[center][h1]Vrondi[/h1][/center] The invisible barrier that was made up of mental prowess and divine magic kept a reconnaissance on what entered and left the sanctuary city. It was not the first time a dragon had entered the territory of the kingdom from foreign lands. One even so massive a royal hall was made on its back. However none displayed an aura of such magnitude as Sophia. Vulcan, the fist of Fotia, holding on tight. Beard violently swaying in the wind as he appeared unfazed by the intense speeds. [color=#E5E4E2][b]"Power comes in many forms. Perhaps this can be an opportunity to teach them all that."[/b][/color] People pointed in awe and some even in fear as the dragon Sophia's shadow loomed over them. Heading to the castle was a risk. Vulcan did not protest. He merely observed the crowds as they rolled past below. The various colors, perfumes falling from the sky and angelic children freely moving about was quite the sight. It seemed to slightly move Vulcan as his face smiled, eyes cheeks and all. This pleasurable moment was short lived as immediately upon landing Sophia and him were surrounded by Vrondi guards. Their spears were glowing with a pure light. A spell meant to increase their piercing acuteness. Sophia spoke. [i]"Lay down your arms! I came to offer you my aid. Dark and grim times are ahead of us. An enemy much more powerful than you all have ever faced grows stronger by the second as we speak. Something needs to be done quickly."[/i] Vulcan stepped down from Sophia's back with a single jump. Landing with a strange grace to his size. Yet still lifting the dust from the grass below. [color=#E5E4E2][b]"And I am Vulcan, the Fist of Fotia! I have asked for her help in the name of Fotia!"[/b][/color] The guards did not lay down their arms. Yet their spiking combined auras began to settle down. A few people in the forming crowd behind the barrier of guards shouted Vulcans name. It was obvious those in Fotia had been visiting and many vouched openly in awe of his appearance. He crossed his arms and merely listened as Sophia spoke from there on. Nodding in his agreement. [i]"Is this enough to make them remember who I am?"[/i] Sophia asked, confiding in Vulcan. [color=#FBB917]"It was just fine. Sophia, Guardian of Knowledge. Some call the hoarding dragon of knowledge. I welcome you.. To my home. We haven't much time to waste."[/color] A voice that uttered from a forming light. The light took the form of King Vrondi. His details came into their sight and his flesh seemed like liquid metals as they held firm a smooth yet solid form. [color=#FBB917]"But first you might want to slip into something more slimming. No offense."[/color] Vrondi smiled. His own aura seemed weak. Yet another stronger aura sat inside the meeting room. The doors opened allowing Sophia in her smaller form to enter with Vulcan. The body of Vrondi would simply wave as they walked inside. Only to vanish a second after. They would be hastily led to the meeting room past the guests enjoying a fiery display of talent by Fotian fire dancers with exotic drums being rapidly beaten. Entering into the door the two would see Vrondi and the other kings and queens sitting at the long stone table. [@13org] ------------------- [center][h1]Nero[/h1][/center] Anui held Lila's lips with his with a gentle expression on a seldom content face. Lila's words visibly held his desire. His piercing golden yellow eyes not swaying as they looked into hers. Even as they kissed his eyes remained fixated. [color=#744E74]"And I will never hurt you.."[/color] After he spoke these words he began to linger into her face as she did his. Enjoying her surprise as she looked around the room to enjoy the soft lit colors for the first time. It was to his delight to give this gift to a worthy Nayu cursed with blindness. He then heard the low bellow of a horn and his heart dropped. He knew from the stories of how the Aion would blow a war horn before battle. An act of righteousness, allowing their foes a moment to flee. But all it does is paralyze when combined with an ambush. A senseless act. [color=#744E74]"We must-"[/color] He looked to Lila. Sensing her distress he came behind her fallen body and placed his arms around her. Kneeling as he did so he spoke softly yet sternly. [color=#744E74]"It pains me to have given you such a curse. For this I apologize deeply. I will not let a soul harm you."[/color] And so he held her tightly, holding an ebony blade up before them. Even as the bodies of his fellow royals were slain. [@geurls] The hall Constance escaped from began to rapidly grow colder. Frost began to form on the stone walls. Then a cold gust of air engulfed the banquet hall. The seraphim was walking through this hall, his body seemingly unaffected by the cold. Even as his breathe gave out a smog of warmth from inside of him. This man held a rose made of ice. His attire was now similar to a royal seraphim. Blue leathers with white sewed into beautiful patterns. [color=#C6DEFF]"I am Mirror. Current acting Leader of the Aion."[/color] He turned to Constance and the young girl. [color=#C6DEFF]"We will not harm those too innocent to know what is right or wrong. We will reclaim the fortitude of the seraphim bloodline. For your freedom brothers and sisters! Fight with us if you stand by the side of the Divine's will. Or perish in Chaos."[/color] His voice was loud and elegant yet held a stiff assertion. Ice was summoned within Mirror's hands as a broad sword and a shield. It formed with a slow cackle of ice hardening together to take their shape. Nero guards began to fly out of the shadows. Their black daggers in hand. A few others, clear members of the Dolofon, began to defend themselves as best they could. The room became chaotic. A dash of blood fell toward Constance and Mirror's wing intercepted its path. His icy cold feathers fell near the two girls. [color=#C6DEFF]"I swear on my honor and my life. I will not let this child be harmed."[/color] He looked at them with piercing blue eyes that held a honest determination in them. [@Guy0fV4lor] It was not long until the Nero guards and Therosi red robed slavers charged the small band of slaves and Aion knights. It was a bloody battle from the start. The Nero guards fought in the shadows and close. The Therosi fought with crossbows and blood affecting magic. Their mages chanting in their corners in an attempt to focus their spells from a distance. As they attempted this arrows of the soul pierced their skulls. A swift seraphim darting about would pick off foes as he flew across the room. The advantage of flight giving the Aion a slight edge. "Fly!" They shouted. As they defended the slaves, attempting to give them time to begin to fly up. Perhaps something waited for them above. One robed slaver was stabbed in succession multiple times. Yet he continued. This particular slaver was rather large. Able to push a few seraphim knights before going for a slave. Mason. His blade was large despite being one handed. It went for his head from above like a hammer. Above was a portal slowly forming with light escaping its surface.