Daneera woke slowly, as if climbing out of a well.

The first thing she noticed was that she was in a bed. It was lush and soft, and the comforter was thick and smelled faintly of pine. The second thing she noticed was the ceiling, which was made of smooth, dark oak and seemed to warm the whole room.

The third thing she noticed was that she did not recognized any of this.

Her mind was still foggy, but she threw the blankets off of herself and ignored the sudden chill. She stumbled out of the bed, which was taller than she had imagined it, and looked wildly around for the door.

She came face to face with a rather tall, austere looking woman.

“Please sit.” It did not sound much like a request, but Daneera was in no mood for giving into demands from strangers. She reached for her hip, where her dagger was, and… found out that it was not there. So instead she attempted to clumsily push the woman over. Then she noticed the wings.

An angel? She found herself hoisted into the air and thrown back onto the bed. Her legs became entangled in - what was she wearing? Something had gone horribly awry and for the life of her she could not remember how she had gotten here. The angel regarded her with little emotion, and Daneera entertained the idea of attempting to overpower her once more. But she would need some muscle. She reached reached out to summon-

The angel’s hand shot out, and she was briefly enveloped in light. Her mind went quiet and blank, as though covered by snow. After the flash of light, she could not remember what she had been trying to do but she most certainly no longer wanted to do it.

“Are you comfortable?” The angel asked her. Daneera’s mind told her that the angel was an enemy, but she could not bring herself to be angry. She puzzled over the question for a moment before answering.

“Mostly.” She spoke slowly. “Where are my… clothes?” She looked down at herself once more, and knew she would have never put on this… nightgown? Was it made of silk? “Where am I?”

“You are in one of Mr. Vane’s homes, though I am forbidden from disclosing your Planar location.” The angel blinked, and stepped away from the bed, folding her wings smoothly behind her as she did so. Daneera wondered idly to herself why the angel was dressed in a black leather outfit. With… armored plates. It seemed so out of place in this warm room. There was a small fire lit across the room from Daneera. Above the hearth was a mantle, though it was bare. There were four accommodating armchairs, which appeared completely unused, and a lush carpet covered the floor. The wall was papered with deep reds and browns. All in all, it seemed very expensive.

And not the sort of place she would ever normally find herself.

“My name is Diana.” The angel continued, standing in front of the fire. Diana cast a long shadow over Daneera, and it was then that she noticed that there were no windows and only one door. The room was lit primarily by the fire and a few sconces near the ceiling. “I was instructed to watch over you until you awoke, and answer most questions you would ask of me when you did so. As such.” The angel turned to face Daneera once more, still expressionless. “Your clothes are being washed. The rest of your belongings have been confiscated.” Diana’s features were angular, but smooth. Daneera wondered if she ever smiled.

“Why am I here?” Daneera asked, and blinked at the sound of her voice. Everything was perfectly clear to her, but… she did not expect to ask that question. She told herself she should be angry, and trying to escape. But she did not feel much like doing those things.

“Mr. Vane has deemed your capture necessary, and overseen it himself. I am not privy to the details. I only know that you were transported here while in stasis via an Esperian Oblivion Ring, and, since leaving stasis, have slept for eight hours more. In that time, I have bathed you, confiscated your belongings, dressed you, and put you to bed.” Daneera was not sure she understood some of what Diana was saying, but she caught on to the name.

“Who is Mr. Vane?” That question was close, but still did not feel right. It did not feel like anything, really.

“My master.” Diana replied shortly. “He will be here momentarily. I encourage you to remain polite and cooperative. Do whatever Mr. Vane says, or it will go poorly for you.” Again, her mind told her she should have a sense of foreboding. That she should be on edge, that this situation required immediate action. But she could not bring herself to care very much.

A man opened the door and strode odiously into the room, a smirk on his face befitting a jackal. Daneera blinked at the newcomer as he shut the door behind him with a flourish, and bowed at Diana. Diana scowled at the man.

“Is this him?” Daneera asked hollowly.

“No.” Diana muttered.

“Yes.” The man spoke simultaneously, giving Diana an affronted look. Diana’s lips tightened and she distanced herself from him. The man chuckled, and straightened his coat. It was an ornate thing, pale white and trim. If this was “Mr. Vane”, he certainly suited the place. She wondered after the heavy iron collar he wore around his neck, however.

