A/N: Finally! the last the four(?) chapters that i'm posting!! I'm tired... but i will prevail! This is suppose to be the first fic of mine that is planned to go on very long... i'm actually planning a sequel and a prequel for this, though not too sure if i should really write them.

Inner Struggles

"I'm so sorry! I thought that you were the knights who managed to find the secret trapdoor."

Sister Heline Oresti led the group into the room, which resembled a weird laboratory. With flasks filled with odd liquids, and with strange things all over the place. There were a few bedrooms, and a kitchen with a well connected to fresh water.

"What exactly is this place? I do not remember such a place."

Vensil stared in amazement at some of the strange gizmos that were lying about. Somehow, this was looking a lot like a mage's room.

"I didn't know about this place either, till the knights came."

"Which Knight Lord?"

Kaine asked.

"I wasn't sure. I think he was called... Acrhe?"

Heline rubbed her chin in thought. She turned around, and called out to someone. A small head popped out from one of the rooms. Meris Highlest ran out of her hiding place, and into Vensil's arms.

"Arche..."

"You know of that name?"

Feyrin asked Kaine, her eyes wondering across the tables with the odd liquids.

"Only that that is one of the Knight Lords who serve the King rather vigilantly. Rumour has it that he is rather corrupted, and treats his people like dirt. Razed a few of his own villages when they couldn't pay taxes."

"... Typical."

Azel spat.

"Anyway, what happened to Father Beles?"

Heline's head then hung low from that question. They probably guessed by then.

"When the knights attacked, the father pushed me and Meris in here, and closed the door without climbing in. He simply told me that it was 'his time'..."

The group stayed silent, everyone not wanting to disturb the odd silence that settled in the room. With the revered no longer around, the five orphans who were raised by him were feeling the grief the most.

"... I'm sorry. I need to be alone."

Vensil walked off into a room, and closed the door behind her. Soon, her sobs were heard by the others. Karves sighed, walking up to the door, and stepping into the room and closing the door behind him.

"It isn't easy on any one of us to bear the news."

Feyrin said, walking up to the shelves of books.

"Heline, have you looked through these books?"

"No. Why?"

Heline looked at the mage awkwardly.

"We need to find a cure for vampirism."

"Vampirism? But why?"

Feyrin did not say anything, but looked at Tharin, who was leaning against the wall at one side, arms crossed. The priestess looked nervously at the crusader, obviously noticing something different since they last met.

"Tharin? Are you-?"

Tharin did not say a thing, but smiled a devilish smile, a fang protruding from her lips. That surprised, and shocked Heline, Gwen and Azel, who all retreated a few steps back.

"Ho-how?! You were fine when we were in Einbroch!"

Gwen was rather horrified by the news, and the others could tell. Her face was pale white, drained of almost all colour.

"The process of transforming into a full vampire takes time."

Feyrin explained, starting to take down books and looking through them.

"Tharin was bitten before we managed to rescue her, and usually those who are bitten would take a day or two to either get a cure, or to bite someone and become a vampire."

Kaine pulled his collar down, and showed two puncture marks on his neck.

"Since Tharin wasn't a full-fledge vampire at that time, there is no danger of me converting, however, now that she is, we need to find a cure for full vampirism convertion, if not Tharin may be in trouble."

"Sir Kaine-"

Gwen felt worried for Kaine, though she refrained from approaching the man.

"It was my decision to give Tharin my blood. I know the risks."

"Though it was still reckless of you."

Tharin spoke, her voice now sounding more cold and dark than before. She walked up to Kaine, placing a hand on his cheek and leaning close to his face, with their lips almost touching.

"Don't you ever think of doing that sort of stunt again."

"If you stop being so stubborn, then i wouldn't have to."

Kaine simply replied. Tharin smiled, pulling away from Kaine. She turned to Heline, who was quite frightened of the crusader-turned-vampire.

"We have come in search of the father's research. Having heard that he may have a cure for vampirism, and not just for bites, though Kaine should have one blessing, just in case. I am unable to perform any holy spells in my condition, so you're the only one qualified, sister Heline."

"... A-alright. I do not know if the father had any research in vampirism, but you are free to look through his books. Master Kaine, in this room, if you please."

