Gary
"If Akira will be with her then I need not see it myself. If it's the beyond lands I head for then I will not delay, even the bravest of men start to falter if they dwell on the beyond lands long." He admitted, reaching out and taking the sword. Noctis nearly let out a sigh of relief, warmth flooded his hand and a tingling sensation rippled through his sword arm. It was like shaking the hand of an old friend you never you thought you'd never see again. He held the toddler and the sword just so, so that her little hands could explore the rubied pommel without chance of cutting herself upon its edge. He murmured a blessing of protection over her in the elven tongue, kissing her head. Then he whispered to her, "If I return from this, and return I shall- I will give you a new life, we will find a place for you in this world.. I know what it's like to grow up alone, little one. You will not know this pain." His voice was a warm whisper, his magical melodic voice reaching the child's ears before he glanced at the fox as she sat beside him. 

He was admittedly crestfallen she could not come, but he was sure from the start she wouldn't. She was bound to this land and she'd be able to keep an eye on the child, a child without a name. He knew of the Tiefling naming conventions- so he'd not start thinking of a name yet. 

"Thank you Akira." He said as the Kitsune sat beside him, shuddering involuntarily as her tails brushed his back. He could still feel the ghost touches of dreams. 

"Now then, where shall I meet this person and how soon? As I said I don't want to delay this if at all possible." He said, leaning against Akira and giving the toddler one last squeeze. He found that he would be missing both of them quite dearly, nearly as much as Eliza - though he could not figure out yet why he did. They'd danced together, nearly killed each other and yes the moment had been a magical one, perhaps in some ways his soul had chosen her then and there- but still he felt as if somet

Hing else had happened he just couldn't... Remember. Sighing, he'd have to figure that out later.
Michael
*As the sounds of a fire being stokked and started echoed within the room, the farmer's wife was trying her best to keep her noise to a minimum as it seems that an important discussion was being held. The machine listened to the man's words, pleased that it was going in a favorable direction. Placing a steel hand over its knee, the machine watched as the toddler explore the pommel of the blade. Before her stomach began to growl loudly, that it could be mistaken for a monster's growl. A smile grew as soft sounds of glee could be heard from the tiefling as her forehead was kissed, but the child began to grow restless with signs of looking for something to eat. The Warforged noticed this, recognizing that hunger will be begin to overwhelm the child in a few days.*

```"That would be wise. Be careful of that blade, my blacksmiths considered it to be cursed by the hand of divine kin but it may serve you well. You may find this person in our clan's fort, hidden and forgotten along the roads of Yronis. My clan may assist you with proper attire and provide additional information once there. I can take you there immediately."```

*The warforged explained as it answered the demigod's questions. Weapons of the gods and their children were always powerful items yet power always came at a cost, the machine was always cautious towards the demigods and their weapons. After all, he was designed to rival the most powerful demigod of them all. Akira leaned herself on the table as she'd gentky poke the child, who softly bit her finger.*

```"Hmmm, I'll be sure to keep the child safe. Although I'd miss tormenting you once you're gone. Do try not to die, I prefer your warm vigor over a cold body."```

*Akira said as she'd nuzzle her head against the man's shoulder, the touch was soft yet haunting from that nightmare that didn't fade from memory. It was then that thr farmer rushed into the room, with a big smile on his face.*

```"Everyone! I have good news! Our beloved goat has returned! He is is back and in all his glory, he must have followed you here. What a blessing! Thank you very much, now my farm and child to be are saved! I am in your debts, traveller and kitsune! Oh and you too, metal golem! We should celebrate an-"```

*As the farmer began to express his overwhelming joy, his wife began to panic and swayed her hands up and down to silence him. Gentky pulling him away from the room, as she'd mumbled something about respect and manners to him in the other room. Akira began to notice the hungry toddler, leaning to kiss Noctis on the neck as she'd stand to find something to feed the child.*