“Why are you here, Xeran?” Diana demanded from across the room. The angel appeared visibly agitated now, the first expression Daneera had seen on her. And evidently, this was not Mr. Vane. Diana was expecting him Vane, but not this man. Xeran ran a hand through his thick blonde hair and shrugged.

“Oh, you know old Fisco, always calling on me for this and that.” He scratched his nose, and grinned. “Really, you’d think he couldn’t tie his silk laced boots without us.”

“I was told he locked you in the vault for a month.” Diana accused. Xeran’s smile fell away, but slid back into place.

“Well, I’m back on good behavior.” He said. “Better locked up then forced to do such menial thing like caring for this mewling, little-” Xeran was in the process of gesturing at Daneera when the door opened again. Daneera turned to look with curiosity and a growing sense of inaction.

“Enough.” The man walking in snapped, and glanced shortly at Daneera before regarding the other two. Xeran’s mouth snapped shut and Diana stood a little straighter, her face smooth once more. “We have work to do.” He closed the door behind him, and walked up to the foot of the bed. The man was short. And not handsome. His hair was slicked back and his ears were sort of large. He looked at Daneera with what she assumed was a perpetual frown, from the wrinkles on his face. “You spelled her calm?” The man asked.

“Yes.” Diana responded immediately. Daneera suddenly understood why she was uninterested in doing anything, even if she did not want to do anything about it. But at least she was meeting this Mr. Vane at last, so maybe this whole thing was almost over.

Mr. Vane - Fisco, had Xeran called him? - glanced back at the blonde man. “Bring me a chair.” He ordered. Xeran stiffened, his mouth twitching, but he did as he was told and pushed one of the armchairs over to where Fisco was standing. He sat down heavily on the chair, sighing. Fisco waved his hand, and Diana and Xeran both came to stand behind him on either side without a word.

Fisco pulled out a cigar, sat back, and held it up to Diana. A short flash of light later, and it was lit. He grunted in something that could have been thanks, then put it in his mouth. Daneera just watched. Fisco breathed out a heavy plume of smoke, then grimaced.

“Alright, enough with the vacant stare. Get her back to normal.” Fisco growled. Diana waved her hand, and Daneera felt magic flee her body.

She was immediately overcome with rage. She leapt up, clumsily in this cursed gown and-

“Xeran.” Fisco muttered, rolling his eyes. Xeran’s eyes flashed, and Daneera was thrown back against the wall. Hard. She collapsed back onto the bed with the wind completely knocked out of her, struggling for breath. “Alright, listen up, doll. Despite what just happened, I’m not actually interested in hurting you. I just need you to answer a few questions.” Fisco’s eyes narrowed. “Now as soon as you can talk, let me know that you’re going to cooperate before I have to get…” He paused to take another drag from the cigar. “Creative.” Smoke poured from his mouth and hung low around his head. Daneera glared, breathing heavily, but decided to take a moment to think.

Whatever this man wanted, she was still alive. So there was that. She tried to remember back, but everything seemed so… fuzzy. She had been on Ferassa, and then… she could not remember. Best to focus on what she could remember, then. Diana was an angel, and Fisco commanded her. By the looks of it, Xeran was also more than he seemed, but she could not guess at his nature. Small in size, but no pushover, this Fisco Vane. He either commanded their respect or had power over them for some reason. For the angel, it was probably the latter. She could not imagine an angel willingly serving this scumbag.

Maybe she could just planeswalk away.

It became clear a moment later that she could not. Something was preventing her from even sensing the Eternities, let alone leaping into them. So. Outnumbered, trapped, and not even wearing her own clothes.

Fisco was still watching her patiently, but his cigar was almost out.

Daneera nodded slowly.

“Good.” Fisco tapped a bit of ash of the tip of his cigar and handed it lazily to Xeran, who took it with a grimace. It disappeared in a puff of smoke. “My name is Fisco Vane.” Fisco began. “That’s all the information you get about of me. I already know a bit about you, Daneera. Beast mage. Huntress. Powerful summoner, with a generous streak and quite the penchant for protecting the forests. Here’s the thing, though. I’ve been doing some research.” Fisco reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small brown notebook. Daneera’s name was written on it. “Seems that a while ago you were on Arbagoth helping out with some poachers. Nice of you. Thing is, you vanished after a raid went sour, then showed up again a few weeks later to finish the job.” Fisco flipped through the notebook while he spoke, glancing up at Daneera occasionally. Arbagoth… that was right before she had been shot. Right before she had landed herself on the Wheel… “They didn’t ask you any questions,” Fisco continued. “But nobody saw you in the interim. You basically fell off the face of the plane, which is exactly what happened, I would guess.”

