"I will personally show you to your rooms.  So please do not wander the halls. He said clearly and firmly enforcing his speech.  When you are ready, I will show them to you.  

(Ah, well planned, I never think about that stuff, quite good on your part!) 

(I have very small facts about the residents of the Castle of Ash too.  And funny enough, originally Fang wasn't a character, she was a small wolf pup and Crimson would carry around in his pocket.  A literal pocket pooch!)

Flare silently nodded to the two and walk to the stairs, waiting for the two to follow.  As they did, all noise ceased, it was like a ghost town, there was only one light coming from a door to the right at the top of the stairs.  A room that belonged to Crimson.  Further down the hall Flare showed the two an empty room devoid of any furniture.  In fact, the room was connected to another room.  "Yes, I know the rooms are barren, and yes, I know they are connected.  But I'm also aware that you can create and materialize items.  So I figured you would like to special tailor the rooms to your liking for your stay here.  Other than this, the bathroom and showers are to the left of Crimsons room.  But please, no matter what do not open his door or even think about it." Flare warned and left the room to the two.  

(While in her wolf form, she's about the size of a lap dog...sooo, that's a no!  At least...not this time)

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"Any luck?" Flare asked Fang and Infinity, both of whom were cleaning Crimson's body.  Infinity shook her head and Fang briefly smiled.  "Small bits, small bits." she told Flare.  The man sighed and looked at his ill Kyng.  "Aster please...get here quickly." he said softly.  Agni opened the door and Flare whipped his head around, almost hoping it be Aster...

"Thanks...I needed that..." Agni said to Flare, who smiled slightly.  "Take the night off, all of you.  That's an order, I will watch over Crimson tonight." he said to the trio.  Each of them complained quietly and none got their words through Flares head.  Eventually they all retired to their room respectively.  Fang's room was to the right of Crimsons, while Infinity and Agni's were on the first floor.  Flare's however, was by his Kyngs side. 

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Dawn was approaching, and Flare once more checked the vitals on Crimson...stable, as always.  Good.  That's how it should be.  Alone and while everyone was asleep, he silently walked down to the kitchen and began to prepare breakfast.  No sooner did he start when Infinity came down and gave Flare a small and brief hug before brewing coffee for everyone and helped with the morning meal.  Todays choice: Pancakes with fruit.  Some blueberry. chocolate, and banana.  Really anything one could want.    

"...soon enough he'll be here.  So that's a good sign." Infinity voice called to Flare as Aestus went down stairs.  Flares voice popped up soon after.  "Right, but the problem isn't with the Limiter, it's his body.  I ran a few tests with what I could and his body is producing more platelets and white blood cells.  It's practically rejecting the Limiter." 

Flare shut up further more when he saw Aestus, Infinity trailed off into another conversation.  "Though make sure to get some more fruits.  Fang has been dying to get her hands on the recent cargo from Pax.  Considering all that that kids gone through, it's amazing she hasn't gotten any rotten teeth!" 

"Good morning Aestus.  I hope you're getting around ok.  I'm sorry if it's hard." Infinity said.  Flare on the other hand remained quiet, lost in thought.  "Would you like some coffee or anything to drink?" Infinity hesitantly asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing.  

"Quite alright, you're in good company to help you get around." Infinity chimed in.  Flare poured the coffee in a small mug and handed it to Aestus.  "Do not worry too much, we did impose some more strict rules for you to follow, as such, it was wrong to think that we could impose them in such the manner we did.  I apologize myself too." Flare told them. 

"Creamer and sugar.  Humans are good at makin' shit.  Can't thank 'em enough!" Infinity said proudly, putting a small tray of sugar cubes in front of Aestus.  Eventually Fang came down and sat at the bar.  Her hair was a mess and she was wearing velvet pajamas that were a bit too big for her.  She let out a big yawn and laid her head on the counter.  "Mornin'" she said. 

"Yeah, we have a few here in Arithnia.  Especially in the town.  Aster, who've you haven't met, he's a human.  Really...odd guy too." Infinity replied, taking the cubes away and putting one in her coffee.  

