"That power of his is unusual...dangerous."

"What is unusual is that he has it in the first place."

"Well, one cannot chose whether magic abilities are born with them or not." the doctor replied as he examined his broken hand, which after a moment, the bones were heard snapping quietly in readjustment. He looked at both sides of his palm before deeming it mended before looking back up to the Lord. "Have you known him long?"

"Enough to know he of importance." Aeth replied, glancing towards the side as though in disinterest. The doctor held back a grunt, lowering his gaze.

"Of course. My mistake. Certainly he must if you have asked for assistance."

Aeth paused with thinned lips, golden eyes flickering back to the doctor testingly, "What are you implying?"

The doctor's fur bristled as the dog's tone took a dark turn and rose his eyes to him quickly, "N-Nothing! I-I just assumed--" the cat paused as he saw one of Aeth's eyes squint, "Er--"

Before the doctor could speak, Aeth unfolded his crossed arms, taking a step closer to the doctor. "Understand that he is to receive efficient medical treatment." he said while looming over the cat, "I do not want 'assumptions', as you alchemists tend to toy with. You've seen his condition--" he paused only to watch the doctor's eyes flicker to the ground and back in thought, "--and you know that he cannot leave. Not under your watch, yes?"

"Y-Yes."

"Good." Aeth moved away, pacing towards the window, looking out quietly as though on watch. The doctor adjusted his coat with a troubled expression before daring himself to speak again.

"I must ask...how do you know if he will return here? The boy did run out in a panic."

Aeth's eyes hung as he saw Voltrick carrying the precious package amongst the crowded street, heading towards the inn where they stood. "Make sure it doesn't happen again."

Voltrick sneered as he manuvered through the busy street to get to the inn. Not only were there people consistantly walking in his path or too slow in front of him, but the stares given to him made him edgy.

Of course, they had to stare at the large tiger holding an unconscious young cat. Voltrick knew just by the looks on their faces that they were judging him. Quietly accusing Voltrick of the state Aidan was in. Either that or they stared at Aidan... for what he did as he ran in panic moments before.

But it didn't matter, Voltrick was almost to the inn and away from the accusing glares of the crowd. And it couldn't be soon enough, Aidan needed to be in bed and Voltrick needed some time to think to himself... alone. Especially after Aidan forced that memory into his mind.

A quiet growl erupted before he quickly walked up the wooden steps of the inn. Making sure Aidan was secured in his arms without his legs or head hitting anything, Voltrick used his back to open the inn door and walked inside.

The doctor turned in surprise as he heard the door open, more so when he saw Voltrick carrying Aidan inside. One look at the unconscious boy made the doctor come up to them, especially to examine Aidan. Seeing the boy's sullen expression, the doctor leaned back with a sigh.

"I mistook him to be harmed. Please--do put him on the bed," he stepped to the side, gesturing towards it to Voltrick, "I wasn't even able to check him." he said, as though to himself while he pulled out a handkerchief, patting his forehead. It had been a stressed day.

Aeth remained at the window, looking out casually but kept an eye out for that woman. Though he doubted she would even be walking to be seen. Giving up on that, Aeth turned, looking to the others in silence, though his features turned to thought as he glanced at Aidan. There was something that bothered him...it was also the way that tiger's expression changed when the boy's powers were shown. It was as if he had seen it before. The same could be said with the woman. She certainly wasn't the type to chase after a panicked boy, even if for the sake of others in harm's way. Something about Hart had made them cautious.

Voltrick didn't need the doctor to know Aidan needed to be in bed. A hard scowl was on his face as he continued to the bed and carefully placed Aidan's head up on the pillow.

After securing Aidan within the bed, an arched brow raised as he looked back to the doctor and narrowed his gaze briefly as he looked to the doctor's hand. "hmph" He grunted before looking back to Aidan. The doctor's hand healed. Most likely through the magic he was trying to use earlier.

