When Alia didn't return in a while, Shien started to get nervous. The Kasadrassil wasn't so far, what could possibly delay her? At the moment she took her coat and decided to look for her, the door to their room opened and Alia silently entered. She was even more down than days before.

„What happened? Are you alright?" Shien asked carefully.

„I...," Alia sighed and sat on her bed. „It seems I have a very strong talent to make the Shedim lords angry."

„Come on, you are a nice person? Why would anyone be angry at you? Wait, did you say Shedim lords?"

„Yes. Lady Lumiel just told me I'm cowering in a corner and whining and using my origin as an excuse for my incompetence. Is that true, Shien? Am I really that terrible? That incompetent?"

„Of course not, you are wonderful person!"

„So... lady Lumiel was lying then?"

„Ah, Alia, don't do this again. I know you are not perfect, but no one is. I have my mistakes and weaknesses too!" Shien tried to comfort her.

„I know that, but..."

„I get it, you want me to comment that statements of lady Lumiel, right?" she asked and Alia nodded. „Okay. So... I'll try to think about it, but that really hurts, you know? Hm... She's right. But only partially. If someone you care about is in trouble or just needs something, you are brave and awesome and you do everything you can to help. But as soon as you got into trouble or you need something, you turn into completely different person. I've been wondering about it, but I think you are just too kind. You should care more about yourself. And don't hesitate to ask me for help, we're friends, right?" she smiled.

„Thank you, Shien. But I don't think I deserve to... care about myself."

„Of course you do? Why do you think you don't?" Shien frowned. „Unless it's because you were a raider, right? Ah, I thought so! I know some people were less than friendly because of it, like my mother, for example, but it was a long time ago! Here in Kurngalfberg no one cares! And remember the fortress in Reshanta? Or Primum before that? No one cared either, everyone loved you because of who you are, not what you've been before! I know you are afraid that they will laugh at you or reprimand you for it. But if they do, so what? If they laugh, they are idiots. If they reprimand you, then apologize formally and ignore them. Believe me, Alia, it's not something you should worry about."

„You are saying that like it's something easy," Alia doubted.

„It is easy! I know it. Do you have any idea how many times I have been called spoiled child of Pandaemonium? How many times they thought I can't even light a candle and I'm somewhere just because of my family's connections? They changed their minds after I set their asses on fire," she laughed. „At least they respect you, because you achieved everything on your own. Without connections or things like that."

„But I can't set things on fire," Alia objected, but with a smile.

„No, but you can heal the burns."

~ x ~

In Asmodae, there was never a true day. Only the part of night that was not as dark as the rest. But over centuries, the Asmodians have adapted. In that faint light they could see as clearly as any Elyos could in true daylight.

The next morning after their touching conversation Alia got up early. Carefully she approached Etun, the Elim not unfriendly to mages in the Kurngalfberg. Etun was much younger than Kasadrassil, but he was still Elim. She needed his knowledge about them and how to wake them up. She remembered well the grief and despair of Elims in Morheim when they found out their mentor Belemu won't wake up. She hoped it will be different here. After all, Kasadrassil was just frozen, not petrified.

Their conversation was very long. Etun asked many questions that didn't seem important to her, but he demanded answers in order to determine whether he can trust her or not. Long after the breakfast, which she missed, she finally learnt something useful.

„Kasadrassil can be awaken if enough of our brothers call to him. The Elims possess the ability to give part of their life essence to someone else. Five of them will be sufficient. Bring me four and I shall give you mine."

~ x ~

„Good news, Zikel, she doesn't hate you, she's just afraid of you," Lumiel entered the room. „Oh, Triniel, I didn't know you were here."

„How is that good news?" Zikel frowned. He knew damn well Lumiel could sense the presence of Triniel here.

„It's up to you to find out," she smiled. „I have to go, Gelkmaros awaits. Take care. Bye," she created a portal and disappeared.

„She?" Triniel asked curiously.

„None of your business. What's with the Asteria that was so urgent you needed to tell me now?"

„She?"

Zikel glared at her.

„You can either tell me or not. If you won't I will send my spies to find out what was she talking about."

