His Arrival... [Tomo; Open]

[Ilreg Douisis Ofu'ul]

Ilreg had finally tore though the fabric of the 7th, arriving at his destination. The opening of the the 'nexus' had brought Ilreg to the point of exhaustion, despite his opening the tear near at the very ends of the 6th. Walking past the frozen foliage of the pathway he created, Ilreg ventured into the light brush of the small patch of trees.

"Rest, this meeting with Sanada can prove dangerous. Your strength you will need if escape you must." Tiamat said, her voice sharp and her tone demanding.

"I... run from no one..." Ilreg said breathing heavy, his pace slowing as he tread over the soft earth. Near the point of fatigue, Ilreg tried to go forward, but crumpled, falling to his knees. Slowly going forward, Ilreg again attempted to go forward. Gritting his teeth, Ilreg's hair fell over his face, wrenched and racked with pain as he still went on.

"You will listen to me, tire of your insolence I am." Tiamat said, as the small searing pain began to creep up in the back of Ilreg's skull. As the pain set in, Ilreg eyes bulged, and he doubled over, he grasped his head with his dirt caked hands. "Stop... I... ARRGGHH!!!" Ilreg cried, letting out a guttural cry of both anger and anguish.

"No. Stop you will you vulgar little insect. Flea, underestimate me time and time again. You will monitor Sanada, no more of your theatrics. Kill you I will, you are nothing but a pawn. My pawn." Taimat said, her voice soothing and threating and at the same time.

Spitting out a blood rich glob of saliva, Ilreg grunted, his clawlike fingers digging into the earth, "I... will... not die by your hand. You cannot kill me Tiamat. You are a coward you horrid bitch. You wage war, yet you fear the loss of your children. Shiraz, my father, weaklings! Dead weakinglings, only I remain, the remenats of your putrid loins!" Ilreg said laughing, as blood seeped out of his eyes and nose, the pain contorting his face horribly as he laughed through the touture.

"INSOLENT BASTARD, EVERYTHING I AM TO YOU!" Taimat roared into Ilreg's mind, the pain increased exponentially as he fell back to the ground, paralyzed in torture. "MY CHILDREN DIED AND YOU MOCK ME. MOCK YOUR DESPICABLE MOTHER I DO. SHE WAS NOT WORTHY OF IO'NR, DEAD AS THEM SHE IS NOW. SANADA WILL SUFFER AS I HAVE, MY PAIN SHE WILL KNOW. AND ONCE YOUR PURPOSE HAS BEEN FILLED, YOU WILL JOIN YOUR DEAD MOTHER, AND I SHALL LAY WASTE TO ALL OF HELL!" Taimat said, screeching into his mind as she poured the mental fire into his cerebral.

All Ilreg could see was the blurred horizon over the city of Beliarsfer, his blood clouding his vision as he finally was rendered unconscious by fatigue and torture at the Hands of Tiamat. Ilreg lay in the middle of the small patch, completely vulnerable, recuperating as he passed into a deep slumber.

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomoyo was enjoying her small moment of rest. Rakeru was a fussy baby, squirming constantly and always wanting attention. The Ha-ou didn't mind giving it, but there was something about him that exhausted her, even though Celestials were not known to be exhausted around their children. He didn't cry often, a good thing; but boy, was he needy.

And now he was sleeping peacefully in Tomoyo's room, being watched by Avalon.

Sinking into the stone throne in her court near the entrance of her castle, she allowed herself to slip into sleep. She had not invited anyone from the outside into her castle for some time now, and she knew that they all wanted to get a glimpse of the new "Prince", as she heard they called him. However, she wasn't ready for that, and she felt that he wasn't either.

She shifted, the stone something that she was used to--it had been charmed long ago to not feel the same way that it looked, and it was soft and comfortable to the touch. Now, if she could only get to--

With a loud creaking, the double doors to her castle opened, revealing the sky and the outside; two things that Tomoyo wouldn't be bothered with at the moment. Even knowing that there was a visitor here, she still slumped in her throne, trying to relax.

In Avalon's place, Symphony answered the door.

"Mistress," Symphony said in her bland, emotionless voice. "A visitor."

"I can see that, Symphony," came Tomoyo's irritated tone.

"I come from the sixth," the fallen said, and Tomoyo raised an eyebrow. He had spoken out of turn, without being addressed.

Perking up, Tomoyo finally sensed the hidden desperation in his voice. It seemed that all of her faculties still needed to be honed after having Rakeru.

"...is something wrong with Yomi? Why is she not here?"

The messenger bowed his head. "There is a message from the Kaze-ou. She has been gravely injured." Using his small amount of talent over the element of sound, he tried to imitate Yomi's voice. "She says:

"...Dragon Prince...Il...Ilreg...going to meet Sanada. Beware. White...as snow...ice...powerful..."

Tomoyo's eyes widened. Ilreg...that character who injured Jiishita and nearly beat Chikara to death.

"...white as snow..." Tomoyo repeated. "He is here? In my Layer?"

"Yes," came the response. "That is what the Kaze-ou believes."

"How badly is she injured? May I send someone to aid her? Why was I not contacted before?"

"I-I don't know the answer to those questions. But I am of the opinion that the sixth would appreciate aid. Our city is in shambles. Raining icicles..."

