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Xinfe’s familia, top on the list, was defeated in a heated aerial battle. The god of wind’s pupils was, as name said, greater threats over the landscape. Victory was close, Igna’s manor against a fortress surrounded by a fleet. The battle sparked at the eastern front – in a tumultuous flight zone per volcano. He boldly attacked and flew for the summit of said peak. General charged with eradication darted behind Igna. None paid heed for the volcano, the fleets eloquently accounted for the condition and possibility of an eruption. To their dismay, the manor flew over the beast’s mouth – air lacking and a single mistake potentially deadly. Igna sat on the balcony and faced the opponent. This time, instead of a flute, he held a cup of tea. Clamor recoiled across the manor, its underbelly held canons loaded with rockets, one shot one kill arrangement. Regardless of the threat, the fleet swarmed, landscape shuffled into familiar territory. No Threat of eruption, ‘-we’re safe, the volcano recently growled. It won’t be for a few weeks,’ justified the leader upon the helm. “To glory and restoration of the natural order!”

“Glory,” Igna rose a cup, “-to thy glory in death,” the manor cleared the mouth, a sudden rumble shook trees and wildlife, Xinfe’s just only passed the volcano, there, Igna simply tilted his head and sipped. Magma hurled, Marinda seemed sick to the stomach – debris, ash, and hot glue swallowed the offensive.

“Did we win?” a sudden burst pushed the manor.

“Yes we did,” he replied, “-good job on winning the bout earlier.”

“It was easy,” winked Tania, “-now we go home?”

“Yeah,” escaped, the princess skipped into a nearby room. Soon after, they landed at the village where the lass ran into her loving mother and father’s arm. As for Igna, there was much to do at the capital.

.....

Hand in his pocket, the devil walked through the very clean and rustic streets of Nordway. Tranquility rested over the alleys and lanes. Carriages, well-dressed lords and dames out on casual promenade, a youthful boy serenaded a lovely lady upon a bridge overlooking a canal where boats paddled.

Igna climbed and reached the summit of said bridge where he fondly gazed at the proposal, “-my dear Mariane, queen of my heart, lady of my life, please, I humbly ask for thy hand in marriage.”

The dame, slightly older than the boy, pressed her hand against her mouth and gasped for air, her pupils lit aflutter as did her heart. She innocently held her palm, the fellow grabbed and kissed. She accepted the proposal, he rose, swept her off her feet in a tender embrace. Onlookers clapped and cheered – flower petals rained from the skies.

“Beautiful,” said the dame, stretching her arms in the air playfully.

“I know,” said the fellow tightening his grip around her waist; sunset reflected against the clear water, “-it’s very romantic.”

“Did you ask for the flowers?” amiably inquired the enamored dame.

“No?” on looking back, there was no trace, no one, nothing, a beautifully arranged basket laid at their feet. He reached for the handle; the dame scanned as did the bystanders.

“Congratulations,” read a folded note, “-from the Haggard familia,” the message continued inside, “-lord Djen of the Xinfe familia, I wish thee and dame Mariane of Danio all the best. The Xinfe and Danio factions may scrutinize the bond; especially as the Xinfe have now lost their fleet in battle against my faction. Meet me at Len street in the Azian family shop. Bring dame Mariane as well,” signed, Igna Haggard. The excitement faded, the crowd shuffled along – dusk whispered.

Djen’s amiable face froze, “-hey, Djen, are you well?”

“Mariane, we’re in trouble,” he clenched, “-Xinfe’s fleet was taken down by the devil.”

“What does that note say?” she snatched and watched, her expression shortly drowned in fear, “...”

“Our marriage,” he said, “-I haven’t discussed the matter with father.”

“Neither have I,” gulped Mariane, “-l-let’s m-meet him,” she said, “-I m-mean?”

“Are you insane?” he hushed over her shoulder, “-speaking his name is taboo.”

“I don’t s-see an option... Djen,” she grabbed his shoulder and shook, “-look at me.”

He didn’t, “-stop ignoring me,” she shook again, “-if you don’t, I will, I swear. I’ll do whatever is needed to make our relation happen.”

“It’s a trap...”

“It’s not,” she squinted, “-trust my gut feeling. Why would he cheer on our marriage?”

“I don’t know?”

Orange, pink, red, drained from the evening-bound sky. Street lamps faintly lit the capital. Local restaurants and pubs welcomed guests – a warm nightlife ambled. Opposite of one of the more popular pubs lay the Azian family shop; a place of wonder and collection. Two shadowy figures loomed against the door, a taller outline stepped and tapped, light from the inside shortly blurred by a pair of legs under the frame. The lock clicked to a warmly dressed attendant, “-we’re closed,” she said politely.

“I was called here by,” a quick reach into the cloak, “-him,” he pointed at the card.

“Right, follow me,’ she side-stepped, the supposed inconspicuous figures snuck inside, the attendant shook her head at the pub opposite, “-idiots,” she murmured, laughter thundered from the pub.

“Mariane and Djen,” said Igna with feet kicked up on a table. A hauntingly angered silhouette watched from the corner, “-Jae,” he hailed, the knight next-room ran.

“Yeah?”

“Please take her away, she’s making the guests scared.”

“Oh, my bad,” said a sarcastic heavy comment, “-excuse me for being pissed at an intruder barging into my office, didn’t even have the courtesy to say hi, and simply shoved me off my chair. Not that, you lit a cigar using my..”

