Alisaie took a deep, steadying breath, steeled her spine, then pushing back her… nerves, knocked at the door of her best friend's bedroom.

"Who is it?" came from inside Senri's muffled voice.

"Alisaie. Do you have a moment?" she asked, trying to sound neutral. She knew he was alone – after meeting Raha heading out of the compound with a somewhat considerate expression. That is what led her to head to their bedroom – wishing to ask her friend for advice.

"Yeah, come on in," he called out and she opened the door, then walked in… and gawked, then snorted a laugh inelegantly, pushing the door close when Senri waved his hand at her. "Marvelous. Give me a hand with this, Firecracker?" he asked, turning his back to her.

"What is this…?" she muttered, moving toward him – and involuntarily admiring his form. Bare waist up – she would have to be blind and dead not to at least notice his purely male beauty, even if he ever felt like a brother to her – but what truly caught her attention was a strange chain made of small, blue crystals that he apparently struggled with wrapping around himself. His long tail whipping with apparent agitation, Senri held out to her one of the ends of it. While snickering quietly, she helped him to double wound it around his chest tightly, still somewhat baffled when that was done, he whispered something and the ends of the chain somehow… melted together, forming quite a fantastical adornment on his pale skin.

"Thanks," he sighed, then picked up a white, sleeveless shirt and pulled it on over his head, soon adding a loose, baggy vest over it, and with a frown looking himself over in the tall mirror, before turning his ice-blue eyes toward her again. "Is it visible?" he asked and she shook her head with a chuckle, sitting down at the edge of the chair standing in front of the massive, dark-red desk. "Neat… so, did you need something, Alisaie?"

"You're not going to tell me what the chain is for?" she replied, pointedly raising her eyebrows.

"Ah… I am not sure, to be honest with you," he rolled his eyes slightly, then walked over to her and leaned against the edge of the desk. "Ares insisted that I should do that – just in case, though considering his… tone, I think he's scheming something… Especially since he demanded I do it after Raha left – and not mention it around him… so shush," he pressed his finger against his lips meaningfully with a wink and she leaned back in her seat while tilting her head curiously.

"So it's… some sort of a prank on Raha?" she asked with confusion.

"I think it's more for Damon than him," Senri shrugged, then lifted, and sat back on the desk while narrowing his eyes at her slightly. "But… you didn't answer my question. What's up, Firecracker?"

"Ah," she averted her eyes from his gaze quickly, blushing and clearing her throat self-consciously, then took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, meeting his slightly confused gaze. "I… ah, wanted to ask you… I mean, perhaps more Ares, than you… gods, I suck…" she trailed off, curling in and dropping her flaming face in her palms with a groan.

"Oh, something to do with Themis…?" he asked softly and when she looked up through her fingers, he leaned over her slightly but his eyes were a bright shade of the sky, pupils round and full of amusement. "I do hope he's… behaving…?"

"He is…!" she gasped, then slapped her hand over her eyes and fell back against the backrest with another loud groan, muttering a swear when her face went even hotter. "I mean…"

"It is quite okay, Alisaie," he chuckled, nudging her knee with his and smiling with reassurance when she peered at him again. "Like Senri told you – I think you're a great match for Themis… if you are interested in him, I mean. Which… is hard to miss, I do admit, and very… cute," he snickered at her glare, then sighed and folded his arms over his thighs, leaning in and looking at her with interest. "So… what seems to be the issue?"

"He's… behaving too… well," she murmured, rubbing her hands over her face to not look at him when he snorted a quiet laugh at that. "We… ah, k-kisssed and then… he kind of… reconsidered…? Or got… spooked…? Apologized and… it went veeeery awkward and I… don't know… what to think about that," she sighed, curling into herself.

"Ah…" he sighed and when she dared to look at his, he was frowning with consideration, but now seemed… completely serious and she almost exhaled with relief – knowing she would bolt if he… laughed or something. Then his expression softened when his sky-blue eyes trailed over her heated face. "I do not wish to make you… uncomfortable, Alisaie, but let me ask you this: what exactly do you wish of me…? A piece of advice on how to… woo him or…?"

