The sky had turned dark before the two warriors eventually exited the Solarian living quarters. The bright sun slowly faded to twilight as Pantheon watched as them talk, gestures and words being exchanged as if they were old friends rather than two strangers brought together by a revelation. As he leaned against the tree, he could not help but wonder what exactly they had spoken about. It wasn't his place to ask about something so personal but his curiosity got the better of him. He continued to gaze at the pair a moment more, before Titus shook hands with Leona and turned to walk away but stopped as he passed Pantheon. The two silently processing each other's presence, unsure of what exactly to say. This was, after all, undoubtedly a very strange event for them both. It was silent minute before any one spoke.

"Well, what became of it?"

Titus nodded his head slowly, "It was…what I needed to hear for a long time. I learned some things that I would have never learnt among the Rakkor about myself." He paused, unsure of what exactly to say to the stoic warrior. He had invited him to come along the trip but it wasn't exactly clear what their relationship was. "It's late Pantheon. I'm headed back to the camp as of now. It would be wise of you to return as well. Your companion has advised me that the Solaris don't enjoy visitors, especially after dark. " Pantheon frowned, somewhat annoyed by Titus's comment. "Don't overstep your boundaries Titus. I'll return when I am finished here, consequences or not. You're not the only one here with a purpose. Do not forget it was I who brought you here."

Titus opened his mouth to retort, but quickly clamped it shut. Pantheon seemed…particularly on edge at this certain moment. He wasn't sure why exactly, but he sure as hell didn't want to be on the receiving end. Better for him to just move along and let Pantheon handle himself. "Alright, just a warning..." he muttered before turning to leave. Pantheon watched him go for a moment before turning back to look at the warrior standing on at the gates of the living quarters. He sighed, nervously taking a breath to steady his nerves.

Why was he so jittery?

He had faced countless life or death situations in the past and he had hardly felt even the slightest tinge of fear. Without a regard for harm to his body, he had always been the first in the fray. So why in Targon was this so difficult? It was a simple question; that's was all. There was certainly no need to feel nervous or anxious over something so trivial. After all, hadn't he always told others that they certainly were friends? At least, that's what he had rationalized it to be beforehand. Yet here he was, frozen and rooted to the ground unable to command his body to move. How would I even begin to say it? How would she react? Perhaps Titus was right, I rushed things a bit too quickly. I should head back to Targ-

"Pantheon?"

Preoccupied with his thoughts, Pantheon had not even noticed that Leona had walked over to the tree where he had been standing still, staring into space for the past several minutes. She joined him in leaning against the tree, clad in her new orange and gold Solarian outfit. For a moment, Pantheon could not speak, the words unable to come to his mind to say to the girl in front of him as he stared at her smile and her beautiful hair. "Excuse me, I was…ah...was thinking about the whole situation." Leona chuckled at his obvious excuse. "It's alright Pantheon, there has been quite a lot of change recently. I'm still reeling to take it all in as well. Our situation isn't exactly what one would call normal."

Pantheon nodded slowly at her words, relived that she didn't find him to be a fool. "What of your conversation with Titus? It seemed that he was very eager to get some things off his chest by asking you some questions."

"Well, he was nearly killed and by the rules of the Rakkorian tradition, should have been left dead on the field of the arena." Leona frowned, involuntarily recalling those tense memories, "I'm sure it came as a huge shock to him when I decided to refrain from killing him. No Rakkor in the arena would have expected that either. I think that he's just simply curious to know why he was spared. After all, the Rakkorian camp leaders don't exactly place self-esteem to be the top of their list of priorities."

"Heh, yes. They uh… they certainly don't." Pantheon looked down, nervously rubbing his sweaty hands together. If he was to ask his question, it would have to be now. Time was running out. But his body just would not cooperate with him, the words to his question once more getting stuck in his throat. Gods in Targon this was hard. "Pantheon?" He looked up as Leona scooted closer to him so that their shoulders were touching. He was all too aware and conscious of the fact that her warmth felt so sensitive against his skin. His mind began to ramble, slightly panicking at the developing situation. Somehow, he was able to muster the words that he had been waiting so long to say. "Leona…uh I was wondering if I could ask you a question." Leona made a face at his words. "What are you talking about? Of course you can ask me anything. Why wouldn't you be able to?" Pantheon gulped down his nervousness. There was no turning back from what he was about to do now. It was time; somehow, this felt even more nerve-racking than the Rite of Kor itself. He closed his eyes and prepared his much frayed nerves for what was to come out of his mouth.

