Addy having left on her own accord without a word, allowed John an opportunity to enter First. She seemed off and walking a little awkward but it wasn't for him to interfere. He was just glad she was increasing her distance away from him.

It was finally time to take the last gate which would take them to the Avalon.

With Niera and Aura at his sides and the Icarus avatar on his shoulder, John raised an arcane shield that encompassed the ship.

This was the task that signalled the time to leave, Icarus creeping forward into the cloud in anticipation of what laid beyond.

Niera since now having a stronger body due to leafy, no longer required the assistance of the leaf John gave her to breathe but still kept it. Aura as well was fine, she was growing fast these days and as one of the skytigers traits was tolerance to changes in air pressure, it was tolerable.

Aura, though growing, wasn't much bigger then when John first met her. Most of her growth was on the magical side so there wasn't a reason for her size to increase.

The winds howled, as always it was hard getting used to that noise.

It didn't last long and what met their eyes upon exiting was a ship at least the size of a large Earth mountain.

Niera's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when she realized she wasn't staring at the side of a mountain but a section of a ship.

Yes, the Avalon had parked relatively close to the gate's exit, making it impossible to see it in its entirety from their position.

Though it wasn't a time to get a good look at the ship as flying manta ray mounts and their riders approached, one dismounting onto their deck.

"Identify yourself and state your business with the Avalon."

He was human, a brown haired male with hazel eyes with the average physical features matching someone from Germany.

"I request that the information asked be unattained and permission to access a personal dark port." John replied, already having prepared his words.

"Understood, you are aware of the circumstances and costs associated with what you're asking?"

John took out a ball of gold the size of his fist, "I believe this shall be sufficient?"

"That it is, please proceed slowly, we will guide you into your port." And with his words he turned around to return to his mount.

"Understood, thanks for working hard as usual." John said to his back as he moved away.

The rider just waved him off as he left to rejoin the others and form a flying formation.

Soon there were 14 riders in a crystal-like formation around Icarus, 4 above, 2 on either side and one for front and back with a 15th out ahead of them all to lead the way.

Icarus moved with them slowly, giving Niera and John ample time to enjoy what they could see of the ship.

What they could see of the ship was a wall. It had a dark grey metallic lustre to it and covered in a plain fashion most of what they could see. Besides that there were a number of overhangs, some supporting armaments, others just being longer with the occasional mount rider and small craft exiting. Some were just there with no determinable purpose.

That's all they saw as for an hour they travelled to their intended location while looking at nothing else. The only semi-exciting thing that happened was a black ship similar in size to Icarus pulling into a hanger beside him.

It was an odd ship. There was no visible deck on it with its form coming off as the cross between a beetle and a scorpion.

The ship had two horizontal claw-like apparatuses at its front while a third claw extended from its back in a forward curve. It was likely more complicated than that but by design, its black colour and shape made taking a closer look from afar impossible. Light simply did not reflect off its surface. One couldn't even see an engine trail at its back; it was just a rounded bump.

John didn't know who captained that ship but he or she was definitely a figure in power. The Avalon didn't typically build stealth attributed ships and if they did, it would cost the same as a medium sized kingdom... There was also the possibility that the Avalon didn't build it which would imply many things.

Either way, what John could take from this was that a very expensive ship and someone with the funds to afford it was in the hanger next to him.

Icarus pulled into her directed place that was overtop a large magic array of the gravity array. Once activated, Icarus would be kept in place by it while magic driven devices targeted her with active shields and weapons. It was to keep the unknown guests behaving.

They usually did when knowing that their ship, which amounted to an enormous worth, could be destroyed at a moment’s notice without the slightest chance of retaliating in the process.

As Icarus came to a stop, John soaked a fine piece of meat with a white odourless liquid and gave it to Aura.

Chomp chomp choooooomp chhhoooo.... Aura passed out.

John looking to Niera who was a bit concerned, "it is a hibernation potion, she'll been fine after an antidote but for now she'll be sleeping like a log for a long while. Her metabolism and bodily functions will make it like 30 days pass as one for her so don't worry. She'll be fine and it is much preferable to the possibility of her getting startled and causing trouble. If that happened, they might start firing on Icarus.

Icarus, watch over Aura please."

"Yes John, be safe."

"In this place? I'll try." John was half serious when he said that. The Avalon was plenty dangerous if, even by accident, got on her bad side.

"I’ll trust your words then and follow your lead John."

"Hmm, that's fine but, this is the Avalon. You should really consider your options in approaching the elder red dragon."

