“For you folks it will take about twenty days to reach the Serno Valley.” Kadus informed them as the group got their items prepared for the trip.

  “But will we see Vivenah before we reach the Giant?” Corin asked excitedly.

  “Yes, visiting Vivenah is an option.” Kadus replied apprehensively. “One of the routes to the Serno Valley does cut through it.”

  “Is there an issue with going there?” Corin asked. He had already conferred with the group and they agreed to go by the ruins.

  “Is it dangerous?” Simeon followed up.

  “No, no, that's not the problem about Vivenah.” Kadus seemed uneasy as he spoke of the place.

  “What is it then?” Livia asked now.

  “Well the issue is not that Vivenah is abandoned.” Kadus began. “It is entirely devoid of life.”

  “What do you mean?” She followed up.

  “The city of Vivenah is surrounded on all sides by marshes, teeming with life, plants, insects, snakes, anything you can think of. But none of it crosses over to the city. There is no life to be found within. Nothing grows there. Not even the most hardy plants will take root there. No animals look for shelter there, birds will fly around the city rather than fly over it.” Kadus said.

  “I did not know that.” Corin replied.

  “Of course. Most will see the large structures of the city from a distance and remark on the impossibility of their existence. But few actually go into the city. And when you do none of the buildings actually have any way of entering them. The city seems like something that shouldn't exist. But it does.” Kadus finished.

  The group was quiet now. They had just met this furtive. They were not sure what to make of his feelings on it.

  “But as I said, I will lead you there.” Kadus said, understanding the desires of his new companions. “You can see for yourself.”

  With that the group prepared to head to the gate, to begin their path on foot to the last piece of the artifact.

  It was hard for Corin to believe they were nearing the end of their journey. It did not seem that long ago since he had encountered Nanaua and Zhi in the Dragon Palace, with only one piece of the artifact in hand. Now they were on their way to claim the last piece, to find something that would give the furtives a chance to fight against the Titans. Now they were at the gates of the city preparing to leave.

  “Titan!” The word cried out from the top of the gate.

  “What?” Corin said.

  “Titan!” The word continued being shouted. The guards stop the gate began to maneuver.

  He was confused as to what was occurring. That single word caused panic around the gate. All the furtives that had previously been moving about froze. A nervous energy quickly sprang from all of those that heard the word.

  “Titan? What do they mean Titan?” A dragoor cried out loudly.

  “Is it here?” Another furtive screamed.

  “Where? Where is the Titan?”

  The voices in the crowd began to grow more raucous. The mob began to get unruly.

  A guard atop the gate yelled over the crowd.

  “Silence.” The guard yelled loudly. Corin had never heard a furtive yell so loudly. It captured everyone's attention.

  “The gate shall remain closed.” The guard announced. As soon as he said this the furtive crowd began to unravel once more.

  “Silence!” The guard shouted again.

  “A Titan has been sighted outside the perimeter of the city! We cannot allow any furtive to leave for the safety of our city! If the Titan sees furtives running from our location it might follow them back to the city! For the safety of all our citizens we must keep the gates closed! The gate will open only once the threat has passed.” The guard announced.

  Quiet whispers began amongst the furtives.

  “Sighting of a Titan?”

  “Was it a Giant?”

  “I don't even recall the last time a Giant was seen near Yranto.”

  “How long are we to expect the gate to be closed?” A dwarf yelled out to the guard.

  “While the threat of the Titan persists we shall not open the gate. Only after the threat has passed shall we open the gates. We ask that all furtives go indoors and await further instructions until the danger has passed.” The guard replied.

  The group all turned to look at each other. The situation they found themselves in seemed beyond belief.

  “Well it seems as if we don't have much of a choice.” Simeon said.

  “The guard gave the order to go inside, and we can't risk staying out in the open.” He added as he looked around.

  The area around the gate was crowded to the point where there was little separation between anyone. If any of Tonatiuh's agents were around they could easily spot Zhi and the others.

  “Damn. If only we had left earlier.” Corin said.

  “Well no use in what ifs.” Simeon stated. “We will have to listen for updates from the gate and see when it opens. But for now we must go back into hiding.”

  The group did just that. They quickly made their way back to Daum’s hideout once more. He seemed surprised at their quick return.

  “They closed the gate on account of a Titan sighting?” Daum asked.

  “That's what they announced.” Corin said.

  “I didn't know that they would close the gate, but their reasoning is sensible.” Daum replied.