Diana watched from an above hill at the two figures standing at the tree, deep in thought as they unconsciously got closer to one another moment by moment. They seemed as if they were two parts of one whole, rather than separate pieces consulting one another. She chuckled to herself. It seemed that Pantheon had taken her advice. Perhaps it was not exactly the way she would have done it herself, but he was certainly making an attempt and Diana had to give credit where credit was due.

But the time for dawdling had already long since passed the current time. Like Pantheon, she had to venture into new territory herself. Pulling herself up, she made her way slowly towards the paved path, lit with many beautiful Solarian style lanterns. Stopping by a small hole nicely concealed by the road, she retrieved a brown bag containing with the objects she would need for her revelations tonight. It was time for her to come out of the shade of the sun.

Bag in hand, Diana moved swiftly among the lit path, her steps treaded by the shining moonlight. It was quiet out, with no one to see the girl moving quickly through the night. At last, Diana reached the doors of the building that housed the Solarian Elders. She closed her own eyes and prepared herself mentally. Though she did not expect that the Elders would be completely understanding and respectful for what she was about to show them, Diana understood she could never live a full life if she did not show this side of her. She could live for a short period with a disguise on her face, but eventually she would have to reveal the truth. She would find herself, whether it would be through the guise of the sun or the moon.

Renewing her grasp on the bag once more, she opened the door and entered the building, the door clunking behind her as it shut away the light that shone from the path built by the Solari.

Leona's eyes widened. But Pantheon did not know what she was thinking. Is she happy? Or most likely, perhaps she is contemplating on how to kill me with her bare hands for asking such as insane question. Lords of the Sky this was a terrible idea. Perhaps death by swor-

Then, of all things that Pantheon expected to happen, Leona smiled warmly, and to his immense surprise, took his roughed hands, sculptured by the many years of combat and wielding swords and spears in to her own. Pantheon swore he could feel his heart palpating as he watched her warm brilliant smile and felt the warmth of Leona's hand spread through his body. He had never known such a…warm feeling in his life. His expression must have betrayed his inner emotions as Leona giggled slightly at him before speaking. "Pantheon, it is not any weakness to feel such a way towards another. Though, it is a bit strange as for all the years we have trained you have never revealed such an emotion. But I suppose it's only natural as your guardians have always taught you the art of combat but never the idea of compassion. It is an ideal that you are feeling right now. And I would say that Aurelius and Diana are right about what you feel; it is truly a new found love."

Pantheon stood frozen in place. She had accepted what he had said! Though he had sounded like a complete fool, she had easily taken in his question! But there was something that she had left unsaid rather than spoken that left him more uneasy. He hesitated for a moment, unsure whether or not he should continue with this endeavor. "I've read about love in the books that some of the Elders have given me," Pantheon spoke slowly and quietly, "If you believe that my faith in this concept is true, then it is likely that you are right Leona. But I know that this bond would need both to be successful." He looked into those amber eyes. He wet his lips and forced himself to utter the last phrase. "Would you….return the same?"

For a moment, there was no sound passing between the two. There was only the gazing connection between the irises of crimson and a golden amber that set each other aflame. Then, in a sudden movement, Leona leaned over, quickly closing the gap between their faces and caught his lips with hers. An explosion of feeling erupted within the Rakkor, his brain completely short circuiting as he for the first time breathed in her scent. It was a wonderful feeling, laced with a certain sweetness. He had never in his life been so stunned by such an act. All but too soon, she pulled away, leaving Pantheon in a wake of shocking and confusion. Leona cupped his face, leaning forward to touch her forehead against his, their lips meeting once more. She pulled away and smiled at the bewildered Rakkorian paragon. "From the day since we were children, you've always been there for me and supported me, even against the pressure of so many other odds. Every day I watched you struggle against the combat of the tests of the Rakkor for my own sake. How could I not return the feeling when you have done so much for me already?" She took his large hands in her own once more, running her fingers along the grooves of his hand. "But you were always so devoted to the Rakkor ways as well. It was a difficult for me to voluntarily distract you with things that could interfere with the goals you wished to achieve. And so I stayed back and waited. But I always had faith that you would find me. It seems that my gamble has payed off."

Pantheon shook his head in disbelief, wrapping his arms around the smaller Solarian warrior. She happily received his touch, snuggling against the leather of his tunic. "You cheat yourself too much Leona. I always would have given you my priority over the Rakkor edifices. You're much too important for me to lose." They stood a moment longer, enjoying the warmth of the newfound relationship they had discovered among one another that neither thought would had ever existed. Leona leaned against him, happy to have someone with her who was now not only her close friend but also someone she knew truly cared for her. It wasn't exactly what her fantasy of a romance was but she would take what she could get, especially under these circumstances.

