The morning air was chilly on Zenith. The harsh breeze tangled through Helia's long blue hair as he stood out on the balcony to his room. He wanted to admire the view of the planet but it would have to wait until he was better attired; at the moment he had only thrown on a pair of thin exercise shorts.

Turning back into the room he headed back towards the bed he and Flora were sharing. Barely covered, Flora was laying naked on her stomach, snoring softly. Her face was off the pillow but turned towards him so he could see her full mouth parted slightly and her thick eyelashes swept down over her cheeks. She looked like a beautiful tanned cherub and just seeing her made Helia want to write romantic poetry but he knew he would never do her justice.

Since he had opened the balcony door, cold air had swept its way into the room and he saw her shiver momentarily as gooseflesh blossomed across her body. Helia sat down next to her and tried to cover her with the sheet but it was helplessly tangled in her legs. It was still really early and he didn't want to wake her but he didn't want her to be cold either.

Staring at her trying to decide what to do, he brushed her tangled hair out of her face and smoothed it off her back; it fell in long beautiful brown waves across the bed. Looking down he caught sight of one of the scars on the back of her shoulder. He brushed his fingers across it before kissing it and then doing the same to the long gash on her lower back just to the left of her spine. These were just two of the many scars that now marred her body. While Musa and Flora both had pretty much the same scars they dealt with them drastically different. Musa never tried to hide her scars and showed them off to anyone who was brave enough to ask about them. Flora however was extremely self conscious about her scars. She couldn't do much to hide the ones on her hands but she never wore middrifs or tank tops anymore and if ever someone mentioned what they had went through she would get quiet and look away.

After she had woken up after those long months, it had taken her a while before she had been able to be intimate with him again. He understood because he assumed it had something to do with the pain of losing their child but when she had requested that first night that he turn the lights off he knew it was for a different reason. He refused to turn the lights off and he kissed each and everyone of her scars while she cried that night. He hated seeing his flower in pain but he didn't know how to make her understand she was still beautiful and shouldn't be ashamed of her scars.

Gradually she had gotten comfortable enough and she no longer tried to hide herself from him. This was the first time she had allowed herself to sleep naked in his arms till morning since she recovered. He couldn't help himself as he leaned over her and kissed all the way up her spine, his long unrestrained hair falling like a curtain on either side of his face and brushing against her back. She shifted onto her side and curled into the fetal position after his kisses had reached behind her neck just where her hair began. Still asleep her lips came together in a pout and she let out a little groan. She was lying on one arm while her other hand dangled off the edge of the bed.

Helia decided she was too cute to move and he would let her continue sleeping like that while he showered and got ready but if she was still asleep by the time he got out, he would have to wake her up. Getting up from the bed he made his way to the dresser they had stuffed their clothes into and pulled out a pair of light brown cotton pants and a green long sleeved peasant top. He didn't think they would be training or fighting anyone today so he figured civilian clothes was a good way to go.

He tried to take as long as possible in the shower but even with the tedious process of washing out his hair he only took about 30 minuets to get ready. He was dressed but still toweling his head dry as he walked back into the room. Sure enough Flora was still sound asleep but she had rolled onto her back at some point. He sat back down on the bed and threw the towel across the room into a high-backed chair. The scar on her stomach was the biggest one on her body completely covering the right side of her belly from bellow her naval to bottom of her breast. She was still absolutely perfect to him.

"Flora… sweetheart. It's time to wake up" he said as he shook her shoulder. She grumbled and tried to roll away from him but Helia held onto her. "No you don't. Wake up Flora, we have less than an hour until were supposed to meet up with our friends." He kissed her on the mouth until he felt her start to kiss him back and then he pulled away slightly. Looking down at her he saw she was finally awake and she reached for him again. As they kissed Helia wrapped his arms under her back and pulled her into a sitting position.

"Good morning Helia." Flora said in her sweet voice and brushed her nose against his in cute little eskimo kisses.

"Good morning my flower" He said and smiled at her lovingly. Her arms were wrapped loosely around his neck and she tried leaning in for more kisses.

"come now Flora, you need to shower and get ready" She made the puppy dog face at him while she climbed into his lap.

"and what if I just want to stay in bed with you all day?" she countered and combed back his wet hair from his face. His face was now cupped in between her hands and she kissed him again. "Ill skip a shower today, there's more important things id like to do with you right now"

Her voice was like a soft caress against his lips and he was losing the fight to remain cool. He officially lost when she said sweetly "Think you can fuck me in less than 20 minuets?" and licked the tip of his nose.

She laughed out loud with a high squeal as he rolled her over onto the bed "Flora I only need 3 minuets to fuck you" he growled and then started kissing her breast. Slowly he made his way down her body until he reached the v of brown curls between her legs and spread her open before him. He ran his finger through her folds and he felt her jerk. Looking at her core he could see she was still swollen and red from last nights 3 act play, he knew they didn't have time this morning for a proper encore and if they tried shed probably just be in pain.

