�������� �� The howling turbulence and violent tremor of the Elements at war with each other shook Quickning Beach. A gale of fire churned within the whirlwind of a sand storm while sheets of razor sharp sleet cut through the air and stabbed furrows into the trembling ground. The deafening roar and arcs of terrible light from the colliding force of the Elements vying for supremacy enveloped the beach. The Quickning home shuddered on its foundations but stood resolutely on the edge of the squall. Deep violet clouds roiled above, while below, in the eye of the elemental hurricane, two Leyazik warrior magi, faced off, their Bane-blades crossed.
��� ��� While the dark cloudy surface of one blade crackled with red and green energy, its twin shimmered and hissed with blue and gold auras. Their crossing against one another was the source of the raging Elements outside the circle of relative calm. And the cause of their crossing, was below them on the sand. Khyaris lay curled in a heap, having been knocked unconscious when the Bane-blades clashed over her.
��� ��� ''Let the Mongrel die.. she failed to bring us what we wanted. There is no longer any use for this filth,'' seethed the dark elf who had previously taken the illusion Warrior's form as a 'mask'.
��� ��� ''You are far to hasty in wanting to eliminate her. You know well she still has her uses. The Synod have ordered it. If she cannot bring us the Quickning, they will determine her fate. Not you; not I,'' said the other calmly as he wielded the blue and golden blade that kept the other from striking her. He flicked his blade causing the other to swerve aside of its mark. ''Now pick her up. If we can't present the Synod with the Quicknings we will hand over this one at least. Move quickly now. One with power approaches from the Shadows.''
��� ��� As soon as the blades slid apart the Fury of Elements began to die around them. The Leyazik who's face was damaged and distorted by the gout of acid that Ivory had sprayed on it, snarled angrily. He roughly grabbed Khyaris' limp body from the sand with a scowl at the other dark elf. They both then faded from the beach leaving in their wake the swiftly ebbing chaos of a storm.
��� ��� A thickening of darkness coalesced at the point where Khyaris had fallen. Stygian came to be and looked around. His red eyes scanned the area about and he registered the traces of power and energy that still permeated the thick layered air. He saw the only thing that moved was Ivory as she slowly began to stir from her unconsciousness.

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''...Or Live on Your Knees'' Copyright � 1999 Angelina Greenwood