I am so busy in my life I just want to curl up in a blanket and never be seen again. I just got back from a trip to New York, now I'm back at work trying to fix everything before I hop on a plane to Las Vegas! I have been working on this chapter for the past month and a half and I finally got things rolling again with the writing inspiration. Took me a while to kick it into gear.

This chapter is brought to you by the new Anberlin song Hearing Voices. I have already made it my life goal to see them in concert this year because this is-their-last-tour! EVER! NOOOOOO!

I love Anberlin.

And people who click on this to read.

Specifically, you.

Yes, you.

The afternoon sun crawled in and out of the clouds; casting oblong shadows over the bustling capital city of Joko. In a bright orange hue, the tall buildings stood like proud monuments, shinning and gleaming with windows that reflected the enclosing dusk. Numerous honks and squeals of tires bequeathed the ambiance of a good day's work for businessmen, store-owners, and patrons alike. Standing on the rooftop of Fassa's private suite, another brush of the waning sunlight pushed past the ginger clouds and flashed into Hitomi's sensitive green eyes.

She hadn't noticed it before when she first arrived in the city, but the weather here was warm; such a strange contrast to the frigid, gloom of Fanelia. She'd read that Fanelia long ago used to be more of a tropical climate. Remembering the shivering quiet of The Winged Palace standing like a corpse picked clean before her eyes, the goose-bumps on her arms began to rise. Her elbows leaning heavily on the intricately carved stone ledge; a sense of disquiet rippled through her. She closed her eyes briefly, sighed, and tightened her grip on her father's old, thick journal that was nestled safely in her left hand. The precious pages, some stained with mysterious brown spots and others hastily glued or taped back into the spine, held more enigmas than she could have ever imagined. She had studied the journal backwards and forwards; making notes of her own to correlate with her father's intelligently scrawled words. Small tabbed indications where information linked back to prove one point or another. Folded miniscule maps obviously ripped from old books, hand-drawn blueprints of famous Guymelefs by a shaky pen, even a brief list of monarchs from the twelve kingdoms was scribbled haphazardly at the very back in a small hidden flap.

She knew every inch of it and yet it still held more secrets from her.

More than she ever knew.

Hitomi bowed her head slowly, feeling the pressuring burn of tears bracing behind her eyes as her gaze flicked at the familiar cover of the book. Her short hair tossed forward with the blustering wind that pushed against her back. Things are not always as they seem… how true on so many levels… she thought bitterly. Trying to make sense of it all. Trying so hard. And here I stand at the end of a discovery. Thaioden was right. More questions than answers. Thanks a lot, magic…

Pressing her lips together, Hitomi chided herself inwardly. That wasn't the only thing bothering her. Of course, it wasn't. There was something – or more accurately someone – who had set her down her path of uncertainty. And it was for a completely different reason than their quest.

It was curiosity, confusion, and an off-balancing sense of shame. It was that vision of Van standing tall and strong in the library; a golden hue from the fireplace flicked over him to cast his stretched shadow and cloak the lining bookshelves and ceiling in darkness. His black hair released from the cap and draping long and low over his neck and lean shoulders. His posture defensive; spilling waves of threatening intimidation. His razor eyes fixing Thaioden with such a fierce stare of pride and anger… but as he undid the mysterious pendant from his neck and held it out for Thaioden to touch, she remembered the shock had hit her like a metal bat slamming into her stomach.

Van wasn't stupid! Van was probably the smartest person she'd ever met. He had confessed time and time again that he hardly trusted anyone. Hell, he had every reason to! The sad description of his life. The loss of his parents and brother within a span of only a few years. His kingdom in ruins. Teleported to a strange land where his entire country was still invaded and the instigators were herald as heroes.

No wonder he had trust issues.

And yet…

For her…

"Because she needs this. She needs the answers."

Her stomach squirmed again and she clutched the journal so hard her knuckles turned white. And how was she supposed to feel about a declaration like that? This was just something the Van she'd come to know wouldn't do. Period. Sure, she wanted them to be more than strangers, but he… actually stood up for her by revealing himself. And not just because Thaioden demanded it of him, but because Hitomi wanted answers.

Because she needed it…

She was so used to his manipulation. Him preying on her emotions and feelings; twisting her around his finger like a masterful puppeteer.

So, what kind of game was he playing this time?

Or was he playing a game…?

