The Assassin's Way
Part 2
The Eagle Prince
"Are you... strong ?
-Xeibo daughter of Kanwar
The Mythic Realm
Time Unknown
Courts of Light
Footfalls moved down the hallway leading to one of the many bedrooms as two young adults scampered among the many rooms playing an advance form of hide and seek, more or less a scavanger hunt of a sort as the son of Kaldakava, now twenty three, had grown into a good handsome young man, and the woman he was... aheh... playing the game with, was a beautiful white haired young lady with pale purple eyes.
But the footfalls werent theirs, as they had long gone down to one of the many balconies to spar. Ever since Auji had been born he'd been in that massive crystaline city, the Courts of Light was a beautiful place at all hours of the day. But even then one did tend to go a wee bit stircrazy
Entering her bedroom Georgina spotted her son, a soft smile on her face as she watch Auji, with his best and for the moment only, friend in the entire Mythic Realm, Xeibo, the daughter of his teacher. If it werent for the age seperation things might have been easiest, but the two were basically children compared to Kanwar or even the All-Mother.
Think of the devil Georgina thought feeling a presence at her door, she opened the door before Light could knock. Seeing the All-Mother Georgina smiled. Stepping to the side to let the ancient Dragon into the room as the two sparred on the balcony. "They tend to spar at random balconies latly, using their powers. Is it too soon ?" Georgina asked to Light as she watched Auji using his wings to dive bomb Xeibo who briefly transformed into a beautiful silverwhite dragon and dove after him off the balcony, only to have the two fly up to a higher one a few seconds later as they continued to spar
"No, it's not too soon. If anything now is the perfect time." Light responded. At Geogina's look, the All-Mother chuckled. "No not for ithat/i, but for your return to the Mortal Realm, and for his introduction to who he really is...but he will need a weapon worthy of his bloodline and training." she said. For one so young, Auji fought well above where he should, often going to the higher level classes against Kanwar's and his mother's wishes to spar with the older students who were more advanced than he was. Magically he was gifted, able to handle himself very well against more powerful opponents, his physical fighting lacked in many ways.
"He reminds me of his Father. A younger...yet slightly more mature version of him. Does he know?" she blinked finally and looked to Georgina.
Georgina shook her head "No." She said simply. "I have yet to have the moment to tell him who his father truly is. Tilr was kind to send his brother to act as his father. But I fear... I fear that the acting has grown into something much more... intimate" She said
As they watched, the young man, as well as Xeibo, now only sporting wings of midnight black edged in bronze, and pearlwhitesilver pretty much dive bombed each other, sparring as Georgina could have sworn she heard Kanwar on an upper balcony giving instructions
"Should I tell him the truth ?" Vilois was an Eagle Empire creature, a beautiful white and black Eagle. The perfect father for a boy who could use the wings of an eagle at will from his shoulder blades. "Should I break his heart ?" She meant Vilois. Georghina, oddly, felt strongly in love with him. Even though he was simply to act as Auji's father.
"That's up to you. As for the boy...tell him the truth. It's time to get a sword that will make him stand out at his Father's Son." she said. "Northern California...Sacremento, St. Diamond's Church. My...daughter's tomb lies beneath. She took the second of the boy's Father's Swords there." There was a pause. "I do not speak of Mark. I speak of Kaldakava. Mark uses one of his swords...he'll likely want the second, but I want Auji to have it." she said.
"He'll need help of course. It's only a matter of time before Mark goes looking for it as well." she nodded and let out a satisfied grunt. "That's all...I think it's time for a nap." she then nodded, and turned to begin to leave.
"So... a wedding is... still doable ?" Georgina meant her and Vilois. Sure he wasnt her first husband, who was slain by Templars in China before she and her son had fled. She wanted a stable homelife for Auji, but going to get a sword, at St Diamonds Cathederal ? Weird name for a saint, but then there were stranger names in the world. She wasnt sure if she could tell Auji the truth. The truth was, Vilois had proposed to her the day before, and she had asked for a day to think carefully on her answer. Now all Georgina wanted to do more than ever was say yes to Vilois
At Lights nod Georginas let off a small giggle, she then watched her son, and his best friend continue to spar for a moment or two longer before going to find Vilois and accept his request of marraige.
