IC: For Love

[Anderen]

Anderen remained sitting by his sword, his attention held almost completely by the sword and the battle within it. He could feel the struggle within the blade as if it were a struggle within himself, a struggle between his deepest evil and his greatest good. But he also felt that it was not truly within him, but around him, nearby, yet still somewhat distant. He realized then that it was just the battle happening inside the sword, not truly one within himself. It was only occurring around him because it was also a battle over who would be the stronger of the two, and who would have greater sway in his mind then the other. He felt helpless, but he did not feel fear. It was strange, but he felt as if he had nothing to worry about, as if he knew Anigav would emerge victorious, and certainly it would be so if he had faith in her.

That is when he began to believe that the evil and in fact the devil Kenoras himself were weakening, unable to challenge the two of them. It didn’t happen immediately, but after a moment of concentrating and searching his feelings as well as the aura coming from the sword, he could feel the evil indeed beginning to weaken. In the next instant, however, his concentration was broken as he heard the girl speaking of not wanting to see or hear someone anymore, and he turned his head over to where she sat as he opened his eyes to look at her. He saw her rubbing her throat, and her flesh looked very red, almost burned, in the shape of a hand print. As Anderen noticed this he couldn’t help but feel angry at the lord once more. One has no place harming a woman, regardless of what they truly are at their core, unless that woman attacks first.

He had no time to think of or act on his anger though, as he felt the evil’s pressure increase around his as the black aura around the sword reached out further then it had before, growing slowly. He realized that this was happening because he had stopped concentrating and aiding Anigav in her battle with Kenoras. He focused once again on the sword and closed his eyes, drifting deeper into his thoughts again until he could almost see the two fighting before him. However, his focus was again broken as he heard the voice of the newest arrival speak out, saying that he would silence them if she didn’t want to hear them, and Anderen was still unsure of who “them” even referred to. Did it mean himself and Validrir? No, it couldn’t. It must be….Kenoras and Anigav…But how do they know of them? Anderen thought to himself as he tried to remain focused on giving the power of his belief to Anigav.

At that moment he heard the sound of metal hitting metal, and he couldn’t ignore it because he knew it was the sound of two swords. It was right in front of him though, and he opened his eyes to see Kalamos standing before him and his sword, with his own sword drawn and stabbing the hilt of Anderen’s own sword, right at the base of the blade itself. He saw the reverberations ripple through the blade as a result of being hit, and he also felt the same shudder rip through his body, before he felt the most unimaginable pain. Anderen fell back, and lay on his back writhing in agony. He could hear both Anigav and Kenoras screaming out in pain as well, before finally they fell silent, or maybe he himself had passed out. He had in fact, so it was hard for him to know for sure what had happened within his mind and within the sword, since he was now unconscious.

However, had he remained conscious, he would have seen what the others were about to, as a crack began to form down the middle of the blade, as well as the handle, crawling slowly up and down from the point of contact between the two. As the crack grew longer and longer, weaving it’s way down the blade, it was followed by a red glow that shined brightly from the crack, small though it was. When finally it had split down the entire center, it began to shake, so violently that it would likely be able to be felt by all of those nearby through the stone floor. Finally, after a moment more of it’s shaking, there was a bright flash of light followed by an explosion as the blade came apart along the crack and flew apart in two pieces. One landed fairly close to Anderen after bouncing off of the wall, and the other landed closer to the girl after bouncing off the wall on the other side of the hall.

The two newly formed blades were very different from one another, with the one that was near Anderen being a very elegant, white handled katana with a purplish blue glow on it’s blade, and glowing so brightly in holy light that it almost couldn’t be seen. The other was anything but elegant, or beautiful, and certainly not holy. The black aura that emanated from this sword was far darker and more malevolent then the aura that emanated from the former sword they both were. This blade was not of any mortal design, and it was quite a terrible, grotesque sword indeed, if a sword it could be called. It had a curved handle, with spikes on it and covered all around in what looked like reptile skin, and it’s blade was fairly large and curved as well, but the opposite way as the handle. The blade itself was even darker then the aura around it, and it almost looked like it was breathing at times, but that could be a result of how the light reflects from it’s onyx surface. Along the back side of the blade, where there is no edge on an average sword as far as Anderen is used to, there is instead what look like a dark, blood red row of serrated teeth along the entire length of the blade.

