The story so far:

----Aija, Zuri, and Ze are three friends, who were working at the Pristine School at Innermost. Aija gets involved with the Ytai first, leading Zuri and Ze to them as well. Zuri falls in love with Nala (Lalana), who is Ytai and works with Thieron. Aija and Ze are captured by Thieron, of H'eon, when they were at the Hospital - Aija was at the Hospital with Kuna of R'ies and Zuri to stop a Harvest; Ze was there to visit his sick student Xan. Thieron has bound Aija to himself, and Nala has bound Ze to herself. Luka works for Thieron(Ah'n), along with Lalana (Nala).

----Aija, Ze, Thieron, Luka, and Nala go to the South Land. Luka admits that they are there for a Harvest. While they are on the Harvest, they get stopped by a group of people - the Zayr. Aija and Ze meet Princess Ruyanir of the Zayr. Ze and the Princess have an instant connection. The Prince has requested Aija and Ze to meet him. Prince Irih' va and Aija have a conversation about the Àvo; he explains how it works. Aija seems to like the Prince. The Prince gives Aija a strand of his golden hair - for protection. Irih' va sees Aija in his future but isn't sure she will choose him. He wants her to choose him. Irih' va catches Ze using his powers, and he shows Ze that he, too, has the same powers.

----Etrie and Kuna meet with Zuri at her home. They tell her that they are planning to get Aija and hopefully Ze, too.

----Etrie tells Zuri that he is going to kill Thieron and Nala. She is very adamant that she too goes to the Ker'zan with them.

----Thieron notices Prince Irih'va's hair on Aija's wrist. He hates it. 

----They had been to the South Land for a Harvest but was stopped by the Prince.

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****32.3 - Thieron****

He walked along the long corridors hoping she would have the sense not to step out of the room. He had not compelled the door to lock in his hurry. 

Alton Ivar hadn't been in the office when they had arrived. Thankfully, Dhor-Wo didn't seem to be anywhere. Thieron had just dropped Aija to their room, and a helper had come to inform him of Alton Ivar's arrival. 

As he rounded the corner to Ivar's office, the guards spotted him and opened the door even before he reached it. They bowed to him – things had changed ever since he had hit Dhor-Wo. He acknowledged them with a nod, and there were surprised smiles on their faces like they hadn't expected him to acknowledge them. 

He found his Uncle staring out the sole, massive window in the room into the Open. Thieron stood at the table, waiting for his Uncle to speak.

 Alton Ivar knew his nephew stood there; he wanted to make him wait just for the sake of it. 

"I heard what happened in the South Land, ahd'tna." 

Ahd'tna. Thieron grimaced. "I'm sorry." 

Ivar still stood facing the window, his back to him. He was wearing a dark-blue suit – despite all his hate for humans, he loved dressing like them. His hands were in the pockets of his pants. 

"I'm letting this go only because you found two Od'ro In'ealk," Ivar said, turning around. 

Thieron nodded; he stood straight, his hands tied at the back. Ivar stared at Thieron, stunned. It took a lot to surprise Alton Ivar, and it seemed strange to Thieron that he would be surprised by his own nephew. Then he understood why. 

"Wow, you look handsome, my young ahd'tna," Ivar said the surprise still clear on his face. "May I ask what prompted you into getting your hair cut? And shaving that thick beard off?" 

Thieron tried his hardest not to let his embarrassment show, and he failed as he felt his cheeks warm, remembering what Aija had done. "It's nothing," he said stiffly. "Just thought it was time." 

Ivar smiled, "Good, it was time." 

His Uncle came to the table and sat on the chair behind it and motioned for Thieron to sit. He sat facing him, stiff under his stare. "The Gale is finally planning to attack us at the Ker'zan this year." Alton Ivar informed him. 

Thieron acted as surprised as he could. Var-Inu had told him already. 

"I need you to capture the leads alive. Especially that one called Goldstar. The rest you can kill. We still have no knowledge of the extent of their weaponry, but we can expect rifles and guns. That's no match for us, anyway. If you succeed, I'll send you to Ytèan, to bring the Àvo." 