“So, what?” Daneera growled. Her back and chest still ached, but she was glad to have her voice back. Fisco snapped the notebook shut and leaned forward.

“So, I’ve got a track on you back five years running. I’ve pieced together where you’ve been, and the only hole is this one. Arbagoth.” Fisco sat back once more, and sighed. “Where did you go?”

Daneera’s mouth tightened, and she swallowed heavily. She should have known that this would not be the last she had heard of the Rulus. She should have known this would come back to haunt her. But she had not expected this. On one hand, what was the harm in telling this man? She was not ashamed of her actions on The Wheel, she just figured it would never come up. On the other hand, this man had gone through great lengths to capture her. He could have just walked up to her and asked, but instead, she had a bruised back, a fuzzy memory, and a silk nightgown. The situation was complicated, and more than anything, Daneera wanted to leave it alive.

“What happens when I tell you?” She asked slowly. Fisco gave her a look of long suffering, and tucked the notebook back into his coat.

“Tell me.” He said tersely. “And you get to find out.” The crackling fire in the hearth was making Daneera sweat, and she felt it making her back wet. It was possible that this man knew nothing about the Rulus at all, and that there was something else going on here. But her instincts told her otherwise, and she had learned to trust her instincts.

“I was shot.” She began bitterly. But she had no other choice. “Aether arrow. It was especially painful for… me. I planeswalked as a reflex, and ended up somewhere called Lefkos. A family took me in until I healed, then I went back to Arbagoth.” Fisco made no response to her story - not immediately. If he was just looking for information for whatever depraved reason, her story should satisfy him. It was partially truth, after all. If there was something else he wanted, though… Fisco scratched his chin and glanced at Diana.

“Lefkos ringing any bells?” He asked the angel. She shook her head.

“No.” Fisco raised an eyebrow at the man on the other side of him.

“Xeran?”

“Never heard of it.” Xeran shrugged. Fisco nodded slowly, smiling.

“Perfect.” Fisco stood suddenly, and Diana stepped aside to allow him to circle around the chair and pace. The move was automatic, and almost seemed practiced. Xeran stepped away from the chair to lean against the wall by the door, watching Daneera with a hooded expression. Fisco clapped his hands.

“I’m hungry.” He flicked his head at the chair, and Xeran strode forward to move it out of the way without a word. “Are you hungry?” Fisco asked Daneera. She was starving, she just noticed, but did not reply. Fisco hardly waited for a response anyway. “Diana, a table please. Xeran, go see what’s in the kitchen.” While Diana pointed at an empty space in the center of the room and an ornate oaken table appeared, Xeran left, looking mortified. Fisco took a set on a recently conjured dinner chair, and kicked his feet up on the recently conjured table. He pulled out a cigar and rolled it lazily in between his fingers, then glanced at Daneera. “Xeran will be a bit. I forgot to tell him not to kill any of the cooks.” He jerked his head at the angel, who had demurely returned to her position by the wall. “Diana will take you to your things. Get dressed while Xeran is away, we’ll talk more over a meal.”

Diana was by the bed before Daneera saw her move.

“Follow me please.” She offered Daneera her hand. Daneera took it and climbed off the bed, glad to be away from the cursed thing. And now to be rid of the nightgown. It was a victory in itself. She glanced back at Fisco as they walked out the door and into an arched hallway, but he was already smoking his cigar and flipping through another book he had pulled from his coat.

Diana shut the door behind them.

“Fisco said nothing, but please do not try to escape.” Diana warned mutely, beckoning Daneera to follow. The hallway was carpeted in the same manner as her room, though there was a mural running along most of the ceiling that mostly consisted of blacks, greens, and blues. Still no windows, though. Just more sconces. “It will not go well for you.” Daneera nodded absently, taking in her surroundings. The angel was obviously in Fisco’s thrall, but seemed harmless enough. Well, as long as Daneera did as she was told. They turned down a smaller passageway and, after a short flight of stairs, arrived in some sort of basement. The whole time they were walking, they saw no one else. Daneera wondered if Fisco employed anything besides cooks.