Just then, what appeared to be a living shadow, or some sort of liquid shadow, began to seep out of the sword, before finally forming into a sheathe around the blade. If any of the three were watching the other sword, they would have seen something less sinister, but similar in result as the sword simply glowed for a moment before it’s blade was sheathed as well. After this, both of the aura’s died down some, losing their intensity. Anderen was stirring a little, but he was still unconscious and unaware of all of that had happened to his old sword in such a short time. Darkness is all he knew at the moment, as he lay on his back still, though he no longer felt any pain.

[Zoycite]

After her words, Kal made such smooth water movements. His blade was drawn and came to the blade of the newcomer. She watched as the runes lit up on Kal's blade. The voices in her head shattered, the new dark voice silenced, the hated aura lifted from around them. Star looked up to Kal, concern in her eyes, he was using powers he shouldn't be using. Kal turned his voice to Validrir, warning him to never touch her again. A gentle smile crossed her lips because it showed he cared for her. Before she could say anything, he moved her hand from her and soon was using an energy to heal the burns markings on her flesh. It wasn't Kal's power, not radiance, but rather something so familiar to her: Mystic. He was using her powers! Eyes opened to him as her flesh healed over extremely quickly, being it was her own energy boosting her own energy (I hope that made sense to you guys, because it did to me). "How can you use my powers?" She still didn't understand the Soul Current that had happened before, not fully.

Through room she could hear the sound of metal splitting and the newcomer had fallen and passed out. The sword was becoming two and the darker half landed close to Star. She observed the look of it. In fact, it reminded her of her dark armor just bestowed upon her since being in this land. Hand reached for it, but Kal would grab it, holding it. She could read in his eyes to not touch it, not to be tempted by it. It was lucky Kal had silenced the devil, or else it would have been much too easy for her to turn to it. She would obey him, as always. Head hung sightly, "You shouldn't be using all of this power..." As she finished her words, the power the Kal had given her from the soul current disappeared and her angelic form melted to her reg form, which wasn't much different; she didn't give off such a glow and her skin changed from honey to an ivory colour, her hair wasn't as bright, and that 'awe' presence wasn't felt anymore. She panicked slightly but being near Kal, the holy power of the tower didn't harm her. She looked to Kal, "It doesn't burn... why?" She coo-ed into his armor, thankful he washere to silence the hate once more... although her words with the murder weren't quite finished.

[Lord Validrir]

Validrir was sent sliding back as the silver light shot between him and Star. Kalamos appeared and scooped Star up into his arms and warned Validrir not to touch her again. He saw the red hand mark on Star's neck and immediatley felt remorse for acting so brashly. He had not been forced to control his anger in a long time, and so was out of practice. "I am sorry, I did not know she would react so badly to my touch." He apologiesed to both Star and Kalamos. "I mean, only demons cannot stand to be touched by a....." He stopped mid-sentance. It suddenly made perfect sence to him.

He thought of her answer, "I am everything children fear and love." She was part demon, and who knows what else. Validrir did not react as one might have thought he would. Had he been a few centuries younger, he might have been infuriated and made to destroy Star and Kalamos both on the spot. But he was older now, and coincidentally, a little more patient and wise. In fact he was more surprised than anything. At this point Anderens sword began to shake terribly and shot out of it's shieth. This also surprised him greatly and he was struck speechless. Star said she did not want to here 'them' any more. and Kalamos promptly took out his sword and struch the other one which split into a holy and then a demonic blade. This seemed to cause Anderens's unconciousness and layed apon the floor.

Validrir shook his head as he tried to take in every thing that had just happend. Finally though he walked over and picked up Anderen, placing him on his sholder and then picked the new holy blade. He gave a look to Star and Kalamos that seemed to say, 'we need to talk', before speaking. "You two, my office, now."

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Pensworth entered into the garden and approached Silver with haste. "M'lady, have you been with Lord Validrir or any of the other..... guests?" He said, choosing the last word carefully. "None of them made it to breakfast?"

[Thorlan]

((I'm going to try and be more active...damn this is moving fast though >.<))

Thorlan could hear everything as it happened, though why he did not know, and how he knew even less but every word seemed to find his ears as he wandered through the halls, wanting no part of whatever was happening elsewhere int he building. He sighed, how many times would he be caught in things that did not seem to concern him and yet mattered to him all too much?

