Dirthamen sat within Teren's aravel with Henala and Milliel. The children were around them as were a few others within the clan who didn't hunt or fight. It was painfully obvious Dirthamen was the only young looking man there.

Milliel was sitting beside him. She'd been casting encouraging smiles to the others and joked with the children who said something to her, but there was a notable tenseness to her frame.

"Relax, ma sulahn'nehn," Dirthamen whispered in her ear. His hand on her shoulder. He knew nothing would happen to her or their children, but his own heart was still uneasy with the worry of the battle to come so close to this aravel. With each passing heartbeat Falon'Din delayed longer in the plan which would draw Elgar'nan away from the clan instead of to its heart.

"I know, I know," Milliel said unconvincingly. Sighing, she leaned against Dirthamen's side. "I know I can't, but I feel like I should be out there too. I'm a hunter, not a basket weaver."

"Don't you even think about thinking about leaving this aravel," Henala warned with a wagging finger. "You should feel grateful that you don't have to go out there."

"Grateful? Mum, I'd want to help, they could use me," Milliel retorted. "Of course I'm not going to leave, I'm not an idiot. I just feel helpless right now when I should be getting yelled at by Drake-Fists instead of sitting around twiddling my thumbs."

Dirthamen wrapped his arms around her, one hand on her stomach. He felt one of the little ones press where his hand touched. "I know how you feel, sulahn'nehn." He kissed her cheek.

"I'm sorry I made you upset, Milly," Henala apologized. "Even if you weren't pregnant, I still wouldn't want you to be out there. I don't like the thought of you getting hurt, da'len. I know you want to help the others, and I'm sorry that I'm glad you're in here."

"It's all right, mum," Milliel sighed. "I'm just on edge right now and I have swollen feet and cankles."

Dirthamen turned his gaze towards the door. Just outside he knew his sentinels were taking positions hidden among the aravels out of sight from the small group with Healer Teren. His sight cut deeper and he could see the cult moving into position. Elgar'nan at the helm of the army. His amber eyes were searching the landscape for a source of powerful magic. The magic Dirthamen knew Solas and Falon'Din would suppress but Lorien and the unborn triplets would give off without them even being mages. The magic of Himinan's bloodline.

He held Milliel a little tighter though the grip was still weak.

"Hey." Milliel's hand brushed his cheek. "We're gonna be fine, don't listen to me."

His heart twisted. For her to be fine, he had to leave now or Elgar'nan would make it to this point. To her, to Lorien, the children, and clan. His family.

"Listen, ma lath, I need to join Teren," he whispered. Only Milliel and Henala were close enough to hear him. "It might seem odd, but the cult leader is heading for the aravels."

"What? Why?" Henala gasped quietly.

"To explain will take too long, Lady Henala." Dirthamen held Milliel for a moment longer. "I will return."

"You'd better." Taking his face in her hands, Milliel pulled him into a kiss. "Don't be stupid out there, Onion," she told him.

"I promise I won't be."

"Ar lath ma," she said.

Dirthamen slipped from Teren's aravel without drawing the attention of the healer or anyone else. He removed the tattered robe, to reveal the cleaner set which covered his ancient armor crafted from him by June. He tugged up the hood and moved a cloth so it hid his mouth.

A mile away, Elgar'nan had spotted where the clan was camped. Falon'Din hadn't moved fast enough to distract his father from the aravels. He would be coming for Lorien. There was no getting around this now

Dirthamen limped through the line of hunters, passing as a shadow between.

"What the?" Teren turned as if sensing Dirthamen's presence. He blinked.

Dirthamen stopped before the line of the first trapped aravels. The cane fell to the ground as he drew his daggers. The ironbark blades crackled with the runes of ancient magic. Dirthamen twisted the the blades around, feeling their familiar weight and perfect balance in his hands. He placed all his weight onto his good leg, bracing his body through time itself for the initial strike by Elgar'nan.

Just beyond the aravels, flames flared bright against even the sun. The traps were rent apart, the protective magic around the aravels saving them from following the fate of the traps. Each trap slowed Elgar'nan's fiery approach by mere seconds.

"Fear, be ready," Dirthamen thought to the demon.

The black raven flapped overhead. Fear circled over Dirthamen's position.

Heat washed over Dirthamen. "Now!"

