Qariinn, leader of the Unbounds and all-powerful djinn of the ley spread his arms wide in welcome.

"And so, brothers and sisters, we must remain united! For it is only together that we shall take back what is rightfully ours and cleanse the portals of these human defilers! The reclamation is nigh, and none shall stand in our path!" 

Cheers echoed around the room as Qariinn threw his hands to the ceiling. 

"And now, my kin, let us feast!"

With the attention of his audience diverted to their food, the djinn descended from the newly raised pedestal in a flurry of multicoloured robes. He passed a quick blessing to a dryad Mythic waiting at the bottom, waiting until she'd skipped off before he nodded at Allegra across the room. She caught his signal and disappeared among the tables to find those he needed.

The djinn continued to the heart of their new location, another fae temple, if a little less impressive than the last. The hotspot itself equaled the power of the first, but it didn't have the same elegance. The same finesse. The carvings were heavier, the designs less thought out, but it mattered not. In the end, this temple was close enough to Leristith to use as a base, and with the forest to hide them, they would remain under the radar until Qariinn was ready.

That time was nearly here. 

Qariinn swept through the doors to the heart, relieved by the familiar sight. Even the archangel at his desk, waiting exactly where he'd been told did not spoil the view. No matter where it was, the heart never changed. The stairs, the statues, the serenity of the waterfall, bliss. In their time of need it had expanded to encapsulate their entire number, but for now, its usual size was all he required. 

"Now, Ill'iryni," said the djinn as he approached the archangel. "What progress have you made with the chaotic we captured?" 

*+*+*+*

Allegra threaded her way through the crowd, her steps quickened by her natural agility. 

I think I saw the valkyrie with the spirits before, said Niari.

Allegra changed her direction at the suggestion. Thanks. Wouldn't want to keep Qariinn waiting. 

No problem, said Niari. Let me know if you want me to pay attention up there. 

Will do. 

As much as Allegra believed the djinn when he spoke of the natural order, that this cattle treatment of Mythics was far from natural, she wasn't convinced that humans were entirely bad. Sure, some didn't deserve to be within the presence of ley, much less the ease it could grant to their everyday lives, but Allegra didn't share Qariinn's hatred. 

Maybe she'd just got lucky. Niari and she both appreciated the stars. They shared a love of horses, of the forest, points that'd helped them bond when Allegra first surfaced, thanks to Qariinn's suppressing aura. Niari had shown her how to do basic things Allegra hadn't entirely grasped, like fixing her own clothes, and it wasn't uncommon for Niari to read her a book. Allegra herself loved the stories the characters conveyed, but the letters were hard for her to read. Niari was more than happy to help. 

Still, it wasn't something Allegra planned to advertise to the rest of the Unbounds. 

 Allegra found the valkyrie sitting with the spirits as Niari had said. 

"Svala?" she asked, approaching the valkyrie from behind. 

Svala turned, the fierce expression that often left Allegra awed never changing as she regarded her. 

"Yes, Allegra?" 

"Qariinn requests your presence in the heart," said Allegra. "I think it's to do with the Reclamation and Leristith." 

"Ah, indeed." The valkyrie rose. "Thank you, centaur. You have the heart of a true maiden."

Allegra wasn't entirely sure what she'd done to deserve the compliment, but she inclined her head in thanks regardless. "Thank you, valkyrie. I'll be with you shortly, I have one other to collect."

She found Kiou in his usual spot, and grabbing him by the arm, she dragged him from his seat.

"C'mon, leatherbutt. If I have to go, so do you." 

Kiou grimaced but stood regardless. "I was hoping you wouldn't find me."

"Pick a different spot next time, genius." 

They hurried to join Svala and walked the rest of the distance together. Voices were on the other side of the door as they approached. Kiou and Allegra knew better than to knock, but Svala had no such reservations. She placed a hand upon the door and pushed it open, striding through the gap immediately. 

"Djinn!" said Svala. "What is it you wish to discuss?" 

