-Elsewhere-

The veil of eternity warped before his eyes, and the old man haggardly fell onto unlikely footings. As if alive, the endless fog parted around him, revealing the haunting and familiar world of white.

Unable to contain himself, Loryl Valtus Toraile, Supreme Commander of Tal’hrus stumbled onto all four. “Haaa… haaa…”
He had managed to escape.
His body was drained and there was now a numbing sensation in his arms and an indistinguishable fear within his chest, but he had avoided certain death.
“Haaa…. Hahaha… HAHAHAHHA!”
His own laughter echoed through the air as his mind lingered on the uncertainty of what he had just encountered.

*Ba-bump*
The curtain of memories suddenly drew him in, and the desolate world quieted itself.  

A sea of mana, deep like an infinite night.
Dense and suffocating, it had overflowed with a purity the likes of which he had never felt before.

*Ba-bump*
A regretful smile, plastered onto the weathered face of an old friend.
An unresisting gaze that blankly stared back as he clawed into flesh with anger.
‘I am not who you should be worried about.’ A beaten voice.

*Ba-bump*
Within the depths of the unending darkness, something else had existed.
*Ba-bump*
A conscious, a veritable will amidst the flood of intangible mana.
*Ba-bump*
Two silver eyes gleaming with death.

“Haaaa! Haaaa…” Taking deep breaths, he struggled to regain himself.
Having hastily pulled his mind from the depths of his own memories, he could feel his body trembling as more questions flooded his thoughts.
“S-Seraxs…” The name quickly brought him back to his frantic escape.
In its attempt to protect him, the light spirit had been ruthlessly torn asunder and its luminous body devoured by the abyss.
“Kuh… I- I was chosen. This cannot be possible!” He voiced, digging bloody fingers into the ground in frustration.
Whatever the darkness was, it had overwhelmed the combine strength of himself and the light spirit.

Hunched in silence, the fog slowly returned to coil about his body, and, ‘Hahahahah!’ A light laughter began weaving itself through the air. A mocking tone, it was one that had known what would happen. ‘Hahahahah!’ It flowed alongside the ever-shifting fog, ridiculing him for having been soundly beaten and forced to flee.

‘Hahahaha! HAHAHA!’ Growing louder and louder, the bemused laughter quickly devolved into one of anger and humiliation, deriding him in his own voice as the knowledge of failure and thorough defeat became paramount.

“SILENCE!” The old man hollered and two blades of wind quickly slashed apart the fog around him, instantly culling the voices.
“I… I am still alive!” He spat into the white haze as the shattered mirror reflected itself in his mind. Collecting himself against the unknown fear, he forced himself back onto his feet. “This is not over. Not yet!”

 

***

 

-Ferrent. 3^rd Ward-

Adalina wordlessly stared at the smoke rising throughout the Shorza district.

The darkness had vanished almost as swiftly as it appeared, leaving a stilted silence in the air as if to imitate the morning’s dawn.

All the roaring flames around them had been extinguished within the unnatural night and glancing around the area, she spotted dozens of eyes that were filled with panic and horror.
She turned to Reanne, only to see that the woman was trembling.

“Y-you know what that was?” Reanne whispered, her face white and filled with terror.

Noticing that she was still holding onto Reanne’s arm, Adalina withdrew her hand and took an unsteady step back.

“Adalina!” Reanne cried out, her voice a pitch higher than usual.

Recalling the image of the mage’s lower body disappearing into shadows. “I. I think so…”

“What was it? What just happened?!” There was fear in the woman’s voice.

“I don’t know.” Adalina replied as the same questions settled into her thoughts. Without paying further attention to Reanne or the people around them, she looked toward the direction of her home.
The uncertainty of her children’s safety surged into her mind once again, and without saying another word, she ran.

…

“Anise!” Adalina screamed as she neared the residence.
To her right, she could see just how far the flames had come, easily adding to her anxiousness. “Sylvia!” She cried out, calling out for the young lady who had been asked to stay behind with her children.

“Sylvia!” Reanne’s nervous voice echoed behind her own.

As they neared their destination, she easily spotted where the fire had latched onto the rooftop of their house. The side of the building where her own bedroom was located was charred, but the flames had yet to consume much of anything else. “Anise! Sylvia!” She shouted again, racing toward the front door.

“Adalina!”
Reanne’s arm grabbed her from behind.

Almost stumbling as she turned back around, “Momma! Momma!” The shrill pitch of a young girl’s voice caught her attention.
It was coming from within a crowd of people standing around the center of the road.
Worries and fear dissipated and she rushed toward the group, breaking through the circle to find the young girl also calling out for her.
Behind Anise, Sylvia was standing next to Axel and holding a crying boy in her arms.
Adalina raced to her daughter, tightly throwing her herself around the bewildered girl.

“M-momma?!”

After a tight embrace, she gently pulled away. “I’m so sorry. You all must have been terrified.” She apologized, quickly looking the girl over to make sure that her daughter was unharmed.

“Momma, I was not scared!” Anise pouted instead.

Adalina held down a chuckle, and glanced over to where Sylvia was standing.
Lady Reanne was already next to Sylvia and was embracing the young lady’s head in a tender hug.

“Sylvie brought Axel out and I brought Lance.” There was a proudly look on Anise’s face.

Her fears quelled, she turned back to her daughter. “Anise.” Adalina whispered, keeping her voice between the two of them. “Was that Hasen?”

The girl’s eyes immediately lit up in excitement and wonder.
Her tiny mouth opened as if to regale the triumphant tale, but, “Pardon me.” A voice interrupted them from their right side. Adalina turned to see a patrolman standing next to them.

“Are you the girl’s mother?” The man questioned.
Four others stood behind the man like they were making an arrest, but none had their weapons drawn.

Taken aback at the sudden inquiry, “I- I am…” She replied, trying not to sound too nervous.

“Apologies if I have startled you.” The guard lowered his head, “We just wanted to give our thanks to the young lady and see her to her parents before resuming our duties.” He clarified. Behind the guard, the four others also lowered their heads graciously.

“Your thanks?”
Adalina turned, only to realize that the crowd of people were watching them. Whispers were circulating through the spectators, and their eyes were all focused onto Anise as if they had all just witnessed a miracle.

 

—

 

-11^th Ward-

The shouting and screaming from before had died down, and the presence of guards and knights were becoming more prevalent as they made their way back.

“Are you going to tell me again that you have no idea what that was?” Lord Varath questioned, turning to glance at Troyle.
Battered and bruised, they had fumbled through the unnerving darkness and managed to move in the general direction of his manor.
To his side, Troyle opened his mouth but said nothing.
“Does it have something to do with your son?” Alzin added, quietly waiting for an answer.

The first time he had inquired about it, there was the issue of a noble’s son and the murder of his guards to worry about. Seeing that Troyle was just as confused as he was at the time, he had dropped the topic.
Yet there it was again, emerging from Troyle’s sword as it had done before. 
An entity with strength enough to overpower someone as reputable as Lord Valk Torkux, one of Ferrent’s Five Flames.

“He… Kaidus had called them his familiars.” Troyle finally spoke, his voice low and filled with its own questions.

The word struck him. “Familiar?” Alzin repeated, unsure if he had heard correctly.

“Yes.” A soft confirmation.

‘A familiar…’ The thought resounded in his mind and Alzin Varath slowed his steps.
Though he was but a powerless Mahj barely capable of invoking the simplest spells, such knowledge pertaining to the world of magic had not eluded his curiosity.
It was impossible for just any mage to summon a spirit into the physical world as a familiar, and from his research, it was known that spirits never bound themselves to those they deemed unworthy.

A black mass of cloud, ripping apart korgas on the outskirts of Ferrent’s farmlands.
The memory came rushing back. He had suspected something then, but had never questioned what it was that they all saw.

Alzin suddenly stopped. ‘Troyle said familiars.’ The implication of the word dawned in his mind as the blinding night flooded his vision, bolstering the claims.

The child was truly an outlier.
‘I implore you to let this notion of marriage go, and allow the future to unwind as it will.’ Like a rainstorm, the words poured down onto the spark of determination that had suddenly burst to life again within his thoughts.

“My lord, should we rest?” Troyle’s voice came from ahead.

Disposing the silly notion again, Alzin looked forward. He had fallen a few good paces behind. “Ah, yes. Sorry.” He apologized and lowered his aching body to the ground.

…

By the time they neared his manor, much of the disorderly panic had ceased. The explosions had already stopped sometime during the fleeting darkness, and the fires flowing throughout the ward had all but vanished.

“M-my lord?” One of his guards rushed over to them as they approached the manor. Covered in dust, the man looked shocked.

“Lenard?” Alzin called out, but stopped and stared with wide eyes at the broken mansion.

Half of the manor’s southern wall by the main street had been blown apart, along with the fences and trees before it. The kitchen itself could be seen from the outside, and its foundations looked upturned as if something had emerged from underneath.
From the slightly elevated kitchen, a crack had appeared, creeping along the outer walls and moving toward the north side to where the circular library was located.
Overall, the manor looked like it was leaning to its side.

“My lord, you cannot be here. You must-” Before Lenard could finish, from the wide open front doors, two men stepped out. Robed in white and red, they were mages of the Mystiks guild.

“You are Lord Alzin Varath?” The younger of the two mages questioned.

Staring back at the two mages that were moving toward them, “I am.” Lord Varath guardedly answered, unsure as to what was happening.

“Then that red headed swordsman must be your guard Troyle Paltos.” The mage stated, shooting a glance at Troyle. “You are both hereby under arrest for treachery, and the death of Lord Knight Commander Ravon.”

‘Fuck.’ His mind cursed, having failed to realize that such a thing might happen because of the misunderstanding.

 

—

 

-11^th Ward-

Clenching his fist tightly and brimming with fury, Huin Xoras Ravon stood before his father’s corpse.
In a show of respect, the guild mages had personally brought the body back to their estate.

‘Take your group and reinforce the gates to the 13^th ward. Do not let anyone pass even if it is King Sarjace himself.’
The old man’s last words sounded in his mind for the hundredth time as he stared at the dark spot on his father’s chest. The servants had already removed the old man’s armor and redressed him, but blood was still oozing out.
“I should have come with you.” The pain in his fist did not help to ease his regret as he thought about what might have been. “Protected you as you would this city.” His gaze fell upon his father’s face. It looked like the right side of the old man’s face had been dragged through the streets, and just the thought of the pain filled his mind with anger.
A hand warmly slipped into his fist, and Huin turned to his side.
His wife had returned.
“How is she?” He mindlessly questioned, barely recalling what he had seen upon arriving back home.

“She cried herself to sleep.” Kellian’s sullen whisper seemed distant as it meandered through the space between them. “Did you know she secretly bought that suit of armor piece by piece so that we wouldn’t notice?”

“I did not…” His mouth gave an instinctive reply as he continued to silently stare down at his father.

Seeing the pain in his eyes and hearing the anguish in his voice, Kellian quieted herself and stood beside her husband, unable to say anything.

“The old man was always talking about his age… always asking me if I would take over as head of the family and become Lord Commander in his stead.” Huin eventually broke the silence and lowered his head painfully. “But I… I would always reject the offer, telling him that a stubborn old man like himself would live for another fifty years. For it to be so soon…” He paused, and the fury of his father’s death swiftly returned.
Not wanting to show his wife his anger, without finishing his thought, Huin turned and walked away.
With his sword still strapped to his waist, he made his way toward the stables.

The mages had said that someone was there during his father’s final moments.
He needed answers.

 

—

 

-1^st Ward-

Lips quivering with anguish, “I found him…” Master Hamin Quinz, Summoning instructor of Zorin Academy infused mana into his shaking voice and willed the message throughout the ward.

Not long after relaying his discovery, two others arrived atop the large warehouse.

Falling to his knees before the stone seat, Zaele Lacaur, the youngest of the masters within Zorin lowered his head to the floor in anguish.

Eyes burning with anger, Keral Leblazi, master of subjugations quietly stared at the bloody body laying atop the crude seat.

They were too late.
Before them all, was the frail body of Nylen Gvius Daz Jozion, the grandmaster who had presided and watched over Ferrent for the past half century.
Unmoving and with a number of bloody wounds in his neck and body, Ferrent’s Malizur was dead.

A good stride from the body and fallen onto the roof, was a glass shard oozing with an incredible amount of mana.

 

***

 

-Elsewhere-

Walking through the endless fog, the old man eventually came upon a desolated valley.
It was a place he had trekked hundreds of times before, and keeping pace, he soon arrived at a pristine wall of white situated against the side of a small cave.
With a thought, a small orb appeared before him and the wall shifted, revealing a tunnel.
The old man stepped inside as the wall closed behind him.

He walked in silence, bypassing a number of rooms until finally reaching an intersecting corridor. Following the path, he soon arrived at a large cavernous chamber with a single ray of light shining through the ceiling.

Halting his steps, the old man swiftly scanned the shadows.
There were others within the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” He questioned as the spacious chamber was illuminated to reveal three of his mages.
Three of the masters.

Standing beside each other, unlike their usual cowed selves, the three were assessing him carefully.

“What is this?” The old man repeated.

“We did not think it possible… but seeing you here, it must mean that you have failed.” One of the three answered, his voice deep and thickly accented.

“Dargras…” The old man gritted his teeth and straightened himself. “And what is it that you intend to do, seeing my failure?”

“You have always commanded excellence from us, master. I would think that the same should apply to even one as venerated as yourself.” Another voice chimed in, a woman’s voice.

“You would have me punished, Sura? Stripped of my command?” He glared at the woman.

“Yes.” The third voice asserted.

“Is that so?” The old man snarled and mana erupted around him. “Do you think you can take my place, Allus? What about you, Sura? Or you, Dargras?” He inquired, and the three masters held themselves like statues.

“No one can take your place, master.” The man named Allus finally replied. “But failures cannot be tolerated. You should know that.”

“Who said that I have failed?” He swiftly countered.

“Ferrent still stands, does it not?”

“I do not answer to you, Allus. You answer to ME.”

“That’s true. Whether you succeeded or failed does not matter. All that matters, is that you are weakened.” Allus replied, dismissing the inquisition and exerting his own mana outward. “Because once you are gone, we will truly be the masters of our own domains. Do it.”

Mana surged through the ground beside his legs and with a thought, the old master quickly leapt back using a wind spell.
Commanding his own mana, he willed it and a blade of earth shot forward as white roots burst from the ground.

Slashing through the roots, the earthen blade slammed into a wall of stone as Dargras and Sura finished their own incantations.

More mana filled the air and the old man willed his own to solidify into a barrier.
*Pssshaaa!* A bolt of lightning surged at him and was absorbed, while another whisked by and crashed into the wall behind him.
Another outpouring of mana could be felt coming from the three and he quickly expanded his barrier as more bolts followed.
Resisting the incoming barrages with his arms, the ground underneath his right foot softened and he kicked downward, sending a shockwave throughout the chamber.

Ahead, the three immediately attempted to stabilize themselves.

Using the opening, the old man willed his mana into the ground and clawed upward with his arms, calling forth a jet of water where the three were standing.

“Surround him!” Dargras’ deep and commanding voice boomed through the room.

Seeing the three evading his attack and then dispersing from their fortified positions, the old man quickly released his mana barrier.
With a thought, his mana coursed to his right side and ignited.

Resisting the urge to flee, Sura, one of the three masters quickly invoked her own magic and a wall of light emerged before her. Barely finishing in time, “Guh!” she was blown back by the suddenly fireball as it exploded, incinerating her defensive spell.

The old man quickly drew himself back as four frozen spears soared toward him. Halting the projectiles in midair with a wind vortex of his own, with a swift motion, he launched them back toward Allus.
“Ugh!” Something else slashed at his side from behind, and he quickly turned to defend against the wind as it twisted back toward him.

“Now!” Dargras screamed, and even more mana began filling the cavernous chamber.

Sensing the combined magic. With fleeting steps, the old man quickly fled back to the tunnel he had entered from. Pushing forth all his mana, he hastily formed a barrier before himself.

The chamber rumbled, and a number of metallic vines burst into the room.

Coiling down from the ceiling and erupting through the ground and walls, they all shot forth toward him, slashing and piercing at his barrier.
“Ughk?!”
An excruciating pain shot through his body, and he looked down to see the bloody tip of a sword sticking out of his chest.

“HAHAHAHA! I can’t believe it worked!” A laughter filled with excitement came from behind, a voice he knew too well.

“UhHHHhk! Ughak!” Spitting out blood, his face twisted in anger. “N-NARSHON!” The old man roared, and in the single instant of losing his focus, the metal vines ripped through the barrier and wrapped themselves around his body.

“To think that one of the great master of Tal’hrus was felled by a simple sword. How unbelievable! Kuahahah!”

“*Cough!* Na-Narshon…” The old man spat as the agony of death screamed in his mind. He had known the upstart was ambitious. Yet for such a thing to happen, it was as if fate had already designed for him to perish this day. “Yo-you… *COUGH!* was this your-”

“I can’t take all the credits.” Narshon gleefully responded. “The idea of freeing ourselves from your grasp came from Kaval after all. My credit was only in persuading the others to see reason in her reckless proposal.”

“Uhghhk-GAHAKK!” Throwing up the blood in his mouth, he could feel more swelling upward and seeping out through the metal constraints.

“You don’t know how long it took me to persuade them.” Narshon’s voice continued. “None of us would dare to defy you if you were at full strength, but this Nylen you are always so wary of… I got to thinking you know, and then I began to wonder. What if he was a more skillful mage? What if you did not come back from your expedition to Darsus? Even if you did come back, what kind of state would you be in after fighting a Malizur?”

“Ku- Traitors! UGH!”

The sound of footsteps came toward them.

“Kaval’s scheme had always intrigued me, but it wasn’t until you volunteered to sail for Darsus that I saw the opportunity.”

“Enough of your blathering, Narshon.” Dargras’ deep voice interjected. “We’ve held our end of the deal. Put him out of his misery so that we can go our separate ways as planned.”

‘Put me out of my misery?!’ His body tensed, and anger filled the old man’s lungs as the vines tightened. “F-Fools… the *Cough!* the lot of you!”
With such a wound and having used up most of his mana in Ferrent, there was no way to break through the compounded bindings.

‘I have seen this world’s true master.’ Nylen’s words echoed in his thoughts.

‘You are the master of Tal’hrus. This cannot be your end!’ Another voice screamed. There was no other path but death.
Painfully slowing his breaths, the old man closed his eyes and refocused his mind.

“Narshon! NOW!” Dargras’ voice boomed through the room.

The agonizing pain in his chest instantly disappeared, and the cluster of mana that was slashing for his head on Dargras’ command instantly dissipated.
With a thought, the metal vines binding him shattered like brittle clumps of rocks and the old master fell to the ground.
“Haaaa…” Taking a deep breath, he opened his eyes to see black smoke rising out of his mouth as power swelled into his deforming body.

“It’s too late! Run!”
The four masters quickly scattered away through the tunnels of the chamber.

“KuH!!” Jerking his head to the side, the pain from his chest filled his mind.
‘The true harbinger… another… age of magic.’
The fragmented words continued in his thoughts, and “Grahh!” He groaned, trying to hold in the pain that was now splitting his mind apart. “Then I… Guu-ahh! Haa… I shall… await their- ARGGH!!!” A searing pain coursed through the hole in his chest. “ARRIVAAAAL!” The old master roared as his mind fractured, and the primordial mana of Lagus consumed his dying body.

 

***

-Malpaars-

Something stirred within the darkness, and the forgotten city came alive as thousands of luminescent scales began pulsing with a snow white glow.

Twice it had felt it: an unknown strength rivaling the heralds of old.
Originating from that of the mortal realm, the power had broken through its eternal dreams the first time, waking its subconscious mind from a prison of tranquility.
This time, the mysterious presence had shaken its mountains and fully awoken it from its slumber.

Opening its blood red eyes, it looked down upon the ruins of the once beautiful city as its body began shrinking.

Razor sharp claws withered as it shrunk, falling off as pale white arms took their places. Two Majestic wings retracted into its back and its body shifted, distorting into that of a lesser creature.

“Nnnnnghh…” It moaned in triumph, having finally completed the transformation.

-3^rd Ward-

An invisible specter, it had always watched from the shadows.
It had stayed itself as men concealing hidden agendas infiltrated the city.
Had observed as plans were set into motion, and had done nothing as chaos enveloped the streets.
Even as houses burned around them, it did not move to intercede.

‘Protect my family.’
Such was the order given, and the destruction of the city was but a minor inconvenience, one that was ultimately none of its concern.
Its charges were safe and that was all that mattered.

“It’s a secret.” The young girl replied, grinning with the knowledge that they were safe.
Waiting alongside her, Hasen watched motionlessly as its shadows danced around the flames.

“Can I see it?” The older girl asked, extending a hand outward.

“Nnnnn… Kai said to always keep it with me no matter what.” The young girl hesitantly replied, as if unwilling to let it go.

With a crestfallen look, Sylvia pulled back and proceeded to pick up Lance.

“Maybe- maybe just a little.” Anise softly relented. “But you have to promise to keep it a secret from everyone.”

Surprised by the offer, “I promise.” The older girl swore, curiously moving to crouch next to Anise with Lance in her arms.

With the two rings in the center of her cupped hands, Anise brought them up to Sylvia’s face.

“Is it supposed to glow like that?”

“Shhhh.” With a sly smile, Anise continued holding the rings out.

As if on cue, “Anise?” the sound of a voice vibrated through the ring.

“Kaidus?!”

The young girl’s hands quickly collapsed around the rings. “Shhh!” she hushed, looking around suspiciously.

‘Hasen.’
What they had been waiting for coursed through the ethers and into its mind.

‘Master…’ It promptly replied as their minds linked.

‘What is going on? That was Sylvia’s voice.’

“Kai. The house is burning. The neighbor’s house too, a lot of them.” Anise whispered as she slowly opened her hands again.

‘The house is burning?’ The question resounded in its mind.

‘The city… attacked…’ Hasen replied.

‘An outside attack on Ferrent?’

‘Yes…’ It confirmed, sensing unease.

“Kai? Kai, are you there?” Anise queried.

‘My parents. Where are they?’ The voice echoed loudly.

‘Safe… My shadows… watching…’

‘And the city? Is it still safe?’

‘No…’ it answered, and a wave of anger washed through its mind before quickly dispersing.

“Kai? I- *sniff* I’m sorry I broke our promise. Kai!” The young girl cried out, her voice no longer a whisper.

“There’s no need to be sorry.” Their master’s calm voice weaved through the air and the young girl’s expression instantly brightened. “The fires will be gone soon. Everything will be fine.”

Unlike the reassuring voice that soothed the child, ‘Those who had dared to disturb their peace. End them ALL.’ An unyielding command echoed through its thoughts as their master’s will and mana reverberated through its shadows.

‘As you will… So it… shall be…’ Hasen complied as a different wave of mana coursed through the ground beneath them.

 

—

 

-11^th Ward-

Struggling to remain conscious, Lord Knight Commander Gelrin Ravon painfully shook himself awake as the sound of battle continued to resound before him.
There was a throbbing pain in his chest as if a searing hot iron poker had been plunged into his heart, and he could feel his strength seeping out through the wound.
‘You fool!’ He screamed in his head, looking up to the interloper who had protected him.

Yet it was not one of the knights he had commanded to flee earlier.
The man before him was wearing a battered blue uniform and had a head of thick red hair. The man’s trademark two swords were already out and gleaming darkly.

‘Troyle Paltos.’ The Varath guard’s name came easily.
“You ca-Ugh!” He tried to voice and bouts of intense pain shot through his chest, almost causing him to pass out.
With a deep breath, Gelrin lowered his head to look down at himself.
There was a hole in his chest plate the size of a man’s fist. It was also where the sharp and searing pain was pulsing from.
Taking another deep breath to lessen the shock in his body, he covered the hole with his left hand and turned his focus to the rampaging aleithian.

A powerful close combat mage, the winged man had killed four of his spellblades already. Even as an accomplished raiha spellblade himself, he had been overpowered by the man’s raw destructive prowess and verticality. Should the Paltos man continue fighting as well, he too will surely perish.

Ahead, the red headed man deftly avoided a frontal thrust with a quick sidestep.
Wielding his two swords like they were a part of his body, the Varath guard swiftly countered with two slashes of his own into the winged man’s left arm.

Using his sword as a crutch, Gelrin tried to stand up. “S-stop- NNhhnnnng!” An agonizing pain easily forced him to his knees again. Coughing and holding onto his chest, he anxiously looked around for anyone who could help.
There was no one.
No signs of his knights or the Mystiks guild.

Brushing the attacks aside as if they did nothing, “Bring m-m-me the black one!” The aleithian man hollered, lunging forward and swiping angrily with his right arm in a wide horizontal arc.

“Graah…!” Gelrin groaned painfully, forcing himself to stand up.

Ahead, the man named Troyle quickly leapt back to avoid the attack and slashed outward with both swords, barely managing to parry the powerful swipe. Twisting his left sword into a reverse grip, the guard shot forward as soon as his feet touched the ground. With his body low and both swords held to his side, he dashed past the aleithian man, slashing into the man’s left side.

Unfazed by the attacks, the winged man twisted his body and his left wing swept the air, instantly flipping his position upside down. Following the aerial maneuver with a swift and straight punch, the man proceeded to unleash a barrage of assaults while hovering with his legs in the air like he was playing around.

Gelrin pulled his gaze away from the action and glanced down at the hole in his chest. It was throbbing insufferably, and he could feel his clothes underneath getting drenched as his lifeblood continued to leak.
Gritting his teeth to keep down the pain, he coughed and blood spurted out from the opening. Quickly taking two deep breaths, he closed his eyes to refocus himself.

There were no other options left. Their opponent was covered in a thick barrier of mana and should he stay his hands, another man will die.
“Asiran. Za-Ean- *cough!* Za-Ean, Atarus Ehir Dasvaraz.”
With a swift incantation, he infused his body with the last of his mana to dull the pain before turning his attention back to the fight.
The battle had moved a good distance to his right side, and the Varath guard was being pushed back.

In the midst of slashing outward with claw-like hands, the winged man unexpectedly stopped and screamed something incomprehensible before hastily taking to the air.

“?!” Gelrin quickly turned as the road rumbled and a wave of mana coursed through the ground beneath his feet. “Run!” He screamed, and pain flared though his chest.

The stone road undulated upward, and the ground beside the blue guard cracked open. A mass of dark earth burst through the fissure, spewing out like a fountain and clotting together into an enormous arm. Completely disregarding the Varath guard, it gushed up into the sky.

