Zirok and Mendaly stepped through the streets of Merdool toward a small alley tucked in between two buildings. The two young people marched along and appeared innocent to the passers-by as they traipsed around the visitors, tourists, and onlookers near the arena. While the attention of the local guards and onlookers was all on the massive, central hub in the center of Merdool, Zirok and Mendaly were able to blend in and make it to the alley without being noticed by a single person.

Once in the alley, Mendaly reached back and grabbed the red-haired man's hand and pulled him along. She guided him around several crates and eventually turned down another path to reach a small, wooden door tucked in between two posts. She reached forward and grabbed the iron door knob and turned it, opening it up to a plume of dust greeting them. "When was the last time you were here?" asked Zirok.

"We haven't had to use this warehouse in a few years. Business has been incredible," answered Mendaly as she stepped into the warehouse and lit the sconces on the wall. The small fire illuminated the dark and dusty room, revealing a few rolls of textiles covered in dust against the wall but a mostly empty room. "I tried to convince my mother to sell this place, but she wanted to hold onto it just incase something happened to our business."

"I suppose something has happened," quipped Zirok.  Mendaly nodded with scorn across her face. Her determination and drive was unmatched while fury built within her veins. "Alright, tell me, what's going on?"

Mendaly took a deep breath of the musty air and closed her eyes, trying her best to compose herself, even with the rage growing stronger. "Trevelius Rummairs..."

"Who?" inquired Zirok.

"Trevelius Rummairs, he's a merchant from for the east. He comes from Rustose, an industrial port city on the east coast," answered Mendaly.

Zirok shrugged his shoulders. "And what does he have to do with your terrible mood and your thirst for destruction?"

"He's muscling my family out of our business, threatening our lives if we don't comply with his demands," continued Mendaly, though Zirok still appeared indifferent. "I know, we get threatened all the time, and usually it comes to nothing. We hire someone in the consortium and we make sure that they don't bother us again, but, this time is different."

Zirok leaned forward slightly, perplexed at what was coming from the young girls mouth. "How so?"

"Two days ago, we got word that the consortium would no longer serve the interests of my family; their assassins were no longer for hire to us," continued Mendaly. "We knew then something was wrong. That afternoon, my mother received a letter from a courier that asked her to a meeting this morning. That meeting did not go well and now, she's going to be forced to shut up shop and leave Merdool."

Zirok nodded slowly while comprehending Mendaly. "So what are you wanting to do, help her pack up her goods?"

"I want to muscle Trevelius Rummairs out of Merdool and leave him in Rustose," answered a determined Mendaly.

"Mendaly, think for a moment. If he was able to convince the consortium to not assist your mother anymore, then he must have some tremendous resources and remarkably deep pockets. This may not be something we are capable of handling," stated a contrite Zirok. "Look, I want to help you and your mother, but we have to be realistic."

Mendaly stared up at her lover and shook her head. "I want you to burn their lives down, Zirok," she said sternly. "I want you to use that Shard you keep on your neck and I want you to send his life into a towering inferno."

Zirok smirked and turned away from Mendaly, taking a few steps away from her while composing himself. "Are you sure?" he asked while holding his gaze away from her.

"Absolutely."

"Then we need to head to Rustose. A carriage ride shouldn't take more than a night to get there, especially if we travel as refugees or even tourists," said Zirok. "But, if we do this, we do it correctly. If you want to make him pay, if you want to make him suffer, then we do it properly."

Mendaly stepped around Zirok to gaze into his eyes again. "What do you mean?"

Zirok smiled warmly. "This isn't a shakedown love. We're going to send a message that you and your family are not to be messed with, but to do that, we have to make sure we have the old man's attention."

"And what do you have in mind?" inquired Mendaly.

"I have a few ideas, but first, lets get there and see what he has to offer," said Zirok. "We can discuss it from there."

Proceed to Rustose.

The wooden wheels of the carriage rolled over the rocks as the horses pulled it into the gates of Rustose. Several men and women, all wearing identical uniforms, poured into large, stone, buildings as the steam poured into the sky. The carriage pulled to a stop beside one of the large buildings and the door to the inside popped open. Mendaly and Zirok emerged onto the rough, stone streets of Rustose to examine the majesty of the industrial buildings before them. "So this is where Trevelius acquires his goods," said Mendaly as she stepped away from the carriage.

"It's quite impressive, I think," quipped Zirok as he paid the carriage driver. "I don't know how the inside of these buildings work."

"It doesn't matter; we're here for one thing and that's not to learn how he creates his textiles," said Mendaly as she motioned for Zirok to follow her down the main path of Rustose. With the citizens of the city scurrying about to their factories, Zirok and Mendaly moved through the streets with relative ease. In the center of the city, a large round about greeted Mendaly and Zirok with a statue of Trevelius Rummairs and his family in the center. Mendaly leaned forward, noticing a plaque in front of the statue.

To the proud, working families of Rustose, may your labor forever be greeted with rich bounties and full tables. All who venture in know, that the great patron of Rustose, the family of Rummairs, will always look after you and provide for your families.

"So he has an entire city that creates for him?" asked Mendaly rhetorically.

Zirok shrugged his shoulders as an older woman approached them. "Aye, what are you two doing here?"

