Sheena dashed along the corridor, her footfalls silent. She hoped Lloyd's group would manage to remain undetected as well, but it seemed unlikely - they'd donned Desian uniforms, but as soon as they had to take off a helmet or were questioned by a Desian, their cover would likely fall apart. Still, they were strong enough as a fighting force that they could likely push their way through. Sheena had preferred to operate on her own, allowing her to take a stealthier approach.

She sensed Desians making their way down the adjoining hallway and ducked behind a corner, pressing a seal to the wall and allowing its magic to flood her skin, making her blend into her environment. This ranch was almost maze-like - all foreboding dark hallways. Surely it must be nicer further in. Magnius couldn't possibly spend all his time in such an environment.

Once the Desians had passed, she slid back into the hall, making her way through the facility systematically, a mental map forming as she went. Several minutes later she had found herself in a lounge area of sorts - indeed, not as foreboding as the hallways from earlier. As she paused to get her bearings, she heard several footsteps approaching. Cursing inwardly, she leapt behind some haphazardly stacked crates, activating another seal for good measure, and kept icily still.

"You really can't tell me anything, huh?" one of the Desians was saying. Sheena could make out some of their features through the gaps in the crates - one tall, the other shorter and slender. Both had forgone helmets, though they wore standard Desian uniforms. "I've never seen you around before, but somehow you're on speaking terms with Lord Magnius."

They both sat down on the couches nearby, the taller Desian putting his feet up on the table between them as his companion answered, sounding somewhat apologetic. "Some classified stuff involved, I'm afraid." His voice was cool, smooth, but he sounded quite young.

The taller Desian seemed to accept this. He leaned back against the couch and sighed. "And you're friends with Alai, too. I never quite know what to make of that one. I suppose he's already shown you around?"

"Yes. There was ample opportunity this morning." The younger one crossed his legs, leaning back as well. As he did so, Sheena got a clear view of his face - startlingly handsome, with refined features and bright green eyes. His hair, a pale blue, framed his features and his mouth formed into a grin. "On another note, I'm surprised we didn't take any prisoners from the raid. Not enough space, or what?"

"I think we had our hands full with the Chosen's group deciding to attack us," the other one grumbled. "Did you have to go that far, Akira? We wanted to put them in their place, sure, but..."

The younger one - Akira - laughed. It wasn't a nice laugh. Sheena could feel a cold sweat on her skin, and resisted the urge to swallow, focusing on her breathing - ever so slow, ever so silent. "Oh, but I couldn't resist. The melodrama - a daughter begging to be killed in front of her mother..." He was still smiling, gaze distant, as though reliving some past moment. "Isn't there something exciting about it?"

The other Desian shifted where he sat on the opposite couch. "I...suppose I can see why Lord Magnius likes you," he said. There was an odd mixture of fear and awe in his voice. "You seem...quite like him, in some ways. They're inferior beings, of course, but I find picking on the powerless more than needed to be...distasteful."

Akira's eyes refocused as he seemed to come out of whatever reverie he had been in. "Those who are weak are fated to be trodden on," he said. "Well - no matter. If there are ever any...unpleasant punishments you need to administer...please feel free to solicit my help." He smiled, and Sheena fought to stay still, despite the fear and hatred welling up inside her chest, as though an energy of its own. Though she hadn't moved, in that moment, Akira's gaze seemed to snap directly onto hers.

Her heart stuttered, and for a moment she was light-headed. She forced herself to remain perfectly still. She still had the camouflage seal active - him looking towards her was probably coincidental -

His eyes remained fixed on her as he said slowly, "Didn't you have to attend that meeting?"

The other Desian groaned. "I suppose I should prepare for it, yeah. I...it was good talking with you, Akira. I'll see you around?" He was already standing, walking towards the exit, a note of fear still in his voice, seemingly relieved to get away from his unsettling companion. A heartbeat later, they were alone in the room.

Akira stood, his gaze still unwavering, fixed on her. Bile rose in her throat, but she couldn't swallow, couldn't afford to make any movement - though it was looking more and more as though somehow, he knew she was there. How could she escape? It had been a good hiding spot, but it also meant she was cornered, with no good way to retreat.

"Has anyone ever told you it's rude to eavesdrop?" he murmured. "Why, if I were a lesser man...maybe I'd take it the wrong way."