He stopped and leaned against the wall, drawing his blade and staring at it before smirking slightly. He could only think of one way to escape hearing everything. He nodded to himself as he sheathed the blade and made his way outside once more, taking a seat upon the grass and staring into his blade, concentrating on the sentient within it. Within moments his body was left sitting there, while his mind and soul were brought into the blade where he battled wits with the sentient, something he had not done in far too long.

[Kalamos]

To his great joy, her wound would vanish into the watery rejuvenation that her powers had. His words came gently and quietly to her ears, "I don't know how it is, that I am using your power." When she asked about not being harmed by the atmosphere here, he pointed under the cover of his cape, the rune on the center place of his torso that was glowing a clearly demonic, but restrained black. "Stay close." He began to stand and noticed that Validrir picked up Anderen's unconscious body and one of the two blades on the ground, "That's odd..." He failed to understand why Anderen had lost consciousness; but he wouldn't see the two blades once one seperated from each other. He undid his cape, and placed it on the ground; Tightly wrapping the demonic blade in it's threads he secured it loosely to his belt; Placing it right beside RuneCaster. "That ought to keep whatever this thing is from stirring up trouble. When that man awakes; I'll return his sword." The pommel of the blade was right under RuneCaster's hilt guard. If for any reason it began to act as awkwardly as it did moments ago, it would be met with the very power that had crushed it. Eyes turned back to Validrir quite sharply at the command he spat at them. His vision blurred slightly; He felt dizzy, drained. His flesh was not the same tone as in their first encounter. It was significantly more pale. Head drooped as he swung his head back and forth. He had lost so much blood in the last several hours. Star would find herself supporting the bulk of his weight. He hadn't regained enough strength to be this active yet. He needed more time. It was her decision on what they would be doing next. There were many symptoms of having been bitten by a vampire or to the least signs of obvious and dramatic blood loss. In healing Star and using up that extra power, he had forfeitted what had filled the gaps in his loss of blood. What had made up for the lack of energy he would normally have had. He had plenty strength for remaining awake for the remainder of the day, but without the support her power was giving his body, his liimits were dramatically lowered.

[Thorlan]

Anyone looking at the drow would see a being deep in thought, where as in truth he was within the blade, speaking with the Sentient, reconfirming himself as the one in control between the two of them as Uusretiqua had recently attempted a soul switch that he wasn't completely ready for and had begun to pressure him into doing such more often.

Now within the blade, he felt vulnerable as he had when he first competed with the blade, but he had won, and would win again. He grinned and closed his eyes, forcing his will into the "mind" of the sentient, showing the truth that he would not back down and would not slip up so much as to be pushed into thinking it's ideas were his own as he had while fighting the vampire.

This would take what seemed like several hours to Thorlan, though in truth he would open his physical eyes a short time later, only to feel powers within the building rising. He shook his head and stood, sheathing the blade and knowing he would need to return to that same task another time before moving into the building and following feeling that he kenw to be Kalamos until he came to the room with the three of them.

[Zoycite]

Kalamos answered her questions, moving his cloak aside, she saw the rune. It was comforting, a demon power that held her like a small child. She smiled up at him, "Been talking to Daddy?" She chuckled a bit to herself. She watched Kal take the demonic sword and wrap it, so it was out of her sight. Kal helped her to her feet, arm instantly around her. She felt his body slump, he wasn't still restored. It was always curious to her, no matter how tired he was, he always had strength when it came to protecting her. Kalamos was much heavier with his armor on then she had expected (and yet she knew), it caught her off guard however. She caught her footing and lifted him up with much more ease then a small framed woman should have. It as a gift, the strength of a vampire and demon. She held him up, looking at him, "You need rest, your blood is low still..." Kal wouldn't make much of an answer besides a gentle grunt. She was full of concern for this man.

The God turned and snapped orders at them both. She gritted her teeth as she looked at the Lord. Could he not see the condition Kalamos was in? Had he no care in the world? First he burns her now he is ordering her around? She wouldn't say a word to him, just gave him a look that would tear into his soul and strike it with razors. She asked Kal what his wish was and all he could say was "I don't know." She sighed deeply. But followed the Lord down the hall. Thorlan was standing there as well. She nodded to him in greeting, she was relieved he was there. "Please come with us, Drow." She was relieved because Kalamos trusted him and she did not trust herself right now, and Kalamos wasn't in any condition to stop anything if anything were to happen between her and the murderous God. Slowly she would carry him.