"I… don't know," she gasped, throwing her hands in the air before folding them over her chest tightly and perhaps… pouting a little. "I just… don't get it. Did I do something wrong… or something? Or…" she trailed off, dropping her gaze between them and biting her lower lip with uncertainty.

"Most likely…?" he said slowly, quietly, and when she looked up, his expression was guarded and careful. "Well, If I would be to guess, I would say that you're right and he did get… spooked, let's call it. Or rather – the more… interested he would be in you, the… more likely it is that he'll… bolt, I guess."

"Huh?" she frowned with confusion, shifting to rest her leg on top of the other and bouncing it slightly in the air between them. "I really don't… get it?"

Ares sighed, then rested his hands on the surface behind him and leaned on them, narrowing his eyes at her with consideration.

"Listen, Alisaie…" he started slowly, apparently carefully choosing words, which had her frown grow more pronounced. "…it is not hard to see, he feels… terribly guilty over what happened after we… parted, which as wrong he is to do, I think it is quite to be expected. So, if you're truly interested in him… You'll have to be very patient with him, I imagine. Themis was always a very sensitive child – and as embarrassing as it always was for me – his… adoration toward me, I mean – I used to be quite glad that he was still so young when we met," he jumped off the desk, then ignoring her squeak for protest turned the chair she was on sideways, then kneeled in front of her, resting his hands on the armrests around her. "I am not sure how much he told you of that – how we met – but, you must know he… felt very lonely in his environment before that," his expression darkened considerably.

"As you did…?" she whispered, resting both feet on the ground and leaning forward, watching his expression.

"In some aspect, I would say he had it worse," he sighed sadly, then holding her gaze, caught her hands in his and rested them in her lap. "Despite how my peers regarded me… I had my parents who openly adored me and always stood up for me – while he had none to do so for him. That's what I thought – think – made him so… enamored with me," he smiled somewhat ruefully, then squeezed his hands around hers delicately. "But while I tried to be… we both did, Damon and me, to be what he needed back then, something like that does leave scars that are hard to… heal. And considering what happened after we parted… It is my guess, Alisaie, as I know him as he used to be before the Sundering: the more he will care about you, the less worthy of it he would think himself to be," he said quietly, watching her expression with deep sadness in his bright eyes, that had her throat tighten painfully. "Damon told me that what he did – the spell he used to make sure he… rejoins properly – did not expunged his memories of the eons he spend as the Elidibus – a shell of what he was – and that… is likely to make him believe he failed… me, despite the fact that it was me who failed him…" he trailed off, sighing and dropping his gaze. "We couldn't change too much, we believed, and… couldn't spare him that… fate, but he was just… a kid, and he did what he did because he believed it was something… I would do – which, perhaps if I wasn't aware of what was coming, wouldn't be wrong to assume…"

"You feel as guilty about it…" she whispered, now squeezing her hands around his and smiling somewhat ruefully when he looked up at her with a quiet, self-conscious chuckle.

"I do… if not more," he exhaled slowly, then frowned and let go of her hands, then stood up and ran his hand through his hair. "But my point being… If you want him – don't let him slip due to the guilt about something that he had no control over. I know you, Firecracker, through my boy, mostly, but still… you're not a timid kind of a girl," he winked at her when she flushed up to her hairline, looking away from his eyes. "If it's any reassurance: the more he runs, the more he cares, in my opinion, so… Don't let him," he grinned with pure daring when she tossed him a slightly deadpan stare, then sighed and stood up, pursing her lips with consideration.

