Sekris growled. "Oh, so you've found a way to regain the light, yes? Just dance right into the human City, right up the Great Machine, trusting humans not to slaughter us like they always have? Like that ethersick remnant of Judgement, who even now seeks to become the Kell of Kells? Or is it just like the fools in Kings when we first arrived, who killed themselves because they thought they would be Chosen?" She leaned forward, teeth bared. "Choose your next words carefully, Miriks of Stone and Light. Even as much a friend as you are and we have been, I will walk away right now, and you or nobody will be able to stop me."

"I tried that as well." The words were soft, and their suddenness took the warrior by surprise. "I walked, no, ran away." Miriks met Sekris's eyes. "And as far as I ran, death and sorrow followed me." Miriks's heart moved for the hardened Eliksa, her eyes cast about in doubt. Sekris had only ever seen the world as darkness trying to consume her, and Miriks knew that fear. Miriks moved closer, careful so as not to wake Liriks. Sekris's eyes widened when Miriks reached out and touched the side of her face. It was an intimate gesture, of that between sisters, or of a mother to her daughter. Miriks leaned and rested her forehead on Sekris's shoulder for a moment "I do not want the same to happen to you, Sekris. Especially when those you love, now and in your future, are at risk. Please, hear my words."

Sekris did not reply immediately, and Miriks raised her head and lowered her hand, gently stroking her sleeping daughter's small ridges of dark hair. Sekris looked to Canikos, who was watching them with great uncertainty. He nodded and touched his wife's shoulder, tilting his head reassuringly. Sekris's next words were halting. "But… if you had stood instead of fled, the darkness would have swallowed you."

"Then, I was alone." Miriks took Sekris's hand. "Now, I am not."

Sekris looked to her. Then she nodded. "No. You are not."

Darxhis nodded at that, determination filling his stance. Canikos relaxed visibly at his wife's acceptance, then closed two eyes to Miriks, gesturing for her to go on. Before she could, Sekris spoke again. "Tell me of the others you stand with. I want to know, and will try not to judge you."

Miriks dove in. Hopefully she had said enough to prepare them for what she was to say. "I was found by one called Misraaks, a Captain. He had been spared by humans on multiple occasions, and has realized there is nothing to be gained by the ways the lightless Eliksni have always walked. Instead, he has sought the Light on his own terms, helping the houseless and trying to gain the trust of those worthy of that Light. This is why he, and I, call ourselves of the House of Light."

Consideration followed her words, and Canikos raised a hand. Miriks gestured. The tall Eliksni regarded her. "Then this Misraaks, he directly allies himself with humanity, yes?"

Miriks struggled with a reply. "The Guardians and the City… they do not yet know him as a whole. But-" She raised a finger. "He is close friends with a pair of Light-bearers. They together are a fireteam, as they are called."

Sekris groaned. "Miriks, we know you mean humans when you say 'Light-bearers', or 'worthy of the Light'. Do not avoid the race name, I am getting impatient with its replacement."

Miriks lowered her head, abashed. "You are right. I'm sorry."

Darxhis leaned forward. "Miriks, have you seen them? Those Guardians?"

"Yes. I did not speak to them, but I have seen them in his presence. They act as siblings." Miriks waved her hand. "But that is beside my original goal. I must tell you of my reasons for coming to the Drain in the first place." Without ceremony, Miriks scooped up Liriks's sleeping form, and proferred her to Sekris. The other female was shocked, but took the kika without words.

Miriks pulled the node from its place and held it out where they all could see. "This was given to me by Misraaks. It, along with five of its fellows, keeps the location of a secret place. I was to drop it here, leaving it... " She took a breath. "Leaving it for a Guardian to collect." She regarded their stunned surprise and backpedaled hastily. "I did not know that there would be anyone here! Neither Misraaks! I was to drop, and then wait to be picked up in another location, but then... " She looked helplessly at the sleeping and guarding Eliksni of the Drain. "You of Dusk were here, and proved to be more than hospitable." She looked at Darxhis while saying that, and he noted the attention with a slight brightening of his brows. "I tried to leave, simply make the Guardians follow me instead. But then the Captain forced me to stay, endangering us all. So my methods... required a change," she finished. "That is why I have brought you all here."

"So any doom that comes, it was you that brought it upon us," Sekris clarified without emotion, and Miriks winced.

"I… Eia. I take all responsibility."

The silence between them widened. Sekris held the small kika in two of her arms tenderly, not meeting Miriks. "Where do we start, then."

Miriks blinked. "What?"

"Where do we start?" Sekris repeated, louder. She faced Miriks. "You have brought this upon us, what do you plan to do?"

