[center][h1][color=00aeef]M[/color]arco [color=00aeef]M[/color]axell[/h1][/center] [hr] Sleep did not come to the boy those nights, nor would he rest easy ever after this for years to come. He had spent most of the day before their hard march in private. from mending his hand to continued studies on this gift he had received from the lady of the house. It kept his attention and raised more questions than answers. Instead of bother another with his seemingly endless questions, he made his way to the library again. He didn't need any guidance this time, his mind was set on what he wished to learn. [color=00aeef]"Lady Renata didn't seem to mind if I read from her collection. I wonder if she will mind if I take some tomes with us."[/color] He paused for a second as he reached for a book. [color=00aeef]"Us?"[/color], he asked briefly before shrugging the notion off. It was strange that he choose that word, though perhaps he was just tired from the recent blood loss. It took some time to track down the tomes that he desired, though he did not know if they were the correct tomes to begin with. By the time he left the library, he was carrying a stack of tomes as tall as he was. He was forced to use his telekinetic magic in favorite of his physical strength being sub-par. He had answers that he needed to find on his own. He had not seen battle in his life. Until the raid upon his new found him within the sturdy walls of Castle Barcea, he had lived much in peace. He worked as a simple farm hand in his father's shadow long before realizing his natural talent. Often at times he wasn't sure if he was gifted by the divine or cursed in some cruel manner. With the loss of his parents, he was alone in this world. His master all but abandoned him and now the women responsible for his care was in danger. Marco was shocked by the news delivered by the elvish trio, but then he became enraged. He had lost too much to just stand aside now. If Queen Kori was willing to sacrifice herself for the good of her people, it was then the people's duty to give themselves for her. He would need to leave most of his belongings behind, except of course for the dagger he aquired and his own personal tome. He needed to ride light to keep up with the others, seeing as he rode a small pony compared to their horses. He felt himself tire as they rode through the night back toward the capitol, back towards the fray once more. There wasn't much he could do to complain, the others were just as worried as he was if not more to be honest. He didn't want to hold them back, or think about what would happen if they were too late. He could not dare sleep, instead insisting to just practice his spells in silence. The tone of their group was grim indeed. He suspected that many would perish before this was over. He found rest where he could, from the back of his saddle to their small camp where no one dare to light a fire. He was cold, sore, and irritable... no different than anyone else he was certain. His only solace to the situation was the fact that he still had coffee. While studying in his free time, he discovered a recipe for the delicious beverage that could be brewed with cold water. It wasn't exactly what he wanted, but beggars shouldn't be choosers. As others came back to the group, with news of where their Queen was being held, Marco mentally prepared himself for the worse. He got some of the rest that he was missing, for his mind finally quieted the storm of thoughts that assaulted him. The others would rise him for when danger came their way. He slept for most of the day and long into the evening. He rose just before dawn, though he remained quiet as he laid on the cold ground. [color=00aeef]"Today is the day, Divine watch over us..."[/color] he muttered to himself as rose to brew what was hopefully not his last pot of coffee. [hr] [center][h1][color=#d12b3e]J[/color]inn [color=#d12b3e]S[/color]agaro[/h1][/center] Despite everything, Jinn was all whimsical lyrics and hearty tunes. He kept to himself as everyone got themselves ready for what was coming next. Warriors inspected equipment, honed edges, and steeled themselves for the slaughter. The faithful prayed to whatever Divine would hear them, and perhaps to those that wouldn't as well. Jinn, however, did neither. Instead of checking his bullet count for the Nth time, he whistled as he rolled up some of his smoking leaves. The anticipation of it all put everyone on edge and it was pissing him off. [color=#d12b3e]'I mean come on, it is almost like everyone anyone can die. To be fair, we don't know if she doesn't have something inside of her that could kill her any other day. We might as well walk in here and prepare for the worst while hoping for the best,'[/color] he thought to himself as he slid his tongue to seal the wrap. [color=#d12b3e]"Wow, that was fucked up... even for me."