Voltrick didn't entirely feel comfortable leaving Aidan as he is. On a regular day, Voltrick would have wanted to stay with him until Aidan was better. But this wasn't a regular day. Aidan's powers awakened and attacked everybody and Voltrick was shown who Vincent's true killer was, forced into his mind and watched everything happen before him. Fyren..

The hard scowl upon Voltrick's face never left as he continued to watch Aidan. Voltrick needed to be alone. He needed to think things over and decide what he was going to do now that he DID know the truth. But he also felt as if he was abandoning Aidan if he left. That doctor didn't seem to know very much and Aeth was still here...

"If you leave him alone.." Voltrick's low, rumbled voice started before looking back toward the doctor. "You'll need a much stronger healing spell if anything happens to him." He finished by turning around and beginning a pace toward the door.

The doctor tensed slightly, glancing warily towards Voltrick, "Er..." was all he could muster out before the tiger moved away to the exit. He looked to Aeth and weighed which man was more of a threat to him before sighing, going to his work of examining Aidan.

Aeth watched the doctor for a moment before hearing Voltrick exit the room before promptly following him. Closing the door, Aeth looked and saw the tiger head towards the stairs.

"Wait." he called, coming towards him from behind.

Voltrick's walk toward the stairs was quickly halted after hearing Aeth's voice from behind. A silent, irritated groan escaped after he stopped; wanting nothing more than to be alone right now.

The tiger would only stop, he wouldn't turn around as Aeth approached; keeping his back facing him. Voltrick didn't see the point. If the dog wanted to say something, he can say it. But Voltrick wasn't going to take the time to turn around.

Aeth stopped a few feet away, his gaze set at the man's neck, as though somehow he would see Voltrick's face if stared hard enough. But he didn't want to look at Voltrick's backside forever.

"I want to know..." he began, narrowing his eyes gently, his tone softer than usual, hoping that would coax an answer, "Hart's power reminded you of something...or someone. The same could be said with that woman..." Aeth paused, frowning to himself. He's never had to ask something like this before to anyone, but there was a strange feeling he was getting from all of this. First it was Vincent's son as a known enemy, and now this Ministry battle. Both connected with the mouse, and surely if there was another possible foe, Aeth wanted precautions. He just needed a name, that was all he needed...

Voltrick's ears folded back after Aeth spoke, instantly reminded of WHY he wanted to be alone to think in the first place.

Why would Aeth feel the need to know about any of this? What business does someone like him have? Not that Voltrick gave the chance to really know about Aeth, Aeth could be very into these affairs. But Voltrick didn't care. He still didn't want to fully trust him, but Voltrick's concerns were elsewhere at the moment. If Aeth wanted to know, he'll get an answer. ...It may just not be the answer he wants.

Voltrick's head turned to the side lightly before answering. "Fyren." His voice rumbled. "The one man responsible for everything." He ended in a growl before looking forward again and began walking down the stairs.

Aeth remained where he stood until Voltrick left the inn, watching him the entire way out before he turned the other way.

----

"Sir! All prisoners are accounted for and our men are stationed outside the walls of Ceres, ready for orders!"

"Your enthusiasm knows no bounds, Colonel Lance." Antonis muttered, seated at a table with his boots propped up. There was a map and rations set before him. Lance stood just before the door, set in an awkward salute at the General's dismissing statement.

"Er...If I may propose the idea, sir...The rest of the army may get a message from the Ministry once they've learned that Ceres is safe and that you have taken soldiers for the rebellion, they mi--"

"Call the army back. I know." Antonis finished before taking a bite of his rye.

Lance's hand slowly lowered, keeping himself standing straight, "Yes, sir. But there's the chance of--" he paused deliberately, waiting for the General to finish it again but was only answered with silence. "...well, getting reinforcements for our cause. There are many more who would join us. It's only fear of consequences that hold them back."

"If that's the case, then they are all cowards. And to those who have joined me through the same means are no different." Antonis grumbled before turning his head, looking back at Lance. "What are they afraid of at the Ministry? Did the soldiers really think the opponent would be less cruel?"

"Possibly, general. But new command was found since Convel left and he can be quite...persuading."

