So I didn't make three in a row, but here it is finally. Took some time to convert from note-form to story and then had some inspired additions in between that helped fill it out. Though I was dissatisfied with some parts, to which I'm thankful for the perfect timing I recruited my first ever beta - Mikeru-D. Many thanks to him for polishing this up, I know it was a trying month of patience.

Last Time: "Besides, this is part of my mission. I can't let either of you get killed for my responsibility" - "K-Kuroi-sensei!" - then looked up to follow Miyuki's gaze…and up, and up…and…up… - "There's your Dremora mini-boss Kagamin, go get him!" - "So...How are we supposed to grab it out of there?" - "Kagami stop it!" There was a sharp sting to the Blade's cheek - "You don't even really know me Konata." - a gentle kiss met her lips - "…I should already be dead…" - "I'll be right there, just give me a second…" - "Pull it now!" - With her bare hands she reached in - Turning around Konata's eyes widened seeing the flames unravel.

Hope Within Ruin

-o-o-o-o-o-

"T-they still haven't come back!" Fretted Yutaka.

The strawberry haired Bosmer was outright panicking now, fearing the worst had happened to the others as the hours ticked by. Standing beside her, Minami didn't have the heart to voice her honest opinion that they were possibly dead, she had a friend in there too after all. Until either the portal collapsed or a horde of daedra overran their position, and even then, they would refuse to believe them gone.

In the waiting, the two had occupied themselves running errands to get the guards food, water, and spare arrows that could be scrounged up from the camp below. Even a few citizen volunteers who were willing to bear a sword to support the guards, standing in for them so that they could get some well needed rest, if but for a short time. While others started the grim duty of laying bodies to rest. Besides for a pair of scamps, nothing especially threatening appeared from the portal to cause much alarm during this time. Yutaka was about to score her third since the departure of their friends when Minami placed a hand on the bow, lowering its aim from the lone figure now wandering out of the flaming archway.

Against the haze of the heat it didn't seem to sport the same outline as the little beasts, and a fair bit taller and narrower. If not also for the white tunic it wore similar to the guards. It was neither a scamp or anyone they knew, but surely it was a good sign? Their anticipation was rewarded with a second person they could recognize immediately by the robe and long flowing hair despite the hazy shadow cast by the flame.

"They're back! They're back!" The little elf yelled aloud for all to hear, bouncing on her toes in excitement and waiting for her cousin next to stride through and pose in victory.

But nothing followed after Miyuki. Instead a final crackle of thunder sounded and the flames wavered as they shrank back into the middle of the archway, the portal getting smaller and smaller much too quickly. Where was Konata? Any second she should—

The flames now swirled about in their frame, then too sweeping up the breaking structure into nothing. With a final roar the energy dissipated and sent the debris up into the air, scattered and gone. Among those embers however, a larger form dived out across the ground. Their exit neither elegant or grand, hands grasping forward to nothing, and blue hair splayed out in a mess as she failed to roll hitting the charred earth. All was still for a moment as everyone witness held their breath daring to believe… and then with a great yell, cheers arose all across the defenses for the heroes who had come back from the abyss.

At the head of the pack rushing to congratulate the three was Yutaka, with Minami only a step behind. "Onee-chan! Konata-onee-chan!" They collided together, clasping hands, thumping each others' back, shouting out, praising the gods for the miracle bestowed upon them. The sky too joined in their celebration; red nightmare stars ebbing and overtaken by the heavy clouds that had been trapped by such powers, as though releasing a held breath with fresh, heavy rain. The drops cold and heavy with the onset of night, but at that moment no one could care less.

Konata just lay there, paying no attention to those crowding around her. She didn't hear their concern that she wasn't moving, or why there were tears rolling down her cheeks. They paid no thought for those who had not made it back. Konata's eyes drifted to the base of the destroyed archway, still glowing crimson with residual magicka. She imagined she could see the lavender-haired girl, standing there beside the old guard as though their spirits had seen to their safe return, bidding a final farewell.

The light enveloping the two soon faded, but the image of them did not. They stood there looking around at the crowd, who paused amid their whoops of joy as they noticed the two's presence as well. Kagami dropped, staring in disbelief at the stone still in her hands. Without a thought Konata pushed herself from the ground and her cousin's care, sprinting forward despite the mud quickly building up around her legs. Kagami was alive, and here, and all that mattered was that she could get to her.

