Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: About the fight scene, sorry if it looks like Amiti's not doing much. I tried to make it so that every party member got some action in, but it was hard not making Amiti look like a damsel in distress. Also, this entire chapter is from Amiti's POV.

Gravaja Umbros – Don't worry about it! I'm glad you liked it and I hope this chapter turns out well! Thanks for the review and your continued support!

Sakura Li-chan – He was a little distracted, haha. Poor Amiti. As for what Alex will say to him, well…you might see soon! Thanks for the review!

XxXxX

A Different Kind of Storm

CHAPTER 13

Festival's End

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The beastman rushed at him.

Amiti quickly raised Masamune, the assassin's claws scraping against steel as he blocked the strike. He clenched his teeth against the force of the impact, twisting his body around and shifting the sword to one hand as he raised his hand at the second beastman that ran at him. A column of water spread from his fingertips, shooting at the beastman. He snarled, dodging the column and rushing at Amiti just as the first assassin pulled back, snarling and charging at him. He jumped back, the assassin's claws coming just a few centimeters from his chest as he swung his sword in a wide slash.

The beastman jumped back and into the air. A column of fire suddenly shot towards it, a dragon of flames coiling around the beam as it slammed into the beastman, sending him crashing against the mountainside.

"Look out!" shouted Eoleo, tongues of flame still clinging to his hands as he ran towards the fight.

Amiti turned quickly, raising his sword in an attempt to block the second assassin that was charging at him. An enraged roar echoed from somewhere in the crowd. Sveta broke through the group of screaming festival-goers, her lavender braids streaming behind her as she tackled the charging beastman to the ground, sending the two of them tumbling in a tangled mess of fur, claws, and teeth.

A third assassin burst out from the crowd, his hooded cloak falling away to reveal beastman features as he rushed at Amiti. The moisture on the ground below him suddenly froze, a column of ice rising up and trapping him. Amiti saw Rief run forward, his mace in his hands. A fourth assassin rushed at Rief as his cousin raised the mace over his head, but he was quickly blocked by a drunk Tyrell, grinning from ear to ear as he stopped the beastman's charge with the blade of his Levantine.

The beastman encased in ice broke free, heading towards Rief. Amiti ran forward, stabbing him just below the shoulder. He felt Masamune hit bone, blood seeping out of the cut. The beastman looked over his shoulder at him and snarled, his eyes glowing gold for a moment. Amiti's eyes widened.

A Light Adept! he thought, just as a gold current sizzled up Masamune's blade, sending both him and the sword flying back with a crash. Matthew immediately moved to take his place, the massive Sol Blade balanced in both his hands as he swung it at the Light Adept. From the crowd, he heard a tinkling sound, almost like the ringing of bells. He watched as Himi swung her staff around in an arc, her red eyes practically glowing as what appeared to be white mist rushed towards the Light Adept. The mist entered him and he fell to his knees, clutching at his head. He managed to dodge Matthew's strike, sending a narrow beam of light straight at Matthew's head. He turned his head just in time, the beam missing him by just a few inches, searing the end of his blond hair.

The beastman that Eoleo burned picked himself up off the ground, rushing towards Amiti. He quickly picked himself up off the ground, rolling to the side as the beastman landed where he would have been just a few seconds ago. The beastman snarled at him, already transformed into his beast form. Violet lightning suddenly shot down from above, slamming into him. Karis rushed into the fray, her violet eyes blazing as she held her Sylph Rapier in one hand, her other hand crackling with violet sparks. She charged at him. He blocked her thrust with one massive arm, sending her flying.

"Karis!" shouted Amiti as she hit the ground, rolling twice before coming to a stop. She propped herself up on her arm, trying to push herself up as she glared at the beastman.

Amiti's eyes narrowed as he felt power rush through Masamune. He held the sword up, his free hand resting on the flat of the blade. A wave of power crashed over him and through the sword, the water and ice on the ground reforming itself into two dragons that attacked the beastman. He quickly charged forward behind it, Masamune opening a gash on the beastman's right arm. He jumped back as the beastman swiped at him in fury, stumbling backwards from the impact. Karis took that as an invitation to rush forward, her Sylph Rapier moving in quick precise strikes as she stabbed the beastman many times in the back.