A washbasin, a screen, and a short table were all that occupied this room. Daneeras clothes were neatly folded on the table. Diana motioned at them, but Daneera was already moving towards her belongings. She picked up her leathers and tunic, and slipped quickly behind the screen. Not surprisingly, her knife was nowhere to be found. Still, it felt good to have the nightgown off and to change into something more comfortable.

Diana was silent as Daneera changed.

“Is Fisco a planeswalker?’ Daneera asked casually, breaking the silence. Fisco seemed to take questions poorly, but Diana had been good about it before.

“I cannot answer questions about Fisco.” The angel replied. Disappointing, but not unexpected. She had a few more ideas, though.

“Why do you serve him?” Diana took half a moment longer to respond than before.

“Why do you think I serve him?” She asked shortly, and Daneera paused. Not the response she had been expecting from the recalcitrant angel, but it was a start.

“Has he enslaved you? Bound you to him?” Daneera finished changing and stepped out from behind the screen. Diana had produced her boots from out of nowhere and handed them to Daneera now.

“You expect my will to not be my own?” Diana spoke as Daneera tugged on her boots.

“I don’t see why you would work for him willingly. He’s vile.” Daneera pointed out as she straightened, relieved to be in her own clothes once more.

“Your quaint notions of good and evil will not serve you well here.” Diana turned from Daneera, her wings swaying softly. “Fisco is not a man so simple that a word such as “vile” can describe him. If you intend to survive your encounter with him, I would suggest you attempt to understand him a little better.” Diana began to walk away. “Follow me, please.” Another demand phrased as a request. Daneera gritted her teeth, but what had she expected? Some vague, pretentious blather. That’s all angels were ever good for.

That and killing evil things and people. And yet, Fisco was still alive.

Daneera was beginning to realize she was in far over her head, and she did not like it at all. The Rulus were one thing - and Daneera still had a gut feeling that they were behind all this - but this Fisco Vane was something else. At least the Rulus’ motivations had been clear. Prideful, paranoid, and power hungry, she had been able to see that about them and use it to her advantage. But the only thing she had learned about Fisco was he did not like questions and he had a penchant for smoking.

She followed Diana back to the room, silently fuming, the gears in her head working up a figurative steam. Attempting to escape again seemed like a bad idea. No doubt Diana was keeping a close eye on her - and come to think of it, it was possible that her thoughts were being monitored as well. It seemed her mind had already been tampered with, since she had no recollection of the events before her capture.

So, attempt escape and risk preemptive reprisal, or go along for the ride and see what Fisco Vane had in store for her.

Daneera watched Diana walking stiffly, silently in front of her. An angel, Fisco, and… whatever Xeran was. Bad odds. Her mouth tightened, then relaxed. Nothing else to do about it. She would have to just… cooperate.

When they returned to the room, Diana opened the door and stepped aside so Daneera could enter. She did so.

Xeran had already returned, and there was a rather simple meal of roasted meat and vegetables laid out on the table. Fisco had already begun to eat conservatively, having cut up the vast majority of food on his plate into small pieces. He plucked the bits off one by one with a fork while idly examining the same book he had when she had left. Oddly, it appeared to be some sort of historical text.

“Take a seat.” Fisco said distractedly, brow furrowed. “Help yourself.” He motioned to an empty dish, and then ignored Daneera once more. Not one to decline a meal, and not exactly in any position to deny herself food, she did as she was told. She could only guess at the meat - local stock, probably, though it tasted much like cow - and the vegetables were just vague and uniform enough that she could not discern where she was by the cuisine. So much for that. It was well cooked and tasty, however.

Fisco did not speak again until she was halfway through her meal. He inhaled sharply and snapped the book shut.

“So!” He set the book on the table with no gentility. “Lefkos. Nice place?”

“Sleepy.” Daneera answered shortly. “And quiet.” Fisco nodded slowly.

“Meet anybody on Lefkos?” He asked pleasantly, drumming his fingers on the book.

“Not besides the family I stayed with, no.” Again, Fisco only nodded in response, still smiling. Daneera wondered if he knew she was holding back the truth. She had learned a long time ago that a half-truth was simpler to conceal than a pure lie.

“Ever met a demon, Daneera?” Diana tilted her head slightly in Fisco’s direction at the remark, and Xeran, who had taken to sulking on the far side of the room, turned to look at them.

“Unfortunately.” Daneera responded slowly. “I try to avoid them.”

