Venturing off alone once again, Ciara shivered as she passed through what appeared to be some ruins. Her hood was down, her hair was loose and dancing in the wind. It was dark and cold, an eerie feeling made Ciara stop and search through the shadows. The ruins here seemed to be that of a large civilization, but now, it was much overgrown. She didn't feel comfortable, but she didn't want to turn back just yet. It is so exciting to travel off through new places, but I really think I should have waited or found someone to accompany me. Sighing heavily, she smiled weakly. The old crumbling structures were wonderful, stepping inside one, she disappeared from the dark night.

Kuya stood at a rock staring up at the skies. He loved the place. With it's high rocks and overidden structures. He suddenly heard some sounds coming from below. He watched as he saw Ciara, the woman he had met earlier enter into a building. He watched quietly in the darkness unseen.

But as Kuya moved around his sword which was at his belt gleamed at the moon. Kuya quickly moved his sword away from the light and hoped that she hadn't noticed.

Ciara had thought that it would have been darker inside the crumbling structure but it was not. It was not so windy inside as it was outside and it was slightly warmer because of this. Stepping cautiously through the ruins as to not disturb anything that may lay on the floor she curiously wandered from room to room. While there wasn't anything really inside the structure, it was still amazing at how well built it was to have kept standing, or somewhat standing, through all of the years. Slipping off her gloves, she pressed one of her small delicate hands over the cool rock walling and smiled. Noticing the Moon light shimmer through the dark night, she looked up to see a large crack that spread straight across the roof of the structure, allowing the light to pour down into the various nooks of the room she was in. Well, now this isn't so bad. It is just the darkness that has me worried. Noticing a few candles laid about some over turn and some laying on the floor, Ciara dug inside her pack for the set of matches that the sprites had so graciously given to her. She tried to strike the first match but it had snapped and half of it fell to the ground. Pulling out another, she had it lit and cover the flame as she lit the first candle wick. Picking up the candle then using it to light the others, setting them up if they had been overturned. Now this is better, isn't that nice? She watched the room quietly, setting down the candle in her hand then walking to the center of the room, beaming proudly at a job well done. Candle. She called out, looking at a candle that was clearly across the room and holding out her hand to it. She smiled as it faded away in a flash of light and then her smile widened as the light appeared in her hand and the candle appeared. Mom, you sure do come in handy at times. Taking ahold of the candle, Ciara looked up for Azadeth, wondering if he had changed his mind and decided to tag along with her. But he was not to be seen in the night's sky, he had decided to venture off on his own this time. Shrugging to herself, she turned to the closed door in front of her then made her way into the next room of the structure.

Good, she didn't see... Kuya thought. Though the ruins were a beautiful place to behold, this was a place of death and destruction even more so that the Deep Cities. Only armed people should go in. But every now and then a passerby would journy in. He decided to follow Ciara and watch her from invisiblity, just for both of their safety. He didn't want to seem to intrude so he moved very quietly.

The door was very heavy and Ciara struggled to push it open. The next room was darker, there was no crack in the ceiling and there didn't appear to be any windows, if there were they were covered by some means. The dull candle light slowly flooded into the room as she tripped over some debris that happened to be in her way.
Falling to her hands and knees, she scrapped her leg and torn her cloak. Sighing heavily she rocked back so that she was sitting on the ground and examined the damages. Well this will not do at all, I will have to ask the sprites in the forest to mend this for me when I return. A no blood dripped from the scrap, but Ciara winced as she poked at it with her finger. She had never been physically wounded before and though it was only a scrap, the new sensation startled her.
The candle had fallen, but the flame did not extinguish. The flame waved in the air, the soft gray smoke rising, appearing to dance above the flame. Picking the candle up once more, she went to an old table with a few items scattered about around it.
Hearing a small sound, Ciara looked back through the door, into the room she had just come from and wondered if someone wasn't out there...

Quietly Kuya went back a bit as to not be heard. "Huan, follow her from here, this is a dangerous place, we must watch her. I'll go on up ahead and see if there's no danger." Kuya said to his faithful wolfhound and they were both off.

