That evening, the skies were streaked with blood.

Most Euran sunsets were like that, with mixed shades of orange, gold, pink, and a slight tint of purple. It often reminded Svanhilde Vinderstörm of the canvas found primarily in Amaya;covered in colors, at first seeming like nonsense, but as one looked at the whole picture, it was just one big masterpiece.

She often compared her own life to the painted canvas, all confusing when looking at all the parts. However even a glance if the full picture still held confusion. Nothing in her life made any sense. Pieces not fully fitting together, or some not even matching the story at all.

She was told as a young child of how her parents had died. Only leaving her their last name, and nothing else. She knew there had to be more to the story. Sure, several citizens who were fleeing Eura had been killed, but they had spirit animals.

Svanhilde's parents had none.

Of course she never fully knew her parents, seeing as they died when she was at a very young age, leaving her in the care of a retired assassin, Trygve, who raised her. There was no real reason to find out what happened to them besides bringing peace to mind, well as much peace as you can find from finding out how your birth parents died.

Her search had started months earlier. She had been on an assassination, seeking to hunt a man who had been avoiding a debt. After finding him in a small fishing village in Arctica, she had stumbled upon records from the day her parents had died.

After tracing the records to several orders of deployment and purchases of ammunition, she had finally located a solid lead on what happened that day.

It had brought her to Nymeria, a northern Euran settlement, home to one of the most respected commanders in the Euran army.

The city was a beautiful location, with a vast amount of residence, trademark pastries and truffles, and architecture that was intuitive to what Svana had always imagined cities in Eura looked several centuries before. The building walls had a beautiful yet faded out color that primarily looked red with hints of orange in the mix. Most of the rooftops had a darker color, almost like a dark maroon, with the color faded to the point of being much more bland. The window frames were a fresh white, contrasting the darker colors.

The buildings themselves were fairly tall, each having at least three levels to each, and small alleyways located down every three homes. She had seen several towns and settlements throughout Eura, none as beautiful or unique as Nymeria.

The city was also one of the last to be governed by a noble family. Following the other trends found across Eura, the name of the city was shared with the family. The Nymeria's had settled the town, and had been fair with their ruling and economic choices. Leaving them unscathed from the purge of nobility in the continent.

The family's manor was located on a hill overlooking the rest of the city. Though not a clear view from every spot, it was recognizable due to its aged copper roofing, and several spires.

That would be where Svana would find the next color to her canvas, a missing piece of her past.

She couldn't strike quite yet, the fortress was sure to have high security as a large ball would be taking place, and the family did not want to risk any issues with assassination attempts, or flaws.

She could have come later, when tension would be less, and security not as prominent, however she needed to get a better glimpse of what Svana was dealing with.

The city, unlike others she had visited, had little to no one on the streets. Svana had gotten so used to so much happening, people on the streets at this time, and the several parties, it was quite peaceful, and a bit...

Unsettling.

However, as much as she hated how chillin it was, it was perfect for catching tails.

Svana took a deep breath before standing up from the small table she was sitting at. It was in front of a small cafe, being the perfect place to enjoy a warm pastry, and a perfect spot to observe the city without being noticed.

Well that was the plan, obviously someone noticed her.

There was a slight breeze to the air, which was surprising due to how closed off the city seemed to be from the outside. It didn't bother her, she had lived most of her early life in Arctica. That was where she was raised, where she was trained.

The city seemed to have a warm glow, tall lanterns illuminating the pathways and homes, not making it fully bright, but still managing to grant a clear view of the surroundings.

She didn't want to make it obvious that she was aware of the figure following her. It was most likely an assassin, she had come across many of those through her travels.

Yet another stroke to her canvas. Trained by an assassin, yet she never affiliated with any of the groups. She only learned the skills for defense. Sure she had to kill some people across her travels, but not sticking to one organization had put many targets on her back.

Her steps were silent against the stone path, and so was the person following her. It wouldn't be easy to outrun them, perhaps she could talk her way out of it. No. Assassins didn't take the time to talk. Her best bet was to outrun it.

Svana took a sharp turn into one of the alleyways. It was narrow and dark. Though the walls towered above her, it wasn't too difficult to scale them. She was quickly on the rooftops of the city. She began to run, silently yet quick across the rooftops. It felt good feeling the air ruch past her as she navigated the highground.

She could feel her long brown hair flow behind her. Its wind was much more prominent than it was below, which made sense. Without the tall structure blocking its way, the wind could run free.

Just like her.

It didn't take very long to make it across the city. She was sure that the follower was gone, and she was much closer to the castle.

The architecture seemed similar to the place she had been only minutes before, though it seemed a lot neater. It made sense, the people living there probably had more money, that was how it was in every city.

