The Kingdom

[❖Amani❖]

Vesper silently listened to Sparks musing aloud and watched her shapes change with her words and then disappear completely. It left them in pitch black darkness but Vesper closed his eyes and focused on the vision he had attained in the fight with "Max". After a small struggle he had it and he blinked open his eyes to find the darkness to be as clear as the light, and Sparks sitting hunched over beside him. Her figure was slightly aglow and he could see currents of electricity and sparks flowing around her. He frowned and slid over to her, pulling her into his arms and rubbing her shoulder quietly. He rested his chin lightly on the top of her head and softly spoke.

"You know Angel... I can't bring myself to believe you could have killed you parents. Even accidentally. I believe you maybe lost them but lost and dead aren't the same thing. Maybe, if you would like, as soon as all of this is over we could look for them. I could help you and... Maybe it would put your mind at ease."

He softly inhaled her sweet scent and kissed her lightly on the top of her head.

"You know better than I do, about those hunters Max told us about... Perhaps you were separated from your parents by someone like them? I don't know."

He continued rubbing her shoulder and staring off at the far wall, listening to the rain pound against everything outside.

[crimson92]

"Hehe, I barely know enough about the Hunters to do it justice; I've only encountered Hunters twice since I woke up in that forest, both times with Max around. I think I've slipped past them because I just look like a regular adolescent that's trying out some new fad or something like dying her hair pink and blue. Max, though, she stands out more because of Eli and because of how the shadows start moving when she goes into strange territory. She knows a lot more about them, she's studied them...she's had to in order to survive."

She pressed her ear to Vesper's chest and listened to his calming heartbeat, smiling at the strong pulse, "Looking for my parents and possibly founding out what happened to them would be a huge weight off my shoulders...but I don't think that's possible, not here anyway. I'm not in my own time, I don't think they would be here, and besides, you're a king now! You have more important responsibilities to attend to than trying to find out what happened to some outsider's parents that aren't even in this time."

She giggled lightly and hugged him tighter, feeling a little giddy to be with him, "Thank you for caring, though. That's more than I could ask for."

She then leaned up and pressed her lips to his in a gentle kiss, her cheeks red with a blush.

[❖Amani❖]

Vesper smiled in contentment as she nestled closer to him. He sighed and closed his eyes.

"I know what you're saying about this not being your time and me being king and all... But it's still possible. All I need is time to get settled in and gain control. Then I can afford to take a little time off. And you needn't worry about the differing times. Remember what Tafe said about how he was gonna teach me to travel worlds? Maybe that'll help..."

He sighed and silence pricked his ears. He closed his eyes, and despite the current situation, he found himself at ease. Contented and mildly happy. He found himself drifting off into sleep but he didn't fight it. Hours must have begun to pass but he was too deep in dreaming to realize it...

----------------------------------------------------
Vesper found himself in Rajus' former palace in the Capital, sitting in the throne room at a very small table. He was seated at the foot but it was only perhaps two or three feet in length. He blinked his eyes a few times, taking in his surroundings, before his gaze was drawn before him to a familiar face sitting across from him at the head. Rajus warmly smiled and rested his arms on the table, slightly leaning forward. Vesper returned the smile and rested his hands upon his lap, eyes blossoming into a blue nearly identical to Rajus'.

"You're in Tafe's territory aren't you?"

Vesper nodded slowly and gauged Rajus' solemn face. The man let no traces of any expression leave his countenance.

"I managed to work a deal with him to let me accompany Sparks and Max and Eli. He was very civil about it. Besides, I knew you would be there. You'd said so."

Vesper nodded softly and his eyes travelled to the feathery scar on his uncle's cheek.

"I told Sparks about you and Tafe. I left out the part about my father being Malki's second son..."

Vesper softly noted how Rajus still cringed slightly at the mention of his own uncle.

"I know you've made peace with Tafe. I've been wondering... Do you think you'll do the same with Malki?"

Rajus heaved a heavy sigh and looked away, eyes downcast and clouded.

"I don't think I could Vesper. Too much bad blood."

Vesper shook his head understanding.

"I get it. I was simply curious. My conversation with Sparks had gotten me to wondering."

Rajus attentively narrowed his eyes and slightly grinned at the boy. Vesper simply shot him a confused look.

