We spent nearly three months in the city of Kitolis, acting as Heroes to the people of Kitolas, I was at first met with a bit of fear, but it soon was washed away. Kiri would spend the mornings training with Soren and Callum, and I would learn magic from Lord Viren and Claudia.

One such morning the subject turned to the history of dark magic. "Dark magic is the magic of humanity, we weren't born with a connection to the natural magics. So to defend our selves we had to take from others." Lord Viren said as he paced. "The elves cast us out because we chose to stand up to their tyranny."

I nodded along, everything I had heard of the distant land of Xadia and been so negative, the peoples hatred for the elves of long ago hadn't seized it the centuries that had passed. "I'm just not comfortable with pulling the power out of something else, it doesn't seem natural."

"But I understand your hesitation, but when you kill a animal you use every part, the hide for clothes, the bones for tools, and the meat for food. How is taking it's magic any different?" He asked as he looked down at me. "When you feel ready, come to me."

A Huntress will wait,

Till the break of golden day,

Lest her heart be swayed.

Chapter 2: Departure for the Breach

I walked into the throne room as the kingdom's subjects left, my red cape having been repaired with black clothe, black scars running through the red. I kneeled before the king. "King Harrow." I said.

"Rise Ruby," He smiled down at me. "What is it you wanted to talk about?" He asked as he sat down on his throne.

"I have come to ask that I spend some time on the border. Lord Viren's lessons on dark magic... the whole concept is..." I struggled for the words.

"You fear what it could do to you?" he smiled at me, "Your a warrior, not a mage. You want to serve at the breach?"

"Yes, I have heard a great many things of General Amaya. I wish to meet her myself." I said.

"What of your partner? Is Kirishima to come with you?" The king looked down at me.

"No, he's staying here to continue Callums training in unarmed combat." I said as I fidgeted with my clothes. "When will I be able to leave?"

"As soon as you are ready, I'll have a message sent ahead for you. Though I have to warn you, the breach is a dangerous place. A fact I know all too well," His smile faded. "You will be provided a horse."

"I travel light, a few days rations and I'll be able to leave within the hour." I said as I turned to the massive doors. "May your soul shine bright..."

"And your heart eats with honor." He finished.

"I wish I could come with you," Kiri sighed, "But I have my job, and you have yours. How long will you be gone?" He asked.

"Just a few months, then I'll we be back together." I placed what ammo I had in a satchel, because I had stocked up for the raid I had almost 150 bullets. I had found that I could use my magic in place of the rounds in a pinch for the round recoil, and for projectiles. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm away."

"How could I? Soren took it all." He grinned.

I chuckled as I kissed him. "I love you." I smiled as he hugged me.

"Be safe." He kissed my forehead.

"I will be."

I walked into the courtyard as Soren beat Callum in training again, the wooden sword firmly not in the princes grip. "And your dead." He said as he ran a hand through his hair. "Oh Kirishima, I softened him up for you."

"Oh very funny." The prince said from the ground.

"Up you get." I pulled the boy to his feet. "Time to man up."

"Right." He said as Claudia walked through the courtyard, her face buried in a book, and as such she wasn't paying attention to where she was going. But before she could walk into a tree Callum called out her name.

"Oh! Hey Callum, didn't see you there." She smiled. "Training?" She asked.

"Oh, uh yeah." He said awkwardly.

"Come on kid, enough talking, more fighting." I said as I stretched.

"Right, right." He put up his fists and made for a quick jab, which I didn't block rather I let him strike me in the chest and took a step back before I swung wide and stepped under my predictable attack sweeping my legs out from under me. I landed on my hands and rotated my body around so that they came back around and slammed into the prince's legs. He fell to the ground with a thud.

I did a kip up back to my feet. "Not bad, your getting better." I pulled him to his feet again. "Now lets do that nineteen more times." He groaned before he put his hands back up, but his eyes kept flicking to the mage. "Grab my wrist and elbow and pull me over your shoulder with a spin." I told him quietly, as I threw a punch the would have just gone straight over his shoulder, he did as he was instructed and threw me to the hard ground.

"What the?" Soren said, "Callum that was..."

"Amazing!" Claudia cut him off, "I didn't know you could do that." She stood up and walked to the prince as I picked my self off the ground.

"Oh, you know I've been training." He said had he blushed a bit.

"I can see that, hey if you want we could hang out after your done." She smiled.

"Oh, yeah sure Claudia." He smiled back.

I sat in the saddle of a young brown colt, his black mane trimmed short. "Okay your all strapped in. Dunes should be able to make the journey in a few days at worst." The stable boy said as Lord Viren entered the stables.

"I'm so glad I caught you before you left." He said, "I have a gift for you Ruby, I know my lessons haven't been the most compatible with your values." He said as he pulled out a package, "But in the few months we've been learning from each other, you have been like a second daughter to me."

I took the package and pulled at the strings, inside was a pendant, a gold disk engraved and inlaid with silver to make a rose. "Thank you. I'll be back in few months and we can continue our lessons." I smiled at the man. "I just need a adventure to get my blood flowing."

"Ride safe." I nodded as I pulled my hood over my horns and steered the horse out of the stables.

"I will." I gave one flick of the reins and Dunes took off, iron shod hooves clacking on the hard stone roads.

And chapter 2 is hereby delivered to you, my beautiful readers. Tell me, how do you think this will go? So that we can see if your right, or if you just have better Ideas then me. I really am curious.