The first thing Rai became aware of when he woke up was sound - a low humming in the background, somehow at once familiar and foreboding. It was a sound, he realized hazily, that he associated with advanced technology, though he wasn't quite sure of why.

Then the next sensation flooded in - pain, in his throat, in his head, and various parts of his body - and all thoughts of the humming were drowned out. He groaned and - somewhat reluctantly - opened his eyes.

"So," came a smooth and charming voice, causing Rai to sit up quickly and wince in pain. Sitting in a chair a few feet away was a now-familiar half-elf, his long purple hair draped over his shoulders and his legs casually crossed as he reclined, studying Rai. "You've finally come to."

For once, he wasn't sure what he should say. Multiple emotions came up at the sight of Alai - he was ostensibly Yuan's associate, and likely a trusted one at that, given Yuan had sent him to escort Rai. At the same time, Alai had proven himself to be dangerous; someone who could subdue Rai easily in combat, and moreover had unclear intentions for him. When Rai didn't say anything, Alai grinned. Something about the look was feral.

"Cat got your tongue?" Alai asked. "Doesn't really fit with what I've heard about you."

Rai was silent for another moment. Then he said, "Why have you brought me here?" In his mind, Akira, too, was quiet, only listening to see what Alai would say next, just as Rai was.

Alai's smile abated slightly, as he seemed to study Rai's expression more closely. As he waited for the response, Rai took a moment to absorb his surroundings. It was quite a nice room - plush and colorful, with an expensive-looking carpet, multiple chairs as well as the cot that Rai lay on - more of a bed than a cot, really, with a soft, downy mattress and pillows. Alai was seated in an armchair near the door. It certainly looked nothing like the prison cell Rai realized he had been subconsciously expecting after the last scene he remembered.

He realized that the silence had dragged on for some time. His captor finally responded, shaking his head. "I would have thought you'd have guessed - with you apparently being so important to our leader, that is." When Rai still didn't respond, Alai sighed. "You're not giving a guy much to work with, here. I'm talking about Yuan, of course."

Rai gave him a long look. "And what about him?"

Alai shook his head again, somewhat despairing. "Well - on some level, you've joined our organization, haven't you? Did you really expect there to be no…initiation…no training?"

Rai supposed he hadn't really given it much thought, though what Alai was saying did make sense. "Why now, though?" he shot back, the retort coming out more sharply than intended. Alai shrugged.

"Hey - I'm just the messenger. If you have issues, maybe take it up with Yuan."

"Fine," Rai bit out. "Then what is it you've brought me here for?"

Alai seemed to study him again, and Rai couldn't help the feeling that this individual might in some ways be the most dangerous he'd met so far. Then, once again, he grinned. "You know what? I like you, so I'll be blunt. Yuan really just asked me to show you the ropes - orient you to our facility, that sort of thing. He wants to talk with you, too, but he has some things to wrap up - I'm sure you get the picture. But he gave me some leeway to test you out, too. I want to see what you can do. So…any little missions you've been thinking up, any people you want to know more about? Stuff that maybe you couldn't do in your little role as a friend of the Chosen?"

Akira gave a low whistle in Rai's mind. He's a sharp one. I'd be careful with him.

Rai inwardly rolled his eyes, even as his thoughts raced to process Alai's proposition and potential underlying motivations. Why - because he's a lot like you? Akira's emotions came back wordlessly, a mixture of sulking and grudging agreement.

"You're being surprisingly straightforward," he acknowledged. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, wincing a bit again, and faced Alai directly. "Obviously, there are lots of things I'd like to investigate. The question is, how much leeway do I really have?"

Alai shrugged, crossing and uncrossing his legs and leaning his elbow on the armrest. "Try me. I'm sure we can find something we both find interesting."

He's really putting the ball in my court, isn't he? Then…

"A stealth mission sounds like fun," he said smoothly. "Would a foray into elven territory be too far for you?"

He caught the glint of surprise in Alai's eyes, but a moment later it was masked by another grin. "Well, well. And what makes you think there are still elves around here?"

"Are you saying there aren't?"

The other man leaned back further in his chair, pulling his hair over one shoulder in one easy movement and answering a question with another question. "If there are, do you really think you can hide your mana signature from them?" There was something darker underneath the challenge.

Rai grinned, now, leaning forward a little and ignoring the twinge of pain in his side from where Alai's elbow had dug into him earlier. "If I can't, won't you be there to back me up?"