  “Did any of you notice any signs of a Titan?” he followed up with a question.

  “Like what?” Zhi replied.

  “Well with Dragons you have storms. Giants cause earthquakes, and I don't think a Leviathan will cause a tsunami here, but was there any of that?” He asked.

  The group looked at each other.

  “No, we left as soon as we could. There were too many furtives out in the open, we could not risk staying outside.” Zhi replied.

  “I see.” Daum replied.

  He turned to look at Kadus.

  “What do you make of this?” He asked Kadus.

  “Simply put I am in disbelief.” Kadus said. “Yranto has always avoided Titans. In all my years in Yranto I have never heard of such a thing.” He said.

  “Really?” Corin asked.

  “Well yes, it's quite literally the only reason this city is even able to exist. If it was like any other place in this continent then it would just be a small town that gets destroyed every so often.” Kadus said but then added, “But I was asleep or close to it for a majority of that time, so maybe my recollection is not the best.”

  “Waiting is our only choice?” Nanaua asked now.

  Out of all of them Nanaua was the most eager to get out of the city. She had to hide for the majority of the time, was not able to fight, and was getting tired of bland conversations. She missed the action, the thrill of the fight, the danger of the unknown.

  “Unless you have another way out of the city.” Simeon stated.

  Corin liked that idea. He was eager to get out of Yranto. He did not care to be constantly looking over his shoulder or having to hide in a small room underground.

  “Maybe we should look for another way out!” He stated gleefully.

  “You do realize this city is surrounded by either mountains or a river?” Daum shot back.

  “So?” Corin asked.

  “Even if you somehow make it out of the walls you will be quickly seen.” Daum began. “I don't believe the city guard will treat anyone who is caught absconding from the city in such a time with leniency.”

  “So wait it is then?” Corin replied in a defeated tone.

  “Seems like it.” Simeon said.

  “Damn!” Corin and Nanaua replied simultaneously.

  ***

  On the second day, it was Daum who went out by himself. He was to gather the latest updates from the gate and tell Corin and the rest of their exit from the city was possible.

  Three knocks on the door.

  Corin almost fell over as he leapt to open the door.

  Before Daum came in he asked.

  “Well?”

  “Still closed.” The reply.

  “Damn.” Corin said.

  Daum walked past him into the room, Corin closed the door.

  “Well it's not like Titans keep to a schedule.” Simeon stated. “If there is one out there, then going out now would be foolish.”

  Another day of hiding underground soon followed. To pass the time some of them would go out to “stretch their legs”. When they initially left to stretch their legs or began as a quick activity. They would be in and out quickly. But as the day wore on, the lengths of these “stretching activities” lasted longer and longer. The restlessness continued building.

  “If we have to spend one more day here, I'll run away.” Zhi said. “I don't care if there is a Titan!”

  “My love.” Nanaua said, trying to soothe Zhi.

  “I know you feel the same way!” Zhi replied.

  Nanaua's attempt was futile.

  Another night began. Sleep was unattainable. Their thoughts a complicated mix of concern, anxiety, and worst of all boredom.

  Daum came back late.

  “Anything out there?” Corin asked quietly in case the others were asleep.

  “No. The skies were clear throughout the day. An announcement on the situation at the gate is expected tomorrow. Most think the city will finally reopen.” He replied.

  Those last several words brought comfort to Corin. The thought that several hours from now he would be once more out of the walls of this city filled him with excitement. So much so that now he had a new reason for failing to fall asleep.

  The next morning some commotion could be heard outside their door.

  Before Corin could react Daum was already stepping outside, to verify what was causing the situation.

  He quickly rushed back inside.

  “They said the gates are open!” Daum announced.

  Corin and the others did not hesitate. They got their belongings ready and made their way out.

  Corin and the others hurried to the gates. But as they made their way to the gate they could tell they were not the only ones who received the news. Near the gate the masses of furtives grew thicker.

  Eventually the mass got so large that the group could move forward no longer.

  “Why are we stopping?” Corin asked.

  Nanaua was in front of him and unlike him, she was able to see over the other furtives around them.

  “Nobody is moving ahead of us!” She shouted back.

  “Get back! Get back!” The shouts came from the top of the city walls.

  The city guards were shouting down into the crowd.

  “What do you mean get back! The gate to the city is open!” Someone shouted from the crowd.

  “That is false information! The gate remains closed!” A sparrowling guard, one that Corin had seen before announced.

