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Myrda felt a whip crack over his back for the fourteenth time that day. This time she was certain she wouldn't be getting up again, no matter how many times that ugly brute tore up her back... she was lying flat on her face, with her chained wrists over her head. Her bleeding hands and knees stung horribly and her back felt like it was on fire from all the lashes. But this time, no matter how much it hurt, she couldn't move. Water... she croaked.

Tychicus shuffled over suddenly, behind Myrda and in front of the slaver with the whip. WHACK! The whip hit his own back as he bent over and tried to help Myrda to her feet. Come on Myrda, they said there's a lake up ahead. They'll even let us rest awhile.

Myrda moaned miserably as Tychicus hauled her to her feet by her shoulders. She staggered forward again, and Tychicus hobbled behind her, the chains around his ankles making a most annoying clink clink clink...

The slaver had not been happy with Tychicus' interfering with his beating of Myrda, and so Tychicus earned himself a few more stripes down his back.

A half hour later, the slave caravan finally stopped beside a lake, as they had promised. The chained, exhausted slaves floundered over to the lake and buried their faces gratefully in the cool water.

Myrda and Tychicus drank side by side. When Myrda felt like her tongue wasn't going to stick to the roof of her mouth she managed to say Thanks, Tych. I owe you.

Naw. I think I only owe you two, now. I thought my face was going to fall off until you found those berries.

This place has some of the same plants as where I grew up... I'm going to use some of those berries on my knees and hands now.

Tychicus was happy just to lay on the grass while Myrda busily crushed berries onto her skin, praying she didn't catch any infections.

Alexander awoke, he had no idea what day it was, where he was or how long he'd been there. he was so cold, his hand had to work hard to heal his many cuts and scrapes, the drain was exhausting. he couldn’t stand up, he was to tired, he could make out a cage, and a few people around, muttering things he couldn’t understand. 'you need your rest, sleep, when you awake again, you will be healed, but do not attempt escape.' it was the voice again, it liked to do evil, but living was its first priority. He listened to it and went back to a tired sleep…

Axel silently pointed to the slave caravan, and the man nodded. He wanted revenge, here was a bunch of evil slave drivers, waiting for death and pain. The slowly snuck around, realizing it was way to much for two men. Axel signaled to the man, and he was off, sneaking into the midst of slaves.

The man argued with himself quietly, angry that this supposed Axel thought he was the boss. He didnt even dub him with a name yet, said that he was waiting for the perfect moment. Jerk. He weilded the evil sword, and was drawn here by it. Well, at least he could kill the evil, and save the good. that was an improvement. Seeing the poor pitiful slaves rejoice over the simple matter of water caused him great amounts of anger by itself, nevermind all the beating of slaves. This is what Axel did, and now he understood why. This was pure evil. His wings hidden, he walked behind two men, when he was talked to the ground. "Geroff me!" he shouted, but was beaten by a whip.

"I dont know how you got out of your area, and why your not chained up, but I will figure that out." a gruff voice said, whipping manacles on him. "Its reasons like this we dont like letting you slaves walk free. Tell you what. You will be able to go to the lake, if, without you making a sound, I give you forty lashes. either way you get them, but consider me a nice guy." and then he began whipping him.

The man grinned as the driver whipped he reptilian wings under his shirt. There was no pain, as they were meant to handle rought treatment like this, but he did worry if the man would notice. maby he thought they were just his skin, because after forty, he quit, shocked.

"I dont know what kind of monster you are not to even wince, but as i promised go. But next time i will triple the amount." and the man kicked him face down and left.

Making his way to the most powerful looking slave, he sat down. The female near him was coating herself in berries, and covered in cuts. "You," he told the man [tychicus], struggling with his chains. "How long have you been here?" reaching into his pack, which was well hidden under his wings, he pulled out twoo things of jerky and handed one to the man, offering one to the women. "I have more if you talk."

Tychicus accepted the strips of jerky, tossing one to Myrda. He pretended to be messing with his tattered shoe so he wouldn't catch any undue attention from the slave drivers. Three weeks now. And thanks for the food. He swiftly wolfed down the jerky and sighed with satisfaction.

Myrda gladly swallowed the strip and said irritably Tych, if you compare the jerky strip to whatever food your dad ever made, I am personally going to knock yo-

I won't. Tychicus assured her.