„If I see any of your spies near her, I will kill them all."

„Don't worry, Zikel. You won't see them," the Lady of Death smiled. It was much scarier smile than Lumiel's.

~ x ~

Each member of Kistenian's camp was awarded with one free day once per week of service. Or two days per two weeks, if someone needed to travel further than one day journey. Fortunately, Alia's destination was in Morheim, with the help of teleporters and flight transporters she reached Kellan's cabin in less than two hours. She didn't like the idea of spending so much kinah on just transport, but she had only one other option. Walk all the way from Kurngalfberg through the passage to Morheim's Crash site, then across Red Lava cliff and mount Musphel. That road was too long and there were numerous dangers on it from the angry kalgolems and lava basilisks to Lepharists. And she really didn't want to meet the Lepharists.

She reached the trio of Elims in the Patamor Thicket and when they noticed her, she bowed respectfully.

„Wise Anoramas, Keindor and Nabaru, I have a request for you," she said.

„You may speak," Anoramas bid her.

„The Elim in Kurngalfberg, Kasadrassil, is frozen. I wish to awaken him, but as I was instructed by wise Etun, I need five Elim essences in order to do that," she explained. „I am asking you to provide your essences so I can awaken him."

„Only one of us can give you the essence at a time," Anoramas replied. „We draw our strength from the earth and it cannot sustain three weakened Elims. We regain our full strength in three years from now, that will be the time you may come again."

„Thank you for your generosity," she accepted a small ball of red Elim essence and bowed. She put it carefully into her bag and walked back towards the Kellan's cabin and the flight transporter. She had no idea where could she get the other essences, this was the only place she knew besides Kurngalfberg where the sentient trees resided.

„Our last encounter didn't go much well," a familiar voice brought her back to reality. She turned her had towards the sound and saw the man standing in the shadow of huge rock.

„Lord Zikel," she knelt immediately.

„Get up," he ordered her. „I want to talk with you. But this place is too public. Go this way," he nodded to the path leading to mount Musphel. „And keep right. I will wait for you there."

„Yes, my lord."

He spread his midnight-black wings and flew up above the cliff. She obeyed and walked the path he vaguely described her. After several minutes of searching she found him sitting on a stone and impatiently waiting.

„I apologize for the delay, my lord," she wanted to kneel again, but when she saw his look, she remained standing.

„I believe I have told you something about the apologizing and the title," he reminded her.

„Yes, you did. What do you wish to speak of?"

„Don't be afraid of me. I'm not gonna hurt you," the tone of his voice suddenly change to gentle.

„I am not afraid of you, m... it's just..." she sighed. It was very hard not to say 'I'm sorry' or 'my lord' when she thought it was appropriate. „I don't understand your motives."

„You don't need to understand," he got up from the stone and came near to her. „You just need to accept it."

„Accept what, my lord?" Damn.

„This," he lifted her chin and kissed her again. This time it was more then their lips touched. The kiss lasted for several seconds and Alia again felt the new sensation. Somewhere deep inside her she didn't want this to end.

„Did you like it?" he asked.

„I... I guess..." she blushed. „I will have to try it few more ti... um..."

He didn't even let her finish the sentence. He embraced her tightly and kissed her passionately. After short moment of hesitation she embraced him too. Her mind clouded, her heart was beating fast. When Zikel finally looked at her, she thought she was drowning in his dark red eyes. And then again she realized who was just kissing her.

„What just happened? What am I doing?" she stepped away from him in beginning panic.

„I kissed you and you apparently liked it," he grunted. That change in her behaviour confused him.

„Yes, I did, but... please, forgive me, my lord, I have no idea what should I do, I was never taught..."

„Calm down."

„Yes. As you wish," she took a deep breath and risked looking at him. He wasn't smiling, but he wasn't frowning either. More likely he was thinking about something.

„I want to keep this secret," he said. „For now. If we ever meet in public, act like you have been taught. Did you tell anyone about our last time?"

„No, I didn't. Just... lady Lumiel was asking..."

