Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor hugged Soleil and hushed him. "Shhh... Everything will be fine. Just stand back and we'll protect you. Even Sir Quartz is here for you. Stay strong for me okay?" He planted a small brotherly kiss on Soleil's forehead before standing up. "Henry, can you please open some of the roof of our protective dome?" He slowly formed an orb of ice magic between his hands, shining with bright white light. It looks like a snow globe, the 'glass' shell looks so fragile that it might break instantly and the contents look like a churning, raging, and terrible blizzard. "When I release this blizzard bomb, make sure to close the dome immediately"

Henry Von Kressel

"Sure."

And then, Henry slowly opened the top of the dome, creating enough room for Allistor to throw it. Soon as his friend threw it, he immediately closed it back, and merely awaited for the effects of his friend's magic. His eyes went back to Soleil, clearly showing a certain worry for his wounded friend.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor hugged Soleil and hushed him. "Shhh... Everything will be fine. Just stand back and we'll protect you. Even Sir Quartz is here for you. Stay strong for me okay?" He planted a small brotherly kiss on Soleil's forehead before standing up. "Henry, can you please open some of the roof of our protective dome?" He slowly formed an orb of ice magic between his hands, shining with bright white light. It looks like a snow globe, the 'glass' shell looks so fragile that it might break instantly and the contents look like a churning, raging, and terrible blizzard. "When I release this blizzard bomb, make sure to close the dome immediately"

Henry Von Kressel

"Sure."

And then, Henry slowly opened the top of the dome, creating enough room for Allistor to throw it. Soon as his friend threw it, he immediately closed it back, and merely awaited for the effects of his friend's magic. His eyes went back to Soleil, clearly showing a certain worry for his wounded friend.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor flung the icy orb upwards, the bright light of the orb lighting the whole room. It slowly floated on the air for a few seconds before it grew brighter and brighter until it exploded into a white flurry of chaotic winter, the blizzard inside expanding and enveloping the whole room with ice, snow, and hail. The room slightly shook as the blizzard raged for a few seconds and subsided, leaving the bar covered in snow and frost. Some of the faceless mooks were frozen in place and assaulted by the barrage of hailstones.

Allistor's eyes dimmed for a moment before flaring back to life. "Should I do that again?"

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

"Sure."

And then, Henry slowly opened the top of the dome, creating enough room for Allistor to throw it. Soon as his friend threw it, he immediately closed it back, and merely awaited for the effects of his friend's magic. His eyes went back to Soleil, clearly showing a certain worry for his wounded friend.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor flung the icy orb upwards, the bright light of the orb lighting the whole room. It slowly floated on the air for a few seconds before it grew brighter and brighter until it exploded into a white flurry of chaotic winter, the blizzard inside expanding and enveloping the whole room with ice, snow, and hail. The room slightly shook as the blizzard raged for a few seconds and subsided, leaving the bar covered in snow and frost. Some of the faceless mooks were frozen in place and assaulted by the barrage of hailstones.

Allistor's eyes dimmed for a moment before flaring back to life. "Should I do that again?"

Henry Von Kressel

"I don't think that we'll be needed, Allistor. Rabbit needs his fun as well, I guess. We should work in getting Soleil back to his feet, even if we have to support his walk for a while until we reach the hotel. And if any more people bother us, then it's my turn to do something about them.

Soleil, we will try to get you up, okay? All we need you to do is to pass your arm around my head, and I'll help you with your weight."

[Luminesa]

Henry Von Kressel

"Sure."

And then, Henry slowly opened the top of the dome, creating enough room for Allistor to throw it. Soon as his friend threw it, he immediately closed it back, and merely awaited for the effects of his friend's magic. His eyes went back to Soleil, clearly showing a certain worry for his wounded friend.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor flung the icy orb upwards, the bright light of the orb lighting the whole room. It slowly floated on the air for a few seconds before it grew brighter and brighter until it exploded into a white flurry of chaotic winter, the blizzard inside expanding and enveloping the whole room with ice, snow, and hail. The room slightly shook as the blizzard raged for a few seconds and subsided, leaving the bar covered in snow and frost. Some of the faceless mooks were frozen in place and assaulted by the barrage of hailstones.

Allistor's eyes dimmed for a moment before flaring back to life. "Should I do that again?"

"I think you got most of them, though it seems the main two are still active. I would presume they're the only two actual magic users of the group," Rabbit commented, as he came and stood by the dome. He had some snow on his shoulders and nose, but he wiped it off and laughed. "I hope I have not frightened anyone too much. I...haven't gotten in a fight like this in quite some time. It's actually quite refreshing," he commented lightly.

He then turned his attention to Soleil. "There he is. Allistor, hold-off the vampire with the swords for me. Let me make sure our bold little rogue is okay," he instructed, speaking affectionately of Soleil as he saw him sitting against the wall, shivering. He now moved toward Soleil, entering the dome and sitting next to Soleil against the wall. Sitting next to him, he wrapped an arm around his shoulders and held him near his heart. "Dear, dear, you're quite hurt, aren't you sweetheart? Let me see..." he whispered. He summoned an orb of light, and he sent it toward Soleil's heart mana-point.

Soleil winced at first, as the Magic reached his heart, but then he breathed deeply. He then placed his ear against his teacher's heart and let the tears flow. "...Professor..." he whispered, finally relaxing his body as he was held gently by his teacher.

"...You came looking for Professor Ruta, didn't you, dear?" Rabbit questioned, kindly.

Surprised, the boy stared up at him. He had guessed it almost right away. "...H-How did you..."

"You don't remember our conversation? You told me how much you care about him. It only makes sense that you went looking for him..." As he finished sending the mana into him, the masked teacher wrapped his other arm around Soleil, allowing him to rest. "You're quite brave for it as well. Just as Henry said. Going out alone like this to find him...sure, you nearly gave me a heart attack, but otherwise you wouldn't be my student, would you?" he laughed, trying to cheer the boy up.

Soleil listened to Rabbit's kind words, and he looked from him to Henry to Allistor. "...Th-Thank you...I...I just hope...h-he's okay..."

"Oh, he'll be fine, dear. He's probably looking for us right now. I only hope his heart can take the surprise he's going to get when he sees we all threw him a surprise party. Unfortunately, though, if this is a party, I should have brought a cake..." he continued to joke.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor flung the icy orb upwards, the bright light of the orb lighting the whole room. It slowly floated on the air for a few seconds before it grew brighter and brighter until it exploded into a white flurry of chaotic winter, the blizzard inside expanding and enveloping the whole room with ice, snow, and hail. The room slightly shook as the blizzard raged for a few seconds and subsided, leaving the bar covered in snow and frost. Some of the faceless mooks were frozen in place and assaulted by the barrage of hailstones.

Allistor's eyes dimmed for a moment before flaring back to life. "Should I do that again?"

"I think you got most of them, though it seems the main two are still active. I would presume they're the only two actual magic users of the group," Rabbit commented, as he came and stood by the dome. He had some snow on his shoulders and nose, but he wiped it off and laughed. "I hope I have not frightened anyone too much. I...haven't gotten in a fight like this in quite some time. It's actually quite refreshing," he commented lightly.

He then turned his attention to Soleil. "There he is. Allistor, hold-off the vampire with the swords for me. Let me make sure our bold little rogue is okay," he instructed, speaking affectionately of Soleil as he saw him sitting against the wall, shivering. He now moved toward Soleil, entering the dome and sitting next to Soleil against the wall. Sitting next to him, he wrapped an arm around his shoulders and held him near his heart. "Dear, dear, you're quite hurt, aren't you sweetheart? Let me see..." he whispered. He summoned an orb of light, and he sent it toward Soleil's heart mana-point.

Soleil winced at first, as the Magic reached his heart, but then he breathed deeply. He then placed his ear against his teacher's heart and let the tears flow. "...Professor..." he whispered, finally relaxing his body as he was held gently by his teacher.

"...You came looking for Professor Ruta, didn't you, dear?" Rabbit questioned, kindly.

Surprised, the boy stared up at him. He had guessed it almost right away. "...H-How did you..."

"You don't remember our conversation? You told me how much you care about him. It only makes sense that you went looking for him..." As he finished sending the mana into him, the masked teacher wrapped his other arm around Soleil, allowing him to rest. "You're quite brave for it as well. Just as Henry said. Going out alone like this to find him...sure, you nearly gave me a heart attack, but otherwise you wouldn't be my student, would you?" he laughed, trying to cheer the boy up.

Soleil listened to Rabbit's kind words, and he looked from him to Henry to Allistor. "...Th-Thank you...I...I just hope...h-he's okay..."

"Oh, he'll be fine, dear. He's probably looking for us right now. I only hope his heart can take the surprise he's going to get when he sees we all threw him a surprise party. Unfortunately, though, if this is a party, I should have brought a cake..." he continued to joke.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor nodded at Rabbit and stepped out of the dome. "Yes sir." He flicked Mizar and sent droplets of blood on the snow that covered the bar. He first admired his work yet was quite disappointed. "It's not strong enough." He sighed and stared at Cendre who's still apparently impaled by Rabbit's ice greatsword. "You're a vampire, yes? I was thinking of pulling that sword out of your chest to let you bleed to death but then..." He snapped his fingers and icicles emerged from the snowy ground to spear through his knees and legs. "It's much better to play with you for awhile." The air around them grew colder and colder as Allistor amassed cold energy around him. Ice started to form around him in the shapes of swords, spears, and daggers. He silently grinned at his opponent before sending the ice weapons flying towards Cendre.

