The arena, Where festivals and bouts occur

[Paul Grimm]

Paul looked at Ash seriously for a moment, then started to walk. He was walking in something of a circle, bringing his hand up to his chin as he thought. He wasn't coming up with an excuse or anything....more organizing his thoughts. Anyone who knew Paul would recognize this; he did this when he was thinking.

"There is no single reason I am here to be honest with you. Why I'm doing that I don't know." he said, adding the last part with a bit of sarcasm but still walking.
"Through my own life, all I've done is quest for power. The power to overcome this enemy or that enemy. An older me would have given that reason as his one and only one, the main reason he did anything. However, through several events, I realize how idiotic it is to do that." he said, but this was more monolouging to himself.

"The reasons I'm here include power; with a fledgling country under my care, if I don't have that, then it will fall. To many things will fall if I do. However, the paramount reason I am here is one thing: understanding." he said, stopping at that. He had made a semi cirlce around Ash, who had turned to follow him this whole time.

"For no reason other than who I ran into all those years ago, I've been pulled into a war that I have no knowledge of, no idea of the sides, no idea of the odds, and no clue what it is being fought for in reality. I've been given the power that I might fight for something, but not the reasons behind why I should be fighting. So the answer to your question is that: I fight and am here for understanding. I know not what the sides of this war that I've been drafted into are after, and until I do, I will fight on. At that time, I will make my decision whether or not I will continue to fight. I will make it when that time, and no one else." he concluded, now standing still but not completely relaxed.

[AshAvalon]

Ash was silent. Was he...touched?

"You are like me more then I ever thought. I have been searching for those same answers for years now. I have been blessed with ultimate power and now, a form of immortailty. Men dream of these things, but they never bring happiness. I remember seeing you years ago. You were so noble and idealisitic when you were younger. You had this desire to do the right thing. I can see why Fiana wanted you to replace me. I have become powerful, too powerful. All I'm good for now is fighting. I have lost my very humanity and my people. If I would have had to witness the eradication of the amazons, fairys and harpies, I don't think I could take it anymore. "Are you responsible for the missing amazons? Where are they now? Are they okay?" asked Paul sternly. "Luckily, yes they are. They were attacked by a terrorist attack I believe to have been launched by your "friend" Atrentis. They should have been dead to thier very souls, but Fiana spared us and the world of that tragedy and reversing thier deaths with permission from Fate." At that moment, yet another harpie flew down carrying a few small cages. Unlike most harpies, this one had her wings on her back and not as part of her arms. She put the cages down, lifted down her mask and kissed Ash on his cheek. Paul noticed that her mouth area was heavily scarred. Paul also noted that there were metabats in the cages. The harpie noticed Paul and quickly pulled up her mask again. "Please don't mind Luna. She was once again the victim of cruel acts by poachers. When I saved her, she was about to be forced to swallow hot oil. She wants me to let her keep the scars so she can remember her hate and pain. "You want to come with me to Eden Paul? Perhaps I can shed some enlightment on you as well as let you say hi to old friends?"

[Paul Grimm]

Paul listened to Ash's comments, slightly intrigued by the ideals that were forming them. However, power was still something he was after, just not his primary motivation. The comment that he was more like Ash than Ash could have ever imagined caught him off guard slightly as well, but he didn't show it. The propsoal of going to this place where the Amazon's were, this place called Eden, was another thing to think about.

"Eden huh? Tell me, what exactly is that place?" he asked. It wasn't a hard question, or shouldn't have been.

[AshAvalon]

"Eden is a small section of the Fairy's Grave underneath our feet. It is a peaceful environment which has bountiful clean water and endless food. In addition, time stops in that area, so in effect, one could therotically gain immortaility as long as they live in Eden or at least don't stay long from it. It works out great for the endangered harpies. After all, there are only two male harpies left in this dimension and we don't get along very well, though they too live in Eden" "Why's that?" asked Paul. "Well, because my harpies are only interested in me." "You're a psychic. What's your angle? Mass hypnosis?" asked Paul. "I don't need hypnosis with the harpies. You gain a harpie's trust and loyality, you have a friend and partner for life." As he said this, Luna put Ash's arm around her and held him close as if she was using Ash as a security device. "I'm hoping to heal the hearts of the Noma harpies also. I plan to get them in a few days." "Those are our friends. You already have 5 dead wives plus 6 harpies, as well as legions of fairys. What's your problem? What are you up to with the amazons and all of your "toys"? You asked me what I was doing here, but what are you doing here? How could someone so "noble" as you be called "The Destroyer" and "The Unforgivable"? "If you wish to follow me to Eden, feel free. My people are waiting for me" said Ash bluntly as he turned to leave. He took off his tattered cloak and put it around Luna while he took the cages. "Now make sure you guys don't eat these ones. This little critters are hard to catch" was all Ash said Ash he and Luna made thier way to the 5th tunnel on the upper tier. It was up to Paul now. Does he follow or turn back to the school. It was getting late.

[AshAvalon]

"Hold it right there Avalon!" cried out a voice from the stands. Paul and Ash looked up and noticed Rukia and Lindsay from the torchlight. "I thought you said you were heading back? Get out of here!" cried Paul, not knowing how Ash was going to react. Then again, his lover Rukia was there. He wouldn't attack her. "Ah..more company. Splendid! Please follow me to Eden." said Ash as he continued his walk toward the tunnel. Luna took flight and Ash simply rose from the ground, most likely using his psychic powers to levitate himself. When Ash and Luna went through, there was a faint glow of light and then silence. Rukia and Lindsay, who were on the second floor, rushed to the tunnel. "Wait! We don't know what's behind there. It could be a trap!" scolded Paul as he rushed to join them. "I don't care! If the amazons are there, then it's my job as the general of Noma to make sure they are okay!" said Lindsay bravely. "Besides, Ash won't harm them. He hates seeing women in pain." added in Rukia. Swiftly, both women went through the tunnel and the same light was seen. "Those wretched women! Why do I put up with them!?" cursed Paul to himself as he went through the tunnel as well.

continued in Eden, the garden of the goddesses...