„Yeah, she can ask very shrewdly. Don't mind her," ha waved his hand. „When will I see you again?"

„You will not order me to come?"

„No. Do you think it would still be a secret if I ordered you to come any random day I could choose? I believe you have some schedule in Kurngalfberg. If you want to see me again, tell me when."

„In seven days from now I will have a day off."

„Good. Then come to Giants valley. There is an abandoned cottage, it's almost right above the Mahisha's nest, right after a broken bridge. Be careful, the aether is not strong enough in that area, not every daeva can fly there. The cottage is hidden well, only few know about it. I'll wait for you there. Then we'll really talk."

„Is... is this an order?" she asked shyly.

He watched her for several seconds in silence. Then he kissed gently her and said: „No, it's not an order."

He unfolded his wings and flew away in a direction to Morheim Ice fortress. Alia stared at him until he disappeared. Her legs felt so weak and she heavily sat on the ground.

„Did I just..." she muttered. Did I just settle a date with lord Zikel? Her thoughts were whirling chaotically and she couldn't believe what just happened. After a long while she calmed herself down enough to stand and return. From her way back to Kurngalfberg she remembered nothing at all.

„It's good to have you back, Alia," Shien greeted her when she entered their room. „So? What the Elims said?"

„Who?" Alia seemed confused.

„The Elims. The grumpy talking trees, you know? That's why you went there, right?"

„Oh, yes, the Elims," the healer took off her coat and found the red sphere in her bag. „They couldn't give me more than one essence. They said I can come in three years for another. But... I know only of these three in Morheim and Etun here. That means I should wait for three years to attempt to awaken the Kasadrassil?"

„Whoa, this is awesome!" Shien couldn't take her gaze off the essence. „It contains aether and magic, but it's different from anything I've ever seen! This is really amazing! Uhm, there must be another Elims somewhere. Let's go to Pandaemonium library next week, there must be a book about them."

„Well, Shien... I... can't go with you next week," Alia said a bit nervously.

„Why not? We have the same day off. Unless you have different plans already?"

„I do," she blushed.

„What? But yesterday you said you have no plans!"

„It... changed today."

„Really? What happened?" Shien came closer to her and watched her red face. „Is it a date?" she asked seriously. Sometimes it looked like she was obsessed with the idea of her friend finally having a date. „Really? You have a date? That's awesome!" the sorceress hugged her friend tight. „Tell me, who is this lucky guy?"

„Uh, lucky guy?"

„Or is it a girl?"

„Of course not! He's a man! But... lucky?"

„Sure. I've already told you that you are a wonderful person. And if someone invited you to a date and you accepted, he must surely consider himself very lucky! So? Who is it?"

„I'm sorry, Shien, but I can't tell you," Alia refused sadly.

„Why not? Come on, tell me."

„I really can't. He doesn't wish it."

„What? He doesn't want you to tell me who he is?" Shien frowned.

„Not you personally, Shien. I can't tell anyone. Please, don't ask for this. I promise that you will be the first one whom I tell everything I can if he allows."

„If he allows?" the red-haired sorceress was shocked. „Should I remind you that if he hurts you, I will burn him to a crisp?"

„Oh, no, it's not like that! I didn't mean it like that! He is very gentle," Alia blushed again. „Please, I really can't tell you now, but I will do as soon as I can."

„Alright. I will trust your judgement," Shien decided. „But I will be practicing some fire spells in the meantime."

~ x ~

The next six days were passing by with a snail's pace. Alia was barely paying attention on her duties and thus was scolded several times. She usually apologized and forced herself to focus and everything was alright. But she still had her doubts she could not get rid of. The kiss, lord Zikel's words, everything was too good to be true. She was afraid of the moment she will wake up.

„Enjoy your date, I'm off to Pandaemonium," in the morning of their free day Shien wished her luck. „I'll try to find something about the Elims, but, ah, that depends on how long my mother will want to interrogate me."

„What? No, Shien, you don't have to do that," Alia looked at her in surprise. „If you wish to spend all the time with your family, then..."