"You like this girl don't you?"

Vesper reddened and wordlessly nodded.

"I never did find much I liked in women. They were alway pushy and whatnot... But if you like her, pursue her. I think she's good for you. I've seen your eyes light up when you say her name. You're smitten."

Vesper gave an embarrassed chuckle and pursed his lips.

"She's definitely different. I-"

His voice faltered and Rajus' face took on a concerned fatherly look.

"What is it Vesper?"

"She's helping me get the King's Men under control. But after everything is said and done, she's going to go back home isn't she?"

Vesper's helpless look broke Rajus' heart and he reached across the table. He took the boy's hand in his and gave it a squeeze, holding onto it. Vesper looked up, confused at his sudden display of emotion, knowing that the man wasn't a big one for physical contact. Rajus simply smiled.

"If you want her to stay, then ask her. You cannot do anything more than that. I can't promise she will stay. But I can promise you'll never know and always regret it if you don't say something."

Vesper simply sighed and nodded, looking down to the table. He treasured these moments with his former mentor and uncle. He didn't know what he'd do without him and he actually looked at him as more of a father figure than his own father.

[crimson92]

She laid there for quite some time, listening to the rhythmic beating of Vesper's heart and when she heard his steady breathing, she lifted her head to look at his face. He was sound asleep. Holding back a giggle, lest it wake the sleeping King, she slowly and gently wiggled out of his hold and kneeled beside him instead. He looked so peaceful asleep, so gentle and handsome; she never thought she would see this side of him. Smiling warmly, she brushed his dark brown locks out of his face and caressed his cheek.

"My king," she whispered as quietly as she could.

"Your King indeed."

Sparks looked up as another presence entered the cave, a smile stretching across her lips when her eyes landed on Max, the young girl with the wild black curls, golden green eyes, and skin darker than her own soaked almost to the bone. Max grinned back and lowered her arm to the ground to let Eli slither off of her easier, then she took her hair in her hands and began to wring the water out of it.

"I see he finally knocked out. That's good, he needs to let those superficial wounds heal," she commented, watching as the many 'cuts' and 'bruises' on his skin begin to glow and then disappear.

Sparks looked at him and her eyes glowed tenderly, "That's right."

Max watched her closely, wordlessly, before opening her mouth and saying, "You're in love with this guy, aren't you?"

Sparks' head shot up and a blush colored her caramel cheeks, "W-Well, uh, you see, um..."

"It's a 'yes' or 'no' question."

"...Yes...Yes I am," the girl finally answered bashfully, pushing a lock of pink hair behind her ear, "He's the only guy who's actually looked at my strange appearance and seemed to like it...love it, even. He's protected me and held me and we've only known each other for a little over two weeks."

"Love works in strange ways," Max sighed, as if it were a burden to see her friend so happy, but then she just smiled mischievously and sat down on the opposite wall, Eli moving to curl in her lap.

"That's right...it does," Sparks whispered, her voice sounding pained all of a sudden.

"Something on your mind?"

Sparks was quiet, hesitant; there was something on her mind, but she wondered if it was something to worry about.

"Sparks?"

She looked up and saw Max's eyes glowing in the darkness of the cave, making her look almost like a predatory jungle cat. Sparks sighed and looked at Vesper.

"I was just wondering....when this is all over, what will happen to us?" her eyes glistened with tears of frustration, "I mean, he keeps telling me not to worry about it, that things work differently with the King's Men and his new Kingdom, but I'm sure the basics are all the same! You marry royalty to strengthen the power you have! I'm not royalty! I don't know what I am!"

"Has you told you it's a problem?" Max asked immediately after.

Sparks faltered, "Uh...well, no."

"Then don't make it a problem."

"But, Max-"

"Look, Sparks, the guy obviously loves you. I mean, I think if he didn't, he wouldn't give two cents about you. But he does and it doesn't matter to him what you are or are not. All that matters to him concerning you is if you are happy being with him and I'm sure that's enough for him to know. I don't think you not being royalty will stop him from pursuing you if he chooses."

All was silent between the two girls, Max watching Sparks and Sparks contemplating her words. She didn't think of it like that; she was so worried that she would ruin him if she let their relationship go any further, but Vesper apparently didn't have a problem with it.

"Will you stay with him?"