Fuck. Still, she said nothing, waiting to see what he would do next.

"If I were a little bird in this room right now," he continued, "I would be very careful. Being found out could mean death." He turned away, that gaze finally moving off of her, and she let out a slow, silent, quivering breath. "Unfortunately, I have somewhere to be, but I'll have to come search this room thoroughly in a few minutes. Perhaps this was all just my imagination."

With that, he walked out of the room. Sheena held her breath until his footsteps had faded, and then sprang into action, slipping out the door as quickly as she could manage. There was no sign of him outside, but that didn't mean he wasn't nearby - obviously, there was more to him than met the eye. But he was giving her an out for some reason - whether for his own sadistic pleasure or some other goal, she couldn't say - and she had to take the opportunity.

...As she continued her stealthy movements, even as minutes passed without any further trouble, her heart continued to race.

Rai watched as the assassin slipped out of the room and down the hallway in a flash, silent. Even though he hadn't met her yet, the glimpse of jet-black hair, dark eyes, and lilac fabric under her cloak made him even more certain of her identity. And that odd mana signature…

What would Sheena be doing infiltrating Magnius's ranch?

Akira? Weren't we supposed to meet her at the Ossa Trail?

In the game, that's how it was… Akira sounded thoughtful. But you've changed quite a few things. Perhaps something happened to make her more wary of the party. Maybe she's taking a more cautious approach.

He couldn't shake the unease. What does that have to do with infiltrating this ranch, though? Shouldn't she be focusing on Colette?

There was no answer from Akira, but he knew his other self was as perplexed as he was. He sighed and walked back into the hallway, abandoning his hiding spot. Well, shit. Now Sheena had seen his face.

Plus she probably thinks you're a sadistic, twisted asshole, Akira pointed out.

Obviously. He was walking down the hallway with purpose now, resuming his investigation where he'd left off when he'd been intercepted by the other curious Desian who'd unfortunately recognized him from the Palmacosta raid. He'd made for Magnius's office first, using the opening Alai had given him when they got here, and had managed to copy the contents of some digital storage devices using the equipment Alai had provided, but he couldn't access the data on them himself. After that he'd just been making his way through the ranch, trying to see what he could find before he had to slip in amongst the prisoners. But what can I do about it? I'll have to hope she doesn't immediately blow my cover when she sees me in the party. Hopefully a ninja would have more discretion than that.

Even if she doesn't blow your cover, if she ends up joining the party like she did in the game she's bound to ask you about it, Akira pointed out. What excuse are you going to give?

Rai paused as he reached what seemed to be a series of storage rooms. This seemed promising. As he walked casually into one of them, he shot back, What do you mean, excuse? I'll say the truth - that it was an act I was putting on as infiltrator within the Desians. Isn't that enough?

Akira was silent, but Rai could feel his unease. What?

You know she'll probably be suspicious. I mean, you sounded pretty disturbing back there.

Rai sighed, running his eyes over the crates. His gaze fell on a bookshelf, and he strode over to it. I know that. There's only so much I can do here, though. If she decides not to trust me, that's on her. I think if secrets come out, it'll be pretty obvious ultimately that I wasn't really on the Desians' side. If not, we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

There was a pause as Rai looked over the context of the shelf, nothing really standing out. Do you think this triple agent business is really going to work? Akira said finally.

He noticed a large leather-bound book and pulled it off the shelf, flipping it open. Ah - a record of host bodies. Maybe not as useful as it had first appeared. I don't know, he admitted finally. Obviously, it's a huge balancing act. I don't expect it to work forever - maybe just long enough to be useful. When we go to the Tower of Salvation though…

Yeah. If Mithos shows up…

The statement went unfinished, but the two of them were obviously on the same page. Rai replaced the book and continued his sweep of the dimly lit room. An ancient-appearing tome caught his eye next. He raised an eyebrow as he brushed dust off the cover, revealing the title - The Ancient Kharlan War. Interesting. What's this doing here?

He pocketed it, kneeling to investigate the bottom shelf. He squinted to make out the titles, the overhead light not quite adequate. Doubt anyone's looked at any of these in quite some time, Akira said. Much less Magnius. Can you imagine?

Rai smirked, holding back the mirth that bubbled up unexpectedly at the image this conjured up. True enough. He paused, pulling out one of the books, heart suddenly racing. Elven Lineages: The Sylvarant Dynasty, Before and After. Seriously? Could this have something to do with the Sylvari?