Heline walked over to a free room, and waited for Kaine, who looked at Tharin, unsure if he should enter.

"Go in, it won't kill you, though it should sting a little."

Tharin's smirk did not make things better. Kaine swallowed hard, and was about to refuse, when Tharin shot him an extremely dark glare, which made him follow Heline into the room.

"... Such a baby."

Tharin muttered, before a loud scream erupted from the room where Heline and Kaine just entered. That scream was definitely from Kaine.

"Well then, shall we search?"

Time passed by as the entire group starting pouring over the books. Kaine had finished his 'treatment' looking like he went through hell and rather afraid of Heline now. Tharin had excused herself and was using a room to rest, signalling the rise of dawn. The moment when Tharin left the main room, everyone heaved a sigh of relief. It wasn't easy to be around Tharin in her current state, and everyone honestly felt frightened. Tharin's character had definitely changed much from her convertion, making approaching her rather difficulty. Meili was feeling the most uneasy, since she was the one who kept clinging onto Tharin like how a child would cling onto her mother. But this Tharin was distant and cold, commanding and dark. A side of Tharin that would sow fears deep within everyone who saw her, rooting them on the spot with her words.

"Sigh... i never thought Tharin would be a vampire."

Gwen admitted, tossing another book over her shoulder.

"Vampires are known to use trickery to hide their own identity. Though i doubt Tharin has fully mastered her abilities as a vampire."

Feyrin replied, scanning through pages quickly. Then she paused, looking up from the large book she was reading to the homunculus Aira, who was staring a book Gwen had thrown upside down, though she quickly flipped it around. Feyrin hated to admit it, but the homunculus perked her interest, and sometimes amuses her as well. One of the things was that Tharin could use Aira like an equipment. A fusion equipment in a living form. It was unheard of, even within the alchemist community. Fusion equipments without life was considered impossible, though attempted numerous times by mages and alchemists alike.

Even the Knight Lords have attempted to create their own. Magic Knights were said to be the most compatible with such equipment, though their art were lost generations ago. Tharin did have a book on magical swordsmanship, though Feyrin doubted that Tharin could unlock its true secrets, let alone master it. But Tharin could use magic, dark magic in fact in conjunction with holy magic, even though her holy magic was greatly weakened by her transformation. Holy magic is not too compatible with fighting, so only a small section of the magical sword text could be learned by Tharin. Dark magic, on the other hand, was destructive, and can be used as a replacement for any of the other elemental magics that Tharin lacks.

Tharin is actually now able to learn the magical sword arts, if she chooses to. Aira, the living, breathing, talking, eating, sleeping and odd little fusion equipment, was the other mystery. Feyrin had read about the theories of fusion equipments. Non-living ones were suppose to take months to master, the user needing that amount of time to tune both himself and the equipment to the correct frequency, if not energies would simply run loose, and may cause injury or death. Living versions, on the other hand, are very different. Aira is affiliated with the dark element, making tuning easier with the vampiric Tharin. Being an obedient homunculus also adds to that.

Still, Aira was learning at an incredible rate. Her sentences, though rare, were complete and made more sense than what Meili usually says. Another fusion equipment that Tharin has, is that white orb. That used to be a guardian, similar to a lower-god. To command such powers, makes Tharin's mystery even greater. Speaking to Lehas before they left Einbroch, Feyrin only got more questions than answers. Even the sage did not know the answers, and was even greatly surprised by the news. Lehas had warned Feyrin to be careful of Tharin.

If Tharin has the ability to command a lower-god's power, it would be make her as powerful as a middle class god, or a demon lord. That white guardian was definately still alive within that orb, and seeing Tharin equip herself with weapons and armour resembling the guardian was somehow amazing, and yet scary at the same time. And just was Tharin and the guardian talking about during the fight? Feyrin knew they were telepathically connected, and that they were conversing, but what about?

"Speaking of which, Tharin isn't a vampire lord, is she?"

Gwen asked, snapping Feyrin from her thoughts.

"No. Just because she was bitten by one, doesn't make her one. The levels are usually starting from the recently bitten. Then, they would proceed to choose if they want to remain as a human, and need to be blessed by a powerful priest or crusader who has the right qualifications, or bite someone to become a vampire. At the time we discovered Tharin's condition, it was already too late to go and find a priest. Convertion was the only way."