Two Hours Later
Courts of Light
Xeibos private chambers
"You are sure that is all ? You found everything of the whereabouts for the sword Grandmother wants found ?" Xeibo asked, there was a bunch of men, easily over a dozen and a half, on one knee in her room
"Yes" Came the reply, the leader then held up his hands, within them a map written into a crystal. "It is all on this crystal"
Xeibo stepped forwards from her writing desk and took the crystal, big around as her middle finger and as long as her left arm she activated the map "Did you tell Grandmother ?" she emant the All-Mother, Light needed to know of the sword being found.
"Yes, she sent us to you." Came the reply
Xeibo was thoughtfully quiet. Finally she saw her mother enter the doorway and nod. Xeibo smiled and returned the nod. "Good, dismissed." the men all bowed and stood up quickly leaving the room.
As soon as the men left Kanwar stepped into the chamber, the three floored 'bedroom' that belonged to Xeibo was originally her mothers room. "Mother has approved of you going with Auji to the Mortal Realm." Kanwar said simply to her daughter. Xeibo nodded
"I do not know what to expect, Mother, what does the Mortal realm possess that Auji and I cannot overcome ?"
"Technology. Lots of it." Kanwar replied calmly. "Prince Talon of the Eagle Empire is also going with Auji at his fathers insistence, saying that Talon will learn firsthand experience in the Mortal Realm. You know I said you could go. And Mother has also given her approval. Infact, she insists that you go with Auji, Talon and Fang and help them all. And also be there for Auji, as he too asked for you to go with him" Kanwar explained, Auji had gone to her, asking her directly if Xeibo could go with him to the Mortal Realm for their first trip there.
Xeibo smiled and nodded, giving her mother a hug she said "But what about... "
Kanwar smiled hugging her daughter. "Relax, Mother also insists upon a wedding, you and Auji were meant for each other. Not evne Light could forsee it nor could I, but we have both seen how you two act with each other, how you care for each other."
Xeibno went slightly ill at the thought of a wedding ceremony as she looked to her mother "A wedding ?"
Kanwar nodded "mhm, dont worry, the time within the Mortal realm will be a month or so, a hundred days away from us, and when you return, wedding... Now, I am not sure if you will need to pack anything. You know what to do, if you come across your uncle in any manner, do inot/i approach him in any manner with magic of any kind. Understand ?"
Xeibo nodded "Yes Momma. I understand."
There was a knock, and in came Light. She waved the two of them up as they naturally bowed to her as she entered. She smiled, and looked at Kanwar first, then Xeibo. "I advise extreme caution on your mission with Auji." she said. In her palm was a projection crystal. From it projected four images, all of them Mark. The first two of him without his hood, a front and side view, and the last two with his hood up, the Emerald fabric of his Assassin's robes gleaming, freshly cleaned.
After a moment she looked to Kanwar, then nodded to the image of him without his hood. "Remind you of someone?"
Xeibo's eyes went wide seeing the images projected from the crystal. Her crystaline blue eyes stared wide as she took in each image of Mark as it flickered, almost like a fizzy hologram from a scifi movie. She took in every detail like a sponge as Light handed her another crystal as her mother spoke. "Ah... Kalda never changed... though even in a new body, he looks... shorter than I remember" Kanwar mused
Xeibo went through the crystal her grandmother gave her as well as the one she was given by her men. She picked up the crystal her captain gave her. "Grandmother, Zee found this. I havent found Shade yet, she should be along soon" Xeibo held out the opal cut gem, about as big as her fist, to Light. Once activated it showed the map to the swords location, as well as optimal exit routes. Apparently over time the construction moved the tomb into the very top of the dome upon St Diamonds Cathederal.
Light nodded. "His reincarnation. A mess of a man named Mark Wolfe. Part Human, Part Dragon, Part Tigris, and Part Eagle. He possesses one of Kalda's two swords, as was to be. The one we're sending Auji to recieve was also meant for Kalda in his rebirth, but Xeir is not ready...we need to delay Kalda's return a bit." she said calmly with a smile.