"That does sound a bit… reassuring," she admitted reluctantly, then looked up into his face with narrowed eyes. "And I do… like him," she added, ignoring how her face heated up again – instead raised her chin pointedly and rested her hands on her hips. "And after hearing of everything – both from him… and you – I think… he does deserve to enjoy his new freedom. I hope… I can be a part of it… if he lets me, but I also think… you shouldn't feel guilty about what happened, Ares. Not any more than he does – as you both did what you believed best in the circumstances. So instead of dwelling on the past – and what if's – you should think of the future… and all that," she finished awkwardly, clearing her throat self-consciously under his amused stare.

"That is the strength I do admire in you – mortals," he said with a smile, resting his hand on her shoulder. "The power to learn from your past, but more importantly, move on, growing stronger. The hope our people were so painfully unable to comprehend – and what led our world to doom… And now I understand why my husband finds you so fascinating, Alisaie Levellieur… For your age, you have a rare instinct and strength of a character that is almost baffling – for us, anyway. So, if anyone can get through Themis's… issues, I have no doubt you're the best pick for the job," he chuckled when she colored even darker, but held his gaze.

"Well… I do like a challenge," she smirked with a bit more confidence than she felt – but was rewarded by a big, crooked grin… and so much pride in the bright eyes – for a moment she imagined that this was how it looked when they – he and Themis – met, as the younger immortal described, and she could better understand the… infatuation he held for Ares.

Just like Senri for her – or perhaps more so, considering his circumstances – Ares was for him someone he truly needed at the time they met. While she felt insecure – growing up in Alphinaud's shadow, Senri was a true friend – a brother – who saw her for who she was, and didn't hide his preference for her company over her brother, and as childish as it was then – it let her grow more confident in herself and let go of her insecurities, at the same time restoring her bond with her twin. Allowing her to see that the fact that she wasn't as skilled – didn't mean she was worse in any way, just different, and by that – didn't need to prove anything to anyone. And for Themis, Ares was someone who stood up for him when no one else would – and showed him that there was more to existence than he was taught by those around him before.

She exhaled slowly, steeling her resolve at the same time as she put a smirk on her face and raised her eyebrows, looking pointedly toward his form where she knew his clothes now covered the chain.

"So… what's that about, anyway?" she asked.

"Ah…" he chuckled, then wiggled his dark eyebrows at her playfully. "I have a bet to win… That's all," he grinned, then dropped his hand from her shoulder and his eyes shifted, growing slit and ice-blue. "So… you kissed him?" Senri's grin was instantly teasing and she scoffed, feeling her face heat up again.

"Don't start," she rolled her eyes, heading toward the door.

"Nah, I mean…" the strange note in his deep voice had her stop and look back. "…I'm seriously… glad, Alisaie. Ares's right, I think, and if anyone is fitting for someone like Themis… I couldn't find anyone better, that's all. But what's more… important, I'm glad for you, too. Obviously, I don't know him as much as Ares does – and I was more than iffy about restoring him… but he seems like a fine man if his behavior around us is… embarrassing and all. But the more I learn about their world and after our visit to it – though, obviously, we didn't see that much of it…" he sighed, then while she turned toward him with a frown, he run his fingers through his dark hair and his expression darkened. "I think that… anyone who in some way didn't fit in with their society… was in a very bad situation, that's all – and that they didn't cave in… I can't help but admire. I don't know if I would be able…"

"Don't be ridiculous," she said softly, then chuckled humorlessly when he looked at her with surprise. "Senri… I know you don't like to talk about it, but… I think that you showed no less… fortitude when you left your tribe. Many, many others in your circumstances would cave – but you left, staying true to yourself instead. That I can't help but admire – always did since you told me about it, and all things considered – after meeting your mother and being there… I just want you to know I think that was… impossibly brave," she added, though he flinched visibly, looking away from her. "And whatever happens going forward… I also want you to know that… I'm incredibly thankful that you did – because for all of us, in different ways, you changed our lives, Senri. Not because of your role or what you did… but because you were always a friend when we needed you… when I needed you," she whispered, then cleared her throat and smiled somewhat shakily when he looked at her again – with that uncanny vulnerability she sometimes spotted in his pale irises – and her heart squeezed painfully at the uncertainty in that gaze, knowing that for once, for a moment, he let her see the real him – the part of him that always hid behind his silly grins. Alisaie sighed, then closed the space between them and wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning her cheek against his chest, and closed her eyes when with matching uncertainty he wrapped his arms around her. "And that's why I… understand Themis, I think… Because I'll never be able to repay you for all you did for me," she trailed off when he tightened his arms around her with more confidence and sighed.