Feyrin explained, closing the book before her, and pushing it one side, before she summoned a small gust of wind to pick up the next book and land it before her.

"Vampires need to suck blood to recover and gain powers. People usually think that a vampire needs only blood to survive, but it isn't true. Vampirism is both being un-dead, and being infected with a virus. Mainly because the vampiric virus would cause the person to actually die once after their first bite, and then be revived again, hence the category of 'un-dead'. Holy spells would be effective since it deals with reversing unnatural or non-holy revivals."

Feyrin looked up at Gwen, who was still listening, though having quite a hard time following.

"Vampires are like people, they still require the basics of air, food and water, but with the addition of needing blood to sustain their dark need for power. Failure to do so would result in their bodies reversing the dark powers within themselves and becoming ghouls, or dead once more. As they drink more, their dark powers increase, and soon it takes over them. By the time they have been consumed by the darkness within, they would have risen to a high-vampire. Vampire lords would rein three ranks above that, and the only thing higher, would be true vampires. Those are said to be the first vampires known, and are mainly born as vampires, therefore their powers are quite exponential. As long as we can find a cure in time, Tharin would be in no danger of needing blood to survive constantly."

Terash snorted at that, getting up from searching, and heading into the kitchen. Everyone look in his direction, giving odd looks to each other.

"Terash?"

Ferex looked at the monk, who stepped out with a tray of simply food. A sandwich, soup from Heline's pot, and a glass of water.

"The lady needs to eat, right?"

Tharin lay on the small bed, an arm over her eyes as she tried to get some rest. She had thrown aside her cloak and cape and her armour, leaving her only in her unbuttoned tunic and tights. Her instincts were shouting at her to hide in some corner, where as little light could reach her as possible, but she refrained from doing so. She did not want to become like this, but by becoming a vampire, she came to understand a few more things. One, she isn't normal. She already knew that before, but now some details have come to light. Her 'conversation' with Byakko, the guardian of the Einbroch Mines, as he called himself, was rather insightful. She could still talk to the guardian if she wished, but somehow or rather, she preferred to be alone in her thoughts for the moment.

Flashback

'"You... you wield powers that a human should not!"'

The guardian's voice growled in her head. Tharin smiled seductively, licking her lips like a hunter who just got his prey.

'"And such powers that suit my situation."'

'"Hmph, do you not realize what you have?"'

'"Enlighten me. If you know of my identity, then tell me."'

'"Do you not know yourself?"'

The creature questioned, as though amused by her lack of knowledge. Tharin felt a surge of irritation build up within her, and she was really tempted to use it on that guardian, but suppressed it.

'"If i did, i wouldn't be asking. The one thing i have realized as i began my journey, is that one person i understand the least, is myself. I know more about my companions who only recently joined me, than my own past."'

'"... That is true. I see, and i understand. You have come here for the 'treasure'."'

'"Yes. Do you know of what i seek? Can i seek the answers to my true questions through them?"'

The creature chuckled.

'"You may or may not have the answers, young one, but at least you shall learn along the way. I am that which you seek. Byakko, Western White Tiger of the Earth. I shall give you a small piece of knowledge that is part of what you seek. The blood that runs through you is special. In time all shall be revealed to you. Be patient, young one, and you will be rewarded. Till then, i will be your arms and legs."'

Present

Tharin was honestly surprised by what the guardian told her. Her blood was special. She knew that from the vampire lord situation. Why would the vampire lord keep her alive, and save her blood? No, she knew that because of her blood, that these strange things were occuring to her. Some part of her suspected the truth, no, perhaps even knew the truth from the beginning, and now it was beginning to show its face. But she doesn't know, refuses to know, till the actual fact is told straight to her face.

"... When the time comes, huh? Hmph... who knows when would that be?"

Although she did not want to wait, she thought carefully about what the guardian said. There must be a reason for it. Too much to handle if she knew it immediately? That may be true, Tharin did feel like she needed to slow down as things were going too fast. She hadn't actually even made up her mind on the on-going war. She knew she was already standing on the opposite side of the field from where she started, that she was now the enemy of everything she knew and loved before this journey. But she did not want to admit it. Not wanting to believe it.