"He has had no training from anyone here, but he is what could be considered a combat prodgidy, taught by the Elisar Twins of the Tigris Clan. He dwarfs Auji in size." Light let the projection crystal fall until it hovered an inch off the ground. A full body projection of Mark in his full armor appeared. He was twice as broad as Auji was, and still a good coulple inches taller. But then, Auji wasn't done growing just yet. He had another year or so of slow steady growth.
"This armor is hand-forged iDuradaeden/i you will not be able to penetrate it with anything you know of in your training now, and there's no time to learn. If you see him don this armor, or even just his left gauntlet, exercise the most precise caution. His sword is Dragon-reinforced, hand-forged Duradaeden made by the great Yaeko Wolfe herself. As is the one you are after. Do not let him have it." she said.
Light looked to the youngest in the room, Xeibo, and smiled. "Any questions young one?"
Kanwar smirked, she knew her daughters mere thought alone and spoke it for her, knowing full well her own mother might deck her for it she said it anyhow. "Four different tribes... That's not a mess. Its either pure dumb luck, or a cry for help" She saw her mother crack a soft smile.
Xeibo stood her full hieght. As a humanoid Light Dragon she matched Marks own hieght easily The armor glittered on the holo off the crystal. "Grandmother, just one question, Yaeko Wolfe died ages ago. Diamond died about three decades ago, and Xeir at least three decades ago."
Kanwar couldnt see where her daughter was going with that track of thought so she asked. "Meaning ?"
"This is mortal forged armor. Even with the draconic knowldge and access to those ancient forges..." Xeibo mused. She saw the joints, the weakpoints in all armor, well defended. Well.. she pointed at the left gauntlet. "This is draconic, I recognise the coloration" Her eyes glittered as she took in the image. Draconic sight, even on holograms worked wonders
Finally she asked simply. "Can Shade come along ?" Shade was Xeibos bodyguard when anywhere in the Mythic Realm. the two were, like her and Auji, inseperable. Shade was also older than Xeibo by a good million or so years, the Fourth Daughter, but not a Champion as she didnt want such a title.
The young girl was smart. The Gauntlet was Forged by the First Son. Irral...a solemn look spread across Light's face for a moment before she smiled again and looked to the girl as she finally asked her question. Bringing the crystal back to her hand, the image vanished.
"No."
At Xeibo's blink and pout, Light held up a hand to stop further protest. "I know she's important for your safety, and I know exactly where I'm sending you. But if you cannot handle yourself, your status as a Light Dragon is in question." she said. "So be it. Depart as soon as you can." She said, turning and leaving the room.
Though clearly upset Xeibo knew better than to argue with her grandmother. She nodded. "Mm, I understand Grandma, Has Auji been told yet ?" Kanwar shook her head as Light took her leave. "I best go tell him then, we've packing to do." Xeibo gave her mtoher a quick hug and took off from the room
A few moments later
Courts of Light
Grand Dining Hall
Georgina stepped into the dining hall, Vilois she knew was there eating, always at the same time. Seeing the Eagle seated at table eating a leg of lamb made her smile, But Auji was nowhere to be seen, drats, she was hoping both were there. But then having just Vilois there made it just as good if not better
Georgina stepped right up to him and gave him a hug. Vilois wasnt exepcting the chinawoman to be so quiet as she pretty much tackled him off his chair to the floor and planting one hell of a kiss on his lips. When they came up for air neither of them saw that Auji had arrived and was staring at his mother and father as his father said "Even with the BBQ sauce your kisses are hot"
Shaking out his hand and then rubbing his knuckles a bit, the skin a bit red from a sparring incident with Shade, Auji raised his eyebrows. "Having fun there, mom, dad?" he asked with a snarky smirk. He looked very similar to his actual father, Mark, minus the beard, and of course with the eastern elements from his mother. His eyes were wide and took in everything easilly, and his mind was sharp.
"Mhm" Georgina said, holding up a hand to her son to get to her feet with his help. Auji effortlessly pulled them both to their feet before getting enveloped in a hug by his mother. But it was his father who spoke. "You're getting better at flying Son, that's good. Xeibo's a good teacher" For the most part he was right, Shade though was his primary teacher and fellow student in hand to hand combat, hence why his hand hurt.