[Rhomaia]

Great blasts of black fire, azure light, and tremors rocked La Coupe de Bronze as what had once been a small scuffle between a single Rise and a gang of ruffians erupted into a full on skirmish between the instigators and the Mana crowd. One by one, they had rushed into the building and began slaying thugs by the dozen, allowing chaos to ensue within the tiny, dinghy little tavern as it's very foundation began to crumble under the fierce onslaught of flames, magma, frostfire, and ice. Mundane, that is to say non-magical, bar patrons ran for dear life straight out of the bar, shrieking and screaming in horror, so very fearful that they had left their drinks back in the now ruined bar. If the loudness and blazing luminescence of the battle had not caused a commotion and attracted attention earlier, than it certainly had now.

In the meantime, Cendre, in his erratic rush for the Rabbit, had found himself run through by one of the masked professor's glacial greatswords, his body skewered by the sheer mass of the weapon and pierced only inches from the heart, the massive blood loss that followed being more than enough to kill any mortal man in the same perilous situation.

Yet, Cendre was far from what any person could call a 'mortal man', and the Rabbit had only been perceptive enough to see just that from a simple, perusing glance. His wicked grin, even through his spearing, had stayed lingered on his face, as if he truly delighted in the pain he received. At the same time, his pale hand reached to the gigantic blade that had lodged itself in his body and made contact with it, glowing a soft red as if it was heating up. In mere moments after Cendre touched it, the blade melted and broke apart, it's very mana blackening, burning, and falling like ash onto the floors, which were now scorched with countless burn marks from the students attacks.

"Well, unlike your eye for blades, your eye for detecting us non-humans seems to function perfectly well! Though as to how you know we have our little quirks...Well, that says far more about you than I, mon cher!" the red eyed man chimed, bursting out into psychotic laughter once again as the very room around him burst into flame as a consequence of the students' reckless use of their powers, his pale, pointed face shaded red against the backdrop of the raging inferno and his eyes glowing an even more hellish crimson. Fiery red blood, like lava, seeped out of the man's wounds and stained his pure white suit, only to recede and retreat back into the crevice as his ashen grey skin healed itself. From the outset, this man could very well have been a Dark Mana Being, just as the Rabbit was...

Simultaneously, the black haired woman had been able to incapacitate the Rise with only a single attack, and a halfhearted one at that. But it had proved useful in spite of that, as the boy proved even weaker than she had expected, even with the advent of his new abilities. Unfortunately, it had not been enough to render the boy unconscious, as he was apparently well enough to continue talking to two of his friends right in the middle of the fight. The sea of shadow from which she had attacked the boy, however, was more than a simple figment of darkness, but a solid mass of dark fire, remaining even in the presence of Tsukuyomi's light, serving both as a shield from mana based attacks and as a weapon. From the great blot of hellfire, the woman stepped out with the same scowl on her face, those ember orange eyes lighting up the room just like the fire that was spreading throughout the inn.

"So you still dare to breathe, copil nenorocit...Here I was thinking that you would have made things simple and clean for the rest of us..." the woman purred, her tone once again reeking of poisoned honey as it spoke to the Rise boy. Claws of black fire burst from her hands anew, the very air around them crackling and burning as they tore from the air all light, hope, and heat, smoldering like cinders in a dying hearth as she drew them back for one final strike, a killing blow to snuff out the life of the Rise...

---

From out of the blue, a pitch black gale ripped through the air with the force of a great typhoon, extinguishing immediately every single flame that had once lit the tavern and sending the few thugs who were still alive after the onslaught through the nearest wall, forcing it to collapse and allowing the rest of the building to finally come down upon the inhabitants.

In an abrupt change of action, the black haired woman, in an act of panic, instead unleashed her ebon flames upon the wreckage that was about to come crashing down upon her, reducing the falling beams and debris to mere ash before they could so much as hit the ground.

From the bleak sky, lit only by the pale crescent moon that rose on this ungodly night, a pitch black mist descended like a blight upon the world, banishing the frail white light that still dared to shine in these deadly hours of darkness and bringing upon the city a total lunar eclipse, with but a single shine of azure light to cut it's way through the twilight...The shine of a Jaegar's infernal blade, and the grand flash of lightning that followed as surely as the sun set.

Streaking across the dim sky in an instant, a blinding azure bolt rocked the earth, pounding a crater into the already battered foundation of the building an sending every visible object flying in all conceivable directions. The two conspirators, Sable and Cendre, were blown back by the unmitigated force of the blast, their thoughts interrupted as but one emotion raced across their luminescent eyes.

Fear, in all of it's terrifying splendor.

With another series of tempestuous lightning strikes in close proximity and the shattering of silence, a final, deafening crash resonated through the very bones of all who remained standing, and brown dust was kicked up by the following shock wave, illuminated a bright blue by the storm, just as the new figure who arrived on the bloodsoaked scene.

The newcomer was garbed black like the night sky, with a ragged hood covering their eyes and face, and a long tattered cloak flowing behind him, as if it, like it's wearer, too had seen it's fair share of battle scars. As well, a single long, feathered black wing, not unlike that of a raven, sprouted from their back and spread outwards to their left. The titanic greatsword they brandished in their right hand was easily the size of a grown man, yet the hunter wielded the instrument as if were simply made of paper. Only a single flash of lightning revealed their form as they rose from the dust, but that was more than enough time for one to realize just who it was under the disguise. Coincidentally, that was all the time he required to perform his own task.

With a blade in hand, Ruta took a mighty slash at Sable, who had barely been able to use her flamelike claws to block the attack before giving a shout in Romanian for Cendre to defend her, nearly crumbling to the ground from that single attack. Within seconds, he picked up his own curved swords, the harpes, and rushed at the Jaegar in the same reckless way as he had the Rabbit. What ensued was a chaotic maelstrom of blade strikes, lightning, and the roar of both Cendre and Sable as they attempted to coordinate themselves and cut down their new opponent.

However, that much was far easier said than done. The old hunter, hardened and cursed with years of experience on battlefields these two could hardly dream of, was able to outclass them both with ease. Sable, with only her talons, could do little but attempt to dodge his blows, and her fighting style, once calm and elegant, turned into a fight for her very life as her slashes grew sloppy and imprecise, while Cendre, growing more unstable with bloodlust by the minute, was hardly able to get a single attack in without suffering a major wound to his neck, which he seemed fairly keen on protecting. Their elemental attacks were rendered null by his own Air Magic, creating gusts of wind to dispel their flames and augment his own swordplay. Using both his wing and blade in an astonishing feat of combined arms, the Jaegar was able to simultaneously attack and defend at once, leaving his two increasingly desperate opponents battered, bruised and bloody as they continued their futile onslaught in the growing darkness.

Several of the thugs attempted to join in, but wielding only magically enhanced knives to fight a Jaegar worked about as well as bringing a wooden stick to a gunfight. In cold blood, the abyssal hunter took their lives in his hands, giving them the cruel taste of pain and death for having so much as conceived the thought of harming his beloved. In the space of only a few second, Ruta had decapitated one, impaled another on his blade, and completely crushed the second in a heaving downward stroke that ended the lives of five others.

Others tried of fled, but by the end of it the grounds where the tavern had once stood were indelibly stained with crimson blood and littered with dismembered corpses, still bleeding limbs and heads strewn about like playthings that belonged to a child. Every person in the room, save for the instigators and the Mana crew, was dead without question, brutally slaughtered like animals for having tried to harm one of the pack's own wolves.

Even so, Sable and Cendre continued to fight, but the odds were soon turned even more in Mana's favor as the glowing blue Tsukuyomi joined the fight against the ember eyed woman, fighting like a savage animal, clawing, biting and intent on devouring the woman's very mana. Having been trying to defend from the hunter with only her own claws which were feeble in comparison, she felt the sting and pain of every scratch, bloodying her face and eliciting from her a pained yelp as she brought her hands over her face to block the rabid onslaught. Seizing the opportunity, the Jaegar delivered his own justice to Sable with a powerful blow to the abdomen and sending her sprawling onto the pavement and bleeding from the stomach.

Eagerly retreating from both the Inquisitor and the Jaegar, Cendre rushed to Sable, who was hardly able to pick herself up after the fight and was bleeding profusely from the head and torso. The black haired, ember eyed beauty was practically reduced to half blindness, as Tsukuyomi had managed to cut out one of her eyes. Thanks to his healing factor however, Cendre remained unscathed, though his clothing, like Sable's, was torn and cut beyond all repair.

Uttering a weak yelp as the two Professors inched closer, Sable knelt to the ground on one knee an placed a hand on the blood and ash stained pavement. At this, a glyph of an ember colored, seven pointed star expanded outwards from the spot she touched, and black flames began to envelop both her and Cendre.

"Marcu cuvintele mele, nemernicilor! Vei rue toată ziua în care ai sfidat Casa Nychta! Prin focurile Iadului și Tartar, să fie curățit!" Sable bellowed threateningly, her burning eyes growing ever brighter against the growing storm bearing down upon her and baring her teeth at the Jaegar and Tsukuyomi. Cendre, as usual was silent, but joined his hand with hers on the ground. Soon enough, a blanket of black flames subsumed them both and let their forms fade into mana, fleeing from the battle...

And yet there was one last trick they had up their sleeves before all was truly said and done. From the point where they had vanished, a black fire storm of tremendous proportions erupted like hell fire, as if to drown all those who remained among the living in a sea of infernal flame.

[Luminesa]

Great blasts of black fire, azure light, and tremors rocked La Coupe de Bronze as what had once been a small scuffle between a single Rise and a gang of ruffians erupted into a full on skirmish between the instigators and the Mana crowd. One by one, they had rushed into the building and began slaying thugs by the dozen, allowing chaos to ensue within the tiny, dinghy little tavern as it's very foundation began to crumble under the fierce onslaught of flames, magma, frostfire, and ice. Mundane, that is to say non-magical, bar patrons ran for dear life straight out of the bar, shrieking and screaming in horror, so very fearful that they had left their drinks back in the now ruined bar. If the loudness and blazing luminescence of the battle had not caused a commotion and attracted attention earlier, than it certainly had now.