"I'm sorry?" asked Mendaly as she stepped forward away from the plaque. "We are..."

"Why aren't you in the factories? Why aren't you providing for the master so he can provide for you?" she continued.

Mendaly smiled and held her hands up. "Ma'am, we're not from here. We're from Merdool."

"Oh! Tourists! We don't get many of them," said the woman. "Have you come to pay homage to our great master?"

"I wouldn't say we are here to pay homage ma'am, but we are here to pay our respects," continued Mendaly, blending her words to not give away her true motive.

The old woman scoffed. "Everyone who comes here should want to pay homage to the master. He is a great man who does amazing things for us."

"We've heard stories of his benevolence in Merdool, but why don't you tell us what he does for you?" asked Mendaly. "I'd love to hear the stories from one of the locals instead of what just happens to reach us."

The old woman smiled emphatically. before pointing at the statue. "He does wonderful things for everyone in this city, whether you can work or not," she began confidently. "For those who are unable, Master Rummairs has a kitchen where he provides for all of those poor souls until they are able to get back on their feet. After some time, many of them work for him personally and he allows them to stay in a property he owns. It's his own personal servant's quarters. And then of course, the artisans in this town owe a great deal to him, with one man in particular providing all of his personally tailored clothes."

Mendaly and Zirok stared at the old woman as she continued to wax poetic about the great Trevelius Rummairs. "His family though, that is Master Rummair's true pride. He takes fantastic care of them, and in turn, they take great care of us. His oldest son, the man who will take over for him, is proud and loyal to his father's wishes. He spends his days visiting all of the factories and ensuring that the conditions are perfect for everyone working there. His wife, beautiful and majestic, walks the streets of Rustose everyday to pick flowers at the local florists. She is polite, courteous, and above all, wise. She is his rock and we owe a lot to her for keeping Master Rummairs on the straight and narrow path."

"He seems like a tremendous man," said Mendaly. "I'm sure he has a wicked side though. All men do."

"I wouldn't say he has a wicked side, young lady. But, he does have an affection for sport. The man goes, at least a few times a year, to hunt the large creatures on the islands to the north," defended the old lady. "Every man has their hobby, but his hunting is his sense of pride."

"I understand," inserted Zirok. "We all have things that keep us motivated."

The old woman grinned earnestly. "That is the honest truth."

"Well, it was nice speaking to you. We're going to roam the city for a bit before trying to schedule an audience with Master Rummairs. Thank you again for your information," said Mendaly kindly.

"Of course, lass. I'm glad I could enlighten you on the wonders of the man that is our master," she replied before turning and stepping away from the two younger individuals.

"You'd think she was his wife," quipped Zirok.

"Yeah... this entire city must love him," said Mendaly.

"It appears so. Let's take that from him," said Zirok. "Let's take the love and admiration of this city from him."

Mendaly smiled and shook her head. "How do you change the hearts and minds of others?"

"Show that he made enemies, one of whom knows how to conjure fire at will," stated Zirok with a fire in his eyes. "Why don't you pick the target, Mendaly."

Mendaly stared at Zirok for a brief moment before nodding slowly. "What do you have in mind?"

"When the sun goes down and the two mines rise overhead, we target one of the three buildings that woman mentioned. After that, we go to his home and have a conversation with him. We can either burn down the tailor's shop, the servant's quarters, or the charity kitchen."

Mendaly shook her head and turned away from Zirok. "No..." she stated briefly. "There will be innocent people in there."

"Will they be innocent?" asked Zirok. "The tailor knows what Trevelius Rummairs does and probably supports it. He's just as guilty as he is. The servants choose to serve him, so they're just as guilty as he is."

"And what about the kitchen?"

Zirok smiled menacingly. "They don't seem to produce much, but to take away the appearance of his charity might deal the biggest blow of them all."

Mendaly closed her eyes and turned back toward Zirok. "That's cruel."

"It's the message that we are trying to send, but it's also your decision. Which target are we going after tonight?"

The Tailor's Shop

The Servant's Quarters

The Charity Kitchen

"Let's go after his vanity. Let's take out the tailor's shop," stated Mendaly firmly. "He wants to push my mother and my family out of the textile business in Merdool, then we will take his personal tailor out of the business here in Rustose."

Zirok nodded. "As soon as the sun goes down, we will make our move against it."

"Good, then let's go get some food. I'm starving," said a smiling Mendaly.

Night fell upon the city of Rustose with sun setting to the west and two moons of Dun-I rising in the night sky. The rough, stone streets were empty, save a few of the local magistrate keeping tabs on the area. In an alley across the street from the tailor's shop, Zirok and Mendaly kept watch on the streets and the roaming police. "How are we going to handle this?" asked Mendaly. "Are you just going to conjure up some fire and launch it into the building?"

"That would be easy, but I think we need to set it ablaze from the inside," answered Zirok. "If I'm out here in the streets tossing fire, the magistrate will simply be able to surround us and make for a very awkward and uncomfortable encounter. Besides, if we start it on the inside, we can make it quite large before escaping. We can make it so large, that no amount of water will be able to quench it."

Mendaly nodded. "Ok, so we just break in?"

