Both Vaclav and Solon were ready to proceed to their actions. Along with an entire army to back them up, too. Vaclav stood in a dark room, though not the one as the night before, visualizing his victory.

Solon walked into the chamber, his fist full of papers and a smirk on his face. “We’re ready.” he stated, the smile on his face getting more menacing with every passing moment.

“Has Rath returned?” asked Vaclav, not turning around.

“Yes, he arrived just last night. He’s preparing the cells as you asked.”

“Good,” Vaclav said in a booming voice which echoed in the large room. “Cashel!”

Vaclav and Solon both looked to the door to see the phantom, Cashel, appear quickly in the doorway, dressed in his same armor and mask. He had not exactly gotten taller over the past year, but along with his partners, he certainly was noticeably ageing. With his hair falling grey over his eyes, the phantom stood in the doorway saluting the other two.

…Alive.

“I assume you know you’re job?” Vaclav asked the younger man.

“Yes, sir. Take the soldiers along with me to storm the city.” Cashel answered.

“Correct. And you Solon?”

Solon stiffened with respect. “To penetrate the Oresoren  village, unnoticed.”

Vaclav chuckled, his back still turned to the others. Suddenly he turned, his face deathly serious.

“Make sure you bring the two here. Even if it means injuring them, yet do not kill them!”

Solon and Cashel nodded and agreed with a ‘yes, sir.’

Vaclav dismissed them and continued with his fantasies that were yet to come. “Just a little more time, and they will be begging for death…”

---

Senel couldn’t believe it. It was raining! Nearly nine o’clock and it just began to rain as he scurried from the Inn, as of where he and the others were mainly ever day. Except for yesterday of course, when Moses, Jay, Shirley, Norma and he had just hung out at the bakery the rest of the day.

Still, it was looking rather dark. It wasn’t that big of a surprise to be raining. Just that it made the night air seem even more cold…

Senel finally made it to his front door, nearly slipping on the wet pavement as he fumbled in his pockets or his house key.

But…

“Dammit! Don’t tell me I. . ?” His pockets, all of them, even his shoes as of where he kept large bills of money, were empty.

“Don’t tell me I locked myself out…” Senel sighed as he recalled not picking up his key that morning before rushing out the door to do Nerifes knows what.

But at least he didn’t loose his key altogether.

He shook his head, there wasn’t any use hanging around his house anymore.

Senel turned and ran quickly to the place he was…almost always welcome. He made a break for Will’s house with his hand over his eyes, trying to shield some of the droplets of water from hitting him in the eyes.

Maybe the night will stay quiet and there won’t be any need to worry about robbers or break-ins.  Not that he had anything worth stealing anyways.

After Senel made it to Will’s house, before knocking on the door, he checked his surrounding area to make sure no other savages were to pop out and violently attack him once again. He rapped on the door for a few seconds, keeping under the house’s shingles to try and keep the small portion that was left of him dry. But it didn’t seem to be working. If only he were a bit thinner. ..

The sound of heavy footsteps sounded inside the house. Senel obviously wouldn’t have to knock again. The door opened to reveal Will, in his usually orange attire. He didn’t look mad at Senel, but then again, he obviously didn’t look happy to see him at that time of night.

“Yes, Senel?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I have a problem. Think you could help me out?” Senel asked with a nervous laugh.

Will waited a moment before answering. “Locked yourself out again, did you?” Senel nodded, so Will let him inside, closing the door behind them.

“You’re lucky its raining,” stated Will opening a cupboard and pulling out a large white towel. “If it weren’t you’d be sleeping outside.”

He threw the towel to Senel, who caught it smiling. “You know you miss me ever sense I moved out.” He pulled the towel over his head and began rubbing it roughly threw his hair.

Will shook his head while walking past Senel, who was now drying his damp face. “I don’t understand why you’d spend  so much money to move out and rent a house when you don’t even remember to take you’re key out of the house when you leave.”

“I’d put a key under the mat,” Senel began facing Will. “but I don’t have an extra key.” He started to dry off his arms while his face flushed. “…or a mat.”

