Mizuki smiled gratefully as Thalion spoke saying that he had a bath already being worked on. Did Thalion know him that well? Mizuki thought for a moment. Why wouldnt he? It was a well knowen fact that Mizuki loved to be clean but right now he was hardly dirty. It was the fact that he felt like shit and every muscle screamed at him when he used it that made him want the bath.

Though as Thalion spoke up more and asked if he needed to be carried he growled a little "I maybe sick and sore as hell but im not useless" He said with a glare as hge finished the last bit of his tea. Moving he sat at the edge of the bed and with deep breath he pushed up and stood. It took him a moment or two to gather his balance but when he did he began to walk to his bath.

Reaching the room he took a deep breath in of the steam and noticed the smell of lavender in the air. Did Thalion even add the oil he used every time? The thought made him turn and smile. He knew that Thalion wouldnt be far behind "Thank you" He said with a smile before he began to get undressed. It was nothing the male had not seen or touched so Mizuki was not bashfull.

Undoing his hair Mizuki stood there completely Nakid with his hair flowing around him brushing the backs of his thighs as he stretched and groaned as he pulled at sore muscles. Moving he slowly made his way to the tub and began to get in though he struggled a little he did manage it and the sigh that fallowed was one or happiness as he relaxed into the back of the tub with his ears dipped back.

He did know Mizuki rather well, even after being apart from the other for seven years. Heck longer before that. When they were younger Mizuki hated even having a spec of dirt on him, considering the amount of trouble they got into before getting a bit of age to them... he had lost count the times the other had to run home just to wash up. Only to turn around and have the same thing happen all over again, to admit it was funny back then.

Though all he could do was grin at Mizuki stating he wasn't useless. He saw that response coming but it was worth it either way. He waited to follow the other to make sure he didn't fall over before getting to the other room. Though once there and the other seemed to stop and thank him he questioned him a little. Ok sure his attention to detail was a bit impressive considering he seemed to normally act like he wasn't paying attention to most things around him.. but still.

"For what? You'd do the same if things were reversed." He was just a bit lower maintenance then Mizuki was. He waited for the other to get in the tub or rather to make sure he could. He figured he'd get some smart reply if he tried to help too much. Not that he wasn't preoccupied with thoughts of his own for the moment. Though he pushed those aside quickly enough seeing as there were a few things that needed to be done.

"So do you need help in there as well or shall I go work on something for lunch?" Seeing as Luna had Neena the girl wouldn't be helping so fixing something would go a lot faster. Though it was kind of cute in a way seeing as she tried to help so much. Though the fact that Thal was actually a decent cook might be part of the reason why he was good at paying attention to details. Granted that decent cooking skill came from a number of trial and errors...

Mizuki smiled, yes he would and he has done the same for the male so why was he trying to struggle when the male tried to help? He hummed softly as he thought about it. He did it just as Thaliom did it but it was not the fact of accepting help it was that they both were stubborn and set in their own ways on a lot of things.

Mizukis thoughts were interrupted as he was asked about lunch. The thought of food did sound good but the feel of his stomach was anything but that. "Something light...if anything for me" He said turning his head and looking at the male "Thats just me though" He said "You can eat what you wish" He said with a smile but then his mind went in a different direction completely.

"I can tell you what I want" He said with a smile and closed his eyes a little looking at Thalion "A kiss would be nice...." He said lightly. Now that he all but had Thalion back he was going to get the most out of it that he could and a kiss sounded like a plan to him.

"Well I figured that." Considering how he had doubled over earlier he could take a guess that Mizuki wasn't feeling too well. "Whats that suppose to mean?" He shook his head a little. "You say it like I match Felix in appetite." Hardly was the case, though he wasn't sure if anyone besides maybe a dwarf on holiday could match the human in eating.

He was going to leave when Mizuki spoke up that he knew of something he wanted. When the other said what it was Thal laughed a little before going over to him. "Thats not getting you out of eating just so you know." He knew very well Mizuki tended to avoid eating at all when he wasn't well, but that hardly helped things most of the time. But either way he wasn't going to deny him of his request either.

Leaning he kissed the other placing a hand lightly on Mizuki's cheek to steady things a bit more. Why couldn't things stay this simple. Moments like this made him forget they could be attacked at any given time and that they still had a war to fight. "No drowning between now and when I check on you either.. it's not going to kill you to eat" He was just teasing him with that one, though Mizuki was rather stubborn when he wished to not do something.

Mizuki smiled lightly as Thalion came over and bent down to kiss him. The light hand on his cheek gave him warmpth and looking up he smiled then frowned as Thalion spoke "I am sure I will be okay" He said lightly "and your lucky if I eat a little" He commented to the food statement.

When Thalion pulled back and walked away Mizuki sighed. It took him some time but he finished washing himself and he also got dressed but his hair was still down as he left the room. Walking slowly he went and moving his hair so he didnt sit on it he sat at the table.

Mizuki knew that he needed to brush and do his hair but at the moment it was something he simply didnt have the energy to do. Looking over at Thalion he rested his head on a hand that rested on the table. From there he simply watched Thalion go about what he was doing.

Lucky if he ate a little his foot. He was about to make the threat of feeding him if he didn't eat or at least try to do so. But it would be wasted breath. Mizuki was stubborn that was for sure. There was a saying about giving lessons to rocks, well he was sure Mizuki could do just that when he set his mind to it. For now he left the other to his own.

Thal was already fixing something to eat by the time Mizuki walked out of the room and sat down. Though he was about to do something else with the preparations when he stopped noticing that Mizuki was just watching him. "Surely this isn't that entertaining.." Thal was a bit odd in that fact he hated just being watched, not without good reason anyway. Though the level of entertainment was about to go up unknown to either of them.

