For many years a several different cities was built on higher ground to escape an unknown mist which engulf the land. Mysterious howls echo in the night as many different tales are sprung. One tale involve a group of protectors who house many skills and different powers for each city.

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A young girl about 27 stood in her office. She was 5'2 and weighed 120 pounds. Her pale skin shimmered in the sunlight as her long black hair hung low in a braid.The only loose bangs she had covered her left Violet eyes. She was dressed in a beautiful green bussiness suit and over her heart on her jacket was a pendent with the wind symbol on it. She was the keeper of this town. Even though she was not allowed to fight she still had a great skill and her magic made her a good rivial. Many wanted her as an ally but found her nature to hard to understand. It was the gathering of leaders and it was to be this morning that the other cities would meet here in her home "I hate these gatherings..."

Clouds of dust sweeps throughout the manor as she glances down at her trunk near her bed. Standing average height adjacent from the door, the sun beams through the open curtains on her light pink hair. Tightening her armor, she reaches for the sword on her bed. As she raises her sword, she unsheathe it staring expressionless at the blade. Her piercing brown eyes reflect back at her and for a brief moment, she loses herself. Deep within her thoughts she hears the footsteps of a person. A solider walks through the door wearing slightly different armor than she. Shifting her gaze towards the door, the soldier stares at her. The soldier stands silently expressionless but attentive as the woman return his gaze. Before sheathing her sword, she lifts it a little letting the emblem reflecting the sun. Nodding slightly the soldier turns around and walks away. Reaching for her eye patch, she lightly touches it. "It looks like it is time for the meeting."

As she walked asround the meeting room she made sure she hurried up and had everything prepared. in the middle of the table a beautiful flower piece sat and she walked to her chair and frowned softly. "Today i get a new bodyguard...I dont see why but i will not argue about it." She noticed she had a while so she walked to her room and started to play her flute closing her eyes trying to relax. When the time came she sat in the meeting room in her chair and slipped on her gloves that matched her dress.

Illiana ran through the cloudy air enveloping her like a misty cloak. Large snarls were heard behind her that were progressivly getting closer as she stumbled on a stray branch which caught on her tattered white dress. Tearing the side she wiped several stray strands of ebony black hair out of her eyes as she ducked under a low branch. Looking over her shoulder she saw not what was following her, only a large shape on all fours.
Coming out on top always seemed to be how these situations ended for Illiana, one minute she was running for her life and than the next she was safe in the city with only the tears and bruises to remember it by. Her teleportation had been getting progressivly worst as she grew older and became more esteemed on the social channel and usually affected the way she saw people. She would one second be talking to a friend and th next staring into the blood-red eyes of a killer. Mum's gonna kill me if I'm late for the Gathering.
Leaping up a set of golden stairs two at a time she almost flew down the hall towards her room. Hearing downstairs several of the guests that were already seated in the large meeting room she rolled her eyes and proceded to pass several spare guest rooms but froze when she heard music coming out of one in particular. Slowly to an almost crawl she pressed her ear to the door and could hear what she first thought was a flute or clarienet and but when the music abruptly stopped she pushed off the door and ran to her room just in time to see a woman in an elegant green suit walk out as Illiana's bedroom door closed behind her.

{I hope this is okay}

The hooves of the horses became more distinct as the carriage pull closer to the city. Clutching her sword tightly, she continues to stare out of the window. Anxious sounds of the horses grew louder as the horseman steer the carriage into the city. The woman ponders to herself for a moment as the carriage begin to slow down. Curious about the person she was ordered to bodyguard, she turns her attention towards for her sword. Frowning a bit she turns her attention towards the window once again. The carriage soon came to a complete halt, the footman slowly opens the door as the woman steps out of the carriage. "Thank you, please take this message to the staff informing her lady that I have arrived. I will take a quick look around the city before entering.

A young man entered the tavern and slumped down at a barstool. He ordered his usual drink tapping on the counter of the bar something obviously bothering him. The female bartender in front of him nodded and went off and quickly got it for him. She set it down and spoke to him softly. "Looks like you had a hard night Draimor."