Fear dropped from the sky moments before the heat of the flames became a reality. Agony raced through Dirthamen's back as his muscles ripped and grew. Wings burst from the back of his armor and robes through lines placed there by June countless centuries ago. He felt the armor shift, changing under the robes to accommodate a Demon of Fear. His hair tumbled down his back, feather moving into to mimic the look of a Demon of Fear. Pain fled Dirthamen's bad leg. His lungs expanded with ease. Strength flowed through his body as his foresight and time magic were suppressed behind Fear's power.

A barrier expanded before Dirthamen, wrapping around the aravels which held the people. Flames slammed into the barrier. The heat intense as the fire was directed around the clan.

"Dirthamen!" Elgar'nan shrieked his named in rage. The fire twisted and eased back. A familiar figure moved through it his eyes glittering in the light of the fire. Elgar'nan drew his sword from its sheath. Flames flickered over the ancient ironbark blade.

Dirthamen steadied his stance. His wings shifted on his back. He was ready to fly but he wouldn't let Elgar'nan closer to the People. "You won't harm any more of the People," Dirthamen replied in a smooth voice.

Flames whipped out before Elgar'nan.

Pain lanced through Dirthamen. His daggers clashed against the shield. His wings flared out as Fear screamed in his head.

"Weakling," Elgar'nan hissed. His breath foul on Dirtahmen's face.

Elgar'nan pressed Dirthamen back.

Dirthamen flared his wings further. A beat sent him forward a pace. He fought back with his wings and legs straining against flame and strength. All the while he started to beat on Elgar'nan's mental defenses, fighting to use Fear's power against Elgar'nan. It wasn't something he had ever managed to achieve before. Dirthamen knew Elgar'nan felt only rage, still, there had be a small piece of the man which could still feel fear.

Elgar'nan leapt back. Flames seared around Dirthamen, so hot they scorched the ground. The flames turned blue.

A barrier flew around Teren's group, only just directing the flames away from the healer.

Raw agony shot through Dirthamen. He screeched as Elgar'nan rammed into him. Fear echoed his pain with a cry of his own.

Dust and flame whipped into the air as Dirthamen beat his wings. He wasn't strong enough with Fear alone. He couldn't keep the clan safe, not without his foresight and time magic. He was blind and Elgar'nan knew it.

A scream of rage filled the air. Elgar'nan charged around Dirthamen, flames lending him speed.

"No!" Dirthamen screamed as he flew after Elgar'nan. He had to stop him before he reached the aravel before he reached Milliel and Lorien.

Flames raced towards Teren's group. The healer had staggered back in shock as Elgar'nan appeared through the dust, followed close by Dirthamen.

The flames burst away from the healer moments before it would have reduced him to ash.

Dirthamen back winged in time to avoid slamming into Falon'Din who had appeared as if from thin air. "You're both late," Dirthamen stated.

Solas stood before Teren, his hand raised. It had been Solas who had created the barrier this time. His pale eyes blazed with rage and the light of the flame. He now wore the wolf's cowl.

Elgar'nan straightened, laughing. "If it isn't my treacherous son and brother." He licked his lips. "I'll enjoy gutting you and forcing you to watch that precious child of yours bleed out."

Solas snarled. The next moment, a massive white wolf leapt at Elgar'nan.

"Solas, direct him away from the clan!" Dirthamen shouted at his father. "Falon, with me, we should be able to block his progress from here."

His brother nodded. Their magic wove together, creating a barrier around the clan which started to expand outward.

Elgar'nan tossed Solas aside, sending flames after him. He spat blood, enraged as he moved back from the barrier. "I'll dance your dance then, weakling." He jumped back. A spray of flames rose around the barrier. The light grew in intensity.

Dirthamen flew higher, trying to cast a shadow over Teren and the hunters. "Atisha, now!"

Arrow pelted Elgar'nan from behind.

Elgar'nan spat again. Flames burned the arrows to ash. He retreated from the clan. Flames engulfed Elgar'nan. It was a sign Elgar'nan was running to come at the aravel from the direction of the lake itself.

Solas turned back to an elvhen. "Falon, with me." He raced after Elgar'nan. "Dirthamen, head over the lake!"

Dirthamen flew higher. He twisted in the air and shot off to cut off Elgar'nan's next attack. "Deceit, stay close to us, I am going to need you as well in a second."