An image of the way he looked up on the roof after he'd flown her to safety warped into her mind and she let out a small groan before reaching up with her right hand to rub her green eyes. After the magic had left her and she'd woken with his lips on hers, she had acted with pure flight mode and shoved him off of her. But now that everything was all said and done and the initial shock had passed, her memory dwelled on his warm hands, his firm arms holding her against him. Hitomi snorted a bitter laugh at the race of chills that ran down her arms. She would get herself entangled in an awkward and confusing situation with the last Draconian in the world. One with a sharp sword and an even sharper tongue.

Her head tilted thoughtfully as she pictured his face last night. There was no denying he was handsome… in a rugged, grungy, shaggy kind of way – that is, if you even like that kind of look – which she didn't! But even she had admitted it when she first seen him during the Winged Palace tour. There was something about that Fanelian king with the deep mahogany eyes and piercing stare. Something that he was hiding from the world…

"Whatever. He's still a douche-bag, Hitomi." She whispered to herself, trying to stop the unwanted shivers that kept creeping over her skin. She lifted her head and straightened her shoulders to gain control. "Just because he does one little act of kindness doesn't make up for all the crap he's put you through. You are just partners, that's all. And that whole 'she needs this' declaration was probably to throw you off guard and manipulate you somehow. Keep the guard up, girl."

Another car honked loudly below her and she was momentarily distracted by the faint voices of yelling.

"My Lady Hitomi!"

Letting out an undignified small scream at the unexpected noise, her heart leapt yards in her chest. Spinning on foot, she caught the decorous form of Chordata clearing the last step on the metal staircase with a dainty foot.

"Chordata! You scared me!" Hitomi gasped, putting a hand to her thundering chest. The white lady had on her plain white dress that billowed out slightly around her hips. She was holding a small cup in her delicate fingers. The wind began to brush her silky fur as she made her way closer to where Hitomi was standing. Putting on a small smile for the beautiful cat to hide her conflicted feelings, she stepped to the left; offering a spot to join her on the ledge. Chordata returned her smile and approached; a soft purr vibrated into the air from her throat. With a graceful hand, she placed the streaming cup of brown liquid on the ledge next to Hitomi's elbow.

"Master Fanel is looking for you."

Hitomi hated that her stomach gave another strange twist at her words. "O-Oh, really…"

"He wanted to talk to you about something he has found."

Great. She swallowed down a groan and sighed deeply. "I'll be down in a bit. I just…"

"Need some time to think?" The cat nodded her head once, gestured to the steaming cup balancing on the ledge, and turned with a flourish of white skirts to face the stairwell. "Please, drink this. It's melted chocolate with salted spices. I will go and leave you to your thoughts."

"Wait!" The word blurted out of her. Chordata stopped with a curious look. "I… I really don't want you to go. I just don't want to be down there right now." Hitomi gave the cat a small smile. "I'd appreciate your company. Can you stay up here for a bit longer?"

Chordata's fangs showed as her lips slipped upward. "It would be my pleasure, My Lady Hitomi."

She gratefully picked up the cup to take a large sip of the rich liquid as the cat came to settle beside her, leaning on the edge of the stone rail. The drink was wonderful, of course, but it did more than just warm her. It made her want to talk. Setting the cup down with a small clink on the thick ledge, she glanced over at Chordata secretly. She wanted someone to talk to besides her confused brain. She wanted someone who was rational, kind, and wouldn't judge her for being confused.

Chordata also held a strong predisposition when it concerned Van, so there was that. She decided to try her luck anyway…

"Chordata?"

"Yes?" The pleasant purr was unbroken by her soft voice.

"Can I ask you something? Something about Van?" She hated that she blushed when she said his name and took another gulp of melted chocolate to cover her nervousness. Her hands had started to shake.

She was being ridiculous. What was she so scared of?

"If I feel I can answer the question, I will answer to the best of my abilities." The cat said smoothly.

"Right…well, were you in the library?"

"I was."

"Where were you?"

"I prefer to remain unseen; therefore, my presence will not interfere with important conversations."

Hitomi blinked and then let out a small snort. "That's just a fancy way of saying you were spying on us."

The cat's smile grew. "On the contrary, I was not spying, especially if I am able to join in on the conversation at anytime. I am more of a listener. I find that I can gather all the information I will ever need just by observation. And observation is more rewarding when the subjects are unaware they are being observed."

Her green eyes opening a little wider at the small fangs that stuck out of Chordata's top lip, she swallowed and said, "I'll take your word for it. Actually… I was hoping you'd help enlighten me on a few details about what happened in the library." The white lady's amber eyes lifted from their quiet scrutiny of the glowing buildings and zeroed in on Hitomi's face. Instantly, the green-eyed girl felt as if her entire brain was getting picked apart just by her slight movements.