Alai's expression revealed nothing, though Rai noticed the grip of his other hand had tightened slightly on the armrest of the chair. His next words, though, came out easily. "You got me there. But I've been known to let people suffer a bit when they fall into their own traps."

Rai shrugged, letting his hands rest casually on the bed. "That seems fair to me. I think I might surprise you. Do you think you're the only one who can hide?" He paused, then took a risk, remembering Aalissi's prior words when he'd met her in Izoold. "And I'm sure any information we could glean from the elven village would be valuable to more than just me."

The Renegade was rubbing his lip lightly, seeming to mull over what Rai was saying. "Perhaps," he said, not denying the existence of such a place this time. "Your point's well-taken. However, I don't know that Yuan would forgive even me if I took you into that particular situation on your own. Let's do a different undercover mission." He grinned again. "There's something…interesting…going on in Palmacosta right now, and your group's probably going to get entangled it in it very soon. Let that be our stage."

His blood ran cold. Something…interesting. He must mean the Desian attack on Palmacosta. But what mission would serve the Renegades surrounding that? A memory came back to him, unbidden. Those red eyes…

"You were a Desian at the Iselia ranch," he realized aloud. "I remember you. You were the one who revealed Genis's identity to the humans…"

Alai laughed at this. It sounded genuine. "I'm surprised you noticed that. Those helmets really do make it hard to recognize people."

Rai ignored the poor attempt at levity. "What are you to the Desians, exactly? First you're at the Iselia ranch, and then I find out you're actually with the Renegades? You can't be just a Desian footsoldier - you wouldn't have the leeway to move between different locations like this."

"You're right," Alai admitted easily, picking up a glass from the table next to him and taking a sip before continuing. "How much do you know about the Desian hierarchy?"

"Enough", Rai countered. "The grand cardinals; different locations. I suspect there's a Desian leader that oversees all of them. And then ranks of Cruxis above that."

"Exactly." Alai poured a sparkling liquid from a larger pitcher into another glass and stood, offering it to Rai. After a moment of hesitation, Rai took it.

Think he's trying to poison us? Akira said lightly. Would be a little on the nose. And I doubt Yuan would like it much.

Seems pretty unlikely, especially given what he just drank was poured from the same pitcher. Unless it's some poison he's immune to, somehow.

We can probably count on his allegiance to Yuan, here, Akira admitted. Slippery as he is, he must be the associate Yuan spoke of. There's no way he could have that communicator otherwise.

Belying nothing of his internal deliberations, Rai casually took a sip. It was crisp and tart, with hints of underlying sweetness. "And?"

Alai sat down on the bed next to him. It took an effort not to react to this, to shift away from him. "But what about the ranks below the Grand Cardinals?" Alai continued, though there was a glint of amusement in his eyes, as though he was fully aware of Rai's thoughts. "There's a structure of sorts there, too. I occupy a somewhat interesting role - someone who acts as a mediator of sorts between the Cardinals. Officially, I report to their supervisor, rather than to any one of them. This lets me travel between the sites. But it does mean I maintain a careful dance…" His eyes burned into Rai's. "Perhaps somewhat like your own. How is it you've quickly gained Lord Yuan's confidence - a seeming nobody from among the Chosen's friends?"

"Why not ask Yuan yourself?" Rai countered. Alai's face tightened slightly. Rai suspected he had, and hadn't gotten the answer he wanted. A moment later, the other half-elf relaxed.

"Touche," he said, laughing, and taking a long draught from the glass he held. "So. What say you we take a walk around the facilities before we check out Palmacosta?" Somehow, the atmosphere now was more as though they were two good friends, catching up.

Yeah, right, Akira said wryly. You can't trust this one as far as you can throw him.

Rai stood from the bed, throwing back the last of the drink - it wouldn't do to reject the hospitality he was being shown. "Of course. After you."

Aalissi had had difficulty falling asleep that night, and as she lay awake, her sensitive hearing had alerted her to people in and out of the room. At first she'd ignored it, but when she noticed Rai steal out of his bed for the second time that night - and Lloyd follow a few moments later - she couldn't help but follow.

