"That old hag! How dare she betray us!" Alon spat. Torching a chimera's head, he crouched on a tree branch near a river. He looked at the ashes and desired to do the same to the Amuns that invaded them.

"I can't believe Tandang Buyo to be with them. Much more any of our elders." Inari replied.

"I've heard rumors before that some of the clans are actually descendants of Amuns. That included our clan." Ya'ul said. "But never have I taken it seriously. Everyone is loyal to the kingdom."

"Who would have thought?" Baltog said. "By the way, any news about your brother, Al?" he asked as a swallow came by.

Alon stood as he watched the ashes of the severed head scattered with the lazy wind. He looked up at the morning sky and soak himself with the sun's warmth.

"None," he replied. "But he's knowing him and his Order, they're just out there somewhere,"

"But a bit of good news though, there are a few Orders nearby. They took refuge across the river."

Baltog leaped towards Alon with excitement. Learning that there were other survivors gave him hope.

"Which teams? Would you know?" Baltog asked.

"Keep your voice low," Alon whispered. "And you should take a rest first; you're the one who exhausted much energy to take us out of the castle."

"Are you kidding me?! I've been making tunnels since I was a kid! I didn't sweat at all!"

"I said, keep your voice low. There might still be enemies out there."

"Alright, alright. But there are no enemies around. We are safe for now. But we must regroup with the remaining Elois if we want to increase our chance of getting out alive."

"I do not know about that. It may be a trap." Alon replied. He's skeptical knowing that there are enemies amongst them.

"Then we shorten our agony," Inari said. "But we'll take your decision with this one Al. Whether they are enemies or not, it doesn't change the fact that we're still trapped inside the kingdom. So we'll trust you which path to take."

"That's right, Al. If we will not join them, we'll have to find another way out of this place." Baltog said.

Caught in a dilemma, he knew they must act quickly. And after a long sigh, Alon agreed to join the other Elois. "I'll take the lead," he said. "But OG, you take the rear. And if there is any sight of an enemy, you all are to scape without me."

"Agreed!" Baltog said.

"Hey, are you really gonna leave me alone?!"

"You're the one who asked for it!"

"Don't worry Al, we'll not abandon you," Ya'ul said.

"But seriously. If worse comes to worst, save the children," Alon said. He then led the group across the river. They stopped near a ruin covered with strangler trees.

"An old shrine?" Inari asked. 

"I'm pretty sure my swallow saw them here. But looks like no one's inside."

"Strange," Baltog said. Lingering his fingers to amongst the mossy bricks and the outgrown roots of the strangler trees. "The strangler trees look like a few hundred years, but the shrine must have been built by the time our kingdom was established. I wonder why our ancestors have abandoned this beauty." Baltog said.

"You grew up here, right?" Inari asked.

"Yeah, and I have passed here many times, but it's the first time I saw these ruins. It's frustrating that I never knew this ever existed. We could have reconstructed it to its glorious state." Baltog said. Continuing to inspect the site, he saw that all the circles were destroyed and not a hint of gold was on the shrine. "The Amuns are already with us for a long time," he concluded.

"Didn't the Amun and Eloi start as one kingdom?" Inari asked.

"Yes. Elo'ir and Raj-Amun established the kingdom of the mages to fight the Balangs. But a rift between the two rulers divided the kingdom. Raj-Amun might have sent some of the clans loyal to him as spies when the kingdom split."

"Let's look around," Alon said.

Moving away from the ruins, an old vine pulled him beneath the ground. Falling face down, a pile of grass landed on his back. He drew his flicker blade and created a sword made of fire. Cutting the vines, he noticed that they were made of iron. He knew who it was for only one mage in Eloi creates vines made of iron.

"Dalip! Show yourself! Let's settle this once and for all!" he cried.

"Hot-headed as always, Al. Can't we have some fun?" Dalip said. Holding a torch, he went near him.

"We are in a dire situation, and all you still care about is to have some fun? Would it be funny if I take your head?"

Dalip can't help laughing even though Alon's hand grabbed his neck. "Piece of advice my friend. Think before you leap!"

In a snap, Dalip's body turned into the same iron vine and wrapped Alon. With a thud, the latter found himself on the ground again.

Laughter quickly followed as he burned in anger.

"You okay, bud?" Baltog asked as he unwraped the vines.

"Tsk! I'll make sure to make him pay!" Alon cried in anger.

"Save that power of yours, as you said- we are in a dire situation. Our real enemies are out there, scattered all over the kingdom. We need each other alive." Baltog's said.

His anger was swept away when he saw Dalip clearly. His right forearm was missing. Bloody bandages covered his body. He felt a pang of guilt after he realized what kind of battle the latter must have gone through.

"It was just a hand. Most of us lost lives. So save your pity for the dead, Al." Dalip said. "After we escaped the kingdom, you can have my head. If you can cut it off my body, that is!"  He laughed on his way towards the cold tunnel.

"Hey, Dal!" Alon called as the latter came to a halt. "How'd you know we are not Amuns?"

"I can ask you the same. How sure are you, my friend, that this is not a trap?" Dalip replied as he went his way again, laughing.

"I swear I'll beat him to a pulp until he begs for my mercy," Alon said.

Baltog just chuckled as he help his friend up. He does not believe that Alon has any chance of defeating the other mage.

"You don't believe I can beat him, do you?"

"Even with both of his arms ripped. But I'll cheer for you bud!"

"Just so you wait. Where are the others anyway?"

"They are already at the hall with the other Orders."