Tomoyo gasped. "...the city is destroyed?"

"It is...ah, not completely. We managed to survive because of Yomi's safety procedures. But we lost more than ten percent of our population in that attack. I counted the dead myself."

Tomoyo's eyes narrowed. "Symphony," she said, and the Lillite looked her way. "Summon the the Elves. Alvar, Alfeo, and Arya. Now. Also fetch Avalon. Tell him to bring Rakeru to me. Avalon will take a battalion from both my an wad Rei's army, both comprised of half magicians and half warriors to the sixth with Arya--we will have her Elven magic help rebuild the city yet again."

"Thank you, Ha-ou. Thank you."

"Tell Yomi I expect her to address her city on what happened, and for her to send an official report to me. I will send out a search party for this Ilreg abomination. If he is here, we will find him. Go, quickly."

"Yes, Ha-ou." Amazed by the kindness of their ruling King, the messenger bowed deeply, backing out of the doorway in that position until he was outside of the gates.

After the messenger's exit, Symphony sunk into her shadow, returning after a few moments with the three elves. Rakeru's room was not even a yard away from Tomoyo's throne; she was sure that Avalon had heard all of it, as he came out walking quickly, baby in hand.

[Elf Royal Family-Group Account]

Alvar and Alfeo were sparring mentally, probing and blocking each other from doing damage to their waking dreams. Tearing each other down and rebuilding, blocking certain dreams from beign touched, and strengthening the barrier on their minds keeping their dreams from being made real. They were almost an equal match for each other--but Alvar relied more on mental attack; Alfeo relied more on defense. They would compliment each other well, and together--

rap, rap, rap.

Someone was knocking on the door. Softly.

"Arya?" Alfeo asked, his deep tones correctly guessing who was at the entrance to their room. Only one of their own would know to knock softly so as not to jar them.

When Arya entered, Alvar smirked, opening his eyes to gaze upon his sister. "Thank you for being so polite."

"Sanada Tomoyo is calling us." Looming behind Arya at the door was Sanada's mindless slave, Symphony.

"Looking better than ever, Symphony," Alvar said. "How about you and We--"

"There is no time for your games, brother," Arya said. "I feel that something is wrong."

Alfeo said quietly, "Let us go."

"Alright, alright," Alvar agreed. Waving his hands, he made a door. Opening it, however, was a bit difficult. On the first try, he opened it halfway, only for it to force itself closed.

"Problem, brother?" Alfeo asked.

Alvar smirked again. "No. Sanada is attempting to guard against intruders transporting through her castle. She has gotten better at it. Alfeo, push the door open with me."

With Alfeo's added concentration, the twins opened the door with ease, and all four beings stepped through.

Alfeo and Arya, as well as Symphony bowed in Tomoyo's presence as they arrived in the throne room. That stiff Avalon was there, a child in his arms. Tomoyo's, Alvar assumed.

"Exactly how long," Alvar said, refusing to bow, and putting his hands on his hips, "have We been in our training trance? When did you have the baby?" He paused, getting a glimpse of blond hair and blue eyes from the small bundle in Avalon's arms. He theatrically cringed. "Oh, Gods, he has that horrid's man's face. Whatever your husband's name is--"

"Quiet," Arya hissed, standing. "Please, Tomoyo. Ignore him. We are at your service. What do you need of us?"

[Avalon Carrister]

Rakeru, beautiful child that he is, was sleeping in his crib. The crib, of course, was made of silver--a gift from Yomi, the Kaze-ou during Tomoyo's pregnancy. He was an active baby, Rakeru, and it was a rare moment when he slept. Tomoyo needed a break, and Avalon was happy to provide it for her.

What a coincidence, then, that a messenger from Yomi's Layer reported the Layer generally destroyed. The moment that Avalon heard Tomoyo mention his name--Tomoyo would never keep the baby in a room out of her earshot--he gently lifted the baby fro his crib, wrapped in a red colored blanket and brought him to the throne room.

Not too long afteward, a door emerged before the throne, opening to reveal Symphony and those accursed Elves. While Avalon did not like the male named Alvar--he was too cocky in his attitude toward Tomoyo--he did however, enjoy the comment being made by him about Ren. Holding in a laugh, he waited for Tomoyo's orders patiently.

[Sanada Tomo]

With her sources gathered around her, Tomoyo moved to take immediate action. "Thank you for coming so swiftly. I have orders for you all. Please obey them without question at the moment--it is imperative that you do so. Avalon, hand me the baby. You are assigned to go gather a battalion from my own army and another from Rei's forces. Override Rei's authority with this. I do not have time for her protests and alternate plans. Arya will go with you as well The sixth layer needs aid in rebuilding yet again. Someone attacked them. Please go now. It should not take more than two days for you all to finish, with that many hands and that much magic.

Looking at Alvar, and ignoring his comments about her husband, she continued her orders fluidly.

"Symphony, go swiftly now. Yomi described someone who was white as snow. Search through the city and outskirts. It is a Dragon, she said. His energy will feel nothing like a Mortal, upright, fallen or fae. it will be different."

Tomoyo's eyes narrowed now, her expression darkening.