She walked back quietly, peeking her head and the candle outside the door, shifting her eyes from side to side searching for whatever it was that had made the noise. She shrugged slightly as she saw nothing and turned full around in one fluid movement. She had seen nothing of great intrest in the small room and decided to perhaps venture deeper inside what appeared to be a large home.

As she walked along, the floor creaked with and her cloak made small sounds while being dragged upon the floor behind her. Her leg ached slightly as she walked slowly through the candle lit room. There was another doorway in front of her and to her left a small case of dark stairs that led downward. Deciding it would be best for her if she stayed above ground, at least for the night, she headed on to the next room.

Huan from a high position kept a close eye on Ciara. He stealthily moved in order to keep Ciara within eyesight. Glancing here in there for any suspicious sudden movements are anything that would catch his interest.

Kuya moved to the front of the structure that Ciara was coming through in. He looked around, nothing yet. But he heard a groaning noise, that was definitely not Huan's or his....

As Ciara approached the doorway, she noticed that it was partially blocked. Sighing heavily with disappointment she looked around for another way to go through, other than the case of stairs. Seeing none, she decided she would try to squeeze through the small space that was open. What harm could come, I am sure I can fit through. Setting the candle down on the table that was now behind her, she moved her cloak out of the way and gripped the sides of the door with both hands. Lifting herself up, she stood unevenly atop the obstruction then crouched down to wiggle through the space.

As she had been moving through, she knocked over a large wooded board that had obviously come loose from somewhere uptop. As it crashed to the floor, she heared a loud groan but couldn't quite figure out if it was the board, the old structure or something else. Sitting in the small space in the doorway, she sat, listening carefully for a few moments. Watching the shadows for anything that could pose some sort of danger, but saw nothing. Ciara slipped through the doorway and realized that she didn't bring the candle. How silly of me! Laughing at herself, she peeked through the doorway. The only thing she saw was the soft dancing glow that the candle produced.

Well that is perfect. How and I supposed to see? She stood at the doorway and pouted. Just as Ciara was debating on whether to turn back and come during the light of day, another, larger obstruction fell from the ceiling crashing down into the doorway. Startled and panicing, she quickly leapt back to get out of the way. This is not good at all. The only way for her to go now was through the structure and hope for a way out.

Kuya heard too many noises inside and what more? A cave troll came out of nowhere and was ready to charge at him. This place was famous for them. He quickly used his Broadsword to crash into the structure and go in. He sprinted like lightning and got Ciara by the body and continued to sprint forward slower this time, much slower because of the extra weight. The cave troll was gaining. Huan was running beside him and went back to take on the cave troll.

Ciara jumped around, gasping as the far wall collapsed and someone or something ran toward her, grabbing at her waist, lifting her and carrying her away. NO! She cried. Put me down! She screamed and struggled to get free, not even noticing the cave troll that had been chasing after them, not knowing that it was Kuya who picked her up out of harms way. In a fit of panic she swatted several times at Kuya, her cloak flapping behind them, blocking her view making it hard to see what was going on.

Kuya kept running squinting as Ciara kept swiping at him. He leaped on top of a high ledge and set Ciara down on top of it. He then noticed that the cave troll had gained distance despite Huan attacking him. He leaped down and attacked the cave troll along with Huan. As he leaped down he took out his Oathbow and shot a few arrows at the troll.

In the dark structure, Ciara couldn't see a single thing. As Kuya leapt into the air, she let out a soft grunt. She still didn't recognize Kuya, swatting at him even after he put her down. Into the shadows of the structure he went and she watched him closely as he jumped back down off the legde. Seeing this an opportune time to get away quickly, Ciara carefully took a long sidestep along the ledge, almost falling. Looking down, she debated it if was safe to go back down to where her alleged attacker and another creature were now fighting. Her eyes searched frantically for some way to escape. I need to get out, where is Azadeth? Just as she thought this, Azadeth lit up a broken window to her right with his fiery wings. I knew you wouldn't be far she whispered. Trying to hurry over, Ciara slipped occassionally, each time looking down and watching the two fight in the room. When she reached the window, she climbed out onto the roof top. What took you so long?! She looked over to Azadeth who was pearched on the roof then reached out and pet him gently. We need to get out of here. Azadeth squacked at her in response as she turned from the window, making sure her footing was secure letting her eyes searched through the darkness of the night for a way out of this place.

