for a few moments before asking another question, more out of curiosity than anything. "Elise, do you consider yourself a bad person? What about the others? What do you think a bad person is?" he asked, Akumu's speech about there being no good or bad people in the world played in Izar's head. He hadn't said it back then, but he didn't fully agree with her. Izar firmly believed in the ideas of good and evil, that the lines were blurred but there none the less. A person who truly believed that what they are doing is right may be misguided, but was ultimately not what Izar would consider evil. That was a title he saved for those who knew what they were doing was wrong and did it anyways, a title he saved for people like his father and his former self. "Would you consider me a bad person, Elise?"

She cocked her head at his final question, ignoring his first, for now. "Well. You work for the Magic Council. For someone like me; that's bad news, for your average citizen, good. It's perspective. A bad person is someone that is against you. Kuvira isn't a bad guy to me, nor Gwen, though Genghis does give me the creeps." After taking a moment of consideration, Elise stood and began to circle him absentmindedly. "We are all Dragon Slayers. I'm guessing you know both Kuvira and Gwen's element but in case, Metal, Water, Blood for Gengis. Duh; and then I use Stone Dragon Slayer Magic. I can change my body into stone, like so." She said, transforming her right arm into a blade of stone with a grin. "Would you like a taste?"

Izar looked over to the red-haired girl, "I suppose that is the easiest way of looking at it, it's how everyone else seems to view things." Izar said, watching the woman circle him with the stone blade. "Do I really have the choice?" Izar asked, struggling to get to his feet as he held the bread in his right hand. He continued to watch the red haired woman circle him with an unsettling grin on her face. Even as he rose on his shaky legs he was unable to break eye contact with the crimson-haired woman, her gaze was like that of a starving she-wolf waiting to slaughter her nearly defenseless prey. Izar knew he couldn't avoid whatever she had planned for him, not with words anyway. That's when a thought suddenly crossed his mind, a desperately stupid thought but what did he have to lose? "Two" Izar said cryptically with no clues as to what he meant. He was silent for another moment, mustering up all the courage he had in him. "Two promises....broken!" He yelled, throwing the bread toward Elise's face and diving toward her legs in an attempt to knock her off her feet.

"Two?" Elise asked before screaming shrilly as the bread hit her in the nose and simultaneously as Izar tripped her. She fell backward onto the stone, the force of impact creating a fracture underneath where her skull hit. "That was low." She said, chuckling to herself. Her head was throbbing, though beyond that she didn't seem to be affected. Elise shifted her small weight, turning her hand back into it's usual form. "Kuvira is not going to be happy about this~" She said in a sing-songy tone, teasing Izar lightly.

Izar scrambled to his feet, having failed to retrieve the keys in his reckless attack. He expected some sort of retaliation but was surprised to see her lying on the floor. Shit, did I kill her?! Izar thought, unsure of exactly what he would do if he in fact had. Both relief and dread overcame him when he heard her speak, "Yeah? Well so is kidnapping innocent people." he said as he readied himself for a fight, knowing he couldn't take her, not when he could barely stand. But she didn't move more than an inch as her hand returned to normal and she began to mock him as she sang her words that despite their cheery tone seemed to be a threat of some kind. "Why should I care about what makes Kuvira happy?! What is she going to do? kill me?" Izar said out of false bravery.

Six Months later...

Izar shook violently, causing the chains that bound him to the wall to rattle, their sounds echoing slightly off the rooms walls. His head hung low, in a constant staring contest with the bloody floor before him. Drips of blood and sweat were constantly added to ever growing pool as they dripped from his body. He was unsure of exactly how long he had been here, and while he knew he hadn't been killed since the time Kuvira stabbed him through the throat, the pain had sometimes been enough to cause him to pass out. He would wake up having no idea how much time passed, his violet hair having turned a snow white some time ago. Tears streamed down his face as he remembered another promise he'd broken while stuck chained to this wall, Akumu. He promised he'd be there for her no matter what but he wasn't and it was all his fault. If he had been stronger or smarter or if he'd just stopped traveling when they got together like he should have done none of this would have happened. He had no doubt she'd be okay as long as she had Itari, but the guilt and pain of his broken promise persisted, gnawing away at him like a starving dog on a bone. She'd probably never forgive him for it, she'd trusted him and he broke that trust.