[/color] He didn't get far into his smoke session before it was time for them all to move on. He was in a haze through the entire process, so he didn't exactly pay attention to what was going on. Why was he here again? Last thing he remembered was being waist deep in poon, drenched from head to toe. It would be a glorious day, why would he ever leave that behind...? Fuck if he had it his way, he would be back in Jasi with his son trying to make it big n his own. Fuck his father for trying to limit his growth in just Barcea of all places. Like, yeah it is a fun country. It was green, which is nice, but where were the bitches?! Everyone woman he had meet here was either a prune or married [i]and[/i] a prune. Not like those Jasian's though. They knew how to party! He was slow to react as the others answered the Prince's call. As everyone sprang into action, Jinn yawned and began to look around him. Between all the screams of terror, bark of orders, and explosions, Jinn found himself quietly mumbling to himself about something other another. He was in a stupor and it felt nice, he didn't want to leave it behind... until a arrow whizzed past and sliced through half of his air. He let out a primal roar, swearing every Divine on the list, before drawing his pistols and pulling the trigger. The chamber flashed brightly before a burst of his magical talent went flying forward. It pierced through armor and flesh alike, leaving smoking holes in the bullets' wake. [color=#d12b3e]"Oh right, that is why I am here! Don't worry guys! I remember now!"[/color] The high he felt faded with the pain he felt, glaringly clarity replacing quickly. His body count quickly climbed as he gunned down anyone who dared moved forward to stop him. Around his tenth kill, his right pistol jammed. Cursing his luck, Jinn dropped both firearms and went for more direct forms of fisticuffs. He quickly sidestepped spear tips and launched a devastation right hook. The ground jerked and shot forward with his fist, a large rock flying towards the crowd that blocked their path. Runes on the back of his gloves burned as he tapped into his magical talent. His smirk returned as he hopped from foot to foot, taking up a boxer stance. He cobbled foes left and right, shattering ribs and skulls with each lobbed punch. [hr] [color=00aeef]'Oh Divine, this is insanity!'[/color] Marco thought to himself as everything suddenly exploded into motion. He thought he had the gall to fight through this. He thought that he could be a warrior like the others. He wasn't strong, he wasn't able to fight this war. The boy found himself stepping backwards in fear, trying to run away. He stumbled over a fallen body, he wasn't sure if it was a civilian or not. He felt tears well up as his vision blurred. He tried to blink them away as he wanted to find his footing beneath him. He turned as someone screamed bloody murder in his general direction. He watched the man armed with a vibrant axe charge forward, fury clear on his face. [color=00aeef]"NO! PLEASE! I DON'T WANT TO DIE LIKE THIS!"[/color], he shrieked in fear and threw up his hands. A barrier appeared around his body to protect him, his magic surging through his body. He wasn't sure of how long he could keep this up. Each blow this mad man struck sent crashing waves against his mind, already he was growing weak. Thuraya's gaze turned from their place on the civilians fleeing, upon hearing the younger male's voice. Tail coiled and quickly she made her way to his side. A battle cry of her own letting loose as her sword dragged along the ground for a moment, the word "up" leaving her as she flung the sword from it's place in the earth upward, a short pillar came between Marco and the man wailing on his shield. [color=coral][b]"Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"[/b][/color] she yelled, before her sword crashed through the earthen pillar she'd made, scattering the rocks as bombardment against the other. [color=coral][b]"Marco! Are you alright?"[/b][/color] she asked, gaze shifting down to him only for a moment before back to the man. He came again, but quickly she crouched, thrusting her tail into him; veins revealing themselves quickly across what skin they could see, and he fell, her tail coming back, still dripping with venom. Sigh sighed softly, holding a hand to the young magician, a small smile coming across her lips. [color=coral][b]"Can you stand?"[/b][/color] He sniffled and took her hand, the shield fading at the same time. [color=00aeef]"I-i should, yes. I-i'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you any troubles, I don't want to be a burden... but I-i-i don't know if I can do this, Thuraya. I am not a warrior, I am a scholar by nature. I should be fighting a inkwell open, not ripping a man's chest open!!"[/color] He felt tears forming again as he body shook and trembled. He almost fell to his knees, defeated before the battle even began. He stared at the body of the man that assaulted him briefly before he looked around to the chaos around him. [color=00aeef]"How could I survive in this hell?" [/color] Simply, the scorpionfolk looked at him. Her expression becoming more kind as she let her hand's grasp tighten around his slightly. [color=coral][b]"No one is making you fight... If you can't, you can't. It's not your fault; here.. come with me, you can help me get those not tied to this battle, to safety."[/b][/color] He felt a small smile come to his face, a hand coming up to wipe away tears that still cling to his cheeks. [color=00aeef]"S-sure. Sure. Fine, thank you. It will be better this way, I am certain."[/color] He didn't let go of her hand as he steady his stance. He followed after her, his hand pressed against his heart. It felt pained as if it was going to try and burst from his chest. He would do what he needed to do, even if it was just helping to get everyone innocent to get away freely.