"From the back door, yeah," answered Zirok. The two glanced out into the street before leaping out and running across. They ducked into the alley beside the Tailor's shop to find the back door locked tightly. "Any ideas on doors though?" asked the young man.

Mendaly reached forward and grabbed the door knob, twisting it slowly to find that it would not turn. "I guess we can just try and overpower it?"

"That's probably our best option," stated Zirok.

 Take the highest valued card from either player's pool and discard it (only one card is discarded). 

The door breaks open and the inside of the tailor's shop is revealed. Inside, the old tailor springs up from his chair. "What is the meaning of this!?" screams the old man. He tosses his needle and thread to the side before reaching for a large club.

"I didn't realize the old man slept here for the night," stated Zirok. "No matter," he said before igniting his fists.

Commence Battle with Gruff Tailor

The area behind the tailor has been set ablaze from Zirok's abilities. Several textiles around the body of the tailor are burning rapidly while the ones hanging from the walls travel up to the ceiling. Within seconds, with Mendaly and Zirok still standing inside the shop, the building is an inferno. "We need to leave, now," commanded Mendaly.

"You are quite correct!" complied Zirok as the two made their way to the back door and out into the alley. In the streets in front of the tailor's shop, several members of the magistrate gathered, forcing Zirok and Mendaly to tread backwards into the alley. They turned down a separate alley to reach one of other main streets in Rustove. Magistrate ran through the streets, forcing Zirok and Mendaly to remain in the shadows until the passed. For several minutes, they traveled at a stop-start pace through the alleys, only to eventually reach the gates of the manor.

"That was tougher than it should've been," announced a smiling Zirok. "No matter though, we're here."

"Yeah, we're here," stated Mendaly. "So what now? Do we just walk up to the front door and knock?"

Zirok shook his head and laughed. "No, of course not. That would get us killed." He paused for a moment while examining the grounds from across a small, iron fence. "We need to get a better look at what's in front of us."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Mendaly.

Zirok smirked and placed his palms on the iron fence. He wrapped his fingers around the cool metal and heaved his body over the metal barrier. The jagged, rough rocks that were beneath his feet were replaced with a smooth grass surface. Mendaly shook her head and smirked before mimicking Zirok. She leapt over the fence and landed on the softer surface with him before glancing over the grounds.

"Hey, what are you doing!" shouted a voice from Zirok and Mendaly's left. The two arsonists turn to see a single burly man stumbling toward them.

"Great," muttered Zirok as he ignited his fists.

Mendaly smiled as the large man reached behind his back and pulled off a large, sharp axe. "It could be worse..." she stated with a coy grin.

Commence Battle with Mansion Guardian

The large man dropped his axe on the ground before stumbling to his knees. Mendaly approached him and placed her dagger against his throat. "I have a few questions, kind sir. If you manage to answer them, you may very well keep your life tonight."

The large guard slowly nodded while feeling the cool steel against his throat. "Good, now, how do we get into this Rummair's palace?"

"You want to break into his master's palace?"

Mendaly pressed the blade against his wind pipe. "I didn't stutter. How do we get into the mansion?"

The large man paused for a brief moment and exhaled. "There are four ways in. The most obvious is the front door, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to do that."

"Correct," stated Mendaly. "So what are the other three?"

The guard closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "The easiest way in will be through the East Wing, which is where the Master keeps his trophies."

"That old woman did say he was a hunter, of some sort. It would make sense if he kept his trophies in a grand hall," inserted Zirok. "That is an option, but what else do you have?"

The guard exhaled loudly. "The West Hall is home to his wife, the mistress of Rustose. You could potentially get in there. The North Hall is home to his eldest son, the heir to his empire."

"Fantastic, thank you for the information," said Mendaly.

"So I can..." the guard's body fell to the ground with Zirok standing behind him, having just drove his runeblade into the guard's back. His body slammed against the grass with a thud, though the sound was muffled by the dense grass.

"We've got three options, Mendaly. Which way do you want to go in? We can go and destroy his trophies, his love, or his heir."

Mendaly paused for a moment and smirked. "I think we should take out..."

The Merchant's Trophies

The Merchant's Love

The Merchant's Legacy

"I think taking out the servant's quarters will deliver a strong enough message to him, Zirok," stated Mendaly. "If we take his servants, he will have to serve himself and that will send a very clear, strong message that we are not to be trifled with."

"Are you sure?" questioned Zirok.

"I am," affirmed Mendaly. "If servant's die, then they die. They chose to work for him."

Zirok nodded. "As soon as the sun goes down, we will make our move against it."

"Good, then let's go get some food. I'm starving," said a smiling Mendaly.

Night fell upon the city of Rustose with the two moons of Dun-I rising in the sky. The servant's quarters, located fairly close to the mansion of Trevelius Rummairs, was quiet with only a few lights illuminating the inside of the building. From the street on the outside, Zirok and Mendaly gazed up at the building from beside an alley. "It appears several of the servant's are still awake," noticed Zirok. "That could potentially complicate things."

"How so? They may escape with their lives."

"Which could pose a threat to ours," affirmed Zirok. "There is a chance we may have to fight a few of the servants."

Mendaly shrugged her shoulders casually. "So be it; if they want to die for their master, then that is their decision."