“I swear, you’re turning more into Moses every day.” stated Will making Senel jump.

“Huh!? That can’t be a compliment!” exclaimed Senel uneasily once again pulling his face out of the white and now moist cloth.

“Don’t worry, its not.” Will chuckled heading towards the stairs. “You know where the sheets are. Make sure you don’t stay up to late.”

Senel put the towel over his shoulders. “Right.”

Senel walked over to the couch closest to the door and sat down, then began to take off his shoes before he got a quilt out of the near closet. His clothes weren’t to soppy, which meant they probably wouldn’t get the couch wet, so he decided to leave them on instead of stripping down to his boxers and grey sleeveless undershirt.

He then walked over to the closet, yawning, and pulled out the large blue and black quilt he normally used when this ‘incident’ happened.

“Heh, this couch is more comfortable than my own bed.” Senel teased to himself. He knew if Will heard him say that, he would definitely get a good smack on the head.

---

“Jay, what’s wrong? Aren’t you hungry?” asked a small, yet talking otter, Poppo.

Jay shook his head in a positive manner. “Im fine,” he answered. “I just have a strange feeling, that’s all.”

“Maybe you should get some sleep.” Quppo suggested, clearing the large, rock table of scallops and oysters found in the nearby  ocean water.  Though Jay didn’t reply, only stared at the closed door, that awkward feeling growing. He got up out of his chair and made his way outside. “Im going to go check around the village.” he stated to the other three.

“Be careful!” Pippo called from behind him.

“I will.”

He closed the door softly and walked quietly down the rock coated path to the Oresoren village.

The shops were all empty, seeing as all the other Oresoren had obviously gone to bed. This made the small village very quiet.

Too quiet.

After a few seconds of looking around cautiously,  Jay sighed and continued through the village.

Scanning the rest of the area,  Jay didn’t see anything remotely suspicious. So he decided to return back home.

Jay took one steep, and felt the presence again. Taking a huge risk, he jumped to his left, just avoiding a large gush of red and black energy (a basic crystal eres attack) flying by and hitting the side of the cliff. The cliff slightly exploded, sending bits of rock scattering around the ground.

Jay covered his face as tinny gravel fell over him. He then looked up to see who had attacked him.

“I see you’re standards haven’t dropped much over the year.”

A cold and sinister voice greeted Jay’s ears, and he new the voice well. He heard the sound of metal cutting through the air, but didn’t know from which direction he should dodge too.

Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in his left calf. He fell to his knees as the unidentified figure appeared before him.

“Solon!?” Jay exclaimed, grabbing onto the dagger lodged into his leg and yanking it out, then threw it to the dirt.

“I guess I was wrong. You seem to have gotten a bit slow.” Solon snickered crossing his arms across his chest.

Jay growled. “You were dead! I know you were dead!”

“ ‘Were?’” repeated Solon, the amused smile leaving his face. “You seem rather sure of yourself. Are you implying that a person can stop being dead?”

Solon unfolded his arms and walked slowly closer to Jay, who was still on his knees. “My, my…you’re more ignorant than you are weak.”



Weak!?

Jay’s face became coated with anger. He wanted so much to get up and give the ‘former’ master what he deserved. But the blow to his leg left him unable to walk at the time.

Solon bent down to where he saw Jay face to face. An evil grin progressively worked onto his face as he grabbed hard onto Jay’s chin, then took the dagger that was jammed into Jay’s leg roughly from the ground.

“Now,” Solon began looking Jay directly in the eyes. “You have two choices.” Solon lifted the blade closed to his face, his hand still wrapped around Jay’s chin.

“Either come with me quietly…”

He then lifted the edge and pressed the cold metal to Jay’s neck.

“…or die.” Solon continued, still smiling. “We wouldn’t want to cause a scene here in the middle of the village, now would we?”

Jay gulped, feeling the blade press harder onto his throat. “And what if I choose neither?”

Solon chuckled, “Well, lets just say there won’t be any more talking otters to piss me off.”

Defeated, Jay lowered his gaze, trying to think of something, anything, to get Solon to slip up. But, he was smart. Very smart. And now, for some reason, he was stronger.