But it was his mothers words that had both of them staring. "Vilois. Yesterday evening you asked me to be your wife, After thinknig carefully and speaking to Light, I choose simply, Yes."
Rather than Answer Vilois took her into a hug as her sons jaw dropped open. A few moments passed then Georgina spoke to Auji. "Son, there is something I need to tell you,... we... need to tell you. Concerning your father." She withdrew from her sleeve a gem, similar to the one Light had used to show Xeibo what Mark looked like. "Did you ever wonder why you can only summon wings upon your back at will and not turn into a full fledged Eagle like your father ?"
"Yea...that's..pretty weird um...are we ignoring the marriage proposal acceptance or..." at the stern look from his mother he coughed. "Right.. Uhm...yea, been wondering why I can't shift fully." he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Then wonder no longer." Georgina said, the crystal floated above the ground a inch or so, flickering into a full size image of Mark without his hood up. At this point Mark was a good head taler than Auji, and a half head taller than Georgina herself. "This man, is a mix of four, Human, Dragon, Eagle, and Tigris, a mutt of a sort."
Vilois knew the truth, but the fact that Georgina had accepted his marriage proposal only made him happier, if Auji didnt approve of them together, then that was fine too.
"This man, Mark Wolfe, he is your father, by blood." She explained tohim the bar fight she had resuced Mark from, getting soaked in various alcoholic drinks. Then somehow ewaking up naked next to Mark in bed in Arendelle. And nine months later Auji came into the world, and Kanwar took them right to Lights Court moments later. So aside from scant minutes in Arendelle, Auji had spent his entire life in the Mythic Realm.
"I understand if youi do not want to see me as your father, But I have always seen you as my son." Vilois said to Auji Georgina herself was nervous of how her son was going to take the news
Auji listened intently, leaning sidewise against a chair for a bit as he did so, taking in the information as it came in. He looked to Vilois as he spoke and reached out to pat his shoulder. "You may not be my father, but this...Mark Wolfe... ain't my dad." he smirked, pulling his step-father into a tight hug. "Mark Wolfe...a Wolfe? Like, one of the Wolfe clan members?" he asked, having heard the stories of Second and Yaeko alike.
Vilois hugged Auji tightly, all but hammering him in the back in the hug. Auji was right. Vilois had been there the last twenty three years for Auji every step fo the way,. Seeing him grow from newborn child to a able flyer, and fighter. Seeing his sons hand he grabbed up some ice. "What in the realm did you hit ? The door ?"
Georgina smiled and hugged her son tightly giving him a kiss. Seeing him all grown up she felt a strong sense of pride. So she said simply "Did you ever want to see where you were born ?"
Auji chuckled at Vilois' question about his hand. He waved him off, he'd be fine. At his mother's question he paused. "I wouldn't mind it, no...yea, I'd like to go some day." he said.
But before Georgina could reply Xeibo stepped into view and spoke up "What about going when I go tomorrow morning ?" Gergonia smirked but nodded at the Light Dragons words
"Its true" She said as her son looked to her for confirmation. "tomorrow morning, You and I, and Xeibo, along with Princess Fang and Prince Talon, are going to Arendelle. There are a few people there I want you to meet" Little did they know that Arencdelle had changed in three years
Xeibo nodded and smiled broadly as Auji turned to look her way, a smile on his face. they werent to be seperated after all!
At that same moment
Courts of Light
Shade's chambers
A hand smeared blood on the crystal door to the massive three leveled room as Shade pushed it open, blood smeared on her face from her nose where Auji had nauiled her when Light distracted her. Thankfully her nose wasnt broken. Auji didnt have the strength to do that much damage... yet. For a learner, a twenty three year old, at that. Auji was very skilled, taking on students of five or six levels above him and easily holding his ground
Shade stumbled to the bathroom and activated the sink to wash her face, her nose throbed for a moment before she applied some healing magic to stop the pain when she heard her bedroom door open. After sparring with Auji she'd lost track of where her mother had gone. Grabbing a towel Shade stepped from the bathroom, most of the blood washed off her face and the towel stained with it.
