This chapter's song is Rat A Tat by Fall Out Boy.

My Mate says a final goodbye to his teammates and friends, while I watch from the staircase, up a bit from ground floor level. Laxus especially has a hard time dealing with his 'entrapment' as he calls it, but grudgingly goes along with it, after learning that Lucy's life would most definitely be in danger if he did not comply.

Slowly, they trickled out, probably feeling vulnerable as a deer and twice as skittish. Irregardless, they go.

Leaving me and my Mate alone, for the first time in almost 16 years.

This is going to be fun.

"So what do you want me to do?" he asks, once his friends are gone. He's gotten a stormy look on his face.

I turn, walking up the stairs, and call back over my shoulder, "Nothing, just yet. I wish you to remain by me at all times, though."

Bickslow grudgingly follows, grumbling a bit, but not enough for me to tell him to shut up.

I lead the way up to my quarters, wanting to use them as a makeshift office. It's much more comfortable here instead of in a cramped office that refuses to let one relax.

I look over the papers in front of me, conscious of the movements of both myself and the other person in the room. He's staring into the fire, while I mull over these decisions laid out before me, that I must make.

The Grand Magic Games are approaching fast, and it would be criminal to not have the best competitors on our team. I'm thinking of making Dark Guilds legal to participate in this as well, upping the ante and trying to get under the skin of any legal guilds left.

Of course, they wouldn't be able to do anything. That's the best part.

For her betrayal, of course, I must punish Nightshade. None can betray the Dark Brotherhood without facing the Wrath of Sithis. She also disobeyed my order, and before that, Noctus'. That is three times she has to face the Wrath of Sithis.

I do not believe that there will be another. My Family is Family; I will protect them from people who believe themselves above the order we have created there. It does not matter if she is my daughter, or not.

Because of her actions, though, instead of making her face the Wrath for her count of disobeying me, I will not allow her to participate in the Grand Magic Games.

But who to pick?

Bickslow shifts in his seat, bringing me out of my thoughts a bit. Now, instead of looking into the fire, he stares at me, almost trying to make sure that I am here, that he is, himself. Confusion radiates off of him, and if I had to guess, I would say it'd be because of what I was working on. I haven't written anything on my piece of paper before me.

Ten pieces of parchment lie before me, and I consider them, going down the list of people I could include.

Several names I cross out the first time, I don't want Fukuro without Decimus, and Decimus has no magic. Others are eliminated for because of low magic levels, or a weakness that is easily exploited.

A second, even third time down helps to narrow it down until I finally have my team, and their back up.

I address the first players foremost, starting with Noctus. Her magic, death and darkness, is perfect for representing us. The next is for Morrigan, an unusual assassin with her magic for wind and a limited amount of foresight, who used a long sword more easily than anyone I'd ever known. They'd share command, the two of them being both trustworthy and powerful.

Killian, a Slayer rank, is a proficient healer and had more than a few surprises up his sleeves. His wonders never cease to amaze his targets, fellow guildmates, and, even me, on occasion. He has been recommended for promotion for some time. Orion is an obvious choice, not only is he an expert marksman, but he is insanely strong in both his craft and his body, making him perfect for almost any challenge, though the man's deathly afraid of water.

Cobra is the last of the first team, I want a Dragon Slayer on there.

The back-up team, whose members would take the place of the first team should they fall, is almost as impressive, with Erigor, Rustyrose, Midnight, Racer, and Ortelloth, who uses eruption magic, almost on Jura's level of power, with her control over magma and the earth.

With them heading the team, though, I don't see how we can lose.

I relax once the letters are written, and use a touch of magic to send them on their ways. I have two days to make sure they were all here, in Crocus, for the games. With my seizing the government, the populace might think it won't happen. It must, though.

Scrawling another note, I send it too, popping it into existence in the head journalist's office at the most prominent newspaper in the country, who happens to be based here.

I stand up swiftly, my cloak swinging from my motion, and head out the door, with Bickslow being snapped awake from his doze and launching himself out of his chair to follow me, as I told him to.

What an obedient lap dog.

The journey to Crocus for my players is uneventful, as I approved an escort so they wouldn't have to use their magic to defend themselves. I need every one of them at peak performance. They won't be killed or anything, if they fall, but I wish to make sure that they can survive practically anything.

Of course, the dregs of the remaining guilds in Fiore will hardly pose a challenge. I just want to remind them of that.