"Claw!" called Amiti as Karis jumped back to avoid the beastman's attack. He felt the Djinn answer his call, blue light forming around his right hand as he rushed towards the beastman, slashing downwards. The beastman roared, stumbling back as Karis followed it up with an attack from Gust.

He heard a familiar crashing sound from somewhere to his right and felt heat wash over him as the sun's light seemed to intensify, becoming brighter and brighter for one moment before going back to its normal intensity. He didn't need to look to know what had happened. Matthew had used Megiddo. He twisted his body to the side, avoiding an attack from the beastman as it thrust at him. He felt its claws tear a gash along his arm, blood dripping onto his sword hand. In attacking him, he had left his chest wide open. Amiti's eyes narrowed in concentration as he took a risk, his body disappearing and appearing again directly in front of the beast. Masamune stabbed forward, piercing the beastman's heart.

The beastman roared in pain before slumping forward, his body shifting back into his normal state. Amiti pulled his blade out and stepped back, feeling suddenly dizzy. He nearly slipped on the blood-slicked stone, placing a hand to his head as he fought off a quick bout of teleport-induced lightheadedness.

Karis ran over to him, steadying him. She stumbled as well, and he turned towards her, adjusting himself so that he was supporting her as well. He noticed blood blossoming from underneath her white dress. He quickly raised his hand, casting Ply. The power flowed out of him and into her, healing her injuries.

And then it was quiet.

Matthew and Himi's opponent lay dead at their feet, the Sol Blade still glowing a faint gold. Tyrell and Rief's had escaped, only to be struck down by one of Isaac as he tried to get through the crowd. Sveta straddled her opponent, who was still alive. He lay face down on the ground, thrashing around and snarling curses at her as she bound his wrists, a feral look in her eye. Eoleo stood watch, his axe in his hand.

He let out the breath he was holding, allowing Karis to lead him from the battlefield.

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"Passaj's guards say they probably climbed over the walls during the festival," said Karis, entering the room.

Amiti nodded, not looking up. Tyrell sustained a broken arm, which was not easy to mend. He closed his eyes, feeling his Psynergy wash over him again as he cast Ply, focusing on mending bone and mending it naturally. The eight of them were crammed into the room he shared with Matthew, along with their parents. There was a person on every surface that could be claimed as a seat. He sat on his own bed, with Tyrell sitting beside him, wincing every time Amiti made a mistake.

"How does this look?" he asked, turning back.

Rief looked up from his own healing session. He had hit his head hard during his own fight, and Mia had her hands hovering just over her son's head, blue light fading into his skin as she worked her own Psynergy.

"Good enough," said Rief, wincing as Mia placed her hand on his chin, gently but firmly turning his head away from Amiti and back into the position it had been in when she began her healing. Amiti nodded, releasing Tyrell. He stretched and exhaled, and Amiti tried hard not to flinch at the smell of alcohol.

"Did you learn anything?" he asked, turning towards Sveta. The beastman Adept was leaning against the wall, her eyes closed and a frown on her face as she folded her arms. She opened her eyes as he spoke, her ears twitching.

"He and his associates were hired by Kaocho. He's part of a group of warriors that are dissatisfied with the current regime."

Amiti nodded. Sveta often spoke of problems with rebels. Not everyone in Morgal was happy with the sudden change of attitudes and with the citizens of Belinsk suddenly deciding to turn their efforts towards peace.

"Do you have any objections about him being tried and sentenced in Ayuthay?" asked Amiti.

Sveta shook her head slowly and sighed. "None," she said. "He may be a Morgal citizen, but he attacked you."

"He attacked both of you, technically," said Isaac from where he stood. He looked at Sveta. "That would make it high treason, wouldn't it?"

"He'd probably get off better in Ayuthay," said Eoleo with a shrug, falling back onto the bed. Himi turned towards him from her seat in the room's only chair, a frown on her face.

"How so?" she asked.

"They only behead people there," said Eoleo.

"So, he'll be executed…" said Karis with a sigh. She didn't sound surprised. Ivan turned towards her.

"That's usually the punishment for attempted regicide, Karis," he said.