"Oh you wouldn't believe the night I had. We chased off another attack at the front gate. And another railway collapsed due to some unforseen reason. " He sighed and took a big swig of the drink. Setting his drink on the table he looked at the mirror across from him and only shook his head to the worn out reflextion staring back at him.

"Won't you be glad when you go on your royal detail." The female bartender said as she waited for the money to slide her way over the counter. Draimor cursed and stood up tossing the money for the drink on the counter and finished his drink running out of the tavern. He was suppose to start his new detail after his shift. He jogged through the streets of the lowerlands of the city. Hearing some familiar people holler at him only turning to wave while he continued towards the metting hall. He entered through the guards quarters nodding to the captain. Who knew what happened the during Draimor's shift and excused his tardyness. He pointed towards a locker that was opened with a uniform hanging in it.

Draimor nodded and headed to the locker. Stripping out of his city guards uniform he hung it up next to his new polished royal guard uniform. Made his way over to a basin and quickly washed off last nights grime and slime. After the two minute shower he hurried back to his guards uniform. He was taking a huge jump in rank by even being invited to join the royal guard. But they assigned him third in command for his outstanding merits as a city patrolmen. His tactical thinking was one to be messed with. Indeed the city guard was going to be hurt by his advancement.

After strapping on his new uniform Draimor made sure that it was lined up just right and followed The head guardsmen out of the guard tower and towards the main meeting hall. As he didn't have time to put it on he was fastening his long sword to his waist as they walked. They entered into the main hall to see only a few had arrived so far. The head guard moved into position right behind the main speakers chair. And Draimor was to stand immediately to his left. Another high level guard had already been waiting. In the spot to the right of where the head guard would stand. Draimor took a deep breath placing his hands behind his back. And clasped them together in a very respectful way. Waiting for the meeting to end so he can get a list of his duties.

As the first part of the meeting ended She walked out and frowned as she went straight to her library and slammed the giant stained glass doors. Her head was hurting as she rubbed it she took out her book she was writting and started to write in it again and was thinking of slipping off into the mist for a bit. "As if any one would notice..." She shut the book and walked into her bedroom and swiftly put on her armor and pulled out her special lance. Walking to the mirror in her room she swiftly pushed a button and slipped away hopefully unnoticed as the door shut behind her.

Draimor sighed as he relaxed when the meeting had adjourned. He hadn't noticed the head guard had left the hall. Until he returned with a cup of coffee for Draimor and the one on his other side. He informed the two that they had just a few moments to move around before the next meeting session was to commence. They had to stay there till the meetings were completed just incase someone wanted to tamper with the meeting in some way. A few of the participants of the first part of the meeting had stuck around and was going through their notes. Anticipating the new wave of questions that might come their way.

Draimor had noticed that one of the participants seemed to storm out of the room. He didn't really get a chance to see what was going on with the meeting. As he had to pay attention to the surroundings of the meeting to make sure everyone wasn't trying to get a hands up in the meeting by brandishing a weapon and attacking. He had to watch the high windows to make sure nothing suspicious was going on their in the ways of assassinations. With the cup of super strong coffee he was given he was sure that he would be wide awake for part two of the meeting. He didn't know how long this was going to go on for. But he was desperately wanting his bed and deeply regretting joining up with the royal guards. If it wasn't for the fact he was offered such a high position for his age. He wouldn't have taken the job on the royal guards roster. But he knew he would either get a chance to speak to the council or to the head guard on his idea's for fixing the mist problem. Or so he hoped that they would fix the mist problem.

As the time grew near She still had not returned and she sat in a tree listing to the sound the mist never scared her nor did the demons they seemed to leave her in peace when she was in a foul mood like right now she sighed as she stood up and walked back slowly hearing the howls in the distance letting her know it was almost time to start running. "Stupid beast the mist had made you...." She stopped and looked around not wanting to go back to the boring meetings she didnt understand why they couldnt agree to anything most were pig headed and rude. She only saw a few Women there which upset her enough.


Once she got in she changed back into her gown and her arm was glowing a little and she took her bandages and wrapped her arms up carefully not wanting to bring attention to it. "Sorry for being late..."

