As expected, the only thing I could barely see in the darkness was my companion. I realized then, with a short intake of breath, how fragile we were. As much as I loved being Elyos, I would've given my house for a pair of Asmodian eyes right now. Lucky bastards. I was left dreaming in this state, until one of Ahnek's long wings made contact with my face and I came back to reality.

"Ouch! What was that for?"

"Shh! Be quiet. Those furbacks can be close. We really don't need them figuring out our location because your pretty nose is bleeding."

That was rude. I tried to poke him in the ribs, but it would've helped if I could actually figure out where his ribs were. I heard his wings beating, a sign he was close. That made me calm down a little and readjust my own flying rhythm, synchronizing with his. Well, beside the cold air and darkness specific to the Abyss, this wasn't so bad after all. Here I was, with my crush near me, both alone, and I was silent. I mentally facepalmed myself.

"So…what did you think about that fight earlier? Those scratches must hurt as hell."

I silently cursed myself. From all the potential subjects I could bring on here, I speak about his wounds and my failure. As expected.

"Yeah, they do. But not something good healing and a drink can't mend. What about you? Did you get hurt?"

Beside a few bruises, I was fine. Exhausted, thirsty, hungry and with barely any magic left in my body, but hey, I was alive. Not that he had to know. I flew closer to the flapping rhythm.

"I'm perfectly fine. You defended with great skill. Good job and, ahem, thank you for protecting me ."

"Not as well as I would've wanted, honestly. But that stays between you and me. I have a reputation to keep."

What happened with the old, arrogant Ahnek? Maybe the Balaur enchanted him? Possible. After all, it happened before, in Hamerun's case. I'll ask Sugar to check that out later. Mental poisons were as powerful and dangerous as psychical ones. I was daydreaming again, only to be brought back, once again, by the gladiator.

"Hey, do you see that? It looks like an island!"

"Where?"

"Right before, slightly on the right side. Let's check it out. Maybe some Shugos are hiding there and can supply us with information."

I changed my direction, flying to the direction he pointed out. Only to stop in midair, suddenly jerked back by a hand that somehow, got placed on my back, now clutching the expensive robe. And that was followed by an unnecessary dragging back. I just left myself being pulled, too tired to complain.

"What was that?"

"Look in front of you."

I did as told, only to sight a meteor quickly passing in front of me, crossing the space I occupied a few moments ago. I retreated even further from the killing heat and blinding light, folding my wings back and forming a vice grip on his neck, now that I could see him clearly. He was a gladiator, surely a few pounds won't disturb him.

"Um, thanks?"

"Do you even pay attention to your surroundings? Your scouting skills, and your peripheral vision to start with it, are a messed bunch. Are you sure you're feeling well? You seem distracted."

He didn't have a clue. But his scolding had a point. I was starting to feel a dazed. Don't tell me…

"I'm not feeling that great, actually. Just a little dizzy, tho. I'll be better if you give me a few moments."

"You see, we don't have a few moments. We could be ambushed any moment. Speaking of that, any idea where the rest are?"

I opened my eyes, realizing I closed them as a reaction to the light. He was right. The dredgion was nowhere near to be seen, probably gone far away, together with our kisk. Trying to bring my knees closer, I felt one of his arms sneaking under them, his other arm now holding me in what for all reasons seemed a bridal style position. Circumstances different, I would've felt ashamed. Now I couldn't give a damn. I was feeling worse, and I could bet that blasted Balaur was the reason. He somehow poisoned my magic, which was at the moment swirling inside me like a tornado, or at least what was left of it. I barely held any control.

"I'm sure they're okay, Ahn."

"It's not them I'm worried about. Let's check that blasted shard of rock. I can't fly much longer with you attached to me. Just try to stay awake."

One weak nod from me and he started flying. We went that way for one or two minutes when he finally stopped. Still in the air. I looked at his black eyes, filled with…was that doubt?

"Now what?"

Wait. I could see his eyes. That wasn't a good sign.

"Brace yourself."

And that was the last warning before we fell on the harsh ground, his weight pressing on my already weakened form. I dragged my body a little further from Ahn, forcing myself in a standing position. At least that I was still capable of doing. He did the same. Was he…stumbling? No. He doesn't have magic. Just coincidence.

"What happened?"

Instead of responding, he looked forward. Following his glance, I sighted the subject of his worry. Twenty meters ahead, a big campfire was slowly dying. Around it, four forms were deep asleep. A fifth one, placed a little closer to us, who was probably the guard, was snoring. The mane of silver hair on his back confirmed their identity. Asmodians. Great.

"What do we do now?"

"Let's take a look. Maybe they have something that can help us. But be quiet."

"You go ahead. I'll try to follow."

"Still feeling dizzy?"

"Yeah."

"Fine then. Come."

One step, then another one brought us closer to the furback nearby. At first sight, it was a woman, gray hair and pale skin, clothed in a leather suit. The bow nearby confirmed her class, Ranger. Beside the weapon she had no valuable item or anything that could make her more dangerous than she appeared. Maybe concealed knives? However, her face contorted into a frown, her breath slightly accelerated. She was probably having a bad dream.

"Take that bow. If she wakes up, at least we won't be killed with arrows from a hiding state."

Easier said than done but, apparently, they were asleep for a long time, as she had no reaction whatsoever when Ahnek removed the weapon from her person. He then gave it to me and, after I placed it in my cube, we approached the others. These ones held their weapons close, so there was no chance to take them without waking anyone. Three men and one woman, from a closer look.