In the meantime, Cendre, in his erratic rush for the Rabbit, had found himself run through by one of the masked professor's glacial greatswords, his body skewered by the sheer mass of the weapon and pierced only inches from the heart, the massive blood loss that followed being more than enough to kill any mortal man in the same perilous situation.

Yet, Cendre was far from what any person could call a 'mortal man', and the Rabbit had only been perceptive enough to see just that from a simple, perusing glance. His wicked grin, even through his spearing, had stayed lingered on his face, as if he truly delighted in the pain he received. At the same time, his pale hand reached to the gigantic blade that had lodged itself in his body and made contact with it, glowing a soft red as if it was heating up. In mere moments after Cendre touched it, the blade melted and broke apart, it's very mana blackening, burning, and falling like ash onto the floors, which were now scorched with countless burn marks from the students attacks.

"Well, unlike your eye for blades, your eye for detecting us non-humans seems to function perfectly well! Though as to how you know we have our little quirks...Well, that says far more about you than I, mon cher!" the red eyed man chimed, bursting out into psychotic laughter once again as the very room around him burst into flame as a consequence of the students' reckless use of their powers, his pale, pointed face shaded red against the backdrop of the raging inferno and his eyes glowing an even more hellish crimson. Fiery red blood, like lava, seeped out of the man's wounds and stained his pure white suit, only to recede and retreat back into the crevice as his ashen grey skin healed itself. From the outset, this man could very well have been a Dark Mana Being, just as the Rabbit was...

Simultaneously, the black haired woman had been able to incapacitate the Rise with only a single attack, and a halfhearted one at that. But it had proved useful in spite of that, as the boy proved even weaker than she had expected, even with the advent of his new abilities. Unfortunately, it had not been enough to render the boy unconscious, as he was apparently well enough to continue talking to two of his friends right in the middle of the fight. The sea of shadow from which she had attacked the boy, however, was more than a simple figment of darkness, but a solid mass of dark fire, remaining even in the presence of Tsukuyomi's light, serving both as a shield from mana based attacks and as a weapon. From the great blot of hellfire, the woman stepped out with the same scowl on her face, those ember orange eyes lighting up the room just like the fire that was spreading throughout the inn.

"So you still dare to breathe, copil nenorocit...Here I was thinking that you would have made things simple and clean for the rest of us..." the woman purred, her tone once again reeking of poisoned honey as it spoke to the Rise boy. Claws of black fire burst from her hands anew, the very air around them crackling and burning as they tore from the air all light, hope, and heat, smoldering like cinders in a dying hearth as she drew them back for one final strike, a killing blow to snuff out the life of the Rise...

---

From out of the blue, a pitch black gale ripped through the air with the force of a great typhoon, extinguishing immediately every single flame that had once lit the tavern and sending the few thugs who were still alive after the onslaught through the nearest wall, forcing it to collapse and allowing the rest of the building to finally come down upon the inhabitants.

In an abrupt change of action, the black haired woman, in an act of panic, instead unleashed her ebon flames upon the wreckage that was about to come crashing down upon her, reducing the falling beams and debris to mere ash before they could so much as hit the ground.

But as a black robed figure descended from the moonlit sky, a great black wing having sprouted from his back like a gigantic one winged raven and brandishing a great obsidian sword to rival that of kings, the woman and Cendre knew that they truly did have something to fear...

-----------------------------UNFINISHED-----------------------
-----------------------------WORK IN PROGRESS-----------------------

Rabbit saw the building coming down, just as he understood who had returned. Continuing to hold Soleil, he sent a spear of ice at the debris that was about to fall on Henry, and then he teleported out of the way with Soleil in his arms. "There we go," he muttered, calmly. He then let Soleil go, and stood next to him. He was smiling behind his mask, as he watched the black mist storm through the ruined building. "Welcome back," he mumbled under his breath.

Soleil also understood what was happening, as he recognized the mist. His eyes widened, and his entire body tensed as he stood next to his teacher. He had returned. He really had returned, just as Rabbit had said he would. He would have ran to him, but he was busy. Thus he merely continued to stand next to the masked professor.

"...Are you alright, dear?" Rabbit asked the boy.

He nodded, though he did not even look up at his professor as he said it. He was too fixed on what was happening inside. He wanted badly to see his teacher, and waited patiently now for him to finish the villains inside, alongside his other teachers and Allistor.

I hope for your sake that he notices your efforts, Rabbit thought, putting a hand on Soleil's head as he thought, you have put yourself through so much just to get him to see that someone still cares for him...it would be quite saddening if he continued to overlook you after such perseverance...though I sense we will all be in trouble for this, somehow.

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


Perhaps before Liz would have jumped to Rabbit and Soliel's defense, but now she stared at the woman attacking them with nothing but destructive lust. Loose, wild mana jumped from her form, striking objects around her like lighting, leaving shards and blackened ash. There were no world, or symbols of power to focus her destructive might, just uncontrolled primal power. Her the blue pupils of her three pairs of eyes shrunk to pin points as as she locked on to her target, and a long beastly tongue crept along the tips of innumerable razor sharp teeth, and out onto what should be lips, but the transition from face to mouth seemed to lack such a feature.
And with a blast of wind and a shock wave, Liz lept. She didn't try to dispel flames between her and her foe, instead they seemed to freeze at her presence, and she grabbed the standing flames with long, clawed fingers. There was no skill or finesse to her actions, she simply ripped through what ever stood in her way with raw power. Another pair of arms sprouted from her torso, and gripped at more of the flames, tearing away anything that could protect her prey. Finally, with a deafening silence, the flames disappeared, over come completely. With a crackling, inhuman laughter, again she leapt forward. Denying her prey any way to escape, bringing her in close to rip and rend her flesh with impossibly strong claws and teeth. Two thoughts, consuming her mind completely, leaving no room for patience or planning, drove her forward, that the taste of this woman's death would be an incredible delicacy, and that she had wronged Tsukuyomi in and unforgivable way.

[True Refuge]

RETCONNED

Rabbit saw Quartz arrive, and as Cendre bled behind him, he turned his head and waved calmly to him. "Quartz! I'm afraid you've shown-up a little late. Soleil, one of the students, came here for reasons we are not sure of, one thing led to another, and...well...now we're all in a fight. Not sure how much you'll be able to do, since it seems quite a few of our enemies are either dead or dying, but you can always stand-by in case you're needed. We may need you to take a look at Soleil in a few minutes, as his mana may not be acting right," he answered him, though at the sight-and sound-of the gun, he had seemingly jumped a bit. He started to sweat underneath his robes and mask, at the sight of the small pistol, but he ignored it and decided to turn back to fighting. He had to finish Cendre before he could turn his back for real.

Quartz took a moment to glance around and saw the numerous dishevelled thugs hovering nervously now that several experienced Mages were in play. A few were armed; no respectable enforcer would be without a weapon of some kind, whether it was a firearm, magical or mundane. A few were slightly tipsy. They flicked their attention between the newcomer and Rabbit. Quartz raised an eyebrow at them and tapped the Cane against the old rotten floorboards.

There was no doubt a Cleaver was hovering around outside with their enhanced armour allowing them to blend into the darkness. Their Woven Razor scythe would take the thugs' life the moment they stepped out the door, shearing through flesh and bone like paper. The body would then be dragged away and the death would be covered up masterfully, and no law enforcement would ever pose a question. Such was Ruby's ruthlessness and the Cleavers' obedience.

One of them moved towards the old runesmith with a switchblade in the midst of his thought. Quartz turned to look at him, a quiet glare that nearly made him back off if it were not for the blustery arrogance of street gangsters. Quartz sighed, took his hand off the revolver's holster, extracted his bowtie and wrapped the strip of cloth around his collar. The ends rapidly twisted and entwined, tying itself into a perfect knot in moments. The black cloth whitened to take the colour of Quartz's namesake, yet it moved with his movements in the same way as silk. Quartz brandished his cane, and the end flew upwards in a sharp curve, striking directly underneath the chin. He twisted the weapon in mid-flight, activating one of many strung-together rune sequences that wrapped around the old wood. When the thug's head snapped backwards, the streaks of electrical energy were nearly visible as they coursed through his nervous system.

As the unconscious body fell, Quartz brought the Cane's end down again to crack against his skull, ensuring its victim would be gone for hours, perhaps longer.

The flicker of a white ball drew his eye, and he scowled. No respect for him or Rabbit or otherwise, no helpful warning. When the icy shrapnel flew outwards, the bowtie gleamed white, illuminating the shards that suddenly changed their path to fly around him and smack into the wall. The tie's mana faded back to normal, and Quartz looked to the last fighter or two that hadn't been hit by the shards. "Anyone that tries to leave will get shot," he said neutrally, opening his coat to show them the gun. Its runes glowed particularly bright, and the thugs cowered as the selection of doors and windows.

...

His instructions were ignored, of course, and in moments everyone except the Mages and the infernal creatures were gone in a burst of fear. Quartz let them go, it was pointless to try and differentiate between thug and innocent in the throng. At least with a small crowd rushing out, the Cleaver would not be tempted to kill any of them. One of the Memory Reconstruction experts would be around, and there'd barely be any mention of magic tomorrow afternoon.

Quartz retreated to stand by Rabbit, revolver finally in hand and aimed at the man and woman. His finger was on the trigger, and a shot would have been fired were it not for someone leaping at them. He frowned and glanced at Rabbit.

"I'm ready to look at this Soleil boy."

