The instruments to draw blood. (The War 1.1))

[A.B.A.]

Velestia had been caught off guard by Roxa's rejection, the surprising rise of heat coming off of him causing her to back away with a startled look that turned to fear as the man laid upon her with threats. Her physical retreat turned into a mental one, and before she could feel the twitch in her eyes as tears began to well up she abandoned her body, surrendering it once more to A.B.A., still deep pontificating her path to take.

I don't know what I'm even thinking. Was this even my idea to come here? Do I even really want to kill him? What if... The thought died as her ears perked up at Roxa's death threat. In an instant her body was a mess of instincts and impulse. Her arm cleared her blurry vision as it shed the tears away from sight while she lunged forward. Her hand slammed down on the headboard and her body tensed as she held her staff over her head. Velestia's eyes betrayed the sense of hateful retribution to Roxa for a moment before the voice of Annabelle snapped her out of it. Her staff clattered behind her to the floor as she gave up her grip, and her rage all in the surprise of the moment.

"I-" Words always failed her at moments like this. She could only stare blankly into Roxa's worn and tired eyes as Annabelle chastised him. For an instant she saw him as Seigmand would, past the bluster on the surface and down to the rationale behind it. A.B.A. saw him weak and exposed, and once more she felt that cold and sad feeling climb in her throat. It hurt, so she did the only thing she could think of to get rid of the pain.

Velestia turned with a snap of her cloak and bent down to retrieve her staff. With her attention turned to the slowly gathering group in the room with them she felt her throat ease up slightly.

"I don't know you. If I ever did, I don't now." She barely choked out. With that Velestia hung on protectively to her staff and moved past the crowd of warriors out into the common room where it was empty. Where it was away from Roxa.

[King Roxa Hiaten]

Roxa's eyes narrowed, staring down at the sheet covering him as Velestia took her leave. He still couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity, and the words that she spoke certainly lent themselves to hinting that she did in fact know at least something about Roxa. For a moment, he contemplated sending someone after her to bring her back, and he was halfway through raising a hand in order to give the order, but at the last moment he wavered. He had more important things to be worrying about at the moment. He looked across at Gensayce who had loyally been stood at his bedside in silence and gave him a nod, the warrior returned it with a smile and slipped out of the room. He let out a deep sigh as he motioned one of his guards forwards.

"Bring me my armour,I need to get out of this bed, for a start..." The soldier gave a short bow and also left, but from a different door with led to a small armoury. Roxa knew it would take a while for everything to be prepared, so for the time being he looked across at Bang and Enizo and gave a small smile. He had never met Bang before, but from what he had heard, he was an adept warrior, and someone who would most likely be a large help in the upcoming campaign.

"I feel more at ease knowing that we have another warrior to help us in this upcoming battle... But we need an army..." His point turned to addressing Enizo. "We need to gather as many of the nations together as possible, and draw up all of our strength if we want any hope of defeating Duo. When I fought him all those years ago, he fielded an army, so we should assume that in the worst-case scenario, he somehow does it again. We're looking at this from the worst possible scenario, in which we're not just fighting Duo, but his entire army as well..." He closed his eyes in thought. He was tired, and that predominantly commanded his thoughts, but he knew this was no time to rest.

"Scratch what I said." He muttered with a shake of his head. "Leave Unda out of it, I doubt they'd be willing to field an army for the time being... They'll probably be preparing their own defenses if they're smart, there's a chance that Unda will be his first target, so let's leave them out of our plans for the time being..."

[Kazan]

Kazan had no idea who this newcomer was, the one who strode into the room with his head held high and his booming voice sparked aloud, but it struck a resonance within him... He didn't know why, but he felt a pulsating warmth coming from the older man and plucking the chords of the fire within his own belly. It wasn't just that he was a warrior, no, Kazan was surrounded by those right now and he had felt nothing! There was something about Bang that stood out, something that made him stand taller than the rest, but he couldn't place his finger on it.

Then it hit him.

He was a free spirit! He was the wind! He was the fire of justice and peace! All things that Kazan himself held so very dear, and it took him only a few seconds to blank out everyone in the room, Roxa, Velestia, all of them. It was just Kazan, and Bang. This man in the space of moments had become an inspiration to the young Allorum Guardian, and he rushed over with fists clenched and an eager grin on his face as he spoke.

"OI!"[/i] He cried. "Who are you?! You resound with the authority of justice, and walk with exalted footsteps! You have the presence of peace about you, and the aura of love! Could you really be... BANG SHISHIGAMI?! THE FAMOUS NINJA I HAVE HEARD OF ON MY TRAVELS?! OOOOIIIIIIIIIII!" His grin widened even further as he contained his excitement.

