Masquerade of Madness: Into Madness

Creed and Jade went forward again toward the portals, this time moving much slower, anticipating danger. Creed, being stubborn, knew he did not want to back down. He was too close to obtaining a new life with a new race that he was anxious to learn about.

They stopped abruptly at the end of the path. Creed and Jade could see the opening of the portals just ahead. The danger was no longer a feeling, but completely visible to both of them. The tall grand knight, resplendent in gold-plated armor with silver mid-drift, loomed to one side of the portals. On the other side of the entrance stood a beautiful creature, a Spirit of Aura, looking like an innocent maiden, but Creed knew how dangerous she was. The grey stone building that housed the portals stood imposing, even shadowing over them.

Creed momentarily closed his eyes, hoping Vincent was not far behind him. He could not be sure of Vincent's fate since he and Jade had fled their domain. But he knew his brother's battle precision powers were strong, even though outnumbered.

Creed looked up to the sky and heaved a deep sigh. He then turned his head to face the portals once more, this time not faltering, not looking away. He gently released his wings to their full extent, but held them downward, knowing this was a sign that he had no intention to fight.

The grand knight took notice of Creed's approach. Now he wondered why he had to fight an unwilling adversary, and a young one at that.

Aura smiled at Creed's approach. Her eyes searched his body. There was no eye contact between them, but she felt drawn to him. Could he be the master she searched for? But she also took notice of Jade and became infuriated. It was not fair that she had a master – wait if he were her master, why would she be behind him? She should be in front, or beside him.

Aura's mind rushed, trying to comprehend and plan.

Creed did not look strict. He looked kind and a bit weary. She immediately felt love for him, like a mother for a child. Or was it a girlfriend for a boyfriend? Aura did not know; she just knew he was worthy of her and her skill. The untapped power that lay beneath his surface could put a dent anywhere, for sure.

She smiled at her temporary master, the grand knight. He nodded, realizing that she had finally found someone. "It almost makes me jealous," he told her.

"It was only for pretend that I agreed to it until I found my true master," she said, looking a bit crushed, "but it was fun while it lasted, Vaan."

Creed stopped about thirty paces from them. "Let us pass!" he demanded.

Aura laughed with delight. To her, his voice was smooth and demanding. His eyes held steadfast like she and Vaan were the only ones there. She liked his eyes. They reminded her of a child's innocence, but that voice had such determination, it made her shiver with want, or with a need for his voice to command her.

The grand knight smirked, "Now, now, lad. You and I both know this isn't how it works. If something is guarding something, then you have to fight it."

Creed huffed as his feathers ruffled up. "You have got to be kidding me!" His angry tone and emotions rang out, infecting all who were near him. Aura clutched her head, passing out from the extremity of Creed's feelings. Jade developed a migraine and struggled to keep herself from lashing out.

The grand knight grunted, seemingly unaffected by Creed's emotion, but acutely aware of their effect on Aura. "That's a neat little trick," he commented.

[Creed's ability to influence others to feel what he feels strictly pertains to him. It is not usually a Casalyian ability. Therefore it is suggested that it comes from his Nard half.]

Jade hung back but floated over to Aura to make sure she was okay.

Creed glared at the grand knight. "It is not a trick. What you are feeling is my emotion now?"

The grand knight stared into Creed's eyes. "That is impossible!"

Creed responded with equal tenacity, "What the hell is this, more persecution? Do you think I am scared? Do you think that you and whoever you work for has the right to stand in my way?"

The grand knight remained unaffected. "No, lad, I do not have the right, but then again, I am just following my orders from the council."

"I have the papers the council signed!" Creed yelled, trying to reason with him.

The grand knight grunted. "I guess there is no more loyalty in this world. But still, an order is an order, no matter if it came from the council or the king."

Creed slacked up his emotions and Aura woke up, dazed and weak.

Jade noticed that Aura was now awake, she asked with concern, "Are you all right?" Relief filled Jade as she felt in control of her emotions again.

Aura nodded, still unable to think of words.

Creed dropped his suitcase and took off his armor, undoing all of the buckles and making sure it hit the ground with a loud thud.

Aura could not help but notice the body that the armor had freed. While the opponent seemed to be Lanky, he did have some muscle.

His armor was long and thin. It was made out of Dirlithium, a metal only known to the Casalyians. It looked like an average piece of cloth, but Dirlithium was the pride of the Casalyians, easy to put on and even comfortable to move in.

[Dirlithium is considered to be an extremely light, nimble armor. The lightness of the armor does not affect the sturdiness of it. In fact, Dirlithium is known to outlast most heavy armors.]