“No! NO!!! Cheating!” The aleithian man screamed and rose higher into the air as the earthen arm grabbed for him. 

Plunging his sword into the ground to stabilize himself as the quakes intensified, Gelrin froze as he stared toward the outer wards.
Dozens of gigantic arms were emerging throughout Ferrent, throwing up debris and causing large quakes as they slammed down upon the city.
“No MORE!”
An ear-piercing screech came from above and he quickly turned to look up.

High in the air, mana had begun gathering around the aleithian man. With another deafening screech, the man descended like a falling star, smashing through the earthen arm and blowing apart the stone road.

Dodging everything, the red headed guard hastily retreated a good distance away from where the winged man had landed and lowered himself into a defensive stance.

More mana began emanating from within the cloud of dust that had been kicked up and a deafening wind blasted the dust cloud apart. At its center, the winged aleithian launched himself toward the guard.

Sensing the imminent danger, Gelrin rushed forward as pain tore through his chest.
Seeing the red headed man hastily bringing his swords up to guard himself, ‘You cannot block that!’ He shouted in his head, having already seen two of his spellblades gored by the same attack.
Grasping his sword tightly with both hands, “GRRaaaahhh!” he screamed against the agony in his body upon intercepting the winged man.
*Thnnnnng!*
Slicing upward, his sword was easily blocked and his eyes blurred as a wing slammed into his side. The taste of blood filled his mouth and he blacked out.

“…no more help! You die! Y-y-you die nowwww!!”
The shrill scream of a crazed man resonated through the air.

*Cough cough!*
Coming to his senses, he was laying on the ground and his helmet had somehow came off. There was a raw pain on the right side of his face and the excruciating agony in his chest was now flowing down to his ribs as well. There was also a new jabbing pain in his body from the dent in his armor that had been smashed into his side.
*COUGH!* Spitting out the blood in his mouth, Gelrin sorely turned his head toward the screaming voice.

A short distance away, the aleithian man had already repositioned himself and was flaring with power again.

Taking painful breaths, he tried to push his aching body off the ground.
“Aughk!?!” He grunted as the last vestige of mana within his body trickled away.
“Gu-hhnnnng!!”
Like a smoldering ember latching onto dry tinder, the pain that had been held back because of his strengthening magic surged throughout his body.
Clenching his teeth to keep from screaming as blood gushed through the open wound in his chest, all he could do was watch powerlessly as the winged man launched toward the Varath guard once more.
Fighting to hold onto his awareness, ‘R-run…’ He voicelessly begged.

“W-wha-?! Nn-noooo! GYyaaarrrhhhhh!! Ch-ch-cheating!!!”
Yet instead of the guard, the winged aleithian’s own deathly screams tore through the air.

His eyes stilled, and darkness overtook his mind as a young girl’s tearful voice echoed through the silent nothingness.
An endearing child, she had always taken after him ever since she could talk.
Even as she learned to challenge her parents and peers, she had always listened to his every word as if they were infallible.
To see her so terrified and in pain, he had failed her.
Had failed his knights and the city, the people.
Taking a final breath, “Live… *Cough!*… Live Naleen…” Lord Knight Commander Gelrin Ravon voiced as his heart slowed and all feelings in his body faded.

 

—

 

“You! Y-y-y-ou!!! Gyaaaaa! NO! NOOO!!!”

Troyle stared as the winged man cried out before him, each scream more terrified than the last.

From one of his two swords, a black disc had exploded outward and easily caught the man’s dreadful attack. It had also sucked in the winged man’s outstretched arm and like a vice, was holding tightly as globs of pure black liquid began streaming out.

“L-l-l-let GOOOO!! Let me GO!!!”

In the blink of an eye, the dark liquid branched into dozens of black spikes and hurled themselves into the struggling aleithian. Piercing into flesh, they bore through the man’s arms and legs, even rupturing through the winged man’s back to interweave themselves into his feathered wings.

It was real.
Just like the last time he was in danger, whatever it is that was lurking within the swords had emerged to protect him.

‘Now is not the time.’
Troyle swiftly admonished himself and pried his eyes away from the unsettling mass.
Dropping the sword that the dark shield had materialized from, he pivoted around it to the aleithian man’s right side. Without waiting or allowing for the man to defend himself, he clasped onto his second sword with both hands and plunged the weapon into the man’s neck. *Kshnng* the slim sword penetrated straight through, unlike all the other times where his attacks merely bounced off.
Twisting his sword forward, he pushed against the back of the blade with his left hand and sheared through the winged man’s throat.

The sound of blood sprayed beside him as the man collapsed, and Troyle dropped to his knees. “Haaaa… Haaa…”  Breathing heavily, he looked down at his hands only to see that he was still shaking.

Turning to his side, the dark mass had reverted back to its sword form, but the perforations on the man’s body–created by the spikes–were still there and welling up with blood. Taking another deep breath, he physically confirmed that the man was dead before attempting to calm his trembling self.

How wrong he had been to challenge the man.
Thinking himself stronger after regaining the full use of his left arm and years of training, he was still no match. Their whole fight had consisted of him fleeing and haphazardly avoiding everything, while trying to take advantage of whatever openings he could find. Even then, the attacks he did get in had served to do nothing but annoy the winged predator.

He cautiously reached out to pick up the weapon and stilled his hand.
In the span of a single breath, the unknown entity within the sword had immobilized his raging foe and rendered the man defenseless. It was the only reason why he was still alive.

‘Kai left them for me.’ His daughter’s words upon inquiring about the rings in her possession echoed in his mind.
‘My familiars.’ It was what Kaidus had called them, yet the entities were beyond the simple magic that their son had made them out be.

Discarding the hesitation in his throat, he grabbed the weapon and stood up. To his left side, he spotted the knight who had been forcefully knocked away earlier.

The man’s helmet had been blown to the edge of the street and upon approaching, instead of a young knight, he found an aged gentleman with a bloodied face and short white hair.

“Commander Gelrin…” Troyle voiced, seeing the old man.
The Lord Knight Commander’s eyes were wide open, but he could no longer see any signs of life within them. There was a hole in the lord’s chest plate and judging from the blood still oozing out, the old knight had just recently passed.
“Troyle!”
The sound of footsteps hobbled toward him as Lord Varath limped over to his side.

Stopping before the old knight, “This cannot be…” Lord Varath voiced, his tone shocked and eyes troubled as he moved around to the other side of the body.

“I had thought to help him, but it was he who protected me in the end.” Troyle lowered his head and respectfully sheathed the two swords still in his hands. Lowering himself, he crouched down and closed the knight’s eyes.

“Identify yourselves!” A voice shattered the solemn atmosphere and another set of footsteps came from ahead.

Looking past Lord Varath, he spotted a man in a white and red cloak quickly approaching them. A mage of the Mystiks guild.
Troyle stood up and moved to stand beside the lord.

Tall and well-built with a sturdy frame, the mage had a shaved head along with a large burn scar covering the left side of his forehead. The man’s cloak had been burnt half way up to his chest, but the distinct emblem of the flaming hand was still there.
Stopping a dozen paces away, the man vigilantly observed them.

“I am Alzin Varath. This here is Troyle Paltos, my personal guard.” Lord Varath promptly replied, acquiescing to the sudden demand. “Might I inquire as to who you are?”

“Lord Alzin Shuziel Varath?” The man questioned, not taking his eyes off them.

“In the flesh.”

After a brief moment, “I see.” The mage finally remarked and lowered his guard. “I am Valk Torkux, 11^th ward mage and the right hand of Lord Thaxxus Terinthier. I have been charged with the guild in his absence.” The man answered, stepping toward them cautiously. “An abnormally large amount of mana originated from this area. What happened here?”

Troyle looked to Lord Varath and without saying anything, the lord stepped aside, revealing the old knight on the ground.

“That’s-?!” The mage’s eyes widened and he rushed over to them.

Looking down at the battered knight, “The knight commander saved us.” Lord Varath was the first to speak.

“I was too late…” The mage voiced as he knelt down beside the old knight.
Placing his right hand on the old man’s chest, a white flame emerged from the mage’s fingertips and instantly covered Lord Gelrin Ravon’s whole body before flickering away. “His knights had warned me, but to think such a thing could happen…” the man trailed off into somber silence.

Seeing the display, Lord Varath straightened himself.
Looking at Troyle, the lord turned and gave a curt nod to the mage. “Forgive our ungratefulness but-”

“Go on. I will see to it that the commander’s body is cared for.”
With a swift incantation, the mage placed his hand atop the old knight again and a layer of fire shimmered over the body. Without further words, the man stood up and began walking toward the dead aleithian.

“My lord.”
Troyle motioned, and Lord Varath followed.

Yet before they could get very far, “Wait!” the mage shouted from behind.
The man had stopped a few steps away from the dead aleithian, and had already turned around. “This feeling… so it was you…” The mage voiced, his eyes igniting as his fists flared with white fire.

Taken aback at the sudden change in aggression, Troyle instinctively drew his swords. “What!?” One of them was glowing.
*KSSSSHKKKKK!*
the sword vibrated in his hand and the glow immediately faded. As the light disappeared, the metallic weapon softened and melted through his fingers like water.

“Traitors!” The mage shouted and stepped forth, pushing the air with his flaming fists.

Confused and equipped with only one sword, Troyle hastily jumped in front of Lord Varath as a wall of white fire spiraled toward them.

 

—

 

Invisible to mortal eyes, the world shimmered around them and its strength swelled, as their master’s will flowed into its very being.
‘As you command.’ It replied, solidifying the link with their master.
 In the distance, its sibling was already ripping through the confines of Lagus.

Bolstering itself with the endless stream of mana that was now flowing into itself, *KSSSSHKKKKK!* the entity instantly discharged the power throughout its temporary body and fell to the ground.

The command had been given and their restrictions lifted.
Those who intruded upon the city had been marked for death, and it was more than eager to comply.

Quickly restructuring itself and pulling on the minerals within the earth, Feziel lurched in front of the wall of flames. Expanding its body in the air, it shielded the two men from the inferno and continued after the mage.

Seeing its approach, the mage hastily invoked a series of incantations.
Mana coursed through the man’s body, and mana exploded outward, bursting into three different layers of white flames.

Feziel continued forth, undaunted by the barriers.
Contracting its body into a serpent-like shape in the air, it smashed through the fire barriers and slammed its tail into the mage, throwing the man backward along the road.
Coiling into itself, it shot through the air as a sphere before quickly expanding to wrap itself around the stunned mage.

“Nnhh!? MmmmnnnhG!!!!” Mana continued to flow through the mage.

Covering the man’s head to prevent anymore spells, Feziel liquefied its body and flowed around to the man’s front.
Reconstructing its metallic self, before long, it was standing face to face against the mage with a humanoid body made entirely of pure black metal.

Closing its featureless head in on the man like a standing shadow, “We… are NOT the enemy.” Its metals vibrated.  
Lifting the mage up by the head, its arm flickered, tossing the man into the side of a building.
With a single motion, it trailed through the air to stand before the panicked mage. “You… and your order should remember that.” It warned as hundreds of metal spikes pierced through the rocky stratum and erupted into the air around them.

Overflowing with power, Feziel plowed into the ground as a pitch-black darkness descended upon the city.

 

—

 

-3^rd Ward-

The sound of wood crackling and stone crumbling echoed through the air and Adalina slowed her steps as the ground quaked. A short distance ahead of her, Reanne had already stopped running and was now looking up at a building to their left side.
Turning her head, she easily spotted the resounding destruction.

A person cloaked in black was running atop the row of closely knit buildings to their left, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. The air behind them was igniting into thick streams of orange flames and falling down to engulf the roofs.
Trailing after the flames, a giant hand was barreling through the houses and grabbing at the mage.

“Reanne!” Adalina shouted and hurried to catch up. “Why did you stop!?” She cried out again upon reaching her friend.

The woman’s eyes were closed, and Reanne was holding her hands out in front of her chest. Chanting something barely audible, there was a small white sphere hovering in the air between her hands. With each word from Reanne’s mouth, the ball grew brighter and larger.

Suddenly opening her eyes, “They did this, Adalina. They’re the ones burning the city.” Reanne stated angrily, not taking her eyes off the preoccupied mage.
Pulling her hands apart, the ball of light stretched into an elongated rod.

“Wait Reanne. We can’t-” fight them. But before she could even finish her words, Reanne had drew back her arm and hurled the rod toward the unknown mage.

The cloaked figure instantly stopped moving in the distance and turned in their direction. Extending a hand outward, the rod of light smashed into the figure’s hand and splintered into thousands of rays.
Refracting around the figure, the rays converged again into a beam and disappeared into the sky.
Instead of running, the mage turned to look behind and bent down, slamming both hands onto the roof.
*Crasshhh*
Thick vines erupted through the rooftop. Coiling around the large earthen arm, the vines held it back as it attempted to slap down upon the mage.

Grabbing Reanne’s arm in an attempt to pull the woman away, the right side of her vision abruptly darkened for an instant, and Adalina turned in the direction of their destination.
A wall of darkness had emerged in the area of their residence, extending endlessly into the sky.
“Adalina!” Reanne’s terrified voice came from beside her, and Adalina quickly looked back to the mage, expecting some form of retaliation.
The strength in her body evaporated and she tightened her grip on Reanne’s arm.

Upon the rooftop, the mage’s head and torso were missing, along with the upper half of the large hand. Before she could even blink, a fleeting shadow phased through the mage, leaving nothing behind.

“H-Hasen…” The name escaped her mouth as the wall of shadow washed over them, turning day into blinding darkness.

 

—

 

-1^st Ward-

Having expelled his mana throughout the city, he beckoned, and the earth had obeyed.

Nylen watched from his vantage atop the warehouse as his magic took form, rising into the air like furious giants and smashing down upon their enemies.

“How futile. At death’s door, yet instead of prolonging yourself, you waste your strength on such pointless antics.” His old enemy uttered in annoyance.

“Ha… Hahaha…” Nylen continued his laughter. “You overestimate yourself… Loryl.” He grimaced as pain filled his body.
The demanding spell had indeed stretched his strength thin and it was taking all he had to keep it from falling apart, but it was enough. Through his affinity with the earth, he could already sense the Mystiks guild mages spreading throughout the inner wards.
“It’s going to- Kuh… to take more than that… to bring down this city.”

“Don’t kid yourself.” A swift rebuttal. “Ferrent is already lost as evident by your pitiful state. Soon your mages will be devoured by those I have brought with me, and I shall worry no more of your incessant meddling.”

The building shook, and still connected to the earth, part of his magic coursing through the 3^rd ward instantly vanished.
The stump on his left hand began itching and a grin crept onto Nylen’s face.
“I told you. I am not who you should be- *Cough!* Haaa… I am not who you should be worried about…” He repeated as the unforgettable sensation of power he had felt all those years ago manifested within the 3^rd ward.

“What is this… what are you playing at?” The man’s confused face had distorted, and there was disbelief in his green eyes. “Who?! Who is it?!” Unlike the cool demeanor thus far, the man’s expression was one of fierce anger as he stared in the direction of the 3^rd ward.

“It… its master is no longer here.” Nylen spat, coughing up more blood. “Even I had not dared to awaken it. *COUGH!*”

The man rushed over and grabbed his neck.
“What is it?!!” His old enemy’s composure was all but gone. “Tell me NOW!!”

“Death.” Nylen replied, and the city suddenly shook wildly as if splitting apart.
‘Two?!’ The question assaulted his petrified mind as another source of immeasurable power rippled through the 13 wards.

“This is a trick! This much mana, this much power cannot possibly exist! Tell me! How did you do it!?” The man pushed him against the back of his seat, “Nylen!!!”

Seeing the hysterical look in his old friend’s eyes and feeling the man’s arms tensing, Nylen smiled. ‘I warned you…’ The thought swirled in his mind as hate-filled fingers dug into his neck.

 

—

 

Unleashed from their master’s binding will and given purpose, Hasen soared through the dark city with limitless power. Having pulled the void of Lagus into the mortal realm, within this darkness, it was everything. Within this never ending abyss, it was absolute. 

Extinguishing the consuming flames that had riddled the city, its shadows honed in on the various unsavory individuals strewn throughout the many wards.
Mages, smuggled into the city and set loose to create havoc and disorder.
Beings without moral, killing and slaughtering for an illusion of false glory.

“Ei’ln Svrash… Dhu… Ea Rhazashs…” Everything returns to darkness.
Hasen echoed, and its shadows ripped through the dozens of mages within its purview, erasing their very existence and casting them into the void.

“I… will not succumb! Seraxs!”
An unforgiving voice pierced through the darkness, and a powerful light spirit burst into being within the shadowy realm.

Latching onto the light, Hasen soared toward the failing resistance with its main body.
Upon the roof of a large structure, it found the source.

A mortal, one nearing the ends of their brief and fleeting lifespan.
An ephemeral being of greed and lust, fueled by a vicious fury that had darkened and twisted over the ages.

Mana streamed forth from the old man and he vigorously held back the shadows with the help of a light spirit, but struggle as they might, their strengths were quickly depleting.

Hasen surged toward the light and willed its shadows forward, slashing them against the circular barrier.

“This cannot be! I will not be denied this Victory!!” The man inside screamed furiously.

*CRASH!!* Hasen smashed into the barrier, wrapping its main body around it like an orb of shadow.

“Seraxs! Hold it back!” The mage shouted, and the light spirit’s shine expanded outward, pushing itself against the darkness.

Tightening its grip upon the reinforced barrier, the light quickly shattered and Hasen pressed forward against the mage.

*PsshhhH!*
A different kind of mana exploded outward from the old man.
The power had pushed its shadows back, and even shattered the dark realm briefly before coalescing around the mage.

Hasen stared at the translucent shard hovering in front of the man.
It could do nothing but watch, as a power that has existed long before the origin of time sucked the mage into the shard.

 

***

 

-Malpaars-

Opening his eyes, Kaidus hastily severed the link with his spirits. Bringing his head down into his arms, he fell to the ground.
A splitting headache ruptured down the left side of his head and was shredding through his back, all the way to his legs.
“NHHnnnaaaaahhhh!!!” He screamed as his body failed to contain the flood of power that was now rushing through the opening in his mind.

“Guhhh!! Aaaaaaaaaaaah!!!!” His screams intensified and unable to bear the pain any longer, “GRAAAAAAH!!!” He unleashed the excess mana out around him.

A warm encompassing light descended upon his position as the forest splintered, and the world faded into black.

-11^th Ward-

An odd sense of familiarity had passed through the barriers of his academy and Nylen swiftly turned his attention to the windows.
‘It can’t be…’ He thought to himself, knowing just how foolish such a thing would be. Yet, unable to let go of the uncertainty, “Aesinna-hahras.” With a spell of unbinding, he sent forth his own mana.

The invisible magic that was drifting outside–too thin and diluted for the unwary mage to notice–suddenly burst into a blue flame and vanished into the distance.

His uncertain expression immediately turned grim.
It was a signal he had not seen or felt for decades, and one that was only ever known to five people. Three, of which are now deceased.

Willing the large stacks of books blocking his path aside, Nylen carefully maneuvered himself to the door.

Directly outside of his door was another room filled with a number of scribes quietly copying letters and documents.
“Headmaster?” A man in a dark green and white scribe’s robe stood up. There was a surprise to the man’s voice.

“Sven.” His voice boomed through the large room and many of the scribes turned toward him.
He could feel his usual self being slowly overtaken by a fervent sense of fear and anxiousness. “Send words to the other masters. Code four of Ferrent’s defensive countermeasures.” He instructed, being careful to keep himself in check and his words composed.

“Co- code four?” The man asked in shock.

“Also, send riders to notify the Mystiks Guild and the knights as well.”

“Of course, headmaster.” The man replied, nodding to one of the scribes before turning back to Nylen himself. “But where are you going?”

“To buy us some time.”
Without waiting for another question, he continued through the room, exiting to the lobby.

A myriad of thoughts were warring in his mind.
Questions, plans, spells that might be required, the state of the city, the welfare of the populace, the destruction that has yet to come, and the death toll should anything happen.
‘What are you up to this time, Loryl?’ Nylen clutched his marble fist.
There were no tangible answers to the unforeseen situation, and he would have to play it by ear.

Leaving the building, a quick spell sucked him into the ground, hurling him through the earth toward the 1^st ward.

…

The streets of the 1^st ward shopping district bulged out, releasing him onto a surprised and curious crowd of people.

Ignoring the whispers that were beginning to circulate, Nylen turned his gaze toward a tall elderly man standing by the side of a stall.
Around the same age as himself, the man was wearing dark traveling garbs and was nonchalantly picking at the final bits of a skewer.
Their eyes met and the man’s lips curved upward into a gut-wrenching smile as his own stomach twisted with disgust.

“Mother, that grandpa came out of the ground!”

A child’s excited voice filled his ears and he turned to see a young boy staring at him, two wide eyes filled with wonder. Returning a quick smile, he winked at the boy and walked away, doing his utmost to hide the danger they were all in.

Seeing his approach, the elderly man stepped away from the stall and began walking away.
Nylen quickened his pace to catch up.
“What are you doing here?!” He questioned sharply, keeping his voice low as he fell into steps beside the man.

“In due time. For now, let us take a walk.”

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t kill you right here, right now.” He shot back, his tone grating and restless as he kept pace with the man.

“Because you can’t, and because there will be plenty of time for that later.” The old man replied with a grin. “For now, I just need you to follow me.”

Nylen stopped and grabbed the man’s right arm, forcefully turning the aged yet familiar face to look at him. “What are you planning?” He questioned, glaring up as the man’s pale green eyes settled onto his arm.
Seeing that he had reached out with his left hand, he quickly retracted the marble arm underneath his master’s cloak.

“As much as I would like to show you what I have in mind, there is something I wish for you to see first.” A firm warning, one with an underlying message of death and destruction. “Now come.” The man smiled and ambled away, even greeting some of those that they passed by.

Without a choice, he reluctantly followed.
They continued walking through the busy streets for a short while, then entered a small pathway that led to the market’s back alleys. With a few more twists and turns, they eventually arrived at a large warehouse. Tall and constructed of stone, it was one of the many buildings being used by the market vendors to store their goods.

A thin platform jutted outward from the side of the stone wall as they approached and the man stepped onto the platform. Without a word, the pane of stone easily elevated the man onto the roof.

Unwilling to fall behind, Nylen swiftly invoked an incantation of his own and
the ground beneath his feet launched upward, shooting him to the roof as well.
“Whatever it is you are planning, Loryl, it will not work.” He called out, descending onto the rooftop from his earthen spire. “Soon the city will be closed off and every mage within these walls will be on alert.”

“And just how many mages are we talking about?” The man turned to look back at him. “Two dozen? Three? Men and women who have spent their whole lives within these walls, never seeing battle before? Or are you perhaps talking about those children from your academies?” There was a snide, knowing smile on the man’s face.

“So it was you…” Nylen gritted his teeth, holding back the anger that was trying to manifest itself.
Engrossed in his own research over the past three turns, he had neglected to give the attacks happening across western Darsus a second thought–even when the Mystiks Guild began sending most of their mages to deal with the issues.

“You underestimate me again, Nylen.” The man stopped at the center of the warehouse and the stone roof swelled upward, quickly forming into two regal looking stone chairs. “It was woefully obvious to me that my presence here was unexpected. To think that such a simple diversion was enough to clear Ferrent of its defenses, I am shocked at the incompetence.”

Reeling in his emotions, Nylen continued moving toward the man and the chairs. “I am warning you, Loryl.” He voiced, not allowing himself to sound anxious. “There are… others in this city that should not be stirred. Whatever it is you are planning, I suggest you reconsider.” Pushing against the man’s derisive statements, he pulled back his cloak to make a show of his marble arm as they both sat down.

“Is that so?” There was a change in the man’s green eyes. A flicker of curiosity, one that has been trying to hide its intrigue since earlier.

“We both know you are not just here to talk.” Placing his arms on the arm rests, “What is it that you want?” Nylen questioned, relaxing himself and pretending to stare out across the ward.
His eyes easily fell upon the hundreds of white plumes that were rising into the air, dancing and swaying with the breeze. Like fleeting company, they rolled and merged together into thick clouds before dissipating and becoming one with the sky.

“I am tired of this.” The man calmly replied, “This constant back and forth. Like spurned lovers who are always at each other’s throats, yet never taking that final step to rid themselves of one another.”

Like an arrow in mid-flight, there was no stopping what is to come.
His heart began drumming faster and a number of spells came to mind. “I see…” Nylen voiced, changing his focus to the inner wards and toward his academy as hundreds of faces surfaced in his thoughts.
Faces of men and women whom he had nurtured within the academy’s walls. People he had watched grow up, and mages he had guided in his decades as Zorin’s headmaster.
Seeing the foundations upon which Ferrent would continue to thrive even if he was gone, “Are you aware of what will happen?” He quietly conceded.

“I have always known how this will turn out, old friend.” An almost compassionate reply. “Do you remember what I said to you in Cerdaeran?”

“Yes. You shouted that the next time we meet, it will be the end for one of us.” He rephrased, recalling their last parting decades ago.

“As much as I hate to end it, this dance has gone on for long enough. I cannot have you disrupting my plans any further.”

“Disrupting your plans…?” The pieces easily clicked into place and Nylen hid a smile. “If I may ask. Why now after all this time?”

“I imagine we will both be gone sooner than later, so why not now before it is too late?”  A dry chuckle came from the man as he paused in thought. “You know… the passage of time has been slipping through my mind more and more lately.” The man slowly stood up. Raising his right hand into the air, an explosion of mana burst forth from his fingers, soaring into the sky as a torrent of colorful flames. A signal. “At least let me send you off with a proper pyre before my body withers and my mind falls into madness.”

“Then we are of the same mind.” Nylen stood up.
By his will, his marble left arm shot forth like a spear, impaling the man’s side as the sound of explosions tore through the city.

 

—

 

Covered in his finely crafted plate armor, Lord Knight Commander Ravon dashed out of the Ravon manor with a trail of his family knights behind him. Taking his horse from the stable boy, “Huin!” He shouted.

“Commander?” On his own horse, Huin Ravon hastened to his father’s side.

“Take your group and reinforce the gates to the 13^th ward. Do not let anyone pass even if it is King Sarjace himself.”

“As you command.” Huin replied and broke off, taking a small portion of the knights with him.

“Horan! Thirn!” The old commander called out to another two men.

““Sir!””

“Horan. Take a squad with you to reinforce the knights at the 3^rd and 4^th inner ward gates. Close them off, and see to it that no one is to be allowed in or out. Thirn, you will do the same for the 1^st and 2^nd inner ward gates. When your tasks are done, take control of the ward’s knights and move to the outer wards.”