I mean, if I really wanted the populace to fear us, I wouldn't even send in a team, I'd put myself in there.

I'll have to remember to tell them to thank the people there for cheering them on whether they win or lose, or if they are actually cheered on or not.

Accepting the coffee from the waitress, I sip at it delicately, while Bickslow stares at me with his own espresso sitting on the table, cooling just a touch. Although I doubt it's the tabletop that would be cooling it. (24)(25)

I calmly drink the caffeinated beverage, and make sure that the dregs are, in fact, not insulting me, before glancing up at him.

He hasn't touched his drink still. I sigh, placing my cup on the edge of the table to indicate a needed refill.

The waitress comes by, refilling my cup, and eying the two of us with a worried expression, like she's worried we'll start a fight in the middle of her place of work. Hurriedly, she finishes filling my cup as I stare at my comrade, who is still wearing his mask, only his eyes covered now. (26)

It makes me remember that I never got the opportunity to give him that mask I made for him.

I stir my coffee absentmindedly with the spoon provided, despite not putting anything in the substance.

"Would you like to break the silence?" I ask, jokingly. He grumpily sighs, then takes up his coffee cup, draining it and almost breaking it as he slams it back down.

"Well then. What do you think of my team, for the Grand Magic Games?" I speak, smiling slightly as I swallow a portion of the hot substance that is almost solely the reason I'm alive today. That, and my skill with a blade.

"Who is your team?" he asks after a few moments of silence.

I smirk into my cup, setting it down quickly and wiping off my expression, keeping it neutral as possible.

"Morrigan, a powerful wind wizard with limited telepathy and foresight capabilities, who wields a longsword." he nods, and I can feel his eyes upon my face. I keep my expression as is, my eyes boring into where his are through his mask. "Noctus and her are the leaders, but Noctus uses shadow and death magic. Besides them, there's Killian, the healer, and Cobra, whom you should already know about. Orion completes the group with marksman skills so good he snipes his targets from a mile away, minimum."

His mouth is more expressive than anything he has that I can see, although I doubt his eyes would do much to tell me what's going on inside his head.

He doesn't like his team's chances, although he's thinking about what he can do about them, to try and improve the possibility.

I smirk, cocking my head to one side and taking a drink from my coffee. "What do you think I was going to do? Choose the weakest members in my Family to compete for this honor? I'm a lot of things, but recklessly stupid is not one of them. My followers over the years, however… they are different stories. They're mostly dead now. I killed them. With the Ebony Blade."

I watch the shock settle into him satisfactorily, but my smile slips after a while as nothing else happens. No reaction beyond that.

I sigh tiredly, then down the rest of my coffee and set the cup down. The waitress approaches again with the pot, but I wave her off. "Just the check, please."

She glances at us and our intense staring contest, but comes back with the check. Eagerly, she leaves it with us, speeding off to other customers who aren't exuding such threatening vibes that make the people who pass us by nervous and expecting a fight to break out.

I smile at him, closing my eyes and tilting my head to the other side. "I think it's time for us to leave, don't you think?"

He just narrows his glare at me a tad more.

I pull out my jewels, leaving a hefty tip and more in the tip jar as we leave. It's nice to be good for a change.

I wrap my arm around his, linking elbows as we walk. He looks uncomfortable and unhappy at the contact.

I smile and straighten my back. It's fun to be evil, too.

The palace is the meeting place for my team, and I look over the prospects with a smile on my face. I'm sure we will win this, especially with Nocturnal watching over us, as well as Sithis and Molag Bal. I'm sure that the lord of Domination is watching to see if I will succeed in dominating the world here, with nothing but a friendly competition.

The stadium is packed with the people of Crocus, come in for a good show. The minor guilds who didn't even place last year are gone- the preliminary sweeps of different teams of mine before the hostile takeover night were very thorough, getting almost everyone of them.

I smile as I move up the staircase, Bickslow following behind me, almost simultaneously looking around and glaring at my back.

Gone are the days when he would comment on my body. I almost miss it, before I remember exactly how annoying it is.

The crowd cheers almost aimlessly, as they're getting fights for no charge, entertainment, and rivalries as well as topics of conversation for months to come, debating who'd win, who'd lose, who would draw.

Contestants aren't even out yet, but there will be a competition, purely to see who will fight who in the first round, or something along those lines. This is much different from the last Grand Magic Games.