She turned to him once more, glancing up at her companion. "Well, I should get going. I have to attend the Solarian ceremony tomorrow and I'm sure people will be angry if I don't show up on time. Diana would have my head." Pantheon nodded in agreement, his composure reconstructed. "Alright then. Allow me to walk you back then."

What had she done?

She had meant only for it to be a truce of peace between the two. Now, she was in the midst of violence, murder and hatred. But they had provoked her hadn't they? She had come to them in peace but they had only turned the corners of misunderstanding and war. Typical of the sun to overshadow the finer parts. She stepped over the bodies on the floor, their flesh marked by the dusty wrath of the moon.

What was done was done. There was no changing what had happened here. It was time to run and leave her once beloved home behind. But she could only watch the fires burn upon the ground, the blood coating the dust that split from the altars.

Voices approached near, clambering among the marked ruins of the building. She had to leave now, or the entire order would fall with her once more. And she had to do what it took for its preservation. But before she went, she took one last look at the destruction she had left in her wake. What was it to be of the moon?

The voices grew louder, many of them shouting in panic at the desolation they encountered. They were moving quickly towards her. She had to go. Now.

The pair stopped in front of Leona's building, their hands lingering amongst each other for a moment longer. Leona placed her warm hands on Pantheon chest and looked up at the warrior. "Will you return to see me soon? It gets lonely here sometimes." Pantheon smiled and leaned down to plant a small kiss on her forehead. "You know I will when I can. I do not care for the Rakkor and Solarian boundary differences."

They stood for a moment longer, enjoying each other's presence for a moment longer before Leona moved towards the entrance. "HEY! LEONA!" The pair turned towards the a figure, clad in full Solarian combat armor. He ran over, huffing and puffing, his face red with exertion. "Erix?" Leona's voice was one of concern and question, "What's wrong?! Why are you screaming all over the place? Shouldn't you be asleep right now?" "Leona," he puffed, "You need to come with me right now. There's been an attack on the Solari! All of the Elders have been killed!" Leona staggered his words. "WHAT?! What are you saying? Have you gone crazy?"

"You need to come with me right now Leona. We have to follow up with the other Solarian units that are converging towards the location of the attack. It's not clear yet whether or not it was a single attacker or whether there'll be more of wherever the hell they came from!" Leona pursued her lips, shaken by this event. "Alright, let's go then. Lead the way." She turned to Pantheon but before she could say anything, he cut her off. "Don't speak. I'll follow you. An attack on the Solari are as much of an attack on the Rakkor as well." She nodded, mouthing a silent thank you before the three figures set off

…

The scene that they had stepped into was one that Leona had not expected to see. In place of the grand temple that housed the Solarian Elders that she had met with all not too long ago a broken building, shattered like a glass sculpture. But as she would come to see, that was not even the worst of the destruction. "Make way! Make way!" Erix shouted as he led the two warriors through the crowds of milling Solari at the edge of the destruction. All around their feet were rubble, statues and artifacts crushed by the evident attack.

"Halt." A Solarian guard stepped before them, blocking their path deeper into the ruins. "No one is to go further beyond this point." Erix snarled at the man who had stepped in front of them. "Oh yeah? On whose orders?"

"It's not for you to worry about! Now leave, before I send you off with my sword rather than my set of words." The guard scowled, tightening his grip on his weapons. Pantheon moved quickly in front of Leona, hand on his own sword in turn. "Try it, and you shall fall where you stand. Do not challenge the power of the Rakkor"

"It's all right Ergon. Allow them to pass through." a familiar voice called out. Pantheon watched in surprise as a very familiar figure stepped forward to greet them. "Elder Aurelius?!" Pantheon spat, anger against the leader still evident in his tone. "What are you doing here?"

The robed man sighed as the trio stepped past the guard, with Pantheon eyeing the man with hostility and suspicion. "The better question is, what are you three doing here? This isn't exactly a place for you to be at this time" Erix stopped and turned to face the Elder. "With all due respect, we came because we feared that this may have been part of a larger attack." The young warrior paused, "Speaking of which, why are you here with the Solari Elder?"

"For now, I've been appointed to be the head Solarian Elder by Lervix." Pantheon scoffed. "You? Now the leader of the Solari? How foolish of the other Elders." Aurelius turned to face him, a sorrowful yet purposed glint in his dark eyes. "Yes Pantheon, I've been selected for this position. And I will do my best to keep everything in order." Pantheon started to open his mouth once more to challenge the Elder, but Leona placed her hand on his, silencing his remark. "I'm glad for you Elder." Leona nodded towards him. "You are leading the investigation are you not?"