Thieron nodded. He looked at the clock on the wall behind his Uncle; twenty minutes had passed since he'd left Aija alone. His bond was calm. 

"You will have to bring that girl, I suppose," Ivar said, leaning back on the chair and crossing his legs one upon the other. His hands were on the armrests of the chair. 

"Yes," Thieron agreed though he hated the thought of it. It was also necessary this time to have Luka and Nala by his side since he had to go after the Gale leads. They would have to keep an eye on Aija when he couldn't be by her side. It also meant that Ze had to be there as well. He hated it; dreadfully. 

"Is there a problem, Thieron?" 

"Dv'o." No. 

"You're grimacing at the thought of having the girl here during the Ker'zan." 

"Dv'o," he said, again wanting to change the topic.

Alton Ivar smirked. He may be his Uncle, but he was his master first. Thieron was his property, just like Dhor-Wo, and the others who worked for him were. 

"Make sure you complete your task at the Ker'zan," Ivar told him. "I have high hopes for you, my boy. You will leave soon after the Ker'zan if you succeed. You will also have two humans with you – the boy and the girl, if you go, so keep that in mind." 

Thieron nodded in response. Of course, Alton knew of Ze. Who was reporting on him to his Uncle? He wanted to get out of there soon. He needed to check on Aija. 

"Ah...., we are so close." his Uncle smiled pleased. "The Gods are kind." 

Thieron nodded. 

"You are restless today," Ivar observed. 

Thieron stopped shaking his leg. He didn't know when he had started it. His Uncle smiled. "You can leave now." 

"Ji Ca'hir e nav'ei." The Universe is ours. 

"Ji Ca'hir e nav'ei." Alton agreed. 

**** 

Thieron rushed to his room, even though the bond remained calm. Just because she stayed in the room didn't mean no one could go to her and cause trouble. 

He entered the room and didn't find her, he panicked for a second, but then he heard the shower turn on inside the bathroom. 

He released a breath of relief as he sat on the bed. They'd traveled during the night and arrived early in the morning. He wanted to leave immediately back to Sier Ghat. As long as they stayed in the Open, Aija would be at risk. 

He worried about the Ker'zan. Aija would be under the gaze of hundreds of Ytai. He was strong enough to handle them, but it didn't make it any better, especially now since he would be after the Gale leads. Dhor-Wo would be given the same task; he knew it. He knew his Uncle all too well; no responsibility was given to him alone. Alton Ivar trusted the arrogant Dhor-Wo more. It meant he could still keep an eye on Aija. But it was mandatory to have Luka and Nala there too, just in case things did go wrong. 

Many wanted to impress Alton Ivar, and they would go after Aija when they thought he wasn't paying attention. Everyone would want to be the one taking a strong soul to Alton to impress him. Not that much impressed Alton Ivar, but the others didn't understand that. Alton Ivar took what he wanted; he didn't care who he took it from or who gave it to him. 

He also had to keep Luka and Nala away from Ivar and Dhor-Wo. He had managed it all these years; he couldn't let this one day, for a few hours, change it. 

Aija stepped out of the bathroom, her hair tied in a towel atop her head. She was wearing a dress – for the first time since she'd started living with them. It was the color of the night sky, and it enhanced her grey eyes. 

 She was the night sky, and the stars danced in her eyes. 

She halted as she caught him looking at her. 

"You stayed," he observed. 

She wrinkled her nose in response and removed the towel from her hair. It tumbled smoothly around her waist, and she combed through it with her fingers, removing the knots. Thieron looked at her delicate, long fingers weaving through locks of silky, black hair, and he wished....what? He wished what? To run his fingers through her hair? Irih'va had run his fingers through her hair, he... 

"What?" Aija asked, noticing him staring at her. 

He shook his head, dispelling the image of his fingers through her hair. "Stay here. I'll take a shower and then let's have breakfast. And leave." 

"I'm going nowhere," Aija stated, brandishing the thin black line around her wrist to him and rolling her eyes. There was Irih'va's hair around her wrist. 