"Geh! Get off me you brat!" Kagami broke from her disbelief as Konata tackled her, pushing away the elf who was mercilessly trying to kiss her. No sooner had she succeeded than the elf was herself tackled by a weepy Yutaka.

"Don't ever disappear like that again! Ever again! I was so worried! Onee-chaaaaa!" The tiny Bosmer threw herself into Konata's front, letting tears spill freely. Konata came back to her senses, embracing her young cousin, all the while gazing at Kagami intently. From the intensity, and perhaps realizing the message behind it, the lavender-haired girl looked away. Even the heavy rain couldn't disguise the blue-haired elf's tears.

Menien beside them clutched the Blade's shoulder with a laugh. In the other hand he raised the dremora's hammer towards everyone and gave the loudest shout of exuberance yet. A second round of cheers followed, shaking even more rain from the heavens.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Emboldened by the destruction of what was being dubbed the 'Oblivion Gate', within minutes the group was organizing for a full counter attack for the city. The simple plan being to clear an area until they could reach a defensible position; a still standing building or even the chapel if they got that far. Declining to personally lead the force, Kagami still joined in on the quick strategy planned out by the captain Savlian with Kuroi and Menien. Also using that time to graciously recover her katana, while the forester looked over her own sword critically.

"…What did ya do to it?"

"Enchanted, I think. Happened when I tried to knock the stone out and it, well, absorbed some kind of power." Kagami grimaced lightly, some backward enchanted items could do harm to the user rather than the enemy – even heal enemies with each slash like some rare pieces she had heard about used for training. Going off to fight daedra with a training blade…not generally a good idea.

"No idea what it does either, I take it?" Kuroi eyed her, threatening punishment for the unwanted alteration to her weapon.

Miyuki, however, had been listening with rapt attention. "The stone worked as a medium for enchanting? My, you should be able to sense its abilities then Miss Hiira—I mean Miss Kagami."

"Huh? I didn't think to try that. Not that I really had the chance to yet either." Nevertheless, Kagami reached out for the silver longsword again, soon nodding in confirmation. "Like the staff the dremora tried using on me, it has something to do with fatigue, but not on its user, at least."

"Good enough then I suppose. Thanks!" Kuroi broadly grinned, looking at her sword quite differently now.

"Oh, and before I forget, Miss Kagami," The mage brought out the bundled item from earlier, intending to hand it back. But Kagami waved the gesture aside. "Miyuki, I gave this for you to keep."

"I cannot possibly." Miyuki shook her head adamantly. "You are far more talented than I for its use, and I have already garnered its use plenty. My staff's power has been fully restored." She pressed the object into the Blade's hands with a willing, yet thankful smile. Giving in, Kagami pocketed it before Konata's eyes could linger too much.

"Wait a minute…" The elf suddenly spoke up, "Teach borrows your Akaviri sword, Miyuki-san passes up probably another legendary thing you got – why didn't I get a treasure from Kagami!"

"Well you stole my first k-…damn it." Sighed the Breton, seeing a sly grin creep onto Konata's face.

"Ohh, so it did mean something to you then?"

"We are not having this conversation!" Kagami turned around to join the rest of the troops congregating at the city's gate.

Before the Bosmer could go after her, Miyuki held her back to voice an opinion. "Konata-san, please do not be so forward to her. She has just gone through a particularly tough time."

"But I'll treasure her first kiss, that's not something to regret! Same with your first kiss Yuki-chan."

"I…My, did we kiss some time ago?" Miyuki blushed in astonishment.

"…I was kidding."

"Oh, are you?"

"Eh, um, I think so? Wait, now you got me confused. Have we?" The Bosmer grasped out for the mage's robes, desperate to know.

"I jest as well, we have not." Miyuki lightly giggled.

"Sometimes, you are evil. You know that right?"

"Only sparingly. I know my first kiss was with someone else."

"You are evil." pouted Konata.

-o-o-o-o-o-

All were eager to charge in to take back their city. Shoulder to shoulder, both enlisted guards and civilians alike lined up before the gate; a crafted monolith of bronze ornamented moderately with stars and shields.

"This is it men!" called out Savlian to his troops.