  “What?”

  Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Still closed?”

  “That's not what I heard!”

  The mob began shouting instantly. The unrest amid them spread fast.

  “Let us out now!”

  “Where is this Titan?”

  “Before the Titan kills us we'll die from starvation!”

  “I already said get back!” The sparrowling guard shouted.

  A line of city guards appeared on either side of her, presenting a strong unified force. They all had bows in one hand. It was clear that if the crowd became unruly the guard meant to keep the peace by any means.

  Corin looked around, the mob did not seem to care for the display of force. They began chanting in unison.

  “Let us out! Let us out!”

  As Corin spied the mob he noticed something peculiar. A face among the crowd was not focused on the guard. It was solely focused on him.

  He recognized the man as the clean shaven agent, Riccus. He was on the opposite side of the crowd, close to a brick building.

  “They're here! Tonatiuh's agents!” Corin shouted to those around him. Nanaua was the first one to respond.

  “What? Where?” She shouted back.

  “Up ahead!” Corin said as he looked back to the same spot he had seen Riccus. He had vanished.

  “Damn! He was just over there by the brick building!” He shouted.

  “We need to leave!” Simeon shouted back to Corin.

  “Curses! Damn it! Argh!” Nanaua shouted. Her frustration mirrored that of the other citizens of Yranto. But she knew that their situation was different. She turned around.

  With Simeon at the front of the group now, Corin and the rest pushed the mob aside as they moved back. It was a slow march for the group as they traversed the angry mob.

  “Let us out! Let us out!” The crowd shouted even louder.

  “You've been warned!” The guard shouted down.

  As Corin and the others pushed out of the mob, the mob thickened as more and more furtives came together to try and force their way out.

  Corin looked back and saw a new development. The guards on the walls brought out boxes and from within them began picking out large rocks.

  “At the count of three we will begin launching these!” the sparrowling guard announced.

  Intimidation had not worked. The city guard was now moving to brute force.

  “We need to hurry!” Corin shouted.

  “One!” The guard shouted.

  “This is hurrying!” Simeon shouted back.

  “Two!”

  The order to stand down only emboldened the citizens more. Whatever the guards were doing was having the opposite effect of what they hoped to accomplish.

  “Is it always this crazy with all of you?” Kadus shouted.

  “You'll get used to it!” Livia shouted out.

  “That was not my question!” He shouted back.

  “Just remember how to use what I gave you!” She added. “We might need it soon!”

  “Still not addressing my question, and I haven't forgotten!” Kadus replies.

  “Three!”

  Corin heard the heaving of the rocks at the citizens.

  “Let me through!” Nanaua told Corin.

  “What?” He replied.

  “I need to go to the front!” She urged him.

  Corin relented, he moved as much he could to the side and Nanaua went around him. He looked back. The citizens were grabbing whatever items they could to shield themselves from the rain of rocks.

  As they did they would grab some of the rocks that were being thrown at them and launch them back at the city guards.

  This is beyond insanity!

  Nanaua kept pushing up to the front until she was ahead of Simeon. At the front Nanaua was more effective in making furtives move than Simeon was. She used her large frame to push people out of the way, and her aggressive and armed appearance ensured that those around her knew not to impede her path.

  “This way!” She shouted as she found an alleyway that was less crowded.

  The group followed into the alley. It was narrow, Corin had to constantly be on the lookout for anyone walking the opposite way to avoid them. He walked as close as possible to the wall, while looking back and in front of him. The added bulk of his supplies made navigating through the narrow alley more difficult. As they neared the end of the alleyway, something blinded Corin for a split second as he moved his head around. He looked back behind him to see what the source was.

  The blinding light came off of a reflection of a finely honed dagger. The wielder of the dagger, a blue skinned dragoor, wore a cloak similar to one Corin had seen on two different men, Tonatiuh’s agents.

  Corin could not do much but fall backwards as the dagger nearly missed his skull. The dagger smacked hard against the side of the building.

  The dragoor did not hesitate to raise the weapon over his head ready to bring it down on Corin.

  Corin quickly reached for his waist and pulled out his pistol.

  BANG!

  The shot connected right with the dragoors midsection. The dragoor stared in horror at Corin as he dropped the dagger. Corin quickly grabbed it, got up and stabbed the dragoor with it until he was sure he was dead.

  “Corin!” Livia screamed.