Draimor watched in the position he was in early arms respectfully behind his back. The proceedings started and yet there was an empty chair. Draimor leaned over and told the head guard that a chair that was occupied in the first meeting was now vacant. He didn't point the seat out to draw attention to the seat. But the Head guard looked around and nodded in agreement with what Draimor had said to him. He told Draimor to secretly leave the hall and look to make sure the participant was okay. And as Draimor had moved to head out to find her. She walked in and exlaimed her appologies. Draimor sighed as he was about to get out of the meetings for a few moments. She seemed to be less steamed now as she came back in than when she had left. Draimor resumed his stand still position and continued to watch over the crowd. The preceedings of the meeting again passing right through him as he concentrated on his task at hand.

She listened quietly to the other rulers and she looked toto him and tilted her head being known as someone who doesnt care about rank she stood up and walked to him "The wind around you has told me you have an idea to the mist i want to hear them if i may my lord infact after the meeting" She walked out and a few whispers could be heard as she let the door shut behind her softly

Draimor gulped as she stood up and came over towards them. He watched her carefully and glanced back to the others to see what was going on. And he felt really awkward when she leaned in to whisper something to him. He watched her leave and leaned over to the head guard. "what do I do?"

"We can not deny the rulers what they want. We have to do as they ask of us. So when the meeting finished do as she says. I will let you know what room she is in and you go and visit her." The head guard said almost seeming that Draimor was trying to show him up his first day there. But he relaxed after a few moments and realized that the ruler approached him and not the other way around. So it was out of Draimor's hand. Draimor nodded to the head guard and resumed his guarding position. Noticing that there were a lot of people glancing in his direction from time to time. But the head guard was impressed even with all the attention on him. Draimor continued to do his duty and do it well.

After the second session was over with. Draimor got the room number from the head guard. And carefully walked with the crowd out of the meeting room. The meetings had finished for the night so the head guard had headed back towards the guard house. He had the rest of the night to finish for his duty. Draimor was instructed to go there as soon as he was done with the ruler. To get a list of his duties for the next day. They would have a long day ahead of them.

Draimor knocked on the rulers door. "Miss..." he paused as he tried to remember the name the head guard had given him. "Miss Maxwell." He finally got out as he waited for her to allow him entrance to her room.

She walked to the door and smiled softly as she had let her hair down and she moved tot he side. "Come in please and my name is Nanami no miss needed" She sat at the small table she had tea on and poured her a cup and him one. "I see it in your eyes you have a great mind please share your ideas with me" She smiled softly and sipped the drink slowly and she watched him

He looked at her with her hair down. The smell of tea in the background and he couldn't help to wonder why he was brought here. She noted that she didn't like the title miss. Which he nodded to as he entered into the room at her request. She said again she would like to hear his idea's on the mist. And yet he hadn't made it known to anyone that he even had a brain let alone thoughts on how to solve the mist problem. He stood next to her chair waiting for her to take her seat. He didn't know the rules of being with rules so he didn't know if it was proper for him to sit across form her like he would anyone else or if he needed to continue to stand.

"I thank you for the compliment m.." He stopped himself form saying the formal title as she had already expressed for him not to. "I mean Nanami. But honestly you have caught me by surprise here. I don't know of what idea's your speaking of. I think you may have me confused with someone else." Of course he had idea's but he didn't know that anyone else knew he had. So he would play it modest for the moment. Till she made her intent more clear to him atleast.

"no need act modest its hard to hide things from me dont worry i wont tell anyone about your ideas i just want to hear them nothing more" She looked to him and smiled softly looking to her cup smiling softly. "Truth is i love hearing ideas from everyday people some of these people at the gathering are some what snobish and rude to the lower class people as you have seen in my city i listen as much as i can to the people" She motioned him to sit and smiled. "Its okay to sit here with me"

She watched him from the coner of her eyes as she added mint to her tea and then some catnip with lemon grass. " How would you like a better job...If your ideas are good enough i will premote you to any area you want" She looked very truthful and willing to keep her word

He sighed hearing her offer. And thought on that a moment before he settled into his seat across from her. "Well honestly Nanami." He said her name softly as he wasn't sure he was even suppose to say the name of royalty. He picked up his glass not needing anything added to it as he liked plain tea. "I am a frontlines man. I have seen the horrors atleast some of them that lie underneath the mist. I have spent the last four years there on different shifts. I earned my spot on the night shift slowly cause I faced the threats. I know what time of night they strike the hardest." He picked up his cup of tea and sipped on it slowly before setting it down on the table then continued on.