As she made her way silently down the steps of the House, she realized she could faintly feel Rai's mana from just outside - roused, alarmed. Her heart beating faster, she sped up slightly, quickly reaching the bottom of the stairs and slipping out the door. At first, nothing seemed amiss outside - a dark clearing, lit only by the light of the moon. She swiftly moved towards where she'd felt the disturbance, making her way around the side of the House while staying hidden in the shadows, and then froze, taking in the situation before her. Rai, pinned against the wall by a tall man, strands of long hair barely visible from under his hooded cloak. Before she could even blink the man had yanked Rai away from the wall, pulling the half-elf against his chest. The moonlight reflected off a blade at Rai's neck.

A few paces in front of Aalissi, also witnessing the scene, was Lloyd, who unsheathed his swords in one fluid motion. "Who are you? Let go of my friend!" The swordsman's voice was strong, but there was a hint of fear underneath.

"Sorry," the man said, his voice smooth and cold. "This one, Lord Magnius has got business with. If you want him, you'll have to come find him!"

She felt Rai's mana, alarmed and fizzling, and flash-stepped forward before she could think. She heard Lloyd's startled intake of breath as she passed him, her fan splaying forward and sending a mana-enhanced attack straight towards the man, but she could already see that she'd been too slow. The man's grin was visible even under his cloak as Rai went limp in his arms and he moved the both of them out of the way quickly - faster than she'd thought possible. Somehow, she hadn't detected his mana signature at all until now, and had assumed he was a human, but at close range she could now feel it - almost blending into his environment, controlled, but bright and strong. In that same moment, she saw a flash of red as Lloyd lunged forward too, but the half-elf - that must be what he was - leapt back into the trees. Both of them gave chase, but almost immediately - somehow - both Rai and the mysterious half-elf were gone.

"Dammit!" She flinched as Lloyd punched a nearby tree trunk, hard enough that she wondered how he hadn't hurt his own fist.

"Lloyd," she said quickly, trying to be firm but gentle. "Come on. Let's go back to the House."

"What do you mean?!" His brown eyes flashed as he whirled to face her. "We have to find Rai!"

"I know," she said quickly, putting a hand on his arm as if to keep him from punching the tree again. "But that man was so fast - even I have no idea where he went. We need to tell the others what happened and come up with a plan."

Lloyd was still frustrated, breathing fast and his fists clenched, but she could see that he understood what she was saying, even if he didn't like it. "You're right," he said finally, voice tight. "Let's get back to the others". His whole body remained tense as he took off back towards the House.

By the time Aalissi had followed, stepping in through the front door, Lloyd was already upstairs, obviously waking the others. A few minutes later everybody was dressed and downstairs, bleary-eyed but grim. She stayed back, leaning against the wall near the door. It was probably best to let Lloyd handle this.

Raine spoke first, stepping forward. Her gaze flitted between Lloyd and Aalissi, brow furrowed. "What happened?" she asked quietly. Aalissi could feel the quiet vibration of her mana, tightly controlled.

Lloyd's jaw tensed. "I don't know. Rai's gone. Some guy - he must have been a half elf, based on how he was moving - he just grabbed him, threatened him with a knife. He said something about taking him to a 'Lord Magnius'. Aalissi and I -" He turned at that, gesturing at her. "We tried to go after him, but he was just - so fast." He looked down, gaze shadowed. "We - I couldn't catch him. I couldn't even see which way he went. It all happened so quickly."

Aaliss was watching the group carefully. Was that a glint of recognition in Kratos's eyes? Everyone else seemed confused and worried. Colette clasped her hands in front of her. "I'm sure Rai will be okay," she said. "But we should try to find him as soon as we can. It sounds like he was taken to a Desian base, maybe?"

Genis looked troubled. "Lord Magnius…could that be a Desian leader? I heard the Desians at the Iselia ranch talk about a 'Lord Forcystus'. Maybe this Magnius is another leader for the ranch in this area."

"So it would seem," Kratos intoned from his corner, but his face didn't look as impassive as usual. Even he seemed somewhat shocked by the sudden development.

"We have to go after him," Lloyd said immediately. "Who knows what they'll do to him at one of those ranches."

"Yes," Raine said, her voice worried but calm. "However, we don't even know where the Palmacosta ranch is. Moreover, it'll likely be heavily fortified. Our best bet may be to head back to Palmacosta first - we may be able to gather more information about the ranch."

Colette bit her lip, her blue eyes troubled. "We can't just leave Rai. What if we're too late?"

