I'll post here, damned if they remove my story or not. It's just easier for my fans.

Chapter Ten:

The towering stone structure that was ORPHAN towered not far in the distance now making Lightning slow Odin considerably. Fang was thankful for the chance to catch up, considering how quickly Odin moved compared to the steed she'd been given. Once the two women settled beside each other, their horses in a slow walk, Fang decided she could get a few more prodding questions in before the princess shut her out completely once more. This, of course, was all just an obviously futile hope since Lightning seemed to dodge every question anyhow.

"I didn't know you could use magic as well, that seemed more something Serah had potential for." Lightning didn't respond as per usual. "You could talk a little Sunshine, it's good for the soul to get a little off your chest before something stressful." Lightning turned to shoot a glare in her direction at the use of her unwanted nickname. "Fine, suit yourself."

"Do you ever stop smiling?" The question caught Fang off guard.

"No, not really."

"Well learn to, it's almost infectious like the plague and I wish to be rid of the urge to grin like a love struck teenager that's just had his first kiss." She bit out, clicking her tongue for Odin to stop. She slid off one side of the saddle.

"I shall redouble my efforts since that would be quite the sight sunshine." Lightning just gave a groan, muttering something beneath her breath as she merely left Odin there. That trust with her horse was admirable, but Fang found it best to tie her own to a nearby tree before following the princess.

ORPHAN Tower, a prison for the magically gifted at current. Fang remembered when it was far from something that was seen with so much hatred. In fact when she was little Vanille had almost convinced her to train there as well. She hadn't really had any gift for magic but Vanille had been highly talented so she'd almost conceded. Soon after that the guards had begun to sweep through the city, destroying families and causing more screams than the bandit leader dare count. She didn't wish to be here, but seeing as it was the only way to continue their lead they had to enter.

The instant they stepped foot upon the premises a loud horn was sounded, forcing Fang to clasp her hands over her ears. Lightning merely tugged her along, her hand tight against Fang's folded arm with her other hand drawing her blade. Fang had managed, somehow, to begin to ignore the infernal ringing the horn had caused in her ears long enough to click her lance together from her belt.

"Princess!" A voice called out, Fang noting the man in a light robe. She could barely make out a few bits of his face as he practically ran up to the two of them. "We weren't expecting you here!"

"I heard some very unsettling things about my orders and I came here to see if they were true." She sounded and Fang seemed to be rather impressed at that. "I wished to see if those things were true."

"Oh Eden, what could you possibly be hearing?" He looked genuinely worried about it.

"Like that you happen to be gathering up all those capable of magic under orders of Barthandelus." She nearly growled, Fang having to admit that it was almost sexy. If the situation had not warranted seriousness she might have made a comment, or at least a little pass at the princess.

"I-I can assure you nothing of that sort is going on here!" Lightning pushed passed him, shaking her head at the shakiness to his words and actions. She knew something was being hidden from her and she was going to find out exactly what that was. "I can't allow you in your highness!" He shouted and set himself between her and the door.

Lightning was in no mood for games, seeing as how this appeared to be one. She raised her sword to his chest and stared into his eyes, daring him to not allow them to enter. A tendril of fire shot from his hand, Fang jerking Lightning back so instead it seared the cloth of her sarong just over her shoulder. Her injured shoulder was already aching in the first place and the heat of that was making it all that much worse. Lightning pulled away from Fang and dug her blade into his chest, one smooth sweep and he crumpled to the ground. Her gaze had turned into a furious glare towards the robed body now at her feet.

"Lightning..." Fang began but Lightning held up her hand for silence.

Fang watched her push open the large wooden door into the tower and followed her closely. She kept her lance raised in case of another confrontation but what assaulted her ears next was far from the shouts of guards she had expected. The cries for freedom and screams brought tears to her eyes, not sure how Lightning managed to keep a straight face. She had though, even when she had seen the rows and rows of now barred rooms where the young magi must have been placed. They'd been stripped of their family and friends to be brought here, likely not even out of their rooms since their capture. It was heartbreaking.

"I've never forced a soul into these walls, it was always an open door for young magi but now..." Lightning paused, her steps were slower than normal as she raised her blade in front of a door. "Now Barthandelus has ruined my parents' work!" She shouted as the blade came down against the wood, splintering it and causing a shriek from behind the door.

Fang had forgotten Lightning was able to use abilities of her own, augmented strength was a simple one. But where were all the guards? This many people able to use magic had to be kept under some kind of watch unless something was done to weaken them severely. Fang got her answer when the student staggered out of the room, collapsing into Fang's arms and forcing her to drop her lance. He looked like he hadn't eaten in weeks, or barely given water for that matter.

"We need to rescue more of them." Lightning gave a nod to Fang's words, letting out a harsh breath.

"Right." She decided to start down the hall, one by one smashing doors until she sat halfway down the corridor breathing harshly. "This tower is immense. We won't be able to save enough on our own." She looked up to Fang who had managed to guide a few of the stronger students from the tower. "There are more guards as well I'm assuming, but without a proper warning system they will be searching floor by floor for us."

"And they're not searching from the bottom up why?" Fang was as gentle as possible in throwing one of the malnourished children over her shoulder.

"You secure your most important people and work down. If there were a warning bell in the castle I'd venture up to my sister's room and then go from there." She pushed herself to fully stand and sighed heavily. "That's all we can take for now, how do they look?"

"Little food, little water, it'll help." She let Lightning lead the way back to the door so that the princess could look over each of the students, minus those on her shoulders.

The look of them was almost enough to break Lightning. They were clad in rags, tattered and caked with dirt and whatever else she dare not think about. Most of it looked like it may have been the color robes Serah had been given when she was a child, but you couldn't really tell with all the wear to it. Seventeen, that's all she'd managed to break out from the tower before she'd exhausted herself. At this pace it'd take them a year just to get halfway up the tower. There had to be thousands of children, men and women within the giant stone and wood structure. How long had Barthandelus been at work and just why did he need anyone capable of using magic?

"Sunshine you there?" Lightning was broken from her half stupor by Fang waving a hand in front of her face. She'd managed to wander out of the tower without even realizing she was doing anything, lost in thought as she seemed to find herself as of late.

"I told you to stop calling me sunshine." Her gaze settled over the young men and women they'd helped escape from the tower all leaned against the outer wall. Many of them looked so weak she doubted they'd go far at all. "Can you all walk?" A few perked their heads up with a half nod while some didn't even open their eyes. "If you're strong enough to walk you'll follow me. Fang here will assist the rest of you."

A young man stepped forward. "I wish to help her." Lightning merely waved him off, she didn't want to argue with the fact that he was weak to begin with. Fang would need a little assistance with the four that couldn't walk themselves.

Fang accepted his help happily, though she only allowed him to half carry one of the younger children.

"We'll set up a camp not far from here." And with that they began their short trek into the bordering forests where guards would have trouble tracking them.

I hope you all enjoy new postings. I got over my writer's block finally, at least somewhat.