  Corin did not react to Livia, instead he looked back to where the assailant had come from. Two more robed figures could be seen at the end of the alley, all that separated them from Corin and the rest were a swarm of furtives. The chaos of Corin’s fight with the dragoor led to a commotion in the alley with furtives running in all directions.

  Corin began to run away from the other two agents. He grabbed Livia who kept shouting his name. The others began to take notice of what had occurred.

  “We need to go! Now!” He screamed as he pushed forward.

  Save for Kadus, there was no hesitation on their part. Corin held the bloody dagger in one hand and Livia’s hand in the other. Kadus kept staring at the dead body.

  “We need to go.” Corin urged the sparrowling. Kadus kept staring at the body. Corin let go of Livia and grabbed onto him.

  “Now!” Corin shouted in his face. Kadus finally looked away from the body and to Corin.

  Corin began to move and pull Kadus along with him. After several steps the sparrowling was able to move on his own and he continued moving.

  The entire group was out of the alley and into another street. Although less busy here, mobs still ran through the streets with only chaos guiding their traffic.

  “Nanaua!” A voice screamed at them.

  A large dragoor made his way through the crowd and began to move towards them. Corin could see a massive sword held in front of the dragoor. The crowds around him parted ways as they saw the armed dragoor. They fell over themselves trying to move out of his way.

  From this distance Corin could see that the dragoor had been severely wounded. His head was covered in bloodied wraps, with only one eye uncovered. The hand that held the sword was missing two fingers.

  “Throk!” Nanaua yelled back at the dragoor.

  She began to step forward to meet his challenge.

  “You can't fight him here!” Zhi implored her as she held her hand.

  Corin looked back at the alley they had just come from. The two robed agents were getting very close now.

  “Zhi is right!” Corin screamed. “We're about to be surrounded!”

  Corin pulled out his pistol and aimed at Throk. Throk did not even hesitate and grabbed a dwarf and raised him in front of him. It seemed like an adult grabbing a baby. The dwarf flailed but Throk held tight.

  “Damn coward!” Corin shouted.

  “Let's go!” Zhi yelled. This time the group listened.

  Nanaua with little to no options available led the way out of their current street and into another alleyway. This one was nearly devoid of other furtives and Nanaua went at a fast pace.

  The further into the alley they followed the less furtives they saw.

  What is happening?

  Nanaua exited the alley and a moment later she had her pike in her hands. She held up her weapon just in time to block an incoming sword that was about to strike her head.

  Burdened by the pack she was carrying, Nanaua was not able to maneuver as deftly as she normally could. The second assailant came at her very quickly. A spear aimed straight at her mid-section. Nanaua did her best to avoid the sharp steel, but could only do so much. The blade pierced her side, clean from the front to the back.

  “Nanaua!” Corin screamed. He pulled out his pistol.

  “No!” Zhi yelled. Her reaction was much faster and violent than Corin's.

  From around her a violent shockwave exploded forward towards Nanaua and her assailants.

  The wave was so strong that it not only blew Nanaua and the two attackers back, but it tore bricks off the walls around them and sent shrapnel outwards. Livia who had been standing next to Zhi was thrown against the wall violently. Simeon, who stood in front of Zhi, was thrust forward in mere moments. Kadus behind Zhi felt the upwind draft and was thrown aloft in the sky, where he did his best to stabilize himself in flight.

  “What power!” Kadus yelled.

  Zhi seemed horrified at the carnage she had just wrought.

  Corin did not hesitate. He ran up to Livia who was lying facedown on the ground.

  “Livia!” Corin yelled as he went to grab her.

  “I’m fine!” She yelled at him as she looked up. Her face had a few scrapes but she did seem unharmed otherwise.

  “But the impact-” Corin began.

  “My pack took the brunt of it!” She cut him off. “Nanaua, help her!”

  Corin did not hesitate. He dropped his pack off and quickly ran off to help Nanaua.

  The scene out in the street was one of destruction. Furtives of all kinds lay on the ground, thrown down by the violent blast that Zhi had produced and impacted by the bricks that had been blown off.

  Amongst the downed furtives Corin could see Nanaua, a spear sticking out from her. Near her one of her assailants, the dragoor who had speared Nanaua, began to get up.

  Now is the time!

  BANG!

  Corin's aim was true. The dragoor did not even see Corin before the shot rang out. The assailant crumpled onto the ground.

  Where's the other?

  Corin turned around to find the answer.