Amidst all of this she would invade his mind once more, "I am following him, Love. But as for what is going to happen, I can not say. This is an awful place. He has murdered so many of my kind! He tries to ride the earth of us... I am afraid..." In fact, Kalamos would have never heard her mutter those words before. "I don't want to die again..."

[Thorlan]

He watched for a moment as Star helped Kalamos out of the room and then followed behind with a slight nod towards her. Something strange was happening and he couldn't figure out what it was. Looking at Kalamos as he followed behind the group he realized how weak he seemed, far weaker than he had ever seen him before. His eyes narrowed ahead of Star and Kal at the self-proclaimed god that led the way then back to star, wondering what had happened while he wasn't around them all.

[MirrorTornBeauty]

She was sitting in the garden. Her skin was dry, it cracked, it bled from beneath her blindfold. Deep breath in she knew she had to start on a balm. Elegance embraced each movement she had. She followed her nose, picked out the scents she needed. Graceful fingers delicately picked off the pieces she needed. Katrina did so with such care that the plants didn't scream with any pain. With each piece taken she thanked them verbally, for allowing her to get the herbs and flowers needed for her balm. She had gathered the pieces carefully and returned to the fountain. She removed her blindfold and placed it in the water. Hands pulled her hair into a knot, so she could wash her wash her face. It was a painful progress to wash away the blood, to reopen the scabs, and remove the dry skin; with each movement, she winced. Silver placed small amounts of the herbs she needed into her mouth and began to chew, she was mixing them into the balm she needed. She spat it out into her hand, when suddenly Pensworth rushed in so quickly it startled her. She picked up her head and stared at him. Mirror shard eyes were looking at the servant and in instant she was flooded with his past, everything that had happened, she saw Validrir before he became a God, she watched Pensworth's time with his wife. The many conversations he and Validrir shared. She could feel his emotions, feel his pain that he had throughout the years. She saw Star, Kalamos, Thorlan, the newcomer. He would watch as his life played back through her eyes, like a working movie of himself.

Silver turned suddenly and covered her ears, she didn't want to hear the conversations, didn't want to feel the past of another's life. She didn't want to see their events unfold in her mind. After a few minutes things would quiet down in her mind. It was then she would be heard weeping, as she placed the balm on her eyes. All the while, the vision of Star burned in her mind, embedded it within herself. She had seen her face before, she knew of her, of a part of her past. She reached for the blindfold, rung it out and covered her eyes. She was trying to recompose herself as she sat there in silence. She choked through the words "No, I do not know where they are... I'm sorry..."

[Lord Validrir]

Validrir led them to his office and opened the door to let them inside. He set Anderen down in one of the chairs before his desk and then motioned to his large and comfortable chair behind the desk. "You may sit there Kalamos." He said before placing the holy sword in Anderen's lap. He then gestured to the other chairs in the room and told Star and Thorilan they could sit if they pleased. Validrir however would remain standing as he looked at them all. "The fact of the matter is, we have a lot to discuss. And I think that it would be wise for you all to be completely honest with me about who and what you are." He began to pace around as he spoke to them. "If it will make you feel better, I will answer any questions you have about me. Including why I used to kill demons." He added to Star.

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Pensworth was surprised to say the least by what he saw. Infact it would be nearer to the truth to say he was completely blown away. Silver's eyes, if they could be called that, were as the shards of a mirror. And in those shards he saw his entire life reflected before him. The experience left him stunned and out of breath as Silver turned from him covering her ears. she was weeping then, and Pensworth slowly approached her. At first he did not know what to say, but in the end he sat down next to her looking off in the direction of the tower.

"My dear child, this why you wear that blind fold. I understand now, why you were so secretive with Lord Validrir. The burden you carry is emence, I am sorry." He pulled a handkerchif out of his pocket and handed it to her. "Is there anything I can do?" He asked in earnest, his worry for her very evident.