She stopped dead in her tracks seeing who stood in her room. Almost walking into her mother directly had she not stopped. "Mother ? What is it ?"
"I sense you have...a question for me, regarding my descision to not let you go with Xeibo." Light said, moving to a chair and sitting, getting comfortable while she did so. "I am here to answer that question. Ask away." She said, crossing her legs at the knees as she looked up to her daughter.
"I... what sorry what ?" Shade said trying to wake her brain up at that moment. her mother in her room out of nowhere. Xeibo and Auji going somewhere ? Wait... "I... I am not going ? Why ?"
Light tossed the projection cyrstal onto the floor and it projected the full-body image of Mark in his armor to the girl. "This man, Mark Wolfe, has very little Magical power of his own. What he does have, however, matches what you, Xeibo, and Auji all currently posses. I say 'little' because of the sheer potential he has. Where he outmatches you is his subtlety and combat. He will likely be alone, or with one person at most." she explained.
"Take a guess as to why I would tell you this, when you know Xeibo is going to more than likely meet this man in combat." She said.
Shade wiped her nose once more with the towel before setting it aside and going to the projection of Mark and walking around it. "Kalda ?" She asked simply. if Xeibo was going to go against him she wouldnt survive the encounter! She opened her mouth to speak, then grunted something and shook her head with a wave of her hand. with her own magic she called to her hand a crystal from her bed, it clattered to the floor, spreading from it a map of Sacremento.
"I found it. the place they are going. the place Xeibo is going to, where she most likely will meet him..." Shade faltered, already at a loss. Xeibo was her best friend! Pretty much her sister when she thought about it. Well OK cousin... ah this family was messed up but it didnt matter.
Shade sighed and put a hand to her temple, rubbing it gently. "Mother. You're sending them to their doom. St Diamonds Cathederal is at the heart of enemy territory. And not just the red cross. The Templars.. But..." the hologprahic map shifted from red, to shadowy black.
Light was quiet for a moment. "Why would I tell you you can't go, if I'm sending her to her death? Where Kalda's new incarnation, the Templars, and our fallen fool of a child can all slam into eachother at full force." she repeated. "And, Mark is an enemy of the Templars as well, he's been fighting them his whole life. He knows how to sneak better than any Dragon bar a select few, he can see beyond what is expected, he can sense beyond as well, and his armor, though human-made, is hand-forged as close as it could be to Dragon-forged." she said. "All except that left gauntlet. If you payed attention in class last week you'll know who made that..." she said.
She stood and took the crystal back. "Now then...why would I condemn my own grand-daughter to death knowningly, and then prevent you from going with her?"
At mere thought of Irral, Shade turned away, her eyes stinging madly with tears. Irral and her were dear friends and ibn some cases lovers at many times thanks to the rumors. "Mortal forged armor wont last long against a dragon. But the darkness in Mens hearts..." Shade faltered, her mind a whirlwind of motion, the mere thought of Irral sent her into a tailwind.
Finally she focused. "Mark Wolfe may be Kalda reborn, Mother,. but Xeibo is my friend, and I wont let her be lost to us like... Like Irral was lost to me" She said softly. her voice breaking. the mere memory of being told Irral had gone missing in the Mortal Realm she had left for a year to try and regain her peace.
She looked to her mother. confused at her question "You... want me to go with her ?" If Xeibo could not survive the Mortal Realm... She wasnt to return ? Or was it something worse ? "What is Xeibos mission ? Is she going alone ?" Well her mother did mention Auji.
"No, you are to not go with her." she repeated. "Mortal forged armor or not, Mark, Kalda, has more experience than can ever be taught. This is also a test for Xeibo and Auji as they go to St. Diamond's Cathedral to take the second of Kalda's swords. You saw from the projection that Mark has the first one, he'll be looking for the second. I want them to meet. I want Auji and Xeibo to learn how to fight from someone who isn't interested in teaching them, only hurting or killing them. They need that experience." she said.