"Who?"

"Fyren Valente." Lance answered and from the small change in Antonis' features, continued. "He's become Commander of Foreign Affairs. With general's and other known leaders to have left or died, the Mistress perhaps had no one else to turn to..."

"--Damn them." Antonis sneered, turning his back back forward, "Turning to a crazed man for help."

The door behind Lance budged, causing the cat to step away quickly, revealing another reformed soldiers face. The dog first looked at Lance before his eyes trailed to Antonis' back. "Sir. There's been a sighting of a young man as described in your party."

Antonis' ear perked before he looked back, seeing the strange expression on the soldiers face. "...What of it?"

"Sir...His eyes were...well...like two lights. A black cloaked female was chasing after him an--"

The soldier didn't have a chance of finishing as Antonis pushed him aside as he stormed out the door.

Gordan was nearly knocked as he approached the door to the inn when Voltrick exited; grabbing the door with his hand before it hit his face.

Voltrick started down the steps when he realized Gordan was behind the door. He stopped and quickly looked back, his features stern but apologetic. "Sorry." He said awkwardly before turning forward again to walk up the road.

Gordan arched a brow, still holding the door as if someone else were to burst through the door as well. "...Its okay..." He said quietly, knowing no one, especially Voltrick, heard him. Gordan knew well enough not to question his father when he's rushed or appears frustrated, so he disregarded any thoughts to ask what was wrong. Not that he wanted to, even if it might be the right thing to do.

After a short moment of watching his father make his way past the crowds of people in the street, Gordan turned and entered the inn as he originally planned to do before he was nearly knocked by the door.

The younger tiger wanted to check up on Aidan. He knew Aidan was hurt pretty badly and Gordan wanted to see if he had recovered at all or awaken yet. He would have asked his father, but for obvious reasons, Gordan didn't ask. After making his way up the stairs, he casually approached the room he was told Aidan was in.

The doctor, or well more known as Dr. Tell, had just finished examining Aidan. With a heavy sigh, he stepped away from the bed and sat at the chair set near it, along with a table. On it was a notebook he had been jotting down in, promptly taking it after patting his forehead with a cloth.

After scanning through the notes, Tell leaned his head back, closing his eyes. "Ahh...As though the blood loss wasn't bad enough." he said quietly. It felt better to talk to the patient...even if they were unconscious. He didn't like the idea of keeping the patient in the dark about what ailed them. "Even with my own abilities, I can't seem to find where your aura originates. It's as though you never had it in the first place."

He paused, turning to look at the young man who slept as though forcing himself to. Now that Aidan was silent and not in the frenzy he met him in, he seemed...well...out of place. Everyone seemed quite protective over him, even after such a large battle. They took time to look after him. And why? Especially that large fellow...

Hearing the door prop open, Dr. Tell looked up to see a younger tiger peek inside before pushing the door further. He stood, offering a kind smile as he adjusted his coat. "Hello there. Have you come to visit him?"

Gordan arched a brow as he curiously looked around the room. "Yeeahh.." He said, feeling a strange air about the room. Not only that, but the comment Gordan overheard the doctor saying before he came in made him wary of what could be happening. Aura? Was this doctor talking about Aidan having an...

The more Gordan felt the strange air, the more he decerned what was causing it. Some kind of magic or power was used or was being used. A normal person wouldn't be able to tell, but someone like Gordan, who has experienced it and studied it, was able to feel something.

There were two auras within the room. Curiously, the strongest of the two came eminated from Aidan. The other came from the doctor, which made Gordan curious to the doctor's actual occupation. He must be a healer of some sort since he uses magic and most likely calls himself a doctor.

"Something happened, didn't it?" Gordan asked as his gaze settled upon Aidan on the bed. "What happened to him just now?"

Tell's smile lowered gently as he watched Gordan stand rather still at first, eyes surveying the room more suspiciously than one should. He decided to leave it be at best, especially when Gordan asked what had happened. It was certainly obvious of Gordan's forte.