"And women!" A female Orc shouted over him, and several additional cheers joined her in response.

"-And women! This is for everyone, for our home, for KVATCH!"

And with that there was a roar as they all pushed through the gate, their spirits charged and hearts burning with passion and courage brighter than the flames beyond.

The next moments were a blur to Kagami. Night had fully fallen and the rain had become so heavy it felt thick as blood, vaguely reminding her of the raw flesh within the Deadland spire. This was only made worse by the scent of charred remains rising from the still burning ruins. The ash pungently stung the nose and immediately stuck in the back of one's throat. A few people staggered away, doubling over at the stench, though the taste of their stomach would keep it at bay for a time before overcome again.

Continuing forward, she suddenly realized she had lost track of Konata and the others in the rush. Caught up in the surge, she was too willing to reach the chapel now that they had a chance, with these numbers the goal was almost in her grasp. Those nearby were shadows silhouetted by rain and fire, their shouts piercing the blind charge onward. No-one was distinguishable. Stumbling into something that turned out to be a scamp, she decided that Miyuki with her sight would have to be the one to find her amid all of this. Clearly even Konata couldn't, or she'd still be at her side.

Several more daedra and a robed dremora suddenly appeared through the rain, equally as surprised as Kagami until her katana sliced into them. It was difficult enough even to keep balance, fighting and trudging through the shin deep mud and debris, without concentrating on navigating the flaming labyrinth that was once a city. She could hear the fighters all around her, their wrath a wave of revenge bordering on bloodlust. Where as the daedra could only yelp a warning to their kin as they were cut down; the people of Kvatch grouped together, clearing each and every corner they knew best despite the ruin. It was insane, chaotic, yet almost beautiful in its sense of justice.

Following a guard who was leading a group back to the main street, which was thankfully paved with brick, they and several others finished off the daedra there with similar intentions of gaining a solid foothold. Taking a moment to catch her breath, only now did Kagami realize the exhaustion creeping up on her. Maybe they should have sat this one out, having already done the hard work of closing the portal. Everyone had been encouraged enough by that, right? But the mission objective was straight ahead, she was so close.

Finally, a call came from Savlian to regroup. They had cleared a section of the city and had made it to the chapel, the only structure still recognizable among all the destruction. Not that it too had suffered its own share. The steeple had toppled and lay at their feet, the massive stone spire neatly blocking the street beyond. Flaming remnants of stores or inns housed its buried tip, while the end where it had been sheared off was wedged against the front chapel doors. Fortunately, all city commissioned chapels across Cyrodiil had three sides to their main entrance, the side facing doors just a few steps to the side. However this was of little comfort, for those very doors had been torn off their hinges.

Knowing there were sure to be daedra inside she would need help clearing out, Kagami waited a bit impatiently for the soldiers to gather again. Being so close to her charge yet constantly having something in the way was frustrating her to no end. Someone suddenly shoved into her side with a wet flop and looking down she met Konata's green eyes stubbornly gazing up at her. If not for that she might not have recognized the elf. Her golden elven armor muted to gray by ash and mud, and her hair almost a raven black, soaked down like a drowned rat. She looked smaller than ever even with her younger cousin wrapped about her other arm. It took a moment to spot the Nord Minami through the dark rain, rinsing her daggers a few paces away.

Again Kagami looked down into Konata's glare. "What?"

"You know what. Stop going off by yourself Kagami!" She leaned more into the Blade's side, letting go of Yutaka as Minami finished and did her best to shelter the tiny Bosmer. "Maybe if I stay just like this I won't lose sight of you." Konata sighed.

"Definitely not." Kagami pried the elf's arm loose and stood before her. "Look, I'm sorry. I may have rushed a few things, but we've had enough delays and he's right here. He's got to be."

"Hey, I understand what you mean, but, Kagami, this is where you need to be careful the most. The crook who thinks they made a clean crime, the adventurer with eyes on the treasure and not the trap, the-"

"-The people relying on a miracle only to find nothing to regain." Kagami finished. "The captain is doing this one objective at a time, and you don't see me charging in there by myself do you? I'm not that foolish."

"Okay, just to be sure so you don't do something stupid if…all you find is…"

"No. He's here, it's like I can feel it." Kagami finished. But that wasn't necessarily true; although the structure was sure to have daedra inside, the place felt strangely…empty. Dead.