Regicide. Even after two years, it was still hard to imagine that the term applied to him. He nodded. "He'll be executed by beheading," said Amiti. From behind him, he heard Eoleo mutter an "I told you so."

Matthew frowned from his own seat beside Eoleo. "…You know what this means," he said to Amiti, his voice serious.

"War, if Kaocho keeps this up," said Amiti, nodding. "I'll send an official letter regarding the situation. But they'll deny it. Kaocho can't win a war against Ayuthay, and Wo knows that."

Karis frowned. "…We can't stay here," she said.

"No, we can't," agreed Amiti. "…Sveta and I will head back to Ayuthay tomorrow with the prisoner and some of Passaj's guards. The rest of you are welcome to stay here longer if you like."

"I'm coming with you," said Matthew, almost immediately.

"Me too," said Karis.

The rest of them followed, a quick chorus of "I'm coming too" and "Me too". The original Warriors of Vale exchanged glances, before Isaac nodded.

"There's no point in us staying here by ourselves," he said. "We'll come back with you."

Amiti nodded, bowing his head in respect towards them. "Thank you," he said.

One by one they filed out of the room, heading to their own quarters. Ivan passed Karis on the way out, the two of them exchanging glances and nods. The older Jupiter Adept closed the door behind him, leaving Matthew, Amiti, and Karis in the room.

"Matthew…" said Karis quietly.

Matthew nodded and stood up, clapping Karis on the shoulder briefly before leaving the room. The door closed behind him, and Karis walked over to him, sitting beside him.

"Are you okay?" she asked.

"I'm fine," said Amiti. "My own injuries were fairly easy to heal."

"That's not what I meant," said Karis.

Amiti turned towards her, looking in her eyes. There was a lot of concern in them for him, but there was also determination. She wouldn't leave until he talked to her. He sighed and closed his eyes, remembering the report that his spymaster had given him. Ayuthay could handle Kaocho easily, even if Wo padded his army's ranks with mercenaries. He wouldn't have to worry too much about the people, because Wo hadn't yet discovered Ayuthay's shelter.

But the added element of uncertainty that the Tuaparang brought about made him nervous. Because they did know about the shelter—or at least Alex did. He had to know, because he had started the Alchemy Well himself.

Ayuthay could fight and win a war against Kaocho. It could probably hold against the Tuaparang, and manage to eke out a victory. But against both at once? It would be an impossible situation. True, it hadn't happened yet, but if it did happen, it would be irresponsible for him to bring Karis into this.

"…Amiti," said Karis, placing her hand on his face. He exhaled slowly at her touch, taking her hand and pulling it away. He opened his eyes, looking down at her.

"Karis," he said. "…After we return to Ayuthay…I want you to go home."

She froze, her eyes widening. And because he didn't know if he could bear what he might see in them, he quickly looked away and stood up, ignoring for a moment that it was his room and not hers and walking out the door.

XxXxX

The sun was barely up by the time they stood at the gates, getting ready to leave for Ayuthay. Amiti stood with Himi and Tyrell while Karis stood with Matthew and Sveta, her eyes downcast. Matthew looked up at him and he quickly looked away, staring down at the ground. He and Karis hadn't said a word to each other since last night. He could feel Tyrell staring at him and knew that he had almost said something, but was quickly stopped by Himi elbowing him hard in the side.

It was the right choice, he knew. He couldn't drag Karis into a war when he wasn't sure if his country could survive it. His plans…would have to wait for another time. In a way, it was a blessing that he hadn't acted on his feelings sooner. She wasn't bound to him or Ayuthay, or anyone.

"Let's head out," said Amiti, starting to walk down the steps. Rief, who had been talking to one of the townspeople, quickly turned around, running towards him.

"Amiti," said Rief.

Amiti turned towards his cousin. "What is it?" he asked.

Rief held something out for him. Amiti took it, realizing that it was a small cloth pouch, the same kind he had used to give Baghi the materials yesterday. "Baghi apparently sent this for you," he said. "He was up all night working on it."

Amiti stared at it, feeling the knot in his throat tighten. He closed his hand around it. He wouldn't go back on his decision. He took a deep breath and slipped it into his pocket. Someday…but not now.

"Thank you, Rief," he said, walking away before the younger Adept could ask him any more questions.

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No notes this time~