Seems worth looking into, Akira said. As Rai made to open the book, a loud alarm sounded. He cursed under his breath.

Think our friends have been discovered?

He shoved the book into his bag next to the other - with some difficulty, the two thick tomes not insignificant in mass. Yeah. I'd say it's time for me to get back over to the prisoner block.

Won't the other prisoners think it's weird if you suddenly join them? Akira mused as Rai melted back out into the hallway, his movements precise - brisk but deliberately unhurried.

Bet they'll be more worried about all the chaos unfolding in the Desian ranks around them, don't you think? He strode over to the prisoner's block, keeping his movements confident as he passed several Desians, who were scrambling to secure the area, and casually dropped his belongings into one of the chests that contained items confiscated from the prisoners before turning a corner and ducking into the small closet he'd scoped out earlier. He slipped inside, stripping off his Desian uniform to reveal his usual attire underneath.

He paused, concentrating. No mana signatures just outside. Exiting, he dropped the uniform into a nearby laundry chute as planned, then slipped his legs over the edge of the nearby ledge, twisting his body and leaping to the level below. There was an unoccupied cell here, one that was obviously meant to hold those with elven blood - unlike those that held the human prisoners, the locking mechanism was magical, and required a specific magical key to open. There was no guard, precisely because nobody was being held here, but he knew from his earlier subterfuge and information-gathering that one of the guards patrolling the prison area should have the key. At the entrance to the open cell, he hesitated, an unexpected tightness in his chest, a nervousness.

What's wrong?

I… Rai hesitated. He knew he should enter right away, the chances of a Desian showing up higher the longer he lingered. Once I close the door, I actually won't be able to escape. Unless Lloyd and the others can rescue me.

Akira didn't respond, but he didn't need to. Rai swallowed down the sudden feeling and stepped inside, even though every movement felt wrong, somehow. Giving up his power…Why didn't I realize it would feel this way? Even as he felt nausea rise at what he was doing, he took a deep breath and let the cell door swing shut.

Locked.

Trapped.

He dropped to his knees, his legs suddenly giving way, as W - no - his own feelings - rose up inside him - inescapable terror, helplessness, like drowning in a black sea. He gritted his teeth, even as he saw black around the edges of his vision, and blinked his eyes shut, breathing in deeply. After several breaths, letting the feelings wash over him, deliberately not pushing them away, he probed his own mind. What's wrong?

There wasn't a concrete answer, but as he sat with the feelings, though they didn't fade, he was able to think a bit more clearly. This must relate to his childhood. What he had undergone…been forced to do…

As he thought it, the feeling of being unable to breathe intensified, the tightness in his chest almost painful, and he forced himself to keep breathing evenly, mechanically. Obviously, he was on the right track. Some part of him had learned at a young age…never to give up control. But there were times that had to be done, and he couldn't afford to break down every time it happened… But.

It's okay, he deliberately told himself, hoping this part of himself - he really needed a name better than W - would respond to compassion. It's fine to feel this way. Understandable, even, if horrible things happened when you lost control before. But things aren't the same now. You're older, stronger, and you put yourself into this situation. Nothing will happen. The world won't end.

Though there was still no response, and he still felt like shit, his breaths came easier, his vision less blurred.

You okay, kid? Akira's voice was finally back. He sounded worried, as though he'd been trying to speak for some time.

He unclenched his fists, realizing his nails had been biting into his palms. I should be.

There was a sense of relief from his other self. You're back with me. W again?

I'm not calling him that anymore, Rai corrected, wearily. It's just…me, I guess. A shadow of my past memories and emotions. Being imprisoned like this seems to have triggered some unpleasantness.

…That makes sense, Akira said carefully. You know we'll probably be okay, right? I mean - even if Lloyd's group doesn't -

I know. Rai sighed, settling down more comfortably on the floor of the cell and leaning back against the cold wall. If they don't make it here, I can still contact Alai. It was a testament to the ferocity of his training that his communicator had remained integrated with his mana despite the strong emotions. And if he can't…rescue me - The word felt dragged from him, a reminder of his powerlessness - then eventually, when the Desians realize I'm not supposed to be one of the prisoners, there's bound to be an opening to escape.