"I am not sure that I am fit for royal guard that is for sure. I seen a crumbled rail way today that had no apparent reason why it had done so. So I know whatever out there is getting bigger and smarter. Either their numbers are what is increasing or their size. I am most certain that within the next two years the mist will rise and we will have to a different way to live. The mist itself has already started to rise over the lower half of the city." He stopped and took a nervous breath as if she hadn't heard any of this before. He felt stupid in the report like she wasn't aware of the situation but decided to take another drink of his tea and continue on.

"I suggest that we get all the rulers to lend a small search party. And we finally make a stand against the mist. Go in there and start attacking whatever it is that is warring against us. There is no other choice. I am most certain that what ever is attacking us is responsible for the mist. If we did get a search party to start eliminating our threats I would like to be put on that team. My tactical defense for the city is one that can't be measured. After a few scouting missions I could put something together I am most certain of it. I doubt without us able to grow food is mass quanties again we will last much longer anyway. How often do we get an ear of corn to eat. Instead of the mush we have concocted ourselves."

Once he was finished with his initial idea he took up his tea cup nervously and took another slow sip. Then set it down waiting to hear the critism that was about to come. Knowing he would be busted back down to street patrol or worse continued to serve on the city patrol. which he hoped in the near future wouldn't be as boring as keeping peace at a meeting.

"Very well i want you to lead that team i will suply you with whatever you need " She smiled happily at him and llooked into his eyes and frowned a little. "I will let the others no what i plan if they dont like it i will just have to make them an enemy and i willl do as i see fit to see my people safe i thiank you for your time in the morning i need a report of what you know and then a list of what you need i think you will be the best for the job."

He finished off his tea and stood up. He bowed his head and left the room nervously. He leaned up against the wall after he exited her room. Thinking to himself did that really happen. Did I just get promoted twice in a day. He wasn't going to lie that he was nervous about what he would actually find in the mist. Knowing of only a few things on the outter parts that dared to show themselves to get chased off. Or get slaughtered by the hands of the gaurds. His shift due to his great leadership had the lowest casualty rate of all the patrol units. And that gave him some comfort but what he was about to embark on was more than just fending off a few fiends.

He walked down the halls to the guard house where he picked up his old street patrol uniform and dropped off his city guard one. He turned to face the head guard and sighed. "I really did like the badge." He was chuckling in his head softly. "But I have been offered a position I couldn't refuse. And if you wish to join me in taking back the lowlands your more than welcome. I know it sounds like suicide right now but I think the more difference we make the better and safer we will be." He patted the head guard on the shoulder and wrote down his address. Handing it to him with a smile on his face. "incase you decide you don't want to play it safe anymore. Or know of someone who wishes to solve the problem instead of work around it."

He didn't mean that as an insult to the guardsmen. But he knew deep down if the mist wasn't pushed back soon that they would be dealing with something much larger than what they had. And the royal head guard would be working harder than he had ever worked before. Draimor finally felt as if he had a hand in destiny. He walked out of the guard house taking the badge off his street uniform. Where he was going he wouldn't need titles or so he hoped. It would be the first onslaught against the mist since it started claiming lives. He looked back at the guard house to see the head guard watching after him. He knew the man in his day when he was on street patrol had skills that surpassed his own. And took a much more respectible title when it presented itself. Protecting royalty was the highest honor the city could offer a soldier. Draimor was hoping to add Hero to that top list. The lands hadn't seen a true blooded hero in a long long time. That wasn't what was driving Draimor. But it was in the back of his mind safety of the people was his first and only mission in life. He had hoped that he didn't close the door to the royal guard. So someday he could reclaim it when he was older and needed to retire.

