The beginning

Leon looked up at the guard towers of the safe camp. He hefted his empty sack higher onto his shoulders with a light grunt. "Let's see what these old traders have today," he muttered to himself with a smile. He checked in at the gates and made his way towards the marketplace.

"I'll be prepared, sir!" Dakota said while returning to his peppy self. He smiled, looking at the safe camp curiously. "It's so... rustic," he commented. "Do you know everyone here?"

"Most everyone," Zander replied. "The regulars I know, but a lot of people come and go. Trading's what keeps this place going. We send some people out to scavenge and we sell what they come back with for food and supplies."

Five smirked just as a breeze came in from the city. "The stench of death," he said with a scowl. "There's a Miser running around near here."

Soren listened intently. "There is," he said calmly. "It is getting closer as well."

"Isn't it obvious?" Aelius asked. "She's lovely, isn't she? And worth a lot. Like a princess."

"Isn't she?" Rose asked, ignoring Moa now. She dropped in front of Bion and smiled at Aelius. "I'm afraid we can't argue with you, can we?"

"I'm afraid not," Aelius replied while his smile faded. "And Bion's time has come to an end, Rose. Though I am impressed with your magic, I'm disgusted to see my friend walking again long after his death. I have to permanently remove him from this world, I fear." In one motion, Aelius covered Cala's eyes with one hand and raised the other to Bion's eye level, releasing a strong pulse.

Rose stepped quickly to the side, her eyes wide in horror as the invisible blast ripped through the air and passed her face. "Bion!" she cried, watching the man splatter like a broken water balloon. She protected herself with a quick shield, blood surrounding her, leaving a small diamond shape around her untouched. "Aelius! You abuse your power!" She shrieked.

Closing his hand, but keeping Cala's eyes covered, Aelius shook his head. "I'm doing what I'm created for. I'm cleansing the unnatural." He picked Cala up by the waist, still covering her eyes, and jumped to the street below where Bion's remains would not be seen.
"Apologies, my little flower," he said in same calm voice. "I had to extinguish the bug."

Five shivered and looked towards Soren. "Did you feel that?" he asked.

Soren held his head, a strong headache taking hold as soon as he felt the pulse of energy. "What is this?..." He strained aloud. He squinted as he smelled the strong odor of blood blowing in the wind towards them. "Something is happening in that city," he replied quietly.

William walked the old woman to the edge and stopped, shuddering. What? The ground just vibrated... He looked at the old woman. "This is the edge."

"Wh-what have you just done?" Cala whimpered. She pried herself free, covering her mouth with both hands. "You've murdered Bion, haven't you?"

"Bion was already dead, my dear. Don't be fooled so easily be walking corpse... They're all around you." Walking ahead of Cala, Aelius listened for Rose's movement. "I can see the edge from here. As well As Zeph it would seem..."

Tira's face twitched, her senses going haywire with the release of power. She momentarily lost control of her disguise. She leapt forward and wrapped her clawed hand around William's throat, pulling him behind a heap of bricks and rubble. "Now now, little Miser," she crooned almost motherly, her body and voice returning to its former state as she pushed close to him against the wall. "I need you alive and working. Do not make a sound and I won't remove your throat, ok?" She smiled sweetly.

Cala ran ahead, spotting Soren. "Sir..." she whispered, relieved. Seeing Soren, she momentarily forget about Aeluis and waved her arms.

Soren noticed a figure in the distance raising their arms. "That is Cala," he said, relieved. He started walking towards her, ignoring the powerful presence standing nearby.

Cala stopped a few feet from Soren and bowed her head. "I'm sorry if I have cause you trouble, sir," she said quietly. "I was careless. I'm relieved you returned for me."

William gasped, looking at the Miser terrified. Seth... he thought desperately. Save me.

Soren looked at Cala with no expression before pulling her into a fierce embrace. "Do not apologize," he said. "You are safe, and that is what matters."

"Ah..." Cala struggled to find the appropriate response and simply nodded. She curled her fingers around Soren's arms. "There's no danger now. The man Bion, the man that took me, is dead."

"Dead?" Soren looked up at the man bwhind Cala. "Was that the power we felt before?" He asked Aelius.

"That isn't the problem you need to concern yourself with. Rose wants Cala and will start a war for her." Aelius looked at Soren grimly. "Are you prepared for that?"

Soren Looked at Cala and back to the city. "What does she want with Cala?" He asked.