Prologue:

It was once said that only light can defeat the darkness, and, once long ago, it was true. But that was before the demon lord killed Aurora, the goddess of dawn, before she could pull the sun over the horizon. Now a misty veil of darkness surrounds Earth, at last the darkness has taken hold.

Every human on the planet fell to the darkness, becoming the slaves of the demons that now rule the planet. The humans stood no chance, had no choice but to obey the demons that were their masters, for if they fought they were annihilated instantly.

It was the year 7031, springtime. A child was born, her eyes shining with an odd light, something nobody had seen in over four thousand years, sunlight.

The raw power of the sun had been broken down, disguised in human form, it had been done nearly every one hundred years, and every time the demon lord killed the Earth's final hope of salvation from the darkness.

Now the child, grown to the age of seventeen, must begin a quest to save the sun, to raise it far above the raging darkness, to the faces of all humans.

---

Sa'vere awoke later than usual one morning, her heart leaping into her throat as she realized that her lord was probably "furious that she wasn't serving him his morning meal at that moment, "Ma!" She shouted angrily to her mother, "Why didn't you wake me up earlier!?!"

"I did, dear." The woman said, her face pinched with exhaustion, "I couldn't even get you to move. Now you'd best hurry or our Lord will beat you again."

Sa'vere made a face but crawled out of bed and dressed before fleeing their small quarters nonetheless.

A man with black hair and red highlights sits mumbling to himself out side.

"Who are you?" Sa'vere faltered midstep, coming to a stop to avoid running into him as she had nearly done.

Turns his redish gold eyes toward you. "Why do you ask? Does anyone truly know who they are?" Looks upset.

"Is there something the matter?" She cocked her head in concern, somehow she could never resist trying to help someone when they seemed to need it.

"I am hungry, weak, and injured but other then that I am damn well good!" looks guilty at his out break. "Sorry." He mumbles in shame.

"My room is the second door on the right," Sa'vere said, jerking her head in the direction, "I should be back within an hour," She winced softly to herself, "When I get back I'll see about getting you fed." Without waiting for his reply she ran off, cursing herself for being so late.

When she got to the meal room she noted that the bastardous demon was ruthlessly beating the small boy that had brought his meal in her place. He had accidentally tipped the plate and spilled some of its contents on the table. Her heart wrenched and she couldn't stop herself from moving forward, "Leave the boy alone, please!" She pleaded.

The demon looked up at her and smirked before throwing the bawling boy to the ground, "And do you propose to take his place?" He laughed as the boy scurried away.

Sa'vere lowered her gaze and quickly cleaned up the mess around the plate, "If it would spare the child, of course I would." She said simply, she had recieved many of his beatings before, this would be no different.

The demon ate silently for several minutes, and once he finished she cleared his dishes, sending them away with the sniffling boy in the corner.

---

When Sa'vere opened the door to her room she was tired, her face sported a few light bruises and the back of her simple serving shirt was torn in several places, blood seeping through the fabric. Her mother was gone, probably tending to the children as she so often did.

The stranger lay sleeping on the floor.there is something unnerving about him.

Sa'vere went into her room and brought out the single blanket that she had, draping it over the sleeping stranger before moving into the other room itself, shutting the door softly and pulling out her supply of bandages and salve, wincing slightly as she lifted her arms to pull the shirt from her back.

*Yelling startles Sa'vere. the stranger snarls something in his sleep, the language is unknown to her.

Sa'vere jumped slightly at the strangers yell and flattened her shirt against her front, opening the door a crack to assure herself that he was alright.

Roles in sleep. "Yares dareen ner!"

"Umm... excuse me..." Sa'vere murmured softly to the slumbering man, unsure as to whether he was having a nightmare or not.

Eyes snap open they look molten red. They slowly regain their former color. "Oh...your back."

"Are you alright? You were muttering strange things in your sleep..." Sa'vere murmured.

"W..what did I say?" Sets up and you notice a bandage wrapped around his waiste.

"I'm not sure really, it was in some language that I don't know... something like..." She scrunched up her face thoughtfully, "Yares dareen ner... I believe." Her pronunciation of the words was strange, but she was fairly sure that she had gotten them right.

Looks pale. "No...no..."

"Is something the matter?" She asked.

"No...nothing."

"Okay... well, I was making sure that you were alright..." Sa'vere closed her door lightly and went back to salving the parts of her back that she could reach.