He shivered. In just his sleeveless shirt, cut off at the midriff, the Desian base was much cooler than it had been in the heavy uniform. He couldn't risk using magic, though - it was probably a bad idea to draw attention to himself now. He got back to his feet, legs feeling a bit steadier now, and glanced through the transparent magical walls of the cell at the adjoining corridor. Nearby, one of the humans in the more traditional cells glanced at him through the bars, distracted from where they had all been gathered on the opposite side, watching the Desians' turmoil. He made as though to look away again, then did a double take.

"You're - " he said roughly, his voice clear through the walls as he twisted towards Rai, knuckles tightening on the bars. "You're one of them. What are you doing in there? I haven't seen anyone in that cell before."

Rai shrugged, returning his gaze coolly. "I suppose I garnered Lord Magnius's ire somehow. More importantly, what do you think's going on over there?"

The human was still looking at him with disgust and fear, but he seemed to process the question. His grip loosened on the bars and he glanced over his shoulder again before looking back at Rai. "There must be intruders. I've heard that alarm once before. But I doubt they'll make it far." This last was said bitterly.

Before Rai could respond, there was a disturbance among the prisoners as a Desian guard made his way back along the hall, his whip lashing through the gap between the bars. Several humans let out yelps of pain. "Settle down, inferior beings," the Desian growled. "Know your place."

Rai swallowed as the guard walked closer, his gaze turning to Rai. It wasn't a Desian he recognized - not one who had been part of the Palmacosta raid. "Who are you?" the man snapped, pausing in front of Rai's cell. "I didn't know we'd imprisoned one of our own. What did you do?"

He shrugged, not flinching back from the cutting gaze and words. "You're asking prisoners to self-report why they're here? The organization's really stooped to a new low, hasn't it?"

The Desian snarled. His grip tightened on the handle of his whip, but to Rai's surprise, he didn't use it. He was silent for a moment, stepping back and giving Rai a more measured look, red eyes gleaming. "I don't have time to deal with you now," he said. Some of the anger was draining away, replaced by something arguably worse - a cruel smirk. "But you're a pretty one, aren't you?" His gaze lingered on Rai's belly, tracing further down. "Perhaps some one-on-one…interrogation is in order."

Bile rose in Rai's throat. He didn't break eye contact. "I invite you to try," he said lethally, and the Desian laughed as he walked away again, cracking his whip again towards the human prisoners.

The human from the other cell was looking at him again, something different in his eyes now. "Do you have a death wish? I wouldn't have wanted to get on his bad side." Despite the words, there was almost admiration in his tone. He seemed to look at Rai more closely. "That outfit doesn't seem very practical. It's not standard prisoner garb either - did you choose that? Anyway, it seems to be attracting the wrong kind of attention. I can try to get you one of these blankets. Well, if you can even call them that." He cast a disgusted gaze at one of the thin cloths that lay in the cell nearby.

"That's okay." Rai found himself a little touched despite himself. How could this man think of anyone else at a time like this?

He has a point, you know. This…isn't the first time men have made these sorts of comments. Remember Izoold?

Shut up, Akira. Rai crossed his arms across his chest, casting his gaze over to where the Desian guards stood at the far end of the room, his newest enemy joining them. Where was Lloyd, anyway?

He wondered if the group would insist on trying to rescue all the prisoners. If they did that, they'd probably have to destroy the ranch as they'd done in the game. He cast his thoughts back to Magnius - a cruel man, to be sure, but also surprisingly loyal to his own. Was killing him outright the best option?

And you care about this why? Akira's voice sounded amused now. Did you like that he let you be a sadistic villain, Rai? Did terrorizing the humans feel that good?

It's not just that, Rai retorted. I mean - it's not that. I just wonder if he'd be more useful alive.

How? Akira challenged. He's a twisted, cruel man. And he isn't all that bright, unlike some of the other Cardinals. What could we gain from keeping him alive?

Many of his followers are quite loyal to him, Rai argued. If nothing else, he's a charismatic leader. If he could be convinced to join a different faction later, he could be very useful in swaying other half-elf supremacists to follow him. What would we gain from killing him?

We wouldn't have to deal with those same traits causing trouble for us if he were dead, Akira fired back. He wouldn't have the chance to re-establish an outpost here or elsewhere, and imprison more humans.

