When Meenu woke up the next morning, she felt the familiar warmth against her skin, knowing that Lumyryn had finally come to answer her questions.

I apologize for the delay, Lumyryn said. I had to check on Ameryna.

"Ameryna?" Meenu asked as she sat up.

Now that you understand the past, let me explain the current situation to you, he said. I need your complete attention, Meenu.

Meenu nodded. "Got it," she said. "I'm listening."

Lumyryn smiled warmly. You know well that after the Lumynos and the Raffyrians split, they lived separately for hundreds of years... however, at some point, their hearts began to grow tainted and many of the Lumynos lost track of what was taught to them by us. It was after this that the Lumynos banded together and invaded Raffyre.

Meenu nodded. Seliaryn had explained this part to her... the part where the Lumynos came to Raffyre and took over and ruled as cruel kings.

They became the Kings of Raffyre and by doing so, they were able to gain possession of this ring again... a ring that they believed was rightfully theirs. This ring was returned to our home and handed to the protectors of the our people... my descendants, Lumyryn said, and the Lumynos in Raffyre ruled cruelly until Avaryn's father took the throne and changed that. He was the first good hearted Lumynos King.

"Yes... I remember this."

Good, Lumyryn continued. However, at this time, Kiaryna had married into my family, my descendants. No one knew at the time that she was not to be trusted, however, very soon after having children with the Protector of the Clan at the time, she murdered him. She murdered him and took possession of the title.

Meenu's mouth opened in shock. She had thought that was just a rumor.

She was not pleased with they way things were changing. She believes that it is the duty of the Lumynos to keep the humans in place... to be superior to them. Thus, she gained access to this ring and I knew she was going to try and use it. Thus, with Ameryna's help, we held her back.

"How?"

This ring can only be used by one person at a time. When Ameryna was a child, I made her claim the ring before her mother could. I communicated with her they way I am communicating with you now. She has played a big role in keeping all of your people safe because the only way her mother could gain access to this ring after Ameryna had claimed it would be if Ameryna gave it to her, or if Ameryna died.

"I see," Meenu nodded. "And now she gave it to me."

Exactly.

"But why me?" She wondered what role she had to play in this.

He smiled. Physical strength is relatively easy to develop. If someone is dedicated, than gaining strength is simple... look at you, you are an excellent example of this. You had surpassed the expectations of your friends and family a hundred fold in terms of becoming stronger.

Meenu smiled too, feeling proud.

Spirit, however, is a different story. An individual's spirit is created, molded, shaped and maintained from the day they are born. Often, however, every time a part of their personality is created, changing it becomes difficult. It hardens in its form and usually, only an extremely strong push is what it takes to change it.

Surprisingly, Meenu was not too shocked by his words. What he was saying made sense.

You are quite the lucky girl. You grew up with a loving family who protected you and treasured you and it is all of this that helped to create a spirit in you that is solid from the inside. The damage that had been done from the outside by those people who did not care for you and the people who tried to hurt you could not damage your spirit enough to reach the strong core.

That was true... her family was always very loving and Meenu did always think that without them, she would not be where she is now.

However, that is not the only reason why you are spiritually strong. He continued, what makes you spiritually strong is the fact that despite all the damage that had been done to your spirit... your heart... you have chosen not to keep those wounds open and look at the world spitefully. You work on yourself. You fix yourself. You repair the damage and move on. And all of this has made you look at the world differently.

"You think so?" Meenu asked. She felt honored by the fact that such a famous, noble man was complimenting her.

He nodded. This idea of evil is ridiculous. The Lumynos spirit was never evil. It was a concept created by fearful enemies and that same concept was accepted by my people. And as soon as a Lumynos man or woman accepts their spirit as evil, they are immediately hindering themselves from growing spiritually. My people are not inherently evil. Society told them that they were... and they eventually believed it.

Meenu knew where he was going with this now as she began to remember her conversation with Avaryn about his evil.

Even the greatest of Lumynos that currently live suffer from this, he said. You, however... you began to question it before many of your Lumynos friends did. Which is why I came to you.

"I knew it didn't make sense."