The dregs of the surviving guilds have hauled themselves in for the treatment and humiliation of their inevitable defeat.

An unfortunate announcer, Jason, from Sorcerer Weekly, is in charge of keeping track and setting up the matches. Decimus and Fukuro are security, with the team getting ready in their rooms in the hotel. Once they're in the challenge, they'll travel here, to watch the end of the first challenge and the next set.

There's a program this year, and in it are labelled the teams and their back ups.

Ah, it seems that the little guilds are teaming up, those without the properly required number of 5 are combining with others to compete.

It is no matter. They will be crushed.

I smile as I look at it, making Bickslow frown with worry.

In the viewing room here, we get the aspect of the stadium, the people in it and in the audience, as well as any players on the field. Decorated with a black and white trim, it's a classic look, timeless, and the newly constructed place, only just finished yesterday, is built for comfort.

My comfort.

A nice place for a cold or warm goblet of blood, wine, brandy, ale, or mead, as well as the fantastic scenic look outside, with enchantments woven into it to keep out unwanted chills or hot gusts. An overhang shelters from the sun, and the smallness of the room makes it ideal for privacy or meetings, whatever I want.

In it today, however, are not cushions or comfy pillows for myself to rest on and be fed, but a throne and a slightly smaller, less grand one. (27)

I take my seat, prompting a sudden hush over the people here, who look up at me. The metal of the stadium glints in the sunlight, making many of them cover their eyes for shade, though they continue to look.

I smile, my eyes making their way through the waves of people.

"May the games begin." I say, my voice carrying effortlessly with only a touch of my power of the Voice.

The crowd erupts in cheers, ready for excitement. I chuckle darkly, leaning back in my seat and relaxing enough to assume a more casual pose. Looking over at Bickslow a few moments later, he's at the end of his seat, not relaxed at all.

In the program, I open the pages, looking through it as quickly as I can while still absorbing it's contents. The navy blue and black pages are lovely, decorated with white ivy leaves drawn on the original template.

My fingers trace the design as I hear Jason start talking about the challenge and the first competitors. Gripping the edges of the page, I almost want to tear it, but halt before I can. The stress of my power is already apparent, the embossed letters crinkling and the page stressed in lines it had never had before.

I'm sure there's a lesson in there, but I don't care. I'm not a teacher anymore; no one should follow my example. No one can.

I toss the colorful paper to Bickslow, who looks through it much more carefully than I as I watch the proceedings start for the 23rd Annual Grand Magic Games.

It's boring, until the fighting starts. It won't for some time.

The first challenge, to determine the order of fights, is hide and seek.

Out of everyone, I expect Noctus to succeed, until, that is, the legal guilds demand that the back ups for my team participate as well.

I sigh, but I am amused. The gall these people have.

I wave at Jason, who looks up, and nods, giving in to their request.

With a quick talk to them, the back ups come on out, as well as Vidaldus. I have no quarrel with him being here, so I allow it. There are no limits to how many backups you can have.

I raise my hand to begin it again, but am stopped again. I narrow my eyes at the man, but he sends a thought projection.

"Listener, they are refusing to fight any other guild but those in yours, although they agree that those in this challenge are fair game." he bows apologetically, and I sigh, throwing my eyes up to the ceiling, and decide to allow it.

"Don't let them have anything else, though. They need to be taught obedience." I say, and the man bows, before the thought projection shimmers back into nonexistence.

I don't even know his name. (28)

The teams finally converging on the challenge, they are released into the city and I watch (29), captivated as Kurohebi follows the people around, knocking them down and making them get the less favorable spots, although it's not only him doing so. Killian is doing quite well, sending down Flare and Jenny as quickly as Kurohebi got Eve and, quite accidentally, Vidaldus and Rustyrose. They were arguing loudly over their hiding place.

I laughed quietly behind my hand at that, but not for long, as it meant that he would face off last, when I thought he would have lasted longer than that. Really, with his succubus power, he should have.

The two of them squared off, Killian and Kurohebi, both of them determined and Kurohebi smiling and laughing like a madman as he found more and more players, including those on his own team.