[Luminesa]

Rabbit saw Quartz arrive, and as Cendre bled behind him, he turned his head and waved calmly to him. "Quartz! I'm afraid you've shown-up a little late. Soleil, one of the students, came here for reasons we are not sure of, one thing led to another, and...well...now we're all in a fight. Not sure how much you'll be able to do, since it seems quite a few of our enemies are either dead or dying, but you can always stand-by in case you're needed. We may need you to take a look at Soleil in a few minutes, as his mana may not be acting right," he answered him, though at the sight-and sound-of the gun, he had seemingly jumped a bit. He started to sweat underneath his robes and mask, at the sight of the small pistol, but he ignored it and decided to turn back to fighting. He had to finish Cendre before he could turn his back for real.

Quartz took a moment to glance around and saw the numerous dishevelled thugs hovering nervously now that several experienced Mages were in play. A few were armed; no respectable enforcer would be without a weapon of some kind, whether it was a firearm, magical or mundane. A few were slightly tipsy. They flicked their attention between the newcomer and Rabbit. Quartz raised an eyebrow at them and tapped the Cane against the old rotten floorboards.

There was no doubt a Cleaver was hovering around outside with their enhanced armour allowing them to blend into the darkness. Their Woven Razor scythe would take the thugs' life the moment they stepped out the door, shearing through flesh and bone like paper. The body would then be dragged away and the death would be covered up masterfully, and no law enforcement would ever pose a question. Such was Ruby's ruthlessness and the Cleavers' obedience.

One of them moved towards the old runesmith with a switchblade in the midst of his thought. Quartz turned to look at him, a quiet glare that nearly made him back off if it were not for the blustery arrogance of street gangsters. Quartz sighed, took his hand off the revolver's holster, extracted his bowtie and wrapped the strip of cloth around his collar. The ends rapidly twisted and entwined, tying itself into a perfect knot in moments. The black cloth whitened to take the colour of Quartz's namesake, yet it moved with his movements in the same way as silk. Quartz brandished his cane, and the end flew upwards in a sharp curve, striking directly underneath the chin. He twisted the weapon in mid-flight, activating one of many strung-together rune sequences that wrapped around the old wood. When the thug's head snapped backwards, the streaks of electrical energy were nearly visible as they coursed through his nervous system.

As the unconscious body fell, Quartz brought the Cane's end down again to crack against his skull, ensuring its victim would be gone for hours, perhaps longer.

The flicker of a white ball drew his eye, and he scowled. No respect for him or Rabbit or otherwise, no helpful warning. When the icy shrapnel flew outwards, the bowtie gleamed white, illuminating the shards that suddenly changed their path to fly around him and smack into the wall. The tie's mana faded back to normal, and Quartz looked to the last fighter or two that hadn't been hit by the shards. "Anyone that tries to leave will get shot," he said neutrally, opening his coat to show them the gun. Its runes glowed particularly bright, and the thugs cowered as the selection of doors and windows.

...

His instructions were ignored, of course, and in moments everyone except the Mages and the infernal creatures were gone in a burst of fear. Quartz let them go, it was pointless to try and differentiate between thug and innocent in the throng. At least with a small crowd rushing out, the Cleaver would not be tempted to kill any of them. One of the Memory Reconstruction experts would be around, and there'd barely be any mention of magic tomorrow afternoon.

Quartz retreated to stand by Rabbit, revolver finally in hand and aimed at the man and woman. His finger was on the trigger, and a shot would have been fired were it not for someone leaping at them. He frowned and glanced at Rabbit.

"I'm ready to look at this Soleil boy."

"If he will look at you, I am sure he will be glad to oblige. Soleil?" Rabbit turned and looked at the boy, only to see his gaze was entirely transfixed on the returnee and was not even aware that Quartz was around. "...Ahh...Quartz, you would have better luck simply looking him over. I believe we are not the center of his attention right now, poor dear." Of course, as he finished speaking, his eyes turned immediately to the gun once again. "I certainly hope you are not planning to fire that into such a busy crowd," he warned him, a bit nervous. For some reason guns made the masked teacher unusually uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Soleil finally began to edge away from Rabbit, staring intently at the fight in front of him. His eyes were glued to the black mist, and he began to shudder slightly. If only he would look at him and be proud of him. If only he would see the battle scars and he would smile, seeing that he could fight alongside him. If only, if only, if only. He was hoping desperately that once all of this was over, his teacher would notice him and would welcome him with open arms, but now even he felt this would not happen.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor teleported right on time as the bar came down to the ground and was met with an onslaught of lightning strikes. He appeared next to Rabbit and Soleil, shielding his eyes from the blinding lightning. He felt like as if he was about to collapse due to the shocks he felt but his knees miraculously held on their own as his very eyes watched how a true Jaegar fights. It was bloody, messy, and brutally efficient. The way Ruta fights makes it look like the students were just playing with sticks for their whole life compared to his own prowess. Even Tsukiyomi didn't lack in the combat category despite lacking a physical form she's as savage as an Inquisitor should be.

When Allistor thought that the fight was truly over, that the two instigators were finally cornered, something happened. The black haired woman pulled her trump card, the resulting unleashed hell reminded him of what happened that morning on top of the hotel's roof. He acted on instinct, stepping in front of Rabbit and Soleil as he slashed horizontally with Mizar pointed down. "Malakí stillingar!" A blinding white forcefield rose like a wall in front of him, blocking the infernal tide that threatens to consume them. The force of impact nearly broke the forcefield but Allistor kept it up. He looked back at Rabbit and Soleil, and gritted his teeth. "Are you two alright?"

[Luminesa]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor teleported right on time as the bar came down to the ground and was met with an onslaught of lightning strikes. He appeared next to Rabbit and Soleil, shielding his eyes from the blinding lightning. He felt like as if he was about to collapse due to the shocks he felt but his knees miraculously held on their own as his very eyes watched how a true Jaegar fights. It was bloody, messy, and brutally efficient. The way Ruta fights makes it look like the students were just playing with sticks for their whole life compared to his own prowess. Even Tsukiyomi didn't lack in the combat category despite lacking a physical form she's as savage as an Inquisitor should be.

When Allistor thought that the fight was truly over, that the two instigators were finally cornered, something happened. The black haired woman pulled her trump card, the resulting unleashed hell reminded him of what happened that morning on top of the hotel's roof. He acted on instinct, stepping in front of Rabbit and Soleil as he slashed horizontally with Mizar pointed down. "Malakí stillingar!" A blinding white forcefield rose like a wall in front of him, blocking the infernal tide that threatens to consume them. The force of impact nearly broke the forcefield but Allistor kept it up. He looked back at Rabbit and Soleil, and gritted his teeth. "Are you two alright?"

"Ah yes, we are alright. As for this storm in front of us, pardon me for a moment. It looks like we're in for some nasty weather," Rabbit answered calmly. He then teleported outside of the forcefield, leaving Soleil with Quartz. Holding his hands outstretched slightly to his sides, he summoned a blizzard of his own. A torrent of water rose around him, and then he shot it straight at the wave, pushing it off of Allistor's forcefield and taking the rest of the pressure upon himself. However, he was actually using the ice to mask something else. While the flame was being destroyed, Rabbit was absorbing the mana left from the attack, allowing the mist to enter his hands while the icy torrent tore apart the fire. Eventually, the fire was put out and the darkness itself was gone, having entered Rabbit's body subtly and thus finally ending the fight. "...Ahhh...that's better..." Rabbit muttered, smiling. He then turned back toward Allistor. "All is well now, Allistor. You can drop the forcefield," he assured him, with a slight laugh.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor teleported right on time as the bar came down to the ground and was met with an onslaught of lightning strikes. He appeared next to Rabbit and Soleil, shielding his eyes from the blinding lightning. He felt like as if he was about to collapse due to the shocks he felt but his knees miraculously held on their own as his very eyes watched how a true Jaegar fights. It was bloody, messy, and brutally efficient. The way Ruta fights makes it look like the students were just playing with sticks for their whole life compared to his own prowess. Even Tsukiyomi didn't lack in the combat category despite lacking a physical form she's as savage as an Inquisitor should be.

When Allistor thought that the fight was truly over, that the two instigators were finally cornered, something happened. The black haired woman pulled her trump card, the resulting unleashed hell reminded him of what happened that morning on top of the hotel's roof. He acted on instinct, stepping in front of Rabbit and Soleil as he slashed horizontally with Mizar pointed down. "Malakí stillingar!" A blinding white forcefield rose like a wall in front of him, blocking the infernal tide that threatens to consume them. The force of impact nearly broke the forcefield but Allistor kept it up. He looked back at Rabbit and Soleil, and gritted his teeth. "Are you two alright?"

"Ah yes, we are alright. As for this storm in front of us, pardon me for a moment. It looks like we're in for some nasty weather," Rabbit answered calmly. He then teleported outside of the forcefield, leaving Soleil with Quartz. Holding his hands outstretched slightly to his sides, he summoned a blizzard of his own. A torrent of water rose around him, and then he shot it straight at the wave, pushing it off of Allistor's forcefield and taking the rest of the pressure upon himself. However, he was actually using the ice to mask something else. While the flame was being destroyed, Rabbit was absorbing the mana left from the attack, allowing the mist to enter his hands while the icy torrent tore apart the fire. Eventually, the fire was put out and the darkness itself was gone, having entered Rabbit's body subtly and thus finally ending the fight. "...Ahhh...that's better..." Rabbit muttered, smiling. He then turned back toward Allistor. "All is well now, Allistor. You can drop the forcefield," he assured him, with a slight laugh.