"He can't be...can he?" Hears him mumble.

"I wonder who he's talking about..." She murmured, wrapping her bandages firmly around her waist.

"If it isn't to much of a bother may I get some food?"

"Go right on ahead," Sa'vere called as she pulled her shirt back on, "mind you there really isn't that much, but it should be enough for now..."

"I won't take any then." sounds guilty.

"No, it's fine, I promised to feed you earlier, remember?" Sa'vere slipped out of the room, tugging the wrinkles out of the shirt, she would have to stitch it up and wash it later...
"what happened?" asks as he notices the torn shirt.

She frowned, "Nothing..." Sa'vere said simply, moving to the cupboards and pulling a few food-filled jars out.

"tell me..please?"

"I took a kid's place for punishment, it's that simple." She said.

Looks down. "I am sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for. So long as I can keep that bastard from taking the lives of small children I am happy, even if it is at the cost of my own body..."
"He has no right to do that!" Looks angry and eyes turn red.

"In this day and age?" Sa'vere snorted, "He has more than enough right to slaughter all of us. In case you haven't noticed this world isn't for humans any longer. The demons reign applenty, and the legendary container of the sun has not appeared in over 100 years..."

"But she will." mutters

"Maybe someday." Sa'vere sighed and held out one of the jars, "Here, it's not the best, but at least it fills you up..."

"I shouldn't what will your family do for food?"

"It's only me and my mother living here, and neither of us eats that much to begin with..." Sa'vere said with a shrug, "Eat."

Sighs and starts to eat, nods a thanks.

Se'vere took a few bites from her jar, "So where are you from?"

Hesitates "Hell."

"Hell?" She questioned, quirking an eyebrow.

Nods. "Close enough any way."

"Mm... how'd you end up here anyway?"

"I traveled, I am my own free person."

"What a crappy place to end up," Se'vere said taking another bite from the jar before screwing the lid back on, "If the lord of this land finds you here he will most likely attempt to enslave or kill you..."

"He has tried before."

"I-"

"Sa'vere!" Her mother burst through the door again, "You've got to leave this place immediately, they've... they've found out!"

"Found out what?" Sa'vere asked, leaping to her feet, "Ma, what's going on?"

"Somehow... somehow today your abilities were revealed..." Her mother grabbed the jar from her hands, hardly glancing at the stranger that was sitting with her as she rushed into Sa'vere's room and threw clothes into a tattered old bag, "They're coming for you now, you must leave while there is still time, take this!" She held out a jewel encrusted blade, and in a daze Sa'vere took it.

"What the Hell is going on?" the young stranger demands.

"I wish I knew..." Sa'vere muttered, allowing her mother to drag her around, throwing things here and there into the now bulging bag.

"There's no time to explain much. Sa'vere, I am sorry not to have told you this sooner. We all knew from the day of your birth..." Her mother said breathlessly.

Eyes light up in comprehension. "She is the one isn't she?" Thee stranger says getting up.

Her mother merely nodded at the stranger. A pounding sounded on the locked door and she jumped, "Quickly, Se'vere, leave this place." She pushed her daughter to the only window in the room, "Leave and don't look back!"

"Ma- you can't possibly mean..."

"I do, now go!"

The stranger grabs Sa'vere and jumps out the window quickly leading her to the shadows.

"Ma!" Sa'vere called, watching as the door was splintered before the building vanished from her view. Why did it have to be this way?

Leads you far away from the place. "I am sorry they came to kill you! If you had stayed they would have." The stranger says.

"I-I left so many people behind though..." Sa'vere said, "And besides, I still don't even know your name..."

"It is Azder if you must know."

"It helps a lot... you know, knowing someone's name..." Se'vere said, lowering her gaze, "This is such a troublesome task, why me of all people?"

"I...don't know. I ask myself that almost every day, it is hard to be a....."Breaks off as he realized what he almost said.

"A what?" Se'vere asked.

"Never mind. Know were we can stay now that we are wanted?"

"I've never..." Here she faltered, "Been outside of those walls before... So, I really have no idea." She said in slight embarrassment.

"Do you know if there are any safe havens near by?"

"I think... I think that our best bet would be to find a cave or something. I don't know anybody around here, so I don't know how trustworthy the people are..."

"Hmmmm. What about the cave over there?" points to a shallow cave.

"It'll due..." She said simply.

Leads the way in.