  A female dragoor, the first one to assail Nanaua readied her blade and then swung it at Corin. Corin deftly moved out of the way and went in to close the distance with the dagger. The dragoor did not seem to initially react to Corin's attack, but the instant before his attack would connect, the dragoor let go off her sword, grabbed Corin by his wrist and and twisted it.

  “Argh!” Corin yelled in pain as he dropped the dagger.

  He saw his assailant move to grab the falling dagger with her free hand and Corin knew what was going to happen. Before he let the assailant gut him, Corin propelled himself forward and kneed her in the face.

  They both fell now, and Corin was free from her grip. He rolled around and grabbed his blade. The assailant smiled as she got up and looked at Corin.

  “I see Nanaua has done well in picking her companions.” The dragoor stated. “But she's not the only one who comes with allies!”

  Corin looked to either side. He could see a wall of robed agents begin to form on either side. He looked at the direction they came from. Livia and Zhi stared at the ongoing developments. At the very end of the path behind them, furtives stood watching what occurred, among them was Throk.

  All around him there were cowering furtives, some still affected by Zhi’s shockwave, others unsure of what was occurring, and all paralyzed by fear.

  Anything that Zhi does could leave more casualties in her wake.

  “There is no escape.” The dragoor told Corin.

  Corin looked over to Nanaua. Simeon currently tended to her. He could tell that she was in pain, but at least she was conscious.

  “To the right!” Kadus cried out overhead.

  “What?” The dragoor said as she looked up.

  “New friend!” Corin yelled as he covered his ears.

  Even as he covered his ears, the ensuing bang was near deafening.

  Corin looked to the right. The wall of agents had collapsed. Partially from the effects of the loud explosion and from the new addition to the battlefield. Daum had cut down two of them before running over to Corin.

  “I'm sorry!” Daum said in a frantic voice. “I didn't know it was a trap! I came as soon as I-”

  “Nanaua!” Corin yelled as he cut off Daum and pointed to her. “Help her!”

  Daum quickly turned around and saw Nanaua. He instantly ran over and picked her up.

  Corin turned to look at Livia and Zhi.

  “We’re fine! Nanaua!” Livia urged him. She had grabbed his pack and was running with Zhi toward the opening.

  Corin did just that.

  As he helped Daum picked up Nanaua, Simeon urged the Zifor.

  “I'll help Corin. You lead the way back to your room!” Simeon urged Daum.

  “We've been compromised!” Daum yelled back.

  They know where we were hiding!

  “But I know where we need to go!” Daum said and began to lead the group.

  As Corin and Simeon guided Nanaua out of the chaos, Daum led, followed closely by Zhi and Nanaua.

  The dragoor and the agents of Tonatiuh that were still alive all writhed on the ground.

  “This city will be your grave!” The female dragoor yelled at Corin.

  Daum went at a hurried pace and the others followed. Corin kept looking behind as he tried to navigate the city while carrying Nanaua.

  “Your eyes! Forward!” Kadus, overhead commanded him. “The enemy is still disoriented and the city guard is mobilizing!”

  Corin followed Daum, who shortly entered a building. In mere moments Corin and Simeon were struggling to enter with Nanaua, and then had to navigate a steep staircase with her. Behind them they could hear the sharp scrape of talons on the wooden floor.

  Corin and the rest followed Daum as he led them down the underground paths. As they navigated the path they noticed some familiar structures.

  ***

  They arrived at a door that Corin instantly recognized.

  “Why are you taking us to Jaco?” Livia asked.

  “That gesherin knows more than he's letting on!” Daum said. “I will make him talk! We need answers!”

  Daum nearly broke open the door as he knocked on it.

  The door slightly opened. Daum did not hesitate pushing the door open and walking in.

  The rest of the group followed him in and Daum closed the door behind him.

  “Wha-, wha-, wha-,” Jaco began ask but Daum ignored him.

  “No tail on us?” He asked Kadus.

  “No, the agents were running back to their own hideout. The city guard was about to be on them.” Kadus replied.

  “Is, is, is she de-, de-, dead?” Jaco asked as tears began welling in his eyes.

  “No.” Corin replied as he put down Nanaua on her side.

  Her breathing was heavy. The spear had pierced the right side of her chest.

  “We need to remove it.” Simeon stated. “Once it's out Zhi can help heal the wound.”

  “The Oixia. Is this part of her plan? Is that why we can't leave the city?” Daum began interrogating Jaco.

