ã€ŠThe Heroes of Aurum (Volumes I &amp; II)ã€‹


 Part One: Familiar Stranger

    Year 536 CC, Primal Chaos Era

    The night sky was dark, and no one could see anything below their feet. Despite the lamp attached to their holder, only a foot of light cast them in a circle in darkness.

    The scouting legion among the darkness traveled along the dark roads; stone walls on either side blocked people from entering the forest to prevent anything from getting out. They clumped together, and their lanterns expanded the light source by a few feet.

    Though the light shed away the darkness, it was both a boon and a curse that could attract the monstrous creatures called Fiends that roamed the realm.

    Since the deity of light, Saint Lumos, cast the dark deity, Deimos, the world of Aurum had fallen into disarray during the Primal Chaos Era.

    The Dark Ages were an epoch veiled in shadows, during which the echoes of a once-great civilization faded into obscurity.

    As the light of humanity dimmed, ignorance and superstition flourished.

    However, amidst the darkness, glimmers of hope flickered like distant stars in the night sky.

    The legion''s mission was to retrieve proof of a magical geyser that could grant untold power. With that power, it could smite their foes and eradicate the Fiends.

    The legion had been traveling for less than a fortnight and were coming up with no solid proof. Yet, they denied going back for fear of defying their Tsar.

    ¡°We move forward, men! For we shall rest when we return with good tidings.¡± their captain, Praefectus Vigilum Osiris Aegis, urged his men on.

    The legion of armed soldiers cheered in unison, elated by his message.

    Little did they know, their journey led them into a conflict they could not yet fathom.

    Ahead of them, there was an orange glow from a lantern. The legion was ready to take arms if the strange person was an enemy.

    Osiris¡¯ thick black brows rose at the strange man dressed in odd attire unfamiliar to the era.

    ¡°G¡¯d evening to you, traveler,¡± Osiris said. The stranger had stunning blue eyes that were both foreboding and daunting, but he couldn''t explain why his heart thudded and blood pumped quickly.

    ¡°And to you, fine legion,¡± the stranger replied.

    He tipped his tricorne hat that matched the rest of his moss green and brown suit. His hair was the color of mud, much like his clothing.

    ¡°You travel alone?¡± Osiris asked the mousy-haired traveler. His instincts were on high alert, and in case of an ambush, the hushed whispers of his legion shook his insides.

    ¡°Yes and no.¡± Leaving his answer vague and unknown. Before Osiris could question him, he replied, ¡°Just waiting for the right moment. For you.¡±

    Heat flushed to his face at the reveal of being tricked.

    Osiris and his men took no chances. One by one, they brandished their swords.

    ¡°What business do you have with us?¡±

    The gleam in the stranger''s eye made the Captain''s blood run cold, and his throat tightened.

    ¡°Why this.¡±

    The surrounding area grew foggy, and a monstrous roar erupted into the sky.

    ¡°Stay strong! Formation, everyone.¡±

    They did on command but did not expect the men to disappear into the foggy wake one by one.

    <hr>

    The year 1085 CC, Month of Solara, on the 2nd day of Aurorion

    During the early dawn hours, a traveler enters Verdan Glen''s idyllic, rural town of Sylvanbrook. Its rolling hills stretch for miles, surrounding itself in lush forests and a lake yonder into town.

    The traveler crossed the bridge, overpassing a stream and into the town¡¯s gates. There weren¡¯t many people out as the day had only begun. The traveler, cloaked in a hood to hide their face, passed by residential brick buildings and into the center of town where the shops were located; a few owners were beginning to open their doors for the day.

    The traveler approached the end of the street where Sylvanbrook¡¯s Ashen Vanguard guild resided.

    Their gloved fist, gentle but hard, knocked on the wooden door. They wondered if the owner still opened it daily at the same time. He did, and the door opened, revealing an older man, about his late fifties, with salt-pepper hair, on the other side of the door.

    The traveler''s amber eyes widened. Despite their cloak hood, the older man recognized him immediately; he was his adoptive son.

    ¡°Eamon?¡±

    The traveler, Eamon, smiled sheepishly. He removed his hood and exposed curly black hair that reached the nape of his tanned neck. His deep brown oval eyes looked at the man he regarded so fondly and disappointed.

    ¡°Hello, Master Ealdred.¡±

    Ealdred ushered his pupil inside, closing the door behind him. When Eamon stepped onto the wooden training floors, a sense of euphoria filled his entire body as filtered memories flooded his mind. The smell of the upholstered wood filled his nose, and even the faint scent of lavender incense that Master Ealdred put out to cleanse the area and free it of negative energy.

    Eamon closed his eyes, and his heart swelled with longing. The euphoric feeling was proof that he was home, but a brief stab in his chest also reminded him that this was home.

    ¡°How have you been?¡± Ealdred voiced out, thankfully freeing Eamon of his agonizing thoughts. ¡°The last time I saw you was four years ago when you left the guild to join the Argonian¡¯s Imperial Military.¡±

    The atmosphere around Eamon tensed, and he stiffened. The stab in Eamon¡¯s chest returned. ¡°It''s better left unsaid.¡±

    Ealdred assumed, judging by the sorrowful expression on the young man''s face, that his experiences with the Argonian Empire were not fulfilling. His past was not for prying ears, even if no one was around.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s leave talk of the Empire outside these walls¡ªrelax yourself¨Cno one has arrived but myself and another student.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s cinched shoulders relaxed, and he released a strangled breath. ¡°It¡¯s good to see you are still teaching, Master. Who is this student that rises this early in the morning? Reminds me of our schedule.¡±

    ¡°Aye, she reminds me of you quite a bit despite her being three years younger, especially with that thick skull you both seem to have.¡±

    Eamon gave a dry laugh, one that Ealdred noticed was not in the same manner as it was when he was younger. Now a young man, he looked like he weighed the world on his shoulders that was more than just from war.

    ¡°Well, I can¡¯t wait to meet her. Oh, is that Riftblade?¡± Eamon¡¯s brown eyes took notice of the brilliant silver, gilded great sword hanging on the wall.

    It once was held by Ealdred when he was fighting the Veilspawn and closing Rifts. Eamon walked over to it, about to touch it, when there was another voice.Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    ¡°You can look, but you can¡¯t touch.¡±

    Both men turn to see a young woman with a curly black afro and bright amber eyes that complimented her tawny brown complexion.

    ¡°Glad to see that you¡¯re done with your chores.¡± Ealdred regarded her with a tender smile.

    The girl grinned and shrugged her shoulders. ¡°Yeah, it was no problem. Who¡¯s this?¡±

    The girl headed toward the sword and picked it up, surprising a gaping Eamon that she removed his Master¡¯s legendary sword.

    ¡°L-Later for that!¡± he balked at the girl. She held the sword with ease despite its weight and her small stature. She trained to master it without breaking a sweat. ¡°Who are you to even touch that?¡±

    He pointed to the sword she was now leaning on to add further confusion on his part.

    The girl said with a frown. ¡°I can because it¡¯s mine, thanks for asking.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s eyes widened. A mental short fuse started to form in the back of his mind. ¡°Y-Yours?¡± He averted his eyes from her to his master to see if she was telling the truth.

    Ealdred nodded. ¡°It is true. Her skills have excelled quite well.¡±

    Eamon scoffed. ¡°In terms of what? She¡¯s practically a kid.¡±

    Ealdred sighed and rested his hand on his face. ¡°And now you¡¯ve done it.¡± He knew what to expect now that Eamon released the tainted words.

    Eamon furrowed his brows, unsure what he was talking about, when a sharp hostility struck him to the chord. He turned to see the girl with fury in her amber eyes, and a shiver ran down his spine.

    ¡°Who are you calling a kid?! I¡¯m eighteen.¡± She exclaimed. ¡°And I¡¯ll have you know I earned this.¡±

    Waving off his early reverie from her sudden aura of power, he smugly grinned. ¡°Right, I bet you can¡¯t even control its power.¡± Eamon knew that was a lie, but he couldn¡¯t help his jealousy into goading her.

    She gasped at his audacity. ¡°Wanna bet?¡±

    She easily propped the giant sword on her shoulder to make a point. She prepared herself into a ready stance, feet a few inches apart, and channeled her energy.

    The circulating energy formed an aura of radiating energy. With the sword drawn over her head, she jumped in the air and yelled a battle cry to her signature move: ¡°Radiant Slash!¡±

    A burst of white Essentia shrouded the blade and transformed its power into the element Zephyr. Its powerful gust of wind smashed into the guild''s wooden wall without her having to strike it physically.

    The girl dropped down to the floor with one knee and stood with a grin on her face. ¡°What do you have to say about that?¡±

    Eamon couldn''t help but be impressed, but there was no way he was letting her know that.

    He crossed his arms and snorted. ¡°It¡¯s childish to call out your attacks like that. You¡¯re giving your enemies the advantage by announcing your presence.¡±

    The girl''s eye twitched, knowing full well that he was bothered. She rolled her eyes with a snappy comeback. ¡°Yeah, what enemies? One strike and there won¡¯t be an obstacle in my way.¡±

    Eamon frowned. She was strong as she was cocky, and she knew that he knew. It only made the burning spikes of jealousy heat at his cheeks as the two stood mere feet apart, glaring at the other to submit first. ¡°Cockiness like that will get you killed.¡±

    She smiled. It was evident by the redness of Eamon¡¯s face that she was getting under his skin. She held her head high. ¡°Not cockiness if you¡¯re confident in your skills.¡±

    Their dagger-like glare continued, trying to will the other to submit defeat.

    ¡°Alright, that is enough. Eamon. Lyra. Break it up.¡±

    The tension ceased when Ealdred doused the fire. Eamon, however, was now curious about the familiar name.

    ¡°You¡¯re little Lyra? Lyra Ashbourne?¡±

    Lyra looked at her manicured nails. ¡°Yup, and that would make you Eamon, the traitor who ran off to join the Imperial army.¡± She looked him up and down, unimpressed.

    The only thing about him that changed was that his usually short hair had grown much longer, and the vibrant brown eyes she used to admire¨Cthough she¡¯d never reveal¡ªlooked dull and faded, shrouded by a curtain of misery.

    ¡°You looked better before. Oh, and another thing: I¡¯m. Not. Little.¡± Her eyes squared at him with knit brows. Her agitation only enhanced being called little.

    Ealdred cleared his throat. Despite him stopping it before it could get heated, there was still the intensity in the air. ¡°Perhaps it is best you worry about the damages you caused, Lyra?¡±

    Lyra turned to where he jutted his thumb at the leftover X mark on the side of the wooden guild''s wall. It collapsed with a crash, exposing the other half of the building.

    Lyra flinched. ¡°Sorry, Grandpa. I¡¯m on it.¡± She placed Riftblade back on the wall''s perch. She caught Eamon looking and glared at him before leaving the two men in the training hall alone.

    ¡°Come, Eamon, to my office, and we can discuss further.¡±

    ???

    Once in private, Eamon sat in the brown corduroy loveseat across from Ealdre¡¯s oak desk.

    Ealdred sat down and folded his hands together. He took in Eamon, who was both familiar and a stranger. ¡°I¡¯ll come out and say: What brings you back?¡± He didn¡¯t want to be direct about bringing up anything about the military.

    Eamon weakly smiled at his master¡¯s forwardness. He missed that. ¡°I would like to rejoin the guild as your student again, Master Ealdred.¡±

    He raised a thick gray brow. ¡°Oh?¡±

    Eamon nodded. ¡°Yes, I know I left for the Imperial Army suddenly, but I had to answer a calling for myself.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. And what did this calling lead you to?¡±

    Eamon fidgeted in his seat. His eyes averted to everywhere else in the room, to the ficus plant in the corner of the room, the old wooden radio on the table that he¡¯d listened to when he was younger, and to the bookshelf against the wall filled with tomes he had often read growing up.

    ¡°I can¡¯t divulge that¡­I¡¯m sorry. I hope you understand.¡±

    Ealdred closed his eyes, humming to himself. ¡°I do. Some things should only be kept between you and Saint Lumos. Now, as for your reinstatement, besides a few changes to the interior, everything is the same as when you left.¡±

    Eamon gaped at his master, realizing what he meant. He shot up from his seat and thrust his head into a bow. ¡°Thank you, Master. I won¡¯t let you down.¡±

    ¡°I know you won¡¯t. It¡¯s different this time.¡± Even if his student couldn¡¯t divulge any information, he knew it was for a reason, and he was glad he made it before it was too late.

    On the other hand, Eamon wasn¡¯t sure what his master meant, but he was always wise, even though he was cryptic.

    ¡°There is¡­one other thing I wanted to ask you?¡± It had been reeling in the back of his mind since he first saw the sword perched on the wall.

    ¡°About my giving Riftblade to Lyra?¡±

    Eamon gave a stiff nod. He was ashamed for letting jealousy gnaw at his gut. Riftblade was supposed to be his. He, of course, knew that he had no claim to the weapon since he was the one to leave, but it still hurt seeing what could have been his legacy no longer appointed to him.

    Ealdred sighed. He rested his hands on the surface of the desk. ¡°When you left Eamon, it devastated me. You were an exceptional Locksmith, and there was no one better I would have wanted to inherit Riftblade. But I understood your decision and had to let you go.¡±

    A gleam appeared in Ealdred¡¯s eyes as he remembered training young Eamon as a child and raising him as his own.

    Ealdred rose from his seat, and Eamon¡¯s eyes followed his master¡¯s movement as he walked along the shag carpeting of the office.

    ¡°You were no longer that young boy I raised.¡±

    Ealdred headed over to the bookshelf, where he removed a rectangular blue book from the shelf, a photo album filled with sepia and grayscale photos of him and Eamon as a small boy.

    He momentarily flipped through the pages, admiring them before passing on to the next one.

    ¡°Since your parents¡¯ accident and taking you into the guild, you¡¯ve always strived to be better and wanted to help those in need. It¡¯s what I see in Lyra, too, and though she may be young and a bit headstrong, she serves that same fire and determination you did.¡±

    Hearing the word ¡®did,¡¯ Eamon assumed his master had already read him like a book, but Eamon couldn¡¯t reveal what he had gone through, done, in the Imperial Military.

    ¡°I understand, Master,¡± he said, watching him close the album and return it to its home. ¡°I will get along with Lyra as we will both be students under your tutelage.¡±

    Ealdred smiled. He walked back over to him and clapped him on the back. ¡°Good. You¡¯ll be a good senior to her with your experience. Besides, you two may hit it off well, like you did as children. She¡¯d follow you around, and you¡¯d try to impress her with a fighting move, ultimately hurting yourself, and I had to heal up the scrapes.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s face reddened. Ealdred barked out a laugh. ¡°Y-Yeah, I don¡¯t think there will be any of that. Besides, we haven''t seen each other since we were kids. I practically insulted her, and I can only imagine what she thinks of me.¡±

    Ealdred leaned close with a lidded-eye look and a sly grin, scooping Eamon¡¯s neck in his arm. ¡°We¡¯ll see. You never know.¡±

 Part Two: Complicated Pastime

    ¡°I can¡¯t stand him,¡± Lyra said, arms crossed, as she faced her grandfather. They, with Eamon, were in one of the guild''s training rooms. ¡°And now you¡¯re saying we have to work together? With him as my senior?¡± She balked out as if it was a wild concept for him to come up with.

    ¡°Grandpa,¡± she clasped her hands together, the tip of her fingers touching her lips as she breathed through her nose. ¡°I¡¯ve been training more as a Locksmith while he was gallivanting as an imperialist.¡±

    Eamon sat on the floor, legs crossed, and cringed at her statement.

    Hmph. Good. Lyra snidely thought. It serves you right to side with them.

    Ealdred sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. ¡°Now, Lyra, let us not judge a person but by their actions, yes?¡±

    ¡°Uh, I am. He joined the Argonian Empire¡¯s military. The same Empire that annexed small businesses and residentials, and then, to make matters worse, they thought bribing those same people with land and money would make them forgiving?¡± she said as she counted off the heinous acts. ¡°I can go on. Chancellor Viktor Radovinov is a narcissist Veilspawn in disguise that would even make Lumos blush.¡±

    Ealdred sighed once more. ¡°What colorful vocabulary you picked up over the years. I shouldn¡¯t have let you listen to the radio with me when you were younger.¡±

    She shrugged. ¡°What can I say? I¡¯m well informed.¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± he clapped his hands, looking between his two students. ¡°Aside from everyone¡¯s background. You are both my students at the Ashen Vanguard guild and will honor and respect one another as fellow Locksmiths. Is that clear?¡±

    ¡°Yes, Master,¡± They both said.

    He nodded. However, some of him wasn''t sure if he should believe them. ¡°Good. I must attend to the other students for the day. So please maintain the chores, train, and be ready when a Rift appears.¡±

    Again, they replied, ¡°Yes, Master.¡±

    Ealdred started to leave but turned back around. ¡°Oh, and before I forget Eamon. I kept your weapons away for safekeeping. You¡¯ll find them in a lock box in the closet.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s eyes widened. He was surprised he had kept his weapons from rusting after all these years. ¡°Thank you, Master,¡± he said with a bow.

    Ealdred left the room, leaving Lyra and Eamon alone.

    The silence was awkward and loud; you could hear a pin drop, but Eamon bravely spoke to break the ice: ¡°So, how should we tackle these chores?¡±

    Lyra sucked her teeth with a roll of her eyes. ¡°Just split them half and half, then after we spar, you show me what the ¡®great Imperial soldier¡¯ has learned.¡±

    Eamon frowned. ¡°You know your grandfather is our Master.¡±

    ¡°Yup,¡± she said, expressionless.

    ¡°And my adoptive father,¡± Eamon pointed out.

    ¡°Yet, you left him.¡± She dryly retorted.

    Eamon pursed his lips. There is no getting around this girl. ¡°And we¡¯re more than students but family. He wants us to work together.¡±

    Lyra crossed her arms. ¡°And am I not? I said we should do half the chores, so what¡¯s your point? I am working with you, yet I see you making no effort to apologize for your comments the other day.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s shoulders sagged. He sighed.

    No matter how he felt about Riftblade ending up in someone else¡¯s hand, he knew his master did things for a reason, or at least, he was telling himself that.

    ¡°Fine. I apologize for my insensitive comments when I¡¯ve only just returned. I shouldn¡¯t have made boastful demands like that.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s brow rose. ¡°So an imperialist can apologize. Alright, guess we can make this work.¡±

    ¡°And can you not call me an imperialist? It rubs me the wrong way.¡±

    She placed her hands on her hips and stuck her neck out. ¡°As it should, given all they¡¯ve done, but fine. No imperialist¡­Soldier Boy.¡±

    He sighed. I swear there¡¯s no getting around with her.

    ???

    After finishing the chores, they needed wood and scaffolding to fix the wall. They headed toward the back of the guild to chop some wood. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    Eamon watched Lyra swing the ax down and slam into the wood. She swiped her forward, free of the sweat that fell into her amber eyes. Her usual wild afro pushed back with a headband.

    He barely remembered the little girl who would follow him as a kid. The person in front of him was different. She still seemed like she had an air of yours about her from her passion and how she fought, but like Master said, a determination layered there.

    ¡°Why do you hate the Argonian Empire and the Imperial Military?¡± he asked.

    She snorted. She was looking at him with a noticeable glare. ¡°Is that a trick question? Well, maybe not since you left for them.¡± She rested her elbow on the thick end of the ax. ¡°Though I¡¯m curious why you returned after all this time.¡±

    Eamon pressed his lips together. His eyes twitched at the thought. ¡°I¡¯m not ready to divulge that information yet.¡± However, a part of him asked that himself. He was always left confused and struggling to answer why he returned, let alone left initially.

    She hummed. ¡°Right. Just like an imperial to diverge the truth. But to answer your question, it¡¯s exactly that¡ªdiverging from the truth.¡±

    Eamon said nothing. Watching her shoulders cinch, then loosen.

    ¡°The Imperial Military, Chancellor Viktor Radovinov, even his secret police: The F¨¹hrers. They go behind the public''s back, make businesses sign deals with promises of a fair deal, but it¡¯s not.¡± The last part of her sentence hardened as her eyes pinched together.

    ¡°Most, if not all, of Lysandrian Kingdom dislike Argonian, but the Chancellor has the Empire wrapped around his finger.¡±

    Her eyes blurred with tears that she hadn¡¯t expected. She wasn¡¯t upset but frustrated and tired of the apparent lies no one saw.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Eamon said. He approached her, surprising Lyra so that she jumped at their closeness. She would have smacked him, but a solemn look on his face held her back, one that wasn¡¯t pity. ¡°I may not be able to tell you what happened, but I do understand what you mean¡­the imperials make things enticing that you fall in step with whatever they say because they make you feel¡­seen. Like you can do more to help the world.¡±

    Lyra wiped at the tears on her face. She studied the man before her, hoping to get a read on him. ¡°Care to elaborate on that? What could they possess that we, Grandpa, our Master, couldn¡¯t?¡±

    Eamon couldn¡¯t say anything and lowered his head to avoid meeting her questioning eyes. ¡°I¡­I''m not¡­it''s complicated.¡± His brow furrowed as if trying to recall something made his head hurt.

    Lyra hummed. ¡°I see. Complicated. Well, we should train now.¡±

    She slammed the ax into the pile of chopped wood and began to stretch.

    ¡°Wanna dust off those weapons, or do you think you¡¯ll have to hold off on fighting me?¡± she grinned after stretching.

    He smirked. ¡°I promise you, I¡¯m far from rusty.¡±

    She laughed. ¡°Alrighty, Soldier Boy, I like that fire. Let¡¯s see what you got.¡±

    But as they were about to get ready and get their weapons, Lyra stopped and looked up. Eamon turned back around to see she was no longer moving.

    ¡°You okay?¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t sense that?¡± She asked, still looking up at the sky.

    Maybe I¡¯m rustier than I gave myself credit for. He focused this time, and a strong surge of electricity coursed through his body.

    They both looked at each other simultaneously, nodding, as they thought the same thing: There were Rifts.

    ???

    Lyra sprinted back into the guild and grabbed Riftblade off the wall, shouting to him, ¡®Hurry up!¡¯ Eamon ran to his room down the hall and grabbed the red garnished wood lock box that held his weapons: Long, metal Escrima sticks with a steel blade at the ends.

    Eamon was unsure if he''d be able to handle using the weapons again since he had been used to using a rifle for so long during his time in the military. Despite that, he could still feel an aura of Essentia flowing through the weapon into him from the root of the Geiser Wellsprings.

    He rushed out of the guild to catch up with Lyra. Looking up at the sky, he saw a trail of red smoke from the Rifts.

    Those dark veils existed for five hundred and eighty-five years since the Primal Chaos, a time of discord and disarray when the Essentia of the Wellsprings was non-existent. Locksmiths didn¡¯t exist, and darkness roamed the land. It was recorded as a dark age era.

    No one knew the true reason for the Rifts'' existence; they were malevolent forces that threatened Aurum and produced the malignant shadowy Veilspawn creatures.

    Eamon ran through the residential district and onto Main Street. The smoke trail led him far away from people and into the forested area. Once in the forest, he was amazed at how far Lyra had run up the rough hill. The uneven terrain was nothing to him, as his experience in the military tripled his endurance.

    He finally reached the end of the smoke trail, as the source was forming a chaotic black and red mass tornado above the roof. The Rift was at an abandoned warehouse, and right at the entrance, Lyra was forcibly trying to close the building door, where the gaping black vortex was trying to release itself onto the world.

    ¡°Lyra, I¡¯m coming!¡±

    The moment he started to reach her, dark figures emerged from the shadows, and lanky, oblong creatures with clawed hands and red eyes blocked his path.

    The Veilspawn¨Cthe antithesis of discord and negativity¨Cwas born from the Rifts. It was attracted to negativity and sought out the life force of humanity.

    Eamon readied into a fight stance. This was the duty of a Locksmith: close the Rifts and eradicate the Veilspawn that they produced.

    ¡°Can you hold on for a little longer?¡¯ He called out to Lyra. She clenched her teeth as her Essentia aura swirled around her as she used the Wellsprings elemental power.

    The Veilspawn let out an odd-sounding rattling noise.

    ¡°Please,¡± she strangled out a haggard breath. ¡°I¡¯ve been doing this since you left Soldier Boy, but if you want to assist me, be my guest.¡±

    Eamon grinned. ¡°All you have to do is ask, you know? Guess you can¡¯t smash your way out of this one.¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Ha-ha, just come on if you¡¯re going to help.¡±

    ¡°With pleasure.¡±

 Part Three: Connection

    Lyra tried to push the gates closed as the elemental Essentia surged through her body. The vortex that was trying to escape was more robust than the previous ones she had closed.

    Her grandfather had warned her the Rifts would grow more robust as they were attracted to negativity. Humans had plenty of it, and Veilspawns wanted to feed off of it.

    Eamon burst through with power that made Lyra snap her head up. There was no Wellspring Essentia fused with his weapons or in him; it was just his natural aura. He charged for the Veilspawn with a war-like cry and bashed it several times until it exploded.

    He dodged out of the way with timed precision as a claw headed for him. Two Veilspawns charged him for a two-chained attack.

    Eamon crossed the metal sticks together in a defensive stance, parrying the creature''s blows. The residual effect caused the animals to stagger, giving Eamon enough time to bash them out of existence until there was none left.

    He ran over to Lyra and helped her close the door to the Rift until it shut completely.

    ¡°Lyra, now!¡±

    Lyra nodded. She backed up a few inches in front of the door and stretched out her palm, chanting the incantation to seal the Rift: From darkness bound, to the light we¡¯re sworn, by Lumos¡¯ grace this Rift be sewn.

    A brilliance of power shot up from the ground, and gold sparks of light surrounded Lyra. It blew her hair back as she could feel the calming sensation of the Wellsprings power coming to her aid. From her palm, that same Wellspring powers shot out in a beam of light and trapped it within its glow, making it easier for Eamon to shut the door completely.

    Lyra cheered with excitement. Though Eamon had less excitement as he brushed himself off.

    ¡°We shouldn¡¯t celebrate too soon. You never know what enemies could be waiting for when your guard is down.¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. She let out a grumble. ¡°This is not a battlefield. Locksmiths close Rifts. Closing the Rifts ends the existence of all the spawns attached to it. If you had never left, you would have remembered that.¡±

    Eamon pressed his lips together. He didn¡¯t want to start another argument. ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt to be cautious.¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m walking back.¡± Leaving Eamon behind.

    Lyra removed her Vox Link, a long rectangular device used to communicate via messages via a beacon tower with a limited call feature. Though the range wasn¡¯t far, it became one of the most famous inventions once people started to get used to it.

    She groaned.

    There were a few missed calls and dozens of messages from her mother. She called her back, and her mother picked up just as Eamon called her name.

    ¡°Lyra Ashbourne,¡± her mother¡¯s stern tone said into the device. ¡°Was that a man¡¯s voice I heard? Where are you, young lady?¡±

    Lyra glared at Eamon, who jogged beside her with a confused look and then mouthed, ¡®Sorry.¡¯

    She shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Mom, just someone passing by. I was helping Grandpa this morning.¡±

    Lyra could hear the hospital and staff in the background, followed by static from Voxlink''s internal system.

    ¡°We do not leave at dawn without telling me or doing any chores.¡±

    ¡°Ma, you know I go to Grandpa¡¯s all¡ª¡±

    ¡°Lysandra.¡± Lyra flinched when her mother used her full name. ¡°Do you hear what I¡¯m saying? There is too much going on in this country, and I need to know your whereabouts.¡±

    She sighed softly. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°Good. I¡¯ll be doing an overnight shift, so you must find something for dinner.¡±

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am,¡± she said again. The call ended shortly after. Lyra tucked the device back into the pockets of her loose-fitting linen breeches.

    ¡°Did I¡­get you in trouble?¡± Eamon whispered, concerned etched across his furrowed brows and pursed lips.

    She shook her head. ¡°Nope, Mom is always like this.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡± he asked as they walked side by side down the hill of the forest.

    Lyra looked at him from the corner of her eye. ¡°Sometimes she can be a bit smothering, if not demanding. I know she¡¯s my mom; I respect and love her, but she only sees what she wants to see. She doesn¡¯t even know I¡¯m a Locksmith.¡±Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Eamon hummed, nodding. ¡°I do think I remembered something like that. Ms. Edie, right? She was annoyed that she saw you holding my Escrima sticks once.¡±

    Lyra gaped at him in astonishment. ¡°Oh, wow you remember that?¡± She chuckled. ¡°I was eight then, and I think you were twelve?¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°Eleven. I¡¯m surprised you remember; it was so long ago.¡±

    They left the mouth of the forest and headed back to town.

    ¡°I have a pretty good memory. Plus, being in this town since you were little, nothing much has happened here. Don¡¯t get me wrong, it¡¯s amazing and serene here, but I think about the rest of Aurum, exploring and defending it from Rifts.¡±

    She looked peaceful as Eamon watched her look up at the sky. Her broad and eager eyes were hopeful and full of wonder. He vaguely remembered being that way, but it all faded when he joined the Empire.

    ¡°I know what you mean by that. Memories flood back to me from when I was a child. It¡¯s strange, though.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s brow raised. ¡°Why?¡±

    Eamon¡¯s eyes drooped low. ¡°Because those child-like memories feel alien in this body.¡±

    Lyra looked at him and wondered what he really had gone through and seen all those years ago.

    She stopped walking. Eamon did, too.

    ¡°Lyra? What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Come to the lake and train with me. You heard my mom, she¡¯ll be working late, and we were interrupted earlier. You were pretty handy with those Escrima blades.¡±

    Eamon grinned, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°Sure, why not.¡± Taking her up on the offer and headed the opposite way of town.

    ???

    The two trudged up the hill to the lakeside, where a glistening crystal lake spread toward them. Eamon stared in awe; he had forgotten how beautiful the lake was since he had left. Even the forest trees in the background complimented the surrounding area.

    ¡°Wow¡­¡± he breathed out, his jaw agape.

    Lyra peered at him with a grin. His stunned look made him look almost normal, and she almost forgot that he had gone to the Empire. Her thoughts, however, changed to panic and concern when she saw his eyes getting teary-eyed.

    ¡°Eamon? What¡¯s wrong? Are you okay?¡±

    Eamon blinked a few times with furrowed brows.

    ¡°What? Of course, I¡¯m okay.¡± he touched his cheeks and peeled his fingers away to see his fingertips wet with tears. ¡°Why am I crying?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I would like to know, too,¡± Lyra said, her arms crossed. She waited for him to reveal whatever it was he thought about. ¡°You can tell me anything, you know. Even if we haven¡¯t seen each other since we were kids, it doesn¡¯t mean I won¡¯t lend an ear.¡±

    He parted his lips to speak. She thought he would come clean and tell her, but he smacked his lips closed. Lyra mentally rolled her eyes and huffed under her breath.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s practice a little further uphill.¡±

    They made their way to the large tree on the hill, where a gigantic tree sat overlooking the lake.

    ¡°Wait, is that the same Elms tree we used to play on?¡± Eamon gaped at the oversized tree. ¡°Didn¡¯t we carve our names here? Where is it?¡±

    Lyra grinned. She squinted her eyes and pointed several feet off the ground where a sixth branch was located. ¡°Somewhere up there. It¡¯s grown exceedingly tall since you left. I saw it once while climbing a few years ago, but then I lost my footing and broke my arm into a few different places.¡±

    Eamon hissed. ¡°Ouch, why were you climbing up there anyway?¡±

    Her face flushed red. She wasn¡¯t about to tell him that every year or two, she¡¯d climb that tree in hopes that she would see him walking back home again. This year, she had sworn that she wouldn¡¯t climb up the tree again because she was tired of waiting for someone who had left of his own free will.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. You ready to spar?¡±

    She was removing Riftblade from her back and standing in a fight stance.

    Sensing that she didn¡¯t want to continue talking, he removed his Escrima sticks from their sheath and readied himself into a stance.

    ¡°Your move first.¡±

    ¡°How kind of you, Soldier Boy.¡±

    Lyra charged forward with incredible speeds that Eamon didn¡¯t realize until she was on top of him. He caught her by surprise and blocked her slash attack. The two metals rang together as they collided with ferocity.

    ¡°Ah, crap. That¡¯s hard-hitting.¡± Eamon shook his hand, freeing the stinging sensation in his palm.

    ¡°What can I say,¡± Lyra shrugged. ¡°I know how to maneuver it.¡± She retorted back at his comment from yesterday.

    ¡°Touch¨¦.¡± He grinned.

    The two of them continued their onslaught of attacks. Sometimes, one would come in and charge with a sneak attack, while the other parried and stayed on the defensive side. They were evenly matched, matching each other¡¯s speed and rhythm. It was almost in sync with how well the two moved together. They could read their movements and counteract as if they were reading each other¡¯s minds.

    It was rare for two locksmiths to be in tune with each other as if they were one person. Only two other people had that skill: Ealdred Ashbourne, the Sentinel Riftbreaker, and The Rosevera Whip. It was even rarer not only to have that skill alone but also to excel and perfect it without Kesync.

    The two of them breathed heavily as they took a break. They eyed each other, panting, with smiles on their faces as the adrenaline fueled them.

    ¡°You¡¯re not half bad,¡± Lyra said, leaning against her sword. She swiped at her brow to avoid sweat from dropping into her eyes.

    ¡°I was going to say the same,¡± Eamon replied. He was crouched on one knee as he took deep breaths to get his breathing back to normal.

    No one broke eye contact. Staring at the other as if to see who would strike first. Twenty minutes passed when they both said simultaneously: ¡°Break?¡±

    They collapsed in the cool grass underneath their tree, with their chests beating wildly and laughter spilling from their lips. The two enjoyed the other¡¯s company, letting the day pass over them as the sun dipped below the clouds.

 Part Four: Introducing Change

    Eamon and Lyra returned from the lake and back to the guild. It was later in the evening, and many students had already left. Ealdred had given Eamon a key to stay in the room above the guild.

    ¡°Oh, good you both returned,¡± Ealdred said when they entered the guild¡¯s hall. ¡°I tried clearing your room out, Eamon, but I¡¯ve been busy with training and haven''t had the time.¡±

    ¡°No worries, Master. You¡¯ve done quite enough for me.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll help him clean up a bit,¡± Lyra offered.

    ¡°Are you sure Edie is okay with you being here later?¡±

    Lyra shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s fine. She¡¯s working an overnight shift.¡±

    Ealdred nodded. ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll see you both in the morning. Lyra, lock up when you¡¯re finished.¡±

    ¡°Goodnight, Master,¡± they both said and headed upstairs.

    ???

    The room was littered with boxes, and the air was filled with dust, so Lyra had to keep fanning away from her face to avoid sneezing. Unfortunately, she was unsuccessful.

    They shifted through a few boxes and stumbled upon a radio. Lyra turned the dial to listen to a Valerian program in celebration of the anniversary of Cassandra Aegis¡¯ achievements, the youngest woman to receive the title of the Praefectus Vigilum. As they went through things, they stumbled across remnants of the past that hadn¡¯t been touched in years.

    ¡°Oh my gosh, look at this picture!¡± Lyra squealed, holding up the photo of a little boy with a bowler haircut and a petticoat. In other similar photos, the bowler haircut boy stood next to a wide-grinning girl, revealing a wire crib along her teeth and wearing two puff balls in her hair.

    Before Eamon could intervene and point it out, the station was cut short, and an announcer spoke:

    ¡°We interrupt Valerian''s scheduled program for a speech from Chancellor Viktor Radovinov¡­¡±

    Lyra scrunched her face. Any trace of humor was erased. The picture was now forgotten as she sat it back in its box and walked over to the radio. The last person who had been in power¨CChancellor Price Regnor V¨Chad been a poor excuse of a leader. Seven years ago, he caused a worldwide financial crisis known to the world as the Seven-Year Strain.

    He caused arguments with other nations and wars to break out. Ultimately, he formed a taxation to compensate for the damage he started. He even stole funds from the people himself. This emptied the treasury, and the war expenditures increased the debt by 1 billion Denaris.

    When Chancellor Viktor was elected to take over, he thought he could make better changes by sweetening deals with locals with repayment.

    Lyra¡¯s fingers dug into her palms. She didn''t register the pain until a moment later and hissed¡ªher palm held crescent-shaped marks where she had imprinted red marks into her skin.

    Eamon walked behind her.

    ¡°Maybe¡­it won¡¯t be as bad as you think?¡±

    Lyra snorted, putting her hand down. ¡°Right,, because having an overbearing tax that caused thousands to lose their businesses and homes isn¡¯t bad. Not to mention a strained debt in a war-torn country that¡¯s still healing.¡± She gestured her hands in the air in exaggeration.

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s livelihood was taken, and the Monarchs benefited when they emptied the treasury. Remember that warehouse from which we closed the Rift? That was an incident from Chancellor Price. All Chancellor Viktor is paying people off to make them forget so they can cast their votes for him for the next term. He''s preying on their insecurities and vulnerability. I¡¯m concerned about what he has up his sleeve and what he¡¯ll do this time.¡±

    Eamon saw how much it affected her, from her rigid posture and tightened shoulders to her crossed arms. Since he had been on the offensive in the military and cut off from civilians, he felt an alien feeling in the pit of his stomach that made him sick, knowing how that emotionless state was all wrong.

    A shift in the air caused Lyra to look Eamon¡¯s way, seeing him staring blankly into nothing. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    He blinked, hearing her voice and shaking his head. ¡°Nothing, I was just thinking.¡±

    Before Lyra could ask what it was he was thinking, the radio whirred to life, and Chancellor Viktor¡¯s bold, guttural, and heavy accent came through on the other end:

    Greetings, esteemed citizens of Aurum; I speak to you not just as your Chancellor but as a humble servant of the people. Together, we embark on a journey to rebuild our beloved nation, to mend the wounds of the past, and to pave the way for a brighter future. Today, I bring forth a vital announcement that marks a turning point in our collective history since the Great Convergence Era and the ending of the period of darkness that the Primal Chaos had brought us. I bring a new era of hope and prosperity.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Lyra and Eamon give one another anxious looks in their darting eyes as they wait with bated breath.

    ¡°For too long, we have witnessed the hardships that plagued our land. The results from the Seven Year Strain at the hands of the previous Chancellor Price Regnor, left the country''s citizens betrayed as it indebted thousands. We draw closer to the one-year Anniversary of the Veilfall tragedy at the hands of the Rifts. We have seen our brave Locksmiths struggle due to inadequate resources.¡±

    Lyra grunted at the comment. Inadequate? Tch, I¡¯d like to show him with my blade at his throat.

    ¡°¡­We have witnessed The Sanctum of Lumos and The College of Lumos, our bastions of knowledge and enlightenment, grapple with financial constraints in Saint Lumos¡¯ name. And we have asked our brave military to face untold dangers with limited means.

    But I stand before you to announce a transformation. A transformation that starts with a simple yet powerful concept: unity. Unity in the face of adversity, unity to mend what was broken, and unity to secure a future where our children can thrive without fear of the Veilspawn¡¯s shadow.

    We aim to achieve several noble goals through a balanced tax distribution to appointed states. First and foremost, this approach will ensure that resources are distributed equally, fostering economic growth across our great nation. It will provide the funding the Locksmiths need to protect us, the resources for the Sanctum and the College of Lumos to continue their invaluable work in Saint Lumos¡¯ name, and funds for the betterment of our Imperial Military to become viable sources to be on par and assist Locksmiths so no tragedies have to befall us again.

    Eamon looked from the corner of his eye to Lyra. He couldn¡¯t see her whole face as she faced the radio; he couldn''t read her expression. All he could go off on was how her shoulders stiffened and her hand clenched too tightly on a cleaning rag; thankfully, it was that instead of her palm again.

    Eamon wondered how the common people would feel about taxes being taken from them after they were given money and having lands taken away after being promised a better start. Surely, this couldn¡¯t be the unity he had heard in past rumors.

    ¡°But let us not forget, dear citizens, that taxes are not merely a burden. They are an investment in the stability and security of our homeland. By contributing to this cause, you become an active participant in shaping our destiny. You empower our Locksmiths to close the Rifts and our military to safeguard us from the insidious Veilspawns. Saint Lumos herself will rain praise and prosperity for enabling the Sanctum and College to advance our knowledge and bring light to the darkest corners of our world. Our military will stand tall, unyielding in the face of human and supernatural threats, for they are our fail-safe with everyday advancement and technologies.

    In closing, I ask you to look beyond the immediate weight of taxation and instead see it as a beacon of hope. A hope that, together, we can heal the wounds of the past. A hope that, united, we can build a safer, more prosperous future for ourselves and generations yet to come. I thank you for your trust and dedication to the Argonian Empire. Let us stand as one, for our best days are still ahead. We shall forge a brighter tomorrow, a brighter Aurum!¡±

    The live crowds cheered as they resounded through the radio. The announcer returned, concluding Chancellor Viktor¡¯s speech, ¡°You heard it here. The process of the ¡®Harmony Taxation Act¡¯ will be further discussed in the coming weeks¡ª¡±

    Lyra cut the radio off before they could finish.

    ¡°Lyra?¡± Eamon called out to her. ¡°Say something. What are you thinking?¡± Eamon touched her shoulder. She released her cinched shoulders and relaxed at the touch. ¡°Is it about the Harmony Taxation Act?¡±

    She scoffed. ¡°Yeah, I have a few choice words to say about that.¡±

    She turned so he could see her face. Her eyes were narrowed, brows pinched, and lips firmly pressed together. It wasn''t anger or sadness but fatigue.

    ¡°I can acknowledge the potential benefits of funding and would probably approach it with a more analytical mindset¡­¡±

    ¡°But?¡± Eamon pressed her to keep going.

    Lyra curled a brow at him. ¡°But, I¡¯ve heard too many stories about the Empire''s greed and corruption in the past. Then, Chancellor Viktor Radovinov came into power and repaid the people that Chancellor Price had wronged. NOW wants to throw more taxes in people¡¯s faces after the Seven Year Strain caused the biggest debt in history and call it unity?¡± She shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s bad enough he¡¯s using the Veilfall tragedy like that. Are they genuinely intending to use our taxes for the greater good? Aurum¡¯s citizens should be cautious and keep a watchful eye on how funds are distributed.¡±

    ¡°How do you think the people of Lysandrian Kingdom will take it?¡± he asked, returning to cleaning, hoping the task would distract Lyra¡¯s annoyance. He was grateful when she mimicked his actions.

    ¡°That¡¯ll be some of our tasks to do early tomorrow morning. We''ll reconvene and assess people''s worries or problems throughout the town. It¡¯s not just a Locksmith''s job to close Rifts and destroy spawns but to be peacekeepers for the realm.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s very admirable of you, Lyra. Like a real Locksmith.¡±

    She snorted, ¡°Oh geez, thanks.¡± The silence lasted several minutes as they cleaned, and then Lyra spoke again, ¡°Did you know about the Act? And what really happened during the tragedy?¡±

    Eamon stopped cleaning and thought of how to address her best. ¡°I¡­I¡¯m not sure¡­ It¡¯s difficult to explain.¡± Once again, his eye twitched. He grabbed the side of his head as if holding back a headache.

    She faced him and frowned. ¡°What is that supposed to mean?¡±

    ¡°Lyra, you know I¡ª¡±

    She waved him off.

    ¡°Yeah, you said it a thousand times before, but it¡¯s suspicious of you to come back after all these years; you tell us nothing, and then there¡¯s this taxation act. What aren¡¯t you telling us, Eamon?¡±

    Eamon stayed silent as Lyra glared at him. He bowed his head and said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    Lyra scoffed and tossed the rag at him. ¡°Yeah, me too.¡± Before leaving and slamming the door behind her.

    Eamon didn¡¯t call her back either.

 Part Five: Peace Keepers

    <sub>Month of Solara, 3rd Day of Ventis</sub>

    Waking up the following day, Lyra and Eamon were at the Ashen Vanguard guild and waiting for their Master to finish with the other students. Half a dozen men and women were in white-robed Gi, sparring with one another.

    ¡°Good, you both are prompt and on time. Are you ready?¡± he asked, walking over to them.

    ¡°Yes, Master.¡± They both said in unison. However, their rigid posture and distance gave away that something was amiss.

    Ealdred¡¯s thick brow raised, and he looked between the two, sensing the tension in the air. ¡°What happened?¡±

    Eamon was about to answer him, but Lyra spoke first.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Master. Just a bit unsettled after the Chancellor¡¯s announcement.¡±

    The students¡¯ powerful cries were emulated throughout the guild¡¯s building, followed by the clanking their wooden weapons, which they used to spar.

    Ealdred hummed. ¡°Yes, the Harmony Taxation Act. How are you feeling about that?¡±

    Though Ealdred spoke generally, he looked at Eamon, who shuffled from the stare. Lyra caught the movement but looked away, arms crossed.

    Eamon answered him, clearing his throat first, ¡°Still processing, Master. What will our task be today?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure Lyra already guessed. You¡¯ll be doing your communicating duties as a Locksmith. There''s been a bit of unrest since yesterday, and we must ensure that any disarray within the people is quelled. We must not just close Rifts but keep an eye out for any.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Master,¡± They said.

    Both Eamon and Lyra grabbed their weapons and left the guild.

    ???

    ¡°Where to first?¡± Eamon asked, following closely behind. He heard her mumble, ¡®I thought you were my senior.¡¯

    A snark response fell past Lyra¡¯s pursed lips. ¡°We¡¯ll be going to Sylvanbrook¡¯s town center. With that morning''s announcement, you can bet there will be quite the chatter among the locals.¡±

    Eamon wanted to ask Lyra if she was alright, but it wasn¡¯t the time or place. They only had to walk down a straight path to Sylvanbrook¡¯s town center.

    The smell of buttery and warm bread wafted up Eamon¡¯s nose when they approached ¡®Jenkins Bakery & Goods.¡¯

    ¡°Morning, Mr. Jenkins. How¡¯s everything?¡± Lyra asked when she approached the window.

    A middle-aged man with wavy brown hair, wearing an apron, beamed at her.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re just in luck. I made a fresh loaf this morning, and I figured you¡¯d be going around town for your task as timely as ever your grandfather is.¡±

    As he wrapped the steaming loaf, Lyra leaned over the stall¡¯s table¡ªMr¡ªJenkins caught sight of Eamon.

    ¡°Eh? New Locksmith? I''ve never seen him around. Are you in training, young man?¡±

    Lyra smirked. She enjoyed the fact Mr. Jenkins thought he was under her tutelage.

    Eamon figured no one would recognize him. His black hair was usually short, past his ear, and his brown eyes had a dull, expressive look.

    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you again, Mr. Jenkins. It¡¯s me, Eamon Ashbourne.¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Eamon? As in Eldred¡¯s boy and prot¨¦g¨¦?¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. She bit into the flaky, warm bread he had handed her. She leaned against the side of the wood.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you since, well¡­ you know.¡± Mr. Jenkins stumbled over his words, not wanting to trigger any traumatic memories or incidents.

    ¡°¡­Yes, that.¡± Eamon, too, shared his uneasiness in regaling the memories.

    Neither wanted to bring up the Empire or the military.

    ¡°It¡¯s been a while, but I¡¯m back permanently.¡± He huffed out the last part, hoping to change the subject.

    The man laughed. Relief washed over him. ¡°Good, good! It was always a delight to have you roaming into town. You were always willing to help anyone, even beyond your Locksmith duties. Why, when you left, Lyra declared she¡¯d take up the mantle you left and that you¡¯d be proud of her when you returned.¡±

    Lyra almost choked on the bread, her face turning red. Eamon¡¯s eyes widened. He was just as surprised that even as she got older, she looked up to him and sought his approval.

    That¡¯s probably not the case now. He thought somberly.

    ¡°So, uh,¡± Lyra cleared her throat after recovering. She rubbed it, hoping to push down the clump of bread lodged there. ¡°We came here to ask about the announcement. You know, keep the peace to make sure people are managing.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    With the mention of the announcement, Jenkins'' face turned sour. ¡°Aye, you can say that. Folks are either unnerved, curious, or aren¡¯t bothered, but you can see from the crowds that people are talking among themselves about it.¡±

    ¡°And what about you?¡± Eamon asked.

    Jenkins sighed. He folded his hands together. ¡°To tell you the truth, I¡¯m just not so sure about these new taxes. Sure, the Chancellor says it¡¯s for our protection, but will it make a difference? And what about the Locksmiths? They¡¯ve always been there for us, and to hear him boast about his military and bring up the tragedy? It just doesn''t sit right with me.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon glanced at one another, and an unspoken thought of sympathy for the man was shared between them.

    ¡°But don¡¯t take my word at face value; plenty of folks have opinions on what unity could mean for them.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. You were a big help,¡± Lyra said, bowing her head and stepping away from the stall.

    Mr. Jenkins nodded. He turned to Eamon and said, ¡°And welcome back.¡±

    They walked away from the bakery. Eamon turned to Lyra, ¡°Where to next?¡±

    Not far from the bakery was a farmer¡¯s stall selling fresh produce at the exit leading to the farmland of Sylvanbrook.

    A brunette-haired woman with a fair tan complexion called out to customers as they passed. A few customers stopped by and handed her round, durable alloy currency: a copper and silver Denarius.

    Lyra and Eamon stepped into line. They were up next.

    ¡°Lyra! It¡¯s good to see you.¡± She beamed at her with a broad smile. ¡°Here to pick up a grocery list for your mother?¡±

    ¡°Not today, Ava. I¡¯m on Locksmith duty.¡± She whispered the last part.

    Ava nodded, knowing that her job as a Locksmith was kept secret from her mother finding out. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯s about yesterday¡¯s announcement, yes?¡± Lyra nodded. ¡°But first, who¡¯s this strapping young man? Are you already courting Lyra? You are of the age, and he is quite the looker.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s cheeks had been red before, but Eamon¡¯s was even redder by the woman¡¯s words.

    ¡°Why does everyone keep saying that?¡± Lyra exclaimed. She smacked her palm against her forehead. ¡°No. No. You already know him, Ava. This is Eamon.¡±

    Ava, too, looked surprised. ¡°Ealdred¡¯s boy? Well, I¡¯ll be. It¡¯s been four years since you left at eighteen. How old are you now?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve only turned twenty-one a few months ago, Ma¡¯am.¡±

    Ava laughed, slamming her palm on the wooden table. ¡°Ha, Ma¡¯am! You were always the polite stickler for titles, and you still are. Those bloody Imperials ain¡¯t turn you, thank Lumos.¡±

    Eamon nervously chuckled.

    ¡°Lyra, I approve even more. You always wanted to be around Eamon when you were little, and now Lumos¡¯ blessing has aligned you two again.¡±

    Lyra slapped her hand to her face once more, mumbling, ¡°This can¡¯t be happening.¡±

    Though Eamon enjoyed Lyra being teased, he, too, was experiencing secondhand embarrassment, and he prayed to Lumos that she wouldn¡¯t tell tales about him.

    ¡°Actually, that reminds me!¡± Ava practically shouted, making some heads turn to her. ¡°I remember when you were a young boy, and you wanted to go out to the fields and pick some orchids for Lyra¡¯s birthday.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s eyes widened, and Lyra looked at him with a raised brow.

    He cleared his throat. ¡°We came to ask you something, Ava.¡± Hoping to change the subject before she revealed anything more.

    They briefly summarized their tasks for the day, which included asking the townsfolk what they thought about the new Harmony Taxation Act.

    ¡°Ah, well, I don¡¯t mind the taxes much. It helps keep those Veilspawns away, yeah? Then it¡¯s worth it. But they better not forget about us farmers. We work hard to feed this country.¡±

    They thanked Ava and went to their next destination before she could regale them with more stories from their childhood.

    ¡°Never thought I would have been missed like that.¡± Eamon truthfully said. He always thought people would shun him or look at him with betrayal.

    Lyra hummed, looking at him, wondering why he had such a negative thought like that. ¡°What do you mean? Once a Sylvanbrook, always a Sylvanbrook. No matter if you donned the enemy''s garments.¡±

    Eamon looked at her. ¡°So you don¡¯t hate me?¡± She raised a brow, confused, so he explained in more detail, ¡°You left pretty quick yesterday.¡±

    ¡°Oh¡­that.¡± She was silent for a moment. ¡°It¡¯s¡­complicated.¡± She eyed him and smirked, repeating what he had told her.

    Eamon let his smile meet his eyes. It was the first time they had a sincere conversation.

    The clanking of metals and hammers brought them out of their trance. They were led to the blacksmith¡¯s shop. A woman with an ebony complexion and locs pulled back by a scarf was hammering a broad piece of metal.

    ¡°Erhm, sorry to bother you, Fiona.¡±

    Fiona didn¡¯t look up as she continued smashing hammer to iron. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sorry, Lyra, and you too, Eamon, by chance?¡±

    Eamon was the one surprised this time. ¡°Oh, how¡¯d you know?¡±

    Fiona chuckled. ¡°A blacksmith has to have a good memory, see. And even if you¡¯ve grown taller and your hair longer, you can¡¯t wash away Sylvanbrook from your blood.¡±

    Lyra elbowed him with a grin. ¡°Told you.¡±

    ¡°Now, what do I owe you the pleasure?¡±

    They explained how they asked townsfolk about their feelings toward Chancellor Viktor¡¯s announcement.

    Fiona grunted. She briefly stopped her hammering. ¡°Taxes, Taxes, Taxes. It¡¯s all anyone ever talks about now and will do for the coming days.¡± She shook her head, hand on one hip and gripping her hammer in her other hand. ¡°I¡¯m more concerned about the rumors of the military taking over Locksmiths¡¯ duties. Can they do the same job? And it still doesn¡¯t sit right with me about the Veilfall tragedy. Veilspawns got there first? Where were the Locksmiths? They¡¯ve never let death happen, but the minute the Imperial military comes around, there are?¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°Just don¡¯t sit right with me. But I¡¯m getting distracted; I¡¯m sorry, kids,¡± she said, preparing to return to work. ¡°Was that all you needed?¡±

    ¡°Oh, no, no, we understand!¡± Lyra waved her hands enthusiastically.