Neena rushed in and latched on to Thal's leg before he looked down at her with a bit of a look. "Aren't you suppose to be with Luna?" "She's trying to make me study!" The girl exclaimed still staying fast where she was. "And i have a headache.." She added whining a little. "Your about to have more of one if you don't get out of here. You do know this is the first place Luna will look for you right?" He wouldn't actually hurt the girl but empty threats were common placed.

She seemed to think on what he said a moment before agreeing with him. "Your right.." "So? Now get going before you get us both in trouble with the dragon." She started to walk but stopped glancing at Mizuki before thinking on what she needed to do to get what she wanted. Thal sighed a little. "hurry up."

Neena beamed a bit before going over to Mizuki and hugging him. "Dragon lady said papa wasn't feeling well.. get better soon." She said before kissing him and darting off. Thal groaned a little. "Dragon lady.. got it watch my mouth around her.. " There were a few times him and Luna had gotten into a bit of a fight and he was not fond of dragons in the least, dragon kin were no different.

Mizuki smiled as the young girl ran into the room and all but attached her self to Thalions leg. It would seem that Neena liked the male before him but that thought was stopped at the conversation the two of them seemed to have. Was Neena really trying to avoid her studies again? Shaking his head lightly he didnt have another moment to think as the same young girl attached herself to Mizuki. Listening to the words he smiled "With Thalion to take care of me I will be dear" He said before she ran off.

Mizuki gave a week little laugh as he spoke "Awww yes...but she means well" He said indicating towards Luna. "Even if some times she doesnt show it" He said with a little sigh placing his head on the table. The thought then crossed through his head that he needed to take care of his hair but it vanished when There was a bowl of steaming soup placed before him.

Sitting more upright he looked to Thalion "Thank you" He said to him before picking up the spook and trying to eat. Mizuki was able to eat a couple spoon fulls before his stomach lurched forward telling him he was done. Yeah that was great. Groaning he placed the spoon down. This was so not happening right now.

"Yeah yeah ... means well." He said waving a hand lazily in the air. "She gets on my case more then ever." Probably her hormones kicking in form her expecting a baby but still. Probably hardly helped that she was a dragon kin and whatever the reason was he seemed to like to avoid anything in even the same family tree as the beast they fought in the cave years ago.

He figured Mizuki wasn't going to eat much but he couldn't fix anything thinner without it being water. But something was better then nothing right? Sitting across from the other he sighed a little. Honestly he wasn't that hungry to begin with so light soup hardly mattered. Even if he was back to his old self he felt like he had missed quite a bit.

Heck Mizuki had been raising a kid, Luna was expecting Felix's. Not to mention Mizuki had been working himself to death everyday for the past seven years.Sure it wasn't like he was doing nothing but still he had more or less had seven years ripped from him. Maybe it was for the best though, not like he could have been of any real use in the long run.

Yet he kept getting the feeling that things could still take a turn for the worse. He couldn't get rid of it and it bothered him. Similar to that uneasy feeling when they found that odd cave... but this was more dire. He didn't have time to think on that now, stupid legends, what a lot of good they did.

That night went on and so did the fallowing days and nights until they passed into weeks. Now it was a month later and Mizuki was packing his beg. After he got better Thalion and himself talked of tha cave and gathering the lost sword that was swallowed by the attack. Mizuki just hoped it was still there after all this time.

Grabbing his back he walked out of the tent to the two horses that were waiting. There standing with the horses was Thalion and Felix with Luna beside him "Okay so the trip should take no more then a week like I said" He nodded looking at them "Everything is in order and all the work is done. All that needs to happen is that you-" "Yeah yeah will you just stop already....I am sure we are fine" Luna said with a smile.

Mizuki shook his head "Im sorry you know how it is..." He said "No I know how you are...and your a worrie wart" She said crossing her arms with a huff. Mizuki smiled "Yeah yeah I know" He said mounting his horse before looking to Thalion "Well then....shall we?"? He asked lightly

It did take a little time for Mizuki to get back on his feet but at the least he wasn't staying up like he was. Probably for the better that he wasn't falling back into the same routine again. Though the longer the other had to recover and settle back into things again the more he pestered Thal about what exactly did happen to the weapon that they had stumbled upon.

After a while he gave in and told him that he had put it back where that weird cave was. It seemed to have protection on the place anyway. Right then was when Mizuki seemed to decide they needed to go get the weapon. So after a few days of preparing they were to set off to see if that blade was still there or not. Though not before he gave Luna the run down of everything.

Listening to the two go back and forth he shook his head a little. "Would you come on, she knows how things are run. Your being more of a bother then normal." Luna nodded a little agreeing that he needed to relax and get going already. She was probably tired of dealing with them both by now. Though Thal thought this was more of the fact Mizuki was going to miss Neena during this trip.

"Yeah lets, before Luna kills you." He said laughing a little before they started off. Though Verdia stopped him short of letting them get too far. "So your bringing back that egg right?" Thal glared at her before promptly saying no. She was determined that he bring the egg back with him so she could test something. Thal was hardly willing to touch it let alone bring the thing back.

Once they were a little away from the camp he sighed a bit. "So plan is destroy the egg if its still there... I only put the thing there to deter anything happening to the sword." Looters weren't as willing to test luck against a egg having a mother still around.

Mizuki and Thalion began their trip and with constant watch they payed close attention to the forest around him. Mizuki knew the forest he was in like the back of his hand. It was not only for being a wood elven no it was because he had lived in the area for so long. Looking about him as they traveled the silence lingered in the air and it began to bother Mizuki.