Se'vere sat down, wrapping her hands around her knees and sighing as she set her chin on the bag that her mother had packed, "I suppose that I have no choice but to fulfill what one would call 'destiny.'" She said simply.

"Never believed in destiny, if there were such a thing as destiny then the demons should never have taken over and the gods would not be as weak."

"Humans as foolish as our ancestors were meant to be overrun by demons." Se'vere replied, "They were fools and too cocky for their own good."

Cocks an eyebrow. "Is that what they tell you? I remember.." Breaks off again.

"Remember what?" Se'vere asked, looking up at him, "And don't say nothing again, it's rather frustrating. I'm not a frail child, I can handle whatever you have to say..."

"No...I can' tell you...not untell I am sure I can trust you."

She sighed, "Fine then, I won't prod..." She said with a shrug, leaning back against the wall of the small cave and closing her eyes.

Keeps watch, but looks troubled

"I told you how it was just me and ma." She said softly, eyes still closed, "My da was part of the rebellion several years ago, they'd come so close to their goals..."

"Then they were killed...I know..."

"Not just killed." Sa'vere said with a small shudder, "Torn to pieces in front of all to show what rebellion gets you. I can... I can still feel his blood, even after all these years, it's something that will never go away."

"You are not responsible for what happened the demons are, I...am." Whispers the last bit so you don't hear.

"Since then I've held the desire to end it, to end this darkness. I didn't care how, but it was my goal to free my people."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I'm not really sure myself," Sa'vere said, beginning to drift off, "Maybe... I'm starting to trust... you."

"You shouldn't" whispers.

"Hm?" She murmured, already asleep.

Looks tired but keeps watch.

She slept soundly, hardly moving from her spot leaning against the wall.

Gradually drifts of to sleep.

She awoke several hours later, restless and having cramped legs. Slowly she stood and walked around working the blood back into her legs. Sa'vere looked outside silently, seeing nothing though it didn't relieve her. She sat at the entrance of the cave thoughtfully.

After a while Azder wakes up. "See anything?"

"Nothing yet." Sa'vere replied.

"Where should we go?"

"To be honest I'm not really sure. To the east probably, in the old legends it was said that that was the direction from which the sun would rise." Sa'vere said softly.

Nods. "Shall we go now?" He looks at her in question.

"Yeah, I suppose we ought to, huh? Can't exactly get anything done by just staying here after all..."

Azder gets up and comes over to her handing her bag to her.

Soundlessly Sa'vere draped the bag over her shoulders and stepped out of the cave.

Azder Quickly pulls her back. "Do you hear that?" Whispers.

"Here what?" Sa'vere said, growing silent and seeking for whatever sound Azder had heard. Her fingers touched the jeweled knife that her mother had given her.

"Damn! They are near!" Azder whispers.

"They?" She heard it then, footsteps somewhere in the nearby darkness.

Azder Silently pulls her up onto a ledge in the cave.

"How close are they and... can you tell how many there are?" Sa'vere asked, looking around.

"There are ten of them all armed. Five demons , one human, and the rest are mixed breeds. They are real close so hush." Azder says silently.

Sa'vere merely nodded, keeping her gaze fixed on the cave entrance and tightening her grip on the hilt of her large knife.

Sa'vere could swear that Azder's eyes looked like they were glowing faintly.

She blinked slightly to see if her eyes were playing tricks on her, but knew she couldn't ask anything just then due to their current position.

Azder stares at the entrance.

Several figures appeared through the evening mists near the cave entrance, some larger than others, and one or two shorter than the entire group. Sa'vere felt her heartbeat speed up with anticipation as they neared the cave entrance.

Azder puts a gentle hand silently on her shoulder to help calm her. He carefully and silently draws his weapon.

Sa'vere's foot slipped, though it didn't make a sound and she nearly fell to the cave floor. Just barely did she manage to avoid crying out. "Have you checked this area? That girl of Fier's couldn't have gotten far after that whipping he gave her earlier." There was hoarse laughter from outside and Sa'vere felt herself growing angry.

"Didn't he kill that woman that hid her?" A low voice asked with genuine curiousity.

"Yeah, I heard he sent her body down to the kitchens to be cooked for his evening meal..." Another snickered.

Ma!