Either Jay went along with him, or all his friends die.

“Alright. . .”

Solon laughed lightly and yanked Jay up to his feet by grabbing onto his hair.

“That’s a good little boy.”

---

A small army, about one of twenty or thirty, stood outside the city of Werites Beacon. All armed and ready for any action coming for them.

Cashel stood at the front of the army, all hidden in the thick forests, waiting for his sixth sense to speak to him. When it would be best to attack!

He turned around to face the army, then called out to all of them. “You all know you’re job! The commander didn’t say a thing about killing the townspeople. Lets make sure we have fun!”

He then turned back around. “But you know who we’re not allowed to kill.” Cashel stated loud enough for the men behind him to hear.

Motioning to the soldiers behind him, Cashel ran quickly to the entrance of the city. All men following close behind.

Their first stop was, of course, the home just up the road past the weapon shop. Half the men ran up the paths to the East wing of the city, while others tailed Cashel to their destination.

After arriving to the first house, Cashel took full command.

“You!” he pointed to the closest soldier. “Open the door!”

The man ran to the door as told and grabbed hold of the knob. He then fumbled with it a moment before turning back to his superior.

“Its locked, sir!”

Cashel fumed, “Of course its locked, you fool! Now break it down!”

“Yes, sir!”

He and a few other man rammed the door a number of times before the wood gave in and collapsed. All the men filed in, though only to find an empty house.

“Damn him!” screamed Cashel.

Another soldier walked up to him. “What should we do now, sir?”

Cashel turned to him, looking surprisingly calm, though angry. “Search the areas near. But first burn this place. Burn it to the ground!”

The man saluted and did as he was told along with the other men as Cashel left the house just as torches lit the room like a fuse.

“Im going to deal with the ‘sheriff’s’ house! That brat can only be in so many places!”

Swiftly, he made his way to Will’s house, ignoring the fire and screams all around him.

---

A deafening booming came from outside, waking Senel up from his slumber on the couch.  He focused his gaze at the window to the left of him. Seeing a red glow, he threw the quilt off of his body and rushed over to the window to see what was happening.

Senel gasped as he saw half the city in flame. The painter’s house across the street was completely destroyed. Nothing but a few pieces of burning wood and soot remained where the one-story home stood.

“Man. . .” Senel moaned, “I hope he got out.”

A few more explosions occurred, causing Senel to finally figure Will was still asleep. Though how could he not hear all the noise?

Ignoring the idea, Senel ran for the stairs.

“Stop!”

Someone called directly, causing Senel to turn around slowly, while just at the first step to the second floor.

His eyes full of shock, Senel saw Cashel standing in the doorway; covered in rain, ashes and blood (though obviously not his own.)

Senel’s first thought was to go against Cashel’s order and run up the stairs. Though noticing the long, heavy sword he carried, Senel didn’t try and take any chances that would be a risk.

“I’ve certainly been looking for you, kid.” Cashel sneered walking up to Senel, who backed away from the old enemy towards the wall.

“Now lets make this simple,” explained Cashel crossing his arms. “You’re going to come with me and there won’t be any complaining. Understand?”

Senel laughed. “Strait forward, huh? Don’t you want to at least catch up? Its been nearly two years.”

A non-visible smile spread across Cashel’s face. “As much as I’d love to grind you’re bones into the ground, that goes against my orders.”

Senel’s emotions lost all sarcasm and calmness, and soon became flooded with curiosity and slight fear. “Orders? What orders!? Who are you working for now!?”

Angering Senel, Cashel merely snickered. “I may have been told not to kill you, but I was allowed to ruff you up a bit. That’s all you need to know for now.”

“Figures. Can’t follow your own rules.” Senel mocked. “Typical bad guy! Always second best!”

“You little. . !”

Cashel reared his fist and swung right toward Senel, though missing. Senel quickly moved, causing Cashel to slam his fist into the wall, and moved around towards the other side of the room. His hands were up and ready for the fight.

Growling, Cashel ran at him with his fist’s flying. Senel guarded most of the blows, being knocked in the face and chest a few times.

