Board Thread:Roleplaying/@comment-3293219-20160801233042/@comment-24685738-20160804165428

As Levi stepped through his portal, into the dark study of his castle, he was still thinking about the Hunter, Prince Adon, and all the problems that he posed for Levi. Levi's own Augments were revolting against him, how disgusting was that?

He flexed his fingers. He supposed he could put them down like the dogs they were, but it had been so long since he had even tried to use that part of his own augmentation.

And just thinking about that brought him back to the first time he had used it, when he had met Diana...

It all started with that one girl.



The blonde one, dancing her heart away. Dashing from partner to partner, twirling and stepping with the music.



Levi sometimes wondered how one could dance so gracefully. When he danced, he wasn’t nearly as skilled as that girl. She swayed so nicely, so beautifully….



Levi shook his head ‘’Dammit, Draci, get it together. You’re not here to interact with the commoners, you’re here to find the relatives of Direnni.’’



Recently, he had discovered a book, written by the witch Raven Direnni, who had gone in depth on the subject of binding souls, enchanting bodies, making people stronger. Augmenting them. She had said that she had already done so to herself, and to her children. Their children’s children would be able to possess these traits, if the traits were awakened inside them.



<span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He had traced their bloodlines, finding concrete relations with two noble Imperial families: The Draci, and the Lassin.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Who the Lassin were, he had no idea. He believed them to be a minor noble clan, with ties to the Valgas, the Counts of Chorrol. Distant cousins, or something, he hadn’t really paid it that much attention. Once he knew they were related, he hurried off to Chorrol.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">That was why he was attending such a party.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Ordinarily, he would have preferred to avoid such a gathering of nobles. Everyone he met looked on him with either pity, greed, or vicious delight. ‘

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The Dracis were not always well-liked. His father, particularly, had a habit of securing other nobles’ fortunes through gambling. He was, in fact, a master at the art of cons.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">His mother, on the other hand, was a saint. She spent her time giving charity to the people of Cyrodiil, and helping others with their problems. She was loved by most everyone in both the nobility and the common-folk.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Maybe that was why he was taking such an interest in that blonde girl. She was so… bubbly, listening and speaking with everyone she could. Oh, how he wished she was related to the Lassin, so they’d have something to talk about…

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He sighed, turning his attention away from her, in order to spot more likely suspects.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi looked around the building, his gaze shifting from normal colors to a more purple-hued one. He was using his own Augmentation, which he had discovered a few years back.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">The Power to see souls. And maybe other things with them. He hadn’t really delved into it, yet…

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">All he knew, at that moment, was that he could find others like him. Descendants of the Direnni.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He looked around the room, finding only two golden figures. An Altmer male, over speaking with the Goldwines, and… the blonde woman. How fortunate.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi strode over to the dancing woman, confidently. “May I cut in?” He asked her, giving her a grin.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Of course.” The woman responded, pulling herself out of the grip of her dance partner. Levi recognized him as a Tharn. Levi didn’t pay enough attention to the man to see who he was. The man glared at Levi, giving him a furious frown.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi smiled back, placing his hands on the woman’s hips. She put her arms around his shoulders, and they swayed to the music, gracefully. Together, they moved in time to the beat, eventually finding themselves to be setting a trend. Other dancing couples began to follow their example, and the pair ended up in the center of the dance floor.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Unfortunately for me, I don’t know your name.” The woman replied, and Levi pulled himself away from investigating her enchanting golden locks to respond. “Levi Draci. And yours?”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Diana Lassin.” The girl grinned. “I’m glad you came to dance with me.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Oh?” Levi asked, allowing a grin to show on his face.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Yes, you seemed too infatuated with your own thoughts to notice that I wanted to dance with you.” Diana laughed. Levi spun her around, earning the ire of all the other men on the dance floor.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Diana was too beautiful, too kind, too capable a dancer to not be desired by the others at the party. Both men and women alike were jealous of the pair. The mysterious, rich nobleman and the stunning, graceful girl.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">They danced together as if that was what they were made for. To hold each other in their arms.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“So… Levi…” Diana began, before she was twirled once more. She didn’t finish her statement, as she was too busy laughing with joy as she was spun around by the Draci.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Yes?” Levi asked, a light grin forming on his face when he realized how happy he was making her. He always took pride in his ability to make attractive women pleased.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Why are you here?” The Blonde woman asked, her hair bouncing slightly as they moved. Levi found himself infatuated by it, as it was very rare for an Imperial woman to be so blonde and pale…

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“To have fun.” Levi lied, with a shrug. “Why wouldn’t I come?”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“I’ve heard you usually don’t attend these things.” Diana replied, with a light smile. “For such a handsome man, you usually prefer to keep to yourself.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi chuckled. “Well, even loners need to have fun, right? I was hoping to meet some nice girl tonight… And it looks like I have.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Diana blushed, slightly. “I… I…”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi silenced her with a kiss, figuring that having her fall in love with him was the quickest way to get her to obey him. He had a rather skewed view of love. She squirmed, slightly, trying to pull herself away from the man who had trapped her.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">When Levi pulled away, he could see that Diana’s eyes were wild and confused, a million miles away, but she didn’t run from him. That was a good sign, right?