Azder slaps his hand over her mouth before she could give them away. He knew their ploy regardless if it was the truth or not, for he had used the same ploy before. Suddenly in Sa'vere's mind she could hear Azder's voice. *Speak and we both are dead!*

Sa'vere jumped slightly at the man's voice in her head, she hadn't meant it, but just before his hand had gone over her mouth she had felt words about to tumble from her lips. She merely nodded. "Has anyone searched this dingy little cave yet?" One of the smaller ones asked in a whining voice.

Azder silently begans to chant and suddenly Sa'vere can't see him or even herself!

Sa'vere's breath hitched, and without realizing it she began to hold it as the one who had spoken stepped into the cave. She watched as he squinted in the darkness, searching through every square inch of the cave. There was a slight buzzing in her head but she ignored it, intent only on keeping her body still and her mind clear. If they had indeed killed her ma, she would have her revenge soon enough.

Sa'vere could feel azder moving silently to another ledge. *Stay and be quite!* he warned her silently.

Sa'vere watched silently as he moved away from her, uncertain as to what he planned, but remaining unmoving nonetheless. Spots danced in the corners of her eyes, but still she dared not breathe, the one that had walked into the cave was standing directly beneath her and she feared that her breathing would be too loud and gain attention.

Azder suddenly allows himself to be visible. "Greeting what do you want in MY cave?" Asks leaning agianst one of the walls a safe distance from the demons.

"Who are you?" The one below Sa'vere growled, moving closer to Azder.

Sa'vere allowed her breath to slowly be released, freezing every time it made the smallest of noises.

"No one special. One of your rats escaped?" looks have interested.

"Our lord seeks out a small mouse" He agreed, "Escaped from his home just a few hours ago after he'd found out a little secret of hers."

cocks an eyebrow. "Oh? What does this mouse look like?"

"It's a human brat with short blond hair and blue eyes." The demon growled.

"I see. It has been pretty quite around here, if I see her I will let you know. Now if you excuse me I wish to get back to my rest."

"We'll continue our search elsewhere for now," He growled, thoroughly frustrated by Azder.

"Are you going to leave or should I remind you where the door is?" Azder asks boldly.

"We'll be back later," He glared at Azder before turning to the entrance of the cave and stalking out.

Laughs. "You do that." Sets down and pulls some food from his pack and begans to eat.

After a few minutes the group had fully disappeared and Sa'vere slid from the ledge, landing heavily, though with relative grace, on the cave floor. "That was close..."

"Hungry?" looks like he is at ease and nothing had happened.

"Not really," Sa'vere said, seating herself near him.

"We will need to move soon, but if we go to soon they may find us." *Azder says looking calm, but in truth he was worried that she may notice that the demon did not treat him like a human.*

Although the question was burning in her belly, Sa'vere avoided asking about his treatment from the other demons, if he wanted he would tell her in due time, instead she replied to what he'd just said, "I agree, we can't move too soon or it could be trouble. I won't lie- I've never so much as held a knife in my life, so I doubt that I'd ever get the advantage in battle..."

"I can train you, but I warn you I will not go easy on you, and you must do as I say." he replied relieved.

"Easy?" Sa'vere snorted, though she was relieved that he was willing to help her, "What is ever easy in this world?"

Smiles. "Nothing at all. Now prepare yourself!" Throws her a well balanced staff of wood and grabs one himself.

She caught it easily, she'd had heavier than a staff thrown at her before that she'd had to think fast with, and quickly leapt to her feet, standing in a semi-awkward defensive position.

Frowns. "No you are leaving your left flank exposed" Comes over and guides her into a protective position.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment to form a mental position of the stance that he had moved her into and quickly memorized it before opening her eyes again to await his next direction.

Begans to drill her on how to block and parry.

Although she made a few errors here and there, Sa'vere found that she learned rather quickly, taking from the games that she and her da used to play. It was when she did this that she realized that they hadn't just been games, but lessons in themselves.

"I thought you said you hadn't trained." Azder says as he fluidly switches direction and begans a complex move that Sa'vere was hard pressed to defend.

"I used to play games with my da... when I think about it, this is similar..." Sa'vere said, quickly ducking a blow and striking upwards at the other staff with hers at the same time.

"Don't attack the staff you need to attack your foe. For this practice that would be me." Says as he smacks her non to gently on her side.

"I'll keep that it mind," Sa'vere said, hardly even twitching as the staff hit some tender bruises on her side as she pulled herself back up from the semi-crouch.

"That is good for now take time to rest......let me see your wounds."