"That's very cold of you. Are you alright?" asked Zirok playfully.

"I'm fine, Zirok. I'm just ready to do this," she answered affirmatively. "Should we go inside and start this?"

Zirok nodded and the two stepped into the streets. The front door to the servant's quarter was open slightly, allowing for the cool night air to penetrate the living quarters. The first room resembled more of a parlor than a living space. Two couches, both tattered in many spots, and a few uncomfortable chairs littered the room. The floors were covered in dirt and grime while the lanterns hanging from the ceiling barely had any oil. "Zirok... perhaps this man isn't as benevolent as he's portrayed."

"Perhaps not," replied Zirok as he strolled through the room carefully. Small rodents moved around the outside of the walls while others could be heard scurrying from within the walls. "These conditions are rather detestable."

Mendaly nodded. "Are they servants or slaves?" she questioned as the two made their way into a narrow hallway with several doors on both sides of the room. Mendaly glanced into one of the rooms, seeing several people sleeping on the floor. "Zirok, I don't think these people serve their master willingly."

"The old lady said many of these people are picked up from the kitchen he runs," said Zirok. "He probably offers them this life instead of the street."

The two moved exited the hallway to find themselves in the kitchen. The disgusting conditions continued with the sink filled with pots that haven't been cleaned in weeks, rats scurrying about the ground, and insects flying along the walls. "This is repulsive," said Mendaly as she examined the counters. "Why does someone make others live like this?"

"These people live here willingly," stated an ominous voice from the shadows of the room. A large man stood up from a chair and glanced over at Zirok and Mendaly. "They can leave whenever they choose, though the two of you trespassing won't have that luxury." He stepped forward from the shadows as Mendaly and Zirok prepared to fight off the large man.

Commence Battle with Strongman

The large man fell to the ground, his weapon slamming against the wooden floor with a loud and ominous clang. His torso hit the wood and sent dust flying into the air around his body while Zirok and Mendaly took a small step back. Mendaly turned and glanced down the hallway, seeing several of the servants emerging from their rooms. Zirok stepped forward and ignited his hand. "You can try and stop me, but I'm burning down this building."

The servant's paused while glancing at Zirok before several smiled warmly. "Go out the back door," announced one of the servants who stepped forward. "We'll tell the fire brigade that a lantern in the kitchen fell over into some standing grease, and it burned this place to the ground."

A second servant stepped past the first and shook her head. "That's if anyone asks. I'm making my way straight to Merdool. A potential life in the coliseum is far better than a life of slavery." Zirok smirked and nodded before releasing a small ball of fire on the grease covered floor.

"Good luck, everyone," he said before turning to see Mendaly already walking toward the back door. The two emerged into a small courtyard where the cool night air chilled their skin. The sounds of people vacating the building filled the night sky before Zirok ignited his hand and hurled a large, fiery projectile into the upstairs attic. "Let's hope these slaves can move quickly before the building topples over on them."

Mendaly smiled before motioning for Zirok to follow her down a small alley. The two young arsonists made a few turns while the local magistrate and other officials scurried about the streets toward the servant's quarter. Under the cover of night and the distraction to their back, the two young arsonists made their way to a large mansion in front of them.

"We're here," stated Mendaly. "So what now? Do we just walk up to the front door and knock?"

Zirok shook his head and laughed. "No, of course not. That would get us killed." He paused for a moment while examining the grounds from across a small, iron fence. "We need to get a better look at what's in front of us."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Mendaly.

Zirok smirked and placed his palms on the iron fence. He wrapped his fingers around the cool metal and heaved his body over the metal barrier. The jagged, rough rocks that were beneath his feet were replaced with a smooth grass surface. Mendaly shook her head and smirked before mimicking Zirok. She leapt over the fence and landed on the softer surface with him before glancing over the grounds.

"Hey, what are you doing!" shouted a voice from Zirok and Mendaly's left. The two arsonists turn to see a single burly man stumbling toward them.

"Great," muttered Zirok as he ignited his fists.

Mendaly smiled as the large man reached behind his back and pulled off a large, sharp axe. "It could be worse..." she stated with a coy grin.

Commence Battle with Mansion Guardian

The large man dropped his axe on the ground before stumbling to his knees. Mendaly approached him and placed her dagger against his throat. "I have a few questions, kind sir. If you manage to answer them, you may very well keep your life tonight."

The large guard slowly nodded while feeling the cool steel against his throat. "Good, now, how do we get into this Rummair's palace?"

"You want to break into his master's palace?"

Mendaly pressed the blade against his wind pipe. "I didn't stutter. How do we get into the mansion?"

The large man paused for a brief moment and exhaled. "There are four ways in. The most obvious is the front door, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to do that."

"Correct," stated Mendaly. "So what are the other three?"

The guard closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "The easiest way in will be through the East Wing, which is where the Master keeps his trophies."

"That old woman did say he was a hunter, of some sort. It would make sense if he kept his trophies in a grand hall," inserted Zirok. "That is an option, but what else do you have?"

The guard exhaled loudly. "The West Hall is home to his wife, the mistress of Rustose. You could potentially get in there. The North Hall is home to his eldest son, the heir to his empire."