Myrda washed her fingers in the water. She held her hands close to her face and winced. Ack. These berries sting.

Mm hmm.

Myrda finally looked over at the man who had just joined them. She eyed him thoughtfully and said I haven't seen you with us before. Did you sneak over?

Tychicus blinked. I didn't think to ask where he got the food.

THe man shook his head. "I came with an friend... er.. thing..." he pulled out some fresh water, drinking some. "I dont know why you are you are using those berries. I have some ointment stuff from the forests if you want, but anymore then that and they would catch on." crossing his legs, he chewed on some jerky. "So. Would you be willing to fight and break free, or are you the sit quiet type?" he asked. The chains were no problem for him, and he put his ontop of his knees. "The chains are easy if you have a basic knife. The fool didnt really check me for anything, he just attempted to beat me."

Axel paced impatiently at the far shore, waiting for the man to come back. "I should of called him dog or something. He is taking forever!" skipping a rock in the banks, he noticed a glint of steel from the camp. "Good. They have weapons. This'll make things intresting. That fool should come back soon though, or i will personally beat him sensless."

Myrda glared at him. I'll have you know that these berries saved the life of my cousin one time, and ...

Myrda, stuff it a minute. Tychicus turned toward the man. Show me how to pick the locks, I didn't know you could.... Tychicus made a beckoning motion at the ground, and murmured a spell under his breath. A perfectly-shaped iron throwing knife sprang out of the ground and assembled itself at the man's feet.

Myrda looked indignant for a moment, but then it faded into curiousity. Oh right, I forgot that Tych can do that.

Tychicus added We've been so tired that I guess we forgot how to think. That jerky did me good.

The man shook his head in wonder.
"Why didnt you just use your magic to destroy the metal from the chains? I will show you though..." with a quick wrist twist, he plunged the knife into the chain, undoing the lock.

"All in the wrist" he muttered, looking down at the knife. "Mind if i use this?" he asked, curious. This would be perfect for throwing."


Axel felt drawn to something farther down. It felt as if Zasafiel itself was attempting to drag him there. "He better hurry up or I may have to ditch this idea..." he muttered.

Tychicus looked at his broken chains with delight. Thanks. Keep the knife as a gift. He decided to curb his tongue but couldn't help thinking I guess it's only people like me with iron magic that even notice the difference between metals... these chains are made of a bronze alloy. It would take tons of energy to take them apart, much more than I can spare.

Tychicus made the beckoning motion again and murmured the spell a few more times, pulling six more knives out of the ground. He picked Myrda's wrist chains open and gave her the knives. I know you're good with throwing knives.

Myrda chuckled and slipped the knives into her belt. She crammed some of the berries into a belt pouch and took another drink of water, then stood up.

In the meantime, Tychicus had pulled another lump of iron out of the ground. He quickly formed it into a short sword, his personal favorite. He hopped to his feet and asked Well are we attacking now?

Myrda apparently wasn't going to wait for instruction. She flung her first knife and nailed a slaver in the back of the neck. She sprang forward, retrieved her knife, and threw it again at another rogue headed her way. She let out a wild yell and chucked her second knife, hitting another slaver between the eyes. Close enough to firing my bow.

Tychicus sighed. Crazy girl... He forced himself to concentrate on his magic and realized that his manacles were iron after all. Huh. That's embarrassing. He started to open the locks of the other slaves gathered around the lake, hoping Myrda could take care of herself for a minute...

The man sighed and stood up. "Now is as good as ever i suppose," with that he created a small twister, and freed his wings. "Now then Axel, lets get this started," he said, pulling out the dagger. This was his only weapon, and he and Axel both forgot about his axes in their flight. Stabbing a slaver that veered to close to his twister, he jumped into the air, hovering above the small tornado. This would be fun.

Axel saw the twister, and then the man. That was his cue. Pulling out one crystal sword, he ran forwards, ready for battle. cutiing down the first brute he saw, he looked around, grinning as the beaten began fighting back. Joining in the melee, he swifty disposed of all who got in his way. So far nobody reconized him, but he was still looking forward to it.

Myrda decided to feed off the man's twister and created a slight windstorm herself. She played with the wind he was hurling around, and bounced off the lake, and she had herself a hurricane. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH. She flung several hundred gallons of water on the remaining slave drivers, and watched them flail around like fish.