"Alvar and Alfeo, I need you two to power a barrier." A pause. "From both Yomi and Jiishita's accounts, this Dragon uses Icicles to attack his opponents. I refuse to allow my city to end up like Yomi's. I realize that this is a task that perhaps one of you could handle alone, but I know that you both work better together. I am still maintaining the security system for the castle--although it wasn't a barrier to you, obviously--but I will ask you, Alvar, to channel a barrier around the entire surface of the city. I will not have icicles taking out buildings. Alfeo, I would like an identical barrier spanning underneath the city. I am not taking any chances being attacked from underground. I remember well how Sasuke used to put his ice to use. I will avoid that. Jiishita also informed me that he has canine companions. It will put a stop to them as well, if they can burrow underground. I will not be distracted by them. Can you do this?"

Avalon left immediately after handing the baby to her, knowing that this portion of her plan didn't involve him. Symphony exited as well, sinking into her shadow again and disappearing.

[Elf Royal Family-Group Account]

Arya followed Avalon out of the castle.

Alvar listened to Tomoyo's instructions. he wasn't even in the mood to make a joke, now. Tomoyo was not a usually serious person, but apparently this was a grave matter.

"Fine. We'll do it. We don't think there will be a problem. Alfeo, ideas for the Focal point?"

Alfeo spoke slowly and quietly. "...a magical defense that is not out own. We should stay in the castle. Sanada guards us while We guard the city. The mediation room works best, as with Tomoyo's permission, we can change our location in the castle in a matter of seconds in case of discovery. This castle is large. It will serve us well."

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomoyo was glad for their help, and Alfeo's insight was the best that the Elven race could offer.

"Thank you. Do this as soon as possible. Now, I shall call Exodus to retrieve my daughter. I don't want Cielle out if there are other Dragons possibly in cahoots with this one. I will not allow anyone close to me to be taken and subjected to torture. I would also send a message to Heaven, but...alas, I do not think that their officials care for my well-being any longer. Kouzetsu would spit on my face. No, I don't think that would be necessary."

Rocking Rakeru in her arms, she knew that she would no longer have anything to do except wait and see if her preparations were enough...

[Ilreg Douisis Ofu'ul]

"Mother, where are we now." The small child said, standing there with his hands inside of the pockets of his tan slacks, his long white hair resting on his the shoulders of his black tunic. The child looked very suspicious of his surrounding, not accustomed to the environment outside. He covered his eyes from the brightness of the basking sun.

"Quiet Ilreg. He will be here shortly." a woman said gruffly, much anticipation in her sharp tone as she spoke to her child. As stern as she was, she was quite lovely, her long ivory hair failing past her armor, her golden horns protruding form the top of her head. The boy sighed and turned toward the ground. His demeanor saddened, his expression remain disenfranchised for the several moments they waited.

"When father arrives mother, can we go home, I feel weird in this place. I hear strange things, and my hands are ever so cold." a young Ilreg said, gently tapping his mother's leg.

Turning around, she gave the boy a stern look and knelt down, putting her hands on his shoulders. "Listen to me Ilreg, I don't want to do anything to cause your father to leave us, so please just don't say anything. Kyoma, what have you gotten yourself into?" Ilreg's mother said, her voice shaky.

"Why does father hate me so, I've done nothing wrong have I?" Ilreg asked as his eyes filled with tears, asking his mother questions she had no answers for.

"STOP CRYING!" Kyoma yelled, slapping the young dragon in the face, causing him to fall over, the tears in his eyes falling as small icy diamonds. She stood, her voice breaking as she spoke. "He doesn't hate you. You don't exist to him because of his stupid culture. No... he hates me because of you." Kyoma said turning away from her son, ashamed, hiding her face as tears began to form. As Ilreg saw this, his sadness turned into anger, his hands now dug into the soft grassy earth, freezing around his hand.

Soon, a dark figure appeared in the sky. His raven wings beating as he soared toward the mother and child. Stopping as he caught sight of the woman, he descended slowly to the ground, and the women wiped hear tears, and her large fluffy wings spread as she darted to him. The Chrebim's total demeanor changed once she seen the man, and she used her wings to carry her to met him midair, the two sharing an embrace as they descended to the ground slowly. "Kyoma... heh, it's been awhile hasn't it?" The figure said, his voice smooth and charming as he kissed he gently on the lips, parting his long raven bangs as their faces parted.



"Too long Io'nr..." Kyoma said, almost giddy at the sight of the man. As she smiled, Kyoma noticed the man's gaze move over to the boy on the ground. She began to grow nervous, wondering if bringing the boy was the right idea.

"What is 'it' doing here?" Io'nr asked, pushing Kyoma away. His disgust at the sight of the young boy was evident, as the boy stood up, wiping the frozen tears from his face."

"Io'nr, about him..." Kyoma said hesitantly, as a young Ilreg turned to his mother, his eyes narrowing as she found herself at loss for words. He turned away from the man that was his father.

"I told you I didn't want to see him." Io'nr said, placing his hand on his forehead, closing his eyes as if he were trying to hear something not there.

Ilreg continued to stare blankly at his mother. "Mother, I wish to leave. He hates me... and I hate him!" Ilreg said aloud, in his mother direction. Ilreg was suddenly knocked to the ground, as a hand from his fathers shadow knocked him over strongly. He turned to Io'nr, with a look of hatred in his eyes, quickly glancing at his mother as Kyoma continued to stand there, impotent in action.

