Meanwhile

January 18, 2446

-On The Isle-

--Talion's Perspective--

"You got it?" Lia lifted the bucket of water on top of her head, walking back towards our tower. "I'll manage, I'm sure." She smiled, dropping it by our little garden.

Over the past month, I've been getting to know Lia slowly. She was hard to break open and understand her character, but I've finally gotten to her. She told me about her past, about the things she would have to do as Orion's slave… I honestly still don't forgive him, but this is his Isle, and I can't intervene with him directly, but Zeal never stated that I couldn't do other things, rather than kill that Seventh White Stone.

I don't think I could kill him. I heard his bloodcurdling scream while roaming around the side of the Isle searching for him. It gave me chills and sent fear into my body. I understood why he was screaming, it was the first death he has ever experienced, and it was extremely gruesome. I have conflicting interests now, I want that White Stone to live and Lia to live, but I can only have one.

No matter, things would work themselves out eventually. I went back to the garden beside her and helped her out as much as possible. We spent our time planting more and more flowers, just for the appeal. We wouldn't do anything with them at all, but they were nice to look at and forced us to bond together near the start.

After a while, it became a small tradition and we would talk about her life as we planted more and more. I wasn't much of a gardener, but I certainly became one in order to talk to her and learn more about Lia.

…

…

…

--Xian's Perspective--

"So, this is everybody for the White Stone meeting? Where's Talion?" I asked, searching Orion's room.

"I haven't been able to contact him since we first departed. I have no way of knowing if that White Stone has been killed, and I don't know where to check. Say, Orion, why don't you know where that White Stone is? Are you too lazy to leave this castle?" Zeal asked. It was the first time I've ever heard an aggressive tone like that directed at other people.

"Dante said he took care of it! What the hell do you want me to leave my castle for? Are you just upset with me because you live in a literal garbage can down on that stupid planet?" Demos stepped between the two of them.

"Listen! We can't fight amongst ourselves right now over some dead White Stone. We have another four years before the next one awakens, right?" He asked.

I chipped in, "Well, this one arrived only a year after Talion, meaning that the pattern could be skewed for a year, or possibly even sooner.

Zeal lifted up his left hand, leaving it parallel to the ground and talking into his White Stone. "Are you still in contact with me?" I could see white strands outlining the stone move following the voice,

"What is it?" A voice came out of his stone.

Seriously... what other things could that damn thing do?

"Do you have any strategy of checking the White Stone's livelihood? Is he dead? Alive?" Zeal asked. He got no response at first, nervously awaiting while tapping his foot.

"Does it matter to you? You can't check yourself?" I laughed at the girl's voice, but Zeal didn't like that too much.

"Orion, why did you wait so long to call this meeting? Send one of your clowns over to check if he's dead or alive. I want picture proof, am I clear?" Zeal said. Orion nodded and turned back to his soldiers.

"I was just thinking, why is Talion the Fifth Stone if Orion's the Sixth and was here before him?" I asked.

Demos answered the question, as Zeal seemed to be in a mood. "It's influence. Who has the most influence? You're second because of your influence on my Isle, while Elo is third because he's a nomad for Earth now. I'm left with Scorched alone." He said, sighing.