```"Opa mmmh-"```

*The toddler spoke some words in a mumbled tone, her head spinning around as her attention shot all-over the place. The Warforged began to ask a simple yet personal question, as he was somewhat suspicious of the traveller. Something was odd about him, but it didn't have enough data to understand it.*

```"I would ask a personal question, you may choose to answer if you wish. Who are you?"```
Gary
Noctis' long dark lashes blinked slowly as he listened, his grey eyes focused and thoughtful. Despite their current mortality, the twin moons of his iris' were as deep and rich as the one in the sky itself, and he nodded his head slowly, his soft and silk and feather down hair gently shifting as he did. 

"Very well, let us be off." He said, then turned to Akira, shaking his head at her grim words but unable not to smile at her. Of all the things that were beautiful about Noctis, it was the smiles he rarely gave that were of the most high, dazzling and carrying their own magic- the kind of smile that made the person receiving them feel like the only person in the world. He figured that was the sweetest thing Akiras strange and twisted mind could think to say. 

His thoughts were only confirmed by her displays of affection, Noctis glanced away from her to stare at the farmer. What an odd man, but then, to take pleasure in something as simple as a goat... Well, perhaps he wasn't odd at all. Perhaps he was living a life Noctis could- no, *Did* Envy. A child on the way, a loving wife that had not glanced once at Noctis' body nor face, a lucky goat, a home. Yes, this man had riches Noctis could cry over with envy. He smiled *Again* At the farmer, and then laughed. Oh what a laugh, a sound to rival elven songs within their tall trees, a joyous sound that could cure the deepest sorrows it seemed. 

The laugh was broken as his neck was kissed, he blinked and watched the Kitsune rise then noticed the child's restlessness and hunger. Children got hungry, but he thought of all the people being stuffed with food. So the ritual was still affecting her. He rose and set the blade against the wall, waiting for Akira to bring food as he played with the toddler to distract her from her gnawing hunger, blowing raspberries on her face and hands. 

He looked up at the Warforged and studied the machine for a while. Noctis was in no lesser way to say it, a genius. He'd survived centuries

In a world of demigods much stronger than he because of his ability to sense danger like he had with Akira, it had taken longer because of the dreams, the safety of Akira, the joy of holding the child and the machines emotionless existence- but he sensed danger now. This machine and likely then, this "Clan", hated divinity. It meant that it would hate him if he knew, all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place. Akira being nervous, the desire to fight the Gnolls, the seeking of the Vendetta child. 

"Luce Belmont, I was a mercenary most of my life serving in Velaris, then Forstead. I've retired from that work, I only have interest in killing monsters." He said smoothly, without hesitation, creating a story and running with it in a way only the best liar could.
Patrick
*With his beloved old fried of a blade leaned against the wall, the Warforged was strangely focused on it. Akira with the help of the farmer's wife found some cooked potatoe slices to feed the young tiefling. The young child began to giggle as raspberries were blown on her face, struggling to playfully fight the demigod. Akira leaned to carefully feed the child as the Warforged listened to the retired mercenary's tale. Slowly rising as the metal limbs lifted the unknown weight of its body up, his foot steps were slow and carefully as to not dent the wooden floor below.*

```"We will work well together then, depending on your definition of monsters."```

*The warforged began to make its way outside, seeing that they'd leave soon and his aura was rather intense to the point it was aware of it. Akira watched the machine make his way outside, standing there as the black goat attempted to ram the metal golem. It failed and backing away with a broken hour, the farmer rushed to get his black goat away from the guest. The farmer's wife simply shook her head in worry and disappointment, she'd turn her head to Akira and Luce giving the odd pair a smile.*

```"It's not everyday we get such colorful guests here, know that we are thankful for you efforts. If this little one is a boy, I'll be sure to name him Luce if it's a girl... Akira. Lovely names. I don't think we'd be alive or happy without your help. Also forgive my husband, he's a light hearted man heh."```

*The woman sounded tired yet genuine with her voice, her hand on her bump of a belly. She knew these people were super weird, but it was an interesting story for her child to hear. Fun names too, as a little tribute. Akira seemed very happy to hear her words, although she was curious about what the toddler's name could be. But that was hardly important now.*

```"It sounds like the journey is set and planned for, one death sentence to the next. My Oh my, Luce would make for a wonderful guardian."```
.