Fang raised her hand in greeting and looked rather dead tired.  You can hear her mumble something that sounds like "Mhmmm, namsh Feeng." she said.

Fang groaned and lifted her head.  "It's Fang, not Feng." she said father quietly.  "And yeah, I'm notta mornin' mersons.  Mehhhhhh mehhhhh..." she laid her head back down and seemingly fell asleep.  Flare sighed and proceeded to make something for Fang to drink. 

"Humanity is odd in general Aestus.  But they shouldn't be judged by that alone." Agni said, taking a seat next to Fang and gently shaking her.

(AHahah, I do that...)

The kitchen went dead cold and silent.  Everyone, even the sleepy Fang, looked at Aestus nervously.  For a second it seemed like the world had died.  Fang and Flare both went upstairs and left without a word.  Agni decided to try and break the atmosphere.  "You are limited by how you view them then.  Weapons, saviors, it doesn't matter.  We are the base of all creation and creators."   

"War will follow anyone.  It doesn't matter if you flee to this world or the next.  Your past will catch up to you eventually." a new voice said, this one was clearly old and clear.  Agni and Infinity both looked behind them and smiled.  "Hey Aster." Agni said, Infinity bonked him on the back of the head.  "Korusagi, he's upstairs.  Fang and Flare are up there too." she told the man, who hummed to himself and went upstairs.  Infinity gave a small chuckle and smiled brightly.  "Smartass he is.  Eh Agni?  Isn't that great?" she asked Agni, who rolled his eyes and hopped off his bar chair and sat on the counter behind Infinity.  "Thank you for getting rid of Mr. Party pooper." 

------------------------------

Aster's footsteps echoed along the hall and knocked on Crimson's door.  Fang opened it and welcomed him in.  Flare was sitting at the bedside and was messing with something that sounded mechanical.  A deep hum came from Aster as he crouched down and tapped Flare on the knee.  "Anything new I should know about?" he asked him.  Flare nodded in response and opened his mouth and then closed it for a moment.  "His body is stressed.  Horribly so.  Both emotionally and physically.  Elevated white blood cells and platelets too.  Scale Rust isn't horrible, but it's hindering his movement like always.  We already ran his blood through the Limiter and even the Black Box, but it's only doing so much as you would know.  Other than that, nothing new." Flare reported to Aster, who began to examine Crimson's body.  

(As I have said, Arithnia is a world where anything can happen.  I am a very free-spirited person!  So dig into your worlds lore and characters all you want!  If something becomes a problem, I will tell you!)

"Where would you go then?  You know nothing of this world and with our Veils, your magic is useless or close to so.  And you can't leave without Caligo too.  And with them dead asleep  you've no choice but to stay awhile.  We have our problems, and as do you.  But at some point you need to accept the fate and choices you've been given and play the hand you have." Agni said to them, raising his hand to stop them.  A thin barrier of ice prevented them from leaving. 

As soon as Aestus began to burn the floor, almost immediately did they vanish.  No matter how much they burned, the heat began to seemingly dissipate.  In the doorframe Flare stood, his eyes glowing a bright gold and his naginata in his hand.  It's gold on the blade was a glowing orange.  "Please tell me you're not trying to burn down the house." he said softly and closed the door behind him.  "I understand that things aren't going your way, but please, what troubles you so?" 

"Fear is normal.  But I am confidently say well that this world has faced more than you think.  It is unlikely this city will even fall with Crimson here.  Even in the state he is in, it's close to impossible to take the city.  I can tell you, 100%, that he is much stronger than either of you can be in this world.  So do not fret too much Aestus.  Relax and enjoy the time here, good and bad.  They are memories that you can keep for a lifetime." Flare said, placing a hand on their shoulder 

"You would be surprised by what Crimson can get himself into..." Flare said dryly, as if he hated saying that.  "And no, nothing you can do would be able to help him.  And I don't mean that in a mean way, but more like your magic and knowledge of the bodies of Arithnias...beings, are going to be different than yours.  And on the account that Crimson is a member of the High Council...well, let's just say shit can happen easy..."