"Flora my love… I don't want to hurt you."

It wasn't until he had touched her down there that she realized how sore she was. Normally his fingers were smooth and liquidly against her but just now they had felt like abrasive cotton. She was disappointed but she knew if they did anything with her in this state it would just make her worse. "Okay sweetie… we wont do anything this morning but I refuse to go a day without you inside of me." She said and laid her hand lightly above his groin.

Catching her wrist in his hand he brought it to his mouth and kissed down her forearm. "Tonight, My love. I promise" and with that he picked her up off the bed and carried her into the bathroom laughing. Setting her on the edge of the tub he turned the water on for her, kissed her on the top of her head and then left her to her shower.

Going over to his suitcase he pulled out his sketchpad and some charcoal and sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed. At first he was just drawing a random bird from memory but then he looked towards the bathroom door which was still open. He stared at the shower with his mouth open and his heart soared. Some of those glowing blue plants from the hallway were in the bathroom and they danced off the water like beautiful blue sequins. Her entire body was covered in them as she washed herself in the shower.

Flipping the page blindly in his sketchbook he began drawing before he even consciously realized it. The black of the charcoal didn't quite have the same effect as the dazzling blue of reality but it still looked amazing. She looked iridescent and sensual as he drew her with her arms up into her hair like she was washing it. The blue looked darker in the places that they ran over her scars and the one on her stomach, when shaded in his sketch almost made her appear swollen slightly. It didn't make her look fat, he just stared at it like she was swollen with his child. The thought occupied his mind as he continued to draw absentmindedly.

The doctor didn't say it was impossible for them to conceive they just kept telling them that it was "highly unlikely". Helia was going to remain optimistic and trust they would be lucky in the future. Except of course if Flora was in any danger. Even if they were lucky enough to conceive a child, if there were any chance whatsoever Flora wouldn't survive the pregnancy they would abandon the pregnancy… they had already had a long fight about the matter but in the end she had agreed with him. Worst case, when they were older they would just adopt a child. For now they were content with worshiping each other.

"Wow Helia… is that me?" He hadn't noticed but Flora had finished her shower and was leaning over on the bed to peer at his drawing. She was wearing a a lose fitting green and white stripped baby doll top that hung off the shoulders and high-waisted white jeans.

"Yeah I just saw you and you looked absolutely stunning." He said and flipped the sketchbook shut and slid off the bed to set the sketchbook and charcoal on the dresser. "I didn't mean to stare"

"It's fine, I like it when you stare" Flora said as she brushed her wet hair up into a pony tail in the mirror.

He slipped on a pair moccasins and joined her at the mirror. She was now fidgeting with the sleeves of her top and he knew it was only a matter of seconds before she gave up and put on a t-shirt of some sort.

He put his hands on her upper arms and kissed her from the curve of her neck to her shoulder. "You look perfect Flora"

She looked at him dubiously in the mirror and turned towards her suitcase likely to get something to change into. Helia stopped her and spun her to face him but she refused to meet his eyes. "Flora look at me honey" he begged and she looked at him timidly.

"You. Are. Perfect. Flora, please don't try to hide your scars." He emphasized each word and looked at her sadly

"Im not hiding them…" she mumbled and looked away.

"Flora we both know that you are. I want you to be comfortable in your own skin and it pains me to watch this every morning. That outfit is adorable. You are adorable. You don't have to change anything." Her lighter colored bangs framed the side of her round face as she pouted, getting ready to argue. "Flora do you know what this entire group of people have been through? We've fought countless monsters and traveled to wild terrains over the years. We've been beat to hell and we all have scars covering our bodies. You've seen the ones on me up close but all the others have them too. We don't try and hid them, if they show, they show. And you don't have to hide them either. No one is judging you."

"I know no one is judging me Helia it's just… when I see them it makes me feel this crushing sadness and its overwhelming because I don't remember getting most of these… I came so close to leaving you and I wouldn't have even gotten to say goodbye and that scares me Helia. Im not hiding them from other people I'm hiding them from myself."

He wiped a tear from her eyes and tucked her to his chest. "My love… I understand how you feel… I do… I just don't think hiding them will do anyone any good. We all remember what happened. We will all always remember what happened and not seeing your scars wont keep us or our friends from feeling anger about what happened. Or sadness for letting you and Musa down."

"You didn't let us down Helia… it wasn't anybodys fault but king mikahls."

"I know that Flora" He cradled the back of her head in his palm and tilted her back to kiss her sweetly. When he pulled back she was red and he was turned on again "Just try the shirt today. Ill bring a sweater if its too much for you but just try please."