    Eamon bowed slightly. ¡°Thank you for giving us your time.¡±

    They walked away from the blacksmith and stood in the center by the fountain.

    Lyra crossed her arms. ¡°Rumors, huh? I did get the impression that Mr. Jenkins said that the Chancellor was boasting about the military.¡±

    Eamon nodded. ¡°And the tragedy seemed to be used as a sympathy card, I¡¯m guessing.¡±

    Lyra hummed, rubbing her chin. ¡°Let¡¯s go further into the business district, west of here.¡±

    Eamon nodded, following her lead.

 Part Six: Stranger Things

    There was a stark contrast to Sylvanbrook¡¯s town, from their significant hubs and commodities like the hospital¨Cwhere Lyra¡¯s mother worked¨C an inn and tavern, the Lumos Churchyard, and a schoolhouse where they taught mass.

    ¡°Any specific place to go first?¡± Eamon asked her.

    Someone called them before Lyra told him to avoid the hospital.

    A young man in his mid-thirties with short brown hair and freckles adorning his cheeks approached them as he pushed his glasses further up his nose.

    ¡°Lyra, is that you?¡±

    Lyra bowed to the young man. ¡°Brother Samuel, it¡¯s good to see you well.¡±

    He smiled. ¡°Likewise. I don¡¯t see you too often now that you¡¯ve graduated from St. Lumos¡¯ grad school. Are you off visiting your mother?¡±

    Lyra pressed her lips together. ¡°Not exactly.¡±

    Brother Samuel raised his brow, sensing that she might have been hiding something.

    Eamon wasn¡¯t sure how many people knew of Lyra being a Locksmith; there had to be a few people in town, but he couldn¡¯t be sure of the nature of what she kept from certain people.

    ¡°She¡¯s helping me,¡± Eamon interjected himself into the conversation. Samuel turned in his direction. ¡°I¡¯m a Locksmith training under Master Ealdred Ashbourne. My name is Eamon.¡±

    Samuel gaped at the name. ¡°So you¡¯re Eamon. I¡¯ve heard from past teachers that you were an astute student. You knew Lumos¡¯ teachings from memory; bravo, I must say.¡±

    Eamon grinned. He hoped the man wouldn¡¯t ask him to recite anything as most of Lumos¡¯ teaching had faded from his memory.

    Samuel chuckled. He was sensing the young man''s nervousness. ¡°Don¡¯t fret. I wasn¡¯t going to quiz you, goodness no. That wouldn¡¯t be quite what Lumos would do, would she?¡±

    Eamon sighed. He was thankful for this man¡¯s kind insight.

    ¡°Brother Samuel is kind like that. He doesn¡¯t bug you and was always patient with me throughout my days in mass.¡± Lyra told Eamon. She mentally recounted the days of her youth.

    Samuel sheepishly smiled, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°You flatter me, Lyra. You were one of my curious learners. However, you tend to get distracted easily. I always knew Lumos had great things for you as a Locksmith.¡± His eyes were directed to the sword perched on her back.

    Lyra flinched. She realized she was caught red-handed with her sword, Riftblade, postured on her back, giving her away. She sighed. Stupid, Stupid. If my mother saw this¡­

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± Samuel leaned forward and whispered, bringing Lyra¡¯s eyes to his smiling ones. ¡°I¡¯ve always known, and I know your mother isn¡¯t keen on it, but you''ll be safe and vigilant under your grandfather¡¯s tutelage and Lumos¡¯ watchful gaze.¡±

    A sigh of relief left Lyra¡¯s lips. ¡°Thank you, Brother Samuel.¡±

    ¡°And if you don¡¯t mind,¡± Eamon added. ¡°Can we ask you your thoughts on the announcement yesterday?¡±

    Samuel¡¯s smile wavered, and his eyes filled with worry. ¡°I¡¯ve heard children in my classroom start talking about joining the military when they grow up.¡± He shook his head. ¡°I remember the days before I came to Sylvanbrook when children wanted to be Locksmiths and peacekeepers. Even Custodians were well accepted. Now the military is all they talk about, and it doesn¡¯t help that half the broadcast is catered to propaganda ¡®what the military can bring out of you.¡¯¡±

    Eamon recoiled. He, too, had been enticed by those same messages as a youth.

    ¡°I just hope they understand the gravity of it all. War is no game.¡±

    Samuel¡¯s Voxlink beeped, and he removed the giant machine and looked at the screen. ¡°And I should get going. I told my husband I¡¯d only be a minute. He¡¯s probably at the market where I left him.¡±

    Lyra smiled. ¡°Then we won¡¯t keep you. Give my regards to Mr. Roland.¡±

    ¡°And thank you for your time,¡± Eamon said after.

    Samuel waved to them, leaving the two.

    ¡°Well,¡± Eamon turned to her. ¡°It seems we¡¯re getting a fair bit of consensus. People are indifferent or concerned; thankfully, no one has lost their cool.¡±

    ¡°Which is a good thing. Come on, let¡¯s check one more place.¡±

    They headed for the Inn and Tavern.

    A woman with stringy red hair was sitting at the bar''s front table. She was wiping down the table when her piercing green eyes saw them.

    ¡°Well, Lyra, I hope you ain¡¯t ¡®ere to drink since you cannae legally drink, yet. So you mussa be on Locksmith duty.¡±

    Lyra nodded. She sat on the stool. Eamon sat next to her. ¡°Hey, Clarice. I''m asking the locals their thoughts on the Chancellor¡¯s announcement.¡±

    ¡°Oh good, Lumos, that. Boy, I had almost to call the guild cause ¡®er fight almost broke out. It was madness yesterday.¡±

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, ma¡¯am,¡± Eamon said, leaning forward with his hands on the table. ¡°If we could ask your thoughts and those of your patrons?¡±

    Clara raised her brow at him. ¡°Who¡¯s the cutie? Lyra Ashbourne, are you¡ª¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t go there, Clarice!¡± the woman grinned like a sly cat. ¡°He¡¯s a Locksmith too. It¡¯s Eamon.¡±

    Clarice¡¯s lips spread into an O shape. ¡°Oh, lil¡¯ Eamon? Well, not lil¡¯ no more. How yer been? I heard yer left for the¡ª¡±

    From the corner of Clarice¡¯s eye, Lyra shook her head.

    ¡°Ah, but anyway,¡± She waved her hand through the air. ¡°youse did come all the way ¡®ere to regale stories. So my thoughts¡­ well, I have heard some of the local and visiting guests say that folks ¡®have already begun protesting this tax. It¡¯s getting tense out there. I think that announcing it like that with the tragedy''s anniversary and all was insensitive and presumptuous. The Chancellor wantin¡¯ brownie points for something that should already be: citizens protection.¡±

    She shook her head.

    ¡°Imma just hopin¡¯ to Lumos that chaos donna spill over more in our peaceful town. Now there¡¯s always Rifts appearing close to every other day now.¡±Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

    Taking in what Clarice said, they thanked her and, again, with her permission, asked the people in the tavern their thoughts.

    A man in a long robe was reading the paper and looked up at them. From his long-sleeved cloaked garment, he was from the Valerian Republic.

    Eamon spoke first. ¡°Sorry to disturb you, sir, but we¡¯re Locksmiths asking people their thoughts on Chancellor Viktor Radovinov¡¯s announcement.¡±

    The man dropped his paper a few inches, so they made eye contact. ¡°Locksmiths, you say? From the Ashen Vanguard taught by the Sentinel Riftbreaker?¡± Speaking of their master¡¯s renowned title to the public.

    Lyra nodded. ¡°One and the same. Did you come from the Republic to meet him?¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°You have a sharp eye, young lady. Yes, the College of Lumos is by far prestigious and holds the greatest minds ever taught, but having Ealdred Ashbourne teach there is a dream. Did you know the College offered him a position once? They¡¯re still hoping he says yes, and that was five, ten, and twenty years ago! So imagine my surprise when I finally hear where Ealdred has been, and in a quaint, quiet town, no less. I¡¯ve had my digression at first, but it¡¯s such a breath of fresh air from the bustling metropolis of the Republic¡ªOh, but goodness, I''ve blabbered too long and not even introduced myself. I¡¯m Jacob Hoff, a scholar at the College training to be a Custodian.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Jacob. If you don¡¯t mind, could you answer a question for us?¡±

    So, they repeated what their task was to the soon-to-be Custodian.

    ¡°Oh, that was something, and the Republic is always up and up with what the Empire is doing.¡± He shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve been hearing about other countries'' revolutions, not just because of this morning. People call it the Chancellor¡¯s Curse.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon tilted their heads. ¡°The Chancellor¡¯s Curse?¡±

    Jacob nodded. ¡°Every so often, a Chancellor makes life hard for the people, mainly the common folk. Chancellor Viktor might have been the first to sway people with bribes of land and money, but people are skeptics. If the Chancellor is sincere about improving things, this taxation may be a step in the right direction. We don¡¯t need any more trouble¡ªthe Republic already has to deal with rebel groups¡ªlet Lumos be our strength and make us ever vigilant.¡±

    They said their regards before ending their investigation and the day and heading back to the guild to let Ealdred know what they had discovered from the townsfolk.

    However, as they returned to town, they noticed the red smoke in the air. Without hesitation, Eamon and Lyra sprung into action toward the mist where the Rift was located at the edge of Sylvanbrook across the bridge.

    The Rift was a tear in the air that made blue lightning sparks come out of it.

    The two of them stopped, staggered by the strange Rift before them.

    ¡°What in the world is that?¡± Eamon asked Lyra. He was sure that she would have an idea what it was.

    Lyra unsheathed her weapon. ¡°I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯m going to close it one way or another¡ªdo you have my back?¡±

    Eamon drew his weapons, smirking. ¡°You don¡¯t even have to ask.¡±

    Two Veilspawns with unusual glowing blue eyes and blue electricity coursing through its body. Something was off about these Veilspawns. Slowly, they appeared one by one.

    ¡°Radiant Smash!¡± Lyra shouted and jumped midway in the air with Riftblade above her head. She brought it down to the ground and apart in large dirt mounds as shreds of elemental Essentia burst from the sword.

    The Veilspawn that had grouped in the area were destroyed upon impact.

    One Veilspawn, who the blast hadn¡¯t caught, darted across the fields at increasing speeds toward the Rift.

    ¡°Oh no, you don¡¯t!¡± Eamon called out.

    Eamob darted for the Veilspawn and smacked the shadowy creature with the broad end of the metal sticks. The enemy staggered, leaving it open for Eamon to smash it again.

    From the corner of his eye, he noticed three more of the strange blue crystallized Veilspawn surrounding him.

    What are these things? Are they really Veilspawn? Their power level¡­ feels increasingly different than usual. ¡°Uh, anytime, Lyra?¡± he called out to her as he dodged the talon claws of two Veilspawn, ducking his head out of the way just as a flying, shadowy Veilspawn swooped down to tear his face off with its talons.

    ¡°I¡¯m coming!¡± Lyra shouted. She stood in front of the Rift with her palm and called upon the incantation to seal the Rift: ¡°From darkness bound, to the light we¡¯re sworn, by Lumos¡¯ grace this Rift be sewn. With knowledge deep and will so strong, we seal the breach where shadows throng.¡±

    Unlike the usual Rifts that closed shut after the incantation was spoken, this one rippled and warped. Even the Veilspawn reacted to it with a shudder. Lyra gaped at what was happening. Eamon, too, felt discomfort from the Veilspawn¡¯s reaction, and his gut twisted when the Rift started to twist into itself and expand suddenly, without warning.

    ¡°Lyra, watch out!¡±

    He ran to her and propelled his body on top, shielding her. They fell to the ground together when the Rift imploded on itself and exploded, with the Veilspawns in tow.

    Smoke had settled around the field, and Lyra sat up and coughed. Her face and curls were caked with dirt.

    ¡°Eamon!¡± she frantically shouted, spinning around where she sat on the ground. A figure''s body sat up from the dust cloud.

    ¡°I¡¯m alright. I¡¯m here,¡± he said through bits of coughing and choking from the dust in his lungs.

    She touched her chest and sighed with relief. As the dust faded away, Lyra, too, could see Eamon¡¯s tanned complexion dusty brown from the dirt mist.

    ¡°What was that? That wasn¡¯t like any Rift I¡¯ve seen or closed. Did you see it had electricity coming from it?¡±

    Eamon nodded. He stood to his feet and then helped Lyra stand. ¡°Yeah, then it rippled and imploded when we closed it. That wasn¡¯t a normal Rift I¡¯ve ever seen either.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s head back and tell Master Ealdred¡ªOh my Lumos, Eamon, you¡¯re bleeding!¡±

    Lyra reached out and hovered her hand over his back, where his shirt was ripped and exposed, seeping red gashes.

    Eamon looked behind him and shrugged. ¡°Eh, no big deal. I¡¯ve had worse.¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. So much for being worried. ¡°Good grief. That¡¯s how people wind up dead, thinking it¡¯s nothing. We don¡¯t know what that Rift was, so let¡¯s get you checked out at the guild. Do you hear me, Mister?¡±

    Eamon¡¯s eyes widened, and he smiled. Seeing how much she cared about his well-being and did not hate his guts made his heart skip a few beats. ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡±

    Lyra twisted her lip to the side. ¡°And what¡¯s with that grin anyway? I¡¯m serious, Eamon.¡± She said as she chastised him back to town.

    ???

    They returned to the guild and told Master Ealdred what people were expressing about the taxes, the military, and the strange Rifts with a weird electromagnetic lightning frequency that made the peculiar blue-eyed Veilspawn.

    Ealdred rubbed his chin in thought as he sat at his desk. He had never seen something like that before. The strange Rifts were an enigma, but he was glad the town wasn¡¯t in chaos because of the announcement.

    ¡°Good job, you two. People seem to be still processing the Chancellor¡¯s message, but as for the change in Rifts. I will contact an associate to see if they can clarify some things. You both are dismissed for the day.¡±

    Eamon didn¡¯t move. ¡°Forgive me, Master, but we never heard your thoughts.¡±

    Lyra turned her attention to her grandfather, curious to know his thoughts.

    Ealdred sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve seen the rise and fall of Chancellors and leaders throughout my lifetime, and Chancellor Viktor¡¯s promises of change echo like those of his predecessors. I know better than to take everything at face value. The Sanctum of Lumos and the Locksmiths have always been the true protectors of this land, but I¡¯m concerned about the rumors of the military taking over our duties. Locksmithing isn¡¯t just about closing Rifts; it¡¯s about maintaining the balance between our world and the Veilspawn realm and safeguarding humanity. It¡¯s a responsibility that goes beyond politics and power.¡±

    He stood up from his chair and walked toward them, standing a foot away from them with a hardened determination in his eyes that made the two of them stand straighter.

    ¡°Lyra, Eamon, you two are but one of many hopes for the future, and you, and all Locksmith, are to be true to the cause as the protectors of the realm, no matter the challenge ahead.¡±

    They didn¡¯t know what Ealdred was thinking then, but their hearts were the same. It didn¡¯t matter what a person thought; all Locksmiths swore to the same thing. That was why Lumos and the Wellsprings blessed them with the power to save humanity.

    It was their solemn oath and duty that they¡¯d live and die for if it ever came to that. Ealdred wanted them to be ready for anything because he knew the worst would soon be approaching.

 Part Seven: Truer Words were Spoken

    <sub>The month of Solara, the 10th day of Solariel</sub>

    After a week of patrolling Sylvanbrook and attending various quests, Lyra and Eamon had settled into a rhythm. Though at times there were arguments, they were pretty attuned with the others'' fighting style.

    As for news of the Harmony Tax Act, some had grown more accustomed to it and didn¡¯t want to cause unwanted discourse with the Empire and military. Others were starting to speak out and making pamphlets with propaganda messages to ¡®break free¡¯ from the Empire''s rules. It was still a long way off, but sparks were the beginning of a revolution.

    However, one thing remained elusive: the mysterious Rifts. They had been getting stronger and were now causing a disturbance with no apparent solution.

    Lyra was at home, getting ready for the day, when her mother, Eida, stood at the doorway.

    ¡°I made some breakfast if you want any.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Mom,¡± Lyra said, grabbing her knapsack. ¡°I¡¯ll be down to grab a bite before I go.¡±

    Her mother¡¯s eyes squared, sighing. She knew where she was going off to. ¡°How long are you going to be at that guild?¡±

    Lyra twisted her lip, giving her mother a similar lidded look. Really? ¡®That¡¯ guild? ¡°I¡¯m helping my grandfather and get paid for it.¡±

    It was through guild missions, but she didn¡¯t need to know that.

    Eida shook her head. ¡°Maybe you can get a job at the hospital or the school and be a clergyperson.¡±

    Lyra sighed. This was how usual conversations went. ¡°I just don¡¯t like staying in one place. That isn¡¯t me. I want to move around. Being at the guild, I¡¯m more than busy.¡±

    Her mother crossed her arms. ¡°And so is working at the hospital or even the Tavern and Inn.¡± Lyra¡¯s brows rose at her mother''s statement. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that look, you know what I mean. You need stability, Lyra and the guild¡­ well, it isn¡¯t it, and now, with the Harmony Tax being in effect, there won¡¯t be a need for the guild anymore when the military¨C¡±

    Lyra deeply frowned, appalled her mother would even say such a thing. ¡°I¡¯m not so hungry anymore.¡± She tightened her hand on her straps, squeezed by her mother, and left the doorway.

    Eida called back to her in the hall, halting Lyra¡¯s movement. ¡°It¡¯s time to think seriously about your life, Lyra. You aren¡¯t getting any younger. You should think more about your future, not a fleeting moment.¡±

    Lyra wrinkled her nose, mumbling, ¡°And end up hating everything in a dead-end job.¡±

    ¡°What was that young lady?¡± her mother¡¯s footsteps echoed behind her. ¡°Use your words audibly, like I know you can.¡±

    Lyra sighed. Her shoulders slumped. ¡°The guild. Locksmiths. They have been our protectors for a long time, Mom.¡± Her eyes grew warm, trying to keep them from bursting into tears. ¡°They care about the people and make sure we¡¯re protected, sometimes for no pay, but it¡¯s because they want to see humanity thrive. But now that¡¯s being taken away because of the military, and we all see what happens when any governing power calls the shots.¡±

    ¡°Lyra, things need to happen for things to change. I¡¯m sorry, but¨C¡±

    Lyra snapped around to face her mother. The tears she had held back burst from her eyes and trailed down her cheek. ¡°You¡¯re sorry? Things are starting to change fast, and maybe not all for the better. The military isn¡¯t as cracked up as you think, and I¡¯m sure that¡¯s why Eamon left.¡±

    Eida gaped. Her eyes were wide with surprise. ¡°Eamon? That boy you¡¯d follow everywhere as a kid? He¡¯s back? Wait, was that who I heard that day? Lyra, I swear to Lumos if you¨C¡±

    Lyra smacked her hands over her ears. Her face burned. ¡°Oh, my Lumos. Mom, stop!¡± Making her mother jump. ¡°Everything is more black and white than the shades of gray you see the world as. One moment, you want me to be older, but then you''ll turn back around and remind me: ¡®I¡¯m a kid and won¡¯t understand.¡¯ I understand perfectly and know when something isn¡¯t right. I know when things need to change or not, but I also know that sometimes you can¡¯t sit idly by and let that change happen¨CThat you know in your gut is wrong. Dad understood that and why he dedicated his life to ensuring the people have a voice, a home, and a way of life.¡±

    Her mother bristled. Her brows furrowed as her own shared brown eyes were glassy. ¡°And where is your father now? That¡¯s right, buried with his beliefs because he¡¯s¨C¡±

    ¡°Dead. I know that!¡± Lyra shouted with her arms spread out. ¡°Everyone knows, but they don¡¯t shun him for what he did, and they remember him what he did and talk highly of him. You¡¯re the only one who would rather keep him buried instead of celebrating all he¡¯s done.¡±

    Her mother started laughing, but it was shaky. She held no humor in her voice, nor did the pull of her lips reach her eyes. ¡°All he¡¯s done?¡± Stepping toward her daughter with a gait in her step. Lyra went rigid but stood her ground as the two women faced off.

    ¡°Do you even know what it was like being the wife of a Locksmith? It was lonely, Lyra. They could be gone for days, weeks, or months at a time, and back then, we didn¡¯t have the Voxlink to communicate. Sure, he wrote letters, but I needed him here, so while he was out helping people, he forgot his own back home. Did you know he missed your birth? He came back weeks later.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know. Grandpa told me he tried getting regular local jobs.¡±

    Her mother crossed her arms. ¡°And that didn¡¯t last long because he was back to moving around, never staying still, and always on the move. Never being able to stay focused for too long.¡±

    ¡°And you don¡¯t think he tried, Mom?¡± she shouted, her palms out. ¡°You know what Grandpa told me once? That dad felt like the worst husband and father because his mind was always in different places, though his heart was with you. He knew that he had a duty to you, me, but also the world. He tried getting a stable job in town, but staying in one place was exhausting, constantly distracted by the news and his wayward thoughts.¡±

    Her mother¡¯s shoulders became less cinched through her daughter''s words as she took in her daughter''s words. Seeing the hardened and desperate layer behind her wide eyes reminded her so much of her late husband.

    ¡°Mom, he was miserable but never wanted to show you he was incapable or weak, so he put on a smile and masked it.¡±

    Eida was silent as the final nail in the coffin hit, striking her in the chest and making her flinch. Tears filled her eyes. ¡°So what? Is it my fault?¡±This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    Lyra shook her head. She was panicking, seeing her mother suddenly break. ¡°No, Mom. It¡¯s no one''s fault, but you can¡¯t let fear, uncertainty, and complacency dictate your life. That¡¯s how you become stagnant. It made you push Daddy away, not on purpose, but because society never prepared people for how to go about life. It just tells you to do this and accept that it stopped you from joining the theater at Crystalline State.¡± Her mother¡¯s eyes blinked away the tears, hearing about the past and what she had dreamed about for years. ¡°I can¡¯t let what Chancellor Viktor is doing just go, and so many others can¡¯t do anything about it.¡±

    ¡°And what do you expect to do to speak out then?¡±

    This was it. It¡¯s time to stop hiding behind my fear and uncertainty.

    ¡°I have to try, mama. I know you want what¡¯s best for me and have sacrificed a lot to ensure I¡¯m provided for, but I can¡¯t stay in Sylvanbrook. I need to travel and explore, and I can help so many more people with what I am doing now¡­ as a Locksmith, like Dad.¡±

    Lyra let the truth sink in so her mother would understand. When it finally did, her face paled and was void of emotion¡ªa reaction Lyra didn¡¯t expect. She felt a sharp pain rush through her.

    ¡°I should get to work; it¡¯s an early rush day.¡± Eida¡¯s words were stonewalled and flat. She walked past Lyra, who looked pained by her mother¡¯s brush-off.

    ¡°Mom?¡± Lyra croaked out.

    Her mother stopped but didn¡¯t turn around. She wasn''t sure how to think or feel about her daughter''s revelation. Deep down, she felt betrayed, but most importantly, she couldn''t help but feel like she failed.

    ¡°If you can just clean up the kitchen and store the food away before you head out¡­thank you, sweetie.¡± The last part of her words were dry-like. Eifa continued down the hall and steps, leaving Lyra standing alone.

    ???

    Lyra entered the guild a little later as Eamon was waxing the floor. He sat up when he spotted her. He joked, ¡°Hey, I thought you would leave me with all the chores¡­Lyra? Lyra, are you okay?¡± He jumped to his feet, tossing the rag to the floor, seeing her cinched posture, tightened fists, and quivering lips. What made him think something was wrong was the tears that brimmed her eyes as they ran down her cheeks and under her chin.

    He approached her, closing the gap between them. ¡°Lyra, what happened?¡±

    Lyra parted her lips, mustering the strength to speak, looking everywhere but at him.¡°I¡­I told my mom I was a Locksmith. How I couldn¡¯t stay in one place, and while it¡¯s no one¡¯s fault, why did Dad choose to be a Locksmith? I think¡­she thinks she failed and hates what I am, that she couldn¡¯t try hard enough to sway my thoughts from wanting to be a Locksmith.¡±

    Eamon frowned. Without thinking, he swept Lyra into his arms in a tight hug. The gesture surprised Lyra, who was caught off guard by the embrace.

    ¡°No, don¡¯t say that.¡± His whispers muffled into her ear. ¡°Your mother doesn¡¯t think you¡¯re a failure or hates you.¡±

    Lyra squinted her eyes as the tears flowed and blurred her vision.

    ¡°Mothers¡­least from my faded memories, want what¡¯s best for their children and will try to stray them on a path they think will lead to less heartache and failure because they want to shield us; that¡¯s what mothers are, protectors. In a way, they are similar to Locksmiths: A duty to their family.¡±

    He tightened his hold on her.

    ¡°Just give her time to process it all. She will realize that sometimes children have to follow their own path of mistakes, failures, and hardships, but¡­those hardships and failures can turn into successes.¡±

    Eamon thought about how Ealdred took him in and set him on the path of a Locksmith. He let him find his way when he left for the military and let him experience the hard truth for himself.

    ¡°She loves you,¡± he continued. ¡°And knows you love her too. She¡¯ll see in time that you have your path, but that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ll forget all she¡¯s done or taught you, and you will return.¡±

    Lyra had been still in Eamon¡¯s arms, listening to his consoling words as he eased the sadness away. She buried her face into Eamon¡¯s shoulder, and he held her there. No one said anything until someone cleared their throat.

    The two pulled away from their embrace¡ªLyra hastily wiping her face¡ªto see a woman with ebony brown skin and long silver hair that fell past her waistline. Her hands were tucked into her colorful trousers, and she wore a long trench coat over a loose-fitting cotton shirt. One bright amber eye looked back at them while a worn leather eye patch covered the other eye, and she smiled at them.

    ¡°Sorry to interrupt, but do you kids know where Ealdred Ashbourne is?¡±

    Lyra sniffed, nodding. ¡°My grandfather should be in his office.¡±

    The woman¡¯s eye widened, and she stepped forward, leaning toward her, with her hands still in her pockets. ¡°Aye, you¡¯re the little Ashborune heir he¡¯s spoken about?¡±

    Lyra jumped, leaning back at the woman¡¯s proximity. ¡°Um, yes? You know my grandfather so well that he talks about me?¡±

    The woman laughed boisterously, causing only a few students to come in staring. ¡°Know him? Bah! You can basically call me your godmother. The Sentinel Riftbreaker and I go way back. We were the best duo Aurum has ever witnessed.¡±

    Eamon was the first to catch on. He nudged Lyra, whispering, ¡°Lyra, look.¡± He jutted his chin to the gilded crimson handle and leather whip at her hip, rose petals ingrained into the material.

    Lyra gaped at the weapon and then back at the woman. ¡°You¡­You¡¯re the Rosevera Whip.¡±

    ¡°Selene Blackthorn,¡± Eamon added. ¡°The fastest Locksmith around and with speeds that could rival a bullet.¡±

    She grinned with a shrug. She had heard the compliment far too many times but was otherwise used to it. ¡°The one and only, but please, call me Sly.¡±

    Overhearing the name Sly, the Rosevera Whip, the students inside crowded around her and began asking a bunch of questions until Ealdred showed up.

    ¡°Back to training!¡± Everyone scurried off to what they were supposed to be doing. ¡°I hear ruckus and commotion, and it was just an old whittled flower bursting through.¡±

    ¡°Whittled?¡± Sly barked out a laugh. ¡°Seems your eyesight isn¡¯t what it used to be, Ealdred. You¡¯re starting to gain more wrinkles since the last time we saw each other; perhaps we should duke it out and see which of us still has it.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon stepped back. They surveyed the two seasoned warriors as they stared off. Lyra marveled and was nervous to see two legends go at it. Some of the students even thought the same.

    ¡°Do you think they¡¯re going to fight?¡± Lyra whispered to Eamon.

    ¡°Hard to tell. Sly seems fired up; it¡¯s an energy I¡¯ve never felt before, and I can¡¯t get a read on Master at all, but even his aura is at a peak if you can sense it.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, but I kinda wanna see the Rosevera Whip in action,¡± Lyra revealed with a big grin.

    ¡°Speak for yourself; even the military still awes at her. I wouldn''t know who would win. Master is an S-Rank Locksmith, the highest ranking ever, and so few have achieved it. Sly is an A-Rank but is at Master¡¯s level. Everyone still marvels and talks about their time as a duo in Aurum decades ago.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s eyes twinkled. She wanted to know more about her grandfather and Master¡¯s time. However, Sly and Ealdred burst out laughing, catching everyone off guard.

    ¡°Seems I¡¯ve stirred the pot again,¡± Sly confessed. ¡°These students of yours wanted to see a fight, but they¡¯ll be slightly disappointed.¡±

    Ealdred waved her off. ¡°Nonsense, your skills have exceeded exceptionally over the years. I¡¯m sure you can beat me.¡±

    Sly smirked. ¡°Perhaps, but an S-Rank ain¡¯t one for nothing. Even if he is an old fart, I can feel you suppressing your power even now.¡± her voice lowered, but only Lyra and Eamon heard.

    They both shuddered at the thought of the monstrous amount of Essentia and power that their Master was harboring away. They couldn¡¯t even fathom what that would feel like.

    Ealdred, unphased by his old friends boasting about his prowess, smiled. ¡°Come, let''s go into my office to speak in private. Lyra, Eamon, you too.¡±

    The two students jumped and followed after the two Senior Locksmiths.

 Part Eight: Seeing is Believing

    ¡°It looks like you¡¯re doing pretty well here, old man. I never would have thought you would be the one to retire before me.¡± Sly commented and surveyed Ealdred¡¯s office with keen intrigue. ¡°Of course, once things between you and Arabella¨CLumos rest her soul¨Cgrew more serious and you proposed to her, I knew it would only be a matter of time.¡±

    Ealdred chuckled. He poured them two clear glasses of amber liquid. ¡°You were never one to stay tied down in one place, and I was coming to my peak. Then, when Bella was pregnant, I knew it was time to settle down. The timing was right, and I was getting too old to spring around as a Locksmith.¡±

    Sly snorted, taking her drink from him, and found a seat on the love chair. ¡°Old, right.¡± She let out a bellowed laugh. ¡°May I remind you again that I can still feel your essence of power, even now. Old has nothing to do with it. Besides, I prefer well-seasoned.¡±

    He took his seat, smiled, and drank. It had been too long since he had spoken with his friend like this. It reminded him of the days they¡¯d travel throughout the Lysandrian Kingdom, fighting side by side and then spending the night at a Tavern or under the stars.

    ¡°But you¡¯re right, my love is adventure. If settling down is in the future, Lumos will let me know, but for now, I¡¯ll take my comfort and time exploring relationships.¡±

    ¡°Aye. So, on to business¡­¡± Ealdred said, placing his glass down and folding his hands together. ¡°What do you make of all this?¡±

    Sly downed the last of her drink and placed it on the desk. ¡°From what you and the kids told me about the stronger-than-normal Rifts and the strange weather anomalies they cause, some areas had been hit with a power outage. Mayor Duskmire wanted me to note what¡¯s causing this, so when I received your Voxlink message, I knew it couldn¡¯t be a coincidence and had to see what was happening.¡±

    Ealdred hummed. ¡°Aye, Lyra and Eamon will happily show you where it occurred. I wish there were more I could do, Sly, truly.¡±

    Sly chuckled. ¡°Same ole¡¯ Ealdred. You do plenty, stop. Don¡¯t ever sell yourself short. You¡¯ve passed down greatness in your students, not just for Lyra, and Eamon returned for a reason.¡±

    ¡°You always know what to say, Sly. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°You can thank me with another shot, and I suppose we should let the kids back in here.¡±

    Ealdred chuckled. ¡°I can see Lyra now. Let¡¯s hope she¡¯s not too annoyed.¡±

    ???

    ¡°How long are they going to be?¡± Lyra said, slumping on the wooden floor. ¡°They wanted us for five minutes, then kicked us out!¡±

    Eamon leaned against the wall, nodding in agreement. ¡°We told them what the locals said about the strange Rift.¡±

    ¡°And,¡± Lyra enunciated. ¡°How we¡¯ve been closing Rifts that have been a thousand times harder to close than normal. Can you believe these Rifts have been popping up around Lyransdrian? Even Sly agrees it isn¡¯t normal, but what¡¯s causing it?¡±

    Eamon shook his head. ¡°No clue, but it seems like both Master and Sly are concerned.¡±

    ¡°Do you think the Empire is behind this?¡± She asked, leaning forward with her arms wrapped around her legs, pulling them to her chest.

    Eamon rubbed his chin, thinking. ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s hard to say. I don¡¯t know; they don¡¯t tell lower-rank soldiers much, but something about those Rifts that cause weather and electrical disturbances seems mystical.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s brows rose. ¡°What, like the elemental Essentia we use from the Wellsprings?¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°Yes and no. Maybe. It seems old but not as pure as the Wellsprings.¡±

    Lyra couldn''t grasp what kind of power that could be. ¡°So ancient power but not as good¡­ do you think it could have something to do with the dark ages during the Primal Chaos era? That was five hundred eighty-five years ago, though; why would the Electro Rifts return now?¡±

    ¡°Maybe someone brought it back?¡±

    Lyra frowned. ¡°Yeah, but you¡¯d have to be really powerful, like an S-Rank Locksmith or a High Elder, a Primal Coven witch or a Custodian, and be as old as Saint Lumos herself to do that.¡±

    ¡°And those are the questions to ask,¡± a voice answered her.

    Lyra and Eamon looked at the doorway to see Sly and Ealdred out of the study. Lyra jumped up, and Eamon leaned off the wall.

    Sly was impressed by their young minds thinking the way they did. ¡°You both are thinking like Locksmiths, good. I will need some young minds who know what they¡¯re doing.¡±

    They looked at her, confused.

    ¡°What for?¡± Lyra asked.

    Ealdred replied afterward. ¡°Sly is going to stay in town for a few days. Since it seems the Rifts started here, she wants to investigate.¡±

    ¡°And who better to help me than Ealdred¡¯s two C-Rank Locksmiths,¡± Sly exclaimed. Her hands on her hips. ¡°That¡¯s very impressive but not surprising, given who your master is.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s jaw dropped in surprise. ¡°What! So, we get to tag along and see you in action?¡± She squeezed her fists, bouncing on her heels.

    Sly smirked, hand in one pocket. ¡°If you¡¯re lucky.¡±

    Lyra squealed. ¡°This is the best day ever!¡±

    Ealdred chuckled. ¡°Yes, well, fun aside, finish your tasks for the day while Sly checks in at the tavern, and you two can meet up with her.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to work with two students of Master Ealdred¡¯s Ashen Vanguard guild. I¡¯ll be waiting for you.¡±

    ???

    After finishing their daily tasks, they headed for the business district to the Tavern and Inn. To say that Lyra wasn¡¯t nervous was an understatement, as she stared in the direction of the hospital for some time.

    Eamon noticed the pinched and furrowed look on her worried face.

    ¡°Do you need a moment? Or if you want, I can handle it here.¡±

    Lyra snapped out of her thoughts, shaking her head. ¡°No, I¡¯m okay, thanks. Let¡¯s meet up with Sly.¡±

    They entered the tavern and first saw Sly flirting with the Inn Keep Clarice as she giggled at something Sly had said. From the corner of her eye, Sly spotted them. ¡°Ah, my companions made it. Now the investigation can begin.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Lyra raised her brow. ¡°Really? You¡¯re flirting, Sly?¡±

    Sly grins. ¡°Of course. I can spare a moment to appreciate the beautiful woman Saint Lumos has placed on Aurum.¡±

    Clarice smiled, blushing. ¡°You¡¯re such a sweet talker. I bet you say this to all the women in Aurum.¡±

    Sly leaned forward on the table so they were a few inches apart. ¡°Only if it''s true because women are wonderful, amazing, beautiful creatures that should be cared for like the gems they are.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Sly¡­¡± Clarice swooned and bit her lip at her comment.

    Lyra and Eamon could see her gripping tightly onto the counter so she wouldn¡¯t tumble over.

    Eamon leaned into Lyra, whispering, ¡°Does that work often?¡±

    Lyra shrugged. ¡°Looks like it, judging by how red she is.¡±

    ¡°But, alas,¡± Sly suddenly said. ¡°Locksmith duties call. I pray Lumos shall have us meet again.¡±

    With a fateful kiss to her hand, Lyra and Eamon followed Sly out of the tavern.

    ¡°You¡¯re a real lady¡¯s lady, huh?¡± Lyra said with a grin.

    Sly chuckled. ¡°Women, men, whoever catches my attention, and I¡¯m attracted to them, and they are to me. A great smile, eyes, and personality don¡¯t matter. My soul can sense the beauty on the inside and outside.¡±

    ¡°Wow, that¡¯s profoundly deep,¡± Eamon said.

    ¡°You think so? I also write poetry in my spare time. Perhaps I¡¯ll read one to you kids. Now, where did this Rift first appear?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll show you,¡± Lyra said.

    Lyra took the lead and led them to the forest path where the old abandoned warehouse was located. They arrived shortly afterward.

    Sly stepped forward with her hands in her pockets, surveying the area, while Lyra and Eamon hung behind, waiting for her following instructions.

    ¡°Tell me what happened when you tried closing the Rift,¡± she asked as she stood in the doorway and rubbed the door¡¯s frame. She wanted to make sure that she thoroughly checked every nook and cranny. Her aura changed from playful to serious as her calculated eyes scanned the area for threats.

    ¡°Well, it was a lot tougher to close, like, a strong current was pushing back.¡±

    Eamon nodded. ¡°The Veilspawn¡¯s power level seemed to spike sporadically. They were craftier and had blue electricity coursing through their bodies.¡±

    Sly hummed. She walked around the side of the building, carefully observing the dilapidated vine forage wall.

    Lyra stared at what she was doing and wondered if something seemed off to her. ¡°Does that¡­ seem strange to you?¡±

    Sly nodded. ¡°Veilspawns have been reported to Saint Lumos¡¯ HQ prior, and the reports match what you said about the spawns having gotten far stronger and more aggressive. Not to mention the strange weather patterns and outages.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon glanced at each other.

    ¡°So¡­.what¡¯s causing it, you think?¡± Eamon asked.

    Sly turned to them and smirked. ¡°Now that¡¯s the million Denari question, isn¡¯t it?¡± she started to walk toward them. ¡°Let¡¯s check out that second¨C¡±

    She stopped. Eyes narrowed. Something was amiss, noticing a different kind of tension in the air.

    Eamon was the second to pick up on it: ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Lyra frowned, looking around. ¡°What happened? Do you sense something?¡±

    Sly pressed a finger to her lips. ¡°We¡¯re being watched.¡±

    Eamon and Lyra grew still. Instinctively, they stood back to back as they surveyed the surrounding forest. Sly¡¯s whip cracked out with lightning speed and snapped into the forest¨Cbirds jumped out and flew into the sky.

    Nothing happened.

    Eamon had his arm out protectively in front of Lyra, whose eyes were wide open, surprised by Sly¡¯s near-invisible movements.

    All grew silent. They couldn¡¯t even hear any critters or animals.

    After a moment, Lyra said, ¡°Maybe it was an animal you scared away?¡±

    Sly continued to scan the forest with narrowed eyes, but after another moment, she relaxed her posture, if only to appear that she had given up on catching the intruder off guard.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    They both nodded. A slight movement caught Sly¡¯s attention, and she grinned, a twinkle in her eye.

    ¡°Got you.¡±

    With another quick snap of her whip, it struck the area Sly had directed it in. The thundering crack made Eamon and Lyra turn around. Sly¡¯s whip had captured someone in its coil.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± Sly demanded. Her eyes gleamed dangerously red as she exerted her Essentia.

    The pressure made Eamon and Lyra grit their teeth as the power threatened to push them to the ground.

    The person she captured, however, had an enormous chagrin on his face, unaffected by the sheer force of power she produced.

    ¡°My, My, to think I wouldn¡¯t get caught, but you aren¡¯t A-Rank Locksmith the Rosevera Whip for nothing, are you?¡±

    Sly ground her teeth, tightening her hold around the whip¡¯s handle. She summoned thick roots from the ground to tighten around the strange person. ¡°Tell me why you were following me, and maybe I won¡¯t squeeze you till your eyes bleed.¡±

    The young man with pale white skin and windswept chestnut hair with white streaks at the roots looked down at the roots circling his legs. His emerald green eyes twinkled in amusement. ¡°Am I about to experience firsthand the Rosevera Whips Essentia? Ooh, how exciting!¡± he exclaimed, not taking the situation seriously. It was all merely a game to him.

    Lyra frowned. ¡°Hey, guy, who the heck are you? We asked you a question, and my gut assumes you¡¯re bad news.

    He grinned. His eyes widened, making Lyra shudder. He didn¡¯t have a threatening power level, but something chaotically unpredictable unsettled her.

    ¡°And your gut would be right. I¡¯d expect nothing less from the granddaughter of the famed S-Rank Ealdred Ashbourne.¡±

    Lyra bristled. ¡°How did you¡­?¡±

    Sly stood before them, blocking his view, with her arm out. ¡°Leave these kids out of it. Eamon, take Lyra and go get Ealdred.¡±

    Eamon nodded, but Lyra rejected the idea and said, ¡°Wait, we can help you!¡±

    ¡°Ooh, Ealdred Ashbourne is coming? The Sentinel Riftbreaker? Now, that is an honor, but¡­¡± With a snap of his fingers, black fire burned away Sly¡¯s whip. He was left standing in mid-air with an amused grin, seeing everyone staring in shock at the ease of his power.

    ¡°Who¡­are you?¡± Sly''s voice was more strained than before. She couldn¡¯t believe his simple fleeting power; she didn¡¯t even feel him exert a slither of it.

    The young man bowed. He was wearing a brightly colored suit jacket and breeches. A colorful light green scarf wrapped around his neck.

    ¡°I suppose I¡¯ve alluded long enough. I am Sovran #0 Finnian. The Trickster, Finn, or simply The Trickster will do. I¡¯ve been assigned to look into you from the Children of Deimos, Sly.¡±

    Everyone, including Sly, was taken aback by his comment.

    ¡°The Children of Deimos?¡±

    ¡°They supposedly had disappeared or disbanded years ago, didn¡¯t they?¡± Eamon asked.

    Sovran #0 Finnian checked his nails. A gleam in his eyes unnerved Eamon as if The Trickster knew his very soul.

    ¡°Nope!¡±

    He looked up from his fingers and glared at them. The dark tone in the Sovran¡¯s voice made him sound less friendly and more chaotic as his power surged outward. Eamon staggered, and Lyra had to plant her sword on the ground so she wouldn¡¯t be blown back. Sly crossed her arms just as his aura pushed her back an inch.

    ¡°A message from our Master: ¡®Be advised of the path you take, for once you¡¯ve crossed it, there¡¯s no going back.¡¯¡±

    Sly snapped out of her stilled movement and let out a war cry, with fast reflexes invisible to the naked eye, as she dashed across the field. She struck out her whip and struck it forward, but Finn disappeared as the whip hit the ground, creating an earth-shattering blast as a plume of dust and smoke blanketed the area.

    A chilling laughter radiated throughout the area as the three looked around for the Sovran.

    ¡°I''m afraid I overstayed my welcome¡­see you later.¡± Finn¡¯s voice echoed in the distance. ¡°You¡¯ll see the true might of the Children of Deimos, and we won¡¯t be ignored this time.¡±

    The voice was silent, leaving the three alone. Both Eamon and Lyra slowly recovered their energy.

    ¡°S-Sly?¡±

    Sly¡¯s fist tightened. She was fuming. ¡°The Trickster¡­The Children of Deimos¡­They¡¯re back.¡±

 Part Nine: The Unbeaten Path

    Lyra, Eamon, and Sly returned to the guild, where Sly¨Cmore level-headed¨C retold the events to Ealdred.

    He was shocked by their encounter. They haven''t been seen for so long that many thought they were mere legends. ¡°The Children of Deimos? They haven¡¯t been seen in over a decade. What are they up to now?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sly replied. ¡°But my gut says it has something to do with the strange Rifts, and from what Sovran #0, the Trickster said, "They''ve been watching me and probably any Locksmith who''s been looking into the case.¡±

    Eamon grabbed his chin, thinking. ¡°Hmm, and we have to assume HQ doesn¡¯t know yet, maybe not even the Empire. Based on your interactions with the Trickster, the Children of Deimos won¡¯t hesitate to take out anyone who tries to interfere. No matter if they are civilians or not.¡±

    Sly nodded. ¡°Agreed. I''ll be leaving at first light. Thank you for the hospitality, old friend.¡±

    They both shook hands. A solemn look crossed Ealdred¡¯s expression, seeing his dear friend leave on short notice but knowing that it was the duty of a Locksmith. ¡°You know there is always a home for you, friend.¡±

    ¡°Wait, so you¡¯re leaving?¡± Lyra gawked. They both turned to see Lyra standing at the doorway.

    ¡°Yes. You heard and saw what the Children of Deimos could do. Their power was unlike anything I¡¯ve witnessed. Then there''s that power they possess¡­ it isn''t Wellspring related but something darker, almost primal.¡±

    Lyra straightened her back and raised her chin. She had been coming up with the words she wanted to say all day. ¡°I¡¯ve thought about it all day and decided: Let me accompany you.¡±

    Both of them were shocked by her reply. Ealdred was about to say something, but Lyra raised a gentle hand. ¡°Master, Grandpa, respectfully let me interrupt you for a moment. Hear me out before you say no.¡± She tightened her fist and pressed it to her chest.

    Ealdred, seeing the seriousness in her eyes, nodded to let her continue.

    She breathed out before speaking, ¡°I know the dangers of this and even how enigmatic the Children of Deimos are. Heck, even things are going down in the Empire with the military. When I witnessed these things, my heart swelled in its chest, and yes, I was scared, but I was also furious and determined that people could sit back and let Lumos know whatever to the people of Aurum and their livelihood. I can¡¯t just sit by and let that happen.¡±

    The nerves from her body''s shakiness, her muscles'' tightness, and her heart''s thrusting dissipated. Each word became more determined, and the vigor in her voice echoed her sheer determination for her country¡¯s homeland.

    ¡°Like my father and grandfather before me, I am a Locksmith, and it isn¡¯t because of bloodline or reaching your legacy, Master. It¡¯s because this is my home, and I want to become stronger, not only to explore the untouched secrets of the world but also to protect the home where my loved ones and I live. So please, Sly, allow me to accompany you and show you my resolve as a Locksmith.¡±

    She stood there, out of breath, her chest heaving as she watched Sly and Ealdred; silence settled in the study.

    Sly chuckled. ¡°She¡¯s definitely your granddaughter, Ealdred. I can see that fire in her eyes.¡±

    ¡°Aye, I agree. Don¡¯t you, Eida?¡± And I assume you feel similarly, too, Eamon.¡±

    Lyra scrunched her brow. ¡°Huh?¡± She turned to see her mother and Eamon walking into the room. ¡°Mom? Eamon, I get. It was only a matter of time, but what are you doing here, Mom?¡±

    Her mother gripped her hands together to keep her composure steady. ¡°I read your letter.¡± She removed a piece of paper from her handbag. ¡°I thought long and hard about our conversation, and I was wrong for stifling you and making you do things because I was afraid. After your father passed, I resented his duties as a Locksmith¨C relieved I never got the power¨C but not taking chances has hindered me throughout my life because of the fear of rejection. I wanted to protect you from that danger, but the truth is¡­I can¡¯t.¡±

    Her eyes welled with tears, and as if Lyra could feel her pain, her own eyes welled with tears.

    ¡°I can steer you in the right direction, but you have to make your own path, and I shouldn¡¯t let the past dictate your future. So¡­ if you decide to leave, go and protect our home. Be the Lyra Ashbourne I know you to be.¡±

    ¡°Mom¡­¡± Lyra¡¯s voice croaked. The tears broke free. She ran to her and balled her eyes out, promising through garbled cries that she¡¯d check in so she wouldn¡¯t worry.

    Eida smiled through the tears. She kissed the top of her daughter''s head. ¡°I know you will. I¡¯m proud of you, Lyra. Your father would be proud of you.¡± Watch over our little girl, Arcumedus.

    As mother and daughter bonded through tearful hugs, the others were off to the side, moved by the scene.

    ¡°Ah, family moments. They certainly are a treasure to protect, which I will do, Ealdred,¡± Sly told him.

    ¡°I appreciate it, Sly. Truly. I know that they are both in good hands with you. Isn''t that right, Eamon?¡±

    Eamon nodded, standing beside him. ¡°That¡¯s right, Master. My resolve isn¡¯t as heartfelt as Lyra¡¯s¨C it¡¯s more personal ¨Cand I wish to get those answers and provide Lyra backup if she needs it. I know I haven¡¯t been here long, but I¡¯ve started to feel like myself since returning. So¡­thank you, Master.¡±

    Ealdred¡¯s smile reached his eyes. He placed a firm but tender grip on his shoulder and looked Eamon in the eye. ¡°You are my pupil and son. This will always be your home, no matter the decisions you make or choose. Do your best and come back home.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s own eyes blurred with tears, and they nodded. ¡°Thank you, Master¡­father. I will.¡±

    <hr>

    <sub>Month of Solara, 11th day of Stellaria (Before midday)</sub>

    Before the sun rose, Eamon and Lyra had their packs with Sly and Ealdred at the town entrance.

    ¡°Be safe, pupils of the Ashen Vanguard, for you represent Locksmiths and your guild''s name.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon bowed as they said, ¡°We will, Master!¡±

    ¡°And not only that,¡± he touched each of their shoulders. The look in his eyes twinkled. He was proud of his students, his family, and all that they accomplished and strived to be. ¡°Watch out for each other, learn from the other as you will find teachings among one another.¡±

    They looked at each other, then back to their master, and nodded. ¡°Yes, Master.¡±

    Sly clapped her hands. ¡°Alright, now that the pleasantries are over, let¡¯s move on. We have a long journey ahead of us.¡±

    ¡°Oh, and Master, Grandpa, could you¨C¡±

    Ealdred grinned. Knowing what she would say, he hugged her. ¡°I¡¯ve always looked after the both of you. My son would never forgive me if anything happened to his wife and child.¡± Lyra blinked away the tears from forming as she squeezed her grandfather back. He pulled away, hands on her shoulder; she had to wipe away her tears hurriedly.

    ¡°Now go and explore the world; be the Locksmith I know you to be.¡±

    With one last goodbye, they left Sylvanbrook behind.

    ???

    The trio traveled along the dirt road, further away from the town. Lyra knew this because she was starting to see more Fiends. These monsters were similar to animals¨C in terms of features and characteristics¨Cbut were far more vicious and unpredictable. However, they were not a threat like Veilspawn and did not care too much for humans unless provoked.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    Locksmiths and explorers received quests to exterminate monsters that strayed too close to civilization or for their material.

    ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± Eamon said, nudging her slightly to get her attention. ¡°You haven¡¯t talked much for several miles.¡±

    Lyra looked at him with a smile, but it did not reach her eyes.

    ¡°No, everything is fine. This is my first time leaving home. I¡¯m just nervous, I think.¡±

    ¡°Nervousness is good.¡± They looked ahead to where Sly had taken the lead. ¡°It makes you rationalize decisions and hyper-aware of your surroundings, especially if mastered properly. I have not met one person in all my life who said they weren¡¯t nervous; that is how you know your feeling is the right path for you. Then that nervousness will turn to confidence over time.¡±

    ¡°You think so?¡± Lyra grabbed the straps of her bag¡ªa swirling pull of excitement centered in her gut.

    Sly looked partially behind her and grinned. ¡°Oh, I know so, and the best way to get into the ebb and flow is by honing your craft. How about a bit of training? You said you wanted to get stronger.¡±

    Lyra bobbed her head excitedly.

    Sly stopped. She pointed toward the open field toward their left, where grazing Fiends roamed the grass and air. ¡°Take note of that swarm over there. What do you know about it?¡±

    Lyra squinted and took in the iridescent, jewel-toned wings that shimmered like a gemstone. ¡°Those are Glimmerwings; they live in meadows and plains like these because of the vibrant flowers they are attracted to feed on for nectar. They¡¯re pretty docile unless disturbed.¡±

    Sly nodded. ¡°Very good. Pop quiz, do you know why they are sought after?¡±

    Eamon answered next. ¡°Their wings are used for various items, like clothing and armor.¡±

    ¡°Ding, Ding, give them a prize, folks. It is a C-Rank-type monster, but I¡¯m here to provide backup if you need it. Care to get me the wing of a Glimmerwing, you two?¡±

    Lyra looked at Eamon with a grin. ¡°What do you say?¡±

    Eamon grinned, revealing his weapons from their holder, and dropped his bag. ¡°I say, I¡¯ve got your back.¡±

    Lyra unsheathed her weapon as well.

    The two of them charged into the fields to initiate the battle.

    The glimmering swarm emitted a soft, otherworldly glow when they noticed the intruders. They moved as one, like a synchronized dance.

    Lyra stood in a ready stance, powering up and ready to charge. Eamon twirled his Escrima sticks in preparation, ready to support Lyra.

    The Glimmering swarm advanced, darting and weaving through the air. As they closed in on them, their wings created a dazzling display of shifting colors.

    ¡°Radiant Strike!¡± Lyra shouted into the sky. She swung Riftblade in a wide arc, releasing a wave of Torrent Essentia. However, the Glimmerwings shielded themselves from the attack by cluttering together into a protective shield, reducing the inflicted pain.

    ¡°What!¡± Lyra exclaimed. ¡°That was a direct hit!¡±

    Eamon was having trouble as he deflected incoming attacks with his Escrima, parrying their needles with a whirl of his weapons in a wide circle arc. He took two of them out, thanks to Lyra for weakening them from earlier.

    The remaining Glimmerwings regrouped, their iridescent wings glowing more intensely.

    Lyra and Eamon stood side by side, facing the fiends.

    ¡°Ugh, this shouldn¡¯t be this frustrating. I¡¯ve fought Veilspawn and lower-ranking Fiends before!¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­It would seem they possess above-average capabilities, and maybe we should try elemental weaknesses?¡±

    ¡°Elemental weaknesses?¡± she questioned. Not because she had not heard of it, but never thought of doing so since she always one-hit KO¡¯ed everything.