Just then Anduril, Kuya's Ancient Dragon blocked their way. Look, Kuya is trying to save you, so why do make hasty decisions and run away. He did not mean to hurt you if he did. The Ancient Dragon said in a tone of wisdomness.

Kuya continued to battle on, finnaly getting his Broadsword through the skull of the troll. He had some cuts and bruises and he looked up at the ledge where he placed Ciara.

As the large dragon landed, Ciara gasped in disbelief. It was a fabled myth where she was from, but never had she seen such a large creature. The creature spoke, mentioning Kuya. Kuya? Where is Kuya in all of this? I don't know what you mean, you must be mistaken. Taking a step back, then another toward the window from which she came. The two that were fighting might be hard to handle, might overpower her, but they were nothing compared to this dragon. Azadeth screeched and swooped up at the dragon in rebutal as Ciara took another step back and began to loose her balance on the roof.

With some of his Power, Anduril force pushed Azadeth gently away. "If you cannot see then see NOW!" Anduril blew a fireball up at the seiling of the structure. The sparks that it emitted did not cease for a while. "There look down, do you not see Kuya there?" the great being asked.

Ciara did as the dragon told her to do, holding onto the pane of the window and peeking her head into the room. Laying on the floor was a cave troll, standing over him was Kuya. Ciara had to catch her breath for she couldn't believe her eyes. How could I have not known? A puzzled look came over Ciara's face as she turned back to the dragon. What is Kuya doing here? I didn't see him when I had entered this place. She looked back down to Kuya then up to the dragon once more. Are you all following me? She stared up at the dragon, suspicious and feeling uneasy at the thought that anyone would be following her.

"Not following following protecting. This is a dangerous place if you do not know some type of fighting. But I am not the one you should speak to." Anduril said pointing at Kuya.

Kuya looked up sheathed his sword and collapsed. If you looked closely he had a deep wound on his right leg from when he was sprinting Ciara away from the troll...

Ciara looked down to Kuya, watching him collapse, she pulled herself through the structures window slowly and called out to him. Kuya, are you alright? He didn't answer and she began to worry. Oh no, this is all my fault! Kuya! She yelled down to him as if to wake him up if he were sleeping. She looked back to the dragon, not saying a word then to Azadeth who was still flying above the dragon. Ciara frowned while doing her best to climb down from the high window, moving quickly, but carefully.

Finally reaching the ground she hurried over then kneeling beside Kuya, paniced and worried. She was leery to touch him, she didn't know what kind of affect she would have on him and did not wish to harm him any more than she had. Looking up to the window then back down again, she was at a loss of thought, her mind scattered.

And then she remembered, her eyes lighting up as if a spark had ignited inside her mind. She remembered Azadeth, her phoenix companion, all that she had read about him in the Talas Library. Azadeth can help! Azadeth, come down please, hurry! She called to him in a begging voice watching and pleading to him with her eyes. Azadeth squacked back as he glided down from the window, landing inbetween Kuya and Ciara.

Please Azadeth, you have to help him, I cannot. Do this for me, please? Seeing how much Ciara had wanted this done, Azadeth seemed to nod as he waddled over to Kuya's wound, crying a single tear upon it. Ciara had never seen the healing powers of a phoenix before but she prayed that it would work.

The blood had stopped flowing from the wound but the gash could be seen more.

"Don't worry....your safe....I tried to...help..you....it's ok...." Kuya said in little pieces of speech. He had been mortally injured, he would have summoned some angelic beings for aid, but didn't have the strength to...

Raising a hand to her mouth she had watched the phoenix's magic. As Kuya spoke, a small part of her smiled, but a concerned expression was firmly planted upon her face.

Kuya, I am so sorry, I had no idea. She had no idea how badly Kuya was wounded and this worried her more. Tell me, tell me what I can do to help you, please. I will do anything.

Watching Kuya closely, she inched her way on her knees toward him across the cold flooring of the structure. Looking up to Azadeth, smiling and thanking him silently for his aid.