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">And then he kissed her again, and Levi couldn’t help but smile through it, as they stopped dancing and just stood there, too enveloped in each other’s company to do anything. Or, at least, he was too enveloped in hers.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">But, of course, it couldn’t last. Not with Levi’s luck.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Diana was practically torn from his grasp, and in her place stood a tall, barrel-chested Imperial man. His cropped salt-and-pepper hair shown in the light from the thousands of torches that lit the room, and his arm muscles rippled as he ushered Diana behind him.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi paled slightly. Now he remembered where he had heard the name ‘Lassin.’

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Draci.” The man growled, and Levi instinctively took a step back, to evade his wrath. Lord Ajax Lassin, General of the Third legion, scourge of the Abecean Pirates, head of the Imperial Legions in Hammerfell. He was renowned for his ruthlessness and skill. It was rumored that he had torn a bear apart with his bare hands, as a child.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“How dare you come into my home and attempt to seduce my daughter!” The massive man said, angrily, finally turning his full attention on the Augment. “She is getting married, and you attempt to ruin that!”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Diana stood behind her father, looking unsure of what she should do. She was attracted to Levi Draci, of course, but she didn’t enjoy having a kiss forced upon her.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi swallowed his fear and stood up straight, looking straight at Ajax. “Well, I don’t see him around anywhere.” He replied, confidently.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Turn around, Draci.” Came a voice behind him, and Levi turned to see a handsome Imperial man with dark brown hair and eyes to match. He was young and fit, and dressed in the garb of an Imperial Champion with a Legionnaire’s sword belted around his waist.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Marius Jannis.” Levi growled, familiar with the name. He was the emperor’s favorite General, and was closer to Diana’s age than Levi was.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Levi Draci.” Marius grinned, holding himself with the confidence of a man who was gorgeous, and knew it. He stretched, showing off his muscles. “I heard you were off making a fool of yourself in the Topal Bay. What are you doing here?”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“I came to find someone.” Levi answered, clenching his fists.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Well, then, I hope you find your person soon.” Marius replied, with a small laugh, unintimidated by the thin mage. He took Diana by the hand and led her off, away from her father and guest.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi reached out, angrily, grabbing Diana by the shoulder. As he did so, the golden light that made up her aura dulled, turning to a bronze-gold as opposed to the shimmery, bright gold that was normal.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Slowly, she extricated herself from Marius’ grip, and stepped over to Levi, her eyes glassed over. “No, I’m staying with Levi.” She said, lamely.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi grinned triumphantly, slowly figuring out what his touch had done to the woman. “You hear that, Lassin? She wants <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:700;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">me <span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Marius’ dark brows furrowed, as he stared at the pair, furiously. “Lord Lassin, please remove your daughter from the premises.” He said, drawing his gold-hilted sword. “I do not want her to see this.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Ajax did so, picking his daughter up and slinging her over his shoulder, carrying her up to her room in the manor. Marius slowly extended his sword, dragging it along Levi’s cheek, drawing blood. “You will never go near here again, do you understand?” He sneered. “I’ve heard what your ilk does to virtuous women.”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi frowned, coldly, angry at the jab at his parents. By this point the dance floor had cleared, and all the noblemen watched with interest at what would soon happen. “Take your pathetic blade away from me, you preening peacock.” He growled.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Marius removed it for a moment, before he poked Levi in the stomach with his sword. “What will you do, Draci, zap me?”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“Maybe I will.” Levi snapped. “If you poke me one more time-”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">And, of course, the General did.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">So, Levi made true on his promise and used his magic to throw the General across the floor, knocking him unconscious. The General had awoken something in Levi, and he wasn’t going to stop until he got his prize. He quickly hurried after the two Lassins.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">By the time he got in there, Diana’s mother and father were standing around her, trying to convince her to stop trying to go back to Levi. She, however, just kept staring at them blankly, occasionally trying to get up before she was sat back down.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">“...Please, Diana, you don’t know what he’ll try to do to you.” Ajax whispered, desperately, his hands on her shoulders.

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<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Diana’s mother, a woman just as warlike as her husband, grabbed her large spear from where it rested on the wall. “Stay away from us.” She growled, jabbing it at Levi.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">That, of course, made him a bit irritated. Trying to remind her of the fact that he didn’t like to be touched, he zapped her with a bolt of green magic, watching as the flesh was rended from her bones with glee, before she could even make a sound.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Diana’s father hadn’t yet noticed what was happening, so focused on the task at hand. “Please,

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">Di, don’t-”

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;">

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"><span style="font-size:13.333333333333332px;font-family:Arial;color:#000000;font-weight:400;font-variant:normal;text-decoration:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap;">He never got to finish his statement, because Levi dragged a knife from his wife’s belt and lunged at the older man, driving it twice down. Diana did nothing, simply watched as her father writhed around in pain, clutching at his ruined eyes.

<p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;"> <span style="font-size:13.3333px;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-weight:400;white-space:pre-wrap;">Levi stood up, cleaning the blood from the knife. He decided to keep it. “Come, Diana.” He said simply, turning on his heel and heading for the door. Diana, like a woman possessed, followed obediently.