Every time I write these stories I get stuck...and I mean every time.

These were some of the good days, days where everything was so simple. It went exactly as planned, we hopped through the portal with haste and arrived at the dark fortress where Icaronix was hiding, and I took lead and fought through many guards. I couldn't risk getting the others killed though, and I eventually had them fly up and over the other side of the wall while I took care of the outside.

When we all finally met up inside the fortress I made sure everyone was well rested before giving instructions.

"okay here's how it goes, these guys we are fighting are elites, so we need everyone to fight together to take them down got it?" not only was I giving them the best instructions to getting through this, but I was teaching them a lesson as well, something that would help them in future situations, it's part of being a leader. "Mabohn and Kaleesiah, you two are going to be the healers for us okay?" at their nod I continued. "Hackfield you'll be upfront with me, I should be taking most of the agro but in case any of them stray I need you to keep them away from the others." he grinned enthusiastically at me and I looked over at Cpt. "Cpt you are our main focus of damage, try to stay out of range from our enemies because they'll try to take out the one doing the most damage, when it isn't me." when they all got situated I turned my back to them. "I'll take lead, because I'm stronger I'll try to take most of the agro, now let's do this." and with that we began our descend.

It didn't take long, our plan was successful and we had no casualties, only now we were looking at the hard part. We had just gotten into the center of the fortress, where from a distance you could spot the traitorous Icaronix. The lower floor was covered in Lepharist Revolutionaries, most grouped in twos, usually healer and fighter or healer and mage. I looked uncertainly at the large number of enemies an back at my team, who were already beginning to tire.

"I don't know if we can do this alone." I told them, I knew we could if we tried hard enough, but I didn't want to risk it. As if on cue a letter carrier shugo appeared in front of me holding an envelope, which it produced to me quickly. I opened the letter carefully to see it was from SaitoGremory, a friend of mine from the legion 'On Wings of Sin'. I skimmed the letter with my eyes.

To: Malchiel

From: SaitoGremory

What's up Mal? I heard you brought some of your legion mates out to catch ol' Icaronix, send me a message and tell me how it's going will ya?

The Shugo handed me a slip of paper and a pen and I quickly got to work writing a note.

To: SaitoGremory

From: Malchiel

Good to hear from you Saito! We are actually in a jam right now, not sure if we can get through the rest of these guards let alone Icaronix. I'm sure if we try though we might make it, but if you have the time perhaps you'll help us out?

I folded the note and handed it to the shugo who disappeared quickly, I sat back against the wall with the others with a sigh, the shugo returned very quickly however, and when I took the note from it I laughed at the response.

To: Malchiel

From: SaitoGremory

On my way.

I focused my aether to trace Saito's, looking to form the same bond with his as I did my legion mates before entering the fortress. As my aether searched for permission it was quickly accepted, and suddenly My mind and Saito's were linked in a temporary aether bond. His voice sounded through the bond as soon as it settled.

"Mal? I'll be there shortly okay?" the way his aether fluttered with worry made Malchiel giggle in amusement, focusing her aether again she sent him a response.

"you don't need to rush Saito, none of us are hurt or in danger, we are all just a bit tired from all the fighting." I made sure to send a wave of reassurance over the bond, letting him know we were all safe. After that I relaxed again, Saito had more experience than I did and was far stronger. He is a gunslinger like Cpt, bright blonde hair that matched how mine did before it was dyed white. Saito was at least a foot taller than me, which he made sure to point out whenever he could.

We waited a bit for Saito to arrive, when he did I handed leadership to him because I had my turn. It was time for someone more experienced to take the lead.

during this I am level 61 and Saito 60, the reason why I say he is more experienced is because his first toon is a level 65 sorcerer T_T he was also keeping his gunslinger at 60 so he could do dredgion still,

I waisted no time with that and I sped to 61 as fast as I could XD which I now regret since I'm slowly progressing from rank 3 when I spent a bunch of AP on MY gunslinger...oops _