Qariinn was at his desk on the upper level with the archangel. Both appeared to be bent over something on the desk, which Allegra sincerely hoped wasn't the kitsune's key. The djinn hadn't taken the thing off once since she'd fled--something Allegra was starting to understand the reasoning behind. If he'd been even half this creepy about Rena while she was here, Allegra didn't want to think what had happened inside the heart while they were alone. 

As she followed Svala up the stairs, Allegra was relieved to see it wasn't Rena's key--though that still hung firmly around Qariinn's neck. It appeared to be some kind of dark crystal, similar to the ones Allegra had seen come out of chaotics in the past. The archangel was bent over it, some kind of gold light encircling the crystal. 

Allegra resisted the urge to wrinkle her nose. 

She didn't like the archangel. The only person who commanded his respect was the djinn himself. That wasn't how it was supposed to be among the Unbounds. As Mythics, they were supposed to be equals. Brothers and sisters in arms under the guidance of Qariinn himself, the djinn with a remaining wish. It was a rare thing. Djinns themselves were uncommon enough, and they were prone to accidentally wasting their wishes. All it took was one 'I wish you'd shut up!' and like that, you were down another wish. 

But not Qariinn. He considered each word carefully, each action and each sentence precisely as he meant it, which was why it bothered Allegra to see his obsession with Rena's key. When it came to that, his precision vanished in favour of a fevered excitement. 

"Djinn!" called Svala again, this time from the edge of the table. "What is it you wish to discuss?"

Qariinn looked up and smiled. His hand went immediately to Rena's key. 

"Ah, Svala! Allegra, Kiou, please, gather." After they'd done so, he swept a hand over the table. "Tell me what you see."

"A chaotic core?" guessed Kiou, folding his arms. 

"Indeed!" said Qariinn. "Now, what's interesting about it?"

Kiou examined the crystal, a slight frown on his face. 

Niari spoke up. Don't they usually come with the Mythic's key? 

"No key," said Allegra, realising she was right. "A dead chaotic is supposed to leave behind its core of corrupted ley and its key."

"Exactly," said Qariinn. "So my problem is now the location of this key. If the chaotic itself didn't have it, it means someone else does, and it means that someone else knew our previous location. That there is another player in this game that we are unaware of. I do not wish for the Reclamation to pass by because we were careless."

"Why did you require our presence?" asked Svala. 

"Tell me," said Qariinn. "Does a valkyrie's protection extend to the subject of chaotics?" 

"It does not," said Svala. "The chaotics have passed beyond the threshhold that we control. They are neither dead nor alive. They exist without honour. They do not heed our call, and they may slip past our protections in battle."

"That's what I was afraid of." Qariinn tapped his finger on the chaotic's core. "I fear the Order may be mounting a defense. We will need a way of dealing with this, and as such, I have brought you into the heart, Kiou. As our captain, what would you suggest?" 

Kiou's tail swished behind him, scales slithering across the marble in a way that scraped at Allegra's nerves. 

"I'd need time to consider it," said Kiou. "But off the top of my head, I would suggest a team of beast or land Mythics to deal with them. They're less reliant on ley and should be less susceptible to a chaotic's attacks than, say, a fae or an energy Mythic."

Qariinn nodded. "I concur. I would ask that you put together such a team, preferably with yourself at its head. As a dragon, they shouldn't pose much of a problem."

Kiou blinked. "Then who's going to lead the main force?"

"I am," said the archangel. Allegra's eyes went wide. How could Qariinn--"The fae shall be inspired by my presence. With a valkyrie by my side, the humans shall know the wrath of the fae!" 

"Save it for Leristith," said Qariinn. He looked to Kiou. "I understand your confusion, but you must trust my judgement. I have no one else I trust to head this team. It will be too small for joint leadership, and so, the burden falls to you."

Kiou managed a stiff nod. "As you wish, Qariinn."

Allegra bit her tongue. She knew she wouldn't be the only one unhappy with the news that the archangel would be their leader. Everyone had known the djinn himself wouldn't head it--he had another mission--but still, the archangel? 