This was when he got a feeling this had already happened before...and yes it had only in a different way. Last time Thalion and himself traveled like this it was do to the fact that they were forced to by the king and it almost cost them their lived. At the same time though he had to give a little thanks to the king. If it was not for that trip forcing them to talk and in the end making Thalion confess his love.

At that thought Mizuki smiled lightly before he looked over to Thalion who was riding beside him. Looking away Mizuki looked down to his hands folded before him with reins in hand. The silence around him was something that was started to bother Mizuki but what could he say in a moment like this? They were heading back to the cave to gather the sword that caused alot of hate and tention between the two.

Not to mention the fact that the cave was the first place he made Thalion do something against his will. That was a day Mizuki would never forget. Just thinking about what had taken place that day made his head hang a little as his ears dipped back the more he thought about the events of that day. This caused him to tighten his grip on the staff he had in hand as the horse moved along.

So caught up thought Mizuki didnt even realize that they were almost at the caves. Not only that but the day moved from dusk to the start of night. They had traveled all day with out saying one word to each other. All that happened was the travel of the horses "Hmm...seems like we have made this trip before" He spoke lightly not looking up from where his head dipped down.

It was odd in truth. Mizuki normally had something to say or if he didn't Thal did. But the two remained silent for nearly the full length of the trip to the caves. To say it brought back bad memories was a understatement. A number of things he would have rather forgotten or not be reminded of. But Mizuki thought fetching this sword was important so here they were doing just that. Fetching a magicked blade that Thal would still swear was no better then a normal weapon.

Even as night approached the two didn't breath a word, it was awkward really. They were on good terms again so going back here shouldn't change that right? But in truth his mind was elsewhere. This was the same place that quite a few emotions had taken place. Not just the bad memories but some good as well. Not too long before his life went to hell for seven years but still.

He was brought from his thoughts as Mizuki spoke finally as they were nearly at the cave. "Heh.. yeah following some banter about some legend if I remember right." He still didn't think much of that crap, lot of good it had done that was certain. There was still a war threatening to engulf everything. "Still think that was a waste of time."

Yes thats right the legend. Being sent out here so they both could live to an old prophecy that had the king worried. Mizuki sighed some at that thought dipping his head a little more. The legend was the cause for alot if not all of the things around him today. Many believed in the words of old and many thought it rubbish. Mizuki didnt know what to think any more.

At the words that he heard next Mizuki growled a little "I dont know" He said with a defeated tone "Everything that has led to this point tells me that we need that sword" Looking down to his staff he sighed a little "Though....everything that has happened I blame these weapons" He said "And this cave..." He continued looking up at the entrance with his ears dipped down. "I just cant get the feeling that....these are important" He said looking back down to the staff in hand.

Listening to Mizuki he shrugged a little before getting off the horse. "Well if we're going by old tales Verdia thinks that damned egg is important too. I hope something ate it personally.. the less dragons the better." He never did quite explain why he had something against dragons or why Verdia had stayed on his case the moment she heard there was dragon egg.

"Important or not, we're here now. Though if the caves are still in the condition they were in before... we're stuck on foot the rest of the way." Needless to say a army of thousands verse the group they had before... yeah it didn't end well at all. Plus the other side had far more mages then they did so there was a ton of rocks and boulders that were moved and uses as weapons.

Either way he wasn't sold that these things were important in the least. But he was a bit stubborn like that. Then again he didn't believe in the gods or goddess either so why would the words of old phase him. So far they had caused a bunch of trouble and that was it.

Yes the dragon egg. The one that was found all those years ago. It is said that an egg would only hatch when ready and that could take thousands of years for some. Mizuki slightly wondered if it was still there as well though his thoughts ended the moment Thalion continued to speak.

Yes the battle after he left. The thought of that war was something that had been on Mizukis mind for years and now he got the chance to see the damage done. Getting off of his horse Mizuki stood beside Thalion looking at the caved before them. Turning he grabbed the pack he had on the back of the horse before walking up to the mouth of the cave.

Taking out a group of sticks from his pack that were bunched together he brought them up to his lips. Taking a breath he blew on them nd cast his spell. As he did the tips of them began to spark before a lavender flame sparked the tips. "Well....shall we" He said looking to Thalion before turning and starting the way into the cavern.

There was a bit more to the dragon legends about methods of hatching then what most knew. Verdia wanted to test one such legend, more like she wanted Thal to do it. Knowing his luck the damned thing was still there where he had left it. The presence of such a egg deterred looters and a number of other beasts... so it seemed like a logical idea to hide it and the sword.

As Mizuki seemed to get a torch ready Thal shrugged a little. "might as well, I can't talk you out of it." With that they entered the cave, though it took nearly no time for them to get to where the camp use to be, the damage was seen long before they had gotten here though. Ruined remains of the camp were still here, honestly it was a sight that disturbed Thal a little. Sticking around was hardly a plan.

"Like I said.. even if you had stayed... things were pretty bad." Maybe Mizuki saw that now, there was no way one mage would have turned the tide of battle. Either way he just wanted to get out of these caves as quickly as possible. Not like he had to wait for Mizuki,during the period he was captive his eyes easily readjusted to being able to clearly see in the dark.

Mizuki seemed to fall behind a little, probably in shock anyone survived the attack. Most of that was Thal's and Baal's doing. Though he had no idea what had become of the dwarf. A bit a ways outside the came he seemed to pause a little trying to remember where that weird cave was. He had lured a mage out this way and a blast from a spell served well in resealing its entrance and reclaiming the blade as its own once more. As well as the dragon egg, but he had moved the egg out to that cave the night before the attack. Every intention to destroy it.