Kuya coughed. He put his hand out and summoned an Angelic Being. As if knowing what to do, the being started to heal Kuya.

"This will not help him permanently..." Anduril Said. "We must get his to a near by spring...Please lay him one me, I wil take him there, and you will follow."

She cursed on the inside, not wanting to touch Kuya, do him any more harm that she had already done, but the dragon was right, he must go. Pulling her gloves up tightly, she bent down. Can you stand Kuya? Reaching down for his arm, took it up in her hands. Pulling him forward gently, she braced her arm across his back to steady him. She had Kuya on feet, he was much heavier than she thought him to be, but her judgement had been incorrect due to the fact that she didn't make it a habit of picking up wounded men. She turned Kuya, then struggled to get him up onto the dragons back. Looking over again, back at the dragons large face and she nodded.

"Thank you now follow me..." And the massive being walked instead of flew so that Ciara could stay catched up. They didn't walk for very long until they reached a structure. It had two statues of angels at the entrance. Anuril went in and inside was a spring. The sun's light had pierced through a crack in the wall and was shining on the water. Kuya looked down and fell off Anduril and into the spring.

Ciara nodded and frowned. She had felt so bad and even worse knowing there was nothing she could really do for him. She followed the large dragon into the spring and watched as he appeared to just let Kuya just fall into the spring. Be careful! Rushing over and kneeling at the edge of the spring she sat there frowning up at the dragon. He is already hurt. Don't you see? She sat there for a moment, looking over the grand dragon. Now what must we do?

The water in this spring is magic. It flows out of the Dragon Spine mountains. It is a draught drunk by peoples who are sick or hurt. Trust me this will help. But not alot. The god powers of Kuya will eventually sick in but it needs a power source. And the spring will fullfill that part. Anduril answered.

Kuya drank some of the srping's water. He started to glow but very feintly. Then with a burst of energy Kuya regained himself. "Ouch that hurt. I guess I'm not used to my god powers yet." he said smiling.

She gasped, a small frail hand going up to cover her mouth, a look of surprise and shock upon her face and deep within her eyes. She lowered her hand to speak and at first, no words came out. He is a God, how could I have not known? She bowed respectfully, though she wasn't sure who exactly she was bowing to. She had known Kuya as a Knight, never had he said anything about being a God. Forgive me, I did not know. She held her bowing stance, not knowing what to do next. She did not like surprises, especially one of this kind. Things felt different, not like they had beed just a few moments ago.

My friend. You bow to no one." and Kuya went up to Ciara and brought her back to a standing formation. Then he bowed to her. "Thank you. For all that you have done. But just remeber that when you need help saving don't hit my back so many times." Kuya said rubbing his shoulder and laughing.

She giggled then tried to hide her smile. She playfully pushed him again. What were you doing? She cried in an almost whining voice. You couldn't warn me that you were coming? I would have been much more gentle. She laughed again, this time, she did not try to hide it. She was so happy to see him alright, that she forgot about who she was and what she might do to him that sherushed forward to hug him tightly. A tear rolled down her check as she whispered to him. Don't ever do that again. I thought you were hurt very badly and that you would not heal. She stepped back, her eyes soft, looking up into his. And I do bow to you, perhaps not as a God, but as my hero. Ciara bowed once more, this time overdramatically for effect as she giggled happily.

Kuya smiled happily. And he returned the hug, then watched as Ciara bowed again laughing this time. Aye stubborn as a dwarf. I tell her she doesen't need to, but she still does it. Kuya thought. But he was happy that she wasn't worried anymore.

Anduril stood above them and smiled. Huan also stood on his hind legs and was very happy.

Now, what were you doing out here in the first place? Her eyes looked up to Kuya questioning him, searching for an honest answer. She had not seen him as she entered the ruins and had not noticed him or his companions when she had entered the old structure either. It is not that I am not grateful that you were here, it just seems odd that you would have been there at the exact moment I needed you. Her face was a little more serious than it usually was, not so bright and cheery as she thought that she was being followed. Then onto the reasons why anyone would want to follow her for.