Genghis stood in the cell, his hands gently laced around a crystal cup which held sticky, crimson liquid. "Don't cry. It's a waste of fluid." His voice rang out, unwavering and insensitive always. The man had collected several liters of Immortal's Blood over the course of the time Izar had been imprisoned though he still took odd satisfaction in watching the man squirm. He had noted that Gwen hadn't visited Izar's cell unless Kuvira had ordered her, though Elise had come down many times after dinner to taunt him. Genghis supposed that the ongoing emotional torment of Elise and the physical beating he received from both Kuvira and himself had caused Izar to shatter, and it was evident by his hair.

Izar stopped shaking when he heard another voice in the room with him, that being the only sign he was aware of those around him as he hadn't spoken to anyone besides Gwen in quite some time. He'd even stopped screaming during the torture, becoming nothing more than a punching bag for those around him. The final tears streamed down his face before those too stopped, leaving behind glassy eyes that stared downwards at nothing but the floor for several moments before he closed them. He knew he would not be able to sleep, either because of the uncomfortableness of his position or because he'd simply be prodded awake only moments after drifting to sleep.

The dragon slayer was growing bored. It was no longer entertaining for him, sitting around, watching Izar's silence. Genghis' mind was wrapped around a way to dispose of the man, without letting him crawl back to the Akumu he mentioned. Letting out a sigh of disappointment, he stalked out of the room. There were several moments of silence before light footsteps approached. Fast. Gwen flung herself around the corner, panting under her breath. In her hands, she held a family ring of golden keys, often held by Elise Vanguard, which raised a question. What had Gwen done to Elise?

Complete silence filled the room when Genghis left, leaving Izar in peace for the time being. Izar's ears perked when he heard unfamiliar sounds. Rapid, light footsteps clicked on the floor approaching him with intent. He lifted his head, to look toward the door of the room, not exactly sure who or what he would see turn the corner. He was surprised to see Gwen burst into the room as if she were running from someone or something that was at her heels. Izar allowed her a moment to catch her breath before speaking to her in a raspy voice, "What are you doing here? Is something the matter?" he asked before noticing the key ring in her hand. His eyes widened, doubting Elise would have simply left them somewhere for someone to pick up. In any other situation, he might have asked what had happened to Elise, but he honestly didn't care one bit.

Half of her face was red, with a prominent mark on her left cheek. She had gotten into a fight; Genghis wanted to keep Izar for constant blood production while both Elise and herself had wanted to find an alternative situation. Kuvira was indifferent, they hadn't seen much of her lately and when they did she rarely spoke of their prisoner. Gwen stumbled toward him and quickly unhooked him from the wall. "I'm getting you out. Can you use magic?" She said, her voice quivering. She knew she was breaking her contract, that most likely she would be killed for this, but it didn't matter. "Come on," she snaps, "You don't have any time to waste."

Izar falls to a knee when he is first let down from his chains, honestly not knowing if he could stand. His legs feeling as though they were jelly, numb and unresponsive. The abnormally forceful tone in the usually shy and nervous woman's tone caused a sudden rush of adrenaline flood his brain as he forced himself to his feet. He had a thousand questions but not had no idea how to word any of them nor did he have the time to ask them to begin with if the hurry in Gwen's voice was to be trusted. "Yes, I can use magic. Which way do we go?" Izar asked, knowing he had no choice but to trust the violet haired woman for now.

