The night begins to fade but the sun has barely shown its light upon the shores of Masipolt. Kalsor hears a loud bang on his front door. He rubs his tired eyes and sits up on the side of the bed. The banging on the door is continuous. Knowing that the sun has not risen makes him unhappy and not rush. He let out a yell to express his frustrations with the constant knocking at the door. His hand grip the handle of the door tight and swing it open with as much impatience as the one knocking.
His eyes suddenly awaken from the sight of who it is. He gets down on one knee and put his right fist over his chest and bow his head. Andor, the King of Premderia, walks in and Kalsor is silent. He did not travel alone as Bodgar is with him. They did not walk in without another. Mildral walks in with the suit that Joran showed him, concealing his face. Lastly is Tivas which makes Kalsor very unhappy.
"Why are you in your suit, Mildral?" he mutters but didn't care about that as his attention is towards another. "And what business does this man have in my house?" He asks looking in the direction of Tivas.
"Kalsor," Andor says and he goes silent but keeps his frustrated look.
"What?" He questions loudly.
"Where is Joran?" Dileos asks him.
"Why does it matter?"
"Because he and a girl with red hair are responsible for the murder of ten prospects," Lorphiel answers in a cold demeanor.
"I don't believe a dam word from you of all people."
"Enough!" Andor shouts and they both go silent. "It is true Kalsor. They both must be brought in, as per my orders. You will take us to where they are hiding. Otherwise, we will track them down."
"It is true, my friend," Dileos assures him and show pictures on a portable computer. The brutality makes Kalsor surprised. "It is worse," Dileos tells them, and Kalsor glance up at him as he looks at the pictures one by one. "You see it."
"Yeah. I see it," Kalsor says as his eyes look to the ceiling. "There are no signs of weapons of any kind from them."
"Only alcoholic beverages near the fall. Marsuna says they were having fun with the other having a few drinks but Joran and this girl came upon them and attacked them. Says the girl turned into some sort of monster and tore through them like nothing. As for Joran he killed them with a knife."
"And you believe this girl considering the group she is associated with?" Kalsor questions.
"She died in front of my men, Kalsor," he says to him and Kalsor is quiet.
"You know what this means since all the evidence has been gathered," Tivas says as she looks out the window. "Joran Rideran is a murderer. Under Federation law, they must be handed over and stand trial."
"They are just kids," Lorphiel says.
"As teenagers, they are no longer such," Tivas says before turning his back, and Kalsor grabs him by the arm to turn him back around and press him up against the wall.
"Is this a problem?" Tivas asks with his arrogant smirk and Kalsor squeezes.
"Kalsor," Andor says and Kalsor did not release the grip. "Let him go, Kalsor. That is an order." Kalsor does what he says.
"Let me speak to him. We must ascertain the truth in this matter."
"Murder is still murder no matter how you look at it," Tivas tells him before walking out. "The law must be upheld no matter who they are." Kalsor grows angrier.
"If hetries anything..."
"Just get your gear quickly and let's move before this situation becomes worse," Andor orders.
Kalsor is not so quick to do so but do as they are asked by their King. The activity outside is quite loud as Federation gunships are heard flying over along with drop ships hovering, so Federation soldiers can repel down. He opens up a secret room in the wall. His gear and armor, the same that Joran fought simulations against, the same he pictured in his mind fighting.
He finishes getting ready and proceeds outside with his hover bike. He mounts up and joins his King's side. As Tivas walks by with confidence she exchange glances with Kalsor being far more serious. No respect comes from the Senior Agent along with those who follow him. They smile and laugh finding themselves enjoying the situation.
"I do not approve of this, your Majesty."
"I am not overly fond of the situation either. However this is a Federation matter that does require our cooperation," he says before giving the motion for them to move out. In passing Lorphiel rides beside them, leading her forces. "How is your son?"
"Angry."
The activity catches the attention of all those near the borders. At the Art of the Flame, Melrina and a Tilain begin making preparations to open their store. They go about their usual routine. Tilain counts the money while Melrina goes to put out their sign. She didn't return so quickly as her eyes look to the sky. Tilain takes notice of the longer than usual absence and looks at the door and sees her along with many others doing the same. Tilain goes outside and joins Melrina to see the sight of Federation drop ships heading in one direction. On the ground, a group of Federation soldiers ride. The two grip each other's hand growing nervous.
Across the street from the Rideran household, Joran's closest friend, Traur has the best view and sees hundreds gathering. He watches from his window. Seeing Kalsor lead them into the woods makes him emotional. Tears slowly start to come down his face but wipe them away with his sleeve. On his wrist device, he receives an audio call from Mildral and the others come up on the screen as well.
"What is going on?" Tilain asks him immediately.
"Joran and Nima are wanted for the murder of the Federation Cadets that took place last night. Marsuna, is the only known survivor, returning saying that Nima slaughtered them after turning into some creature. No weapons were found at the scene after Derisior and his soldiers did a sweep of the area."
"I don't believe this."
"The Senior Agent is leading the attack with his agency. Lorphiel and her Federation forces are already moving into position, with King Andor cooperating as well."
"We have to warn them?"
"That won't be possible," Mildral explains and Tilain calmly asks.
"Why would that be?"
"Because I am jamming any transmission signals in the area."
"You told them of the caves?" Melrina shouts immediately.