  Jaco instantly recoiled. He did not understand what was happening.

  “The Oi-, Oi-, Oixia?” Jaco replied.

  Corin worked on the spear while Daum threatened Jaco. He wanted to intervene but he needed to help Nanaua. He managed to cut off the handle of the spear.

  “Daum what are you doing?” Livia said as she stepped in between him and Jaco.

  “What am I doing?” He replied to her with a bewildered look. “You're so clever, why don't you see? The very next morning after you discover where the Giant you have been tracking is, the gates to the city are closed? And why? Why are they closed? Because of a Titan? A Titan that no one in this city can see or sense? Yet we are told that we cannot leave for our own safety? And now we are tricked into thinking the gates are open and are attacked?” Daum shouted beyond Livia at the cowering Jaco.

  “But what does that have to do with him?” She asked as she stood in the way.

  “Don't you get it? The Oixia gets her information from all the gesherin in the city! The moment he” Daum pointed at Jaco “learned of our plans he must have informed on us!”

  Jaco still cowered in the corner, perfectly behind Livia, his breathing rapid and shaky.

  “But he helped us!” Livia replied. “Without him we would not know where to go!”

  “What if the Oixia wanted the artifact for herself?” Daum replied. “She knows we have the two other pieces! Why not wait until we have all the answers for them and then steal them from us after we are killed by agents of Tonatiuh?”

  Corin kept trying to remove the spearhead from Nanaua's chest. She groaned in pain as he kept pulling on it.

  “I'm sorry.” Corin said to Nanaua.

  “Just hurry and get it out!” She shouted back at him.

  Livia was silent as she looked at Daum.

  “Does it not make sense?” Daum replied. “We have no help from the Oixia, only questions, and then when we finally make progress we are stymied! He knows more and needs to tell us what exactly he said to them.”

  “He doesn't know what you are talking about.” A voice said from the entrance.

  Everyone turned to look. A female gesherin stood at the door. Corin had never seen this person, but to him she looked a lot like Jaco.

  “The Oixia?” Zhi said.

  “I'm not the Oixia.” The female replied. “I was just the decoy they had you see when you met with us.”

  “Je-, Je-, Jeinna.” Jaco said as he looked at her.

  “Tell us, is it true? Did the Oixia really close the city down when we were about to leave.” Livia asked her.

  Jeinna looked away from Livia.

  “Yes.”

  “Who told her of our plan to leave? Was it Jaco?” Daum asked.

  “No, Jaco knows nothing of this.’ Jeinna replied with anger roiling within. “She heard this information from Juno. It's not my fault you all discuss this out in the open.”

  “I did tell all of you about watching what you say in public .” Kadus added.

  “But why? Did you also intend for us to be ambushed? To nearly die?!” Livia followed up.

  “No!” Jeinna said. “Our instructions were only to keep the city closed so that you could not escape! There was no mention of a plan to have you be killed by Tonatiuh's agents.”

  “But why? Why keep us in Yranto?” Livia asked.

  “We were told it was for the safety of the city.” Jeinna replied. “We were told we needed to keep the Onsiel within the confines of the city or the entire city could be at risk.”

  “At risk? From what?” Livia asked her.

  Jeinna was silent. It was apparent that was the extent of her knowledge.

  Corin finished pulling out the spear head.

  “Argh, damn it all!” Nanaua yelled in pain.

  Zhi quickly tended to the gaping wound. Corin had seen her tend to minor scrapes and some internal discomfort, but never a wound so large.

  “Are you sure you will be able to heal her, I can try sewing up the wound?” Corin told Zhi.

  Zhi did not listen to Corin and put her hands over Nanaua's chest. Before Corin's very eyes he could see Nanaua's insides start to stitch themselves back together. Piece by piece Nanaua's wound healed itself and afterwards all that was left was a slight scar.

  “How were you able to do that?” Corin whispered.

  Zhi was left breathing heavily. The ordeal had cost her a lot of energy.

  “My love, I am sorry I could not do more to protect you.” Nanaua told Zhi as she caressed her face.

  Zhi grabbed her hand and held it tightly.

  The entire group was left stunned.

  Daum did not dwell on the moment very long.

  “You,” he said as he walked up to Jeinna, “you need to take us to the Oixia! Now!”

  Jeinna did not move as Daum approached her.

  “And what are you going to do when you see her? Kill her? Attack her?” She asked him.

  “She will let us leave the city!” Daum said.