"I was not here when it started, but he had gone into a great panic and ran out into the street. I am to suspect his magic abilities were discovered and...well...out of control. His friend had brought him back. It seems he had fainted."

Gordan kept an arched brow as he glanced back to the doctor.

Talk about generalization in its basic form, Gordan thought to himself and looked back to Aidan. Gordan understood what generally happened, but it would have been nice if the doctor said 'what' had happened. "Hmm." Gordan took a breath and walked inside, closing the door with his one hand.

Judging by the air around Aidan and the room, Gordan assumed it was a massive amount of power. No wonder Aidan lost control. "Is he alright? ...You know, after what he did." Gordan glanced back to the doctor. "A considerable amount of power was used."

----


A scowl was on Voltrick's face as he maneuvered himself around the busy street. Random faces from those he passed by were noticed, becoming increasingly irritated be the looks he was given.

Was he that monstrous or intimidating? Or did they all see him during the battle when he was the beast? ...It didn't matter. He didn't need one more thing to trouble him today. He didn't need the judgemental stares or the accusing glares of those around him to weigh him down further and add to everything else that's happened.

The huge battle, the fire, Debalora nearly dying, AIDAN nearly dying, and Aidan finding his... abilities. Those abilities... Voltrick snarled as he continued his way toward the edge of town.

Abilities like Fyren. Controlling those around him to move or stop, forcing limbs to break and move against the person's will and.. Forcing memories into someone's mind.

Voltrick continued his hastened pace until he reached an alley between two tall buildings. After surveying the alley for anyone who may be watching him, the tiger used various boxes and side paneling to climb the tallest of the two buildings to get to the roof.

After finding an edge to sit comfortably look over the city, Voltrick lowered himself to sit with one knee propped along the edge with his other leg dangling over the side.

The sun was still high in the sky; giving light and warmth to the city below it. The crowds of people within the city worked to recover the city and the armies outside the walls scurried to their places. The wind's breeze felt cooler up on the roof than from the streets where the people clouded the air.

The memory that Aidan forced into his mind had been continually playing within Voltrick's mind ever since it was first seen. Seeing himself holding Vin as he died in his arms. The snow blowing hard against them both as Voltrick cried out in sorrow. Then he was forced to see Fyren, watching it happen. ...With the bloodied dagger in his hand.

After all this time of believing it was Judas, after so many years of hating someone else and murdering them for something they didn't commit,... It was Fyren. With everything that coniving, manipulative, corrupting BASTARD has done! Fyren killed Vincent.

Voltrick's neck tightened as he clenched his fists and closed his eyes tightly. Fyren has done everything! He's responsible for everything and will continue to be! He'll never stop and he'll continue to devastate everything Voltrick is and loves. He even took away the one person Voltrick cared about the most. The one person who believed in Voltrick when others saw him as a monster. Vincent.. How could Voltrick have been so foolish to not realize it was Fyren?

Green eyes opened narrowly, looking down to the busy roads of people. They were all scrambling around the city, trying to recover and rebuild what the ministry's army destroyed.

Fyren did this too. He sent the armies here, he destroyed the lives of these people. And for what? What was it all for?! Voltrick snarled again; staring at the scattered sections of the two armies at the walls. ...It was to destroy the lives of the people here. To kill innocent people and to control everything his filthy hands can get a hold of. Not just the people here... It was for Voltrick as well.

----

"It isn't what had happened that worries me than what he suffered through the battle earlier. Running out into the street as he did was a feat for anyone who had lost so much blood. Poor boy didn't even seem like he had much to eat prior to that terrible night." Dr. Tell said, removing his glasses and rubbing them with a cloth. "I wonder though. There are barely any signs of injury, as though his body had healed. I'm not sure whether this was from his newly found ability or some external force...Ah! Bah. I do beg your pardon. Here I am babbling to myself! Do look after him for a moment. I must fetch some supplies for him." he said by the time he reached the door.

The older cat barely waited for a response as he closed the door, leaving Gordan alone inside the room with Aidan.