"You can't guard Xeibo all her life. If she can't handle herself, her status as a Light Dragon will come into question. What she does will define how she will be seen by the community here." she said. She patted Shade's shoulders and pulled the girl into a gentle hug, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Now cheer up, take a nap, go eat, take a bath, whatever. Enjoy some time off. Go find a young man to play around with for a little bit if you want. Up to you." She winked, turning and leaving the room.
For long moments Shade simply nodded, hugging her mother. She tried to smile, a nap was a good idea, a bath too. the thought of finding another male she didnt much care for. But... She stood up then on unsteady feet and picked up the crystals from the floor. They werent interactive, one for mapping, the other for projecting a simple image of a person or target or something. She moved to put the crystals to her desk when there was a pounding at her door "Enter!" She called out
A soldier dressed in silver and bronze entered and went to one knee "Lady Shade, I bring news from the Mortal Realm. We have descovered the origin of the Shadows" Shade looked at her messenger.
"Speak."
The soldier never looked up as he spoke. "the Necromancer."
Shades eyes went wide with first shock, then narrowed in anger. "Mother needs to know, the Necromancers magic is too strong even for Kalda on his own!" Shade rushed past her messenger, who stood and followed right behind. It wasnt Draco who was the origin of the shadows on the holomap. It was the one who icreated/i him to be what he now was that was the origin of the dark magic
Catching up to her mother just within her mothers bedroom, Shade was out of breath, "Mother!" Of course barging into her mothers chambers without knocking, much less announcing herself coming to the place, was a shocker on its own. the solidir came to a halt beside her. Shade turned to him. "Tell Mother everything you told me" He did just that, word for word. Shade slowlu regained her breath. waiting against hope for her mothers answer. there was absolutrely no way in hell even Kalda's reincarnation could stand against Ingrid the Wolf Queen even with friends at his side
Light, in a state of undress as the bathwater filled the tub in the bathroom, turned to look over her shoulder, her robes already half-off, leaving her bare from the waist up and listened to the news. Her expression, one of very minor annoyance yet grace, remained the same. "Shade...go to Sacremento. Do not interfere with Xeibo's mission. In fact, don't do anything unless you see the Necromancer or anything having to do with her. If you do, get Auji and Xeibo out of the way, Kalda will take care of Mark by himself." she said sternly.
"Now then, I'd like to try and take my bath now...if you'd exuse me." she said the rest of her silk robes slowly beginning to fall off of her body. The Soldier snapped to attention and then left without another word.
Shade nodded, She could go, but only interfere if ther Necromancer was to be seen somewhere. She knew her mother would approve if Xeibo asked her to do something, or if Auji did, whichm eant that Shade was going to leave command of anything her mission was clear, protect only against the Necromancer if sight of her was caught. Of course with her mothers back to them the soldier never looked the All-mothers way. Shade whispered a soft apology and went to the door, gently closing it behind her as she left.
OK that nap could wait, a bath was infact wanted, her nose started bleeding again.
A few hours later
Just before dinner
The wind whistled as the two fliers darted among the clouds. The finer points of arial combat Xeibo loved to teach. and Auji was a good student, if not the best, Always wanting to learn. The two had gone back to Xeibos room to plan their trip, their mission, and the fact that Light, and Kanwar both approved of the two getting married, which was weird to say in the least, a Dragon and... sorta Eagle ?
Ah well whatever wiorked worked. And Light apparently saw something strong between the two. So that meant that they had to train to gether, and work out problems together, One of which was supplies and a place to stay, the fact that Emperor Tilr sent word that Prince Talon was to join them and they were to meet up with Princess Fang when they arrived only made things slightly easier, Prince Talon, in human terms, was only a week older than Auji himself! But still an able fighter and flier
Being unable to use his whole body like an Eagle, Auji learned from an early age to improvise, and thus it was one of his stronger traits when he was fighting in the air, resorting to grappling his opponents frequently, and when it came to sparring with Xeibo, often teasing her. On this particular occasion, he'd gotten behind her while they were sparring, and when he intiated the grapple, began to tickle his dear friend, wiggling his fingers into her sides and causing the two of them to tumble through the air for a while before his wings spread and they landed on a balcony, with him still holding her close.
"Looks like I win." he smirked.