Miriks looked down at the node, forcing her mind to leave the past and focus on the present. "I had wondered that I might be able to head the guardians off before they enter the Drain. That way any confrontation with anyone besides myself might be avoided," she sighed. "But…"

"The Captain," Sekris finished. Nods bobbed around the circle. He had already barred them once, he would most likely do so again.

"Is he known to change his mind?" Miriks asked without much hope.

Canikos barked a laugh, then looked in horror as Liriks stirred. The kika took a long breath, then turned slightly in Sekris's arms.

Darxhis closed two eyes at the abashed warrior, but opened them again and shook his head solemnly. "He has a firm mind. Naksar did not get where he is now by having a changeable will."

"But being unwilling to hear new ideas will not help him go any farther," Miriks stated. "What if I were to tell him, directly?"

Sekris shook her head. "No. He will see that as a betrayal. I believe he would not let you live, even if he did believe you."

Darxhis hummed a discordant note. "I do not agree. With correct manipulation, I think he could be brought to an understanding without wounding his pride."

Canikos gestured for their attention. "That is not a good idea, any way we look at it. I think all would be better if he never knew." He leaned forward. "Besides, our goal is to just get Miriks away, yes? What if we make some grand distraction? Then the House of Light can escape when attention is away from them."

Sekris shook her head. "My foolish one, do you forget so easily? Every tunnel will be guarded by at least four warriors, she cannot possible get through without drawing attention. The Captain will chase them."

Canikos had no reply, and drew a hand to his chin in thought.

After a pause, Darxhis spoke next. "I am... not a strategist, but I think we are forgetting what we have to work with." All eyes drew to him. "Canikos, you are a Marauder. What is the difference between you and a Vandal?"

Canikos answered immediately and with confidence, glad to know something of a surety. "Why, that's easy! My lightbender, of course…" His voice carried onward, realizing the implication. His face fell.

"There!" Darxhis snapped with two fingers and closed his eyes. "We can still have your grand distraction! And now she can sneak past the guards as she wills."

"It can't grant reflection to three Eliksni, not matter how small the other two," Sekris replied bluntly.

Canikos let out a sigh of relief, but clapped Darxhis on the back, almost sending the smaller Eliksni off his seat. "Nice idea! Worthy of the Trickster herself!"

Miriks looked up in thought and held up a finger. "Sekris, how about…" She turned and pulled one of the two blankets from her bag. It was the cleanest thing she owned, large and patterned with blue wrenki in the shape of Stone, but its age could be seen in its ragged edges. She pointed at Canikos. "Eliksni, may I see your lightbender?"

He sighed but pulled out the small device. "It's old, but has never failed me."

Miriks nodded her thanks, and attached it to the blanket. It was a simple device and she switched it on, all watching curiously, Sekris even leaning forward to get a better look. A shimmer of blue light, and the wide piece of cloth faded until only slight flickerings of blue could be seen, visible in dark but would be well hidden in any greater amount of light. Miriks's lower body could not be seen underneath it. Appreciative mutters from Darxhis and Canikos, and Sekris nodded, eyes wide.

"I think I've heard of others using that, but have never seen it," Canikos said.

"I can fit myself and the kiks under this, and we can escape during your distraction." She looked to Canikos and closed two eyes. "I'll leave the lightbender somewhere you can recover it, that is acceptable, yes?"

He chuckled. "Eia, I thank you, Miriks."

Sekris steepled the fingers of two hands, the others still cradling Liriks. "Now that's out of the way, what shall the distraction be? I could start a fight, it wouldn't be the first time." She narrowed two eyes in response to Miriks's curious glance. "Salix isn't the only skitbag in this Drain."

Miriks laughed at her matter-of -fact tone. "No doubt here. I'm surprised there is so few."

Canikos gestured uncertainly at his wife. "I wasn't one of those, was I?"

"You were just the best skitbag. And you had nice guns."

"Aw, thank you, my bright... wait."

"I don't want any of you to get in trouble because of me," Miriks said, "Any other ideas for a distraction?"

Darxhis raised a hand. "What if we used the real threat as a distraction? Claim the sensors are detecting Guardians approaching? This way, even if the timing is off, then the Drain will still be in a state of evacuation."

Miriks nodded, closing two eyes. "Ah, I really like that idea, Darxhis."

He beamed at her praise.

"Yes, it would be the best way to protect everyone," Sekris said, considering. "But how will we fool the sensors? The Captain would be sure to look twice at a threat that large."

"What if it is a firsthand account?" Darxhis leaned forward, eyes narrowed in thought. "Maybe I can leave early in the morning, then come in claiming to have seen them?"