A microscope of pin-pricks.

So this was where Van got it from… great…

Chordata remained quiet, so Hitomi continued to talk though she knew her face was growing redder by the second. "I am related to Thaioden distantly. I never would have dreamed my family tree stretched that far."

"This isn't want you want to talk about." The cat lady stated with almost boredom. Hitomi blinked in surprise. "You want to talk about Master Fanel handing Thaioden the pendant. You want to talk about why he would do such a thing after throwing a childish tantrum about trust. Why would he give his precious secret to a complete stranger? Someone – in his eyes – he considers a possible enemy. You are also confused about how he said it: she needs this." Her purr grew and her amber eyes twinkled lightly.

Her mouth was open, "How did you know all of that?"

"It is not that hard to figure out, My Lady Hitomi. Honestly, if I was in your shoes, I would be feeling the same."

"Right…" she said awkward. "I guess I'm just that easy to read."

"You are not as easy to read as you think. Despite all his talk, I think Master Fanel has no idea what to think of you. He is probably asking himself the same questions."

"If even he doesn't know why he helped me then I'm screwed."

The cat sighed. "The reason why he cannot figure it out is because he cannot sort out his own feelings. My Lady Hitomi, Master Fanel has… never had anyone to rely on outside of me before. Most of the time, he can hardly stand to associate with anyone. You have been the only one in his life that has – well, fought back, I should say. You stand up to him and he does not know how to feel about that. In his own way, I think he admires that you have a backbone."

"Even though half the time he's manipulating me to do something…"

Chordata's smile vanished and her lips pursed. "Judging from what happened last night, I believe he is done with cruel exploitations."

"Can you guarantee that?" Hitomi quirked an eyebrow.

"I can," she confirmed with a simple nod. "What I am trying to point out to you is he has started talking to you on a more personal level, getting to know you, letting you know more about him. Whether he is doing it consciously or just by the mere fact that you are traveling together, he is opening up more. Master Fanel… is confused about this, about you, about a lot of recent events, I am sure. Probably more confused than you are."

"Not likely…"

A slice of sadness twisted inside her stomach as Chordata shook her head. The white lady shifted to stare blankly at Hitomi, her eyes falling very serious. "Master Fanel is someone who holds a lot in his heart. He is what my people call la flama riposa – the resting flame. He embodies the spirit of that which has been waiting for a destiny, a sign, a spark to ignite his fire. I strongly believe…" she hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, "… that the reason he saved you in Fanelia was because you showed him that sign. He could not bring himself to go to the ruins of The Winged Palace for many years, but strangely – only a few months ago, he began investigating and researching the various tourist names until he found a loophole in the system with the help of a misprinted mail order form. It happens that you show up in the same tour group he snuck into and publically denounced the lies with proof and reasoning. You stood up for him when you were not even aware he was there. You spoke encouragement into him. Whether you like it or not, you ultimately hold the torch that ignites la flama riposa in him. He does not truly understand why he has saved you all those times you were in danger. He cannot understand it because he has been alone for so long. Master Fanel has figured out he needs you, so that is the excuse he gives to himself. He is just using you for your father's journal or he wants you around because you seem to have been touched by magic. The truth is: you are his torch to light the way to his destiny. And…" Chordata shrugged nonchalantly. "He likes you."

Her face was a blistering red. Her mouth fell open awkwardly. Closing it with a snap after a few seconds, Hitomi's stomach squirmed with writhing worms of fear and she swallowed down a thick coat of nervousness. The words repeated like a drum in her mind as the hairs on her arms stood on edge.

No way, no way, no way, no way-

"There are many reasons why he would, My Lady Hitomi. Not only do you ignite la flama riposa in him, but you are also full of other kinds of fire. Like I mentioned before you challenge him. You force him to see how you feel and think. He ultimately respects you for your fiery personality." The cat's face fell into what could only be called a fangy smirk. "I saw his face when you walked out of the front doors dressed as a Customer Receiver. Yes, there are many fires you give him…"

"Likes… me…?" she whispered through a strained throat. Her mind still couldn't get passed the words.

"He does. He likes you very much."

"But… how…do you…?" The words couldn't come out.

"I know this because I know him better than he knows himself."

"La flama riposa… you have got to be joking…He likes me?"

"The resting flame: a destiny that could not step forward until his torch appeared to light his pathway. It fits your description, no?"