    Eamon nodded. ¡°Try an Ember Essentia.¡±

    Lyra bobbed her head just as the Glimmers went for their turn, charging for them.

    Lyra called on the Wellspring''s burning power as it coursed through her veins. She leaped into the air with Riftblade encased in fire and shouted, ¡°Radiant Burst!¡± With a mighty swing, she released the fire that scattered and burned the Glimmerwings, temporarily dispersing the swarm.

    Eamon seized the moment and targeted them singularly. He took them out one after the other.

    The remaining Glimmerwings tried to shake off the burn Lyra had caused, but she was already calling out for her next attack.

    ¡°Radiant Burst!¡± She performed a spinning strike with Riftblade, creating a vortex of fire that swirled around the swarm and took out more of them. ¡°Take ¡®em out, Eamon!¡±

    Eamon followed up with a swift strike, charging forward, targeting the heart of the vortex. His Escrima sticks delivered the finishing blow and rammed into the last Glimmerwings. They disappeared upon defeat, leaving their wings behind.

    ¡°Woohoo!¡± Lyra exclaimed with a shout. She brought her arm out, and Eamon mimicked the gesture sheepishly so that she could give him a high-five. They returned to Sly, who had found a perch on a nearby rock, and awkwardly slow clapped.

    Lyra pouted. ¡°Hey, what gives? I thought we did pretty good, right?¡±

    ¡°Eh,¡± Sly shrugged, raising her palm in the air and moving it from side to side to show that they did ¡®okay.¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ll give you an A for teamwork. It could have been better, but you both were effective together.¡±

    She got off the rock and stretched.

    ¡°You¡¯re like an All-Round attacker, good for defense, offense, and attack.¡± She pointed out to Lyra. She smiled widely like a treasurer cat. It fell when Sly added, ¡°But your unsureness of what elemental Essentia to use will prolong the fight, cause the enemy to run, or worse, get the upper hand.

    Lyra groaned. She furrowed her brows, annoyed to have her hopes deflated. ¡°Come on, Sly. That usually works with Veilspawn and lower ranks.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, lower ranks,¡± she pointed out. ¡°The higher rank, the craftier you should be. Veilspawn are a bit more predictable, and as long as you land a crit, they go down¨C or they used to.¡± Sly paused, thinking of the new kinds of Veilspawn. ¡°Learn to distinguish what element can remove the proposed Fiend, find its weaknesses.¡±

    She looked to Eamon, who squared his shoulders.

    ¡°And you have excellent power and form, but you can¡¯t rely on physical force alone. The elements will come in handy. Use them.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon took in what Sly said, especially Eamon, wondering if he could genuinely hone his Essentia without feeling guilty about using it.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s progress a bit further, you two. We¡¯ve stayed here too long.¡± They continued their path ahead.

 Part Ten: Making new friends

    After some travel, they stopped in Elmsworth, a medium-sized town located south of Sylvanbrook. The town is near the Luminous Forest, which is rumored to have mystical properties and connections to ancient Wellspring powers.

    ¡°Why are we here?¡± Lyra asked as they entered the town. It was much narrower than Sylvanbrook, with older buildings on either side of them.

    ¡°Luminous Forest, for one,¡± Sly informed her. Since things started in Sylvanbrook, checking neighboring towns is the best option. We can also visit the outpost here and procure information.¡±

    ¡°It seems we aren¡¯t the ones with that idea,¡± Eamon said, jutting his chin forward.

    They noticed the military in uniform patrolling the streets and talking to civilians, who showed clear signs of nervousness from cinched shoulders and fidgeting movements.

    ¡°Hmm, best to converse with the people too. We have a duty to the people first, and not too many people are keen on the military pawns. I¡¯ll check in at the outpost about Luminous Forest and if any stranger people, like the Children of Deimos, show up. Meet me at the outpost when you¡¯re done.¡±

    ¡°Got it!¡± they both said. Sly parted from them.

    ¡°So, where should we investigate first?¡± Lyra turned to Eamon.

    She looked around at the quaint town, observing the many people passing by in petticoats and waist jackets.

    ¡°Let¡¯s first establish our task and see what we know,¡± Eamon replied.

    Lyra groaned with a roll of her eyes but nodded.

    ¡°So we know, or at least heavily believe, the military presence is trying to take over Locksmith duties,¡± Eamon reiterated.

    Lyra nodded in confirmation. ¡°That¡¯s a long-term goal, but it¡¯s still questionable why. Go on.¡±

    ¡°Right. Then there are reports of the strange Rifts causing outages and different kinds of Spawn to appear.¡±

    ¡°For the most part, besides the military, it seems peaceful. Not even Fiends are disturbing the place.¡±

    Every day, shoppers and travelers came and went as they pleased without panic.

    ¡°And lastly,¡± Eamon finally said. ¡°The Harmony Tax. There might be some building tension now that time has passed. We should quell any irregularities that may cause an issue.¡±

    ¡°Okay, got it.¡± Lyra agreed. ¡°Maybe we should start at the general store? Plenty of locals and travelers go there to stock up on supplies.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go.¡±

    They headed into the General Store and saw military soldiers loitering and harassing customers, making some nervous from their presence alone. The civilians would not try telling them to stop, fearing the government would reprimand them.

    Eamon stiffened seeing them. He had not realized how bad seeing the military would make him feel and if anyone would recognize him.

    Lyra, however, hated seeing distress on people¡¯s faces and stepped forward to speak in their defense.

    ¡°Hey!¡± she yelled before Eamon could stop her. ¡°Leave them alone. Can¡¯t you see that your presence is a disturbance?¡±

    The military soldiers stopped their jeering and turned to Lyra, mockingly looking her up and down. They were dressed in burgundy and red military attire.

    The one who spoke first must have been the leader of the group. ¡°Oh, look who decided to speak up, boys. A fellow Locksmith is doing their ¡®civic duty.¡¯¡±

    The soldiers snickered at his comment.

    Lyra squeezed her fists, her face flushed with annoyance and anger at the soldier''s sarcastic quip. ¡°What did you say?¡±

    The blonde-haired leader smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t you Locksmiths know that soon you won¡¯t be needed? Nor your precious Wellspring power. The Empire has a contingency plan to make sure the world knows that the military is here to stay and the Locksmith are¨C¡±

    With her arm pulled back, Lyra punched him in the nose, and he fell back.

    ¡°Geez, Lyra!¡± Eamon explained. ¡°What in Lumos¡¯ name did you do that for?¡±

    Lyra shook her hand, freeing away the throbbing, pulsating pain. She noted that she felt something crunching and figured she had broken his nose. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    The rest of the soldiers surrounded their leader and asked him if he was all right. The blonde-haired guy was frantic as they helped him stand to his feet. His movements were off balance and wobbly like he would fall over again.

    ¡°You hit me! That is insubordination! An assault on the military! I can have you expelled from your duties.¡± He pointed a gloved hand at her and held his bleeding nose, soaking his other gloved hand bright red.

    Lyra snorted. ¡°I¡¯m just doing my ¡®civic duty¡¯ to keep the peace, and you were the disruption. Should we take that up with your superiors? Because you''re preventing me from doing my job, that''s still very much legally intact.¡±

    He growled at her statement, knowing she was right.

    Eamon stepped in front and put himself in the fray in case the soldier decided to use force.

    ¡°Let¡¯s not cause a scene,¡± Eamon spoke up. A side-ways look to Lyra.

    ¡°Why?¡± Lyra snapped back. ¡°He started it. He''s no better than a vile Veilspawn.¡±

    ¡°Tch, you¡¯ll regret you messed with me, Julian Ashcroft, son of General Holden Ashcroft.¡±

    Lyra snorted. ¡°Ditto. C-Rank Locksmith Lyra Ashbourne, granddaughter of Ealdred Ashbourne, the Sentinel Rift breaker.¡±

    Everyone gasped, including Julian, who had wide and fearful eyes. The rest of the soldiers mumbled under their breaths. Julian had to think fast if he did not want to lose control of the situation.

    ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ll humble you this time, Locksmith, but make no mistake, if we meet again, you will feel my blade or pistol, whatever comes first.¡±

    Lyra touched the hilt of Riftbreaker. ¡°Likewise.¡±

    The soldiers mumbled. They caught a glimpse of the legendary blade in their presence. Julian gulped; he, too, knew the stories. He was about to rush by with his men behind him when he and Eamon locked eyes. Eamon quickly looked away, and the soldiers left.

    Eamon sighed with relief. He was glad the spat did not result in anything significant.

    ¡°Ugh, the nerve of that pompous idiot. I swear to Lumos, if I see him again, I¡¯ll give him a black eye next.¡±

    ¡°Maybe not always resort to violence?¡± Eamon suggested. A frown formed on his lips. ¡°He was right; he could have reported you, too.¡±

    Lyra waved the comment off. ¡°Yeah, if he had the guts to do it.¡±

    A man behind the counter of the store cleared their throat. He had shaggy brown hair and lidded eyes. ¡°Thank you, Locksmiths. On behalf of myself, Gregor Millson. Those military men have been coming here for some days since they arrived and have made a stir. We couldn¡¯t say anything for fear of them making it worse on us.¡±

    Lyra beamed with a twinkle in her eyes. She was glad to help and even happier that no one was harmed. ¡°It¡¯s no problem at all! Just doing our duty. I hope everyone here will be okay.¡±

    People who were in the store nodded and bowed.

    ¡°Please, if you need anything, all you have to do is ask.¡± The man bowed his head to them.

    ¡°We may not need any items, sir,¡± Eamon said. ¡°But if you can give us some information? It¡¯s important.¡±

    Understanding the private matter, the storeowner, Gregor, led Lyra and Eamon to the back of the store. Once inside the back office, Eamon and Lyra sat on a plaid cushion chair. Gregor did the same on the seat across from them.

    ¡°You said, Gregor that soldiers had been here for a few days. When did they get here and why, if you know?¡± Eamon asked him first

    Gregor nodded. ¡°They arrived less than a week ago and patrolled our town for two days. They make demands and often trouble the people by saying this is required of them.¡±

    Lyra frowned, crossing her arms. ¡°It is certainly not their right. Just cause it was hinted that the military would be making more of an appearance doesn¡¯t mean they can treat citizens like they¡¯re second rate.¡±

    Gregor nodded, agreeing. ¡°My thoughts exactly, but if we voice that, we¡¯d surely get the short end of the stick.¡±

    ¡°Did they ever mention why they were here?¡± Eamon asked. ¡°Perhaps because something strange has been occurring of late?¡±

    Eamon did not want to reveal any information on the strange Rifts or the even stranger Veilspawn that there was a possible connection to the Luminous Forest outright. It would cause the public unnecessary panic, which they did not need.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± the man drawled out. ¡°There have been some strange storms besides the military showing up. When us town folks thought they were here to help, we told them, but they¡¯d make excuses or claim there was nothing there.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you contact the closet guild to help you? Sylvanbrook isn¡¯t that far away,¡± Lyra, pointed out.

    ¡°That¡¯s the thing. The Vox Links beacon strength isn¡¯t strong enough. It¡¯s like whatever is going on around here is blocking the frequency. Even the outpost has trouble getting service.¡±

    He leaned forward to whisper. Lyra and Eamon did the same. Gregor lowered his voice so only the two could hear: ¡°If I''m being honest, I fear that the Luminous Forest has something to do with it. I''m not a skeptic, but there are always rumors that the forest has its own ancient secrets.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon gave one another a look.

    ¡°Thank you, Gregor,¡± Lyra said. ¡°I think we have enough information. We¡¯ll handle this issue promptly.¡±

    ¡°You will?¡±

    Lyra grinned. ¡°As our honor as Locksmiths.¡±

    They stood from their seats, ready to leave.

    ¡°Oh, and one more thing,¡± Eamon added. ¡°How are people reacting lately after the Harmony Tax announcement?¡±

    Gregor frowned. ¡°To my knowledge, smaller towns are taking the loss hard. Cities expect it, but we all know who will benefit the most from this ¡®Harmony Act¡¯. Many don¡¯t agree with it, and others are going along with it because there is nothing to do except let it happen.¡±

    After Lyra and Eamon said goodbye, they left the General Store.

    ¡°You alright, Lyra?¡±

    ¡°Yes and no,¡± she admitted. ¡°I¡¯m pretty pissed; we have to help these people. Something out there is doing damage, and the military isn¡¯t doing anything about it. Investigating that forest will at least give folks some peace of mind.¡±

    ¡°Agreed. Let¡¯s meet back up with Sly at the outpost.¡±

 Part Eleven: Fairytales are Real

    They walked further into town, where the outpost was located at the furthest end. Sly was talking to a woman with a tawny brown complexion and black locs. They both turned, seeing the two approach.

    ¡°Right on time,¡± Sly said with a grin. ¡°Did you find out anything?¡±

    ¡°Well,¡± Lyra gave a half-eye roll. ¡°Not only have the military been holding up here. They haven¡¯t done anything but harass the locals here when there have been complaints and requests for help.¡±

    Eamon added to her statement, ¡°And people believe it might be coming from Luminous Forest.¡±

    Sly nodded approvingly. ¡°Well, look at you two. You both are a natural. The outpost gave the same workaround; service was spotty, so they couldn¡¯t contact any guilds, but when the military showed up, they figured why not let them settle things, to their dismay. They¡¯ve also assumed that the Strange Rifts were causing the issue, but there is no Veilspawn to speak of.¡±

    Lyra twisted her lip, thinking. ¡°So, are they the same ones?¡±

    ¡°Possibly. We still don¡¯t know much, but so far, the electromagnetic fields created stronger Veilspawn, and electrical disturbances are on the checklist to be wary about. It could cause other things, so that¡¯s one more thing to be on watch while we are on patrol.¡±

    After thanking the Outpost woman, the three made their way to Luminous Forest.

    When they stepped into the forest, cast in a bluish glow. Everything, from the forest grounds to the trees, glowed a bright cerulean blue.

    ¡°What is this?¡± Lyra awed, staring up at the twinkling trees. As they walked further inside the mystically charged forest, they could feel the power flowing from it as it coursed through their veins.

    ¡°The Luminous Forest is a powerhouse of mystical energies,¡± Sly explained. ¡°Fiends inhabit this place because of the magical pheromones it gives off. Which is a good point of reference if these Rifts are appearing and affecting the power and altering Veilspawn¨C¡±

    ¡°--It¡¯s only a moment of time till they affect the Fiends,¡± Eamon finished her sentence.

    Lyra looked horrified at that. ¡°And with the forest being so close to town, this should be a top priority!¡±

    Sly snapped her fingers. ¡°You both are right on the Denarius. So let us investigate and see if a Rift is disrupting these people. Stay sharp, you too; we don¡¯t know how the Fiends will react.¡±

    Both Eamon and Lyra withdrew their weapons and replied, ¡°Right!¡± With fiery vigor and determination in their eyes.

    ???

    They walked the path of Luminous Forest, through the twists and turns, being wary of their surroundings.

    ¡°...So I hear you got into it with some military?¡± Sly side-eyed the two of them.

    Eamon and Lyra gaped, surprised she found out so easily. Sly chuckled in response.

    ¡°How did you hear about that? It just happened before we met back up,¡± Eamon inquired.

    ¡°The General Manager called it in, not to criticize you, but to condone you. Had he not, you wouldn¡¯t have got paid.¡± She tossed the two of them coin purses of Silver Denarius. ¡°Keep doing missions like that, and your ranks as Locksmiths will go up; you may even surpass me or Ealdred himself.¡±

    Eamon seemed the most taken aback and clutched the purse. ¡°...Maybe.¡±

    Lyra could sense his demeanor change and looked to see his forlorn expression. She had seen a similar look on his face earlier toward the military. She wondered about the meaning of the look exchanged between him and Julian.

    ¡°Speaking of the military¡­¡± Lyra Pocketed the coin purse in her bag. ¡°One of them, Julian Ashcroft, who¡¯s apparently now my rival¨C¡±

    ¡°--I¡¯d say sworn enemy. You punched him.¡±

    ¡°Bold,¡± Sly said with a quirk of her brow and a slight bob of her head.

    Lyra rolled her eyes with a casual shrug. ¡°He deserved it. He was as foul as a Fiend, but he said the military had a contingency plan to get Locksmiths out of the job.¡±

    ¡°Did he now?¡± Sly raised her brows. Lyra nodded. ¡°Then what we feared may be true.¡±

    ¡°So they''re just going to remove us? They can¡¯t!¡± Lyra exclaimed. The forest''s silence made her voice echo in the distance, making her shiver. ¡°Locksmiths are the only ones that can close Rifts and get rid of Veilspawn, especially now, with these new Rifts showing up.¡±

    ¡°...They¡¯ll find a way,¡± Eamon whispered, absentmindedly. He hadn¡¯t meant for those words to slip.

    Lyra frowned. ¡°Why would you say that?¡±

    Before she could prod him further with questions, a roar emulated throughout the forest area.

    Sly raised her arm. ¡°Cease your questions for a moment that might be what we¡¯re looking for.¡±

    They trudged deeper into the forest.

    Once they made it toward a dead-end clearing, an enormous creature as tall as a tree stood in the middle of an open space. It had two large bulging, furry arms, its fist planted into the earth, and a furry silver back with a gray torso. The creature''s entire structure radiated with a streak of blue electricity¡ªits bright blue eyes glared at them, and its large fists pounded into the earth.

    ¡°W-What is that? Is that a Fiend?¡± Lyra¡¯s eyes bugged out.

    ¡°That can¡¯t be. It¡¯s huge!¡± Eamon exclaimed in surprise at the size of the being.

    Sly shook her head. ¡°That¡¯s because it isn¡¯t a Fiend.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Lyra questioned. They both looked at her. ¡°Then, what is it?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it reminds me of those enhanced Veilspawn,¡± Eamon said

    ¡°Aye, that''s a good comparison. These are Magycte Beasts. They¡¯re very rare¡­because they¡¯ve been extinct for five hundred and eighty-five years, since the Primal Chaos era.¡±

    Before they could react to the reveal, the Magycte Beast raised its arms to attack.

    ¡°Watch out!¡± Sly instructed them to move out of the way.

    Eamon and Lyra dodged seconds before the beast''s incoming fists shattered the ground where they had been standing.

    ¡°Look!¡± Lyra pointed at a Rift rippling through the air. ¡°What do we do?¡±

    She and Eamon were on the opposite side of the forest, with Sly on the other side.

    Sly grinned. ¡°Show me what you can do Locksmiths: Close that Rift and destroy the Magycte Beast.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon nodded, then to each other. This would be something beyond anything they had fought before, and knowing that this Magycte Beast was only a few feet away from the town instilled in them a sense of determination to keep the beast away from the townsfolk.

    It was something neither Lyra nor Eamon wanted.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    A familiar electric jolt of connection surged through their minds. It was as if a door had opened in their heads, revealing each other¡¯s thoughts and emotions. They had a similar feeling back at the lake.

    ¡®Woah¡­what is-What, can you hear me?¡¯ Both Lyra and Eamon telepathically said.

    ¡®Wait!¡¯ Lyra said. ¡®I heard about this in one of Master¡¯s lessons.¡¯

    ¡®Kesync,¡¯ Eamon finished the thought. ¡®I heard that it¡¯s a skill Locksmiths learn with time, but when they do, they can make devastatingly good results, like sharing power levels with another linked user. The combined Kesync power of two Locksmiths only gets stronger as the Locksmiths do.¡¯

    Lyra¡¯s eyes twinkled. ¡®Are you saying¨C¡¯

    Eamon nodded. ¡®Yeah. Let¡¯s try out our new link on the Magycte Beast.¡±

    Sly watched them. Keeping a close eye in case they needed help or the Magycte Beast became too much to handle. She raised a brow for a moment. There was a much more fluid motion just a second ago. She realized they had unknowingly activated Kesync.

    The Magycte Beast towered over them. Its aura potent and vial like a combined power of a Fiend and Veilspawn. Its bright blue eyes glowed with a malevolent intensity and it let out a deafening roar that shook the trees.

    Lyra gripped Riftbreaker, and Eamon, his Escrima blade sticks in hand, shared a determined look with each other on the other side of the forest.

    Eamon¡¯s thoughts transmitted to Lyra¡¯s: ¡®Remember what Sly said about elemental weaknesses? Try Ember and I¡¯ll follow up with a strike.¡±

    ¡®Got it!¡¯

    Lyra initiated the battle. Her voice cried out as she called on the Wellspring Ember: ¡°Radiant Burst!¡± She leaped into the air and thrust her sword forward; releasing not a fire-based attack that enveloped the Beast in a flurry of fiery sparks. Her physical strength multiplied thanks to Eamon¡¯s power. She managed to burn and staggered the enemy in tandem.

    ¡®Eamon, it¡¯s down. Go for it!¡¯

    Moving with astonishing speeds, he darted for the Magycte and charged up what was essentially the Wellspring Gaia. It had been a while since he activated Essentia since joining the military, and they forced him to unlearn what he knew about being a Locksmith.

    ¡®Forgive me.¡¯ Whether to Lumos herself or the entity that was the Wellsprings.

    A surge of Essentia charged into the weapons, even more overpowering than he had ever imagined, thanks to Lyra¡¯s combined wellspring power. He knocked it to the side as the power of Gaia came to him. Flurries of rocks and boulders pelted the Magycte Beasts, making them fall to the ground.

    Before Eamon could make an opening for Lyra to finish it, there was pressure at the back of his mind. He had let his guard down and forgot that Kesync allowed the partners to move in harmony, but she could also feel his strongest emotions, thoughts, and¡­ memories: the very same ones he refused to reveal.

    He pushed away from the pull of the connection, severing the link entirely, mentally shattering it.

    Having the link server suddenly caused them to become exposed and staggered. The Magycte Beast shook off the earlier ailments and was about to strike at Eamon with an arm thrust when Sly shot forward and grabbed the Beast''s arm with her whip, ripping it off with a tug.

    ¡°Sly!¡± Lyra shouted.

    Sly gritted her teeth. Her furrowed brow and glare looked Eamon¡¯s way. She shouted: ¡°Go close the Rift!¡±

    Eamon bobbed his head, stumbling to get up. Lyra followed suit.

    ¡°What happened back there?¡± Lyra questioned him. Eamon couldn¡¯t look her way.

    ¡°Let¡¯s close the Rift while Sly finishes it.¡± Was his only response.

    Lyra frowned. His lack of action perturbed her.

    Sly let out a battle cry, used her whip to propel herself through the air, and landed on the Beast''s back. Sly grinned. ¡°Only heard you beasts in stories; it¡¯ll be interesting to see if I can take you down.¡±

    She called upon the Wellspring Gaia, and her whip came alive. It wrapped around the beast''s neck, strangling it, and sharp thorns sank into its fleshly core. The Magycte Beast roared in pain as Sly drained its energy and health.

    Lyra could see that the results from Sly¡¯s doing were affecting the beast. She gaped in awe at her display of power.

    ¡°Close it now!¡± Sly shouted out her instructions to them.

    Lyra commanded the chant, closing the Rift successfully. It had effectively destroyed the Magycte Beast as it faded away in the electrifying blue of the Rift until it, too, disappeared.

    Sly dropped from the air and to her knee. She surveyed the scene, and then looked back to Lyra and Eamon with a tight lip.

    ¡°Let¡¯s report this in.¡± The look in her eye suggested she was not done with them yet.

    ???

    ¡°That attempt could have been fatal, then what would I tell Ealdred if his pupils, his granddaughter, and son¡­¡± looking between Lyra and Eamon. ¡°...wound up dead?¡±

    Once they had reported to the outpost and received their reward, the three headed to the inn, where Sly berated them about their fight.

    ¡°Activating Kesync right there, while impressive, was dangerous. Synchronizing requires the partners to be one. They have a universal trust in that person, and nothing can break that. It is one of the most powerful mechanics that amplify an already strong Locksmith.¡±

    The two did not know what to say as they sat on the inn beds with their heads down.

    Sly sighed. ¡°I just need to know who broke the connection first. If we know that, we can delve into harnessing syncing next time.¡±

    ¡°It was me; I¡¯m sorry, Sly. Lyra.¡± Eamon stood as the two watched him. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; there won¡¯t be a next time.¡±

    He started to head for the door.

    ¡°And where are you going, young man?¡± Sly questioned.

    ¡°I¡¯m just going for a walk; I won¡¯t stay out long.¡± Opening, then closing the door behind him.

    ¡°Whelp, guess that¡¯s that. It''s time for a drink; I¡¯ll be back later tonight¡­ I know what you are thinking, Lyra. Don¡¯t overstep your boundaries; you¡¯ll push him away like that.¡±

    Lyra pouted with a slight eye roll. ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to be abrasive about it. I know his time in the military was¡­sensitive, but there are things that don¡¯t add up, and I¡¯m curious.¡±

    ¡°Mmm,¡± Sly hummed with her arms crossed. ¡°Curiosity can be deadly if not controlled. I hope you know what you¡¯re doing.¡±

    Lyra nodded, but deep down, she hoped she knew too.

    When Sly left and Eamon returned later, he thought Lyra would be asleep and wanted to avoid talking about the situation, but the lights turned on as soon as he closed the door.

    Lyra was sitting on the edge of the bed with her hands folded together. Eamon stuffed his hands in his pockets.

    ¡°Were you really waiting for me like that? What if I hadn''t come back till much later?¡±

    ¡°Then you¡¯d deal with a drunk Sly, and we both can wager she¡¯s probably a sloppy drunk.¡±

    ¡°...You have a point.¡±

    They both shuddered at the thought.

    Lyra grinned. ¡°Of course I do. So, do you wanna talk about what happened earlier? You know, after our Kesync went wrong.¡±

    Eamon tried to maintain a stoic expression, but Lyra could see his shoulders cinching at her statement. He sat on the opposite bed, taking off his shoes.

    ¡°Not particularly, no.¡±

    Lyra crossed her arms. Her brows pinched together as she glared at him. ¡°You know I¡¯m still going to ask, right?¡±

    He sighed. He brushed a strand of a curl away from his face. ¡°Unfortunately. I¡¯m not sure if you even have a filter.¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡± she half jumped up. ¡°I know when to or not to say what¡¯s in my head, but if there¡¯s something suspicious going on, I can¡¯t let that just go away.¡±

    Eamon sighed once more. He got up and removed his shirt. Lyra¡¯s face flushed, turning away to look at the wall.

    ¡°When we were fighting the Magycte Beast, it was like we were one unit, powerful. I had your physical strength, and you could channel way more Essentia than usual from me. Even our thoughts were linked, and then¡­¡±

    She stopped. She caught him cringing out of the corner of her eye. He was now dressed in a loose-fitting nightshirt.

    She turned back around to look at him.

    ¡°Your thoughts went to Lumos, and you couldn¡¯t do Essentia anymore because the military forced you to unlearn it. Why?¡±

    Eamon was silent. His back now turned to her.

    Lyra sighed. She tried to compose herself, remembering what Sly said about probing too much. ¡°Look, I¡¯m not trying to pry, but if we¡¯re going to try Syncing again, I have to know what¡¯s happening. You have to trust me. I may not know what happened at the Empire, but I can tell it¡¯s eating at you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right, you don¡¯t.¡± His hardened tone and gaze made Lyra jump when he turned to her. ¡°You won¡¯t understand, Lyra, and I¡¯m not into having my personal thoughts out for you to see¨C I don¡¯t need the judgment¡­ or pity.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯re assuming I¡¯m going to do that! That right there isn¡¯t going to help us Sync.¡±

    ¡°Well, maybe I don¡¯t want to Sync with a kid who stole everything from me.¡± He looked to the corner of the wall where Riftblade was leaning against it.

    His hostility took Lyra aback. ¡°Then maybe you should have never left the man who raised you!¡± Shaking her head, she turned off the lights, leaving Eamon in the dark.

    He was glad for the pitch darkness because the mask he had been holding dropped, and he was sure he would reveal everything at any moment, but he could not. No matter what Lyra said, she would look at him differently and hate him for it.

    The only way to stop her from asking questions was to keep her at arm''s length. He hated hurting her¨CIt was the last thing he wanted to do¨Cbut that would be one more guilt to add on top of everything.

 Part Twelve: Team Work, Makes the dream work

    The month of Solara, the 12th day of Nimbus

    ¡°Hmm¡­.¡± Sly let out a loud audible hum and looked across the table from where Lyra and Eamon sat. ¡°Hmm.¡± She continued humming and sipping her ale, glaring at them, waiting for someone to crack first.

    Lyra gave in to her prodding with raised hands in surrender. ¡°Sly, will you say something or continue humming like that?¡± She stopped eating her bread and hot porridge to glare back.

    Sly smirked. ¡°Was waiting for one of you to spill the beans. Neither of you have spoken to each other for several miles, except when we came upon Fiends in battle, but even that was sloppy at best.¡±

    Lyra frowned. Crossing her arms. ¡°I have nothing to say to him.¡±

    ¡°What she said,¡± Eamon mumbled after.

    Sly pressed her lips together and looked at them again with tired, lidded eyes. ¡°Uh-huh, right.¡± She sat the mug down on the table. ¡°I advise you two to nip this in the bud because if something worse comes along and you two still act like children, you¡¯ll see Lumos quickly. Now, let¡¯s finish breakfast and head over to the guild.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s brow rose. ¡°What for?¡±

    ¡°We''ll need to supervise the area as best as possible so there''s no panic while this is still fresh news. Especially with these new Rifts and the Magycte Beasts, places don¡¯t know about it.¡±

    Once they finished with breakfast, they left the Tavern.

    ???

    The 14th day of Aurorion, Isselgrade

    During their two-day journey, they were in Isselgrade, a town half the size of Sylvanbrook. However, there were by far more commercial buildings and businesses along the sides of the city, where they walked along the cobblestone walkway.

    The streets were wide, but plenty of people¡ªlocal and tourist¡ªwalked the city in their gowns, breeches, and waistcoats. There were a couple of drawn carriages by horseback, dropping people off.

    Lyra kept her mother updated through Voxlink messages during the journey, except for the argument with Eamon and the encounter with the Magycte Beast, assuring her of her safety and well-being.

    Eamon, too, had messaged Ealdred and, like Lyra, omitted his argument with his master¡¯s granddaughter. He did not want to give a bad impression that he was bitter about Riftbreaker.

    Although upset, he could not deny that Lyra was skilled with the sword. Master Ealdred had made the right choice, but he wished Lyra would be angry with him so she would stop asking questions. He lacked answers¡ªmost things felt hazy, making his head hurt, which could raise suspicion.

    ¡°Here we are.¡± Sly gestured in front of them.

    They stood in front of the Locksmith guild. The exterior was a vernacular brick-laden establishment with a dark roof and four windows, two on each side. A black sign written in gold letters read: Isselgrade Guild.

    They walked into the guild and were met with the bustling energy of fellow Locksmiths, wearing assorted outfits of varying styles, all sharing the adventurer aesthetic of shorts, trousers, and fitting shirts for comfort and free movement. The armband emblem of the Locksmith is on their lower shoulder to identify themselves to the public.

    The guildhall was a vast chamber with intricate tapestries depicting the history of the Locksmiths, Wellsprings, and Lumos herself. Between the tapestries were bookshelves loaded with textual information for all Locksmiths. The smell of old books and the outdoors clung in the air. Wooden boards in the middle of the room had listings for Locksmiths to sign up for jobs.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    They walked along the red carpet, and the guild¡¯s receptionist, a kind-hearted woman with warm brown eyes and a brunette pixie cut, greeted them. The nametag on her buttoned blue read: Elen.

    ¡°Morning, Elen,¡± Sly said, leaning an arm on the desk. ¡°My group and I just came into the city and wanted to pitch in our services if needed.¡±

    The woman¡¯s eyes twinkled, and her tiny face bobbed up and down. ¡°Oh, thank Lumos for that! We have been facing an influx of strange Rifts in the surrounding areas. The local Locksmiths are stretched thin; they¡¯re attempting to manage the disruption of these anomalies, causing the power to turn off every so often.¡±

    Laura and Eamon thought it strange that there were Rifts close to cities and people and wondered what the connection was if Luminous Forest was brimming with old magic. What did the surrounding area of Isselgrade have?

    Sly offered their help and handed in their Rank ID cards. Elara¡¯s eyes bugged out seeing Sly¡¯s, and she apologized profusely for not recognizing her. She let out a small smile and said flirtatiously, ¡®It¡¯s no problem at all. You have a lot on your plate. The receptionist blush a deep shade of red.

    Elen cleared her throat after snapping out of her flustered reverie with Sly¡¯s courtly responses. ¡°W-Will these two C-Rankers handle this? I know it¡¯s a usual Rift quest, but if you¡¯re saying that these Rifts are even more volatile than before and producing Magycte Beasts.¡± She whispered so no one but them could hear. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t feel right about sending them out there.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Doll face, they¡¯re with me. They work well together, and they even tried synchronizing.¡± Sly turned to them, confirming they would be on their best behavior.

    Elen¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Kesync? Really? That is impressive for your ranking. If the Rosevera Whip vouched for you and you¡¯ve managed to sync at your level, I can rid myself of the worry and guilt.¡±

    Eamon bowed. ¡°Thank you, ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t let you down,¡± Lyra said, with tightened fists in the air.

    ¡°And they''re both Ashbourne,¡± Sly added. ¡°One being his granddaughter and the other his adoptive father.¡±

    Elen¡¯s eyes were even wider than before being in the presence of the Sentinel Rift Breakers heirs.

    ¡°Will we be working with anyone?¡± Sly asked.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see, give me a moment¡­¡± She wounded a small crank on a wooden terminal with brass accents. The small display screen booted up, showing a black-and-white interface. The Voxframe usage was for communication and basic data processing¨C similar to the Voxlink, but not portable¨C and could send and receive messages and access guild records.

    ¡°...It looks like one group of Locksmiths finished a quest not too long ago. As soon as they come in¨C¡±

    Before she finished, the doors opened to see six Locksmiths entering the guild''s halls.

    The first person who walked to the front desk had a powerful presence and notable features. A flowing gray beard reached his chest. He stood at an average height of Sly¡¯s six feet, with piercing blue eyes, a weathered face, and clothing matching his years of field experience.

    ¡°I trust all went well, Master Thaldir,¡± Elen responded.

    ¡°Aye,¡± the five other Locksmiths walked behind him. ¡°We¡¯ll be taking another Rift quest. I¡¯ll say this: they¡¯re unlike any we¡¯ve encountered before; it''s like it''s brimming with chaotic energy.¡±

    His group nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Did these Rifts produce creatures like you¡¯ve never seen before? Magycte Beast, to clarify.¡± Sly questioned him.

    The fifty-some-year-old Locksmith turned to her. ¡°You mean the stuff of legends from the Primal Chaos Era?¡±

    Sly shook her head. ¡°They aren¡¯t just legends anymore.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s right, Master Thaldir.¡± Elen nodded. ¡°Sly and the two Ashbourne Locksmiths took them out. The two of them even synced doing it.¡±

    The group was awed at Lyra and Eamon and surprised at their skill.

    ¡°I thought I recognized, ya. The Rosevera Whip and¡­Ashbourne, you say?¡±

    Both Lyra and Eamon introduced themselves, proceeding with Thaldir.

    ¡°Names Thaldir Ironshroud. I am pleased to meet the famous Sly the Rosevera Whip, the granddaughter and the adoptive son of Ealdred the Sentinel Riftbreaker. This is my crew.¡±

    He stretched out his arm to the other party members with him.

    A handsome man with a short beard cropped dark hair, and broad shoulders introduced himself next, ¡°A pleasure to make your acquaintance. The name¡¯s Jalen Strongarm.¡±

    ¡°Sorrel Wynerra,¡± the pale and lean man bowed. Some strands of his raven black hair, not pulled into a ponytail, fell in his blue eyes.

    ¡°It¡¯s good to meet you three!¡± A boastful voice said. ¡°Gavrik Maddox, at your service.¡± A burly man with an imposing physique, dark skin, closely cropped hair, and a well-kept beard.

    The last two members were Elessa Hyarm, with flowing red hair and amber eyes that looked like fire as she introduced herself with a smirk, and Rylia Zameria, who continuously pushed her windswept silver hair behind her ear and voiced a quiet introduction that was almost too low to hear.

    ¡°Since you three are looking for a quest and have fought a Magycte, want to join our party?¡± Jalen asked them. They accepted.

    ¡°I¡¯ll put your names in the database,¡± Elen said. ¡°Be sure to report back together when it¡¯s finished. And do keep that information about the Magycte Beasts to yourselves; we don''t want to cause too much panic or confusion.¡±

    The Locksmiths all agreed to that notion. They left the guild and conversed with each other before leaving for their following location in the Strange Rifts.

 Part Thirteen: Fighting Tall Tales

    As the party left for the direction of the Rifts, Sly, Thaldir, and Jalen discussed the recent Magycte Beasts, what that could mean for Aurum as a whole, and Chancellor Radinov¡¯s Harmony Taxation Act.

    ¡°I don¡¯t trust the Chancellor as far as I can throw ¡®em,¡± Thaldir said with a stiff grunt. ¡°He comes in after the previous chancellor, thinks he can make things better by throwing money at people who have lost so much, and now expects those people to pay taxes? We all know who it is going to affect more. Then, he thinks he can get rid of Locksmiths when we are connected to the Wellsprings.¡±

    Sly nodded. ¡°And I don¡¯t think those are rumors anymore. I can¡¯t fathom what the military would have that Locksmiths can¡¯t do better.¡±

    Jalen sighed. His broad shoulders sagged in mental defeat. ¡°Aye, that¡¯s what a couple of my mates were saying. Knowing the Empire has to be something. The Citizens Chamber is holding a conference in Crystalline City¡¯s tower in a few days, and the Chancellor will appear there.

    Thaldir scoffed. ¡°Let¡¯s hope the CC calls the Empire out. Nevertheless, we must worry about these Rifts if that is not enough. Did you say the Children of Deimos came back? What is going on in Lumos'' name?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯d like to know, too,¡± Sly said. ¡°But I¡¯m also intrigued about the CC¡¯s conference.¡±

    While the older Locksmiths talked, Lyra and Eamon walked ahead.

    ¡°And looks like Thaldir and Jalen are at it again,¡± Sorrel said, looking behind at the elder Locksmith¡¯s going at it. He placed his arms behind his head.

    ¡°And with the Rosevera Whip of all people!¡± Rylia exclaimed. Her face burned at her sudden outburst.

    Gavrik let out a guffaw. ¡°Can you blame them? A lot has been going on these last few weeks with the Chancellor''s message and the strange Rifts. Now both the Children of Deimos and Magycte Beasts are back?¡±

    ¡°And,¡± Elessa pointed, moving her red hair to the side. ¡°Don¡¯t forget the military. They think they can take over the Locksmith¡¯s job. Well, they got another thing coming to them.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon listened to the B-Rank Locksmiths talking among themselves. Lyra, wide-eyed, was fascinated by their lively exchange.

    Eamon, on the other hand, while the group discussion wasn¡¯t foreign to him, the camaraderie of it all was. There were moments like this in the military, but much of it was dreary and serious, if not bleak.

    ¡°Oh, gosh,¡± Sorrel blurted out. ¡°We¡¯re just talking and shooting the breeze; we aren¡¯t letting you two get a word in.¡±

    ¡°Oi! Forgive us, you two,¡± Gavrik¡¯s voice boomed. He made a show of apology with a smack on his forehead. ¡°When conversation strikes, we can talk for hours.¡±

    Elessa snorted with her arms crossed. ¡°Speak for yourself. I say a few lines here and there.¡±

    Lyra chuckled. ¡°No, No. Don¡¯t worry about us, well, me. I¡¯m just listening. It¡¯s amazing to be in the presence of B-Rankers.¡±

    ¡°Agreed. The information that¡¯s being talked about is very beneficial, thank you.¡± Eamon regarded them with a simple bow.

    ¡°Aw, you guys are cute and polite,¡± Rylia gushed and clasped her hands together. A twinkle in her eyes lit up her face. Shyness was gone, so she approached Lyra and squeezed her cheeks in her hand, causing Lyra¡¯s cheeks to redden.

    ¡°And here she goes,¡± Elessa shook her head with a small smile. ¡°Once Rylia finds something adorkable, she can¡¯t help herself, and the shyness festers.¡±

    ¡°How can you not!¡± She exclaimed. ¡°And they both managed to Kesync. At their levels, too! Gav and I have started to master it, but it takes a lot of focus and trust.¡±

    Elessa grabbed Rylia¡¯s ear and pulled her away from Lyra as she protested.

    Lyra, free from Rylia¡¯s clutches, massaged her cheeks and mumbled, ¡°Yeah, trust.¡± As she side-eyed Eamon.

    Eamon, too, looked at her and tried to hide the somber mood from the other Locksmiths. A hard pat on the back lurched Eamon forward, and a sturdy arm fell over his neck as Gavrik leaned into him.

    ¡°Hope you don¡¯t mind giving us some tips or secrets? Or¡­ is it because you two are more than just combatants.¡±

    ¡°Whhaaa?¡± Lyra and Eamon exclaimed together. Their faces grew a deep shade of red, and Lyra waved her hands wildly, shouting, ¡®I-It¡¯s not like that!¡¯ All while the group teased them with fits of giggles.

    ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Rylia waved at them to settle down as she controlled her giggles. ¡°Let¡¯s not tease them.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Through the laughing and teasing, Elessa had walked further ahead than the group and stood off to the side. The group walked down the trail until there was no longer a path and nothing but open fields. The path formed again, this time much narrower than previously.

    Ahead of them, a sea of dark forest.

    ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Elessa hummed, narrowing her amber eyes into the sea of darkness. ¡°Something¡­ isn¡¯t right.¡±

    ¡°Hm? What is it, Elessa?¡± Sorrel said behind her. ¡°Do you sense anything?¡± the laughter died down, and the group was silent.

    ¡°Is there any Veilspawn lurking?¡± Gavrik asked, pounding his fist into his palm.

    Elessa pressed her lips together. ¡°...No. There might be a few Fiends lurking but no Veilspawn, but it does feel¡­ancient.¡±

    Lyra squinted and furrowed her brows, knowing what that feeling might be. A Magycte, maybe? She looked to Eamon for confirmation if he felt the same, and he nodded in agreement, their anger defusing for the moment.

    Elessa¡¯s brows furrowed. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­sure.¡± Elessa and her family had an innate attunement to spiritual energy, making her a profound asset when it came to tracking. However, she couldn''t feel the residual life energy this time.

    ¡°Stopping for a break, kids?¡± Sly asked. The three senior Locksmiths walked up behind them. Though as she said it, Sly frowned at the forest''s darkness, sensing something was off.

    Jalen frowned. His jaw tightened as he took in the atmosphere. ¡°The energy is off here. It wasn¡¯t like this earlier today or yesterday.¡±

    Thaldir grunted. ¡°Mmm, those dern Rifts and meddling with the activity going through the region. As if the Primal Eyre Forest was eerie enough.¡±

    ¡°Why is it more eerie than usual?¡± Lyra asked.

    Jalen turned to her and explained. ¡°Long ago, it used to be held as an execution ground for the coven of Primal Weavers during the Primal Chaos Era. Some say at the right moment, you can hear the ghostly wails of the departed.¡±

    Sly, deep in thought, held her chin. ¡°Hmmm¡­It also sounds like the perfect source of power to attract a Magycte Beast. Everyone ready?¡±

    One by one, they followed Sly into the mouth of the forest.

    The Primal Eyre Forest loomed ahead, its ancient trees reaching skyward, their roots sinking into the rich, fertile earth. Shafts of golden sunlight pierced through the dense canopy, dappling the forest floor with patches of warmth. The air was thick with the scent of moss and damp earth.

    Sly, Lyra, Eamon, and their Locksmith companions ventured deeper into the forest. The path became less defined and swallowed by the encroaching wilderness. Every step felt like a journey back in time, as if the forest remembered the days of the Primal Chaos era.

    Sly led the way, with Elessa and Jalen flanking her. Lyra and Gavrik followed close behind while Eamon, Sorrel, Rylia, and Thaldir formed a protective rearguard.

    As they passed beneath the shadow of an enormous tree, a low rumbling echoed through the forest. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and leaves shivered in response. The Locksmiths instinctively took defensive stances.

    An enormous figure emerged from the forest''s depths, its hulking silhouette a remarkable sight. The large Magycte Beast stood menacingly, unlike any they had encountered before. It resembled a colossal Silverback gorilla, with mottled fur and shimmering blue and violet patches. Its eyes glowed with an eerie, otherworldly light.

    With a guttural roar, the Magycte Beast charged, its massive fists slamming into the earth with each thunderous step. The Locksmiths sprang into action, their attacks fueled by Wellspring magic. Lyra''s sword, Riftbreaker, gleamed with Radiant power while Eamon twirled his Escrima blade sticks, flames dancing along their lengths.

    This time, something was different. Fiends, the forest''s native creatures, began to emerge from the shadows, their eyes aglow with the same eerie red gleam as the Magycte Beast. These were no ordinary Fiends; they were under the beast''s control, moving with unnatural coordination and purpose.

    Caught off guard by the unexpected alliance between the Magycte Beast and the Fiends, the Locksmiths faced a relentless onslaught. The forest threatened to conspire against them, the once-familiar terrain now filled with dangers at every turn.

    Sly''s voice rang out above the chaos. "We need to break the Magycte Beast''s control over these Fiends! Focus on weakening it, and I''ll disrupt its connection!"

    The Locksmiths adjusted their strategy, targeting the Magycte Beast with coordinated strikes while defending against the relentless Fiends. The battle raged on, with the primal forces of nature itself arrayed against them.

    Eamon and Lyra''s Kesync connection, formed with purpose, moved with synchronized precision. A horde of Fiends surrounded Rylia, their razor-sharp claws slashing through the air, Eamon''s swift movements interwoven with Lyra''s devastating Essentia power. Together, they fended off the attackers, each protecting the other with an almost telepathic understanding.

    Amid the chaos, Sly pinpointed the core of the Magycte Beast''s influence. With a surge of energy, she unleashed a disruptive pulse that rippled through the forest, severing the ethereal threads that connected the beast to its unwilling minions.

    The Fiends hesitated, freed from the Magycte Beast''s control; the Locksmiths seized the opportunity to strike. Jalen''s mighty hammer crashed against the beast''s side. Gavrik conjured barriers to trap it, and Sorrel unleashed torrents of icy Essentia to slow its movements.

    Yet, the battle was not over. The Magycte Beast, enraged by the disruption of its control, unleashed a barrage of vined attacks as it controlled the trees now. Elessa¡¯s gauntlets wreathed in flames, lunged forward, and burned away the attacking vines, drawing its attention away from Sly.

    Meanwhile, sensing an opening, Lyra and Eamon focused their Kesync abilities on Rylia. They shielded her from the encroaching Fiends and swiftly incapacitated them. Now, a unified force stood triumphant against the remaining adversaries.

    Sly stepped forward after weakening the Magycte Beast''s connection to the Fiends. She unleashed a radiant burst of energy that enveloped the creature. The Magycte Beast convulsed, its form convulsed, until finally, with a roar, it collapsed to the forest floor, defeated.

    With the immediate threat neutralized, the Locksmiths turned their attention to the Rift. Elessa and Lyra approached the Rift''s pulsating core. Together, they channeled their Essentia and chanted together to seal the Rift.

    The ethereal disturbance subsided, and the Rift began to close, its ominous glow diminishing. Leaves rustled, and the forest seemed to exhale, returning to a state of serene equilibrium. The Magycte Beast lay defeated, now a mere silhouette against the dappled sunlight, slowly dissipated.

 Part Fourteen: What lies Ahead

    The week of Ventis, the 15th day

    Saying their goodbyes to their Locksmith companions, they left the following day.

    Lyra had not slept much the night before because she had been thinking about their last battle with the Magycte and how it could control the Fiends. She hoped that reporting to HQ about their findings would be enough.

    She and Eamon had managed to keep the Kesync stable without breaking the connection, but Lyra wondered if it was only because Rylia was in danger.

    She mentally sighed, "I hope Rylia will be okay." The physicians said the bone in her arm had split in two. She shook her head. Of course, she was fine. Despite the sling, she still managed to grab my cheeks.

    She was going to miss them. Then, something Elessa said came to her head about Eamon when they talked late at night at the inn: ¡®It may not be something he will not tell you but can¡¯t, maybe he''s unable to for many reasons, just give him time. He wants to tell you, you know how I know? Because he likes you.¡¯

    Lyra¡¯s face flushed. She shook her head, freeing her thoughts. Thinking that Eamon had feelings for her was silly, but Elessa was right about one thing. Maybe she had been too hard on him. Just because he came back from the military, he was still Master¡¯s student, and he came back. I''m sure there¡¯s more to it, but I guess for now¡­ I¡¯ll let him tell me on his own.

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Sly hummed, turning to her. ¡°You look a bit red. Are you thinking dirty thoughts, Ashbourne?¡± She grinned with a raised brow.

    Lyra shrieked. She smacked her cheeks to hide any evidence of her face. ¡°Sly! Really? Why would you say that? That¡¯s so perverse of you.¡±

    Sly laughed at her reaction. ¡°Only way to get a rise out of you, so I know you¡¯re still with us. Right, Eamon?¡±

    He grinned. ¡°Right.¡±

    Lyra snorted. ¡°What are you laughing at?¡± Jabbing her finger into his side. Her voice had no aggression, which surprised Eamon with wide eyes. Eamon was unnerved at the thought of them talking and her getting close to him.

    They continued their trek for several more miles when Eamon spotted something in the distance.

    ¡°Eh, what¡¯s that there? A carriage?¡±

    Sly nodded, getting a better look. ¡°Yup, looks broken from here. Let¡¯s see if they need our help.¡±

    Once they were closer, a man with copper-red hair stood by his broken wheel, scratching his head and mumbling, ¡®What should I do now?¡¯

    ¡°Perhaps we can help with that.¡±

    The man turned to them when Sly announced their presence, and relief washed over his face. He saw the Locksmiths, returning the bronze complexion to his cheeks.

    ¡°Oh, thank goodness, Locksmiths. Wait¡­ you¡¯re the Rosevera Whip, right?¡±

    She smirked. ¡°Sly, in the flesh.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Lyra Ashbourne.¡±

    ¡°Eamon Ashbourne. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡±

    The man gasped. ¡°And kin to the Sentinel Riftbreaker? This is amazing.¡±

    ¡°Is there anything we can do for you?¡± Lyra questioned the man.

    Snapping out of his awed state, the man returned to his horse-drawn carriage.

    ¡°Y-Yes, sorry, it would seem the roads busted my wheel, and that was my last spare.¡±

    Sly crossed her arms. She gestured her chin to the carriage, addressing Lyra and Eamon to take over. ¡°I¡¯ll let you two handle this.¡±

    Lyra nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll fix the wheel with elemental Gaia.¡± She bent down to the cracked wheel with an outstretched hand.

    ¡°I¡¯ll assist you.¡±

    Eamon bent down as well and together, palms outward, called upon the Wellsprings earth to fill the cracks of the cracked wheel.

    The man marveled at their work, having not seen Essentia up close. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s amazing. I wish you both didn¡¯t have to waste your time fixing a wheel. If the Chancellor was feeling generous, he should have fixed these roads if he wanted to make peace.¡±

    Eamon settled the wheel back into place.

    ¡°It¡¯s no problem for us.¡± Lyra waved off the man¡¯s worry. ¡°That¡¯s what Locksmiths do; help those in need big and small.¡±

    The man¡¯s eyes grew watery and bowed. ¡°Thank you!¡± Making her jump at the man¡¯s forwardness. ¡°Please let me offer you a ride into the city as a sign of my thanks!¡±

    The three of them looked at each other and nodded. Making the man¡¯s day as he gave them a broad smile and ushered them into the carriage.

    ¡°My name is Stephen, by the way. Stephen Bran. I''m from Gearford and own a General Store and Inn in Tro¨¦r ¨C I could loan you a room, free of charge, for your assistance.¡±

    The carriage clopped away as they rode down the path. Sly sat in the front. Lyra and Eamon are in the back with some of the wagon¡¯s crates.

    ¡°Oh, Tro¨¦r is nice this time of year. The Mechanical fight capital of Aurum. They still do those tournaments, right?¡± Sly asked. Curiosity sparked her as she was remembering her last time in Tro¨¦r.

    ¡°Every Ventis! You picked a good day to travel, but that is why Ventis is a special week for travelers. Lumos must have a guiding hand with you.¡±

    ¡°Hey¡­Eamon?¡± Lyra whispered. She sat across from him on the carriage floor.

    ¡°Huh? Sorry, I spaced out. I didn¡¯t¡­ didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be talking to me.¡±

    She flinched. Her lips pressed together at his comment. ¡°Fair point, but¡­¡± she pressed her hands together, staring at them.

    ¡°Lyra? Are you ok¨C?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± she exclaimed, shutting her eyes and bowing her head to her knees.

    ¡°Huh?¡± he blinked, taken aback by her outburst. He continued staring at her, waiting for her to speak up again.

    ¡°You know¡­,¡± she mumbled. She peeked up from behind her knee but didn¡¯t look at him yet. Her face was starting to burn, and she knew she was blushing. ¡°For getting mad about you keeping stuff about your time in the military.¡±

    She sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯m not saying it¡¯s my fault, but¡­ Syncing is a two-way street that requires trust on both ends¡­.¡± she was looking at him now from the corner of her eye.

    ¡°Lyra¡­¡±

    ¡°You haven¡¯t seen me since we were kids. I¡¯m practically a stranger to you; you wouldn¡¯t trust me yet, and forcing you to spill your guts isn¡¯t help, so I¡¯ve decided¡­¡± She bit her lip and swallowed the lump in her throat.

    ¡°You¡¯ve decided what?¡± he urged.

    ¡°...I can¡¯t be mad that you can¡¯t tell me something you aren''t ready to talk about. It¡¯s your past to tell if you want to tell me down the line.¡± She slowly lifted her head and pulled her legs to her chest. A strand of her curl fell into her face. She pushed it back behind her ear. ¡°Then, it¡¯ll be up to you to do so.¡±

    Lyra did not say anything. His soft hand grazed her cheek. She turned slightly to see Eamon tucking her hair behind her ear less than a foot away. Her face was redder than before.