“What about you, my lord?” Horan questioned as Thirn whisked himself away.

Lord Ravon looked to the three dozen family knights behind him.
All their eyes were asking the same question.
Moving his horse forward, “Ferrent’s Malizur, Lord Nylen Gvius Daz Jozion has called for code four of the city’s defensive countermeasures! That means our enemies are already within these walls!” He yelled, making sure they all understood the gravity of the situation. “Those of you who are coming with me will be going to the outer wards. We will join up with the city guards to secure the wards. Our priority will be to make sure that the people are safe. I do not know what we are up against, but if you must fight, do not die!” He shouted, turning the large diumsha around as others hurried to mount their own horses.

…

Splitting with Horan and Thirn’s group, they rode south, moving toward the 3rd ward. 

Pushing his horse ahead of the group, Gelrin watched as the sky to his right became bathed in an array of colors.

*Boom!* the sound of an explosion reverberated through the air, shaking and spooking their horses.

“From our flank!” Someone screamed, and he looked back to see smoke rising from one of the many manors lining the road.

“Leave that to the ward’s knights! We press forward!” Lord Ravon shouted.

*BOOM!” another explosion, one right beside their group.

The large diumsha he was riding bucked and began thrashing about.
With a quick incantation to reinforce his body with mana, he grabbed onto the horse’s head, quickly reigning it in before turning to the bloody mess behind him.

The explosion had blasted the side of a building into their group, and many of the horses were either injured or gravely wounded–with the rest having fled.
Thankfully from the look of things, many of the knights had only incurred large dents in their armors, with the worse injuries being those who were now stuck underneath their horses.
 
“Get them out!” Gelrin barked, jumping off his horse and running over to help.

“Ugh- gran- grandpa!”

Someone cried out. A feminine cry for help, immediately forcing him to turn toward the voice. “Naleen!?” He shouted, feeling the blood evaporating from his old and wrinkled face. “Naleen where are you?!” He shouted again.

“I-it. It hurts, grandpa.”
A sniffle from one of the knights who was covered in a pile of rubble and crushed underneath a dead horse.

Smaller than the average knight, they were also wearing a set of armor that he did not recognize.
He rushed to the knight’s side and quickly took off the dented helmet to find his granddaughter. There was a red mark on her forehead where her helmet had protected her head against some sort of projectile. “N-Naleen. What are you doing here?!” His leaned down, embracing the side of her head.

“I- I wanted to help.” She replied, her pained face attempting to form a brave smile as tears streamed down to the back of her head. “I’m. I’m sorry, grandpa.”

“No. This is- just give me one moment, child. I will get you out of there.” Hastily setting her head back down, he took a quick look at where she was pinned.
Unfortunately for her, the horse had rolled over both her legs, pinning her up to her waist.
Without worrying about himself or the others around them, with a quick incantation, he infused more mana into his body.
With an empowered push, “Grraahhh!!” He screamed as power surged through his flesh. Lifting the large beast up, others scrambled to his side to help pull his granddaughter away.

“Grandpa…” Naleen sniffled again as she tried to sit up.

One look at her, and he could see that her legs were broken.
Though her greaves and armor had protected her legs from the blast, the pressure of the horse’s weight had broken her ankles and her left leg from the knee down was angled oddly.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized again, her eyes tearing up.

“No… it is my fault.” Gelrin replied, standing up to show his relief with a smile. “We will just have to talk about that boisterous side of yours later.” He quipped and looked to his knights, “The two of you will escort her home. The rest of us will continue on foot.” He instructed and gestured for someone to bring his horse over.

“Grandfather I-” Naleen voiced as she was hefted onto the large diumsha.

“There is no need for further apologies, child.” He swiftly cut her off. “Go back. Be safe-” Lord Ravon stopped. Something had dripped onto his shoulders and turning his head, he could see that it was blood.

“Commander…” One of his knights whispered, the man’s gaze was tilting upward.

“How t-t-touching.” An unknown voice stuttered from above them.

Gelrin Ravon turned to look up.
An aleithian man was attentively staring down at them from the air. A Tiirin, one of the feathered folks.
Wearing only a pair of dark trousers, the man’s torso and shoulders were covered in feathers, all the way up to his head. Two large wings protruded out of the man’s back and were constantly in motion, keeping the man afloat.
In the man’s right hand–clutched in a claw-like grip–was the bloody head of a woman.

*Boom!* the sound of another explosion from a few streets away.

The aleithian man cocked his head toward the direction of the explosion, then smiled and turned back to them. “Are y-y-you Ssstrong?” He questioned, swaying his head left and right, looking from person to person as mana oozed from his arms.

Gelrin reached for the sword at his side. Their situation was dangerous before, but now it was deadly. “Get her out of here. NOW!” He ordered, hitting the horse and sending it speeding back in the direction they had come from.

Throwing the head in his hand away, “Yes! Yes! Yes!” The man cried out, diving straight down toward them.

 

—

 

“Ugh-!” Troyle grimaced, holding onto his side as he pushed himself up.
There was a ringing in his ears and his arms and legs felt bruised, but luckily there did not seem to be any serious injuries.

“Uaghgu…”

A pained groan came from his left side and Troyle sat up. “My lord.” He voiced, trying to recall what he could remember.

They had been traveling to the 13^th ward.
Lord Varath was in the midst of reading through the handwritten testimonies of the two men they had been searching for, and he himself was quietly on alert as usual.
Suddenly there was a loud explosion behind them, followed by their horses and driver screaming briefly, then a darkness covering them both as they tumbled through the air.

‘What happened outside?’ Troyle thought as he placed his hand on the lord’s chest. Seeing that Lord Varath was still breathing, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Surveying their surroundings, they were still inside the Varath carriage. It had fallen on its side and the windows had shattered, but it was still in one piece. Turning his attention outward, “Egert! Egert!” He shouted for the man who had been driving them. “Egert! Can you hear me?!”
There was no answer.

Looking beside him again, the lord was in no position to move.
Troyle stood up and pushed open the carriage door that was above him, then painfully pulled himself up out of the carriage.
A dreadful feeling immediately assaulted him as the ringing in his ears were replaced by a cacophony of screams and shouts.

A wall of black smoke had risen behind them, and from the side of the building that had undoubtedly been the epicenter of the explosion, a raging serpent of flame was flaring up and engulfing the roadside.

“What is happening?” He questioned with eyes agape as worry filled his guts.

 

—

 

-3^rd Ward-

Alongside hundreds of others who were also trying to get home, Adalina and Reanne pushed and pulled their way through the crowded street.

A multitude of fires had broken out following the thunderous explosions, and an unknown storm had blown the market district into a state of disarray.

“This way!” Grabbing Reanne’s arm, Adalina pulled the woman toward a small path that separated a trading post and a diner. 

“What is happening?!” Reanne cried out, her voice panicked and distraught.

“I don’t know!” Adalina shouted back, keeping her eyes forward and her mind on her children.
Though as calm as she could be on the outside, her insides were screaming, admonishing herself for not being there for them.

Cutting through a few more buildings and squeezing past others who were also hastily trying to get home, they soon arrived at the Shorza residential area.

“This. This cannot be happening…”
Adalina’s face distorted with horror as she caught the direction of her house.
A wall of fire had erupted along the roads, swallowing many of the buildings and blocking their paths.

Stuck in the same position, many of the area’s residents were running about, trying to put out the flames to no avail.
It was evident that magic was involved.

“No… Sylvia! Sylvia!” Reanne screamed, picking up her pace.

“Reanne! Reanne wait!” Adalina shouted, quickly rushing after the woman as a picture of her friend being swallowed by the flames rushed into her head.

Yet, in a display that she had never seen from the woman before, Reanne ran straight up to the wall of fire. With her hands together, Reanne screamed a few unintelligible words and pushed up against the flames as they devoured her sleeves. “Adalina! Hurry!” With a pained scream, Reanne ripped the flaming wall open as if she was pulling apart a piece of paper from the center.

Not giving it a second thought, Adalina threw herself into the opening.
Breaking her fall with her body and rolling to ease the impact like she had been taught, she quickly stood up to see Reanne doing the same.
Without addressing the issue of Reanne being a mage, she helped the woman up and they ran.

‘Please let them be okay! Please!’ Adalina begged.

 

—

 

With Lance in her arms, Sylvia hurried to Kaidus’ room. “Axel!” She yelled, opening the door with her free hand. “Axel! We have to leave right NOW!” She screamed, seeing that the boy was still huddled on the bed.

“Axel!” Anise screamed, running up the stairs to join them. “Hurry up! There is fire everywhere!”

The boy did not budge.
“Anise come here.” Calling the young girl over, Sylvia handed the pudgy babe in her arm to Anise. “Go downstairs and wait for me.” She instructed before stomping into the room. “We have to leave.” She said as she reached down to grab the young boy. As usual, he did not budge or react.
Grabbing him from behind, she lifted him from underneath his arms and awkwardly walked the boy downstairs.

Anise and Lance were already at the doors.

“Go!” Sylvia shouted, and Anise quickly picked up Lance before dashing outside. Following behind them, she dragged Axel out to the middle of the street and released him onto the ground before running back into the house.
“Sylvie?!”
Anise called out behind her but she did not stop. Rushing up the stairs again, she ran to Kaidus’ room once more.
Without needing to look around, she went straight for the bow that was hanging on the wall and grabbed the quiver of arrows underneath it.
As she was about to leave, Kaidus’ bookshelf caught her attention and she sprinted over to it.
Dropping the quiver and bow, she grabbed the right side of the shelf and pulled it out like how Anise had shown her. The shelf moved. Quickly feeling around behind it, “Got it.” She voiced as she pulled out a tightly wrapped bundle a little shorter than the length of her arm.
Picking up the bow and quiver again, she hastily descended the stairs and out of the house.

“Sylvie!” Anise called out to her.

Joining the three of them, Sylvia dropped the weapons and quickly turned around.
The fire had already latched onto the side of the Paltos house and was consuming it from the roof down.

All around them, dozens of others were already out on the streets and helplessly watching their homes going up in flames.

“We need to find my mother and Adalina.” She said as she bent down to pick up Lance.
She stopped.
In Anise’s hands were the two rings that the young girl always had around her neck. “Anise. What is that?” She questioned, seeing that the silver of the two rings was glowing.

“It’s a secret.” Anise replied.
There was a big smile on the young girl’s face.

 

—

 

-11^th Ward-

With a half-conscious Lord Varath around his shoulders, Troyle carefully lead them back in the direction of the Varath manor. Keeping to the trees and buildings, they avoided the roads, seeing as much of the destructions were happening around the open areas.

“Tr-Troyle… Troyle…”

Lord Varath’s tired voice entered his ears. “How are you feeling?”

“Like death.” Lord Varath groaned, reaching up to feel the side of his head.

“Good to know.” Troyle replied, pulling on the lord’s arms to help straighten the man out.

“Egert. Where is Egert?”

“Dead. It looked like he fell from the carriage and collided headfirst into the road.” He answered, keeping it short and simple.

He had found Egert and their two horses earlier upon exiting the upturned carriage, but the driver was already dead and the two horses were missing their heads.
The outside of their carriage looked like someone had ravaged it with a war hammer, and only one of the wheels had remained.
It was a miracle that they had survived such an ordeal with only minor bumps and scratches.

“W-what happened?” Lord Varath inquired, his voice sounding groggy and aggrieved.

“The city’s gone to shit is what happened. Fires everywhere, and I heard shouting and fighting earlier too.”

“How did- Guh. How did this happen? Where are the mages? The knights?”

“Saw some knights earlier, but it looks like they had their hands full trying to handle the flames.”

Lord Varath painfully turned his head to look into the distance. “By the gods… is this happening everywhere?”

“I believe it is.” Troyle somberly affirmed.

“My wife and children. They- arggh!” Pushing himself off Troyle, Lord Varath fell to his knees. “Fuck!” He cursed out in anger. “We- we have to get back to the manor. Get the guards, find my. Find my family.” 

“We will.” Troyle replied, keeping his anxiety and sense of unrest to himself. Helping the lord up, he threw the man’s arm over his shoulders again and continued moving.

“I. Guh. I’m sorry, that was selfish of me.” Lord Varath apologized in between breaths. “You have your own family to worry about. Yet here you are, lugging me around instead.”

“All part of the job, my lord.” He jabbed back, seeing that the man had quickly found his senses.

“Why did this have to happen now? Why now when we are so close to finding justice for-”

“Wait.” Troyle quickly quieted the lord.
The sound of screaming and clashing could be heard coming from up ahead and he immediately looked down to the swords at his sides.

“Retreat! All of you!” A single voice shouted out orders, but it was followed by short bursts of agonizing screams.
“Enough!!”
The powerful voice roared, and a man clad in a suit of gray armor emerged onto the street ahead of them. The man was running and looking back as if he was luring something.

Someone flitted through the air. Diving at an angle, they slammed into the armored man’s sword.

Troyle shuddered.

Barely blocking the diving attack, the knight twisted his body and brought his sword around in a horizontal slash, aiming at his attacker’s side.

Troyle halted his steps as the shivering intensified.
Exactly like his memories, the fleet footed attacker did not duck or block the attack, but instead took to the air.

“Troyle?”

Lord Varath questioned from his side, and Troyle slowly released the lord onto the ground. “Stay here. Whatever happens do not come out.” He warned, hiding the fear that was rippling through his body.

“Wait. What are you doing?”

Not listening to the lord, he placed his hands on his two swords and hurried forward.

The winged attacker dove again and shot straight into the knight, forcing the armored man to kneel. Raising an arm into the air, the assailant smashed a fist into the knight’s chest, piercing the man’s armor before being pushed away.

‘It’s him. It’s got to be him!’ His mind bellowed and Troyle lowered his body, preparing himself for twin fangs.
As the airborne man dove for the knight once more, he burst onto the street.
Kicking off of the surprised but still kneeling knight, he jumped upward and lashed out with his two swords, aiming for the pair of wings.
“Kuh!” He grunted as two fists caught his surprise attack and easily threw him aside.

“Oh! Oh! Two swords! Yes yes!” A maniacal grin manifested itself onto the winged man’s face as the man retreated back into the air.

Troyle stood up and narrowed his eyes. “You remember me!?”

“Oh yes! Yes! T-t-two swords, I remember w-well!” The man gleefully shouted back. “But you w-w-weak! Where is he? Where is the bl-b-black one?!”

Though the manner of speaking had changed drastically since the last time he saw the man, the person before him was undoubtedly the one that had ripped apart his shoulder and ended his life as a mercenary all those years ago.
“Captain Zikale is not here, and he does not have time to waste with the likes of you. Today, you will fight me.” Troyle stepped forward. Lowering his swords to his sides and pointing their tips toward the ground, he fell into bladeform.

Deep inside, he was trembling as he stared at the monster before him.
The last time he fought the aleithian man, he had essentially lost his left arm and barely survived only because of Dalzak’s quick actions.
Had Captain Zikale and Dalzak not been there at the time, instead of a scar and a powerless left arm, he would undoubtedly be dead.

The man’s face contorted in anger. “No! NOO!!! I c-c-come to Darsssus for him! I f-f-fight black! Y-y-y-you will bring me the BLACK ONE!” The man screamed and dove like a lunatic.

“Come!” Troyle shouted, bracing himself for the attack.
It has been more than a decade since he lost to the man and almost died. His revenge was overdue.

 

—

 

-1^st Ward-

“I warned you, old friend. You brought this upon yourself.”

*Cough!* “Ha… Hahaha. Hahahha!” Nylen Gvius Das Jozion laughed, staring up at the man’s two emerald green eyes.

His attack had failed.
His spear had shattered upon coming into contact with the man’s barrier and instead of being the one staring down at his old enemy, he was staring up at the man.

“Heal yourself, Nylen. I will not have you die before your beloved Ferrent.”

“I… refuse.” He smiled, coughing up a bit of blood. Looking down at his body, there were three gaping holes where the man’s magic had pierced him. One in his chest, and two in his stomach. “I will not give you the- *Cough!* the satisfaction of thinking you have won.” Clinging onto the right side of the stone chair, he pulled himself to sit up.

“What a foolish thing to say. I have already won.”
 
“Ku-hahahah… *COUGH!* Hahaha!”

“Has watching the city burn made you mad? Or did our positions remind you of your regretful mercy?”

“It… it is funny. Funny that you still believe yourself the master of this world.” Nylen replied, taking deep breaths while holding onto his stomach. “The notion is quite hilarious, actually.”

“It appears leaving you alone all these years has addled your mind. Had I known it would be like this, I would have paid you an earlier visit.”

*Cough!* “Ha… how considerate, but my mind has never been clearer.” He retorted, allowing his gaze to wander over the burning city. “I can see it in your eyes. Your curi- *Cough* curiosity, and the pride that holds you back from giving voice to such thoughts.”

“What are you spouting?”

“My arm…” Nylen painfully smiled at the man.
“Self-centered questions, trivialities that fail to realize the truth of this ever-evolving world. Hahaha… you may call yourself the master, a harbinger of magic… but we both know that to be your own delusions.” He mocked, moving his hand from his stomach and placing it onto the stone chair’s arm rest.
“But I… I have seen this world’s true master. The true harbinger that will usher in another glorious age of magic. *Cough COUGH!* Haa… and be warned, for they are the one who has been ridding Darsus of your filth.”
The man’s triumphant face collapsed into confusion at once, and Nylen smiled. “Yes… I had nothing to do with it. Haha… Haahahha!”
He bellowed, and the spell he had invoked prior to arriving in the third ward filled his mind. Willing all the mana within his body into the stone chair, he directed it through the warehouse and into the ground.

Drenched and shielding his face from the rain, Vick looked up to the sky.
It was his third time since the bland lunch that afternoon and just like before, there was nothing but dark clouds overhead. He sighed, thankful that his cloak had a hood.

Along with a handful of men, they were following behind the other refugees, making sure that none wandered away from the rest.
Numbering almost five hundred strong, they had been moving all day the previous day and most of the night and morning.
The forest’s dampness and cold had served to impede their path, but it was now the ongoing rain shower that ultimately succeeded in forcing their pace to a crawl.
With children in their ranks and the rain hindering their mobility, there were little options left but to move carefully while keeping alert.

A rustling came from his left side and Vick quickly turned to the shadows that were emerging. Seeing that it was but the swaying of a large tree branch in the wind, he resumed his task and began trudging forth again.
The mental shock of the previous day had yet to wear off, but as a mercenary with a duty, Kaidus’ situation was the least of his worries.
‘Wind?’ A sudden question probed at his mind.
Surveying the downpour and stillness of the trees, neither gave any indication of a gust.  
Vick looked back at the branch, only to see that it had already stopped moving.
His skin began crawling and he quickly closed his eyes, listening closely to the sounds of the forest. Standing as still as possible, ‘What is that?’ He wondered, placing his hands on the azurite swords at his sides.
Muffled by the downpour, there was something traveling through the air and trees around them. A soft, barely audible swishing sound vastly different from the pitter patter of raindrops. The presence seem to shift from tree to tree, moving from person to person as if it had purpose.
‘T-there are no such things as gho-’

“Vick!”

His body jerked as Narissa’s voice broke him out of his uneasiness. Up ahead, the group had already moved a considerable distance. “Gods, why do you torment me so?” Vick voiced out loud to calm himself, holding back the sense of unknown fear. Hurrying his steps, “Vick!” Narissa called out again, this time she was moving toward to him.

“Is it true you have a letter from Lord Shradech!?” Narissa questioned loudly over the sound of the rain as he approached. Although wet from head to toe, she looked quite comfortable in such weather.

“You know Lord Shradech?” He replied, trying to discard the odd feelings from earlier.

“What did the letter say? Where is the lord right now?” She continued without minding his question.

“Narissa.” Vick spoke over her, quieting Narissa instantly. “How do you know that old man?”

“Sorry.” Holding one hand over her head to shield the rain, Narissa quickly composed herself. “He’s an old family friend, and he might know where my parents are. You have to tell me if you know where he is.”

“Oh.” The knowledge that Narissa was searching for her family had been known to him. What he had not considered, was that she might be affiliated with the old lord.

“Yes.” Narissa replied, her voice torn between hope and distress. “Lord Shradech was also the one who helped us escape Imvera, and one of the last few people I spoke to before we fled Malpaars.”

“Huh… who would’ve thought?” Vick mused at the strange coincidence.

“Well? What did his letter say? Where is the lord now? Can I see the letter?” She queried again.

“Narissa… it’s pouring right now.” He held his hands out to the side, letting it get hammered by the rain. “Not to mention I already gave it to Captain Biran.”

“Well-” as if finally noticing the downpour, “what is going on here? Why’s it raining so hard back here?”

“Wait. What does that mean?” Vick quickly glanced around once more.

“Ah, never mind.” Forgoing her odd complaints, “About the letter. Do you remember the contents? Can you tell me?” Narissa repeated.

…

“If they really did come to the Eloniun woods, then we must have barely missed them on our way north.” Narissa uttered with disbelief, “I can’t believe it… we even stayed in the caves for three days after you and Kaidus left.”

“There were a lot of children and elders in their group. I doubt they would have been able to cut through the forest and make it that far even if given five days’ time.” Vick reminded, remembering the sizable group.

“Curses. I have to go talk to the captain then.” Narissa grumbled and began walking ahead, her powerful kovus legs making short work of the muddy ground.

“Now!?” Vick shouted after her.

“I must find Lord Shradech!” Narissa yelled from ahead, hurrying to catch up with the others.

Looking to the trees around him one more time, “Fuck this.” He spat and quickly followed behind.

Upon reaching the group, Vick turned his head to look up at the sky again. It was still covered in dark clouds.
Yet like Narissa had stated earlier, there was indeed only a light shower raining on the group instead of the downpour where he had been. ‘What is going on?’ He wondered to himself as shouting came from ahead.

“Road!!” “It’s the road!” The chorus of voices called out.

Surely enough, they were nearing the edge of the forest.
Spilling out of the tree lines, the road leading to–and from–Imvera broadened before their eyes.

 

—

 

“There is nothing to worry about, my lady. The Eloniun woods are also our destination.” Biran replied to the kovus woman beside him while walking around to get a final confirmation of their status.

Thankfully the rain shower had softened to a drizzle once they arrived at the roads, allowing for a short respite.
His runners have also delivered the final head counts and all that is left, was to wait for everyone to pack up from their break before they begin moving again.

“Oh…”

“I guess Vick forgot to mention that to you.” Biran smiled, seeing the confounded expression on her face.

The woman was one of the few pure blooded kovus’ traveling with the group. She had joined them with the arrival of the young lord that night and though he had noticed her on many occasions, they never had the chance to talk until just earlier–when she came to ask him for a favor.

“I see… so that’s why we’ve been heading south.” She commented as if deep in thought.

“My apologies for not filling you in on the details earlier. Had I known that you knew the lord-”

“Captain. Do you know Lord Shradech as well?” She questioned, looking to him expectantly.

“Unfortunately I do not. But if you look around, my lady. You’ll see some of the people that Lord Shradech has saved by providing the Liberation Army his help.” Biran replied, recalling more of the unfortunate souls lost in Vilute.

“Captain!” One of his men called out as they walked by. “We are ready to go.”

Biran waved the man off before turning back to Narissa. “The Liberation Army is in the lord’s debt. If what the letter say is true, then I intend to find him.”

The woman suddenly stopped. “I see. No wonder…”

Biran slowed his steps. “Beg your-” Her solemn expression stilled his tongue.

“They’ve been fighting all this time.” She guiltily voiced underneath her breath.

“My lady?”

“Sorry. I was just talking to myself.” She returned a sheepish smile. “Also, enough with the formalities. Please just call me Narissa.”

Seeing as she did not want to delve on her troubles, “Then you can call me Biran.” He quickly replied, hiding his admiration of her smile and ability to rebound so quickly.

“Doing a final check?” Vick’s voice came from the direction they had been walking.

“Oh, Vick.” Narissa turned to face the mercenary.

“Yes. Figured we should move before anyone catches sight of us.” Biran answered as Vick joined them. “Is your group all ready to go?” He added, inquiring about the group of young ladies and the people of Esperen.

“They are.” A terse reply from the mercenary. “I heard from Emmerick. Says you’re sending out a search party to look for those that we left behind in Esperen. I just came to let you know that I will be going with them.”

“What do you mean?” Biran voiced, curious at the mercenary’s sudden decision.

“Was I not clear enough?”

“Sorry. I just didn’t think you were willing to part from your group.” He quickly clarified.

“I’d rather not, but it looks like you’ve got things covered here.” Vick postured himself and looked around.
Everyone was packing and getting ready. Horses were being loaded and children were being corralled into the midst of the various groups that accounted for each other.
“I can’t say for sure, but I have a strange feeling that it will be okay from this point onward. That said, there is no need for me to stay here when there is dangerous work to be done elsewhere. If I go with the search party, you won’t need to send as many men and we’ll be able to move faster with a smaller group.”

“What about the girls? I thought you were supposed to look after them?” Narissa interjected.

“They’ll be fine. They’re smart and don’t need much looking after. Just have someone take my place behind the group while I’m gone.” Vick replied.

“Then I will tell Vasco to fill in for you.” Biran promptly held out a hand.
It was a sound offer. He had handpicked a dozen of his best men for the job but with Vick going as well, he could rest assured. For the mercenary to volunteer himself, he was grateful. “Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Just keep everyone safe.” Vick retorted, taking the extended hand. “Now that I’ve delivered my intentions, I must go prepare and let the others know.”

“Vick.” He called out as the man turned away. “If you plan on taking only a few men, make sure you take Yoriig and Slek with you. They’re skilled trackers and I have already spoken to them about the path the others are taking. They should be useful.”

With a dismissive wave, the mercenary continued away.

“I should head back as well. Sorry to bother you, Captain.” Narissa gave him a curt nod.

“Biran.” He smiled back. “Just Biran. Remember?”

“Well then, Biran. Thank you for your hard work.” With a more feminine bow this time, she took off to catch up with Vick.

Biran watched as the odd duo disappeared into a mass of people further away. ‘Lady Narissa huh?’ He thought before proceeding with his rounds.

 

***

 

-Six days later. Esperen-

Kaidus knelt down and picked up a handful of dirt as he surveyed the decimated landscape.

While they had not stayed for long the last time he was there, the peacefulness of the quaint village and its sprawling farmlands had left an impression on him.
Seeing it now after having heard about what happened, a sense of anger was welling up from within him.
The lush fields of crops were gone and with them, the village itself.
In their places were scorched earth and dozens of blackened supports that struck out from the ground, occupying the foundations of what used to be Esperen.