"The resting flame…" A whisper fluttered into her ears and she spoke her thoughts, "Sounds kind of like 'The Dragon' in a weird way…"

Chordata tilted her beautiful head. "'The Dragon', My Lady Hitomi?"

"Well, this is kind of an awkward story…" She wasn't sure how it was possible, but her face blushed even further. "I guess you should know that I had a vision from magic last night on the roof… whenever Van saved me from the riot… We were talking and then he got kind of close to me and I fainted. I saw a vision of sorts, but my body kept moving like I was still there. I was being controlled by magic. And apparently magic-me called Van 'The Dragon'… and uh…" Hitomi lowered her head to stare hard at the chocolate cup. "I kissed him…"

Chordata didn't move, but nor did she blink.

And then came the rambling: "But I didn't know I did it! It was strange and weird and I wasn't even there at the time! I pushed him off as soon as I was self-aware again. It was the most shocking thing I've ever been through. Think about it. One moment you are talking and the next, you wake up to… kissing… We've talked about it, but everything is still just so off between us!"

She was thankful the white lady's face remained completely blank all throughout her confession. A perfect mask. "How very strange." Was her simple reply.

"Yeah… strange…" Hitomi sighed. "Honestly, I know I'm happy that our relationship isn't so frosty anymore, but I just don't know what to think about him. That kiss… changed things and… I'm not making any sense, right?"

"You are making perfect sense. You are scaring yourself thinking too hard about it. Some things need to flow naturally. Do not dwell on the past, but set your worries to the future. You have learned a great deal from Thaioden. Concentrate on your path and destiny." The cat stopped purring and moved away from the ledge. Walking back to the fire escape, Chordata turned her head and said softly, "If you want my opinion, in the old language, drag is a direct synonym for 'to carry'. Put together with –on, a term of respect for someone with great power, the word becomes a lot more dominant. Drag-on; Dragon: one to carry power; to bear the ruling crown."

Hitomi blinked and lowered her eyes. "So… in the old language, The Dragon meant King?"

Chordata smiled. "Makes perfect sense, no? Now, even though I told you not to dwell on these troubling thoughts and focus on the future, I know you will do so anyway because that is who you are. With that knowledge in hand, I am going to ask a question for you to ponder. You do not have to answer me, but I feel like concentration on it will help you see through your confusion."

"Okay…?" Hitomi shoulders tensed up as if expecting a physical blow.

The cat's quick eyes caught her evident anxiety and her gentle voice rang out sweetly, "My Lady Hitomi, if Master Fanel is la flama riposa and you ignite his destiny… have you ever considered the possibility that you are also la flama riposa?"

"I don't understand-"

Her amber eyes flashed and she held up a hand. "No need to answer. Just listen. You have mentioned before that your journey never really started until you went to Fanelia. Until you met Master Fanel."

She turned away to walk down the steps. Her voice was carried by the wind.

"Perhaps he is igniting something in you as well?"

She had stood outside for another hour; the cup of chocolate Chordata had brought her was stone cold and congealing on the rim.

The warm night eventually began to erupt with bits of calling shop vendors and freakishly-cladded individuals laughing and yelling raucously. As Joko's night life awoke, so did an off-countering sense of danger that seemed to snake up her spine. She pushed down the feeling. With her head crashing in spiky tumbles of broken clues, she finally clutched the precious journal to her chest, turned away from the ledge, and began the small trek back down the fire escape.

She had a head-ache. She had a stomach-ache. She wanted to go home to her mother and Yukari. She wanted to go back to the musty old library in Palas and read until her eyes grew heavy. She was tired of all this destiny talk.

La flama riposa, The Dragon, BE READY Program, Memoirs of the Strategos, Dryden Fassa alive and married to Princess Millerna, a spy working for Allen Schezar, her father looking for Van, another alternate reality where they succeeded, Van's possible feelings for her – her mind was struggling. Taking each step down the metal staircase slowly, Hitomi's thoughts were so full of everything she just wanted to sit down and never stand up again.

"Igniting a flame of destiny, huh?" she scoffed at herself tiredly. "What a load. All of it…"

A prick of danger crawled down her neck.

Blinking to clear her thoughts, she glanced behind expecting to see someone lurking at her back – but there was nothing there. Frowning to herself as her heart beat grew unreasonably faster, she took the steps with a little more haste and yanked open the door to the elevator hallway. Taking another quick look behind, she didn't know how she knew it, but there was something wrong. The door slammed shut and she jumped at the noise. A swiveling image of the locked metal box in Fanelia. The Zaibachian soldier coming for her before Van saved her…

She shook the image away. The mild headache, which was currently residing on the lower part of her head, shifted around her cranium to settle above her right eyebrow.