They continued to discuss the remainder of the plan, updates and progresses on abilities of various key Mythics such as Svala herself. The valkyrie's role was vital. She was their shield, their protection. Without her, the fight would not go on. When she was ready, they would strike, and she was a fast learner. Powerful. Her ley streamlined her for battle, and it showed. 

Their new temple location was perfect. Hidden by trees, closer to Leristith than the other had been. The Order wouldn't get warning before the Unbounds were on their doorstep to reclaim the heart portal. The sacred portal, the one that connected to all others and the land that surrounded it. 

They didn't know if their plan would work, but they didn't have a choice. With its lesser counterparts withering and closing, turning dark, the Unbounds didn't have long to save it. If it didn't work, Allegra supposed Qariinn's back up plan was to use his final wish. She understood his reluctance to give it away, but when it came to the portals, Allegra doubted he would let them slip away. 

"What of the guardians?" asked Kiou. "The gargoyles and gryphons will come alive if they feel the portal is threatened."

"Threatened is the key word," said the archangel, condescending as usual. "I have been to the heart portal myself several times and never have they awoken. I believe that they will sense our pure intentions and remain stone, if they do not join our side and strike out against the Order." 

"The problem with that theory is that the Order can go near the heart portal without problem," said Allegra, matching his tone. "Or do you consider their intentions equal to your own?" 

The archangel's brows drew together. "Centaur, I suggest--"

"Ill'iryni, Allegra has a valid point," said Qariinn. His fingers pulled at the chain of his key. "We can't assume such things. We'll need a team to handle them, just in case they get in the way."

Niari questioned the thing Allegra was ignoring. Does he think himself above the guardians? 

Don't speak on matters you don't understand, Niari. 

But--

Silence. 

They discussed the heartland next. The ancient forest that surrounded the portal ringed by city that even the strongest Mythics had been known to enter and never return. The heartland's borders had been discovered when, before they'd bonded with Mythics, humans had made it their duty to fell as many trees as possible to make space for their animals and houses. 

When they'd reached the heartland, the trees had fought back. No axes could fell them. The ley healed them long before the damage could register. The ley itself came to the defense. And as such, the city of Lerisith had build around it. It was believed to be home to more than one feral Mythic, drawn by the sheer concentration of ley, though no one was brave enough to venture in for evidence. 

"I do believe that's everything for now," said Qariinn after a long twenty minutes. 

"Not quite," said the archangel. "We are yet to discuss what will happen if you fail your duty."

The djinn gave him a look. "I will not fail, archangel."

"Pardon the observation, but your mind has been wandering," said the archangel. "I merely wish to secure our victory and ensure any... loose ends are cut."

Qariinn barely flinched. "Please, speak your intentions clearly, archangel. We are equals here." 

The archangel didn't waste any more words. "The kitsune whose key you carry, what of her? If she does not return for her key, will this distract you from your cause?"

"If she doesn't return, she'll turn feral," said Kiou quietly. "Even if she is in Leristith, the Order will deal with her. If not, she won't be our problem." 

Allegra could see from Kiou's face that it was as hard for him to hear as it was for her. The djinn's orders to get close to her would have overridden any dislike, but there hadn't been any. They'd both genuinely liked her, and seeing her key hanging around Qariinn's neck was... strange. 

"I would still like to have a plan," said the archangel. He gave them a thin lipped smile. "For worst case scenarios, of course. My faith in the djinn is complete."

Qariinn's hand rubbed the gold detailing of Rena's key, something Allegra had seen him doing more than once over the last few days. Touching another Mythic's key was taboo. Stealing it was on a human level. 

"I have a plan," said Qariinn, his eyes glinting with something Allegra didn't recognise. "I always have a plan." 

*+*+*+*

A/N - Yay, update! Please vote/comment if you enjoyed it ^_^ Any theories on what's going to happen? 

I updated the not-legit chapters with an Athira/Shift character interview. If you've read Indigo, check it out! =>