*Akira had a lot of other flirts and brutal comments, but seeing the farmer's wife look so sincere like her sister especially with such tired eyes... She'd hold her tongue for now. She'd finish feeding the child, as the bowl was quickly devoured. For a child of her age and of that size, she seemed like a void hole that devoured mass.*

```"Thankfully, the steel creature came with a carriage. This one prefers that over walking and hiking, more so in the hot day."```

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*With a donated supply of food and thanks, the farmer would wave the party off. As they'd join the warforged and his travelling caravan onto the roads. The caravan was massive and came with the company of war monks wearing masks of red and white, two large beasts of burden calmly awaited the party. Akira seemed on the edge however, as if unsure of what to make of this clan. These colors were known to hate the devoteed such as herself, but they were probably smart enough to work anyone valuable. The Warforged made his way onto the large carriage first, the caravan seemed more than able to carry its weight. Around five war monks politely bowed to it, before begrudgingly bowing to Akira. Yet they seemed to see Luce and the child as equals, offering a nod and a guiding hand to their equipment.*

*Soon, the caravan doors were shut and the fox began peeking out the windows from her seat. The Warforged sat in silence, as the transport began to move. Heading west towards the Yronis roads. The interior of the caravan was made with clear defense in mind, little room for grand luxuries. Seats of wood and storage of a small militia could be seen, the warforged began to read a scroll of silver as Akira stayed alert. Only the child seemed relaxed and playful, attempting to reach out to grab anything she was curious of.*
Gary
Noctis was impressed with the resources this so called clan seemed to posses. War monks, carriages, it was as if they were a small military force of their own right. This didn't just take devotion, it took resources. Whoever was in charge of this was certainly someone who was very wealthy and powerful, and most of all, very dangerous. Fanatical hatred of the gods, he'd always found the concept of it ridiculous. Why hate something so far above one's self? Does an ant hate a human being? No, it bites in self defense and scuttles along it's day. Does a tree hate a man for felling it? Well... Perhaps that was different, trees were in many ways superior to that mortal races, and inferior in others. What good would blind hatred of the divine do when you could change nothing, certainly nothing would change with hatred and violence. It would take other means to see change if that's what one wanted. 

- - - - - 

Noctis watched the baby play with any loose objects she could find with an amused gleam in his grey eyes, before looking over and noticing the tension in Akira. He put away thoughts of what to call the toddler for now, some ideas had formed in his head but it was yet to be seen if they were fitting. Still he wanted to honor her parentage if possible. His hand came over and gently held the Kitsunes, and he squeezed it gently. 

"This adventure will be over soon, it'll be time to part ways. I am thankful for all you've done, and thankful that you'll watch the little one while I complete this quest." He said, wanting to ask her to make sure the child got proper care if he perished but, unwilling to accept he might die. He couldn't die now, not after everything he'd been through. There was still this mysterious power of healing as well. 

"Here, bite hard." He said, and put his hand in front of her mouth. He wanted to see if the healing was a fluke or if it really was something new. Only one real way to find out.
Patrick
As the distant echos of the heavy wheels of the caravan over dirt and the steady pace of beasts steps filled the environment, it was a regular and steady sound that began to cause the little tiefling to get sleepy. The ray of the afternoon sun leaked from the barred windows, as landscape of tree pasted one over another. It seemed like an endless sea of bamboo and green outside, the occasional bump and shaking of the loose objects in the caravan. Akira turned her head to listen to what Noctis had to say, her eyes rolling over the mention of adventure. This was more of a task for her than anything, but even she had to admit how different it was with Noctis around. His sweet words of love and gratitude began to bore her, but even he offered Akira to bite his hand. A blush grew from her face, as she'd take out her war fans. Steel and sharp, she'd hide her face as a soft chuckle left her. Muffled by the steel fans.*