Thieron took a quick shower. Aija was asleep on the bed, by the time he came out, curled up on the thick blanket instead of underneath it. 

He dried his hair, thinking of Irih'va. Thieron had known the Emperor since he was just a Prince. He was still lovingly called Prince Irih'va, though he was now the Emperor of the formidable Hi'er Empire. He had not liked the way Irih'va had looked at Aija. Thieron didn't know why; he didn't understand what it was that he felt, couldn't put it into words. But he was sure he didn't appreciate Irih'va's interest in her. Thieron had caught Irih'va placing a kiss on Aija's head. It had made him furious. 

Aija was his; there was a bond to prove it. He didn't want Irih'va claiming her. Thieron couldn't lose Aija - he needed her soul. It was imperative that he got it. He wanted to remove the strand of golden hair the Prince had given her. But he knew no one could remove it except for Aija, and Irih' va himself. And it didn't look like Aija would be willing to remove it, just because he wanted her to. She had been enamored by Irih' va just as the Prince was by her. She would live by Irih'va's words, not his. And that's what hurt the most. 

He woke her up, and they went for breakfast. Ieas caught sight of him and approached them. He groaned, he was in no mood to speak to anyone. He had learnt that Ieas worked at the Hall at certain times when she wasn't on a mission. No wonder she was found him at Hall. 

Aija sat beside him, staring at the food as if it were poison. 

"It's Earthen food," he assured her. 

She still stared at it, distrust in her eyes even though she had eaten there once before. Thieron would have preferred eating out somewhere else, but he was left with little choice. 

Ieas bothered him again with questions about the 'human girl' next to him, and about why he hadn't killed her yet. Aija didn't understand a word of Ytèan, so she put all her concentration on her food. After a few minutes of pushing the food around, she finally decided to eat the sandwich, vegetable curry, and fruits. After the initial few spoons, the taste must have suited her, for she finished the food completely. Or she must have been hungry. 

She hadn't had much of an appetite since the sea-Savage attack. She was lucky to even be alive. Her limp had subsided too. Thieron had felt the burst of electricity from her in the water – it hadn't hurt him; in a way, it was his, after all. It had sent the Savages far from her, giving him time to rescue her. But she had done it all by herself – and she still didn't seem to think about it. Had she forgotten about it? Or did she not believe for a second, it could have been from herself? 

Thieron didn't want to let her know of it yet. He wasn't sure why, but he also felt it would be entertaining to see her figure it all out by herself; Aija discovering that she could not only control lightning but create the electricity by herself – it should be an interesting moment. 

Thieron had forgotten all about the two souls he had released that night. They were probably roaming the Earth now. He had long, long ago, learnt that the souls wandered alone in eternity when he'd been the one releasing the souls before he had been bound to Alton Ivar to work for him. He had stayed with his Uncle, yes, but he hadn't been caught releasing the souls from Ivar's collection, mostly because Ivar didn't suspect his own blood-related nephew. He'd been fortunate – if he'd been caught, he'd be dead long ago. The two souls he released that night were hopefully together. 

He had been surprised to see the two souls responding to Aija's will, without an incantation of any sort. She was something else entirely, her deep purple soul lending all the power to her. 

He had agonized over his carelessness regarding her safety. He had been looking at Ze, and she was there one moment and gone the next. His heart had skipped a beat. He had been terrified when she had lost consciousness, and her aura had faded into a faint glimmer. 

 He still remembered the feel of her soft hands in his as they walked towards the car, he... 

"Thieron!" 

It was Ieas; it looked like she had called his name a few times. Even Aija was looking at him now. Ieas was starting to really frustrate him. She was just sitting in front of them to irritate him. She wasn't even eating and was actually supposed to be helping serve lunch to the hungry H'eon members. 

"Is everything fine?" Ieas questioned in Ytèan, worry in her green eyes. They were just green, not the two-toned eyes several Ytai had. Like Etrie had just brown eyes and not two-toned eyes. 

He nodded. 

"I heard you are going to Ytèan to retrieve the Àvo," she told him. "Dhor-Wo wanted to be the one to go. He was furious when he found out Roè Ivar was sending you instead. He was making a huge fuss the other day; drove all the helpers crazy." 