Now Einbroch was under her command, and she doesn't even have any leadership capabilities! She wasn't Bashin, or Feyrin, or Gwen. Tharin did not know if she could actually stand on the battlefield, facing faces she knew, and actually intend to slay them. She couldn't do it. Not even once. The door creaked open, causing Tharin to lift her arm slightly from her brows. Terash stepped in with a tray of food, and though Tharin felt thankful to the monk, she was thinking that his actions were rather unnecessary. Terash placed the tray of food on the small table in the room, before turning to Tharin.

"Your food."

His tone seemed to hint irritation, or anger. Getting up, Tharin looked at Terash, who suddenly turned and looked away, face beet red. She could tell since she could 'see' the blood rushing to his face, and a certain area. It was obvious that the cause was her dressing. Her blouse was unbuttoned, and only loosely clinging onto her shoulders. Her abdomen, cleavage, and some parts of her breast were really exposed. Even her tights were slightly undone, so it wouldn't take much effort for her to actually become completely bare. A mischievous smirk crossed her face, as she reached out, and held onto one of Terash's hand, pulling him close to the bed.

"Tha-Tharin?!"

"What's the matter, Terash? Never seen a lady before?"

Tharin seductively trailed a finger down from her neck line, across her almost exposed chest, to her stomach. She reached into her blouse, carressing herself in a sexual manner. The blouse slipped off her shoulders, but was still wrapped around her, still it was almost close to coming off. The monk was shocked, and extremely red in the face. Though Tharin knew that she doesn't act like this, and that her dark personality had taken over, she could not help but laugh inwardly at Terash's reaction. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she leaned close to his face, almost brushing her cheeks against his. She whispered softly into his ear, gently, and with a seductive tone that she never knew she had.

"Want... more?"

She turned, pushing him onto the bed, while she sat on top of him. She trailed a finger lazily down his tunic, and the fabric magically parted, revealing his well built body. And while as usual, Tharin's outward appearance hinted no change, her mind was boiling with turmoil. She was actually quite embarrassed to do and see all this, yet her body was moving as though it wasn't her own. And worse, she could 'see' Terash's blood flowing through his body.

"How indecent... a holy man is unable to resist such... lust."

Tharin leaned close to Terash's neck, and the monk was somewhat mesmerized, or too shocked. The blood that Tharin 'saw' was pulsating in the veins and arteries in his neck. So tempting. She must resist. The blood. She mustn't. The rush. This isn't right. So...

"-delicious."

Her tongue trailed his skin, feeling the pulse just a mere millimetre away from the surface. She bore her fangs, ready to divulge herself, but stopped. Just a hair's breath away. Her eyes narrowed.

"Tharin, stop this."

Kaine commanded from the doorway. Tharin looked up at the man, who was somewhat irritated, and somehow, sad. A smile formed on her lips.

"Jealous?"

"Hmph, you wish."

Kaine snorted, pulling the monk up from the bed, and giving him a good slap.

"Wha-?"

"You idiot! Don't give in to the power of darkness so easily!"

Kaine shot at the dazed monk. Tharin sat back down on the bed, crossing her legs and resting her head on her palm.

"Don't blame the kid, Kaine. After all, the darkness is just. that. great. Isn't that right, Terash?"

Tharin smirked at the monk, who seemed to be slightly terrified, and ran out of the room.

"Sigh, and i wanted to play some more. You really know how to spoil my fun."

Tharin lay down on the bed, facing the other direction from Kaine.

"You almost bit him, Tharin. What were YOU thinking?"

"... Not much."

"... You better not lose yourself in the lust, or else you shall find my sword to be a rather powerful and painful thing."

With that, Kaine left, closing the door, leaving Tharin alone in the darkness. Her eyes glowed crimson red, though her tears were as clear as crystals.

"I know, Kaine... i know."

They had already spent two nights deep in that underground laboratory, searching and searching. After the Terash incident, everyone became even more fearful of Tharin, even Feyrin. Tharin would now come out of her room for food, and go back into her room after that. But she would always eat alone. Everyone would eat before her, and try to clear away before she arrives. And Tharin herself noticed this, though her expression did not change. Her eyes, however was turning a brighter red than before, signalling Feyrin to hurry in her search.