"We have no choice," Raine explained bracingly. "We can't just race headlong into the wilderness. We need a plan."

Aalissi nodded in agreement. "I agree. We should be careful. Whoever this half-elf was, his mana signature was strange. He's powerful and can hide his presence almost completely."

Lloyd's gaze was hard, determined. "I don't care how strong he is. Rai's one of us. We have to try."

Raine nodded. "It's decided. We'll make our way back to Palmacosta first thing in the morning, gather whatever intelligence and supplies we can, and make our way to the Palmacosta ranch."

There were nods and words of assent from around the group. Genis, where he stood next to her, gripped his kendama tightly. "We'll get you back, Rai," he murmured. "Whatever it takes."

Aalissi wasn't sure she'd been meant to hear that, but she found herself agreeing.

Rai was impressed.

The game had made the Renegade base appear similar to the Desian ones...a series of rooms, treasure chests, technological doo-dads, and enemies. There had been some interesting features, sure, like the Rheiard hangar - but nothing like what he was seeing now.

It made him think of Sybak and its Imperial Research Academy - bustling, technological, and bursting with ideas and mana.

"Why this much obvious magitech research?" he asked Alai despite himself, as they passed another area with half-elven researchers clearly hard at work. "With Sylvarant in decline, it must be hard to do with limited mana." There was a pleasant buzz in his veins, maybe the ambient mana throughout the base interacting with his own.

Be careful, Akira said in his mind. The voice sounded slightly strained.

Alai shot him a grin. "We have bases in both worlds, of course. As to the type of research we do here in Sylvarant...you'll learn more in due time."

"What kinds of people join the Renegades?" Rai asked. He looked over the railing at his left, which overlooked a courtyard of sorts, though not fully open to the skies. Multiple half-elves sparred in the clearing, their mana flaring.

Alai was looking ahead now, his hands casually in his pockets as they walked. "There's more to half-elves in Sylvarant than just the Desians, you know," he said. His voice was dark, holding meaning Rai didn't understand. "Not all of us are supremacists like them. Some want nothing to do with the conflict at all - preferring to stay separate, hidden. Others of us want to make a difference, and maybe change how this world works."

Rai felt a thrill of excitement at the implications. His memories of the game implied no organized half-elves in Sylvarant outside the Desians, Renegades, and Cruxis - but it made sense that there would be. With how long-lived half-elves were...

"How would they have stayed hidden?" From Mithos, the additional words remaining unsaid.

"Some ancient half-elven nobility were quite skilled, you know," Alai murmured. "Many of them carried forward aspects of Elven traditions - remaining distant from other human conflicts or the overt use of magitechnology like that which occurred during the ancient War. But these were secretive factions. Even Lord Yuan wasn't always aware of them."

Rai was surprised at how open he was being. He could feel his mana thrumming more noticeably now - hot and brimming with power. Somehow, Alai's mana signature seemed more prominent than before, too, expanding into a sea of cool power. He shivered, feeling the other's mana reach out to his, and saw a flicker in Alai's eyes. Had he felt it too?

Careful, Akira said. There's more to all this than meets the eye. Don't let down your guard.

Rai knew he was right, but somehow he felt relaxed - in control. They descended some steps, and found themselves in a large room. Rai took a breath as he stared around - this seemed to be an armory of sorts. Weapons lined every wall - but not just any weapons. He could tell almost every one of them was magical in some way.

"Wow," he breathed. He hadn't realized he'd spoken aloud until he saw Alai nod in agreement, his gaze sweeping the room as well.

"Impressive, isn't it? ...Choose what you like."

"Really?" Rai could feel his mana singing, longing to reach for the weapons, to sample the magic within each. "Is this a standard new recruit thing?"

Alai smiled. "Not necessarily. But based on what Lord Yuan told me, I think you'd appreciate it. Really, whatever you'd like. Take your time to select something."

Akira seemed like he wanted to say something, but Rai was too absorbed with the prospect in front of him to pay attention to that at the moment. "Well - if you insist," he breathed, stepping closer to the well.

Faintly, he was aware of Alai's presence, his intense scrutiny as Rai investigated the weapons. Normally he would have logically explored which weapon type might fit most optimally into his fighting style. But now...

He felt his mana was more present than usual, coercing him, pushing him...pulling him. And there was one particular weapon that spoke to his mana the most. Rai found his hand reaching for it.