"How about now? Why should the oaf get all the fun?"

"Because I give him wings," Fear retorted, though it was a pained retort. "We will need her soon, Dirthamen. You're body is too bad now for me to handle long on my own."

Dirthamen could feel the weight of the wings growing on his back. No matter how long he wanted to delay activating the power to the next level, Fear was right. There was only so long either demon could handle him on their own. The ideal would have been to over the center of the lake and have Deceit fuse with him right when Elgar'nan hit.

"That's not going to happen," Fear snapped.

Dirthamen was slowing. He could see the steam rising in the distance where Elgar'nan formed lava at his feet, cooling the moment it touched water and dissolving behind him to form a fast path across the lake. The man had further to go to get there, but his speed he would reach the lake's center long before Dirthamen did. This risked the clan being caught in the aftershocks of a full battle between the four of them.

"Dirthamen!" Fear shrieked.

"Deceit, to me."

A white blur dove from above. Power surged through Dirthamen as her energy was added to Fear's. Water raced up around as he across the surface as an arrow. Lightning crackled over one dagger. Ice raced over the other turning it to a sword.

"Oh, you don't activate your full power?" Deceit huffed in Dirthamen's mind. "I wanted to feel in pain, not alive, Dirthy."

"No," Dirthamen retorted to her.

"No, I wasn't asking for it. I love pain, honest."

Fear snapped back in annoyance.

"Quiet both of you."

The steam cloud was almost on top of Dirthamen now. He dove down. Dirthamen twisted moments before hitting the molten earth. It cracked under him but he had managed to land before Elgar'nan.

Ice raced through the air as Dirthamen lunged at Elgar'nan.

Elgar'nan's eyes widened. The ground hardened under them as Elgar'nan leapt back. His shield flew up. Ice shattered as the blade struck it, sending steam racing up from the heated shield.

The blade repaired as Dirthamen drew it back. He leapt after Elgar'nan. Lightning hissed passed Elgar'nan's neck as he barely dodged.

Dirthamen flipped up into the air, using his wings to twist. Strands of golden hair fell towards the still forming rock. It caught fire and vanished before the strands would hit the ground.

Dirthamen landed, crouched and tense. He was ready to strike again.

A battle cry rose from over Dirthamen. Heat filled the air as metal hummed over Dirthamen's head. The scythe flashed, lightning racing from the blade. A hum came from Falon'Din, thrumming with the sound of a tune. The magic reacted, strengthening.

Fire wrapped around Elgar'nan in a barrier.

Dirthamen thrust out his lightning dagger. The water rushed up around as the lightning and flame collided in torrent of power.

Falon'Din landed. He danced, twisting the scythe around him in a beautiful display. Each stroke lightning or ice flew from the tip, growing in strength as he hummed out a tune of battle.

Dirthamen joined his brother. He dove down at Elgar'nan from above, his dagger and sword flashing with each change in Falon'Din's magic.

Explosions filled the air. Water rose in great waves around the island forming under Elgar'nan's feet. The waves raced out in every direction towards the shore. Any looking out over the lake would see a great smoke cloud flashing in a brilliant storm of lights.

The ground ruptured under them and repaired. Yet, each strike was parried as if it were a toy blade. A child's strike. Elgar'nan stood his ground, laughing at their attempts.

Lava gushed from the ground.

Dirthamen flew up. Ice raced from his sword, even as Falon'Din swept his scythe around. The scythe struck stone. Massive rocks flew out across the lake.

The air popped, pressure increasing as the Veil warped. Dirthamen dove for the ground. He landed behind his brother as Falon'Din drove his scythe down.

A massive pull of the rift formed around Elgar'nan. The waves reversed. A dome of water formed around them, blanketing the sky.

Dirthamen formed a barrier around himself and his brother. His wings folded tight to his back.

The sky was rent. Massive stones were summoned forth from the Fade, each blazing as they hailed down upon the Lake.

Lava raced up around Elgar'nan as he threw his arms into the air. Stone and water crashed down upon him.

Dirthamen launched into the air. Water rushed over Falon'Din. Steam blasted out, burning eyes and exposed skin. Dirthamen hissed in pain, his arm flying over his face in a barrier against the steam. Through watering eyes, he could just make out the shell which had formed around Elgar'nan.

