<i>N</i>o sooner did Azurine pick herself up off the ground that Maddox was right behind her lifting her off of her feet by her neck. She struggled as she clawed at his hand that held her. She was gasping for air as she fought him, kicking and grunting. Maddox just held her there for a moment, boring into her eyes to her very soul. It made her shudder before she looked away from him.<br/><br/>"Don't you look away from me girl!" he snapped as he jerked her to the right and then to the left. She returned her gaze and locked onto his abysmal stare as she swallowed the lump in her throat.<br/><br/>"What do you want Maddox?!" she snapped, still trying to pry his fingers from her throat. He set her down on the ground but kept his grip firm. He moved his hand to the back of her head and grabbed a handful of hair, twisting it so tightly. She sucked in her breath through gritted teeth at the sharp pains that were sent down her neck into her spine. He spun her around on her heels and walked her towards the wall where the barrier was starting to fail. The thin layer of green mist started to fade and electricity crackled through the mist uncontrollably.<br/><br/>"Fix it Azurine," he said as he threw her down onto the stone walkway. She quickly picked herself back up and looked at the barrier. She moved her hand through the green mist getting a feel for its weakness. "And shield the Queen" he ordered as he stepped closer to her. She turned to look at him and bowed her head acknowledging his demands. She stepped into the green mist and held up her arms as electricity shot out of her fingertips, stabilizing the barrier as the mist grew thicker. She then chanted a small incantation and used an extension of the barrier surrounding Mireille in the throne room with a thin veil that would be difficult to penetrate. As she worked on the barrier and the veil, she whispered to Milo within the confines of her mind.<br/><br/><i>Milo, what was that which I just observed back there? What is Zion?! </i>she asked, frightened by what she saw but in awe of the sheer power nonetheless.<br/>-------------------------------------------------------------------<br/>Before Mireille could answer, the thin veil engulfed her and her throne. She pressed against its walls but could not penetrate it. It actually shocked her back into her place. She started to panic not knowing what was going on and just realizing who was standing before her ready to kill her. Her eyes were wide with fear and she was trembling as she gripped the hilt of her sword. She stood from her throne and stared at him.<br/><br/>"It cannot be!" she cried out. "You're dead!" she snapped, half crying and half screaming.  The guards around her closed in on Zion as they inched forward with their blades drawn.  The soldiers themselves that remembered Zion were trembling in their boots and the others were in sheer terror of the stories they heard about the man over the years.<br/><br/>Maddox whispered in Mirielle's ear,<i>Do not fret my love. That veil will hold so long as I have Azurine <br/>
-------------------------------------------------------------------</i><br/>Exion was over halfway to the castle when he felt the jolt of darkness Zion used to defeat the twin demons. He growled and shook it off as he continued to ride as quickly as his steed could carry him with his men in tow. He could see the smoke in the distance and knew the war had begun. He was certain he was too late for the first and even the second wave. He grew concerned for his daughter and prayed to his lover.<br/><br/><i>Keep her safe until I get there...please </i>he said as he closed his eyes for but a moment, sending his message into the Aether.