Really? That? Akira's voice was incredulous. Do you even know how to use it? I mean, I sure don't. You're on your own with this one.

Rai ignored him. The moment he'd touched the handle, he felt his mana react - rushing into the weapon, tasting, testing. It felt warm, like an extension of himself. The weapon was long, flexible, and retractable, with a sharp, serrated edge that caught the light. He realized suddenly that although this was a whip, it wasn't just any whip - his mana took to it like a cat sinking into a warm bed, letting him magically guide every inch. He gave an exploratory flick of his wrist and let his power guide its length in a controlled arc, noticing how he could channel his mana out through any point. It actually helped keep it controlled, allowing him to direct the power out through any given serrated point, concentrating wherever he pleased. He felt a grin stretch over his face as his mana coursed delightedly through him.

He heard Alai give a long whistle and turned to look at him. The other half-elf seemed both surprised and pleased, his gaze boring into Rai. "Interesting," he said. "Want to test it out?"

Rai laughed. "Of course."

Lloyd tried to tamp down his worry, his whole body tense as he made his way through Palmacosta's market. He was purchasing the required supplies as quickly as possible, following Raine's instructions, but it was hard to concentrate. The rest of the group was gathering intelligence on the Palmacosta Ranch, but since information-gathering wasn't exactly his strong suit, Lloyd had been relegated to stocking up on rations. Not that he minded that - but he would much rather have been off to rescue Rai instead. It felt like every moment spent here in town was a moment wasted, a moment they could have spent trying to bring him back.

His grip tightened on the neck of the sack he was holding as he remembered the sinister half-elf, his blade to Rai's throat, Rai's desperate expression as his eyes met Lloyd's , as though trying to tell him something...

I have to get him back.

"Be careful!" A female voice cut into his thoughts, and he glanced over at a corner by two nearby stalls. A young boy had fallen over, skinning his knee on the hard ground. Several potatoes had fallen from the sack he held. A woman dressed in purple knelt beside him, the pink ribbon tied around her waist trailing in the mud, though she didn't seem to mind.

"Hold it right there!" came a gruff voice. A short man with a long beard stomped over, glaring at the boy. "Return those potatoes at once, ruffian!"

Defiant tears were forming in the boy's eyes as he scrambled to get to his feet, shoving potatoes back in the sack. The woman stood smoothly, turning to face the merchant. "How much does he owe you?"

The man scoffed. "It's not that. These little thieves think they can just - "

"I understand your frustration," she interrupted. She handed him several gald, likely much more than the sack of potatoes was worth. "Do you mind overlooking it this once?"

He still looked angry, but after looking at the gald, he eventually huffed and stormed away. The woman turned to the boy, but before she could say anything, he scampered off, the sack of potatoes over his shoulder.

"That was good of you," Lloyd commented. She turned to him, not seeming startled that he was standing behind her, but with an odd flicker of recognition when their eyes met. Her eyes were dark - deep black, like her hair. The neckline of her purple tunic plunged distractingly towards her solar plexus, but Lloyd focused on her face, which didn't betray much - perhaps a hint of embarrassment. "Even if the boy wasn't necessarily right for stealing."

She shook her head. "But perhaps he had no other option."

Instead of addressing this, Lloyd extended his hand. "I'm Lloyd. Nice to meet you."

She hesitated a moment before shaking it. "Sheena."

They were quiet for a moment, something hanging in the air between them. Lloyd set the sack he was carrying on the ground. Finally she asked, "Do you think I did the right thing?"

"Yes," he said, firmly. He paused. "Someone I know -" he felt a pang, reminded of the current situation "- he might say, we need to think of the bigger picture - why someone might steal in the first place; whether a merchant has a right to his own goods, too. That maybe we should look to solving the underlying issues. But...I've always thought...how can we solve the issues if we don't help those who are suffering right in front of our eyes?"

There was a light in her eyes for a moment. "Exactly. You do understand." She paused. "And yet - you're on the Journey of Regeneration..."

His hand went to his sword hilt and he adjusted his stance slightly on the ground, suddenly more alert. "How did you know that?"

She didn't flinch. "Well - I've seen you walking around with your group. The Chosen of Mana with you. She's famous, after all."

"What's wrong with that?" he pressed. Her lips pressed together in a line.

"There's more at stake with the Regeneration than just your own little world," she said, then breathed in sharply, like she'd said too much.