And then it burst with pain.

With a painful hiss through clenched teeth, she had just made it to the elevator doors, when the pain blossomed to an extreme agony.

She let out an involuntary cry. Her head exploded with thorns of panicking danger, warning, something was coming, what was coming, there was danger on its way, danger was coming, get out! Reaching blindly, she pressed the button to head down and braced her back on the wall waiting for the elevator.

"Okay, magic…" she gagged slightly on the words. "If this is you, please stop hurting me… ahhh…" Lifting her hands to her pulsating head, her eyes started shedding involuntary tears. The thick chill made her stomach roll and her teeth unwillingly chatter.

Ding! The elevator! Practically falling inside the metal case, she pressed the suite button and slid to the ground, breathing heavily.

Danger, danger, danger, danger, something was coming, coming, dangerous, danger, danger, get out, get out, get out, danger, danger-

She cried, her body shivering violently with cold. Her fingers felt like they were chilled to the bone. Tucking them under her armpits for warmth, the frozen spell seemed to move from her hands all the way to her chest.

Danger, danger, danger, get out, get out, get out, get out-

Ding! She heard the doors slide open, but was completely blinded with the pain. The colors of the floors and light blue walls were tossing, swaying harshly forward and backward, side to side, rocking her.

Hitomi crawled like an infant. There was no way she'd reach the door. She turned to her side and dry heaved.

Danger, danger, danger, GET OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!

"Help… me…" the words were barely heard by her own ears as more danger pounded in her skull.

DANGER, DANGER, DANGER, DANGER, GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT, GET-

Hitomi's voice was suddenly freed. "-OUT! GET OUT! GET OUT!" she shrieked the words. "WE HAVE TO GET OUT!"

The apartment door in front of her burst open as soon as the words left her mouth and she fell faint as a pair of strong warm hands grasped around her back. Long, thin forearms wrapped around her body and lifted her gently into the air. Cradled against a familiar warm chest, she knew immediately who had come for her and, in response to his touch, her mind slowly ceased tossing. She felt her consciousness slipping away as his body heat soaked into her – filling her to the core.

"Danger…" she mouthed through a ragged breath. The familiar burning heat of the magic was overpowering her mind and she reveled in the feeling of it.

She was having another vision?

What would it show her?

"I'm… fading…Van…"

"Hitomi?" His deep voice hummed in his chest. He sounded scared, worried. She wanted to reassure him that a vision was coming, but her mind swirled into nothingness.

However, magic used her mouth:

"The Dragon is in danger…"

Just as she predicted, the black of unconsciousness didn't leave her alone, but began twisting with the feverish heat. She watched and waited as she traveled – her mind strangely clear and alert. Visions, conversations, past, present, future, and various realities flicked on and off; switching from one scene to another like a shuffling deck of cards. With her heart beating wildly, she controlled her breathing.

Hitomi let out a small gasp as the dark chamber from before swam before her eyes. The man in the cloak. The Strategos. His face hidden from view. He was looking at his hand, flexing the mechanical fingers one by one. The viewing globe that had showed Dornkirk's face was black. The only image was the man. Both she and the Strategos jumped at the same time as a back door burst open and light flooded into the room. A boy stomped in… a boy with flipping silver hair and brilliant blood-red armor. His pale face was sweating and he was panting deeply. A shiver of strangled horror washed down her spine at the boy's crimson eyes, which seemed to glow murderously from his face. The Strategos had recovered from his shock faster than Hitomi for he said calmly, "Dilandau, you were not called back from the field. You are in violation of-"

"She came out of me, Strategos…" the boy hissed, his eyes burning. Hitomi noticed he was holding his stomach like he'd been kicked in the gut. "She came out and she wants to stay out. She used me… to warn that damn brother of hers! The entire operation-"

"-Went as smoothly as planned," The Strategos finished calmly. "No one suspects that we are behind the alchemy bomb. The BE READY soldiers have already provoked Freud enough so that they will refuse to give Austuria aid. Britonia will jump to Austuria's defense and unite against Joko. Since I have used my time wisely and spoke with both the Duke and Joko's Emperor into collaborating together, everything will be just fine-"

"Fine?! I blacked out! For hours! She is there inside me… always there…" He pushed his arm against his stomach again and groaned. "She is getting stronger… I need more of the serum…"

"The serum is not for idle use, Dilandau."