Mizuki trailed behind as Thalion walked in and ahead of him. Mizuki didnt know what to think as he looked at the remains of what was. Bones from bodies littered the ground as well as large round chunks of rock that littered everywhere. Also judging from the looks of the walls and the color of them fire was a main element that was used.

Mizuki was in shock and he knew now that Thalion was right. Him being there would not of made that much of a difference. He couldnt believe the extent of the damage done. Shaking his head he moved his feet and soon caught up with Thalion. It took them a moment or two to find the area and even then Mizuki had to remove the rocks with a spell.

This though caused other rocks to shift and swift acting Mizuki gout it so the rocks fell in one place though when he was finished he sighed. The place just had to be right infront of the way that they had came in and with the amount of magic it took to remove them twice was enough "Looks like we are finding another way out..." Mizuki said looking to Thalion.

Yes luck was not a friend for them it would seem. Either way they were alive and together another way out would be easy to find. This place had so many caves and tunnels...though who knew where they all led. "I mean...there has to be another way out" He said with a shrug before moving to head down the passage way.

They couldn't get a break could they? Not only were they stuck in a area Thal never wanted to return to but now they couldn't even leave the same way they had come in. Well least there was a bit of good news with all of this they had found the sword and much to his delight the egg was no where to be found. not that such luck meant a damned thing in his book. For all he knew the thing could have still hatched and... yeah the rest of that could be saved to explain later if such a thing actually happened.

"Theres always another path... if it leads out or not is another story." Making a path was out of the question that was certain. So instead they had no choice but to walk. Another thing he hardly missed about his hometown area... the tunnels. The endless tunnels that lead no where. Odds were that you'd never get out of them. Though they had to have better luck then that right? Well maybe not but still he wasn't just going to stand there and worry that they'd never get out of this forsaken place.

After a few hours though it seemed the tunnels really were endless, even with marking the directions they had covered to dead ends they were running out of options. But it seemed some force was smiling upon them as they finally crossed a tunnel that seemed to lead to the outside. Oddly it didn't seem to be a tunnel as old as most of them, like in the more recent years it had been disturbed by something. Ask questions later.

Once they actually did make it outside of the cave system Thal had to admit he never thought he'd be happy to see day light. "Well.. that was fun lets not.. no lets never do that again." He had his fair share of being lost in cave systems and it was hardly a pleasant feeling that you were doomed to die because of a wrong turn. Though their troubles seemed to no be over just yet as they seemed to end up in a valley of sorts... a enclosed bowl. The area seemed untouched by anything as the wildlife flourished and moss covered the rocks closest to the cave they just exited.

Though to Thal's dismay there seemed to be similar markings to the ones back in that first weird cave they had stumbled upon years ago. A few overly worn and weathered signs near a path that was long over grown. This lead to what seemed to be a temple? more like ruins of a temple but still. He could tell by the way Mizuki was looking at it they weren't leaving here without investigating it.

Mizuki stood there as they finally made it out of the caves. Taking a deep breath he smiled at the smiled at the smell of fresh air. It was something he loved though the air around him seemed to tickle something in the back of his mind telling him that he had breathed it in before. Shaking his head a little to himself he finally looked around where they had ended up.

It was weird. They seemed to be in a little pocket of the mountain. The sides were piled high and pointed though the top was clear of any rock so it was not a cave. Looking around at the grassy floor he noticed the rocks with the same markings from the cave. Walking over to one he removed the moss from the symbols before brushing light fingers over it.

Pulling back his hand he looked to the temple or rather what was left of one. It would seem this temple had been around for many a moons. Looking at the path that led to the temple and how grassy covered it was he could only guess when the last visitor was.

Looking to Thalion he was about to speak but then he held his tongue. Mizuki could remember what had happened last time they had found something of interest like this. All he knew was that he didnt want to go through something like that again. Though the thought of what if came to mind. Taking a step or two forward he stopped and looked to Thalion.

"I dont expect you to fallow...and nor will I force it upon you" He stated looking to him "I on the other hand...wish to see what makes this temple so special" He said "To be locked away like this from everything and everyone....there had to be something in there" He said looking back towards the temple "And I cant help but think....that I have been here before" He said "A...long...long time ago" Mizuki said lightly with his ears dipping back.

Mizuki didn't have to even speak. Thal knew that the other wasn't leaving until he got a closer look at this temple. Though when Mizuki did speak he sighed a little shaking his head. "If I don't follow you who knows what trouble you'll get into." Seeing as trouble seemed to follow them both it was better just to stick together just in case.

Either way he moved to follow after Mizuki, maybe there wouldn't be anything here that was out of place and this just happened to be old ruins of a temple that once stood. He could hope right? Something told him his luck was hardly that good when it came to things like this.

As they walked up to the once grand entrance of the temple they seemed to pause. Probably expecting who knows what. Considering the last time they encountered these markings they had to deal with a old man. Though after nothing happened Mizuki seemed to go forward to enter in the temple remains only to give pause at the alter. It held a statue that seemed to survive most of the weathering the rest of the building did now.

It was a statue of a goddess, one that was well known to most of the lands. The goddess of life, one that was hardly worshiped now a days to say the least but still a known one none the less. Well this wasn't so bad.. nothing seemed to be happening so Mizuki would leave after a few moments and they could go back to being lost in the cave systems again.

Mizuki walked in with Thalion and looked around though his eyes landed on the statue beofre him. Walking forward he looked at the name etched into the stone "The goddess of life" Mizuki said reading the name in his head "I didnt know there was any temples with her name left" He said with a little frown taking a step back and looking at the statue.