Kaidus crushed the compacted ashen soil in his hand, allowing it to crumble through his fingers before making his way toward the only structure that was still standing.

Arriving at the stone establishment, he stepped through the broken entrance of the Prancing Myrtle.
Having been occupied twice by the large army, the homely inn was in shamble. The eatery had been stripped of its furnishings and shards of broken dishes and wooden cups layered the dirt stained floor. It was as if children had gotten into the pantry and upon discovering the sound of a dish shattering, proceeded to break everything else within before scattering the refuse throughout the house.
Even the wooden counter separating the kitchen and dining room had been chopped up and pried off of its nails.

Kaidus walked over to the stairs, glad to see that they were still intact.
 
Poking his head into the many empty rooms on the second floor, he eventually settled into one of the cleaner ones that still had a bed, albeit broken.

Leaving his sword and cloak by the bedside, he pulled out a silver ring and moved to the window. It was still noon.
The last of the coalition that was using Esperen for the night had just recently departed not too long ago, and it was the perfect time to take a break.

Looking at the silver ring as he rolled it between his fingers, the face of a young girl emerged in his mind, followed by a red haired infant. The soft humming of a woman suddenly drifted through the room and he was back there in that house within the 3^rd ward, standing by the window.
By the living room table, Anise was quietly rummaging through a stack of paper while Lance attempted to fit the corner of a book into his mouth. The humming had originated from the kitchen where Adalina was preparing lunch for them all.
 
Kaidus closed his eyes to shatter the memory and opened them again to find himself back in the room of the Prancing Myrtle. With a thought, he infused his mana into the ring as his mind wandered.

It has been seven days since his encounter with the army. Seven long days of slowly following behind them.
By using Inareh’s knowledge of the different forces and where they came from, he had been able to oversee the movements of the various groups by ways of her mages and the conscripted army under her command.

And as per the woman’s pleas, including Inareh herself, there were three other women and one man who had sworn their loyalty to him that day.

Ireese, a flaxen haired woman with deep set sky blue eyes and a thin face. In her late thirties and the eldest of the four, the woman was a water mage and apparently the first to denounce Tal’hrus after speaking with Inareh.

Aida, a young lady in her early twenties who had recently been recruited to Tal’hrus. With sleek brown hair and tantalizing hazel eyes, her alluring visage had not distracted him from noticing her trembling that day–as they knelt before him, covered in blood.

Bringing up the last of the ladies was a woman named Molrin. A half breed, she was gifted with powerful legs and the long arms of a kovus, but did not have the distinctive head plates. Instead, she wore a metal headband over her brown locks.

The last was a man in his forties named Morkte, or ‘rat’ in the Derzulian tongue.
With a spindly build, the man was small of stature and barely the size of a human adolescent. His dark skin, long dexterous fingers, and sleek hairless tail easily identified him as one of the Notiuns, an aleithian belonging to one of the six dominant Aleith clans. Nimble and sharp, they were a people who valued mind and wealth over power and ferocity.

Along with Inareh, he had sent the five of them to make sure that none of the lords decide to renege on their retreat.

“Kaidus!” Anise’s voice exploded through the ring in his hand.

“You seem to be in high spirit.” He replied, holding down a smile at the girl’s jubilant tone.

“Well that’s cause we haven’t talked in a while!”

“That’s true. But now you know what you have to do right?” Kaidus countered with a playful tone.

“Of course!” An enthusiastic giggle came through the ring.

“Anise. Report.” He ordered, failing to sound serious.

As usual, the girl began with a brief detail about the family and how they were doing, then proceeded to entertain to him about her days.

…

He awoke to the sound of wing beats, followed by something large hitting the floor before him.
Kaidus opened his eyes to see that he was sitting in a corner. The rays of sunlight shooting across the room easily indicated that he had been slumbering for quite some time.
“Ah, that’s right.”
After his talk with Anise and a short meditation to refocus himself and his exhausted body, he had dozed off.
“Looks like I needed that more than I thought…” He remarked, trying to recall exactly when he had fallen asleep.

“Shrraaa!” A hissing came from in front.
Covered in blood from head to tail, the youngling had returned.

“And I guess that is today’s dinner?” He mused, looking at the dark forest cat on the floor. A little longer than his forearm, the cat’s head had been completely crushed.

“Kuuruurrr!” The youngling growled affirmatively before slithering away.

Keeping his eyes on the beast, he watched as it propel itself onto the windowsill and began grooming itself.
“Zirus.” Kaidus called out and stood up.
It was growing stronger with each passing day and from the looks of it, strength was not the only thing. The youngling’s body had lengthened by almost a hand span, and a hvarian crystal had already begun to form on its three pronged tail. Were it to keep growing at such a rate, it would surely enter its juvenile stages in a few short years.
“Is it just me, or have you gotten bigger since we met?” He questioned, picking up the bloodstained cat on the floor

“Krraaaaaarr!” The young hvaral bellowed from the window, flaring its wings outward as if to further assert its size.

“Hmm… guess not.” Kaidus grinned and made his way out of the room.

Using the inn’s kitchen, it wasn’t long until he had a cat roast going in one of the ovens.

 

—

 

Aida’s heart sunk in accordance with the setting sun as the inn came into view over the blackened fields. Smoke was rising from one of its two chimneys, signifying that she had arrived at her destination.

Urging her horse forward, the animal eventually stopped a distance from the stone building and would not proceed any further. After a bit of goading only to see that the stubborn beast would not move, she tied it to one of the burnt pillars sticking out of the ground and proceeded forth on foot.

Treading carefully, her legs began slowing and her pace lessened as she approached the inn.

Aida shivered, recalling the pair of eyes that scorched through her body like molten blades. Unfeeling and disconnected from any forms of emotions, they had ripped into her very being and one look was all she needed to understand how insignificant she was.

Seeing Inareh so terrified and then seeing the youth for herself, she could not deny that Inareh was right. Had they attempted to fight like those who are now deceased wanted, they would have all perished.

She suddenly stopped upon arriving at the inn’s gaping entrance. Situated on the stairs and staring from across the room at her, were two silvery eyes glowing dimly in the darkness of the stairwell.
Her body instinctively froze.

“SHRRAAAA!” The eyes hissed, rising slowly into the air.

“Zirus.” A voice came from the kitchen, immediately silencing and drawing the two silver eyes away from her.

Aida quickly got her on knees, “Master?” She called out, keeping her head low.

“What are you doing? Come inside already.” Unlike the callous tone from that evening in the command tent, the voice was mellow and bereft of any malicious intent.

She looked up to see the pair of silver eyes disappearing into the kitchen. A warm light was coming from the room, and she finally noticed the succulent smell of cooked meat wafting through the air seductively. Unable to disobey, she stood up and moved with trepidation into the kitchen.

“Aida wasn’t it?” The young man spoke as she entered.

“Y-yes, master.” She quickly lowered herself again.

“Do you know why you are here?”

“To receive something from you.” She replied, not looking up at him.

“Indeed.” There was movement, and then the sound of footsteps approached her. “Here.”

She looked up to see his extended hand before her. Cupping her hands together, she reached out and he dropped five silver rings into her hands. “These are…”

“I will be destroying Eril’s rings. Those there are of my own makings, take them and see to it that the others each get one.”

“Yes, master.” Closing her hands around the rings, she could feel surges of power emanating from within them. Looking closer, on one of the boy’s finger was an identical silver ring to the ones now in her possession. “M-master?” She stuttered, seeing that he was not moving.

“You said you acted on Inareh’s orders when I last inquired about your betrayals to Tal’hrus.” The boy began, “Tell me, Aida. Why did you really betray your fellow mages?” He questioned, his voice swarming around her head.

“I was afraid and I didn’t want to die.” The words had left her mouth before she could think about them. Recoiling back a step, her body was already trembling.

“How very interesting.” The young man mocked, finally moving back to whatever he was doing.

That evening. Out of fear for her own life, she had unwittingly assisted in slaughtering the other seven members of their group.
Though she had not believed what Inareh was saying at the time, when she saw that Molrin and Ireese had already joined Inareh’s side, she could not help but align herself with them. Inareh was the strongest out of their group, and Molrin along with Ireese had been with the woman for years. The three of them together were a formidable team and she had not wanted to chance her life away.

Lifting her head, she watched as the boy proceeded to pull something out of the glowing oven. “Master. If this is all, then I-”

“Aida.” He stopped her. “How about joining me for dinner?”

She stilled herself, uncertain as to what was happening.
The monster that was standing before her just moments ago was gone. In its place was a young man carefully slicing apart a roast, and even offering her one of the legs.

 

***

 

-Darsus-

Cloaked in a thin veil of mana and wearing black traveling garbs, an old man sauntered onto the open farmlands of Ferrent. With a head of short white hair and the wisdom of age and experience, his steps were a firm and steady rhythm against the paved road.

Like the other relic who had deigned to live a life of mediocrity within the city’s delicate walls, this old man too, was someone from an age long past.

Moving through the foot paths dividing the farmlands, the old man stopped to gaze fondly at the glorious city before him. “I am home…” He smiled, his voice low and melancholic as if holding tightly onto a sense of longing.

The last time he was there, he had been hunted by his own people and betrayed by those whom he had sworn an undying brotherhood.

The blood on his–then–fine green hair, the excruciating pain all throughout his body, and his battered image at the mercy of a lesser mage.
The shame and humiliation at having been shown mercy, in having to turn tail and run like a beaten dog.
Although such events had occurred a lifetime ago, he could still remember it as clear as day, slowly eating into the back of his mind.

The old man’s smile slowly dissipated, once again replaced by the emotionless mask that he had been wearing for the better portion of his life. “Come, Nylen.” The thin layer of mana around him instantly solidified, gleaming beautifully in the sunlight before dispersing.

Holding his head high, the old man continued strolling forth toward the gates of the walled city.

 

-Darsus-

“Hm?” Nylen Gvius Daz Jozion, Headmaster of the esteemed Zorin academy sat up on his chair and quickly adjusted his posture.
Having been awake for numerous days and nights slogging through every conceivable record he could get his hands on, something had finally piqued his interest.

Before him was a small leather-bound journal–the travelogue of a wandering minstrel, one of the assets that had come by earlier that morning from the Ravon Manor. “Where have I seen that before?” He wondered, staring at the passage before him.

Shoving a number of books aside, the old man pulled out a stack of notes that had been buried underneath.
Carefully perusing through the pages, ‘here’ he pulled a sheet out of the stack.
Scribbled upon the piece of paper were dozens of barely legible paragraphs containing sentences of intrigue, along with the literary source in which he had found them.

Skimming it with his marble finger, “Anarias… God of War… commonly depicted in white or silver… encased in both light and darkness.” The old man softly voiced out what he had been looking for. His eyes twitched at the metaphoric sentence that he had jotted down because it had intrigued him.

With the specific page of note before him, he turned his attention back to the journal.

Failure due to the decimation of their gods and places of worship…

‘Further.’ He skimmed down the page to where he had last spotted it.

Two of the most celebrated and worshipped gods at the time were Algaralnt, God of Fertility and Wisdom, said to have bestowed life upon Horuns itself… Yanaish, God of Pleasure and Sanctity, and beholder of the mother’s cradle…

‘It was around here…’ He thought, continuing further.

… Before their destruction the Eklevans believed that Ahnuriah, the God of War and Justice would return. That he would be born again, made flesh from crimson light to walk upon the world of men…”

“This…” Headmaster Nylen whispered, not daring to peel his eyes away from the passage before him lest the words upon it became his own delusions.

Anarias and Ahnuriah, both worshipped as gods of wars. Both seemingly affiliated with light.

The name had changed somewhat but the similarities were still there. His eyes darted to the notes then took another look at the cover of the journal. The two sources were each from a different era, copies of records from centuries ago and undoubtedly translated and transcribed over dozens of times, over dozens of languages and generations. For them to retain such similarities, he could not discard the coincidence.

“Enuria…” Nylen spoke the name that he had burned into the back of his mind from tireless days and nights of searching.
The name had been uttered by a Rhas of shadow, an unequivocally powerful one. For it to sound so similar to the names of gods long forgotten, there had to be a reason.

Born again, made flesh from crimson light to walk upon the world of men…

“Born again… Light…” He picked up the page of notes as his chest began drumming a sporadic rhythm. “Silver. Encased in both light and darkness…” His thoughts quieted as the beating in his chest grew louder and his marble arm began trembling. Recalling all that he knew of the child, “It cannot be…”

 

***

 

-Malpaars-

With the unsealing incantation in his head, he pushed forth his will and the ring hovering in the air immediately began glowing.
Kaidus smiled.
The spell that the woman had imparted was indeed the incantation needed to unravel Eril’s enchantments.

Within moments, the telltale sign of the ring’s purpose revealed itself.
“Master?” A man’s curious voice came through one of them. “I have been waiting. What would you-”

The ring quickly descended and he grabbed it, sealing in the unknown mana and severing the connection. “Perfect…” He clutched the ring in his hand.

“Why?” Inareh questioned from his left, “Why did you want the unsealing incantation if you were just going to destroy the enchantment?” There was confusion in her voice.

“You need not concern yourself with such things.” He replied.

The look on the woman’s face had been one of curious denial upon seeing Eril’s rings in his possession. Yet even after disclosing the incantation required to activate them, she had refrained from asking further and elected to keep silent. It was a small indication of her shrewdness, a trait he could use to his own advantage.

“Now that I think about it, something has been bothering me.” Kaidus turned to Inareh and the woman cautiously lowered her heard. “Lord Krain Olivas, the one who had been tasked with overseeing the king. The agent from Garnikul, this man who had just doomed himself, and you.” He listed the four of them, four of whom he had taken the enchanted rings from. “All of you were Eril’s most trusted, each of you bestowed with a purpose to carry out his will. Yet from what I have seen, none of you knew of your master’s passing. Why is that, and why have you not attempted to initiate contact with him yourself?” The question had been at the back of his mind ever since he took the rings from Eril’s ashes.

“The master was not one to involve himself with trivial matters and hated being disturbed.” Inareh replied, her voice careful but clear. “His plans had already been put into motion to be handled by the likes of us. We were only to contact the master if our lives are in jeopardy or we have been instructed to do so by himself.”

“Interesting…” Kaidus gazed at the ring in his hand. “I guess I cannot blame him, seeing the talented mages at his command. Barely a turn has passed since I was in Maverus and here you are, marching with an army already. I must say Inareh… I am impressed.” He gave the woman a wry smile. “Was that also one of Eril’s many plans that he had set in motion?”

“Yes…”

“Then I must thank him for his impeccable planning, since it had served to bring about and hasten my own devices.”

“Your own?” Inareh looked up. “Then this was…”

“I knew Tal’hrus would not stand idle after seeing one of their key agents killed. It was also my understanding that Tal’hrus would be at the forefront should anything occur.” Kaidus slid the ring into his pocket. “Yet for us to be meeting so soon like this, it was not something I had anticipated and I have you to thank for that.” 

“I-”

“There is no need to look so miserable. You have inadvertently saved me a lot of time by taking preemptive actions and should be proud of yourself.” He stepped away from the woman and stalked toward Roln. The man had been kneeling by the entrance the whole time. “But you Roln… I cannot say the same to you.” He held out his right hand and dust began rising up from the ground. Winding about like a miniature storm, the dusts gathered within the center of the tempest and extended upward into his hand. Catching the rod of earth, it solidified into a sleek brown spear.

“No… please.” Roln pleaded, planting his forehead against the ground in a show of submission. “I was wrong. I wasn’t thinking. Please, please give me another chance!”

“Inareh.” Kaidus called to the woman. “Watch carefully, for there are no second chances if you dare to betray me or mine.” By his will, he silenced the man’s pointless groveling and forcibly contorted Roln’s body and head to look up at himself. “Our meeting was upon the tip of a spear. It is only right that our parting should be the same.” He lobbed the earthen spear into the air.

Splitting into a dozen thinner rods, earthen javelins rained down upon the man, shredding flesh and boring through bones.

“Have I made myself clear?” Kaidus questioned, not looking away from the gored and bloody corpse before him.

“C-crystal clear.” A horrified answer came from behind.

Silently contemplating the situation, “Of your mages outside, how many are scattered throughout the army?” He investigated as Roln’s terrified and lifeless eyes continued to blankly stare up at him. By his will, the two rings that he had given the man lurched up to him. Catching the rings, with a thought, the javelins that were propping the man up turned into dust again and Roln’s body slumped to the ground.

“Eleven.” A swift but uncertain answer.

“How do they compare to yourself?”

“I. My magic is superior, but they are each capable in their own right.”

“Kill them all. Prove yourself by severing your connections to Tal’hrus.” He ordered, turning around to catch the last of the curious changes in her expression.

“K-kill them?” The inflection in her voice easily exposed a hint of unwillingness.

“Do not misinterpret my mercy to you as leniency toward everyone.” He replied, peering into Inareh’s frightened blue eyes. “Just because you have made yourself useful does not mean that you are without peril. Should you lose what little worth I see in you, I will personally see to it that a clean and painless death is the least of your worries.”

“No. No no no, that… that is not what I meant.” Inareh was already on her knees with her head to the ground. “I- I swear to you. Even if I were to die, I will never be-betray you. Please…”
 
“Then you should have no problem in doing what I have asked of you.”

“Please.” The woman begged, not lifting her head “I beseech you. Please let me try and convince them first.”

“Convince them?” A curious thought arose in his mind. “To what end?”

“To yours.” She swiftly replied.

“No.” As quickly as her answer came, Kaidus denied her.

“Please!” Inareh cried out. “Though they are under my command on the orders of Master Eril, there are those who I trust with my life. If- if you would just show them your strength. Show them as you have shown me, I am sure they would also forsake their allegiance to Tal’hrus.”

“You fail to see why I am here. My purpose is to eradicate Tal’hrus. You are not an exception.”

“We- we are mages before we belonged to the organization.” She replied, her tone panicked but adamant. “We have always followed the strong. If you would just give them a chance, they will follow you as readily as they have followed Tal’hrus. The strong dictates the world, and none are without blood on their hands.” Her voice quivered and grew quieter. “Y-you should know that.”

Flashing across the room, he stopped and stood before her.

“Apologies!” Inareh quickly recoiled backward, keeping her head low.

“How trite. You offer me a band of blind and perfidious killers then presume to lecture me about the blood on my hands?” Kaidus retorted, “Perhaps I have misjudged your desire to live?”

“I. I did not become an agent of Tal’hrus to murder and steal.” She answered, her voice low. “We- many of us in the organization merely seek to relive the glory days of the golden age. It matters not who our master is, only that they have the strength to lead.” Inareh’s voice cracked and she quickly took a few quick breaths. “Some… some people joined Tal’hrus for the chance to flaunt their strength without restrictions and to indulge themselves. Others are coerced into the organization due to circumstances. Yet many more have joined because it is their only path for greater magic. Please.”

The vices of a young boy who clawed and fought, doing everything he possibly could in order to survive, in order to get stronger surfaced into his mind.
Sins of a life forged in the flames of vengeance, quenched only by rivers of blood.
Memories of times immemorial, vividly reminding him of those who had been forced against their wills.
Fragments of a past that echoed of the countless lives he had unjustly deprived in his path to reach his goals.

Kaidus clenched his teeth.
Ever since learning of the monster that was Tal’hrus he had always envisioned them as the enemy. A cold and unfeeling entity that must be destroy, if the world is to be at peace.
He had never bothered to view them as individuals and it had served to give him focus, to ground and keep himself from all that he had done.
They were an outlet, a means to unleash his unfulfilled anger. A way of alleviating the unrelenting pain within, and a temporary distraction from the never-ending regrets of the past.
Looking at the woman now, she was trembling as she begged for those closest to her.
“Go. Persuade your mages before I have a mind to see reason again.” He snarled, discarding any thoughts that tried to dispute him.

Not lifting her head, she rushed past him and exited the tent.
Standing in the spacious room, the thought of having made the wrong decision cycled through his mind. The willingness to follow after and release the woman from her mortal coil was there, but steeling his mind instead, he willed himself to calm down. “Vishan.”

A beam of light tore through the thick canvas of the tent and stopped before him. Forming into an orb, “Such Mercy Is Wasted On The Likes Of Them…” It pulsed, shining brightly in the air.

“If she can serve to deter others, it will save me the trouble of having to kill them myself.” Kaidus replied and took out the ring he had sealed earlier. Releasing it, the metal ring slowly flew into the ball of light.

“That Kindness Shall Be Our Undoing Again…”

“Is that discontent I hear?” He questioned, sensing an odd fluctuation in the spirit’s wispy voice.

“Nay. This One Is Merely Speaking Our Mind.”

“I see…” The spirit was right. It was echoing his own thoughts. “Vishan. Have you ever desired to be freed of my will?” He quietly queried.

“NEVER…” The orb pulsed, filling the tent with light. “This One Exists to Serve The Master. Our Purpose Has Always Been So, As It Will Forever Be. WE ARE ONE.”

Kaidus lifted his hand to touch the spirit but stopped. “Your sacred oaths may still hold true, but that life is already behind us.”

“It Matters Not How Many Lifetimes Pass. The Bonds Are Eternal.”
The orb began distorting and expanding. In the blink of an eye, a pure white shadow the same size and height as himself was standing in its place.
“To Free Us Would Be Our Doom.” The light spirit knelt. “Does The Master Wish To Be Freed of Us?
 
“Never.” Kaidus instantly replied without giving it a second thought.

“Then The Pact Stands…”

“… Sorry. I will not bring it up again.” He apologized, carefully examining the pitch white shadow of himself. As if to imitate him completely, the featureless silhouette even appears to be wearing a cloak.

“Uhnnn.” Someone else groaned within the room.

“Master…”

Turning to his side, it was the unconscious guard he had knocked out earlier. The man was finally coming to. “You may be on your way. I will deal with this myself.” Kaidus dismissed, his voice devoid of any previous sentiments.

 

***

 

Her soldiers surrounding the command tent did not stop her as Inareh passed through their encirclement. Though curious, the look in their eyes were reminiscent of her own with many of them having borne witness to the boy’s descent.

Bypassing the ring of soldiers, she headed straight for the tree lines where she had instructed the others to wait.

““Inareh!””
Voices called to her as she arrived. Hiding amidst the trees, two of her mages rushed over to her.
“You- you’re okay.” One of them stated as if they had been expecting the worse. 

“Molrin. Ireese.” Inareh called out to them both.
The two of them were with her when the child descended and had seen most of what transpired. Not bringing them into the meeting with her, she had ordered them to flee should anything untoward occur.

“What is happening? What did that ‘thing’ want?” Molrin inquired, her tone seemingly dipping upon mentioning the boy.

“Help me gather-” Inareh paused as the child’s bloodthirsty eyes manifested before her own. “No… you both must listen to me very carefully.”

Fighting him was not an option.
His existence was what she and Tal’hrus itself had been waiting for–striving for–and she could not begin to imagine how such a young man could possess so much power.
His was an existence that should not be possible. Yet there he is, wielding magic like none she had ever seen before.
Like the stories she had grown up on, his explosive presence alone had evoked both fear and awe within her. Even after barely hanging onto her life, after being at death’s door, she still could not get the sense of petrifying wonderment upon his descent out of her head.

 

***

 

Kaidus silently followed the guard through the army.
Having fended against the frightened glances upon leaving the command tent, he was now the subject of curious gazes as they weaved their way through hundreds of soldiers.

From what he could clearly see, the army was an amalgamation of smaller forces, each with their own commanders and resources. Each group had their own spot in the march, and all were headed by Inareh’s troops.

The guard turned back and seeing that he was still following, proceeded to quicken his pace.

Kaidus followed suit.
Their destination was the body of the army that the man belonged to. He had mended and healed the man’s jaw and using the opportunity, was accompanying the man back with the hopes of persuading those who had unceremoniously left the assembly.

…

“We are here.”
The guard stated as they arrived at a large open wooden pavilion in the middle of the road, surrounded by soldiers.

Undoubtedly constructed with magic, four thick and solid supports held up the wooden canopy while three of the sides were covered with sheets of thick white cloths.
Inside was a bumptious woman whose long brown hair had already begun to gray. Leisurely sipping on a cup of wine, she was conversing loudly with two of the others who had left the meeting after her.

The woman’s face turned sour upon spotting them.
“What are you doing bringing him here with you!?” She quickly spouted toward them, moving to stand at the edge of the pavilion as soldiers formed a wall in front of her.

The guard stopped and gave a penitent bow from a distance. “I have embarrassed you, my lady.”

“I asked you a question, Varil.” The old woman scowled. “What is HE doing here?”

Seeing his cue, Kaidus stepped up beside the man. “I had come in the hopes of continuing our conversation from earlier. To see this to a favorable end.” He shot a glance at the two lords beside her. One of them had voiced their dissatisfaction earlier as well.

“You have come to the wrong place, boy.” The woman replied as wrinkles emerged upon her forehead. “That farce ended when I left. I thought I made that abundantly clear.”

“Please, my lady.” Kaidus gave a respectful bow.

“You wish to parley?” The old woman’s hawkish eyes narrowed. “What is it that you can possibly offer me?”

Taking out the small pouch that he had picked up before coming, he dug into it and pulled out the remaining seven green fers. “Lord Rellkye and two others had opted to take less than their shares. I am willing to confer their portions onto you.” He extended his hand and held out the green stones.

“You dare mock me?!” The woman screamed at him, her face furious.

“I assure you I am completely sincere right now, my lady. Had I something better that I can offer you I would but alas, there are few items of worth in my possession. Most are trivial and would be of little value to one such as yourself. Others, I cannot part with. This is the best I can do.” Kaidus lowered his head.
The sound of mumbling came through from the old lady and her mana surged outward. A twisting gale, it was aimed at his hand.
Keeping still, the wind blasted the green fers out of his clutches and onto the ground. A burning pain swam through his fingers where the vicious gust had shredded skin.

““Lady Onarald!?”” The two lords both voiced in surprise.

Ignoring those at her sides, “You don’t know how badly I wanted to do that earlier.” She sneered. “Leave whilst you still can. One way or another, we are marching forward.”

Still holding his right hand out, he willed it and the throbbing pain vanished. “I understand.” Flicking away the blood, “We shall do it your way.” Kaidus stepped forward.

The woman’s face jerked into one of distress and she stumbled headlong onto the ground, dirtying the fine gray and blue dress she was wearing. Her men who had been standing between them quickly rushed to her side and drew their weapons. Many began looking around for the assailant.