Allistor Abendroth

The forcefield vanished into thin air like how holograms in sci-fi movies are dismissed. Allistor sighed and looked around. Well, there isn't really anything to look at. There aren't even walls around them, the bar is effectively destroyed like as if someone sieged on it using the military. The dead lay around them like leaves on an autumn day, the rubble and debris mixing with their vital fluids. He let go of Mizar and the rapier burned to nothingness as it fell down the ground. Allistor looks like a mess, his hair sticky with blood and sweat, his suit ruined by the dirt, grime and blood, and his once white gloves are now black red. He just looks like someone who came out of a murder scene. "Sir... What are we going to do about this? We... aren't even sure that all of these dead people are in cohorts with those two... And the mundanes that saw us... We're breaking the Laws..."

[Luminesa]

"Ah yes, we are alright. As for this storm in front of us, pardon me for a moment. It looks like we're in for some nasty weather," Rabbit answered calmly. He then teleported outside of the forcefield, leaving Soleil with Quartz. Holding his hands outstretched slightly to his sides, he summoned a blizzard of his own. A torrent of water rose around him, and then he shot it straight at the wave, pushing it off of Allistor's forcefield and taking the rest of the pressure upon himself. However, he was actually using the ice to mask something else. While the flame was being destroyed, Rabbit was absorbing the mana left from the attack, allowing the mist to enter his hands while the icy torrent tore apart the fire. Eventually, the fire was put out and the darkness itself was gone, having entered Rabbit's body subtly and thus finally ending the fight. "...Ahhh...that's better..." Rabbit muttered, smiling. He then turned back toward Allistor. "All is well now, Allistor. You can drop the forcefield," he assured him, with a slight laugh.

Allistor Abendroth

The forcefield vanished into thin air like how holograms in sci-fi movies are dismissed. Allistor sighed and looked around. Well, there isn't really anything to look at. There aren't even walls around them, the bar is effectively destroyed like as if someone sieged on it using the military. The dead lay around them like leaves on an autumn day, the rubble and debris mixing with their vital fluids. He let go of Mizar and the rapier burned to nothingness as it fell down the ground. Allistor looks like a mess, his hair sticky with blood and sweat, his suit ruined by the dirt, grime and blood, and his once white gloves are now black red. He just looks like someone who came out of a murder scene. "Sir... What are we going to do about this? We... aren't even sure that all of these dead people are in cohorts with those two... And the mundanes that saw us... We're breaking the Laws..."

Rabbit turned to Allistor and nodded solemnly. "Quartz most likely has a memory charm of sorts that he can use for that. As for those we fought...many of them were not guilty of following the leader, that is true...but many of them attacked us, and that is why we had to fight back. It is unfortunate, and rather hard to tell who is a friend or not when they are coming at you with a knife and such...I will bury them. The rest of you may go back to the hotel, as I am sure you are all-"

"Professor!" Like a rocket finally being let loose, Soleil rushed away from Rabbit and Allistor, and straight for Professor Ruta. When he reached him, he immediately hugged him, burying his face in his robes as he did so. He stood there like that for what seemed to be quite a long time, finally crying silently with relief as he saw his teacher had returned and was okay. Eventually he moved his face from his robes, now pressing his cheek to them as he spoke to his teacher. "...P-Professor...I-I was worried...I-I was worried that...you would not return...I thought something had happened to you...I thought...I had frightened you away..." he breathed, equal parts remorseful and joyful to see his teacher.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Allistor Abendroth

The forcefield vanished into thin air like how holograms in sci-fi movies are dismissed. Allistor sighed and looked around. Well, there isn't really anything to look at. There aren't even walls around them, the bar is effectively destroyed like as if someone sieged on it using the military. The dead lay around them like leaves on an autumn day, the rubble and debris mixing with their vital fluids. He let go of Mizar and the rapier burned to nothingness as it fell down the ground. Allistor looks like a mess, his hair sticky with blood and sweat, his suit ruined by the dirt, grime and blood, and his once white gloves are now black red. He just looks like someone who came out of a murder scene. "Sir... What are we going to do about this? We... aren't even sure that all of these dead people are in cohorts with those two... And the mundanes that saw us... We're breaking the Laws..."

Rabbit turned to Allistor and nodded solemnly. "Quartz most likely has a memory charm of sorts that he can use for that. As for those we fought...many of them were not guilty of following the leader, that is true...but many of them attacked us, and that is why we had to fight back. It is unfortunate, and rather hard to tell who is a friend or not when they are coming at you with a knife and such...I will bury them. The rest of you may go back to the hotel, as I am sure you are all-"

"Professor!" Like a rocket finally being let loose, Soleil rushed away from Rabbit and Allistor, and straight for Professor Ruta. When he reached him, he immediately hugged him, burying his face in his robes as he did so. He stood there like that for what seemed to be quite a long time, finally crying silently with relief as he saw his teacher had returned and was okay. Eventually he moved his face from his robes, now pressing his cheek to them as he spoke to his teacher. "...P-Professor...I-I was worried...I-I was worried that...you would not return...I thought something had happened to you...I thought...I had frightened you away..." he breathed, equal parts remorseful and joyful to see his teacher.

Henry Von Kressel

And then, the amount of debris that settled upon Henry was pushed away violently, to reveal the nobleblood boy unharmed from the accident. Looking around, he saw that the fight had ended, he calmly walked to Rabbit while he buttoned the coat of his suit and straightened his tie.

"Thanks for the spear, Rabbit. It saved me quite the trouble. But... We are past the curfew line by now, and I doubt that Ms. Holstein will let us go without any penalties at all, no matter the situation that caused our delay. I'm also sure that after Soleil... Ends his interaction with Ruta, he will need medical assistance and rest. I'll talk to Kasumi when we get back to the hotel, explain her the situation and why Soleil might be off the hallways for a few hours.

But... What happened here?"

[Luminesa]

Rabbit turned to Allistor and nodded solemnly. "Quartz most likely has a memory charm of sorts that he can use for that. As for those we fought...many of them were not guilty of following the leader, that is true...but many of them attacked us, and that is why we had to fight back. It is unfortunate, and rather hard to tell who is a friend or not when they are coming at you with a knife and such...I will bury them. The rest of you may go back to the hotel, as I am sure you are all-"

"Professor!" Like a rocket finally being let loose, Soleil rushed away from Rabbit and Allistor, and straight for Professor Ruta. When he reached him, he immediately hugged him, burying his face in his robes as he did so. He stood there like that for what seemed to be quite a long time, finally crying silently with relief as he saw his teacher had returned and was okay. Eventually he moved his face from his robes, now pressing his cheek to them as he spoke to his teacher. "...P-Professor...I-I was worried...I-I was worried that...you would not return...I thought something had happened to you...I thought...I had frightened you away..." he breathed, equal parts remorseful and joyful to see his teacher.

Henry Von Kressel

And then, the amount of debris that settled upon Henry was pushed away violently, to reveal the nobleblood boy unharmed from the accident. Looking around, he saw that the fight had ended, he calmly walked to Rabbit while he buttoned the coat of his suit and straightened his tie.

"Thanks for the spear, Rabbit. It saved me quite the trouble. But... We are past the curfew line by now, and I doubt that Ms. Holstein will let us go without any penalties at all, no matter the situation that caused our delay. I'm also sure that after Soleil... Ends his interaction with Ruta, he will need medical assistance and rest. I'll talk to Kasumi when we get back to the hotel, explain her the situation and why Soleil might be off the hallways for a few hours.

But... What happened here?"

Turning to Henry, Rabbit whispered to him, "From what I understand, Soleil snuck out of the hotel to go look for Professor Ruta. I followed him downtown to this place, where I saw you and Allistor. It seems that he accidentally ran into some Jaëgar-hunters, who were here looking possibly for Professor Ruta themselves. You can always tell a Jaëgar-hunter by whether or not they brought a magic being along to help with the job, as it always takes more than one person to fight one, and usually one magical being to distract them, which I believe Cendre was. They must have mistaken the poor boy himself for a Jaëgar and decided to fight him." He looked slightly toward Soleil as he spoke, waiting for Ruta to respond to the boy. "As for you and Allistor...what were you two doing in such a rough area of town? You know both of you are Noblebloods and could have gotten yourselves kidnapped," he added. He spoke kindly to them, but his voice very much showed his concern. They were both heirs to major European magical clans, and had they been found-out, it could have meant either death or destruction for both of them, and their families, as a result.

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

And then, the amount of debris that settled upon Henry was pushed away violently, to reveal the nobleblood boy unharmed from the accident. Looking around, he saw that the fight had ended, he calmly walked to Rabbit while he buttoned the coat of his suit and straightened his tie.

"Thanks for the spear, Rabbit. It saved me quite the trouble. But... We are past the curfew line by now, and I doubt that Ms. Holstein will let us go without any penalties at all, no matter the situation that caused our delay. I'm also sure that after Soleil... Ends his interaction with Ruta, he will need medical assistance and rest. I'll talk to Kasumi when we get back to the hotel, explain her the situation and why Soleil might be off the hallways for a few hours.

But... What happened here?"

Turning to Henry, Rabbit whispered to him, "From what I understand, Soleil snuck out of the hotel to go look for Professor Ruta. I followed him downtown to this place, where I saw you and Allistor. It seems that he accidentally ran into some Jaëgar-hunters, who were here looking possibly for Professor Ruta themselves. You can always tell a Jaëgar-hunter by whether or not they brought a magic being along to help with the job, as it always takes more than one person to fight one, and usually one magical being to distract them, which I believe Cendre was. They must have mistaken the poor boy himself for a Jaëgar and decided to fight him." He looked slightly toward Soleil as he spoke, waiting for Ruta to respond to the boy. "As for you and Allistor...what were you two doing in such a rough area of town? You know both of you are Noblebloods and could have gotten yourselves kidnapped," he added. He spoke kindly to them, but his voice very much showed his concern. They were both heirs to major European magical clans, and had they been found-out, it could have meant either death or destruction for both of them, and their families, as a result.

