The next few days passed swiftly. Everyone was doing their best to complete their tasks, and strengthen their bonds with the surrounding territories. The Water Unit members were able to successfully get Lord Hayden to agree to train them in his free time; seeing as he was the most proficient with his abilities. The Fire Unit members were traveling to the outlying territories to gage the villagers responses and needs. The Lightening and Lunar Units, both provide relief and aid where needed and acted as escorts for anyone traveling between territories for various meetings and missions. Naya, being a nurse from the main hospital on the island and possessing healing abilities that have been further developed, due to Sir Shoyo, is in charge of educating those who have an affinity for healing. Michael spent many hours with Ravi, Cole, Rian, and other higher ranking members, working on different battle strategies and taking count of all the weapons they had at their disposal. All the while, everyone was hoping that this dispute between the Islands and Tradelands, wouldn't lead to another war. "Even though we may not want this and it may never come to fruition, we need to be prepared!" After hearing the small speech, everyone put all their efforts into training, educating, and any other tasks asked of them.
"Madame, have you seen how well everyone is collaborating?! I can't believe my eyes sometimes," Mina squealed. "Yes Mina, it is truly wonderful to see everyone forming a proper alliance. We should have been this united years ago, but with Akira of the North, Mirko's death, and the war; we were broken." Wren took a break from reading in her book and looked out the window. "Did you ever know my parents Mina?" She looked over at Wren with a startled expression, "W-why the sudden curiosity Madame? I-" Wren sighed deeply, "Something isn't adding up Mina. My trust with certain people, has started to waver. No one directly answers questions about my parents or even my adoptive ones." Wren had a sad and pained expression on her face as she looked over to Mina. "I-I think it's just because no one wants you to re-live those traumas from your youth. I know the last thing I want to cause you is pain, I'm sure it's the same for everyone else." Mina tried to smile reassuringly at Wren, "That's just it Mina, those moments are constantly in the back of my mind, if anything, talking about it could bring me closure. I saw so much more than people realize; the cold glances my mo-Sharron gave to Gilbert for example, I knew they weren't happy with each other. The angry look in the Elders eyes when they saw me after the war first started. All the sickening glances from the so-called scientists in the labs when they were conducting tests-" Wren quickly shut her mouth and took a deep breath in to calm herself. "I only ever feel even the slightest bit at ease when I'm around you, Michael, Master, Naya, and the others I'm closest with. Here lately, Michael won't even look me in the eyes. I mean I know I basically jumped him but-" *COUGH COUGH COUGH* "You WHAT?!"
Wren chuckled at Mina's response, "Yeah, sorry. The day of the meeting I was super stressed and brought Michael to my room. Nothing major happened, since we were interrupted, but...I thought it was what we both wanted for years. Now he just ignores me and only addresses me formally when he finally talks to me. He already knows about them trying to force me to marry Claude, but we already discussed that, but, I don't know. *Sigh* On top of that, something weird happened to me before our 4 day mission to the Southern Territories, and when I told Master-uh sorry, Lord Valen about it, he basically blew me off." Mina was frozen in her seat, 'Holy Cow! This is the most she's ever vented to me! She must really be down,' Mina thought to herself. "What about Naya?" "Nah, Naya and I are still on good terms, she's just so busy with training and Jayce that it makes it hard to talk with her. Sorry for talking your ear off Mina. I really do feel better, thanks for listening," Wren said with a smile. 'Gah, such a-sweet smile!' Mina thought as she cleared her throat, "It's quite alright. I'm sure things will work out Madame. Just keep your head up and regarding Michael, formally call him to a meeting or something to that effect. You know he wouldn't turn away from his duties," Mina said with a shrug.
..."Ravi, did you get the information I requested?" Lord Valen asked as soon as Ravi entered the room. "I did my best, My Lord. Many of the original data files have been corrupted and most of the written ones were burned once the war started. Most have not been transcribed due to lack of resources or have been lost since it has been so long since then." Ravi bowed then handed a small file folder to Lord Valen. "This is what I managed to find. It seems they are keeping the boy sedated in efforts to keep him within the spiritual realm. I am not sure why, but he is still alive; in a manner of speaking; I believe it has something to do with his abilities. I think they are trying to draw someone out by using the close bond between the young man and the other person?" Lord Valen looked down and looked over the contents in the folder. "Was there any news regarding Donavan? He was never the type to hide his tracks well." Ravi sighed, "It seems as though he has accumulated quite a bit of money; both legally and illegally. The last time anyone saw him or even heard a rumor about him, was about 8 months ago. My guess is, he's paying someone to make his tracks vanish. I already contacted *The Haruspex, because of our close ties, just in case it was someone from that team who was hiding him, but they hadn't seen him nor heard his name before."
Lord Valen closed the file and put it on the desk behind him. "Keep what you've found hidden from The Priestess, if she catches wind of what we are doing, I fear we will loose her," Ravi quickly looked over to Lord Valen, "She wouldn't leave us, right My Lord? She is a valuable asset and-wait, what does this have to do with Madame Priestess?" Lord Valen turned to look at Ravi, and sighed deeply before answering. "The young man who is being held in the spiritual realm, is Diego, he is Wren's adoptive brother. If she knew that he was alive...it just would not be a good thing. I would rather her hear everything from me directly when the time is right. Keep what you have learned confidential, we cannot afford to loose any strength with an impending battle." Lord Valen stood up and walked over to the door, where he silently chanted something and untied a thin gold cord. "Thank you for what you have done for me Ravi. Please take the remainder of the day to complete any personal tasks." Ravi paused then nodded, "Yes My Lord," he stated as he walked out the doors.