Off in the distance, a glow of tinted blue made its way through the rain toward them. Though several of the armed guards tensed at the approaching light, it soon revealed itself only to be Miyuki's staff, held up above the crowd surrounding her protectively. "I believe everyone has been accounted for, two have been lost."

Savlian acknowledged the mage with a nod. "I see. Then guards only on this one – and our guests, if they would honor us."

"We will, with your lead captain. We're nearing our last leg." Kagami answered.

"Fair enough, you will all get the first round." He half cheered. "Everyone take a moment, see if the bastards know we're here or not and come out first."

As most went to shelter themselves in crevasses from the rain and huddle for some warmth, Konata oddly enough stepped toward the captain. "Need a quick scout? I can go in with chameleon and take a look."

Savlian blinked at the small elf before him. "That would actually help a lot. Even a rough idea what's inside will do."

"Aye-aye, capt'n!" She saluted, and before Kagami could stop her, she had vanished in the rain. Leave her behind would she? What was all that before about not going off alone? But the Blade could not follow, or risk ruining the chance of surprise.

Relenting and also settling against the wall, she couldn't help but overhear the concerned voice of Yutaka. She and Minami were just a few steps away tucked into a corner, the Nord acting as a barrier to the elements for the little one.

"Aren't you cold at all? There's room in here for you too."

"No. I am fine." Though she didn't look it. Her breath seemed deep and forced, as if trying to settle an ill stomach. Her forehead rested against the stone, and a hand gripping her side.

"But you're shivering!" Kagami doubted it was due to the cold, going bare in a blizzard usually didn't even faze Nords.

Minami rolled her head to signify that as well. "How about you, your illness has not returned?"

"The…ash got to me a little. That's all." Was her soft response, lightly fingering the Nord's hand at the side. "…Please let me look at it, Minami-chan?"

"…Just a graze…" She mumbled, but didn't stop the Bosmer from unbuckling the leather straps, unfolding the cloth vest. Even from where Kagami was, the three gashes on her pale skin could be recognized as those from a scamp, a single swipe that had gotten through the leather.

Because she was so short, all Yutaka had to do to administer some aid was lower her head and - was she licking Minami's wound?

"Yutaka…" the Nord girl sighed, one side of her flawless pale skin exposed as the drenched leather slid from her shoulder. Kagami stood there transfixed, watching Minami holding the little elf close as her tongue danced gently across the wounds. Though it was just the cleaning of a wound, it seemed so…out of place amid their current situation, and yet strangely erotic. The numbing cold of the rain pouring down, her thudding heart-beat.

The large burn scar running up the middle of Minami's back.

"Miss Kagami?" The Breton jumped and spun to face Miyuki so fast it was surprising a weapon wasn't in her hands. Her cheeks flushed immediately, although it would not be surrendered by the thick darkness. "My, I did not mean to startle you. What were you so intent on…?"

The mage peeked around the Blade, letting out a small 'Eep' at seeing the intimate position the other two were in. Not saying a word, Kagami led them a little further off

"…I, I did not think they were quite so close…for Minami to reveal her wounds to Kobayakawa-san…" Taking a closer look, Kagami realized Miyuki didn't seem all that embarrassed by what was seen, but more contemplative of something more serious. "And I should have realized the fire would trouble her…that was thoughtless of me."

"The scar?" Kagami guessed.

Miyuki cast a sideways look, but not necessarily towards the Blade. "Yes. It has been so long since she last let me tend to it. She has always borne it since even before my family cared for her as a child."

Kagami grimaced at the implications. "…I don't think I should ask but-"

"It is not the time and is her tale to share." The mage stated with polite finality.

"Right."

-o-o-o-o-o-

A sudden splash grabbed the Blade's attention just as she was settling into a comfortable enough nook protected from the rain. Some invisible force had landed in the puddle in front of the doors and continued to roll an imprint across the mud. Going into a defensive stance, she drew her sword ready to strike at the tiniest sign that it wasn't the elf, fortunately which Konata dropped the chameleon spell quick enough to avoid being skewered.

"Don't do that," Kagami hissed, re-sheathing her sword. "I was this close to stabbing you."