Which is exactly why I came to you, he smiled warmly. From the moment I knew of Kiaryna's plans, I had to find someone strong enough to challenge her and return my people to the way they are meant to be. A lot of people have been considered by me... but all of them except for one have been taken off the list. Kyryn had been the first on my list... he was good hearted and changed the clan for the better. And at the time, even Roviaryn was a candidate. Though Roviaryn was harsh and cold... he was true in strength. He was unbelievably in sync with his spirit. Since the people of my era, I have seen none who had mastered their spirit as much as he had. However, Roviaryn's heart grew tainted and then he killed Kyryn too. Lumyryn sighed. I even considered Vilaryn... the man you know as Master Red.

Meenu nodded. Master Red seemed like an excellent choice. He was very strong, both physically and mentally.

I saw his displeasure with his mother and thought he understood what needed to be done, Lumyryn continued. Unfortunately, he too was lacking the spiritual strength necessary to defeat his mother and take back the Lumynos clan.

"But..." Meenu started. "Why? Master Red is so strong!"

I was able to see his weakness after he suffered a tragic loss. He ran away and created the group with good intentions... however his intentions were fueled by both anger and hatred for his mother, Lumyryn explained. Adding great power to both of those emotions is treacherous.

Though Meenu did not know what he meant by Master Red's "tragic loss," she tried to think deeply of what Lumyryn was saying. She wondered if she had ever noticed this anger and hatred that Master Red felt.

And after some deep thought, she realized she hadn't. Though Master Red was frightening... he was very good at hiding his emotions. "What about Seliaryn or Avaryn?" Meenu asked. "You must have considered them, then. They are both remarkably powerful."

I did, Lumyryn said. Both of them. Avaryn was my first choice. He was strong, truthful and good at heart. He learned everything he knew from his father... a good man as I said before. Even the night he took part in the executions of his enemies did not make my decision falter. However... the decision he made to part with his evil was what forced me to deem him unworthy.

Meenu knew he was going to say something like that. If he didn't pick Master Red then she wasn't surprised that he wouldn't pick Avaryn. And all she could think of was that Lumyaryn sure was picky. "So the last sensible option would be Seliaryn," Meenu said. But judging by the pattern Lumyryn was going by... Seliaryn was probably out of the picture too after his breakdown.

He was indeed the last sensible option. He was noble, true, strong and wanted the best for the people he cared about. However–

"However, after the situation with his father and the fact that he ran away, he was taken off your checklist."

Lumyryn chuckled. You are getting the point.

Meenu smiled, but was confused now. "Then who else is there?" Meenu couldn't think of any other famous Lumynos people... but then again, maybe it was someone she didn't know.

But then she thought back to their entire conversation and started to realize something.

"Wait... so..."

After taking Seliaryn off the list, I realized that maybe I was looking at this all wrong.

Meenu's eyes widened.

Lumyrn reached out and touched her shoulder. I have chosen you, Meenu Kyrus.

Her eyes narrowed.

You have proved time and time again to be stronger than all of my choices... maybe not physically, but in many other ways.

"You want me to take on Kiaryna? There's no way!"

That is not the only thing I need you to do, Meenu. And I am not asking you to take her on. At least, not on your own.

"Then what?"

Before all of that, I need you to help sort things out for me here. In order to defeat Kiaryna and stop her plans, there is a lot that must be done. Broken ties must be repaired and the other important players in this need to be helped to rediscover themselves... and Meenu, I think you are the best choice to help me do this.

Meenu waited, wondering what he meant.

You'll have a lot to do... and if you are willing to help me then we can get started immediately. Will you help me, Meenu?

Meenu hesitated. She wanted to. She wanted to help him very badly, though she had a little bit of nervousness filling her mind. Could she really do this? Was Lumyryn right to put his faith in her?

But then she took a deep breath. Lumyryn was a legend. He was known for his wisdom and knowledge and kindness and honor. If he had faith in her than she had to trust herself.

She nodded. "I'll help you."

Lumyryn smiled, looking absolutely pleased. Excellent. He said. Then let us get started... thankfully, the first thing I need you to do is something you've already started.

Meenu raised her eyebrows in confusion.

Find Seliaryn. Help him reconcile with Avaryn. The cooperation between the two of them is essential for our victory, he said. If they do not make amends, our clan is doomed.