"Oiiiii... Oyakata-sama! You're one of my idols!" He suddenly started patting Enizo on the shoulder rather roughly. "Look, lemon-face! It's Oyakata-sama Bang!"

[Enizo]

Enizo was in hell and his face showed it. He was stuck in between two giant babies and one of them was relentlessly patting him at a rate that would likely leave a bruise on his poor shoulder.

That aside let's go back to Enizo's face, who's pucker was like no other and eyes squinted so tightly that one would think they were stuck together. It looked like a face of a demon, a demon that really didn't want to be messed with.

"Enough..." Enizo growled out towards Kazan, "Just try and remain professional for once, you big buffoon."

[A.B.A.]

Drawing a deep breath, and for the first time all day alone A.B.A. let the pressures of the day fall before her, each breath melting off the stress and confusion a little. What was left after a good 5 minutes was only her resolve. Uncertain as it was she knew the objects of her focus hadn't changed.

Kain, I wished you were with me. You'd always lead us with such certainty, always been so confident in each step you took, even when it was wrong. How can I face this all with any certainty when I know so little? Duo may have been my enemy once, our enemy I mean...but even he never took you away from us. If only I knew what had happened in that tower. That damned tower. Even the thought of it's battered remains reminded her of her ineptitude. Of Roxa's and Sonorc's and who-knew-who-elses betrayal of Kain. Of her loneliness.

Are you going to sit here and mope all day? You simple little brat. You dared to pull me away for your own selfish wants and this is what you decide to do when you finally get here? He's right here, and you don't even understand yourself enough to know what needs to be done.[/b] Seigmand ridiculed A.B.A. from inside, as cruel as he was correct. Let me back in, and I'll do what you should have done when you were too afraid to do it.

But, what are you-

If you really think what I'm going to do is wrong, take me away at your behest. I only offer because I know I won't.[/b]

A.B.A. sat silent, considering the proposal for a time that seemed to stretch on forever. She knew he wouldn't budge on giving her another tidbit of info. He never did. She always had to learn the hard way, just the way he had. It was the price that needed to be paid for knowledge.

"Very well."

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Interrupting the simple conversation of the occupants of the room the door flew open with a surprising force, the hinges squealing as they barely hung on. Alone, standing relaxed with his standard coy smile was the dethroned Seigmand Dezmar. He brushed his hands of dust and took a step into the bed chamber.

"Well well, this wasn't quite how I had hoped to meet the great Roxa Hiaten, but I suppose given the circumstances one of us was going to have to be on their back before we got to talk. How's the royal life been treating you King?" Seigmand was unusually cheeky. Arrogance was not a trait Seigmand wore well, or often for that matter. Those that knew him better might wonder if losing his throne had caused him to break down, or perhaps would wonder if this was all just another game of chess that he had been ready to play out. Either way, he looked on with the barest interest in the others, giving Roxa the majority of his attention as he stood across the room from him.

[Enizo]

Enizo let out a string of Elvish words that would probably translate to obscure words best not to be spoken in front of... anyone. Enizo quickly put himself between Seigmand and Roxa, not because he was worried about Roxa's safety, but because he was worried about everyone else's safety.

Roxa was in a shitty mood and he knew Seigmand wouldn't stand a chance with the form of rage that Roxa was in. "Seigmand!" Enizo yelled out while holding up his hand in Roxa's direction, begging him not to make a move yet, "I'm not sure if you're mental or just want to be torn to pieces but you've really picked a bad time to make a move!"

[Bang Shishigami]

I won't lie by saying that I didn't feel my spirit rise at the young Kazan's words, but somehow, the sheer excitement felt strangely out of place, and almost inappropriate given the recent happenings.

"Thank you, young man, but I believe Enizo here is right. Now is neither the time nor the place for us to be focusing on ourselves. Save such enthusiasm for the things to come, for I'm sure we'll need a strong heart such as yours for the hardships ahead." I assured my young admirer, hopping to quell that lads excitement, at least for now.

Sadly, it would seem that there was to be no peace, even in the chamber filled with sympathetic hearts, as the former King Dezmar made his way in, his callous words cutting me to my core. No sooner did I aim to act then Enizo bolted in front of me, placing himself between the young Roxa and the spectacled intruder.

My sympathetic heart quickly wore at my patience for the man's presence, but as much as I would've liked to remove the audacious Seigmand from our midst, my respect for the situation stayed my hands, knowing well that now, more then ever, was not the time for more outbursts. With a reserved and quite tone strange even to myself, I sounded off to unwanted guest, in hopes that he might peacefully take his leave.

"If you cannot understand the fury you see in that boys eyes, then you have never suffered the loss of something precious. Perhaps such callous words should be saved till you have..."