"Sorry, I had to beat it out of there and quick." Huffed the blue haired Bosmer. "I think by now they've realized I took out their boss."

A whack met her head from Kuroi who had also walked up with Savlian to get a report. "Idiot, we're trying to take them by surprise!"

"Relax, relax! He was an armored guy in the far back on his own – too good of an opportunity to pass up. Paralyzed, slit and froze his throat before he got a grunt out."

Savlian let a fair grin show. "Tough bastards they are, excellent work. What else was there - good news I hope?"

"There's a few more than a dozen left. About two each of the robed guys and the large lizards, rest are scamps. Spotted a few bodies, but none of them wearing priest robes Kagami." Konata reassured.

Kuroi quirked an eyebrow at what was clearly missing. "Then, where is everyone?"

"Most of the daedra were doing something near the center stairwell. I couldn't tell what, too many around there so I had to stick to the sides to stay unnoticed. But I did hear some banging down below in the undercroft or that's what it sounded like."

A chill that had been creeping around Kagami's heart suddenly unfroze with a gasp. "-The dormitory! They may have holed up down there."

"Good enough for me," Savlian nodded. "Guards form up!" The call brought forth the several troops remaining now including Menien and Kuroi among their ranks. With the five girls included it would be a fair fight in terms of numbers, only much more in their favor combat-wise.

They formed two lines at the double door, one for each side of the stairwell when they rushed in. Silently at first they went, those few bearing shields in front to help mask their forms in the dark and shove right into the creatures' backs. The guard in front of Kagami shoved through the first scamp and to the side where she finished it off before it could retaliate.

By now the rest were alarmed and stirred by the action, turning away from their task below to confront the counter-invasion. However some didn't even get that far, as arrows by Yutaka and another guard rained down from the central banister at the entrance, as well as spell fire from Miyuki and Kuroi at the sides. One scamp made a run for them along the railing, only to be cut off at the knees by Minami well before in harms range.

The bigger problem were the clannfear Konata had identified, there being twice as many than what she had been able to see. Several people having to help brace the shields before they could be ripped from their hands. The lizards head-butted, ripped and bit-into the shields, trying to tear the thin iron barriers away all the while taking several strikes before even flinching from the pain or wounds. For this the Blade aimed her katana for the eyes or the rare chance of an exposed neck below the bone and scaled fringe surrounding the head. However once they had been dealt with along with one of the dremora spell casters, the rest broke off and spread out towards the other end of the chapel.

At this point Kagami was sure their work was done, letting the others mop up the rest as she glanced down the stairs to make sure there were no more daedra coming from below. That was when an impact met her side completely unexpected.

Hitting the ground she automatically raised an arm to fend off any other strikes to get her bearings, only to feel the sharp pressure of a full-sized clannfear clamping down with its beak. Kagami's grunt broke into a yell of pain. Her struggles to get the katana into her other hand were failing, and she couldn't reach down around for a dagger. The pain too much to even concentrate for a strong enough spell other than a mild shock she was now attempting.

The clannfear gazed down with its beady, gold-slit eyes, directly into her own with cruel cunning. Slowly it wrapped one talon around the joint of her shoulder and began pulling at the wrist, straining it in an unnatural way. She feared the bones in her forearm would snap any second, at the slightest jerk. This thing was going to tear her limb for limb and take its time doing so.

"K-Konataaa!"

As if summoned, long strands of raven blue hair swirled out of thin air as the elf appeared, driving the ice-enchanted sword straight into the beast's neck. Though the first strike only barely breached the scales, she immediately twisted, slamming her knee into the hilt, and forcing it clean through.

With a sharp call, it bellowed before dissipating into yellow mist of dispel. With this realization the summoner dremora also met his end impaled upon three swords. Finally, only a single scamp remained that refused to be killed.

It kept dodging and running around the main altar, hopping on top when circled around from all sides and leaping up onto the columns. It climbed further out of reach and screeched down at them hideously until Yutaka's arrow pierced the side of its head. Like a puppet's strings cut, it slipped and dangled with one clawed hand still imbedded in the stone, still twitching, before falling and crumpled into a small heap onto the floor.

Checking her wrist, Kagami was relieved to find the bite had only been on the cuff of the metal sleeve encasing her left arm. Any lower and she may not even of had a hand left. She wondered why she hadn't been wearing her gauntlets. That's right, she'd left them back in the tower in Oblivion. There hadn't been a chance to grab them, since everything had been falling apart at the time.