Oh, yes, the teams were broken up like this:

Fairy Tail, with Erza Scarlet, Laxus Dreyar, the pink haired one, Mirajane Strauss, and Gajeel Redfox. Their back up was Lucy Heartfilia, although Levy and Wendy were still able to compete, being back up for the other teams here, Sabre Tooth and Raven Tail for Levy, with Wendy representing Mermaid Heel and Quatro Cerberus.

Jura, Jenny, Lyon, Sherria and Eve were the team representing Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus, their backup being Hibiki. The Tri men would have competed doubtlessly, but Rem and his love Sherry died in the attack. Such a shame.

For Mermaid Heel and Quatro Cerberus, there was Kagura, Bacchus, Rocker, Arana and Millianna, and for Raven Tail and Sabre Tooth came Rogue, Sting, Minerva, Dobengal, Flare, Kurohebi, and Obra. They couldn't agree who should be back up, as they all want to fight.

I watch, thinking about how this could practically all be set to music, it was so lovely and seemingly choreographed.

I feel if Rufus Lore was here, he would be easily able to conquer this challenge, remembering their magic signatures and following them to their hiding spots. Unfortunately, he died along with Orga Nanagear.

Even the backup, for both my team and theirs, are playing, with Lucy hiding inside Horologium since she was found and figured she couldn't get tagged in there.

She's technically right. Smart girl.

The rest of the game goes smoothly, with Dobengal finding Jenny and Bacchus, Rogue finding Erigor and Racer, who had already found Lyon. Bacchus and Midnight found each other at the same time, scoring them a prime battle slot against none other than each other. Ortelloth is found next, but then Jura gets caught with Arana trying to cram into the same space, which is much too small for Jura. (30)

Killian finds Natsu and Lucy, whose hour had run out, but Kurohebi had found Cobra and Morrigan, who is extremely well hidden (31). Laxus found them, both her and Orion, who had tried to flee across the rooftops over the sounds of battle. Luckily, Killian grabbed him as well, and bagged Kagura as well.

Noctus is found by Kurohebi, who could feel her magic presence. The only ones left are very hard to find, but tag both Killian and Kurohebi.

Jason, understandably, is ecstatic. "The remaining fifteen competitors not found will be including in the second or third round of magic duels, and hopefully will pass to the next ones! May luck be on your side!"

I glance at the announcer's box, slightly below and to the left of our own, and see Jason is sweating as he glimpses me.

I smirk, lifting my head slightly, and bringing it down in a nod after some time, watching as he releases a breath.

I smirk again, and then look at the floating line up, written with a Light Pen by someone who was keeping track. It updates the lacrima viewing screens in the room, and I frown at it, leaning forward and standing, determining the chances of winning.

Jason is talking again, narrating almost annoyingly, saying about how it would either be the first or the last match, at the call of this coin flip (32).

Kurohebi calls out, "Heads!"

The coin lands dragon side up, and they look at Killian, who considers the prospect. On one hand, it could give Kurohebi the advantage, as his ability to use Mimic Magic could make it very interesting, copying the other people's powers, but it would give Killian's magic time to regenerate from anything it was due to the challenge. (33)

He nods once, then says, "I want to fight first."

Kurohebi, opposite him, twists his thin lips into a smile, stretching across his face gruesomely.

I lean forward in my seat, considering the battle. Killian vs. Kurohebi….

It will prove interesting.

The fight is just starting, and I'm on the edge of my seat, goblet of blood on the floor, as Bickslow and the rest of the stadium do the same, eager for the violent fight about to ensue.

Kurohebi takes the opportunity for a first shot, moving like a snake as he pulls out a Sand attack, Sandstorm, sending it Killian's way.

My Brother stands, not moving, and once it strikes him, he disappears, shimmering out of existence.

Kurohebi is understandably confused, once the dust settles, and stands still while looking over where his opponent was. Taking this opportunity, Killian strikes him in the back by slamming his feet into him, jumping off a second after impact.

A magic circle flares out where he hit Kurohebi, releasing a spell and catching everyone's attention. Kurohebi, as well, notices, before he feels the effects, the magic hitting him like a truck and launching him thirty feet in the air.

Killian runs towards his opponent, no matter that he's in the air, and readies another attack, slicing through the air and impacting Kurohebi with his feet, sending him through the air with a roundhouse kick, crashing the snake like man into the stadium.

Kurohebi falls to the ground, then gets up, narrowing his eyes and running at Killian, whose pale pink hair has hardly even moved, even with everything that he's done.