„I would rather not," Shien interrupted her. „You know, I am the white wing of our family. I'm going there just because of my little brother, he seems to be still fine. But you know my mother, she's obsessed with such boring things like protocol, nobility and stuff like that. I won't bother you with such things. You have a date, so focus only on that."

„But... what if I do something wrong?" Alia was still uncertain.

„You won't," the sorceress winked at her. „Just calm down and everything will be fine. Take care. Bye!"

„Bye," the brunette smiled and when her friend's portal disappeared, she sighed and looked at her modest collection of clothes. After a while of useless staring she picked one at random, dressed up and left the camp. She walked the road to north, to Kidorun campsite and every few minutes she turned and checked she was not followed. Just before she could be seen from the campsite, she changed her direction, she climbed a steep slope and reached the Giants valley. It took her few minutes to find the correct way to the broken bridge. She saw the map, but the reality seemed to be a bit different. For example the map didn't mentioned the altitude. When she finally got there, it was easy to jump across the bridge. There she spent another several minutes with searching for the cottage. It was really well hidden. She knocked on the door.

„Get in," a voice from inside told her.

She obeyed and entered the hut. The interior was nice and warm. Zikel's plate armor was shunted into one corner. That was all she could notice, as he locked the door, embraced her and kissed her. She felt like the world was spinning around her.

„I missed you," he whispered.

She wanted to say I missed you too, but no words could pass her lips.

„Come, sit," he led her to a wooden bench. It was old, but solid. Apparently the cottage wasn't abandoned for too long or someone took care about it. „Wine?" he asked. She nodded shyly and he poured a goblet for both. „I've been thinking," he started. „Are you afraid of me?"

„I... I'm not afraid of you, my lord."

„Alia, I have a name too, if we're alone, call me Zikel," he said seriously.

„I will try."

„Good. Now back to my question. You're afraid that I'll just have fun with you and then cast you away. Right?"

„I... I can't find any other explanation of why would you be interested in someone like me," she admitted.

„I'm not interested in someone like you. I'm interested in you," he looked into her eyes. Green and filled with confusion and doubts. „Don't fear. I won't do that."

She nodded.

„I've done that before. Once. It was many centuries ago. She couldn't bear the shame and went to the Abyss to die far from any obelisk that could resurrect her. I won't do that."

„I believe you, m... Zikel."

The next few hours they spent talking and occasionally kissing and drinking wine. After the fist glass Alia was more relaxed and their conversation got smoother. At the end they agreed on day and place of their next appointment, he kissed her for goodbye and she left the cottage. Her mind was dazed, half by the wine, half by today's event. Carefully she descended to the road leading to Kurngalfberg. She didn't dare to glide, as the wine seemed to be a bit strong. The path back wasn't too long, but it helped her clear her head. By the time she arrived to the camp, she still had few hours before dinner, but as she had no lunch she was already hungry. With a sorry face she grabbed some leftovers in their small kitchen and while eating on her way she hid herself in her and Shien's room. She fell to her bed and for several moments she wasn't able to do anything besides staring at a ceiling and pondering whether today was real or not. A date with lord Zikel... She pushed those thoughts aside and took her notes to read her and her predecessor's research about awakening Kasadrassil again.

When Shien returned, she was already deep in her studies.

„Phew, it's good to be back," Shien exhaled and fell to her bed. And immediately she sat and looked at her friend. „So? How was it? Tell me everything!"

„You know I can't."

„Okay, then not everything. Just something. Did you kissed?"

„Yes," Alia blushed.

„How many times?"

„I've lost count."

„Whoa, he must be really something, errr... someone," Shien giggled. „So?"

„So what?"

„Tell me more! You know how my dates went. Every time it ended with someone on fire. Literally. I want to know how a good date looks like."

„Well," Alia looked at the floor. „I came there. He kissed me and told me he missed me. Then we were talking. And then he kissed me for goodbye and I returned here. How was your day?" she tried to change the subject.

„Ah... my brother is doing fine. He joined the Fenris's Fangs a month ago. And they didn't even wrote me a letter about it!" Shien was irritated. „And my mother, bah, she decided I'm old enough to get married with someone with more titles than I know spells. And don't you dare to say I now only fireball. She thinks marriage will bring me to senses. She will be disappointed when she finds out I disagree. But I've found something very interesting about the Elims."