“You brought your forces under a mage like Inareh.” He continued, not halting at the orders to keep his distance. “Did you ever stop to wonder why she had conceded to my demands? Or were you blinded because you too, are a mage?”

The two lords who had been standing beside her looked confounded.
Surrounded by soldiers, the old woman was glaring back at him with an expression of anger and humiliation.

“I will repeat myself.” Kaidus turned his attention to the soldiers and infused mana into his voice. “Anyone who does not wish to die, leave now. As for those who wish to stay and proceed with this foolish endeavor, know that you will not live to see the sun rise.”

“Idiots! What are you waiting for?! Kill him!” The woman’s shrill voice pierced through the air and soldiers tentatively formed up.

“So be it.” Surrounded, Kaidus took a deep breath. “You are all free to flee should you choose to do so. I will not give chase.” Drawing his xeberite sword, some of the soldiers retreated a few steps at seeing the weapon’s eerie green glow. Holding the slim sword to his side, “Brace yourselves.” Mana coursed throughout his body and Kaidus closed his eyes as his hair took on the silver of Andarg. Gripping the sword tightly, he channeled mana into the weapon and slashed the air in a horizontal arc.

A burst of wind surged outward, emerging from the path traced by the sword’s tip. Kicking up dust, the sudden upheaval ripped the roads apart as it smashed into those in its path.

Soldiers screamed as their bodies were thrown into the air, and cries of panic erupted from those who had been fortunate enough to be out of it.

With a vertical slash, another gust of wind sliced through the dust storm, parting it and blowing the thick cloud away.

““I-t it’s a demon!”” Voices tore through the ranks as soldiers fled.
Trampling over each other in their escape, the sound of weapons being discarded resounded through the area.

Not paying attention to those who were fleeing, Kaidus strolled forth, moving past four broken poles that showed where the pavilion had been.
The storm had torn the structure apart and blown the canopy to pieces, leaving a mass of scattered and bloody soldiers strewn across the area of its attack.

Stopping before a woman covered in a thin layer of dust, “Well? Shall we continue?” He questioned, looming over her like the demon they made him out to be.

Barely conscious, the woman was on the ground with a look of dazed bewilderment.
Along with the scrapes and scratches on her face and dress, there was a broken piece of wood lodged into the right side of her torso. She groaned as she attempted to sit up.

A dozen others were rising from the attack and amongst them, were two who began stumbling away in a panic. Kaidus turned his gaze and the two froze in their steps.

“P-please! I will withdraw. Just please let me go!” One of them painfully shouted.

“You promised… you would not give chase. Please.” The other added.

“You will see to it that your other colleagues also come to their senses. I would hate to see such promising forces be without their leaders.” He replied. Releasing the binding hold on the two lords, they hastily scampered away. Turning his attention back to the injured men before him, “Are you all willing to die here today? If so, pick up your weapons and let us get this over with.”

“Whe- What are *cough* you all doing?! G-get back here!” The woman yelled as more of her soldiers fled. “You can’t leave me like this! You- you bunch of- I’ll have your- unGhhh!!” Recoiling in pain, she stopped to glare upward.

Standing before the woman’s bloody and windswept appearance, in her eyes, he could still see an irrational greed and lust for power. It was all too apparent the kind of person she is, and the desire to end her miserable life coiled itself around his arm, gnawing at him and encouraging him to strike.
‘I will end this war before it can begin.’
Kaidus hesitantly loosened his grip on the xeberite sword as Vick’s face and his own words appeared in his mind. “I will not kill you.” He spoke, forcing the words out as he reeled in his mana. “Depriving your men of their commander here would only invite chaos, and I will not have that. Not today.”
With a thought, the seven green fers that had been blown out of his hands earlier shot through the air and back to him. Willing them to linger in the air before the detestable woman, “With that said, shall we parley?” He questioned.

…

Kaidus watched as many of the scattered soldiers eventually returned and regrouped with their units.

Those who had fled into the forest were being called back, and others were already retrieving the weapons and equipment that were discarded in the confusion.
After collecting themselves and taking down tents that had been set up for the afternoon, small contingents of men began breaking away and withdrawing. Those who had been injure were loaded onto carts and slowly followed behind.

By the time the woman’s main force began retreating as a whole, it was already evening.

Kaidus waited until the stubborn woman’s carriage disappeared westward into the mass of soldiers, before slowly making his way back to the command tent at the front of Inareh’s army.

…

Awaiting him was a squad of five mages.
Standing around the spacious room, they were all cautiously watching Zirus whom he had left behind.

“SHRAAA!” The youngling hissed.

Shooting across the room to him, Kaidus caught the young hvaral in the air and it quickly slithered inside his cloak.

“Master.” A bloodied Inareh was the first one to speak. Stepping forward from the rest, she quickly knelt.

Seeing Inareh doing so, ““M-master…”” The other four carefully did the same, their faces grim and filled with uncertainty.
Similar to Inareh, all four had blood on their clothes.

The sky shook for an instant, and the unknown figure fell like a bolt of lightning.

“Run!” Inareh hastily shouted, aggravating the pain in her chest while at the same time, invoking all her mana to form another shield.

*CRASH!!!*
A shockwave slammed into the barrier, forcing her back a step as the ground rumbled angrily beneath her unsteady feet.

Hastily bracing herself, she instinctively focused her mind to keep the shield from shattering and began a second incantation.
“Asiran! Al-”

“Silence.”

“-!?” Her tongue stilled itself at the command and an unnerving pressure overwhelmed her body. The last of her shield quickly dissipated, consumed by the explosion of mana that was now coursing through the air.
‘W-who? Who is it?’ The question resounded in her head as the world itself came to a halt.

The dust quickly vanished and standing amidst hundreds of her unconscious soldiers, was a young man draped in a gray cloak.

The boy turned toward her and Inareh’s body became motionless.

A head shorter than herself, the young man’s face had the beginnings of an angular jaw and strong cheekbones not uncommon in the maturing process. Yet beyond his youthful countenance and ordinary stature, the boy’s silvery eyes were now aglow with an otherworldly fire that threatened to burn everything within his sights. His unnatural silver hair rippled radiantly with streaks of light, illuminating the thick sheen of mana that covered him like a suit of armor.

Mesmerized, Inareh could not look away.

“I had not planned for this today.” The young man spoke with a calm but apathetic voice, one that diffused through the air like the calm midday surf. “Yet circumstances have dictated otherwise so I shall oblige.” Not stepping over the fallen soldiers, he glided over them as he moved.

‘W-what is going on?’ Her insides questioned in terror as the child’s approach became all too apparent. From the corner of her eyes she could see some of her soldiers struggling to get up, but similar to her own situation, none dared to approach the child.

“Tell me. Who commands this army?” The boy questioned; his composure unfazed by the hundreds of soldiers around them.

Memories of their master in all his fury came to mind as the stifling pressure closed in on her. ‘No…’ It was nothing like standing before the ice mage that she called master.
The sheer amount of mana that was flowing out of the boy was something the man could only dream of, and the boy’s ungodly presence was leagues beyond Eril’s own splendor.

“Speak.” The young man ordered, his eyes flashing darkly.

Inareh quivered as the command coiled about her body like a serpent, tightly constricting her stomach and slowly slithering up to her neck. In his cold eyes, she saw herself ripped to shreds and lying in a puddle of her own blood. “I-I do.” The nervous answer stammered out of her mouth and a knowing smile appeared on the boy’s face. An unassuming one, yet behind it lurked an air of malice unfitting for someone so young. “Who are y-you?” She quickly followed up, trying to hold onto her pride.

“I am the death of those you have sent into the forest. I am the end of this perversion upon these lands.” The child answered, his eyes growing dimmer and darker.

‘Men? Forest?’ She had given no such orders.
Ever since passing Esperen, they had kept to the roads. Their destination was the slave town of Garnikul and time was of the essence. To send men into the surrounding forests had not been a part off her plans.

“No? Not yours?” The child scrutinized, stepping forth to stand two arm’s length in front of her.

“N-No.” Inareh uttered, and the smile upon his face vanished. *COUGH!* the pain in her chest immediately flared up as her lungs imploded. Gasping for air and clutching at her chest, she fell to the ground.

“They wore the emblem of this army.” No longer indifferent, the boy’s voice was coarse and filled with venom. “Pity that such enthusiasm and anticipation had only served to see them to an early grave.”

‘Guh! How? WHO?!’ Her mind cried out as the faces of everyone who could have ordered men into the forest manifested before her. Her mouth opened but unable to breathe and her own vision darkening, she willed her lungs to take in air instead. They refused.
Suffocating and losing her consciousness, “UhK! Pl- Please!” She begged, reaching out with her hand as her vision clouded.

“Interesting.”

The boy remarked and the smothering pain instantly lessened. Feeling an opportunity, she greedily filled her lungs, almost choking on the breath of life as sharp pain shot through her body.
Alive but powerless and on the ground, her heart continued racing as all manners of scenarios cycled through her head. Yet, there were none in which escape was possible.

Even with thousands of soldiers at her fingertips, any notion of engaging the child and winning could not prevail in her mind. The endless outpouring of his mana had rendered her incapable of invoking any incantations and his overpowering presence alone, had destroyed her will to retaliate. As a powerful Malgin herself with little to fear, all of her instincts were now telling her that the child before them, was one that must be feared.

“It is almost as if you are speaking true…”

The words gave Inareh some measure of comfort and she quickly tried to calm her trembling body, doing her best to hide the terror that was eating her insides.

“Stand up.” A sharp command.

Clutching her chest with her left hand and keeping her head down, Inareh painfully pulled herself up to her feet as if her life depended on it.

“Have your men erect a command tent and send words to those in charge. This march ends here.”

Standing in silence, dozens of questions and thoughts sprang up but her mouth refused to give voice to such madness.

“Or should I have someone else give the orders?”

The same dreadful feeling as before began coiling itself around her stomach, snaking its way up to her neck. “U-understood.” She swiftly complied, not wanting to see what might come next.

As if waiting upon her complete compliance, the world that had stilled itself upon the boy’s arrival began to move once more, snapping back into reality.

Sensing the unusual shift, she slowly lifted her head to look up.
“!?”
Before her was a young man with pitch black hair and sharp black eyes. The immense pressure was gone. The boy’s unrelenting bloodlust had also disappeared and no longer did he have a suit of mana covering him like armor.
She was now staring at an ordinary young man. One whose appearance was that of a powerless and magicless commoner, someone whom she could easily overpower on her own or with a simple command to her soldiers.
The boy’s dark eyes caught her own and she quickly averted her gaze.

“Go on. Test yourself.” The boy urged, as if knowing exactly what she was thinking.

“N-no. I…” Inareh lowered her head again.
Isolated by her own emotions, all she could hear was the sound of her heart roaring frantically.

“Then what are you waiting for?”

The question ripped her out of the silence and without looking at the young man, Inareh quickly turned around to her mages and soldiers.
The look in their eyes spoke volumes about the type of situation they were in.

 

***

 

Sitting in a corner of the large command tent, Kaidus quietly observed as a number of individuals eventually arrived to join them. Consisting of lords and ladies, many of the arrivals were in pristine looking attires and each were accompanied by their own personal guard. Though many spotted him upon entering, none gave him a second glance after seeing his mundane appearance and position in the back corner of the room.

In the center of the tent was a large stone slab with accommodating seats and those in command each took a spot at the table while their guards naturally moved to stand behind them.

Holding his head high, a man in a decorated armor of black and green entered the large command tent. Unlike the others who were in traveling garbs, the man was in full plate armor. Scanning the spacious room, he handed his sword to his guard and moved to one of the empty seats, “What happened here and why have we been summoned?” The man inquired as he sat down. Emblazoned upon the man’s black chest plate, was a golden hawk.

“That is indeed the question isn’t it, Lady Inareh?” An older and pompous looking woman, one of the few within the room added. “We have been patient enough and everyone is here now. I believe an explanation is due.”

Kaidus looked to the group who had gathered. Nine altogether, their ranks consisted of two women and seven men. Traces of mana could be detected exuding from a few of them, but none powerful enough to warrant his attention.
Turning his gaze to the woman who had called herself Inareh, he waited, and she slowly turned to look in his direction. “Is that all of them?” He questioned from his seat, arousing all eyes within the tent onto himself.

“Y-yes…” The woman hesitantly answered, garnering a few suspicious looks from the others. “Shall I introduce every-”

“There is no need.” Kaidus stood up from his spot, slowly moving away from the corner and toward the group.

Curious eyes began darting around the room with many of them aimed at Inareh.
“Who is this child and why is he here?” A hulking bearded man questioned, looking around inquisitively for an answer.

Ignoring the man, Kaidus stepped forth toward the group and reached into his cloak, prompting some of the guards to go for their weapons. Taking out a small white pouch, he tossed it onto the stone slab. “In that bag there you will find a sum of money. Split it amongst the eight of you and go home with your troops. Your presence here my lords, is no longer required.”  

Stunned silence prevailed in the room for an awkward moment, before the hulking man motioned for his guard to investigate the pouch. Dumping its contents onto the stone table, the guard revealed a red and black gemstone the size of a man’s thumb, nine green metallic stones, and a handful of ern bits. Overall, it contained a lustrous rae, nine green fers, sixteen double bits, and eleven metallic erns for a total of nine hundred and ninety-three erns.

“What is the meaning of this?” A graying man in an impeccable attire of red and gray spoke as the room erupted into a number of voices.

“Go home? What is this child talking about?” Another voice boomed through the room.

“Lady Inareh!?”
Voices called out, demanding answers.

“Explain it to them. Let them know their options.” Kaidus directed, moving deftly to stand behind the woman.

“Who are you to-” The older woman who had chimed in earlier spoke up, but was quickly interrupted.

“I-it is as you’ve all heard. Your forces are no longer necessary…” Inareh tentatively repeated, not looking up at the group. “More pressing matters have come up and in lieu of the situation, this meeting has been called with the singular purpose of letting you all know that I will be withdrawing from this expedition.”

“But you control the bulk of the unified forces. Without your two thousand, what are we-” Someone reasoned, but, “What madness is this?! I did not march my men for days and nights with the promise of glory for such paltry excuses!” Another voice cut in.

The deep and disgruntled voice prompted Inareh to look at the man. “Y-you are free to do as you will, my lord.” She snarled back. “Should you choose to continue onward, do not blame me for whatever befalls you and your men.”

“Are you threatening us?” Another of the lords questioned, his tone irate and hostile.

“No.” Kaidus answered instead, drawing all eyes to himself once more. “I am the one who is threatening you, my lords.” He paused, allowing his words to sink in and a few of them scoffed at his remark. “On the table is all the money I have. Take it as payment for having come this far and as a token of my appreciation for-”

*Plap!* someone slammed the flat of their hand against the stone table. “Varil!” As if fed up with his presence, the older lady shouted and her guard immediately stepped forth. “Drag that child out of here!”

Hahhh… Taking a deep breath, “Of course it comes to this.” Kaidus grumbled, turning to his left to face the approaching guard.

“Now boy. Come quietly if you don’t wish to get hurt.” The man warned and pulled out a small dagger from his side.

Before the man could reach him, Kaidus lunged forward. Cocking his right arm, he slammed his fist into the man’s jaw, dropping the man instantly. The sound of bones breaking swept through the spacious room that had gone silent in anticipation of his removal.
“Certainly, diplomacy was the flawed and failed construct of a fool.” He complained, shaking his hand in the air as the sound of weapons being drawn echoed around him. “Regardless, I would prefer we talk this out instead.” With a final glance at the unconscious guard on the ground, he turned his attention to the old woman who had ordered his dismissal. “As I was saying, take the money as a token of my appreciation for withdrawing. Discard this notion of glory and return to your peaceful lives because one way or another, this very noble cause of yours ends here today. Isn’t that right, Inareh?” Shooting a quick glance at Inareh, the woman neither answered nor made any movements.

“And if we refuse?” A man’s voice queried.

Kaidus turned to the armored man. There was a curious but collected look on the man’s face. “Then you will die along with anyone else who dares to stand beside you.”

“Hoh…” A smile crept onto the man’s face. “So, you’re saying all five hundred of my men will die should I choose to keep marching onward?”

“I will allow anyone who does not wish to fight the option of withdrawing. I am sure there are many here who are tired of this pointless conflict.” He answered, locking eyes with the man. “But should you decide to challenge me, do not expect any mercy.”

“And yet your actions have betrayed such alarming threats.” The man gestured to the guard who had merely been rendered unconscious. “You should know that bluffs will not work here. What can you possibly do against us if we all choose to decline your generous proposal? What can you possibly do against the thousands of soldiers outside?”

The desire to laugh struck him from the inside, but Kaidus quickly opted for a smile instead. Stepping back behind Inareh, “So he says. What about you, Lady Inareh. What do you think?” He questioned and the woman visibly cowered in her seat.

“That it is none of my business as I have already voiced my decision. If anyone wishes to throw their life away, that is their prerogative.” She swiftly answered.

“Fair enough.” Turning his focus to the guards who had drawn their weapons, “From this moment forth, anyone who threatens to come at me shall be considered an enemy. I will not hold back again.” Reaching into his cloak, Kaidus drew the xeberite sword.

“Daanyl.” The armored man called out and his guard immediately stepped up behind him. Picking up two of the green fers off the stone table, the man stood up. “We are leaving.”

“What do you think you are doing?” One of the lords questioned.

“As per my father’s instructions, I have answered your call to arms and lead our troops here. Since Lady Inareh has decided to relinquish her hold on our forces, my men and I shall be taking our leave.” The armored man continued toward the exit but stopped and turned around. “Boy!” The man shouted, “I am Declann, son of Lord Edestone and heir to the Rellkye House. My peers call me the Golden Hawk of Rellkye. If you somehow survive this ordeal and are ever in the blue vales of Rellvas, pay me a visit.” With those parting words and a smile, he stepped out of the tent.

Seeing the stunned look on everyone’s faces, “What about the lot of you?” Kaidus questioned.

“Hmph!”
Without a word, the older lady brusquely stood up and left, leaving her unconscious guard behind. Her actions were quickly followed by four of the lords and their guards.

“Lady Inareh.” One of the two remaining commanders spoke up. “Does this mean that we-”

“Yes. Leave. Get out of here.” Inareh voiced, her tone hiding a hint of frustration.

“Then I too will be taking my leave, my lady.” The man made a curt bow and left.

“Apologies, Lady Inareh. But if you have already decided so, then there is no reason in my being here any longer. Please excuse me.” With a bow, the last of the lords stood up.

“Inareh!” A voice shouted from the outside, followed by the sound of someone frantically rushing toward the tent.

A man stormed inside as the last of the lords was about to leave.
“Inareh!”
Covered in an ashen black cloak, the intruder’s long brown hair was disheveled and he had the beginnings of a full-faced beard. His previously confident face from his time in Garnikul was nowhere to be seen, and the wears on his traveling clothes showed that the man had not changed or washed for days.

Kaidus smiled.

“Inareh! Inareh!!” The man cried out, finally spotting the person he was looking for. “Turus and Agria are dead. You must not go to Garnikul. We need to-” The man froze as beads of sweat ran down the side of his forehead.

“Why hello there, Roln. Small world isn’t it?”

 

***

 

‘No. You can’t be here. This isn’t real!’ His mind screamed and Roln looked to Inareh. “?!” The look on the woman’s face was one of defeat. Her eyes met his, but her face was one of surprise and fear, one with an expression that seem to be asking why he was there. “W-Why are you here?” He questioned the boy instead, his voice shaking as it left his mouth.

“Why am I here? I should be asking the same of you.” The boy’s smile widened. “I gave you an order. To see my trust woefully wasted, I am utterly disappointed.” The boy replied, stepping out from behind Inareh to stand beside her.

“Why are you here?!” Roln repeated, his voice louder than he had wanted it to be.

Hidden within the cloak, the child flicked his left arm forward and a pitch-black rod soared across the room. Before he could evade the attack, the rod slammed into Roln’s neck, “HiSSSSS!” A pitch-black serpent quickly wrapped itself around Roln’s throat, poising itself to rip it apart. “You would do well to understand your position.” The boy’s voice seemed to shake the grounds upon which they stood.

His neck throbbing, “*Cough!* I did not- Ugk!” The serpent tightened its coils, cutting his excuses short. “Please.” Roln pleaded, raising his shaking arms into the air.

“Let him go Zirus.”

The serpent quickly uncoiled and two sets of translucent wings flared out as it shot back across the room to the child. Situating itself on the boy’s left shoulder, it gave a tired and disinterested yawn.
Roln’s eyes widened.
What he had assumed to be an ordinary serpent was anything but, ordinary. Although still young and barely longer than the length of his arms, the beast was a Hvaral, one of the great serpents that dominates the skies.
Pitch black and glistening oddly, he could feel traces of mana circulating around the youngling. There was also an unnatural blood-red gemstone upon the serpent’s forehead and its silver underbelly seem to be glowing faintly. The beast’s distinct three-pronged tail was waving slowly in the air as well and within the center prong, was the beginnings of a crystal.

He caught Inareh’s eyes and saw that she was now sitting to the side of her chair, having also been surprised by the serpent’s emergence.

“So Roln… why are you here?”

The boy’s dark eyes pierced him and Roln shuddered. “I… I came to look for her,” he gestured to Inareh, “as per your orders. I was going to send you a sig- GuuuuAAA!!!” Pain flared through his body and he fell to his knees. Clutching his own shoulders, it felt like he was being burned alive from the inside.

“You dare lie to me?”

“Hah! Haaa…. Haaaa…” Breathing heavily, “Kughhh- P-please! I beg of- GuuuuAhhh!” Darkness washed over his mind for a brief moment and by the time he came to, his face was on the ground. The burning sensation was still seared into his body, yet the pain had disappeared.
Beside him, the man whom he had almost bumped into upon entering the tent was already gone.

“Would you like to rectify your words?”

A burning pain shot up his back and Roln quickly lowered his head. “Haaa… I… hah…” The only thing that was clear was to continue breathing. “Escape… Ha… haaaa…” He answered in between breaths.

It was six days ago while fleeing toward Jarnlan that he got wind of Inareh’s approximate position and path. He had sought to warn her of the child and to link up with her so that she might help him flee Malpaars, but he had been too late.
Upon seeing the sky split into two earlier, his guts had advised for him to flee, to head elsewhere. Yet the conclusion that it couldn’t be the child, along the thought of regrouping with someone who could help had overwhelmed his fears.

“Escape huh? Sounds like my faith in you was greatly misplaced.” The boy’s eyes lit up into the eerie silver that he had seen in Garnikul. “Tell me. Why shouldn’t I bury you right here?”

He recoiled, hearing the tone of the boy’s words. “I- I will not do it again. You have my w-words. I will pledge myself to you.”

“Your words ring hollow, Roln. Do you remember what I said to you upon our parting?”

The boy had advised him to make himself useful, and he had shirked such duties. For his negligence to find him so fast, it was truly unfortunate. ‘There must be a way. I cannot die here. I must…’ his thoughts quieted and he slowly raised his hand, quickly pointing a shaking finger forward. “S-she has what you are looking for. She knows the incantation to the rings!” He revealed.

“Rooooln!!!” Inareh’s eyes flared up with anger and she lurched out of her seat. A sword immediately kept her in place from rushing at him.

“I see.” The boy smiled and looked to the side at Inareh. “I figured you were different seeing how you fended against my winds. How fortuitous that I had opted to talk instead of killing you.”

“I don’t know what that traitor is talking about!”

“Then you will pardon my insolence.” The boy sheathed his sword and stepped up to Inareh.

“What are-” Inareh tried resisting as the boy reached out toward her, but suddenly stopped. Feeling her through her clothes, the boy eventually found and pulled out a metallic ring from one of the hidden pockets on the inside of her shirt. “Y-you!” She shouted, her expression furious and speechless.

“And here I assumed you to be an ordinary mage of Tal’hrus. I guess diplomacy really does come in handy sometimes.” A grin was on the boy’s face.

“You… who are you!?” Inareh angrily questioned.

“Would you like to know?” The boy flicked the ring into the air and the hvaral upon his shoulder jumped upward, snagging the piece of metal with its mouth before landing upon the stone table. “But… telling you would not serve any purpose, for you and those mages outside will not be living past today.”

The anger on Inareh’s face was quickly replaced by a deathly white and Roln swiftly looked away, having ousted her.

“What?” The boy questioned, his innocuous tone holding down a cruel laughter. “Don’t tell me you thought my words earlier applied to you and your mages too?” The boy’s eyes started glowing and strands of his black hair began shining as mana flooded the tent. “Surely you cannot be that foolish after all you’ve done. After all the villages and towns you have razed, the people that have died in your path, going so far as to send assassins after those who have already given up.”

“No… I did as you c-commanded. I broke up the-” Inareh’s voice deteriorated into silence as the boy’s right hand shot forth and took hold of her neck.

“And you think that is enough to balance all the things Tal’hrus has done to this land?” The boy lifted Inareh into the air as she clawed at his arm. “Because I personally know hundreds of others who would disagree.”

“Kuk- Augh!” Struggling, Inareh tried desperately to pry the hand off.

“Fear not, my lady. For you are neither the first nor will you be the last.”

“I-Inc- Incanta- Augh! *cough* Tel- you!” The tightening hold stopped and Inareh crumbled to her seat. Not getting up to sit on the chair, she sat on the ground and gently caressed her neck like a beaten animal.

“Do not test my patience, for I have very little left to give.”

Roln trembled at the words even though they had not been directed at him. Already groveling on the ground, he recoiled and shrunk his body even further so as to keep his presence as small as possible. Inareh’s heavy breathing and coughing continued throughout the room and within those coarse gasps, he thought he could hear the shameful sound of a Tal’hrus agent sobbing.

“I can- haah… I can be of use to you like him. Please… please don’t kill me.” Inareh finally answered, her tone was one of complete defeat and resignation.

Keeping his head down, Roln did not dare to intervene. Her current position was one that he too was all too familiar with.

The voices of the forest had already vanished, leaving only the pained groans of those who were forced out of hiding by Zirus’ roar.

With Vick’s gaze locked onto his back, Kaidus slowed his steps one last time to reflect upon what was to come, and of consequences to follow.
‘This… cannot be all of them.’ He thought to himself, carefully watching the dozen men who were struggling to stand back up.
Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and steeled his mind.
There was no turning back.
Power swelled from within and he promptly pushed forth his indomitable will.

Like the raging tides, a flood of mana exploded outward.
An invisible storm of pure magic, he willed it, and the tempest surged through the trees and beyond, dominating all that would stand before his might.

