As Eilis climbed back onto Umbra and settled herself in front of Arn again she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. 
Feeling the comfort and safety of the master mage behind her soothed her and she allowed herself to lean backwards for a moment, against him as she whispered.
[color=f49ac2]"I am sorry, I know I probably made you worry, but I saw no other way..."[/color] She kept her voice low and too soft to be heard by the others.
Those others were quite busy themselves, Tyrhallan helped Alexa get back on her own dragon, before he whistled for Viscera to join them again.
A shrill cry followed from far above, obscured by the smoke and the grey clouds that had filled the Upper Sky. 
Suddenly a shadow flickered in between before it dove down and showed off its speed and agility as it plummeted rapidly to their level only breaking at the final and crucial moment.
Tyrhallan shook his head and sighed.
[color=ed1c24]"Show off,"[/color] It scolded it with a half smile while he powered his boosters down, before shutting them off completely climbing back into the saddle as well.
In front of them the last defiant ships either tucked their tail and ran attempting to escape the onslaught of the larger frigates that gave chase whilst others were blown to bits and send ablaze down into the certain death of the depths of the Deep Sky.
Tyrhallan observed it with tightened fists as he grabbed and held the reins of Viscera. The expression he held was one devoid of colour, a grim and empty expression and very off from his usual warm gaze and colourful eyes.
He watched on allowing his eyes to fall on their failure. Belisio's defeat and the current conquering of Olysium as Imperial troops had started pouring into the city. 
The once mighty walls were breached in more than one place as some of the frigates had forcefully rammed them causing even more chaos and destruction.
The flames of several fires lit up sections of the city and where once the mighty castle had been only a smoking ruin remained. The high towers had collapsed completely and the main hall had been blown into the sky.
The cries and screams that howled through the air tore at the heartstrings and were partially smothered by the sounds of the last remaining struggles.
Tyrhallan forced himself away turning to the others.
[color=ed1c24]"We need to leave...we don't have...we don't have much time, they'll be too occupied with the spoils of war to focus on us, but I'd rather not test Fate's hand or patience in this."[/color]
He eyed Toby for a second and said. [color=ed1c24]"You'd better get onto Brightwind's mount, for we don't know how long the vehicle you've commandeered will last. I however owe you thanks, for without your aid I am certain I would not be standing here."[/color]
He was well aware of his own insignifigance in the whole ordeal...
His blood boiled and his heart bled and cried out for those lost and forsaken, those who they were forced to leave at the mercy of the Empire. 
Their stronghold against the Empire was lost. 
Olysium once symbol of the stubborn defiance against the might of the Empire now lay shattered and beaten at the Empire's feet.
The grounds beneath them were torn to sunder, carved and hacked up. Bodies lay strewn about, some wole, some not, the horror and anguish still etched as a final expression on their faces. Others were buried underneath broken beams or had fallen upon their shields.
And at the least those were fortunate enough to have fallen upon the land. Their families would be able to give them some sort of send off. Bury them with dignity and honour. 
How many could not be found back because they had been cast into the depths of the Deep Sky. Lost to the abyss from where no body was ever retrieved, Ravros and his Uncle would be included to the many that could only be mourned for by keeping their memories alive.
His Uncle...
For his Uncle, the Great General to share such a fate.
Tyrhallan's jaw tightened as his face hardened.
[color=ed1c24]"We need to move. For your sakes Brightwind and Young Master Taylor I suggest you both come with us. We'll explain our own destination to you later. Right now...we need to get out of here, before we do draw unwanted attention to ourselves."[/color] He turned his attention to Eilis nodding once as he gave a meaningful look.
[color=ed1c24]"After all we have a promise to keep."[/color]
Eilis eyed him with no small amount of guilt.
She instinctively looked down, knowing what Tyrhallan meant with those words. 
They had promised Uilles they would figure out why they were after her, that she took priority and she couldn't help but feel that it was because of her that they had felt torn between helping her and defending the city.
It was a silly notion of course, but not one she could easily dismiss.
She gave a soft nod back, forcing herself to speak a little louder and clearer.
[color=f49ac2]"We'd best go...we promised Uilles after all."[/color]
A cackle sounded from above them, startling them all from their reverie. 
Two figures descended, both on brooms it almost looked comical if the persons themselves were not deadly serious and their cackle was not a laugh that sprang forth from joy.
A familiar face and one rather omnious one.
[color=662d91]"Well..well..well...what do we have here? Hmm?"[/color] The familiar voice of Scylla spoke as she descended to their level with her sister in tow.
Her shadows danced about her, like translucent shrouds and bits of cloth, swaying in the breeze, whilst her sister's veiled face barely moved. 
[color=662d91]"I spy with my pretty eye quite some people that were going to die."[/color]
Tyrhallan's expression darkened as he positioned himself in front of the others.
[color=ed1c24]"And I see a couple of vultures circling about, finally showing their presence when the dead no longer have the strength to fight off their coldhearted corpsepecking."[/color]
Scylla snorted whilst her sister remained quiet.