"Fantastic, thank you for the information," said Mendaly.

"So I can..." the guard's body fell to the ground with Zirok standing behind him, having just drove his runeblade into the guard's back. His body slammed against the grass with a thud, though the sound was muffled by the dense grass.

"We've got three options, Mendaly. Which way do you want to go in? We can go and destroy his trophies, his love, or his heir."

Mendaly paused for a moment and smirked. "I think we should take out..."

The Merchant's Trophies

The Merchant's Love

The Merchant's Legacy

"I hate this, but you're right, Zirok. Let's go after his Charity. That will send the biggest message. Let's take out the kitchen."

"Are you sure?" inquired Zirok.

"I am very sure. We need to do this," affirmed Mendaly.

Zirok nodded. "As soon as the sun goes down, we will make our move against it."

"Good, then let's go get some food. I'm starving," said a smiling Mendaly.

Night fell upon the city of Rustose as the two moons of Dun-I rose in the sky. The streets of the old city were lit mostly by the moons, though sconces filled with torches outlined allies and other roads in the city. Zirok and Mendaly moved through the alleys to remain unseen as several members of the local magistrate patrolled the area. Outside the kitchen, several unsavory men and women slept against the walls of the charity, even with the magistrate hanging around.

"I wonder if the patrols leave the beggars alone," questioned Zirok.

Mendaly examined the area in front of the kitchen from afar. "There are so many of them, they would get overwhelmed with ease."

Zirok nodded while glancing over the building. "I don't think we can get close enough to actually get it from the inside. We may have to ignite it from out here and run."

"Is that wise?"

Zirok discards two cards from his hand. If there are no cards to discard, he takes 50 damage.

"Nope," answered Zirok before hurling a large, flaming ball at the roof of the building with his right hand. He ignited his left hand and hurled a large ball at the base of the building, hitting two of the unsavory men who were sleeping beside the door. The ball penetrated the wooden door and made it to the inside of the structure before Zirok hurled a final ball with his right hand at the back side of the building from the alley. Within seconds, the building was engulfed in flames and the homeless beggars on the outside were either on fire or scurrying from the building quickly. The local magistrate sprinted toward the building as Zirok and Mendaly ran away from them down the alley they were occupying. "Run!" screamed Zirok.

Mendaly led them down the alley rapidly with Zirok continuously looking over his shoulder for any of the local magistrate finding them. They turned down a few alleys, eventually making their way out into the open air of the street. The local magistrate and fire brigades were headed in the opposite direction as both Zirok and Mendaly were standing in front of a large, majestic mansion.

"We're here," stated Mendaly. "So what now? Do we just walk up to the front door and knock?"

Zirok shook his head and laughed. "No, of course not. That would get us killed." He paused for a moment while examining the grounds from across a small, iron fence. "We need to get a better look at what's in front of us."

"So what do you suggest?" asked Mendaly.

Zirok smirked and placed his palms on the iron fence. He wrapped his fingers around the cool metal and heaved his body over the metal barrier. The jagged, rough rocks that were beneath his feet were replaced with a smooth grass surface. Mendaly shook her head and smirked before mimicking Zirok. She leapt over the fence and landed on the softer surface with him before glancing over the grounds.

"Hey, what are you doing!" shouted a voice from Zirok and Mendaly's left. The two arsonists turn to see a single burly man stumbling toward them.

"Great," muttered Zirok as he ignited his fists.

Mendaly smiled as the large man reached behind his back and pulled off a large, sharp axe. "It could be worse..." she stated with a coy grin.

Commence Battle with Mansion Guardian

The large man dropped his axe on the ground before stumbling to his knees. Mendaly approached him and placed her dagger against his throat. "I have a few questions, kind sir. If you manage to answer them, you may very well keep your life tonight."

The large guard slowly nodded while feeling the cool steel against his throat. "Good, now, how do we get into this Rummair's palace?"

"You want to break into his master's palace?"

Mendaly pressed the blade against his wind pipe. "I didn't stutter. How do we get into the mansion?"

The large man paused for a brief moment and exhaled. "There are four ways in. The most obvious is the front door, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to do that."

"Correct," stated Mendaly. "So what are the other three?"

The guard closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. "The easiest way in will be through the East Wing, which is where the Master keeps his trophies."

"That old woman did say he was a hunter, of some sort. It would make sense if he kept his trophies in a grand hall," inserted Zirok. "That is an option, but what else do you have?"

The guard exhaled loudly. "The West Hall is home to his wife, the mistress of Rustose. You could potentially get in there. The North Hall is home to his eldest son, the heir to his empire."

"Fantastic, thank you for the information," said Mendaly.

"So I can..." the guard's body fell to the ground with Zirok standing behind him, having just drove his runeblade into the guard's back. His body slammed against the grass with a thud, though the sound was muffled by the dense grass.

"We've got three options, Mendaly. Which way do you want to go in? We can go and destroy his trophies, his love, or his heir."

Mendaly paused for a moment and smirked. "I think we should take out..."

