"Wonderful question child, most of our scholars agree that it is likely a soul, or some kind of deep emotion controlled inner 'heart'. For example, my flames are blue because of my life's path, while my father's burn a bright golden color. But we had similar thoughts to you when we first met the like of the vampires. You could say it scared some of us." He tried to keep his calm as he realized he was explaining a brutal and bloody war to children on the side he'd directly opposed. "But magic, as ever present as it is in our realm, is hard to study without, oh, how to put this, spilling a couple glasses of milk. And humans are very fond of their milk." Now he was casually trying to explain the moral implications of human experimentation. His thoughts turned from war and moralities, to the quiet one beside him.<br/><br/>"However, those like Caldwyn, even to such an experienced mage such as myself, are unheard of in my realm." His gaze turned from the children to the old being standing there. "In fact, when I came as your queen's guest, Caldwyn had caught my attention more so than your flat buildings and bizarre creatures. It's why I came here today actually, I had intended on being a student along all of you, not a teacher talking with Caldwyn himself. You see, humans can't use all four elements, and it's difficult learning even two, something I see some of you already excel at. So all four, your teacher is surely a wonder to a human such as I."<br/><br/>A genuine and curious smile spread deep over his lips as he spoke, "Your queen has actually given me the pleasure of exploring some of the beauties of your realm, like an ancient tower, and a legendary creature. Such a courteous one your queen is." Although he tried not to get ahead of himself, he knew if he didn't stop soon, he'd be just as giddy as the youngest child here, thinking back to the tower, and the dragon's remains. Then, much to his dismay, the night before in the bathtub. Controlling the burning sensation he felt rise into his cheeks, he was happy to step back and resume letting Caldywn teach.<br/><br/>****<br/><br/>The grip of the portal embraced Sybil in a way that wasn't remotely pleasant. As she could feel herself being pulled through the planes to the realm of the leeches, she tried to remain steady. Without a heir to protect, Sybil and the group she'd grown rather fond of lost purpose. His Majesty, King Keagan had forbid them from mentioning the deal, one that was made behind doors, without the consent of his closest friends. Ruger had been pissed, and when he wasn't ferociously training out of boredom or anger, he was trying to beat his record of how fast he could pass out from drinking. Arias took military leave after the news and went back to his parent's farm out in the country side, and she hadn't heard anything about Triste, let alone find her. They'd hardly handled to news well, but she wasn't going to let those blood sucking demons think they won. Ruger and her were doing a run, and somehow he had gotten a hold of the information surrounding the portal, it's whereabouts and guards. They talked about it casually, and she didn't want to arise any suspicions, but she knew what she had to do. Despite being prince-less now, the title of Prince's Highest Guard still was a title worth every letter engraved in gold and in no time she had what she needed.<br/><br/>It'd been easy enough to find the portal once night came, but camping it out took a little longer than she thought. She hoped the letter she'd written to Ruger and Arias didn't give away much, but let them know she wasn't abandoning them, not in the slightest. She had almost started to doze off before she realized that dawn was apparently a shift change, and saw her opportunity. Her lithe and petite frame effortlessly slid across the earth as she crept closer to the portal. She could see the prints of Prince Cyne's boots, recognizing the insignia of his tailor out of the dozens of foot prints. The hardest part as pushing herself through the awkward magic veil as it seemed to pull her in. All her training however, and her knowledge of everything and anything leech couldn't prepare her for what awaited her on the other side.<br/><br/>The air here felt... Empty. The magic was void here, it didn't saturate the air and it almost felt like she'd walked into a rather nasty room. The very air felt abrasive as she inhaled deeply, trying to make sure there wasn't anything around the other end of the portal. Before she could take in anything else, she barely made out the form of one of the leeches standing in front of the portal. It seemed ready for war, well, equipped for it. She had the advantage though, and in a flash, she whipped her hand to her waist and outward, a deep crimson fire springing from her fingertips and plunging deep through the braided metal cord. Flame tipped, the whip speared through the leech. Gripping the flame doused whip, she ripped it back, making a rather large gash where there was just armor. Before it could realize what was going on, the beast looked down at the scorched hole through it's armor. The next blow to the neck a fatal one for the beast as her second whip wrapped firmly, sheering effortlessly through the thin metal and flesh. Dragging the body into a nearby bush, she finally looked around, noticing the dead earth held almost no fauna or flora. However, almost like a shimmer of heat, she could just barely make out a flat steppe unlike the rest of the realm. And luckily, or unluckily, that same insignia of Prince Cyne's boot was here, pointed straight at the distant object.