"We go up. Elise... Elise is fighting Kuvira, and Genghis is coming this way." Gwen tried to calm her nerves. She herself was unable to completely believe that a sadist like Elise was willing to help. She supposed that Elise had been gentle. Gwen hadn't seen a sensitive side of Elise since they were children. Gwen heard footsteps and outstretched her arms, drawing a breath in. "This isn't going to be pretty. Run." She thrust her arms forward and as Genghis turned the corner he stopped abruptly, letting out a small grunt of pain. He scowled under his mask, feeling the blood in his own body resisting his own thoughts. She was doing it to him. Genghis hated the fact that Gwen held that dark talent as well, warped within her Hydrokinesis. Well, two could play at that game. He began to fight back, stopping Gwen's own movement. It would be a brief stalemate. Genghis could overtake her in time, but her control was skillful. "Go." Gwen hissed, her own limbs felt as if they were on fire, but she held on. All she could do was buy Izar more time.

Izar was hesitant to believe his own ears for a moment. Somehow, in someway, his four captors had fallen into chaos and were now fighting one another. When the struggle between Genghis and Gwen began, Izar saw to opportunities in front of him, he could easily warp past the two of them despite his weakened state and find the exit on his own. Or he could take advantage of the fact the Genghis was unable to move, preoccupied by Gwen's attempt to overtake him. Either would be fine though the latter may be quicker, and possibly safer. He had no idea how the battles would turn out, though the chance of taking out someone who might block his path later was appealing. There was of course, the idea of getting a bit of vengeance on the red haired man for the six months of treating him like a drink dispenser. It only took a few moments for Izar to ultimately decide what would most likely be the easier path to follow later on down the road. He held out his hand toward Genghis, his hand glowing a wonderfully beautiful shade of purple resembling the color his hair had once been. "Cosmic Blast!" Izar yelled as he released a blast of energy from his hand. His eyes widened when he felt just how weak the blast was now compared to how it had been the last time he had used it. He knew that it was no longer powerful enough to kill someone, but hoped it would at the very least do some damage.

Genghis couldn't move in time and hit the wall, hard. His head began to ring and he moved stiffly. Meanwhile, Gwen moved her aching muscles and opened her mouth. Her lungs began to fill with water and she exhaled furiously, sending an incredible torrent of high-pressure water at Genghis. Quickly, the man met her own spell with a roar of his own, effectively canceling out both of them. Gwen continued her forward movement, once again taking control of Genghis' body, forcing him back into the wall. Meanwhile, she listened to above, she could hear Elise's cheerful jeers and knew that Elise was most likely on the fence of changing sides. They needed to get out before then. "Izar keep going." She said continuing to fight against the protests of her own body and Genghis' influence. Then it changed, Gwen couldn't feel Genghis' magic and realized what he was doing. Genghis had succumbed to her control and was now directing his toward Izar in an attempt to keep the prisoner at bay. She moved quickly, breaking into a sprint as she approached her target. Gwen sent a spiraling reverse roundhouse directly into Genghis' face, shattering his mask. Underneath, a brief expression of anger flashed on his face before it returned to neutrality. "Keep going." She shouted back, a look of solemn kindness in her eyes. He needed to return to his love and Gwen had lost hers. The least she could do was prevent another from losing theirs.

Izar nodded, mouthing a 'thank you' before moving past her, into the hall and past Genghis before he could do anything to stop him. As Izar ran, it was not long before he came to realize that Gwen had not told him where to go nor how to get there. While this was most likely due to Genghis' interference, it did not make it any less of a problem as he attempted to traverse the maze-like guild he found himself in. He didn't know how long Gwen would be able to last against Genghis, but he didn't want to underestimate her either. He debated going back to possibly help her, but being as weak as he was at the moment he doubted he could be much help to anyone. He made his way up after finally finding a set of stairs. Based on what Gwen had said coupled with the sounds he had heard earlier while trying to find his way out of the dungeon he knew there was a chance of running into both Elise and Kuvira somewhere on this level. While Gwen had said that the two were fighting one another, she never mentioned why and he'd rather not confront them to find out lest they decide to join forces against him. He did his best to sneak down hallway, unsure of where exactly the two women were as the sounds seemed to echo in a way that made them seem to be coming from all directions.

