Despite the executioner's blade hanging over his head, Liron found some peace. They traveled nearly a week with Janloo, accompanying them at their trading stops in Lorsos. Liron showed Emma all Janloo had to offer. They took their time with each island, basking in the beauty of Janloo. They flew with the Janloon's kites, climbed their biggest trees, and played catch with their Jestermonkeys. The devious bastards escaped them each time, laughing and mocking them for their failure.
They found some kids their age, playing with them the strange games the Janloons preferred. Liron and Emma got their shit pushed in the first few rounds, but their talent to cheat and deceive brought them victory after victory once they adjusted. Angin gave both of them a handsome pool of money to enjoy themselves, and they wasted it all on exotic food or strange teas. The Janloons offered something called coffee, which tasted bitter as a broken heart. Liron grimaced, succeeding in not spitting it out. Emma shared his distaste at first, but she came to enjoy it, sipping at it.
"It calms me," she explained. "And it kicks you awake. Would be perfect in the morning."
They argued about her contradictory statement, getting rather heated. But they cooled their temper as they began training Emma's magic in the woods surrounding Shira-Do. They were not allowed to fully unleash their Magic, especially Liron, but Emma's spells caused no harm to their surroundings. Emma changed her appearance in rapid succession, jumping between their friends and all the people they had met on Janloo. Emma needed to strengthen her endurance.
The faster the pace, the worse her illusion became. Many had no developed facial features, appearing like her face was made of melted wax. Sometimes the features were incorrect, or entire aspects were missed, like eyes and mouths. When the fancy struck her, Emma turned herself into an uncanny monstrosity, running after Liron.
"One kiss," she screeched, having transformed into a disfigured woman. "One kiss, and I can reclaim my beauty."
After taking a break, she decided on something more complex, studying the Jestermonkey that had watched their training session. She examined him for minutes, creating a mental picture of it.
"I need to see the person in my head," Emma explained. "Only once I can completely picture 'em can I recreate 'em. That's why I look like shit if I have to be fast."
Her focus rewarded her handsomely, and she changed her appearance into a Jestermonkey. She had reduced her height, walking on her arms too to mimic them. She danced around like they do, causing an uproar from their audience. Then, she stood up, walking on two legs with a straight back towards Liron.
"Oh hi," she said, altering her voice into a deep growl. "What am I doin' here? Nothing. Just shittin' in my hands and throwin' it at people."
The strange sight caused Liron to collapse laughing, holding his stomach as he curled on the ground. The Jestermonkeys found no joy in Emma's performance. While wearing their appearance, she moved around like a human, an alien and odd spectacle. She even sang for them, which failed in calming them. Liron and Emma had to run away, as the Jestermonkeys did what Emma had described, hurling their feces after the siblings.
Ragner and Zonis were always there to entertain them and accompany the two on their little adventures. The Whisperer was more apprehensive but proved himself the perfect interpreter for the monkeys. A truce was hit, and all sins were forgotten. Liron and Emma had to clothe Zonis in thick layers of clothes, making him look like an old lady, which the twins abducted into the woods. Ragner helped Liron with his martial abilities, sparring with him for as long as the younger man wanted. The Kin tossed him around with ease, and after a while, Ragner just threw the two into leaf piles, both laughing as they hurled through the air.
Jean showed no interest in accompanying them. He used their break to lounge around or read. Gabriella was only interested in sparring with them. When they couldn't meet her thirst for battle, she went to Shiwa, demanding to test herself against their warriors. She argued with them for hours until they relented, letting her fight with some of the seasoned guards on the training grounds. They didn't take her too deep into the island. Gabriella earned the respect of Janloo's military, beating all until Siu stepped up. Liron was not present, but he heard that the Hawk of Janloo taught her some humility, hoping she would relent and leave. A mistake, as Gabriella now demanded a rematch for their remaining time on the Flying Islands.
Angin kept to himself. He prepared himself for his part of the mission. His was the most important part, but Liron knew his master used it as an excuse to avoid his student. The Alchemist had withdrawn and refused to reemerge.
Seeking some solace from his master abandoning him, Liron and Emma visited Rya, helping her with her duties. Emma was less than thrilled shoveling shit, gagging as the smell hit her nose. But no good deed went forgotten. Ray took them on a flight on the back of a manta ray. They took a younger animal as the older ones were used for more combat-heavy maneuvers, and no outsider was allowed to participate in them. As with his dream on Illaxia's back, Liron howled as they soared into the sky.
