The sun broke the horizon, casting its light across the land. The sun's light ran across the rubble of the once happy and lively village reaching the ruins of the now-destroyed headquarters of the holy knights. Kira, Lily, Francisco, and Clayton lay in a cleared section of the rubble and debris. Diomede stood over them, covered in burns down his back and legs. He stood there breathing slowly trying not to move. His burns were healing but due to the amount of damage he took. It was taking longer. His clothes hung off of him tattered and burned. Francisco shifted himself awake. He slowly sat up, covering his eyes from the morning sun. Francisco looked around and saw the aftermath. His heart sank with grief and sadness, he turned to see Diomede standing in front of him. Diomede had his arms out as if he was holding something up from falling. Francisco stood to his feet and looked over Diomede. "Was that what I think it was?" Francisco asked in a weak and shaken tone. Diomede slowly nodded his head. "Yes, it was a lifeforce eruption." Francisco placed his hands on his head in disbelief, "I can't believe I have witnessed such a spell." Francisco's eyes swelled, "and those innocents." "to be used in such a way it's horrible." Francisco looked over at the area around him and the others. "What did you do to protect us from the blast?" Diomede felt the pain of his burns subsided and began to move. "I cast a shield spell, it lasted long enough to keep you four safe from the blast." Diomede said as he grabbed at what he had left of his clothes. "You need to wake them. We have to move now." Francisco turned and began to wake Lily. She groaned in discomfort. Diomede began walking toward the ruins of the village. Francisco called out to him, "Where are you going?" Diomede continued and called back. "To find the rest of my things and to find some clothes." "When they have gotten to their feet search for any supplies we leave soon." Francisco turned to Kira as Lily sat up. Kira slowly opened her eyes, and the smell of the dust from the rubble filled her nose. Kira raised her head and looked around. She began to feel every ounce of pain the innocents felt. The pain ran through her whole body, every cut, every blade tip piercing their flesh. Kira let out screams of pain, startling Clayton awake. The screams rang out reaching Diomede as he reached the middle of the village. Kira reared and convulsed on the ground. "What's happening to her?" Clayton shouted. Francisco reached into his bag and pulled out his flute. "Hold her still young Clayton, I shall try and ease her pain." Clayton crawled over to Kira and attempted to hold her still. Kira's body shook and bounced wildly. Lily reacted as well and aided Clayton in holding Kira still. Fancisco began to play a melody. As the music danced in the air, Kira's pain began to lighten, she could feel her body return to normal. She began to lay still and calm. Francisco sighed with relief. Clayton and Lily sat back and shared a look of concern. Clayton realized where he was sitting. He stood up and wandered around the rubble, He couldn't form a thought. "How?" Clayton muttered. Francisco and Lily turned to Clayton. "How did all this happen?" "A few days ago I sat right here, listening to Philip spin stories about his hometown out east." Clayton placed his hands on his hips. "How is one person supposed to handle such tragedy?" Lily placed her hand on his shoulder, "You push forward and learn to bear the weight." Clayton hung his head, as the tears fell. "Let these tears be the last you shed." Lily turned Clayton to her and looked into his eyes. "You are a warrior, bite down and still the grief in your heart." She wiped the last tear that fell from Clayton's face. "Nesfundur!" Lily called out. "Where is the large man that was with us?" Francisco put his flute away and replied. "He walked into-" Francisco gestured toward what remained of the village. "-to find clothes and his belongings." Kira sat up, rubbing her head. Francisco extended a hand to help her up. Kira pulled herself up, "Thank you for helping me." Francisco Smiled revealing his massive teeth. The four migrated through the debris. Clayton looked over each piece, trying to find any sign of life. Clayton felt a hand nudge his shoulder. It was Francisco. "Don't young Clayton, the spell used to cause all this damage." "Used the very life force of the victims to create the blast." Clayton couldn't fathom such a spell being used. "What kind of person could use such a spell?" Clayton asked. Francisco shook his head and replied, "Only a monster would use such a spell." Francisco walked to the front of the group, "Our friend also wanted