She stayed quiet but then nodded, her hands still gripping onto the front of his shirt. He removed her hands and kissed each one before he let them fall to her side. "Okay put some shoes on and then lets go meet up with our friends, I'm pretty sure were late."

After slipping on a pair of green flats she followed Helia out the door. Once they were in the hallway they discovered that they weren't the only ones running late. Unsurprisingly Musa and Riven were just crawling out of their room which was right next to theirs.

"Well, well, well, look who's running late" Riven jeered.

"Hey your running late too Riven" Helia pointed out

Musa laughed "Yes but were always late… hey cute shirt Flora!"

Flora blushed but didn't make a move to pick up the straps so Helia figure it was a success "Thanks" she mumbled and grabbed onto Helia's hand.

"Alright lets go" Riven said and jerked his head towards the end of the hall "Maybe since were walking in late with you guys Sky and Bloom will keep there faces shut for once"

"No one gives you guys grief anymore, we all just figure you two got distracted and are off somewhere humping like rabbits. A correct assumption too based on your neck" he turned wide eyed towards Musa as they began walking "What on earth did you do to him last night."

"I cant say" she replied coly and threaded her arm through Flora's free one "Unless you want me to give sweet Flo here some ideas."

Riven chuckled "Come back over here you wicked siren" and when she had her arm around his waist and his arm was around her shoulders he mocked whispered "remember all that wall banging last night, they don't need anymore ideas." They both smiled and laughed as Flora and Helia blushed crimson.

"You heard us?!" Flora yelled "Why didn't you knock on the wall or something?"

Waving a hand dismissively Musa said "Please! Were all adults here. We know what happens behind closed doors at night. Though I have to say you guys fuck more than we do."

Helia looked towards the sky "Dear goddess… don't you two go spreading that stuff around. Some of us like to keep our sex lives private."

Riven and Musa grinned wickedly at each other "sure thing man" Riven said as they walked ahead of them but it wasn't very convincing.

Walking behind them after a while Flora tugged on Helia's hand to get him to lean down so she could whisper "… are we still down for tonight?"

Laughing Helia just said "Of course my love, just ignore those two they're probably just jealous. Even with that impressive hickey on Riven's neck I didn't hear much wall banging did you?"

Flora giggled and admitted she didn't just as they reached the meeting room where their friends and the prince were waiting.

"Nice of you to finally join us guys" Sky chastised but otherwise didn't say anything on the matter.

Riven had sat down on a chair across the room and Musa had jumped unceremoniously into his lap even though there was an empty chair to his right. To their left Thoren had his head in his hands and Nex was straight up passed out asleep. Layla and Roy were laughing and shh-ing each other while drawing on his face with, what Helia hoped, wasn't a permanent marker.

"With you guys being late and Nex and Thoren being hung over, this is not the company of light that we wanted to show the prince" Bloom said, not willing to let it drop "LAYLA! ROY! Knock it off!" she yelled loud enough to wake Nex up. The two culprits laughed and made a beeline for their seat before Nex saw them; though Roy tripped and landed straight into Tecna's lap.

"Shit! Sorry Tecna!" and then he rolled out of her lap and continued on to his post next to Layla still laughing.

Helia tried to keep himself from laughing too as someone, probably Roy, had drawn a penis on Nex's forehead. Thoren looked away from him and groaned "Damn Bloom don't yell so loud" as he rubbed his head.

"That's what you get for getting so black out drunk last night!" Bloom said and crossed her arms with a "Hmph"

"Why is Bloom so mad?" Flora whispered to Helia but it was Stella who answered, seated on her left next to Tecna. Brandon and Timmy standing behind them. "Thoren stole her phone and drunk dialed Daphne… apparently she doesn't approve."

The Prince coughed and tried to shush the room. Everyone was either groaning, laughing, yelling, or gossiping. No one heard him and it wasn't until Sky blew his fingers loudly like a whistle that quiet filled the room.

"oooow man"… Nex complained angrily.

Ignoring him Sky gained control of the meeting. "Today were just going to talk with the Prince about how the antechamber works, well exchange information with him and then were gonna spend the rest of the day watching feeds of the planet. Pull yourselves together and try to behave. This is an official mission."

They all grumbled their apologies before the Prince began to speak. "I don't know much about King Mikahl, all I've heard has been through rumors and speculation. When you first told us that he traveled here no one knew why, no one saw him, but then rumors began popping up the he had family in the Bottz district and was squatting with them. Naturally we had the area searched but we found nothing. I watch the feeds in the Antechamber from time to time as im required to do as Captain of the Royal Guard but I have never seen his face on the screens."

"That's strange" Tecna said out loud "did you watch feeds from the bus station?"

"Yes. I analyzed those personally, pin pointed the specific bus you have record of him boarding, but there was no sign of him. All we know for sure so far was that he boarded a bus to Zenith. Trans realm busses don't make stops so its impossible that he got off somewhere else so… were stumped."