The female had long pointed ears as well as long hair that was pulled back into a tie though it still fell down her back. Robes fell over a leath body as armor guarded vital points. A staff held in one hand as the other seemed to holding a bunch of wheat. Mizuki smiled lightly "Daelis....it has been awhile since anyone had come to say hello" He said with a nod before moving.

Saying a light prayer he nodded his head towards the stature before he casted his spell. Soon light flowers began to grow at the base of the statue with vines creeping up the base and coiling around the staff the female had. As soon as a light lavender flower grew and florished on the tip of the staff a flash of light came causing Mizuki to hiss and step back.

Covering his eyes he sighed as he looked once more though at the sight he saw he swore he was crazie. There before him was the female of the statue. She held a staff of white and light rose. Light rose crystals fell from pointed ears sticking out of white hair that fell and framed a pale face to fall down a pale armor clad chest.

Mizuki didnt know what to think Here one moment he was paying his respects to the female goddess before him when this woman came from no where. Mizukis light lavender eyes met with that of pale rose and he didnt know what to think. It was not until the silence became to much that Mizuki tried to break the silence "Hello there...I am-" Though his words were cut off before he could continue.

"You are Mizuki Kinsaki, age 160. Magical ability....life" She said and Mizuki frowned "Also Thalion Lorulm, age 155. Magical ability even though you hate it..." She said with a smile "Would be Nerve fire..." She said smile. All of this caused Mizuki to look at the female with a screwed brow "Who exactly are you and how do you know so much about us?" Mizuki asked his hand gripping tighter on his staff.

This caused the female to laugh slightly as she looked to the two of them. "Oh come now you two...do you really think you could do any damage to me" She asked "What being a goddess and all" She said though this earned a little laugh from Mizuki himself "Oh really now" He said and the female nodded "Yes...let me fully introduce myself" She said standing upright "I am Daelis, goddess of life and protector of harmony as well as..." Though she paused for a moment "....Your mother Mizuki" She said with a smile.

Mizuki was right though, this was a goddess that hadn't had a shrine erected in quite some time. But still that hardly made this place any different from any other forgotten shrine. Or that was his first thought as Mizuki seemed to say whatever prayer to the statue and cast his spell. "You know your wasting your time right?" Thalion was rather sure of it anyway as Mizuki seemed to glare at him a moment. Dropping the subject of wasting breath on praying to the gods.

Though he might be proven wrong as a a sudden flash of light blinded both of them for a moment. Thalion was going to blame Mizuki for this and he was hardly able to recover his sight as quickly as the other. But quickly enough to know there was another in the room with them now. Though he was sure his eyes were playing tricks on him now or they had found a siren or some other being that enjoyed tormenting the lost that stumbled upon their lairs. The female looked like the statue.. but that wasn't possible.

Thalion seemed to get the same vibe Mizuki did as the woman spouted off information about the both of them. Even as she asked what did the two of them expect to do to her neither of them seemed to lower their weapons. Even if she was telling the truth it wasn't like they were going to just accept that they had no chance of winning. Though even as she said she was a goddess Thal looked at Mizuki and back to the woman as if to ask the same thing Mizuki had voiced. Well known fact Thal's thoughts on the gods and them being real or not.

The woman further introduced herself as being the goddess Daelis, but she went further to say she was Mizuki's mother. This seemed to make Mizuki turn even more pale then his normal skin color. Though Thal all but laughed at such a statement. "Goddess and mother.. right... " He had to shake his head hardly believing either. "Could you at least try to say something that is believable?" He probably wouldn't be as smart or quick to back mouth the woman if he knew her words were true.

"I would have to agree" Mizuki said to the female before them "Its kind of hard to believe" He said with a nod looking from Thalion to the female. This caused Daelis to smile "I knew you would both say that" She said "So....let me show you just how long I have been watching you" She said with a nod.

Just as he words ended the temple around them began to change to show a scene that took place. It was from when he was a baby. The woman before him carried the young child to house "Im sorry my love...but if you are to live a life you must stay here" She said sadly before leaving the child on a door step. The picture then changed to the first meeting of the two as childs then as they grew and fought to get back to one another.

The fight that drove them apart was next and Mizukis ears dipped back as he saw what had taken place. Yes it was something he regretted doing and something he would never do again. This was when it changed and showed the lives Thalion had taken under the queens rule to the day they got back together. Everything was true and had taken place.

Mizuki was about to comment but the next picture made him stop. It was a male that was well built. Long grey hair pulled back in a poney tail fell down the front of a armor clad chest. Strong large hands held onto a sword and staff and light blues peered at him. This was when the female joined the image with a young child in hand "Daelis..." The male said as the strong face grew soft causing the women to smile "Hello Pyali" She said softly.

This was when the male moved and smiled down at the light lavender eyes of a pale elven baby. The baby had short white hair covering a pale head but an all to well knowen lavender crystal rested lightly on soft skin "Hello little Mizuki..." The male said with a smile. The image before Mizuki ended there. Well at least for him as he fainted falling forward. It would seem everything was a little to much.

Thal wouldn't have trusted such tricks of images knowing all too well that there were ways to see into another's mind to pull them out. But these were a bit too real.Some being of ages were it would have been impossible for either of them to recall what had happened. But those changed to go over pretty much their lifes worth of events and struggles. There was no way someone could have all of that information without her words being true.

After the final image seemed to display itself or play out Mizuki seemed to go nearly white before his legs seemed to give way from under him. Thal barely caught him to prevent the other from actually hitting the floor. Though Mizuki was out cold and with everything sinking in Thal could count a number of ways he was screwed. Starters... gods and goddess' never liked anyone back mouthing them let alone openly saying that they weren't real or that they didn't believe.