Kurohebi looks angry as never before, as if he hasn't and will not stand for anything resembling this humiliation. (34)

Using his Mimic Magic, he powers up himself, but not with Sand Magic. Instead, he pulls up magic circles, and I peer at him, trying to identify the magic.

Once I do, though, I laugh and study him more closely, leaning back in my seat.

He's pulled out a Water magic spell, Wave, sending it towards Killian, pushing him back once it reached him. I smile in amusement as the arena is flooded with water, and I'm reminded of a book with a story something like this. (35)

Killian is deathly afraid of water- he was attacked by a water mage when he was a battlemage for the Imperial Army here, in Fiore. It lead to his dismissal from them, but it wasn't entirely the reason. He can't do anything with or on any large scale water formation, like a sea, an ocean, or something like that.

Surprisingly, though, he doesn't do something to loosen the grip of the water, or even swim.

The man simply discards his covering cloak, a gray and light blue military coat, and reveals his body to the world.

His chest bandages are red, keeping his shoulder and upper torso from killing him, while his legs down to just above his knees are wrapped in the same, only they are grey instead. Two more places are occupied by tightly wrapped bandages, his hands, both of them dark brown in a fighter's glove form. His feet, however, are covered with black steel shoes, which pack a powerful punch, er, kick (36). A single strip of red cloth is wrapped around his left bicep, and he opens his eyes, looking directly at me.

He surfaces, pulling a breath, and then looks at Kurohebi, who's smiling on top of the water, standing on it easily. Killian's eyes flick back to me, and he nods once, before his closes his eyes, his mouth moving, reciting something under his breath, his right hand going to the bandage on his arm, pulling at the knot slowly.

"Dimitere mea potestatem. Dimitere mea vita. Vinco mea hostis, mea relicus germanus."

I straighten up, hearing his words, and watch, spellbound, as my Brother accepts Kurohebi into the Family, sending me a clear message, and pulling the cloth off his arm, letting it fall.

I lean back a bit, and as Killian makes the last eye contact he'll ever have, I nod, my eyes twinkling, and he smiles, at peace. A second later, the spell finishes, and the body of my Brother is consumed in a fiery explosion of magical power, vaporizing the water immediately, and pushing Kurohebi out of the stadium, even, sending him flying into Crocus. I cringe when I think of the landing.

The crowd is silent for a moment, then erupts in cheers.

Kurohebi has been defeated, at the cost of my Brother's life.

But, I believe, it will be beneficial in the long run.

I smile, looking at the cloth on the field. He will be missed. A good Brother, one of the best. He has earned a place at Sithis' side. I equip a Telekinesis spell, pulling the cloth towards me, and the people don't notice, except for several mages.

I look at those that noticed, holding the cloth in my hands now, and stand, moving to the edge of the box. I hold it up in both hands, high above my head. I smirk- they're visibly shaken.

Everyone in my team is just as powerful, if not more powerful, as that. We will do whatever it takes. I am glad, however, that Kurohebi is fine.

He is going to be a fine assassin.

I smile, holding my head up high, and they all share glances.

Turning around, I move back to my throne, taking a relaxed stance, confident, sure in my power, and the cloth is held in one hand, loosely. My message has been sent, and received.

It's good to be the Empress.

Another thing is nagging me, though. Killian's death means that he won't be able to compete anymore, even though he won.

I consider his life, and smile at the memories of Siblings telling us how he saved them with either his magic or his body, as well as his famous exploits, killing corrupt senators and people who wronged others. He was very particular about that. A strange sense of honor, but he was a loyal Brother, and killed anyone who dared threaten the Family. He will be missed.

Who shall replace him? Obviously Kurohebi, in the sense of the Family, but in this contest, who shall work?

Decimus, his job now mostly done, pops his head into the box, and takes in everything with one sweep of his eyes. "Listener, might I talk to you?"

I look up at my dear Brother, whose eyes shine in the light, his face flushed slightly.

I nod, standing up and stepping out of the room, locking the door behind me.

"Yes Decimus?" I ask, partially listening as I try and figure out the way around this problem.

"I was thinking about Killian's replacement for the tournament, and I believe it should be Nightshade." he says.

I ogle him, as confused as Sheogorath when he has no cheese in a room with him.

"What?" I hiss through my teeth.