Water receded into the lake. It rushed out and would gain strength the closer it came to the shore. Solas stood before Falon'Din now. His eyes gave off the faintest hints of green-yellow colors of the Fade.

Falon'Din coughed up water. He staggered to his feet, wrenching his scythe from the floating landmass. "Did we get him?" He painted, still coughing from the water.

Dirthamen didn't land, his gaze on the orb. There was no way it was over yet. It had been too easy.

Crack! The sound thrummed through the air. Heat gathered around the center of orb in the form of a figure.

"Of course not," Falon'Din muttered. He hefted his scythe.

Shards of stone exploded out. In the center Elgar'nan stood, his head bowed and shoulders shaking. He was laughing. "Is that all you can muster?" He looked towards them, eyes glowing as embers in the dust around them. "After being awake for almost four years, truly pathetic, brother. And you," - he turned his gaze on Dirthamen - "you little weakling, I expected such strength from you after twenty centuries. I over estimated what power a bastard would have."

Mana crackled around Elgar'nan, visible as sparks of flame through the air. Flames engulfed his form. His body transforming to pure flame. At first his body was white in color, it shifted to yellow, then orange, slowly turned purple and finally blue. His steps melted the ground. Water hissed up turning solid at his feet once more. If it had been sand, glass would have formed and shattered at his steps.

Unease caused Dirthamen's neck hair to prickle. The air wavered with the raw heat. Fire dripped from the tips of Elgar'nan's fingers.

"Dirthamen, stop holding back!" Fear shrieked in Dirthamen's mind. The demons were growing fearful of Elgar'nan's presence.

Elgar'nan's sword moved towards the ground. It trailed embers, raw flame dripped from the tip. "Truly pathetic," Elgar'nan jerred, his voice cracked like wood within a fire, echoing the power now contained in his form.

Horror raced through Dirthamen.

Elgar'nan lifted his sword as if in slow motion.

He knew what future this was.

Elgar'nan whipped the out and lashed it towards the shore. The power of the blast sent Solas and Falon'Din to the ground. Dirthamen twisted through the air.

"No!" He forced his wings to beat against the blast. His eyes burned. "Milliel!" Power surged through Dirthamen. He heard the pleasure from the demons. Felt as barrier around time itself was released. He shot forward. His eyes locked on the energy, though slowed, it sliced through air faster than light.

He could see the shore through his returned foresight, knew the people had moved from the aravel during the battle. He could see Milliel and Henala and Lorien. Teren. All of them. No!

Each beat of his wings sent winds racing out in normal time. The water was ripped up from the lake. He overtook Elgar'nan's attack.

Dirthamen turned as he neared the shore. A barrier formed, wrapping around the attack Elgar'nan had unleashed. Between this, he managed to pull Solas and Falon'Din from the normal time flow. They were racing across the bridge the attack had formed.

Dirthamen was blasted back. He had to stop it. Dirthamen shrieked as he unleashed his full power. The attack froze in time.

"Take it back!"

The attack was launched back through time towards Elgar'nan.

Solas and Falon'Din leapt into the water just in time to avoid being struck.

The air thrummed as flames exploded out over the lake. Elgar'nan had blocked the time manipulated strike.

"Solas, Falon'Din, protect the People," Dirthamen shouted down to them. "Elgar'nan is mine!"

Dirthamen shot back towards Elgar'nan, screaming in rage. No one. No one, harmed his family!

"Dirthamen!" Solas shouted. The word were lost on the wind.

This was a battle between him and Elgar'nan now. Solas and Falon'Din would only get in the way.

*~ X ~*

Her husband had wings.

When the lights flashed over the lake, those in the aravel came out to see what was happening. A foolish move, really, but curiosity often outweighed logic.

Her husband had wings.

Milliel stared out over the lake. She'd forgotten the pain in her swollen feet as she stood there, eyes transfixed on the scene before her.

Her husband had wings. His hair somehow grew longer, and he was cloaked in shadowy robes and armor even finer than what he wore on their bonding day. She watched as he flew above the lake and watched when he sent the wave of fire back from whence it came.

"Solas, Falon'Din, protect the People," she heard him shout. "Elgar'nan is mine!"

'It's really him.' She thought to herself. He truly was an onion. Just when she thought she understood him completely, another layer was peeled back, reminding her that there was far more to Mahvir than she would ever understand.