These visions began to blur from Ilreg's vision, as the pain from the torture caused his dreams to spill into his mind, unbound by the dragon inability to control his rest without falling into deep sleep. Sometime had pass from when Ilreg had lost consciousness, and a small amount of frozen plant growth covered him. The dragon continued to sleep, dreaming about his past, unable to act and a the very mercy of the first person to find him.

[Sanada Tomo]

[XD you can tell what I was thinking about in this post, can't you XD]

Symphony had search every building for the aura that was supposed to be different than that of an Angel or Demon. She was well aware of what a Dragon was, although it had been ages since she had seen one. Sanada Tomoyo knew not how old she was--no being knew how many years ago the Shijin had sought to create them--but it was not her place to tell her Master that she had already known what Dragons were. She knew not of their makeup, nothing of their abilities, and as a creation of the Shijin's direct power she had never traveled to their Realm. she had had too much work to do in her own, before the time had come for her and her brothers and sisters to depart from those that would abuse their power--those who could threaten the existence of the Shijin with their combined magics. No, they had promised each other--one Master, one Servant. No more, no less.

She tore herself away from these thoughts quickly--it was not her Mistress's wish that she think--there was nothing required of her other than total obedience. The Sanada Tomoyo took care of her, and she needed nothing more than that.

Making sure that she search thoroughly for the Dragon in her layer, she engulfed each building one by one--searching there, through her own superimposed shadow, the power level in each. She knew that the Dragon would not be there--she was sure that she would feel it in advance when she was approaching his location--but she did not want to have to tell her Mistress that she was not thorough. It would not do at all.

There was no Dragon in the city. Human, yes, and Demons...Symphony had noticed as of late there were a lack of Fae in the Realm as well, but their trends increased and declined upon whim, and so she rendered no conclusion. There were even a few scattered uprights--those who dared leave their shining gates and pearls for a morsel of Mortal food, a drink that would cost them a notch on their totem pole which was the seven rules of carnality.

When she had finished searching the city a few hours had already gone by, despite her speed. It was then that she turned to the outskirts--those infinitely stretching plains that allowed a forever rising population to abide without being crowded. Any other servant of the Mistress's would have hated to search those lands; they would have had to travel until they did not see a house for three hours before returning to the castle. But it was not a feeling of anger for Symphony--it was blunt indifference.

The moment that she stepped out from the city, she heard it--a hyperresonance in her ears that sounded like a small scream. Her power, clashing with the Dragon's own in the air.

Immediately, she sprang toward the direction of her quarry.

[Ongaku Migoto]

[Takes place months after Migoto's transfer to the 2nd layer of Hell]

The castle seemed busier today than usual. Guards were moving about and the city seemed to be organizing for preparations of sorts. Magic was all in th air as a barrier was erected that extended well beyond the castle, almost to the city's outskirts. Walking hand in hand with Elizabeth, Migoto found himself at the castle gates, stopped by two large Belseraph guards. Hoping not to frighten Elizabeth, Migoto lifted the small girl onto his shoulders. "Sup Guys, I'm here to see Tomo-mama." Migoto said cheerfully.

"Your name." The leader of the two spouted, his face gruff as his voice.

"Migoto, Ongaku Migoto, and this lovely lady is Elizabeth." Migoto said, maintaining his cheeful smile. He watched as the guard pulled a list of names of distinguished guests, and search for his name.

"Yeah, go ahead smurf, your on the list." the Guard said, stopping his pike on the ground to signify that the gate be opened. Elizabeth giggled at the name he called Migoto, and Migoto simply walked past, seemingly waving his hand goodbye. This gesture had a hidden purpose though, as Migoto magically sealed the guards ears with great subtly. He could not hear the gate close, as it smacked him in the back, as Migoto walked into the castle. Navagating through the cstle he'd took the time to memorize during his days of loitering, Migoto found the throne room with relative ease, as he had no trouble moving through the empty hallways. Recognized by the guards he was allowed entry to Tomo's throne room, and he and Elizabeth entered.

Setting the girl down, Migoto smiled as she ran to Tomo's side, "Hi Miss Tomo! Is this the baby, he's soooo cute!" Elizabeth said, bustling with joy.

Migoto walked casually over to his King and smiled as he stood before her, "What's up pretty lady, long time no see since you sent me to the slave mines of the second." Migoto said playfully, looking at mother and child. Stroking Elizabeth's hair as she pined over the mother and child Migoto looked around, "So what's up with all the hubbub bub?" He ask, making baby speak at the maternal duo.

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomoyo was rather glad to see Migoto and Elizabeth. Both of them were just smitten with Rakeru and knowing that someone who wasn't obligated to love her son was doing so anyway lit a light in her heart. She almost wished that Ren was here to dote on their child as well, but she had given up expecting him to do anything, although it saddened her. She wasn't even sure about why they were married anymore, and the idea that she had wasted her time and her feelings with Ren disturbed her.

But in the face of such kindness from one of her own subjects, Tomoyo found herself unable to frown around either Elizabeth or Migoto, the Fallen who was nice enough to bring her ice cream when Ren wouldn't during her pregnancy, and all sorts of gifts after giving birth.