The whole of the forest materialized in his mind as his mana washed through trees, expanding beyond the encampment. Men, women, and children, their presences manifested in his internal visualization of the forest. “…” As he had surmised, the refugees were not the only ones hiding within the trees. The magic had detected at least a hundred other presences, and all were surrounding the large camp.

Haaa… With another deep breath, he opened his lucent eyes to the silent realm. The silver of Andarg had once again overtaken his black hair and a thin veil of light had emerged to cover his body, radiating dimly and illuminating the air around him. The naked metals that had fallen haphazardly onto the ground were now glowing as if to light his path, and any form of movement from their assailants had ceased. Drowned out by his will, even the chill of Fulta had vanished as the world stilled itself.

Behind him, Vick’s previously curious gaze was now searing into his back.

Overflowing with power, he slowly resumed his steps toward the group. “How fortunate it is to be greeted with swords from the shadows.” Kaidus spoke, his voice shattering the silence. With each step he took, the darkness squirmed and fled from his path. With each breath, he could feel the air being sucked out of the forest as if the trees themselves were holding still in anticipation of what is to come.
A quick upward gesture with his right hand and the ground around the soldiers shifted, rising up to encircle them. With a thought, the circular wall of earth moved inward, molding over and binding the unknown assailants further into large earthen statues, restricting them from their legs up to their shoulders.
“But I fear your hunt has come to an end.” He added and a sword that had been dropped by one of the soldiers immediately lurched up from the ground and into his right hand.

“No… Let- me GO!!” A large man at the forefront of the group cried out, having snapped out of his dazed state. Bound and unable to move, the man began thrashing in an attempt to break free of the earthen prison.

Kaidus stepped forth toward the man.
Built like a bull, the assailant would probably be twice his own size and three heads taller had the man been standing up straight. An Aleithian man. Having recovered from the deafening shock, the man’s two dark eyes were already glaring up at him, defiant yet uncertain and terrified at the same time. What he had thought to be a thick head of hair, was in fact a short mane growing all the way down to, and around the man’s neck.

With a thought, the man’s futile struggling ceased alongside the multitude of others who were also trying to break free of his bindings. Their uncertainty and any inklings of resistance vanished immediately.
Ignoring the terrified stares, “Hm?” His eyes immediately latched onto a barely visible patch on the man’s exposed left shoulder. Though obscured by the shadows and partially hidden by his own immobilization magic, he could still make out parts of the distinct emblem.
Three tower shields on top of one another.
It was the shielded crest of the Southern Guards as he had come to learn these past few days.

Tearing his focus away from the emblem, he looked to the terror-stricken faces of those who were now at his mercy. Eighteen people all together. Even without questioning their purpose, the smell of blood that was permeating through the air told him everything he needed to know.

Turning his gaze once more to the aleithian man, “Are you the one in charge here?” He questioned, his voice rippling with hostility.

“Nhn-no.” The man stuttered, quickly averting his gaze. “I-I’ll lea- we’ll leave. W-we were just following orders.” The man’s enduring mask had shattered and, in his voice, was instinctual fear.

Kaidus clenched his teeth. No. The answer came to him as swiftly as the thoughts of releasing them arose in his mind.
They were killers. Each and every one of them were accustomed to the laws of blood as much as he himself, and they knew it. In their expressions he could see that they knew exactly where they stood. No longer the hunter, but captured preys at the mercy of someone else’s knife.

Disregarding his own enquiry, “No.” He voiced softly, willing the man to look him in the eyes. “I had thought to ignore your presences yet such bloodlust, such eagerness upon spotting the two of us. It would be a mistake to allow any of you further.” He added, glaring into the dozen pairs of eyes that were now fearfully staring back. “As you all have allowed one of ours to live, I too, shall grant one of you a small mercy.” With the sword he had picked up in hand, he extended it outward, sliding it into the chest of the aleithian man before anyone could say a word. With a thought, the earthen prisons tightened and screams of agony came pouring out from everyone else.

 

***

 

Frozen in place, ‘Fuck!’ Vick screamed internally as his stomach churned in revulsion. The men before Kaidus began to struggle, screaming and begging while gasping for air as the dirt and rocks encasing them constricted and hardened. He watched in horror, as the last of the bodies went limp and their heads slumped to the sides of the unsightly amalgamation.

Yet like a cruel torturer, the rocks and dirt encasing their assailants fell apart like sand, releasing the bodies onto the ground.
Loud gasps eventually came out one after another as trembling soldiers unsteadily pushed themselves up in bursts of coughs and confusion.
Along with the man who had been impaled, two others did not rise up. Appearing to have been crushed, the bodies laid motionless on the ground as cries and grunts resonated through the forest.

Horrified and dazed but freed from their bondage, the soldiers who had woken up tried scattering into the trees, only to fall over as thick vines erupt from the ground to seize their legs.

“NOO!! PLEASE!!”

Deathly screams tore through the forest as the struggling men were dragged into the ground. Their last acts, a cry for mercy that fell on deaf ears.

“Vishan.”

The forest’s atmosphere shifted once again and the shadows of the forest were ripped apart briefly.
His eyes wide, Vick stared as three distinct pillars of light raged down from the sky. Engulfing the three lifeless bodies that had not been consumed by the earth, he watched as flesh and bones disintegrated into nothingness.
“!?”
Yet such horror was not the end.
With the three bodies vaporized, the pillars surged together, becoming one before receding and changing into that of a tall humanoid figure.
Pure white like a steel blade pulled from the hottest of forges, the figure neither radiated heat nor exuded light. Instead, an enormous amount of pressure could be felt coming from the entity.
Sensing an unrestrained danger, Vick reflexively felt for his swords with uncooperative hands.

“Kill them all.” A voice devoid of any hesitation or emotions and unlike that of a child.
The being of light lowered its head in a show of obedience, then splintered into thousands of strands and disappeared into the forest like a blinding mist.

Shocked by the ruthless command and seeing the creature leave, Vick’s unsteady legs collapsed, buckling him to the ground.
Kneeling in a stupor, his eyes dared not look away from the boy before him.

In the span of what felt like a single breath, the child had taken control of the precarious situation and forcefully denied anyone else a chance.
Ripping away any semblance of resistance, the brutality was unlike the boy’s usually calm and aloof self and try as he might, Vick could not get the sense of helplessness out of his body.
*Ug- Bleh!* the contents of his stomach came gushing out instead as the distorted faces of all those who had been buried alive flashed before his eyes.
Recalling his position, he quickly wiped away what few nerves he had left and warily turned back to look up at the boy. Two glowing eyes were staring back. He froze.

Though shining almost as brilliantly as the boy’s now silver hair, there was something else within those eyes. An emptiness that could not be known, shadows of horrors that should not be witnessed. Within them was something that he could not begin to describe.
“K-” Vick tried to speak but nothing came out. Voiceless and unable to move, he knelt apprehensively, terrified of the thing, the child before him.
A cruel knowing smile crept onto Kaidus’ face and his own body began shaking once more as he fought against his instincts to flee.

“Go back, Vick.”

His trembling body stiffened and Vick lowered his gaze to hide his fear.

“In a pocket of my rucksack is the letter from Lord Shradech. It is a bit late, but give it to Captain Biran and notify him of the lord and the people of Vernigale.”

Still voicelessly kneeling, the events that had just transpired flashed before his eyes. Had he not witnessed it firsthand, he would never have believed such things were possible. The bloodthirsty aura and lust for destruction that forced him to cower into the depths of his own mind, the impossible fear that suffocated the forest, and the vision of death standing before the child. Everything had felt like a nightmare, yet it was too vivid and all too real.
‘I hope that what you see next will not strain our friendship.’
He clutched his fist to resist the fear, to say something, but could not.

The boy had always fought with the sword. Even when the boy fought with magic, it had always been used to enhance his physical prowess much like how the captain fought. To see Kaidus using elemental magic, to see the child casually using such magic and burying a dozen men alive without invoking a single word of incantation,
he had severely mistaken Troyle’s words of a “skillful mage”.
As much as he wished to put on his usual foolish facade and berate the boy, to continue their friendly banters, he was terrified and they both knew it.
‘How? Who? Why?’ Questions manifested in his mind, yet only silence continued to prevail as the truth became all too clear.

“My apologies, but I must leave everyone in your care again.”

Hearing the words of departure, Vick forced himself to at least look up at the boy. “?!”
Kaidus was already rising into the air. “Wh-what are you going to do!?” He yelled in confusion, prompting the boy to stop and glance back. The two cold eyes caught him again and Vick’s tongue retreated into the back of his throat for a moment. “K-Kaidus.” He stuttered, having quickly found his voice. “W-what do you intend to do?” He questioned, fighting to sound normal.

This time, a pleasant grin carved itself out on the boy’s oddly mature face.
“I intend to end this war before it can begin.” Bereft of any doubts or unease, the words were filled with resolve and the knowledge that before the day is over, any thoughts of war will have been purged.

More bodies flashed into Vick’s mind. ‘No. No no no…’ “Kaidus please. N-not like this. You- you don’t have to do it alone.” He pleaded, his own principles warring with the terror that was abundantly present in his voice.

A pained smile flashed briefly upon the boy’s face before vanishing. “You are a good man, Vick.” Kaidus replied, still in the air. “I know that you have been looking out for me ever since the day I came to the Droxxon mercenaries. I’d even wager that you asked Captain Zikale for this job after hearing about my father’s request. I also know that you feel guilty, thinking you allowed me onto this path because of your negligence in watching over me.” Kaidus brought his fist up and a light exploded outward as flames engulfed the fist. “But this has always been who I am, long before I came to the mercenaries,” Kaidus shook his hand and the flames vanished, “which is why I cannot share these burdens with you. For they are mine to carry alone.”

“Kuuuuaa!” From where it was hiding on the ground, the black serpent screeched proudly and launched itself up to land on the boy’s shoulder.

“Do not fret, for I will return.” Kaidus added and quickly ascended beyond the treetops.

Staring into the empty sky for god knows how long, the chill of the forest slowly returned and Vick shivered, finally noticing that he was still kneeling on the cold ground.

“W-what just…” Recalling the two eyes that had so acutely immobilized him, he shivered once more. This time not because of the cold, but because of the truth.

 

***

 

Breathing heavily, Biran hastily looked to the people around him to be sure that he was not the only one. He wasn’t. Solio was staring back with eyes agape, while Vasco and Giaan shuddered in their seats like they had the shakes. Almost reminiscent of what they felt during the liberation of Vilute, he and Solio exchanged uncertain looks.

Yet, unlike the calm and controlled power they had felt that day, the deathly pressure was like they had all been submerged under a lake of ice.

“Go! See what is happening outside!” Biran quickly directed and the four of them rushed out of his tent.

Clothes, food items, and various equipment littered the campgrounds along with dozens of barely conscious bodies. Mostly women and children along with some elderly, many people had fallen over in the midst of their evacuation procedures and others were trying to help them up. Terrified cries came from all around them along with hasty questions and nervous reassurances.

‘My lord.’ Unsure as to what was happening, Biran gripped the cold translucent sword at his side and made a mad dash for the camp’s southern perimeters. Men shouted over to him but ignoring their cries and the mass of people in his path, he continued onward.

…

Arriving at the outskirts of the camp where the sentries were stationed, Biran drew his sword and ran to the two bodies lying on the ground. Breathing a sigh of relief upon seeing that they were still alive, “What happened here?” He questioned, trying to shuffle one awake.

“It’s alright. They should wake up soon enough.”

A familiar voice came over from the tree lines and Biran hedged his sword in the voice’s direction. “Vick?” The man looked considerably worse than when he left with their lord. Instead of the mercenary who always had a relaxed yet confident expression, Vick’s gait was shorter and uneven. There was a dour look on his face and the man’s usual poise was gone. “What happened to Charl and Emmerick?” He questioned, not looking away from Vick. “What happened to you?”

“A lot.” Vick replied tiredly. “You need to get the camp in order and ready for the move. Send words to the other sentries. Everyone should help.”

“Where is the lord?” He questioned, seeing Vick alone.

The mercenary hesitated for a second. “Kaidus is gone.”

“… Understood.” Refraining from asking about what happened, Biran glanced down at the two unconscious men. “You mind helping me shoulder them back?”

“You go back first,” Vick replied, plopping himself down next to the two unconscious bodies. “I will wait here until they wake up.”

Biran watched as the mercenary sat down and slowly–almost casually–place his left hand over his right. Upon closer inspection, he could see that Vick’s hands were trembling. Without saying anything, he turned to leave them.

“You didn’t ask where Kaidus is going.”
A statement from behind and Biran stopped.
“All this time, all these years with him and I never had the slightest clue beyond ‘a skillful mage’.” Vick laughed a short and unamused laugh. “You knew though, didn’t you? What he is capable of?”

“… Yes.” Biran answered, but capable was not what he would call the child. In the blink of an eye, Vilute was liberated after all had seemed lost that fateful day. He himself had been brought back from the brink of death, and even his newfound strength was from their lord. The child was a God and ‘capable’ might as well be an insult.

A harder laughter came from Vick. “Tell me about it next time. When I’m not in such a state.”

“We shall have to exchange stories over a drink one of these days.”

“I’d like one right now.” Vick snorted.

The sound of a body hitting the ground came from behind and Biran glanced back to see that the man was laying down with Emmerick and Charl. Leaving the three of them, he continued his way back to the camp.

 

***

 

Vick’s expression resurfaced in his thoughts as the wind swept him through the air.

In one fell swoop he had shown his hand, his true nature, and the reaction from the older mercenary could only be taken as the expected outcome. The look of fear and uncertainty was all too obvious, yet he could not fault the man.

“Kruuuu!”
Zirus screeched happily as it glided swiftly ahead of him without worry.

Seeing the youngling’s joy, Kaidus quickly discarded his thoughts. He had already made his choice. To linger on whether it was the right decision or not, was a foolish sentiment and a luxury that he could not and would not afford.
Focusing his mind instead, the mana that he had dispersed through the forest earlier came rushing back, revealing his destination.
‘They’re further than I thought.’ He mused to himself.
Encountering the party of soldiers and hearing Roderick’s warning, he had assumed the bulk of their forces to be much closer.
‘Let us not keep them waiting.’

With an ocean of mana still coursing through his body, “Zirus.” Speaking the name into the wind, the youngling ahead immediately stopped accelerating and made a swift turn back toward him.
Kaidus extended his left arm out and the youngling latched onto it, tightly coiling itself around the arm.

With the youngling safely tucked away, he willed it, and a beam of light manifest in his right hand. Gripping firmly, he channeled mana into the arm. “Surrak.” He invoked, slashing out in front.

*BOOM!* the roar of thunder echoed through the sky, extending into the southwestern horizon and beyond.
Having cleft apart the air like cutting a path through the ocean, the sword of light dissipated.

With layers of mana swirling around Zirus and himself, he quickly surged into the airless void that he had created, flying without resistance or limit.

 

***

 

Half a day’s march to the southwest.
Blanketing the road and weaving itself into the edge of the forest like thick colorful threads, a large army numbering in the thousands diligently marched eastward. Shoulder to shoulder, soldiers spanned the width of the roads and trailed into the distance as far as the eyes can see.
Having passed Esperen days ago, it would not be long before they reach the forking roads leading north to Garnikul.

Hoisted on war carriages and pulled by powerful stallions, hundreds of banners were undulating high in the air carrying the emblems of dozens of different houses. At the forefront of the army and flying high above the others, was a large mast carrying the unified symbol of the army: the Shielded Crest.

*BOOM!* the sound of thunder shattered the air, echoing through the mass of soldiers like a vicious quake.
Unprepared for the sudden disturbance, soldiers stumbled in confusion while horses threw riders to the ground before fleeing in frantic panic.

Alongside the thousands of others who were moving at her command, a woman with dull crimson hair and sharp blue eyes quickly reined in her horse, then turned to look toward the origin of the unknown phenomena.

“Mistress Inareh!” Her guards shouted, clamoring over to her side.

“What in the world…” The words were out of her mouth before she had time to think. Overhead where thick clouds had overshadowed their march all morning, there was a path of clear blue sky like something had split the clouds apart.
She quickly blinked twice, so as to confirm that her eyes were not deceiving her.

“Lady Inareh!”
Screams of alarm came from around them as horses and mules thrashed about, throwing provisions and equipment all over the ground while trampling soldiers.

“Order!” Inareh commanded, infusing mana into her voice to amplify it. “Ord-?!” She stopped.
All the hairs on her body were now standing and though she was wearing a coat of mana to suppress the coldness, there was an undeniable chill erupting throughout her body. “Gu-!?!”
A wind the likes of which she had never felt before smashed into her chest, blowing away her mana barrier and ripping her off the horse.
“Ukkggghh!”
Colliding onto the ground, her mind attempted to give life to a protective spell but all she could do was gasp for air.

The sound of her mare crushing others in its flight path came from her left, and Inareh painfully pushed herself off the ground.
“What…”
Her two dozen guards had also been blown down along with hundreds of others in her vicinity.
“Kuh!” She held onto her chest, biting down the pain. *Cough!* *Cough!* “I-Ireese!” She shouted, calling for one of her mage guards. “Molrin!” She tried another, but there was no reply as well.

Speechless, “Ughk!” Her body tensed as a different wind swept through. One of death and destruction, a wind that carried an unquenchable lust for blood.
She immediately turned her gaze toward the northeastern skies again and held her breath.

In the air where there should be naught but clouds and drakalls accompanied by songbirds and whispers, there existed something else, something unfathomable.

Like a piece of the sky itself, a figure was now quietly hovering high above them. Shrouded in a dark cloak and oozing of death, the figure’s two silvery eyes were staring down at her.

 

The news of what transpired in the second camp along with what was coming, had spread amongst the men by morning. Whispers of fleeing were beginning to percolate through to the civilians, and a crippling tension had taken hold of the camp.
 
Kaidus and Vick made their way across the sullen atmosphere after an early lunch, passing by a number of nervous guards. Arriving at the captain’s tent, a group of men–armed with weapons and supplies–were already standing outside, talking with the captain. At the front was Irvine, and as he scanned the group, Kaidus could see that they were the volunteers who would soon be departing to search for, and reinforce the others—who were traveling through the southern forest.

Spotting them, Captain Biran dismissed the group and promptly invited Vick and Kaidus inside.

Larger than the others, the captain’s tent had been constructed for the sake of organized meetings and planning, much like that of a war camp’s command. A corner of the tent had been closed off with two dark sheets, dividing the large room into a war room, and a sleeping area. Located at the center, was a crude table made of trimmed branches and a piece of flat wood, surrounded by a number of wooden blocks as seats.

Three others were already in the tent as they entered.
Vasco and Giaan stood at attention beside the wooden table, while a short round man rested on a piece of wood near the back of the tent. It was Solio, the man from the previous day. Somewhere in his forties, the portly man quietly surveyed them, his face more surprised than cautious.

“Vasco. Give me a hand would you?” The round man stood up on his good leg and Vasco quickly went to assist him.

“Please sit.” Biran entreated, before moving to the table himself.

Sitting down beside Vick, the captain and Solio sat across from them while both Vasco and Giaan walked over to the tent’s entrance to stand guard.

“Allow me.” Biran stood up once more after they had all settled. “As we have much to discuss, I shall keep this simple.” Gesturing to Kaidus and Vick, “This young man is Lord Kaidus Paltos, whom we’ve been searching for. To his left is Master Vickus Laveranus, his companion.” Biran then motioned to his right. “My lord, this is Solio Sarvatas, master hunter, and the person I left in charge of the Esperen camp.” Solio chuckled and curtly lowered his head.

“Just Vick is fine.” Vick gave a curt nod.

“It is but a title of the captain’s own giving, please pay it no mind. Just Kaidus will suffice.” Kaidus supplemented, nodding in accordance with everyone else.

“And yet that is the very nature of a title. A name, given unto men by the voices of others.” Solio replied with a smile. Catching Kaidus’ eyes, “Forgive me my lord, but Biran has already informed me of the situation, and of his decisions. I too, wholeheartedly agree in this.”

“Master Solio, there is no need for-”

“Please, my lord.” Solio replied, stopping Kaidus short of his words. “You saved our lives when the fangs of death were upon us. What you did for Vilute, for those of us still alive right now, you have our utmost gratitude.” Solio lowered his head as far as his belly would allow him. “You may not remember all of us, but those of us who were there have not forgotten you.”

Listening attentively, Vick shot a curious look at Kaidus.

Hearing the sincerity in Solio’s words, he could do nothing but acquiesce to the selfish logic. “Please raise your head. Now is neither the time nor place for such things, and I believe we have other matters to discuss.” Kaidus replied, attempting to steer the conversation back toward its original purpose.

“Indeed.” Biran added and lowered his head. “I apologize for making you wait. I felt it appropriate to have Solio sit in with us, for I believe he knows much more about these affairs than I do myself.”

“There is no need for an apology, captain. I merely had some curious thoughts to inquire about.”

“Then please give voice and allow us to help slake that curiosity.” Solio urged from beside Biran.

Kaidus scanned them both. “Very well. To start with, how did you know to look for me in Esperen?”

“That was- while we were gathering information in Umoraok, we heard of a disturbance in Karpes.” Biran began. “Rumors of a young mage that had troubled a pleasure house, helping a number of young girls escape their bondage. Though we were uncertain, Umoraok was sacked shortly after, and we were forced to flee. Following the trail of uncertainty, it eventually lead us to Esperen, and then to you.”

“Please wait.” Vick unceremoniously interrupted. “I believe I’ve been patient enough. Will you finally tell me what happened after you left us in Karpes? I never did hear how you two know each other.”

He had promised Vick answers, and answers he would give. Kaidus reached into his pocket and pulled out the handful of metal rings. “This, is what I’ve been doing.” He replied, and could see that the older man knew what he meant.

“Tal’hrus…” Vick whispered, his tone growing serious.

“I met the captain and his people at the beginning of that trail, amidst ashes and death.”

Both Biran and Solio’s expressions darkened.

“You could have told me. Why was there a need to wait until now?”

“Like I said. That was the beginning of the trail.” Kaidus resumed. “You remember what Lord Shradech said? About an unknown man becoming the king’s advisor?”

“The king’s advisor? You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

“Then-” Vick shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “The news of an assassin, the murder in the capital…”

“Yes, that would be me.” Kaidus calmly answered.

Vick’s eyes widened. “You- have you no regard for yourself?! What if you had been captured? Killed?!” He exclaimed as if scolding a child playing with fire.

“I was careful.”

“You should have told me! Did anyone see your face? Do they know who you are?”

“It was quite dark. I doubt anyone would recognize me.”

“Doubt? Dammit Kaidus, do you know how worried I was? What am I supposed to tell your father if something happened to you?”

“Nothing is going to happen to me.”

“Gu- Fuck. You are not leaving my sight again.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“I’m being ridiculous? Who’s the one going around assassinating members of Tal’hrus?” Vick snapped.

“Excuse me, but what is this ‘Tal’hrus’ you speak of?” Solio inquired curiously.

Ignoring Vick’s protest, “They are an organization of mages, using the people to further their goals. You have already met them yourselves. They are the ones who orchestrated the attack on your floating city.” Kaidus replied, and Solio’s curious expression twisted into that of horror.

“Well? What else are you not telling me?” Vick scowled.

“Well to start with, what is happening right now in the south is probably- no, most definitely linked with what I did in the capital.”

Vick’s mouth drew ajar. “Because of what you did?”

“Perhaps.”

“Perhaps?” Vick echoed incredulously. “Do you understand what you’ve done? Do you even know what is happening?”

“My lord.” Biran quickly cut in. “Would you mind explaining?”

“Not at all.” Kaidus turned his gaze from Vick to Solio and Biran. “The king and I had a mutual agreement. He gave me some information and in return, I opened a new path for him.”

“The king? You met with King Laugrith?” Solio questioned with a look of bewilderment.

“Indeed. And judging by how everything has developed, it appears my actions have been pinned onto him, by those affiliated with the deceased.”

“Are you saying that the king-”

“I am. The crown is not the enemy.” Kaidus affirmed. “The man was in quite the dilemma himself. Now that his watcher is dead, Tal’hrus probably believes that he had ordered the assassination himself to escape their grasp. It would explain why such drastic actions have been taken. Why lords and ladies are marching their armies.”

“You’ve… you’ve effectively started a war…” Vick added vacantly, his voice troubled and uncertain.

“No, master Vick. You are mistaken, because this country’s war never ended in the first place.” Solio corrected with a somber look on his face.

“An illusionary recess. A much needed opportunity for schemers and conspirators to prepare. Am I wrong?”

“No…” Solio quietly answered.

“Last we heard, there were nine standing armies.” Kaidus stared at Biran and Solio, scrutinizing the subtle nuances of their expressions and postures. “But you both already knew that, don’t you?” He continued. “A country does not amass and train almost a dozen independent armies like this, because it means to protect itself from outside forces. Why don’t you tell me what was going on?”

Solio lowered his gaze onto the table top. “As you may have surmised, this country’s internal strife runs quite deep.” Solio paused for a brief instant to collect his thoughts. “After the Royal Avarthias line was deposed, the scavengers who had stayed out of the war emerged to pick at the flesh and bones of his majesty’s territories. We may have had a new king for these past few years, but everyone has been waiting for an opportunity to strike, to further their own ambitions.”

“And what of your Liberation Army. Where did they fit in?”

“Of course our side was embroiled in the struggle.” Solio paused and looked up. “Princess Vernera was in the process of forming an alliance with many of the other houses, hoping to win them to her cause. Had she succeeded, we would have struck back in an attempt to restore her onto the throne.”

“Yet with the princess and her liberation army no more, the rightful claim to the crown has vanished, nullifying any such alliance and hopes.”

“Yes.” A whisper of an answer from Solio.

The right side of Kaidus’ mouth tipped upward. “Is that why you all sought me out? A surrogate to helm that cause?” He queried.

“No, of course not!” Biran exclaimed before shamefully lowering his head. “Any such reasons have already perished alongside the princess. I beg of you, please do not say such things.” Biran begged.

“Apologies. I assumed too much.” Kaidus quickly apologized.

“Sorry, Biran.” Solio glanced at the captain before returning to face Kaidus. With a hesitant voice, “I would be lying if I said that there was no ulterior motive. When Biran spoke to me of his plans to search for you, to serve you, I saw an opportunity.”

“Solio. What are you talking about?” Biran questioned, his face puzzled and unsure of what was happening.