Henry Von Kressel

Rabbit's concern for his wellbeing was always something that Henry found strange. He wasn't used to be an object of concern of anyone, which cause a slight smile to appear in Henry's face, before he answered his concerned professor, friend and counselor.

"We needed to take some fresh air, escape from the saturation of madness that the hotel caused on us. And this isn't my first time in Paris, so I knew this was a rather complicated area, which put me.on alert. And yes, we are Noblebloods, but... We can't isolate ourselves because of this. Our isolation is one of the reasons that we are in such regretful state. Also, kidnapping us would most likely cause a war, which isn't good for business and influence, mostly due to the latter becoming something extremely volatile. And... We can't simply disappear. In current times, we liking it or not, most of the people know who we are, and introductions only serve for an introductory phrase.

But... I'll skip the Sociology essay. Thanks for your concern, Rabbit, but we an avoid the danger. We are your students, after all."

[Luminesa]

Turning to Henry, Rabbit whispered to him, "From what I understand, Soleil snuck out of the hotel to go look for Professor Ruta. I followed him downtown to this place, where I saw you and Allistor. It seems that he accidentally ran into some Jaëgar-hunters, who were here looking possibly for Professor Ruta themselves. You can always tell a Jaëgar-hunter by whether or not they brought a magic being along to help with the job, as it always takes more than one person to fight one, and usually one magical being to distract them, which I believe Cendre was. They must have mistaken the poor boy himself for a Jaëgar and decided to fight him." He looked slightly toward Soleil as he spoke, waiting for Ruta to respond to the boy. "As for you and Allistor...what were you two doing in such a rough area of town? You know both of you are Noblebloods and could have gotten yourselves kidnapped," he added. He spoke kindly to them, but his voice very much showed his concern. They were both heirs to major European magical clans, and had they been found-out, it could have meant either death or destruction for both of them, and their families, as a result.

Henry Von Kressel

Rabbit's concern for his wellbeing was always something that Henry found strange. He wasn't used to be an object of concern of anyone, which cause a slight smile to appear in Henry's face, before he answered his concerned professor, friend and counselor.

"We needed to take some fresh air, escape from the saturation of madness that the hotel caused on us. And this isn't my first time in Paris, so I knew this was a rather complicated area, which put me.on alert. And yes, we are Noblebloods, but... We can't isolate ourselves because of this. Our isolation is one of the reasons that we are in such regretful state. Also, kidnapping us would most likely cause a war, which isn't good for business and influence, mostly due to the latter becoming something extremely volatile. And... We can't simply disappear. In current times, we liking it or not, most of the people know who we are, and introductions only serve for an introductory phrase.

But... I'll skip the Sociology essay. Thanks for your concern, Rabbit, but we an avoid the danger. We are your students, after all."

Rabbit blushed slightly, as Henry once again complimented him. He himself was not used to such honest, kind words from children like Henry. Noblebloods had always looked down on his kind as a sort of pet, something to keep to show their wealth. The idea that one was genuinely concerned for his wellbeing still managed to surprise him. A little shyer than usual, he responded, "...Thank you...I am just worried because...you are all my responsibility...I know you are very capable of fighting for yourselves. You both killed more in this fight than I did...It is just that...places like this are always hives for awful characters, especially those like the Mage and the vampire we just fought...I do not want anything drastic to happen to any of you..."

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Henry Von Kressel

Rabbit's concern for his wellbeing was always something that Henry found strange. He wasn't used to be an object of concern of anyone, which cause a slight smile to appear in Henry's face, before he answered his concerned professor, friend and counselor.

"We needed to take some fresh air, escape from the saturation of madness that the hotel caused on us. And this isn't my first time in Paris, so I knew this was a rather complicated area, which put me.on alert. And yes, we are Noblebloods, but... We can't isolate ourselves because of this. Our isolation is one of the reasons that we are in such regretful state. Also, kidnapping us would most likely cause a war, which isn't good for business and influence, mostly due to the latter becoming something extremely volatile. And... We can't simply disappear. In current times, we liking it or not, most of the people know who we are, and introductions only serve for an introductory phrase.

But... I'll skip the Sociology essay. Thanks for your concern, Rabbit, but we an avoid the danger. We are your students, after all."

Rabbit blushed slightly, as Henry once again complimented him. He himself was not used to such honest, kind words from children like Henry. Noblebloods had always looked down on his kind as a sort of pet, something to keep to show their wealth. The idea that one was genuinely concerned for his wellbeing still managed to surprise him. A little shyer than usual, he responded, "...Thank you...I am just worried because...you are all my responsibility...I know you are very capable of fighting for yourselves. You both killed more in this fight than I did...It is just that...places like this are always hives for awful characters, especially those like the Mage and the vampire we just fought...I do not want anything drastic to happen to any of you..."

Henry Von Kressel

"We know that you have a deep concern towards us, and we thank you for it Rabbit. Yes, places like these always hives for awful characters, and so do golden mansions. Looking at it that way, we shouldn't even deal with humanity anymore. But you taught us otherwise. And you also taught us to... Break a few rules sometimes.

And if anything drastic ever happens... I guess we'll just fight back. But now we must get out of here. This confusion certainly attracted some attention, and we have to leave before the police arrives and sees this... Complex scene. Although I am worried about Soleil, this is a matter for another time."

[Luminesa]

Rabbit blushed slightly, as Henry once again complimented him. He himself was not used to such honest, kind words from children like Henry. Noblebloods had always looked down on his kind as a sort of pet, something to keep to show their wealth. The idea that one was genuinely concerned for his wellbeing still managed to surprise him. A little shyer than usual, he responded, "...Thank you...I am just worried because...you are all my responsibility...I know you are very capable of fighting for yourselves. You both killed more in this fight than I did...It is just that...places like this are always hives for awful characters, especially those like the Mage and the vampire we just fought...I do not want anything drastic to happen to any of you..."

Henry Von Kressel

"We know that you have a deep concern towards us, and we thank you for it Rabbit. Yes, places like these always hives for awful characters, and so do golden mansions. Looking at it that way, we shouldn't even deal with humanity anymore. But you taught us otherwise. And you also taught us to... Break a few rules sometimes.

And if anything drastic ever happens... I guess we'll just fight back. But now we must get out of here. This confusion certainly attracted some attention, and we have to leave before the police arrives and sees this... Complex scene. Although I am worried about Soleil, this is a matter for another time."

"Do not worry for that. Magical matters will be dealt with by Mages alone. Nobody else needs to know. We will have to face the International Mage Committee, however, but the other teachers and I will handle that. I do hope that they will not make Soleil stand trial, anyway," Rabbit muttered. The gentle, concerned boy had been the Helen of Troy that had started the war, not to mention he himself had also killed someone, though not under his own power.

Ah, yes...he did kill someone didn't he? As this dawned on him, Rabbit looked back toward Soleil again. Such a sweet, loving child with nothing but charity in his heart, who had vomited when Virgo had been brutally killed, who cried just at the idea of people being hurt because of him, had indeed killed someone, had summoned a mana-wolf to attack a man who was blocking the door, and had been prepared to kill more. Even as he had been seemingly possessed (again) when it happened, Rabbit understood then that Soleil was truly capable of becoming a killer. All of the pain and all of the trauma could very well explode, especially if the mysterious cause of his possession during the fight was not studied and discovered in due time.

I cannot tell him...I cannot tell him that he himself killed...It will devastate him. His first kill, and he will never know how or why it happened. No, he cannot know, not ever. Rabbit sighed deeply, knowing that once they returned to the hotel, they would have plenty of work to do on the boy.

[Chrome Legion]

Elizabeth Tsukuyomi


Liz turned back and join the group from mana, flecks of blood from the woman speckled up and down her arms, and more staining her mouth. Some of the more inhuman features had faded with her blood lust. Her teeth looked human again, and claws had reduced themselves to long nails.

"They got away. That makes me very unhappy. I will have to kill them later. For now, I wouldn't worry to much about the supposed crimes we have committed here. For once the Inquisition's corruption will do me some good. When some one as high ranking as I gets involved in this sort of thing, people generally look the other way. I doubt there will be any real investigation."

[Rhomaia]

"Professor!" Like a rocket finally being let loose, Soleil rushed away from Rabbit and Allistor, and straight for Professor Ruta. When he reached him, he immediately hugged him, burying his face in his robes as he did so. He stood there like that for what seemed to be quite a long time, finally crying silently with relief as he saw his teacher had returned and was okay. Eventually he moved his face from his robes, now pressing his cheek to them as he spoke to his teacher. "...P-Professor...I-I was worried...I-I was worried that...you would not return...I thought something had happened to you...I thought...I had frightened you away..." he breathed, equal parts remorseful and joyful to see his teacher.

Antonius Ruta

The Jaegar did not initially respond to Soleil's frantic dash to his side, having been more focused on containing and dispelling the final parting gift that the two Jaegar hunters had bestowed upon them. Working in tandem with the Rabbit and Allistor, he had brought forth a black gale similar to the first and had effectively snuffed out the dark flames before they could cause any actual damage to him or the students. All throughout, his face had remained unseen beneath his hood, with only his azure eyes shining through the shadows cast over him.

Ruta's black robes were noticeably moist as Soleil brought his face to them, and as the great cloud of mist over the area was lifted and the moonlight shined upon them, they were seen to be stained with copious amounts of crimson blood, remnants of the ichor he had drowned himself in only moments earlier. The rough fabric was coarse and in bad shape, as if he had seen a vicious round of combat before this one had even begun to commence, and cuts on the man's own body could perhaps have been seen through the ebon cloth. His breathing was strained and labored, and as he pulled down his hood and revealed his scarred, weather-beaten face, even the raven's wing upon his back seemed to wither and wilt.