"I… don't need you to repay anything, Firecracker," he said quietly and when she looked up, he was smiling – but his real smile, usually reserved for Raha – and seeing him like that – his beauty was simply blinding. "Or to put it otherwise… if you're happy, that's more than enough. Out of all my friends… you are the one that knew the side of me that… few do, and that you didn't turn away… meant the world to me, especially then. After losing Raha… I was sure no one can ever accept that part of me as he did… but you did – and that… I'll be always thankful for it. Not to mention…" he smiled a bit wryly, raising his hand to flick her on the nose delicately and snickered quietly when she scowled, pushing away from him. "…I did see what you did after we came back to the Source, Ali, and that you worked so hard to help him accommodate and make friends with the others, I appreciate, if at the time I might have seemed ungrateful… as it stole his attention from me," he pouted and she laughed, relaxing, and resting her hands on her hips while raising her eyebrows pointedly.

"I noticed… considering how often you whined about that," she smirked mischievously, then chuckled when his pout grew more pronounced and he narrowed his eyes at her.

"Just you wait…" he drawled hauntingly, wiggling his eyebrows at her playfully. "…till you get to that… point with Themis, Firecracker. I'll be sure to pay you back for all the teasing."

She ignored her instant blush and grinned with an obvious challenge.

"We will see," she replied in the same tone and they snorted a laugh at the same time.

Only after they arrived at the massive crystalline platform in the depths of the aetherial sea and a huge crystal he somewhat recognized from the stories he read over the years, Raha relaxed somewhat, finally breathing much easier than from the moment the 'floor' of Aitiascope broke beneath them and they fell.

When they came upon the 'mirage' of the sword and shield, and he realized what it was… he almost panicked, but to his surprise Senri seemed unmoved, radiating an uncanny… calm. As he did through the whole thing, his pale eyes more than ever before reminding him of ice, yet his temper tightly… leashed? Even when Amon lamented his despair – his lover merely scoffed, then snickered mercilessly when Asahi showed up and dragged the ancient Allag down… somewhere.

Raha could feel the others surprised looks, even them – though most unaware of Senri's true issues – sensing that something was off… if unsure what, exactly. But as carefully as he 'watched' their bond for any sign of the 'slip' – more than expecting it as this place seemed determined to throw at them every ghost of his mate's past – and even Damon seemed… nervous, he couldn't feel… anything off.

For him Senri felt focused and beyond determined – consciously squashing his temper and issues something fierce, coolly detached as he marched forward without a flinch.

And as relieved as he was – at the moment – Raha hoped that his lover won't come to pay for that later, once the danger is past… if they get out of here in one piece, that is…

"Brave travelers…" a sudden voice rang above them and he looked up with a gasp, then froze at the… sight. "…I welcome you."

Hydealyn – in the flesh – was a sight to behold. Yet, after meeting Venat… instead of admiration he almost thought he should be feeling, his throat instead tightened painfully instantly.

After passing the care of the barrier back to Hades, Damon lured him into 'their' place and with uncanny regret for his usual manners, shared with him his theory about what is going to happen once they meet her. Cautioned him to take a careful watch over Senri – because he believed that whatever goes, she'll challenge them to a fight – under whatever excuse, determined to lose.

"With Zodiark gone…" he said. "…Hydealyn can't be allowed to remain," and with that something infinitely sad flared in his bright, cyan eyes. "As much as it saddens me, my boy, I'm sure she is aware of that as well. The balance must be kept – or we can expect something similar to what happened in the First to take place across the whole of Eitherys. Ares is also aware of that… and believe me, Raha, it was not an easy path to take, for any of us. I know they didn't mention it when you were in Elpis… but there is a reason, that is better left for later and that Senri is better off not knowing about, which makes it extremely… difficult. So whatever happens, you must know that it is important to face her – and do not hesitate."