The Prince admitted this weakness and it did wonders to soften up the company of light to him. So far they've heard the rumors about him but he seemed inadequate and unsuspecting in every way. A criminal killing for the crown would never bow to anyone and admit shortcomings.

"Well…" Sky said "That's pretty much all we know about his whereabouts as well. As far as what your dealing with here if he is on Zenith… King Mikahl is essentially a psychopath. He is a self proclaimed King of a civilization that is now missing. We don't know if he relocated them somewhere or what but when we went back to Kanuse no one was there. As far as the man himself, he is wanted for the murder of 100's of people. He mostly targeted fairies so he could display their bodies in a cave like some sort of trophy, if anyone else got in his way though, he had no trouble killing them too; regardless of species or gender. Just keep your ears peeled for any young fairies going missing in the area."

The Prince looked unsettled and agreed that he would be extra vigilant for reports of that nature and then asked if they were ready to see the Antechamber. Sky agreed and then they all filed out of the room after the Prince.


"Im sure Tecna has told you all about the Antechamber"

"She's told us some things about it" Sky confirmed "But there is still a lot about it we don't know."

"Well, about 10 years ago Zenith was going through a tough time with crime rates rising. Even in the richer districts we were finding bodies around corners and no one felt safe to walk around without either a body guard or a gun. The King, my father had the idea to use the cameras on computers already put into place, and have cameras installed where there were none, so that every inch of Zenith was under surveillance 24/7. Crimes could no longer be committed as there no longer was any privacy to do so" The Prince's accent came out thicker and his head was held higher as he continued "Of course other people think of this as some sort of intrusion but there was an almost unanimous vote to have it activated. It was not done without the people's consent I can assure you. Since then crime has virtually disappeared on Zenith, after rounding up some ruffians in the beginning that is."

"So is there like, camera's in every room?" Brandon asked

The Prince smirked "If your asking about your own room then the answer is no. Only half of the castle's rooms have cameras and that is only in the servant areas. Your room along with all of the royal bed chambers are camera free"

Brandon made a sound like he was contemplating something but never continued because they reached the Antechamber.

The room was big and round with computers covering half the space. The other side contained 4 different doors, one of which they stepped out of It was dark except for blue lights surrounding the doors and computers making them look like otherworldly portals.

Lord Lucien came through another one of the doors and exclaimed "Your Highness! Ive been looking everywhere for you! Theres urgent business for you to attend to! Come quickly!"

"Is everything all right?!" Layla asked

Waving a dismissive hand he said "Yes! Its not an emergency or anything, just some diplomatic business to attend to with the realm Necros."

"If its not an emergency, Lucien, why did you rush in here yelling like a mad man" The prince chastised "And I thought I told you to always knock before entering the Antechamber?"

"Im terribly sorry your highness I just… I just… I thought you would want to know..." Lord Lucien stammered and apologized while wringing his hands; which was kind of ridiculous to watch as he was such a tall stringy fellow.

"I'm terribly sorry" The prince sighed "Tecna and Jimmy can show you all how to use the Camera's I'm sure. You are all welcome to stay here until 5 everyday. After that I'm afraid ill have to kick you out because ill need it to do my work with guarding the planet. Now if you'll excuse me I have some not so urgent business to attend to." And with a bow he and Lord Lucien left the Antechamber, the door clicking shut behind them.

It was quiet for a while as they all looked around the room until Sky asked "Well? Tec? Timmy? Wanna show us how to use these things?"

"Sure" going to each screen Timmy turned them all on "Theres 100 cameras attached to each computer. With 60 computers in this room that equals about 6000 different cameras."

"only 6000? That covers the entire planet?" Roy asked incredulously.

"No that's only the ones the king had installed." Tecna replied. "The 2 computers over there are used for hooking up to a camera in a personal device. Like other computers, registers, ect."

Musa let out an impressed whistle "Well… where do we start? We can't possibly keep an eye on so many cameras"

Sky of course already had a plan. "were just gonna have to try our best to keep our senses open. To make sure were alert well divide into two groups and take hour long shifts. First up well have Me, Bloom, Nex, Thoren, Brandon, Stella, and Tecna. The next group will be Helia, Flora, Timmy, Layla, Roy, Musa, and Riven. Timmy and Tecna I'm sorry for splitting you up but it makes more sense to have one of you guys in here at all times who knows how to se these things. Well work 9-4 everyday and meet in one of our rooms every night to discuss what we all saw. Sound good?"

Timmy of course wanted to argue but he knew Sky was right, they all agreed and they split off into their groups. Timmy gave Tecna a quick peck goodbye while Tecna stayed with the first group and Timmy followed the second group back outside the door they came through.