“My lady,\'”Jae took her hand and forcibly exited the now quiet office.

At ease in the chair, Igna waited patiently. Truly, the lord and dame shuddered, their fate laid in his hand – judgment waited on the other side of the table.

“Shall we get to business?” the ice shattered, “-Mariane, take a seat. Djen, stand behind her,” they did so without hesitation, “-tell me,” he rose his chin to Mariane, “-tell me, young dame, what is it thee wish?”

“What I wish?”

“...”

“I want us to be married without scrutiny. Our families aren’t much known for our courteous treatment of other Celestials... you can imagine,” she lowered her gaze, “-people aren’t exactly ready to do favors...”

“Why not elope?”

“Easier said than done,” answered Djen, Igna glared, the fellow understood the message.

“Leaving Marinda is out of the question.’

“No, I’m referring to a village, perhaps, or even the mining city at the volcano’s foot. From what I’ve seen, Celestials are freer there than here.”

“Might I ask a question?” the shy Djen rose his face confidently.

“Yes, and you can sit.”

“-Why make him stand in the first place?”

“Simple, really,” he stared the dame, “-a man must take charge and protect his lover. There’s no shame in having a stronger partner, even if the latter is a lady, still, generalization aside, tis good manners for the man to take charge,” he leaned, “-and tis for a simple reason – if you’re weak, tis best to be used as bait, and if it’s the contrary – well, I don’t have to elaborate further.”

“Bait?” fluttered the perplexed Mariane.

“Yes, and I doubt you’ll understand the reason,” he glanced at Djen, “-for he’s learned what I mean,” a natural pause settled, Djen gathered his strength, “-why send a note?”

“Oh, that?” he reached into a drawer and pulled a pistol, a sword, and a pen, “-think it as my congratulatory gift. I have no issues with the Xinfe familia, they’ve been dealt with, and I’m certain the news reached. My problem’s with you, Mariane. Marriage is thy wish; I can make it happen.”

“No eloping nor going against our parents’ wishes. I want to be wed and blessed by our families combined.”

“That, Mariane is a tall order, yet, I digress. My price is simply the destruction of the Danio familia. The order of Danio, don’t think me a fool,” he narrowed, “-your father was he who brought Laurine from a place of relative ease. I know the dirty little secret the Danio family shares. Tania, my heir, is half Laurine and half heir to the God of the Fallen age’s blood. Three choice present themselves. First, a pistol,’ he pointed at the metallic device, “-this weapon has the strength to kill, and even me to come extent. Second, the sword, draw the blade and basked in its greed and bloodlust, lastly, pen – a truce settled between you and me, a contract whereby I’ll take what I pleased once your conditions have been met. What will it be?” he smirked, “-option one, kill me. Option two, take up arms and join the battle, or third, form a contract with the devil.”

“Marriage gift...”

“Don’t disappoint, Djen, the choices are my gifts. Xinfe’s are over, no turning from the inevitable. What will you pick, Djen and Mariane, what will you pick?”

“Mariane,” he itched towards the sword, “-I’m not ready to sell my sword. Instead, master Igna – I will join the battle, make me the heir of the Xinfe familia and I promise my never-ending loyalty.”

“Patricide.”

“I know, we’ve lost anyway. If I become head of the family, at least then the bloodline will live on. I don’t see another way lest I forsake my name entirely... Mariane, what about you...”

“Danio,” she rose her sharp lashes, “-is Tania truly my half-sibling?”

“Yeah,” said a half-smile, “-the family has considerable military strength. How does one make a union worthwhile; how does one make best of Danio and Xinfe?”

“How?”

“Sign the contract.”

“Sell my soul to the devil, how am I to know this isn’t a trap?”

“Such’s the beauty,” he winked and pressed his fingers against one another, “-time’s wasting. Young Djen’s made his choice, what about you, Mariane, what compromise will thee make?”

“Fine,” she leaned for the contract, glanced at the pistol, snapped and lifted in Igna’s vague direction, “-how about I make my own choice. Devil, you’ll answer to me, I have this weird contraption for a weapon...”

*Clap, clap, clap,* the items faded, “-good, I’m pleased with the outcome.”

“Outcome?” she breathed heavily; her heart pulsed.

“Yes, my present,” he leaned into the chair, “-is the gift of courage. You stood and fought for what thee wished. Danio’s will fall, such is the way ought to follow. Djen, Mariane – I’m a man of understanding. The new Xinfe and Danio will formally sign an alliance, and thus, set a new age where families are free to join whatever factions they wish. I will offer my protection to the faction. What say you?”

“Leader will be replaced,” she gulped, “-alive or d-dead?”

“It totally depends on you,” he stood, “-for the envision future to pass...”

“We will need to sign a deal with the devil?”

“Correct. Nothing is guarantee – however, my word is my creed.”

They tightened hands, “-Lord Igna, please.”

“So be it,” he snapped, a flash illuminated the room, “-I will send a messenger with the rest of the plan. Djen, best into hiding, and Mariane, keep the marriage a secret. We don’t want unnecessary problems, do we?”

Newly married couple jovially passed the door, “-they don’t know what they’ve done,” exhaled Jae holding folded arms.

“They’ve listen to reason,” replied Igna, “-where’s your lady?”

“In woe over the loss of the office.”

“Give her this,” he handed keys, “-the supply containers are loaded.”