The clash of stone against steel filled the room and shortly Elise's flaming head whipped into Izar's vision. She was clearly on the defense, as Kuvira's metal-clawed arms repeatedly battered her modified arm. Her eyes flicked back and she flashed a grin at Izar. "Shackle-free I see!" Elise chirped before refocusing her attention back to Kuvira's assault. It was vicious, and Kuvira herself was too focused on her attack to notice Izar. The metal dragon thrust a claw inward, shattering through Elise' defense and into her stone body. As Kuvira pierced the body, Elise herself stepped out of the clone she had made, whistling a low note. "You aren't going easy, are you?" Kuvira took a moment catching her breath. Her eyes flickered to Izar and a strange emotion showed in her face briefly. "No," Kuvira said in response to Elise and maintained focus on Izar, thinking intently. Meanwhile, in the basement Genghis stood and had created sharp elbow blades, and sprinted toward Gwen, beginning to turn in rotating movements to attempt to cut her in various places across her body. In response, the lavender haired woman allowed an orb of water to surround her, exerting pressure on the outer layer to prevent Genghis from piercing it. "Traitor." He hissed at her, a rare rage seething through his tone. Gwen allowed a sly smirk cross her face. "It's all for the sake of love. Plus, haven't you played with that meat sack enough?" Genghis scoffed, knowing the truth in her words. He had always suspected Gwen's weak heart. He had seen it falter when she faced the pirate and easily lost. Genghis didn't respond. He had nothing to say, but instead dropped his spell and began to run upstairs, leaving Gwen behind. His only goal was to keep Izar from leaving, he could deal with her later.

Izar watched the two fight, seeing Elise on the defensive he felt as though he should do something. He thought about requipping his gun, but that thought was quickly shaken away, knowing his metal gun would be useless against Kuvira. He doubted talking to her would do any good either though perhaps he might be able to distract her. "You see?! This is what I meant, Kuvira. You chose to rule by fear, you chose the wrong path and didn't turn back when you had the chance. Now it's all come back to bite you in the ass, to crumble down around you. How does it feel to watch your castle fall?" He asked, before he heard stomping feet running up the stairs, far too heavy to be Gwen's. Dammit, Izar thought to himself before requipping a handful of small explosives, throwing them toward the stairwell. He knew using his gun would've most likely yielded more dependable results, but with Kuvira here there was no way he was going to use anything metal that she could use against him.

Genghis stumbled as the grenades exploded around him, his ears ringing. He reached out, sending a tendril of blood at Izar, attempting to ensnare his legs. Genghis could sense the pulse of all of those in the room and could even hear Gwen's rapid heartbeat as she ran up the stairs behind him. Kuvira didn't reply, biting her lip hard enough to draw her own blood, which was the only sign of her irritation. She wasn't sure of what to do and let out of grunt of surprise as Elise's miniature body barreled into her with surprising strength, sending them further away from Izar. Elise was grinning, her eyes wild with excitement. "You know K, it's a while since we've tousled like this. I dunno, ten years? I've missed the thrill of this." Kuvira scoffed in response and lifted her knees to her chest then pushed outward, sending Elise and her small frame flying through the air. Then, footsteps could be heard as Gwen rose up the staircase with four tentacles, made of water, spawning out of her lower back. She flung the two to her left, allowing them to extend until they gently caught Elise, lowering her to the ground. The others remained close to her as she contemplated her next strike.

Izar threw up a cosmic shield to defend himself. The bloody tendril slamming into it with surprising force, cracking the shield and sending Izar flying backward into a wall. He quickly scrambled to his feet, trying to ready himself for the next attack Genghis might throw his way but his fear of being completely outmatch was extinguished when he saw Gwen coming up the stairs behind Genghis. He had for some reason left her nearly unharmed, meaning that he was most likely after him. Izar held out his hands which began to glow with a faint purple aura, "Cosmic arrows!" He shouted before six purple colored arrows shot out toward Genghis, their trajectory being a curved one as they would seek to flank him from both sides rather than hit him from the front and run the chance of him dodging, allowing the arrows hitting Gwen.