„You did?"

„Sure!" the sorceress smiled. „There is one in Brusthonin, he's called Neligor. He should be easy to reach as he's in the Balthasar Hill village. Other, Triminos, is in Reshanta on the Sulfur Archipelago. Once we capture the Sulfur fortress, it shouldn't be too difficult to reach him. But I have to still work on how we'll know the fortress was captured. The Balaur have it now, as far as I was able to find out."

„Thank you for that, Shien, but I still need one more. I don't..." the world around Alia spinned and for a moment she couldn't see anything.

„Are you alright?" Shien asked carefully.

„Yes. I think. I'm just tired, I guess," she replied when everything returned to normal. „Did you find anything else?"

„I did, but you won't like it," Shien said sadly. „The only other Elims are in Elysea. To be precise, in Poeta, Eltnen and Heiron."

„That's bad."

„It's not so bad. We'll think of something, don't worry. And now it's a dinner time. Let's go!"

~ x ~

During the next week, the faint which caused her sight for few seconds to drop out, appeared twice. In both times Alia examined her state for possible illness, but found nothing wrong. And quick, simple healing spell was enough for her to feel alright again, so she decided it was fatigue after all. She told no one, she didn't want Shien, and definitely not Zikel, to worry about her. So in the morning of her day off, before she traveled to Besfer refugee camp, she cast an ongoing healing spell to make sure she won't collapse in front of him. Their meeting place was entrance to Alukina's palace. On her way from the camp she gathered various herbs, not only because they were useful, but they could also serve as an excuse should she meet someone. Zikel appeared when she was carefully extracting a pale herb from the snow and rocks on the last crossroad before the palace. She knelt, as she didn't know whether he was followed or not.

„Right and up," he said while passing by and entered the palace. She picked few more herbs and followed him. Alukina's palace was overwhelming, Alia lost her breath for a moment and at first she wandered in the direction Zikel told her without finding him. After she ascended above the surface, she saw him sitting on one of the numerous coral platforms. Even though she just emerged from water, neither her clothes nor her hair or skin were wet. And she wondered how was she able to breathe there. She landed beside him and let her wings disappear. He got up, embraced her and gave her a long welcome kiss. Before she reached him he put his breastplate off so she now felt the warmth of his body instead of the cold of the metal. She wore no armor. She tried that few times before, but it restraind her movements and disturbed her concentration way too much.

They sat and for a while they remained quiet. Alia still couldn't summon the courage to speak first. Just before the silence became embarrassing, Zikel asked her several innocent questions, like how had she been during the week, if she likes this place, if she'd been on some places she'd never heard of. This time she became able to speak even without help of the wine.

„Can... I have a question?" she asked shyly when the day reached to the evening.

„What is it?"

„Is there... a way for me in Kurngalfberg to know when we, Asmodians, capture the Sulfur fortress? I... will need to visit it some day."

„Why?"

She told him about her work on the awakening Kasadrassil and the Elims who would help, but those solely in Asmodae were not enough. He promised her he'll let her know when it's safe for her to travel.

The shadows became darker. They agreed on the next day and place they'll meet, kissed for goodbye and Alia returned to the frozen city with unusual peace in her soul and some herbs in her bag. Again, Shien wanted to know everything about the date, but Alia told her nothing at all and just smiled mysteriously.

~ x ~

As the days and weeks were passing by, Alia and Zikel met several times. At waterfalls in Altgard's Gribade canyon, in the icy maze of Beluslan's Frozen Spirit valley, in the depths of Ishalgen's Munihele forest, in mountains above Morheim's Salintus desert, they never visited one place more than once. Zikel was still paranoid about Triniel's spies.

Shien was usually awaiting her friend's returns to find something more about the mysterious man who apparently stole Alia's heart.