"What do you mean?" He had a terrible feeling he was missing something, something important, but she only shook her head.

"Why are you back in Palmacosta?" she asked instead. "I thought I saw your group move on from the city. Aren't you on a journey to visit the seals?"

He clenched his fists, the worry and guilt coming flooding back. He supposed there was no harm in telling her - she seemed like a good person. And she was obviously human, so there was no way she could be on the Desians' side. "My friend was kidnapped. By the Desians." He couldn't keep the quiver out of his voice.

She seemed genuinely alarmed at this, then angry. "What? How?"

"I dont know...but we have to rescue him." He shook his head. "Do you know anything about the Palmacosta Ranch?"

Sheena shook her head. "A bit. The location, broadly. But not a lot of details otherwise..." She trailed off. "If you're going to infiltrate it, why not go all out?" Her eyes blazed. "Save everyone?"

Her words struck right at his core. "Nobody should have to be in those human ranches," he agreed emphatically. "But...I have to prioritize Rai. And talk to my team. If there's any way at all we can save everyone...we should do it."

Sheena surveyed him, her hands on her hips. "If that's your goal... mind if I help? I might be able to help you guys sneak in."

He couldn't hide his surprise, but rallied quickly. "You should talk with the rest of my party."

"I wouldn't be joining you," she added quickly. "Just helping you get in. And this doesn't mean I'm on your side in general. I just can't stand what the Desians are doing to those poor people."

"Then let's go," Lloyd urged, picking up his sack again. "I'll take you to the others."

She hesitated for a moment, as though realizing what she'd gotten herself into, but followed after Lloyd, and the two exited the market into the streets beyond.

Rai took the steps down to the courtyard two at a time, bursting with energy as he turned to face Alai, brandishing his new weapon. He could feel his mana, powerful and bright, like there was so much of it, it just needed to be used.

Despite his elation, it was obvious to him that something was odd about the way he was feeling and behaving now. Just being at the base, or getting a new magical weapon...these things really weren't enough to explain it. But...

He and Akira realized at the same time, their consciousnesses for once fully aligned.

Holy-

-The drink! I knew that bastard was up to something. Akira sounded both triumphant and apprehensive.

Rai knew he should feel angry, but it was hard to when he just felt so good, so powerful.

"You guys use this type of enhancer often?" he asked Alai, deliberately casual. He stretched, giving his new whip an experimental flick. That had to be what the drink had been - Alai had had it too, his mood and mana had also changed, and with the way Rai's mana was now...

Alai was standing opposite him, his purple hair brilliant in the brighter light of the courtyard. Rai could feel again his mana trying to reach out to the other man's cool energy, and this time he deliberately curtailed it. Alai was no longer in the cloak he had used when abducting Rai. Instead, he wore black, form-fitting clothes, his arms and shoulders bare. His stance was alert but relaxed. There was a simple sword at his side. He seemed to be staring at Rai, something unexpected glimmering in his eyes. His mana, too, now felt much less controlled - Rai could feel it coming off him in waves, with an excited but also nervous energy. It was a sharp contrast to when they'd met, when Alai's mana signature had been almost undetectable.

"Not often," Alai murmured finally. His mana signature flared when he spoke, and despite himself Rai shivered again as the cool energy briefly met his own. "I've tested it a few times, so I was curious what you'd do with the power...but I've never used it with another person. I didn't quite realize it would do...this."

He ignored the distracting sensations. "Do what, exactly?"

Alai's eyes flashed and he grinned suddenly. "I think you know. But weren't you going to test out your weapon?"

Rai let the flash of irritation he felt translate into his movements as he dashed forward. Akira!

On it, brat.

He felt the odd sensation of his other self rushing into his limbs. You'll have to handle moving this whip, though, Akira warned.

It's fine. I can control it with my mana. You just do your best to use it from your end. But at close range, we fight as we usually do.

He felt a grumbling sort of annoyance from his other self, but Akira didn't protest.

Alai's grin widened as Rai closed the distance, side-stepping easily as expected. However, Rai's body twisted, letting him brush his hand against Alai's arm as they passed. That was when the unexpected happened.

Rai was used to using light touches to instill his mana attacks. Given they were just sparring, he had been planning to keep it tightly controlled - pain only, no cutting or explosive power. But when he sent his mana down his arm, it responded too strongly - enough rushing down that he knew it would have harmed Alai. He didn't loose it, but in that split second when they touched, Alai's mana saw its chance, rushing through the connection and resonating with Rai's own. He felt it everywhere, hot and cold. Giddy.