Canikos shook his head. "No, you're too valuable to the Drain. I can do it."

Miriks closed two eyes to him, but Sekris tilted her head skeptically. "Husband… Will he trust you?"

"I can take a few of my warriors and pay them to witness me." Canikos shrugged. "Or trick them. I can tell a good story."

"Of that, there is plenty of proof," Sekris said, looking up with all four eyes.

"So, after the distraction," Miriks said over them, "I and kiks will leave through the least guarded exit, escape the Drain, and then leave the node somewhere else for the Guardians to find. They will find it, and all will be well."

A silence.

"What then?" asked Darxhis.

"Yes," Sekris stated, folding her spare arms. "And then you leave? What was the point of your long talk of Light and joining together then?"

"Well, I…" Miriks began, uncertain of how to phrase. "It would be wonderful if any of you -if you desired- to come with me, and meet Misraaks for yourself. To join the House of Light." She sighed. "But that, I fear, is not possible now. You all have places here, of importance," she glanced at Darxhis at that. "I was thinking, of persuading Misraaks to come back here, meet with your Captain. Misraaks is good with words, and might be able to persuade Naksar to let you join with us..." Miriks realized her ramblings and quieted, looking at the ground.

Sekris chuckled, a sincere sound. "You mistake our loyalty, Miriks." She looked up in surprise. Sekris carefully handed Liriks back to her, and Miriks held the small kika gently, still confused. "I have no ties to Dusk. It is not my home, the best thing it ever gave me was my husband." Sekris shook her head, two eyes closed, the last shining with a determined light. "My father and mother were of Devils." She opened her eyes, almost pinning Miriks to her spot with the strength of her scarred gaze. "And a Devil chooses her own path, rejecting anything that tries to stop her." She leaned back and shrugged, the intensity leaving her as if evaporating. "If I find your path worth walking, nothing will stop me." She gestured to Canikos. "But I think my path is already decided, because of something interesting my husband has to tell you, Miriks of Stone and Light. I'm honestly surprised he held it in for this long."

Miriks looked to him with wide eyes, and Canikos closed two of his. "Oh, I can wait a while longer." He gestured to the Eliksni beside him. "You can go first, Darxhis. Tell us your tale."

Darxhis blinked, obviously taken by surprise that Canikos had passed on a turn to tell a story. He coughed once. "Uh, well, there is something that most in the Drain do not know, and that Naksar would rather them not know." He shifted position slightly, narrowing two eyes. "Kaltis is not his Servitor. He is mine."

"What? Explain yourself," Sekris demanded.

"I rescued him from the wreckage of the Ketch of Kings, when he was just a drone. When I arrived here, there was none to care for the near-dead Servitor that Naksar had, and rather than try to save it with the little I knew, I began to modify Kaltis using the old Servitor as a guide, to make him able to serve all the Eliksni of the Drain."

"That's right..." Canikos said, considering. "You were here before my mother and I came."

Darxhis nodded. "Kaltis serves me. I instruct him to listen to the Captain, but I could just as easily instruct him not to. The problem is, I'm sure if I did try to leave with him, Naksar would fight to keep us here." Darxhis shrugged. "I… could leave without Kaltis. But he means a lot to me." A pause. "Just thought that information might be important."

"Yes, that is important, thank you for telling us." Miriks nodded to him, processing this. She did not see much hope in him coming soon, but perhaps she could talk to Misraaks, see about getting him replaced in Naksar's eyes… She remembered a piece of the conversation. "Canikos, you had something to say as well?

The Marauder closed two eyes ruefully, reaching back to scratch his head with an upper arm. "Ah, yes. You wonder why I was curious that you were a daughter of a Kell?" he laughed, seeming almost nervous. "It's a long story, but for the sake of our sleep and of the other stories told tonight, I'll shorten it." He lowered his arm and leaned forward. "Miriks, my parents were of Stone, and I joined Dusk with my mother only after we were forced to come here." She blinked, and Canikos stood, towering over Miriks. "If you truly are the last daughter of Chelchis, He Who Stood Before the Maw, then…" He knelt before her, lowering his eyes. "You are my Kell, and I will forever follow you."

Miriks was frozen in place, mind rushing in several dozen directions at once. Someone considering she… a Kell!? It was true, she was in line, but she had never before it would actually mean anything to anyone! She felt energy creeping into her brows in surprise. "I… I… I don't..."

"Canikos, you're so dramatic!" Sekris kicked at him from where she sat. "You're scaring the poor Eliksa!"

His muscled frame did not budge under her assault, however, remaining more sober than Miriks had yet seen him. Reaching to his belt, he drew a long arcblade from its sheath, deactivating it and holding the gleaming sword out to her in two hands. "Would you accept my blade and honor as your own?"