Despite her attempts in healing, Alia's condition got worse. In addition to sudden fatigue her hands started to shake and she begun coughing. Every time she managed to heal the symptoms before anyone noticed, but she still couldn't find the cause. As if this wasn't enough, she felt guilty for neglecting the frozen Elim. One day she finally found the courage and asked Zikel to meet somewhere in Brusthonin, there was still the Elim she needed to talk with.

„Wise Neligor," she carefully approached the Brusthonin's Elim. „May I have a request for you?"

„What brings a dying daeva to this old tree?" he asked.

„Dying?" Alia was taken by surprise.

„Yes, the daeva is dying. Slowly. Painfully, the Elim can feel it. Does she seek the cure?"

„No," she responded afer she regained her speech. „Not for me. I am asking you for your essence, wise Neligor. As I was instructed by wise Etun, it is the only way how can we awaken Kasadrassil, the Elim who was frozen in Kurngalfberg."

„Can I trust the daeva that she will not use the essence to improve her health?"

„If I am dying, then so be it. I will search for my cure after I successfully awaken Kasadrassil," she said, her voice determined.

„The daeva is young, but with a good heart. It brings the Elim the memories... The daeva has the old tree's trust. Accept this essence and use it wisely."

„Thank you," Alia bowed, put the essence to her bag and went to the flight transporter to take her to the Iollu overlook ouptost. There she went up along the near stream. She barely noticed the forest around her. The words of the Elim still echoed in her head. She's dying. How much time she has? Could he be wrong?

There was no one at the waterfall where she should meet with Zikel. She panicked for a moment that she'd chosen the wrong day, but then she saw the familiar midnight-black wings. Zikel glided to her, caught her around her waist and carried her to above the waterfall. The aether there was too thin for her to fly, but not for him. She reminded herself again that he's a Shedim lord, his power vastly exceeded hers.

„Did you wait long?" he asked after the welcome kiss.

„No, I just..." she saw a wounds on his left arm and waist. „You are injured! Please, sit down, I will heal you immediately."

„No need, take this," he gave her a small package. She opened it and saw golden spehere of great power.

„This is... the Elim's essence?" she looked at him. „But... how? Why?"

„The Sulfur fortress has no imminent meaning for us, so I went directly to the tree. That... creature was incredibly annoying, but it gave me the essence at last. That's why I'm late," this was the best what he could say as apology. 'I'm sorry' wasn't in his vocabulary.

„I... I don't know what to say..." she smiled, but tears appeared in the corners of her eyes. „Thank you very much, it... means a lot to me. But... that means you got injured while retrieving this?"

„There were some Balaur," he admitted. „I killed them all."

„Please, let me heal you," she asked him with concerns.

„Fine," he nodded and sat.

She stored the essence in her bag and helped him to undone his armor. She blushed when he took off his shirt, but she immediately begun with the healing. The dim light coming from her palms eased his pain and calmed the body and he could feel the wounds closing.

„This is the best I can do," she said after several minutes. „I'm sorry, I don't have the proper... um..."

He kissed her before she could finish the sentence.

„You did good," he whispered and shifted so she was now lying on the ground, he beside her. „You are perfect."

„I..."

„You are perfect," he repeated.

They kissed again. He carefully caressed her body, even though his fingers had claws, his touch was gentle.

„I've been thinking," he started suddenly seriously. „I don't want to hide you anymore. I want you to come to Pandaemonium."

„Pandaemonium? But I... I... don't... can't..."

„You have still doubts," he said. It wasn't a question.

„Yes," she looked at grass beside her. „A-about myself... Not about my feelings, I know what I feel, I'm happy with you and... and I want to be with you. I never want to leave you... never..." she remembered the words of the Brusthonin's Elim and tears appeared in her eyes. „But I'm afraid. I'm not... The... the people in Pandaemonium will never accept me..."

„They will," he said with a tone that allowed no objections. „And if they don't, ignore them. I will deal with them."

„Thank you," she smiled. It was a forced smile, she couldn't tell him about the Elim's suspicions. She tried to convince herself that Neligor was mistaken.

„Good," he smiled to and kissed her. „I have to make some preparations. I'll let you know when you will come."

„I'll be waiting," at this moment her smile became genuine.