Vensil had gotten over her grief, and volunteered to watch Tharin's room when Kaine needed to rest. It was the third night, and most of the group had gone to sleep. Feyrin was still pouring through books, not showing any sign of fatigue even after searching non-stop for the three days, saying it was normal for her to go on without sleep for a week. Kaine stared silently at the candle flames' flicker, mainly from the turning of pages that Feyrin was doing. Already a mountain of books was behind the tiny mage, but it did not seem odd for her. On the other hand, Kaine found it really odd.

"Lord Kaine. I'll take over watch."

Vensil walked up to the wearied Knight, though he could actually go on all week like this. Without him replying, Vensil stood by the other side of the door, sitting down on the cold stone floor. Kaine studied the monk for awhile. She was still young. Surely the death of the reverend would have a larger impact on her?

"... Do you miss them?"

"Huh?"

Vensil looked up at Kaine from the question.

"I asked, do you miss the times before this?"

"... I do. Those were like the most wonderful dream i had, and at that time, i thought i was dreaming."

"But the news of his death must have shocked you."

"Yes... He was like a real father to all us. Though slightly eccentric-"

Kaine thought that 'really eccentric' would better fit that man.

"- and perverse, he still meant well. He nurtured us, taught us languages and words, bestowed upon us wisdom and choices."

Vensil hugged her knees, her eyes shifting off into the distant as her memories sought to take her away.

"... Do you regret?"

"Huh?"

"Do you regret leaving the monastery on this journey?"

"No! Not at all! It was his wish that we were to go with Tharin. And because it was his last wish for us, that i would honour it."

"That... isn't true, is it?"

Kaine stared hard at her. The monk was speechless for the moment.

"It... it's true! That this being his last wish, and by completing i would forever honour his-"

"Cut the crap."

Tharin's voice cut in, making all eyes in the room turn to her. With the door open, Tharin stood there, her arms crossed. She stepped out of her room, making Kaine and Vensil back away from her. Tharin was used to it, so it didn't faze her. Instead, she turned to Vensil, staring hard into the monk's quivering eyes with her own blood red ones.

"You regret leaving, you thought that if only you hadn't met me, if only i didn't arrive at this monastery, if only i didn't exist! That the reverend would be still alive. Am i right?"

"That-"

"I know i'm right. I can see it in your eyes. Your hatred. For me. Go ahead and hate me all you want. It wouldn't matter, because he is DEAD."

Tharin's words shot like a bolt into Vensil.

"Tharin! Enough!"

Kaine reached for his sword, but Tharin gave one hard glare, enough to paralyze Kaine for the moment.

"Do not interfere."

She turned back to Vensil, who stood there quivering, yet unable to say a word, unable to even blink. Just staring into Tharin's red eyes.

"That man was foolish and naive. Sending kids to do an adult's job? Ha! What was his thinking? Maybe he should have deserved to die!"

"Don't..."

"What a stupid man he was, unable to stand up and fight. Unable to defend even himself!"

"Don't..."

"Reverend? Don't make me laugh! I bet he didn't even pass the priest exams! He was nothing! Born as nothing! Raised as nothing! Lived as nothing! And died as nothing! No one will remember him! A stupid man who died a stupid death!"

"DON'T YOU DARE INSULT HIM!!"

Vensil snapped, shouting back at Tharin, and lunging forward, a knife in hand. The knife stabbed Tharin, who did not do anything, but smile.The entire place fell silent once more, before Tharin placed a hand on Vensil's head.

"Then hate me. Hate me with every bit of your life. And live with that hatred. Better to live to hate, then die foolishly for another's dream. You must forever live for your own sake."

Vensil released the knife, stepping back, eyes wide in horror at what she had just done. She fell to the floor, and started to cry. Tharin turned and looked at Kaine, who could move after the entire tensed moment ended.

"Tharin, you-"

"Tend to her. She's still shaken."

Tharin headed towards the kitchen, and stopped next to Feyrin, who only looked up to Tharin for a short moment, before looking back at her book.

"You're being too rash again. Just to teach the girl a lesson a few words would be sufficient."

"I didn't want to do it. The girl needs to grow up."

"So do you. You've gotten yourself injured because of this."

Tharin looked down at the knife still imbedded in her abdomen. Pulling it out, and tossing the knife aside, she sighed.