Miriks took a breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "I… I'm no Kell, Canikos. You honor me far beyond my worth, but I have no room for the honor of others. I barely have enough to keep my family alive."

"But, my Kell, you are worth far more than the rags you wear. Sekris and I would help, protect you and your kiks." His voice was desperate. "And what of your legacy? If the Eliksni knew that Stone still lived, what good could be done?"

Panic rose in her, and she saw again the Taken King cutting her father down, heard his despairing words in her mind. She felt again the helplessness that hadn't left her until years later. Those years of running, hiding, doing whatever she could to survive, no matter their darkness, and the creeping shame that she had driven back for so long began to return, worming its way into her mind.

Miriks remembered the beginning of those dark years, to the time she had tried… and failed.

"You could rally the houseless, gather in those that seek shelter, even to the cause of your Misraaks." Canikos continued, sensing the logic as well as the conflict he was making in her mind. "You could even-"

"Canikos!" Miriks hissed, "I am no Kell!" The words were louder than she had meant, and they echoed along the side of the cavern where they met, perhaps reaching the ears of other waking Eliksni.

Liriks stirred and opened her eyes blearily. The adult Eliksni watched her as she stretched her small arms out. "A Kell?" she mumbled. "No… You're my mother. That's way better."

Sucking in a breath, trying to calm herself, Miriks clutched her kika to her chest. "You're right, small light. That is better." After several heartbeats, Canikos rose, eyes hidden, sheathing his blade. She tried to meet his gaze, showing him her doubt. "I'm sorry, brother Eliksni… I just…"

He put a hand on her shoulder. "I understand, sister Eliksa." She reached up and touched his hand. Canikos went on, hiding his disappointment well. "We can't all be Kells, some must be mothers, yes?" He closed two eyes, still not looking at her. "It is a worthy calling." He let go and sat back beside Darxhis. Sekris had watched the entire exchange with wary eyes, carefully avoiding response.

Miriks rocked Liriks gently, until the kika had drifted off again, standing and walking the short distance to set her back beside her brother. She returned to the ring of light, to the circle of waiting Eliksni.

Darxhis began, obviously seeking to escape the strange tension Miriks had brought between them all. "How much time do we have?"

"The fifth node has not been found, but the Guardians here on Earth. We should have by noon tomorrow at the earliest."

Darxhis looked to the Marauder. "So, Canikos, you will leave around the fifth hour?"

He nodded. "That time would be best, yes." He addressed Miriks. "Be prepared to leave around the seventh."

"And if someone questions after your absence?"

"Sekris will cover for me."

"I can be persuasive when I want to be," Sekris stated with a slight narrowing of the eyes.

"Understood."

The pause continued, and Miriks pressed forward. "Thank you all very much for your help, I will forever be in your debt." Miriks met their gazes in turn, bowing slightly to each. "Sister Sekris." The scarred warrior nodded back, closing two eyes. "My Stone brother Canikos." She did not quite trip on the name of her own House, but it was close. Canikos did not move, nor say anything. Miriks swallowed but moved on. "And friend Darxhis. Thank you all."

Darxhis shook his head. "You owe me nothing, Miriks of Stone and Light. You've shown me a new way; of life and Light. That is the kind of debt that cannot be repaid." He closed eyes to her. "Even if I cannot follow you now, I will never forget you."

She closed all four eyes as warmth spread through her, almost displacing her discomfort. "Eia… I will not forget you either."

With a huff, Sekris stood. "It is best you get some rest, Miriks. You have quite the day tomorrow, yes?"

"Eia. Good night to you all."

Canikos stood as well, bowing slightly to her, then turning and walking away without another word, Sekris following.

Darxhis stood, two eyes closed. He held out an arm, and she reached out and gripped it, feeling the wiry muscles under his skin tighten as he took hers firmly. They held the contact for a moment, and his eyes sparkled in the dim light. "May the Light of your heart guide you, Miriks." She nodded, suddenly wordless. He released her and moved to walk away, then paused. "It seems... Liriks really is a kella, yes?" He gave her that human grin that she had seen before and wondered at, then Darxhis walked out into the darkness.

A strange desperation filled Miriks, that of leaving behind those that had helped her. She swallowed back the knot in her throat and knelt to turn off the glowrod. She took the lightbender and secreted it in her pocket, beside the node, and moved to where her son and daughter slept.

Miriks lay down beside them, looking up at the roof of the Drain, seeing the cracks that let in the faint starlight above. One day, Light would shine on this place. She would make sure of it.