"I will, it's just I don't know anything about this place, about humans."

"Well, the guild hall will be a good start. There are allot that use it for gatherings and practically all news and notifications go through it. I'll take you there since I'm going anyways but let me take care of something here first."

John waved over a hostess. There was one in his hanger as part of a service for individuals paying top dollar for services. It never hurt to put on the charm for a few more coins when you knew the customer had lots of them.

The hostess was in a scarlet back revealing red dress and black heels while being adorned in various gems. It was a very classy and professional look meant for red carpet ceremonies. She wasn't bad looking either but when compared to Niera, she just didn't measure up.

"Yes esteemed guest, may I be of assistance?"

John pulled out a small roll of paper the size of a pen.

"This needs to get to captain Rak. He is going to want to read its contents as soon as possible."

"Certainly, it will be delivered promptly. Would it be accompanied with words as well?"

"Tell him to get off the chair and read it now, that it's important."

"Ah? Would you have me using those exact words or may I be so bold to say that I might deliver their intent."

"No, as is. He seriously won't get off his chair and I need him to read this."

"I hear and obey. Would there be anything else?"

"No, this is plenty. I will be back later to deal with the contents of my ship."

"Understood. I will be off then to deliver this message. Another will be arriving shortly to take my place here. Should you require any services, she will be more than willing to assist. Really, anything at all."

At those last words John felt a shiver down his spine while Niera got annoyed and defensive for reasons she didn't understand. Though with this, their business in the hanger was concluded and John began the long journey to the branch of the guild hall that was on the Avalon.

Finding themselves at his rear was a young girl escorted by a man and 2 women to her rear and sides respectively. The girl was mostly covered by a black scaled outfit totally inappropriate for her age. It was similar to Niera's but did not have a core anchored at its centre and ran up over her neck, stopping when it covered her nose.

Most peculiarly was the red rings around the irises and the lock of pink hair that drifted in front of her face, separated from her long chocolate brown hair that was back in a pony tail.

The other 3 had different armour, theirs being somewhat more traditional in terms of how armour was made.

They were made of leather and standardized, the man and woman wearing the same, just in different sizes. Forearms, wrists, chest, back, the sides of the stomach, shins, thighs, and feet were what was protected were connected with black cloth. Then aside from the armour, each had a sword at their back, a belt and a number of small throwing weapons socketed straight into the leather.

John didn't like the idea that such a group was behind them but even then still snuck a few glances at the bizarre group.

Unfortunately it did not go unnoticed.

"Advert your eyes peon!" One of the woman declared.

"Huh?" John was taken by surprise, his brain stalling from her suddenly hostile attitude.

Then the woman approached, sword drawn.

"You have sullied my lady with your eyes. Pay for it with your life!"

But before she got close it was Niera that acted, performing a vertical split that had her foot connecting with this woman's jaw.

*boom*

The woman was tossed in the air and slammed unconscious into the corridor's wall.

John raised an eyebrow, not for the scene that transpired but because of how quickly and decisively Niera had acted.

The second woman was about to follow the first but was then held by her neck by the little girl which turned into a throw that sent her back. The throw was even stronger then Niera's kick, sending her now unconscious body a long ways down the corridor.

The little girl turned to the man behind her, who was twitching and waiting to make his move. She just stared at him, his face of defiance watching her and then accepting her wishes that were against his own.

"As you wish."

The man grabbed the unconscious woman lying indecently against the wall and headed back the way they came, without the little girl.

The little girl turned to John.

"Sorry. Minions. Stupid."

John looked to Niera.

"Niera, you alright?"

"Hmm? Yes, I am fine."

Niera and John returned their attention to the little girl as John spoke.

"Well no one on our side was hurt but I'd advise against actions like these or you're going to attract something big and gnarly."

Just as he said that, the three escorts that had been leaving were seen again. This time they were coming back fast and in the air, not of their own accord.

From where they were coming a deep and loud voice emerged. "Who are you calling big and gnarly?"

There was a flash of blue light just as the 3 individuals sailed by John. It was too fast to react to but at the same time John could feel the floor shake and scream.

As he turned around there was a huge man barely fitting his large frame into the corridor. He was in process of bending back the metal on the floor he had just punched through.

"See if I just bend it back like this, it's like I've done nothing wrong."

One of the splinters he was bending snapped, having gone through too much abuse.

"...Almost nothing. Haa... Why is everything I punch so weak."

No one spoke and just starred.

"Well no matter, I'll just get some workers to replace the floor and put earplugs in when they complain about it. Problem solved."