    ¡°Thank you, Lyra, that¡­ means a lot you said that.¡±

    ¡°Um, yeah, well¡­ It¡¯s no big deal.¡± She shrugged, but internally, her heart thudded in its chest at their proximity. He smells good. ¡°Y-Your business, and we don¡¯t have to Sync. We work well anyway, but we¡¯ll work on that.¡± Shaking free her nervous rambling.

    He smiled. ¡°Yeah, I would like that.¡± She looks cute, flustered like that. His body heated up at their shared proximity. His own heart skipped several beats.

    They stared at one another for a moment, wondering who would pull away or come closer first. Meanwhile, Sly had been watching the whole time and had a big grin on her face.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad you two love birds made up. That constant cold shoulder was starting to age me.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon blushed for the umpteenth time, but Lyra covered her face. ¡°Seriously, Sly?¡± mumbling into her hands.

    All the while, Sly laughed as the three enjoyed the ride.

    ???

    The carriage rode for several more miles, and as the hours passed, they entered Gearford''s region and finally came upon the mechanical city of Tro¨¦r. The mechanized mining city presented a captivating sight from afar. The outer layer resembled a coliseum, its steel walls towering high and adorned with intricate, slightly weathered engravings displaying gears, cogs, and other mechanical motifs.

    ¡°Welcome to the city of Tro¨¦r!¡± Stephen announced in a grand voice when they drew closer to the entrance. Lyra and Eamon leaned closer to awe at the structure now that they were up close.

    The massive bronze gates adorned with intricate iron-wrought designs and guards in silver armor stood astutely at the city''s entrance.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening up there?¡± Lyra pointed to the other carriages that had stopped before entering the gates.

    ¡°Security check,¡± Stephen told her. ¡°They make sure there isn¡¯t anything dangerous you have that would endanger the city.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips. ¡°Our weapons are fine, right?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, Lyra,¡± Sly said. ¡°Locksmiths aren¡¯t included in that rule. As long as we have our licenses, we¡¯re good.¡±

    Lyra sighed with relief. She touched Riftblade where it sat in its sheath. She could not imagine someone forcibly taking it away from her.

    Once they reached the checkpoint and handed in their necessary identification, the gates opened to them. A bustling city concealed within buzzed with a frantic energy that mirrored the ceaseless activity of its inhabitants. The clang of metal on metal and the rhythmic whirring of gears resonated through the air, creating a symphony of industry.

    At the heart resided an expansive area, the central hub of Tro¨¦r. Tall, steel chimneys rose from the industrial district. The rhythmic pulse of machinery echoed through the colossal coliseum walls. Everyday citizens walked along the cobblestone streets donned in practical yet expressive attire: men, engaged in the ceaseless toil of factories, wore dark trousers and leather boots under loose-fitting shirts, while women embraced modesty in sturdy skirts and blouses, often adorned with aprons for hands-on work. Children mirror their parents in miniature ensembles. The vibrant marketplace unfolded as a kaleidoscope of colors, merchants clad in eclectic patterns.

    The entertainment district was a haven for flamboyant styles, with flowing skirts and tailored suits. In the upper-class enclave overlooking the coliseum, the elite draped themselves in elegant gowns and refined suits, exiting from drawn carriages down the bustling streets.

    The College of Mechanical Arts was the heart of Tro¨¦r, a prestigious institution that produced many brilliant inventors and artisans famous for their groundbreaking devices in Aurum. Among its notable graduates are Dr. Isabella Marconi, a physicist from the Valerian Republic, and Professor Samuel Bannister, a mathematician from Crystalline City State, who together invented the Voxlink.

    As Sly walked past Tro¨¦r¡¯s Arena, a large stadium with a circular dome, he exclaimed, ¡°Looks like it¡¯s time to break out the Denarius. I smell a win in my future!¡± The arena displayed mechanical automatons called ¡®Iron Gladiators,¡¯ which fought in mechanized duels, each operated by a skilled pilot.

    The streets of Tro¨¦r were a maze of brick and stone, filled with shops offering a blend of innovative gadgets and traditional goods. Pockets of greenery, hanging gardens, and ivy-covered walls added a rustic touch to the vibrant cityscape.

    ¡°Oh, wow, what is that?¡± Lyra gaped as she looked above her. ¡°Are people¡­walking on that?¡±

    Above the streets is a see-through suspended walkway connecting to different building portions. Scholars and engineers often walked through the see-through tunnels, but many would ride the trams that traversed the city''s reaches, providing swift transportation for its inhabitants.

    Stephen drove through the crowd while Lyra pointed and gawked around her. They finally ended up in front of the General Store and Inn. Everyone got out of the carriage.

    ¡°If you need some help carrying these in, we¡¯ll be more than helpful too.¡± Sly offered, handing the man two silver Denari.

    He shook his head, denying the payment. ¡°Thank-you. Just take those three in the back. For the rest, I have to make deliveries in town. Just ask for Kathye, my daughter, and tell her I¡¯m setting up lodge on the house for the Locksmiths that assisted me.¡±

    Sly nodded. ¡°Will do. We''ll see you soon.¡±

    The three unloaded the cargo and walked through the doors. The bell on the door dinged.

    ¡°And it looks like the military is here too.¡± Lyra sucked her teeth. ¡°They just gather like flies now. Unbelievable, they¡¯re everywhere so fast.¡±

    Eamon stayed silent. Pressing his lips together and not making eye contact with them.

    They headed to the front desk, where a woman with brown ringlet hair dressed in a simple smock and apron greeted them with a smile: ¡°Welcome to the General Inn. How may I best serve you?¡±

    ¡°Kathye, right? Your father, Stephen, wanted us to deliver these packages.¡± Sly told her.

    Her eyes grew big as she took notice of the boxes in each of their hands. ¡°Oh, yes, yes! You can settle them toward the back, behind the counter.¡±

    The three-headed behind the counter to the door that led to the backroom.

    Kathye stood by the doorway. ¡°My father is alright, yes? What happened?¡± Her face was wrought with worry as she clutched her clothing.

    ¡°No worries, he¡¯s fine!¡± Lyra exclaimed. ¡°His spare wheel had broken, and we fixed it.¡±

    Kathye touched her chest and sighed with relief. ¡°Oh, thank you, Lumos. It was not anything serious. Well, I¡¯ll get your rooms prepared, as I¡¯m sure my father would have already offered them to you.¡±

    When they returned to the main dining area, the military was gone, and only locals and Locksmiths remained.

    ¡°Whelp, I¡¯m off. You kids have fun and stay out of trouble.¡± Sly gestured with a flick of her hand to her forehead.

    Lyra twisted her lip. ¡°Wait, you aren¡¯t staying with us? Where are you even going?¡±

    She removed her coin purse and shook it as it dangled noisily. ¡°Off to place my bets at the coliseum. I would invite you, but you have to be twenty-one to enter. Eamon, interested?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m good. Have fun, Sly, we''ll get the key.¡±

    ¡°But not too much fun!¡± Lyra shouted as the bell¡¯s door dinged when Sly opened it, and it closed behind her.

    Lyra put her hands on her hips. Staring at the door with a shake of her head. ¡°You don¡¯t think she¡¯ll spend all her Denarius?¡±

    Eamon''s tight lip formed a slight grin. ¡°I have no idea. I¡¯m just glad we have our own coin purses. So, do you have anywhere in mind to go?¡±

    Lyra¡¯s stomach grumbled at the same time. She clutched her arms around her waist. ¡°I could eat something right about now.¡±

    Eamon grinned. ¡°I second that. Let¡¯s see if there¡¯s a tavern from which we can get some food.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon headed for the tavern down the street. It was noisy and raucous, full of locals, travelers, some Locksmiths, and the military.

    Lyra groaned, rolling her eyes. ¡°I swear¡­¡±

    ¡°We can eat upstairs or take our food to go?¡± Eamon offered, hoping she would agree so, he would not have to risk anyone recognizing him.

    He was disheartened when she denied the request with a shake of her head.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let some military people chase me away. No matter what the Chancellor says. Locksmiths have importance in society''s life.¡±

    Having no choice but to agree with her, they headed toward the counter, where a brunette-haired server was behind it. ¡°What can I get you two?¡±

    As the two finished ordering, Eamon¡¯s body tensed.

    ¡°Man, we will be stuffed with how much we ordered!¡± Lyra exclaimed with an enormous chagrin on her face. She licked her lips. ¡°Do you think we should have got Sly something? Nah, I¡¯m sure there is something at the Coliseum. Hey, Eamon, are you okay?¡±

    She looked at him. His face turned pale.

    ¡°I thought that was you.¡± A heavily accented man spoke to them. ¡°Long time no see, Black Thorn, or do you now go by your name, Eamon?¡±

    Over Eamon¡¯s shoulder, to the right of him, a tall blonde-haired, chiseled-jaw man looked directly at them with piercing gray eyes. He was wearing military garb, a shade of navy blue, different from the usual uniform for the military brigade. He had a confident gait about him that was not to be tested.

    Eamon''s eyes twitched at the name. A sharp shock stabbed inside of his pain; hot flashes of pain had him shaking free of the pain that came suddenly.

    He could not muster the courage to turn around and face the military personnel he worked so closely with.

    The Imperial Military man got up and walked over to them. This man¡¯s confidence not only filtered the air, but it was something sinister, too.

    Lyra did not know who this person was, but from Eamon''s cinched posture, she knew it was someone he did not want to speak to, let alone see. She stood in front of Eamon protectively, facing the man with a hardened glare.

    Her action made several eyes from the military look her way, who were surprised she butt in. Even the man himself smirked, amused. Annoying, a scowl-lipped Lyra. Eamon was shocked and snapped out of it, staring at the back of her head.

    ¡°Hello, and who do I have the unwanted pleasure of meeting?¡± The man stood at six feet, a foot taller than Eamon. He had an athletic build beneath his uniform.

    Lyra squared her shoulders, holding her head high to not let this man phase her. ¡°Unpleasant indeed since you so rudely came up to us, and it¡¯s clear no one wants you here.¡±

    He raised a thick brow. ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± He turned to his military friends. ¡°How about you all? Do you all want me here?¡±

    They jeered at his response like yapping drunkards.

    Lyra rolled her eyes, her arms crossed. She was not phased. ¡°The drunken words of inebriated men mean nothing.¡±

    He hummed and chuckled. His lidded eyes stared at Lyra, who tried her best to keep herself steady. It was proving difficult, as his aura was so overpowering it could knock her over.

    ¡°You¡¯re a smart one, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    ¡°Smart, funny, strong, strategically gifted, I could go on.¡± She listed confidently, hoping to show she would not be messed with either.

    ¡°Nikolai, stop this.¡±

    Eamon managed to muster a few words with clenched teeth but with strained effort. Physically, Eamon was shivering from his mere presence alone.

    ¡°Why? Your¡­ acquaintance and I were starting to get along. So this is the person you left me and the military for?¡±

    His eyes trained on Eamon, and a dark look crossed his features, making Lyra flinch.

    Nikolai smirked. Catching the movement. ¡°Guess that steely resolve was a facade after all.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I got your facade right here¡ª¡± She reached for her blade, but Eamon held her shoulder, stopping her. Lyra looked back at him, wondering why he would stop her, but he was not looking at her but at Nikolai.

    ¡°What are you doing here, Nikolai? The last time I saw you were in the Empire.¡±

    His face glowed with pride. ¡°That¡¯ll be Captain Nikolai Volkov now. I have received a promotion. I still work with the military and now the Chancellor.¡±

    Eamon gaped. ¡°You made Captain?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re working with the Chancellor?¡± Lyra snidely quipped. Her brows furrowed.

    A somber expression cast across his face. ¡°Yes, you could have been in the same position. But if you cut this act now, I can put in a good word for you with the military and the Chancellor.¡±

    Eamon gritted his teeth, backing away. ¡°No. My place is with the Locksmith¡­. Where I never should have left.¡± Mumbling the last few lines.

    Nikolai frowned. ¡°A Locksmith, tch.¡± He spit at the word as if it was poison on his lips. ¡°Quit the games, Eamon; you know you have no qualities as a Locksmith. Being in the military by my side was your purpose as my adversary and weapon.

    He reached out a hand to Eamon, but Lyra smacked it aside. It was the first time Nikolai reacted with widened eyes at the quick movement he had not sensed.

    ¡°Hey, don¡¯t you know no means no?¡± Lyra glared at him. ¡°He¡¯s not going back with you, and if you need help understanding, then¡­¡±

    She removed Riftblade from its sheath, and the military gasped, recognizing the legendary blade. Patrons gasped, unsure of what was going on, and most importantly, Nikolai''s eyes gleamed as he, too, recognized it.

    ¡°Is that¡­?¡±

    ¡°Yep. You¡¯re looking at the one and only. Lyra Ashbourne, at your service.¡±

    A callous look crossed his face. When someone burst through the door, he reached into his pockets, ready to draw his weapon and take her offer.

    ¡°FIENDS!¡±

    Screaming was heard, pulling the military and Locksmith away to the outside. Everyone scrambled outside to see flying Fiends airborne through the sky and citizens running for cover.

 Part Fifteen: Perfect Sync

    ¡°We have to help!¡± Lyra shouted. She gritted her teeth, seeing the panicked looks on people¡¯s faces.

    ¡°Care to hold off on our match?¡± Nikolai voiced beside her. Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Hopefully, we''ll see each other again, Eamon.¡±

    Eamon stiffened. He could not move or speak. Lyra took his hand and pulled him opposite where Nikolai and the military were going.

    Running by her side, Eamon managed to snap out of it. ¡°Thank you¡­ for that.¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°Of course, I would. That guy¡¯s a jerk. Don¡¯t listen to him; you are every bit a Locksmith. Remember: You came back, so that''s what is important.¡±

    Eamon nodded. He took in what she said to heart. ¡°Thank you, Lyra. I¡¯ll try to remember that.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± She grinned. ¡°Cause it is true. Also, I think I¡¯m starting to build a list of rivals. So that''s always fun.¡±

    He chuckled at that.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s focus and save the people here.¡±

    ¡°Right. I have your back.¡± returning to himself.

    Lyra and Eamon rushed through the streets of Tro¨¦r, helping, aiding, and preventing Fiends from harming any citizens. They heard a sudden whip crack and saw Sly protecting a family from a gang of bulbous Fiends¨C the Arataka¨C with one large yellow eye and leather wings.

    ¡°Sly!¡±

    Lyra jumped in the air, sent a Radiant Slash toward the Fiends, and sliced off its wings. Eamon came from behind and bashed the Fiend with an earth-shattering pulse. Sly finished it and wrapped her whip around the creatures, squeezing them until they exploded.

    ¡°Go to the nearest shelter!¡± Sly told the family, who thanked them before running. She turned back to Lyra and Eamon. ¡°Good to have you two show up.¡±

    ¡°What happened?¡± Eamon asked. ¡°I didn¡¯t think Aratakas¡¯ would come near a city, let alone daylight; they''re usually nocturnal.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Sly confirmed. ¡°My Denarius is on that strange Rift affecting the Fiends¡¯ Circadian rhythm.¡±

    There was an explosion down another part of the street.

    ¡°What can we do?¡± Lyra asked, frantic.

    Sly smiled. ¡°Follow me.¡±

    Eamon and Lyra followed Sly down the city streets to see the military surrounding a giant Monosaurus Fend with rocky skin, thick, thigh-gray legs, and big tusks.

    Nikolai stood among them.

    ¡°And fire!¡± He commanded.

    The military fired their strange polygonal-shaped, spiral-patterned weapons. The creature in question was not going down, but it staggered and got hurt, to everyone''s surprise¡ªonly a Locksmith could do severe damage.

    ¡°Nikolai!¡± Eamon managed to call out.

    The blonde-haired Captain turned and smiled. ¡°Oh, good. You finally made it, and you brought the Rosevera Whip with you. It must be fate.¡±

    Lyra snorted. ¡°Yeah, whatever. What kind of weapon is that? It looks like a rifle, but it¡¯s not one I¡¯ve ever seen.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you like to know lil¡¯ Ashbourne.¡± Nikolai grinned. ¡°But to answer your question. The Musketeer¡¯s Edge is in its prototype stages to improve the rifle''s accuracy, reliability, and firepower to test out on Fiends before we can obtain better means of eradication. The firearms specialists in Flintlock City are prioritizing it for the military.¡±

    Lyra gritted her teeth. She thought this might have something to do with the military taking Locksmith''s positions. Surely, it is only a rumor¡­ right?

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry.¡± It was as if he could read Lyra like an open book. ¡°I¡¯ll allow you to share the glory, but we¡¯ve handled this.¡±

    ¡°Tch, whatchu you say?¡± balling her hands into fists. ¡°We don''t do this for the glory we¨C¡±

    Sly held her arm up to keep her back.

    ¡°Yes, for the protection of the people.¡± Finishing her sentence. He sighed. ¡°You Locksmiths can be quite repetitive. And this is what you came back to?¡±

    He directed his question at Eamon, his tone accentuated by a disapproving glare.

    ¡°Leave Eamon out of this! You want to talk about repetition. You military scum could use some semblance of a soul being the heartless war hounds the Empire lets loose.¡±

    Had Sly not been holding her back, she would have attacked him. Giving him a shiner before the military could take her out.

    Nikolai feigned hurt, touching his chest. ¡°Lil¡¯ Ashbourne has claws, huh? Guess you like them feisty, eh, Eamon?¡±

    Eamon¡¯s face grew dark, and they approached him. He grabbed the Captain by the collar and stood toe to toe with the blonde-haired giant. ¡°That¡¯s enough, Nikolai. Don¡¯t speak to her like that again, or else¡­¡±

    The other military were alert by Eamon¡¯s sudden movements and were ready to attack him on sight, but Nikolai held up his gloved hand to stop them. He did not take his eyes off Eamon and smirked. He enjoyed seeing the fire in his eyes and getting under his skin, wanting to see his Black Thorn again.

    ¡°Or else what?¡±

    Sly pushed the two men apart with a swift movement that neither one sensed.

    ¡°Alright, you kids both break it up. Not now. We have Fiends loose in the city. I don¡¯t know what the military is going on, but if it can take down a Fiend and protect the people, we should work together.¡±

    Lyra gasped, taken aback by her proposal. ¡°Really? We don¡¯t need them.¡±

    Sly glared at her to let her know her word was final. ¡°Having more people in your arsenal is a good thing, Lyra. Even if they are the opposition.¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Ah, you wound me,¡± Nikolai sarcastically joked. ¡°But coming from the Rosevera Whip, I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡± Wiping his uniform free of wrinkles where Eamon had grabbed him.

    Sly had to resist rolling her eyes. Nikolai grinned and stretched out his arm. ¡°Since we are working together and all.¡±

    Lyra stepped forward, pushing past Nikolai. ¡°I¡¯ll show you not to underestimate me.¡±

    ¡°Very well¡­ lil Ashbourne.¡±

    If he calls me that one more time. However, Lyra focused on the military people and heard them mumble as she passed, ¡®Is that the Riftbreaker?¡¯ and ¡®Is she really an Ashbourne?¡¯

    Another Fiend was coming at two o¡¯clock. Lyra inhaled and exhaled. Her sword drew its stored power. She could faintly hear Nikolai say something sarcastic, but she tuned him out.

    She snapped open her eyes, charged her Essentia before going for a running stance, and leaped in the air with a perfectly executed jump. She brought down her sword with a Radiant Smash, disintegrating the Fiend in seconds.

    Lyra turned and smirked. She planted her sword down into the ground, leaning against it. The military was in awe and impressed; even Nikolai did a slow clap.

    ¡°Not bad at all. Perhaps our fight will be interesting, lil Ashbourne.¡±

    Her brow twitched. ¡°Call me that again, and you¡¯ll see Lumos real soon.¡±

    ¡°Alright, rivalry aside.¡± Sly broke it up before things became too intense. ¡°Let¡¯s just take these Fiends down as quickly as possible. I am sure guilds here have sent their Locksmiths around the city, so there should not be many left. Your military weakens them, and we finish them off. Deal?¡±

    Nikolai shrugged. ¡°Sounds fair. Lead the way.¡±

    Lyra shook her head, mumbling. ¡°Jerk.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Eamon whispered when he walked to her. She looked up at him to see a twinkle in his eyes that lit up his face. She blushed. ¡°I have your back.¡±

    Locksmiths and military raced through the city, taking out the unwanted Fiends and directing citizens to safer passages. As they headed toward the furthest western part of Tro¨¦r, they saw a group of Locksmiths taking down a last group of Fiends and a few militaries.

    ¡°What¡¯s the status support so far?¡± Sly asked a brown-haired Locksmith.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Rosevera Whip!¡± they echoed and called out her name upon seeing her.

    Nikolai approached with his military.

    ¡°Locksmith Miles at your service, Rosevera Whip,¡± the brown-haired guy said. ¡°We¡¯ve taken down the last of the Fiends in the area, and then the military had come in.¡±

    ¡°Good job men.¡±

    ¡°Sir!¡± the military saluted.

    Sly nodded. ¡°Good. We just finished taking down some Fiends back in the eastern district. I think it is time we circle back to the center. Continue monitoring the area for Fiends and redirecting civilians to safety.¡±

    With that, they were off again.

    ¡°What do you think caused this?¡± Lyra pondered aloud. ¡°Do you think it¡¯s the Rifts? There aren¡¯t even any Magycte Beasts or Veilspawn in sight.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡± Eamon mirrored Lyra¡¯s confusion. ¡°What would be the cause now? There¡¯s no forest and certainly nothing negative around.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Sly said, running beside them. ¡°But if I had to bet Denari on it, I¡¯d say the Children of Deimos have their names all over this. There¡¯s something shifty going on, something otherworldly, and it does have something to do with those Rifts.¡±

    ¡°Care if I join your club?¡± Nikolai sauntered over to them by Sly.

    Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Sorry, not sorry, we''re all filled up.¡±

    ¡°Well, we are working together for a brief time.¡±

    ¡°Hopefully, very brief.¡±

    Once they reached the central part of the city, they saw a giant Rift growing inside, trying to pull everything and everyone inside.

    Sly took action and used her whip to catch some citizens by swinging onto a ledge, grabbing onto citizens, and landing them safely. Lyra and Eamon used their Wellspring powers to take flight and scoop up anyone before they flew into the mouth of the Rift.

    Now, it was time to close it.

    ¡°Lyra, let¡¯s Sync.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Lyra gaped at Eamon. ¡°But we¨C¡±

    He shook his head. ¡°We don¡¯t have a choice and¡­I trust you.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s eyes widened. She nodded. They focused on their separate Essentia and then on each other¡¯s aura synchronizing.

    Let¡¯s go! They telepathically said.

    With the willingness of their synched powers combined, they were able to move in quick succession. They managed to save the remaining citizens just as a shadowy Magycte Beast appeared.

    ¡°Go high, I¡¯ll go low!¡± Eamon commanded.

    ¡°Got it!¡±

    The Magycte called the fourth Veilspawn to get in their way, but a ranged bullet made the creature stagger. Lyra turned to see Nikolai grinned and saluted her with two fingers.

    His military held back and distracted the Veilspawn.

    ¡°Gosh, I hate that smug grin on his stupid face.¡±

    Sly whipped her whip to strike a creature, and it exploded. ¡°Go! We¡¯ll hold them off from here.¡±

    Not long afterward, more Locksmiths emerged from different parts of the city to help.

    Lyra focused on the Magycte Beast as it roared, waving its black tentacles.

    ¡°I go high, you go low.¡± She reiterated, adjusting her fighting stance.

    Eamon did the same. ¡°I¡¯ll follow your lead.¡±

    The air in Tro¨¦r crackled with tension as the shadowy tentacles of the Magycte Beast unfurled, reaching toward the city like sinister tendrils seeking prey. The once bustling streets now echoed with the distant sounds of chaos, an ominous symphony accompanying the impending battle.

    The Magycte Beast''s shadowy tentacles unleashed a horde of twisted Fiends upon the city, their eerie howls echoing through the deserted streets. Lyra and Eamon, surrounded by the encroaching darkness, met the fiends head-on. Each clash of steel against monstrous flesh resonated with a primal intensity.

    As the first Fiend lunged, its claws gleamed in the light, and Lyra dodged the attack. Eamon whirled his Escrima sticks quickly, delivering calculated blows to repel the assailants.

    The Magycte Beast orchestrated the fiends'' movements with an otherworldly cunning. Unlike any encountered before, the fiends were agile and elusive, their movements synchronized with an eerie intelligence.

    Lyra and Eamon found themselves back-to-back, surrounded by a swirling vortex of Fiends. Eamon''s eyes glinted with determination, his muscles tensed. Lyra gripped firmly onto Riftbreaker.

    "Are you ready for this, Eamon?" Lyra''s voice was steady and unwavering.

    Eamon flashed a confident smile. "Always. Let''s do this."

    The first tentacle lashed out. Lyra danced nimbly away. Eamon dispatched another tentacle with a series of swift strikes. The Magycte Beast, obscured in the shadows, seemed to writhe in pain.

    Their trust in each other was unwavering, and neither showed signs of breaking. Their Essentia resonated with a kaleidoscope of colors that enveloped them. The world around them slowed, each movement calculated with the precision of a well-rehearsed dance. Instead of flickering like a fragile flame, their connection burned brighter, an unbroken bond.

    With a synchronized cry, they unleashed their ultimate move, a fusion of Lyra''s Radiant Essentia and Eamon''s physical prowess.

    "Celestial Radiance!" They shouted in tandem.

    A blinding surge of energy erupted from them, and a torrent of rainbow aura shattered the shadows. They executed a perfectly coordinated assault, dismantling the Fiends that faded into obscurity.

    The Magycte Beast¡¯s hold over the Fiends broke. The air crackled with ethereal power as the beast roared in agony, fading away.

    As the brilliance subsided, Tro¨¦r bathed in the dawning light of victory. Lyra and Eamon were triumphant and smiling, their chests heaving from exhaustion.

    "Did we do it?" Eamon asked with strained effort.

    Lyra smiled. A mix of exhaustion and triumph in her eyes. "We did." The Locksmiths, breathless and battered, stood victorious after the chaotic clash.

    The citizens of Tro¨¦r, peering cautiously from their hiding places, erupted into cheers.

 Part Sixteen: Collateral Damage

    The 17th day of Solariel

    The charged atmosphere in Tro¨¦r''s Inn is filled with tension, a lingering residue from the recent Magycte Beast attack that had shaken the city. Patrons huddled in small groups, their voices subdued, exchanging wary glances as they murmured about the harrowing events of the past few days.

    Lyra, Eamon, and Sly found themselves in a corner, their eyes fixed on the radio atop a worn wooden table. The device crackled, and a hushed anticipation settled over the room. The inn''s flickering oil lamps cast shadows on the faces of those gathered, revealing lines of worry etched into furrowed brows.

    The conversation around them was a low hum, snippets of dialogue drifting through the air. Whispers of the Magycte Beast''s rampage, the destruction it wrought, and the lives it could have claimed had the Locksmiths and, to their dismay, the military, come to their aid. The inn''s patrons, a mix of weary travelers and locals seeking refuge, spoke in subdued tones, their eyes darting between one another as if searching for solace.

    A grizzled miner, his face smudged with coal dust, leaned closer to the radio, his weathered hands gripping a mug of ale. "You reckon they''ll talk about the beast in the conference?" he mumbled to his companion, a woman with tired eyes that mirrored the city''s collective exhaustion.

    ¡°It''s not like the CC have let us common folk down. They¡¯ve always been for the people,¡± a bystander replied, overhearing the miners'' conversation.

    Sly''s gaze shifted from the patrons to the radio, her expression unreadable. She had seen her fair share of Rifts and Magycte Beasts, but the unease in the room hinted at a deeper undercurrent of fear.

    Eamon, his eyes reflecting the turmoil within, caught Lyra''s glance. They shared a silent exchange, a mutual acknowledgment of the weight in the air. The radio crackled, and the announcer''s melancholy voice echoed through the inn.

    The inn became silent, a silence so deafening a pin could be heard as they waited to see the unfolding that held the city''s fate¨Cperhaps all of Aurum¨Cin its hands.

    The conference started.

    "As we convene today to address the challenges we face, let us not forget the resilience that defines us as Aurum''s people," the announcer said, the words reaching every corner of the inn. The patrons listened, their expressions a mosaic of emotions¡ªuncertainty, hope, and, for some, a simmering frustration.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 49th Citizen''s Chamber Conference. We will celebrate half a century of collaborative governance in just a year. But today, we gather under somber skies as Aurum faces a terror that demands our collective wisdom."

    The announcement introduced the political leaders, each name reverberating through the inn like distant thunder. Mayor Elara Duskmire of Lysandrian Kingdom, Tsar Nicolas Durand of Valerian Republic, by his side, the Praefectus Vigilum Cassandra Aegis, who was appointed as safeguard and protection over the festivities. Speaker Reynard Stonebridge of Crystalline City was next, followed by Imam Fhara Sheimer of the Aurora Federation¡ªtheir titles echoed the weight of responsibility.

    Lyra, Eamon, and Sly listened intently, their eyes reflecting the spectrum of emotions that rippled across the room.

    The first topic surfaced like a storm on the horizon¡ªthe Harmony Tax Act. Mayor Duskmire spoke, her voice rising with authority: "Fellow citizens, the Harmony Tax is a call for unity, a bridge that spans the divide between common and affluent. It aims to forge Aurum, where prosperity trickles down to every hearth, but we must scrutinize its implications and be wary, as we have been burned in the past.¡±

    Sly''s brow furrowed, sensing the dichotomy of opinions in the inn. A man in plaid beside the miner grumbled, "Unity, they say, but how does taxing the commoners bring unity?"This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    Tsar Durand''s response crackled through the radio, "The Valerian Republic supports this act as a step towards economic equilibrium. A strong nation stands on the shoulders of both its bourgeoisie and proletariat. But let us not be blind to its nuances."

    Eamon exchanged glances with Lyra, their unspoken dialogue mirroring the silent debates that echoed through the inn. The radio continued its relay of passionate discourse.

    Speaker Stonebridge stepped into the arena of ideas, his resonant voice asserting, "The Harmony Tax Act, while well-intentioned, must be a conduit for transparent governance. Let our scrutiny be the forge that shapes it into a weapon against inequality."

    The inn''s patrons nodded in silent agreement. The miner beside Lyra, Eamon, and Sly muttered, "Transparent governance, that''s what we need."

    Finally, Imam Sheimer''s measured words reverberated, "In Aurora, we share the aspiration for harmony. Nevertheless, let us remember that harmony is a symphony, not a monologue. The voices of the common must not be drowned."

    The radio signaled a shift to the second topic¡ªthe incident in Gearford. Tro¨¦r-¨CChancellor Viktor Radovinov addressed the bewildering disturbances gripping the city. "My fellow Aurumites, we face a new challenge: Ethereal Rifts. These strange phenomena demand our understanding. In Tro¨¦r, our people have witnessed their unpredictable might."

    Lyra scoffed. Hearing the Chancellor¡¯s voice made her blood boil, reminding her countless times how much of a snake charmer he was. It almost sounded like he knew these Rifts and was outright keeping it from the public.

    Eamon kneaded his thumb over his hand, waiting for something to drop the ball and reveal everything. At the same time, Sly''s expression was unreadable.

    ¡°My fellow citizens, I stand before you today, not as a ruler, but as a servant of the people. Our great nation has faced trials and tribulations. I have heard your concerns, your fears, and your hopes. I am here to address them and solemnly vow to each of you.

    In the hallowed shadow of this historic place, I take this oath to renew the sacred trust between the government and its people. The harmony tax, which I proposed, is a path towards unity and prosperity. We can build bridges, not walls. It is an endeavor to ensure that no citizen of this great nation feels forgotten or oppressed.

    I acknowledge the concerns raised about the military''s growing influence. I vow to uphold our constitution and the separation of powers. Our military serves a crucial role in safeguarding our nation, but it must not overshadow the voices of the citizens it seeks to protect.

    The rumors of strange Rifts - the Ethereal Rifts - are a matter of great concern. I pledge that we will investigate these anomalies diligently. They pose a threat not only to our nation but also to the entire world. With the assistance of the Locksmiths, the military will stand united in our efforts to understand and overcome this new challenge.

    I promise the people that I will always respect their rights, freedoms, and independence. I will work tirelessly to ensure that citizens have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their origin. We will build a brighter future together.

    Our great nation is diverse in its regions, classes, and people. Yet, in this diversity, we find our greatest strength. Together, we will face the challenges that lie ahead. I envision a new era for our beloved nation, an era of solidarity, equality, and progress.

    As your Chancellor, I commit to governing with transparency and accountability. You, the people, have entrusted me with the responsibility to lead this nation, and I pledge to be faithful to that trust.

    Together, I take this oath not just as words but as a solemn covenant to uphold the values we cherish, protect the people we love, and March forward into a brighter, united future.

    Let us turn the page to this new chapter of hope, where unity reigns and our great nation thrives. Long live our country! Long live the people!"

    The political discourse faded and melded with the cheering of the Chancellor¡¯s message. The inn''s patrons engaged in whispered conversations, echoing the sentiments of the leaders on the radio. The miner beside them shook his head. "Ethereal Rifts, they say. Sounds like more trouble for us common folk."

    ¡°And what does that Rift produce anyway? It was much bigger than a Veilspawn and controlled Fiends, too?¡± And another said into the crowd of locals, confused by the Chancellor''s vague message.

    ¡°What can the military do that the Locksmiths can''t?¡±

    ¡°I''ve seen them using strange rifle-type weapons. The Fiends and Veilspawn even staggered! I never thought someone other than Locksmith could defeat Veilspawns or Fiends.¡±

    And on and on, the questions continued.

    The voices of Aurum''s leaders resonated through the inn, each echoing a different facet of the complex harmony sought by the Harmony Tax Act. The air in the inn charged with the weight of uncertainty that would shape Aurum''s destiny. Lyra, Eamon, and Sly were caught in the currents of change, their perspectives shifting with each word uttered in the political arena.

 Part Seventeen: Valerian Republics Praefectus Vigilum

    The 24th day of Solariel - the region of the Valerian Republic

    A week had passed since the Citizen¡¯s Chamber Conference.

    Countries like Crystalline City had already taken their stance and wanted nothing to do with the Empire. The Aurora Federation had done away with them long ago and rarely participated in affairs with other nations.

    Lysandrian Kingdom''s Ledel City was in a constant state of uproar and affected because the military wanted to demote Locksmiths.

    The Valerian Republic was in the middle, unnerved by the Chancellor''s systematic message and its potential implications for the College.

    Going against the Empire would have cost too much, and it would have been a strain if they lost the trust of other countries.

    For the moment, this mattered not to one individual in particular: Cassandra Aegis.

    The niece of the High Cardinal.

    What she lacked in the abilities of a Locksmith or Custodian, she placed her skills elsewhere and excelled as an Inquisitor. What they lacked in power made up for in their formidable combat skills.

    At twenty-six, she was the youngest to be appointed Praefectus Vigilum, commanding the highest Ala Quingenaria cohort. Cassandra hailed from a prestigious family steeped in tradition and deeply rooted in the Church of Saint Lumos.

    Like the late and respected great-great-grandfather, Osiris Aegis. She, too, was celebrated for attaining that very same title and was given the chance to guard the Tsar. However, Chancellor Viktor¡¯s intervention overshadowed those accomplishments each time.

    Despite any relationship that the Tsar or her uncle, the High Cardinal, had with the Chancellor, she was tired of him and his eerily snake-charmer act that she could see a mile away. He was good at what he did; sometimes, she would forget who the Chancellor was versus what he showed to the world.

    She almost gave him credit. Almost.

    Cassandra readied herself for her travels. A servant girl donned her undergarments and, on top of that, her arming doublet, followed by her silver armor, which glistened despite no sun hitting its surface.

    They had the best blacksmiths in the Republic, too.

    ¡°Tierney, when you do my hair, I¡¯d like it to be in a high ponytail. I¡¯ll be out on my rounds, and it is best that I see all angles.¡± She had to negotiate a trade deal with a neighboring civilization. She would have instead done this herself¨C she was friends with the native princess, and her mother, Queen Boa, was somewhat nervous about the Republic ¨Cbut the Cardinal insisted.

    ¡°Yes, Lady Cassandra.¡± The young servant girl said as she brushed her shiny, voluptuous blonde hair. The long ringlets of hair fell past her shoulder. The servant girl carefully bound her hair in a high ponytail, letting Cassandra¡¯s bangs rest against her tan forehead.

    Cassandra turned from side to side, marveling that no hair was stuck out of place. She was a stickler for perfection; if it was not weapons she ogled over, it was her hair.

    ¡°You¡¯re a miracle worker, Tierney, and you keep getting better and better,¡± She told the girl from the mirror''s reflection. Cassandra¡¯s amber eyes met Tierney''s multicolored ones: one teal and the other a jade green color.

    ¡°T-Thank you, M¡¯lady.¡± Tierney stumbled and bowed. Her long, beaded braids clinked together. A faint rose color adorned her tawny brown complexion when she lifted her head. ¡°I know how particular you like your hair styled, especially when fighting.¡±

    Cassandra beamed and turned around in her seat to face the fourteen-year-old. ¡°You know me so well; what would I ever do without you?¡± Taking her hand in hers.

    Tierney¡¯s eyes widened. A deeper shade of red adorned her complexion. ¡°I¡­I¡¯m sure you would have found someone, M¡¯lady.¡±

    She snorted. ¡°I assure you that you have more skills than you give yourself credit for. Remember that.¡±

    Tierney pursed her lips and nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll try harder. Thank you, Lady Cassandra.¡±

    She sighed with a smile, ¡°I have told you to call me just Cassandra.¡± Patting her hand, she stood and hugged her, coddling her lovingly. ¡°That''s all I ask. Now, tell me, why the long face? And don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t notice, young lady.¡±

    Her cheeks reddened once more. ¡°It¡¯s¡­It¡¯s nothing.¡±

    Cassandra raised a thin brow and placed her steel hands on her hips. Though uncomfortable in that position, her stance was to urge the truth out of her.

    ¡°I had¡­ the dream again.¡±

    Cassandra pursed her lips. Tierney had an uncanny gift of foreseeing certain events and other telekinetic abilities, in addition to keeping where she was really from a secret.

    After the Veilfall tragedy, she was an orphan and the only known survivor. Tierney roamed Aurum before being sold into the network. Thankfully, a kind soul who was an acquaintance of Cassandra placed Tierney in her care and took her in.

    She was more like a little sister than a servant, and Tierney regarded her as family.

    ¡°Was it the one with the strange people in white coats?¡±

    Tierney shook her head. ¡°The one with you in it and¡­ something bad happening that I can''t see.¡±

    ¡°Tierney. Look at me.¡± Bending down some to her height, she stared, unblinking. ¡°I promise you, I won¡¯t be gone long. I¡¯ll come back.¡±

    Tierney furrowed her brows. Her lip quivered.

    Cassandra strapped her ax, Stigma, in its holder after. ¡°We aren¡¯t going across the wall; it¡¯s just west, and its open fields from there out. Barely any Fiends roam the area, and you know I can take out as many as I can with my eyes closed.¡±

    ¡°But what about the Fiends who have been acting erratically of late? They''ve also summoned a creature rumored to be Magycte Beasts.¡±

    Cassandra wrinkled her nose. ¡°That old legend that''s more like a fairytale? No. I don''t believe a Beast from the Primal Chaos era came back. It must be a new kind of Veilspawn, but the Locksmiths will figure it out. They always do.¡±

    Tierney was still unsure but trusted her and nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll have your bath drawn when you get back. And¡­ maybe we can have a snack and listen to Aurum Classic on the radio?¡±

    Cassandra smiled and ruffled her head. ¡°Do sugar cookies with raspberry topping sound good?¡±

    Tierney bobbed her head excitedly, partially forgetting her worries about sugary snacks. She was bouncing on her heels, fists tightened in exhilaration. Cassandra giggled at the excitable child, happy to see that side of her.

    Once she was ready, she left her room and headed down the halls until she reached the infantry, where her squadron was.

    Upon seeing her, they all stood at attention and saluted. ¡°Centurion Praefectus Vigilum, ma¡¯am!¡±

    Cassandra gave a stiff nod. ¡°Alright, cohort, let¡¯s move out!¡±

    On foot and horseback, the Centurion and their five-hundred-strong wing walked Valerian¡¯s main street to head out of the west gates to ¡®Echoes Ridge.¡¯ Crowds of pedestrians gathered around and cheered, waving to the soldiers as they passed in respect and a form of good fortune to return home safely.

    The gates opened, and the Praefectus Vigilum and the five hundred entered the roadway. The trek would take a two-day journey back and forth, but the Republic had a fort halfway down the road.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    Along the dusty road was Haven Wall, spanning over one hundred lengths and feet, both east and west; it had been there for over five hundred years since the Primal Chaos era. Legends foretold that it kept unsightly creatures out, more terrifying than Veilspawn. It was where the legion army entered and was last seen again, not even their horses, and there was no trace of their whereabouts.

    For centuries, authorities stopped people from crossing the wall and entering the dark sea of forest beyond.

    Cassandra shivered at the thought. Was there really anything like that? What attacked Tro¨¦r? Could it be what took my great-grandfather and his army beyond those walls? Cassandra perished the thought and kept her eyes focused on the road ahead.

    Instead, she thought about when she got back to how she and Tierney would relax with cookies in their bellies, listening to classic show tunes.

    What happened next would change her life forever.

    ???

    When the cohort reached their fort camp, night had fallen. Six soldiers gathered and pulled open the wooden gates so the cohorts could enter the base.

    The pyres did not take long to light the midnight sky and settle in for the night.

    Cassandra was in the commander''s cabin, shifting through papers by way of midnight oil. Besides the shuffling and low murmurs from the soldiers, everything was silent. On most nights, it would have been bliss for Cassandra as she would take this time to read, meditate, or train. Still, tonight¨C after her conversation with Tierney and seeing the unsettling look in her eyes ¨C The eerie silence unnerved her as it echoed nothingness.

    A sudden knock on the door startled her; she practically jumped out of her skin.

    She cleared her throat. ¡°Come in.¡± She hoped whoever was on the other side couldn''t tell she had been shaken so easily.

    A spiky brown-haired soldier stood in the doorway, now in comfortable trousers and a loose-fitting shirt.

    ¡°Excuse the intrusion, commander,¡± he said, then tipped his head in a bow.

    Cassandra did the same, allowing him to speak further. ¡°What can I do for you, Phillippe?¡±

    Philippe stood at attention. At twenty-one years old, he was one of the youngest members of the cohort. He had a grandfather and little sister; joining the army was the only way to make a substantial income to care for them.

    Many men and women were like that and joined for a better income to support their families.

    ¡°Some of us were heading to the tavern to get a drink. I was wondering if you¡¯d like to join us, ma¡¯am.¡± His face turned scarlet, and he held his head far too high as if looking at his commanding officer would shame him greatly.

    Cassandra grinned. She found him adorable. ¡°Coming to my quarters to ask me for a drink in the middle of the night?¡±

    Seeing how it must have looked, his eyes bugged out, and his face turned even redder at her statement.

    ¡°Uh-uh, n-no, nothing like that, ma¡¯am! I just¡­uh, I probably should have thought about that better. Russell and the others said¡­¡±

    She giggled. ¡°Ah, well, that explains it.¡± Russell and some of his men often picked at him with ¡®harmless¡¯ jokes, just enough to tease him.

    Despite the joke, Cassandra did not appreciate the game and would have to speak to them tomorrow morning.

    ¡°Well, I would love to relax and let my hair down, but, alas,¡± she stretched her arms over the table covered in parchment. ¡°I have plenty of paperwork to do. Have an extra drink for me, yeah?¡±

    Phillippe bobbed his head with a salute. ¡°Ma¡¯am!¡± He started to leave when Cassandra called him back. ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡± worried creased his brows, wondering if he would get in trouble.

    Cassandra still had a smile on her face, letting him know he was not in any trouble. ¡°Don¡¯t let Russell and them take advantage so much. It may all be good fun, but you give them too much power over you. It¡¯s alright to say no, and if they get irate, let me handle it.¡±

    He stiffly nodded. A hard thump dropped in his throat as the images of what she would do appeared in his mind.

    ¡°G-Goodnight, commander.¡±

    ¡°Goodnight, Phillippe. I¡¯ll see you at dawn.¡±

    A murmur of activity faded as the soldiers settled in. Exhausted from her work, she found a moment of respite at her desk. The familiar creak of the door announced her entry, and the cabin greeted her with an uneasy familiarity.

    In the dream, Tierney''s voice echoed hauntingly: "Leave. Get out now." The cabin, once a sanctuary, now felt oppressive. The walls seemed to close in, whispers of warning saturating the air. Then came the screams, gut-wrenching and vivid, as if the walls themselves were witnesses to unspeakable horrors.

    Cassandra jolted awake. Beads of sweat clung to her forehead. The abrupt transition from the nightmare to reality left her disoriented, and her breath quickened. She rose from her chair, the chilled floor underfoot grounding her.

    Determined to dismiss the lingering unease, Cassandra entered the quiet night. A few soldiers wandered about, their silhouettes barely visible in the moonlight. Yet, the tranquility of the base was deceiving, for Cassandra could not shake the echoing cry from the nightmare.

    The minutes passed. She convinced herself that it was nothing more than a product of exhaustion and stress. However, just as she began to ease into a semblance of peace, an unnatural fog began to unfurl, thick and disorienting. Confusion furrowed Cassandra''s brow as the mist obscured her surroundings.

    A monstrous cry shattered the stillness, reverberating through the mist. Cassandra''s senses heightened, and a primal fear took hold. The dream''s warning lingered in her mind, a disturbing prelude to an unknown threat.

    The blare of the alarm resonated through the fort, a dissonant symphony that roused soldiers from their slumber. Startled and disoriented, they stumbled out of their quarters, some hastily donning armor, others clutching weapons in a scramble.

    Cassandra stood at the forefront, her voice slicing through the chaos. "Stay wary! Hold your positions! Do not break formation!"

    The fog thickened, swallowing the fort in an impenetrable haze. Tension gripped the soldiers as they strained to discern the threat lurking within the mist. A scream pierced the air, sending shivers down their spines. All eyes darted around; trying to find the source, but the fog offered no answers.

    Cassandra''s tone remained steady, a thin veneer masking the unease beneath. "Steady, soldiers. Hold the line."

    However, the facade of composure shattered as unseen forces plucked soldiers into the swirling abyss, one by one. The mist writhed with dark tentacles. It snaked out to claim its victims. Anguished yells echoed a haunting symphony of despair that drowned out all other sounds.

    "No! Hold your ground!" Cassandra shouted, desperation creeping into her voice. Her commands elicited terrified stares as the reality of the unseen threat unfolded before them.

    The fort''s once-organized defense dissolved into chaos. Fiends emerged from the thickening mist, their malevolent forms casting eerie shadows. Cassandra fought at the forefront, her ax''s blade a whirlwind of desperate strikes. The clash of steel against otherworldly claws resounded amid the panicked cries of soldiers.

    The fog clung to the battlefield like a sinister shroud. Soldiers vanished one by one. Cassandra''s heart pounded, each lost comrade intensifying the weight of her leadership. The air reeked of fear, and the once-disciplined fort now became a battleground of survival against the encroaching darkness.

    Cassandra powered through the field, hacking and slashing her way through the Fiends, hoping to give her army a chance to survive, but somewhere in her mind was a feeling of doubt. Her stomach sank at the thought of seeing Lumos so soon, and the worst part was that she would not even be able to see her attacker.

    Her balance staggered when she tripped. She kept herself upright and looked down at what had caused her to almost trip.

    ¡°Phillippe!¡± she shouted to the young soldier. He mumbled something incoherent. She crouched low and attempted to lift his body, but horror struck her now pale face. Cassandra panicked and cradled the young soldier with his head nestled into the crook of her arm.

    Her heart hammered in its chest, seeing his pupils dilate, looking not at her but through her¨C she knew he did not have long left.

    ¡°T¨CTell my¨C¡± He didn¡¯t finish his sentence as his last breath left his body.

    Cassandra¡¯s eyes widened. She could not move, could not speak, even as the chaos and screams continued around her. She sat on the cool ground, cradling the young man''s hair, reminding him that he would never see his family again.

    No one would be able to see their family again.

    ¡°No.¡± A curt tone fell past her lips.

    She placed Phillippe¡¯s body gently to the ground and retrieved her ax. If it were her time to meet Lumos, then she would take what had killed all her soldiers with her.

    ¡°Come out and fight me, you coward! I¡¯m right here!¡± she shouted into the fog. There were no more screams of terror or cries of pain. It was only silence.

    Until it was not, and someone began clapping. Her grip tightened around the weapon.

    ¡°Coward? No.¡± the unknown voice said. There was no discerning where it was coming from. ¡°I¡¯d like to think of myself as a strategist.¡±

    Cassandra gritted her teeth. She was about to call out to the voice when a large figure emerged from the fog. Her eyes widened at the monstrous plant beast with fangs and several dozen vine tentacles. A human sat on its head wearing a tailored suit, a tricorne-tipped hat, and ear-length dark brown hair with a few strands of white at the ends.

    ¡°By Lumos¡¯ Grace¡­.¡± Cassandra mumbled. She didn¡¯t know what this creature was, but the power it gave off¨C even without having Essentia ¨Cwas ancient as it was evil.

    Now that he was closer, the person on the creature had a 5 o¡¯clock shadow and lidded eyes, making it look like he was sleeping. Yet, he was anything but because the color of his piercing icy blue eyes led Cassandra to assume that his ¡®devil may care¡¯ attitude was only a facade.

    ¡°Lumos? Unfortunately, for you, no. You¡¯re speaking to Sovran #5, Maxwell Croger.¡± He slightly bowed with the tip of his hat as if they were at dinner and not on a battlefield where his pet killed her people. ¡°Croger will do, however. It''s a pleasure. And you, my fair blonde commander? I do love a woman in armor.¡±

    ¡°Enough of your distractions! Why have you done this!?¡±

    Croger gave her the slightest grin, but it chilled Cassandra to her core despite the innocent gesture. The following words out of his mouth sent her reeling.

    ¡°You, your cohort, and the legion before you were all necessary for the Arbiter¡¯s plan.¡±

    Cassandra¡¯s eyes twitched. She thought she misheard him. ¡°What did you say?¡±

    He stated that he or his associates killed the legion, but the Children of Deimos have not been seen since the era of Primal Chaos.

    ¡°Hm? Oh, yes, the legion didn¡¯t just disappear. Our hand killed them with a similar Magycte Beast,¡± he said, patting the large vine creature''s head. ¡°But I''m wondering, curious even, but similarities to the Legion Captain. What was his name?¡±

    He snapped his finger as he looked up, thinking. Then, finally, let another snap and an ¡®aha¡¯ escape. ¡°That''s right¡­ Osiris, wasn''t it?¡±

    Cassandra raised her ax, gritted her teeth, and readied herself into a stance. Her eyes gleamed with fiery vengeance, blocking out common sense and focusing on adrenaline.

    ¡°You¡¯ll pay, you monster!¡± A battle cry rang from her mouth as she charged for him.

 Part Eighteen: Monster

    Early morning

    Tierney clutched her hands together, brows furrowed with worry. She waited outside the Eastern gates for Cassandra. It had been five days already, and though the usual travel time was three days, her lady would have sent a message via Voxlink if she was going to be late.

    The guards were not worried and made tiny remarks that the queen was giving the Praefectus a hard time.

    Tierney knew better. She had a weird dream, but her gut told her something bad had happened.

    Please, Lumos, let her come back safely. She mentally voiced her prayer for the last few days.

    It was not until a figure appeared on the road, half-stumbling down the dusty road. Tierney¡¯s eyes shot open, and she sprinted toward the person she knew so well. Her eyes bled with tears as the wind swept in her face, blowing them away and her beads smacking against her cheek.

    ¡°Lady Cassandra!¡± she exclaimed. She crashed into the woman¡¯s metal armor chest.

    Tierney knew something was wrong because Cassandra was usually stronger than this, but it felt like she would have tipped over had Tierney not grabbed a hold around her waist.

    ¡°W-What happened to you?¡± she frantically asked. She tried to get a better look at her.

    Cassandra¡¯s face was marred with blood and scratches. Her golden blonde hair was matted with blood, dirt, and other dried clumps. The one thing that made Tierney¡¯s heart drop was the welled tears in her eyes.

    ¡°L-Lady Cassandra¡­Cassandra, what happened?¡± Tierney softly said.

    She hoped she could tell her what had done this to her or where the army she led had gone.

    ¡°I¡­I couldn¡¯t¡­couldn¡¯t¡­they¡¯re all¡­I couldn¡¯t do it.¡± Cassandra croaked out. The fear and trauma forced trembling lips not to form a complete sentence, but Tierney understood well enough.

    ¡°I-It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re safe. We¡¯ll get you a healer. Lady Cassandra? Lady Cassandra?!¡±

    The fallen commander had passed out in Tierney¡¯s arms with her head slumped and her hair covering her face where the tears continued to fall as she mumbled: ¡­The Children of Deimos¡­They¡¯re real¡­ They''re back¡­

    Tierney called out for the guards to help her.

    ???

    Cassandra turned in her sleep. Her eyes rapidly blinked as visions of that night filled her foggy mind. She remembered Tierney¡¯s voice, talking to her but not understanding the words. The one thing she remembered would stay forever seared into her mind¡¯s eyes was the faces of her fallen comrades and¡­him. Sovran #5 Croger of the Children of Deimos.

    The battlefield was a chaos of twisted forms and grotesque shadows. Cassandra, clad in her armor, faced off against the monstrous Magycte Beast, its Venus flytrap maw snapping hungrily. A strange mist clung to the air, distorting the shapes of the combatants.

