Talia sat nearby, watching as the Crimson Lions went about their training session for the afternoon. It was more or less a day like any other at the Crimson Lions' headquarters, though Fuegoleon was called away for a meeting of the Captains.

'I hope that everything is alright...' Talia thought as she moved her eyes from group to group as the Magik Knights sparred in pairs. 'Leon left in such a rush.'

Talia's attention, as well as the whole of the Crimson Lions' present, was drawn towards the main gates of the headquarters as a ruckus seemed to be rising.

"Where is she?"

Talia stood as the voice came closer and closer- her chest tightening, and her stomach knotted when she recognized the voice. "No..."

"Sir, you have no business here," Karrick said, trying to bar their "guest" from going any further into the courtyard where everyone was training.

"Out of my way, boy."

Talia stepped back, hiding briefly behind Randall as he came to see what was going on.

"Lady Talia?" he asked, looking down at her. "Are you alright?" He could see the color draining from her face and he could feel how much she was beginning to shake.

"What is he doing here...? How did he know...?"

"Do you know him?"

Talia nodded. "H-He's my f-father..."

Randall looked back towards where Jaren Chalcedony and Karrick were, his brow furrowing when Jaren shoved Karrick out of the way. "Sir, I have to ask that you refrain from treating my squadmates in such a manner."

Jaren glared at him and looked him over, a growing expression of disdain ever-present. "I am here for my daughter. Where is she?"

"And who might you be?" Randall asked, staying in the way of Jaren's line of sight to try to hide Talia as Gammon and Martin stepped closer to her as well.

"I am Lord Jaren Chalcedony, now where is my daughter, Talia? You best answer me, lest I have you stripped of rank."

Randall's brow furrowed and his eyes narrowed at the threat. "You do not have the authority to have me stripped of rank, my lord, let alone threaten me. Now, will you vacate the premises willingly, or must I have you forcibly removed?"

Jaren was clearly livid and not taking too kindly to Randall's question. "Where is she? I know the little whore is around here somewhere."

Talia clutched Gammon's cloak, trying to calm her nerves enough to step forward.

Gammon glanced down at her. "Lady Talia, are you OK?"

Talia shook her head and stepped closer to him.

"Sir, you really need to leave," Karrick tried to tell Jaren as he stepped forward again.

"Get out of my way, you miserable wretch!" Jaren retorted, throwing a burst of water at Karrick and sending him flying across the courtyard.

"Karrick!"

Talia's hand flew to her mouth as Karrick landed in a heap and her father turned his anger towards Randall next.

"Lady Talia, stay back, we'll handle this."

Talia watched in horror as her father attacked Randall and any others that came at him, trying to subdue him and remove him from the premises. Her friends were being hurt because he was furious.

'This is all my fault..! I have to do something...!'

Jaren beat back Randall momentarily and turned his attacks back onto Karrick as he got to his feet and charged at him. But just as Karrick was about to reach him, Jaren activated his Water Sphere Prison spell and imprisoned Karrick inside.

"He's going to kill him...!"

Gammon and Martin looked down as Talia pushed her way past them- accessing one of her spells as she ran towards Karrick and her father.

"Water Siphon!"

Jaren's confusion was clear as the water in his Water Sphere Prison began to be sucked away and he followed its path to where Talia was redirecting it.

"Water Creation Magik: Aqua Cushion!" Talia called out, casting her spell beneath Karrick as he fell from the weakened spell her father had cast. "Hold on, Karrick, please..!" She knelt next to Karrick as he lay on the cushion of water, unconscious, and cast her next spell. "Healing Magik: Water Nymph's Kiss."

The Crimson Lions and Jaren watched as Talia drew out the water that had flooded Karrick's lungs- nearly drowning him- and take the form of a female figure that placed a gentle kiss on Karrick's lips as the last of the water was pulled from him lungs.

Karrick sputtered and gasped as the water exited his lungs and he sat up, wheezing.

"You'll be alright now," Talia said when he glanced at her. She stood and offered him a hand, helping him to stand as Gammon and Martin rushed over to get him to safety.

"Took you long enough to come forward," Jaren sneered. "You nearly let the boy die, shame on you."

Talia glared at her father, but she still shook with fear. "W-Why are you here, Father? Why have you attacked my friends?"

"I came to bring you back home," Jaren replied. "When you told me of your new assignment, you failed to mention that it would be with the Crimson Lions. You should know better than to lie to me."

Talia gulped. "I n-never lied to you, Father."

"Enough. Clearly, your time here with these ingrates has caused you to forget your place," Jaren retorted, his eyes narrowing even further. "You will be coming home with me, now, and I will deal with your insolence when we return."

"If I-I go with you, will you leave everyone else alone..?"

"Yes."

Talia did her best to fight back her tears. "V-Very well, then, I will go with you."

"Good girl, now say your goodbyes quickly- you won't be returning here again."

Talia turned towards the Crimson Lions and bowed to them. "T-Thank you for your kindness and h-hospitality. I apologize f-for any inconvenience or t-trouble I have caused you."

Randall and the others knew they couldn't just let her leave, but the look on her face begged them not to interfere any further. They watched helplessly as Talia followed her father to the carriage waiting outside the premises- Jaren's hand tightly gripping her arm as he pulled her into the carriage and slammed the door shut.

"We can't just let her leave like that."

"He almost killed Karrick, he has to be punished!"

Randall looked towards Ruben. "Hold down the fort while I inform the Captain of the situation."

Ruben nodded and he and the rest of their squad watched as Randall hurried off towards the Royal Palace.