~Akara Surprisingly, Tyrien stood and listened to me explain the entire situation, not interrupting once. With the last words of my recount passing my lips, I settle back into myself. I've done everything but go back and get Tai myself, and if this doesn't work, then I'm going to be left with only one choice. Even so, I'm just grateful Tyrien is willing to even hear me blurt out my struggles, essentially on the verge of tears at this point. "I wish there was something I could do to help you, Akara," Tyrien responds carefully. I know he means it, that he can't just go marching into territories, resolving conflicts on behalf of people. It would create a

~Akara I stare at the cottage, quiet. Beyond the faded doors, are my parents, as Marek has assured me. The place is nice, perfect for them. With father no longer going to the war, they needed a place like this to settle down, and once this is all over, I doubt they will want to move back to the Jade Province. "Are you okay?" Marek asks softly from beside me. I turn to look at him, noting the wariness in his eyes. He has been almost too gentle with me since we arrived, probably trying not to crowd me after everything has been revealed. I'm grateful for that, as I don't think I have it in me to look at him the same yet.

~Akara My body is propped up against a concrete wall when I wake. Wincing, I shift, tilting my head back and forth. I'm presuming Vaia is the reason for my sudden blackout that has led to a throbbing headache. As I lift my arms, I realise they are pinned down, my wrists cuffed with metal attached to chains pinned to the ground. No matter how much I tug, I'm trapped. And to make matters worse, I'm in a cell. This is in the prison section, rather than the room where Tai is locked up. It seems Vaia doesn't want to allow me a single mercy in her demented plot to destroy all of us.