Offering the child to Migoto, Rakeru smiled and cooed as Tomoyo said, "Do you want to hold him?"

However, the moment that Rakeru's warmth left her lap, she felt herself growing more serious and worrying about Symphony's mission. She hadn't said anything to Migoto about the Dragon in the layer, and she wouldn't unless he asked. They were in her castle, so she knew that they were going to be safe.

Honestly, she wasn't sure what any Dragon could have against her. Having lived with two before, she knew a little bit about their culture if not anything else, but it had been a while since Balam or Balak had stepped foot in Hell, and she knew that it could not have been them. She was also aware of the fact that Dragons typically accepted the decisions that each other made about alliances. They were like elves, essentially, never associating with each other's personal decision with the entire race but not discriminating because of such things. It had been that way during the Kouma Sensou, and she didn't think that things had changed much.

And so the question remained: Why would a Dragon be coming after her? Why would a dragon want to kill her? She had not associated with one in years.

Next she began to think about how she was going to react to these things. She had to get Yomi here, to see what happened. Where did Yomi get word of his arrival? The messenger said that she was wounded. How badly? Then she would have to call Jiishita and Chikara, and get an updated testimony of what happened during their encounter with this Dragon. He had the same name, and the descriptions were similar; surely it was the same Dragon? Then she would have to decide what to do with him. She would have to detain him, of course, until he was ready to talk, and she could only hope--

The doors swung open with a slam, two guards in armor from the door pushing them open, and a lone figure walked in. The room fell silent, and even the baby's cooing seemed out of place for the atmosphere that washed over the room.

The light pouring in from the outside shined upon violet hair, and it was then that Tomoyo knew who it was that was entering. Behind her, as she emerged from the doorway, was a lone figure.

[Ongaku Migoto]

Smiling, Migoto took the infant celestial from Tomo, holding him lower so that Elizabeth could see him better. Humming a soft tune, Migoto began to gently rock his arms to make the baby more comfortable, his and Elizabeth, and Tomo's momentary peace disturbed by the loud opening of the throne room doors.

Entering were two guards and a familiar face. Her soft features marred by a mask of sorts along with her lavender meant it was one individual, the mysterious Symphony, Tomo's most trusted servant. Her seriousness left Migoto confused, usually seeing her as bland and expressionless, he heard Tomo's heart rate increase slightly at the presence of her arrival. Turning toward his king, Migoto calmly asked, "Tomo, is everything okay?" Migoto said, sounding the most concerned he ever appeared in front of the Yami-ou

[Sanada Tomo]

Tomoyo shook her head. "No, Migoto, it isn't. Yomi was attacked by this dog and she was several injured. I'm not sure how severely, because I'll have to go visit her myself. She sent a messenger saying that he had fled to this Layer, and I had Symphony find him."

Knowing that her child was in good hands, Tomoyo then rose from her throne to suspect the dragging luggage that was hanging from her hands. Before she had even gotten halfway between the distance of her throne and the trespasser, she could see that there he was covered in either blood or dirt. Upon closer inspection she could see that it was easily a mixture of both. There was blood everywhere--on his clothes, in his white hair, across his face--but she did not spot any wounds at all. This sent her into an immediate panic.

"Symphony," she said, looking back at Migoto and Elizabeth and her child, worrying about what would happen if this Dragon had fully healed without being imprisoned. She tried to keep herself calm, and to keep her voice from wavering in the presence of her guests. "Take him to the dungeon now, please..." she said, trying to lower her voice because she knew that if she did not control herself, she would undoubted lose herself. Her emotions weren't all too stable yet, even after having the child, and she could practically feel that it would take a little while before she readjusted herself to deal with situations like these with as much tact as she used to. She was exponentially improved from her third trimester, but still, she had the feeling that she could blow any moment...

"Go, as quickly as possible. Put him in the the most secured cell we have. You know the one. I want you to make sure that you put a barrier around him. Underneath, too, the same way that I had instructed Alvar and Alfeo before you retrieved him."

She glanced in the darkest corner of the throne room, where Alvar and Alfeo sat. She opened her mouth to give them the new instructions, but a shiver ran down her spine, and she felt the energy of their magic condense and hone itself, moving to cover the entire dungeon itself rather than just one cell, and Tomoyo decided to trust their judgment. She felt both Elves sigh, as though a huge burden had been lifted from their shoulders, and she knew that this was how she felt. Their breath was visible, and it worried her slightly, although she knew this to be an Elven trait. Their breaths became visible while using magic....

"Symphony, go now. Do not appear by my side unless I call you. If I need to see you for something non-urgent, I will visit you at the cell."

Symphony nodded, her shadow extending to cover the Dragon as both of them slipped down into the floor, Tomoyo knowing that he would fall, harshly, right into the stone floor of the dungeon, Symphony landing on her feet outside of the bars. Bars that gave the illusion of freedom where there was none.

Tomoyo wearily went back to her throne, sighing herself as she sat there, taking a breath and trying to calm herself. She would want to hold herself in check so that she could speak to him.

[Ilreg Douisis Ofu'ul]

Standing to his feet trembling, the young Ilreg starred at his father, his growing cold nature and burgeoning powers conflicting with his seething anger and hatred, hatred for the man that stood before him. As his white hair fell over his face, his baggy clothes began to billow from his body, as he gave off a faint bluish hue.