"Your father has wings," she said to her children, dazed.

"Why are you standing there?!"

Milliel turned to see her mother tugging on her arm. "Look, mum, he has wings."

"Milliel, come on, it's not safe," a hysterical Henala begged.

Falon'Din exploded out from the water in a great wave which rose up from the fighting. He twisted in the air, using his scythe and landed before them. The water hit an invisible force.

"Girl my brother mated with, move!"

Solas walked from the wave trailing water. "Falon'Din," he scolded. "Honestly." He turned and the water was thrown back into the lake.

"What?"

"Her name is Milliel," Solas stated.

"Yeah, so? We're currently reduced to glorified barriers while Dirthamen is out there fighting Elgar'nan. Elgar'nan," he repeated the name slowly. "Forgive me for wanting to scream at something. Better yet, I'll scream you. You're the reason I'm so weak and had a twenty century long tormenting nap!" He spat in rage.

"Oh, yes, all my fault. You do realize I am also not much aid in the fighting now either, correct?" Solas asked with a cocked eyebrow.

"Enough!" Henala, of all people, snapped. "I don't know what's happening, but this is no time to argue amongst ourselves."

Milliel felt her arm tugged again. "Milly, sweetie let's go."

The huntress snapped from her stupor, returned to the urgency of the situation. "Right, what should we do?"

Solas and Falon'Din exchanged looks. "Honestly, this is the safest spot to stand considering Uncle and I are being glorified barriers right now," Falon'Din stated. "No matter how over powered my so called father is, his attacks can't penetrate this barrier."

"If Vivienne was here I would be getting an ear full of how we're front loading a barrier," Solas muttered.

"S-so we're fine, right?" Henala asked, unsure. "Because, because I don't really feel fine."

Solas sighed. "That tends to happen with my brother so close. Yes, you are the safest right behind the barrier." He turned his gaze back towards the lake.

Near the lake's center bright flashes filled the air. Some close to the lake's surface others high in the sky. Most happened two or three at a time.

"So much for it needing all three of us," Falon'Din muttered.

"It's a stalemate," Solas replied.

"But we would just get in Dirth's way," Falon'Din growled. "I hate being useless! I should be at Dirth's side. Fenedhis to sleeping twenty centuries draining all my power! To Elgar'nan for draining it more!"

"You still complain all the time I see."

"You're still a grouch, I see."

"Give him a break, Solas," Milliel said. "I know how it feels, I wish I could be doing something right now as well. It's a terrible feeling know you could be doing something but you're not."

Both Solas and Falon'Din looked at her and blinked. "No offense," Falon'Din started, "but I think you would be ash if you tried to help Dirth right now."

Whack - Solas hit Falon'Din with his staff. "That wasn't what she meant, Falon. She is talking about the other battle."

"Right, I knew that." Falon'Din rubbed his head.

Solas looked at him.

"I knew that!" Falon'Din defended himself.

Solas shook his head.

"That's right, oh I hope the others are okay," Henala worried. "This is madness, just madness the lot of it."

"I know," Milliel sighed. She turned to the lake once more. "Please be all right," she whispered.

The lights were popping in the distance still. Waves lashed at the lake shore.

Solas stiffened. "Blood," he stated.

"Pardon, Uncle?"

"Nimwen!" Solas turned. In the blink of an eye he shifted into a white wolf and bounded off across the shore.

"Really?!" Falon'Din shouted. He grumbled and turned to Milliel and Henala. "I'm going to bring you two with me. There is still a barrier here, but it will be weaker and Dirthamen will kill me if I let anything happen to either of you."

"He said Nimwen's hurt?!" The worst scenarios flashed in Milliel's head as her heart sped up with worry for her friend.

Falon'Din blinked. He hesitated then said, "Do me a favor, hold to one another, you'll be easier to carry that way."

"Carry?" Henala squawked.

Milliel didn't hesitate to grab her mother. "Come on," she told Falon'Din.

He smiled from under the skull mask. An invisible force wrapped around them as he leapt into the air. A beautiful barn owl appeared in the air. The ground moved from under Milliel and her mother. From the small height they gained Milliel could just make out a wagon stopped under a mile from where the clan was camped, it was closer to the clan than the battle, but the battle could be seen just beyond it.


Flame: This was a fun chapter to write. I loved writing the battle between the three creators.