“Yea?” Fisco said, snapping his fingers at Xeran. Xeran grimaced, but responded to the silent command and walked over. “Not many pleasant experiences with demons, eh?” Daneera just shook her head slightly, her eyes flicking from Xeran, to Fisco, and back again. That collar… “Sorry to say I won’t be able to change that.” Fisco smirked, and the several runes glowed bright white on Xeran’s collar.

Xeran’s eyes went black, then yellow, and he grinned. Daneera shot out of her chair, but Xeran moved with inhuman speed. Before she could react, both of his hands were pressed against either side of her skull. She grabbed his wrists, but his grip felt like an iron clamp. He lifted her off the ground. Daneera clenched her teeth, glared into the eyes of her aggressor, and then screamed.

Terrible heat shot through her head. She was in Lefkos, the Rulus, the pain of the eternities, why would they make that enchantment? The artifice - Who were they? Where were they?

Tell me!

Daneera felt herself hit the floor, and inhaled deeply. Her head ached.

“Diana.” Fisco ordered, his voice distant and Daneera felt herself being lifted and placed onto something soft. Most likely the bed. A cool hand rested on her forehead. Light flooded her, and she felt relief from the pain, but the memory of it burned her. “I want to make something clear.” Fisco again, but he sounded closer. She opened her eyes slowly, and saw him standing next to the bed. He glanced over at her, idly thumbing a coin. “I told you already that I had no interest in hurting you. Just answer some questions.” He sighed. “I wanted the truth, and I think I got that mostly. But see, I don’t deal in ‘mostly’. Now.” He flipped the coin and caught it. “You can tell me the truth, and we can come to an agreement. Or…” Fisco pocketed the coin without looking at it. “I can ask Xeran what he just pulled from your head, and you can officially be on my bad side.” His eyes flicked over towards Xeran, who was hunched in the corner like a child put in time out. Daneera was still breathing heavily, but anger flared up. This arrogant, piss-poor excuse for a coward -

“You’re lying!” She sat up woozily. “You wouldn’t let me go even if - even if I told you the truth!”

“I didn’t say I’d let you go, doll.” Fisco pointed out. “Just that we would come to an agreement.”

“You will let me go.” Daneera warned. Fisco watched her blankly.

“Or what? You ‘walk away.” He poked the air with his finger. “Can’t. You summon something?” He poked the air again. “Can’t. You… kill me?” He sneered, and poked a third time. “Can’t.” He lowered his hand, and watched her with hooded eyes. “You threaten me, but have no power. You rage like a cornered animal, but all you can do now is submit… or die.”

Daneera licked her lips, almost more angry than she could manage. Almost unspeakably so. But rage would not let her survive this. Even the most vicious predators submitted to their alpha. And Fisco had her well and truly beat.

“...Lefkos is part of a plane called the Wheel…” She began, the story coming out in reluctant spurts. Fisco just listened carefully. Diana did not move, neither to look at Daneera or Fisco. Xeran stayed curled in his corner.

(Read Plane of the Dual-Walkers by RavenOfTheBlack to learn what story Daneera tells here!)

She finished, and Fisco whistled lowly, but otherwise did not respond. He walked over to the table, and sat down. He traced his finger idly over the wood, apparently lost in thought. Daneera waited to see what he would do, on edge.

“So.” Fisco grunted. “You pissed off a pair of ancient, powerful ‘walkers.” Daneera said nothing, and Fisco chuckled. “You know how bad you pissed them off, doll?” He scratched his nose. “They hired me. To bring you back to them alive.” Daneera nearly snarled. A trap all along! Her more rational side took hold quickly - then why not just deliver her? Why the inquiry? “I met Syl and Chardis, Daneera. They, apparently, did not have the resources to hunt you down. I... did.”

“And now you turn me in.” Daneera muttered through clenched teeth. Fisco nodded slowly, solemnly.

“I never go back on a deal.” Fisco cocked his head. “They wanted you alive, strangely. Delivered. In one piece. Can you imagine that?” He folded his hands, and leaned back in his chair. “Can you imagine you, seeing Syl and Chardis again? Oh, I can picture it. Chardis is chomping at the bit to rip out your innards and Syl is just standing behind him, tenting her fingers and smiling. Can you imagine you, showing up in one piece…” Fisco’s eyes flicked towards her, and he smirked. “And then just getting away again?”

Daneera blinked.

“They’d be so angry.” Fisco went on. “Chardis would probably explode something on the spot. Maybe a lot of somethings. Syl might even lose her cool. I tell you - what I would give to see that.” He stared up at the ceiling, smiling to himself.