Ieas was smiling. Aija looked between Ieas and him, and her eyes settled on him. 

"Nè," Thieron said. Yes. "I don't see him." 

"He's been sent on a mission. No one's missing him here." Ieas laughed pleased by her own words.

Thieron glanced at Aija; she averted her gaze from him and stared at her empty tray. He placed an uneaten piece of fruit from his tray onto hers. She seemed hungry. Aija looked at him, her expression unreadable, probably wondering why he had done it. He wondered why too. Then she picked up the fruit and ate it. He gave her the remaining fruit on his tray to her, and she ate it all without a word. Her appetite was back, perhaps. 

Ieas looked at Aija, plain disgust on her face. "Why don't you just Harvest her soul?" she asked again. 

"Don't tell me what to do." Thieron's voice was curt. 

"Sorry, that's not what I meant." Ieas was taken aback. "I swear on the four stones." 

Thieron sighed. There existed no Gods, no Spirits, no sacred stones anymore, yet the Ytai used them in their daily lives, by habit. He sometimes did it too, unknowingly. The Gods and Spirits had removed themselves from their world a long time ago, the traces of their existence limited to the usage of their names – especially when swearing and cursing, and strangely also as surnames of several Ytai. 

Thieron and Aija left the Mansion. The attitude of the helpers and guards had changed significantly towards him. They seemed friendlier now as they bowed to him in respect. It didn't go past Aija's all attentive observation powers. He knew she observed everything that happened around her. He wondered if she, herself, realized it.

****

On the way to Sier Ghat, he stopped by at Var-Inu's place, who promised to give him the Izemirn and other items at the Ker'zan. Izemirn was difficult to procure, but he needed it on Ytèan if things didn't go as planned. Thieron never shied from using Izemirn, it was just another weapon. And, he didn't have anyone with whom he needed to maintain his honor. 

'By the Gods, it's disgraceful.' he remembered his aunt's words. But there were no Gods anymore. 

Aija had come into the farmhouse; there was no need to keep her out anymore, she had met Var-Inu before, and she didn't understand Ytèan. 

As they made their way back, Aija asked, "Isn't Izemirn at home?" 

He smirked. So Aija really was listening carefully to their conversations even though they spoke in Ytèan, and she had grasped the word 'Izemirn'. Aija knew the names of his cats – Luka had told her one day, and Thieron had heard them speak that day. 

"Yes, Izemirn's at home," he replied, and then his eyes widened with sudden realization. She had said 'home'. 

"Why were you talking about a cat?" she wondered more to herself. He didn't reply. 

Thieron drove the car fast and reached the open mud roads. She surprised him in many ways. There were at least two Savages that had attacked Var-Inu's farm after the last time. And he kept an eye out for them as he drove. 

About a minute or two into the drive, they saw a small crowd at the side of the road. Curious if it had been a Savage attack, Thieron stopped the car. Aija looked at him, confused, and he told her to stay in the car, and he hoped she would listen to him. 

Thieron reached the small group on the opposite side of the road; there were four people wearing masks surrounding a fallen man, who was being helped up by an older man. His skin had a sickly sheen due to his green veins; his nails were green, his hair white at places, and coughing up blood mixed with green phlegm. He'd caught the Green Plague. The man was whimpering in pain, weak from it. 

"Ytai," the older man pleaded, "please take us home. He can't walk that far. Please, young man." 

Thieron was taken aback. He knew the humans in the Open were aware of them, he also knew they asked them for help since they were immune to the Plague and were strong against the Savages and Creatures. In return, the humans never spoke of their existence to the Leadership or other humans. They left them alone for the most part because ironically, they received more help from them than the Leadership. Thieron had found it strange that anyone from the H'eon would help the humans, but Alton Ivar had drawn a deal to keep them mum about their existence; while he worked to wipe the human race out. A small inconvenience; help some to destroy all. 

Thieron looked back to the car; Aija was still there, thankfully. But she would be susceptible to the Plague. He looked back at the sick man and the other humans; their farming tools were on the muddy ground, they'd been going back home after a long day on the fields. An idea popped into his head. He nodded to the older man who was clinging onto the sick man – who resembled him; must be his son. 