"Yes, I've been tasked with both finding the case of this attack as well as the heading the Solarian leadership once this is set and done."

"Then, with all due respect Elder Aurelius, can you tell us what you've found so far?" Leona asked.

"Of course young one. As of now, we know it was only a lone attacker. There only seems to be presence, rather than a certain group. We are still currently attempting to find the exact identity or affiliation with the attacker." "What are the casualties?" Erix inquired.

"It seems that only the Elders were killed. Which means that this was a planned and targeted attack rather than a raid by another tribe." Aurelius frowned at the mention of the Elders. Leona noticed the facial expression. "What is it my Elder?"

Elder Aurelius looked up to see all of the three warriors gazes upon him. "The Elder's style of death," Aurelius began slowly, "Was the most interesting of the attack. There are no external wounds from anything such as a spear or knife. The Elders were…well nearly vaporized."

"Vaporized? Now you must have gone senile as well as cowardly Aurelius." Pantheon snarled at the gray haired man. "I doubt there is any magic developed enough among any of the tribes here to have warranted such a death." Aurelius nodded at the warrior, choosing to ignore his snide remark. "That was what I thought as well. Which all leads to only one possibility. It was one of the Solari that did this deed. Only the Solari have any magic close to what is seen here."

"A Solarian slaughtering their own Elders?! Perhaps you are senile old man!" cried Erix. "There is no Solari in here that would ever betray our leaders. It couldn't have been one of us!"

Aurelius opened his mouth to respond but a solider, one of Aurelius', came over and whispered something in his ear. He paled slightly as he turned away and thanked the messenger.

"There seems to have been a development. Follow me."

…

Leona frowned as they turned the corner to the entrance of Diana's housing. "Why are we here Aurelius? Shouldn't we be out finding the attacker?"

Aurelius said nothing as they stopped in front of a wooden door, engraved with the insignia of the Solari. Without a further word, he pushed open the door. "Hey wait, shouldn't you knock?!" Erix called after the Elder.

They entered a dark and cold room, a cold draft blowing across the expanse of the room. At a glance, it seemed that it was just a normal room. But upon a closer inspection, the bedding sheet was stripped away leaving the mattress bare and empty. Solarian insignias on the walls were replaced with some other symbol that looked suspiciously like…a moon. Other personal objects were gone as well, leaving the room barren and seemingly as if no one had ever lived here.

"What the hell? Where the hell is Diana? I didn't see her around the Elders location where she should have been." Erix shook his head in confusion. "Where could she be?"

"I'm sure she somewhere, helping the Solari." Leona responded. "She's always been one to take the initiative."

Pantheon glanced at the Elder, who was being uncharacteristically silent, hovering in the shadows. Their eyes locked and in that moment, Pantheon understood all of the implications that were about to fall on the two oblivious warrior. Pantheon nodded at Aurelius, aware of the things that were about to befall them. Hate him as he did, Pantheon still appreciated the fact the Elder waited for his consent to finally say what was most likely to be the truth. She had no connections to him; they had never really been too much in close contact. But she was Leona's mentor and her first friend among the Solari. She had meant a lot to someone who cared about friends. Erix was no exception as well. They had form a bond among the youth of the Solari.

"Ahem" Aurelius cleared his throat, causing the two Solarians to turn from their discussion. "My scouts have already reported that there appears to be no sign of Diana anywhere among the territory of the Solari." He took a deep breath, "Furthermore, I have received reports of a lone figure moving away from Mount Targon, minutes after a fellow Solarian guard spotted Diana fleeing from the direction of the Elder's temple."

There was a silence, both Leona and Erix stared at the Elder in anticipation of what he had to say. "Well, what are you trying to tell us Elder? I'm afraid I don't get whatever the hell you're hinting at here."

"One more thing. A lock of hair was found by the ruins of the temple."

"Well, that could be anyone's hair," Leona retorted.

"I wish that were true, but further from the lock, we found a small ceremonial dagger of the Solarian officers. I had some of your fellow Solarians identify the insignias engraved on the dagger." Aurelius closed his eyes as he uttered the last phrase would change the fate of the two soldiers of light before him forever.

"It is undeniable. The attacker was Diana."

Heyo. Sorry for my lack of updates recently. I've come upon the season of testing with school. It's quite the painful experience. But it's mostly passed with a few more to go. But anyways, I hoped you guys enjoyed the chapter! I be most likely updating more regularly now since i have a bit more time.

Canon: Aurelius compromised Leona's safety in the past. Pantheon just can't find the trust to forgive him just yet.

Diana is an influential figure to many of the younger Solari. She is a recruiter in the story after all.

Pantheon sucks with girls...

Until next time,

-C. Geng