    On top of the Magycte Beast, overlooking the fray, Maxwell Croger lounged, his piercing blue eyes locked onto Cassandra. His tailored suit seemed out of place amid the commotion below. Cassandra charged toward the beast. She could not shake the feeling of Croger''s gaze lingering on her.

    The Magycte Beast, a nightmarish fusion of plant and flesh, lunged at Cassandra with lightning speed. She deftly evaded her ax, Stigma flashing as she struck at its writhing tendrils. The ground beneath her trembled with each movement and collapsed, a testament to the creature''s colossal power.

    Croger jumped off the monster''s head, landing on the rooftop of one of the base''s buildings just in time to avoid a crushing blow.

    "Well, well, Commander Aegis. It looks like you aren¡¯t Praefectus for nothing. The Aegis family certainly is a marvel to behold."

    Cassandra shot him a scowl. "Keep my family''s name out of your mouth, Croger. I''m here to end this and end you for the lives you stole."

    Croger''s laughter echoed eerily. "Oh, we''re just getting started."

    Cassandra charged forward, but Croger was a disruptive force she did not expect. His movements were a blur as he effortlessly somersaulted around Cassandra, staying out of her range while keeping his hands in his pocket and taunting her.

    "You think you can stop this, Commander? The late Praefectus could not stop us. What makes you think you can? You''re nothing more than a pawn in a game much larger than you."

    Cassandra gritted her teeth, her focus now divided between the relentless Magycte Beast and the elusive Croger. Their confrontation became a dance of chaos and precision.

    Croger propelled himself in the air, landing on a nearby rooftop. Their verbal sparring ended shortly as the Magycte Beast seized the opportunity, its tendrils striking Cassandra with brutal force. She staggered; the impact fractured her arm under the armor. She let out an ear-splitting scream as white-hot pain coursed through her body and inflicted searing pain through her arm. The broken limb hung limply at her side as she struggled to regain her footing.

    The Magycte stomped over to her, ready to end it.

    Despite the pain and disorientation, Cassandra fumbled for a small strange stone hanging from a chain around her neck. As the Magycte Beast lunged at her again, its maw hungry for her defeat, Cassandra closed her eyes and uttered an incantation she had never spoken aloud before.

    "Essentia of Wellspring, heed my call. Illuminate the shadows and free me from this thrall."

    A blinding light erupted from the stone, a gem with the power of a Wellspring embedded into its core. The radiant light burst out and consumed everything in its brilliance. The Magycte Beast howled in agony, its form dissolving into the intense radiance. The light expanded, pushing back the mist and the nightmarish visions that had gripped the battlefield. The air cleared, and with an almost ethereal serenity, the chaotic battleground transformed into a quiet, moonlit night.

    The light subsided; Cassandra slumped to the ground, her broken arm throbbing with pain. The stone filled with Essentia, now dimmed, still around her neck. The mist disappeared, leaving the aftermath of a battlefield.

    "Well, played¡­ Praefectus. Perhaps we shall meet again." Croger''s haunting voice lingered in Cassandra''s mind as she succumbed to the darkness, unconsciousness claiming her like a merciful veil.

    Cassandra jolted awake with a start and yelled in panic. Followed by the searing pain of her broken arm. She hissed and grabbed her bandaged shoulder. She saw her surroundings were not of a battlefield but her bedroom.

    That is right¡­She slowly remembered the events of that night. The Sovran Croger and the Magycte Beast¡­all those lives lost.

    Cassandra¡¯s watery eyes squinted. She felt tired and exhausted but most importantly, drained, and something she had not felt in a long time: terror.

    ¡°Cassandra!¡±

    Tierney¡¯s voice pulled her from the wayward thoughts and the girl ran over to her after placing the silver tray on the dresser. She collapsed into Cassandra¡¯s side chest and cried.

    ¡°I-I was so worried for you¡­you¡­you slept for three days and¡­and¡­there was¡­was¡­ I thought I lost you!¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    Cassandra¡¯s heart stung. She never wanted to make her worried.

    Tierney had tired bags under her eyes from staying up all night by her bedside, and she was scared whether she would wake up.

    Cassandra coddled the girl¡¯s head with her good arm, hoping to soothe her worries.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Tierney, for making you worried¡­ I¡¯m sorry, but¡­ you said that I slept for three days. What has happened since then?¡±

    Tierney sniffed and rubbed her eye as she sat up. ¡°It¡¯s not good.¡±

    Cassandra¡¯s heart skipped a beat, waiting for the incremental news as Tierney told her what happened when she was comatose.

    ¡°...And now there¡¯s an uproar of people after the High Cardinal made a brief message to everyone that they would get an answer soon, but no one is happy, and what with everything that happened with the Chancellor and the CC¡¯s message, people are agitated.¡±

    Cassandra shook her head. That¡¯s what Uncle had decided? No, that isn¡¯t right. The people¡­. they should know what happened to their families. Everyone knows I came back; they must all be rearing with questions.

    ¡°Cassandra?¡± Tierney asked when she saw that she was getting up from her bed. ¡°Y-You should be resting. The physician said you¡¯ll need rest for your body and arm to improve.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t sit back and let those people not know what happened to their loved ones. I¡­¡± flashes of Phillippe¡¯s face came to her head. She shook the ghosts of her past away. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be able to forgive myself¡­ help me get dressed?¡±

    Tierney reluctantly nodded and helped Cassandra get ready.

    Fully dressed, Cassandra walked down the hallways with Tierney in tow, but at every chance, a guard who told her to head back as the High Cardinal decreed anyone from interacting with the public to stop her.

    Cassandra did not care and brushed their comments aside; the guards let her so as not to infuriate the Commander.

    Before they reached the front door, Cassandra could hear the people rioting outside. ¡°Let me through, ¡°she ordered the guards at the gate. They looked at each other as if contemplating whether to listen to her or what their High Cardinal ordained.

    Not waiting for them to move, Cassandra pushed herself through the doors and opened them. ¡°Stay here,¡± she told Tierney. She peered out of the gates to see a swarm of common folk shouting at the top of their lungs with raised fists. Several guards were already outside, holding the angry rioters back from barging through the front gates.

    ¡°Praefectus, what are you doing out here? You should be inside resting. His High Cardinal gave orders¨C¡±

    ¡°Just let me speak to them,¡± Cassandra said to the armored soldier, ¡°These people only express their turmoil and confusion. They cannot grieve properly because no one will tell them anything.¡±

    She clutched her chest with her head bowed.

    ¡°I owe them that much. Regardless of what my uncle says.¡±

    The soldier stayed silent for a moment. Only the jeering screams of the crowd from outside, but Cassandra could hear the man¡¯s gruff sigh.

    ¡°You have five minutes.¡±

    Cassandra gave a stiff nod. The guard let her pass as she approached the raging crowd a few feet away.

    ¡°It¡¯s the Commander of the cohort!

    ¡°The Praefectus Vigilum. What is she doing here?¡±

    ¡°How could she have survived?¡±

    ¡°Where are our families?¡±

    The crowd shouted questions at Cassandra.

    ¡°Please, if you will all allow me to speak. I¡¯ll give you the answers you seek¡­¡± Once she said that the crowd''s jeering grew silent as they all glared at Cassandra, waiting for her to tell them something.

    She told them the truth. There was no sense in lying to these people; they deserved better.

    ¡°...And that is what happened. I am so, so, so sorry. As a Commander, I felt disturbed and full of grief as I tried to save my cohort, but¡­ it didn''t prove easy. Their faces will constantly be in my waking thoughts, but I will not grieve until their souls are properly rested and The Children of Deimos are annihilated.¡±

    Cassandra ended her speech with a heavy heart. Her eyes filled with tears as the names and faces of her fallen comrades came into her head. She thought this would make the people feel at peace and confident that Cassandra would do everything in her power to give their loved ones peace of mind.

    However, that was not what happened.

    A shadowed blur flew toward Cassandra before she could register it, and a hard surface rammed into the side of her face. Her head twisted to the side from the force, and several events happened simultaneously.

    ¡°Lady Cassandra!¡± she heard Tierney shout back at the gates. Followed by Cassandra touching the base of her head where the solid object had ambushed her¨Ca sharp, blunt rock¨Cshe removed her hand just above her eyebrow and saw red.

    Her vision doubled, staring at the blood on her fingertips. The warmth of it dripped down the side of her head.

    She lifted her head to see the furious faces of the crowd yelling at her angrily. Some of them were crying and weeping, calling her foul names and asking how she could call herself a commander. Others called her a liar and said the Children of Deimos were mere legends and no longer a threat. More guards came out from the gate as they pushed back the raging crowd from moving forward.

    Cassandra felt strong, metal arms around her. The same guard had warned her previously. He told her to ¡®let¡¯s go, it isn¡¯t safe¡¯, but Cassandra¡¯s feet were heavy like lead. Her heart crashed into its chest.

    She saw a weeping little girl clutching the clothing of an elderly man who looked far too unstable and sick to be standing. Despite the crowd''s incessant screaming, Cassandra could hear this little girl''s plea above all the others:

    ¡°Give me back my brother! Why have you taken him? Please, Lumo,s don¡¯t take him from us!¡±

    The tears shed from Cassandra¡¯s eyes as she stared at the little girl and the elderly man¡ªPhillippe¡¯s family.

    She had not realized it, but the guard had scooped her up from the ground and carried her inside. Cassandra could not register anything around her as she stared into nothingness. Tierney¡¯s arms scooped around her neck¨C her wailing close to her ear¨C that Cassandra broke free from her reverie.

    The voices of the angry crowd remained.

    They were gone, all of them. All of their families blamed her for their deaths. They screamed that she was not a Commander and that she should not have come back if so many had died.

    They''re right. Why would Lumos keep me alive but let so many others die? How was I any special from the sons and daughters, wives and husbands, brothers and sisters that so many lost?

    Cassandra did not know the answer. She was stunned and lost for words.

    It wasn¡¯t until the clicking of heels and Tierney loosening her grip that Cassandra¡¯s teary-childlike eyes looked up at a man clothed in a white cloak. He wore a white biretta on his head with intricate golden embroidery, a symbol of his spiritual authority. A silver amulet engraved with sacred symbols hung around his neck, radiating an otherworldly glow¡ªthe same amulet Cassandra used to ward off the Magycte Beast.

    A power of the Wellsprings that had the ability of one hundred Locksmiths, all given to the Aegis family.

    Tierney and the soldiers around her bowed their heads as they addressed the man, High Cardinal Valentine Aegis, or uncle, as Cassandra would call him.

    High Cardinal Aegis stood at an average height, exuding confidence and grace in his commanding presence. Despite being in his early 50s, his age did not show. His jet-black hair, meticulously groomed and free of any trace of gray, cascaded with a certain vibrancy.

    His thick brows furrowed together, and his shared blue eyes stared at Cassandra with disappointment at her actions. Cassandra said nothing. Under the High Cardinal¡¯s glaring presence, she was legally prohibited from speaking until given permission. However, there were times when Cassandra played around with the rules and spoke more freely than others, and because of her hard work and status, she never received punishment.

    Today was not one of those days.

    Cassandra was meek and lacked her usual confidence. She submitted to the higher power, her uncle, and the High Cardinal.

    ¡°You¡¯ve caused quite an uproar, Cassandra. I¡¯ve told everyone here to heed the outside, strict instructions, and what do you do?¡±

    Cassandra said nothing. She bowed her head in defeat.

    ¡°This could have been avoided. The Tsar and I would have handled this, but you have crossed the line. It is something I cannot ignore.¡±

    ¡°I¡­I¡­. forgive me¡­uncle. Please understand I was¡­ only trying to ease their pain.¡±

    He grunted. ¡°And more pain is what you have given them.¡±

    The tears fell, burning her cheeks, as Cassandra let them break free and roll under her chin.

    ¡°W-What do we now?¡± This time, Cassandra looked up at her uncle. His usual charismatic demeanor, which he showed the public, was gone, and she faced the complex man she had known since childhood.

    ¡°Not we. You will do as I say from here on out. Is that understood Praefectus Vigilum?¡± Her commanding title slurred past his lips, mocking her.

    Cassandra gulped, reluctantly nodding as she submitted. He had a slight, callous grin pulled at the corners of his lips but never reached his eyes. A nerve struck Cassandra¡¯s core; she had not felt this fear since she was a girl. He never showed a loving side. They had always had a complex relationship, but Cassandra had grown thick skin in her role to become commander.

    However, this man before her was not her uncle at this moment but something far more powerful.

    ¡°Yes, High Cardinal.¡±

 Part Nineteen: In the Heat of the Night

    The 31st day of Stellara, The Aurora Federation

    It was sweltering on that Stellara day, but the weather did not bother Malakyh El-Amin. One reason was that Strega soldiers trained in harsh conditions; two, his benefactor would not pay him if he failed.

    He was one of the co-members who invented the Web of Scarlet¨Ca clandestine network that operated in the shadows of legality, selling rare to illegal items. Every so often, Malakyh liked to step out and do a run or two; it gave the newbies a break so they could not mess up. Nothing was worse than ruining a mission and being tortured.

    The city''s labyrinthine alleys cradled secrets, and Malakyh El-Amin moved through them like a phantom, his form melding with the shadows. Clad in a tailored ensemble that seemed to absorb the night, he embodied the essence of a Strega, a master of stealth.

    The night air was thick with anticipation, and Al¡¯Qadim city pulsed beneath his agile steps. The city¡¯s location resided in the Grand Bazaar, a grand market where traders across the Federation converged to exchange goods. Cobblestones whispered beneath his soft-soled shoes as he navigated the alleys, the scent of spice and distant chatter filling the air.

    In his brown hands, Malakyh cradled a small, ornate box, the objective of his mission. The highest bidder bought the artifact, and it was part of his job to deliver its contents to the buyer immediately.

    He gracefully moved across obstacles and melted into the tapestry of darkness. Amid narrow passageways and hidden chambers, the pulse of the city''s secrets thrummed to life.

    He moved, with grace, past the buildings of domes and arches. Mosques with towering minarets dot the landscape where they celebrated Saint Lumos, and the skyline held elegant silhouettes of ancient citadels.

    The city held its breath, unaware of the figure moving through the shadows.

    ¡°Here¡¯s the place¡­.¡± Malakyh whispered underneath his cowl. His dark hazel-eyed gaze scanned the area for thieves and muggers.

    The empty, long street of dilapidated houses gave an air of misery and despair as if the patrons who had lived¨C or still lived in them ¨Cwere always suffering. It pained him to see where people laid their heads and lived in fear of starvation, sickness, or thievery.

    Malakyh knew this experience well, but he did something about it before he decided he was tired of being in the muck. Since the Federation works by a codex system, it could take months to make changes.

    He would take up that mantle if no one else would aid his people.

    Malakyh walked toward one of the houses and reached out to pull the drape away when his breath caught wind of a dark aura in the air.

    ¡°Hmph, not a mugger, but equally annoying¡­¡± he mumbled with a sigh. He did not bother to look around, knowing that the denizen was none other than Djinn, a spirit that possessed humans for their nefarious whims. If someone was caught in sight of one, your soul belonged to them.

    Malakyh counted six surrounding him. Their ethereal bodies were dark shadows, with no faces, lanky arms wrapped in bandages, and a wisp tail end instead of feet.

    He raised them to his nose with two fingers, and an incantation fell past his lips. He was not only an ex-Custodian; his teachings as a Strega had been so deeply ingrained that he could recite them in his sleep. Ghostly chains emerged from the ground and wrapped securely around the shadowy djinn, imprisoning them as they shrieked in pain. The chains sapped their life force away.

    Malakyh was a formidable presence.. He phased out of existence into the shadows and slashed through each target one by one with quick precision. The captured djinn disappeared in scattered shadows defeated.

    Someone clapped behind him.

    ¡°You haven¡¯t lost your touch,¡± the woman said. She sounded young but old at the same time.

    Malakyh smirked. He already knew who it was. ¡°And you still have a habit of playing tricks. I guess you must be my benefactor.¡± He turned to see a collective mist, and a woman with gray hair pinned in a high bun approached him.

    She had a pale complexion and lidded silver eyes. Despite her appearance, which made her look in her early 20s, she was several hundreds of years old and belonged to an ancient group that had been present long ago.

    ¡°Hello again, Master Hersa.¡±

    The woman''s painted red lips spread into an even small smile.

    ¡°You no longer need to call me Master, Malakyh. You have far surpassed everything I have taught you.¡±

    Malakyh grinned. ¡°You''ll still always be my master. I wouldn''t be here today if it weren''t for you.¡±

    When he was still a Custodian, Madame Hersa took him in and opened his eyes to ¡°the true image¡± of the world. The moment he realized how the other nations¡ªlike the Argonian Empire¡ªtreated them and did things the ¡®right way,¡¯ he cut ties with the Western region and joined Madame Hersa''s group¡ªan ancient and secretive group: The Coven of Primal Weavers.

    ¡°What brought you back after so long?¡±

    The air grew cold, and the expression on his master''s face grew dark. A shiver ran up his spine.

    ¡°The Children of Deimos. They''re back.¡±

    <hr>

    The month of Aquamora, the 1st day of Aquisol - Off the coast of Argonian Empire

    In the last two weeks since the Citizen¡¯s Chamber Conference, people were in constant uproar because of Chancellor Viktor Radovinov¡¯s message. The Harmony Tax raised the price of everything, starting with wheat.

    Those who could not afford it were enraged and protested.

    Many were also fearful of the newly emerged Ethereal Rifts, the unknown giant monsters emerging from them, and the ferocity of the Fiends.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    The worst part was that no one was telling the world anything. As if keeping secrets from the public would do more harm, this was a poor insight, and it created rebel factions to oppose the Empire.

    The Dawn Coalition.

    Mercenaries were duty-bound to help the people where the nations failed.

    Their first mission was to send a message to the Empire.

    To dethrone a king, you needed to spark a revolution and gather like-minded individuals to thwart it.

    That was their goal, their vision.

    Their motto was "Live chained or die with honor." A little over a thousand people shared that vision.

    The night clung to the Imperial Fortress like a shroud, raindrops cascading from the sky in a melancholy symphony. The cobblestone streets glistened with the reflections of street lamps, their feeble glow not affecting the ominous shadows looming in the distance.

    The Dawn Coalition moved like a shadow in the downpour, their figures shrouded in cloaks, their steps splashing in the rain puddles.

    The Mercenaries, a motley crew of men and women commoners, moved with a determined purpose. They were clad in a mishmash of attire, from tattered cloaks to makeshift armor, a patchwork of raised fists, to the rays of light on their shoulder that shared their cause. The scent of wet earth mingled with the tang of rebellion.

    Amid the darkness, Maxwell Croger, Sovran #5, observed from a concealed vantage point. His golden brown eyes, bored and detached, surveyed the unfolding rebellion like a general overseeing a strategic maneuver. The rain kissed his face as the ends of platinum white hair stuck to his cheek, but his demeanor remained stoic and unyielding.

    As the mercenaries approached the fortress, its imposing structure rose like a monolith against the stormy sky. The large iron gates, usually a symbol of obscurity, now seemed to creak in anticipation of the impending clash.

    The Mercenaries, led by a charismatic figure known as Captain Isabeau, surged forward with a roar that reverberated through the night. The first clash echoed like thunder as the rebels collided with the fortress guards. Swords clashed, and the staccato rhythm of gunfire punctuated the air.

    Croger observed with an eerie calmness, his lips forming a subtle smirk. To him, this chaos was a means to an end. The Dawn Coalition''s assault was a symphony of disorder, and every note played was a step closer to a predetermined crescendo.

    The rain intensified, turning the battleground into a sea of conflict. Amid the chaos, the fortress gates groaned under the pressure of the rebellion. The Mercenaries fought with a fervor born of desperation, their cries melding with the storm''s symphony.

    Maxwell Crogers''s expression remained unchanged. The pieces were in motion and unfolded according to the carefully laid plan. The rebellion collided with the fortress, and the city became a stage for a tumultuous opera, its climax concealed in the stormy night.

    In the aftermath of the siege, the victorious mercenaries, their breath still ragged from the chaos above, pressed deeper into the bowels of the Imperial Fortress. Their boots echoed against stone grounds, carrying the symphony of rebellion, now muffled by the fortress''s insulating structure.

    As they progressed, a vigilant eye among the rebels spotted a hidden door. In hushed tones, they hurried for the doorway. The torch''s flickering flame danced with excitement as it approached the concealed entrance.

    The door creaked open, revealing a descending staircase that seemed to disappear into darkness. The mercenaries hesitated for a moment, glancing at one another with uncertainty. Yet, driven by the spirit of rebellion, they descended, leaving the sounds of chaos above to grow distant.

    The torch cast long shadows as they ventured into the unseen depths. The air changed, becoming stale and tinged with an odd metallic scent. The siege sounds softened, replaced by the calm echoes of their footsteps.

    They stumbled upon a hidden laboratory, machines humming with an eerie vitality. The mercenaries gawked at the intricate display surrounding them, whispers of awe escaping their lips.

    Their attention was drawn to a cylindrical containment unit, the source of a faint blue luminescence. With a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity, they approached. A mercenary, torch in hand, activated the mechanism, and the transparent surface revealed a shocking sight.

    Within the confines of the container, a small unconscious figure¡ªa brown-skinned child with cascading white hair¡ªwas present. The realization of her captivity within this arcane prison gripped the rebels'' hearts.

    Alarms blared, shattering the moment. The military would be alerted to the breach and closing in soon. Panic surged through the mercenaries. In a hurried frenzy, they released the child, covering her fragile form with whatever garments they could find. The urgency of escape replaced the earlier awe as they rushed to the surface,

    As they ascended the steps, the sounds of conflict intensified. The fortress, once a symbol of authority, was now a battleground. The mercenaries emerged into the night, and the military greeted them with weapons.

    The mercenaries¡ªthose still alive¡ªfought back as much as they could. The mercenary holding the child ran with several others in tow; many of their brethren had fallen.

    ¡°Get in!¡± Their leader, Isabeau, urged them into a large carriage with a white tent over it.

    The mercenaries bombarded the horse-drawn carriage, and it snapped to life as it ran across the cobblestone highway.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Isabeau asked after making sure that everyone took their seats.

    The mercenary revealed the small child wrapped in cloth, and everyone stared in shock and horror at what the Empire could be doing to this child.

    Before anyone could speak, a blast resounded through the air, followed by the carriage flying through the air and ricocheting off the side of the cliff.

    The cold splash of the water ignited the girl''s body, and her eyes snapped open, revealing red eyes.

    An eerie surge of power whipped around and cradled her into a cocoon, floating her to the top as her unconscious body sailed far from the burning fortress.

    Croger tipped his tricorne hat as the wind blew and swept his ear-length dark brown hair, a few strands of white at the ends, and watched the scene play out from afar. Like many other Sovran¡¯s, he was also a Watcher to ensure things went as planned for the Arbiter.

    ¡°You aren''t authorized to be here. Who are you?¡± A voice said behind him. He did not turn around to know who it was behind him.

    ¡°So, Lumos sends her Lichtkriegers to do her business now. But I''m sure you know very well who we are.¡± His tone expressed boredom that he wished to be anywhere but here.

    He did not even need the man to say their name, as he had already come to his suspicions. ¡°Why have you come back?¡± he asked, not turning around to face the person. The brown-haired man approached him, his blue eyes filled with intensity.

    ¡°It is all a part of the plan. All you Lichtkriegers and Lumos will finally see what we are capable of when we have been pushed to the brink.¡±

    The blonde-haired Lictkrieger gritted his teeth. ¡°Something priceless was stolen from Lumos. Is that what your group had come back for?¡±

    This time, Croger faced his blonde-haired assailant and shrugged his shoulders.

    ¡°We aren''t the only group with a grudge against Lumos. She did dismiss the Coven of Primal Weavers more than five hundred years ago.¡±

    ¡°So, you admit your groups are working together?¡±

    Croger stood and looked up at the rainy sky. Droplets fell on his cheek as he took in the refreshing feeling on his face.

    ¡°Well? Answer me!¡±

    ¡°It''s time for me to go; the job is complete.¡±

    With that, he leaned over the side of the building and fell off it. However, nobody was lying on the ground when the blonde Lictkrieger rushed to the building''s side.

    It was as if he disappeared into thin air.

 Part Twenty: Offshore Drifter

    The month of Aquamora, the 2nd day of Aquisol

    Lyra, Eamon, and Sly were just days away from Ledel after more than a week of travel. News of Ethereal Rifts spread like wildfire as people gossiped about Fiend¡¯s acting stranger than usual and otherworldly beasts appearing from it. The Harmony Tax Act also reflected poorly on its citizens as prices for food, like wheat, began to rise exponentially.

    There was no word of the Children of Deimos, which meant the people were afraid and did not know how to regulate their anger. Many had started militias and revolutions. There were rumors of a coup in the Empire, but someone removed the information from the records.

    The chaos traveled across Aurum, threatening to implode on its people. Sly had decided that her two prot¨¦g¨¦s needed a bit of unwinding.

    ¡°Not that I¡¯m complaining, Sly, but¡­ why are we at the beach?¡± Lyra asked. She sat on the sandy floor next to Sly, who had sunglasses on her face and her bare feet sticking out.

    They were still dressed in clothes but exposed their toes and rolled their sleeves to take in the soft sand and cool water.

    ¡°I¡¯m a bit skeptical, too,¡± Eamon asked, walking over to them after getting his feet wet. ¡°There¡¯s so much chaos going on in Aurum. Every Locksmith must be alert, day and night, handling the world¡¯s current issues.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon exchanged confused glances at Sly¡¯s comments.

    ¡°Uh, Exactly? Can you explain your thought process to us?¡± Lyra asked her.

    Sly removed her glasses and turned slightly to the two eager-eyed Locksmiths.

    ¡°It¡¯s as simple as Eamon said, ¡°Locksmith¡¯s will be on speed dial daily. There will be no time to sleep, to eat, or clean yourself.¡±

    Lyra squinched her face at the unsavory thought of not bathing for a day, let alone days.

    ¡°I thought a quick relaxation would prepare your minds for what is dangerously close because you won¡¯t get this for a long time until things cool down. This will remind you what you can look forward to by maintaining peace.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon nodded in understanding.

    ¡°So what will happen to any of the nations? The conference wasn''t what people were expecting¨C¡± Eamon started.

    ¡°--Yeah, and Chancellor Viktor didn¡¯t make it any better with his speech. It only scared people or pissed more off.¡±

    ¡°When we get to Ledel City, we will receive our orders and learn where we can be stationed. We can also discuss plans for dealing with the Children of Deimos.¡±

    ¡°Do you think it¡¯s right that the Locksmiths hide the truth about the Children of Deimos?¡± Lyra asked. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong; people would be suspicious of that because they haven¡¯t been seen since the Primal Chaos era and are regarded more as legends, children''s stories, but¡­ wouldn¡¯t it, at least, ease their worries so they can prepare?¡±

    ¡°But what more can they do?¡±

    Lyra turned her head to Eamon speaking. Piercing eyes at him to explain.

    ¡°I mean, think about a hundreds of year-old curse that followed the dark deity Deimos, who caused the Primal Chaos era, is now back, and no one knows their motivations?¡±

    Lyra let the information sink in, and her gut churned in its stomach.

    ¡°That would be a total disaster,¡± she replied with a sigh past her lips.

    ¡°Eamon¡¯s right,¡± Sly said, sitting up from her position. ¡°It would cause worldwide panic around Aurum and would cause far more harm than the Chancellor¡¯s manipulative speech.¡±

    Lyra groaned. ¡°I hate that you¡¯re right. I feel yuck keeping secrets from the people we are supposed to protect. We¡¯re supposed to save and reassure them, not keep secrets!¡±

    ¡°When the time is right, everything will come to light when it needs to be.¡±

    I guess. There''s nothing I can do about it anyway.

    She stood, brushing sand from her clothes. ¡°I¡¯m going to step in the water for a bit.¡± She walked off, but not before hearing the mumbled words of Eamon and Sly conversing. The only words she picked up were their concern for her. After that, their voices grew further away as she walked.The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    After walking through the burning sand, the cool water was welcoming. The waves brushed her ankles, and she dug her toes into the wet sand. She soaked in the salty sea air and tried to relax.

    She would not get many like these, according to Sly. Things would get much, much crazier from here on out. Lyra savored this moment so she could remember it for the next time when they all survived this. She would come back¡ªall of them would. Lyra would even bring her mother and grandfather to experience this. It was time to get to it. She opened her eyes and squinted.

    Something was bobbing up and down in the ocean''s waters.

    ¡°What¡­ is¡­?¡± Her eyes widened, and she realized that the ¡®something¡¯ was a figure. ¡°Someone¡¯s in the water!¡±

    Sly and Eamon raced toward her, but Lyra had already dove into the cold rush of water. The sharp sting sent her nose on fire, and when she resurfaced, she collected air into her lungs, followed by a splash.

    Eamon caught up with her, and the two swam toward the drifting figure.

    They reached the figure: a little girl, around eight years old, with long white hair and a brown complexion. She was unconscious but alive when Lyra checked her faint but beating pulse.

    Lyra removed her jacket and put it on the child''s body. They settled her on Eamon¡¯s back and swam back to shore.

    ¡°Is she still breathing?¡± Sly asked as she removed the child from Eamon¡¯s back and laid her on the sand. She pressed her fingers on her neck.

    ¡°Faintly, yes. I saw her and scooped her up as fast as possible,¡± Lyra gasped, taking shallow breaths as her wet hair sopped in front of her face. Eamon beside her panted with his hands on his knee.

    ¡°Thank Lumos. I''m going to try and resuscitate her.¡±

    With one hand on top of the other, Sly pressed slightly into the center of the girl''s chest and began to apply pressure and pump gently to her midsection.

    Anxiously, Lyra and Eamon watched Sly continue to apply pressure, hoping to jolt the child to life.

    By the grace of Lumos, the child snapped open her eyes and scanned the world around her.

    Sly stopped pushing, and the three looked at the red-eyed, white-haired child covered in Lyra''s jacket.

    The girl slowly sat up and examined the three of them. She furrowed her brows and parted her lips, only to close them again.

    Sly reached out first. ¡°Hello, sweetie. My name is Selene¨C¡± but the moment the girl saw the reaction, she jerked back, and the red of her irises brightened.

    Sly stiffened. Her eye twitched.

    ¡°Sly?¡± Lyra called out to her.

    ¡°My body¡­I can''t move it,¡± Sly told them. ¡°The girl¡­something in her eyes is preventing me from moving.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon looked at the fearful, wide-eyed girl, examining her surroundings. Eamon was the closest to her, and she watched him like a hawk.

    ¡°Lyra,¡± Eamon whispered, not making any sudden movements. He had noticed the look she gave him. ¡°I have a feeling, wherever this girl came from, she doesn''t take too kindly to adults or men.¡±

    Understanding what he meant, Lyra nodded and carefully inched toward the white-haired child. Her red-eyed gaze lingered on Lyra, and thankfully, her eyes had no malicious intent or brightening.

    ¡°I know you''re scared. We pulled you out of the ocean when we saw you drifting out there,¡± Lyra told her, keeping eye contact as she moved slowly toward her. The girl did not look away and waited.

    ¡°My name is Lyra Ashbourne. I am a Locksmith. That is someone who helps people¨CI, we, helped you. Do you think you can help us?¡±

    Lyra was now in front of the girl. She craned her neck up, her wet hair sticking to the brown of her cheeks.

    ¡°H-Help?¡± she finally spoke. Lyra could have missed a soft-whisper reply if she wasn''t up close.

    Lyra¡¯s eyes widened. She bobbed her head. ¡°Yes, help. Something people do because they are good people, nice people. That wouldn''t harm you.¡±

    ¡°Nice. Good,¡± she whispered. Her eyes wandered, and she looked past Lyra as if recalling a memory.

    Lyra looked out the corner of her eye to see Sly and Eamon and then back to the girl who was now looking at her.

    ¡°Are you¡­nice? Good?¡± she asked Lyra.

    ¡°Yes. We all are good. No one would hurt you, ever.¡± Lyra pressed her lips together and asked, ¡°Did the ¡®not good people¡¯ do something to you?¡±

    Her eyes glossed over, and she stared at Lyra for a long time. She needed to speak. Lyra knew that wherever the girl had been prior, it was not a good place with bad people.

    ¡°Well, you''re safe now, and I, we, will ensure those bad people never touch you again. I solemnly swear that.¡±

    The girl gave a slow blink. Everything stilled for a moment, including the ocean in the background. Lyra could hear her heart in her ears pounding, but she did not dare look away from the troubled look in her eyes.

    ¡°Trust. Good. Nice people. You are.¡±

    The little girl released Sly from her paralyzed state of being, and Eamon¡¯s shoulder relaxed from the tension. Lyra took a deep breath, glad that the girl trusted her, but first, they needed to know where the girl was from and where she had come from.

    A firm but gentle pressure registered in Lyra¡¯s brain. When she looked down, the girl rested her head on her lap and slept soundly. She must have spent the last reserves of her energy just now.

    Lyra¡¯s heart melted. She brushed her hand along the girl''s wet hair, nuzzling her cheek into her leg.

    ¡°Come on, let''s make camp and warm her up,¡± Sly instructed.

    Lyra nodded. She picked up the girl in her arms¨Cshe was lighter than she''d expected- and tried to hand her to Sly, but as if the little girl (despite being asleep), a weighted pressure kept the two of them together.

    ¡°I think we should let Lyra carry her from here out,¡± Eamon suggested. Sly agreed as the Locksmiths walked off the sandy shore.

 Part Twenty-One: The Appointed Hour

    ¡°So, what''s next?¡± Eamon asked.

    The three Locksmiths had settled into a local tavern, where they reconvened after putting the girl in some of Lyra''s clothes. They were too big for her, but they would have to do.

    ¡°I''m not sure. This isn''t your normal case of a missing child,¡± Sly said. Her hands pressed together, and her brows furrowed, trying to think of what to do next.

    ¡°And we certainly can''t put a report out there.¡± Lyra pointed out as she spoon-fed the child some hot porridge. ¡°She was floating in the water, naked, mind you, and she displayed weird powers. I''m betting that she was in servitude or something worse, judging by how she reacted seeing you both, an adult and a male¡±.

    Eamon and Sly agreed. Putting the child''s identity out there would bring the perpetrators to them.

    ¡°For now,¡± Sly said, resting her hands on the table. ¡°We bring her with us. We won''t tell anyone where we found her, not the truth, until we learn more about her before proceeding. She still hasn''t remembered anything?¡±

    Sly directed the question to Lyra. She shook her head. ¡°No. All she keeps saying is ¡®blue water. Bubbles. Floating. Men in white funny clothes.¡¯ I''m assuming the blue water is her time in the ocean, maybe, but the ¡®men in white funny clothes¡¯ alludes to me.¡±

    Sly hummed. She rubbed her chin with her hand. ¡°Men in white funny clothes, huh? That could be anything. Well, let us not dawdle on it. We only have a few days'' journey to Ledel Kingdom, and how this country is going, we''ll have a lot cut out for us.¡±

    ???

    The four traveled the long road to Lydel on foot. It would be a few days before they saw the aftermath of what the conference caused.

    ¡°Ninety-eight, Ninety-nine, one hundred!¡± The white-haired girl exclaimed with a broad smile as she cheered, gripping Lyra¡¯s hand.

    Lyra chuckled at the excitable child. ¡°Very good. Seems like you already know your numbers.¡±

    ¡°And she had quick calculations to the math question I gave her,¡± Eamon said. ¡°She didn''t even stutter once.¡±

    ¡°That one hurt my brain. I don''t know how she did it.¡± Lyra chuckled to herself, feigning hurt by rubbing her head.

    ¡°It would seem she is plenty intelligent, and wherever she came from, this must be one of her specialties, so why whoever kept her?¡± Sly pondered this. Her eyes were closed as she thought about who could be the person behind it all.

    ¡°What are you thinking, Sly?¡± Lyra asked.

    ¡°I''m not sure yet. Hopefully, she can remember something to help us help her.¡±

    Lyra pouted. She breathed out a breathless sigh, ¡°Yeah, okay.¡± She wanted nothing more than to see the little girl who had warmed her heart safe.

    ¡°Cheer up, Lyra,¡± Eamon said next to her. ¡°We aren''t going to stop till we find something. She''ll stay with us regardless.¡±

    Lyra cocked a grin. ¡°Yeah. Thanks, Eamon.¡±

    A tug pulled at Lyra¡¯s clothing, and she looked down to see the girl''s curious, large eyes.

    ¡°Hmm? What is it, sweetie?¡±

    ¡°Am I Ashbourne?¡±

    Lyra tilted her head to the side. ¡°Huh? No, I am Ashbourne. Lyra Ashbourne.¡±

    The girl pouted. Her eyes grew sad. ¡°Why am I not? I want to be Ashbourne. A name.¡±

    Lyra blinked. Unsure where her spat came from.

    Eamon chuckled. ¡°I think I get what she wants.¡±

    Lyra raised a brow. ¡°Well, do grace us with the answers.¡± only after a second did it occur to her. She felt silly at that moment. Here she was calling her sweetie or her, but never once thought to ask for a name, let alone give her one.

    Lyra stopped walking. The others followed suit. She grabbed the girl''s hand in hers.

    ¡°Is that it? You want a name, too, because you don''t have a name of your own?¡±

    Her eyes twinkled at Lyra, finally understanding. She bobbed her head.

    Lyra grinned. ¡°I''m sorry I neglected that. So¡­ how about names.¡± she thought shortly until a light bulb went off. ¡°Aurora. Because the aura you give off is peaceful and can make people happy. How about that?¡±

    She beamed. Aurora''s hands shot up as she jumped in, shouting: Aurora Ashbourne! Aurora Ashbourne! Repeatedly until Lyra settled her down.

    Eamon chuckled along with the girl''s giggling. ¡°A well-suited name. Nice to meet you, Aurora.¡± The little girl gave him a toothy smile.

    Still, Sly stayed back and smiled, watching the three of them. ¡°They sure grow up fast.¡±

    ???

    It had been a week and a half since the High Elder¨CCassandra Aegis¡¯ uncle¨C sent her to the Lysandrian Kingdom''s capital, Ledel, to recover.

    That was the story they were going with.

    The mighty Praefectus Vigilum had fallen into a psychotic state after watching brave soldiers slaughtered, only for a lunatic to torture Cassandra, who barely managed to survive.

    There were no mentions of the Children of Deimos or Magycte Beast. Even if strange beasts were emerging from the newly Ethereal Rifts, people would rather disregard something that may be imaginary and deal with something more tangible, like the Chancellor¡¯s appeal to raise taxes.

    It wasn''t all bad. Cassandra said to herself, except for the night terrors. She shook her body free of the images that floated to her mind. Every night seemed the same, and she would see his face. The murderer. A member of the Children of Deimos, Maxwell Croger.

    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Tierney asked, pulling her out of her thoughts.

    Tierney was holding up a button-up shirt. Cassandra cringed mentally at the pain she would be enduring.

    The physician said she had broken a few bones from her shoulder blade down. Her arm was fitted into a sling for the time being since it would take some time to heal properly, even if the healers had used Essentia to mend the bones together.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s do this.¡±

    She slowly stretched out her arm. Her brows furrowed as the excruciating pain shot up her arm like white-hot fire. Her teeth gritted together, holding back a scream.

    Tierney cringed in pain, seeing Cassandra in agony. She helped in any way she could, and once she slipped one sleeve on her broken arm, Cassandra¡¯s face relaxed, and she continued to put the sleeve on the other arm.

    ¡°Phew, that was better than last time, huh?¡± Cassandra said, smiling, hoping to make light of the subject.

    Tierney did not think it was so funny. Watching her in so much pain hurt even her.

    ¡°Oh, come on, Tierney. Please don¡¯t give me that look. I¡¯m fine, promise.¡±

    To make a show of it, she tried raising her arm, but the sharp, white-hot pain caused her to clench her teeth instead, and a hiss escaped past her lips.

    Tierney pouted. ¡°Doesn¡¯t look fine to me.¡±

    Cassandra sighed. She knew she was right. Nothing was okay about the situation. All she could do was stay hidden until things blew over¡ªif they ever did¡ªand attend her treatment with the physician as ordered by the High Cardinal.

    If Cassandra were honest with herself, she would trade all of that for the lives of her soldiers.

    Hundreds of people, dead, lost at the hands of that strange beast and mysterious man.

    Sovran #5, Maxwell Croger, and¡­ the Magycte Beast was what Croger called it. Yet, no one believed her or did not want people to know.

    ¡°Cassandra?¡± Tierney asked in concern, seeing her spacing out. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    Cassandra shook away her thoughts and beamed at the girl. ¡°Of course. Do you want to take a stroll in the gardens? I could use some fresh air.¡±

    Tierney nodded. The two of them walked out of their room and down the halls of Ledel¡¯s palace, where Mayor Elara Duskmire had graciously given them a roof over their heads after The High Cardinal¡¯s request. She hated being indebted to people, especially someone so powerful, but it would not look good on the High Cardinal or the Tsar if she refused.

    They were not down the next flight of steps when they saw servants outside the mayor''s doors. Cassandra tilted her head, curious about the loud commotion.

    She asked a maid wearing a bonnet over short, cropped dark hair. ¡°Excuse me, what is going on out here?¡±

    ¡°Oh! Praefectus, you are awake. I hope you¡¯re feeling a bit better.¡±

    ¡°I am. Thank you for asking. Is something special going on in the mayor¡¯s office?¡±

    Her eyes beamed. A broad smile spread across her lips. ¡°Quite! The A-Rank Locksmith Sly the Rosevera Whips is here, and she¡¯s not alone; an Ashbourne is with her, too.¡±

    The Rosevera Whip and an Ashbourne? Cassandra knew plenty about Sly. She was what every Locksmith, Custodian, and even soldier wanted to be. She would be lying if some of her fans had not been fans when she was a young teenager trying to prove herself in the ranks without any Essentia.

    The only other Ashbourne she knew of was Eldred, the Sentinel Riftbreaker, who had long since retired and ran a guild in a small town. Then there was his late son, Arcemedus, who died several years ago before he could hit his prime; some say he could have surpassed even his father if he was still alive.

    ¡°What are they doing here?¡± Cassandra asked. From the corner of her eye, she saw Tierney shift.

    Since her accident, Tierney had been constantly wary of Cassandra''s every movement and thought process. She did not want her to overexert herself.

    ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t hear it from me¡­¡± the maid whispered, leaning forward so no one overheard them. Cassandra leaned in, too. ¡°They say she talks about seeing and fighting not one but three Magycte Beasts, one of which was the one that attacked in Tro¨¦r.¡±

    Magycte Beasts? Did she genuinely see these things? Undoubtedly, an A-rank and well-respected Locksmith would have no reason to lie.

    ¡°And,¡± the maid said, pulling Cassandra back to the conversation. ¡°They say they¡¯ve fought the Children of Deimos and are planning something. Who knows what, but could they be back after so long? They haven¡¯t been seen since the Primal Chaos era.¡±

    The Children of Deimos.

    ¡°Cassandra!¡± Tierney shouted.

    The young girl caught Cassandra¡¯s arm before she staggered backward. Her mind was a wave of confusion hearing the word again. She knew that she was not crazy.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m fine, Tierney.¡± Assuring her with a comforting look, Tierney frowned, not yet trusting if she¡¯d fall over, but let her go after a moment.

    Cassandra looked to the maid, who clenched her hands together, ready to assist if needed.

    ¡°Could you get me an audience with The Rosevera Whip?¡±

    The maid blinked, taken aback by Cassandra¡¯s shift in tone. ¡°Uh, um, I could try and get a message across. What should I tell them?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be waiting in the city''s park. It¡¯s about what they experienced in their travels.¡± Leaving it at that, Cassandra and Tierney took their leave to wait for The Rosevera Whip and the mysterious Ashbourne.

    <hr>

    ¡°I appreciate you meeting with us, Mayor Elara Duskmire,¡± Sly said. She and Eamon sat around a small table drinking tea in the Mayor¡¯s study.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    ¡°It wasn¡¯t a problem at all, Sly. You¡¯ve certainly done many great things for this country. I can recall multiple occasions when you came to my aid. Meeting you was the least I could do.¡±

    Mayor Elara Duskmire was an older woman¡ªroughly around Sly¡¯s age¡ªwith short gray hair in tight curls. Her tan complexion held wrinkles, showing her age and wisdom. She wore a purple wool boucl¨¦. The double-breasted, purple-trimmed collared suit matched with a trademark dome-shaped purple hat and white gloves.

    ¡°But I¡¯m afraid the situation will be more challenging than that.¡±

    Sly and Eamon stopped sipping their tea. They eyed the Mayor, who had her cup and saucer on her lap.

    ¡°Do you care to elaborate? Sly asked.

    ¡°It is simple, is it not?¡± she raised a delicate gray eyebrow. ¡°Look how Aurum¡¯s citizens reacted to the Harmony Tax¡ªthey¡¯ve begun forming militias¡ªand I fear that revolutions are rising. Did you hear what happened in the Empire? I know this all started with an investigation, but it''s bigger than that now.¡±

    The look was brief when Sly gave Eamon a side-eye. She wondered if the newly named Aurora Ashbourne had something to do with it.

    ¡°With all due respect, Mayor,¡± Eamon said, resting his teacup on the table. ¡°Don¡¯t you think panic would ensue more if we don¡¯t tell anyone? Let more civilians, Locksmiths, and the guilds know what is happening, and they¡¯ll be better prepared. Plenty of guilds are understaffed because of the random weather disturbances, and no one knows how to fix the problem.¡±

    Elara pressed her lips together. Her fingers squeezed around the cup''s handle as she looked into the brown liquid.

    ¡°And your suggestion is to tell the public that not only these Ethereal Rifts are bringing back Magycte Beasts¡ªthe very same ones that haven¡¯t been seen since the Primal era¡ªbut the Children of Deimos too? They have been mere legends our ancestors have told us for so long as children that it has become a mere bedtime story.¡±

    ¡°We know how it sounds, Mayor,¡± Sly interrupted. She hoped to sway the woman¡¯s unease at the preposterous idea that a mere legend and stories of old were real. ¡°I know it sounds too good to be true if not merely a tale, but we have seen for our own eyes the real thing. Yes, there may be panic, but if more people know, we could get aid and assistance from Locksmiths, Custodians, and even the military. You¡¯ve sent me to investigate, and now I have given you the answers to the problem. ¡±

    Eamon mentally stiffened at her curt tone but kept his composure calm.

    The Mayor hummed to herself, thinking. Finally, she looked like she had made a decision. She sighed first and then relaxed her shoulders.

    ¡°You have given me much to think about. I shall reconvene this information with the rest of the CC.¡±

    Sly nodded, knowing that this was better than the alternative. She stood to her feet, and Eamon followed suit.

    ¡°We thank you for your time, Mayor Duskmire.¡±

    They both bowed, and the Mayor dipped her head cordially.

    Eamon and Sly left the room.

    ¡°Do you think she¡¯s going to make it public?¡± Eamon asked when they were out of earshot of the Mayor¡¯s door.

    Before Sly could answer, a maid approached them and bowed. ¡°I have a message for the Rosevera Whip and one Ashbourne.¡±

    Sly and Eamon looked at each other with raised brows.

    ¡°And who has summoned us?¡± Sly questioned her.

    ¡°Someone who has witnessed what you have seen in your travels. They¡¯ll be waiting in the city courtyard.¡± The maid skirted off, leaving Eamon and Sly flabbergasted.

    They would head for the city''s park, but first, they would need to get Lyra and Aurora from the tavern where they were staying.

    ???

    ¡°Wait, so you mean there''s someone who actually has encountered not only a Magycte Beast but the Children of Deimos, too?¡±

    After Sly and Eamon returned to Lyra and Aurora from the tavern, they explained everything to her. They agreed to meet the person and walked through the large city of Ledel to the park. It was the largest city in Lysandrian, second to Tro¨¦r in Gearford.

    The streets were wide berths with tan cobblestones, ridden over by horse-drawn carriages, people in breeches and dresses, and women wearing close-fitting bodices and a trained skirt.

    The park was located in a busy city. It was overflowing with beautiful trees with purple flowers and a bushel of shrubberies around the area. There was a fountain where a couple of ducks waded by the pool.

    A few older gentlemen and ladies waltzed the streets, but two individuals by the bench seemed out of place among the park visitors.

    They almost seemed¡­ royal. Especially the blonde-haired woman, who¨Cdespite the sling on her arm¨Chad a rather astute and firm posture as if aligned with the military.

    The group walked over to the blonde-haired woman and her child companion.

    Sensing their movement, Cassandra turned to see four figures approaching. At first, she was wary, thinking it was a trap until she recognized Sly. Cassandra stood to her feet, Tierney followed suit, and the two bowed when they got close.

    ¡°Thank you for meeting me, Rosevera Whip. You must be very busy, so I shall make this quick so as not to hold you up.¡±

    Sly crossed her arms. With a wave of one hand, she shrugged her shoulders.

    ¡°No need for apologies or formalities¨CSly will do just fine. And these are my companions: Lyra and Eamon and¡­¡± She glimpsed at Aurora before saying, ¡°And Aurora Ashbourne.¡±

    Cassandra greeted herself and Tierney in kind.

    ¡°My name is Cassandra Aegis, and this is Tierney.¡±

    Once pleasantries were in order, the group found a place underneath a large tree to talk.

    ¡°So, you''re saying that you fought not just a Magycte Beast but a Sovran from the Children of Demios?¡± Lyra balked as she questioned Cassandra.

    Cassandra nodded. She bit into a triangular sandwich that Tierney had brought with her and offered to their guest. ¡°That''s the bulk of it, correct.¡±

    ¡°And no one, not even your uncle, the High Cardinal, believes you?¡± Eamon asked afterward.

    Cassandra flinched. Then, with a stiff nod.

    ¡°He and the Tsar didn''t want to¡­ frighten the people.¡±

    ¡°That''s a load of Veilspawn dung!¡± Lyra exclaimed.

    Her shout startled Cassandra. Lyra stood up. ¡°People are already scared and furious with these taxes running amok. Telling them about a greater threat may cause panic, but it''s also prohibiting the people from staying out of harm''s way by traveling and prevents Locksmiths from protecting the people cause they aren''t being informed.¡±

    Aurora reached out and took Lyra¡¯s hand. The gesture relaxed Lyra as her nerves unraveled, and her shoulders drooped in a lax way.

    ¡°I''m glad you all feel the same way I do. It''s not right, and the people¡­ they need to know. These Magycte Beasts and the Children of Deimos, what are they planning and why?¡±

    Sly had been quiet, taking in the conversation, sitting with her arms and legs crossed and her eyes closed. She finally opened them.

    ¡°That''s what we want to know, too. Even if the higher authorities tell us one thing¨Ckeeping quiet about what''s going on¨C isn''t going to stop us from doing our duty to protect the citizens of Aurum. If any danger comes between our duties, we have every right to step in and let a Locksmith know, at the very least.¡±

    Cassandra¡¯s eyes widened at Sly¡¯s remark. ¡°So that means¡­¡±

    Lyra whistled. ¡°Sweet Lumos. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d work the system in your favor, Sly.¡±

    Sly smirked. ¡°Years of experience and practice. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll get there. As for you, Commander Aegis?¡±

    Cassandra straightened at attention by force of habit.

    ¡°What do you say about accompanying us on our journey? And finding the guilty party responsible.¡±

    Cassandra nodded. She reached out her hand. Sly accepted it with a tight squeeze back.

    ¡°Let¡¯s catch ourselves some monsters.¡±

 Part Twenty-Two: Secrets and Magic

    Somewhere in the Aurora Federation, The Witching Hour, 3rd Day of Ventis

    Malakyh waited for the Elders of the Primal Coven to show up. He stood with Madame Hersa as they waited in a pitch-black open field. The grounds had an eight-pointed star burned into the ground. It was a teleportation marker to allow the coven to pass through the Ley Lines of the realm more easily.

    ¡°You are exceptionally quiet tonight, Malakyh.¡± His master commented. A slow, side-eyed look peered at him.

    Malakyh raised a brow. ¡°How so?¡±

    She smiled. ¡°You always asked me many questions when you were still my pupil.¡± A sigh escaped her lips. Forgive me. I know you are no longer a boy but a man. Perhaps it is just an old woman reliving a memory.¡±

    Malakyh snorted. ¡°Old? Hardly. I suppose I have grown accustomed to the art of patience. Even as a Strega, impatience can lead to death.¡±

    ¡°My, you have grown. I have always meant this, but I am grateful to have called you my pupil.¡±

    ¡°Now you see why I still call you Master.¡±

    The conversation ceased when a whirring sound resounded through the wind, and a surge of magical energy pressure made both Hersa and Malakyh turn toward the field.

    Several figures¨Colder women ranging from age forty to sixty years old¨Cappeared before them. There were many Bloodlines in the Primal Weavers; the Claussers were the largest Bloodline of Weavers still living.

    ¡°Elders,¡± Hersa bowed. Malakyh followed suit. ¡°We have come to give you news if you are unaware.¡±

    ¡°Speak,¡± one elder said. Their black hair was sticking out of a sheer shawl wrapped securely around her head.

    ¡°The Children of Deimos¡­ they''re here.¡±

    A collective gasp shifted to each Elder who was in the circle.

    ¡°How is that possible?¡± One exclaimed into the wind.

    ¡°They disappeared along with the mad deity Deimos during the Primal Chaos era, over 500 years ago, " another said.

    ¡°It would seem his followers have returned,¡± Madam Hersa told them, keeping her tone even. ¡°For what? I am unsure.¡±

    ¡°And what do you have in mind then?¡± The black-haired Elder said.

    Madame Hersa nodded toward Malakyh so he could take the floor. Uncrossing his arms, he stepped forward and addressed the Elder Coven.

    ¡°We look for the source. Where did this originate? Have other people witnessed it? That''s where we will start. I''ll be willing to lead the investigation.¡±

    ¡°And what of the rest of us?¡±

    ¡°That, Master Hersa will say¡­¡±

    This time, Madame Hersa spoke, ¡°Simple. We shall be ready to take down the Children of Deimos again as we and our ancestors did hundreds of years ago. My only question: Will you aid me again and push aside the ridicule and false accusations toward us? Though we may not have High Cardinal Tiberius Evergreen to lead or speak on our behalf, we can still honor him by taking up the fight he did all those centuries ago.¡±

    With collective looks, hums, and nervous glances, the Coven finally concluded.