"They're not bad..." Sa'vere said, leaning on her staff tiredly, "I... treated them as best I could earlier..."

"LET ME SEE THEM!" Looks and sounds stern.

She gave in with a small sigh.

"Damn!" gently begans to clean the wounds, and she can feel the pain lessen.

Most of the flesh on her back is scarred from older wounds, though, amazingly, there is still some parts that were untouched. Sa'vere released a small sigh as he cleaned them better than she could earlier.

"How long has he beaten you?"

"Since I transfered here from the northern kingdom about ten years ago..." She said simply.

Growls in anger.

"It's the type of thing that happens nowadays, and besides, I said earlier, I don't mind sacrificing my body when it saves the lives of children."

"Well....the wounds shouldn't be a problem now." Azder says eyes still glowing a fainte red.

"...thank you..." She said softly.

"I think it is safe for us to leave.We must go now if we arew to leave at all."

Sa'vere nodded and strapped her pack over her shoulders, this time listening hard into the shadows for any sign of danger.

Gets his pack and leads the way.

She followed him silently, keeping her gaze fixated on her feet to keep from stepping in holes or tripping over rocks.

several hours pass in silence.

Her ears perked at a distant sound and she stopped momentarily trying to get a better listen.

Azder stops as well. "Now you hear it?" Says quietly.

"Yes..." She said softly.

Crouches in the shadows listening.

A white, beast like apparition moved towards the two silently, his crystaline blue eyes finding Sa'vere's own, and she stood hypnotically staring as he sought to link with her mind. Are you the one that they seek? The one in whose body rests the wonderful warmth of the sun? Yes... yes... just by looking into your eyes I can feel it's rays upon me. Azder did not see him.

"Where the hell are you?" Whispers searchingly.

Who are you? Sa'vere asked suspiciously, still unable to take her gaze from his hypnotic eyes, she even took an unconscious step towards him.

My name is Kehtale, I wish so much to feel the sun's warmth in the sky once more... His head snapped to the left, Shit! There are at least four komakian's approaching this place, they know where you are, you must fight. I will do my best to help you...

"There are four..." Sa'vere's voice spoke at first in that hypnotic tone before she shook her head, "They're Komakian's and they already know that we're here."

"I know and there are two more!" Draws his weapons. "Remember your training!"

The link with the tharashile had been broken when she'd shifted her eyes, so communication with it at the moment wasn't going to happen. Raven quickly pulled her hairtye out and used it to secure her knife tightly at the end of the staff that she still held, considering the foe, she had no plans of letting them get anywhere near her.

"They're comming."

Several figures sauntered out of the mist, their stride confident and smirks resting on their shimmering forms. "Ah, so finally we've found the little escapee..." One said, giving Sa'vere a once over, "Such a waste to have to kill such a pretty thing..."

Azder remains hidden slowly moving to a protective spot. he begins to silently chant a spell.

"Go away," Sa'vere growled, holding the makeshift spear out threateningly.

"What are you going to do with that thing?" One laughed, stepping forward deliberately, before running to attack her.

Sa'vere swung the spear around and cracked him in the side of the head, sending the komakian reeling to the ground. With low growls the others moved to attack her as well, and with great difficulty she managed to hold them off.

A load crackling sound can be heard and suddenly lightning strikes the Komakian's, Azder follows the magic with his own attacks.

One of the komakian's manages to get past Sa'vere's defences, knocking her over, and bites into her neck, beginning the process of removing her soul. As her eyes began to glaze slightly a loud roar emmitted from nearby and the komakian was tackled to the ground as a tharashile bit his shoulder almost clean through. For a moment the komakian just laid there, before recognition came to his eyes, "Kehtale, what are you doing attacking us? Are you... betraying the great black mage?"

I am through with following that bastard, this planet is nearly dead. I believe it is time to reestablish the dawn. He stood as the komakian scurried out from beneath him. Kehtale turned to Azder, Hurry and finish this, there's not much time. I can bring her soul back, though not here. He lifted the unmoving girl gently into his lips, and without noticing changed the fangs in his mouth to simple teeth that would not pierce her body.

"He will learn of your betrayal Kehtale!" The komakians screeched as they transformed and fled the scene.

Azder quickly casts a spell that would kill the rewtreating figures.

All but one avoided it easily and soon were no longer near them.

Growls in anger and turns back to Sa'vere, true worry on his face."