The Merchant's Trophies

The Merchant's Love

The Merchant's Legacy

Zirok and Mendaly walked over to the west wing of the mansion, opting to move in the shadows to avoid being spotted. Once at the entrance to the west wing, two men stood at the door with large weapons in their hands. Though not as physically imposing as the man they just defeated, these two still appeared as if they would put up a fight. Zirok emerged from the shadows and ignited his hands while Mendaly reached for her daggers and twirled them in her hands. The two men pulled their weapons off their side and approached the two arsonists with the intent to kill

Commence Battle with Mansion Guardian x 2

The two soldiers fell to the ground at the steps before the doorway. Zirok and Mendaly kicked the two soldiers to the side before walking through the small archway and into the foyer of the west wing. Once inside, Mendaly and Zirok noticed the vast amounts of stuffed animals, horns mounted along the walls, and portraits of Trevelius Rummair's biggest and best triumphs. "I don't think this man has a shred of humility left in him," quipped Mendaly as she examined the several portraits.

"I think this man enjoys killing things," said Zirok ominously. "I think it's for more than sport. I think it's to satisfy a need, or a craving."

"What are you saying?"

"I'm saying he's just as much an animal as the ones that he kills," clarified Zirok as he continued to march through the trophy room.  He ignited his palms as he walked by and fired small, contained volleys at each of the stuffed creatures. Though large enough to ignite the deceased beasts, the volleys were small enough to not ignite anything else on fire. "We're not here to burn down his house, yet. We're only here to send a message."

Mendaly scoffed as she looked at the smoldering animal bodies. "I'm here to send more than a message, Zirok. I'm here to make sure he never crosses my family again."

Proceed to The Merchant's Chamber

"Let's go down the path toward his wife. I'm quite curious to see just how benevolent and radiant she actually is," announced Mendaly. Zirok nodded and followed her down a small path away from the body of the man they just murdered, keeping to the shadows to avoid being caught. Once on the other side of the mansion, Zirok and Mendaly approached a small staircase with a door at the top of it. Beside the door, an open air balcony was positioned underneath a set of large windows.

"Shouldn't be too hard to get in here," announced Zirok as he stepped toward the staircase. He placed his hand on an ivory rail and used it to stabilize himself as he climbed the stairs, eventually reaching the top to find the small balcony to the side. Sitting beneath the two moons of Dun-I was an older woman. "See, too easy," said Zirok as he motioned at the woman.

Mendaly approached her with her dagger out, preparing to kill her before she had a chance to scream. She raised it over head and halted upon seeing that the job had already been completed. The wife of Trevelius Rummairs was laying in a chair with a dagger already in her chest and blood pooled around the wound. "She's already dead?"

"Impossible," said Zirok as he jogged over to Menedaly to see for himself. He looked down at her lifeless body and exhaled. "Well, someone else must've..."

"Had to have, but it doesn't matter. We are here for Trevelius," said Mendaly.

Zirok nodded and the two arsonists stepped away from the balcony and over to the door, entering the mansion so they could deal with the master.

Proceed to the Merchant's Chamber

The two young arsonists moved along the outside of the mansion, traveling in the shadows to avoid being seen by any of the guards and soldiers on the inside. With smoke still billowing into the sky from the city, the two made it to the back door of the mansion where Trevelius's son resided. They walked up a small staircase and into the home without being noticed, finding themselves in a large bedroom.

Against the wall on the far end of the bedroom away from the door was a large bed, while dressers and chest of drawers lined the walls of the room where there was an empty space. Possessions littered the floor as the young master rested comfortably in his bed.

"It looks like he's sleeping soundly," announced Mendaly. "Should we just stab him with my dagger?" she asked while touching the grip of her weapon.

Zirok shook his head and ignited his right hand. He hurled a small ball of fire at the body in the bed, igniting it but noticing something peculiar: the body didn't move. "Is he already dead?" asked Zirok as the blankets on the bed began to smolder. Mendaly walked over to the body to see that the master's son had a knife protruding from his chest.

"Impossible!" announced Mendaly in front of the smoldering corpse. "Someone killed him before we got here."

Zirok approached the body and examined the smoldering chest. "Don't touch the blade; it'll burn you," he said cautiously as he examined the wound. "You're right, though. Someone already killed him."

"We need to move. I'd hate to think that someone already killed the master before I could," announced Mendaly. She and Zirok stepped away from the body and over to the door, preparing to move through the mansion quickly to reach the master's chamber.

Proceed to the Merchant's Chamber

Zirok and Mendaly stepped through a large, wooden doorway and into a majestic sitting room. Leather chairs and ornate tables litter the room with portraits along the walls showing Trevelius Rummairs as a distinguished and powerful man. His family surrounds him in many of the portraits, though Trevelius Rummairs is always front and center. "I don't think man has an issue with vanity," quipped Mendaly as she stepped in front of one of the portraits.

"It doesn't appear so," replied Zirok as he examined other things in the room. Trinkets lined many shelves while large windows at the far end of the room and over head allowed for a tremendous amount of light from the moons into the room. "It doesn't appear he possesses many issues."

"It appears I have an issue with security," announced a man sitting in a chair at the far end of the room near one of the large windows. Zirok and Mendaly turned away from the trinkets and portraits to see a small amount of smoke coming from behind a large, leather chair. In it, the silhouette of a man puffs on a pipe while gazing out the window. "I didn't think the daughter of that hag would come visit me in my home, much less coming to my city."