“...What would you give to see that?” Daneera asked, and Fisco clapped his hands.

“Hey, she gets it!” Fisco stood up quickly. “Look, Daneera, I don’t like you - I mean, you’re not all that bad, but I’ve got bigger things to worry about than your sorry hide.” He walked over to Daneera, and offered her his hand. “But Syl and Chardis? They get under my skin. They think they’re so much… better than everyone else. I was mostly satisfied in bringing them down a peg when they asked me for help - mostly.” Daneera did not take Fisco’s hand, but slid off the bed in any case. Fisco continued like he had not noticed. “But I don’t deal in mostly.”

“So, you want to take down the Rulus?” Daneera asked, suspicions rising. She did not want to get caught up in all of this - not again. But if the Wheel still stood… If Syl and Chardis were hunting her… She may not have a choice.

“Nothing so grand.” Fisco said. “I’m going to go through with the Deal, Daneera. They’re going to get you - alive. But once I hand you over… well, transaction complete. They never said I couldn’t steal you back.”

“I’m going to guess you want something from me in return.” Daneera stated flatly. Fisco smirked.

“A good guess.” His mouth slackened into a frown, and Daneera noticed for the first time that she was actually taller than him. He looked up at her, face grave, eyes flat. “The Dual-Walkers are not your average ‘walkers, doll. You got lucky. Chardis is a monster and Syl is a snake, and if you think for one second you will make it out alive a second time, without my help, you’re wrong.” He turned away quickly, walking over to the fireplace, then to Xeran. He continued to speak as he crouched next to the huddled man. “Sure, I don’t have to turn you in -” He touched Xeran’s collar, and the demon went completely limp. Fisco laid him out on the floor. “- but that won’t stop them from hunting you. And next time, they won’t send someone with my good taste. I’m not planning on sullying my reputation, but you’re too much a liability to let go.” Fisco motioned for Diana, and pointed at Xeran’s unconscious form. The angel grimaced, but stepped over and lifted the demon over her shoulder before exiting the room.

“Liability?” Daneera asked.

“You know where the Wheel is.” Fisco closed the door behind Diana. “Syl and Chardis will want to extract the memory of everyone you told when they get their hands on you, so they can eliminate the knowledge. Now that you’ve told me, I’m just as much a threat as you are. If they get a hold of you, they’ll come for me next.”

“Why even put yourself in this position? Why not just turn me in and be done with it?”

“For a profit.” Fisco answered plainly. “I now have information on the Dual Walkers. Information that has been secret for who knows how long.” Fisco grinned, but his eyes were flat and cold. “All there is to it is to find a buyer. There is one thing I know very well, Daneera. You don’t become as powerful as Syl and Chardis without making a few enemies along the way.”

She had to agree with that.

“...A little honesty up front would have saved us both time.” Daneera pointed out. Fisco’s smile faded.

“Here’s a question; do you doubt me, Daneera?” His face was smooth and expressionless. She pondered the question. Doubt what exactly? His power? His sincerity? The truth of this yarn he had spun? She was not sure.

“I have no reason to trust you.” She told him, folding her arms. Fisco nodded slowly.

“Right.” He reached into his coat, and produced Daneera’s knife. Her mouth tightened at the sight of it, but opened in surprise when he tossed it at her deftly. She caught it automatically. “Diana’s not here.” Fisco muttered, his eyes dark, hard, and staring into hers. “Xeran’s not here. You’ve got your knife and now -” He paused briefly. “You’ve got your summoning.” She felt a rush of power flood her body, only now realizing how cut off from her bonds she had been. It felt wonderful to feel the forests again. “Just me, and you, beast mage.” He retrieved a cigar from his pocket, lit it with a touch of his finger, and put it into his mouth. “Try your luck.” Smoke began to form around his head, and Daneera’s eyes narrowed warily.

She had to wonder what his game was. His hands hung loosely at his side, and he just stared at her. He was not ready for battle - he certainly was not ready for the baloth she planned on summoning to tear this place apart. He just smoked, and watched her, without fear. Seemingly without care. She could reasonably just overpower him. He did not seem like much of a mage. A man so small… But she felt something, in the pit of her stomach. Her gut instincts. Screaming at her, that this was suicide, that trying to kill this man would be like jumping in front of a rampaging tanglewurm.