    ¡°We shall have to decline,¡± The Coven said. Much to Malakyh''s surprise, but incidentally, Madame Hersa knew that would be their answer.

    ¡°What? How can you sit back and¨C¡± Malakyh started to rant but was halted when his Master held up a delicate, manicured hand. He pressed his lips together, knowing better than to defy her.

    ¡°I understand,¡± was all she said from her delicate lips. Her eyes closed, but you could feel her power shifting between the earth and air from the aura''s atmosphere.

    ¡°Do not get us wrong, Hersa. We were young and strong-minded five hundred years ago, with someone who spoke against the heinous accounts, but we lost countless witches to that fate. You lost your pupil that day to the dark side.¡±

    Malakyh had always known his master to be serious but playful when necessary and only show emotion sparingly. Seeing her flinch hit him to the chord. He knew about her last pupil working with the Children of Deimos. She never knew what happened to them afterward.

    ¡°There is no need to apologize. Malakyh and I will make do with what forces we have.¡±

    The witches looked at one another, wondering if she had lost it.

    They nodded with grace and afterward departed. Malakyh stood alone once more with his Master.

    He need not ask about what happened to the last pupil.

    ¡°I know that look on your face, Malakyh.¡± She did not turn to look at him. She knew his movements to his aura without a glance.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Malakyh grinned. ¡°Nope, nothing on my face. Why would you suspect such a thing?¡±

    Madame Hersa turned and smiled, though Malakyh could see sadness through the facade behind that grin. She was not the only one who could read a person''s aura; they had grown comfortable in each other''s presence.

    Malakyh cleared his throat. ¡°So, where was this source you spoke of? Moreover, for that matter, the assistance? ¡°Please understand me, Master Hersa; you are powerful, and I have learned from the best. However, I must say that it would be nearly impossible for just the two of us to defeat the Children of Deimos and Deimos himself. What is your plan?¡±

    ¡°Have faith Malakyh.¡± She patted his cheek with a gentle hand. ¡°Lumos has sent her blessing. There is a small town in the Lysandrian Kingdom: Sylvanbrook. Do you still remember that teleport spell I taught you?¡±

    ¡°Of course. I remember everything you have taught me. What''s happening?¡±

    Madame Hersa''s smile faltered some. ¡°I know what the Children of Deimos plan to do and how.¡±

    ???

    <i>Outside Ledel City - early morning the week of Aquisol, 4th day</i>

    Per Cassandra''s request, the group left Ledel early that morning and was on the road before it was light outside. They settled off the side of the road for a short reprieve until they could see the path ahead of them.

    ¡°So, what will we do now that no one believes that Magycte Beasts or the Children of Deimos have returned?¡± Lyra asked. She sat on the ground near the fire that Eamon had built as Aurora slept with her head on her lap.

    Sly¡¯s arms and legs crossed as she leaned off from a perched rock across from Lyra to the left.

    Eamon nodded, also curious. He sat nearest Sly on the ground floor with one arm leaning against his hiked-up leg. The other leg is laid flat out. ¡°I¡¯m curious to know that too.¡±

    Cassandra sat near Eamon, with Tierney by her side. She adjusted her sling arm as she listened to the travelers she had just met, yet she knew she could trust them. Tierney, however, was less unsure of the travelers. Especially Eamon, there was something recognizable, though she would have sworn she would have remembered someone like him¡ªhis eyes threw her off. She could not help the uneasiness around him.

    ¡°The answer is simple¡­¡± Sly drawled out. Both Eamon and Lyra leaned forward, waiting for Sly''s reveal. Even Cassandra felt compelled, leaning forward.

    ¡°We return to Sylvanbrook.¡±

    Lyra pinched her brows together. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because that is the first location we know the Children of Deimos were located. They were doing something in that area before we showed up. We need to find out why. The same goes for the other locations in Gearford and¨C¡±

    ¡°The Valerian Republic,¡± Cassandra said with a breathless reply.

    Sly nodded in confirmation. ¡°We¡¯ll go to each location in Lysandrian and investigate. There were reasons why they came there.¡±

    ¡°What about Elmsworth''s Luminous Forest or the Primal Eyre Forest?¡± Lyra asked. ¡°We might not have fought any of the Children of Deimos there, but those Rifts showing up there are weird, right?¡±

    Aurora hummed something in her sleep, but she quieted down when Lyra brushed a hand through her hair.

    ¡°Now you¡¯re thinking like a Locksmith.¡± Sly snapped her fingers with a grin. The flash of heat rushed to Lyra¡¯s face, and her shoulders straightened at the unexpected compliment.

    Eamon chuckled. He found her reaction endearing and cute.

    Lyra side-eyed him and, playfully, rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, laugh it up. You know you¡¯d be a bright tomato, too.¡±

    ¡°Fine, fine, touch¨¦.¡±

    Cassandra looked on at the exchange and smiled. She had been around Locksmith¡¯s but only for a fleeting moment related to work. She never thought they were inferior but never paid too much attention. They were merely soldiers for the people, but they were more than that. They are people, too, the people¡¯s champion. If not, heroes.

    Cassandra cleared her throat, getting everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°I won¡¯t make this long, but I wanted to thank you three for letting me accompany you and for believing me when those who I¡¯ve denied me for speaking the truth.¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Lyra exclaimed. Cassandra¡¯s eyes pivoted to the excitable young Locksmith with a balled fist. ¡°That¡¯s what Locksmiths do. We help those in need. It¡¯s as simple as that.¡±

    Sly shrugged. ¡°Lyra¡¯s right. We help not because it¡¯s our duty but because Aurum is our home, and the people deserve to feel comfortable in it.¡±

    Cassandra was teary-eyed but willed herself to stop¡ªa habit she had learned as a soldier¡ªwhen the first rays of morning light began to shine over the plains.

    ¡°Guess we should get a move on,¡± Eamon said, the first to stand as he started to put out the fire. Everyone else got up, too.

    Lyra was about to wake up Aurora when she started to whimper again. Panicked, Lyra reached out for her shoulders, but pain rippled through her body like a shock and shot her backward. Her back hit the base of the tree trunk as she gasped, dropping to the ground. She lurched forward as a white-hot fire of pain shot throughout her body.

    ¡°Lyra!¡± Eamon shouted in her direction.

    A strong gust of wind circled them, whipping up dirt and debris. Aurora floated mid-air, inside a bluish aura, with her white hair wild and her red eyes glowing.

    Sly removed her whip. Cassandra, though injured, put out an arm to keep Tierney back and reached for her ax. Stigma. Both women waited for any threat that came at them.

    ¡°Wait!¡± Lyra gasped out. Her arm wrapped around her stomach as she limped back. ¡°Don¡¯t hurt her. Th-there has to be something wrong.¡±

    Eamon rushed to her side. His arm wrapped around her waist. She secured one arm around his neck.

    ¡°We have to find a way to snap her out of it, Eamon.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°Agreed, but how?¡±

    Lyra did not know. The only idea she had was going to be very reckless.

    ¡°You aren¡¯t going to like this¡­¡± Lyra whispered.

    Eamon narrowed his eyes on her. ¡°Lyra, what are you planning?¡±

    She turned to him and smiled. Then, she spoke through their Kesync bond: "Just watch my back, okay? I trust you."

    Eamon¡¯s eyes widened. Deciding on whether to trust Lyra¡¯s quick-brained thinking, but finally nodded. Okay. Go for it.

    Could you give me an extra boost of Zephyr? The power of the Wellsprings welled within them, calling upon the air-laden Essentia.

    ¡°Radiant Rush!¡± Lyra shouted at the top of her lungs as the surge of Essentia propelled her forward, windswept power flowing through her like a breathless huff as the wind rushed through her afro.

    ¡°Eamon, what is she¨C!¡± Sly started to say, but Eamon cut her off with a shake of his head. Sly pressed her lips together, nodding and believing whatever they planned would work.

    Once Lyra was close enough, she reached out her arms and tackled Aurora in a tight hold. An electrifying shock rushed throughout Lyra¡¯s body, and she cried out in pain; images blurred in her head at a rapid pace, but she did not let go.

    ¡°I¡¯ve¡­got¡­ you¡­ Aurora. You. Are not. Alone.¡± She gasped with each word more agonizing than the rest.

    Aurora¡¯s head tipped up. Her eyes were still glowing, but there was no pupil. ¡°L-Lyra?¡±

    Lyra tried to smile through the pain and nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right, sweetie. I¡¯m here, and so is everyone else: Sly and Eamon. We¡¯re here for you.¡±

    Aurora blinked. ¡°Here for¡­ I¡¯m Aurora Ashbourne.¡±

    Lyra nodded. The shocking pain dissipated as Aurora was slowly coming out of it. ¡°That¡¯s right. You¡¯re an Ashborne, too.¡±

    Aurora''s power slowed down, as did the chaos of the wind. Both Lyra and Aurora gently dropped to the ground, with Aurora securely in her arms, sleeping once more.

    Now that the danger had passed, everyone circled Lyra, looking at Aurora.

    They all had the same thought: Who, or even what, was Aurora?

 Part Twenty-Three: Come What May

    Sylvanbrook; The Ashen Vanguard Guild- Early morning - Aquisol 4th day

    Ealdred woke up early, as usual, to open the guild for the morning. It was an adjustment for the first few days without Lyra¡¯s assistance, but he was managing. Not to mention someone who helped from time to time.

    Like clockwork, she stood at the doorway waiting for him as she did every other day since Lyra had left with Eamon and Sly.

    ¡°Edie, you don¡¯t have to keep coming out here? If it pains you to force yourself to keep¨C¡±

    She shook her head. Her gaze was sharp as she glared at him. ¡°With all respect, Ealdred, as I told you before that¡­ Well, this was what my daughter loved, and I was too busy in my head to see that. So I come here every day, yes, to be closer to her but to understand why being a Locksmith is so important to her¡­ to both of them.¡±

    They both knew she was referring to Arcemedus.

    He hummed and nodded. ¡°Very well. I will stop asking until you tell me otherwise.¡±

    The relief washed over her brown features, similar to Lyra¡¯s complexion.

    ¡°Thank you, Ealdred. That is all I ask. So, what are we doing today?¡±

    With that, Ealdred busied her with tasks he would have given Lyra. Like mother and daughter, they were persistent and never stopped until the task was complete.

    Once she finished painting over the wooden wall Lyra had smashed, she swiped her forehead with the back of her hand, paint in the other hand. Both hands on her hips.

    ¡°That girl. I swear she has an excitable temper¡­ but I guess she got that from her father, huh?¡± She laughed until a soft brush caressed her cheek and whispered, ¡®She has a little of both of us.¡¯

    Edie¡¯s heart dropped in her chest. She whirled around and splattered paint all over the floor. Students who saw her stopped their training momentarily to look at her.

    She smiled awkwardly with an even awkward wave, darting her eyes around to see where the voice she heard was. It would be impossible to hear him. She had not heard or felt him since he passed, so¡­ why now?

    Maybe it¡¯s because you blocked out any thoughts¨Chappy or sad¨Cof him from your head. She thought solemnly to herself. She sighed. I am exhausted. I don''t know how Lyra kept up with all this, but¡­

    ¡°I get it.¡± She voiced aloud this time.

    ¡°Hmm? Get what? I didn¡¯t think we were getting a full remodeling.¡±

    Edie looked to see Ealdred¡¯s grinning face as if he knew exactly what had happened.

    ¡°Did you happen to figure out something?¡±

    Edie pressed her lips together. Shrugging. ¡°I believe so, though I think it¡¯s a long way to go before it¡­ comes back.¡±

    Ealdred nodded. He did not want to push the issue if she didn¡¯t want to discuss it. Edie would speak when she was ready. He had seen him, and so did Lyra. It was only a matter of opening up completely.

    ¡°I need to run out to the market and get some things. Mind watching over the students for a bit?¡± Handing her the keys.

    ¡°Wh-What?¡± Edie¡¯s face flushed as she fumbled with the keys he had given her. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t I go instead? I don¡¯t think I¡¯m equipped to¨C¡±

    ¡°Edie,¡± Ealdred whispered, looking at his daughter-in-law with assurance that relaxed her shoulders. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. I promise. Just let it completely go, and it¡¯ll come to you naturally.¡±

    Leaving it at that, Ealdred left for the markets. He picked up his usuals and talked with a few townsfolk not just as a Locksmith but because Sylvanbrook was his home, as were the people in it.

    He was returning to the guild when he spotted a strange figure out of the corner of his eye.

    He hummed curiously but did not react as he watched the hooded figure walk through the central town¡¯s area quickly and purposefully. It would not have been out of place except that he was expertly moving at speeds that would not attract much attention, but Ealdred could tell without even putting in much effort.

    The hooded figure never noticed him, which gave Ealdred the perfect chance to follow him out of the town and toward the forest. He kept an even distance, seeing him heading toward the old warehouse where Lyra and Ealdred encountered the Rift and a member of the Children of Deimos.

    Once he finally reached the entrance of the trees, the figure was standing in the middle of the open field.

    ¡°Why are you here?¡± a male voice asked. The man did not turn around to Ealdred.

    Ealdred let out a soft gruff. ¡°Hmm, I can say the same to you. You acted very suspiciously, trying to blend in while not being noticed. Bravo.¡±

    ¡°Heh,¡± the young man chuckled. ¡°Even when I¡¯m not using magic, you still saw right through me. Guess that would make you Ealdred, the Sentinel Riftbreaker.¡±

    Ealdred shifted the brown bags of groceries in his arm. ¡°That I am. May I know who you are?¡±

    Instead of answering him, the young man turned around to reveal his features. The sides of his hair shaved, and his thick, dark brown locks trailed behind his back. His eyes were dark, blending well with his mahogany complexion. He had the look, the pose, and the expression, even down to his loose-fitting clothing and flat shoes. He had unreadable tattoos that Ealdred knew were magical insignias.

    Ealdred raised a brow. ¡°A Strega? No, perhaps a witch? There haven¡¯t been witches around since the Primal Chaos era.¡±

    The young man¡¯s eyes widened slightly, surprised he could tell quickly without much to go on.

    ¡°You¡¯re also forgetting Ex-Custodian, but those are all correct. A double S rank is certainly no joke. Now¡­ if I could¨C¡±

    Ealdred held up his hand. ¡°You realize I can¡¯t just let you go and do whatever you want, right?¡±

    He sighed. ¡°I knew this would happen. Did you plan this, Master?¡± he mumbled to himself, but Ealdred was more than capable of hearing his soft-spoken speech. ¡°What if I told you I¡¯m here to do exactly what Locksmith have been doing for ages?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d say to explain yourself because if that were the case, you wouldn¡¯t need to walk by incognito.¡±

    The young man smiled. ¡°Touch¨¦. Fine. This will not work if you are going to stop me. I¡¯ll have to tell you.¡±

    ¡°Tell me what?¡±Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    The look in his eyes darkened, making even Ealdred brace himself just in case. ¡°The Children of Deimos have come back.¡±

    <hr>

    Mid-Morning - headed for Tro¨¦r.

    The group continued their destination from Ledel and Gearford since that was the last recent place the Magycte Beast had appeared from the Ethereal Rift.

    They were puzzled by Aurora''s display of power and where she came from.

    ¡°Denarius, for your thoughts?¡± Sly asked as she strolled beside Lyra.

    ¡°Just thinking, that''s all,¡± Lyra said with a shrug.

    ¡°About what just happened with Aurora?¡±

    They looked to Aurora, who happily giggled as Eamon gave her a piggyback ride. She had warmed up to him and regarded him, like Sly, quite fondly now. She distinguished them as ¡®nice¡¯ people.

    Lyra sighed. ¡°It was just so¡­ it felt Ancient, almost Sly. Then I think these strange images I saw are Aurora''s memories.¡±

    Sly furrowed her brows. ¡°Memories? Like what?¡±

    Before she could divulge further, Eamon spoke, ¡°Looks like we have trouble up ahead.¡±

    They saw the military men in a faraway carriage but were not alone.

    ¡°Oh, my Lumos. They''re at it again! Now they''re bothering someone else.¡± Lyra exclaimed, but not surprised.

    Ahead, they could see military men surrounding a figure, a man in bright, colorful clothing and laughing.

    ¡°We have to do something,¡± Eamon said, putting down Aurora from his back. He stood next to Lyra.

    ¡°Are you sure about this?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°Intervening in Empire business, regardless of what they do, is¨C¡±

    Sly smirked. ¡°No worries. They''ve had plenty of run-ins with them already, and they''re old friends now.¡±

    Lyra and Eamon walked forward to confront them. All the while, Aurora clasped her hands together, a worried expression filling her red eyes.

    ¡°W-where are they going?¡±

    ¡°Don''t worry, Aurora,¡± Sly said, holding her shoulder. ¡°They''ll be back.¡±

    The noise of the military men got louder as they approached, but only when an army person caught sight of them coming and alerted the others.

    ¡°Ah, thank Lumos, I''ve been saved! And by Locksmiths, no less. You military lot will regret badgering me,¡± The bard said in the middle of the circle that the military soldiers had formed around him.

    One of them narrowed their eyes at Lyra, grinding his teeth together.

    ¡°You!¡± He shouted and pushed past his men to meet Lyra and Eamon halfway.

    Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, joy. It''s you. You must really want that black eye, huh? Now, don''t make me look like a liar.¡±

    Julian Ashcroft sucked his teeth. It had been a few weeks since they had seen the soldier at the General Store in Elmsworth.

    ¡°And I believe I said you''d taste my blade¨C¡±

    ¡°Or Pistol, whatever comes first.¡± She mocked him by drawing out her words slowly and illiterate.

    The soldiers in the back snickered at her mocking, making Julian''s face as red as a tomato. He quickly pulled his sword from his sheath and pointed it at them. Eamon had already drawn his Escrima sticks, using his body as a half shield.

    ¡°You will rue the day you mock an Ashcroft!¡±

    Lyra wrinkled her nose. ¡°Rue?¡±

    ¡°Lyra, I don''t think you''re helping the situation,¡± Eamon whispered. ¡°Look, you''re scaring Aurora.¡±

    For a brief moment, Lyra''s walls dropped, and she turned to see Aurora''s scared eyes.

    Julian smirked. ¡°Yeah, you best run along now. Don''t want to upset the little girl.¡±

    Lyra gritted her teeth. She gripped the handle of her sword tightly.

    ¡°I won''t fight you, Julian; your pettiness makes you a spineless Fiend.¡±

    The soldiers snickered once more. Julian glared at them as they tried to hide their smiles.

    ¡°But, I will engage in a forceful exchange for that person you''re harassing.¡±

    Now, all eyes settled on the colorful bard. Up close, he had shiny golden curls underneath the brim of his bycocket hat. His green eyes twinkled with recognition.

    ¡°Finally, my presence has been noticed!¡± He called out with a strum of his lyre.

    Julian cucked at the reply. ¡°As if. We weren''t doing anything wrong. We just wanted to hear some pretty tunes, isn''t that right, boys?¡±

    The soldiers chimed in with nods and hums.

    ¡°Surely, a Locksmith wouldn''t think that''s a crime, would they?¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah, like that doesn''t sound the least bit suspicious.¡±

    ¡°And I recall you doing the same thing back at the General Store in Elmsworth when you harassed Gregor and those customers.¡± Eamon pointed out to him.

    Julian''s eye twitched. ¡°Why you¡­ Men, attack!¡±

    The military soldiers charged for them without hesitation, but Lyra and Eamon were ready for them. They broke into formation. Eamon took offense and crouched so Lyra could take a direct approach by leaping in the air and smashing her sword downward.

    ¡°Radiant Slash!¡± she cried out to the heavens as the power of Gaia from the Wellsprings caused a spiky earth to shoot up from the ground.

    The soldiers split apart but lost their footing, giving Eamon the opening he needed to hinder them with a slight jab to their chest. He headed for Julian, who had fallen backward. He stared wide-eyed at the field his men had laid out.

    Julian looked up at the base of the metal Escrima sticks and then at the dark glare of Eamon''s eyes. ¡°Do you yield?¡± Eamon asked him.

    He gulped but remained steadfast. ¡°I do not.¡±

    A glimmer of silver caught light in the sun. Julian caught Lyra to his right with Riftblade just inches from his throat. ¡°I''d rethink that if I were you.¡± He quivered underneath the pressure and whimpered as a warm sensation spread at the front of his pants.

    ¡°Alright, alright, that''s enough. Fun is over.¡± Sly clapped her hands to break it up before things got too illegal. ¡°You''ve made your point, you two. I think he gets what he did wrong. By holding a citizen hostage and prohibiting a Locksmith from doing their job. If you were to report him, that would tarnish his record.¡±

    Julian''s eyes revealed fear, but he did not grovel or apologize. He shakenly got to his feet and went to help his men, who were starting to get up as they held their heads.

    ¡°Tch, whatever. He was getting boring anyway.¡± Julian tried his best to sound confident. The fear in his eyes and the stuttering of his words proved otherwise.

    With that last statement, he and the remaining soldiers hobbled into their carriage and headed toward Tro¨¦r.

    Lyra laughed. ¡°Did you see he wet himself?¡±

    Eamon could not help but laugh, too, revealing a smile. ¡°Never thought I''d see the day Julian would cower like that. He will still be a pompous idiot, but he stopped what he was doing so he wouldn''t be in trouble with Daddy.¡±

    Lyra snorted. Shrugging her shoulders. ¡°Hey, whatever works.¡±

    Sly shook her head. Her arms crossed. ¡°You kids.¡± However, she was smiling.

    ¡°Lyra!¡± Aurora''s high-pitched voice rang out. They turned to see her, Cassandra, and Tierney walking toward them. Lyra bent down to Aurora, who ran into her awaiting arms before scooping her up. Aurora''s face nuzzled into the side of her neck.

    ¡°I-I was so scared! I thought the bad man would win.¡±

    Lyra smirked. She brushed her hand through her hair.

    ¡°Trust me, Rori, someone like that is nothing to Mama Lyra,¡± Eamon commented, rustling her hair in his hand.

    Aurora sniffed with a small smile and wiped her eyes. ¡°Is that true?¡±

    ¡°Oh, you bet Lumos it is!¡± Lyra exclaimed. ¡°You''ll never need to worry about me; I''ll always return. And speaking of, Rori, huh?¡±

    Her gaze shifted to Eamon, who widened his eyes. ¡°It just slipped out. I don''t know; I thought the nickname was cute.¡±

    Lyra grinned. ¡°Oh, it is. Just never thought it would come out of your mouth.¡±

    ¡°Oh, haha.¡±

    ¡°Yay! Rori! Rori! Rori! I am Aurora and Rori!¡± She clapped happily at her name.

    The group laughed at their antics when they stopped to hear someone clearing their throat. For a moment, Lyra and Eamon forgot about the person they just saved.

    ¡°I would hate to spoil this joyous occasion, but I would humbly like to introduce myself to the Locksmiths who saved me.¡± He bowed. ¡°The name is Alivier Dupree, and you may be able to help with something rather¡­ dire, if you will.¡±

    He had everyone''s attention now.

 Part Twenty-Four: The Dark Metropolis Castle

    Headed to Tro¨¦r to take down the alter

    Once Alivier had briefly explained what The Children of Deimos were planning to do, they bolted toward Tro¨¦r before anything could occur. However, as soon as they arrived, the city of Tro¨¦r was not as it was. Instead, the mechanical city turned into a castle surrounded by purple miasma.

    ¡°What in the, that¡¯s Tro¨¦r?¡± Lyra exclaimed in disbelief, alongside Eamon. Even Sly and Cassandra looked in awe at the terrifying building.

    ¡°Aye, that is the Altar I told you about. The Children of Deimos plan to use the one in their Grand Superimposium plan.¡±

    ¡°That is an Altar?¡± Cassandra exclaimed, gaping at the tall, castle-like structure. ¡°It''s enormous.¡±

    ¡°What''s the status inside so we know what to prepare for?¡± Sly asked.

    ¡°Communication does not work inside, and there are strong, powerful Fiends with enhanced capabilities. You may also run into Magycte Beasts more frequently.¡±

    Sly nodded. She turned to Lyra and Eamon. ¡°You both are with me, but food for thought: this is something you have never faced before. It could very well be S-Rank level. I need you both to know that.¡±

    They nodded, understanding the danger of the situation.

    ¡°As for you three,¡± looking at Cassandra, Tierney, and Aurora. ¡°You will stay here. You¡¯re hurt; Commander and the girls are inexperienced and young.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ I want to go with you all and Lyra.¡± Aurora whimpered, sticking out her lip.

    ¡°Sorry, kiddo, too dangerous.¡± Lyra cooed sweetly.

    And because they didn¡¯t know the extent of her powers.

    ¡°But, I¡­ can help.¡± Her eyes welled with tears.

    ¡°Hey, Aurora. Don¡¯t worry, they''ll come back.¡± Tierney reassured her. A look of relief reflected in her eyes, glad that Cassandra was not among the fray in her condition.

    ¡°Don''t worry, sweetie,¡± Lyra bowed to her height. ¡°Remember I told you that I''m stronger than I look. I did not let that jerk military best me, and I will not let this. Besides, I have to do this as a Locksmith; it''s my duty to protect the people. You included.¡±

    Aurora looked up at Lyra when she stood to her feet. She wanted to say so much but could not find the words. Incidentally, Aurora felt a familiar presence surfacing within her. She could not understand or even explain it, so instead, she nodded, taking Tierney¡¯s hand for support.

    ¡°If everyone''s ready, let''s head inside,¡± Sly commanded.

    ¡°Already here,¡± Eamon said, checking all packs to ensure they had enough supplies and healing applicants for the unknown.

    ¡°You''re coming too, Alivier?¡± Lyra seemed surprised when the bard stepped over to them.

    ¡°Of course! I have a job to do.¡±

    Lyra raised her brow, hands on her hips. ¡°And pray tell, what is that?¡±

    He pressed his finger to his lips and made a ¡®shh¡¯ noise. ¡°It''s a secret; I cannot reveal it until circumstances allow me to.¡±

    Lyra narrowed her eyes at him. She tried to understand but gave up, rolling her eyes and dismissing it as him making up a story.

    ¡°I''ll state this once for your own well-being, Alivier. If you fall behind, we expect you to make the sound decision to return to the entrance. As you said, the Fiends and the Magycte Beast are increased in power here.¡± Sly was no longer cool and laid back; she was in Locksmith mode, which meant serious business.

    ¡°Very much so. I shall provide assistance where needed.¡±

    With everything good to go, the party traveled into the castle entrance of Tro¨¦r''s Altar to brave beyond its borders.

    ???

    The moment they entered the Altar, it no longer resembled that of Tro¨¦r. While the outside resembled a castle, the inside looked like a ruined temple.

    The Altar''s layout looked simple enough, but there were specific paths that could lead you toward a hoard of Fiends, and these looked even more vicious than before.

    ¡°Ugh, what''s that smell?¡± Lyra gagged and covered her hand over her nose. ¡°It smells like rotten eggs and something way, way worse.¡±

    ¡°Something dead,¡± Eamon added, covering his nose as well.

    The only two who did not were Alivier and Sly.

    ¡°Miasma,¡± Sly confirmed. ¡°Try not to inhale too much of the poisonous gas, or you''ll become sickly.¡±

    The purple creeping Fog drifted around the area, spreading over anything it could touch.

    The group tore parts of their clothing to make masks to block out the gas.

    ¡°Let us get a move on and lift thy spirits!¡± Alivier called out, strumming his lyre. He received a glare from Sly, but somehow, inexplicably, the three of them felt more robust and more agile.

    The power they felt was Essentia, but it was alien to them. The sensation was ancient, making them wonder who Alivier was. They knew they did not have the time, so they proceeded through the Altar.

    They traversed the miasma-filled terrain, avoiding confrontation with the strange Fiends. They could sense that the Fiend''s power level had skyrocketed exceedingly, and their bodies had embedded sapphire Crystals.

    ¡°What''s happening to them?¡± Lyra asked. They peeked behind a boulder at a hoard of Black Ursung Bear Fiends. Their eyes glowed blue with large chunks of sapphire stones pulsating negative energy pressure.

    ¡°It looks like an amalgamation of whatever is happening in this Altar,¡± Eamon explained.

    Sly nodded in agreement. ¡°Eamon might be right. This Altar possibly enhanced their capabilities to reach their ultimate potential. We should be careful.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°It looks like we''ll have to get past them to reach that cliff-face path,¡± Alivier pointed out to them. He was right. This was their safest option unless they wanted to traverse into the foliage with who knows what lurks there.

    ¡°Maybe, we should Kesync?¡± Eamon considered. Lyra agreed.

    ¡°Now remember, you two, do not lose focus. Things are far more dire and dangerous here, and you can''t afford to mess up.¡±

    ¡°Right!¡± They both said together, then springing into action. Alivier and Sly would provide backup if needed.

    ¡®You ready?¡¯ Eamon called out as they ran side by side.

    Lyra nodded. ¡®Yeah!¡¯

    With the power of their Kesync combined, their efficiencies rose significantly.

    Woah, you feel that difference. That was not like that before. Lyra marveled at the new electric sensation pulsating throughout her body.

    This Altar is causing the spike in power levels. It enhances anything with a living pulse. Eamon took note.

    Lyra snorted with a shrug of her arm. She removed her blade from her sheathe and stood at the ready. Works for me. How do you wanna do this?

    Having the Fiends take notice of them, they roared at their presence and readied an attack.

    The usual? I go low. You go high.

    Lyra scrunched her nose. We always do that. Maybe I want to go low this time. You go high.

    He smirked. He enjoyed seeing her fiery side, which made him like her. One day, he would tell her the whole truth, and maybe, just maybe, she would still see him as him.

    If you can catch up, be my guest.

    Lyra smirked. She took that as a challenge. Pfft, watch this. I''ve been practicing.

    The Fiends charged with rage and fury in their eyes. Lyra charged up her Essentia, and a pulsating aura of yellow flowed from and around her. She uttered a war-like cry, and the pressure on her Essentia increased.

    ¡°Radiant¡­ DASH!¡± With the power of Zephyr at her heels, she zoomed through the Fiends and slashed them cleanly through. They exploded instantly on contact, except one had got away slightly injured and peeved.

    ¡°Uh, oh, missed one.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I thought you said before there would be no enemies ''cause they''d be all gone.¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Haha, just go, it''s your turn.¡±

    The Fiend circled back and forth, deciding who to go for. When it finally chose, it charged for Lyra and vengeance at barreling speeds.

    ¡°Oh, no, you don''t.¡±

    With a rush of Torrent, a summoned geyser of water circled Eamon. It lifted his body in the air and then bolted toward the Fiend. It took a direct hit from high-velocity speeds and weapons crashing into it. It exploded, too.

    ¡°Wooh, alright!¡± Lyra said, going for a high-five. Eamon slapped her palm back. Only for both of them to get plucked in their Foreheads.

    ¡°Ow, what was that for?¡± Lyra exclaimed.

    Sly had her arms crossed, shaking her head. ¡°Too much talking and playing, not enough Fighting and coordination. I told you this was serious.¡±

    They bowed their heads, knowing that this was not the time or place.

    ¡°Berating aside,¡± Alivier stepped in. ¡°Might we take this parent bonding elsewhere before more of them show up?¡±

    The four of them made their way toward the cliff-face path, following the trail up the side of the mountain, where a powerful presence, more potent than a Magycte Beast, awaited them.

    An Ultra Magycte Beast.

    The massive, oblong shadowy figure, with multiple shifting limbs, looked like a disfigured heart with a million eyes and a wide-toothy grin. It exuded an aura of palpable darkness.

    ¡°What the heck is that thing?¡± Lyra cried, brandishing her sword.

    ¡°By the grace of Lumos, it''s the Shadowmorph Sovereign, Abyssal Despot,¡± Alivier revealed with a hitched gasp.

    ¡°You mean you actually know what that thing is?¡± Eamon questioned him.

    Alivier nodded. ¡°Aye, the Abyssal Despot symbolizes the relentless pursuit of desires and the shadows within the human heart.

    ¡°Well, whatever it is,¡± Sly said, removing her whip. ¡°We need to hurry and take it down so it doesn''t reach the outside world. You all ready?¡±

    ¡°Ready!¡±

    The Ultra Magycte Beast released a Roar; its shifting black limbs squirmed wildly. The team broke apart, half surrounding it.

    Sly to the far left, Alivier to the right, and Eamon and Lyra are in the middle.

    ¡°Let''s do it, Lyra.¡±

    As the Kesync merged their psyches, Sly slashed out with her whip to lash out in a fury attack to take out its limbs before it attacked them. Alivier sent out a powerful array of Essentia-like energy that gleamed a bright white light. That alone seemed to send the shadow beast into a panic fury.

    Let''s go high, then low. Lyra took command. Give me a boost!

    Eamon slammed the Escrima sticks into the ground and summoned Gaia Essentia to shoot out a rock tower formation from the ground, propelling Lyra into the air.

    She held out her sword, brought it down with a ¡°Radiant Smash!¡± and slammed it on the creature''s head.

    The assault continued when Eamon charged up his Essentia and commanded a Torrent of water pulse energy to shoot out like a geyser, aiming it directly at the Beast.

    Lyra landed on the ground. ¡°Yes, we did it!¡±

    ¡°Lyra, behind you!¡± Sly called out. She wasn''t quick enough to use her whip to rescue her. Instead, a blur of light zoomed past their vision and was to Lyra in seconds. She dodged out of harm''s way in seconds.

    ¡°Alivier?¡± Lyra gaped at the blonde-haired man. ¡°How did you¨C¡±

    ¡°Let''s celebrate after we win. Deal?¡±

    She nodded. The time for questions was not now.

    ¡°Lyra, are you okay?¡± Eamon said, jogging over to her. She was about to speak when he grabbed her cheeks in his hands. Worry filled his eyes and made her heart palpitate immensely at their proximity.

    ¡°Thank you, Lumos. I thought I had lost you.¡± He sighed with relief, letting her cheeks go. They were still warm from where he had touched her, and she had to fight back the desire to touch her face.

    ¡°We all did. Now, how in Lumos are we supposed to defeat that?¡± Sly exclaimed when they grouped and looked at Alivier. ¡°And it seems like you know more than you let on.¡±

    Alivier sighed. Knowing he would have no choice but to admit the truth. ¡°The Shadowmorph Sovereign, Abyssal Despot, is one of the seventy-two Unholy Beasts from the Radiant Codex after Saint Lumos trapped them there. Only not too long ago, the Codex was stolen, and now the fate of humanity rests in the Lichtkriegers'' hands to defeat the seventy-two and retrieve the Codex.¡±

    As he explained, everyone looked at him with wild-eyed bewilderment. Sly was the first to emerge from it.

    ¡°Alright, so how do we defeat it?¡±

    ¡°Wait, are you serious, Sly?¡± Lyra said. ¡°He just told us all that, but you act like he told us the weather would be stormy in two days.¡±

    ¡°This is no different than what we''re used to doing, Lyra. As Locksmiths, we make sure humanity is safe from creatures like that. We''ll get answers after the job is done.¡±

    She nodded, understanding the situation.

    ¡°Now, how do we defeat it?¡± Sly repeated.

    ¡°Stall for time so that I may summon the light of the Lichtkriegers.¡±

    ¡°You two hear that? Distraction only. Avoid confrontation and make sure nothing attacks Alivier while he''s channeling.¡±

    Newfound determination filled them as they nodded, ready for the fight.

    ¡°Fine, but you owe us a solid explanation when we stop these Altars from appearing.¡± Lyra jabbed a finger in his direction.

    ¡°A promise kept is assured.¡± he tipped his head in a bow.

    They each took their place to distract the Ultra Beast long enough for Alivier to eradicate it. Sly stood as a backup offense.

    Unfortunately, luck was not on their side, as many blue-eyed Fiends with crystallized rock formations on their backs appeared from the Ultra Beast''s control. Sly reacted with time precision and used her whip to wrangle a few Fiends together before obliterating them with the powers of Gaia.

    ¡°Go!¡± she shouted to Lyra, and Eamon said.

    Ready? Eamon called out to her.

    Ready!

    The two crisscrossed each other with blinding speeds as a rainbow hue of Essentia trailed behind them.

    ¡°Cross Fusion: Radiant Overburst!¡±

    An explosion of light caused the Magycte Beast to stagger. They would need one more powerful blow to finish it off.

    ¡°Uh, hey, Alivier, any luck yet? I''m not sure we can fight this thing all day!¡±

    ¡°Almost¡­ just a bit more.¡± The energy coursing through Alivier was invisible to everyone except the Lictkrieger. His exuding aura of power ignited fiery white light that vibrated off him brightly. ¡°And just a little¨C¡±

    ¡°Eamon, Fiend above at 2 o¡¯clock!¡±

    Upon looking up at the winged Fiend whose monstrous leathery wings flapped so hard, it conjured up a sandstorm.

    Eamon swung his arm back and propelled his Escrima sticks through the air. It struck the Ultra Magycte Beast directly in its eye. It screeched in agony, its health depleting.

    ¡°Now! Behind me!¡± Alivier shouted to them. They hurried from their positions and behind him.

    Glowing sets of white, large gossamer wings appeared from his back, protecting the Locksmiths like a shield. Alivier sent a blazing orb directly from his lyre.

    The light slammed into the shadowy creature, hollowing out a cry so fierce that they could see the vibrations in the air. The beast was defeated and exploded in a red aura. Slowly, the Altar that had been in place faded away and returned to Tro¨¦r city.

 Part Twenty-Five: An Almighty Destruction

    Tro¨¦r celebrated the heroes who freed them from their dark prisons. No one knew what happened, but the Locksmiths told them¡­ the truth.

    ¡°If you feel that it''s the right thing to do. We''ll support your decision,¡± Sly told her with a nod.

    They stood in the center of Tro¨¦r, where a crowd had gathered, talking loudly as they waited for answers.

    ¡°I''ll be right beside you if you need me to tag in,¡± Eamon encouraged her with a small smile that was different from usual, and it made her heart swell.

    Mustering tenacity and courage, she climbed the platform''s steps normally used for announcements.

    ¡°Hello, everyone,¡± she said into a cylinder-shaped transceiver, elevating her voice above the crowds.

    They hushed whispers to hear what the Locksmith had to say.

    Lyra took a deep breath, paused, and relaxed her mind. She focused on the crowd with a fierce look and held the eyes of an Ashbourne.

    ¡°I am Lyra Ashbourne, C rank Locksmith, and the granddaughter to double S rank Ealdred ¡®the Sentinel Riftbreaker ¡®Ashbourne, as well as my father B rank, Arcemedus Ashbourne. I''m here to tell you the truth about the Empire and what is happening in Aurum that people wish to keep you in the dark.¡±

    The crowd murmured as the worry in their eyes registered on their faces. Despite the strange Rifts of creatures, they put their faith in what the Empire had to say, but they were wrong.

    A woman with a red choppy bob cut stepped forward in the crowd. She was wearing a blue pinstripe button-up and skirt. She, too, held a portable cylinder transceiver connected to a rectangular recorder. She had the transceiver directly in front of Lyra, who stood below.

    ¡°Ms. Ashbourne, I''m reporter Joanne Ryvers from the Daily Crystal Clear, DCC, in Crystalline-city. I would love to make your voice heard not just in Lysandrian Kingdom but also in all of Aurum so we may prepare for what is to come.¡±

    Lyra nodded. ¡°Thank you. Some country''s leaders, including Chancellor Viktor Radovinov, don''t want you to know that the legends you once heard in stories have very much come to life: the Return of Magycte Beasts and the Return of the Children of Deimos.¡±

    The hushed whispers soon became a cacophony of shock, denial, and anger.

    Lyra had not expected this kind of reaction. Still, with an encouraging nod from reporter Joanne and her friends, she continued, unknowingly realizing that she had struck the first match in a long-awaited, centuries-old plan.

    ???

    Before they could make their way to the next destination, back to Verdan Glen, the reporter Joanne from the DCC in Crystalline City caught up with them at Tro¨¦r''s front gate.

    ¡°Ms. Ryvers?¡± Lyra questioned, surprised to see the reporter. ¡°What are you doing out here?¡±

    Despite the testimony that she had made, many could not believe that old legends like Magycte Beasts were real. They had trusted Locksmiths for years but did not know what to think about everything happening in the world. They were scared; they were tired, they were angry.

    ¡°Do call me Jo. Your speech today was not just inspiring but informative too.¡±

    Lyra had to resist the urge to snort.

    ¡°Didn''t you see? The crowd wasn''t exactly fond of receiving that kind of news.¡±

    Joanne nodded in understanding. ¡°People fear change; we saw what happened with the Harmony Tax, and even if it were Locksmiths reporting on this¨C even if they had seen proof¨C it would take much more for people to see the truth. They don''t want to think that the unthinkable is true, that something else could ruin their way of life.¡±

    Cassandra stepped forward. She was resting her good hand on Lyra¡¯s shoulder. ¡°She¡¯s right, Lyra. I understand the people''s plight because the moment I told people their loved ones were not coming home, there was no sadness or grief in those eyes. There was anguish, anger, despair, and hate, but it was not at me. I was just the closest they could relinquish their emotions at.¡±

    As Cassandra thought back to that day, different emotions appeared on her face. Tierney came to her side and comforted her.

    ¡°Cassandra and Joanne are right,¡± Sly told her. ¡°This is all new to them, and people fear what they don''t understand. Even if it''s from the mouth of those they love.¡±

    ¡°And even if they don''t see it now,¡± Eamon told her. ¡°They will soon. Even if the world looks the other way, we will protect Aurum and its citizens. You know why?¡±

    Lyra smirked. Of course, she knew; she did not know why she was even feeling doubt.

    ¡°Because that''s what Locksmiths do.¡±

    Joanne clapped her hands once and grinned. ¡°And I''ll be sure to spread the word with this speech in case these Altars, you called it, spread further throughout Aurum.¡±

    Lyra nodded. ¡°Thanks, Jo. We appreciate it.¡±

    ¡°Anytime, kiddo. Besides, you are not the only ones in Aurum who strive to make a difference. There will always be like-minded individuals who will do anything to help the people, no matter what. Maybe you''ll meet them one day; good luck, folks.¡±

    As they waved to Joanne, they headed for the next Altar in Isselgrade.

    ???

    It was a race against time to stop the Altar and save its citizens. However, after only a few short days, the usual trail that led to Isselgrade felt even longer now that their situation was urgent. Unfortunately, they needed to rest for the night.

    Lyra lay on her cot, arms on her chest, staring at the starry night sky. The campfire was growing dim, but she could still see the faint outline of everyone''s body.

    Sly, Alivier, Cassandra, and Tierney were on the other side of the fire. Both Cassandra and Tierney''s cots sat side by side. Alivier had somehow found a perch on a tree and made a canopy. Sly, on the other hand, preferred to sit up sleeping. It had scared her for the first few nights, and Eamon, propped up like that¨Cand sometimes with one eye open.

    Lyra shivered. The movement stirred Aurora, who slept in the same cot with her. Lyra kissed the little girl on the forehead and ran her fingers through her hair, relaxing her.

    Lyra smiled. She had not expected to get as close to her as she did but knew that she''d probably do anything to protect her. She would not let the Empire or anyone get their hands on her.

    ¡°Hey, Lyra. Are you awake?¡± Eamon''s whispered voice was beside her. She turned around on her side, seeing him also in the same position, with his head resting on the crook of his arm. Lyra repeated the gesture and got comfortable so she could face him.

    ¡°Not yet. I''m filled with too much. What should I call it? Is it excitement? Worry? Fear? All of the above?¡±

    He nodded, seeing the conflict on her face.

    ¡°Yeah, me too.¡±

    She sighed. ¡°Whatever is going on, it can''t happen, Eamon.¡±

    ¡°And it won''t happen,¡± he said defiantly. ¡°We won''t let that happen. You believe that, right?¡±

    She gave him a half smile. ¡°Yeah, I believe that, but these Altars¡­ the Children of Deimos, and you saw it, now there''s an Ultra Magycte Beast. I''m afraid that maybe¡­maybe¡­¡± she could not finish her sentence and bit her lip. Her fingers dug into the earth to distract herself from her wayward thoughts.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Eamon whispered. His hand reached out and rested on top of hers. Her eyes met his, and a gasp left his lips at how much the light reflected off her eyes, making them twinkle like stars.

    Eamon had never found her more beautiful than tonight or maybe he was finally accepting his feelings toward her.

    ¡°I''ve told you before, and I''ll say it again.¡± gripping her hand. ¡°I have your back, no matter what. We''ll be able to save all of them because that''s what Locksmiths do.¡±

    Her cheeks grew warm at his touch, and the only thing she could think about was how soft his hands were on top of hers.

    ¡°Hey, Lyra¡­¡± he whispered her name.

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    Neither said anything, but Eamon made the first move and started to lean forward. Lyra¡¯s heart skipped a bit as her eyes trailed down to his lips, and she closed them.

    Only a soft whimpering from Aurora broke their trance. Their hands pulled apart, and Lyra spun around to cradle the girl in her arms.

    Aurora kept mumbling, ¡®No more¡­ please¡­. It hurts¡­ no more needles¡­¡¯ which had Lyra frowning and furrowing her brows in anger.

    ¡°I swear, whoever in the Empire did this to her, they''ll pay for what they''ve done." She shook her head, turning to Eamon for his response, when the anger washed away and replaced with worry.

    ¡°Eamon?¡±

    He blinked several times, looking around as he awakened from sleep.

    ¡°What¡­ what happened?¡±This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

    Lyra frowned. ¡°I caught you staring off into the distance, and when I mean distant, you dozed off like you were somewhere else altogether. Are you okay?¡±

    He grabbed the side of his head, gently shaking it. ¡°Yeah, I probably exhausted myself far too much today. We did a synchronized move and all.¡± he tried to smile to distract her from worrying about him.

    Lyra was not falling for it but she would play along for now.

    ¡°Yeah, we did¡­ we should only use it as a last resort to not exhaust ourselves.¡±

    ¡°Agreed. We should get some rest. Be sure you don''t stay up too late.¡± With that, Eamon turned to the other side to sleep.

    Lyra stared at his back. She could not help but feel like something was missing. Though she knew it was better not to pry, she hoped he would tell her whatever it was.

    Eamon, however, did not even know what to tell her. His mind went elsewhere, and he was in his body, but not in his body, at the same time. There was an all-white room, people talking, and blurred lights he couldn''t discern or make out.

    It did not make sense, and he hoped that a good night''s sleep would do him some good.

    ???

    They finally reached their destination in Isselgrade but were dismayed to see that the entire city in an amalgamation of deep forests and thick vines wrapped around the castle structure of the Altar.

    ¡°Let me assist in this one,¡± Cassandra said, removing her ax from its sheath.

    ¡°Are you sure, Cassandra? Tierney asked with worry. ¡°What about your arm?¡±

    Lyra nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, we can handle it in there, and with Alivier, cleansing that thing with light will be easy-peasy.¡±

    Cassandra, however, shook her head. ¡°I will have to decline that offer as sitting on the sidelines was of great strain, and I had to maintain my urge to rush in at the last Altar. I cannot sit back and wait while civilians are in danger. I''ve had worse scrapes; this arm shall not hold me back.¡±

    ¡°If Cassie is going, I wanna go too!¡± Aurora chimed in. ¡°please! I can help, too.¡±

    Tierney nodded. ¡°Yeah, I can be an asset, too. You know what I can do, Cassandra.¡±

    Cassandra and Lyra looked to one another, seeing how their leaving would pose a problem.

    ¡°Now hold up, you two,¡± Sly interrupted their beckoning. ¡°This is a serious and dangerous mission. Neither of you is properly trained, and if anything happened to you, it would fall to Lyra and Cassandra to protect you both. do you want anything bad to happen to them?¡±

    The girl¡¯s heads bowed low, and both said, ¡°No.¡±

    ¡°Good. Then, I will stay. As you said, Lyra, Alivier is with you, and even if Cassandra has one good arm, you three will just need to be a distraction until he makes the final blow.¡±

    ¡°That''ll be pretty easy, to say the least. If there are no more objections?¡± Alivier asked and scanned the party. ¡°Great! Who''s ready to slay a Beast?¡±

    Into the shrouded hazy mist, the party went into the mouth of the forest. Gone was the cozy town of Isselgrade and home to a dark forest that held Fiends and Veilspawn of different nature. The houses and buildings looked bordered up with vines draped around the house. They assumed that before chaos broke out, civilians had managed to evacuate safely inside. It gave them relief that there was no one in sight

    From the corner of her eye, Lyra noticed that Cassandra looked paler than usual. Her eyes dilated and focused, searching through the haze. Her armored hand gripped tightly to her weapon.

    ¡°Cassandra?¡± Lyra called out to the warrior, reaching out. She jumped at the sound of her voice with a wild look in her eyes. ¡°Cassandra, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°I-I¡¯m fine,¡± she lied. She chewed on her bottom lip. Her bandaged arm touched the base of her head. She shook it. ¡°No. I¡¯m not alright. I didn¡¯t think this would bother me. I thought it had processed into my brain, but apparently not.¡±

    To their confused glances, Cassandra had explained that a similar event played out where she lost her cohort that day. She thought that she had mourned them enough and would be able to reclaim vengeance for them, but unfortunately, her body, it seemed, had not quite processed the trauma enough.

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t have to continue, Cassandra, if that day still haunts you,¡± Eamon pointed out. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ to feel vulnerable. Your body knows when it needs to rest, listen to it.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid it will be impossible to go back.¡± They turned to Alivier with curious glances his way. ¡°Once you go inside an Altar, you cannot leave until it is cleared of the anomaly contained inside of it.¡±

    ¡°Are you serious with this, Alivier? Why in Lumos¡¯ name wouldn¡¯t you tell us earlier!¡± Lyra yelled at him. She sighed with a heavy groan, running her hand through her curls. ¡°I swear Alivier-whatever-your-last-name is, you are this close.¡± To empathize with her point, she pinched her thumb and pointer finger an inch apart, with a glare to match.

    A sheepish grin pulled at the corners of his lips. ¡°I didn¡¯t think it was important at the time.¡±

    ¡°Wha¨Cnot in important?¡± She fumed. ¡°Eamon, hold me back before I do something I¡¯ll regret.¡±

    Knowing she meant it, he placed a firm hand on her shoulder. Not surprised when she tried to inch forward. Dang, she¡¯s strong. You¡¯ve really done it now Alivier.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t argue on my behalf,¡± Cassandra swayed their attention to her. She looked a bit herself, yet, there was a distance in her eyes that told them she wasn¡¯t one-hundred percent. ¡°I am still coherent and can fight when needed. I know that if I become a liability, to fall back, even if I can¡¯t leave this place.¡±

    Knowing they had little choice, they continued their journey through the quiet, desolate, dark forest of the Altar.

    ¡°It would seem like the Altar takes the shape of wherever the place is located.¡± Eamon pointed out.

    Lyra nodded. ¡°I was just thinking the same thing. Do you have anything to share with us now, Mr. Lictkrieger? By the way, I still do not fully understand how Lumos¡¯ Warrior was assigned to¡­ wrought out these Altars. If they always existed and could prophesy Lumos¡¯ words by mouth, why hadn¡¯t they come clean about this to the world before all this happened?¡±

    ¡°All valid questions, of course!¡± Alivier exclaimed in a gallant mood that made Lyra¡¯s eye twitch in annoyance. ¡°It is as simple as this: The world was never supposed to be this way again. The world was never supposed to find out about Magycte Beasts or the Ethereal Rifts. During the Primal Chaos Era, people like the late High Elder Tiberius Evergreen sought to make sure of it. Once the Wellspring''s power was given to a chosen few Locksmiths, they made a pact with the Lictkrieger to bury any information about it.¡±

    ¡°That is why everyone believed it to be mere legends,¡± Cassandra acknowledged with a heavy heart. Pain etched on her face as her mind reeling with thoughts, had they never erased it from history, perhaps Aurum could have been more prepared to take action and her soldiers wouldn¡¯t have lost their lives that day.

    ¡°So, who really stole the Codex? Can Lumos not retrieve it back?¡± Eamon asked.

    Alivier shook his head. The eeriness of the environment made the conversation all the more foreboding.

    ¡°Unfortunately, we have no clues, and it would seem powerful dark magic has blocked Lumos out from interfering. We, Lichtkriegers believe it to be the Primal Weavers as their magic spans decades, even centuries, well beyond the Primal Chaos Era. They¡¯ve always been an isolated group, never truly taking sides, and only sticking to their coven. They had aided in the war against Deimos, but had it not been for Tiberus that led them, they probably would have turned a blind eye.¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Well, blaming people isn¡¯t going to help Aurum¡¯s situation. It has to be the Children of Deimos; who else? Both Finn and the one Cassandra called Maxwell Croger are lurking around, biding their time and talking about their Master wanting to reclaim the world. If anything, they¡¯d be primary suspect number one.¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Cassandra nodded. ¡°I bet Denarius on it that they have a hand in it. We don¡¯t know why they¡¯re doing all of this.¡±

    While the group speculated the cause of it all, a terrified scream echoed throughout the Altar-like forest. The heroes unsheathed their weapons and charged down the vined streets of the once Isselgrade.

    What used to be the center was a dark, burly figure with closely cropped hair and a well-kept beard, fighting off a pack of three-wolfish CaverJaw Fiends with spiked blue stones protruding from their skin. Their eyes glowed blue, as did their insides when their jaws widened, exposing razor-sharp fangs.

    ¡°That¡¯s Gavrik!¡± Lyra shouted. ¡°We have to help him.¡±

    ¡°And is that Rylia with him?¡± Eamon recognized the silver-haired girl.

    Crouched at his feet, Gavrik stood protectively between a shaken fetal positioned Rylia, with her hands wrapped around her head.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Lyra called out, getting the Fiend''s attention. ¡°Keep away from our friends!¡± She jumped into the air and commanded Zephyr. The powerful winds cut through the air and sliced cleanly through the two, separating the Fiends from getting closer.