[King Roxa Hiaten]

The sound of leather moving against itself and of metal touching against metal rang out behind Enizo as a few guards started attaching Roxa's gauntlets to his arms. The armour was still very much the same as when he had been in the Saints, white leather with the Saints emblem on the chest. But since those days, he had jury-rigged metal plates onto the gauntlets, shoulders, one side of his chest and his boots. As they were attaching the metal plate to the white under armour of his chest, he looked across as Seigmand and shook his head slowly. He very badly wanted to solve the issue here and now, but if Duo was really back... Seigmand was the least of his worries now.

"Enizo is right..." He muttered, climbing out of bed, now fully armoured. He reached up to the ceiling, arching his back with a resounding stretch before twisting his torso this way and that. "I'm in a bad mood, and I know that if I really snapped, I'd burn this city to the ground." He smiled warmly as he started walking towards Seigmand. "But I doubt I will, not properly, because let's face it..." He walked straight past Seigmand as if he were not even there, and grabbed his two blades that were hung on the wall and sheathed them at his waist. He also grasped Sonorcs dagger and tied it to his front.

"You're no trouble, Seigmand. Duo's back, and he can crush any and all of us under-thumb. So unless you're here to offer your help, I'm sure you can see yourself out..." He walked back past Seigmand, not even giving him a second glance as he approached the bed again, taking his black cloak from the foot of it and throwing it around himself. Had this been any other situation, were it not for Duo's return, he would happily have even let Ave have his way with the former King, but Roxa was not stupid, he had bigger fish to fry.

"Enizo, Kazan, Bang." He said, turning to the three, and his back to Seigmand. "From what I gather, you three are used to working alone, but together you'll be a power-house. I would most certainly ask of your help in this upcoming task." His attention now turned to Kyros of Crepusculum. "And your promise for Crepusculums help is indeed a huge asset to our cause, if this does come down to fielding armies, I would like to see you and your men riding by my side." Annabelle Fraus fell under his gaze next and he gave a large grin. "I have already apologised for my rash behaviour, but let me do so again. You are most definitely a wise woman, and if you're as fearsome as my good friends Gensayce and Kara say, a valuable asset. I do not doubt that you are wise and will know of the threat Duo poses, any aid from you will no doubt be enough." Finally, he turned back to Seigmand.

"I had nothing against you. It was that distant relative of yours who took your place when you left, who I rebelled against. But this throne is mine now and it shall stay that way... But as I said, Duo is back, and he's bigger than you Seigmand, bigger than me, bigger than even Kain..." He extended a hand to the former King. "Someone as smart as you must know we need to stand together on these days."

[Enizo]

Enizo could hardly believe it, Roxa was a way better person than he was. Given all that has happened he was sure he would've had his sword in Seigmand already if similar circumstances had occurred.

Enizo didn't put his sword away, instead his kept it tightly in his hand as he watched Seigmand's reaction.

[Kazan]

"Psst... Lemon-face..." Kazan whispered, gently nudging Enizo with his elbow as he jerked his head over towards Seigmand, having seemingly calmed down from his earlier excitement. He had a haze of curiosity over his face and his eyes narrowed as he looked at the former King. He at least looked like he had something important to say, almost like he had an opinion that didn't include going outside and laying in the grass, staring up at the stars without a care in the world, he looked ready to contribute.

Then he, of course, spoke.

"Who's this guy..?"

[Enizo]

=_=

For a moment there was a hope that Kazan was going to interject something intelligent into the conversation, but that was until reality decided to crush that hope and leave Enizo to explain the situation.

"He was the King of Roccia at one point, I can't believe he actually just walked in here like he still owns the place," Enizo whispered back to Kazan, "He's a bad guy, just not the biggest bad guy right now."

[Seigmand Dezmar]

It was to be expected, Seigmand heard the threats, the hushed whispers of disdain from the other warriors that surrounded the room. It had never been common knowledge what he'd done when Trucido hatched his scheme those years ago. The plans, the sacrifices, the lies. If they had it would mean he hadn't done his job well. In a way, hearing Enizo call him "a bad guy" would have filled him with joy to know his facade had been so well played. He probably would have smiled had he not been seething with contempt for the words and behaviour of Roxa.

He could feel himself get hot in the face as he stood silent watching the young king dally about the room. Oh no, it wasn't the impudence, or the disrespect he so casually spat out towards Seigmand. He was used to children not knowing their place, used to those even as old as him throwing their weight around because they thought themselves skilled at taking what they wanted with violence.

No, it was the he dared to threaten the city.

Were it not for his skill at masking his true feelings, Seigmand would have likely shown more to indicate his rage than a flush face, but it was a subtle crack in an otherwise cool and collected mask. He scanned the room idly, his eyes passing by each inhabitant than slowly down to the smooth, polished marble that made up the room's floor before at last arriving at the extended gauntlet of Roxa.