"What are you going to do boy, huh? Are you going to try to fight me?" Io'nr said, as he summoned several apparitions, small minions with fangs and eyes filled with killing intent. Io'nr continued to taunt the boy, going so far as to point to Kyoma who remained motionless, "She doesn't care for you boy, only me. You are a mistake, an unseeded bastard who should have never drew breath." Io'nr said as a solid mask of darkness appeared over his mouth, extending his hand as he began sending the minions at Ilreg.



The boy held out his hands in a reaction of both anger and fear at the encroaching army of miniature daemons, and a cornucopia of sharp, icicles sprung from the ground, impaling them as Io'nr was no where in sight. Looking around, Ilreg did not see Io'nr, as he slowly formed from within the ground, having traveled in shadow to his son's location. Standing behind Ilreg, Io'nr picked the boy up by his hair and punched him in the back viciously, simultaneously wrapping him in a cloak of Dark mass. Tossing the boy, Ilreg cried out as he soared, flying through the air landing on the ground, bound and unable to move. "Mother! Please help me!" Ilreg cried, his tears streaming down his face.

Kyoma watched in horror as her lover so cruelly treated their child. Every fiber in her being was torn in two, wrestling with her devotion to the two Dragons, half calling for the father, the other for the son, a slave to her own nature. The Cherubim watched as Io'nr walked over to the child, forming a blade of Dark magic. Kyoma trembled, her hand shifting as she reached for her sword, only to pull away in hesitation, until she heard the one thing no real mother could rightfully ignore. Kyoma heard the cries of her child, helpless in the face of his brutish father, and her decision began to slowly surface.

"No... Ilreg... Ilreg... ILREG... DON'T HURT HIM!" Kyoma roared, unsheathing her sword, her plumage expanding as she darted toward Io'nr before he could strike, parrying his sword as she stood over her child. "DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM!" she growled, as fearsome as she was scarred and concerned all at once.

"Move Kyoma, I will not ask twice." Io'nr said, slowly pushing his sword down, to seemingly attack the crying child. Kyoma could feel the sheer enormity in the gap between her strength and Io'nr's, but she would not give in, pulling at her very core to summon the strength to overpower his slow moving sword, deflecting it as her sword pushed forward, cutting Io'nr's mask on his left cheek. Standing over her child, she assumed a fighting stance, watching a small trickle of violet blood fell down Io'nr's face from the wound, "Die with him then..." Io'nr said as he brought his sword down to meet hers.

Kyoma buckled under the strike, holding on, grunting a she tried to push back against Io'nr's black blade, but it was to no avail as the darkness crept from his blade down to hers, covering her hands and eventually traveling up her arms, down her back and wings. With a simple flick of the wrist, Io'nr sword dissipated, as he bound Kyoma in a similar fashion to Ilreg. Unable to move her hands or wings, Io'nr starred blankly a her, kicking her in the stomach, causing her to fall near her child. Standing over them, Io'nr seemed to mouth the words "As you wish...' as he began to use the darkness to strangle his lover and child.

Ilreg watched helplessly as his mother was immobilized before him, his tears continuing to flow, only furthering feeding Kyoma's devotion to her child, causing her to summon the strength to attempt to break free. Starring blankly while he continued, Io'nr noticed Kyoma desperately trying to brake free from her bonds, and from there he turned her binds inward, impaling her as the black tapestry that bound her turned into ebony stakes. "MOTHER!!!" Ilreg cried, as he felt the pain of spikes within his chest, the blurring white, as he violently awoke from his slumber one the floor of a dungeon, his alert eyes and keen sense a stark contrast to his disheveled features.

Seeing himself caged, Ilreg summoned a rapier as fast as he could and began to look around sporadically, his senses adjusting to the dim light. Seeing the bars of his cage, Ilreg immediately slashed at the bars, fervently attacking to no avail as his icy blade was rendered to dust by the magical prison that bound him. Frantically grabbing the illusion generated bars, Ilreg howled in pain as the raw magical energy coursed through him, sending him backwards to fall violently on the floor, spitting up blood that he did not wipe from his mouth.

The shock brought the Dragon to his full senses, as he stood his ground to try and locate his captors. Seeing a women with lavender hair, Ilreg walked toward the very edge of the cage, his nose within a hair's width of the energy that trapped him. "Listen to me you ignorant, foolhardy cunt. You will set me free now, or I will destroy this feeble cage and place my frigid blade in places your suitors have yet to venture, you ridiculous looking bitch." Ilreg growled, his anger causing the blade he summoned to crack and shatter at the handle as fast as he formed it.

His power began to seep from his core, his strength restored, as icicles began to form inside of his prison cell. Breathing hard, he starred into the darkness, his gaze piercing into the heart of the being that stood outside his cell.

[Sanada Tomo]

[Just for reader's clarity I want to remind everyone that this thread takes place before the Post by the Dragon for Rei in the fifth.]

Unfortunately, Symphony had no heart with which to feel his gaze. He was awake, since he was talking, and she did nothing but turn to the source of the sound, her eyes staring blankly back into the Mistress's captive's and giving off the appearance of something not truly alive.