Sparks looked up and cocked her head to the side, "What?"

"Will you stay with Vesper? If he asks you, I mean?" Max repeated, stroking Eli's back, "He is going to need a Queen, you know, and he's already in love with you. So, if he asks you to stay, will you?"

Again, Sparks was silent.

"I mean, it's not like you have anything to go back to."

"...You're right," she answered after a minute, "And...if he asks me, even if it's not for...for..."

"...Marriage."

"Right, that word. Even if it's not for that...I would still stay with him until he dismisses me. I'll stay until he gets tired of me...for him," Sparks looked at Vesper again and brushed her fingers across his cheek.

Max smiled and nodded, "Right. You should probably get some sleep, girlie, we have work to do tomorrow. The journey is only beginning."

Sparks nodded as leaned her head back against the rocks of the cave and breathed deeply, obviously going to sleep as well. Sparks watched her for a moment before sighing softly and settling herself back into Vesper's arms. With one last look at Vesper and a gentle smile, she closed her eyes and entered a dreamless sleep.

[❖Amani❖]

When Vesper opened his eyes he immediately noticed a very thin trail of sunlight making it's way into the cave where they were staying. He smiled and softly tried to sit up without waking Sparks, and noticing how dirty his white shirt had become. But it only had one tear near to the bottom of the sleeve and it wasn't that important. He mused that however Gunther had come across these clothes, they'd been made well. A twinge of pain at the memory of Gunther clouded his mind with pain, but he pushed it away. Collateral damage is unavoidable. Sometimes even necessary. Most all the time, important to your development.

Rajus' voice rang in his head and Vesper remembered the moment he'd told him that. He sighed and gently slid from under Sparks, standing up. He yawned and stretched, actually feeling better after resting, and noticed something peculiar about the tendril of light. It flicked out of sight and then reappeared oddly. Vesper narrowed his eyes and silently walked closer to the entrance, morphing his ears to the wolf form that could hear better. He held his breath and pricked his ears hearing, after a moment, rustling around in the vegetation outside and rough voices. He bit back the growl rising in his throat and forced his ears back to normal. He reached the entrance and peered out of it, cloaked in shadows. Suddenly there was a yell and a young man went flying out of the bushes and into the small clearing before the cave. Others came following and among them was Rofus.

But Vesper held back, carefully gauging everything that was going on. His fight with Max came back to mind and he remembered that not everything is as it seemed. As the young man pushed himself up Vesper saw he was actually around the same age as Vesper himself and he had a cut across his lip. Suddenly Armi emerged into the clearing, wearing a permanent scowl. When he spoke, his voice was harsh and sharp and he addressed Rofus.

"So you lure the brat on my ship. Then we lose him. Now we catch up to him and you tell me you can't track him!"

Rofus simply stood with a slight half-smile and calmly crossed his arms.

"If I recall correctly, YOU were the one who had him cornered on the beach and let him bully you into running off again."

Armi growled and turned his attention to the boy, giving him a swift kick to the ribs. Vesper could have sworn he heard something crack.

"Where are they you stupid mutt! Can't you do anything right!?"

The boy groaned and looked toward the cave. Vesper saw his eyes were blood red and he had fangs, small compared to his own when angered. The boy looked truly frightened but shakily pointed to the entrance which was covered by all sorts of vegetation. Vesper's first instinct as the slowly moved towards the entrance, was to jump out at them and attack, but he didn't want to be rash and he wanted to be able to protect Sparks if the need arose. He couldn't do that if he'd already worn himself out at the entrance, and someone slipped by him. so he quietly hurried back around a slight bend and woke Max and Eli then Sparks. As soon as he was sure they were awake he heard a scuffle outside, Armi and Rofus arguing over the entrance being a dead-end or not. He felt his large fangs elongating as he whispered to the trio to explain what he'd seen. He felt his claws slip out too, itching to be used. He whispered to Max.

"I'm not afraid to take them on myself. I need the experience. But I also didn't want to act too rashly or stupidly. I wanted you two to be aware of what was going on. What's your opinion?"

He tried to keep the sharp sting of betrayal by Rofus out of things. He was trying to ignore it for the moment, focusing on Max for her next words.

[crimson92]

"They obviously didn't take you seriously so," she grinned mischievously, "Make them regret it."

