A/N- Thanks to anyone who reviews, special shoutout once again to JP, Ancient Wolf, and OechsnerC! This chapter is kinda short but its a reward for getting 3 reviews in one day. So I wrote this at work and I'll just post this short piece to build the suspense for the next chapter which I promise will have the Vault of Souls and Rexus & Iszlandi face to face.

ExAxExA

Rexus opened his eyes slowly, his surroundings hazy at best. The elf struggled to his feet when, he felt two people helping him stand. Not knowing who they were, Rexus threw his arms out, shoving the people away forcefully.

"Hey! Were trying to help you, relax." After a few more moments Rexus's vision cleared up and he looked forward to see two elves in front of him. Suddenly, the memories of his fight with the shades flooded back to him.

"Ah, so I see you survived." Rexus motioned towards the male elf.

"Yes, my name is Allard and this is my mate, Desiree."

Desiree stepped closer to Rexus, who, instinctually took a step back. "Thank you for healing him, he has a nasty scar on his body, but he is alive and well. You passed out, I think you were exhausted from fighting those shades. How are you so powerful? I mean, your just an elf?"

While Desiree spoke, Rexus observed the clearing they resided in. He could tell they were close to Gil'ead still, the morning sun gave the surrounding trees and plants life, overall Rexus rather liked the clearing. A perfect place to train. "Why do you ask?"

"Because, Allard and I want to become stronger, that shade almost killed the person I love and I could do nothing to help him."

"Fair enough, I'll make you two an offer. Train with me, I will help you and you two will learn. If you give me any less than one-hundred percent of your effort, I shall consider it an insult and I will hurt you for it. My rules will be the only rules, are we agreed?" Rexus watched as the two elves seemingly spoke to each other mentally. The elves humored Rexus, they were not like any elves he has ever met before. They did not hide their emotions, they looked at each other with such obvious love, it was almost as if they were grown children.

Desiree cleared her throat, "We accept, we want to help the Varden and we want to kill that shade, who hurt us."

Rexus smiled even wider, "Revenge? I think I like you two, fair enough, take out your swords."

Allard reached for his sword and frowned when, he remembered that it was left by his camp bag on the floor. Desiree stopped Allard before he could go retrieve the blade. "Wait, you're exhausted, you should rest!"

"Rest is for the weak Desiree, now take out your blade." After hearing his words Desiree drew her elven blade, the moment the sword was in her hands, Rexus lunged towards her. Thinking quickly Desiree raised her blade, just in time to deflect an overhead strike.

Allard help, this guy is crazy he didn't even put any wards on his blade.

Coming.

Desiree, who was distracted by contacting Allard, felt herself being swept from her feet. The elf fell agaisnt the floor harshly and felt the cold tip of Rexus's blade against her neck.

"Dead." Rexus felt Allard behind him and just as the elf struck forward with his blade, Rexus easily ducked underneathe the sloppy strike. Before Allard could react, he felt himself fall against the floor.

"Dead." Rexus smirked before continuing, "the bad news is, that was a pathetic display, the good news is, that you worked together without me telling you to. You tried to take advantage of the only edge you have, that's half the battle."

Rexus looked over as Desiree cleared her throat to speak. "Wait, I have a very important question."

Rexus nodded his head, to let Desiree know he was listening. "What's your name?"

The elf shook his head, clearly dissapointed by the seemingly random question. "Call me Rexus."

Desiree smiled, as Allard walked over and lifted her off the floor. "So Rexus, who are you, why were those shades after you."

Rexus thought carefully about his response. "I am a friend of the princess."

Desiree joined the conversation excitedly, "oh Arya? The queen is here in Gil'ead, so maybe Arya will arrive sometime soon and you can see her."

Iszlandi? Interesting. "Thank you for telling me, perhaps we can pay the queen a visit one of these nights." Rexus smiled inside, he never fought Iszlandi, perhaps now was the time.

"Well we won't be going to see the queen, right Allard?"

"Right."

"Why not?" Asked Rexus.

Desiree stepped forward, "well the queen wanted us to stay back home in Duweldenvarden, she thought we were too immature to help out the Varden-

Allard continued speaking where Desiree left off, "Yea, she was always trying to hold us back."

Rexus nodded his head knowingly, "I see, Iszlandi has been like that for a long time now. Do not fret, perhaps tonight I shall pay her a visit and speak to her." With my blade.

Allard smiled, "you would do that for us?"

"Yes, under one condition."

"What's that?" Asked Desiree.

"Well first of all, we have much training to do today, the first day is always the most important, however; once I leave to meet with Iszlandi, I need you two to find my horses."

ExAxExA

Rexus concentrated his energy, mixing his blood with his magic. Once ready, the elf lunged towards the outside walls of Gil'ead. The elf jumped, put his right foot against the wall, then utilized his left to push his body upwards, allowing him to clear the wall in seconds.

Soon mother...

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