    Eamon came at the ready and bashed the metal Escrima sticks with blunt force trauma to a Fiend¡¯s skull. Cassandra came with quickness and, even with one good arm, uppercut the charging Fiend coming her way, bashing its lower jowls.

    The Fiends exploded in a black mist, averting the danger. This left Lyra and Eamon to attend to their Locksmith friends.

    ¡°Gavrick, what happened? Is Rylia alright?¡± Lyra¡¯s worried brows creased together as she looked down at a shaken Rylia. Her eyes dilated and still. She might have been alive, but her mind warped from the inside.

    ¡°Where is everyone else?¡± Eamon added to the worry about the Locksmiths he had come to know and respect.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad to see friendly faces that ain¡¯t ugly-mawed beasts.¡± Gavrik attempted to make light of the situation. He shook his head. ¡°Nay, it¡¯s worse than we could have ever feared. All of a sudden, black mist and overgrown trees shrouded the sky. People scattered, and Locksmiths immediately went to awareness after we told citizens about the Magycte Beasts¨C though some were skeptical¨C they took the warning to heart.¡±

    Lyra sighed. They were prepared enough to get civilians out of danger. Even if they didn¡¯t believe it outright, they averted a crisis. That was enough to ease her mind.

    ¡°As for the other¡¯s¡­¡± he grimly spoke. He grunted, grabbing his side. There were claw marks that ripped through his vest. ¡°Dang, beasts got me good. Sorrel and I had been fighting them off when Rylia collapsed from shock; she never did truly recover after that last Magycte incident, even after her arm was looking like it was healing. She refused to pick up a weapon.¡±

    ¡°Here, let me remove your pain away,¡± Alivier, said, approaching the burly man. ¡°While I may be able to tend to your injuries, I¡¯m afraid the girl¡¯s psyche is one that I cannot heal.¡±

    Gavrik eyed Lyra and Eamon to confirm whether he should trust them. They nodded, knowing the consequences if they did not get him treatment.

    ¡°What happened to Sorrel when you were fighting off the Fiends?¡± Eamon asked him.

    Gavrik pinched his brows. He gritted his teeth and smashed his fists into the ground. ¡°That raven-haired idiot. I called out to him and told him we¡¯d be stronger in numbers, but he insisted on leading most, if not all, the pack away.¡±

    Fear dressed on Lyra and Eamon¡¯s faces as they looked at each other, wondering the same thing.

    Gavrik shook his head. Knowing what they were thinking, the same thing he had been thinking. ¡°I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s alive or dead either.¡±

    ¡°And Elessa? What about Jalen and Master Thaldir?¡± Lyra asked him. ¡°Where were they?¡±

    He shook his head again. ¡°Once that forest started to loom over us, whatever it be, all us Locksmiths scattered, trying to get civilians to safety. It was only Myself, Rylia, and Sorrel on one patrol. Thaldir, Jalen, and Elessa were elsewhere at the time. I don¡¯t know what befell of them, either.¡±

    This was serious now. They did not know if any of the Locksmiths were hiding, alive, or dead, but they knew if they wanted to save everyone, they would need to move fast.

    ¡°And finished,¡± Alivier said after he was done tending to Gav¡¯s wound. ¡°Your wound is healed enough that you won¡¯t bleed out and even internally I managed to stitch a few nerves and skins to patch it together, but any further strain and you may find yourself with the short end of the stick.¡±

    Gav grunted with a nod of approval. ¡°Works for me. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯d be of any use but¨C¡±

    ¡°Of course, we would ask you to sit this out,¡± Lyra told him. ¡°We¡¯re going to find the others alive, bring them back, and get rid of this Altar and Magycte problem.¡±

    ¡°Truly, thank you. Thank Lumos for you both.¡±

    ¡°I will stay with them,¡± Cassandra offered. I am still capable, but I do not want to slow you down if I succumb to the trauma. Your friend is injured, and the other is unable to respond to us. At least together, we can fend off any Enemies that cross our path.¡±

    Agreeing that was the best option, Lyra and Eamon would be enough to distract the Ultra Magycte Beast with their Kesync long enough for Alivier to blast it away.

    ¡°We won¡¯t be long; hold on as long as you can,¡± Eamon told them.

    After they helped move Gav and Rylia from the center and put others in hiding among some buildings with coverings to stay close to them, the remaining party left with Lyra, Eamon, and Alivier as they traversed deeper into the mouth of the forest''s Altar.

 Part Twenty-Six: Gates of the Altar

    Going deeper into the forest was like a rabbit hole. It was endless miles of a dark sea of trees with no path and seeable light insight.

    ¡°This place gives me the creeps.¡± Lyra wrinkled her brow and twisted her neck from side to side, analyzing her surroundings. ¡°I feel like I''m being watched.¡±

    ¡°Well, you aren''t crazy because you are being watched.¡± Lyra completed one hundred and eighty to Alivier with, ¡®I''m sorry, could you repeat that?¡¯ ¡°I only mean to say the creatures here have sensed you for a while now, but many of them sense your abilities are strong and know they will likely be eradicated.¡±

    Lyra had to hold in her annoyance from yelling at Alivier. Instead, Eamon spoke for her with the same level of disbelief as Lyra.

    ¡°That''s a bit of omitted information you left out there, Alivier.¡± He could feel Lyra¡¯s annoyance rise from her aura, even without Keysync.

    ¡°Let''s keep. Moving.¡± With gritted teeth and a forced smile. Her palms tightened so they would not hit something or someone.

    Once they had reached an open field, they heard fighting and war cries in the distance. The three rushed off in the direction of the commotion.

    On the premises of the battlefield were civilians being surrounded by several men and women Locksmiths fending off hordes of Fiends. One group, in particular, caught their attention when they saw Master Thaldin, Jalen, and Elessa protecting children from the menacing winged creatures with fanged beaks and talon claws.

    Sprinting into action, Lyra and Eamon slashed at a few Fiends on their way to their friends, aiding the other Locksmiths. Bright, blinding light shot out at the leftover Fiends as Alivier eliminated them and freed the trapped Locksmiths and civilians to flee the scene.

    Once Lyra and Eamon sliced through a wolfish fiend, they aided their tired friends and faced off against the Fiends who growled or screeched at their interference.

    ¡°Lyra? Eamon?¡± Elessa exclaimed. ¡°How did you guys get here?¡±

    Lyra smirked. ¡°Thought we¡¯d crash this party and get it really pumping.¡±

    Elessa laughed. Missing the spirited-eyed young Locksmith.

    ¡°I am grateful that you both came when you did,¡± Jalen said, taking down an incoming flier. ¡°Have you by chance seen Rylia and Gav?¡±

    ¡°We have,¡± Eamon grunted as he took out another Fiend. ¡°They¡¯re safe with our friend. A commander of a cohort in Valerian.¡±

    Master Thaldir whistled. ¡°You kids are certainly gaining influence and meeting exceptional people. Proud of you both. Have you also seen Sorrel?¡±

    They shook their heads. Their faces showed defeat as did worry on the other three¡¯s faces.

    ¡°Gav said that Sorrel led some Fiends away from him and Rylia so there wouldn¡¯t be so many. We were hoping that he might have been here.¡± Lyra told them with a heavy heart. She swung her sword, striking the heart of a Fiend.

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s no matter,¡± Elessa said with defiance in her voice and in her attacks. ¡°Sorrel is strong and we believe in our friends. Now what do y''all say we finish cleaning this mess so we could look for him?¡±

    ¡°Right!¡±

    Together the group finished eradicating the Fiends were eviscerated. Some of the Locksmith¡¯s returned to the scene to help and offered to take back any civilians remaining.

    Once calm, Elessa hugged Lyra, and then Eamon, glad to see that they were well and okay. ¡°I¡¯m so happy to see you both. It already feels like a lifetime ago since we last met.¡±

    Lyra sheepishly rubbed the back of her head. ¡°They do say I have that effect on people, but yeah, it¡¯s really good to see you all. I just wish Rylia¡­¡±

    Elessa frowned, nodding at Lyra¡¯s unfinished sentence. ¡°She got worse when you both left. I think that first Magycte Beast attack really shook her. I don¡¯t think she¡¯ll be continuing as a Locksmith anymore.¡±

    ¡°Then, this is going to be really difficult because a Magycte Beasts, no, an Ultimate Magycte Beast is what¡¯s causing this Altar appearing in Isselgrade.¡± Eamon clarified to them.

    ¡°An Ultimate?¡± Jalen questioned, with furrowed brows. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me those things are getting stronger now?¡±

    ¡°I, too, would like to know more about this Ultimate and why these ¡®Altars¡¯ are showing up,¡± Master Thaldir said, rubbing his long gray beard, old blue eyes filled with cumbersome worry.

    ¡°Perhaps I may be able to shed some light on the subject before we proceed to the final boss.¡± Alivier told them, approaching from the sidelines.

    Lyra crossed her arms, raising a brow, and twisting her lip at him. ¡°Huh-uh, and don¡¯t omit or leave out anything.¡±

    He gave her a cheeky smile. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of doing that twice to save face from your wrath.¡±

    ¡°Smart man.¡± Eamon nodded.

    Lyra snorted. ¡°As he should be.¡±

    Alivier explained in brief detail about why these Altars had started appearing in places that had a Magycte Beast appear from an Ethereal Rift, followed by, the truth that the Children of Deimos were, in fact, real and had some kind of hand in all of this for their Master and their plan; possibly even taking the Codex.

    That left to explaining about Alivier¡¯s purpose as a Lictkrieger and how a warrior of Lumos was to protect what Lumos had created from those who wish to do it harm.

    The three Locksmith¡¯s nodded, satisfied by the explanation.

    ¡°Very well,¡± Master Thaldir said. ¡°We should take this to the Ultimate, shall we?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Lyra exclaimed. ¡°We can¡¯t let you guys fight this thing. You should make it to safety with the others, or¡­ find Sorrel.¡±

    ¡°And let you three have all the fun?¡± Jalen said, massaging his broad shoulders, then proceeded to run his hands through his dark hair. ¡°I¡¯m worried about Sorrel too, but he can hold out. I know he can.¡±

    ¡°And,¡± Elessa added. ¡°From what you said, the faster we take out this Ultimate running the show then this Altar fades away. As Locksmith¡¯s we are here to protect our home and the civilians in it. That¡¯s just who we are.¡±

    ¡°We could use more distraction with Sly and Cassandra out of the picture,¡± Eamon said to Lyra. ¡°Besides, would you stay behind if this was reversed?¡± he whispered the last part to her.

    Lyra snorted. ¡°Not in a million years. What am I saying, of course, the more the merrier to get things back to normal.¡±

    Now as a unit of six, they proceeded to where the aura was strongest and the Ultimate Magycte Beast waited.

    They could see an enormous plant beast from their cliff perch with a wide gangly mouth that revealed thousands of sharp teeth and a vine-like tongue seeping nutrients from the ground. The beast''s plant-based feet were rooted to the ground for stabilization and energy usage.

    The plan was simple: Elessa and Lyra would charge in with a frontal attack, with Jalen and Eamon as backup offense. Master Thaldir would stay near Alivier to attack anything disturbing him while he gathered power.

    With everything planned when Eamon noticed a black-haired figure move from out of his peripheral, behind a couple of boulders. ¡°Wait, is that who I think it is?¡±

    They all turned to where Eamon was looking, and Elessa responded with wide eyes. ¡°That¡¯s Sorrel!¡±

    Jalen frowned. ¡°And from here, it looks like he¡¯s injured.¡±

    ¡°Okay, new plan,¡± Lyra interrupted, sensing the tension high seeing their friend in a dangerous predicament. ¡°Eamon and I will do the frontal attack distraction. Meanwhile, Jalen and Elessa will go to Sorrel to get him to safety. Master Thaldir stays where he is. How¡¯s everyone feeling about that?¡±

    Nodding agreement, the team broke out into their positions.

    Lyra and Eamon approached the Ultimate to announce their presence and keep their attention on them while Elessa and Jalen went to rescue Sorrel.

    The Ultimate Magycte Beast roared and pounded its vine foot into the earth, shaking the ground and causing rubble to jump from it.

    ¡°We''ll need to give both Elessa and Jalen enough time to rescue Sorrel, and give Alivier enough time to cast that light Essentia.¡± Lyra reiterated the plan to everyone as they faced off.

    ¡°You doing alright back there, Master Thaldir?¡± Eamon asked, not taking his eyes off the Ultimate.

    Master Thaldir barked out in laughter. ¡°No need to worry about me kids. I''ve been fighting all kinds of Fiends and Veilspawn for years. Nothing will happen to your friend long as I''m standing.¡±

    ¡°A comforting thing indeed, much obliged, Master Thaldir,¡± Alivier said.

    ¡°How should we go about this one?¡± Eamon asked as they approached the Ultimate.

    Lyra pursed her lips together, shaking her head. ¡°This thing will probably have vines. Look at its feet; it''s keeping itself on top.¡±

    ¡°Mmm, good point. We could both go low and do a cross-slash attack.¡±

    Lyra''s eyes widened as an idea came to her: ¡°I''ve got an idea. Let''s get a boost from our Kesync.¡±

    Eamon followed her lead. With their link intact, the power of Essentia flowed through them.

    Give yourself a boost of Zephyr. You''ll use the wind''s speed and attack it from the legs. Once it''s down, I''ll knock it unconscious, and then we double-team it.

    Eamon nodded. Sounds like a good idea. Let''s go for it.

    Eamon crossed his arms together, holding the Escrima sticks tightly. Zephyr flowed around him and his weapons. He snapped open his eyes and dashed straight for the creature.

    The Ultimate thought it came to attack him head-on and used a vine arm to lash out, smashing into the ground. Eamon dodged out of the way. He charged for the roots of its feet and leaned forward; his arms stretched back to give himself more momentum.

    Once he was close enough, he slashed the Beast''s legs, snapping them from the ground.

    Lyra jumped in the air and whizzed forward. She brought her sword down, cutting it deep.

    Eamon now!

    Eamon and Lyra both attacked the Ultimate Magycte Beast at once. The Beast roared in pain and sent a beacon call for other Fiends. They emerged from the forest and headed for Master Thaldir and a channeling Alivier.

    Master Thaldir grunted as he swung his weapon at the Fiends that came with the Call before they attacked Alivier.

    ¡°I think it''s weakening!¡± Lyra called out as they hacked and slashed together. However, to their dismay, the creature was no longer stunned, reached out a vine tentacle and directed it toward Lyra.

    ¡°Lyra, watch out!¡± Eamon shouted. He dropped his guard and dashed for Lyra, colliding with her.

    They fell to the ground as the vine dropped and smashed into the earth.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Lyra shouted. They lifted their heads from where they crashed to the ground to see the Ultimate Magycte Beast standing.

    ¡°Guess it''s stronger than we thought.¡±

    The two of them got to their feet, preparing for another plan, when several more Fiends began to overwhelm Master Thaldir and Alivier, who had to stop his spell from helping fight off the murderous Fiends.

    ¡°Shoot, we have to help!¡± Lyra started to sprint in the direction of Master Thaldir and Alivier, but the Ultimate slapped a vine arm down to the ground with a loud thud, blocking their path to their friends.

    ¡°Looks like someone doesn''t want us to leave,¡± Eamon said, eyeing the vines that blocked them. Lyra backed up as the two stood back to back.

    ¡°So, what do we do now? We''re trapped, and now that Alivier is busy fending off the Fiends, He can''t forcibly send the Ultimate into oblivion.¡±

    When all seemed hopeless, a snap cracked the sky, and several Fiends disappeared into a smoky haze.

    ¡°Need any help?¡±

    ¡°Sly!¡±

    Jumping down the cliff''s edge in a low crouch, she rose with cat-like grace and a grin.

    ¡°I heard from both Elessa and Jalen that you could use my help. Must be a tough one.¡±Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    She was glad they had gotten Sorrel to safety, but she was even more pleased when Elessa and Jalen returned, with Cassandra in tow, but with her Tierney and¡­.

    ¡°Aurora?!¡± Lyra exclaimed. ¡°Why did you bring them here?¡±

    ¡°Cassandra said the same, but Tierney foresaw that Ultimate would be a bit of trouble, and I couldn''t let them stay behind.¡±

    ¡°Or let them stay with civilians! Gav was there.¡±

    Sly smirked. ¡°Now you know that girl wouldn''t let me leave from her sights, let alone if she knew you were close.¡±

    ¡°Maybe we should talk about this later. It''s starting to snap out of it after your attack.¡± Eamon interrupted the two.

    ¡°Rightfully, so. You''ll have to scold me later, Lyra. For now, I''ll charge in to attack; you are my backup, and Eamon will provide support if need be. The rest of our party will fight off any Fiends in the surrounding area.

    Lyra grumbled. ¡°Fine.¡±

    The three of them broke out in formation. The Ultimate roared in fury at their plan. It called more Fiends to stop them, but they were expecting that as Elessa and Jalen double-teamed the approaching Fiends while Cassandra hacked and slashed at them. Eamon did a spin tackle and lunged at some incoming Fiends.

    ¡°Keep up the pace, everyone! I''ll have to tap into some power reserve for this one.¡± Sly called out.

    They did not know what that meant, but they knew the A-ranked Locksmith had tricks up her sleeves that they had never seen before.

    An aura reserve of power flooded from Sly; those close to her could feel the energy particles radiating from her like pulsating sparks. She moved with such precision and agility that she was almost a blur.

    Lyra and Eamon could barely keep up when she had seemingly teleported from the left mid-air, attacked, disappeared, and reappeared to the right to strike again.

    The Ultimate roared in agony at such close range. It fell to the ground with a crash, shaking the earth underneath their feet. Sly sliced down an invisible whip Slash, cutting the Beast in half, and shouted to them: ¡®Lyra, Eamon, Now!¡¯

    Without hesitation, Lyra and Eamon nodded to each other. Bringing their weapons back, they drew power from the Wellsprings, collecting all the Essentia available.

    They zoomed forward together in perfect sync and yelled out a battle cry. They shouted, ¡°Cross Slash Ascent!¡± A blinding light of rainbow colors swirled around their weapons as they attacked the beaten-down Ultimate.

    The Beast, paralyzed, hollowed in pain.

    ¡°Now it''s my turn,¡± Alivier said and shot out a beam of white light that catapulted toward the Ultimate.

    It exploded in a shadowy mass as it died away. As the Magycte Beast faded away, so did the Altar.

    The Locksmiths cheered as the Altar returned to its former town of Isselgrade.

    ???

    They had no time to relax or engage with anyone. Lyra, Eamon, and their traveling party needed to continue to Sylvanbrook. They hoped their next stop in Elmsworth would not cause them issues. They warned the Locksmiths about the Altar and the nefarious plan the Children of Deimos had up their sleeves.

    As they made their way to Elmsworth, despite the dark cloudiness in the sky, they realized that there was no Altar present. The town was barren and looked untouched by Fiends or Magycte Beasts.

    ¡°What''s going on here?¡± Lyra questioned, looking around the town in case she missed something. ¡°There should be an Altar here, right?¡±

    Eamon agreed. ¡°It seems to match up with other recent events. Right, Alivier?¡±

    The blonde-haired Lictkrieger hummed to himself and eyed his surroundings as if trying to figure out something.

    ¡°Something is amiss.¡±

    ¡°Then, let''s find out what''s going on at the Outpost,¡± Sly told them. The group all nodded and made their way to the outpost.

    They had not expected the Outpost to spiral, with groups of civilians huddled in different sections of the Outpost and Locksmiths scurrying about trying to aid whoever needed them.

    The party stared in confusion, glad that many were safe but confused by the situation''s outcome. They approached the receptionist''s desk, where a woman with dark, long brunette hair and brown eyes was trying to help some civilians.

    ¡°Sloan!¡±

    Brown hair swept across the woman''s cheek, and her wide gray eyes met Sly''s.

    ¡°Oh, thank you, Lumos. Sly, you''re okay and the two Ashbourne children too.¡±

    They approached the front desk. She apologized to the civilians so she could speak to them.

    ¡°Sloan, do you know what''s been going on?¡±

    She bobbed her head. ¡°We heard Lyra on the radio when an Altar, you called it, attacked Tro¨¦r. The Locksmiths here did not take any chances and escorted any civilians here. So far, besides the occasional irate Fiend, there was nothing unusual to what you had described on the radio.¡±

    The group sighed with relief. They were glad that Elmsworth was safe, and maybe, just maybe, that meant Sylvanbrook was, too.

    ¡°Have you heard anything from Sylvanbrook?¡±

    The look on her face fell, causing each of their stomachs to churn, expecting the worst.

    ¡°We haven''t had a connection with Sylvanbrook for a few days now.¡±

    Eamon''s face displayed a sudden shock, Lyra¡¯s expression from surprise to sadness to fear.

    Her heart fell in her chest at the thought of something happening to her grandfather, her mother, and everyone she knew at Sylvanbrook. Her home.

    ¡®No,¡¯ a defiant voice called out, snapping her out of her grief. ¡®Stand up and keep fighting. That is what it means to be a Locksmith. Don''t let the fear win.¡¯

    ¡°Lyra?¡± Eamon called out to her.

    She noticed that Sly was looking on with worry, as were Cassandra and Tierney, with a wide-eyed fearfulness in Aurora¡¯s eyes as she gripped her hand.

    Lyra smiled and stroked the girl''s hair.

    ¡°I''m fine. Let''s save our home. We won''t let The Children of Deimos or their Altars take our home.¡±

    Sly nodded with a grin of approval, seeing how much she had grown. Eamon, too, nodded as eager and confident as she was because he would not let the only home he had known run amok with darkness. Everyone else agreed that they should do something and save the people of Aurum from the shadows that lurked beyond.

    ???

    A hazy smoke blocked off the entrance to Sylvanbrook. Cassandra¡¯s entire body cinched as memories of that fateful day rushed back and hit her.

    ¡°It''s here¡­¡± her voice quaked. Her hand gripped the hilt of her weapon, Stigma, but she could not bring herself to stay calm as fear collapsed around her. Her eyes dilated, and her breath caught in her throat, unable to process reality.

    ¡°Cassandra? Cassandra!¡± Tierney cried out her name, shaking her. Tears streaked her brown skin as she wailed at her to snap out of it but met with a blank stare of a woman not fully healed from the losses, the burden, and the guilt that she could not save them.

    ¡°Cassandra! Cassandra! Snap out of it!¡± Lyra called out to her. Eamon tried, too; even Aurora hoped to snap her out.

    It was not until Sly stepped forward and slapped her cheek with an outstretched hand that the snap echoed, and there was silence. Cassandra gripped her now red cheek and looked at Sly with more coherency in her eyes.

    ¡°Death is a tragic thing, you hear me? You won''t know how many men and women, Locksmiths, I''ve called friends and family that died in the line of duty. Too many. I''ve shouldered their deaths with me, but you know what I don''t do?¡±

    She was silent and let Sly speak.

    ¡°I don''t let myself be buried with them. I mourn them, yes, grieve them, always. But what I will not do is punish myself for their deaths.¡±

    Cassandra blinked. Tears fell down her cheeks as Sly spoke to her, without anger or pity, but someone who had lost so much and was able to pick themselves up.

    ¡°You will be sad and grieve, but you will carry all those soldiers with you proudly. They will only be able to rest when you do. Carry on for them, avenge them, even, but let it not be in anger or sadness but honor.¡±

    Cassandra sniffed, nodding at each word and phrase. It would be hard to move on from the grief, but Sly was right. They could not move on unless she did. She''d carry on and carry them with her until they all could be free.

    ¡°Thank you, Sly¡­ I appreciate that, truly. I keep losing myself in the past, but I must look forward if I wish to heal.¡±

    Sly placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°And heal you shall.¡±

    With matters settled, the party retreated into the thick mist. They could barely see any signs of life or buildings.

    ¡°Something¡¯s there!¡± Aurora said, causing everyone to stop moving.

    Lyra was not sure how she could see in all the fog.

    ¡°Is it an enemy, Aurora?¡±

    She furrowed her brows. Squeezing Lyra¡¯s hand, knowing she could not see her expression.

    ¡°I don''t know¡­ they have¡­ weapons.¡±

    Unsure if that meant friend or foe, they unsheathed their weapons regardless. They would fight to the death if it meant saving their home.

    Lyra was the first to cry out, enraged, and brandished her sword to attack whoever was beyond the mist. They dodged the blow.

    She hesitated for a split second. In most cases, it would have landed her dead, but this time, Lumos gave her the foresight that this was no enemy.

    ¡°Wait, Leo, it''s me!¡±

    The person, Leo, recognized her, too. ¡°Lyra? What are you doing out here? It''s dangerous out here!¡±

    Despite not being able to see his full features. Lyra knew the mousy, brown-haired, fair-skinned boy who trained at her grandfather''s guild. He was often clumsy but never gave up and kept trying even when he failed. He swore he''d make it to Lyra¡¯s level one day, and she accepted it, telling him she''d want a fight with him soon.

    ¡°Yeah, I know that. Some of us Locksmiths have spread about Sylvanbrook to patrol and ensure no civilians were left behind and that no Fiends breached these borders.¡±

    ¡°And have you witnessed anything strange? Like something appearing from out of nowhere?¡± Sly asked, ready to explain to him.

    ¡°Yeah, the Altar appeared sometime after the Strega appeared. Then, Master Ealdred told everyone to patrol the cities and bring civilians to the guild for safety. If there were any Fiends to eradicate them, but Magycte Beast, stay away.¡±

    Even though they could not see each other, Eamon and Lyra gave each other a look.

    ¡°Is it true that Magycte Beasts are real?¡± Leo finally questioned.

    Before anyone could reply to him, Alivier stepped forward and answered.

    ¡°They very much are now what you said about a Strega; where are they?¡±

    Lyra and Eamon knew little about the Strega, except that they were from the Aurora Federation and covertly operated within the Web of Scarlet. They engaged in heinous and illegal activities like collaborating with the Primal Weavers.

    ¡°He was with Master Ealdred. They were trying to drain the Altars'' powers from seeping what life they took from Sylvanbrook.¡±

    Before Lyra could respond, Alivier answered first, and she could feel his power leech off him, which made her cringe.

    ¡°Show us.¡±

    Without saying any more words, Leo led them to where the Strega and Ealdred were located.

    ???

    The fog seemed to get thicker as they went deeper into town, but Lyra knew the landscape and that they were nearing the forest with the old warehouse. Trailing behind the others so they would not lag and get lost, each held onto the other as they walked the forest pathway and up toward the open field.

    The fog had thinned, making it possible again to see that the warehouse was no longer present and that an Altar, twice as big as Tro¨¦r and Isselgrade, was in its place.

    At the forefront was an unknown male, the Strega, wearing all black. The other male figure was Ealdred.

    ¡°Grandpa!¡± Lyra called out, high-pitched and childlike, glad to see that he was alive given the circumstances.

    Ealdred turned around, surprise lacing his features, seeing the party approach him¡ªexcept for Alivier, who moved with purpose and bloodlust that oozed out of him.

    Ealdred stepped in front of the Strega, who was working on an incantation as he moved his lips. Eamon noted it was similar to how Locksmiths closed Rifts, except he encased a barrier around it.

    ¡°I''m sorry, but I can''t allow you to pass or hurt this young man.¡±

    Alivier cast a glare at Ealdred. The retired S-Rank Locksmith did not move even though he could sense Alivier''s power rivaling his own.

    ¡°A brave and defiant one you are. I can see where Lyra gets it. You don''t know who you''re dealing with.¡±

    Ealdred grinned. Though not at all kindly, if not business-like.

    ¡°They haven''t shown an inch of malice, unlike you, who radiate bloodlust. Perhaps they fight for honor, justice, and truth. ``

    Alivier snorted. ¡°Honor? Justice? Truth? Those words shouldn''t be mixed with a Strega, let alone a Primal Weavers dog.¡±

    That caused a slight movement from the Strega. Seeing it all unfold, Lyra could not idly sit back and step in before things got serious.

    ¡°Okay, Alivier, backup,¡± Lyra said, extending out her sword and putting distance between him and Ealdred. ¡°Whatever issue you have with that man, leave my grandfather out of it.¡±

    As if a light switch flipped in his head, Alivier turned the serious expression on his face to one of humor and pulled his lips into a wide-cheesy grin that seemed to rub Lyra the wrong way.

    ¡°Leave them alone, Lictkrieger. I only stopped at the Altar as my Master told me to. We can settle things when the crisis is averted,¡± The Strega said to him.

    Alivier snorted. ¡°There wouldn¡¯t be a crisis if the Codex wasn¡¯t taken.¡±

    At the accusation, the Strega turned to face Alivier partially. The darkness in his hazel eyes glared at him.

    ¡°You think the coven did this?¡± He sucked his teeth. ¡°Of course you would. I should not expect anything less from a Lictkrieger. You believe in one thing and one thing only.¡±

    ¡°What more proof do I need? You are an active participant in the illegal trade of the Web Scarlet. A black market that sells heinous and horrid things, like body parts. Need I say more?¡±

    ¡°Alright, enough of this debate,¡± Sly stepped into their dispute. She eyed them both, threatening them to speak. ¡°This is not the time or place, as you two clearly see. I do not care who did or said what. All I know is that these Altars are affecting our home, so if you want to stop this, you¡¯ll settle your differences like good children and work together.¡±

    Knowing she was right, they both nodded and called a truce.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Sly said, turning to everyone. ¡°Judging from the structure and the power this Altar is giving off, it¡¯s deadly stronger. We¡¯re going to need everyone¡¯s assistance that can help fight. Those unable to will return to town with Leo to safety.¡±

    Lyra bent down to Aurora and took her little arms in her hands. ¡°I need you to be a big girl and go with my grandpa. He¡¯s a good man. You know I¡¯ll return, so no worries. Is that okay?¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡±Aurora¡¯s lip quivered, and she bowed her head in defeat. She wanted to say more but held it back not to upset the situation further like Sly said. ¡°...Okay.¡±

    Lyra looked up at Ealdred, knowing that while he was strong, he would¨C

    ¡°That won¡¯t work,¡± The Strega called out to them. ¡°Sorry to say, Locksmith, but I will need the Sentinel¡¯s power. All your powers would be handy, but his power level is astronomically stronger.¡±

    Lyra wrinkled her nose. ¡°And who are you again?¡±

    ¡°Malakyh El-Amin. I¡¯d shake your hand, but as you can see?¡± He said, shrugging his shoulders while maintaining the magical barrier around the structure from going haywire.

    ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying,¡± Eamon said, looking at the structure himself. ¡°You need outside power to seal it and inside power to close it. Yes?¡±

    ¡°That is correct,¡± Malakyh nodded after a moment of silence. ¡°I had an inkling someone would make their appearance sooner or later. Thankfully, it was sooner.¡±

    ¡°So, you gambled if someone would appear?¡± Cassandra accused.

    Alivier''s arms crossed, and he shook his head. ¡°And that isn¡¯t suspicious at all.¡±

    Sly sighed. ¡°Enough of this. Fine, Ealdred stays here with Leo, Aurora, and Tierney. Cassandra, are you¨C¡±

    She shook her head. ¡°No, I¡¯m coming. Eventually, I have to face my fears, and I feel he is down there.¡±

    Sly nodded. She looked to Lyra and Eamon, knowing that they were ready. ¡°Alivier, you¡¯re coming with us since you can aid us in defeating the Magycte Beast.¡±

    ¡°Ah, and to think it was because you didn¡¯t trust me around the Strega.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it is definitely because of that, too, but at least you know where your shortcomings lie.¡±

    Alivier pouted, feigning hurt. ¡°You wound me, Sly.¡±

    Ignoring him, Sly returned her attention to the group. `The goal is to lock the Altar from the outside and defeat the Ultimate Magycte Beast inside. This is a do-or-die mission. We protect Aurum and its civilians no matter what. Let Lumos guide us to victory!¡±

    The party cheered in unison, and those who were to fight entered into the gates of the Altar.

 Part Twenty-Seven: The Grass isnt always Greener on the Other Side

    The path inside the Altar was emerald, with torches hanging on the wall. It was bigger than all the others they came across. It was a complex maze of twisted stairwells in various directions.

    The group stood at the entrance of the Altar, staring into the abyss of the dark corridor where the altered versions of Fiends awaited and where the boss, the Ultimate Magycte Beast, resided. However, the question that kept replaying in their minds was why. Who was truly behind the Altars? Why were the Children of Deimos back after centuries of hiding in the shadows? What did people like the Lictkrieger and the Primal Weavers have to do with it and the Codex?

    They would not know the answers until they traversed deeper inside, and hopefully, they would be able to stop what was already foreshadowing to turn the tides of Aurum for the worse.

    Running down the maze steps, the party traveled and pulled into battle with the crystal-blue-eyed Fiends. They alternated tactical battle strategies to defeat them.

    Soon after, they approached the first puzzle of the Altar.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Lyra asked, leaning forward to the circular, stone-shaped sundial planted into the ground. ¡°It looks like¡­ A puzzle?¡±

    On the surface, it looked like a maze wall with several moveable pieces at each platform corner.

    ¡°Do you know what this is Alivier?¡±

    Alivier pierced a glare at the puzzling device and rubbed his chin. ¡°It is indeed a puzzle but one that I do not recognize, unfortunately.¡±

    The wheels slowly began turning as Eamon stared at the device. His head started to hurt, and strange images from his childhood¨C a bright white light and performing a similar puzzle¨C flooded his memory.

    ¡°Wait¡­ I think I recognize this?¡±

    Though he was not entirely sure himself, it did not make sense why this object reminded him of his childhood or even why his childhood seemed familiar and foreign at the same time. Eamon approached the Sundial Platform with cautious movements. Lyra looked on with curiosity.

    ¡°Careful, Eamon.¡± Sly cautioned him when he reached out a hesitant hand to grab one of the pieces.

    Nothing happened. Not at first. He moved the pieces on the dial, dragging them through the maze walls and to the center. He did that with the other four pieces until a groaning noise from the stone doors opened on command.

    ¡°How did those doors open?¡± Cassandra questioned, looking at the device and pointing it at Eamon.

    ¡°Some kind of archaic mechanism is what it looks like.¡± Sly deduced. ¡°I''ve read about these. They were once used in temples during the Primal Chaos era.¡±

    ¡°Temples used to worship their false god, Deimos.¡± Alivier sneered with disgust. ¡°The texts describe archaic things like these. They were not only used as a place of worship but also rituals and sacrifices.¡±

    Everyone stared horrified at Alivier''s revelation.

    ¡°Ritual? Is that what has been happening around Lysandrian Kingdom? What are they planning then?¡± Lyra questioned.

    Cassandra nodded. ¡°That''s what I would like to know, too. A ritual requires an offering, a sacrifice. That Sovran, Croger, told me they sacrificed thousands of soldiers, soldiers like my grandfather. They have placed these rituals all around places of negative energy from centuries ago when Primal Chaos took place.

    They all stared at the knowledge they were slowly obtaining.

    ¡°Let''s go deeper in,¡± Sly said. ¡°We won''t get any answers standing around here.¡±

    Entering deeper into the abyss, the party traveled further into the Altars'' domain. The darkness slowly shredded its bleak darkness into an ethereal blue, turning the walls a teal color.

    The path became a downward spiral as they descended further into the bowels of darkness. It was not until they reached the end of the stairs that they saw three assailants, two of whom the group knew well: Sovran #0 and #5.

    Cassandra gritted her teeth as she glared at the man who had caused the death of her cohort. ¡°You. Maxwell Croger.¡±

    The man turned around, tipping his hat with a grin. ¡°Well, Well, Praefectus. I did not think we''d meet again so soon. I see that arm of yours hasn''t healed yet.¡±

    Sovran #0 turned around. His boyish grin spread across his face, and his eyes twinkled, seeing familiar Faces.

    ¡°I, unfortunately, cannot share your disbelief Croger.¡± He shrugged his shoulders, palm outward. ¡°I knew very well that the Rosevera Whip and the Ashbourne heirs would be the heroes of Aurum. Too bad the others couldn''t have made it.¡±

    ¡°Tch, others?¡± Alivier spat. ¡°What are you foul beings doing here? And if you have the Codex, you would do right by handing it back to where it belongs, with Lumos herself.¡±

    Finnian¡¯s eyes twinkled, and he leaned forward with pursed lips. ¡°Ooh, a Lictkrieger. I have not seen you, light warriors, for quite a long time. Still hailing that monster of a problem, Lumos, yes?¡±

    ¡°You cretins are the ones who hail a monster,¡± Alivier snapped back.

    Croger sighed. ¡°All this back and forth is nonsense. Are we almost done here, Professor?¡±

    They addressed the third individual in the room¡ªa stout older man with a hunched back and balding gray hair. He turned to the party, revealing weathered pale skin¡ªhis wire-rimmed glasses over dull, lifeless gray eyes. Yet, despite his aged appearance, there was a presence of power lurking in him.

    ¡°Greetings, Locksmiths, Lictkrieger, and Praefectus and¡­ Eamon.¡±

    Eamon frowned, wondering how this man knew his name. He was about to ask him, but he flinched and cried out in pain, grabbing his right eye as it and the tension of his head throbbed.

    ¡°Eamon!¡± Lyra crouched to the floor where he had fallen to his knees. He gritted his teeth, one hand over his eye and the other holding Lyra¡¯s hand.

    ¡°What¡­ who are you?¡±

    The man smiled an eerie grin that was scarily familiar.

    ¡°Why, you don''t remember me¡­ Black Thorn?¡±

    At the mention of the name in this man''s voice¨Cit was different than when Nikolai said it¨Ca flurry of visions appeared in his head. His memories were filtered blue coloring as he saw images of his parents, but they were not traversing the market spaces of Sylvanbrook or toiling away in the fields. Instead, they were inside a lab and looking directly at him, not with care or love, but like a specimen. He saw the white light, but it was not from the sun but from the artificial lights inside a lab, where they tested him.

    He was not even in the safety of his bed but in an experiment tube.

    <i>¡®Welcome to the world, Black Thorn,¡¯ his father said, dry-like watching from outside the tube. This was not how he remembered him.</i>

    <i>¡®Shall we continue to undergo the test, Professor Walsh?¡¯ His mother asked. Cold and uncaring. Not the melodic voice he used to that sang him to sleep.</i>

    <i>¡®No, he should be ready. As a test run, you both shall raise it. Start a family in the town of Sylvanbrook. The time will come when he is needed, and then the plan shall be set in motion.¡¯</i>

    The vision disappeared, but it was as if Eamon was still reliving those foreign yet familiar memories.

    ¡°No¡­ that can''t be¡­ none of that is true.¡± His eyes blurred with tears. His hand dropped to his side and revealed one eye had turned red.

    Lyra gasped. She tried to shake Eamon from his state, but it was as if whatever he saw had paralyzed him.

    ¡°What have you done to him?!¡± Lyra yelled at Professor Walsh¡ªfury in her eyes, glaring at the apathetic man in robed white.

    Wait, robed white? That''s what Aurora had described in her memories.

    ¡°It is quite a lot to unpack, my dear, and frankly, I''m not sure you''ll be able to comprehend, let alone deal with the truth.¡±

    ¡°Cut your crap and stop your rambling.¡± Sly berated the man, stepping forward to shield Lyra and Eamon.

    ¡°Ramblings? Surely not. If anything, I consider it exactly what he needs. Don''t you agree, Black Thorn?¡±

    ¡°Stop calling him that!¡± Lyra shouted, standing to her feet, but she pulled back down when Eamon gripped her hand. She looked down, seeing that he was sweating. Fear and recognition were in his eyes. Seeing him look this way made her sick to her stomach. Something was not right.

    ¡°Enough of this!¡± Cassandra yelled back. ¡°What are you fiends doing here? Are you the one causing these Altars to appear around Lysandrian?¡±

    ¡°And if so, is this for that Master you spoke of?¡± Sly said afterward.

    Professor Walsh clapped. ¡°All excellent questions, yes, but I¡¯m afraid I can''t answer them. Not yet, anyway. Now, if you will, please return to the duties you assigned to you and made for Black Thorn¡­ Sovran #7.¡±

    Something pulled at the recesses of his mind as images flooded back into him¡ªhis ¡®parents¡¯ as they coached and taught him to be human. The loving images he had conjured were only manifestations that they had used to brainwash him. He shook his head wildly. He did not understand. He thought his parents were his, but he could not have been more wrong. He was an experiment, and they were his makers. He was nothing more than¡­

    ¡°A Homunculus¡­.¡± he breathed out the words. His breath was shaky as he grabbed his chest.

    ¡°Ah, he''s finally getting the picture, Prof,¡± Croger commented with a half-crooked grin. ¡°And I can feel the presence of Sovran #6, the White Krieg above us.¡±

    Lyra frowned. White Krieg? Surely, they couldn''t be talking about Aurora. As if Walsh could read Lyra''s mind, he responded to her in kind, ¡°Yes, that little girl you''ve taken into your care. Aurora. You named it, right?¡±

    Lyra flinched at  the blatant lack of care by calling her it.

    ¡°Your surprise never gets old, dear. Yes, the one you call Aurora is, in fact, a Sovran and Homunculus: flesh from body parts and Deimos¡¯ very own essence created for his one true goal. However, Eamon¡­¡± he let out a low chuckle. ¡°He''s by far the most experimental of them all in a long time. We have been working on a special project for over a decade: a Dormant Shadow. A specialized type of Homunculus created with a hidden identity that a specific trigger can activate.¡±This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    ¡°You''re lying!¡± Lyra spat at him. However, in her heart, she knew the words to be true. Her eyes blinked away the tears that threatened to burst.

    ¡°Am I, though? During the Primal Chaos Era, Deimos¡¯s followers developed the technique of creating Dormant Shadows to plant spies and assassins within enemy ranks. The knowledge of this dark art was thought to be lost, but remnants survived and are now being used by the Children of Deimos to achieve what was taken from us.¡±

    ¡°Lyra¡­¡± Eamon whispered, pulling her attention to his crouched form. ¡°I''m sorry I hadn''t told you about my time in the military¡­. I thought the Master would turn me away, and then you and I were¡­ terrified. But I didn''t know about this, I swear.¡±

    Lyra shook her head at him, her eyes welling with tears. ¡°We wouldn''t have done that. We wouldn''t have turned our backs on you; you must believe that.¡±

    Eamon flinched. ¡°Maybe. Sly, I''m sorry, too. Thank you for taking me under your wing with Lyra; I don''t know how to repay you.¡±

    ¡°You don''t,¡± Sly told him. ¡°Whatever secrets you have were in the past. That does not affect your future. The you, I know, is a Locksmith through and through, you hear me?¡±

    Eamon pursed his lips. He stood to his feet and gripped his hands in a fist. ¡°No. I can''t be forgiven, not after all those people¡­ not after the tragedy ....¡±

    Lyra''s heart throbbed in its chest as she stared at Eamon, pouring out his heart¡ªthe truth of what he had been hiding since returning from the military.

    ¡°Eamon¡­ What are you saying? Is this¡­ About the Veilfall tragedy?¡±

    Everyone fell silent, and all eyes were on Eamon. Who clenched and unclenched his quivering hands.

    ¡°I was there. There was no Veilspawn that night because¡­¡± He raised his head, his teary eyes blurry and brimmed red. ¡°...They were already dead.¡±

    Walsh tsked, sucking his teeth and waving a finger in the air. ¡°You''re missing crucial information, my boy. But that is the risk when memories are locked away in a Dormant.¡± He snapped his fingers.

    The realization shone on his face as horrid images formed in Eamon''s mind. The memories that had been stored away and buried from him. The tears fell. ¡°No¡­It was me. I¡­ I was the one who killed them. It was me.¡±

    Everything inside Lyra broke as she stared at the grieving young man in front of her¡ªthe boy who she had grown up with and liked. There was no way he could have been a killer.

    Sly and Cassandra were shocked, staring at Eamon in disbelief. Lyra shook her head. ¡°NO.¡± Her voice hardened, catching everyone off guard. ¡°You wouldn''t just slaughter innocents. No, that was not you¡­ not really. I won''t believe the Eamon I know is a killer.¡±

    Her eyes squared at the two Sovrans and Walsh, who only smiled.

    ¡°You''re quite the perceptive girl, aren''t you? I do see a great deal of Arcemedus in you. Spitting image of him too. I knew you''d follow in his footsteps.¡±

    Lyra blinked, taken aback hearing her father''s name. ¡°W-what?¡±

    ¡°But I''m afraid we are out of time,¡± he snapped his fingers. ¡°The ritual is complete now.¡±

    Finnian giggled. ¡°While seeing the surprises on your faces about all these reveals was fun to watch, it was only bypassing time for completing the ritual.¡±

    ¡°What, ritual?¡± Alivier said through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Why, what else, my Lictkrieger friend? The Curse, of course. It shall awaken the Altars throughout Aurum and awaken Deimos. Our Master, the Arbiter, has planned this for a long time, and we couldn''t have done it without the ¡°heroes of Aurum¡± to set the playing field.¡±

    Confusion was written on their faces as they awaited answers that did not come from them but from Alivier.

    Fear etched into his wide eyes and paled his complexion as he took in the information. ¡°The Codex¡­ you took it to activate the Astral Contract.¡±

    ¡°Ding! Ding! Give him a prize, folks!¡± Finnian exclaimed and danced in place.

    Before anyone could ask anything else, the ground below their feet shook, and the crumbling rocks above pelted down.

    The rumbling turned to roars.

    ¡°What is that?¡± Lyra cried out.

    ¡°The last summoning to complete the contract. Thank you, dear Locksmiths. For we couldn''t have done this without you.¡± He turned to look at Eamon. ¡°I await your arrival. Return to where you belong, Sovran Black Thorn.¡±

    In a mystical energy that wrapped around them, the Sovrans and the Professor disappeared¡ªleaving them to face the Beast that lived below.

    ¡°And once negativity has been thwarted, shall the Altars rise and summon 72 Great Void Beasts, one guardian for each Altar.¡± Aliver reiterated from memory what was inside the Codex. ¡°The first Beast that lurks shadows, the Nightmare Beasts. Here be, Baal.¡±

    On cue, the nightmarish monster emerged from the ground. They were face to face with a twenty-foot-tall behemoth of a beast.

    ¡°Everyone¡­ Brace yourself!¡± Sly called out to them.

    The hollow chamber echoed from its rumbling as the party faced the emerging colossal Behemoth Baal. Dirty bandages wrapped around its floating corpse head, revealing one gold eye on its forehead through the slit. The creature''s form was a grotesque amalgamation of ethereal essence and monstrous sinew, wrapped tightly in bandages and looming like an ancient titan. The air crackled with tension as the companions prepared for battle. Lyra¡¯s sword gleamed with luminous power. She took the lead. Sly circled the behemoth, seeking its weak spots with strikes of her whip. Cassandra attacked the tendrils of shadows that protruded from the ground.

    With them stood Alivier, aiming beams of light at Baal to blind the enemy.

    Baal''s colossal form stretched out a monstrous claw, swiping at the party. Lyra deftly evaded, striking at the appendage with Riftbreaker. Sly found the weak points of its arm and, with her whip, channeled Essentia throughout the weapon, causing the Beast to take massive amounts of damage from the attack.

    Cassandra, though one arm, became a shield for her companions. Taking hits that would have proved fatal and dodged the attacks with her Ax. Yet, the Behemoth Baal was relentless, its otherworldly roars shaking the very foundations of the chamber.

    As the battle intensified, Eamon, paralyzed from the release of Dormant side, watched helplessly. Baal sensed his vulnerability and turned its attention toward him. A dark energy encased Eamon, threatening to consume him.

    ¡°Eamon!¡± Lyra shouted. She leaped between Eamon and the encroaching darkness, slicing the darkness before it could connect.

    ¡°Alivier, I need you to guard Eamon so I can attack!¡±

    Understanding, Alivier took her place and shielded Eamon from further harm so Lyra could focus.

    The cavern quivered as Lyra clashed with Baal, meeting the Beast''s ethereal maw. While working in tandem, Sly and Cassandra orchestrated attacks, exposing weaknesses in Baal''s defenses. Alivier pressed the offensive, his light keeping back the shadows.

    The colossal Behemoth Baal, realizing it was outmatched, cried out for help. A swirling mob of Fiends surged into the cavern, and like shadows given form, the crystallized creatures rushed to overwhelm the party. Lyra weaved Riftblade through the air with fluid precision, engaging the Fiends, each swing a cascaded radiant power cutting through the ethereal horde. Sly disabled the Fiends with a lightning strike of attacks, giving the party a momentary respite.

    Cassandra became a whirlwind of destruction, cleaving through the Fiends with raw, brutal strength.

    Despite their combined efforts, Eamon remained trapped, unable to contribute to the battle. His paralysis left him vulnerable, and the Fiends, sensing his weakness, closed in with relentless intent. Alivier created a wall of light that dispersed the shadows when they made contact with it. Sly and Cassandra, a seamless duo, skillfully dispatched the encroaching Fiends with marveling speed.

    What seemed like the climax of the battle was only a ruse. The colossal Behemoth exuded seemingly malevolent energy from nowhere, returning its health to peak condition.

    Lyra panted, exhausted from her constant swings. This is insane! She exclaimed, looking to the side where everyone fought together. She swiped her forward, free of sweat. We were chopping its health down. I¡¯ve seen it weakening, but it will keep regenerating its health. It won¡¯t be long until it summons more mobs to overwhelm us, and then we¡¯re done. No, this isn¡¯t enough. We need more power, but how¡­.

    Hearing her plea, Riftblade gleamed with ethereal brilliance.

    Lyra felt a surge of power within her. The Wellsprings responded to her call, their energies converging around her like a cyclone of raw essence. It was a power beyond anything she had wielded before.

    Unexpectedly, she sensed a gentle presence alongside the Wellsprings, a guiding hand that whispered to her. She suspected it to be the ethereal touch of Saint Lumos herself.

    Her eyes widened, staring at the gilded white light from her weapon. The brightness reflected in her eyes. She could almost see a woman¡¯s figure in the blades, blinding light.

    Lyra closed her eyes, resting the blade on her forehead, and whispered, ¡°Give me strength, Lumos.¡±

    A gentle hand coaxed her cheek. She snapped open her eyes.

    ¡°Cover for me!¡± she shouted to those that could hear her. Sly and Cassandra nodded in tandem.

    Lyra dashed across the Altar¡¯s stone floor, dodging the Behemoth''s shadowy attacks with extreme agility. Sly and Cassandra continued to clear a path for her while Alivier unleashed torrents of radiant light, holding the Fiends at bay.

    In a moment of profound focus, Lyra propelled herself forward. She closed the distance between herself and the Behemoth in a heartbeat, ascending into the air with unparalleled grace. With a resounding cry, she called upon the combined might of the Wellsprings, and Saint Lumos'' divine guidance erupted from her blade. "Holy Radiant of the Dawn Slash!" she exclaimed, the words carrying the weight of her conviction. The Radiant sword cleaved through the Behemoth''s shadowy form, and in response, the monstrous creature roared with the divine strike. The shadows and Fiends dissipated in tow.

    The cavern quaked with the intensity of the clash, and the Altar, its ethereal energies disrupted by Baal''s defeat, began to tremble ominously. The realization struck them: the Altar was on the brink of self-destruction.

    Lyra descended from the air, and Riftblade dimmed as the Wellsprings'' energies subsided. She stood amidst the aftermath, breathless but triumphant. She staggered slightly, exhausted from the impossible amount of power with the combined forces of the Wellsprings and Lumos, but she kept upright, as they were not out of danger yet.

    Sly came to her side and assisted her standing. ¡°I¡¯ve got you,¡± she said. Her eyes marveled with praise.

    The Altar shook again, reminding them of the detonation set in motion leading to the Behemoth Magycte Beast¡¯s defeat.

    The companions rushed to escape the crumbling cavern. Alivier provided cover from falling debris as Lyra and Sly carried the paralyzed Eamon. The ground quaked beneath them as they navigated through collapsing passages of mazes.

    They narrowly escaped, reaching the exit, and burst into the open air. The Altar collapsed behind them. The party, battered and exhausted, watched as the cavern imploded, sealing away the remnants of the ethereal threat. Everyone caught their breath¡ªEaldred and Aurora rushed to Lyra¡¯s side, and Tierney to Cassandra, checking on them¡ªbefore they realized the events that had just transpired.

    ¡°What was that, Alivier, because you seemed to know a great deal about that Contract. What did Walsh mean when he said we helped him?!¡± Lyra shouted at him once she caught her breath, fury dangerously in her eyes.

    ¡°The Astral Contract. It was once¡­ Used to bind the will of humans.¡± Everyone gasped.

    Cassandra shook her head. ¡°Absurd. Lumos would never steal anyone''s free will.¡±

    Alivier bowed his head, following silently.

    ¡°Answer her!¡± Lyra screamed at him.

    ¡°Yes¡­ It''s true.¡± Alivier whispered. Malakyh, who sucked his teeth with a ¡®hypocrite¡¯ response, followed him.

    ¡°Out with it, Alivier,¡± Sly demanded. Hoping to keep things from getting confrontational, she was unsure how much she could hold back Cassandra, Let alone Lyra.

    ¡°Centuries ago, before the world was as it was, Lumos and Deimos created the world. They worked together for the most part, but they had differing ideas. Lumos created the lives of humans and Deimos animals until he began to morph his creations, creating Fiends and Veilspawn with their own conscious will. Lumos saw the chaotic beings without free will, so she stripped that away from his creations and was about to do the same to humans as she feared we would lose control. That''s when the wars started between Deimos and Lumos, as he spread what Lumos was capable of doing and split humanity into different factions: non-Essentia humans, the Children of Deimos, Lichtkriegers, and those gifted with Essentia, like Locksmiths.¡±

    He continued, ¡°Their battles raged on and soiled the lands cursed with the blood of the innocent, soiled with negativity from both sides: good and evil. So with that Codex, the one Lumos used to seal away Deimos, someone. Their Master likely stole it back and somehow used a reverse spell on the Astral Contract. A prophesied ritual was set in motion to reenact what happened centuries ago, but this time reversed.¡±

    ¡°The Astral Contract was reversed, to control the Will¨Cand repeat history¨C but with a new group of the same species as the prior ancestors. They would traverse Aurum because it was where the last battle between Deimos and Lumos took place. The Codex would turn the tides of battle so the wielder would emerge the victor.¡±

    ¡°And you¡­ kept this from us. You knew we were all pawns!¡± Lyra lashed out with her fist and struck Alivier across the cheek.