And though he didn't exactly understand that expression in his immortal's eyes – after seeing the tragedy of the First more than anyone else – he couldn't not agree.

Zodiark and Hydealyn were irrevocably bound from the moment they were called forth – incarnations of darkness and light. Zodiark, the Savior, that though called forth to protect the star, had to be broken to keep it from causing more harm. Hydealyn, the Destroyer, whose sole purpose was to cut down and contain her counterpart.

One couldn't exist without the other, just like there couldn't be the light without the darkness, or darkness without the light.

The balance – equilibrium – that had to be kept if their star was to survive while they face Meteion.

Not to mention Forum's ultimatum…

"They had been unreasonably stubborn…" said Alphinaud to their group after they met with him in the Baldesion Annex – after he negotiated in their name with Old Sharlayan's ruling body to afford them a way to communicate with the Mothercrystal. "They have a way to travel through space – as they planned to move the 'refugees' from the Source to the moon, according to their deal with Lopporits – and after discussing it with Y'shtola, we tried to make them… borrow it to us, to face the source of all of this – but they refuse unless you can get Hydealyn to approve. Since without it, they can't proceed with their planned escape – and the portal in Garlemald is just too slow – letting only one person at the time through – if we fail, it will mean more victims… and they don't want that on their hands, what I can somewhat understand. Plus… if I understand it correctly if we do manage to convince them to let us use their ship, it needs a massive amount of aether to even consider traveling to Meteion's lair. An amount – they believe – only the Mothercrystal is able to provide."

The chain we brought back should be fine as well, hummed at that Damon at the time. More than enough, even… But, as we do need to rebalance the situation… I guess I can see at least the silver lining to the whole thing.

And standing then at the back of their group – Raha couldn't help but wince at that strange… sadness in his immortal voice – suspecting that the price of their salvation was higher than they wanted to let them know.

As for him, from the stories her read, he knew Senri's relationship with the second oldest Primal – and his feelings about her… pick, from their bond. As much as they knew that his role as the Warrior was inevitable – and the best possible outcome, truly – at some level, he knew Senri resented her for that. As much as he used to blame the Ascians for everything wrong that went with his life and soul – if she didn't pick him… he would have been happy to stay a Scion and only that. As irrational as it was now – if he wasn't blessed… he wouldn't survive the encounter with Ifrit – and despite how Raha was thankful that he did – he knew now that it was the first… thing to crack his beast's soul – leading to the scars that still haunted him.

During their stay in Elpis – whenever his Senri thought he wasn't paying attention, he could see – and feel – the hint of resentment whenever faced with Venat. During the mock duel, she requested… there was an edge to his lover's attacks that he lacked whenever sparing with him – and seeing that, he couldn't help but understand – that as much as his Warrior tried to keep it contained – for him, and for everyone else, there was a part of him that wished that he wasn't the one to be… blessed.

And as much as his determination to protect others was as fierce as ever – if Hydealyn truly challenges them – there would be a part of his lover that will relish putting her down – even if he wasn't fully aware of that – or didn't want to admit that, even to himself – or to him.

Perhaps that was the reason why Damon sounded so sad – and insisted to keep his theory from Senri. Put in a situation where he has to protect those he cares about – his lover won't have to admit to the… resentment he felt – conscious or not. Because if he resented her for picking him… for his Snark, that would equal resenting falling for him – and as much as he disagreed with that… well, some things sometimes were better left unsaid – for now, at least. He didn't know if they'll ever find a way to heal Senri's scars… but one day, he promised himself, he'll manage to convince him that whatever happened in the past – he was not a monster for surviving.