"What do you know!?" The boy spat the words violently. "What do you know about the serum? What do you know about what they do to us? Nothing!"

The man was quiet as the word nothing bounced back and forth in the round empty room. As it faded, he murmured, "What Generation are you, Dilandau?"

"I am the Third, of course, you know this. You gave me the Dragon Slayers because I am the best in my Generation." Despite the fierce stare the boy inflicted on the Strategos, a glimpse of dark pride twisted into his blood eyes. "I am the best… I have been the best since I became who I am… Always the best…"

"Realize, Dilandau, that if you are the Third, that means there are two other Generations before you."

"This has nothing to do with getting rid of her! I want the serum! I want her gone!"

"If you continue to talk about her you will follow your First, Second, and now Third Generation brothers into termination." The boy's face froze at the words and he swallowed audibly. The cloaked man continued to talk. "I am warning you for your own good. So far, the experiments of the BE READY Program have not been successful. You are the closest we have gotten to perfection – and that is the single reason you are still alive at this moment. You possess talents that the BE READY Program has tried to implement into their soldiers."

"I will always be the last one standing from BE READY. As long as there are men to kill, I will be on the battlefield." Dilandau lowered his hand from his stomach and straightened his back proudly.

"You are not the only one with that goal…" The Strategos stopped for a moment. "I am sure you have heard about the last First Generation that remains. The only one who has not been terminated. He went through an archaic process of the surgery. Endured the injection of a serum that was just at the beginning stages of its climb to flawlessness. And like you and many others, there have been hard consequences because of it, and yet he still lives on."

"That guy you are talking about is a myth! They killed off the First and Second-"

"And they will kill you if you keep being unstable."

"I'm trying to be stable! Don't you get it!? That's why I need her dead! This is my body now, not hers. Mine!"

"Dilandau… I am the last First…"

The silence in the room was almost venomous. She watched the crimson-eyed boy's face jerk from shock to denial to disgust.

"You?"

"I was the first to be taken for BE READY. They changed my name. They gave me the title 'Strategos'."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I want you to see that you can survive despite all odds. You can win against her and become the very best for Zaibach. Stabilize and be the last of your Generation like I am. I have a goal for the world; therefore, I do not let the serum take me into madness."

With an uncharacteristically loud groan ripping from the man's quiet throat, he unbuckled the cloak's hooks with his left hand and let the heavy fabric drop to the floor. Pale skin, almost ashy in color, shifted into view. His hair, a deep grey, was long; covering his bottomless, intelligent eyes. A blue tattoo of a tear drop was delicately carved into his right cheek. With a shiver, she saw his metallic clawed hand hanging like a dead weight by his side. Numerous stitches and healed scars branched from where the arm connected to his shoulder. Hitomi stumbled backward with horror as black slick wings burst from the man's back and spread wide in the chamber. She whipped her eyes to the boy and saw that he'd backed away.

"So, it is true…" he whispered, his red eyes practically glowing. "The myth is true."

"What I stand for drives me. It keeps me from falling."

The boy released a sharp breath, his sneering eyes flipping all over the man's exposed wings and chest.

"So, what do you stand for then, Draconian?"

The man's wings lowered to fold neatly on his back and tower over his head like a dark beacon. She felt sick. The wings… the black feathers slipping to litter the floor like ebony shadows.

So much like Van's…

"In this world, where man fights against man… No, where every living thing fights to take the life of another; fighting begets fighting, and the slaughter begins anew. Such is the way of the world."

"And the world is good like that!"

"No," the man closed his eyes and Hitomi took a step forward. As he opened them, her breath caught.

Such a beautiful shade of dark mahogany…

"If the world can be changed, conformed under one banner, one rule… if all wishes are able to be granted – including my own… maybe, just maybe… we can stop the fighting once and for all…"

I finally got it done! Finally! Work has been killer lately and it's only going to get harder from here on out. I have a lot of free time today - I have a meeting I have to wait for at 6, so I have all afternoon to work on Rutilus Flumen and get that updated as well.

Typing like a crazy person. It's what I do best. lol.

Oh, by the way, I went to New York last weekend and got a ring from my boyfriend.

So... yeah...

MARRIAGE!

It's funny because some of you guys have been with me since I met him. I think I updated a chapter of Rutilus right before our first date! lol! CRAZY!

Well, predictions, reactions, loved it, hated it, wish I had written more (I always wish I can keep going, but I have to break it up sometimes). Not to worry, my friends. Van and Magic-Hitomi's conversation will be next chapter!

Love you to all!

blue...