But the thought this goddess might punish none believers quickly died as he remembered the goddess his kind was suppose to be worshiping. The goddess of darkness and shadow. To some known as the Queen of spiders or the keeper of death, Lolth. Either way Mizuki was out cold that was certain and here he was stuck in the presence of something he had told himself wasn't real. Let alone if she was Mizuki's mother... Mizuki was a demi god right? That didn't seem possible, heck none of his seemed real at this rate.

Ok gods were real, and he was more then screwed. There were at least a handful of times he had all but blown off his own kinds ways of worshiping the goddess of the dark. If they were real, and according to what was standing before him they were, he was screwed. It was probably a matter of time before Lolth got bored enough to track him down in lord knew what form. This conclusion left him feeling a bit sick to be honest as he finished sitting Mizuki down.

"O-ok.. so they are real..." He tried to retain what calm he had left at the thought he was screwed no matter what. "And for over a 100 years I've been telling one to flip off.. fallen from grace isn't even a option anymore." His ears were back the longer he thought about it the worse cases his mind came up with. Forget the one standing here he held more fear for what the other would do.

That was it then wasn't it? His doomed fate would be that of a drider, or worse to be kept alive as Lolth's new pet. There were stories and tales of driders but most were made now by the hand of the drow themselves and not the goddess. Not to mention the gruesome tales of what happened to those who shunned the goddess or went against her wishes. Yep he was doomed, Mizuki was mad at him for some dumb reasons before well this one seemed pretty legit now.

Daelis smiled at the seen before her "So it is true then hey" She said before moving over to the two of them "You really do care for him" She said lightly before the smile grew "Thats good" She said "He couldnt of found an other that was better" Daelis said with a nod. This was when she tilted her head "Yeah shes not pleased about that" Daelis said with a nod "But in all reality shes a softly" Daelis said with a little laugh.

This brought a questiong look from Thalion so she thought she would explain more "Lolth...or as many know her The goddess of death...spiders even though shes scared of them" She said with a laugh "Oh man if she heard me talking about this she would be so angry!" She said laughing out right. For being a goddess she acted like a twenty year old.

Shaking her head Daelis looked to Mizuki "Is...he always like that?" She asked with a tilt of her head "I mean I watch over you but I cant have eyes on you all the time..." She said with a shrug "Either way...I think hes been out long enough" Daelis said before kneeling and placing a hand on Mizukis forehead.

Almost intantly his eyes opened and he groaned "Okay...you know there was other ways of waking me besides a mind jab right?" He said bringing a hand to his head. This causes Daelis to smile "Yeah but this was faster and more fun" She said with a nod of her head "So now that you both are awake lets get down to bussiness" She said with a nod "I have some objects to help you...if you pass the tests" She said with a smile.

To be honest he never had given much stock in the gods or goddesses, a waste of breath and he couldn't count the number of times he had flipped off the spider queen. To say the least he knew very well how screwed he was if she got bored. Though this thought died a little as the woman spoke again mentioning that he cared for Mizuki. His ears went back a little, he wanted to question what the hell that had to do with any of this but didn't He probably wouldn't have gotten any answers anyway.

"Softy... riight." Like he was going to believe that. "We must have entirely different definitions of that word." If she was a softy and her punishments were told in such grotesque detail... he almost would shudder the thought if she wasn't a softy as this one seemed to put it. He still was doubting if this was all real or not or some sick joke. This woman hardly acted like any goddess he had ever heard of. She had the powers and knowledge it seemed but she acted ... not to say normal but close enough with idle chatter and gossip.

He had to give her a look like she really had to ask that question. "I've been gone for seven years if you recall... this could be something new he's picked up." He shrugged a little, he couldn't recall Mizuki fainting randomly before but then again he was never told his mother was a goddess either. Though his mind was still stuck on the fact that he had more then pissed off the goddess of death, no wonder his luck sucked so damn much!

After a moment Mizuki seemed to wake finally with whatever she had done. Complaining in his normal manner when something happened he disapproved of. Business huh? Couldn't she have done that form the start instead of all the little details and ruining his thoughts on the gods not being real. Though when she mentioned tests Thal glared a bit at Mizuki. "You know from now on when I think it's a bad idea to follow you.. I'm going with it. So next time when you pass out your on your own." Ok not really but he was hardly looking forward to whatever 'tests' this one had in store for them. Something told him it wouldn't be as easy as last time with just reading some text and a simple spell.

On that same note why did he have to get dragged into this? This seemed to have more to do with Mizuki then himself, let alone he had no idea what they were even getting themselves into. Bets were on that damned legend that so many seemed to have faith in. The one that so far had caused the both of them a slew of trouble.

Mizuki sighed before he stood. There was so much to think of and to top it off he now had a mother. That in itself was something he couldnt rap his mind around. "Okay...so a goddess....is supposed to be my mother" He said with a nod of his head "Okay so I think im finally dead so whats a test or two" He said looking to Thalion "right?" He asked as the male stood though he already knew the answer he was going to get.

"Either way..." He said looking to Daelis as the women stood before them "What are these tests as you say" He said with a tilt of his head causing her to smile "A test of life" She said with a nod. This was when she took a step back with her staff in hand. "For you dear drow...a fight" She said with a smile before looking to Mizuki "For you...a test of faith" She said.

"The bond between two needs to be strong to fight what is coming for you" Daelis said with a stern face all happieness and laughs aside. "This will not be your biggest challenge but you can not fail this" She said looking at them. "Im sorry to do this to you two...but what needs to be done must be done" And with that she raised her staff and charged towards Thalion.