"See, I told you didn't I?" Konata lectured.

Kagami blinked trying to recall exactly what she had been warned about. "About what? I was checking downstairs to make sure there were none left."

"But that's where your goal is too. You were too focused on it." The elf huffed in disappointment.

"Ah…" Well she didn't have much to say to disprove her. "Anyway now that it's clear – we are clear, right, Miyuki?"

The called-for mage evidently understood this as an order to again use her staff and its sight, casting her eyes about several corners of the chapel and an additional glance to below. "Everything appears fine up here, and there are life signatures in the dorms. At least eight people, I am sure!"

Already the Blade was making her way down the central flight of stairs. The main door ahead was a little heavier fortified than the entrances were, but even this one had been carved up by scamp claws, and cracked and smoldering by the force of spells.

"Is anybody back there? We have cleared out the area, it's safe now!" Kagami called out.

Getting no response, Konata stepped up beside her and pounded on the door in a simple rhythm of knocking twice, pausing and then adding another. Several times she repeated this until voices stirred on the other side. There was a pause and someone must have come closer to respond for the others.

"-Hello? Who are we talking to?"

Kagami was about to begin to assure them that by no means was this a trick, when Savlian stepped past her. "This is Captain Savlian Matius of the Kvatch City Watch! The Oblivion gates have all closed and we are in the process of taking back the city! There is a cleared path outside, and a handful of troops here now to escort you if you so wish, and more ready to fight if any rather stay and join!"

A few words must have been exchanged on the other side for it was a moment before there were creaks and crashes as furniture barring the door were tossed aside. Though the wood more or less collapsed in on itself when pulled open, the faces beyond could not contain the hope brightening their haunted visages upon seeing indeed their fellow man and mer standing before them. Especially ones proven in combat with nothing but a trail of daedra gore dripping down the stairs as proof.

-o-o-o-o-o-

Miyuki had been wrong however - there were well more than twice as many people that had taken refuge in here. More faces soon appeared as side doors cracked open to peek-out at the growing commotion and cheer. Those that had already been present in the commons appeared to be the only half-decent fighters among them, including two guardsmen, someone evidently from the Fighter's Guild armed to the teeth, and another in nothing but a faded and bloodied robe of a priest.

Kagami knew that she had found him as soon as her eyes fell upon him. He stared right back, only with the most worn and subdued look of them all, sitting calmly at the very back of the central commons.

"Inian! Tierra!" Savlian called in joyous surprise to the two guards who saluted him in equal astonishment.

The Redguard woman answered him. "Sir! We number twenty strong and several wounded, best not to move them for the time being."

"I agree. Not until we can secure a larger section of the city for a path – which will have to wait until morning and if the weather clears up." The captain turned to one of his accompanying troops. "Get everyone else from outside in here and settle in for the night, barricade the doors with benches or what have you."

The other guard in the commons then motioned for the civilians to help out, making room and dragging more bedrolls from storage for the rest coming in from upstairs. In all the commotion Kagami awaited her chance to speak to the heir alone, or as privately as one could in this situation.

"Konata, could you leave me for a bit?" The Bosmer girl looked between the two for a moment, but let her be.

"I'll be just on the other side of the door."

She pointed to one of the side rooms where Miyuki too was entering. An alchemy set already leaving the mage's bag to get started on more ointments. Kagami nodded and seeing as most were now exiting and those few remaining to watch over the wounded were paying them no attention, she made her move toward the back.

As she neared and stopped before the priest, he did not look up but spoke morosely. "Do you have need of a priest? Well look elsewhere… I'm having difficulties understanding the gods right now." His head tilted further down, casting his eyes away.

"You're him, aren't you? Martin?"

"Yes, that is my name. Why? What business do you have with me?" Still his eyes remained on the floor, upon a speck of blood lying in the dust and stone.

Knowing this was a delicate situation, Kagami sat gingerly on the other side of the small table and decided to start simply. Not rush things, for this all would be a lot to take in. "The emperor sent me to find you. You are urgently needed and I have a team prepared to take you back to the capital."