She turned to the entrance of the cave when the noise grew louder, preparing to step through, "This would be the best kind of practice for you since nothing about this is fake, however, do not attack unless provoked first. Give them a surprise. Why don't we go see what it is they want first before we try sheering some heads off?"

Her grin was sadistic as she pushed past the foliage and held it apart for Sparks and Vesper to get through. The small army of men saw them emerge and immediately gathered around them, weapons posed and ready to fight if it came to that. She just continued grinning as she let Vesper stand ahead of them. Her eyes met those of the young boy that had led Armi to their hiding spot, her golden green eyes glinting curiously when she saw the fear flash in his red orbs. There was something strange about him, obviously, and she wondered what.

"Lesson 3: Being Calm," she whispered so only Vesper could hear, "When facing an enemy, you never want to lose your temper because the moment you do, they'll have an advantage over you. Keep your mind clear and try to stay one step ahead. We're here to back you up, okay?"

[❖Amani❖]

Vesper barely nodded to acknowledge Max's words. He was itching to sink his claws into Armi but he patiently calmed himself. His gaze flicked over all of them and landed on Rofus. His face was drawn into a emotionless state but Vesper knew him well enough to see the pain and guilt suddenly present. He swallowed it down and blinked, no longer giving Rofus a pained, questioning look.He wiped his face clean and slowly turned to Armi, his head tilting slightly. He narrowed dark charcoal eyes at the man, that gave way to a golden color when he smiled at Armi.

"Well, why am I not surprised. I don't suppose you'd mind telling me what you're doing?"

He rid himself of all feeling and simply stood there, the ever present smile a little troubling. Armi just glowered at the boy before him with an attitude.

"Well Your Majesty, I am currently using this mutt to track you. Now I'm going to kill you. And then I'm going to take that ring of yours and continue on to the capital. Rajus was a good man and good king, but he was stupid for picking a boy like you. I deserved to get that ring. Even Rofus deserved it. But you had to be the one to get it."

Armi advanced toward Vesper and continued to raise his voice. Vesper simply retained his calm grin and golden eyes. He didn't fear the man. He could easily take him and win. That's the reason why Vesper simply looked down at the scarred hand when he shot out and grabbed his shirt, slightly ripping the fabric in the process of jerking him forward. Apparently Armi hadn't quite gotten the idea back on the beach, because he fearlessly pulled Vesper to him, thrusting his face into Vesper's own and growling.

"Armi, I will calmly and nicely ask, will you release my shirt. If you don't I will tell you, rather forcefully, to let go of my shirt. After that, if you still continue to hold onto it, I will personally see to it that you lose both hands."

Vesper calmly looked into the older man's eyes and looked as though he could care less. Armi simply chuckled.

"Will you please let go of me Armi?"

The man threw his head back and laughed. Vesper sighed.

"Let go of me now Armi."

Armi looked to his other men, who all had weapons pointed at the trio behind him, and began laughing and taunting Vesper. Vesper simply shook his head and placed both of his hands on Armi's wrists, grabbing the man's attention, and began to squeeze. He was careful not to release his claws for the sole purpose of wanting to see if he could use the strength without the cutting. Obviously he could for he saw the tiniest flicker of pain in Armi's eyes and felt the man tensing and lifting him from the ground. Vesper may have been strong but he wasn't very heavy so it wasn't a surprise Armi could lift him. He now found himself in the air, hands still on Armi's wrists but not squeezing for the moment, and his feet dangling just an inch or so from the dirt. He sighed and loudly muttered,

"Now you've done it."

Before Vesper could show Armi what exactly he'd done, the boy's voice drew both of their attention.

"Just don't argue with the man. He'll hurt you! Don't threaten him!"

Armi slightly nodded to one of the guards and they shut the boy up with another swift kick. By now Vesper's eyes had turned pitch black and, though he showed no signs of anger, inside he was boiling. He felt a low growl rising from his throat and he began squeezing Armi's wrists, this time letting his claws slide out and dig in. Armi's eyes immediately flashed and he threw Vesper backwards and toward the boy, sending him sliding and nearly rolling into him. Now he was angry. Armi had shown the first signs of aggression, so now he could let loose what he'd been wanting to do for a long time. He shot a glare through scarlet eyes, deeper in color than the boy's and accented by black, snake-like tendrils, at the guard coming closer to them. He moved protectively over the boy, standing so that he was between them. He grinned and opened his mouth to let a raspy screech out, the boy behind him shivering at the sheer difference in the size of fangs.