"As if something of that calibur can actually harm me."

"Hmph. So why did you come out? Surely not only to make Vensil cry."

"I was hungry."

"I found it!"

Feyrin's declaration made everyone look up with hope. They gathered around Feyrin and the book she held in her hands. After four days, they finally found their answer. Tharin stood in the shadows, watching them rejoice in their discovery. Part of her was glad, but another was somewhat troubled. She had gone on for six days without feeding on another's blood, and it was getting too hard to resist. Her hand gripped onto her left arm, where under the sleeve, were several bite marks. Her attempts to halt her mad frenzy resulted in her biting and drinking her own blood. It tasted horrible in her mouth, but it soothed the crazes. Though not completely. And this cure, it wasn't going to be simple. Everything about it wasn't going to be easy. From the process, to the results. Tharin retreat back into her room, feeling slightly agitated by the cheers of the group.

"Now we just need the ingredients, which most of them are fortunately in this lab. We just need a few herbs from the outside."

Feyrin explained, looking through the instructions with elated thoughts.

"I've seen some of those herbs just outside the monastary."

Kaine said, looking over Feyrin's shoulder at the list.

"Finally! Tharin, you can be back to normal-... Tharin?"

Meili looked around for the crusader, but she was nowhere to be found.

"She must be in her room."

Ferex said. Kaine felt somewhat disturbed by that. He knew she had been spending a lot of time in her room recently. Hardly coming out for meals.

"She should be happy to get the news."

Gwen added, though some of them were actually wondering if she would be happy or not.

"... I'll go check on her."

Kaine walked up to her door, knocked once, and opened the door. There, Kaine saw Tharin hunched over in the corner, trembling.

"Tharin?"

Kaine walked over to the crusader, and looking over to see what she was doing, Kaine was shocked and horrified by the sight. Blood. It was everywhere. Tharin was biting onto her own arm, where multiple bite marks were. Her blood red eyes were burning as blood instead of tears streaked down her cheeks.

"Tha-... THARIN!"

Kaine grabbed onto Tharin, who turned and glared at Kaine, sending a wave of dark energy at the Knight. Kaine tried to withstand the force. Tharin's safety was his priority at the moment. Summoning his energy, his sent a punch to her gut, forcing Tharin to flinch, allowing the easing up of the force that was pressed against him.

"Get a grip!"

"cough cough I..."

Tharin tried to explain herself, but she couldn't. She wouldn't. Kaine knew her, trying to keep her own problems to herself, when she went about caring for others and solving their problems. A surge of pain went through Tharin, making her scream out in agony, her entire body constricted with her muscles tensing to the point of nearly snapping. Kaine knew what was happening. Tharin was reaching her critical point.

"I need help!"

Kaine shouted. Immediately, Ferex and Azel rushed in, and together, the three men pulled the screaming, and in immense pain Tharin out of her room. Gwen cleared a table of its items, and they laid Tharin on the table. Ferex and Vinlett quickly took leather straps and bound Tharin to the table.

"Meili!"

Kaine turned to the thief, who was already searching her bags and pouches, till she produced a small vial of blue liquid. She tossed it to Kaine, to uncorked it, and forced the liquid down Tharin's throat. Tharin choked on the liquid, coughing and spurting some out, but a little when down her throat, and her muscles loosened. Soon, Tharin was unconscious. Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.

"We're running out of time."

Kaine turned to Feyrin, who nodded in agreement.

"I'll go prepare the instruments. Kaine, you and the assassins go out for the ingredients."

Feyrin instructed. Kaine nodded, and the two assassins did not disagree.

"On it."

"Heline, Vensil, go check on Tharin's condition and heal any pre-existing wounds. Use as little holy magic as possible. We cannot have her die on us mid-way. Meili, provide them with whatever potions they need."

The priestess and the monk went off, with Meili, and started their own procedures.

"Gwen, Azel, Berilious, i need you three to start preparing the ingredients that we have here. I have written what you three need to do already, so here."

Feyrin passed them a piece of paper, and they rushed off to find the ingredients to prepare.

"Terash, Karves, i need you two to shift the instruments to where Tharin is. Make sure not to break or damage anything."

"Right."