Emma dug her fingers into him as the manta ray leaped off the platform. Ray steered the beast with acquainted familiarity, flying out of the cave system into the ocean of clouds. Unlike Illaxia, the manta ray was graceful. It didn't brute-force its way into the air but sealed through it. It was no stranger or conqueror who came to claim, but a trusted soul embracing a friend. For once, all the tragedy Liron had encountered became dust in the wind, and he aged back to being a boy. Emma turned into nothing but smiles, too. For a moment, Liron forgot all that would await him and simply enjoyed the sensation of being where his kind shouldn't be.
After they landed, Rya invited them backstage to the celebration that would be held tonight. The Janloons were followers of Harras, and they had developed their unique way of praying to Him. Similar to Liron's folk, the Janloon hid their faces and appearances, as they were all the same when praying to Him. But instead of wearing a beggar's rags, they adorned themselves in wide and flowing clothes. As with their hair, they attached flowers and twigs to themselves.
All lights were stuffed out, complete darkness reigning over the stage they had gathered around. Then the dancers lit the flames. Fire spread from torch to torch, controlled by some unknown mechanism. Liron stood next to Emma and Rya and her children. The dancers all wore the strange lion costumes Rya had tattooed on her skin. Their heads were massive, with large eyes and wide mouths. A goofy interpretation of what the proud animal they depicted should look like. But as they began, Liron's puzzlement found an abrupt end.
The dancers dashed around, moving in strange patterns to the fast pace of the rhythm the drummers behind them played. With their legs hidden behind clothes and the weak lighting, it appeared as if they were flying. They jumped around, rivaling a raging storm or a gentle breeze whenever they wanted. The strange performance claimed Liron completely, all else forgotten. Only as it was over, and the crowd spoke their prayer in unison, did Liron break out of his trance. He never asked Rya one question about it afterward. Beauty didn't need to be explained.
Liron soaked in these days of peace. He felt like a child again. But it all changed once Ragner, Jean, and Gabriella had to leave. They had left the Empire behind for good, crossing Casar's Summit. The shattered mountain hovered in the air, the remnants of the war between the Knights Dracon still remaining. Ever since they had landed on Janloo, a strange sensation had lingered in Liron's mind. But it was too weak to be commented on. As Liron watched the place fate would call him to, it got stronger. He could nearly grasp it, understand what it was. However, as they passed Casar's Summit, it shrank again.
The bond was not strong enough. But now Liron knew Everon was still there.
With their first stop in Sannara, a smaller outpost of the Empire, Ragner and the rest said their goodbyes.
"Laddie," the Kin said, putting his hand on Liron's shoulder. "Ye have some business to finish. We will do our part so ye can see it done. Cannae say I'm jealous. But I have faith in ye. Ye have the heart of a dragon, and yer bones are black."
"My bones are black?" Liron asked.
Ragner chuckled. "Ye are with Everon, laddie. Dinnae worry. Ye will soon understand what it means. Till then, ye better survive. I have grown fond of ye, and I have attended many funerals. Yers isn't one I'd like to shed tears at."
"Same goes for you, old man," Liron said, grinning.
"Old, pah! Ye have a sharp tongue but no shrewd eyes; otherwise, ye would see I'm still a laddie meself!"
They departed smiling.
Jean was next. He clapped him on the shoulder, resting his hand on Liron, squeezing. Wordless, he gave him a stern nod and was off. The Homunculus had grown a heart, it seemed.
Gabriella embraced him in a fierce hug. "You ought to live, Liron. I want you to witness my ascension."
"I will miss you, too," Liron said, shivering from being touched by her arms. She had yet to reshape them into something more pleasant.
The innocent glee Liron had found in Janloo died with their departure. The gravity of his situation pressed down on him again.
The next day, Angin left them.
"Good luck," the Alchemist said. He avoided Liron's eyes.
"You too," Liron said.
They exchanged nothing else.
Their last day on Janloo, Liron said his goodbyes to all they have met.
"Good luck, kid," Rya said, running her hand through his hair. "And don't mind Angin. He gets scared easily. He isn't one to take responsibility. But I think one good kick in the butt will make him act his age."
Liuh and Siu couldn't give him a personal goodbye, as this would have caused another diplomatic fiasco with the Empire. But Janloo left him a parting gift. Liron had worn their guest clothes as his were destroyed in Kupferrang. They had created a uniform similar to the guards that had saved his life. Loose. Perfect to move around. Liron loved his new coat the most. Imposing yet comfortable to wear. It gave him a gravitas fitting for what was to come.
"To blood and murder," Adenius said as the platform moved down through the island.
"To blood and murder," Liron returned.
With that, the horizon opened up, and he set foot on Sannara.