"Hear me out. She's a very advanced mage, and instead of punishing her like this for something not entirely her fault, she can be put against the hardest foes, as a way of both proving herself and punishment. She would also be allowed no contact with anyone outside of her opponents, and complete isolation would occur for her here." he finishes, his expression one of understanding for my rage.

I sigh, looking away from my Brother, and towards the floor and the door, where Bickslow is undoubtedly wondering what the hell is going on.

"Fine. I don't want to, and make sure that is clear to her. I'm still disappointed at her actions, even if they were 'accidental'. But with no more options, other than the backups, she's in."

"Speaking of which, there are not enough people on our side to compete against the remaining players over the next three days, especially if we lose more matches." Decimus brings up the point, and I sigh.

"I'll do something about it, in the event that we need to, and only then. Tell Nightshade that she is on very thin ice. I do not care if she loses, but it will not bode well if she kills her opponents. Make that very clear to her."

Decimus nods, and places his right arm on his chest over his left pec, criss crossing his arm across his chest. With that, he turns around to leave.

"Oh, actually, one more thing, Decimus. Send out Fukuro to collect Kurohebi, and have him tended to in the infirmary. I will visit him when he's resting."

Decimus' face turns to me, with a smile. "You're going to try and talk him into this, aren't you?"

I look at him, and smile. "Of course I am. He's talented, with a penchant for darkness already."

Chuckling, I place a rune on the door of the private box, and walk calmly to the announcer's box, out of sight of the crowd until I get there.

I open the door to the announcer's box, finding Jason in there having a blast. He turns when he hears me make a noise (37), and is noticeably startled.

"Listener!" he says, after covering his microphone.

I don't give a reaction, only moving forward to him, slowly, and bend to whisper in his ear.

"A contender named Nightshade will be fighting next round, as well as several other contenders in the second and third rounds, if they are needed. You will be expected to make the necessary arrangements. They will, however, be the last contenders of the matches, if they are required. Move the others up in the lineup."

I left, enjoying the trembling of the popular reporter.

24- The frostiness between us is more than enough to do so. Probably freeze it, actually. This is a joy, can't you tell? 25- However, it's good. I've started making more sense already, although it's still a bit touch and go. 26- His outfit has changed over the years, like my has. He's wearing a navy blue overcoat that's lined with a deep purple along the edges of the cloth. His hands are covered by dark gray half gloves most of the time, but not now, exposing paler flesh than when I last saw him in good light. The boots on his feet are pointed at the ends, steel toed and dark blue, a shade or two different from his coat. They extend to his knees, providing protection, and with his pants tucking into them. Those are a pale purple, with a white trim on the belt holding them up. They're overlapped with stripes of white that criss cross down to the knees, and might go down further. His shirt is almost like the one that I've seen only in pictures, when I chose him for my apprentice. It's a pale blue that has two blocks of color that extend down his arms, of white and purple on his left and right respectively. His mask is now more of a visor, allowing his hair to be seen, but not a slice of his eyes. It's decorated with a blue-purple cross in the center, while the rest is the silvery gray of steel. 27- Guess which one is for which of us. 28- I know what you're thinking, but I'm not going to kill him. Unless he pisses me off some more. 29- I told them to try and not reveal their powers as much as possible, but, truthfully, it matters little. They'll find out sooner or later; they might as well be terrified now. 30- That made me laugh. He was really surprised to be caught, and at the fact that he couldn't even fit his shoulders inside. 31- She sneezed, but it would have been covered up by the sounds of battle, had Laxus not been near. 32- The coin was a septim, donated by me. 33- His magic regeneration levels are insanely high, Ethernano is quite attracted to his presence, as you might call it. I call it his genes- his ears a bit pointed, and he's rather tan. I say he's part High Elf. 34- I heard about what he did at the last Games, of course, and the one before I found Bickslow. The last one, he cut off a competitor's ear and part of the pinkie finger, which lead to some pretty nasty arguments, but he won the match and kept his trophies, before destroying them in front of the person's eyes. Before that, there was the sock, with Toby. That was... I'm not sure if he was stupid or what. Just... ugh. I'm glad that halfwit of a mage is dead. 35- The Armorer's Challenge; it is a great book, and very informative. 36- It definitely explains how he was able to put a magic circle on Kurohebi with only a touch, and how he did so much damage with them. 37- A loud one, at that. Dropped my sword on the ground to get his attention. I did pick it back up.