What's wrong? Akira asked, even as he pivoted Rai's body, vaulting them off the opposing wall and whirling the whip out towards Alai.

Thankfully Alai dodged - Rai's mana had arced through the weapon, discharging just at the point where it would have caused significant blasting damage if it had made contact. He saw the other half-elves eyes widen as he barely escaped the attack, as if he had sensed the amount of concentrated mana that he had almost absorbed.

I need to stop using mana in attacks, Rai told Akira. His heart was pounding in his chest. I don't have as much control as I usually do. If I hit, I could seriously harm him. Even as he said it, he felt the intoxicating flow of his mana, begging to be loosed.

Got it. It's my turn, then. We'll let it enhance our movements instead!

He shot forward faster than ever, unsheathing his blade in one, fluid two-handed movement. What followed was somewhat of a blur to Rai - a dizzying sequence of dodges and attempted blows. He focused on channeling his vast stores of mana to his muscles, feeling the icy hot burning of energy filling his limbs, and let Akira handle the movement. Alai had unsheathed his sword at some point as well, their blades clanging as the half-elf matched him swing-for-swing, faster than the human eye could follow. With the proximity, Rai was hyperaware of Alai's mana - brimming with potential energy just like Rai's, filling Alai's body until Rai could feel where the man's limbs were in space even with his eyes closed, like a glowing magical outline. Their movements escalated and synchronized in a perfect dance. As Rai's body backflipped away, his sword came up to meet Alai's leap and downward strike. They paused, both laughing breathlessly.

Rai met Alai's burning gaze, and through an unspoken understanding, they lowered their blades, Rai rolling backwards and to his feet to put some distance between them. He sheathed his sword, Akira's control receding back into their shared mind.

"Well," Alai said. His breath still came heavy, but he still had a grin on his face. "That was unexpected. Who taught you that swordplay?"

"And who taught you that messing with another's mana was a good idea?" Rai shot back, but without any true anger. He let the still raging energy flare out from his core, reaching out to contact Alai's cool magic, and was satisfied when he saw the other shudder this time at the contact.

"I'll be honest," Alai said. He sat down, leaning against the nearby wall. "I didn't know our mana would react like this. The enhancer is a new tool Yuan gave me to try out, and I've tried it a couple of times alone. It definitely powered up my mana. But using it together seems to have - attuned us to each other's mana." He paused. "You didn't use your new weapon much..."

Rai sat, too, but kept an appreciable distance between them, not wanting any unexpected magical resonance. "Yes, and I think you know exactly why." He probably shouldn't have openly used his mana techniques in this state - with how well he could sense Alai's mana, if it worked even close to as well in reverse...

Alai narrowed his eyes, looking at him like he could see right through him. He kept one knee bent, arm braced over it, the other leg stretched out in front of him - a deceptively casual stance, but Rai could see the tension in the lines of his body, the agitation in his mana. "I think I do. You must have an extraordinary amount of intuitive control, if you usually use mana the way I think you do. But with your mana being as strong as it is, you weren't able to control it as well as you must normally be used to. If I hadn't dodged that whip attack..."

Rai tipped his head in assent. "I'm glad you did dodge. Now here's my question to you - how do you hide your mana so well? It's so - " Intoxicating? Smooth? Powerful? " - distinctive," he finished finally, "but when we met at the House...at first, I couldn't sense you at all..."

The maddening grin was back. "You've gotta let a guy have some secrets..."

He sighed, shutting his eyes and tipping his head back against the cold wall, still acutely aware of Alai's mana, his stance, his gaze. "You mean all secrets. But - fine. What is it you want to see me do in Palmacosta, Alai? You gave me such a powerful weapon - I'm happy to play your game."

"Be a Desian."

Rai opened his eyes again. "Excuse me?"

"Be a Desian," Alai repeated insistently. His smile never faltered. "Your actual goals? They're your own. Whether you want to help the humans secretly, steal loot, try to gather intelligence for our group…I don't care. As long as you don't break cover as a Desian."

There was a pause as this sank in. Then a slow smile crept onto Rai's face. "Understood."

Author's Note: The plot thickens. Will Rai's mission as a Desian put him at odds with the party?