Still no one spoke.

"So what do we have here? John, I know you, don't know who's with you and a little girl with strange followers."

"Captain Rak, it's been awhile." John finally spoke.

"That it has. Come to sell the Icarus? I'll gladly take her off your hands. She would make a fine addition to the fleet. I hope you've been treating her well."

Captain Rak changed his focus to the little girl, "and you little missy. What the hell do you think you're starting on my ship?"

The girl went to move just before Rak turned blue and appeared behind her.

"Oh ho, that's some observation skill you have there to be observing teleport but your movement is pretty awkward when getting out of the way. Haha, keep at it missy and you'll be strong one day. But as for causing trouble... Don't let it happen on my ship."

Captain Rak's last words were deadly serious and they should always be taken to be so. He was an entity bound to the fate of the ship and capable of displaying enormous power generated directly from the ship's core. To face him on the Avalon was likely to be a death sentence for anyone, including John.

The captain soon after lost interest in what was happening at his arrival.

"John, was what you reported accurately?"

"It is, you can be assured that the mana source did not originate from the elves."

"Good, elves don't make good punching bags so I'd rather ignore them."

John sighed inwardly... This captain's attitude towards everything was too weird. He was like a dog, super attentive until a squirrel ran by... Then all hell broke loose as he went to chase it. Tossing around a few bodies and making a hole in the floor was extremely moderated for him.

That mana signature probably got him excited but as it wasn't the elves, there wasn't any reason to engage in conflict. And even he wasn't stupid enough to go chasing a third party in the middle of the nations without his own research and preparations.

He was on the side of humans after all and the Avalon leaving would make a huge hole in the defences.

Furthermore John had mentioned just how strong it was.

In the event the Avalon faced it directly, the dark treant could engage by launching itself at the ship. John hadn't seen its full size and that it was at its core, a plant, meant it had the means to latch onto the Avalon.

A large hostile forest growing on the ship would never be expelled before it did irreparable damage to the ship.

Though it should be noted that John didn't say anything about the seed he carried. In his notice to Rak were just the descriptions of the dark treant and its course. That information he kept to himself.

"Alright, looks like everything is fine now. John, come see me about Icarus if you ever change your mind. Missy... You've been warned."

Captain Rak disappeared in a flash of blue light.

John sighed in relief. Like a hurricane he had come and gone.

Why couldn't he just stay away... Things got destroyed when he was around. Though while his presence was unwanted, it couldn't be denied.

"Hey, you alright?"

John looked to the girl thinking her mind would be in turmoil from an encounter such as this.

"En."

The girl began walking past them but as she did John put an arm on her shoulder.

She was shaking like a massage chair and at his touch fell to her knees.

Damn that Rak, this was overboard. John should have noticed when he left; leaving only a hole on the wall was beneath him. This was an intimidation spell.

John, not liking Rak's methods got to work. To make a little girl feel like this... What the hell!

"Niera, watch over us for a bit. I need to purge something Rak put on her."

"Yes, leave it to me."

Niera didn't question John and did as she was asked.

John them sat cross legged behind the girl and pulled her onto his lap. Leaning back, he put his hands on his knees or make something of a support. While she was on him like this, her body weight leaned against his chest and was prevented from swaying side to side.

She was still shivering.

John spoke,"let the first flame be reborn from my essence, arcane fire."

A low flame began spreading across his body and partially lapping against the girl's. By touch, it was almost at the temperature of the surrounding air and not hot like fire at all.

Arcane flame was one of John's mental purge skills. As it was really only meant for himself, someone had to make a large amount of contact with him for the effect to transfer though, it was considerably weaker when he did it for others.

John found what he was looking for as he felt his flames weakening in a certain area. It was a curse mark, a very powerful means of inducing magical effects on a living being. Similar in theory to the one Niera once had to connect her with the elven princess, this one was self contain. This mark didn't send a sense of awareness to another; it sent a sense of panic to the afflicted.

John dealt with it the same as he did Niera, pushing her forward and placing his hand at the middle of her back for which it was located.

John attacked the seal's foundation, knocking down a part of the seal. Unlike Niera's however, this one was put in place by Rak, meaning it was much sturdier. To John's advantage though, it was much simpler. A few strong strikes to the foundation and the seal began revealing its weak points.

Like a strange puzzle, John sent his flames into the seal through the breaches and soon reached its nexus. What would of been a maze dissipated from the flames and disappeared.

The girl panting heavily looked up at John and said two words, "thanks. William."