"Joran is aiding a possible murderer and must stand trial," Mildral says calmly.
"And you sold him out!" Shouts Tilain
"I agree with her," Melrina says while continuing to watch. "You sold them out. You betrayed them."
"He left me no choice," Mildral tells them with disappointment. "What Joran tries would make no difference in this fight. Not with who they are deploying for this mission."
"We can't leave him to die," Melrina comments.
"I won't either," Tilain says in frustration. "You what you want, Doc, but I am going to help them."
"No," Traur says and all of them focus on him. "No, Tilain. You will stay. We don't need more blood spilled because of his stupidity. Joran made a decision, and now must answer for it," Traur says with anger in his eyes.
"Traur, you must be joking. He is...," Melrina says and Traur shouts at him.
"He is like my brother! I have known him since birth just like Dusglar! What he did though, he must answer for. He murdered the girl I was suppose to be with," Traur says before ending the transmission.
"Dam you, Mildral," says Melrina before ending the transmission for her and Tilain.
"The day has come sooner than expected," Mildral says while moving to catch up with the convoy.
At the entrance of the cave, Joran opens his eyes wide. He hears the sound of multiple Federation shuttles flying low. No hesitation comes in standing back up and carrying Nima. For Joran, it takes him much longer with his serious wounds healing slower. With his bloody hands, he presses down on the secret switches and secures every door possible on the way. The lights come on and he rushes down the cave leaving prints of mud and blood mixing. He gets to the main caverns and the lights come on.
"Dusglar!" He shouts as loud as possible.
Dusglar twitches slightly as he sleeps in his bed. Joran calls out for him several times as he rests Nima down on the couch. Dusglar groans from hearing his name. He quickly sits up after realizing Joran is calling for him repeatedly.
"Are you hurt?"
"It's not our blood," Joran tells him, and Dusglar stands up. "Initiate emergency lockdown," Joran instructs and all the entrance points close. "Contact my father. Emergency Transmission," he orders, and Dusglar stands silent. "Please do it."
While he put some pants on and grab her a towel and comfortable clothes. Nima starts to awaken slowly. She is frightened but Joran rushes to her side covering her first. The only way he knows how to comfort Nima is to touch foreheads with her. She starts crying but calm down by his touch.
"I need you to get dressed my, love. We need to get out of here quickly."
"I can't get through," Dusglar says as he continues to try multiple times. "Something is preventing us from sending transmissions."
"High-frequency jammers," Joran tells him and get dressed in light gear before strapping his swords to his back. "They have a head start on us."
"Not without a little help," Dusglar says and only one name comes to their mind and Dusglar isn't afraid to say his name. "Mildral."
"He is just doing what he believes is right."
Joran looks to the monitors and sees them coming through the woods and towards the main entrance. He turns to the monitors at the entrance he carries her through and there are already Federation soldiers searching the area. The hanger door that leads outside already has multiple Federation soldiers set up. Joran can only think of one way to go.
"You need to get out of here," Joran says to him.
"What?"
"You need to leave. Otherwise they will sight you as an accomplice." Dusglar laughs at Joran's words. "This isn't funny, my friend."
"Yes it is. You honestly think I would miss a chance to piss off those Federation bastards," he says while calming himself. "Whatever you need me to do, I am in."
"Dusglar..." Nima says and he shows her his smile.
"Joran is my family. So you are my family and I protect my family."
"Alright," Joran says with displeasure. He puts both hands out in front of him and summons his mother in her Trenin form. He is somewhat tired from doing so but regains his composure before looking to Dusglar. "I need you to take her to the other hideout, my friend," Joran instructs as he looks towards the workshop. "I will hold them here for a while before catching up. Then we will figure out a plan."
"That is crazy, Joran," Dusglar says to him and Joran grabs him by the shoulders and touches foreheads with him. "I can't stand by and let them take you."
"My friend, I need you to be strong and do me this favor. Look after Nima. I beg you," he says while hugging him tightly. "Do this for me."
"You come back!" He shouts at him while shedding tears and wiping them away, before repeating what he says. "You come back!"
Joran finds Dusglar the easiest of the two to persuade. He looks to Nima and she is shaking her head looking down at the ground. Her tears hit the ground and is not so accepting of the situation. Joran touches his forehead to hers and it is not so easy to calm her like in times past.
"I stay and fight with Joran. I stay and fight with my Eternal Beloved."
"Listen to me, Nima. I will find you. No matter what I swear I will find you. Nothing will keep us apart. I swear that to you, my eternal beloved. No matter what happens, we will be together," he tells her and she slowly calms herself
"In this life and beyond?" She asks as she continues shedding a few more tears.
"In this life and beyond," he tells her before pressing his lips up against hers before they touch foreheads once more. "Go."
Dusglar takes her hand and they begin running down the tunnels with Cauror and Asari following closely. Joran looks back at the workshop and opens the doors. His eyes turn to only one thing and that is his armor. On a small table in front of him, there are two wrist guards with a symbol that looks just like it. He rubs his thumb on the symbol before looking up after hearing the sounds of more gunships.
Joran wastes no more time puts the wrist guards on. He walks over to the main entrance and takes a breath. The sounds of so many fill his ears. He blocks everything out and shut his eyes. There is a crimson aura that surrounds his body. Slowly his armor form around him except for his helmet. He enters the code and the doors open.