The two monks spotted what they were meant to do, and though a little dubious of its structure, started to shift the necessary equipments across the room.

"What about me? I want to help master too!"

Aira spoke up, jumping up and down. Next to her was Meris, the young acolyte. For some reason, the two seem to get along very well, just like how Aira and Meili get along well. Feyrin did not actually have a job for these two, and the process was decribed to be extremely gruesome. She did not want these two in the room when it went on, but she guessed, if they wanted to help, she shouldn't stop them.

"Go get water for the operation. Help the others once you're done."

"Alright! Let's go Meris!"

Aira giddily pulled Meris off, making Feyrin wonder if the homunculus actually knew what was happening?

Soon, all preparations were complete. Kaine and the assassins had arrived back quickly, carrying bags of herbs. Feyrin knew she could count on the guide for that task. He knew herbology due to his job, and years of surviving on his own. The assassins were sharp eyed, and would know what herbs to gather once told its description. All in all, they were perfect for the job. Vensil and Heline had finished healing most of Tharin's wounds, especially her arm. But there were some scars left behind.

"She... was trying to withstand the urge so badly."

Vensil broke down after bandaging Tharin's arm. The monk had been crying throughout the entire healing process, and though Feyrin found it distracting, she knew the monk needed it.

"She... only wanted to help all of us, keeping the greatest of all of our pains within herself! Why?! Why did she have to make herself suffer even more than she already has? And-... and i did such a horrible thing to her!"

Heline went to calm the monk down, though she must have been feeling the same things inside. They all were. Feyrin knew that Tharin was actually past the critical point. She needed blood, badly. Feeding on her own blood did calm the frenzy for a short while, but it was actually making her own condition worse. The mage did not know if all Crusaders were like that, or just Tharin. Tharin had a special aura around her, one that lets everyone know that she is honest, kind, and caring. You would place your trust in her almost immediately if you weren't pointing a sword at her. And Tharin would eventually be the one to lead a force that would be strong enough to overthrow Volos.

But what exactly was Volos's plan? No one knew what it was, but the threat of war is real, and looming every so close. People were already choosing sides, under Volos, or against him. Tharin would be the one to unite those who stood against the tyrant, and she would lead them all into battle. This isn't just a part of what Feyrin saw in Tharin's possibility, but it was a future that Feyrin had 'seen' with her own eyes. Through the curse, Feyrin knew it to be true. Tharin was someone who will gather people beneath her. She will rise to the top. But with such a soft hearted soul, can she really make it there? Never mind standing there.

"To attain your own goals and dreams, you must be prepared to destroy the dreams of others... can you be the one to gain the courage to do that, Tharin?"

Feyrin silently questioned, as her fingers guided flasks and liquids around with magic. She carefully poured liquids with a flick of her wrists, conducting multiple tasks at once by using magic. It was tiring for the mage, since she hadn't gotten any sleep since all this began, and directing the people around, while using her magic to measure and do measured and precise mixing.

"We're done with the grounding."

Berilious reported, and Feyrin could tell that the two gunslingers and the bard who did the mixing and grounding of the herbs and dry ingredients, had hands that were like jelly. In other words, they were worn out. It was risky to ask them to do anything else, so she relieved them of their duties. Kaine took over, helping with the mixing. They worked hard into the night, and twice Meili had to re-administer the drug to Tharin. Each time she woke her screams and pain would only be greater than the last, and the amount of time for the drug to wear of was getting lesser and lesser. They were running out of time. But nonetheless, they pushed on. Feyrin knew that it wasn't just the time that Tharin's physical body had left, but her mentality as well. Though the drug may knock her unconscious, who knows what she was going through while she slept.

"Done! Terash! Karves! Move these over to the empty table! Heline, prepare to assist me."

Feyrin moved some of the more rare or dangerous liquids with her magic, while the rest were moved by the others. She now stood before Tharin. Feyrin took a moment to study her Crusader's soft features. How peaceful she looked while asleep, like a beauty of eternity. Who knows what would happen next? How far they journey would take them? But it would not be possible, if Tharin was not there. Feyrin knew what was at stake. She cannot-... will not fail.

"Let's begin."

A/N: I may continue further with this, but i was thinking of looking at my other projects. Well, we'll see how all of this works out.