Daelis could fight just as well as use magic. Living and learning through hundreds and thousands of years you would aquire such things. Thalion had just enough time to block the attack before she struck again and again.

Mizuki backed away and watched as black met white with each strike made. The sounds of clangs and scrapes were heard as the two fought and exchanged blows. All the while Daelis's words were in the back of Mizukis mind. A test of faith? What would be his test of faith? That right there made Mizukis stomach hurt. He had a feeling he knew what it meant but he was hoping that he was wrong.

Thal shrugged, Mizuki had a point. "Eh your dead and my fates screwed... whats the worse that can happen would be a good word choice here just to ensure our normal luck." The fact they seemed to have no luck was more like it.

Though he wasn't sure he liked where this was going as soon as the woman spoke again. A test of life, oh that sounded dandy... Though a fight didn't sound so bad, he feared what catch there was to it. But he never would have counted on Daelis herself doing the fighting. Good thing he wasn't too wrapped up in his thoughts to block, the first strike feeling the power behind the staff would have done enough damage. If she decided to use magic he was screwed and he knew that. Ok maybe not he wasn't helpless against magic but what level was a gods magic even compared on?

This was hardly a fight, she had years on the both of them as far as combat went and it was hardly all he could do to avoid blows and block ones that were almost too close for comfort. He wished he had just a few spare seconds, he might be able to try to make a counter strike but that seemed unlikely. A fight was only a test of life is she intended to try to kill him and from the strikes he had a feeling he better not miss blocking either of them.

He needed a plan, she probably could keep this speed up all day but he knew he couldn't. Maybe with more experience sure it was possible but heck both of them were still young considering things. Plus he wanted to know what Mizuki's test was. He hardly liked the sound of either idea from this woman, let alone her saying sorry she had to do this to them. If Mizuki ever asked why he hated the gods he would remind him of this. All of them speaking in riddles and only showing up with it benefited themselves.

Though he was still trying to figure out why a goddess proposing to be Mizuki's mother even, came to them.. let alone seemed to think that the legend was real as well. Though he nearly missed the neck block as he shook the thought to prevent distracting himself again.

Daelis had a stern face as she struck and hit Thalion. Every aim she took was to do alot of damage. This needed to be done and she would have no one else do this but herself. Striking she cast a spell and it was over so quick as an ice blade formed in her free hand ready for the next strike.

Two objects against one. She struck giving no time for the male to think of anything but when and where to block the next blow as Daelis struck again and again. She was waiting for something a stance an opening to make her last strike. It was almost time for the test of faith.

Just as that thought came so did the opening she was waiting for. Just as Thalion took a step back she brought her staff down. As he went to block the staff she thrustted her ice blade forward and right through the males stomach before her. Frowning she watched as he all but stopped and coughed once a little dribble of blood falling down a dark chin.

Mizuki stood there watching the fight and as soon as the staff came down his heart sunk as he watched the blade beings stabbed through the leath body of Thalion. "No...." He said in shock as he watched the sword fall from Thalions hand to clang on a stone floor.

Moving fast he got there just as the blade with drew and the males knees gave way. Catching Thalion he brought the male down to the ground his face in shock and covered with sorrow "T-thalion...." He said bringing a shaking hand to the males face.

It was taking everything just to block the staff let alone when she added a second weapon to the mix. It took a rather skilled fighter to use both a two handed weapon with enough force to still make it useful and a blade in the other hand. There was no way he was even going to have a chance of striking back at her if all he could do was block to keep the damage from each blow to a minimal.

The first wasn't going to last much longer and he knew better then to block the staff with that much effort. He should have been keeping a better eye on the blade instead. A staff at most would hurt but it couldn't do the same damage that a blade could. But either way the mistake was already made and he saw it as soon as he moved but it was far too late to correct the split second of error.

It was almost all he could do to keep standing let alone to not panic at the fact that he was losing blood at a rather rapid rate. Great, was the first thought but it was followed by one of asking who the hell he was kidding he had no chance in hell freezing over of winning this fight from the start!

Though to be honest he wasn't expecting to be caught at all, heck he had forgotten Mizuki was even still there from having no spare time to focus on anything but trying to survive. At the most making a pest out of lasting a little while. Though he knew this looked pretty bad, Mizuki was already foreseeing the worse.

"Heh... first you faint now your about ready to cry... damn what happened to the old Mizuki?" He said trying to ignore the fact that he was weaker then what he was letting on. "Could you at least wait till I'm dead to cry? Still breathing last I checked.." Heh, though running his mouth was all he could do, but he couldn't stand to see Mizuki like this. Heck he was kicking himself that he knew what mistake he had made!

"Though.. I think we both knew that fight was a bit one sided heh." He said laughing a little weakly but it was the truth. He wasn't a demi god or anything he was a outcast noble who resented his own blood. Heck even if he had landed a hit odds weren't in his favor. Lack of experience and the fact that gods were immortal probably didn't help anything.

Mizuki couldnt help the tears that began to dwell in his eyes. No. He couldnt think of the worst. Not right now. Though as Thalion spoke he couldnt help the little sad laugh he let out as a tear slipped out the corner of his eye falling and hitting a dark cheek before rolling down the down of Thalions face.

How was he to fix this? Mizuki knew of spells he could use but all of them required alot of energy...and that amount Mizuki didnt have. Mizuki was running over every spell in his head that he knew that would save the male. Though the more he thought the sadder he got. Nothing was coming to mind and all the ones that he could do would take to much energy or cause himself to die.

That was when his sad face turned hopefull as he thought of something he could do. He had limited time and Mizuki knew that. Leaning down he kissed Thalions lips "Be the stubborn ass I know and dont die on me" He said as he moved to the side of the male. Ripping the shirt open he growled at the wound before him.