Genghis put up a blood shield, blocking the brunt of Izar's attack. He was well on his way to retaliating until he head Elise's voice. "Gwen, fling him!" She shouted. Elise smirked, it was a common move that she and Gwen had done when they were younger, Gwen would entangle and throw their target into another foe and then Elise would empale them with stone spires. Gwen promptly obeyed, wrapping one of her tendrils around Genghis's body and flinging him toward Elise. It all happened in an instant, Kuvira knew the move but was unable to react in time as Genghis was flung into her body and the pair toppled backward and further from Gwen and Izar. Elise smirks and pressed her hands together, then onto the ground. "Stone Dragon's Blockade!" She chanted, creating a thick stone wall separating Gwen and Izar from the other slayers. The final thing Gwen saw was Elise's crazed, crooked grin before she ensured their escape route. As Genghis and Kuvira rose to face Elise she smiled at their bloodthirsty faces. "Oh what, are you going to hurt me? Because we all know how much I'd enjoy that."

Izar watched the events take place, a stone wall forming to separate Izar and Gwen from the others. His gaze traveled back to Gwen, nodding at her before he continued to move toward the guilds exit, "If you're coming then you'd better do it now. I'm not waiting any longer." Izar said as he made it to the door of the Guild, pushing it open. Sunlight poured in, blinding him momentarily as his light deprived eyes attempted to adjust. It only took a few moments before he could make out enough to feel comfortable enough to attempt to move out into the world he hadn't seen in what to him felt like ages. He turned to face Gwen, "Where are we? And where is the nearest train station? I want to get the hell out of Bosco for good."

"We will have to spend the night in the woods. I don't know how far the nearest city is, I haven't left the guild in a while. Follow me though." Gwen began to run at a quick brisk pace. The last time she saw Hans he had whispered a location in her ear after he left her bleeding in the ground. She knew the exact place he was talking about. A large oak tree by a creek around three miles south east of them. There was a hidden hole underneath the roots. He must have left something there. Gwen hoped that Izar could keep up, she wasn't in great shape herself but she knew that he was weak. "If you need me to slow down, I can."

Dammnit. Izar thought to himself upon hearing he might have to spend another night in Bosco. "I don't. I'm not going to falter now, not when I'm so close to getting home." Izar said through labored breaths as he jogged to keep up with Gwen. The two entered the woods, passing through the thick brush as quickly as it allowed them. He could feel small cuts appearing on his body from hitting thorny branches in his path. Wounds that would normally heal instantly bleed, the red liquid trickling down from the tiny cuts. "Where are we headed? Surely you know your own guild's location and those relative to it." Izar asked.

"Not really." She said between breaths. "I haven't left in around seven years. I only remember this place, because it's where he stole the Skysail." The pair jogged in silence for another fifteen minutes until they heard the noise of a babbling brook. Gwen broke into a sprint and shortly entered the clearing, dashing to an old oak tree and rapidly searching between its gnarled roots. She eventually tugged out a canvas bag, and hastily opened it, quickly pocketing a note, then examining the other content. It contained a dusty map, a compass, several cans of water, some jerky, a scratchy wool blanket and a tarp. Gwen couldn't help but break into a grin, the note still clutched in her hand. She knew she couldn't read it in front of Izar. It was something she would have to wait for. He had always known her so well. Hans knew that she would eventually leave and had prepared her a gift. "Izar. We should spent the night here. It's getting dark already." Gwen knew that they could probably carry on for another hour, but she was frantic for solitude and the only way to achieve that was after Izar slept.

Izar grasped the bridge of his nose as she suggested to spend the night here. "Gwen. Your... former friends are dragon slayers and we're but a ten minute jog from the Guildhall we just escaped from. I don't know how highly you think of Elise but do you honestly think she could beat both of them to the point in which they wouldn't be able to follow us?" Izar started, holding up his arm. "I'm bleeding, there are droplets of my blood all through the trail we just followed. They'll find us." He said, believing to have given a pretty good argument; but while his mind knew staying here would be foolish, his aching body wanted nothing more than to rest. "We'll stay for a bit, but we can't stay here for long." He said, finding a place to sit and attempt to slow his breathing. He felt his eyes become heavy, the exhaustion overpowering the insomnia producing stress that raced through his mind. He closed them, only hoping to rest them for a moment or two but ending up falling asleep.