The stench of sweat and blood strike their noses as they climbed down a helical staircase. This led to a small hall filled with Elois. Most are the survivors from the other Orders. Some were children. Most are wounded. Some even lost their arms or legs. Others are on the verge of death.

"Hey Dal, would you like me to change those filthy bandages first?" Baltog offered.

"Yeah, but only after you have treated everyone else. They needed your help more than me. I can manage until then." Dalip said. He hovered in the room asking each one of their injuries and making them feel lighter.

"What took you so long! Here, take care of my twins first." Inari said. Jumping in front of Alon, he gave him the newborns.

"What's the big idea?! Am I your babysitter?!" Alon replied. Not having the experience to handle babies his entire life, he refused. To his disappointment, Inari left before he could give the babies back.

"Now I regret not learning any healing magic." Alon sighed.

Only seven mages that knew healing magic were around. That included Inari, Ya'ul, and Baltog who helped tend the wounded.
Alon settled in a corner and sat on a reed mat with the babies in each arm. He looked at the wounded mages grimacing in pain, waiting for their injuries to be tended. In another corner of the room, he could see five bodies lying on the floor, covered with their torn clothes and dusty reed mats. A few gathered around them, weeping.

"Why did you let this happen lord Elo'ir? Why have you forsaken us?" Alon thought. Pain and grief crept into his heart. Doubt crossed his mind. He doubted that they can get out of Eloi alive. Fear came next, not that he feared dying. He feared not for his life but for his family, friends, and the children, especially the ones he held.

At a young age, he was orphaned. A family took him and never in his life did he feel that he was not part of the family. He became close to his adoptive brother that was with him when he learned fire magic. And after becoming part of the Golden Dawn, he gained another family. To him, his bonds were more important than anything. He feared that he might lose any of them.

To his surprise, the infants have behaved. They slept tight within his arms.

Jealous of them, he thought that the infants were lucky not to know anything that was happening around them. But for some reason, he was given hope when he saw the boy they found smile. 

It took them the rest of the afternoon to tend all the wounded. Though a few died, most of them are out of danger.

"At last!" Baltog said. Sitting on the cold floor, he rested beside the couple and their twin. "I hope we can have a good night's sleep tonight."

"Yes, even just for tonight." Ya'ul agreed. "And may they recover quickly."

"Where's Al by the way?" Baltog asked.

"He's out with the others to get some provisions."

"He'd better save some for me when he returns or I'll eat him! I'm so exhausted and famished right now that I think that I could smell a roasted fish like it's just at my back," Baltog complained.

"Turn around you idiot! You are not dreaming." Alon said.

The aroma of grilled fish and sweet potatoes filled the room. Everyone was given more than enough for their speedy recovery. They even had some berries they found outside the shrine.

"I think I would be able to eat all of this in a blink!" Baltog said.

"Hey! Don't be greedy pal!" Alon said. Looking at Inari and the sleeping babies, he threw two large turnips at Ya'ul.

"Where's mine?" Baltog asked. His mouth was full of fish. He's already eaten half of it.

"Tsk. What a glutton!" Alon sighed.

"It's not gluttony. I only eat what my stomach can take."

"Your stomach is like a bottomless pit!"

"It's okay, Al," Ya'ul said. "OG gave us his food earlier. Thanks for the turnips."

"You take a rest. You have a family to protect." Alon replied.

"Hey Al, where are my turnips? Don't tell me that you have forgotten about me or I swear I'll eat you," Baltog said.  Wrapping his huge arms around Alon's shoulders, he ate the last meat of his fish. Bones dangled by his mouth.

Throwing two turnips in the air, Alon turned away.

"Not eating, bud?" Baltog asked.

"I'm already full," Alon replied.

Staying in the old shrine, the mages were able to recover. For a whole week, not one enemy pursued them. Not even a chimera passed by the ruins of the shrine. There was peace, an unusual peace that bothered them.

"You have been restless for days Al!" Baltog said. They were outside to keep watch.

"Are you talking to me or are you talking to yourself?" Alon replied. "You can't fool me. I know you like no one else."

Baltog knelt and put his palm on the earth. He rose with a deep breath after a few seconds.

"What are they plotting? It seems that they were letting us regain our strength. But for what?" Alon said.

"Not them, he," Baltog said. "My hunch is that Kraal wants to fight us with our full strength."

"The Amun's future Rajah? But for what reason? Or are we just a form of entertainment to him?"

"I think he wants us on their side."

"Not a chance! Never in my life would I swear loyalty to the moon!"

Looking at the night sky, Baltog was unusually quiet.

"You afraid?" Alon asked.

"You know pretty well that I will not back down to anyone, Al. It's just that.." Baltog let out a sigh before he continued. "We are sure to face them one way or the other. The Amuns we can handle, but I don't think we stand a chance against him."

"It's alright to be afraid. But it is not alright to lose hope, OG. As long as the sun's rays brighten up the sky, there is always a bright future."

Alon's words hit him right at his heart. His friend was right, he was starting to lose hope. But knowing that they still breathe, there's still a chance. Even though how slim it might seem, they could still cling to that hope.

"Well said, my friend. You did pick great wisdom from me." Baltog said.

"You didn't teach me anything!"

Baltog smiled and shook his head in reply. He knew that danger was coming. He could already feel the darkness creeping in.

"Do you really think that he'll fight us by himself?"

"Yes. And he's here."

With its huge wings, a chimera covered the moonlit sky. Gliding through the spaces between the trees, it settled at the top of the ruins. Its howl echoed across the forest. Taking a bow, it revealed a man with silver hair. He held a moon scythe on his back. And his eerie calmness and composure made every Eloi tremble.