"I am glad...to see that you are safe...Soleil..." Ruta rasped with but a hint of relief in his voice, leaning on his greatsword for support in standing up, making it so he was unable to return the boy's embrace. His eyes, tired and weary as they always were, made him look even worse for wear. That fatherly gaze shined in them for those few precious seconds, but as Ruta blinked and finally closed his eyes to the ruinous carnage around him, his expression sobered, as if forcing himself to return to painful reality after a long, painful dream.

"...And I am grateful that the rest of you are still able to stand up on your own...But I do have one question...for you, Soleil...Why...why...of all the places in Paris...of all the damned, god forsaken cervices in this city...did you come here...?" the Jaegar asked, eager for both time to breathe out of the battlefield and for an explanation as to why the boy had been put himself, and to extension the entirety of the students here, in such grave danger. He didn't care what the reason, he wanted...No, not wanted, needed a reason why the little spark of light would wander into such a grim, twisted place where only the darkest of souls dwelt.

[Luminesa]

"Professor!" Like a rocket finally being let loose, Soleil rushed away from Rabbit and Allistor, and straight for Professor Ruta. When he reached him, he immediately hugged him, burying his face in his robes as he did so. He stood there like that for what seemed to be quite a long time, finally crying silently with relief as he saw his teacher had returned and was okay. Eventually he moved his face from his robes, now pressing his cheek to them as he spoke to his teacher. "...P-Professor...I-I was worried...I-I was worried that...you would not return...I thought something had happened to you...I thought...I had frightened you away..." he breathed, equal parts remorseful and joyful to see his teacher.

Antonius Ruta

The Jaegar did not initially respond to Soleil's frantic dash to his side, having been more focused on containing and dispelling the final parting gift that the two Jaegar hunters had bestowed upon them. Working in tandem with the Rabbit and Allistor, he had brought forth a black gale similar to the first and had effectively snuffed out the dark flames before they could cause any actual damage to him or the students. All throughout, his face had remained unseen beneath his hood, with only his azure eyes shining through the shadows cast over him.

Ruta's black robes were noticeably moist as Soleil brought his face to them, and as the great cloud of mist over the area was lifted and the moonlight shined upon them, they were seen to be stained with copious amounts of crimson blood, remnants of the ichor he had drowned himself in only moments earlier. The rough fabric was coarse and in bad shape, as if he had seen a vicious round of combat before this one had even begun to commence, and cuts on the man's own body could perhaps have been seen through the ebon cloth. His breathing was strained and labored, and as he pulled down his hood and revealed his scarred, weather-beaten face, even the raven's wing upon his back seemed to wither and wilt.

"I am glad...to see that you are safe...Soleil..." Ruta rasped with but a hint of relief in his voice, leaning on his greatsword for support in standing up, making it so he was unable to return the boy's embrace. His eyes, tired and weary as they always were, made him look even worse for wear. That fatherly gaze shined in them for those few precious seconds, but as Ruta blinked and finally closed his eyes to the ruinous carnage around him, his expression sobered, as if forcing himself to return to painful reality after a long, painful dream.

"...And I am grateful that the rest of you are still able to stand up on your own...But I do have one question...for you, Soleil...Why...why...of all the places in Paris...of all the damned, god forsaken cervices in this city...did you come here...?" the Jaegar asked, eager for both time to breathe out of the battlefield and for an explanation as to why the boy had been put himself, and to extension the entirety of the students here, in such grave danger. He didn't care what the reason, he wanted...No, not wanted, needed a reason why the little spark of light would wander into such a grim, twisted place where only the darkest of souls dwelt.

Soleil felt incredibly nervous, all of a sudden. He looked toward the group, which was watching him, and then he turned back to Professor Ruta. He was in horrible shape, and he wondered if this was the best time to explain, since he was in such pain. Yet something else inside of him told him that it was only right. This was his professor, his Headmaster. He needed to know. It was his right to know, after he had saved the boy's life once again. Taking a deep breath, he began his long and complicated explanation. "...P-Professor...I-I...you know I've been worried about you for a long time...a-and...I-I want you to know that I care...b-but...I-I was worried that you had run away because...b-because I had told you I wanted to be a Jaëgar...th-that was when I found...um...th-this..."

He reached into one of his pockets, holding his hand there for a moment as he began to lose his nerve. Gaining it back, he pulled out the old letter that Professor Ruta had kept at the top of his suitcase. "...I-I saw this...wh-when I came to bring you breakfast, one morning, and...I-I read it...th-there was a map on the back...Yona...the woman who loved you...sh-she wanted you to find another letter. Th-There was another one written, a-and it was hidden in this bar...in the lodge upstairs...So...S-So I came here and I found it..." He pulled the second letter out, still unopened and addressed clearly to Ruta. He then paused and breathed for another moment, so his anxiety would not take control and send him crashing to the ground. He was not sure now how Ruta would react.

"...I-I didn't read this one...b-but...I went to find it...b-because I thought...m-maybe while you were gone...y-you had gone looking for it too...I-I even walked around the bar looking for you, to show you I had found it for you...b-but...you weren't here...a-and...the woman inside, she thought that I was a Jaëgar...so...th-that's how the fight started...a-and...th-that's why I was here...because I wanted to help you and to make you happy..." he explained. His blue eyes sparkled frantically, as he stared at the wounds on Ruta's body and the blood on his cloak. He also noticed the bodies around them for the first time. The decapitated head nearby. All of it frightened him, though he tried to stand his ground and to not get sick. He had to show Ruta he was strong, just like him.

As the scene unfolded in front of the group, equal parts bizarre, shocking, and touching to those watching, Rabbit had stepped forward in order to look at Ruta's wounds, as he noticed he had quite a few-some of which were not from the fight that had just occurred. Yet as he listened to the story, he was also shocked. When Soleil had stolen Kasumi's pills, it had been under Ambrosia's influence. Now there was no such puppet pulling the strings. ...That is why he was here...he traveled all the way across town...for this...to make sure Yona's final wish was granted...and yet...he stole that letter to do it...Of all of the things that one could possibly do wrong to potentially anger him...

Indeed, the boy was so desperate to find Ruta and to make him happy that he had stolen one of his letters-one of the few things Ruta held dear, if not possibly the only things he held dear-and had gone on this journey across town to find another one, in a part of town the boy most likely knew was dangerous. He knew himself how Ruta would react, as he knew that all of the pain Soleil had put himself through would not impress Ruta. It would only make him worry more. Yet he wondered also if Ruta could truly bring himself to lash into this student, as dangerous and reckless as his actions had been. Please, Antonius...please go easy on him...You know what this feels like...to love someone so much you would do incredibly dangerous things for them, even if they didn't ask for you to do them...and as reprehensible as his actions may have been...love is the only thing keeping this boy alive... Rabbit silently implored Ruta.

[Saldinado]

Shaun & Dominique

Sitting in a quiet restaurant in the middle of Paris in the late of the night, Shaun and Dominique were currently sitting down at a booth enjoying a couple of the city's well known pastries and baked goods. Although a couple was an understatement knowing those two: A small table covered with numerous of macaroons, one to two bowls of crème brûlée; one for each, half a dozen of eclairs, and a large bowl of pralines. One might say that such foods were be almost near impossible to consume without having some form of negative consequences. However with these two, they were able to do so without little to no negative side effects if one doesn't count the small mess that they needed to clean up and the overall cost of the bill after they were done. And all the while, Prince was sitting outside tied up to a chair peacefully sleeping as it waited for the two boys to finish up.

Sitting across from Shaun, Dominique was trying to enjoy his meal with his friend before they headed back to the hotel before it got too late. However, his mind was on something else. After is little agreement earlier at his family's now new business, he couldn't help but think what people found in those disgusting places. And why those women would put themselves in such a position as that to where they get to become nothing but a bunch of stress-relievers. Whether or not some of them actually didn't mind it or even enjoyed it was not really in his mind. But overall, he knew that promoting such an action was something that he could never understand. He wasn't for such actions as what he did about an hour ago; yet a part of him knew that such rings as those were easily able to make money and gain info on certain people. Something that he and his family knew was crucial to their survival and where they knew where they were in this world where some are either with large amounts of power, or with large amounts of despair and overall struggle. Something that he knew all too well personally. With a deep sigh, Dominique placed his hand over his face and dragged it from the top of his forehead to the bottom of his chin as a sign of tiredness. "Hey, Shaun...." He said softly in an embarrassed, almost shy state. "I just want to let you know that I'm sorry for having you witness what you did tonight; now you see why I didn't want to allow you to come with me. I didn't want to offend or scare you. Or even worst...Hurt you." He said softly sighing as his words with filled with sincerity and sympathy. "I hope that you understand that this was for business purpose and not for complete personal gain. I do hope that you can forgive me." He said looking at the other teen with a faint smile on his face; his dark amber eyes filled with an almost apologetic expression.

Meanwhile, Shaun didn't really know how to process what he had just witness tonight. Of all the things that he'd seen or did, this one took the cake. However one thing was still bothering him: Exactly what was Dominique's relationship with one of the most powerful mobs in America? And one of the most notorious mobsters. Eating another macaroon and drinking some of his lemonade, he listened to Dominique as he apologized to him about what he made him do tonight. Hearing him sound like this made his face blush and burn up as he wasn't really comfortable with having someone apologize for something such as this. Something that they really didn't do. Trying to regain his composure, Shaun cleared his throat and looked his friend in his eyes with a shy smile on his face and tried to speak to him. "It's alright dude. I understand. It wasn't like I was being forced to participate in their...activities." He giggled before eating another macaroon. "However there is something that's been bothering me ever since. Exactly what is your relationship with Lorenzo Corleone and the Corleone family? Are you like part of their gang or something? I do hope that I don't sound too intrusive or anything; just...curious, you know?" Shaun said with a small amount of concern in those purple eyes of his.