And you've cared about that…since when? Rai leaned against the cool wall of the cell, keeping his gaze fixed on the hallway. No signs of a new disturbance yet. I find it hard to believe you've suddenly gained a sense of compassion for who you essentially consider game characters.

Fair enough. Akira's voice was amused again. You're right - I don't. I suppose I'm being contrarian. And - keeping him alive where he wasn't in the game makes him a wild card, just another unrestrained variable. It seems easier - to me, anyway - to just kill him.

That's true, Rai conceded. There are pros and cons either way. Let's just see where the chips fall.

Before Akira could respond, there was the sound of a scuffle from the far end of the prison area. Rai pushed off from the wall, standing warily at attention. He heard a choked sound from one of the Desian guards. "You - inferior beings - !"

They were here.

Lloyd kept his grip tight on his sword hilts as he raced down the corridor, footsteps sounding entirely too loud. They'd tried entering disguised as Desians, but that hadn't lasted long, and they'd been forced to fight. And then they'd seen…No. He was acutely aware that they were racing a clock. If that Desian leader showed up, they'd be in trouble.

Still. Lloyd's jaw clenched as he turned a corner, fast enough that he had to brace his hand on the wall as he did so to avoid colliding with it. Even if Magnius did show up...he'd cut him down, if he had to.

He sensed more than saw the rest of the group alongside him - their footsteps, synchronized with his own, the sound of their breathing. It'd taken him only a moment to internalize the digital map they'd found earlier, and none of the others seemed to mind him taking the lead, dashing through his mental model with precision. With his single-minded focus on the route, he hardly registered color, shape or sound, even as he stayed dimly aware of the blaring alarm sounding overhead, the sharp relief of the overhead lights - cold and clinical.

Genis's voice sounded suddenly behind him, almost making him break pace. "Do you think Rai will be there?" he murmured, voice still slightly shaky. "With the other prisoners."

Lloyd forced his jaw to relax. "Of course he will," he growled. "And if he's not, we'll find him."

They turned yet another corner and Lloyd narrowed his eyes as he beheld two Desians facing them, their eyes wide and shocked. He didn't even pause, and seconds later he was on them, crashing them over the head with his sword-hilts in one fluid whirl and leaping ahead as they fell to the ground, stunned. Then they were past, onward into the next hall.

He hoped Sheena hadn't been caught as easily as they had. She supposedly knew of a self-destruction switch, somehow. If she could only activate that...

...But they had to get to Rai before then. Lloyd leapt over some fallen crates and rolled, ending up back on his feet and changing directions quickly, barreling through the next door. Finally, there it was - the prison area. Tall cages, throes of humans.

Three Desian bastards, standing in front with their wretched whips.

He didn't hesitate. And when he caught a glimpse of the fresh blood dripping from their leader's whip, all thoughts of sparing their lives left him. He was a whirlwind, twin swords moving in deathly synchrony as he cut through the enemies, eliminated the threats, barely even registering when one tried to choke out words. He was too busy scanning the cages. Where are you, Rai?

He knew without looking that the rest of the group would be behind him, taking care of any Desian that had survived. He strode forward without glancing at the slain, walking between the rows of cells. The humans within, packed like sardines, stared at him in awe, their voices rising in consensus as they reacted to the sudden change, but he ignored them, looking for any sign of the familiar pale hair, slender frame. There seemed to be no sign of Rai among them. He forced himself to keep walking, keep looking, holding his swords in a death grip.

"Lloyd."

The voice was familiar and not - smooth, distinct, and yet wearier than it normally was. He whipped around in its direction, and finally saw him - Rai. Standing in an odd cage, with translucent walls, a door without a keyhole. Lloyd ran to him, his palms hitting the wall, swords clanging to the floor. Rai's expression held relief, an unguarded emotion Lloyd wasn't used to seeing on him.

"You're okay," Lloyd breathed. It was half-statement, half-question. He scanned the half-elf's body - unmarred face, the skin of his arms and stomach pale as ever but with no sign of injury. When he looked back up, Rai's eyes had never left his face.

"I'm fine," Rai said softly. "Focus on finding the key, you idiot." There was no bite to the remark.

He glanced reflexively at the door. Smooth, no keyhole. "There is one?"

"A magical key," Rai corrected. Despite the solid-appearing barrier, his voice was clear, unimpeded. "Should be on one of the Desians you killed." There was no judgement in his voice, positive or negative. "You made quite a commotion." Some amusement.