Mendaly approached the shadowy man with Zirok beside her. "That hag didn't send me. We came on our own," she stated defiantly. "We came to stand up to you and tell you that we will not be bullied out of our business in Merdool."

The shadowy man chuckled before placing both of his feet on the ground and rising to his feet. He stepped away from the chair and placed his pipe on the table beside it. From the shadows, Trevelius Rummairs stood before the two and looked down upon them with spite and malice. "Coming into my city to have a conversation is bold, but setting fire to it to send a message is foolish."

"You clearly received the message," chimed Zirok.

"Oh, I did, but I do find it somewhat ironic," said Trevelius as he approached the two young arsonists.

"How so?" asked Mendaly, prompting a wry grin and chuckle from Trevelius.

A side door to the room opened up quickly with a man sprinting in. He stopped in his tracks upon the sight of Zirok and Mendaly, appearing confused as to why someone was in there with him. "Sir, is everything alright?" he asked.

"For now," stated Trevelius. "What news do you have for me?"

The man took in a deep breath and nodded. "Your business in Merdool is done."

"Good!" shouted Trevelius jubilantly. "I was hoping it wouldn't take long to eliminate her."

Mendaly opened her eyes wide and stared ahead at Trevelius. "Eliminate who?"

"Oh, don't pretend like you don't know, just be glad you weren't there with her," said Trevelius as he strolled over to a small armoire. He pulled out a crystal decanter and poured himself a drink. Zirok's eyes lit up in rage as Mendaly's welled up with tears. The messenger stood in the doorway, waiting to be dismissed when a large pyre exploded from Zirok's hand and onto his body. He dropped to the ground as Zirok held the blaze, burning the man alive within seconds. "So that's how you started the fire," continued Trevelius nonchalantly. "Quite impressive, do you use a Shard for that?" he asked as he turned to face him.

Zirok ignited both of his fists and hurled two balls of fire at Trevelius. The balls propelled rapidly through the air, only for Trevelius to vanish and reappear behind them, sitting in a chair with a coy grin on his face. Zirok raised his hand to do it again, only for Trevelius to hold his hand out to halt him. "Why don't the three of us have a conversation before we commence with setting the world on fire? Will you at least give me that?"

"I'm really not in the mood for talking right now," claimed Mendaly as rage built within her.

"And I'm not your enemy, I can assure of that," smiled Trevelius as he motioned at two empty chairs. "You've already shown that you're quite powerful. Why don't you have a seat and we can at least have a discussion?"

Zirok glanced over to see Mendaly reaching for her daggers. He closed his fists, putting out the fire and motioning for Mendaly to calm down. "Something isn't right," he said softly. "I want to talk to him."

"Why? He killed my mother?" protested Mendaly. "I want his corpse at my feet."

"And he's already shown how that may prove to be difficult," continued Zirok.

"Killing Trevelius Rummairs is not difficult, I can assure you of that. He never left Merdool," inserted the man sitting in the chair, who was now appearing to be someone else. An olive skin man sat in the shadows of the chair with dark, black hair and yellow eyes. Zirok and Mendaly stared at the man in the chair as he motioned for them to sit down again. "Please, I don't want to have to ask for a third time."

Mendaly let go of her daggers and nodded. "Ok," she said before walking over to the chair and sitting down with Zirok at her side. "Trevelius Rummairs never left Merdool? Then, did you order my mother killed?"

"Straight to the point, I like that. And no, I did not. While I am not above killing someone, I did not have your mother killed. I wouldn't have gained anything from it," he stated plainly. "However, I am sorry that the bastard had already instructed his goons to have your mother killed."

Mendaly paused while Zirok folded his arms across his chest. "There was already a plan in place?"

"There's always a plan in place with people like him," continued the man in the chair. "If anyone poses a threat, he eliminates them, whether he comes to an agreement with them or not. If they're dead, they can't reconsider or renegotiate."

"That's terrible," muttered Mendaly.

"It's his business," said the man.

Mendaly shook her head. "That doesn't make it right."

"Oh don't pretend like you and your family are innocent!," shouted the man. "Your mother has hired men to shake debtors down and even kill them in some cases. You and your family are not innocent."

Zirok leaned forward "Her guilt or innocence is irrelevant right now," he stated plainly. "I want to know who you are how you did what you just did? Is it a Shard?"

"It's most definitely not a Shard; I can assure you of that," claimed the man in the chair as he sipped on the crystal glass.

"Then how did you do that?" inquired Zirok.

"Because my name is Nathair and I am the God-touched servant of Latros, son of Maloris and God of Chaos, and I typically don't like to let that information out," stated Nathair. Zirok and Mendaly appeared confused at his explanation, prompting Nathair to exhale loudly. "A God bestowed his knowledge upon me and bound my soul to his. It's how I can teleport about as well as shape-shift. I have a few other powers as well, but those are the two I prefer to use."

Zirok and Mendaly still appeared confused. "God-touched?"

Nathair shook his head and stood up from his chair. "Don't worry about my abilities and my strength, just know that I possess them and I am far more powerful than the two of you can ever dream of being."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Zirok as he rose from his chair.