...*A few days earlier* "Finton what is the meaning of this?!" Michael loomed over Finton with a partially crumpled letter in hand as soon as he opened the door to his apartment. "Chill bro, please come in and welcome, to my humble-" "Cut the shit Finton, I'm tired of it," Michael stormed over to the small table and sat down in the chair. "Heh, does you precious Princess know you use such harsh language with your brother? Why are you so pissed anyways? I didn't think I did anything recently," Finton said with a genuinely confused expression as he sat in the chair opposite of Michael. He then picked up his mug and took a sip, "Want some tea?" Michael hesitantly nodded and Finton smiled then went to prepare another cup. "Let's start with why you stormed over here without calling me first and nearly bashing my head in, at my doorstep this early in the morning," Michael rolled his eyes and sighed, "I received a letter, stating that I would be transferred to act as a personal guard to some important General in the Tradelands. This is rather unexpected seeing as I am assigned to be the personal guard of Madame Priestess. Also within that letter, a certain woman's name was mentioned and I assumed it was your doing; with Mother being gone and Father...missing, you are the only other logical person to suspect."
Finton brought the mug of tea over to Michael and sat down, "You mean the woman mom wanted you to marry all those years ago? She was pretty, there's no way she isn't married yet. What would she be, about 27 now?" Michael stared at Finton without saying a word, "Okay yes, yes, I know. A sore spot for Mikey because he loves his Princess, but think about it bro; what are the two of you? You are basically her lap dog, you wait around, getting older and older with nothing to show for it. At least one of us has to get married and it sure as hell won't be me." Finton yawned loudly, "Besides, isn't your Princess supposed to marry Clyde or Clause or whatever? You are a just peasant in their eyes, you'll never be her match." Michael remained quiet and took a small drink of tea, "I am going to talk with Lord Valen after this and see what is going on; the letter has most of the Elder's Insignia, but not Wren's. If she knew about it, hers would be there," Michael trailed off. "Either way, you need to consider moving on from her. She is too much in the public eye; too much baggage anyways. At least go visit "Miss Tradelands" to find out what's up; or to let off some of that bottled up, sexual frustr-" Sensing Michael's anger filling the small room, Finton immediately stopped talking and nervously drank his tea.
"Look, I have a soft spot for that bratty Princess too, but has she ever even acknowledged you as anything more than her personal body guard?" The memories of their kisses flooded Michael's mind, he averted his eyes and put the mug to his mouth. "Oh-ho so you got lucky with her huh? How was she? I always thought she would be great in bed," Finton enthusiastically said as he leaned forward eager to discuss this topic with Michael. "Brother, don't talk about her that way. We haven't done anything of the sort, but we had a few moments and soon we are going to properly discuss our feelings for one another." Finton made a face and sat back in his chair, "Psh, you're such a woman!" "That should not be used as an insult Brother, women are strong and beautiful. I don't see any problem with having feelings for Wren and wanting to properly discuss them. I'm not one to just sleep around like you," He said as he stood up and took his mug to the small sink. "I'll be leaving now Finton. Stay out of trouble and leave Wren alone; you know she's never really liked you," He waved then walked out. Finton sighed deeply and rubbed his face, "Dad, you can come out now," there was a pause, then a door from the back slowly opened, revealing a haggard looking older man. "W-was that M-Michael? Was he h-happy about the Tradelands woman?" The man said as he slowly staggered with a cane to the table. "Of course not dad! I told you he would be pissed if you brought this matter up to the Elders! Why couldn't you just stay in that damn lab or yours?! Now he will come after me old man," Finton yelled as he drank the last of his tea. "Stupid Princess..."
*Present time* As Wren left a meeting with the Guard Units her spirits were high. She was delighted to know the other territories were on board for the alliance and that things were going well for them, 'This is going fairly smooth. I'm so glad we finally have some reliable allies,' she thought to herself. Her eyes were elsewhere and she didn't notice the man in front of her until her face collided with his chest. "Ow, sheesh, I'm so sorry I-oh...it's you. I wasn't paying attention, sorry, I guess. See you later Claude," she quickly tried to escape but he grabbed her arm tightly. "Let me go Claude," He smirked, "Now, is that anyway to talk to your future husband? I was hoping to have a little chat with you about our wedding Dear." Wren cringed, "I have no intention of marrying you. Please refrain from speaking your delusional thought aloud, someone may misinterpreted their meaning." She collected her energy to the point on her arm where he was grabbing, and caused a nearly invisible, electrical charge causing him to yelp in pain, giving her time to teleport away.
"Stupid girl. I only wanted to give you a heads up, this is far out of our hands now," she stayed close enough to listen if he said anything, but hid herself well. "There is a lot you don't know about Wren, but it will come to light soon. I'll make sure you never see that worthless brother and cold father of yours again!" He stormed off, still holding onto his wrist, 'My Father?' Wren was shocked, she never met her real father; she only knew he abandoned her once her mother died. The only other Father she knew was the caring Gilbert that was killed by his wife, Sharron. "What is going on..."