"Wait," he told them and went to the car. 

"What's wrong?" Aija asked as soon as he opened the door. She hadn't gotten out even though he hadn't compelled it locked. 

"I need to do something," he told her. "I need you to go with the humans while I drop off that sick man. I can't risk having you there; you might contract the Plague from him. Go with the humans; I'll find you. Don't try anything stupid. I will find you wherever you are; if you do try anything stupid, like running away, I'll end Zuri's life in front of you." 

She looked shocked. She didn't know how Thieron had found out about Zuri – Aija's friend. But, Thieron was always observing, and he'd also heard Nala and Aija speak about the girl at Ba' diur's place, even though Nala had tried to keep her voice low. Thieron always knew things. 

What Aija said shocked him now, "I never planned on running away. Today too, I'll wait." 

What? Stars above, what did she mean by that?! 

Aija got out of the car, and he stopped her from going near the man; his mind still reeling from her words. He told the four other humans – three men and one woman to take Aija with them to their home and keep her safe. They agreed at once, and the woman went and stood by Aija. The other three men helped the old man get his sick son into the car, and Aija watched, an expression of horror on her face as her eyes fell on the sick man. Thieron ordered her to keep the mask on and left. He drove on the mud roads back in the direction he'd come. 

"Where are you taking us, Ytai?" the old man asked, fear gripping him. 

"Do not worry," Thieron said. 

"But, our house is in the opposite direction, Ytai." 

"Okay." Thieron drove back to Var-Inu's place, and the Ytai came out as if he were expecting him to return. 

"Let's go in," Thieron said and helped the man inside. The old man was worried, but he didn't say another word and helped his son walk into Var-Inu's large farmhouse. 

"Ano'h cafreoi te, Ah'n? Ati e Aija?" What are you doing, Ahn? Where is Aija? 

Var-Inu didn't look surprised as he set the man on a bed, but he asked him the question all the same. 

"Ano'h te cafreoi?" Var-Inu asked again, using a variant speech. "He can't be cured." 

"Nè, but you can ease his pain." Thieron looked at the older Ytai. 

The old man looked between the two of them, worried and confused; probably regretting even asking for help. 

Var-Inu sighed and went upstairs into his storeroom. 

"Ytai, did I do something wrong?" the man asked. 

"No," Thieron answered. "He will give your son something for the pain." 

The old man's eyes rounded, and tears welled up; grateful. 

Thieron's bond had started to sting midway back to the Ytai's farmhouse. Aija must have walked even farther now. 

Var-Inu returned with a shot filled with a clear liquid. He gave it to the sick man, and instantly he stopped whimpering. 

The old man thanked Var-Inu continuously for about five minutes before they could convince him to leave. Var-Inu explained to the man that it was a one-time help only, and it would only ease the pain for a day. Var-Inu warned the man not to tell others of it, and the old man promised not to. 

The old man helped his son on his own to walk back to the car; a smile plastered on his face. Var-Inu asked Thieron to stay back for a minute. 

"What did you do, Ah'n?" Var-Inu asked. "What if he tells the others? I'll have a huge line-up here for the pain-alleviator. It won't cure the Plague, but they will get addicted to it. Not to mention your Uncle always has his eyes on me, thanks to you." 

Thieron was still looking at the man, now getting into the car. 

"Ah'n, answer me." 

"What if we the least we can do is take away the pain?" he asked, flinching at the pain in his own wrist. 

"Ah'n?" 

"It's the least we can do now," Thieron turned to the black-purple haired Ytai. "Until we destroy them, then there will be no more suffering." 

Var-Inu studied him quietly, Thieron knew his thoughts were running wild, but the Ytai man didn't say anything. 

"Did you find out anything more about Ayr' i?" 

Var-Inu shook his head. 

"Alright, I need to go pick up Aija. I left her with the humans." 

"Ah'n..." Var-Inu said. 

"Nè?" Yes? 