Draimor stopped by a few houses on his way home. He got five of the best street patrolers and asked them to meet him at his house in the morning. And to bring the notes that they had gotten from their patrols. Three were from different points than Draimor was at. But they were known to be the best in their sector. Of course they would know more etc.. He stopped by the tavern but it was closed. He sighed and headed to his home. He lived in a two story apartment building on the top floor. He walked up the stairs quietly not to disturb his neighbors. After entering into his home he got himself a quick bite to eat and found his notes of his patrols. It showed a list of what he seen or brief descriptions and some of their weakness. The time of days they were most likely to attack or assault. With all of his information gathered and ready to be gone through. He laid down on the couch so he could hear the door in the morning when his invited guest would show up. Yawning and stretching lightly above his head he fell fast asleep.

All through the night she paced some and pulled a jar of the mist out and closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Oh sweet winds hear my plea part this mist" In the jar the mist swirled around and she looked very tired and she sighed softly "Still to much on my mind but maybe i can help once im strong enough..." She put the jar away and went outside and let the night air flow around her to cool her off and she pulled out a chair and sat on the balcony. "I cant wait to see how this plays out i hope the best for the people..." She sighed and fell asleep not meaning to and soft snoring came from her.

As she woke up it was dawn and she walked to the kitchen and made her a sandwhich and she smiled happily as she walked around. She shook her head as the maids bowed their head and she walked to her personal garden and sat down and plucked the roses carefully deep in thought. " Will our people be ready for this is my main worry..." She summoned a messenger and she wrote a note to Draimor to report right away to her as she set up one last meeting for everyone to be there and she hurried to her chambers and instead of a gown she put on her silver armor and and her hand maid took her lace and put it behind her chair. Today was the day she was going to take action. She was serious and looked to the room.

Draimor had busied himself with the day break of the sun. Not sure how to dress for the first time in his military career. He threw on his old lieutenant street patrol uniform. The other lieutenants showed up one at a time each bring with them their best scout. As they all compared notes and decided which way was the most dangerous and which way they could have more headway their was a knock at the door. Draimor opened it up to see a messenger standing there. He took the note from the messenger and tipped him for his troubles. And carefully opened up the royal stationary. Nanami wanted him to come to her as soon as possible.

Shutting the door he gathered the other lieutenants up and their notes. Each one following behind him towards the meeting hall. 10 in tow behind him as they walked the streets. The everday busy people wondered what was going on seeing so many guards with high ranking walking the streets. They knew something big was about to happen. Some followed to see if they could see the action that was about to take place. Draimor stopped the crew shortly and had them wait outside a small shack for him while he went inside. He awoke his most prominent scout the one that had told them of the train going down the night before. Told him to dress quickly and get ready he would be waiting outside for him.

The scout was younger and yet still eager to do the bidding of his comanding officer. The fact is he was fast and quiet and could manage to get out of a lot of predicaments in his short two year scouting career. The scouts followed the lieutenants to the meeting hall all asking what was going on and none knew the answer. Just that the lieutenants had something major planned. Draimor had the now party of twelve including himself wait outside the meeting hall. He alone walked into the meeting hall with a pack on his shoulders that harbored all the notes from each sector of the city guards. He made his way to where Nanami was and stood at her side waiting to find out what it was she wanted with him. Maybe she just wanted an update on his team progress. He imagined as he looked around to the other rulers that they were experiencing some of the similar conditions or they wouldn't have agreed to meet.

She smiled and read the notes carefully and nodded and smiled. "How much will you need" She looked to him and smiled and then she looked back to the notes and sighed. " I want your men to have the best you will go to my personal blacksmith and if you and your men want i will give you a building as headquaters. As you can see I'm very serious about this and these men you gathered are trust worthy i hope no one is to know about this till i have more data to make a proper announcement" She looked back to him and then stood up and smiled softly. "Also i will be able to give you a a little break from the mist if you need to get away"

"We think at the moment till we can gather more detail as to what is at the bottom of the mist. We should stick to the weaker attack sides. See if we can push back the mist there first. A building would be nice to have a headquarters. I would probably need ten more men ontop of the twelve I have already gathered. They need to be very skilled in the sword." He brought out another notebook and handed it to her.