Though different, there still seemed to be very few people on the streets at all. It really did seem to contrast how it was in the daytime.

Svana quickly made her way off the roof. Though an easy way of travel, it wouldn't end well if anyone spotted her. She seemed to have arrived in a large area, almost like a small park, with small confined patches of grass, a few trees, and a small fountain in the center. The whole space seemed to be surrounded by buildings. And though square in shape, the corners were rounded off by grass space.

There wasn't anyone there, except one girl, who was sitting down on a bench near to the fountain.

"Who are you?"

Svana looked at the girl. She looked quite lean, and had a slender build, looking almost as if she was stretched out. Her skin was a very pale color, seemingly very cold against the warm lantern lights that illuminated the rest of the city. Her eyes were dark, only second to shade with her long hair.

"Why do you ask?" Svana raised an eyebrow. She didn't know if she could trust this girl or not. She could be another assassin, or perhaps a daughter of a visiting noble. Any possible explanation would not end well for Svana.

"I'm curious," She said, "I have never seen you around these parts before."

"Well, I mean, it's a large city."

"True, though this area is restricted to a select few, none of which, I recall, come from the rooftops."

Shit, Svana thought, I probably should have paid a little more attention before coming down.

When Svana didn't respond, the girl continued, her eyes seeming to examine the other, "What are you doing here?"

"Apologies, I seem to have gotten lost and..."

The girl raised an eyebrow, "Who is your friend?" she motioned behind Svana.

Svana turned, standing there, a young man, the same one tailing her before.

"I thought I got rid of you." Svana crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at the male, taking an examination of him.

He looked like Niloan, with perhaps another mix of ethnicity. He had hazel brown eyes and fluffy black hair that had strange streaks of white in it. Perhaps it was dyed, or natural like Svana's. He was much taller and muscular then she was.

He shrugged at her comment, "I guess I am hard to get rid of."

"Whatever boss you work for, tell them that I am not interested."

The boy's eyes narrowed, his eyes trailing to the other girl, "A friend of yours?"

"She is just a civilian, leave her out of it." She threatened with a low voice.

"And why in the hell would I do that."

Before Svana would start to respond, the lanterns started to flicker, and with several more moments passed, they all seemed to dim, leaving the area in darkness. Though it didn't last long, within seconds, colors of light seemed to flash across the sky.

Starting from the east, and heading towards the west. The colors held similar patterns to the Aurora Borealis that she had seen several times back in Arctica. However these colors seemed much more vibrant in shades, glowing across the sky.

A sudden feeling of spark seemed to fill Svana, similar to how she expected fire to bring, however this spark brought a type of power through her veins. As it ran through her body, her vision began to blur. Whatever it was, she had to figure it out later.

Her vision faded to nothing.

~~~~~~

"You are sounding insane right now!"

Sven stared at Tyra as she stood there, looking down at the stacks of parchment layed on the wooden table. He didn't completely understand why they were sitting here. The bitter cold of the Kresoth landscape felt unbearable in their small cottage. Sure they had a fire going to attempt and warm the small space up, but that still didn't help.

"How am I sounding insane."

"The Divine beasts are not real! They are only a children's tale, nothing else."Sven rolled his eyes. He was cold, he didn't want to argue about such an absurd thing.

"Then how do you explain these readings? It isn't possible for such a high amount of energy to be contained in something so small. I am close to a breakthrough, I just know it, but you wont listen to me!"

"Because you are out of your mind!" He yelled at the girl, she stared at him with disbelief. The two of them sat there for a few seconds.

"Tyra..." Sven sighed, "I am your older brother. I want to do what is best for you. Mom and dad.."

"Mom and dad didn't care about us. That is why they left us here to die. I am trying to find a way to escape and you are getting mad at me!" Tyra glared at him, folding her arms, tears started to run down her cheeks, "Why dont you just listen to me for one minute?"

"Winter is coming fast, and... I dont have time to listen to your theories. I need to collect wood so we don't freeze. I hope you understand..."

"I don't," Tyra's eyes became cold, "I really don't."

Sven sighed and stood up. His coat felt itchy, but he didn't want to complain. It was better then nothing. Even if it didn't keep him completely warm, it still gave a feeling of protection.

"You think that magic is real, that some divine fox grew a whole forest in seconds. That a polar bear breathed and now we have ice. You claim that you are a scientist, yet none of that is logical. I know that. Thats not even science, just common knowledge. When will you start thinking outside of your on fantasy world?"

Tyra said nothing. He could feel her staring at him, but he didn't turn around. He walked up the door and opened it.

"I'm going out to get more wood. Keep the fire going until I get back."

Sven pulled his mask over his face, and walked out. Slamming the door behind him. 

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Another chapter. Strange, mysterious characters, sibling drama. I wonder what will happen next....

-Isronswara