There's a small house nearby, it's abandonded, let us go there. The tharashile told him before turning and taking off at a light run towards the house.

Quickly follows afraid that he had failed another person he tried to protect.

Once they got to the house Kehtale set Sa'vere down in the center of the room. And with an indecive look towards Azder he changed into his true form, to that of a komakian. He has waist length silver hair tied in a braid and still possessed his blue eyes as he sat cross-legged beside Sa'vere and placed one hand over the bite on her throat, and the other over her heart. He silently chanted and the room was suddenly brightened with tiny dancing lights that gave off a wonderful warmth. One by one they slipped into Sa'vere's body, and after a moment, Kehtale stood, wiping a light sheen of sweat from his forehead.

Azder hurries over to see if she is all right.

"She is merely resting now. I have put a barrier over this house, it would be unwise to traverse out for the next day or two, they will be searching the area for you... us..." Kehtale said.

"They....are searching for me anyway. Will she be all right?" Azder asks.

"She'll be fine, she just needs rest."

Sets down near her afraid that his father or father's men would show up, and unsure as to this other males intentions.

"Don't worry," Kehtale said, sensing the other's uncertainty, "I would not have helped her if I meant any harm."

Azder looks at him "You could help someone if you wanted the goods intact. My f..." breaks off not wanting to let this being know who he was, and was mildly surprised that it didn't recognize him.

Kehtale sighed, "For now I will rest, to keep the barrier from dissipating..."

Nods but stays close to sa'vere.

Kehtale lowered his head, and within seconds he was in a medatative sleep.

Azder slowly closes his eyes though he remains awake and alert. His hands carefully circle the hilt of his weapons.

Sa'vere stirred slightly and blinked, though she didn't move. Her body felt oddly heavy at the moment, and she felt simply content just laying there.

Azder noticed the slight movement and blew out a sigh of relief. "how do you feel?"

"I'll tell you when I can feel anything," She said jokingly.

"It is a side affect I'm afraid." Kehtale's voice murmured, "You'll be fine within the hour."

Azder casts a dark glare at Kehtale, still unsure of his motives. He then turns to his pupil and offers a forced smile. "they tried to take your soul." He whispers.

"Well, apparently they didn't succeed. I guess I need to practice getting a bit faster when it comes to evasion..."

"After you heal l." Breaks off and blushes.

"I'll be fine. I've dealt with worse than a simple bite..." Sa'vere murmured.

"I...see." Says hoping she didn't notice and surpried that he almost said he loved her, concidering he barely knew her.

"Heh... I can already move my fingers..." She said with a small laugh, shifting her eyes to the twitching appendages, "What's the matter? Your face is rather red- are you getting ill?"

"No..." gulps and looks away.

Sa'vere frowned slightly, disatisfied by his answer, but she couldn't do anything at the moment. The feeling was beginning to come back to her forearms and lower legs.


Azder walks over to his pack and gets some water, bringing it over to her. "Here drink." Helps higher her head.

She allowed the cool water to slip down her throat thankfully.

"Do you need any more?" Asks in concern.

"I'm fine, it was plenty," Sa'vere said, smiling softly in thanks.

Nods and offers one of his very rare smiles in return. "Are you hungry?"

"Maybe... just a little..." Sa'vere admitted.

Nods and hurries to get some food ready, casting another glare at the other male.

"You needn't worry," Kehtale said, his eyes still closed, "I have no interest in doublecrossing you. I am merely one who tires of this infernal darkness."

Azder hasitates "What do you mean?" Hands Sa'vere some food.

"This planet is dying without it's sun. It is shutting down, and soon our world will be nothing more than a wasteland. I remember, though barely, being able to feel such a wonderful warmth, and... the vast ammounts of different foods that the humans could create. It was a wonderful world, and I desire to
see its recreation..."

"I see, I don't ever remember such a time, I was born after my....." Azder bites back his reply cursing himself for nearly revealing himself once more.

"It's alright, you don't have to worry, I already know," Kehtale said, cracking an eye open, "but I'm guessing that you haven't told her and are not planning, so I will not say more on the matter," He said softly enough that Sa'vere could not hear.

Azder stiffens at that. *How could he know? He hadn't been near his father since his mother's death. How could Kahtale know him?!* He set down hard very pale and afraid for the first time in several weeks.

"I said it was alright, didn't I?" Kehtale asked.