"Oh, I know that I am, but it doesn't matter right now. I'm prepared to offer the two of you something that I think you want," continued Nathair.

Mendaly scoffed. "My mother is dead. What could I possibly want right now?"

"To personally murder her killer," smiled Nathair. "I assume that's something you want, right?"

"I thought you said he never left Merdool?" questioned Mendaly.

"He didn't. He's in my chambers there under lock and key. His conditions are far from admirable, especially compared to this place," said Nathair. "But, Trevelius Rummairs needs to exist, at least for now." Nathair walked into the shadows and came out immediately, appearing as Trevelius Rummairs again. "What happens to him is your business. You can leave him alive and let him rot in that cell, or you can kill him. His life is in your hands if you do a couple things for me."

Zirok stepped up and looked Nathair in his eyes. "And what would that be?"

"First, for starters, I need you to burn this mansion down to embers. I need you to turn this place into the towering inferno that I can see you yearn for," began Nathair with a wry grin. "Second, I need you to head to Merdool and resume operations of your family's textile importing, however, I need you to make it bigger and I can help you with that. I also need you to start importing other things, but I can assist with that."

Mendaly scoffed. "What do you know about trade?"

Nathair turned and scowled at the young girl. "My father and uncle were both the largest traders out of Brex back when it was the largest port in Cuor."

Zirok stepped forward and grabbed Nathair's attention. "Brex has been a city in poverty for over a thousand years..."

"I'm pretty old. Don't think too much into it," countered Nathair. "Third, and most important, Zirok, I have a few tasks that may require the use of someone with your skills."

Zirok smirked and shook his head. "You want me to come work for you?"

"I am trying to collect all of the Shards to release my master back from his eternal prison. I could use the assistance of someone with your skill-set," explained Nathair. "Being on the right side of his return will prove beneficial for both of you, I can assure you of that."

"How long have you been working on that?" asked Zirok playfully.

"Since that Seraphim bastard stopped him the first time," quipped Nathair painfully. "I think about that daily and it never gets easier."

"What happened?" asked Mendaly.

Nathair exhaled loudly. "I lost, and I don't plan on doing it again, hence why I'm asking for the assistance of your boyfriend." He paused briefly and stared into the eyes of Zirok. "I need powerful and ambitious people working with me to accomplish my goals for Dun-I."

Mendaly stood up from her chair and walked over to the armoire. She picked up the crystal decanter and drank the amber liquid straight from its spout. "You want me to expand and you can guarantee the success?"

"I can."

"And you can give me the man who murdered my mother?"

"I can do that too," continued Nathair.

"Zirok, can you assist him?" she asked before taking a large swig from the decanter.

"I will," affirmed Zirok.

"Good, then set this place ablaze and meet me at the coliseum in two days when the sun is overhead. I'll come find you and take you to my manor," explained Nathair. "Now, you have a job to do, Zirok. Make sure there's nothing left but embers," commanded Nathair before vanishing into the shadows again. Zirok glanced over to Mendaly and nodded before igniting his hands. He tossed a large ball of fire into the wooden walls on one end of the room before doing it again. Within seconds, the chamber was in flames and Zirok and Mendaly had fled into a large hallway with the front door ahead of them. At the door, three large men barricaded the exit, though the flames were still encroaching with Zirok continuing to set things ablaze. The three men, knowing they had to stop the young arsonists, reached for their weapons and charged forward.

Commence Battle with Mansion Guardian x 3

The three soldiers dropped to the ground and their bodies were quickly engulfed with the flames. Zirok and Mendaly ran past them and out the front door into the cool night air of Rustose. They sprinted away from the steps and out into the streets, fleeing from sight and into an alley before the fire brigade and the local magistrate could arrive. Beside the building, they looked on as Nathair, still appearing as Trevelius Rummairs, fell to the ground and appeared unconscious. "I think he wants to be found alive?" questioned Mendaly.

"It's all a show," confirmed Zirok as he looked on at his new master. "He's playing a very long game."

"He seems brilliant, if not a touch too arrogant."

Zirok nodded and motioned for Mendaly to follow him into the shadows of the alley and away from the fire.

Two days passed and Zirok stood in front of the coliseum. His fiery red hair and pale skin made him stand out, even while surrounded by the hundreds of people trying to get into the famed arena. He folded his arms across his chest and breathed in the dusty air, still waiting for Nathair to come and find him. He leaned up against a large, wooden pole and kept his eyes out at the crowd, hoping to see the olive-skinned man approach him, even though he could be appearing as anyone. He waited as the clouds came overhead and covered the sun, giving him and his fair skin some respite from its rays.

"He said you'd be the easiest person to find here," announced a feminine voice from behind him.

Zirok turned and noticed a dark skinned woman with long, braided hair that hung down to her hips standing behind him. "Are you..."

"I'm not Nathair, but I was sent to acquire you, Zirok," she announced before extending her hand. "My name is Xokeera, and I am one of Nathair's soldiers."

Zirok shook the young woman's hands to feel the vibrations coming from it. His eyes closed quickly as he felt it. "What's..."

"Don't ask questions, just know that like you, I can make things explode," she smiled. "Come on, I don't want to be out here longer than I have to be."

Zirok nodded. "Yes ma'am."