[Anderen]

Since he had passed out from the effects of RuneCaster, there had been a darkness and a silence in his mind that he hadn’t felt in a very long time. He tried to reach out to her, but Anigav was silent, and so was Kenoras, as if they were separated from him or were also incapacitated. He had no idea what was really the case for their absence from his thoughts, but he could only sit by, almost like a spectator in his own body. He could feel when someone touched him, and he could hear that people were talking around him, but he didn’t know what was being said or what was going on. He was drifting aimlessly in the abysmal darkness of his mind, until finally, he woke up.

Anderen wasn’t where he expected to find himself, though, he was now sitting in a chair it seemed. He looked around himself for a moment, seeing the faces of Kalamos, Star, and the drow, as well as Validrir, who was pacing. Confused, he simply remained silent, not sure of what was going on and not wanting to interrupt. It was then that he looked down at himself to examine if anything had changed about him, like his clothes, or if perhaps his armor had been removed. He knew he was still wearing his armor, however, because it weighed down on his skin in such a familiar way, it was almost a second skin to him these days. He was surprised to see the white katana sitting on his lap, though, and he looked down at it to examine it further, before reaching for the hilt of his actual sword with his right hand, only to find an empty sheathe.

What the…hell? Where did this come from? he thought to himself as he moved his hand to touch it so he could examine it closer. The moment his skin made contact with the blade, however, an image of the beautiful Anigav flashed through his mind and he could again hear her within his thoughts. What happened to the sword, Anigav? Where’s Kenoras? he asked her mentally before letting silence return as he waited for her to reply. It was only a moment before he heard her symphonic voice call out in his mind, The Sword of Harmonic Despair has been broken, separated into two. As a result I have been freed from my imprisonment within the sword alongside Kenoras, though the same is also true for the devil. Where there was once only one sword, there are now two. One of holy origin, and one of much darker and unholy origins. You would be wise to find the sword Kenoras is trapped in, before he manages to find himself a new host to control. I can keep you safe from his power now that I am no longer kept in agony by his mere presence, as he is by mine. You no longer need the sheathe of your former blade, that weapon is no more. You do need to wield both of the new swords, however, as that is your destiny, Anderen.

He listened to the words she spoke to his mind with his eyes closed, and when Anigav was finally finished speaking he opened his eyes once more and looked again to the others in the room. “Where is the other sword that formed?” he asked the others, even though to them it would clearly seem impossible for him to even know there was another sword since he was unconscious all along. His knowledge of the other sword, though impossible as it seemed, might shed light to the others about the deeper abilities and secrets Anderen has. With that Anderen rose to his feet, removed his old sheathe, and placed his new sword in it’s place before setting the other one down, leaning it against Validrir’s desk. After that, he sat again, “Well?” he added in a more stern tone, as if impatient to learn the location of the second sword.

[Kalamos]

His focus was on staying standing and keeping himself as alert as he could. Once seated, he looked around; Some kind of private quarters. Clearly an iconic location and in all likelyhood Validrir's main room for private thought. Star did not leave his side; She would sit beside him with her chair moved as close as could be done. He kept her hand in his; Eyes looked to her to offer comfort to her fear and anger. A promise made not with words or thought. He spoke out to Validrir in response, "What do you think you know about us?" Anderen began to move and wake up to which Kalamos promptly held out a hand to usher silence to an immediate response if any that Validrir would've had. Once Anderen woke and stood, Kalamos reached to the tightly bound blade and holding it by the rope, he dropped the mass of cape on table gently. "Validrir... The knowledge you want, I won't give you in the presence of people I don't know." He held the runecaster scabbard above the demon sword; He had no doubt whatever evil lurked inside would not dare surface in the presence of his sword after the punishment it had recieved only several minutes ago. Soon as Anderen would claim it, he would pull the ropes and un wrap the blade; reclaiming the cloak for his armor; He would re-secure the hooded cape, and scabbard of RuneCaster to himself. As soon as Anderen took the dark blade Kal spoke to him, "I'm sorry for what happened. It wasn't my intention. Would you let my party have a word with Validrir Sir?" He seemed modestly more alert now that he didn't have to sustain his own weight. His words clearly meant that he wanted Thorlan to stay for what was going to be said. He rubbed his forehead while he waited for an answer from Anderen and shook his head again; Trying to push off the groginess of the fatigue that plagued him.