"I...have learned the hard way not to trust what one hears." Azder says trying to steady himself and not look to see if Sa'vere heard any of this.

"I am sorry that you feel that way..."

Azder looks away, not daring to trust him.

"That was delicious!" Sa'vere said cheerily, apparently not having heard a word of their conversation.

Azder alows himself a small smile. "Thank you my mother....used to fix that. She taught me how to cook it."

"She taught well, I've only ever had the gruel that they serve in those jars..."

"I am sorry." Azder said with a double meaning she would not notice.

"Oh, why are you saying sorry?" Sa'vere asked, "It's not like it's a big deal or anything..."

Looks away in shame. "What if I were to tell you I.....contributed to your.....pain?"

"I... would not care. What is past is history. You've helped me a lot since I've met you."

"I.....worked for the....king...." Still doesn't meet her eyes.

"Listen, I've said don't worry about the past." Sa'vere said seriously, managing to move over to him and crouch down so that she was looking in his eyes.

His eyes appeared like liquid garnet, and reflected unspeakable pain and guilt.

"Look here- don't make me hug you!" She grinned, though her gaze was serious, "Don't feel so guilty about things."

"But I have done.....so many things."

"I said I didn't care..." She did as she had promised and wrapped her arms lightly about his neck.

he pulled away but then allowed her to do as she wished. He had carried guilt to long, and not just his, but his families.

"I....will try to let it go." He murmured.

"Good, I'd really rather you were anything but depressed..." Sa'vere said.

Smiles and nods forgeting Kehtale for a moment.

"Anyway, how about a little more training then?" Sa'vere asked.

"How are you feeling?" Azder asks in concern.

"I'm fine," Sa'vere assured.

gets up and throws her a staf. "Prepare yourself." Begins to drill her.

Sa'vere quickly took up the memorized defensive stance.

Beins more complicated monuvers and speeds up.

Tougher... but necessary if I plan to survive very long out here... She thought to herself, blocking and even attacking as best she could.

"Your doing it again, me not the staff!" Azder called out at one point.

"Oh! Sorry..." She blushed slightly, "I got lost in thought... Not the best thing to do while training I suppose..."

"Not unless you want your enemy to kill you. And don't worry about hurting me you had a chance to strike and you did not follow it through, if you want to win then you must strike."

"Right... I'll try not to hesitate this time." She certainly was glad for her father's games and her ability to learn things quickly...

Azder started up a quick step attack than reversed direction leaving his left exposed. *I wonder if she will take the bait*

She saw the opening and attacked as he said she must learn to do, though she kept her guard up in case he attempted a counter attack.

Instead of blocking he crouched below the swing and tripped her with his left foot while bringing the staff down with a smack on her back, knocking the air out of her. "You would be dead. If you are up against a foe of skill remember if they leave a flank open they may have a trick or two planed. So next time ananlyze and insure yourself that their stance is not one that could hinder or even counteract your attack."

She stood up slowly, catching her breath, "Lets run it again." She said simply.

"Are you sure?" Azder asked slightly amused.

"Yeah, I'll never get anything right if you keep going easy on me."

"I am not. But......Begin!" Starts to attack.

"You are so," She muttered, grinning as she crouched down and swiveled her foot beneath him to knock him over before standing and holding out the staff.

He muniverse around the attack but looks mildly surprised. "Never try to use the exact move of your enemy they know how to counteract it. Instead you modify it for your own use."

Think I don't know that? Silently she struck the staff forward, hitting him in the forehead.

Looks a little surprised. "Good, but how effective if they have armor?" Rubs the area.

"Probably not very, but I haven't seen many wearing armor..."

"The elite do, and some of the demons have natural armor."
Azder says going into a different attack.

"Well, fine..." Sa'vere sighed, blocking the attack and swinging her staff at his side.

He easily intersepted it hiding his pleasure that she was getting better.

She was panting slightly, but took a few steps backwards and resumed her defensive position from the beginning, she'd been working offensivly for the past few minutes.

"Take a breather then I will train you on conteracting magical attacks."

Sa'vere sat down where she had been standing silently, balancing the staff over her legs.

Azder slowly massaged his forhead where she had hit him.

"Does it hurt? I'm sorry!" Sa'vere said, noticing him massaging the spot.

"Don't be, I learned a little as well. Show no pity remember?" Offers a smile as he stops rubing the bump.

"Well... at least there shouldn't be any permanent damage..." Sa'vere murmered.