Because that was part of the reason why his beast broke – Senri, at the base of his very nature needed to protect the others. A thing only solidified by his mother's lessons of balance when he grew up. But the fact that he survived when those he fought to protect were put down… went so against his being – something inside his soul was irrevocably broken. And the Blessing – because of that – for his lover was the curse that caused it. Everything that went down after that… only escalated it, until by the time they met – and right after the last thing that… kept him together was squashed – because as kind as was Thancred's rejection… it was still that, leading his lover to think that none can ever accept him – or his feelings – which led to him falling for him as hard as he did.

Which, if he thought about it…

Don't, Damon snapped suddenly and he winced, blinking rapidly. Just… don't – or I swear, next time you slip back in here, I'll smack you silly, okay? I can already see where this trail of thoughts will lead, and just… seriously, quit. You DID NOT use his vulnerability any more than he used your neglect – because that would the conclusion this was leading to, right? He sighed with exaggerated resignation and now Raha did wince, suspecting he was quite… right. You were two souls – wounded by the world around you – that met at the time when you needed each other the most, simple as that, Raha. He gave you the affection you needed, you gave him the acceptance he thought not possible – and even without the fact that it was meant to happen – or adding us and our ploys – if circumstances were different… I believe… no, I know, you would still choose each other – because even without your scars and all that, you make each other happy – and that is the real reason why you're perfect together. So don't let your insecurities taint it, boy, or I swear…

Point taken, he replied and…

"We meet again, Venat," Senri's voice rang loud and confident – shaking him up and Raha blinked rapidly, chasing away his distraction, and frowned, looking at the back of his lover's head. Standing before him, he couldn't see his expression – but there was something… off about his voice.

The Primal hovering in the air in front of their group sighed deeply, closing her eyes for a moment, then she opened them, focusing her gaze on Senri alone… and Raha blinked, realizing this Venat, he never met – as she was the same one that like their immortals, met that other T'senri, who started it all. Who never forgave his… G'raha, for trying to die for him.

And he wondered briefly how exactly his presence affected the next timeline that their travel there inevitably caused…

"I see…" Hydealyn said slowly and he focused again, leaving wondering over that for later – if they'll have it, that is. "Thou didst journey unto Elpis. And now…"

…wait...? If she met that other T'senri, shouldn't she be more… surprised? Damon did tell him once that he looked different…

Something's up, his immortal hummed – sounding somewhat… suspicious. You're right, the moment she saw him – she should have freaked out, as you call it. Your Senri looks so much like Ares… It's impossible to miss. Not to mention his hair and eye color are different – and… wait a minute… Fuck, I've been played!

Huh? He hummed curiously, utterly confused.

Ares, he did something! I didn't think of it – but it's not the first time they met, right? On the ship and in Labirynthos… and while she possessed Krile in Garlemald – all those times, she would have seen him… WHY she never reacted…?

Huh? He repeated with pure confusion.

Oh, my boy… we're fucked, his immortal chortled somewhat ruefully. I bet Ares she'll freak out – promising I will agree to whatever he asks if she doesn't. And I should have known better… not only because of that, but his… pranks are always long-time-in-the-making when he takes me for a target.

I don't get it, he admitted, narrowing his eyes at the back of his lover's head. Why… prank you? And how…?

"I have a favor to ask, Venat," Senri's voice rang with Ares's power, and the very aether around them shimmered, churning as the Primal froze, her eyes widening impossibly. "Like Themis… split yourself from Hydealyn, okay?"

"Wha…?" she gasped, then choked as she fell to the crystalline platform, pressing her hands over her chest. "…how…?" she choked out, visibly struggling as her massive, white wings curled around her form. "…are you… doing this…?"

"…Senri…?" he muttered, watching the display with his heart pounding in his throat as he neared his lover, then tugged at his sleeve. "What are you…?"

Ares's sky-blue eyes peered down at him with humor, and a slight, crooked grin tilted his lips when he grimaced involuntarily when Damon downright hissed with an offense.