Xeibo shrieked with laughter as Auji started tickling her. Did he intionally stick his hands in the ice of the Silver Palace's upper balconies before doing so ? It didnt matter. The two went into brief freefall for a good hundred or so meters before her own wings spread and they landed on a balcony over looking the massive city below.
She nuzzled him, dispite the age difference of several hundred years, Xeibo was only about a thousand or so years old, still a baby dragon when one thought about it. The two were best friends and had grown close over the last twenty tyhree years. Auji, the perfect Gentleman, yet strong, fun, and best of all. a romantic. But her mother, and Grandmother wanted them to marry ?
Ah well. She giggled as the two sat on the balcony, their legs dangling off int othe unknown below them. "Mm. Your hands were cold" She said giving him a light kiss on the cheek, briefly making him go beet red however she started tickling him! eye for an eye and all that!
Finally they calmed a bit and relaxed on the balcony.
"When we get to the Mortal Realm. What are you hoping to see ?" For her it was the p0lace itself, sure the holomaps and crystal information had shown her some of it, but to experience it was one of the things she was looking forwards to
Auji was quiet for a moment, leaning back against his arms as he watched the horizon. "I'm not sure, really...all of it, I guess...where I came from, my home outside of this place...I wouldn't mind seeing any of it." he said calmly. "I certainly wouldn't mind seeing you in a Mortal Realm sunset, either." He winked with a goofy smile.
Xeibo smiled. She was slightly sad that Shade couldnt go with them. But she had no idea of the turn of events that let their friend go with them the next day. As the sun set to their left, she looked towards him, the sun framing her face, her hair left trails as if of silver fire around her as she looked towards him, then to the sun. "Are Mortal Sunsets as pretty as they are here ?"
it didnt matter, She turned back towards him, a thought on her mind, which she asked aloud. "Are you... strong ?" She meant strong enough to face what they had to in order to do their trip, to see the hardsdhips Mortals faced, and the enemies aiming to possibly kill them. But it was his warm smile that told her not to worry.
The Next Morning
The Courts of Light
Xeibos bedroom
A finger flicked against her nose, she wrinkled her nose slightly before muttering something and rolling over before the same fingers flicked her ears. Xeibo abently flicked at the fingers flicking her ear when a hand grabbed hers "Xeibo, wake up!" through sleep laden eyes that briefly parted, sleep fogged vision spotted Shade's smiling face only inches from hers. Xeibo blinked sleep still holding her brain before she finally focused and her eye snapped open.
"Shade ? What are you doing in my room ?"
"Waiting for you to wake up silly!" Shade said simply. Well that explained a lot
"What ?" Xeibo asked sitting up in bed, her hair a tangled mess like she had bitten a live wire
"Come on, everyone is waiting to go." Shade said all but pulling Xeibo from the bed, of course the scaled girl grumbled something of letting her get dressed as Shade pretty much tossed her in the bathtub, while Xeibo woke up and got cvleaned up Shade got her armor ready. Armor also functioned perfectly for clothing on a Dragon.
"You're coming too ? But Grandmother said you werent" Xeibo said as she stepped from the bathroom in her armor as she braied her hair to keep it out of her face.
"That was before we found out of certain things in the Mortal Realm" At Xeibos confused look Shade explained "My mission is not to interfere with your mission unless directly called for when or if certain parties take interest in you or Auji. And unless you directly request my help in certain things. this is on you and Auji. I'm... what Mortals might call your reenforcements"
Xeibo nodded, the two left the berdfroom for the throne Room, Light was there, as was Georgina, Auji, and also Prince Talon, Princess Fang was already in the Mortal Realm waiting for them at the destination. It was best not to eat anything before portal transfer. Thankfully even though Light was activating the portal in question there was no fear of overshooting the destination.
A brief hug to Light from Xeibo however had everyone briefly smiling as Shade was imn her armor, the silver and white glittery almost glasslike armor formed on the older Light Dragon before fading away. Xeibo however waas given something from Light. A set of Hidden Blades made of Dragon forged Duradaeden. With which Xeibo could fend for herself quite well. A few more hugs. Then wellwishes, and the portal opened to an alley in Arendelle. It was time to go.