Ignoring his words, Symphony reached out to the surrounded cave, touching the edge of where her magic and those of the elves met to form the barrier. As her index finger came into contact with it, an invisible ripple ran through it, the force being more felt than seen, and the resonance of power spread beyond the cell, extending in all directions throughout the castle; anyone magically sensitive and in the vicinity would feel it. It was a signal, to allow her mistress to know that her prisoner had woken up. She was not allowed to leave, by her Mistress's command, and she was not going to do anything else but follow her directions.

--------------------------------------

Above ground, Tomoyo felt the ripple flow through her; she assumed that it was either the twin Elves or Symphony. When she glanced at the corner that they had been seated in, she could see that they were shivering from the same resonance. It lasted only a moment, though, and after she was satisfied that the small amount of magic hadn't jarred them too badly, she turned to Migoto.

"I am sorry to have to do this, but I will need to ask you a favor," she said to him, smiling a bit at Elizabeth to stop her from feeling uneasy. "Ah, do you think that you could take the baby into his room and, ah...babysit him for a little while. Just until I come back, please. I normally ask Avalon to do it, but he's a bit busy at the moment. Out of the castle. And Cielle is taking a small break from doing a lot of my work...."

Calling for two of the castle guards, she waited for them to enter the castle. When they did, she gave them an immediate order. "I want one of you to send summons for me. One of you will be going to the Fifth Layer, to find Takaishi Jiishita and Yamazaki Chikara for me. Bring them here. The other will journey to the sixth, where you will summon Uesugi Yomi. She is not in good shape at the moment, so you will be kind and aid her however she asks with whatever is necessary to get her here. No taunting of her injuries. If I heard even a rumor, I will have your entire brigade exiled into the Mortal Realm and your head will sit on a spike atop my throne. Do you understand?"

Seeing that she was not in her normally jovial mood, the guards' answers were quick, "Yes, Yami-ou."

"And," Tomoyo added, "Whichever one of you is deciding to go to the fifth, you will note that I do not want you to even look at my husband let alone send him my greetings. However, be sure to extend my salutations to the King of the Fifth."

[Ilreg Douisis Ofu'ul]

Ilreg felt the surge of energy emanating from the being as she starred blankly, ignoring him. His perception outside his cage was very limited but he could feel the energy as unfocused, coursing thought the castle, not in one uniform spot. "A signal distress... from this automoton..." Ilreg said looking at Symphony, closing his eyes and focusing his mind and energy to perceive what the lavender haired being could possibly be.

His mind tried to pinpoint a familiar experience or signature to her magic, but it was so raw, so pure, too extraordinary to be contained to one being. Her energies were akin to a star being restrained to a tin can, her flesh form betraying the latent power within, a mockery of its true potential. After a few moments of concentration, Ilreg found the Draconic equivalent to her magic, it bore a resemblance to his father's magic the element of Dark, and soon Ilreg knew it was the substance of her magic that binded him, along with a yet unidentified source of powerful magic.

After his nightmare, Ilreg found much he had much distaste for her, the magic so familiar to the day that changed his life forever. He could feel the cloak of Dark magic growing tighter, wrenching the life from him and his mother, and the memory caused him to channel his energy. Then he heard something, a whisper, an echo, a murmur in the back of his head that sounded all to familiar. "Awake you are now, my little Ilreg." Taimat said, in her usual frighteningly gentle voice.

"Tiamat..." Ilreg growled, his magics dying down as he began to quell his anger slightly. "Where am I, answer me now!" Ilreg said, turning back toward the lavender haired sentry.

"Hush my child, you anger, enough harm it has done. You will listen to me, and freedom you shall gain." Taimat said to Ilreg, deep within his mind.

Ilreg remained silent to Tiamat, nodding his head slightly in acknowledgment to her order. Extending his hand, Ilreg fashioned himself a small chair of Ice, seating himself within his cell, trying to withhold his anger at his current imprisonment. "Who is you master golem? Can you talk, or is your mouth better suited for other purposes?" Ilreg said, sitting directly in front of Symphony's view, his jailer remaining stationary.

[Yamazaki Chikara]

(this might be to short, but you guys have too much time on your hands...anyway, I godmod with Rei a little, but I don't think she'll be reading this at all so that doesn't matter)

Chikara was relaxing and trying to think of the easiest way to get herself out of this castle. Apparently, without telling her, Tomoyo had had some kid, and she had seen it a couple times when he came over--Chikara thought that he was SO adorable--but while she had been there things had been a little obvious between her and Ren's relationship. Wasn't he supposed to be staying with her, anyway? From the moment that he had returned to Rei's castle to live with them, Chikara had known that things were turning upside down. However, Jiishita's word of caution kept her from saying anything too rash. It was their problem, and they would have to work through it--if they ever did.

Rei and Ren were always busy, but even so at least she and Jiishita had at least played with the baby a few times. That was to her credit. But Ren was barely around, even though Rei had been cooing over the baby since it was born, with the cute faces and shit. Ren had barely watched him grow, and that sort of sucked.

It was in the middle of pondering all of this, and trying to decide whether or not she should go and have a "good talk" with Tomoyo about the possibility of leaving or raising her child without Ren, that the door was pushed open, a mix of Rei's guards and one that was obviously from another layer with them. His clothing was different, and he looked as though the fifth layer's guards had jostled him a bit.