[color=662d91]"As eloquent as ever and still pretending to be a moral little busybody I see. Tell me princeling, what good has your honour brought? How many have you dragged down to their deaths with you as for the sake of defending a lost cause...just like you're doing now."[/color]
[color=ed1c24]"The fight isn't over Scylla, you haven't won yet!" [/color]
[color=662d91]"I see a sacked city and a couple of dogs running with their tails tucked between their legs seeking a safe place to hide...give it up princeling, this time there is no happy ending, not for those that have died nor for you. This. This is the end of the road little prince, time to stop dreaming and face the facts."[/color] Scylla reasoned whilst she pointed at herself and her sister.
[color=662d91]"We both are still at our full power, you on the other hand sport several wounds."[/color]
[color=ed1c24]"Don't think I'll go down that easily Scylla, I still am strong enough to skewer you both."[/color] He said with a low growl in his voice.
Scylla scoffed at that notion.
[color=662d91]"Oh my dear you're bluff is precious but we both know that your ki is still recovering from the previous fight..."[/color] She pointed at the rest of them. [color=a187be]"As for your 'companions' you have a wiped out mage who's closer to passing out than actually casting a spell.
What remains are an inexperienced young pup and a spoiled little princess that probably never experienced real hardship before...if you're counting on those to aid you then you must be more desperate than I thought."[/color] Scylla replied as she watched Tyrhallan's hand lightly rest upon the hilt of his sword.
[color=f49ac2]"You're forgetting me..."[/color] Eilis spoke defiantly, before Scylla rolled her eyes at that.
[color=662d91]"My dear I am not forgetting you, I am simply trying to avoid more bloodshed by telling your watchdog to go back into his kennel. I was going to get to you in a minute, but since you're so eager to speed the inevitable let me oblige you."[/color]
Eilis kept her eyes on Scylla, staring at her and her sister, who up until now had made no sound and made no action. 
It caused great nervousness in her, the woman seemed almost indifferent to the tense situation in front of her and yet the was no sign she even was aware of it at all.
[color=662d91]"You...my dear little pumpkin, you know that you're outmatched. You can feel it, go ahead...take a look in the Aether. You'll see that I am right."[/color] Scylla said as she brought her hand up, inspecting her nails with a quasi bored expression, clearly deciding that all this talk was merely a formality. A road one had to take before they could return home.
Eilis allowed herself to follow up on Scylla's suggestion, as her spirit even dipped into the Aether field the overwhelming pressure of power blasted back at her.
Her face drained as she looked up at Scylla and the other woman again, which Scylla noticed and offered her a wicked grin in return.
[color=662d91]"There you go...now you know darling. Now. I suggest you heed my following words and consider them very carefully."[/color] 
Scylla made a simple flourish with her hand as she spoke.
[color=662d91]"I'll leave your friends alone, they'll be allowed to make their escape to whatever place has their fancy and we will not stop them provided that you willingly give yourself up now. We will take you back to our master, who has requested your presence."[/color]
Eilis's eyes widened realising she was offered a devil's bargain.
Her hands trembled, both in anger and fear, knowing full well that going with them would probably be tantamount to a death sentence or worse. 
[color=f49ac2]"You swear my friends won't be harmed?"[/color] She demanded to know.
Scylla rolled her eyes. 
[color=662d91]"Of course pumpkin, I swear. I may be working for the empire but I still attain some sense of honour eventhough most would consider it a whore's honour. But only the sun rises for nothing, their lives for yours that is the deal, pumpkin."[/color]
Eilis sighed looking at Tobhias and Alexa for a moment, seeing Tyrhallan shake his head and feeling her mage behind her.
[color=f49ac2]"Will I be taken to Wailweald?"[/color]
[color=662d91]"The Tower? Honestly, I don't know..." Scylla answered shrugging her shoulders. "It isn't for us to say. Our master will decide your fate most likely...though I won't deny that the Tahjai has shown clear interest in retrieving you."[/color]
[color=f49ac2]"How are we to travel? Cause I doubt I will be able to fly on a broom like you."[/color] Eilis asked  nodding to the objects they were resting on, causing Scylla to chuckle.
[color=662d91]"Oh don't you worry pumpkin, we'll not travel by broom. We'll travel by portal...as our Master gave us a Sky crystal for such a special mission."[/color]
Tyrhallan's expression went from anger to astonishment and horror realizing the implications. 
Sky crystals were rare and left no trace to follow, once Eilis would step through that portal she would be gone and they would have no leads to follow, no path to chase save for some obscure locations.
[color=ed1c24]"Eilis! Don't! We're not letting them walk off with you without a fight. We swore to protect you and keep you safe. Scylla is just trying to manipulate you into going. Don't sell yourself short!"[/color] He objected heavily.
But Eilis shook her head.
[color=f49ac2]"Tyrhallan, enough people have died today...You all need to go on and try to save Belisio from the Empire. You can't be running after a silly little refugee that attempted to gain her own freedom, I already have cost you all quite enough. It is time I faced the truth of the matter, which is that freedom just isn't in the cards for me..."[/color] She whispered.
[color=662d91]"Good, glad we're all being sensible today."[/color] Scylla said as some of her shadows cut themselves free from her form and flew at Eilis, circling around her waist and upper arms attempting to raise her up from the saddle as Eilis didn't struggle back, despite her first initial fright.