Daelis stood there watching the disply with a breaking heart. It hurt to see the image before her but it needed be done. She needed to know that the connection the two shared was truely there. Though she soon got her answer as she watched Mizuki go about things. Tilting her head she watched and a smile grew on her face. She didnt even think of that but it would work!

Mizuki took the crystal from around his neck off. Casting a spell he broke a piece of it off "Please work" He said more to himself as he looked up at Thalion but his heart stopped as he saw those eyes begin to close. "No...come on stay with me!" He said as he continued his spell.

Mizuki knew that he had limited time but the spell required the right things to work. As soon as it was cast he all but shoved the shard in the open wound and deep into the flesh. Quickly he withdrew his hand. Nothing happened. What? No! It was supposed to work as soon as the stone was placed.

Had he taken to long? Looking up at a dark face he saw no color or life. It cant be...he thought as he moved up and peered down into Thalions face. How could he of failed? And it was his fualt...if only they had never entered the temple. Not caring what was around him Mizuki wept. Falling forward he hugged a limp body to his chest as he cried "Im so sorry" He repeated over and over. "I love you...and I always will" He said into a dark neck as he lightly rocked back and fourth.

Daelis frowned at the scene. Everything Mizuki did was right and it should of worked. But with the males response she was not sure if he did make it on time. Though that thought left as she saw what Mizuki didnt. The soft lavender glow under him that sealed the would and began to bring color back to dark skin. The test of faith was completed.

If he had the energy he'd have hit him for crying. It wasn't that Thal didn't have his sentiment moments but there was a time for them and here wasn't it. Though he wasn't a idiot things were pretty bad. But he wasn't going to admit that he might have run out of luck this time around. No if he kept fighting.. maybe things would turn around? Right that was a dumb thought he was bleeding to death and who knew what damage the blade had done in the process.

He could tell just by Mizuki's face that the other was running though any possible way of preventing this. Normal healing spells couldn't reverse blood loss, let alone take care of a wound of this size. Not even the herbs and stuff the other swore by could do anything for this. Though that didn't stop Mizuki from wracking his brain to figure something out.

Though about when he thought the other was going to give up Mizuki seemed to get a idea as he told Thal to be the stubborn ass he normally was. He would normally have a comeback to such a line but he didn't have the energy to do so at the moment. He was busy trying to stay alive. Maybe giving Mizuki the time he needed for whatever his plans were.

Normally he would protest to any form of magic or whatever plan that Mizuki had come up with but he couldn't Heck at this rate he was willing to give anything a shot. Let alone the fact that he didn't really want to die here.. not like this. Out of all the things he had put up with and been through he wasn't going to give up just yet. Though he might have little choice in the matter.

He was still trying but he barely heard Mizuki saying to stay with him. No someone else decided to have a play in this little event. Lolth decided she was going to play her role as the goddess of death, seeing as Daelis had spilled the beans on telling the none believer. Besides this was too good to pass up on tormenting him while she had the chance. It took less of her energy if he was in the state he was in.

Though in doing so Lolth had managed to get to both of the males. With her holding her position as the goddess of death she had pulled Thal from the living realm fr a brief moment making Mizuki think he had indeed failed in his spell. Though she wasn't keeping the other long, just enough to make a point.

A sudden gasp at air was a good give away that the spell didn't fail. Though he cringed about the same time seeing as Mizuki was very much so on the wound that wasn't completely closed. At the least it was no longer a threat of killing him. But he had no idea what Mizuki had done. Only that if he did indeed live through this he was going to hurt Mizuki. "Uh..next time.. don't .. lean on the stab wound k?" Seeing as Mizuki was all but holding onto Thal from before.

Mizuki pulled back the moment he heard the air intake then the other male speak. Looking down into a face in pain Mizuki couldnt help the smile that came to his face "Only if next time you dont leave me...not even for a second" He said leaning down carefully this time to kiss the male before pulling back "If you ever try to die on me again I swear to the gods I will fallow just to kill you twice" He said with a growl.

Mizuki was happy that the spell worked. He had no idea what he would of done if that was really the end of Thalion. No. The other male was alive and he did his job. "Now that you both have completed your tests here are your objects" She said walking towards them.

Kneeling down she handed Thalion his first. It was a pouch with six daggers that matched the sword. "Aim strong and true just as your heart is. When one is lost it takes great strength to return. You are strong and noble and will lead your people to greatness" Daelis said with a nod.

Looking up to Mizuki she smiled "And for you" She said handing over a chopstick hair pins that had lavender jewels hanging from the ends "With your strong nature comes your strong power. This will increase your power ten fold so you may protect those you love" She said with a smile before standing.

Like he had a choice in the matter? "I .. don't think you want to follow me. Not unless you want to meet the evil counterpart to your mom there.." No no the spirit form of Lolth was plenty.. though he hardly thought that was the last he had seen of her. Either way he breathed out a little knowing that every part of him hurt for the moment and staying right where he was seemed like a good plan to him. Though he was debating on what he could even do to fight against gods. Seeing as they were very much having to deal with them....

Though now something bothered him. So far all words had some meaning behind them and he was really not liking the sound of hers currently. But he knew how such riddles worked. If he questioned it he was going to get no answer in the least. Leading was the last thing he wanted to do, unless somewhere in the legend it mentions getting murdered by a ticked goddess in there.

He still didn't offer to move too much, not for the moment anyway. "I mean it for next time... If I see these markings again I'm walking the other way and acing like I didn't see a damned thing." Seeing as so far both times they brought just as much bad luck as they did good it seemed. Also he feared the next god or goddess they had to deal with would be her..