"We don't have the necessary metals other materials here to make these items. I would request three miners ontop of the ten to go with us. We can gather the materials for these weapons each time we go down there. Right now on the east side would be a perfect time for us to go. The men I have gathered would be enough and we are ready to go." He stood again in the respectful manner he had shown in the meeting hall. "If you can get that notebook to your blacksmith and have him be ready to make the necessary equipment I am sure me and the men gathered could bring back enough to make a few of the items. That is until the miners and other men I need are prepared. I can come back with a report as soon as we get back to the surface if you like. And you can let me know then where our headquarters should be and if you got the requested men I asked for. It won't be an easy fix but I think if we can show we are successful here. The other rulers will try the same thing in their area's and the join effort then would be enough to push back the mist." He cleared his throat and looked a little nervous at his next request.

"I would also like this building big enough for a research group. I would then ask you for a few scholars to go with us on our next go. Maybe some of the history or books we can find down there will lead to ultimately a final solution to this. I think what we are facing is something that was predicted in the past. And if it was predicted then the scholars of that time might have a solution." He finished up and stood to wait her decision on if they should lead a part now or not. And if she could possible meet the new demands of the mist squad. Which was sadly the best name he could come up with at this moment in time for the small band of men.

"First of all i have the lab set up in the buling on east side waiting on your commands and second of all no need for miner as i said my blacksmith has everyting you need you go to him he just needs the sizes of you and your team second of all i will be going with you on your first misson out i myself dont get bother by the demons there for some reason some are scared of me...second you have two buildings one on the east side which is mainly the labs...the second is here in this bulidings i like to make sure im envoled in everystep." She touched his shoulder softly and walked out to see the men and smiled happily looking to each one and then back at him smiling softly. " I gave you and your men the top living quaters and the basement meetin rooms the kitchen will be opened to you as well as my personal bar I treatr heros of my city as equalls so no miss maxwell just Nanami and as for the ruler parts a few of them are my most trusted friends i am sure you will be allowed the men you need maybe more."
She smiled and handed a sealed note to her messanger and he took off and she smiled softly. "You all need anything let me know i will meet you all at my blacksmith"

He nodded to her and followed her out stopping at the men he had gathered and pulled them into the meeting hall with all their notes. And something did sit right with her involvement but he was sure it would over time. He just never worked along side of royalty like this at all. And deep down did fear for her safety. But with her coming the head guard was sure to come as well and he just hoped the older gentleman wasn't rusty.

"Gather up the notes and lets head to the basement." They all pitched in and gathered up their notes. And headed for the stairs that seemed to lead down into the basement. They turned on the lights of the private meeting halls and smiled at the accomadations they had. This was truely a better head quarters than any they had seen even the royal guards. He moved to the farthest table and started laying out his notes. Then asked the lieutenant that was head of the eastern gates to bring his notes and they started to compare. A few of the monster were the same at both their ports. Each found ways of defeating or scaring them off different from the other. So they placed the common spirits on the wall behind them and combine their notes. Which actually was a relief to them both cause it just upped their chances.

After piecing what they were to face up on the wall in the days run. They all quickly headed out talking amongst themselves on what to expect from what was to come from their venture. They managed to make it to the Blacksmith that she requested them to go to. They looked around and waited for her to join up with them. Before they would start putting their request in.

She walked in smirking holding a hammer and she tossed it to the smith. "My lady melt this add it to their armor" The small girl smiled and nodded and looked to the men. "Ello I Airiana and i will be your personal smith i can make anything dont think cause im small i cant hold my own" She carry the hammer easily to the melting pot and she smiled as Nanami grinned. "Airiana is the grand daughter of a great black smith i trust her with my life since i wear wind blessed armor made by her" Airiana smiled happily.

They could see in the fire light Airians golden long hair in a bun her skin tanned by the light of the fires she tended and her ocean blue eyes shimmered softly. "Okay boys lets get going i can add any elemental to your armor and sword"