Azder smiles. "There wont be."

"So what do you have in mind with counteracting magic attacks?"

"First you must meditatate, feel the world around you, hear the sounds, smell the scents, See the essence of spirit, once this is done you will have a clearer mind to protect yourself and those around you."

"I suppose that makes sense- clearing the mind gets rid of unnecessary distraction..." Sa'vere said.

Azder guides her into the meditative state instructing her on what to do.

Sa'vere followed his instructions patiently.

"close your eyes and listen to my voice."

She nodded slightly, loosening her grip on the staff and closing her eyes lightly.

"Clear your mind, let all worries go."

She didn't realize that clearing her mind would be a difficult task, and for a few seconds she struggled against rising thoughts before releasing a breath.

Azder gently places his fingers on Sa'vere's temple aiding her in clearing her mind. "I can't do it for you but I can help. You must clear your mind."

"I know," She said, allowing her last thought and worry to dissipate with those words.

"Open yourself to all senses."

Slowly, she did.

She could here the scuttle of a mouse, here the gentle breathing off all around her, and feel the grain in the wood.
"Good now focus on one sense at this moment and only one.

But what sense did she truly wish to focus on? She focused on her sense of hearing.

*She could hear Azder's breath, the even beat of a bird, and was surprised at all the life around her. But as she listened she could see that some of these breaths were irregular*

She focused on the irregular breaths, not sure where they were coming from, though curious.

She was chilled to discover that the dying breaths came from small animals and even plants, the world was dying.

"N-no more," She managed to gasp out, shaking her head furiously to clear it.

"Sa'vere you are attaching yourself to far pull back but not completely."

She regained control of herself and pulled back enough so that she could no longer hear the pitiful dying breaths of the creatures of her planet.

"Good now chose another sense."

Next she focused on touch.
She could feel the fine fiber of the wood. She was surprised to feel a strange warmth where Azder sat and another where Kehtale was. Small warmth surounded her.

The feel was slightly comforting to her, though she strove not to sink so far into it as she had that of sound.

"Good you are mastering this quickly. Now finely the sense now open yourself to smell, I warn you it may be unpleasant."

Sa'vere did as asked and focused on the sense of smell.

At first the smells where pleasant, but then she cauld smell sweat and dying plants, the smell of stagnet water made her want to sneaze.

These things I will fix, as soon as I can, I will take care of my home... She thought, ignoring the need to sneeze.

"Good now combine the senses and find your balance."

Silently, she incorporated the other two senses in with it.

"Good now find your balance."

Sa'vere took several minutes to be able to do so, but in the end she succeeded.

She was shocked to not only be able to use the senses but she suddenly could hear Azder's thoughts : She is doing well, It has been a long time sense I had a student, and yet if she finds out who I am......she will hate me. I wonder why I feel like I love her?" Suddenly she feels a barrier cut off his thoughts. and could feel his touch leave her temples.
"T..that is good. Pull out and we will resume this later."

She was surprised to have been able to hear his thoughts, and blushed slightly. She quickly nodded and opened her eyes with a small sigh.

Azder looked away scarlet in the face. Worried that she had heard to much, and curing himself for lowering his shields. *Damn!I am Not soppossed to feel this way!* He thaught angerily.

"I'm... going to explore this house..." Sa'vere said, standing up quickly.

Nods still looking away, afraid to meet her eyes.

Sa'vere walked around the house slowly, coming across a steel door, "I wonder where this leads..." She opened it and was overcome by a musty smell. For a moment she merely stood there, before stepping into what appeared to be a bedroom of sorts. Why the door had been made of steel and there were no vents she didn't understand, but this room was strangely decorated, and seemingly had been untouched for a long time.

"I am going out to scout." Azder mumbled going to the front door.

"If you must, but shield your presence." Kehtale said softly from where he sat.

Sa'vere explored the room, touching things that had collected years of dust, and sitting on the edge of a large bed, seemingly more accomodated to the figure of a demon than a human, but it was such a strangely soft object. She leaned back on it comfortably.

Azder mumbled a spell and headed out, as he turned to look at the house he gave a start. "No......it can't be..." The place looked like his child hood home.

"I wonder what kind of people this house accomodated in the past..." Sa'vere murmured, staring at the stand beside the bed where an old book rested.
A chill went down Azder's spine as he r5an into his old parens' bedroom. "Sa'vere don't!"

WiD Ch.2