Cheater! His immortal sounded beyond pissed off, and only then Raha noticed a small, crystal in Senri's… Ares's hand, as he twirled it in front of his eyes, smirking at him downright evilly. And Raha blinked, looking up in his face again and staring numbly – because he didn't feel like Ares – but like when Senri was in control. Like the whole time… they were… here…

He gasped as his jaw dropped and his eyes shot to that crystal again.

"As the mortals say, all fair in love, right?" Ares winked at him when he looked up again, but his eyes were… Senri's, feline and ice-blue. "A neat little present from Hades," he grinned triumphantly, then looked toward the struggling Primal in front of them. "Sorry, Damon, Raha… I couldn't let this happen – not like this… And I owe my father… at least trying to save her," he added quietly.

"I… don't understand," he whispered numbly, following his gaze. "And why… pretend to be Senri…?"

"That's what you were not supposed to know until later, my boy, neither you nor Senri," Ares looked at him again with a slightly sheepish smile. "Venat… is my father's older sister – my and Hades's aunt. And Senri… he's safely tucked back since we stepped on this platform. That's the beauty of this crystal," he smirked when Raha frowned at that. "Whoever looks at me when I hold it, sees Senri – as they expect to see him – his eyes in your case, but she always saw me as the T'senri she met in Elpis. That was part of the reason why I asked Hades to make it for me since at the time I knew he'll be meeting her – and, yeah, couldn't help but notice that Damon seemed to forget about that… tidbit," at that the immortal inside his head hissed with offense again. "And believe me, boy, when you're married to someone as brilliant – and as long as we are – you learn to find every opportunity to… Let's say, entertain him. He just can't resist a bet, my Damon, so I knew that sooner or later, I'm going to look for a way to get to her – her real form – and he just wouldn't be able to resist the temptation to make a bet out of it, somehow. Two birds with one stone, right…?" he chuckled at his baffled expression, when at that Damon simply grumbled an incoherent complaint. "Now, now… don't pout, love, next time you'll win, as always… As for now… it's done," he added softly and his gaze shot back to the Primal… and he gasped looking at the result.

Hydealyn's form was still there, laying limply on its side, like a puppet that was cut off from its strings – but what caught his gaze was an immobile form of the woman on the crystalline platform next to it – seemingly completely naked, but almost completely covered by her long, white locks.

"What… happened?" asked Alisaie in the resounding silence. "Is she… dead? And who is that…?"

"…Venat, apparently," replied her twin numbly.

Raha looked back over the immobile Scions – each with a similarly shocked expression, staring at the unconscious woman.

"Oh, I see…" hummed Y'shtola with somewhat detached, scholarly consideration. "Like Elidibus… Themis, I mean, served as the heart of Zodiark, she was one for Hydealyn… and without her, it's not able to function…"

"That's my reward, Damon," said Ares quietly and when Raha's gaze shot to him again, he shook off his vest, then sighed and slowly neared the woman on the ground, carefully wrapping it around her, to then pick her up, before turning to them again and raising his eyebrows pointedly. "Whatever necessary… make 'Hydealyn' disappear, without pulling Venat along."

He felt the familiar push and his body was no longer his.

"My silly Ares…" Damon sighed with resignation, shaking his head slightly. "You don't need to waste your win for that… if you only asked, I would be more than happy to help."

"I know," his husband winked at him, then chuckled. "But isn't it more entertaining this way, love? Admit, I totally had you," his big, crooked grin had Raha's immortal scoff, then roll his eyes and pout.

"You did," he admitted finally reluctantly, then sighed with exaggerated resignation, focusing his eyes on the form of the Primal. "As to what to do with this… I have just a perfect idea how to get rid of it…" he trailed off with a smirk, then exhaled slowly, closed his… their eyes, and started to whisper under his breath in their language. It lasted a long moment, but when he opened his eyes again, the Primal – and the massive crystal behind the platform – were gone, instead the familiarly-looking chain rested on it in front of them. Shorter than the one they brought back from Elpis, but its crystals were white instead of blue. "Hmmm," his immortal frowned, then headed toward it and picked it up, and slowly wound it around their arm. "I kind of .. expected more," he finally sighed, rejoining Ares's side, and peering with some uncertainty at the unconscious woman in his arms. "I guess… she was more exhausted than I thought. But – hopefully – it'll be enough to power up that ship from the Sharlayans… sparing our chain."