  “What makes you think she will change her mind?” She replied.

  “We won't give her a choice!” Daum shot back.

  “Even if I wanted to help you I can't!” She replied.

  “What do you mean? You work with her!” Daum said.

  “I only work for her.” Jeinna began. “I have never seen her in person. Do you think they would have someone important meet the Onsiel? Someone who could kill you with little effort?”

  “Well, how about their base of operations?” Daum replied. “Take us there!”

  “There is no single base of operations.” Jeinna said. “The place where I met with the Onsiel is one of many hideouts the Oixia uses to meet with persons of interest. There are many of them, and I only know of one.”

  “Well is there anything you have that is useful?” Daum shot back. “Or are you here only to sow more confusion? How do we know you were not told to come here and continue to impede our progress?”

  “I already told you all I know!” Jeinna shouted at him. “I only came to see if my brother was caught up in the ordeal outside. Seeing as his new friends bring nothing but destruction to those that help them.”

  “None of this would’ve happened if it hadn't been for the Oixia!” Daum shot back. “Her and the rest of them could have been out of the city for days now and all of the carnage above could have been prevented!”

  Daum's last words seemed to have struck a nerve in Jeinna. She only stared at him with seething rage, but she had nothing to say.

  “This is getting us nowhere. We need to get you out of the city, now.” Daum said as he turned to Zhi.

  Zhi was still breathing heavily. The powerful outbursts of magic had drained her. Nanaua, although healed, was still weak from the blood loss.

  “These two don't seem to be mobile right now.” Kadus said.

  “I can,” Zhi began as she tried to stand up. “I can go.”

  She stood up and instantly collapsed on the ground. Simeon was nearby and grabbed her arm before her body fully hit the floor.

  “We're not going to be able to leave anytime soon.” Simeon said.

  “No. They're going to be looking for you. All of you!” Jeinna said. “You all need to leave. Now!”

  Daum turned to her.

  “You must be insane if you think we are going to leave. In this condition? They will kill us if they find us!” Daum said as he pointed to Zhi and Nanaua.

  “If they find you here, they will kill me and Jaco as well! You need to leave!” Jeinna repeated.

  Daum stepped forward, Corin grabbed him by his hand.

  “Daum, we cannot force others to do what they don't want.” Corin said as he looked at him. “If she wants us gone we will find another place.”

  Daum stared at him and then shook his arm off.

  “Fine.” He said. “Help me with Nanaua.”

  “Wa, wa-, wait!” Jaco shouted.

  Everyone in the room froze. None of them had ever heard Jaco be that loud. Even Jeinna seemed surprised at her brother's outburst.

  “You, you can't go!” Jaco said. He ran to the door and put himself in front of it.

  “Ple-, please stay!” He urged. “It’s, it’s too dan-, dangerous!”

  “Jaco, before I arrived they were threatening you! Now you want to help them?” Jeinna said.

  “The-, the-, they were scared!” Jaco shouted. “They tho-, tho-, thought I betrayed them!”

  “And you didn't, yet they were threatening you!” Jeinna said.

  Jaco didn't move out of the way.

  “Even if they stay here the whole city will be looking for them. The city guards, the agents of the Titans, the Oixia's own agents! We can't hide them here forever!” Jeinna said.

  “But, but you can he-, help!” Jaco said. “You, you can help gui-, guide the search away! They on-, only need some time to, to re-, recuperate!”

  Jeinna was silent as she listened to her sibling’s pleas.

  “Jaco you are asking me to risk our lives for these people.” Jeinna said. “You didn't even know most of them until two days ago!”

  “I, on-, on-, only met them but I know the-, the-, they are good people! Even when Co-, Co-, Corin was fighting for his li-, life he was willing to spare his atta-, attacker!”

  Jeinna continued to look at her brother.

  “Please!” Jaco said.

  “Damn it Jaco.” Jeinna said finally. “Then move out of my way before I change my mind!”

  “You'll help us?” Corin asked.

  Jeinna turned around quickly.

  “Yes, I'll do my best to redirect any searches.” Jeinna said. “When I come back I'll knock and call out Jaco's name. If anyone else opens that door you all better start fighting and you get my brother out of here. Deal?”

  “Yes.” Corin replied.

  Jaco stepped out of the way and Jeinna began to leave.

  “I'll buy as much time as I can, but you better start planning how you're going to be leaving the city.” She said and then stepped out.