"Armi. I gave you fair warning and you've done nothing but try to hurt me. It's obvious you want to fight,"

Vesper felt a presence to both sides of him and immediately knew who it was. Tafe and Rajus. He grinned evilly.

"So why don't we even the odds. Just you and I."

With that, the men surrounding them in the clearing, dropped their weapons and began clawing at their throats. Vesper casually straightened and narrowed his dark eyes at a ghost-white Armi. He hissed at him through sharp fangs and began slowly walking over to him. His eyes suddenly began glowing white and Armi began to take off. Tafe materialized before him and made himself thick enough to have Armi run into him. The man fell back and when he looked up his face was whiter than possible. Vesper paused and felt a presence behind him, following the feeling and turning just in time to reach out and stop Rofus from driving a dagger into his back. He hissed and felt power coursing through him as he twisted the man’s hand and felt it snapping. He dropped the dagger and fell to his knees trying to alleviate the awkward pain and reaching for another dagger with his free hand. Vesper noticed and he swung around further behind him knowing that it was Rofus or him. It was blatant the man was trying to kill him. Vesper looked down at him with a pain in his own heart. Suddenly, the motionless Armi and the calm trio behind him no longer existed. It was only him and his closest friend. He bent the snapped hand backwards and sank to his knees behind Rofus as the man fell forward. He caught him and pulled him back, his right arm looped around the man’s neck tightly, cutting off his air enough to gain control over him. Vesper looked up with tears in his sea-green eyes to find Rajus standing before them. The old king nodded once and Vesper shakily returned the motion. He placed his left hand, claws extended, under his right arm which still remained around Rofus’ neck. He paused and leaned forward to whisper in his ear, gently letting tears fall.

“I can’t believe you wouldn’t betray me again. I trusted you. As much as I want you to apologize and to let you go, I can’t. It’s obvious you want me dead. I can’t do that to the King’s Men. I can’t do that to Sparks…”

Vesper felt the man slowing in his struggling and carefully pulled his arm back to put his right hand on the man’s head. He slid his left hand to the man’s chin.

“And it’s not my place to deal with you. That’s up to Rajus. I’m so sorry Rofus.”

He closed his eyes tightly and jerked as hard as he could, snapping the man’s neck and feeling him fall back onto him. Vesper gently eased out from under him and gently laid him down, his tears adorning Rofus’ still face. He heard an indiscernible whisper and looked up to see Rajus nodding once at him, a stern face in place, before disappearing. He would be heading off to greet Rofus and deal with him as he saw fit. Vesper simply sat, numb and unfeeling as he looked over to Armi’s still body, mere feet over. Tafe must have scared him to death. It looked like he’d had a heart attack. Vesper drew his gaze away and willed it anywhere but to Sparks. He didn’t want to see what she looked like now. He’d just murdered someone right before her eyes… It had just happened so quickly. He was sure he’d get a mouthful from Max now. Most likely about how he should have held back. Used his brain. But he didn’t have time to think. Rofus would have killed him. He groaned and fell back, his elbows stopping him from falling to the ground completely. What had he just done? Everything had turned so quickly. He was positive he'd been handling it well and then he became so stupid. He wanted to throw up. Now he was positive he'd done the wrong thing. He should have taken a chance on Rofus and let him go. He wouldn't be a murderer then. He felt sick when he thought what Sparks was thinking of him now. He refused to look at her. Instead he covered his eyes with his hand and let out a long breath. How had the morning gone bad so quickly?

[crimson92]

"AAHH! Monsters! All of them!"

Sparks watched as one of Armi's men began running away at a rapid pace, screaming in fear at the top of his lungs after Eli, the dragon having enlarged himself in order to fight in the battle, snapped his jaw around the man's arm and flung him several feet away from the two girls. She snorted and shook her head, feeling sickened by those cowards.

"Looks like they're retreating," she commented, turning to Max who was kneeling beside the boy Armi kept calling a 'mut'.

"Mmhmm," Max hummed a reply, running her hands over the male's body, earning a few hisses of pain when she prodded him in his sides, "Smart of them too...You've got a few fractures, but nothing that I can't fix."