```"Oh my, at least take this one out for dinner if one wishes to request such naughty acts in public no less. Luce is quite bold and very naughty. Maybe once privacy is given."```

*Akira teased as she'd act overly dramatic over her words, although she knew what he wanted. She couldn't stop blushing at the offering of flesh, to request her to bite was like asking a barbarian to kill. A smirk teased from behind her fan as her eyes began to swift to the Warforged, who expressed no interest nor reactions to their words.*

```"Oh fine, darling if you insist. This one suppose a little bite and a stab would be fun. Just for old times sake that is."```

*Akira said as she'd gently guide the man's fingers to her lips, before biting down hard onto his fingers. It left a terrible wound, her hands reached out to watch the wound begin to heal rather quickly. Her eyes filled with awe, as his passive healing began to drain some of his mana to heal that wound perfectly. This cause the fox to grab the man's hand and begin to twist his finger, letting go and watching the broken bone heal. The Warforged also watched with interest, as the witness statement were confirmed.*

```"Oh wow, this is fun! Let's breaking and cutting something else? We have to be sure it heals at the same speed!"```

*Her soft hand began to swift into an acidic blade as her other hand held his hand firmly, pulling it as her eyes began to show a scary amout of killing intent. She seemed to have an interest in cutting his hand off. That she did, so quickly and swiftly that it seemed like the air was cut as well. Blood dripped onto the toddler who was sleeping on the man's chest. Noctis found his hand missing and sliced from his arm. Akira stopped butchering the man as she'd hold the man's still warm hand with care, curious to see if it was still warm and if it would rot. Noctis found his hand quickly healing right back up, but the pain was definitely kicking in. The Warforged watched in silence, as Akira apologized for getting blood on the toddler.*

```"Oh, this one apologizes. There's no harm, right? So quickly it heals. Oops, got some blood on the little one."```

*She'd pocket the man's hand into her person, as she'd wipe the blood off the toddler. The seat was dripped with a little bit of crimson. The one war monk watched with widened eyes through his mask, slowly turning to the Warforged who said nothing.*
Gary
It was like facing a wild animal, he'd made a mistake and become too comfortable with her- now he was paying the consequence. He had no super strength, she was stronger than he was physically now and there wasn't anything he could do to stop it besides attempt to kill her, but that would be stupid for a multitude of reasons. Still, his free hand didn't fight her off, but fell to the dagger hidden in his cloak. One swift strike into her neck or heart, then threat would be over. 

Noctis grit his teeth as she ripped at him, sliced him and soon, severed his hand. The blood spurted across her kimono but already the bone began to reform and muscle threaded itself over until his hand had completely returned albeit feeling slightly tingly. The pain had been excruciating but had become a memory faster than he could process the pain and shock. As soon as she let go he'd pull his hand back and tighten his grip on the dagger until she'd pulled her hands away from the toddler and she was safe. Only then did he release the dagger and his killers intent faded. 

"Too much, Akira. Next time you bite and only bite." He said sternly, putting a hand to his temple as a wave of exhaustion hit. So much of his mama had just been drained, he didn't have access to the godly reservoirs, he was just a man. Slightly harder to kill, but just a man all the same. "But your apology is accepted, treasure your prize, consider it my gift for your aid with the child." He said, sighing. For someone who had just been mauled, his voice was remarkably steady. 

"I would have preferred to not have used so much of my mana." He said, pushing his long hair from his eyes as he contemplated the dangers of where they headed. 

"How much longer till we arrive?" He asked the Warforged, seemingly entirely relaxed now, his hands cradling the sleeping child.
Patrick
*His hand was a lovely gift indeed, so if she ever missed his kind touch, all she'd have to do is find that hand. A demigod's hands truly was a particular gift for the most twisted of kitsunes. Feelings the demigod's killing intent caused her fur and hair to peak up, her tails to sway and her blush to grow more red. She was truly a twisted woman to find a killing intent to be alluring and savory. One would begin to worry about leaving the toddler's care to her, but it was obvious that an easy kill like that was far too low for her taste.*