"I have a message for Yamazaki Chikara and Takaishii Jiishita," he said, stepping out from the group of soliders. "You are hereby being summoned for an audience with Sanada Tomoyo. I also send her greetings to the King of this Layer, Rai-ou Yamazaki Rei."

"The Rai-ou is not present in this building, although I'm sure that her freaky brother is somewhere," Chikara said. "We don't have time to go looking for him, though, if Tomo wants to see us. We're going to leave now. There's no need to get ready."

Finally, something was happening. Jiishita had been pushing her to rest for too long, and she was getting tired of it. She needed to do something to get her blood pumping. And this was something that seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

[Takaishi Jiishita]

[Oooh, Ilreg you're in trouble now... jk]

Chikara hastily accepted the invitation to go to Tomo's place, and it was something that was most unlike her, so he studied her a bit trying to figure out what was going on with her. She had recovered from her injuries from fighting so long ago but Jiishita was still loathe to let her leave Rei's castle. Since they had gotten there, Ren has moved in as well, and he wasn't sure exactly how that had happened. But it wasn't any of their business, although Chikara had come to the conclusion that Ren was "in the dog house"--she needed to stop watching Mortal television--and thusly Tomo was mad with him. It hadn't been too long after they moved in when Tomoyo had given birth, and it was with that occurrence that Tomoyo began to visit Rei's mansion with the child. He was rather handsome, looking just like his father.

Now, Jiishita wasn't going to pretend that is wasn't obvious that he wasn't around as often as Tomoyo wanted him to be, but it was none of their business. It was another job entirely to keep Chikara from saying anything to her about it, as she had already gone off on many, many "fuck Ren" rants to that affect.

However, when the guard had come for them, inviting them to Tomo's castle, his first thought was that she probably wanted to discuss whatever issues it was that she was having with Ren with the both of them, as a longstanding, married couple--you would never know that the term "married" existed in either Heaven or Hell, looking at how things had been going currently in Hell and in Heaven before he left--but the fact that it was sw soldier inviting them was something that irked him.

So, despite his wife's eagerness to leave, he rose without a word, knowing that Tomoyo obviously needed them for something.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_(scene shift thing XP I'm bad at writing ^^")_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_

When they actually arrived at Tomoyo's castle, she was sitting on ther throne, looking rather distressed. There was another person there, with blue skin--which Jiishita hadn't seen on a fallen for a very long time--and a little girl, whose energy signal announced her as a Mortal. She was rather cute, actually. The baby was in the arms of the blue one, and Tomoyo was rising from her throne as he arrived. He bowed in greeting, saying,

"Please, is everything okay?" he knew that things weren't, but he wanted to ask, anyway. Perhaps they would get lucky?

[Uesugi Yomi]

Yomi did not waste anytime arriving at Tomoyo's palace. There seemed to be some sort of strong barrier barring those who were trying to transport themselves inside by magic, and so Nectar had to carry her body, and her attendants, in front of the castle. Yomi did not enjoy being injured at all, but the extent to which that ilreg had injured her was, in fact, much more than she had wanted. Knowing that Sanada had taken measures according to her very weary message, she had hoped that she had chased him out of Hell, or even better, killed the white-haired bastard.

Yomi wanted to save her energy so that she could stand in the presence of her King, at least. There was nothing wrong with showing weakness...if one was actually weak. And as much as she didn't want to admit it, she was rather fucked up. As she reached the throne room of the palace, she took a deep breath, her bandages clinging to dried blood across her abdomen, and her arms and legs wrapped for her lesser scratches.

As she was brought to stop before what she assumed were the stunned faces of her peers--and for some reason she saw a flash of blue skin that looked a little familiar to her. Taking a moment to let their reactions soak in, she struggled to rise to her feet, and almost flinched when the first pangs of hunger hit her.

Coughing and swallowing the feeling of bile as it rose up her throat, Yomi cleared her voice and said, loudly, in a theatrically out of character tone that portrayed her state of being, "I'm here, Yami-ou Tomo."

[Ongaku Migoto]

"No prob Tomo-mama." Migoto said with much enthusiasm, elated at the fact he was given a task that required no real work. Taking Rakeru from Tomo, Migoto notice the baby began to grow fussy at the sight of his blue skin, and Migoto hummed a light and soothing melody as he held the baby in his arms, the sound and vibrations pacifying the infant instantly, and getting him to coo slightly.

"He's so cute!" Elizabeth said as Migoto stood next to Tomo, laughing at the baby's noises. Suddenly there were more people arriving, and the two that entered the Yami-ou's throne room had a serious look about them. The male asked Tomo was everything okay, something Tomo assured Migoto earlier was not, so taking his King's words to heart, listening intently to Tomo's heart which fluttered sporadically, Migoto took the hint.

"I'll watch the lad, as you can see I'm so good with kids." Migoto said, gently rocking the baby in his arms, low enough for Elizabeth to enjoy Rakeru also. Soon another person entered the room, it was Yomi, who the sight of stopped Migoto mid tune. "Uhh... uhhh... Tomo, if you need anything just whisper, and I'll hear it anywhere in the castle, come Liz, were taking the baby to his room." Migoto said, winking at Tomo as he shuffled away, holding the baby with Elizabeth close behind.