Tychicus was having a bit of hazardous fun. Everything made of metal in the area was forming itself into throwing knives at his command, and with the help of Myrda's windstorm, the knives were getting hurled at the slave drivers.

In a few minutes, the last of the slavers were dispatched. Myrda waved her hand and calmed down the wind, letting the lake water drain back into its proper place.

Tychicus commanded all of his knives to come scuttling back to him and to pile themselves in a heap at his feet. Anybody who wants one of these is welcome to them. A couple of the newly-freed slaves gratefully helped themselves to some of the blades.

Myrda trudged over to stand next to Tychicus. Now why didn't we think of that before?

Firstly, we were way too tired to have used any magic. Secondly, at least for me there wasn't enough metal in the area. There are some nice deposits under the ground here. And third...

Nevermind. Myrda laughed. Then she sighed. Well...we're free. We should go thank that one guy and then we'd better decide what to do next.

Both of them were only thinking of one name though. Alexander...

The man slowly landed on the ground, scratching his head. "That was quick. I was hoping it last longer." Setting down the knife, he began walking away from the scene, waving to the slaves he had helped. It wasnt so bad.

Axel picked up speed as he walked towards the main group of people, shoving past the man. He still needed name, and seems how he had the bad habit of talking to himself, it was hard to try get it out of him. Stopping at the pile of knives, and turned to Tychicus. "Well well. I didnt excpect people of such high magic levels to be captured by such weak slavers." he kicked a knife, and it bounced away. "Now, if you would be so kind to answer me a quick question. Have you seen a somebody around here, who may be weilding a large weapon. You could easily sense the weapon, unless he or she hid it well. It seems that I have an impatient guest who really wants to meet that person," he said, fingering his sword.

Realizing that he may look a little insane, he gestured to the sword again. "Its a magiced rapier, with probably a mind of its own. I am not joking, i need to find that person or it may just attempt to take over again."

Tychicus felt his face flush with indignation, but long years of having good manners pounded into him by his father took over. No, I haven't seen anyone with a large weapon, sorry.

Myrda watched the man with her green eyes intently. She reflected that the way he talked seemed as though he was talking to himself... and that made her recall how Alexander had talked, as though he was fighting with himself. It also made her recall how handsome his eyes were. WHERE DID THAT COME FROM?! She blinked and decided to study the rapier the man was carrying. She still felt her cheeks blushing in spite of herself.

Tychicus glanced over at Myrda. That's funny, she looks sunburned. He asked Myrda, you 'sense' any people with big weapons?

Myrda remembered Alex's glove on his right hand suddenly. And the way he looked when he leaned against a tree deep in thought and .... OH SHUT UP YOU! She shook her head. I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean. I'm Myrda by the way, and this is Tychicus.

Axel sighed, shaking his head. "Its seems Zasafiel senses it near. And another one. But this one is mostly effecting it, seems how the elemental differences. Oh well." he turned around, and saw the man staring at him. sighed, he turned back to Mydra and Tychicus.

"Ok, here is the drill. You were all captive, and I am supposed to ask if you need any finacial help. But I was a little occupied." and with a hushed tone he added, "Take that man over there with you. He is driving me insane!"


The man watched as Axel whispered something to the slaves, and rolled his eyes. told you he was going to be entertaining, a voice said, but the man just ignored it. the other one piped in. That was me. You said to run and hide, i said stay. Dont be ignorant.
"Shut up you two," He shouted at them, realising everyone else could here him.

"See what i mean?" Axel asked, and looked to the slaves. "ok, a silver coin and meat per each person. And hurry up, i need to go," he ordered the people, and they quickly obeyed.

OOC: What is he sensing? I'm confused. And if you want anything else from these two characters you should say something quick.

Tychicus cocked an eyebrow and looked at Myrda for an explanation. Myrda shrugged. Tychicus muttered So now is that point when we run, right?

And go find Alexander?

Yeah... despite probably running into the creepy guys in black again, and possibly getting our butts whooped again, and...

Hush. We got caught by surprise that time. This time they'll be the ones running.

We weren't running dear, we were getting DRAGGED.

Thank you Tych, I hadn't noticed. And is it just me or has everyone we've run into talked to themselves?