Fisco exhaled another cloud of smoke.

Daneera’s hand tightened on her knife.

Neither of them moved.

Then, Daneera stuffed her knife into her belt and looked away. Fisco finished his cigar before speaking.

“That’s called respect.” Fisco told her. “I don’t need your trust. I just need you to know I can get done what I say I can get done.” He made his cigar butt vanish in a puff of smoke. “So. You doubt me, doll? Do you think I can get you in and out of the Syl and Chardis’ claws before they know what hit them?” Fisco put his hands in his pockets, and cocked an eyebrow.

Daneera nodded slowly, tensely, and prayed she was not making a mistake.

Fisco grinned.

“Right, here’s the plan…”

***

Chardis clenched and unclenched his teeth for the thousandth time, glancing at his sister and then at the artificial sun of the Amphiseum. He was loathe to admit it, but Vane had produced astonishingly quick results. When they had received word that he had captured Daneera, they had made haste to the Amphiseum in order to rendezvous with him immediately.

But, in his typical, arrogant fashion, Vane was late.

“Relax, dear brother.” Syl cooed soothingly. “Our prize is in sight.”

“Vane is dangerous.” Chardis complained. He moved his hand in a short, chopping motion. “We should deal with him after we have the girl.” Syl pressed her hands together, thinking.

“He is no danger to us.” She said evenly. “His price was paid, and fairly. Best to let this one lie, dear brother.” Chardis inhaled deeply and flexed his hand.

“...There was a time we need not let anyone who displeased us “lie”, dear sister.” Chardis growled through his teeth.

“I know.” Syl replied. And Chardis saw something that only he, her companion for countless years, would notice. Something that had been rearing its head more and more often as of late. The barest of cracks in her poise. The smallest slant of her shoulders. She was tired. They both were. “I know, dear brother.”

A flash of light signaled Fisco Vane’s arrival. Chardis kept his stance wide and faced the other planeswalker, while Syl stepped away from him slightly so as not to alarm their… guests. The source of the light appeared to be some form of orb, glowing with a bright, bluish white shine. Fisco smirked at the Dual Walkers. Chardis grimaced.

“Syl.” He greeted, bowing slightly. His sister nodded in acknowledgement, features even. Vane twiddled his fingers at Chardis. “Chardis, in good spirits as always, I see.” Syl had warned him about becoming baited by the Shark, so he bit his tongue, and only narrowed his eyes.

“I trust you found the task to be a… bracing challenge.” Syl said diplomatically, eyeing the orb. Fisco shrugged.

“Was just a matter of finding her. Didn’t put up much of a fight.” Fisco began smoking one of his signature cigars, and Chardis wrinkled his nose.

“What is that?” He demanded, pointing at the orb. Fisco patted it tenderly, taking a smoke.

“An Azorius Detention Sphere.” Fisco said, and winked. “These things don’t come cheap, but the magic is sound.” He pushed the sphere gently, and it floated halfway towards them before coming to a slow stop. Chardis could make out the dark figure of someone trapped within. He allowed himself a small smirk of satisfaction.

“You have done well, Vane.” Syl complimented, stepping towards the orb. “I must say, we were impressed by the speed with which you completed your task.”

“I’m good at what I do.” Fisco told her. Syl approached the sphere, but Chardis stayed where he was.

“How do we get her out?” He demanded.

“A word of command.” Fisco told them. “And a little spell, of course.” Syl laid her hand atop the sphere, and smiled thinly.

“Quaint. Simple. But, elegant.” She traced her finger over the orb, unlocking its secrets, watching the still figure curled within. Chardis only watched Vane carefully. “What is the command word, Mr. Vane?”

“Anuulum.” Fisco told her. Syl held her hand over the sphere, and Chardis felt her drawing mana into herself. His eyes narrowed on Vane, who was watching carefully, and then on the orb.

The figure moved.

“Syl-” He began to roar, right as she spoke the command word. He barely had time to throw his arms in front of his face as a deafening explosion shook the Amphiseum. A quick shield protected him from some of the blast, and it took all his concentration to extend some of it to Syl. With dust and debris flying everywhere, he could not see a thing.

Once his ears ceased ringing, he roared, and a wave of heat pushed the clouds of dust away.

There was a large scorch mark where the orb had been, and kneeling upon it-

Her.

Chardis screamed and lashed out with a binding spell, but something got in the way. Was that an angel? Where had an angel come from? The angel batted the magic away with a powerful protective ward. The girl, Daneera, leapt up and grabbed the angels hand.