. . .

Upon hearing his question, Dom tensed up as he didn't know how to answer it. He knew that if he were to tell the truth, that Shaun won't go about telling everyone; however he would be rather skeptical and even a little intimidated or nervous around him. And that, he didn't want. He didn't want to use his family's name as a form of intimidating people that he knew and loved. Even when threatening others with different forms of ultimatums in the past with the words 'Corleone family', he still wasn't too keen on doing so as to him, it was a cheap tactic. But if it meant that he was able to get a good deal and earn the money, then he would do it whether he liked it or not. Looking at Shaun with a now more stoic expression on his face, Dom deeply sighed and forcefully smiled at him. "I'm...I don't think that I can tell you that; if I were to, it will change everything that me, you, and everyone else have made together. I don't want it to ruin or weaken our relationship. I hope that you understand with I'm saying, okay bro? I'll tell when the time is right." The teen said as he finished his crème brûlée all in one spoonful and grinning at him.

Shoving another macaroon into his mouth, Shaun looked at him with a small amount of suspicion. He knew that there was something that he was hiding from him; however by what he was saying, apparently it is better if he were to not know just yet. Whether or not this was true was sorta complicated to him. As well as aggravating due to not getting the answer that he wanted. "Oh? We-well okay. If you believe that that's the best choice, then go ahead." He said rather nonchalantly, almost passive-aggressively as he began to idly play with his earring once again. On the inside, his heart began to beat rather quicker than usual. Although his friend across from him heard the tone of his voice and was taken aback by it, his grin soon slowly fading away and being replaced with a small grimace. Looking down at the table in his defined low, deep, sensual tone, Dominique spoke to him.

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" He said slowly. "That I should just tell you as if this were just like a little thing, huh?"

"Well, since you're my friend, I would think that you can answer my question rather truthfully and if there is a problem, we can figure it out. Is he keeping you captive or something? Why else would that monster would have someone like you around?" Shaun said with a little more force as he heard the aggressiveness in his voice.

Hearing the word 'Monster', Dominique clenched his fist tightly as he softly growled in response. "...Monster? I'll have you know that that man isn't a monster. In fact, he's the opposite of a monster. And if you must know, that 'monster' isn't holding me captive. In fact, he's the reason why I'm where I am here now. Without his help and guidance, I would probably be God-knows where by now." He said in a low, almost gritty tone. "And as for your question, some questions are better left unanswered for now. Now let's just drop it okay." He quietly growled.

Hearing the animosity in his voice, Shaun glared at him and growled as well. "Well then...I'm sorry for trying to help you."

"Well have you thought that maybe I don't need your help. Or anyone else's help at that? In fact, I can handle my own. Better than anyone else can. I don't need anyone's help." Dominique said as his leg started to bob vigorously under the table in irritation. "Yeah...I don't need anyone's help...Every time I asked for help, the only thing that people did were make the problem worst...Yeah..." The teen said a little more quietly.

Noticing this, Shaun raised an eyebrow, only to glare sharply at the one across from him. "What makes you think that you don't need any help, huh? Since when did you believe that you were so great that you didn't need any help at all? You're not special; not at all to live this far without any type of help." He said now sounding irritated.

"Why?! Because I'm Dominique! Dominique Corleone, that's why!" Dominique exclaimed as he banged his hands on his chest in as if he was pointing to himself as a tears began to fill his eyes, albeit none fell down his face. And all the while looking deep into Shaun's eyes. "I have never needed anyone's help before, and I don't need it now damnit! I can help myself because....Because...."

"Because what?! You think that just because you're in some damn mob, that you think that you're better than anyone else, huh?!"

"No! That's not the case! Even if I wasn't, I still didn't need your help! Or anyone else's! Not you, not my father, not Rabbit, not anyone! I am my own solution to my own problems, whether you like it or damn not!" He yelled as he stood up at looked at Shaun, who reciprocated the action by getting up as well and staring the other teen with icy-cold eyes.

"Do you really just say that? What gives you the right to just think that you can just say such stupid things and get away with it? You're no different from the rest up us! You will need help sooner or later, whether you like it or not you son of a bitch!"

"Says who?! I never needed any form of help to begin with! Especially not from someone such as the likes of you!"

"...And what do you mean by that?" Shaun said tensing up even more.

"Oh don't try to play coy! I know what's been going on! You can't even help your own damn self, so you turn to everyone else for guidance rather than facing your own problems head on! You would rather lean on someone such as Soleil and drag him down with you rather than deal with it yourself!" Dominique said with such sheer anger. Although whether or not he meant it was up to debate.

Being rather taken aback by it, Shaun walked up to Dominique and stood right in front of him, looking up at his dark amber eyes with his light purple ones as both pairs were full of anger and tiredness. "And is that so? Well then...I hope that you know that that boy is the main reason why I get up and see the sunrise every morning and set every night. Without him, I only God knows where I'll be, so if I were you, I would watch what you're saying and take that back. Right. Now." He growled.

"...I would do you the honors of saying that I apologize for bringing Mr. Rise into this conversation; he was never meant to be part of it and has my up most respect. As for you." Dominique said leaning down closer and touching Shaun's forehead with his. "You will take back what you said about my father being a monster. It's because of that man that I can see the sun rise and set. Just like he is your beckon of hope, he is mine's; whether you or anyone else likes it or not. Now...Do you want to do the honors of starting it off, or are we going to have any problems." He growled back.

"I would rather die than say anything similar to what you want." Shaun then backed up and dug in his pockets before pulling out some money and throwing it on the table and walking towards the exit; but before he left, he turned to face Dominique once again. This time with a look full of anger, but at the same time doubt. Was he really feeling this way, or was this all just a bunch of new emotions coming into play. Sighing and shaking his head, Shaun spoke once last time to his friend before heading out. "Goodnight." And with that, he walked along the the sidewalk; alone and in the dark.

"Goodnight. And I'm...I'm sorry." Dominique said softly as he watched as Shaun left him and deeply sighed in anger as tried to stop himself from being overcome with emotions. Taking out his wallet, he took out a large wad of cash and threw it on the table next to Shaun's and quickly exited the restaurant and grabbing Prince and picking him up before walking in the opposite direction of Shaun, softly sniffling. "I'm sorry...I was only trying to help you and everyone else." And just as Shaun did, Dominique and Prince walked off into the Paris night alone.

[Rhomaia]

He reached into one of his pockets, holding his there for a moment as he began to lose his nerve. Gaining it back, he pulled out the old letter he had kept at the top of his suitcase. "...I-I saw this...wh-when I came to bring you breakfast, one morning, and...I-I read it...th-there was a map on the back...Yona...the woman who loved you...sh-she wanted you to find another letter. Th-There was another one written, a-and it was hidden here...So...S-So I came here and I found it..." He pulled the second letter out, still unopened and addressed clearly to Ruta. He then paused and breathed for another moment, so his anxiety would not take control and send him crashing to the ground. He was not sure now how Ruta would react.

"...I-I didn't read this one...b-but...I went to find it...b-because I thought...m-maybe while you were gone...y-you had gone looking for it too...I-I even walked around the bar looking for you, to show you I had found it for you...b-but...you weren't here...a-and...the woman inside, she thought that I was a Jaegar...so...th-that's how the fight started...a-and...th-that's why I was here...because I wanted to help you and to make you happy..." he explained. His blue eyes sparkled worriedly, as he stared at the wounds on Ruta's body and the blood on his cloak. He also noticed the bodies around them for the first time. The decapitated head nearby. All of it frightened him, though he tried to stand his ground and to not get sick. He had to show Ruta he was strong, just like him.

Antonius Ruta

Ruta's eyes grew wide with plain shock upon seeing the white page emerge from Soleil's pocket, his cold gaze transfixed on the letter. Once bitter and warrior like, the Jaegar's azure eyes looked upon the white piece of paper upon which that same emblem, a black dove flying on one wing, was emblazoned, the same symbol that his dear Yona had been so fond of in youth, and the one Ruta had adopted in remembrance of her. Sorrow, grief, longing, anguish, and heartache played across his eyes, like a child who was attending the funeral of a loved one that he had so dearly cherished. Seeing that mere mark was enough to bring it all back, from the first moments he had known her to the last...

Closing his eyes and trying to ignore the grueling pain of his wounds, physical and emotional, the man could barely find the words to accurately describe how he was feeling as of this moment. Soleil, who had been so eager in his quest to soothe Ruta's suffering and misery, had resorted to stealing his most treasured possession and nearly been killed in the process to see it through. Even if the boy was blissfully unaware as to the consequences of his actions, the thought of the boy putting himself through such an incredibly dangerous ordeal as this one only brought the Jaegar more pain inside, knowing that that his own negligence was to blame for all that had happened tonight...That his own idiocy and ineptitude had nearly killed Soleil Rise.

"...Soleil...I understand your desire to help me...to 'heal my soul'...and to ensure that everyone around is...as happy and content with life as they can possibly be...but none of that...is worth anything...to me especially...if it means that you...or anyone else was put in harm's way...to achieve it..." Ruta croaked harshly, his grip on his sword growing looser and weaker by the moment. He practically forced himself to stop and pause, as if to do more than he already was would strain his already stressed vocal cords, yet still his words sounded angered and dismayed toward Soleil.

"What you did tonight...though I appreciate it...was nothing less than irresponsible...And for this...I do wonder...if you were trying to...to get yourself killed..."