Var-Inu sighed. "Nothing.... Be careful at the Ker'zan." 

Thieron nodded and left. 

He dropped the old man and his son home, the pain in his wrist, increasing by the second. It was easy to find his way back to Aija – the bond led him straight to her. She was at the human woman's house – a dilapidated wooden structure. The woman had offered her something to eat, and Aija was nibbling at the apple, and the odd-looking gruel with pieces of corn in it remained in the plate. 

The woman insisted on offering him food too, but he refused and accepted an apple. 

"We need to leave immediately," he told the woman and motioned to Aija to get up. 

"Thanks," the woman told him as Aija got into the car. "He has had to work even through the pain. I'm glad you could drop him home, Ytai." 

He nodded and got into the car. It was only a matter of time until they got the Àvo, and then everything would be different. 

It was late evening by the time they started. Thieron had wanted to be home before the dark settled, but now it wasn't possible, and for a second, he wondered if he was right in stopping on seeing the small group of humans. 

About half an hour into the drive when they were on the border of the Open and the City, he thought he heard Aija sniffling. He glanced at her to see that she was indeed crying. 

"What's wrong?" he asked her, worried. 

She didn't respond and only cried harder. Thieron stopped the car and turned to her. 

"Aija?" 

She threw the mask off from her nose and turned to him, the tears streaming down her face, "Has it always been that horrible in the Open? The people are suffering – their homes, if you can call them homes - are terrible, they are overworked; they don't have clean air or proper food – that weird liquid is supposed to be food? They suffer the most from the Plague, and by the looks of it, it's appalling." 

Thieron stared at her, unsure of what to say or how to react. It had always been that way in the Open; she was just finding out about it now. Obviously, she had assumed everyone, everywhere, lived good lives. 

"Is my father aware of this?" she asked. "Do you know if he's aware that his air purifying system is used only where the Leadership deems beneficial to them? Is my father a part of this? Does he work for the Leadership?" 

Thieron wanted to wipe her tears. But, he wouldn't, obviously. 

"No," he said finally. "Your father is not a part of this. He isn't aware of how the Leadership uses his air purifying system and the transport system; because he doesn't travel. He hasn't been outside Innermost, and so he just assumes the Leadership is doing its job." 

"Really?" 

"Yes," he nodded. 

Aija seemed to calm down a bit on hearing his answer, but she continued to sob softly. 

Thieron sat in silence, letting her calm down further, and he handed a bottle of water to her. She accepted it. Once she had some water, her sobs quieted. 

"Is the R'ies doing nothing to help the humans?" she asked after a while. 

"I told you, they are worried about their own hold over Earth," Thieron said, looking out at the darkening sky. 

They sat in silence again, and he wondered how much she had been affected by the Open. The Earth was being fought over by the H'eon, the R'ies, and the Leadership. What if it had been Ytèan? Of course, he'd be just as angry as she was now. 

"Tell me," he said, "what did you mean by you weren't planning on running away? That today too, you would wait?" 

Aija looked up at him, those grey eyes embracing a forever-brewing storm. She now had his electricity to add to it. The storm and the lightning; she had both. 

"Nothing..." she whispered as her cheeks reddened; he wasn't sure if it was from the crying or her realization that he was still thinking of her answer. 

It wasn't 'nothing'. Thieron knew it; she had either succumbed to the fact that she couldn't escape, or she was planning something. Her mind wasn't a quiet one, just like his, so it was likely the latter. 

Thieron resumed the driving and soon left the Open and entered the City. Aija's eyes were fixed continuously out the window at the passing scenery, mind evidently working overtime, as seen from her aura. 

He, himself, was preoccupied with his thoughts about the Open, about Aija, about how he had wanted to wipe her tears and make her feel better; about having her and Ze at the Ker'zan. 

Thieron was worried about how the Ker'zan would go. There were far more selfish Ytai then Ieas, whose only suggestion had been to Harvest her soul. And, he desperately needed it to go well. His getting the Avo depended on it. He had a mission of his own to do. 

He took in a deep breath. He didn't have a good feeling about the Ker'zan. 

Something was going to go frightfully wrong.

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