“You’ve seen them out there for yourself, my lord. Men, women, and children, living in fear and trying their best to survive. After what happened in Vilute, I thought that with you, we all might have a second chance at a normal life. That with your protection, we would no longer need to flee at the first sign of danger. That there would be no need to hide like wounded animals, waiting to be tracked down and put out of our misery.”

“My protection? And what makes you think I can protect you all?”

“You already have, my lord. Should you abandon us now, you would have saved us all only to cast us into a life worse than death.”

Laughter resounded in his head and Kaidus immediately closed his eyes to shut them out. ‘It Isssss Futile, Massssster. You Can Ssssee It In Hissss Eyessss. Eveen If You Refussse, They WILLLLL Follow Youuu As Otherssss Have Before.’ Zion joyfully expressed its amusement from within. ‘Accept It Massssterrrr… Retake Your Placccccce Upon The Precipiccccce Of The Worl-’

“My lord, Are you alright?” Biran questioned the odd silence and Kaidus immediately opened his eyes as someone else began shouting from the outside.

“Where is the captain?!”

They all turned around toward the entrance of the tent and Giaan quickly stepped out to see what was wrong. Instead of bringing back news, he brought a man inside.

Stout and broad shouldered, the man had a prominent round jaw and thick angry brows upon his battered face. His clothes were dirty and torn, and there were bloody abrasions on his fists, indicating that he had been fighting barehanded. His left arm drooped down to his waist, and a shallow cut ran along the side of the arm, bleeding down his fingertips.

““Roderick?!”” Solio and Biran both called out and got up.
It was one of the men who had volunteered alongside Solio and the others. One of the eight that they had assumed dead.

“Solio… Captain…” Roderick blinked, and his furrowed brows mellowed into torment. “I didn’t have a choice. Please… y-you’ve got to get everyone away from here!” He cried out.

“What are you saying Roderick? What happened to Jems? Where is Tarque and Falknur?” Biran asked.

“You have to get everyone out of here now. They’re coming!” Roderick howled, letting go of Giaan and falling to the ground.

“Roderick. Look at me. What happened?!”

“P-please forgive me! I didn’t want to die!” Roderick broke into tears. “They killed everyone. Tarque, Jems, Falknur, they’re all dead. I was only spared so that- gods, what have I-” Roderick buried his face into his right hand.

“Roderick… what did you do?” Biran warily questioned. His tone uneasy.

“They- guh- they spared me… so that- so that they could follow me back here.”

They all froze at the news. “You led your pursuers back to us?” Solio replied, his shock masking his anger.

Biran knelt down to eye level with Roderick. “Tell me. When was this, and how much time do we have?”

“W-we were caught y-yesterday evening. There- there are hundreds of them coming. I’m so sorry captain, I didn’t want to die.” Roderick began wailing pathetically.

“Giaan. Sound the alarm. We’re abandoning camp.” Biran quickly directed.

Instead of leaving, Giaan stared at Kaidus, seeing that the boy had gotten up from the table where he had been listening and was walking over to them.

“From which direction did this man come from?” Kaidus questioned.

“The guards said that patrols spotted him coming from the south.” Giaan immediately answered with a curious look.

“My lord?” Biran called out as Kaidus moved toward the exit.

“You will stay here and see to the evacuation.” Without turning to look at the captain, he walked out of the tent.

“Wait!” Vick shouted, quickly following behind. “And where exactly are you going?”

“To see what is coming.”

“You’re going to engage them by yourself?” Vick questioned knowingly.

“Will you stay here and help the others?”

“No way!” An instant refusal. “I already told you. You’re not leaving my sight again.”

“This is not the-”

“You are not leaving my sight again.” Vick sternly repeated. “If you’re going, then I’m coming with you.”

“Vic-” Kaidus stopped. “… Fine.” By his will, a breeze swirled around them briefly, then vanished into the air. Having felt the odd change, Vick opened his mouth to comment but, “Come on.” Kaidus urged, and quickened his pace.

By the time they reached the south side of the camp, preparations to vacate the base was already resounding loudly behind them. Passing by the few sentries’ on the outskirts, they entered the forest.

…

As they traversed further away from the camp, “What is on your mind?” Kaidus questioned, sensing numerous glances from Vick

“What?”

“You have that curious look on your face. What are you thinking? Out with it.”

“Hah…” Vick sighed. “Well I didn’t want to say anything with everyone there, but Kaidus… what you said, what you started, thousands of innocents will suffer for it.”

“People are already suffering, Vick. Suffering because of men emboldened by the backing of Tal’hrus and encouraged by an absence of consequences for their actions. Men whose greed and ambitions overflow, just because they hold some semblance of power.”

“I know!” Vick retorted and quickly looked around before opening his mouth again. “I know that. I can see that. But this… inciting war in a country that has no relations to you? What you’ve done will condemn thousands to their death, not just those who are deserving of it.”

“What I’ve done, is uproot the seeds of corruption and forced their hands into the open.”

“It’s not that simple. Those seeds as you called them, have armies.”

“And I have an overburdened mercenary.”

“I’m not kidding here.” Vick replied, his voice troubled.

Halting his steps, Kaidus turned to the older man. “Vick.” His tone was anything, but playful. “I know you are bothered with what is happening, but I have no intentions of waiting to see thousands of innocent people die. It is as you said. I started this, and I plan to end it.”

“What doe-”

“Kuuuurrrr…” A low growl came from inside Kaidus’ cloak and Zirus sprung out onto the ground. “Shrraaa!” It hissed, staring into the shadows of the forest.

Warily taking a step away from the serpent, “And what do you mean by that?” Vick continued.

“I will end this war before it can begin.” Kaidus softly answered, turning in the same direction as Zirus.

“E-end the war?” Vick stuttered with disbelief.

Kaidus turned back to Vick. “I’m sorry, but I must confess something to you.”

Raising his brows, Vick stared back as if bracing himself for something horrible.

Kaidus lowered his head respectfully to the older man. “I want you to know that your friendship means a lot to me. Thank you for watching my back, and always going along with my selfish whims.”

“Oi, Kaidus. What are you doing?” Vick probed, perturbed by the formal display before him.

“I hope that what you see next will not strain our friendship.” Kaidus slowly raised his head.

“I don’t know what you mean by that, but this is weirding me out.”

“You might want to cover your ears.” He warned. “Do it, Zirus.”

“KRUAAA!!” Upon his command, the serpent unleashed a deafening shockwave outward.

““Aaaaaghuu!!”” Voices screamed out from around them. Half a dozen men fell out of the trees, while others collapsed from behind thick trunks.

“Wha-?!” Vick quickly drew his swords and fell into a defensive stance. Before he could move, Kaidus stepped out in front of him. “Kaidus?” Vick questioned.

“I value your friendship too much to keep lying to you. It is also time you stopped worrying about me.” Kaidus flashed a grim smile and stalked forward.

 

***

 

“What are you doing?” Vick uttered, only to hear his own voice come out as a silent whisper.
The forest had gone dead silent and there was something else in the air.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he tried to take a step back, but could not.
Having been in countless life and death situations, he had witnessed the passion and carnage of all those who tread upon the bloody fields of battle. There were times when he had lost himself in the crimson dance, striking fear into those who would stand against him. Yet around him now, was a presence the likes of which he had never seen or felt before.
A thirst so powerful, that his heart threatened to cease beating and his arms and legs refused to move, lest he found himself on the opposite end of such bloodlust.

Vick stared in shock, as the youth’s pitch black hair began streaking with light before radiating with a silver glow. His body shook, as something emerged to wrap itself around the boy like a transparent coat. ‘Kaidus… what are you?’  He questioned silently, afraid to give life to the words.

A blinding light that sheared through men like the sharpest swords. Flying magic which he had never even heard mention of before.
He instantly recalled the night when they abducted the countess.

Wordlessly staring at the small back walking away from him, it felt like he was looking at someone else, someone entirely different from the young boy he thought he knew.

Vivid memories easily overtook his thoughts.
–Two callous eyes, staring coldly at the mangled bodies of three grown men. Clothes bloodied and hands dripping with fresh blood–

Such an event was the first time he had been afraid of the boy. He had never forgotten the crushing panic he felt then when those cold eyes turned to look in his direction that day so long ago. Yet even then, the fear was nothing he couldn’t overcome. Least of all, it was nothing in comparison to the terror he was feeling now.

He had always known that the boy was skilled in the ways of the sword. It was also no secret that the boy was a gifted mage. But being the elder, he had always seen the boy as a younger brother, someone to be protected. Only now, did he understand that the boy had never required his protection. That his worries were groundless and his being there, nothing but a burden upon the boy’s true agenda.

The impending situation and its uncertainty haunted Biran as the call to arms echoed through the camp. He had expected the men to be confused after what happened the previous night, but seeing the lack of preparation in them, he could not help but feel apprehensive.
His order to gather south of the camp had been issued a while ago, yet barely twenty men were present—less than half their overall numbers. Two signal arrows indicated that something was happening already and should they fail to move soon, it might be too late.

“Where is Wes?!” Biran shouted as a handful of men arrived.

“Woke’m up before I came. Should be here soon.” One of the men, a hunter, promptly answered.

Clicking his tongue, “Kurne!”

“Yes, captain.” A stout bearded man with a longbow in his hand stepped forward.

“Take two others and join up with Elken and Laznar. Find out what is happening. The rest of us will follow as soon as possible.” Biran commanded, and the man gave a swift salute, then called out two names before rushing off.

“Captain Biran!”

Irvine’s voice came from the crowd and Biran turned his attention toward the old warrior who was approaching—along with two others. “My lord.” Surprised, he quickly addressed the youth that had arrived with Irvine and Vasco. Though he wanted to leave the boy out of it, a part of him was glad to see the young man.

“Captain. What is the situation?” The young man inquired, walking past the large group of armed men.

Biran hesitated briefly before opening his mouth. “I apologize, but I do not know.” He answered as the torrent of panic in him began to slowly dissipate. “I’ve dispatched a team ahead. The rest of us will march when everyone has gathered.” Biran added, keeping his eyes on the boy. Although he himself was almost two heads taller than the youth and twice as old, seeing the boy’s unusually calm demeanor, his impatience was quickly vanishing.

“How many people are with the other group?”

“I beg your pardon?” Biran replied, stunned by the unnerving calm that had suddenly infested him.

“I have been informed of the other refugees. How many of your people are with them?”

“Over thirty capable men, my lord. But for them to be calling for help… there can only be one reason why.”

“Then let us not waste any more time. We will make haste with those who are present.” With quick and decisive words, the young man turned his gaze to the south as the wind wisped around them.

Just like when he first laid eyes upon the boy, it was as if he was staring at someone or something else. Something far beyond his own comprehension. “Do you mean to-” Biran managed to voice out as the words clicked into his head.

“Time is of the essence, captain. Lead your men. I shall assist where I can.”

The words filled him with assurance and Biran’s hands trembled with an unfamiliar enthusiasm, a sense of calm excitement. “Forgive me. I ask too much of you even though you have just arrived.” He graciously lowered his head, unwilling to decline the offer of assistance.

“The fates have deemed it appropriate to grant someone like me a sword. It is only fitting that I bear witness to its sharpness.”

“Understood.” The meaning was quite clear, and Biran lifted his head. His could see some of the men staring, questioning his actions, yet it was only because they did not understand. “Vasco. You will stay here and wait for the rest of the men.” Biran quickly directed before turning to the group that was still awaiting his orders. “Form up and keep vigilant! We are moving!” He shouted.

 

—

 

“C’mon. We’ve got to keep moving.” A short and wiry man hurriedly whispered, trying to heft another man onto his shoulders.

“Ugh! I- I- Graahh!” Solio yelped as his legs gave out, sending him tumbling to the ground.

“Solio!”

“Kuh- F-fuck! Alec… I can’t.” Twisting his body upright on the forest floor, “I can’t feel my leg anymore.” Solio cried out to the man who had been helping to shoulder him. There was an arrow in the back of his right leg, and try as he might, he could not will himself to keep going. “Leave me be. Get to the others.”

“Come on. Get up!” His companion replied, attempting to help him to his feet again.

“Leave!” Solio pushed the man away. “GO!” He screamed. Alec took one last look at him and with a troubled face, took off.

“Fuck me… if I’ll be the one to kill us all. Uuugggh!” Solio groaned as he pushed himself to sit up. His eyes quickly scanned the area for the bow that he had dropped upon his fall, and then turned to the arrow in his leg. The shaft had pierced his calf from the back and the tip of the broad arrowhead was poking through the front. “Haaa… Arrodin’s tits!” Solio cursed, thankful that it missed the bone. Exhausted and breathing heavily, the desire to lay down and quietly await death overwhelmed him, yet his mind would not let him rest. Forcing himself to crawl toward his weapon, he grabbed the bow and propped himself against the side of a tree.

Biting onto his bow, he took a few quick breaths before forcefully yanking out the arrow through his leg. “Nnnngggh!!” Pain shot through him and his body jolted violently as the initial shock struck.
Taking coarse breaths, Solio clenched his teeth as his body began shaking after the harsh pain subsided and an aggravating throbbing took over. With unsteady hands, he held up his bow and nocked the bloody arrow. “If- If I’m going to die here… I’m taking one of you bastards with- Nnnn!” Another jolt of pain, and he almost dropped the bow. “Haaah…” A sense of disgust and regret swelled up from within as he felt his lifeblood escaping from the open wound. “… It’s all up to you now, Biran… Y-you’ll have to make it count. Ha…Hahaha…” He gave one last farewell. One last regret that his signal arrows had yet to be answered, and one last laugh before consigning himself to his doom.

After what felt like an eternity, the sound of movements and voices eventually came from the direction he was facing. Mustering the last of his strength, Solio drew the bow one last time.

A number of figures emerged through the trees and he could see a dozen men stalking toward him. Men whose faces were filled with angry frustration, sick joy, and dogged triumph as they glared at him. The glint of metal caught his eyes as the group drew closer and Solio let loose the arrow, hoping that it would connect.

“Solio!” Instead of a cry from those before him, his pained body jerked in surprise as Alec’s voice shouted from behind. A rain of arrows followed the voice, mowing down half of those who were coming after him.

 

—

 

Charging the surprised group of soldiers, Biran rushed forward with one hand on the transparent sword. He could feel power flowing into his body from the weapon and with each stride he took, his men who were running beside him fell further and further behind.
Unleashing the weapon, he slashed forward with a single horizontal arc. The blade sheared through his target’s leather armor and stomach like slicing through water. His eyes widened at how easy it had been. The sound of metal and panic rang through the air and he quickly stepped toward his right side. His left hand shot forth and caught the arm of an attacker who was swinging down at him. “Urraaaa!!!” Biran rammed his weapon into the man’s belly as the bulk of his men slammed into the others.

As quickly as it began, five men laid dead by arrows, while another eight had been mercilessly cut down by swords.

Holding the bloodstained weapon in his hand, Biran cast a silent glance back to the young man who had been watching them from the rear. His whole body shuddered as he turned to look down at those on the ground, and he brought the sword up to his face. Speed, strength, and senses he had never dreamt of. The enchantment on the weapon had empowered him. Had enhanced his body to an astounding degree and it horrified him, seeing that five of the eight had fallen to his sword alone.
“Solio. Are you alright?”
Someone questioned from behind him, and Biran looked over to where the group was crowding. Seeing that the portly man was still alive, he breathed a sigh of relief and proceeded toward them.

“C-captain…” Solio voiced tiredly with a pained smile on his face.

“I am sorry, my friend.”

“Men… there were too many of them. We. We had to split up.” Solio spoke as his face twisted in agony.

“Alec ran into us. Are there any others?”

“Rodan is dead, captain. He stayed behind to buy us time after Solio got injured.”
Alec answered from the side, and Biran looked to the pool of blood that was seeping into the ground by Solio’s leg.
“Gendryl, Darrv and Jadaes headed north. While Tarque, Jems, Roderick, and Falknur went southeast toward the roads. Rodan and I were the only two that came with Solio.” Alec added.

“Only ten of you? What of the villagers? Where is the rest of your team?”

“The others are taking a different route through the southern forest with the villagers. We left the camp three days after you all, but with the soldiers on our trails, the ten of us splintered from the main group to lure them away.”

“Three… I should have seen this coming. I should have never split us up like that.” Biran lamented, seeing that his decision to err on the safe side had instead, cost them.

“I-It’s not your fault… those- the scouts I sent out were followed. We were lucky to have evacuated be-before they found us.” Solio stammered between breaths.

“Laznar. Jordine. Bind Solio’s injury and escort him and Alec back. If you see Vasco’s group, tell them to go back and prepare to vacate the camp. Those of us here will look for the others.”

“Captain-”

“Enough. Rest for now and we’ll talk later.”

“Wait.” Solio reached out to stop Biran. “The bann- guh- the banners of Lord Cromontes and Lady Onarald… they are flying behind the shielded crest of the Southern Guards. They- they are the ones hunting us.”

Biran’s face darkened at the information. Gritting his teeth, he ushered his contingent of men onward.

As the others left and Jordine began wrapping his leg, Solio caught the eyes of a young man walking amongst the group. He thought he saw the boy’s two dark eyes flash silver for an instant, and as he was about to open his mouth, his leg began burning as if it was on fire.

 

—

 

“Acquaintance of yours?” Kaidus questioned as they marched, inquiring about what they had just heard. He did not want to intrude on the conversation and opted to simply listen, but curiosity had gotten the best of him.

“I’ve had some dealings with them before.” Biran quietly answered, biting down his frustration. “Lady Esmera Onarald of House Onarald, a wealthy widow with an ambition to match. The late Princess Vernera was trying to win her over before the princess’ untimely death. Then there’s Lord Hyvanus Cromontes… a reclusive lord with a bountiful territory to the western shores. He too had been called upon by the Liberation army, yet never moved to answer their pleas. For them both to ally themselves with the Southern Guards, things have just gotten more desperate for those like us.”

“I see. So the lords and ladies have begun to take sides.” Kaidus hid a smile. “You mentioned a princess and the Liberation Army. What affiliations do you have with them?”

Biran glanced at Kaidus, uncertain how to answer. “None anymore, my lord.” He finally spoke after a brief pause. “Apart from for the few dozen who had been out of the city, those you protected in Vilute are all that is left of the Liberation army. As you’ve seen for yourself, they are nothing more than women and children, people without home or allegiance.”

“Then…” Kaidus looked around them.

“Yes. These men are the last remnants of Princess Vernera’s Liberation Army. Former slaves, thieves, men bound for the gallows because of petty crimes. Men who were oppressed to the point of rebellion. Defiant fathers who would not allow their family’s to be robbed and starved.”

“And you? Which one are you?”

“The Liberation Army saved me when I was bound for the slave markets, but my purpose in aiding them was for something else. That purpose went up in flames when Vilute burned.”

Sensing the troubled guilt in Biran’s voice, Kaidus stopped the inquiries. “That was insensitive. Forgive me.”

“No, my lord. Please pardon my tone.” Biran quickly implored.

“If I may, how did you come to leading this band?”

A smile emerged on Biran’s face. “You are one with the ability to protect.” He quoted and looked at Kaidus. “Those words have stuck with me ever since, and I have done my utmost to not disappoint them. The others simply attached themselves to me, as I would myself to you, my lord.”

“… Such foolishness.” Kaidus voiced as the wind’s laughter echoed in his ears.

 

—

 

Evening would be upon them soon, but they had found the last of those wandering the forest and battle had begun once again.

Standing behind the line of archers, Kaidus watched as his sword of flesh lurched backward, dodging an incoming blow from the left. He stood motionless, as the man struggled to find footing after landing a killing blow and he did not allow himself to intervene, as the man was surrounded by three enemies.

Seeing that he was at a disadvantage, Biran quickly dashed to the side, forcing two of the three to come after him. Using the flat of his blade, he parried the spear that was coming at his chest and swiftly delivered a cross cut toward the spearman’s neck. His sword sliced into the man’s left shoulder instead, and Biran charged forward with his own shoulder, slamming the spearman onto the ground.

Kaidus watched, as Biran broke the formation and proceeded to defend against a thrust.
The man did a large diagonal swing after deflecting the thrust, leaving his sides completely open before stepping forward to cover the weakness.
Kaidus stopped his frown from showing. After observing their previous three engagements, he could see that the knight had already begun to rely on the sword. Yet even with the power within the weapon, seeing it being swung around so crudely, the man still had a long way to go. Should dependency on the weapon overtake the knight’s own abilities, the full power of the weapon would go to waste. It was something he would have to correct, and soon.

Someone cried out, and Kaidus turned to see that one of their own men had fallen to the ground. A soldier stepped over the man, ready to plunge a sword into the downed man’s chest. By his will, one of the arrows that were in the air jerked sideways, planting itself into the soldier’s collar, forcing him back a few steps.

A chorus of screams followed as the archer’s volley of arrows connected, and the surviving enemies began fleeing into the forest.

“Grrraaaa!!” Biran screamed, slicing a men’s leg off before delivering a killing blow amidst a stream of blood.

Victory cries followed, and just like the fleeting skirmishes before, it was over.

The group began looking around for friends who had fallen, and just like before, not a single one of their own had been lost. A few were injured here and there, but everyone had survived yet again. Many of the men started looking in Kaidus’ direction, having witnessed some of the unexplainable and fortuitous happenings during the engagements.

“My lord.” Biran slowly approached Kaidus, his eyes questioning about their next course of action.

“There is no need to give chase, captain. Let us return.” Kaidus answered, keeping his eyes on the bodies that were scattered about.
With Zion’s aid, he had steered them toward a number of corpses belonging to men they were searching for, as well as to small groups of armed soldiers–who were combing the forest. The knight had understood after they found the first man, Alec, and had been following his directions since.

“Yes, my lord.” Biran bowed, then turned around and began calling out orders to retreat.

 

—

 

Back at the camp.
“What does he think I am? A baby sitter?” Vick complained loudly as he paced back and forth near the outskirts of the civilian’s area. He was far enough from the others that they could not hear him, yet close enough for them to think that he was patrolling.

“Uugh… I hate this…” He groaned, quickly remembering how he had jokingly told Kaidus that he had been hired to babysit the boy. “I should never had said that… could that be why?” He questioned, unable to determine if such a vindictive thing was even possible.

Patting the two azurite swords at his sides, Vick turned toward the camp. Preparations to evacuate was already finished and all that was left, was to take down the tents and shelters. A number of carts and horses were also waiting on the eastern side of the camp, ready to load up anything that were too cumbersome to carry for long durations. Should the signal to evacuate come, the tents would be quickly disassembled while the shelters abandoned, and they would escape to the main roads via a path that had been decided and prepared a few days prior.

“Vick!” Sarah called out as she spotted him and he waved back. “I brought you some soup!” She yelled and hurried over to him, carrying a bowl in her hands.

“Soup, huh. Why thank you.”

“Yep.” She smiled and continued to watch him after he took the bowl from her.

Vick brought the soup this his mouth and Sarah’s grin widened. “On second thought…”

“What? It’s good. Darla said to drink it while it’s hot.”

“Oh yea? Then why does it feel like you’ve put something in here?” He gave her an inquisitive look.

“I didn’t! Promise!”

“Then why are you smiling from ear to ear?”

“I-I’m not smiling.” Sarah quickly covered her mouth.

“Hmmm… I don’t know if I can trust you.” Raising an eyebrow at Sarah, he slowly slurped down the bowl of soup. “Hmm?” To his surprise, there were some morsels of meat at the bottom.

“I think Darla fancies you.” The girl stated, and he almost choked on the soup.

“*Cough! Cough*! You fiendish little… you couldn’t have waited until I was done?”

“Hehe.” Sarah jumped back and returned an innocent smile. “Do you like Darla?”

“That is not something I need to tell you. Here.” He held the bowl out to her. “Tell Darla thank you.”

“Fine. Then… as a favor for bringing you soup, tell me. Does Kaidus have someone he likes?” The girl nonchalantly enquired as she took the bowl, acting as if it was the normal course of the conversation.

“Wha- What?”

“Don’t play stupid. Answer me.” She snapped back.

“Does Kaidus have someone he likes… uh…” Thinking back on the three years the boy spent with them, he could not recall a single moment where Kaidus had shown any interest in those of the opposite sex. “Beats me. That’s something you’ll have to ask him yourself.” A grin slowly crept onto Vick’s face. “Why do you ask? Could it be that you like Kaidus?”

“What?! No! Stupid Vick!” She shouted and ran off.

“Oh boy…” Vick smiled as he watched the girl leave. He knew that the purpose of the inquiry was for the older sister, but there was a tinge of red upon Sarah’s cheeks that had betrayed her coyness.

In complete and utter loss about the heart of a maiden, he continued his pacing.

Reaching the tree lines he turned to walk back, but a pair of silver elliptical eyes were staring up at him. “Ahh-!” Vick tightly clenched his mouth shut. “F-fuck!” He voiced under his breath, trying to keep himself from screaming again.

“Shrraaa!!” The pitch black serpent hissed back angrily, and proceeded to flick its forked tongue out.

The small beast was the reason why he had stayed behind, instead of going with the others. It was also the reason why he could not sit still. “Gods, that is terrifying.” Vick remarked as he noticed the thick layer of blood covering the serpent’s snout. The serpent had probably taken breaks in between gorging itself, and was now licking at the dried blood, trying to get it off. “H-here… let me-” He slowly reached out with his right hand.

“Grrrrr!” It snarled, baring four white fangs.

“I got it! It’s okay! Look!” Vick held up his hand and quickly pulled back a step. The small monster instantly went back to licking its mouth without taking its eyes off of him. “How in the world am I supposed to look after you?” He questioned nervously, remembering Kaidus’ words about keeping it away from the others.

Suddenly the serpent lifted its head up and began looking around. It flicked its tongue a few times, then extended its wings and propelled itself into the air. Instead of flying into the forest as it had done earlier, it skirted above the trees and began moving along the edge of the camp.

“Oh no…” Vick voiced out loud and took off after the serpent. Following it to the south side of the encampment, he quickly saw why.

A group of haggard men were returning. Some of the men’s faces and clothes were dirtied to an almost unrecognizable extent, while others looked completely unscathed. Walking at the back beside the captain, was Kaidus.

The black serpent immediately dove.

“Kaidus!” Vick shouted, and the group turned to stare in his direction. He caught Kaidus’ eyes for a split second, before the boy turned to look up at the sky and smile. Kaidus opened the side of his cloak and the beast vanished inside before the others even noticed what had occurred.
Dumbfounded, Vick sighed and walked over to them.

“Thank you.” Kaidus thanked with a smile on his face.

“I’m not doing that again.” Vick grumbled.