us to try and find some supplies." Francisco said. Kira and Lily looked at Clayton to see if he would react to the statement. Clayton's face showed none, he pointed to a downed door. "There may be something there." Clayton stated as he walked over to the door. He lifted the door and revealed a set of stairs leading down under the floor. Francisco patted Clayton on the back as he took the lead. The four walked down into the dark, The air was thick with dust and smelled of mold. Francisco snapped his fingers and a small light began to float around them. They reached a room filled with rows of chests. "This is where we keep things we have taken from unsavory individuals." Clayton said as he walked the rows. "There should be some packs and survival gear down here as well." Lily and Kira began looking through the piles of stacked boxes. Lily recognized a long handle that stuck out from behind a few boxes. It was her great axe she had used the morning before. Lily felt her heart fill with joy. Kira felt the joy flow from Lily, she turned to see the Halfead grab the axe and place it over her shoulder. Lily felt the boarkar's gaze and turned to her. "It belonged to my father." Lily explained with her cheeks growing a shade of red. Kira showed a small smile and gave an understanding nod. Francisco took to the chest that lay against the walls of the storage room. Clayton walked to the back of the room and stood in front of a door. He beat his fist against it, each hit fueling his rage. Kira moved to comfort Clayton but Lily stood between them. "Leave him be. He must let out the last of his grief." Kira clenched at her heart, she shared his pain not only in past experience but also felt his very emotions. She turned to continue her search for supplies, trying desperately to ignore the raw emotions flooding from Clayton. The door Clayton was beating against, fell apart and tumbled to the ground. In the room that sat behind the door, held shelves of scrolls and books. Clayton entered the room and picked apart the dust-covered items. Francisco, who hand-made it through half the chest. Each one held personal items like journals, trinkets, and lockets with pictures of loved ones. Until he came across a chest that held a cloak. It had no design, no distinguishable threads or markings. Francisco threw it around his shoulders. It felt nice and light, Francisco noticed it felt like his father's cloak he would wear around his childhood home when he was small. The cloak began to change to match the image in his head. Francisco leaped with excitement. "I can not believe it!" "This cloak is magical!" Francisco sang. "It looks just like my father's cloak from before he left home." Lily looked on with annoyance from the loud Nesfundur. Kira felt the joy from him. It made her heart feel warm to feel his joy too. It had been a long time since she had something other than the pain and sorrow of others. Clayton walked out from the room that lay behind the door he beat apart. He held a bag he had thrown across his chest. Scrolls peeked out of the sides of the bag's folds. "What all has everyone found?" Lily and Kira held up blankets, bedrolls, two packs, and rope. Francisco twirled with his new cape flowing behind him. Francisco stopped once he felt the faze of everyone on him. "If this was here what else could there be young Clayton?" He asked. Clayton knocked open a few chests and only pulled out items. "Here." He stated. Clayton held out a pipe that was a carving of an old man. A rod that was flat and a dark blue color. And a small metal tub that held a button on the side. "Well, its better then nothing." Lily said has she picked up the supplies and made her way upstairs. Francisco took the items and placed them in his bag. Each item fitting perfectly into his bag. Clayton staired with a confused look, Francisco caught Clayton's look. "Its a magic bag my dear friend don't over think it too much." Francisco said as he patted Clayton's back. Kira handed them bundles of rope and carried blankets up, the pair followed behind. On the other side of the village Diomede moved through the village. He found himself at the remains of the "Pinky Toe". He gazed at the pile, it reminded him of the rocks he had to lug across the garden of the Brewer's property. He felt a small spark of nostalgia. He snuffed it out as he grabbed at the pile. Pulling pieces and throwing them across the faded street. A sense of danger ran down Diomede's back. He stood up right and turned slowly to commander Ruffgaurd and a few knights standing with their weapons drawn and pointed at Diomede. Behind them stood Elite Panagiot healed from the cut Diomede had dealt him.