Everyone talks to themselves but us apparently. I mean, talks to themselves out loud.

Yeah.

Let's go.

Yes, lets!

Tychicus and Myrda turned and started to walk quickly back to the lake. They each salvaged a water bottle from their dead captors, as well as a pack to carry supplies. They filled their water bottles, Myrda grabbed some extra healing berries, and they took some food supplies from the slavers' stores.

OOC: Alexs arm. and someother magic.

Axel sighed as they walked off. "Guess that means we follow them," he told the man, and began to follow, scattering silver coins out of his large purse.

The man nodded, and followed Axel, grabbing a couple knives. He wanted to be well equipped, in case these men in black decided to fight and Axel jumped in. "Oh well," he sighed, and was off.

OOC: I guess we agreed that it's actually Myrda's ring?
MUAHAHAHAH 105 posts....

BIC:

Myrda and Tychicus started their walk across the hills, enjoying the lack of chains on their wrists and ankles. Their packs and stomachs were comfortably full, and despite the fact that they really didn't know exactly where they were going, they both felt very content.

They continued walking for the remainder of the afternoon, not talking much. They were following the direction that the slave drivers had taken them for the last month in hopes of finding the trail of the black-cloaked men that had taken Alexander. Even though they both knew it was unlikely that the trail would be still there, and that Alex may well be gone forever....

It was starting to get dark, and Tychicus noticed that the wind was picking up. Myrda, is that you, or is there a storm coming?

Myrda stopped and looked at the sky. There were dark stormclouds on the horizon. Storm's coming.

Can't you just blow it away?

I could, but it would take a lot of energy. It would be wasteful too, since we can just hunker down for the night and leave the storm alone.

Tychicus sighed. I guess we had better make camp then.

Tychicus supplied several iron bars and rigged up a makeshift tent. Myrda dug the tent material they had salvaged out of their packs and helped him stake it down securely.

Tychicus had been thoughtful enough to design the tent so that there was a tent flap between Tychicus' half of the tent and Myrda's half, so that each could have some privacy and to dispell any feeling of akwardness.

Not long after the tent was finally rigged up, the two travellers heard thunder grumbling overhead, and the dark stormclouds seemed to fly towards them on the wind. They ducked inside the tent and started a tiny fire, just enough to warm up the inside of the tent for the night. Each took a bit of bread from their packs, and then curled up in their half of the tent to get some sleep.

Myrda heard Tychicus snoring softly in five minutes, and the rain pattering against the roof of the tent in ten. Thunder was roaring outside. And Myrda was finding it impossible to sleep for the longest time. She finally dropped off into a troubled dream...

The tribe leader is looking frantic. He digs through a heap of loot, then rips up the blankets, overturns the baskets... "Where is it, where is it?!" He spies another man running away from his house and bolts after him. "Give it back!" The man turns around and runs, the leader after him. They come to blows at the edge of a river, shrieking like mad animals. "Give it back!" "It's mine!" The leader knocks the other man unconscious. The man falls to the ground, and a small shiny object slips from his fingers into the water. The leader shrieks aloud and is preparing to dive into the water when the other villagers notice what is going on. A woman cries "He's dead!" The villagers fall on their leader with clubs. The leader seems to be trying to use magic, but he can't...

Myrda sat up when a particularly fearsome bit of thunder crashed overhead. She could hear the sound of Tychicus snoring still. She just sat there for a while, listening to the storm, her heat beating hard. Not quite knowing what she was doing, she flung her cloak over her head and shoulders and walked outside into the rain.

The tent was close to a river, which with the rain was now overflowing its banks. Myrda walked over to the rushing water and looked around. Why am I here? The image of something shiny, slipping out of a man's fingers and into a river, crossed her mind. This is weird. Myrda was about to turn and go back to her tent, deciding that she was partially sleepwalking, when she saw something shiny in the water. A flash of lightning lit up the area, and she saw it clearly; it was a small ring that had washed up on the flooded banks.

She bent down and picked it up, unconsciously sliding it on to her finger. It looked like two gusts of wind that wrapped around the finger and crashed into each other; where the two gusts met, a light blue stone was embedded firmly in the metal. It was a very beautiful ring, and it glittered as though the stone was freshly cut and the metal recently glossed.