“I mean it.”

“Shut up.” Vick retorted. “Come on. Darla made some soup earlier. Let’s go see if there’s any left.”

 

***

 

-Darsus-

An old man stood upon the edge of a great plateau, quietly gazing at a number of villages in the distance. Decades of harsh reality and stringent control had molded his elderly face into one without emotions, yet his two pale green eyes were filled with fire and destruction as he surveyed the landscape below. A coat of mana swirled about the old man as if it were alive, and around his immediate vicinity, the ground had been scorched black.

“Master. Everything is set. We await your orders.” A cloaked man spoke from behind the line of scorched earth.

“Then begin. Let us cleanse this land of insects and drag out the usurpers who would stand in our path.”

“Yes, master.” With a quick incantation, the cloaked man unleashed a ball of fire high into the air.

From one of the villages, a pillar of fire stormed upward, rising like a ravaging beast. Terror began to echo in the winds and a second village went up in flames, followed by a third, and a fourth.

“You know what needs to be done. Get to it.” The old master ordered, and the cloaked man bowed before making a hasty retreating.

A hulky armored man with two curved horns stepped up behind the old man. “Master. Let us too, head for our destination.”

“… Very well.” Taking one last gander at the message that was being sent, the ground underneath his feet opened up and swallowed the old man.

The large dvuron looked behind him, then lowered the faceplate on his helmet. Unsheathing the enormous two-handed cleaver on his back, he walked to the edge of the plateau and stepped off.

Behind the dvuron, a winged man quickly followed after—launching himself down the side of the mountain.

-Darsus-

Within his study, Zorin’s headmaster Nylen Gvius Das Jozion silently flipped through a large tome hovering above his desk. Beyond the wrinkles and aged spots on his bald and elderly face, there was something else in his expression, something of a calm and concentrated frustration. While his marble left hand dexterously flipped through the weathered pages of the leather-bound tome, his right hand was slowly and deftly jotting down thoughts and passages, recording them onto the papers that were spread out before him.

The time of day neither mattered nor entered his thoughts as he continued perusing through the leather bound tome. With the arrival of morning, the lightstones around his chamber began dimming as the infusion of mana within them disappeared. Yet with a swift incantation–as if to reject the encroaching morning’s limited light–his mana flared through the air and into the stones, filling the room with a soft white glow once again. Around him, the study that had been littered with broken magical apparatuses and crumpled notes from two turns ago, was now filled with piles of antiquated texts and aged documents.

‘Enuria… Rhultal… Silvazae… Silver King…’ Nylen cycled the words in his head while scanning through the ancient book. Ever since the meeting, he had instinctively understood that they were the final pieces of the puzzle in identifying the boy’s unnatural strength. Another part of the mystery that could not be explained by logic. No matter how he attempted to rationalize them, to attach them to the boy in some way or form, nothing made sense beyond the silver glow he glimpsed all those years ago.

Using those keywords, he had gone through hundreds of records pertaining to the current and old world, going as far as to open the sealed archives hidden and locked away underneath the academy’s library. Yet after countless days and nights spent slogging through stories and records of the past, any sort of solid evidence still eluded him. Not a single mention of the unknown titles or words, nor could he find a single indication that any such abnormality like the boy’s peculiar circumstance had ever occurred within the past thousand years.

The door to the chamber slowly opened, and a round faced man with short brown hair stepped inside. The man was in his late forties and was wearing a red master’s robe. “… You were up all night again.” The man stated after sighing deeply.

Nylen took a quick glance toward the door. “Keral. Is it morning already?”

“You were supposed to rest. Remember?” Carrying a handful of old books, Master Keral swiftly reproved as he carefully made his way toward the desk–in the center of the room. “Not to mention, Master Juvol is quite stressed that you are taking books from the Locked Library without returning them. She was very vocal about it when I picked these up.” Seeing that the desk was already full, Keral laid the new batch of old texts atop a small stack of papers.

“Book, books, books. I can’t even recall the last time she was this worried about someone.” The headmaster retorted as he turned back to the object of his focus. “Ever wonder why she never married?”

The sudden and completely extraneous question gave Keral pause. “That… is not a subject for discussion, nor is it the point of my words.”

“Sure, sure. Tell her I’ll return the books,” Nylen flipped another page and skimmed its contents. “… After I find what I’m looking for.”

“After? Look around you, headmaster. You can barely maneuver through this room with all these things lying about. I’m also certain Master Borus will agree with me in saying that this sort of environment is bad for your health. Why not just return the ones you’ve already gone through?”

“Absolutely not.” With a swift response, the old man firmly refused. “Not until I am done. If there are any clues that can correspond with others in these writings, I will need them here so that I can access them whenever I wish.”

“Sigh…That’s another problem in itself. What exactly are you looking for, and what is so important that we had to search the Locked Library?” Master Keral questioned, seeing that the headmaster would not budge on such decisions.

“Something to ease my nagging mind… perhaps some sort of truth?” Nylen grinned, catching the seething interest hidden by Keral’s mask of logic.

“… Master Juvol is not going to like that explanation.”

“Bah! Her trivial worries are nothing in comparison to what it is that I must ascertain.”

“And that is…?”

“It is not something that I can share just yet.” Nylen replied, his grin widening at the blatant enquiry for information.

“Ha… Fine. I will come up with some explanations to appease her for now.” Keral slowly remarked, unable to do anything. “At least allow the attendants help to lessen your burden. Surely you can use-”

“No. There is no need.” Nylen swiftly refused, his tone unwavering. In his sharp eyes, he knew. Such information would be too much for some people, and should word of it get out somehow, it could become quite the catastrophe for Darsus’ political structure itself. People flocked to those who are powerful, and more so, mages. It was how he and the others got their positions, and how an organization like Tal’hrus could exist. For now, only the six of them—the heads of magic within Ferrent–knowing was enough. “By the way, where are we on the request to Lord Knight Commander Ravon?”

“A letter arrived last evening.” Master Keral answered, keeping himself in calm check instead of pushing his curiosity. “Lord Ravon stated in the reply that he will try and gather a compilation of accounts pertaining to your requests from his personal collection. The delivery is to be expected within the next few days.”

“Next few days, huh? Thank you, that will be all.”

“Headmaster. Will you not take a break before breakfast?” Master Keral questioned, watching the tireless old man.

Raising his brows toward the subjugations master, “Don’t you have class to attend to?” Nylen probed back. It was not yet the rjus, and the bell for morning class should be tolling soon. “Go see to the students. Needlessly worrying about me will do nothing for the both of us. As for a break, I shall take it when I deem it time.”

“Then I will take my leave.” Master Keral nodded dutifully and retreated the same way he came in.

“Hmph. Each and every one of them.” The old man huffed after Keral had left. With a renewed focus, he continued to skim through the pages before him.

 

***

 

-Malpaars-

He awoke to the presence of people standing outside his tent. Without opening his eyes, he could smell the mellowed scent of old oiled leather and steel that the men had on their person. Listening in silence, he could hear a plethora of voices coming from outside, along with some curious whispers.
With a tired yawn, Kaidus sat up. A large black coil was resting peacefully by his side, and inside the cramped dwelling, Zion flowed about openly, while remaining invisible to the naked eyes.

He calmly looked around the unfamiliar tent. It was a squared soldier’s tent with a sloping design and was barely enough to accommodate two people. One side of the shelter had two large spots of brown where animal hides were used to patch up large holes in the thick fabric, while the other side was an entirely different color. The floor was layered with thinly woven straw blankets to keep him off the ground, and although he did not need them, he had also been given two small wolf pelts to use as blankets.

“That’s right…” Kaidus quietly voiced to himself.
They had reached the camp around the break of dawn that morning. Too tired for anything, he had declined Biran’s invitation to use the captain’s tent and returned with Vick to where Vick and the others were residing—along with Narissa. The captain had ordered the tent to be erected for him, and even though he refused it, a few men had been placed on guard outside.

Something stirred and Kaidus glanced down at Zirus. It was uncurling. It was shortly before they left their camp the previous night when the youngling returned. Just like he thought, it was indeed the monster that had frightened the hunter. Fortunately, the misunderstanding was easily laid to rest, and had even resulted in an odd fortuitous twist of luck.

He could not help but be amused at how things turned out.
The original plan was to travel south to Imvera before heading west to the farming village of Esperen, but now, there was no need to go any further. Vick had explained a little bit about what happened in Esperen, and from the sound of it, what he himself had put into motion in Maverus was starting to gain traction. By killing the King’s watcher, there was no doubt that the members of Tal’hrus still lurking in Malpaars were moving. All that was left, was to assess the incoming situations and see what his new friend Roln could snag him.

“Zirus.” Kaidus spoke, and two sets of wings expanded outward. “Let’s go.” He beckoned, and Zirus hastily stretched itself before folding its wings and slithered over to him. Beyond the hunter who had been spooked, the others in camp did not know about the youngling. Donning his gray cloak, he opened the flap of the shelter and stepped out into the cold.

From the three who were tasked to stand guard to a number of curious bystanders, dozens of eyes immediately turned toward him. Locking eyes with the three sentries, they nervously nodded back. “You all must be tired. Go ahead and get some rest.” The three men looked at each other and one of them nodded before swiftly departing. “All of you.” Kaidus repeated, seeing that two of them were still there.

“The- Captain Biran’s words were that we are not to let you out of our sight.” One of them, a skinny man with a flat face and sharp slanted eyes answered. There was something in his voice, a hint of anxiety.

“Surely this place is safe enough that I do not require guards?” He questioned, and the man quickly glanced at the other.
Scanning them, they were both wearing old and worn equipment.
The skinny man was dressed in a mismatching blue and black attire with a leather vest that was cracking on its left side. There was a strap of throwing knives tied around his waist, along with a small one-handed crossbow and a short tube of crudely made bolts. Wearing a leather bracer on his left hand, the man was also carrying an ashen longbow and a quiver of arrows on his back.
The second man, a bearded man, was wearing an iron bowl helmet that appeared to have taken a few good blows, along with a battered chest plate that had already lost its shine ages ago. Supplementing the metal pieces, the man wore fraying leather armguards along with leather knees and shin guards. There was a broadsword and a dagger sheathed on his left side, indicating the man to be right-handed.
The skinny man appeared to be in his late twenties, while the second man could be in his mid-forties.

“Beg your pardon my lord, but the captain said to stay with you.” The older man replied. Though of an average build and shorter than his younger companion, there was strength in the man’s deep voice. “Vasco just left to notify him of your wake, so if you need anything, please allow us.”

“Actually, there are a few things I’ve been wondering about.” Kaidus replied as questions came to mind. “And please, there is no need for formalities as I have no such titles to my name.” He quickly clarified, garnering odd looks from the two. “I am Kaidus Paltos. You may call me Kaidus. Might I inquire as to who you both are?”

“O-of course.” The armored man replied, taken aback at the sudden introduction. Taking off the helmet, the man revealed a set of washed out green eyes and short green hair that were in the midst of graying. His short beard though, were an emerald green in contrast to his hair and eyes. “I am Irvine Warnant.” The man bowed at the waist awkwardly and lowered his head as far as it can go. “I never got to thank you for what you did in Vilute. I cannot bear to imagine what would have happened to my daughter and wife, had you not intervened. It is an honor, Lord Paltos.” The man added cordially and reverently, as if he had been practicing.

The man had called him ‘lord’ again, and Kaidus’ lips jerked sideways for an instant. “So, you were there too…” The words almost choked him as he recalled the memories of that day, of the countless lives that were extinguished.

“Yes.” The older man spoke in affirmation, the strength in his voice slowly waning.

“Forgive me, my lord.” The second man quickly followed, calling him lord as well. The man then bowed awkwardly. “I am Giaan Oriaus. I- I regret not being there that day but, Princess Vernera, Lord Komor and the Black Knights, along with all those who were lost. I heard you avenged them all. You have my gratitude. Thank you.” The man lifted his head and held out a nervous hand.

Gratitude. There was nothing he could say. The decision to mercilessly slaughter Eril’s men had been his to make, and the burden would be his to carry. Being thanked for it was unnecessary. Keeping his inner thoughts from surfacing, Kaidus reached out and shook the man’s hand.

“What would you like to know my lord?”
The man named Irvine asked after the introductions were over. From the sound of it, they were not going to drop the title.

Without wasting any time on the trifling matter, “You are both from that floating city. Why are you here now? What happened?” He got right to the heart of his curiosity.

“We abandoned the city, my lord.” The older man instantly answered. “The gates had been burned down, and the walls were crumbling after the attack. We all came to a decision that we could no longer stay there, seeing that the barrier was also gone.”

“And how did you all end up here?” He questioned. It was too much of a coincidence.

“We followed the captain, my lord. After burning our dead and making the decision to leave, a group of us came south with him. Some of the others stayed behind in the lake’s surrounding forests, in case more of our people returned. Giaan here-”

“I was with a team of six others who had been sent out to gather information and food.” The man named Giaan quickly supplemented. “We came back to find the barrier gone, and the city empty. Luckily, using the whistling arrows, the others found us and filled us in on what happened. We caught up to the captain’s group north of the village of Umoraok.”

He had spotted many villages during his flight toward the floating city, but could not recall which one the man was talking about. “So the one in charge right now is Captain Biran?”

“Yes. The Black Knights, Princess Vernera’s order of knights were all killed during the attack along with the princess herself. They were the highest chain of command, and with them gone, it was the captain who took charge. He was the one who began the evacuation process after- well, after you came through. We were already a part of his unit before all that, so it just made sense to follow him.”

“I see. I would like to talk with him then. Please take me to the captain.”

“There is no need, my lord. The captain will be coming here.” Giaan chipped in, and turned to look in a different direction of the camp.

“Kaidus!” Yet it was Vick’s voice that called out. They turned to see the older mercenary. “Where are you going?” Vick questioned, quickly running over to them.

“Nowhere. I was merely getting acquainted with Irvine and Giaan here.”

“Oh,” Vick gave a weak response, then after a puzzled look at the two men standing beside him, “did you just wake up?”

“Yes. It appeared I was more fatigued than I thought.”

Vick’s puzzled face instantly turned into a smile. “Perfect. You must be hungry right? Arleen and some of the others are preparing lunch right now. Narissa is also awake and has been regaling the girls about your trip from Garnikul.”

“That so?” I will need to speak with her about the change of plans. Kaidus thought to himself, seeing that their journey had come to an abrupt end. “And who’s Arleen?” He asked, unable to remember anyone by such a name.

“Right, you never got to know most of them.” Vick paused in silent thought for a moment. “She’s one of the five older women, the tall one with short brown hair and a plentiful bust. You should know who I’m talking about.” A grin immediately crept onto Vick’s face.

Sifting through his memories, he vaguely recalled the five woman who were older than the rest. In their early twenties, there was one who had short brown curls, and was wearing green and black clothes the last time he saw her. He could picture her slender face, but could not recall the proportions that Vick had mentioned.

“By the way, Sarah and Saadra came to see you earlier after hearing that you were back. Did you see them?”

“I did not.” He looked to the two guards.

“Two young ladies stopped by earlier, but you were still sleeping.” The older man—Irvine–answered.

“Well then that settles it. Let’s go see everyone.” Vick exclaimed energetically. “A few of the younger ones have asked about you, you know? I’m sure they’ve been wanting to thank you.”

Kaidus hesitated and considered the faces of those he had so readily abandoned in Karpes. He was uncertain about meeting them but, “You’re right. I should go see how everyone’s doing.” He readily agreed. Turning to the two guards, “It looks like I will have to trouble the two of you.”

“No, not at all. If they are people you know, then feel free.” Irvine replied with a broad smile.

“I will stay here.” Giaan spoke up. “Vasco will be returning with the captain. I will let them know where you went.”

…

“These people are…” Kaidus uttered as they walked past countless others.

“They’re from other villages. Esperen was not the only village that came under scrutiny of the Southern Guards.” Vick answered while leading the way though a number of civilian tents.

“Southern Guards?” He questioned, hearing the name for the first time.
Having arrived while it was still quite dark, he had underestimated the sheer size of the camp. Looking around now, there were hundreds of people, unfamiliar men, women, and children, all huddling around dozens of fires. It was as if a large village, or a small town had been stripped of their housings and forced to live in such conditions. It was very reminiscent of the situation that Lord Shradech and the people of Vernigale had found themselves in.

“They are fanatics who declared themselves protectors of the south, or something crazy like that. The group I told you about last night, the ones who attacked Esperen, they were an advance party for the Southern Guards. It was why we had to leave the village.” Vick answered, his tone calm and clear.

“They have attacked eight other villages that we know of so far. This is but a fraction of those who have been displaced from their homes.” Irvine added from behind. “It began in Jarnlan, around the time the rumors of the King’s Advisor’s death began circulating. Umoraok, the village where we were hiding in at the time was one of the first to be hit after the conscription orders.”

“So they’re building up manpower and gathering supplies by attacking uncooperative settlements…” Kaidus voiced with intrigue as they continued walking.

“Garis wait for me!” A young girl’s voice cried out as a boy of four or five ran across their path. Following behind, the girl was carrying a small straw sandal that had unraveled, and was half hopping, half running as she tried to catch up.
An old man stared at them oddly as they passed by, while others just flat out ignored them. Along with the vast majority of unfamiliar faces, he eventually caught some familiar ones, one of them being the man who had almost fought them in Esperen.

As they arrived, more and more familiar faces began popping up and he soon spotted Arleen, the woman Vick had mentioned earlier. She was watching a large pot while chatting away with a man. Beside them, the other girls were talking amongst themselves. A small old woman with long white hair sat amongst them and across from her, another woman with a boisterous voice–Narissa seemed to be enjoying herself.

“Vick you big bastard! You were supposed to help us carry water!”

A sharp voice caught them off guard, causing many of the people around them to turn in their direction.

“Sarah!” Another familiar voice came through the air.

“Shit.” Vick remarked wryly while wearing an innocent grin.

Kaidus turned to his left and saw a girl two to three years younger than himself rushing toward them. She had cut her hair since the last time he saw her, but her mannerism and tone of voice was still quite the same. Carrying a small bucket of water and equipped with a disgruntled face, it was the younger of the Ridales sisters, Sarah. Upon catching his eyes, she immediately slowed down, causing her bucket to splash a good amount of water onto the ground. He looked beyond her and caught her older sister Saadra following behind. Wearing a patched up brown cloak, she was also carrying a bucket of water. Holding it before her with both hands, the older sister saw him and made a polite bow. Kaidus nodded back.

“Heheee.” With an embarrassed grin on her face, Sarah approached them slowly instead of her previous rush. With a quick and sloppy curtsy to the three of them, she walked up to Vick and shot her right leg out at his left feet.

“Too slow!” Vick laughed, easily moving out of the way.

“Stop! Stop moving!!” Sarah cried out as she went for a second and third kick, splashing more water.

“Sarah stop it. You’re going to waste the water.” Saadra protested from behind, and the younger girl slowly came to a halt. Turning her attention to Kaidus, “We heard you were back. Have you been well?” Saadra bowed again before asking.

“I have. What about you all? Has it been hard outside of Karpes?”

From the side, Irvine raised an eyebrow at the unusual greeting while Vick continued teasing Sarah.

“Yes. But we are still here, and living.” Saadra replied with a bright smile.

“I see.” Kaidus’ mouth also curved upward. To see that the brilliance inside of her had not dissipated, he was glad.

“Come, let us not stand around. The others are watching.” Vick interrupted, gesturing toward the group of eyes staring at them.

“Sarah, come on.” Saadra ushered, and the younger girl perked up.

“You two young ladies must be tired. Please, allow me.” Like a gentleman, Irvine extended his hands out for the buckets.

With a quick look at the bearded man, Sarah quickly pulled back and raced off toward the fire. “Thank you, but it’s alright. It is not much further.” Saadra politely declined and followed after her sister.

…

The group stared at Kaidus as he approached them. Though theirs eyes toward him were much different from how they were that day in Karpes, he could still see some sort of uneasiness within a few of them.

Like the others that he had seen along the way, they were sitting together around two fires. Three of the younger boys were clutching tightly onto their older sisters for warmth, while three others were playing some sort of game with sticks and leaves next to the flames. The girls shuddered and shivered as they tried to warm themselves with pelts and blankets, and from where she sat, Narissa was grinning nefariously. Of the twenty-five who had joined them in Karpes, most of them were still present along with a few additions.

Reaching the group, some of the more courageous girls tensely stood up and gave him short but practiced curtsies. Seeing them trying so hard to greet him in their own way, Kaidus smiled and nodded courteously. The greeting seemed to have relaxed them a bit, and he took a deep breath. “I am sorry for leaving you all in Karpes. I had other matters to attend to, and could not join you at the time. I hope your journey was a pleasant one.” He calmly apologized.

The girls looked at each other briefly before blushing in embarrassment. A few of them nodded timidly as if to say yes, while others opened their mouth to speak, but stopped and quietly sat back down.

“So, you’re the culprit who attacked Karpes. Who would have thought?” The old woman spoke with an amused tone.

“It’s good to see you again, madam.” Kaidus lowered his head respectfully to her.

“Daehn, right? Didn’t you have something you want to ask Kaidus?” With a playful grin on her face, Narissa called out to the one of the three boys that were sitting together.

With all eyes looking at him, the boy quickly got up and ran over to his older sister.

“What is it?” Kaidus inquired curiously toward the boy.

“Is- is it true?” A meek voice came from one of the other boys, a smaller boy with a missing tooth and a red nose–one of the old lady’s grandchildren.

“Is what true?” Kaidus queried, turning his attention to the new speaker.

“S-she,” the boy pointed to Narissa. “She said that if we are bad, you will f-feed us to a monster. She said that it is scary, and has long black wings, and sharp teeth, and eats l-little boys.”

Kaidus glanced at Narissa then back to the boy. “Would you like to find out?” The small boy shook his head fervently upon the question and quickly moved to hide behind his grandmother. “It is not true. I do not have a monster to feed you to.” Kaidus gave the gullible child a smile, and Narissa chuckled from her seat.

A few of the girls giggled upon seeing the boy being teased, but quickly hid their joy as someone else approached.

“My lord.”

A voice came from behind them. He turned around to see that the captain had caught up, along with the man named Giaan and the guard who left them earlier. The blond-haired captain was carrying the transparent sword at his side, and appeared to have even trimmed his unkempt beard. In the light, the man’s eyes were a sky blue, quite different from the hollow eyes he had seen that day under the ash covered city.

“I am sorry for taking so long. I was still mediating a dispute when Vasco arrived.” The Captian quickly apologized.

“There’s no need for such things, captain.” Kaidus swiftly dismissed the apology.

“Giaan told me about your inquiries. If I can, I will answer them to the best of my abilities.”

“There are indeed a few matters that I wish to discuss with you. Would it be possible for a private conversation after lunch?” He asked, making it quite clear that they would need to talk, but not in front of everyone.

“Of course.” Biran promptly answered in complete compliance.

“Will you be joining us, captain?” Vick questioned from the side with a stiff smile.

Captain Biran turned to Vick, then looked around at the group of young ladies. “So, I was right. This was the group that we were looking for.”

“Yea, what of it?” Vick replied, his tone quite antagonistic.

“You lied to me. You said you didn’t know anything.” Biran fired back.

“What is this?” Kaidus interjected, seeing that there seemed to be something going on between the two.

“Nothing, my lord. It does not matter anymore.”

“No. It does not.” Vick quickly agreed.

Biran looked to his three men. “Vasco. Giaan. Irvine. You all will stay with his lordship.” He then turned to Kaidus. “Please call on me when you are done. I shall not impose on your reunion any longer.” Biran bowed and withdrew.

The three men looked at each other, then stepped back so as not to intrude.

Kaidus turned around to the group of girls and once again, they watched him with nervous curiosity. Narissa too, was staring back curiously and the man who had been talking with Arleen looked quite troubled.

“Please be at ease.” He reassured and the girls tensed up.

“C’mon you all. Quit staring so much. You’re going to make Kaidus blush.” Vick jested from the side. “Arleen. How’s the stew coming?”

“Ah!” Arleen yelped in surprise and quickly stirred the large pot. “My lord. Please take a seat.” She hastily gestured to a spot by the fire.

Before Kaidus could step toward it, Sarah rushed over and grabbed his arm. “Come on.” She grinned, pulling him to join them.

…

“They helped us, but started asking about the incident in Karpes. I told them that we didn’t know what happened and wouldn’t let them question the others.” Vick spoke from beside him as they ate. “We got into a little disagreement because of it and almost got into a fight.”

From behind, one of the three guards started coughing.

“Sounds like it’s been rough for you. Sorry.” Kaidus apologized as he slurped a spoonful of broth. He had asked about what happened earlier with the captain, and from the sound of it, it was only a misunderstanding.

“What happened anyways? How did you even meet that man? Where did you find Narissa?” Vick replied.

“It’s a long story. Join us later and I will tell you.”

“Fine. I’d want to listen in on your discussion anyways.” Though discontent was still prevalent in his voice, Vick stopped pressing the matter.

“Hey. Hey Kaidus.” Sarah called out from behind her sister and next to him, to his left, Saadra quickly sat up. The older girl’s face had become flushed after he was dragged over to sit by her and even now, she was quietly sipping away at her stew just listening to them.

“Yes?”

“Are you going to stay here too?”

“Maybe. We’ll see.” He replied with uncertainty. Too busy with Tal’hrus, his true purpose had been put on hold and there was no telling when his search for Karugas would once again begin. Though he had kept alert while crossing through Malpaars, the mountains and plains upon which he flew over held nothing of interest nor any presence of power.

“My sister worried about you, you know.” The young girl spoke loudly.

“Sarah!” Saadra quickly cried out to silence her sister. Her face was bright red. “O-of course I’m worried. You helped us…” She hastily exclaimed as she turned to apologize.

“Thank you.” Kaidus cordially replied. “But there is no need to worry about me. Please take care of yourselves.”

“S-sorr-”
*Whiiiiiuuuuuu!* the sound of a whistle shrieked through the air in the distance, cutting Saadra off.

Kaidus immediately turned around to the three guards behind him. All three were already watching the sky. “What is it?” He asked.

“One whistling arrow. It means there’s a messenger looking for the camp.” Irvine answered.

“No…” Giaan immediately refuted. “That was unmistakably one of Solio’s arrows. The pitch was too long.”

“Solio? That can’t be. The move is not for another two days.” The man named Vasco replied with a troubled voice.

*Whiiiiiiiiiiuuuuuu!* another arrow ripped through the air in the distance.

“Two arrows. They’re in trouble!!” Giaan exclaimed.