"Yeah, trying to get to you," Lloyd said, almost angry. And what they'd had to witness... He turned on his heel, ready to dash back to investigate the Desians' bodies, but paused when he saw Genis in front of him, holding out an object, flat and rectangular, precisely the same shade of blue as the shimmering walls of the cell.

"Thanks," he said, feeling his breathing ease a bit. That's right - he wasn't alone. He accepted the strange object, then looked askance at the door.

"Try touching it to the door," Rai prompted. He obeyed immediately and felt an answering warm buzz in the magical key. The door swung open without preamble. No sooner than it had done so, Rai was out of the cell. Lloyd blinked at the empty space before turning to look at the freed half-elf. Rai just looked back at him. "Lead on," he said.

He wasn't used to Rai deferring to him. "Well - we need to free the rest of the prisoners. We also need to find your stuff. And then we need to get out of here before that Desian leader or someone shows up. Sheena - I'll tell you about her later - she might end up activating a self-destruction switch for the ranch, so we have to move fast."

Rai took all this in impassively. "I know where my stuff is," he said. "I'll grab it. You focus on freeing the rest of the prisoners. I'll meet you in the hallway." Before Lloyd could say anything, he had dashed away.

Right. Swallowing his emotions, he retrieved his swords and turned his attention to the large cages. Raine had already found the key to the largest one nearby, and he saw her pause before unlocking the door. "Don't panic," she said, her voice calm but radiating confident authority, and the disorder and commotion within the crowd of disheveled humans seemed to die down somewhat. "We will get you out of here, but you have to stay calm and follow our direction." Nearby, Colette was addressing the prisoners on the opposite end of the room similarly, Kratos at her side.

Genis, still standing next to Lloyd, shot him a smile. "Looks like we may get everyone out of here yet," he said. "Before Sheena blows us all up."

He couldn't share the levity. "Where's Aalissi?"

"I think she followed Rai." Genis frowned. "I'm not sure why."

He moved back towards the room's entrance, hands never far from his swords. Colette and Raine were now leading the humans out of the cages in a surprisingly orderly fashion. He flanked the group, ready to intervene if any additional Desians appeared. Genis had already moved to do the same on the other side, his kendama at the ready.

As all the humans made it out of the cages, Lloyd exited the room first. The hallway was empty but for Rai and Aalissi, both standing deceptively casually. They'd been conversing softly, but stopped when Lloyd approached. Rai had his gauntlet back, and his bag strapped at his waist, sitting neatly behind him. His eyes looked pale in the light from the nearby window - rare within the ranch. His sword was strapped at his waist as always, but next to it was something unfamiliar - a coiled, serrated whip. Its metallic black edges gleamed in the light. His black pants hung low on his hips as always, the pale expanse of his skin contrasting with his clothing and gear. Lloyd focused back on his face as Rai turned to him.

"Want to take point?" the half-elf said. Beside him, Aalissi was still looking up at his face, though she had turned and nodded to Lloyd. She tucked a strand of her long pink hair behind one jewel-encrusted ear.

He nodded. Distractions aside, he could feel relief filling his chest. Rai was back, he really was. And fine. But - this wasn't the time to let down his guard. They needed to get out of the ranch first.

As they set off down the hall, his allies helping shepherd the human prisoners, Lloyd tuned out the chatter of the others, focusing ahead of them. He realized that at some point the overhead alarm had changed, louder and sharper. He could only conclude that Sheena had flipped the destruction switch. He sped his pace, knowing the others would follow. As they made their way back through the halls, many of the Desians he had previously knocked unconscious had disappeared, but the halls were notably empty. Perhaps they had fled, recognizing the imminent destruction. All the better.

He kept on high alert, but they encountered surprisingly little after that. Not long after, they were exiting the ranch, the humans all accounted for. As the last of them trailed out, panting, the alarm intensified, like a plaintive scream. Lloyd kept leading the group away, not pausing the swift pace, and they were several minutes away when he heard it - an explosion, loud enough to make him jump even at distance. The ground trembled under their feet. He steadied himself and whipped his head around to look back in the direction they had come from.

Where the ranch had once stood, nothing remained.

Author Note: Reviews are indispensable and help me know if anyone is reading and what you think! Either way, thanks for stopping by.