Gwen saw the merit of her words and decided to wake him in a half hour. But now, she would read. She turned over the note, unfolding it and began to read Hans' scrawled, messy handwriting: Dearest Gwen, I knew you would come someday. I hope you've quit that nasty habit, but if not; I'll see it that soon. This note is a signal, it has notified me that you are at Bumblewoods Creek. Please stay, I will be there soon to take you anywhere you desire. PS; Don't be jealous of Jacqueline, she's nothing compared to your beauty. Yours, Hans. Gwen's heart skipped a beat. It was a miracle. Hans would be here. She was confused, he had never mentioned any Jacqueline and it worried her, but she trusted him. Gwen tugged at her sleeves, looking at the puckered scars lining his forearms, some more scabs than others. "I'm sorry." She whispered to herself. "It was the only way to dull the pain." She then hid her arms again and decided to wake up Izar. The periwinkle-haired woman crept over to him and began gently tapping his shoulder. "Hey, Izar wake up. We're going to go soon. I don't know when, but we've got someone coming to pick us up."

Izar's eyes crept open, half expecting to find himself chained to a wall. He was pleasantly surprised to see the auburn sky of a late afternoon hanging above him. It was a welcoming sight, providing him all the evidence he needed to believe that his escape hadn't simply been an exhaustion induced dream. He took in a deep breath in sighed, closing his eyes for another moment before sitting up. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep," he said before her words registered. "What do you mean someone is coming to pick us up?" He asked as he got to his feet, his eyes scanning the surrounding woods. "Not to sound rude, but your poor taste in friends concerns me. You sure this is someone we; I can trust?"

Gwen couldn't help but let a small giggle escape from her lips, uncharacteristically giddy with excitement. "No-no, I'm sure you can trust him. Well, technically he may be a terrorist... Do you know who the ruler of Bosco is at the moment? I am unsure myself..." She tapped her left foot against the ground and began to pace, suddenly fussing over her grimy appearance and the bruise forming on her cheek. It had been so long since she had seen him. The last time they had seen each other's faces, it had been sensitive, and she wished to spend general time with him.

"I don't. I prefer to distance myself from Bosco as much as possible. I don't care for it's government nor its people." Izar started, crossing his arms. "These last few months have been a prime example of why that is. Beyond that, my death at the hands of Kuvira was far from the first time I have died in Bosco." Izar said, his eyes moving from the twilight sky to the ground at his feet. "I suppose anyone is fine so long as they can take us the hell away from here. How do you know this fellow by the way? How did you contact him?" Izar asked before his eyes widened as he remembered his lacrima phone. He quickly requipped it, turning it on and thanking the gods it still worked. He quickly pulled up his contacts, scrolling down to his one and only contact. He hesitated as the message screen came up, unsure of what he should say as he had much to tell. "How long do you think it will take us to get back to Fiore?" He asked. After getting an answer he turned back to his phone, texting Akumu that he would be home soon and that he'd explain everything when he got there. He placed the phone into his pocket and turned back to Gwen. "What are you going to do now that things have gone to hell?"

"I don't know. I assume that... Well, I'd go somewhere with Hans." Seemingly within the instant, there was a rush of wind and a strange ship appeared in the sky above. The bottom was completely flat, with two wing-like contraptions on the side that fluttered as it lowered to the ground. The wing stopped and Gwen grinned broadly as a familiar curly head of blond hair appeared. A childish smirk was laid upon Hans' face as he stepped off the same ship he had stolen seven years prior. "Gwen." He said before pulling Gwen into his chest, tightly embracing her. He kissed the top of her head and breathed inward. "I missed you." The blond then separated himself and cleared his throat, addressing Izar with caution. "Hello, I assume you are someone to be trusted, or Gwen would have told me by now. My name is Hans Davis, one of Gwen's more favorable friends." He winked as he finished his sentence, letting his facial expression lapse back into a jovial grin.