Ooops.... Kuya thought. "I was here for the same reason you were. I was exploring, I even sleep here sometimes. But when I saw you enter with little equptment, I knew you were headed for trouble. I knew that cave trolls dwell here and when you entered that structure back there, you were heading for the entrance of one of the cave troll's cave. So me and Huan here decided to keep an eye on you." Kuya said honestly.

Ciara sighed, satisfied with his answer and happy that he had watched out for her so carefully. Thank you Kuya, I don't know what I would do without you. I would most likely be Cave Troll Stew by now. She smiled weakly at him. Really, thank you. I did not mean to sound as though I was accusing you of anything. It was just a strange occurance. She looked around them, then down at the spring curious at to how it got there in such a dull dark place. You say you sleep here? But why would you do that? You as a God have a wonderful temple to sleep in, do you not?

Kuya laughed softly. "yes you are right, but I think you can see this answer coming. It gets sooo lonely at the temple. I do not hire any servants because feel I do not need to." Kuya said lying down with his arms beneath his head. "Ummm...Ciara, do you not want to be Gosdess of Air? If so then at the nest meeting I'll be sure to be on your side. But I haven't had a chance to talk to Oppel lately, I will when I see him."

Ciara blushed a bright shade of red, she was so embarassed. She had thought that she was capable of becoming a Goddess, Goddess of Air, but that was a while ago. This was something that she had hoped for, but she didn't know if it was possible for a small unknown dryad to grow into something so wonderful. She drew in the dirt with her toes, not really drawing anything in particular, just trying to think of how to answer Kuya's question. Oh Kuya, I would love to be one of the chosen that becomes a Goddess. But things are just not that simple. Besides, I am sure that there is someone else that the Gods are looking at. She had swung her arms behind her, clasping her hands nervously. Looking at the grounds, playing in the dirt with her toes.

Kuya smiled a wide smile. "How would you know that, your not a god..." Kuya said still smiling. If a god was to be chosen, he would put all his effort for Ciara to be chosen, kind-hearted, yet is capable and holds many talents.

"When they held the meeting for my application, they said so many good things about me. But it's kept secret to those who are not gods, but It was the best feeling in the world." Kuya told Ciara.

She smiled softly, her eyes raising to Kuya's. So eager to aid her, just as he had been in the ruins. Looking around them, she wondered if it was possible, for such a small fragile creature to be a Goddess. Goddess' were strong and powerful, they would not be found alone in the ruins, caught up by cave trolls. She sighed again, her eyes fell back to Kuya. I just don't know how it is all possible my friend. There has been no word on my application and it seems that it has been closed for some time. She smiled to him, hoping he would not see her disappointment, but a small part of her told her that he did. She did her best not to be disappointed, no matter who she was in Imythess, she would always have her friends.

Kuya smiled back. He could tell that Ciara, wasn't fully happy. "Aye, but Laoura is bound to choose a Goddess of Air soon. many people have applied for the position, and I'll be honest with you, there are alot of strong compeptition for you. Just keep growing stronger and you'll be fine." Kuya told Ciara assuringly.

All I can do is let my interests be known. Ciara smiled again, her eyes warm and happy. She did not mind if she was a Goddess or if she were a choosen. Or one of the many followers throughout this amazing land. I am sure that Laoura and the other Gods and Goddess' will make a wise decision. What ever happens, will happen for a reason and I support their decision no matter what it is. A swift wind had blown over them, sending a shiver down her back. Crossing her arms, she rubbed her hands up and down them. Something had changed in the air, this place seemed even colder and darker than it had before. She wondered if Kuya felt this too or perhaps he knew what was causing it.

Kuya had felt a wind too. A very cold and ominous one. He stood up and put his cloak around Ciara. And stood up tall trying to find out what it was. "Aye, no, it can't be. The war cannot have already started. Get down!!" Kuya yelled to Ciara, as a black shadow passed over them. The one creating the shadow was a lizard-like creature yet as great as a dragon and with the wings of a bat. It was totally black and so was the rider upoun it. "It is the Nazgul, it strikes fear in many of those who hear it's cry." Kuya said standing up tall, opposing the darkness' power.