She smiled at him as Eli circled the three of them, keeping his ears out for any more danger that could pounce on them at that moment. Sparks gave a small smile before she turned to see Vesper with someone pinned beneath him. She watched him curiously for a moment, watched as that person struggled in front of Vesper. The young king himself moved his arms and then jerked them; suddenly, that body stopped moving and went limp, Vesper moving out from under it. Sparks gasped and her heart nearly skipped a beat at the unexpected move; she then made her way over to Vesper cautiously.

"Vesper, what are you-" she began to ask but then stopped when she saw Rofus lying on the ground, his neck twisted at an odd angle.

She stared at the man with wide eyes, unable to believe that he was dead. She couldn't feel sorry for him, since he did betray Vesper, but the one person she did feel sorry for...

"Vesper," she said quietly, falling to her knees beside the silent king and wrapping her arms around him, "Vesper, I'm so sorry."

Eli, who had a heightened sense of hearing and vision, stopping in front of Max, his large head turned towards Sparks and Vesper as the girl moved to kneel in front of the young man and hold him, so he wouldn't have to keep looking at the lifeless body of Rofus.

"It looks like Vesper has killed Rofus," the dragon commented, making the boy that Max was helping jump in fear.

"A casualty of battle," Max commented, her eyes and hands aglow with a neon green light as she drew her hands over his injuries, "Besides, he betrayed Vesper and from what I had learned a little while back, he was Vesper's best friend. He knew everything about him...you can't really let a person who has all of your secrets live once they've stabbed you in the back."

"So you support the death then?"

"I support Vesper's decision because in this case, he didn't have much of a choice."

[❖Amani❖]

Vesper barely felt Sparks enveloping him in an embrace. He stared numbly at nothing, not registering what was happening. He was thoughtless. His mind wouldn't work right and he couldn't force it to.

A casulty-

Vesper squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, drowning out Tafe's voice and pulling away from Sparks. He didn't realize, as he finally looked into her face, she wasn't angry with him. How could she be hanging on to him? He just killed a man. He just killed his friend. Did she not realize what had happened? He felt a sharp pain in his head and he narrowed his eyes as he looked beyond Sparks. He dug a hand into his chocolate hair and made a fist, pulling slightly on some of his hair. His gaze wouldn't quit shifting from thing to thing. He bit down on his lip and tasted blood as he looked back down to Sparks. Their eyes met and his voice barely came out as a hoarse whisper.

"I killed him... I just-"

She made a move to touch his arm but he jerked back as if her touch was fiery.

"Please... I- I just killed a man! Yet you still-"

He deeply inhaled and exhaled, putting both hands to his head and closing his eyes.

"Rofus..."

He remained that way for a moment, allowing Sparks to embrace him once more. Awkwardly he returned the hug, though his eyes were set in Max and Eli's direction, a nearly pure white shade.

"How can you even stand to be around me right now? I just-"

He broke off and continued staring in Max and Eli's direction feeling something inside him, twist and break. He took a shaky breath and collapsed into Sparks, letting loose and sobbing. He couldn't help the hatred for himself, the sorrow at losing Rofus and the angry thought that he could have done something different. He eventually managed to stop the waterworks and to take a shaky breath, pulling away from her. He took another breath and roughly wiped his face, ridding himself of the tear-tracks and leaving behind only swollen eyes. He couldn't bring himself to look into her eyes so instead he looked out.

"I need a little time, okay Sparks. Please. Let me have some space."

Without another word he began walking to the right away from Sparks and Max and Eli. He morphed into his wolf like form and took off running into the woods. He continued and eventually took to the air after he was out of sight.

Meanwhlie the boy groaned and managed to sit up slowly to look at his healer. He frowned and avoided making eye-contact with her, always looking down.

"Th-Thank you."

He grit his teeth and frightfully looked at the dragon.

"Who are you?"

The boy was profusely confused but even more scared.

[crimson92]

Eli lowered his large, dragon head to stare the boy in the eye, ruby red eyes glinting in the sun, "My name is Eli and that is all you need to know. There's no reason to be afraid of me or any of us. Now, who are you?"