```"Oh how silly of this one. But atlas, we have a grand understanding to the curiosities now! This one is very proud and happy to have helped. Surely, a mana potion may assist?"```

*Akira said with a playful tone, her head titling to the side as her tails began to wag. Acting like a tamed fox that was given a treat. The toddler was oddly sleeping like a dead body, breathing softly with an occasional yawn and stretch. Blissfully unaware of the killing intent of her would be caretakers or saviors. Upon being asked a question, the Warforged paused as if running calculation for a moment before his voice rang with a low volume. Clearly not wanting to awaken the child.*

```"At this pace, 13 hours. Give or take. Best to avoid losing more blood or mana on the way. If you have questions, I will answer truthfully. I have no questions at the moment for you or your companion."```

*The machine had no reason to ask questions that were not related and based on the man's first hostile approach, it was clear that he had no interest in sharing more than he should. Secrets were a shield, the machine knew this and understood it. Akira began to get curious about the machine, asking her own question to pass the time.*

```"I never encountered your kind before, the more metal and no flesh types. Are you a soul trapped in armor or a living metal puppet? Also what are your weaknesses? Lightning? Heat?"```
.

*Akira asked wanted to understand the machine more, questions of the clan and the quest were to be known in time but the fox was quite alien to the concept of living talking metal. Sure, she met magical creatures but there was something unnerving of a creature not made in the pantheon's image. The Warforged slowly turned his head to her, silent for a moment before answering.*

```"No, I am neither. I am a machine. Made to complete a task. My weaknesses are my own, I do not intend to share them."```

*Waken spoke rather plainly as he withheld some information on his weaknesses, the exchange of presenting his weaknesses for a potential bond with these two came to a low priority. His safety and that of his clan were prioritized.*
Gary
"Silence now, Akira. I will rest while the child does. I can recover mana with some sleep" Noctis said, nodding as his question is answered. His newly reformed hand scratched behind her ears and he settled himself against the wall of the carriage, closing his eyes and resting his head on his upturned palm, his other hand draped across the child with his fingers splayed out. His black raven colored hair fell across his face like a natural curtain, and he practiced slow controlled breathing to put himself to sleep. Noctis had spent many years not knowing when sleep would come, he'd taught himself to sleep quickly and awaken easily- always ready to move, to survive, to fight. Truthfully he didn't care about how the machine worked or what it was weak too, maybe he should, but he just wanted to enjoy what he could. The feeling of the child safe with him, Akiras soft tails, the memory of sunlgiht, Elizas cool skin under his hands, his mothers warm smile. 

He pushed away any thoughts of Alekhya, of Pride, of anything that carried so much hurt and willed himself to sleep. Thirteen hours and then it was off on another quest likely, no, surely because of its destination, filled with pain and torment. For now though, he would rest and face what came of it then. Perhaps this time the dreams would be better... Perhaps... 

As he drifted off, his hand fell to rest against Akiras thigh, as if seeking human warmth and comfort.
Patrick
*As the man's body began to relax and the silver almond shaped eyes began to blink softly, pushing the thoughts of his former comrades away. Akira crossed her arms as she'd begrudgingly obey the demigod's request. Leaning her head back as she'd take the time of daylight to relax and sleep herself. It wouldn't be long until the Warforged would find the trio falling into a deep slumber. As the caravan began its long journey to the Yronis roads. Akira gently placed her hand over the man's hand as he slept.*

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*The chill of the air was bitter and sweet, as Noctis sat on a stair case of a humble home. The full moon light over him, the flickering candle next to him. There was a sence of peace in the air, calm and steady. Behind him, the muffled echos of a laughing woman and a whines of a child could be heard, chaos of a young family within the home. For once, Noctis wasn't facing a monster or on an adventure. He simply sat outside to breath and rest, his hand held that comforts of a sweet ale. The lack of armor on his body felt freeing, the lack of a blade oddly made him feel content with his strength. Simplicity. There was some beauty in it. The dream seemed to be an experience of the world, if Noctis chose the path of a simple man like the farmer did.*