The rain suddenly let off a bit. The wind seemed to be driving the storm away, but Myrda didn't notice. She walked back to the tent and wrapped herself in her blankets, dozing off with the ring on her left index finger.

‘wake’ Alexander opened his eyes. He was lying on the floor of what seemed to be straw and… other things. He could feel that his body had completely healed, thanks to the hand. He didn’t hear anything ,save for a dripping noise, so he assumed it was ok to stand up. He stood slowly, surveying his surroundings. He had been moved from the cage, to a cave. This cave was empty, only thing there was a chair, and a large metal door. It was then Alexander noticed his amour and assorted trinkets were gone, ‘so I at least know there smart, among other things.’ just then the door opened. Two men with large clubs and a assortment of other nasty things walked in, fowled by a smaller fatter man, ‘interrogations, how fun.’ the first man hit Alexander in the stomach with the club, he almost hit the floor, he did when he hit Alexander on the head with it, dazed but not out. The two big men picked him up and threw him into the chair. The little man spoke “I know little about you, or that hand, but I do know it keeps you alive, so nothing I do will affect you in the long term, nothing personal, but orders are orders.”

The next several days were filled with beatings, almost no questions asked. Every night the hand would heal the body, just to be opened a new each day…

im moiving alexanders position to the rocky outcroping

Myrda woke up early the next morning. Good morning. Wait a minute. Am I talking to myself? No, you're talking to me. Hah. Yeah. Myrda shook her head and started to pack up her blankets.

You should wake up that idiot, he was muttering in his sleep all night and kept us up. Tychicus? Us? You know what I mean. Chuck a rock at him, you can't mess up his face any further what with that knife slash. NO WAY WHY AM I...OW! Myrda rubbed her head moodily. She had unwittingly sprung to her feet and banged her head on an iron bar. Another reason to wake up that idiot. He made the bars too hard! That's no reason to blow up on him. He's my friend.

Tychicus was having a nice dream about his dad's fried chicken when he was awakened by Myrda yelling. He sat up and called Myrda are you okay?

Fine! Just fine! How about some breakfast, ahahah?

Um, sounds good. Tychicus quickly packed up his blankets and helped Myrda tear down the tent. He compacted the iron into a cube and stuffed it away in his pack.

They sat down next to each other on the wet grass and started to eat a small breakfast. Tychicus remarked You look awful.

So do you. Myrda bit her tongue. Did I just say that?

Tychicus laughed good-naturedly. Sorry, I didn't mean to be offensive. Did you not sleep well?

Only because of your snoring bone-brain. Shut up, you mean... thing. I can't hear you! Oh yes you can sweetie. Myrda said out loud No, the storm kept me up.

Tychicus glanced at her hand. That's a pretty ring. I haven't seen it before.

Myrda glanced down at her hand. So that's who you are. I am not just a ring, I am power, great power! This is getting weirder every minute... Get used to it dear. Myrda said out loud Thanks. I, uh, found it last night. It was kinda weird.

Tychicus just nodded and wolfed down the last of the piece of jerky he was having for breakfast.

OOC: Done now.

why is everyone jacking MEH EVIL VOICE THINGY, jk, i realise its not original

occ: ok. and pebbs, thats because you have people that danno and you rp'd with for awhile. GRAH!!! pebble posted while i made this. GRAH! I have to redo it. And pebble, if you start with "my precious" and whatnot i will bite you. Hard.

The storm didnt help alter Axel's bitter mood, but then again, neither did the babbling of the man behind him. Talking to himself, arguing with himself, ignoring himself. He was really insane. And annoying. Standing up, he squinted at the sun, shaking the water off himself. "That idiot better have the powers to at least blow dry me off, or he may find a sword shoved down his throat," he muttered, standing up. Kicking the man a couple times, he woke him up, already giving him orders. "Use your wind abilities to dry us, and lets go. They are just up ahead." he ordered, and waited for his response.


The man glared at Axel. "I dont know why you dont just heat yourself up, but fine. you want wind, i got it." With that, he used a large blast of wind, sending Axel flying backwards.

"You Idiot!" Axel roared, as he got to his feet. "Why I could just..." he stop midsentence, feeling a powerful presence.
You feel it now, Zasafiels voice rang in his ears. Its about time. You are getting the hang of sensing powerful magic at least. An improvment to just burning idiots up. Earlier you probably felt another. I think it was one of my brothers, but it was far off. We have to concetrate on this one, and the ice one. Thats it. Zasafiel broke off with a breif image of a powerful substance, and Axel nodded.