[Anderen]

He had only just woken up from his unconsciousness and asked about where the second sword was when he saw the man who was sitting next to the girl rise to his feet, take something from his side that was wrapped tightly in some sort of cloth, and finally lay the cloth covered item on top of the table. Anderen looked at the cloaked item, and he noticed it was almost the exact length as that of his white katana. It was then that Kalamos spoke again, telling Validrir he wouldn’t divulge such personal information in unfamiliar company. Anderen assumed that meant him, since he didn’t know any of the others in the room, and the three aside from Validrir himself did seem to have some sort of familiarity with one another.

Anderen was about to rise to his feet and leave the room then, even without having the answer to his question of where his second sword could be found, when Kalamos looked to him and apologized for what happened, claiming it wasn’t what he had intended, and then asking if Anderen would be so kind as to leave the room for a time so his party and Validrir could speak amongst each other. It was then that he saw kal begin unwrapping what he had placed on the table, and when Anderen saw the sword in all it’s grotesque glory, he knew at once it was the sword that Kenoras was in. Anderen looked to Kal for a moment, “Don’t worry about it, my friend. I am fine.” he said as he rose to his feet once more and moved to take the newly uncovered blade into his possession.

There was a brief moment where he hesitated, however, unsure of what might happen once he touched the unholy weapon, but his moment of doubt passed soon enough as he grabbed the sword by it’s sheathe. He placed it next to the katana on his belt, sliding the sheathe into place and then wrapping a leather strap around it so that it wouldn’t fall or move. Aside from the image of Kenoras reentering his mind, Anderen felt nothing peculiar occurring within him, or within the evil sword. He assumed it was because of what Anigav had told him, of how she would be able to keep Anderen free from Kenoras’ control. “I guess…I’ll take my leave then…Thanks again for holding onto this for me…Whoever you are. Maybe later we will have a chance to get more acquainted with each other.” Anderen said as he looked to each of the four in the room before turning and making his way out.

He opened the door and closed it behind him as he exited the room. He didn’t know what he should do, since he was still quite unaware of all that had occurred, but he was curious to see if the two blades he now possessed had any powers or things like that he should know of, and eager to find an answer Anderen decided to make his way outside, as he walked down the hallways. He was fairly lost in the tower, but he recalled some of the rooms and halls he came across, until finally he came to a more open area that led out to a courtyard, where Pensworth and Silver were talking to one another. “I hope I’m not intruding on anything…?” he asked, trailing off as he stood there and awaited a reply from one of the two.

[Zoycite]

Walking behind the Lord, she had heard no response from Kalamos in her mind. She knew that he wasn't in the condition to be speaking to her right now. She followed Validrir into a private office, where she sat down Kalamos carefully, "Is this alright? Are you comfortable?" A gentle look was his response to her. A chair was moved next to him, which he pulled it as close to him as possible. Star too a seat, his hand never left hers. She looked to Thorlan, silent eyes thanking him for following as well. She took in a deep breath, pulling her knees to her chest and stretched her cloak over her naked flesh. She turned eyes up to Kalamos, a gentle chuckle with a whisper, "I need to get clothes..." she was having a private moment with Kal until it was interupted by the Lord of the realm. He wanted to know who or what they were. Star turned to look at Kal who would answer for the lot of them. He returned the sword back to the newcomer, and with that he left promptly.

She looked to Validrir, eyes burning into him. She wouldn't speak to him, wouldn't disclose any information to him. Validrir offered up information about why he killed her kind and to that response she muttered to herself, "Murderer..."

[Lord Validrir]

Validrir watched as Anderen left the room and closed the door behind him. After he had gone, Validrir turned his attention back on the three left in the room. "I would know who you are, what you are, and how and why you came to be in my realm. At that point I would be glad to answer any questions you may have." As he looked at them he could see the love Star and Kalamos shared, he could also see that Thorlan cared for the both of them as well. But then he saw the fear and anger reflected in Star's eyes. That fear he saw there suddenly caused him to take a look at himself. Yes he was powerful, esspecially in his own domain, but how had he come to strike fear into people? That was not who he was, not who he wanted to be. If she was indeed part demon, it would only make sense for her to be afraid after how many of her kind had died at his hands. Was it so odd that demons would care for their own kind as humans cared for theirs? He then suddenly became aware of what she must be feeling. She felt for those fallen demons as he felt for all those humans they killed. It seemed that the main problem for the two of them, was a lack of understanding for the other. He would have to be better at that in the future.