Izar's face remained cold as he addressed the blonde haired man before him, "I am Izar Tasya. It's nice to meet you, Hans. Gwen has spoken your name before." He said before turning to look at the massive ship that was like a giant beacon telling anyone withing a miles radius where they were. "I don't know what happened to Elise, but if the worst has come to pass then I highly doubt that Kuvira and Genghis didn't notice that." Izar said pointing at the giant airship. "Which would mean that they're most likely on their way. I by no means wish to cut your moment short, but if I don't I'm afraid it would be your lives that ended up being shortened." Izar said, hoping that they could get moving. Izar knew that he was coming off a bit rude but he was desperate to get away from Bosco and home to the loved ones he truly hoped would be waiting there when he arrived.

Hans' smile didn't fade as he chuckled, "Don't worry, we will have plenty of time to talk on board, Jaqueline will get us to either Seven, Iceberg and Fiore in around 7 hours, just tell me where to fly." He himself took Gwen's hand in his own, leading her on board. The deck was clean, around four meters wide and seven long, with a bundle of clothes pushed to the side next to a few barrels, surely some good that Hans was transporting. Towards the back was a large enclosed room that Hans ignored as he walked up the staircase next to it and on top to a compass, controls and a steering wheel. Gwen herself sat, leaning against the side of the main deck watching as Hans fiddled, preparing for take off.

Izar followed the two onto the airship, sitting down and leaning back against the side not far away from Gwen. "Well, isn't this like some story out of a fairy tale book. The lover and the flying ship here to whisk you away to safety so you can live happily ever after. If it weren't for the very realistic pain I'd swear up and down I was stuck in the middle of some convoluted dream," Izar said, not looking up toward Gwen as he spoke. He was silent for several moments before speaking again, "I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know how I'm going to explain any of this." He said, running a hand through sweat slickened hair.

Gwen frowned briefly, glancing at Hans who met her gaze with a reassuring smile before he spoke. "Just tell me where to take you, you can worry about the rest when you're safe and sound." Wind began to swirl around the ship as Hans activated the ship. They began to float upwards until they were around twenty meters above the ground then they hovered, waiting for Izar's next directions. "I can only make one trip, then I must return to Rifthold. There's someone there who needs me." Hans said, a serious note cutting into his usual jovial tone. Gwen stood and walked over to Hans and sat on the steps next to him. "Koma Inu," she said, "It's a guild in Fiore." The lavender-haired woman had remembered Izar mention it from months before and knew it was most likely where Akumu was. Hans looked for Izar's nod, and when he received it he turned the ship and they began moving, quickly gaining speed. After several moments of silence, Hans looked down to see Gwen asleep, her head leaning against the side of Jaqueline. He took his hands off the wheel, flicking a switch that prevented the turning of the ship as they flew southwest. Hans picked her up and brought her down into his cabin. He lay her gently on the bed before kissing her forehead and exiting the chamber. As he shut the door behind him, Hans spoke softly. "Mr. Tasya," he mused, "to think that I would have such an esteemed guest on my lowly Skysail."

Izar looked up from his feet when he heard Hans speaking to him, "Izar. Call me Izar," he said in a tired, defeated tone. "It beats the train I suppose," he says before getting to his feet, looking out over the landscape as they passed by. "I don't know if esteemed is the right word either," he thought out loud but quickly waved off his thoughts and turned to Hans. "I suppose I should thank you, for bringing me along. I'm sorry if I've been a bit rude, I'm just on edge. Something that should be understandable after all that has happened." He said with a sigh, crossing his arms and leaning back against the sides. "Is there something you wanted? I have a lot of explaining to do to a lot of people once I get back and I need some time to sort out my thoughts." He explained, requipping a journal and pen. Opening it up to the next blank page.

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