"Ah…" said suddenly Alisaie, nearing them and stopping next to Damon to look at Venat with obvious curiosity. "…you mean that blue chain Senri's wearing…?"

"…he is?" Damon scowled, narrowing his eyes at his husband who just shrugged carelessly and winked back at him.

"Just in case… but, considering where we are – didn't need it in the end," he lifted his gaze and looked around the swirling around them sea, suddenly a somewhat bemused look on his beautiful face. "Though, for a second there I could have sworn I felt father…"

"Ares…" Damon's expression softened instantly and he lifted his hand, resting it on his lover's forearm resting around the woman in his arms.

"Would fit, though…" Ares whispered without looking down. "…he always wished he could pay her back somehow for taking care of him." He blinked, then smiled sheepishly and dropped his gaze, noting Damon's worried gaze. "I'm fine, I swear. Let's get out of here," he said, looking over the whole group and most of them simply nodded along, turning and heading toward the way they came from. Damon remained motionless, and soon Ares chuckled and leaned in until his mouth was next to his ear. "As for my reward, then, we will talk about that later… and, Raha?"

His immortal sighed, rolled his eyes then let him take over. Raha frowned, looking up at Ares with uncertainty.

"…yeah?"

"Just in case you wonder… It was Senri since you dropped in here – and not me. He was so insanely determined to keep you safe… I admit I was in awe. So, if I may make a suggestion…" a slow, sly smile on his face had the redhead blink with confusion. "…he more than earned a reward of his own, all I'm saying," he wiggled his dark eyebrows playfully and Raha gasped, instantly flushing up to his hairline.

"A… reward?" he squeaked, then cleared his throat self-consciously, almost nervously looking after their friends. "Like… what?"

Ares trailed his eyes over his face, then grinned – bright, crooked grin – and winked, then walked around him, following their friends.

"I'm sure you'll come up with… something," he tossed over his shoulder with a snicker.

Raha frowned, following him with his gaze.

What was that about? He finally asked his immortal, heading after them.

He, obviously, wants you to come up with something fitting on your own, Damon replied with a chuckle. He does love surprises – and I believe Senri is quite similar in that. But if you wish, I might have a suggestion, I think, your man would find especially… pleasing… that, followed by a devious chuckle, had him more than apprehensive, but…

Which is…? He asked anyway, watching his lover's form in front of him.

Okay, but – you wanted to be warned, beforehand… Damon snickered and he frowned with confusion, then almost stumbled, anyway, when a sudden image bloomed in his head, instantly making his face blaze with a blush, blinking rapidly and trying to stop his jaw from dropping. It was him, obviously – naked and with… a black collar around his throat, distinctively marked with Senri's name on it in etched crimson-red letters. He blinked again, his face only growing hotter as he realized… he definitely didn't mind that image. Especially if he imagined his lover's expression if he saw it… Ah, we're really making progress, my boy, Damon chortled downright evilly and he almost slapped his hands over his face at that. I kid, I kid… but I do agree – Senri would most likely pounce on you instantly, and if you so wish… I don't mind creating it for you, he added with audible amusement at his expanse.

I would be…ah… he swallowed thickly, then exhaled slowly, looking toward his lover's back again. …thankful, if you could.

That's the spirit! Damon laughed, and he hoped… he was not going to regret that. And did, immediately, with his immortal's next words. You'll see, soon enough I'll be able to show you some more… interesting stuff and you won't even flinch.

And if that he considered 'less interesting,' he was too scared to ask what… would be that 'more'! When with that thought his immortal laughed harder, he simply rolled his eyes and followed his friends.