He walked down the well-lit corridor of the complex that he had found himself in. He looked around, peering through several doors along the way, seeing people working on various different things. Some were mixing chemicals, others were stacking various boxes, others were monitoring panels and screens... and none of them seemed to care that he didn't belong there.

Which was unsurprising to him.

"Hmmm." he mumbled. "So THIS is the world you escaped to..." he said further, seemingly talking to someone else, but there was nobody there. "A fine choice." he said with a dark chuckle.

"This world feels like a paradise." he said further. "I can feel the saturation of magic within this realm... flowing so much more freely than home. So few restrictions on it." he continued, before his small smile faded, and his looked at his hands.

"...though the price I am paying for it is steep, indeed." he growled, balling his hands into fists and clenching them tightly for a moment... before loosening them up, letting his arms fall to his sides, and sighing heavily.

"Thankfully I landed in a place that is... quite conducive to myself... complete with my own private magic flask." he added, laughing again, this time more loudly, but then quickly pausing.

"...and on that note..." he then said further, trailing off a little, and walking in a specific direction with purpose. He made his way to one of the doors that led to a dungeon-like room in the complex and opened it.

His lavender eyes gazed upon the restrained female contained within, and a cruel smirk played out across his face.

"I had expected a slightly better game of cat-and-mouse from a dark elf." he told her. "But you were caught pathetically easily."

"Hmph." was the response he gave to her.

"I DO realise that this world is sapping me of my essence. My magic." he said. "Or, rather, it is not made to allow an even flow of in and out." he then clarified. "I do realise I am dying. As is Icesska, most likely." he went on.

"And he's probably realised it by now." he continued.

"However... after doing some research on this world... I find your version of a schism... or a nexus as you call it... to be quite fascinating." he admitted, getting closer to her as he spoke.

"I think I may be able to tap into their power and take it in for myself." he continued.

"If I can find a way to use these nexuses, then I will grow stronger than ever before... and return home where I can use my newfound strength to fulfill my goal." he explained.

"...and leave this realm to wither and rot."

"All in good time." he responded.

"I may be on a timer, but it's far from strict." he said. "Thanks to YOU, anyway..." he smirked.

"And even when you run out, I've discovered that you have a bloodline." he then said. "I'll find THEM and drain them as well." he reasoned.

"And from what I've seen, they're not as competent and strong as far as the magic of your race is concerned, so it will be mere child's play to get them under MY control." he then reasoned.

"But as far as getting a nexus to be compatible with me... I'll find a way. I always have." he then said casually.

"And even if it takes pooling together all the magic this world has to offer, I WILL reach home again." he added confidently. "My new network of connections and technology should make it a little easier." he went on, smirking at her again.

"Thank you for preparing it all." he thanked her mockingly.

As soon as she smirked and had that thought, the man grabbed her by her throat, and she could feel her mana being painfully drained from her body. Her very life force leaving her.

However, he'd only been doing so for about 3 seconds, before Azari stepped in, his expression blank and lifeless.

"...what do you want." the man said in a pointed tone, releasing his hold on the dark elf.

"My liege." Azari responded in a monotone voice. "The spies have told me that a man matching Icesska's description has been staying in San Diego in their branch of The Unit." he reported.

"....excellent." the man said, his face turning into an unnerving grin.

"Things are starting to look up." he said further.

"WHAT!?" the man exclaimed, as the 'smoke' started to fill the complex, and the room as well.

"Damn it!" he cursed, as he brought a hand up to his mouth and nose, and started to cough violently. The smoke was rising a little, so he fell to his front onto the floor, but that didn't save him.

He continued to cough and gag, getting worse by the second.

She knew what she was doing was working.

"You... accursed... dark elf..." the man growled.

"I underestimated you..."

"Never." he growled.

"You elves are all the same." he said. "And you dark elves are the worst." he spat. "You think you're so high and mighty, when you're the filthiest among the filth!" he spat at her.

"YOU!" he then commanded Azari. "Whatever's happening, stop this!" he ordered.

"..." Azari was silent for a moment, before he shook his head slightly.

"Ngh... huh?" he mumbled.

"Wait, what the hell!?" he then exclaimed, as his mind became clearer once more.

Azari only thought for but a second, before rushing towards her.

He did what he could, and she was freed within a matter of a few seconds.

"Yes, of course." he said as he did so.

He then looked towards the downed man, before looking back at her.

"...do I even want to know?" he asked her.

"Actually, never mind. I don't think we have the time." he reasoned.

"Let's get out of here."

Azari, helping her, made his way towards the building that overshadowed the parking lot, and he gritted his teeth when he saw what it was. The office-looking building... why did she come HERE?

He wasn't about ask... not right now, anyway, as they approached the doors and entered the security landing checkpoint.

"Good evening." a male behind the semi-circular desk greeted them... though he was a tad on the distracted side, as he was searching for something in one of the filing cabinets behind him.

"How can I-" he started to ask as he turned around... before freezing in place when he saw who was there.

And the two elves could see the shock, horror, and fear in his eyes.

The man behind the desk was silent for a moment.

He was stunned, until he actually LOOKED at the woman, before his tongue darted out, and he pressed the comm button.

"We have a code 'Soft Crimson and White'." he said into it.

"...the hell?" Azari asked.

The man just sighed and shook his head.

"Code Crimson." he said. "Vanessa Encrae is here." he told them. "SOFT Crimson. She's injured to the point of needing help." he continued. "...and White." he then said further. "Is offering assistance." he finished.

"...I see." Azari muttered.

Jake raised an eyebrow when she spoke the elven term.

"...god damn it all." he cursed. "I've spent too much time with you in the past." he muttered.

"Why do you say that?" Azari asked.

"...because I understood that." Jake growled.

At that point, the door opened and Azazel and Terra showed up.

Azari, seeing the latter, seemed to immediately grow frightened, the colour draining from his complexion.