While the dragon was occupied with the boy, Max made her way to Sparks, putting her hand on her shoulder once she reached her. Sparks just touched Max's hand when she felt it, but continued staring in the direction that Vesper left in, feeling helpless and frustrated again. Whenever she tried to comfort him, be there for him, he just...pushed her away. As if she were nothing but a burden to him.

"I can't do anything right, can I? Except take care of myself," she commented to Max, lowering her eyes to the ground.

"Just give him some time."

"He's always asking for time!" she exclaimed, turning sharply to her friend and teacher, "He's always wanting time from me!"

"Now you're just overreacting," Max replied calmly.

"How can you say that?! You don't know how much it hurts!" Sparks cried, trying stubbornly to stop the tears from falling and succeeding so far.

"This is probably his first casualty, Sparks," Max replied, indicating to Rofus, "Not only that, but it was his best friend. Do YOU know how much that hurts? How badly he must feel now that he took his best friend's life with his own hands?"

Sparks stopped and blinked, her face going blank for a moment before realization dawned on it and she sighed; "You're right," she said quietly, nodding slightly, "I guess I should be more understanding."

"He's probably pretty confused, too, as to why none of us are mad at him. Especially you," Max added, turning to walk back towards Eli.

"What? Why would we be mad at him?! Rofus betrayed him and he reacted the only way he really could've!"

"Hey, don't ask me that much. I'm just making an educated guess. He'll calm himself down enough to come back and talk to us, but for now, let's not push him too hard," Max finished as she sat down on the ground in front of the boy, leaning against Eli as he talked with him.

[❖Amani❖]

The boy cautiously looked up at the dragon and felt a lump in his throat, preventing him from speaking. When he finally did, he noticed the girl returning with another girl and sitting beside the dragon. He swallowed and hugged his knees to his chest, shyly.

"My name is Eren. That... man bought me a little while back. He's been using me to track..."

He trailed off not knowing the name of the boy that had fought but was now missing. Plus he somehow got the feeling every one of his rescuers were close with him. He didn't want to get them mad. It wasn't like he was unused to being beaten, but that didn't mean he liked it. He let out a tiny squeak, red eyes shining with fear.

"I promise I wasn't trying to hurt him! Ar-Armi was going to kill me if I didn't... I didn't mean anything, I swear! I was just trying to-"

He took a breath, on the verge of tears, and rubbed his wrists together nervously where two scars were barely visible. He fidgeted slightly and looked around him nervously as if trying to fins escape routes, not that he could escape the great dragon before him. And something told him the two girls were powerful too. He looked back to them, looking Max in the eye for the first time.

"I swear I didn't mean for anything to happen! Please- I'll do whatever you want. Just don't-"

His voice broke off and his thin frame leaned forward, hugging his knees tighter. His stringy whiteish-blode hair fell into his face and shrouded it in shadows.

[crimson92]

"...I think he's a slave," Sparks commented as Max leaned towards the boy, analyzing him deeply, "Or was a slave."

"And he does seem to have some sort of magical abilities, though I'm not exactly sure how strong," Eli added, his deep, warm voice rumbling from within his stomach.

Max watched Eren tremble before her, obviously frightened for his life. She reached out and gently laid her hand on his head, pulling back a little when he flinched violently. Trying it again, she placed her hand on his head and gently pulled it up so he was looking her in the eye again. Golden-green stared into red for a long moment, unnerving Eren even more, before Max simply grinned and nodded.

"You're okay, now, Eren. There's no need to fear us, we're not going to do anything to you. You were just a forced pawn in someone's sick game of power; everything will be fine," she assured him, running her fingers through his hair warmly before she stopped and her eyes glinted sharply with a strange smile on her face, "But, if you try anything funny, we won't be so nice. Understand?"

When she received a meek nod, the warm grin returned and she sat back against Eli, closer to Eren now, "Anyway, my name's Max and this strange being next to me is Sparks."

"Hey! I'm not that strange! And you're one to talk!"

"And that guy that just took off, the one that you were tracking for Armi, is King Vesper," Max finished, ignoring the glare Sparks sent her way.

Said girl huffed indignantly before she turned to Eren and smiled kindly, "It's nice to meet you Eren, despite the circumstances."

Then, with a closer look, her eyes grew worried, "He looks like he's starving. We should find him something to eat!" She got to her feet and went to stand next to Eli, "Do you mind going with me, Eli? I think it'll be faster with you since you can fly and all."