"Emperor Uriel?" Now he looked up, understandably confused. "What ties do I have with his death? What use is a priest to the empire?"

News seemed to have traveled a little quicker than she thought it would, and Kagami wasn't sure if this would be a problem or not. At least it spared her from explaining that or having to deceive to get him to come. "Then you have surely heard about the princes as well. We are without an heir."

"…The Dragon fires…" He even knew something about that? Were all priests so knowledgeable about the coronation ritual of new Emperors?

"Yes the Temple of the One has gone dark." She admitted.

His expression turned thoughtful, the gears turning within his mind. "That explains as to how this occurrence was made possible, but little as to why here of all places. Is there any reason you may know of?"

"Because-" -they were after you. But surely she could not just tell him that. It could break what little resolve the priest had left, knowing so many had died just because he was there. In that, they shared a common guilt. "-There is a plan, to set things right and Dagon opposes that."

Martin's eyes narrowed. "A plan? I prayed to each of the Nine all through the night, even as the city fell all around me. But only more daedra came. If this is all part of some divine plan, I'm not sure I want anything to do with it."

"There is another heir." She slipped, realizing too late that she may as well have just said it was him.

However he seemed to understand the underlying context perfectly. "No. No, you're mistaken. My parent's were farmers, killed many years ago. And I...I am just a priest of Akatosh."

"What if Kvatch is just the first of the cities to be attacked?" That made the priest pause, keeping his gaze from tilting back to the floor.

"With no heir on the throne, more of these portals may open elsewhere and you can do something about it. The gods still have plans for us, you and I especially." Kagami said with conviction, lamenting that her own life had been spared in the Deadland realm - even from the fate she had tried to deal herself. She wasn't about to let him ignore his own survival as well.

"You know what I am, your eyes said it all when you first saw me. So tell me, what reason does a Blade have to lie?"

"I don't know, it's strange and yet…" Martin's eyes finally connected with Kagami's for a second time, searching. In the same moment she noticed his eyes were blue, a cobalt tint much like her own… "As you tell me this, I know it is the truth."

-o-o-o-o-o-

Although Martin had agreed to return with her to Weynon Priory, oddly enough recognizing the name Jauffre, he had then become stubborn, refusing to leave until everyone could leave safely together. Kagami couldn't be bothered to argue. It was such a relief in itself that the last heir was alive and well enough right there before her. The details could be decided later – clearing the city, recapturing the castle, securing a route for civilians – operations already being devised by the captain of the watch.

For her and the other girls however, it was time for some well earned rest and no word from anyone could stop that. Hardly bothering to strip out of her filthy armor, Kagami flopped onto the nearest mat she could find, unknowingly right beside Konata.

The elf at the time had been gazing over the others nearby. Miyuki was nestled on her back with the handy staff cradled to her side, ready to light up the room when she inevitably woke. Her cousin Yutaka snuggled in close between herself and Minami, the Nord's hands still gently stroking the back of the strawberry haired elf even while asleep.

Feeling the last member and unofficial leader of their little gang drop beside her, Konata rolled over to get a little intimacy herself, even if Kagami wouldn't let her. They had won, followed through for their new friend and for each other; performing epic feats and even rescuing the heir. That had to count for something, but celebrations would have to come later for they were all far too exhausted to resist sleep any longer.

Besides, the Breton Blade already looked like the happiest girl in the world; one that was set back on course and everything would turn out alright. Konata was so caught-up in the beautiful serenity of her face, that she just couldn't spoil it. Instead she brought a hand closer to brush the girl's tangled lavender ponytail loose into its many strands, a sheet of silk still soft to the touch though seeping with dirt and ash.

"Keep hoping that it does turn out fine, Kagamin. But I'll always be right here, either way."

A/N: Hopefully that was progress. If not the next surely should be and returning the more relaxed themes, now that Kagami's worry about the heir's survival is greatly reduced. Oh, and she lives! Though I do wonder how the story would carry through from here on by actually killing Kagami off... Time for the pendulum to begin shifting back the other way. I'd like to say next chap is already about half way done but you all know by now my habits. Got the beginning and the end but still need everything yet in between, though I've always have had a good idea what about, it may still change a bit.

I know I generally don't ask selfishly that often, but reviews do make me happy. The more honestly frank it is, the deeper it will tend to strike me and motivate.