"You were saying...?" the man asked, waiting for a response. "Nevermind," he said angrily, grabbing his stuff.

"Follow me. And run. We need to appear tired. lets go." Axel ordered, and began a fast sprint forwards, to Mydra's and Tychicus' camp, picking up speed, he tried his hardest to wear himself down, but to no avail. "Stupid sword," he muttered, and slid to a stop. "This is it," he told the man, who landed on the ground beside him. "This part is ussually the hardest to explain. But i am used to it."

The man shoved Axel aside, angry at his antics. "This is how you do it," he told him, and with that he Shouted at the top of his lungs. "Tychicus! Mydra! Hello!! Is this your 'camp'!"

ooc: We should move this soon, and danno, its because of the plot. How else are the weapons supposed to control you?

wow wow, hold up, what, i need to read the plot chat, but now that i know why, im ok with it.

OOC: *puts on cooking mitts* Bring it, Blade! I DO NOT FEAR YOUR INCISORS!!! ^^ Yeah, I kinda jacked the whole gollum ring thing, but I won't be saying "myyy preeeeciooooooouuuuus *evil gollum grunt*" , and of course this all goes along with the Tainted Souls plot thingy....

And yes, we will be moving this to the Rocky Mountains soon. Myrda will be able to sense where Alexander is now that she has the ring, and their whole intent was to find him.

BIC:

Myrda looked up. Did you hear something Tych?

Tychicus stood up. Yeah. I think it's that one guy... and the other guy...

Axel and the wind-man?

Yeah, them. Tychicus cupped his hands over his mouth and called back What do you want?

Myrda stayed seated on the grass. Imbeciles, just blow them away. Why, we could use their help... Aahhhh you have much to learn. I am power, we ARE power, we don't need help from anyone! No, I think it would be wise to accept help. And what do you mean by power? I mean, Empress Myrda will conquer these lands, with the very wind and rain and air at your command we will... Hush, that's silly. Right now I just want to find Alexander. Why??? Because you think he's handsome? Well that too, but he's in trouble, and HEY, if I have more magical power, then I have a better chance of rescuing him. ^^ Silly girl... I mean, wait a minute. I sense ice. The ice weapon. Alexander has it?!?! Huh? I am wind, and fire is approaching, and I can sense ice. We must find Alex. Okaaaay. Quiet down, I don't want to look insane trying to talk to these people.

Myrda stood up next to Tychicus and watched as the two men approached.

Zasafiel felt the presense of his sister [ooc: k, they are all related, i figure the rings a girl. hush. bic:] wind, and rang with enthusiam. Fire and wind could be a deadly combo, if just he could get this fool Axel to stuff it and use him. Stupid man.

Axel punched the man to the ground, shouting at him. "What Kind of greeting was that! That was idiotic!"

The man stood up, shouting back. "I dont think you had any better plans punk! I mean, You were just going to sit there like and idiot waiting for them. How well did that turn out for that girl you 'helped' earlier!"

Axel clobbered the man with his fist yet again. "Keep that outta this. We are dealing with here and now!"

With man jumped at Axel and the began a short brawl. In afew secods, Axel had him pinned face first into the ground.

"Eat dirt fool!" he shouted, doing a joyful little happy dance. realizing the presence of Mydra and Tychicus. "Uh, hehe, Sorry bout that. Just ironing out afew kinks. I was going to ask if you needed some force to your group. I mean, that is if you have a mission of sorts. And if you are not going to any local authorities, including rulers and whatnot. Just need something to do really. Besides that, I have enough food and money to care for an army in this bag," he held up his large bag, bulging at the seems.

"Oh smooth. Great recovery," the man grumbled, as he began standing up.

With a quick stomp, Axel had his foot on the mans head. "And he cooks. And is a good lookout, seems how he mastered the art of silent stalking on poor innocent passerbyers."

Zasafiel attempted a sigh, but as everyone knows, rapiers cannot. Showing Axel the image of burning camps and people, he urged him to shut up and get to th point. The reason that worked so well, was it was Axels mother burning in the foreground of the image. And he couldnt do a thing.