Eli nodded, "True. Hop on Sparks. We'll be back soon, Max."

Sparks climbed on top of Eli's back and the great dragon took to the sky, leaving Max with Eren alone. She watched them leave before turning to Eren and swinging one of his arms over her shoulders and lifting him up.

"Come on, let's get you somewhere a little more comfortable. You still need to let those injuries heal a little more."

[❖Amani❖]

Eren flinched as Max slung his arm over her shoulder. It wasn't from the pain, it had dulled enough so he hardly noticed, but from the closeness of her. No one had ever made a move to help him like this. Nevertheless, he allowed her to lead him toward the cave entrance and inside, further back in the shadows. He silently sighed in relief as soon as the darkness engulfed him. His eyes immediately relaxed and faded to a light, luminescent blue.

"Thank you Max."

His voice was soft and quiet as he sank down to the ground, leaning back against the stone wall. He took a breath, expanding his still sore chest and opened his eyes to slits. He swallowed and ran his tongue over his small fangs, almost subconciously.

"I don't want to overstep myself here..."

His voice was barely audible.

"But what are all of you doing this far out of Annalei? And I thought-"

He blinked at her and nervously rubbed his wrist with his hand.

"I thought the boy I was tracking was the Annaleian Prince..."

He looked down and his gaze travelled all over the cave, his odd eye-sight enabling him to see things clearly, albeit cloaked in the shadows. He was grateful to them for their kind treatment but his instincts kept screaming at him to get away. That no one is that nice to a mutt like him without wanting something. He shuddered at the memory of Armi. He was glad the man was dead.

[crimson92]

"Yeah, well, he was the prince, but now he's a king," Max answered absently, reaching out and gently taking his chin in her hand and forcing him to look at her, the young girl staring into his eyes curiously, "The reason for him being a king now, well, I can't really tell you because I don't think it's my place to...your eyes changed color. They were red befor, but now they're blue. That's what Vesper's eyes do, too. And you have fangs like he does."

She made him open his mouth so she could see his teeth, "Only yours are smaller and don't seem to go away, almost like you're stuck in this feral form...with no control."

Staring at him for a bit longer, she finally noticed how uncomfortable he was with her touching him and withdrew her hand. She smiled and stood up, walking towards the entrance to the cave and looking out for either Sparks and Eli or Vesper.

"We are all the way out here because there's something very important that King Vesper needs to do and we're here to help him," she answered, turning to grin playfully at Eren, "We can help you, too, if you want. We're a pretty rag tag group, but we work well togther and we watch out for one another. You can travel with us and be safe, that is, if you want to and of course I'll have to talk to the others as well."

She walked back over to him and crossed her arms while sitting down, "You don't have to decide right now, just know that the offer is there."

[❖Amani❖]

Eren carefully nodded, quiet and withdrawn. He still felt the gentleness of her hand on his chin, though it had been long removed. Shifting slightly, Eren looked up to her.

"I've never been given a choice before..."

He smirked.

"I suppose if the others are okay with it I'll stick around. I have nowhere else to go anyway."

He softly inhaled and looked back toward the back of the cave, opening his mouth slightly. He could taste a drift of wind blowing towards them, the faintest wisp of a breeze. But it was the scent on it that distracted him. He simply shrugged and looked away. It had smelled reptilian and almost like the tang of sulfur so he ruled it was probably the dragon and girl. They probably weren't all that close though. He sighed.

"Well I thank you for your... generosity. I didn't expect you to be nice to me in the least. I figured you would be angry with me for leading the men here..."

His quiet demeanor returned and he reached down, tracing a pattern in the dirt.

"I'm glad I was wrong. I can help you!"

He looked up, eyes bright.

"Anything you need me to do, just tell me. I'll do it!"

He shifted around and cautiously looked to the ground.

"I'm especially good at tracking things. Any magical being you want. I can smell really far off."

He ran a hand through his hair and fell quiet. There was a deep silence that rang through the natural cave for quite a little while, possibly nearing an hour, before they heard a commotion outside. Or rather Eren smelled it and alerted Max to it. He roughly lifted himself from the ground, feeling much better and approached her. He dutifully stood a shadow's width behind her and kept his head down most of the time.