And just like that, they vanished.

A mere moment before a white hot pillar of flame engulfed the air where they had been. Chardis’ nostrils flared in unspent rage. He looked around wildly. Syl was unconscious against the wall of the Amphiseum behind him, but alive. His shield had possibly saved her life, but he was well familiar with her resilience. And Vane -

He was dusting himself off across the arena.
“...That was unexpected.” He heard the short man mutter.

“Vane!” He shouted. Fisco looked up placidly, and then narrowed his eyes. “You are a fool. You should not have crossed us!” Chardis drew energy into his fist, preparing to unleash an inferno upon the unfortunate planeswalker’s head.

“Easy.” Fisco said, raising his hands. He glanced over at where Syl lay, and frowned. “I didn’t do anything.”

“That was your magic, Vane!” Chardis accused. He hardly needed a reason to destroy this man, but he already had more than enough to.

“No, that was Azorius magic. From Ravnica. Someone must have tampered with it.”

“You knew!” Chardis threw a wild fireball in Fisco direction, causing him to leap out of the way. The ground was still smoking from Chardis’ previous attacks, as well as the initial explosion. He paid it little heed.

“How was a supposed to know it was trapped?” Fisco demanded, and Chardis simply threw another fireball. Chardis was determined to have his fun after being denied the girl. Fisco was running, still smoking his cigar. Chardis was surprised to see that it had survived the blast.

“No one slights us and lives, Vane!” Chardis roared, bringing most of his impressive power to bear upon the small man. “No one!” A wave of angry, red flame rush towards Fisco, who threw his hands up moments before being engulfed by it. As the flames cleared, Chardis stared at the smoke with teeth bared. He walked towards the thick plume where Fisco had been incinerated, doing his best not to choke on...

The smoke…

Why was there so much smoke?

An angry rush of hot wind forced the smoke away. Fisco Vane was nowhere to be seen. There was no body. No ash. He felt - He felt…

Chardis fell to one knee, coughing, and purged the dark magic that had infiltrated his body with a burst of white mana and will. But his mind was still clouded by rage and haze - Vane must have ‘walked, but he could not feel the Aether. There must be some sort of trail, but Chardis could not sense it in his state of mind.

He felt Syl’s hand on his shoulder.

“He… He…” Chardis breathed heavily.

“I know, dear brother.” Syl murmured, her voice like frozen glass. “I know.”

***

Fisco stepped out of the Eternities, unhurried. He was wearing one of his favorite coats - now ruined because Chardis could not control his temper. The ends were all singed. Fisco sighed and removed it. He would not be seen walking around in rags. All in all, that could have gone better. His smoke would throw them off his trail - and he already was not easy to track, but no doubt he was now on the Dual Walkers’ hit list.

He smiled at that. Should be interesting.

He found Diana and Daneera a short distance away from where he had entered. They were in a forest, and they had agreed to meet afterwards in this clearing.

“...Thanks.” He heard Daneera say as he approached, speaking to the angel.

“You’re welcome.” Diana replied evenly. Fisco coughed, and Diana bowed slightly when she saw him. Daneera remained unfazed.

“You can go, Diana.” He nodded at the angel dismissively, and the angel vanished. Fisco could summon her to him to do his bidding, but she needed a stable mana connection to stay for long. Her help had been necessary for Daneera to be able to overcome the planar ban and ‘walk away from the Amphiseum.

“Now what?” Daneera asked patiently, watching Fisco think. He glanced at her, and scratched his chin.

“Now? Now nothing. I go my way and you go yours.” Fisco shrugged.

“I’d like an apology for the rough treatment.” Daneera said, and she may have been joking. He could not tell.

“Too bad.” He reached into his pocket, and pulled out one of his small, gold coins, with a hole in the center. “But, hey, you helped me out. Fair’s fair.” He tossed the coin at her, and she caught it. “A little magical flame in the middle of that will let me know you want to see me.”

“Why would I want to see you?” Daneera demanded skeptically, frowning.

“You know.” Fisco smirked. “In case you need something.” And he ‘walked away.

Daneera stared at the spot where Fisco had been for a few seconds, then pocketed the coin and left the clearing. But as she walked away, she felt a great weight fall over her shoulders. Fisco Vane. Syl. Chardis…

No, this was not over. She could feel it in her stomach.