Cashel certainly had gotten faster, even the hits were harder than Senel remembered.

Letting his guard down, Senel was greeted with a painful crack into his ribs and then another two in the face, knocking him to the floor.

Cashel stood over him with triumph shining in his eyes. Too stunned and sore to get up, Senel lay in the floor until he was picked up brutally by the neck by his attacker and held feet off the ground. Despite the fact that Cashel was not weary from the fight, Senel was surprised at how easily he was lifted off the floor.

“Looks like I win.” Cashel stated as he watched Senel gasp and pull at his tightly clenched hand.

Suddenly, a bolt of familiar lightning crashed down beside Cashel. He looked stunned, though he did not loosen his grip around Senel’s neck.

Senel realized immediately the lightning to be Will’s crystal eres.

Cashel laughed. “Nice shot there, old man. Though you seem to be a little off by aim.”

Will tightened his grip on his iron hammer. “Let him go now, or else I won’t miss again.”

“You don’t seem to be in a good position for making demands.” retorted Cashel, again tightening his grip around Senel’ neck, causing him to struggle more and rasp louder.

Will gained a furious and nervous look, knowing he wouldn’t have much time left to act seeing as Senel‘s legs were beginning to go limp and his hands were not pulling at the hand that bound him as fearfully.

“Its simple.” Cashel explained glaring at Will. “Just drop you’re weapon and I’ll let him breath.”

Though stalling for a moment, obviously wondering it to be a trap or not,  Will did as Cashel said and laid his hammer down on the floor.

“Alright, now let him go. Please!”

Cashel kept to his part of the deal and released his hand, letting Senel fall hard back on the floor, gasping and holding onto the now forming dark spots around his neck.

Will took a step close to Senel in attempts to shield him from Cashel, in case of another attack, but stopped when he saw Cashel pull the sword from its sheath and place the tip barely above the white-haired boy’s Adam’s apple.

“Come another step and you’ll see the light leave his eyes.” Cashel grinned, strangly happy of how the situation turned out.

Of course, even though Cashel just explained that he was not allowed to kill Senel, Will on the other hand, took it as any other threat other than a lie.

Will gulped before speaking. “Why are you here? What do you want?”

“Same as any other bad guy, just having a little fun.”

“Who are you working for then?” asked Will shaking his head, though keeping his eyes fixed on Cashel.

“That’s really none of you’re concern.”

“So you are working for someone?” Will shot back.   

Cashel grimaced at the trick pulled on him. “If you must know, you’ve already met him. And now he needs this kid to get what he needs.”

“Then what? What does this person need Senel for?!” asked Will, his voice raising.

“Im only telling you what I know. Why would I need a reason to kill?”

Cutting their discussion short was a large bang outside the house, followed by screams and crackling fires.

Cashel turned his attention away from the other two in the room, his eyes narrowing at the sound.

He then looked back at Will. “As much as I’d love to stick around and chat, I need to be back at the base by midnight.”

Bending over and picking up the still limp and sore Senel from underneath the arm and jerking him violently to his feet, he took a small object from his sleeve and slammed it on the floor.

“No! Stop!” Will shouted as a small explosion of smoke appeared and surrounded Cashel.

Smiling, Cashel disappeared from the room with Senel in his grip. Will ran to where the smoke was beginning to settle.

“Dammit!” he exclaimed as he noticed the two were gone.

“Dad!” screamed the voice of a small girl from the stairs. “Dad, what’s happening outside!?” she fretted stepping closer to him. She was not dressed in her usual tan dress, but green pajamas seeing as it was nearly midnight as Cashel had stated, decorated with pink and yellow egg monsters.

Will turned to see his daughter starring at him with the terrified expression.

“Harriet, listen. Go down into the basement and do not leave! Lock the door and don’t answer, not for anyone! Alright!?”

Harriet didn’t even have time to respond to him before he grabbed up his hammer and ran out the door to get the others.

Stunned and confused, though fearing the current situation, Harriet did as her father told her, and ran down to the basement.

Safe from any more kidnappers.