"It is a wise ruler that knows how best to use everyone to their advantage, even their enemies. As much as I dislike losing my sovereignty of my...these people, I fully admit that I was negligent of my duties and passed responsibility over to the corrupt. From what little I've seen, you seem to be lacking in that quality, so I hope you will do better than those you took down." Seigmand clasped his hand around Roxa and gave it two firm pumps as they shook hands. He looked into his eyes and smirked.

In an instant a wave of mud flowed out from his wide sleeve and engulfed Roxa's gauntlet completely up to his elbow before flash-freezing into a solid bind between him and Seigmand. At the same time a stomp forward and a wave of his hand caused the floor to shake before slamming a cylindrical wall of 2 foot thick stone all around them. It was cramped and confined, giving him not just the benefit of isolation from the rest of the warriors eyes and ears, but also being too tight for Roxa to have the room to draw his blades. While both the inside and outside started off equally smooth, as time past the inside grew thick deathy sharp needles that all pointed themselves at the golden haired Kishu.

The smirk was gone, replaced by a fierce scowl reflecting exactly how much he loathed the boy. "Just remember this...king, those that died this day are dead because of the grudge this man has for you, and while you may whine and snivel over your woman's disappearance there are those that mourn for far greater. Should you ever....EVER dare to harm them, or threaten their safety because of your untempered rage, I will make sure you die. It won't be by my hand, and it won't be a honourable fight. It will be a drop of poison in your food, a deadly gas in your bed chambers, and that'll be if I'm feeling benevolent. You have my kingdom, by right of force, but I've done far far worse than murder one boy to ensure Roccia is safe from people with power and no ability to control it."

"Now, truce." It wasn't a question, it was a declaration of intent. Whether or not Roxa was phased by the threat, Seigmand had made it painfully clear there was nothing idle about his words. He stared down the boy, his one hand still bound to the king while his other remained at the ready, in case he was stupid enough to try and lash out with his berserk power.

[King Roxa Hiaten]

Roxa's face showed no flicker of shock or fear, but instead, he broke into a smile. Without even intending to, he could see he had managed to get under Seigmand's skin. When he spoke, he did so with dignity, and almost cheerily as he smiled up towards the scowling face of Seigmand.

"For a smart man, you certainly are stupid." He said with an honest chuckle. "Do you actually know what I'm capable of? Or is it just an educated guess? Better yet, do you even have an inkling of what Duo is capable of? Because these precautions of yours..." His eyes flickered to the stone around them, before locking back onto Seigmand's. "They're child's play. As are your idle threats and promises. I risked my life and the lives of those I care about to free your country from tyranny. I did so again tonight in order to save it from the hordes of a man who could kill us all at any moment." He gave the smallest of shrugs. "Roccia is my second interest, Allorum is my first. My duty as a King should highlight that fact. I care for my people, and they support me in my endeavours, but something much larger than my Kingship or my people is at stake here and I will not allow your childish outbursts to stand in the way of that."

A thin crack split down the rock holding Roxa's arm in place as his smile widened and he leaned back, resting his head against the forced walls around him. He looked at them almost admirably, but again, his gaze fell back onto Seigmand.

"Now. I kindly suggest you take these walls down before I do. Consider it a first sign of trust within this truce."

Roxa kept his calm composure as he spoke, every word ringing with truth. He did not have the time to push back when Seigmand decided to throw his weight around. Roxa had lived for over 1000 years, and that was a lot of time to arrange your priorities, one of which was to not fret over men who couldn't see the bigger picture. But he would not be so quick to judge, Seigmand wasn't stupid. He was a man who could see the forest from the tree, and Roxa was not going to immediately remove the option that Seigmand would see the wisdom in Roxa's choice.

[Seigmand Dezmar]

Seigmand rolled his eyes and shook his head. His words were wasted on the boy. He thought himself invincible, save for Duo. Seigmand had seen through A.B.A.'s eyes the terror of that long past war, and had seen all too well exactly what Duo was. A tactician with a silver tongue. A bully who played off fear and intimidation. Yet a powerhouse? No worse than anything he'd seen in his days.

"Just a boy playing king after all. And I thought Trucido was arrogant and delusional." The last words were muttered more so to himself as he let out a deep sigh. Retracting the wall and his binding on Roxa's arm with a snap of his forearm the floor returned to it's initial state, and once more the room was fully exposed to all as Seigmand released his grip from the boy. In an instant he had wiped the scowl off his face and replaced it once more with a demure smile.

"Forgive us everyone, but the new king needed to be passed along some very delicate information, and I don't believe we have the time for us to have excused ourselves." With a last long look at Roxa he turned away to see the young Allorum Guardian who had seemed to place himself in charge of the operation. "Enizo was it? As you seem to be the brains behind this counterattack I do believe we have much to discuss. Perhaps you might elaborate on this plan of yours?"