The girl held a grimoire clutched to her chest. A sorcerer or a spiritmaster? A spiritmaster would've placed a spirit to guard the group. Sorcerer then. She had fine traits, a blueish skin that complemented them and a blond plated hair, held in braids. Her robe, blood red, was a quality one compared to the archer's suit, enwrapping her skinny form. She looked fragile. But as in every mage's case, appearance could be deceiving. Her cube was placed a few meters near the owner, covered with white marble. An expensive one. Around it, a circle of runes protected the small object, a trapping spell, meant to alert the caster when the target is touched. I didn't risk to take it. Ahnek's whisper distracted me from the spell.

"Found anything?"

"Not yet. This one, a sorcerer, protects her cube with spells. Unless someone breaks it, we can't retrieve what's inside. In my current state, it'd take too long."

"Come here."

He was currently studying one of the guys, Priest from the staff on his back. His skin was white as paper, his hair and mane both black as night making him look pretty handsome. His chain armor was a deep blue, showing the good quality. The tranquil expression on his face showed that he had very pleasant dreams and no intention of waking up whatsoever.

"Found anything interesting?"

"Yeah. His cube was unprotected."

A caster leaving his items exposed? Strange.

"Did you open it?"

"Not yet. I thought we'd better look inside together."

"Not now. Let's look at the last guys. I don't know what curse awaits us inside that block."

He nodded and placed it back near his body. We slowly approached one of the last two fighters. This one, assassin after the black daggers resting at the waist and expensive black leather suit, seemed to be their leader. His hands were reached out in the direction of the heat, like he was preparing to claw someone. Near him, a pile of wood rested probably to keep the fire burning. His cube was placed on one of the hips, near the dagger. Around him, various pieces of paper were scratched on the ground.

"Grab the pieces, Ahn. I'll try to assemble them later with magic."

That reminded me of the already worse condition of my body, that as any mage, held very little resistance to poisons. My magic, on the other hand, seemed to stop hurling in my body like a tornado. Instead, I could feel it getting weaker, exactly like the fire nearby. My magic, being strongly bound to my life force, often told me when I was sick. I hoped this wasn't the case. Dying without an obelisk nearby was the nightmare of any Daeva. I couldn't Vanish. Not now. I felt weak, and I knew it won't be long until I'll fall, fainting and most likely leaving Ahn alone in this enemy camp.

The last guy was the most interesting. Slowly approaching him, I observed he didn't have his shirt on. In some cloth pants, without a weapon in his possession, his class was unknown. His chest was covered with bandages.

"He's hurt."

His skin was grey, pale and slightly tanned, an unusual sight on Asmodians, making him a creamy color very close to the Elysean one. His hair was the golden, giving him the appearance of a desert prince. His face was now contorted in what I could only guess as either a nightmare or pain from the injuries. Near him was a small bag made from Ruko fiber. Why this one used a bag instead of a cube, I couldn't imagine.

I would've really liked to know him, and all these people for that matter, when they were awake. I wanted to chat with them. As a Chicken (that Rawrs at Asmodians), Moon made sure I knew Asmoth fluently, hiring several scholars to learn me. She said it was useful to know the enemy's tongue. Of course, as a fellow legion mate, Ahnek knew Asmoth too.

It proved really useful in Balaurea, when I first got into Kamar and, without any Elyos around, I stopped an Asmodian that was passing by and kindly asked her if she knew how to get to the Elysean part of the city. I remember even now her surprised, then worried face she showed hearing Asmoth from as they call us, 'pigeons'. At least she helped me reach the Broker. That, again, showed me that Asmodans weren't as bad as it was said. They could be quite helpful at times.

"What do we do now?"

By now the poison already clouded my sight. I tried to keep awake. Ahnek throwed me a worried glance, focusing on me. So foolish to let yourself distracted when surrounded by the enemy.

"We could try to…"

I held my breath. He did the same. For now the two daggers that we spotted earlier were pressed at our necks, the brown haired haired assassin now breathing in our backs. He woke up. Awesome, as my imminent death wasn't enough . I risked to turn my neck, watching him in the eyes. Those were a charming blue, unstained with the red glow Asmodians used to have in battle, now focusing on my face, probably surprised I dared to move. That showed how calm he truly was, probably feeling safe as we were outnumbered. His lips held an amused grin that made me a little unsure about their intentions.

"You're not going anywhere, pretty pigeons. Welcome to our camp."


And, that's the second chapter. As promised, we make contact with the Asmodians in this one. I'm not very proud of this, actually I think it turned out unbalanced, but I really needed to reach the meeting point somehow, and this was the first thing I thought about. The romance never was and most likely will never be my strong point, but as I was said, attracts many teens, so I tried to add it there.

A big, big thank you goes to 017Bluefield, my reviser (not sure I spelled that right) for pointing out every single typo and mistake I do. Atm he's working on chapter 1, that is unrevised till now. Also, thanks to every single player on Israphel who whispered Moon about her role in the story, even if just for asking "Are you that Moon, from dat story?". You guys made her a perfect b-day gift I never got to give her. Lyunna, also thank you for support, both ingame and here. Lady, my 'royal adviser', is currently in a trip far away from home, so I guess we won't hear too soon from her. And finally thanks to everyone who read, rated, reviewed, followed, faved and spread the news ingame about this fic.

I'm sad to tell you I'll leave for a few weeks, beggining from 15th August I'm going on a trip until 1st september and I'm not sure I'll have any internet there to publish. My laptop stays home, anyway. I will try to post more chapters, so you guys will have something to read while I'm gone relaxing. What I want you to remember is that the updating program will be very, very messed up until school begins. Then I'll see how fast I can write.

Until next time, walk in Ariel's light and Asphel's shadows! And good luck at killing Ballaurs^^! Just remember: Asmos were once our friends. And that's all I've got to say.