Liona

We walked for awhile before deciding to set up camp. Liona hadn't let go of my hand since we left

the nobles.

"I'm going to need my hands dear liona." i said softly.

She looked scared but nodded and walked over to a fallen log and sat down. she started humming a tune to herself, looking up at the stars.

"Nothing will happen to you Liona. not while Veronica and i are still breathing my dear." i said to her.

"I know m'lord. Beast people are just naturally on edge around the other races. we have faced persecutions across the ages. We have been used as slaves and worse." she uttered that last part.

"Well maybe its time for a change my dear." I replied.

"I want to believe those words sadly they have been spoken to many times." she said sadly.

"I'm a man of sheer will my dear, you will notice that. My ability to make things happen here are far greater then when I was younger. where I come from I was abused as well, beaten every day for things I had nothing to do with. then when I finally escaped my hell I died." I told her looking into her sad green eyes.

"Your not from this world are you?" she asked looking at me.

"Nope, I'm from a galaxy far far far away from here." I chuckled at my pun.

her eyes lit up

"A real Reborne!! Did you know there hasn't been one of you for a long time!" she exclaimed.

I felt confused.

"Veronica I thought you said Rebornes were kind of common here?" I asked.

Veronica shifted on her feet.

"Well the Empire made it a point to kill them when they show up. You almost had the same fate you know." She replied quietly.

"So you weren't there being chased by the Ashen?" I asked.

"Yes and no. it started out that they where after you, then when I ambushed them a few times they started going after me. You see when one from your kind fall to this world its like a star falling to the ground. That's how they track you. How surprised I was to see you could at least fight." She replied sitting next to Liona.

i sat across from them processing things.

"So am i the only one?" i asked.

"As far as i know yes, however others could of survived like you have." She replied with a shrug.

i sighed and burried my face into my hands. my head hurt, i felt dispair for the first time in this world. It wouldnt be the last sadly. If i had known what was to come, who was stalking us at that very moment. maybe just maybe i would of been better prepared.

"Liona tell us about yourself." i said between my fingers

she looked a little shocked then

"Well i'm seventeen, i'm a lioness Beast person if you couldnt tell. i grew up in a village not to far from here, sadly that was destroyed a year ago. The empire came in looking for slaves and we fought back. They killed all who resisted and raped the woman of those who fought. We didn't stand a chance. after that the women were sold into slavery, the grounds were salted and burnt. i dont think anything remains there. i doubt there where many who even survived the initail attack. My family was the ruling class in the village. my father...." her voice trailed off as she broke into tears.

i got up and hugged her. The Ashen Empire were guilty of far more then i could actually imagine. I felt an anger inside me that i could'nt control.

"I promise you on everything that i am and that i hold dear, the Ashen will fall before me. Everything that made them strong will be their weakness. " i hugged her tightly.

i could feel her sobbing into my chest, Veronica looked worried.

"You know that means alot more death on this road we walk together jackson?" she said quietly.

"Your welcome to part ways." i replied.

"I wouldn't miss the downfall of The Ashen for anything this world has to offer let alone help with it." she chuckled.

"Good, we start by paying her old village a visit. i think we should make it our capital and pull our forces there. i'm sure its time to check in with Carthagiom. I want them to see the grounds they desecrated be there downfall." i said.

Liona sobbing stopped and she looked at me wiping her eyes.

"I can fight. i will fight with you." she said.

i nodded.

"i summon apollo the holy messenger come forth and hear me." i called out.

a bright light filled the air and before us stood a young man in a toga.

"M'lord ya rang?" he asked with a bow.

i filled him in on what to tell Osmodeous. Apollo nodded and took off in a flash. minutes later he returned.

"M'lord Oz said he understood. that giant birds been busy. the empire has been pounding their defenses. you should see the piles of armor and bodies out there. Not a single soul lost on our side however." apollo reported.

"I want you to assist him with protecting the villagers apollo. understood?" i asked.

"Hundred percent M'lord. off i go." he said with a chiper voice.

he poofed outta sight.

"Get some rest we have a lot to do tomorrow." i said.

the girls nodded and got comfortable.