    He fell back, but he did not fight back. He lay on the ground, facing the fury in her eyes.

    ¡°And you called us traitors,¡± Malakyh spat. ¡°The Coven was ostracized for nothing.¡±

    Through the fray and chaos, they did not realize that Eamon was missing, but it wasn''t just him.

    ¡°What?¡± Cassandra exclaimed at something Tierney had said.

    Lyra snapped out of her rage and noticed that not only Eamon but Aurora was missing.

    ¡°Eamon! Aurora!¡± Lyra cried out their names. Panic burned her insides as she hollered out for them but received no response.

    ¡°Lyra¡­ look.¡± Sly caught her attention as they looked at the grounds of their feet and saw Nightshade sprouting from the ground as purple miasma circled it.

    ¡°We have to move quickly!¡± Ealdred shouted.

    They reached the forest''s edge, and to everyone''s relief, Eamon stood with Aurora in the crook of his arms.

    ¡°Oh, thank Lumos,¡± Lyra exclaimed, heading over to him. Eamon shifted Aurora''s wait into her arms. ¡°When we didn''t see you, we thought the worst.¡±

    ¡°I managed to get us away first in case they still came for us.¡± His tone was low and strangely melancholy. Lyra could not help but pick up something from it, considering all he had gone through.

    ¡°You know I''m here for you, right? If you wanna talk¡­¡±

    He faintly smiled at her. ¡°I know.¡±

    ¡°Alright, is everyone accounted for?¡± Ealdred called out, counting everyone. He sighed with relief. ¡°Good. Let us head back and make sure the citizens are safe.¡±

    Everyone agreed. Lyra started to walk but stopped. She turned to see Eamon had spaced out. She held Aurora before calling to him, ¡°You coming?¡±

    Eamon pulled his focus back to her and smiled. ¡°Yeah, let''s help the others.¡±

    In the wake of it all, Sylvanbrook and its people were unharmed. People rejoiced; despite grim things, they would not squander their time in fear. Ealdred thought it best to relieve people of stress in a quaint festivity, with security patrolling the area. Now was not the time for panic, and what better way to celebrate than promoting C-Rank Locksmiths to B-Rank?

    For the moment, the Locksmiths would rest, preserve their energy, and plan strategically. A new dawn was approaching, though unsettling, and that would not stop them until there was peace in Aurum again.

    They were Locksmiths, after all, the keepers of peace.

 Twenty-Eight: Not Goodbye, only See you Soon

    1085 CC, The Month of Aquamora, the 10th week of Aquisol

    Four days after defeating the Ultimate Magycte Beast, Baal

    ¡°Hmm, where is that boy? He''s going to miss his coronation,¡± Ealdred said, shaking his head. ¡°It''s not like him to oversleep.¡±

    ¡°No way would he oversleep! He''d be excited about this. I''m sure there''s a perfect explanation for this.¡± Lyra tried to cover for Eamon. She, too, thought it strange, but she wouldn''t assume until she knew. ¡°Don''t worry. I''ll go find him.¡±

    She, however, couldn''t find him as quickly as she had thought. She scoured all over Sylvanbrook, including the business district.

    ¡°Where could he have gone?¡± Lyra questioned. She didn''t want to cause herself to panic, but a gut-wrenching feeling kept finding its way back to her insides. Everything is fine. He even told me that he''d tell me if something wasn''t.

    Or would he?

    Something about that day when they escaped from the Altar and how he held Aurora¨C not as if he had procured her to safety, but as if he planned to take her.

    She shook her head free of the thoughts. ¡°Stop, you''re overthinking again.¡± She took a deep breath to clear her mind. ¡°Just¡­ think. What would Eamon do in this situation?¡±

    For one, he''d check the perimeter, check. Assess for danger: none, and last¡­

    ¡°The last place you''d look.¡±

    She turned toward the lake where they had recently trained, where a little girl used to climb on a tree and wait for him.

    The last place you''d expect to look.

    ¡°Eamon?¡± His name passed her lips when she approached the lake''s view. She had thought she was imagining the figure because she still wasn''t used to the long, stark white hair, pale complexion, or red eyes that started becoming prominent after the Altar collapsed.

    ¡°What are you doing out here?¡±

    He had been looking up at the sky when he turned to her, tilting his head to the side, and smiled at her. Yet, the smile was cold and didn''t reach his eyes.

    ¡°We should head back. We''ll miss our coronation¡­ Eamon?¡± calling out to him once more with worry.

    ¡°I''m glad you made it, Lyra. I know it was selfish to take you away from this moment. It¡¯s a moment you dreamed about forever, yet I wanted us to return here one last time. Where it was the first time we trained, and you kicked my sorry butt good.¡±

    She snorted, inching toward him. It was indeed him, even down to his posture, but there was something alien about it.

    ¡°Oh, so now you accept the truth,¡± she teased. He chuckled. It sounded like his laugh, yet she couldn''t help but notice the faux tone.

    ¡°I guess I''m just appreciating things more, like I should have. I should have appreciated you more and told you how I felt.¡±

    They looked at each other now. They were an arm''s length apart, so close that they could touch, but neither did.

    It was right, but then Lyra knew something wasn''t right.

    ¡°...What''s this about, Eamon?¡±

    He stared back at her. ¡°I think we both know what this is about.¡±

    She frowned. ¡°You told me everything was okay. That you''d tell me whatever it is. Is this why you wanted me to show up? To reminisce and then leave like it''s just another day?¡±

    He didn''t say anything.

    She gaped at him. ¡°Why can''t we just go back into town, rank up like how we trained, and together we take down the Children of Deimos once and for all,¡± she said. ¡°You don''t belong there. Sovran or not, you are still Eamon; that changes nothing.¡±

    He bowed his head. His hands in his pockets. ¡°It changes everything. I am the very thing that we keep away. My whole reason for being was based on a lie. I''m a Dormant shadow for the Children of Deimos, made to be whatever they wanted me to be. I didn''t know who I was growing up, but I had Ealdred, yet, despite guidance, I still went to the military to find the answers. Still nothing. I thought if I came back here¡­ there would be answers, but instead, I found a home.¡±

    ¡°Then come back to it¡­¡± Lyra pleaded. She was the first to take that step and grabbed his hand. He looked down at their enclosed fingers but didn''t move.

    ¡°I can''t.¡±

    ¡°Tell me why? Because if you say it''s because you''re tainted, look at the world. It''s already tainted for centuries; we''re just now about to see it in reality.¡±

    He looked up to meet her expectant gaze. The eyes of someone he had grown fond of and loved.

    Those feelings were always there, but he pushed them back. It wasn''t Ealdred he had to return to; it was Lyra, so why couldn''t he just come home? Be a better and stronger person as a Locksmith.

    Because we weren''t made to be normal. Only as a weapon.

    He forced the other voice from inside him back into his thoughts, the Sleeper version of himself, which Walsh had crafted and created as a humanoid weapon.

    ¡°Lyra¡­¡± her name fell past his lips. It wouldn''t be long before he would take over again. His arms were wrapped around her waist as he pulled her into him.

    Warm lips pressed against hers, first inviting; if she''d reciprocate, she melded into him reciprocating the exchange. The kiss became more fluent as their lips molded and tasted the other. Something they had only thought of since meeting again.

    They parted from their kiss, breathless, and stayed silent, looking each other in the eye to see who would speak first.

    Eamon rested his forehead against hers. His white hair brushed her skin. His eyes closed. He could feel her soft hands against his cheek and chest, and her hands rested in his pockets.

    ¡°Do yourself a favor and forget me, Lyra.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± As if the words he requested were a slap to the cheek.

    ¡°I know it is who you are as a Locksmith to protect the people. I would never stop you from doing that. When you take down the Altars and the Children of Deimos¡­ don''t save me. I''m not worth it, but¡­ Aurora deserves better.¡±

    Lyra furrowed her brow. Her thoughts proved correct, knowing what he was talking about.

    ¡°So, you were trying to take her that day?¡±

    He nodded. Then explained, ¡°I was told to retrieve and return with her, but¡­ I couldn''t. She doesn''t deserve that life. You can raise and mold her to be the opposite. She still has a chance.¡±

    ¡°What, and you think you don''t?¡± she angrily yelled at him. ¡°That just proves you are worth saving, too. You are a Locksmith like me, and it doesn''t matter whether you were raised to be a Sleeper or not; you can still change for the better.¡±

    He pursed his lips together. ¡°Maybe. Maybe not. All I know is I can''t be trusted. Not until I find some way to get rid of this other me. If not, I''m glad you will end me when it''s over.¡±

    ¡°What? No, Eamon.¡± She tried to reach out to him, but her movements were slow and sluggish, and her body suddenly tired. ¡°What''s¡­ happening to me¡­¡± her words slurred as they flapped past her lips.

    She lost her footing and fell. Eamon caught her before she hit the ground and hoisted her in his arms. Her body was limp, but she could still feel her head move.

    ¡°Eamon¡­ What did you¡­¡±

    ¡°The Essentia should wear off soon. I figured you''d try to chase after him or change his mind, and he probably would have let you too.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s eyes twitched hearing the lifeless, dry laugh from the Sleeper version of Eamon.

    The sorrow in his now red eyes let her know that Eamon was still in there, somewhere, despite the Sleeper version in front of her.

    ¡°When we meet again, we will be rivals. Just know I won''t make it easy for you or him to get rid of me.¡±

    She tried to grit her teeth. She managed to lift her head and glared at him. She wanted to shout, yell, call him names, hug and hold him. She tried to shake this version out of him and the notion that he was unworthy.

    You''re stupid if you''d think that would stop me! She spoke through their Kesync, hoping that some part of them remained.

    He grinned. She was filled with joy, and her heart skipped a beat, only to drop when she noticed his pursed lips and Void expression were unlike Eamon.

    ¡°I knew you''d always find a way, Lyra¡­ Until we meet again, it won''t be Eamon you speak to. No, from now on, I''ll be who I was made to be¨CBlackthorn.¡±

    She failed to speak to him. Her lips were unable to produce words, and when she tried to Kesync, through their telepathic bond, she was forcibly pushed out.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Her mind grew hazy and sleepy, and her eyelids closed. She saw the last remnants of Eamon''s face before she fell asleep.

    Lyra would be tucked in her bed when she woke up.

    ???

    It was as if he vanished from out of nowhere.

    Lyra looked for weeks straight; she didn''t rest or eat¡ªnot that she could, especially not without seeing the Void Beast, Baal, or the way Eamon looked when the Truth was revealed that he was a Homunculus¨Ca weapon for the Empire¨Cand the Dormant Shadow, Blackthorn, that controlled his body.

    His Dormant was the cause of the Veilfall tragedy, a catastrophic event that killed hundreds of people. Eamon was a victim of The Children of Deimos, and his so-called family¨C the ones Lyra had come to know as Grace and Anthony¨Cbetrayed and lied to not only Eamob but her grandfather and all the people of Sylvanbrook who had taken them in.

    Even though her heart clenched at the things he had kept secret, she couldn''t shake the Eamon she knew. There was no way he had pretended and wormed his way back into their good graces. She was sure of that.

    Sly returned to Ledel to warn the Mayor of what had happened in hopes of remedying the situation.

    Cassandra and Tierney had stayed in Sylvanbrook to help with the search but, like Lyra, found nothing.

    That left Alivier and Malakyh. Both had gone their separate ways, leaving to their own devices.

    As Walsh said, the Curse had only reached the Lysandrian Kingdom. It would continue producing Ethereal Rifts morphing Fiends and Veilspawn.

    It would cover the rest of the regions soon.

    The removal of the Altars was necessary and detrimental to Aurum''s survival.

    Destroy the Altars and continue the Astral Contracts Curse, or leave the Altars alone. Aurum will continue to be affected, plunging back into the dark ages of the Primal Chaos Era.

    There was no way around it.

    Lyra didn''t know what to do and was out of answers. The only thing she could ask had been weighing in the back of her mind for the last few days that made the least amount of sense.

    Walsh had mentioned her father.

    How did he know him? Was it a part of his Locksmith duty? They had clashed before, so he wasn''t working with him. None of it made any sense, and it frustrated her.

    So she had to ask the one person who might have known precisely what Arcemedus Ashbourne had been investigating during his time as a Locksmith.

    Her grandfather and Master: Ealdred Ashbourne, Arcemedus¡¯ father.

    ¡°Lyra¡­ I didn''t expect you to be visiting today. Weren''t you and Cassandra supposed to be¡­¡± Ealdred didn''t finish his sentence.

    Every time he mentioned Eamon, he''d choke up. Lyra had revealed the truth to him a few weeks ago; her grandfather said nothing. He had been silent for two days after that, apologized, and said that the revelation had shocked him because he had opened his arms to his parents, who had been a natural part of the community.

    Lyra could understand the betrayal of being lied to and used.

    ¡°I had a bit of time, Master. I wanted to ask you something.¡±

    Ealdred nodded. He ushered Lyra inside the guild. It was still early so that no one would be in the guild for several hours. They left for his study.

    ¡°What is it, Lyra? Are you well? Have you heard back from Sly?¡±

    Lyra shook her head. ¡°No, none of that. It''s something that scientist Walsh had told me¡­ about my father.¡±

    She watched her grandfather''s facial features to see if he would shut down again or push her away. His eyes were steady, not dilated or unfocused.

    She continued, ¡°He spoke of him like they had met and even interacted. Maybe they had a confrontation with each other?¡±

    He hummed. ¡°I see, ¡°he said, sitting as he listened to her. And you want to know if I knew about his missions?¡±

    Lyra bobbed her head. She wasn''t sure what she was expecting, but having some answer was better than not knowing.

    ¡°I''m afraid I don''t know much, Lyra.¡± he sighed, rubbing his forehead. He often did this when the topic of his son came up and the matter surrounding his death. ¡°We didn''t get into detail on his missions. He told me things here and there, where he was located, but not all the always.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips, looking down at the floor. ¡°So¡­ either the guilds know more than you do since they assigned cases to him, and they were on a need-to-know basis, or¡­¡±

    She didn''t want to say the obvious answer they were all thinking.

    ¡°...He was investigating something that wasn''t authorized by the guild.¡± Ealdred finished her sentence.

    Arcemedus'' death was never talked about. He had been a respectful Locksmith, but there was a reason why people only referred to Ealdred when they heard Ashbourne. Whatever he had gotten into was not on the public''s radar, so many thought he retired and went on with a simple life.

    ¡°I''m sorry I couldn''t be of more use to you, Lyra. I know things have been hard on you.¡±

    Lyra bit back the frustration and tears. She hated being kept in the dark and not knowing things.

    ¡°I''m just finding things difficult, that¡¯s all.¡± Lyra shrugged. ¡°I thought it would be worth a try to ask.¡±

    She turned to leave, but Ealdred called her back, worried about her state.

    ¡°If you need anything, Lyra, you can tell me.¡±

    She nodded. ¡°I know. I''m just going to take it easy.¡±

    Ealdred nodded and let her go.

    It was a small lie but necessary because he already had much to handle. Lyra decided to head to the lake¡ªhoping he would be there again.

    But not this time.

    She came up to the lake''s view. It was beautiful, as always, but she wasn''t filled with awe and tranquility right now.

    Lyra walked up the hill. She sat down on the soft ground, the grass tickling her skin. Her back rested on the trunk of the tree.

    ¡°When we meet again, we will be rivals. Just know I won''t make it easy for you or him to get rid of me.¡±

    She gritted her teeth as the memories of that day replayed in her mind.

    She had been helpless then but wouldn''t let The Children of Deimos, Blackthorn, or the Curse think she was weak.

    She had to keep fighting.

    ???

    The 1st day of the month of Ventura, 1085 CC

    ¡°So that''s it?¡± Cassandra¡¯s golden flux hair loosely hung over her shoulders. She chastised Lyra as she was packing a bag.

    ¡°Yup,¡± was all she said.

    Cassandra''s blue eyes scrutinized Lyra¡¯s back. She sighed. ¡°I can''t let you do this, Lyra.¡±

    The time of passing since the incident was two weeks ago when everything had changed.

    Lyra, too, sighed and closed her bag. She had been thinking about her decision and what to do next. ¡°I know you''re worried about me, Cassandra, but you didn''t see it. Him. It was like he was two different people¨Che technically is two people.¡±

    Cassandra frowned, seeing the torn and weary look on her tawny brown complexion and dark brown eyes. She could see the tired lines underneath and knew she hadn''t slept.

    Barely anyone was getting sleep. The world has slowly changed since the rise of the Harmony Tax. It was used at first to ¡°unify¡± people after years of abuse from the previous Chancellor, Price Regnor. But now the current Chancellor, Viktor Radovinov, was starting to show its true colors.

    Now, the aftermath of the curse was on the rise as well. The results were of the combined negativity from both the past and present to reawaken greater evils that were creating Altars.

    ¡°You''ve been looking for him for over a month with no new leads. Everyone''s worried about you: your mom, your grandfather, Aurora. What if he¨C¡±

    ¡°Don''t say it, Cassandra.¡± Lyra snapped at her. ¡°Don''t say ¡®he doesn''t want to be found.¡¯ You didn''t see the look in his eyes. The desperation and the pleading way he wanted me to give up on him and to end him when I find him.¡±

    Lyra shook her head and placed her bag on her back. Cassandra frowned, watching her back as she watched her leave out of the door.

    ¡°And what will you do once you find Eamon?¡±

    Lyra stopped halfway out the door.

    Eamon. Her partner, her childhood Friend, and¡­ Lyra touched her lips where they had kissed underneath their tree what felt like ages ago. It was where they first trained and rekindled, and¡­ the last time she saw him was when he left for the nefarious group, the Children of Deimos, where he discovered his true origins as a Homunculus weapon.

    She swore she''d get him back no matter what.

    ¡°No matter what he had done, he''s still a Locksmith, and we have a job to do: Save Aurum from the Curse and destroy those Altars, then the Children of Deimos and their master. To do that, I have to bring him home.¡± Before closing the door behind her.

    The town of Sylvanbrook, where Lyra resided and called home, was reasonably large. Though its business district toward the east was the largest of the area, several shops were open in the early morning.

    Despite what was happening around Lysandrian Kingdom with the Harmony Tax and the Curse, it couldn''t stop some civilians from conducting business¡ªunless another set of Altar-like towers decided to appear somewhere else in Aurum.

    Another reason Lyra couldn''t sit back any longer.

    She walked to the Ashen Vanguard guild on the furthest side of town. It was an organization of gifted individuals called Locksmiths who trained to keep Aurum safe by closing dangerous Rifts or the monstrous Veilspawn or assisting civilians with other tasks.

    Opening the doors to the guild, she could hear students training inside. She hoped she wouldn''t have to bump into her master and grandfather.

    Fortunately, she reached her destination: Eamon''s old room upstairs from the guild. It hadn''t even been a year, let alone a couple of months, yet it already smelled like him.

    ¡°Don''t get sidetracked. Just get what you came here for and leave.¡± Lyra headed for the closet and tucked away in the back was a small chest with his Steel Escrima Sticks.

    She stashed them in a sheathe at her side because he would need his weapons when she saw him. But before that, she would bash his head before returning them to him.

    Someone cleared their throat, and she saw Ealdred standing outside the door.

    ¡°Grandfather, if you''re here to stop me like Cassandra, I''ll make this quick and say I''m still going. Not even you can stop me.¡±

    On her back, she had her legendary sword, Riftblade, which he passed down from her grandfather.

    ¡°And I see you''ve thought this through?¡±

    Lyra straightened her shoulders and nodded. ¡°Yes, Master. Since these Altars have risen, they''ll summon more erratic Fiends and Stronger Veilspawn, and the Great Void Beasts will guard each Altar. Many Citizens and some Locksmiths are still skeptical of all this coming to terms. With Eamon missing¡­ he¡¯s as important to find so we both can end this Curse and start a new life that doesn''t have to be tainted by a dark past.¡±

    Lyra masked her emotions as she considered how the Children of Deimos'' return last month had changed everything.

    ¡°I see, and do you truly think you''re alone?¡±

    Lyra wrinkled her brow. ¡°Well, no. I know they''re all trying to keep me safe, but I can''t sit back and wait to see what happens next. This is my home, and I''m a Locksmith; I won''t let it burn to ashes.¡±

    ¡°And you won''t be doing that alone.¡±

    Ealdred left the room with a curious Lyra following after him. There was a small crowd of people at the main entrance of the guild.

    ¡°W-What''s all this?¡±

    She looked at everyone, from Ealdred to Cassandra. ¡°I don''t understand¡­ I thought you opposed me going,¡± she said to Cassandra.

    A smile framed her lips as she stepped toward Lyra. ¡°Alone, yes. I never said I wouldn''t keep fighting by your side, as will many others, even if some aren''t there physically. They are in spirit.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡± Lyra was at a loss for words. Her mind reeled with some response but opted for two words to sum up the weighted feeling in her chest: ¡°Thank you.¡±

    After farewell hugs and pick-me-ups, it was time to leave, except there was a bit of an issue.

    A white-haired, red-eyed, tawny, brown-skinned child walked up to Lyra. ¡°I wanna go too! Let me help find Eamon!¡±

    Lyra sighed. Unsure what to do, as she had already been back and forth with Aurora, it had been a stark surprise when they first found her floating in the ocean. She immediately gravitated to Lyra.

    However, no one knew where she had come from until the Children of Deimos revealed that Aurora was not only a Homunculus.

    They wanted and planned for Lyra and Eamon to find Aurora, team up with Cassandra, and cross paths to enact the Astral Contract.

    Even if shutting down the Altars would release the Great Void Beasts and their paths were a part of their grand plan, if Lyra could help it, she didn''t want Aurora in any part of this. She''d be safer with her mother and grandfather in Sylvanbrook. Of course, that was better said than done.

    A woman with loose afro curls who shared Lyra¡¯s brown shade and eyes approached her and pulled her out of earshot.

    ¡°I think you should take her.¡±

    Lyra was baffled that she would agree to that and so quickly.

    ¡°Really, mom? I thought you''d be on my side.¡±

    Her mother, Eida, raised a brow. ¡°Mmm, and I remember someone once told me that just because what they think is best doesn''t mean that''s the path they want to choose.¡±

    Lyra narrowed her eyes. ¡°Hey, wait a minute! Didn''t I say something like that? This is really a lesson.¡±

    Eida smiled. ¡°you just have to believe in them. You can''t make all life''s decisions for them.¡±

    Lyra pouted, defeated by her own words. She sighed. ¡°Fine. I see where you''re going with this.¡± Even though a part of her still wasn''t sure, she knew her mom had a point. Otherwise, she would have never left Sylvanbrook in the first place.

    She walked back to where she had left Aurora. ¡°Hey, Aurora¡­ why don''t we talk for a minute.¡±

    All the while, she smiled; there was still hope, as long as she believed.

    I will get you back, Eamon, because I see it in your eyes, she told herself in the darkness of her sleep. You want to be saved. You were right that I''m stubborn and will always find a way to bring you back¡ªbecause you don''t belong there.

    You belong here with me. You belong home.

    And I''ll bring you back alive, no matter what.

 The Heroes of Aurum | Volume II: A Path To Destiny

    The fragile peace of Aurum shatters as the ancient Altars, remnants of the Primal Chaos era steeped in myth and ruin, begin to awaken with the rise of the monstrous Void Magycte Beasts and a dark tide threatening to consume the world.

    After surviving a path unbound, Lyra, a determined Locksmith, sets out on a perilous journey alongside Cassandra, a battle-hardened warrior with unmatched strength; Alivier, an obnoxious Lichtkrieger with secrets; Malakyh, a Strega and ex-custodian on a mission, and Aurora, a mysterious girl born from forgotten science. Together, they must uncover the truth behind the Altars and seal them before catastrophe spreads across the continent.

    But not all wounds heal with time. Eamon, once Lyra¡¯s trusted friend and ally, has fallen into the grasp of The Children of Deimos after uncovering the chilling truth of his origin¡ªa Homunculus designed to be a weapon. With his alternate persona, Black Thorn, awakened, Eamon walks a treacherous path between the darkness he was born from and the light of the memories he cherishes.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Chancellor Viktor Radovinov''s oppressive Harmony Tax crushes the common people, and whispers of a looming military draft grow louder. The kingdom teeters on the brink of rebellion.

    Lyra and her companions must navigate political treachery, monstrous enemies, and their own internal struggles as they seek to stop the resurgence of Deimos, the dark force that once brought the world to its knees.

    But in a world where every light casts a shadow, destiny is never kind, and sacrifice is inevitable.

 Prologue: Undercover

    The month of 1066 CC

    This is the place. A man with coiled, dark brown hair with several strands of silver hair was hidden underneath the darker strands. He looked up at the cavern that he was about to enter. It was dark out, but if his lead were correct, it would lead him to the perpetrator he''d been tailing for months.

    The individual he''d been following had been doing dealings in the Aurora Federation''s Web of Scarlet that sold illegal merchandise across Aurum¡¯s borders.

    He had heard body parts were being sold to the highest bidder and rumors of a ¡®Homunculus¡¯¡ªAn experiment that was once human, but altered by adding archaic properties to their DNA.

    Arcemedus didn''t know the full extent of the process, but his job as a Locksmith and ex-custodian was to ensure that the people of Aurum were safe from the dangers and evil of the world.

    He prayed to Saint Lumos that her light would guide him as he traversed the cave''s depths.

    Strangely enough, it wasn''t the cold or darkness that put him off, but the lack of Fiends wasn''t in the area. Typically, it was where they inhabited, but no creature was to be found, which meant Arcemedus was on the right track.

    He traversed more, plunging into the caves with only a lantern as his light source. Around 500 years ago, their ancestors had used lanterns to guide them in the darkness when there were no street lights, but Arcemedus was practical like that and thought carrying one on hand would be beneficial.

    He continued the long trek, climbing up and over cavern walls. Jumping over cliff steps that had a deep drop into the dark abyss below, he walked along a thin stretch of cavern wall that would meet his end in the cavern depths should he miss a step. What kept him going was not only civilian safety but his family.

    His father, Ealdred Ashbourne, was the greatest Locksmith the world had ever seen, and he was inspired to become a Locksmith himself. He was aging and had told his son he''d retire soon and open a guild to train the next set of heroes. But most importantly, his wife, Eida, and their daughter, Lyra.

    He knew she had it difficult raising a family while he worked¨C It wasn''t ideal to be married to a Locksmith¨Cyou never knew when you''d get a letter stating that your spouse had died. Plenty of people told Arcemedus and Eida that, but the two loved one another, and they wanted to break the status quo¨C or so they wanted to.

    Arcemdus didn''t want Eida to live through that grief or have Lyra grow up without a father. Yet, the many times he tried to step away from the Locksmith life, an insurmountable dread came over him.

    He tried to find any job that would keep him moving, but none quenched the fire that prohibited him from being active.

    Nothing suited him but being a Locksmith.

    The consequences caused him to miss many events, like the birth of his daughter, but he hurried home the moment he found out. He knew he couldn''t keep doing this now that Lyra was getting older. He didn''t want to lose his wife or any more moments with his child, despite the under-stimulated feelings he''d often get.

    He''d ignore it all to be with his family, but first¡­ He had to solve one last case that had been evading him for years and could be proof that the once elusive Children of Deimos were back.

    It wasn''t until he saw the light from the end of the cave that he reached his destination, and his jaw dropped at what he was witnessing.

    Several machines were powered in the cave, and all were connected to water tanks filled with humanoid bodies and wires strapped to their naked bodies. There couldn''t have been more than ten humanoid figures, which he figured were Homunculus.

    Arcemedus bent down behind a boulder to keep himself hidden as he surveyed the scene before him, waiting for the perpetrators to reveal themselves.

    This is madness. Who could be doing this? People or not, this is inhumane. He took notes and typed them into his Voxlink. Unfortunately, he couldn''t message a guild since there was no service in the cave''s depth. He would need to leave and wait for backup if they tried to reach him.

    However, he bumped into a hard surface when he turned to leave the cave. Craning his neck up was an unbelievable, giant-sized person, staring at him with a cloudy and blank stare. The figure was round and heavy set, with a double chin and balding dark brown hair. Their skin was grayed out, and they had a lifeless look in their eye like a corpse. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Before Arcemedus could retrieve his weapon, the giant reached out a giant hand and grabbed Arcemedus¡¯ face in their sweaty palm, cutting off oxygen and rendering him unconscious.

    A few moments later, he woke up strapped to a chair with chains on his arms and legs.

    Someone clapped, making Arcemedus look up at the person. It was a stout older man with a hunched back and balding gray hair. He had weathered pale skin, and over his wire-rimmed glasses were dull and lifeless gray eyes, like the giant-sized figure standing at attention beside him.

    Arcemedus gritted his teeth, trying hard to escape prison, but to no avail. ¡°Are you the one who owns this workshop?¡±

    The man''s smile chilled Arcemedus to the core as if the man was no more alive than the puppet beside him.

    ¡°You''re quite perceptive, Arcemedus Ashbourne. I''ve been keeping an eye on you for quite some time. The Sovran¡¯s have been reporting interesting information about you, and I''ve been fascinated by your skills ever since.¡± He spoke like he was talking to a prop, not a person, and his eyes twinkled in desire, but there was no light in them. It chilled Arcemedus to the bone, but he wouldn''t let this man see his fear.

    ¡°You''re sick, you know that? Fiends have more grace than you. Saint Lumos shutters in disgust at you.¡±

    He grinned. ¡°I''ll take that as a compliment. But where are my manners? I should introduce myself.¡± He bowed. An eerie grin spread across his lips.

    ¡°I am Professor Walsh, The Mad, The Inventor, and Sovran #88, whatever name you prefer.¡± He held out his short arms to his giant. ¡°And my latest experiment, Jormunger #99. Unfortunately, it''s not too bright, but what it lacks in intelligence, it makes up for in brute force and strength.¡±

    Arcemedus noticed stitches along their body as if parts had been sewn together. Even his face was stitched together, creating a deformed look on the giant''s face.

    Arcemedus was appalled by the inhumane treatment. The thought of each sewn body part from an innocent human being used for experimental purposes infuriated him.

    ¡°I take that back,¡± he said through gritted teeth. ¡°You''re worse than a Fiend. You''re nothing but a lowly Veilspawn leech. You''ve ordered human body parts from the Web of Scarlet, right? I swear you won''t get away with this on my Locksmith honor.¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes, the Locksmith code of honor to protect and aid civilians whether it''s closing Rifts, defeating Veilspawn, or assisting humanity in mundane tasks.¡± He wrinkled his nose in disgust at the sheer goodness Locksmiths gave the world. ¡°You also have a unique set of skills as a Custodian, of course, that didn''t last long after you met your lovely wife, Eida, correct?¡±

    Arcemedus saw red. His blood boiled, and all he wanted to do was to strangle the man before him. ¡°Keep my wife''s name out of your filthy mouth!¡±

    ¡°And your lovely daughter¡­ What was her name again?¡± Ignoring Arcemedus altogether, he tapped his chin. ¡°Ah, yes, Lyra Ashbourne. She may take up the family mantle like dear dad and grandfather.¡±

    Arcemedus was fuming as his body shook with rage. Even without being in his radius, anyone could feel his large pool of aura as he called upon the Wellspring''s power. Only Walsh was not fearful but stared in amazement at the profound power.

    ¡°Fascinating.¡±

    The snap of chains broke Arcemedus free, and with supersonic speed, he was in front of Walsh, his hand gripped around the old man''s throat. Before Sovran #99 could react, Arcemedus reached out his palm and summoned Zephyr. The whirlwind attack shot into the giant''s stomach, catapulting him through the air and crashing into the cave walls.

    ¡°Amazing. Such power.¡± Walsh wheezed as he stared into Arcemedus'' eyes with desire.

    ¡°You''ll pay for all the crimes you have committed¨C¡±

    ¡°I''m afraid we''ll have to decline that invitation,¡± a high-pitched young boy''s voice said.

    Arcemedus turned around but saw no one else in the cave with them.

    ¡°But I will admit,¡± The voice said impossibly close to his ear that he could be beside him. Arcemedus swung at the invisible figure but came up with nothing. In doing so, however, he released his grip on Professor Walsh. ¡°The professor is right¡­ you are fascinating indeed.¡±

    Arcemedus gritted his teeth. ¡°Show yourself, you coward¨C Aaah!¡± he yelled in agony as a severe jolt of electricity shot through his entire body.

    He dropped to the floor, smoke came off from him, and behind him was Walsh with a giant weapon in his hands.

    ¡°You know, I could have gotten him, " the child-like voice said. They became visible to Arcemedus as he lay out on the floor, paralyzed. They had bright, colorful hair and clothing.

    ¡°You were toying with him, Trickster #0. I could have died, but how would you explain this to the Master?¡±

    The Trickster rolled his eyes. ¡°You know you enjoyed that, but what do we do with him now?¡±

    Their attention was focused solely on Arcemedus''s paralyzed form. Walsh smiled sadistic and coyly as if he were the personified Deimos himself.

    Arcemedus could do nothing as he fell into darkness at the mercy of his captors. His last thoughts as he was sent into the unconscious depths were of his wife and child.

    Eida, forgive me.  Lumos, please watch over my family¡­

 Part One: Far From Home (Part 1)

    <i>Somewhere in Aurum</i>

    Traversing under the guise of night, a carriage rolled along the road with a single passenger in the back filled with several crates. The white-haired young man bowed his head, letting the curly strands of his white hair fall against his tanned cheeks.

    The carriage bumped and creaked as it went over rough patches in the ground.

    <i>He thought to himself, " Almost to the next destination." He was thankful to be alone with his thoughts since he had been activated again, but it seemed like every so often, the other him would try to</i> come back in some shape or form.

    <i>Like now, it seems¡­</i>

    The image of a girl with a big afro and tawny brown skin appeared in his mind. He shook them away and out of his mind, he didn''t need a distraction. Least of all, not from <i>her</i>. She would be the sole reason he''d awaken again.

    ¡°We''re here.¡± A less than enthusiastic person said from the front of the carriage. ¡°You know what to do?¡±

    The white-haired young man opened his eyes, revealing bright red ones. He stood up from his sitting position.

    ¡°Yes. Get the package and deliver it to the buyer. I know. Anything else?¡±

    ¡°Just do the job, kid. I follow orders, as you should, Blackthorn,¡± The driver said. ¡°You''ll get further information via Voxlink.¡± and drove away when he left the cart.

    Blackthorn sighed. He faced his current target and destination.

    An abandoned cave looked like. He wondered why his mission was tasked to be here or the package he needed to retrieve.

    He traversed into the mouth of the cave. Because of the pitch darkness, he was told to bring a lantern, and the bright light shed away the darkness.

    The cavern''s wall had crumbled in bits from years of unused, and Blackthorn had to shimmy, climb, and squeeze under rock Crevices and the like.

    Once he reached the supposed exit, he stood at the cliff top, and the light shone on an abandoned workshop. It was filled with machines and tanks that looked too worn to work anymore.

    <i>What could Walsh want in a junkyard like this? </i>

    He climbed down the cliff drop until he landed flat on his feet. He walked around the metal graveyard, looking for anything that resembled a package or something so unique that it requested he get to it immediately.

    He was ready to contact Walsh by Voxlink¡ªa new one after he returned his old one with¡­ her. A few bars would send a quick message¡ªuntil he caught something out of the corner of his eye.

    ¡°Hmm?¡±

    He went to the location of a lone pod and moved away boxes and crates that prevented him from passing. He looked around for something to light up the tank until he found several buttons beside it.

    ¡°Only one way to find out.¡±

    He pressed the button, and the machine whirred to life. It made a few clanking noises followed by beeps as the system rebooted, triggering the other machines to do the same.

    The tank before him lit up and showed a figure floating inside a murky blue substance. They had long black hair with white streaks. Their eyes were closed, and most of their body was covered in bandages, but Blackthorn could still see the man''s pale gray skin.

    ¡°What is¡­¡± He looked around for some proof of what this could be and saw aging papers attached to his tube. He skimmed the notes section of science terms and scientific analysis until he saw the figure''s name: ¡°Sovran #1, The Ash Born Demon¡±.

    He folded the papers and placed them in his pockets. <i>"Guess this is it." For what he didn''t know,</i> he began disabling the machine to release the incapacitated Sovran.

    ???

    <i>Luminar 1st Day, midday </i>

    Lyra, Cassandra, Aurora, and Tierney left Sylvanbrook that same day. Ealdred had told them to travel west. Since most of Ravens Country was predominantly countryside, they lacked the communities of guilds and Locksmiths. Even their usage of Voxlink was relatively low, and with so many Locksmiths stationed in the east, there could only be so much help.

    Despite their objective:  Find the Altars. Find Eamon. Their number one priority was to the people of Aurum, and if they found any other information about their aim, it was a win.

    Lyra held the map in her hands as she examined it, hoping that a location of the next Altar would jump at her, or better yet, she would receive Lumos¡¯ blessing as she did during the fight with the Great Void Beast during the deconstruction of the Altar holding the Void Beast Baal, a month ago.

    She couldn''t do it again, no matter how hard she tried or prayed to Lumos for an answer. She sighed. Maybe whatever was going on with the Curse blocked<i> a connection with Lumos. </i>

    That answer seemed plausible, but while that might have been the reason, that didn''t help the situation now.

    If only she had decided to shake the answers out of Alivier, the Lichtkrieger, the light warrior who worked close enough to Lumos herself, before he trounced off to Lumos knows where. Even the Strega, Malakyh, would at least be better than going in blind. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    She let out another audible sigh. Aurora tugged at her jacket. They had saved the white-haired and red-eyed girl floating aimlessly in the ocean.

    She didn''t look at Lyra and had her lips pursed together. Lyra couldn''t tell what she was thinking but knew that her sour mood was probably attributed to Aurora''s mood.

    She folded the map and placed it back in her satchel.

    ¡°Hey, Aurora?¡± The little girl craned her neck up. The reds of her eyes are glassy-eyed. ¡°You don''t need to worry about anything, okay? That''s¡­ well, that''s the adult''s job, and I''m your guardian, I think, so that makes it my job to worry. Not you. You''re a kid and deserve to be worry-free.¡±

    ¡°That''s why you didn''t want me to come?¡±

    ¡°For the most part, yeah,¡± she told the little girl. ¡°What will happen to Lysandrian Kingdom¡­ to the world¡­? I don''t want you wrapped up in all of that.¡±

    ¡°Is it because I''m¡­ different?¡±

    Lyra was silent. She didn''t tell Aurora that she was a Homunculus, an experiment made from assorted body parts and Deimos¡¯ essence, but Aurora was a bright girl and could easily put two and two together. Not to mention the power she showed, and what Walsh had told them was starting to put in the missing pieces of where Aurora was from and why she was made.

    <i>But how can I tell her any of that without her thinking she''s not technically human and was made to be something dangerous like¡­</i>

    She didn''t finish that thought. If she thought about Eamon again, she would end up in that dark place she didn''t want to revisit.

    ¡°Aurora¨C¡±

    ¡°I think,¡± Cassandra¡¯s voice replied as she strolled up to the front. ¡°Lyra means that, as a Locksmith and someone who cares about you, her duty to protect you is two-fold. No matter what you think you may be able to do, you are still a child, Aurora, and it is Lyra¡¯s job as a Locksmith and a caretaker to protect you at all costs because you are someone precious to her and you are family. We protect and love our family to the depths and back.¡±

    Lyra sighed with relief. Cassandra couldn''t have said it better. The women looked at one another in recognition and appreciation.

    <i>I have your back as you have had mine. We''re in this together. </i>

    Lyra nodded. <i>Thank you, Cassandra.</i>

    Aurora twisted her lip, thinking about what was said, and nodded. ¡°Love and family because we''re Ashbourne¡¯s, right?¡±

    ¡°Right, and we protect our own and the people of Aurum.¡±

    ¡°<i>Cassandra</i>¡­¡± Tierney¡¯s voice called out, breaking their conversation. ¡°Someone is watching us.¡±

    Alert, Cassandra drew her sword, as did Lyra, and they surveyed the countryside path they were on. Besides the tall wheat grass on one side, a forest on the other, and a herd of Fiends in the distant wheat field. There weren''t any signs of other life, or at least none that they could see, as both Lyra and Cassandra knew that Sovran #0, The Trickster, had used that ability once a long time ago.

    ¡°Is it a threat, Tierney?¡± knowing the girl could use her clairvoyant-based abilities to intervene in the unknown and unseen.

    Her different-colored eyes narrowed as she focused. The twists of her black hair brushed against her dark brown cheeks.

    She shook her head. ¡°It doesn''t feel malicious.¡±

    Lyra knew that, malicious or not, she shouldn''t drop her guard until whatever it was no longer in sight.

    <i>At times like these, Sly¡¯s whip would come in handy. I hope she''s making leeway back at HQ. </i>

    Lyra hated to do this, but she had to let Aurora know that she not only trusted her but that she was, in every way, an asset and not a burden. She had to trust her, know she could do what was right, and control her strange power.

    ¡°Aurora, do you think you could use your power to sense whoever is out there?¡±

    Aurora peered up at the serious but gentle look in Lyra¡¯s eyes. Her smile was weak, but she hoped Aurora wouldn''t see that as a sign she was afraid of her or what she could do, but <i>for </i>her because she didn''t want to see her hurt again.

    Aurora bobbed her head. ¡°I can try!¡±

    She still gripped Lyra''s jacket for support. It was something of a security blanket. Aurora knew that what she could do was dangerous, but if she had Lyra with her, maybe she could use her powers for good and not be what the white-robed people wanted her to be.

    Her red eyes glowed brightly, and she focused on her general surroundings until she caught the heat signature of someone''s aura.

    ¡°Right there!¡± she pointed into the forest.

    Lyra aimed in the direction Aurora pointed and hoped her attack wouldn''t kill the person if they wanted to question them.

    ¡°Stand back, everyone.¡±

    She placed her feet firmly on the ground, a foot apart, and held her sword, Riftblade, in front of her with both hands.

    She began channeling the power of the Wellsprings as power radiated around and through her.

    ¡°<i>Radiant Smash</i>!¡± she cried out and slammed her sword to the ground, triggering an amalgamation of two elements simultaneously: Zephyr and Gaia, something she had never seen or done before.

    The earth pillar shot out from the ground, and the gust of wind followed suit as they headed straight for their target.

    There was an explosion in the forest, followed by a cry of defeat.

    ¡°Alright, I surrender! Hold your fire!¡±

    They waited, arms at the ready, as the figure emerged from the forest with their hands raised.

    Lyra dropped her sword, seeing the familiar face. ¡°You? What are you doing here?¡±

    He wore dark clothing, from the cowl around his head to the garb on his body. Lyra recognized the dark brown eyes that peeked out through the eye slit of his cloak.

    ¡°You''re Malakyh El-Amin, yes? The Strega?¡±

    ¡°That I am. Didn''t think I''d almost be blasted to kingdom come.¡±

    Cassandra, ax sheathed, crossed her arms. ¡°Says the person hiding away in the shadows and lurking about.¡±

    ¡°Only because I was wary. You are friends with the Lichtkrieger, and as you already know, we don''t have a very healthy relationship.¡±

    Lyra snorted. ¡°Well, <i>friend </i>is an understatement. He took off first thing, and we haven''t seen him since. Now, what''s your reason for being here?¡±

    Malakyh removed the hood from his head, revealing black locs and sun-kissed brown skin that complimented the dark browns of his eyes. His lashes were long and seemed to flutter almost hypnotically.

    ¡°Simple. I have come to aid you in defeating the Altars and the Void Beasts that lay dormant inside.¡±

    Lyra raises a brow. ¡°And you want to do that with us, why?¡±

    ¡°Because,¡± he said slowly, raising his hands down now. ¡°My Master Herta has foretold that heroes will lead the retribution in the thwart against Deimos¡¯ awakening.¡±

    ¡°Is that so?¡± Cassandra chimed in. ¡°As Alivier might have mentioned, Lumos may have a strained relationship with the Primal Weavers.¡±

    Malakyh hissed. His anger, annoyance, and rage said it all on his face: He despised the Lichtkrieger passionately.

    ¡°That is a long story and greatly exaggerated. We were naturally framed because some took a neutral stance between the war with Deimos and Lumos. Some of us did fight, but that stance we held all those centuries ago has, more or less, left a bitter taste in the Lichtkrieger''s mouths.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, so you say.¡± Lyra sighed and hunched her shoulders. ¡°Well, you helped us take down the first Altar, and if it''s anything like that, we''ll need someone on the outside to close it while we close it from the inside.¡±

    ¡°So¡­ that means we work together now?¡±

    ¡°In a world ridden by Curses, Malakyh, help goes a long way. You''re fine in my book as long as you have no secrets or skirt away at the last minute.¡±

    ¡°I''m a little harder to please, but the same goes for me,¡± Cassandra nodded.

    Malakyh bowed in allegiance. Only to take notice of Aurora and Tierney.

    ¡°And may I ask, what of the¨C¡± Lyra glared at him. There was a silent threat to not speak of <i>that </i>name regarding the two girls. Malakyh cleared his throat. ¡°Children? Will they be safe accompanying us on this journey?¡±

    ¡°Don''t you worry ¡®bout a thing,¡± Lyra told him. ¡°They''re stronger than they look.¡±

 Part Two: Far From Home (Part 2)

    After walking for some time, the party saw a sign that read Ravens Country was only a few paces ahead, but Raven Wing Farm was in the next vicinity.

    ¡°Let''s stop for a spell and take a break,¡± Cassandra suggested. Everyone agreed and continued the path to the farm.

    The quaint farm of Raven Wing had a peaceful disposition that made Lyra think of home. Her heart swelled its chest as she took in the rolling farm hills, the plain fields boarded to keep their animals safe and Fiends out, and the quaint small town in the middle of the farm.

    The group walked toward the large overhead sign leading toward the town, where they saw someone tending to a carriage.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Lyra got their attention.

    He stood up from the ground and turned to them. The gentleman wore a newsboy cap, a long-sleeved shirt, and overalls hanging loosely at his side.

    ¡°What can I do for you folks? The Man said with a twang in his voice. However, upon seeing Lyra''s Locksmith patch, he exclaimed with surprise. ¡°Oh, a Locksmith! I should have given you a better greeting.¡±

    ¡°No worries at all! Does this town have some inn and tavern where we could get something to eat?¡±

    ¡°Sure do. The Pig and Grease makes amazing breakfast, meat pies, and a custard apple pie. They''re just ahead, past the fountain. You can''t miss it.¡±

    ¡°I think that sounds delightful,¡± Cassandra replied. ¡°Thank you for your kindness.¡±

    The man tipped his cap. ¡°Any time. Enjoy yourself here in our humble town.

    They followed the man''s directions. The town''s moderate-sized area allowed people to cross here and there. Wooden houses were spread about the town. Many people¨Cfrom adults to children¨Cwore simple garments, such as overalls, linen shirts, and tunic gowns.

    Children played gallantly in the streets, holding sticks as they played around a fountain. In the group''s line of direction was an oval wood sign, ¡®Pig and Grease,¡¯ with a picture of a pig on it.

    They entered inside two at a time and were greeted by a waitress with curly brown hair, a white bonnet, and a small button nose.

    ¡°Welcome To The Pig and Grease. You can take your seat wherever you like, and I''ll be with you in a moment.¡±

    They took their seats around the table. There were already quite a few travelers sitting around drinking and eating. Despite the concerns warring about, the folk here were trying their best to live their life as peacefully as possible.

    ¡°Amazing,¡± Malakyh breathed out as he eyed the townsfolk seated.

    Lyra¡¯s brow rose. ¡°Uh, what''s amazing? Have you never been to a tavern before?¡±

    ¡°It isn''t that. It''s just¡­ quaint here. The curse summoning Altars and the Harmony Tax will likely cause a riot to fester, most likely farmers and low borne citizens.¡±

    Cassandra hummed in agreement. ¡°I can concur with his statement. The people here are full of life and aren''t letting something like this happen, or at least, they don''t show it.¡±

    Lyra didn''t get it but shrugged and offered her thoughts. ¡°Well, I can''t speak for everyone else, but most people have been in a tougher situation¨C like the seven-year strain or when Chancellor Price was in power¨C they might not fully believe the power of the curse or the Altars but taxes and the deployment of the military is just not something that shakes the common people¨C that one little negativity won''t be enough to arouse the Altars.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Malakyh gave his own hum, thinking. ¡°Let''s just hope we can prove the very real situation the curse and Altars bring so the people can make a real headway.¡±

    Lyra pouted slightly. ¡°Speaking of headway, mind telling us a bit about yourself, Mr. Strega? We didn''t get to talk much after the closing of the first Altar.¡±

    The waitress came back early with a beaming smile on her face.

    ¡°Sorry for the wait, folks. Can I get you something to drink for starters?¡±

    Aurora raised her hand. ¡°I want something called mead. I heard people at the other table make them feel really good. I want that!¡±

    Lyra¡¯s eyes bugged out, and she waved her hands wildly. ¡°ha-ha, kids. Right? We''ll take some milk.¡±

    ¡°Make that another milk for Tierney, too,¡± Cassandra added, making Tierney blush.

    The waitress smiled at them. ¡°Two milks got it. Don''t you go making trouble for your mommy, okay?¡± she tapped Aurora''s nose and giggled.

    ¡°M-mommy?¡± Lyra''s eyes bugged out, her face turning red. ¡°Oh, uh¨C¡±

    ¡°And you two,¡± she said, pointing to Tierney. ¡°Don¡¯t give your mom and pops a hard time either.¡±

    Seeing that the lady was talking about Cassandra and Malakyh, they looked at each other, then looked away with mumbled ¡°never¡± and ¡°unlikely¡± responses.

    Lyra palmed her hand to her face. ¡°Maybe we should order our drinks now. I''ll have a water.¡±

    ¡°Same,¡± Cassandra and Malakyh simultaneously said.

    ¡°Got it! I''ll return with your drinks and take your orders after.¡±

    The table was silent until Aurora spoke, ¡°If you¡¯re mommy, then who''s my daddy? Would that make Eamon my dad? You both always got red in the face around each other, and Grandpa Dre (Eldred) said that''s one way to tell if someone likes someone.¡±

    Thankfully, her palm was already on her face as Lyra¡¯s face only grew redder from the comment.

    ¡°I think we need to have <i>the talk </i>Aurora.¡±

    ???

    Once they had finished eating, the group was about to head back on the road again when they saw a group of military men just outside the restaurant. Lyra could practically feel her veins pulsating.

    ¡°Should we just keep going?¡± Cassandra asked, sensing the unsettling Emotion coming off her.

    Lyra shook her head. ¡°They might be harassing the locals here. I won''t sit back while they do whatever they want.¡±

    Malakyh hummed in agreement. ¡°I agreed. Something doesn''t feel right. It''s best to get further information before we proceed.¡±

    They approached the military. It looked like they were speaking to some locals, which further proved Lyra¡¯s point, but as she called out to them and was ready to berate them¨Cfight them if necessary¡ªthe look of relief on one of the Locksmiths'' faces made her retract her anger.

    ¡°Oh, thank goodness for an actual Locksmith. We are so unequipped for this. Do you think you could give us a hand?¡±

    ¡°Uh, what seems to be the problem?¡± She hesitantly skirted around the question, unsure if this was some game or trap, but judging from the looks of the other military personnel, they didn''t look hostile at all.

    With a long white beard and bushy brows, the older man said, ¡°There is an old abandoned stone structure not too far from here¡ªEmerald Fortress. One of our own noticed that some children hadn''t attended class. Another student said they saw them going in that direction but thought they would have returned by now.¡±

    Lyra frowned. The situation was dire since the children could be potentially hurt or worse. ¡°How long have they been gone? Is this fortress being blocked by something?¡±

    ¡°You can say something like that,¡± The first military man who had spoken to her said. His thin, curved brows furrowed. ¡°It''s been a few hours now. We might have been able to bring these kids home hours ago, but¡­ Veilspawn and Fiends are blocking the path, but these Fiends aren''t like normal. They''re something stronger than usual, the Veilspawn, too. They have this ethereal blue aura and crystal along their bodies.¡±

    Their bodies stiffened at the description. Even Malakyh whispered under his breath, ¡®I knew it.¡¯

    <i>It''s the curse. It''s starting to spread. </i>Lyra concluded.

    ¡°Alright, we''ll handle it from here, no worries.¡±

    The military men profusely thanked them and went on their way, followed by the older man, who thanked them for their services.

    ¡°If you keep heading south of here, the path going straight leads to the fortress. Thank you again, Locksmith, and to the rest of you.¡±

    The old man left, leaving Lyra to turn to the group.

    ¡°Okay, since we don''t know much about this tower and the structure, or even the damage these Fiends and Veilspawn have done, we have to be cautious. Cassandra, how do you feel about fighting?¡±

    She lifted her cast arm, which was no longer in a sling. She could even move her fingers a bit.

    ¡°Pain here and there, but nothing I can''t handle.¡±

    Lyra nodded, then looked to Malakyh. ¡°I can assist the best I can. No worries here.¡±

    And finally, she looked at Tierney and Aurora and pursed her lips together.

    <i>Great. I can¡¯t separate us anymore, or that will shrink our numbers, and leaving them alone isn''t an option either. Ugh¡­</i>

    ¡°...Fine, you two can come, but stay within our circle and listen to what we say. So if I say run, you run. Got it?¡±

    The two of them nodded, giving Lyra at least some relief that they''d get out of danger if it came to it. ¡°Okay, let''s head out.¡±

 Part Three: The Darkest Black

    <i>You¡¯ll need to complete one more task. This is crucial, and only then will the job be complete. </i>

    The Voxlink message appeared. It disappeared moments after her. Even though the Voxlink was hacked, it was still safer to be secure.

    The white-haired cloak figure folded the letter and ripped it apart for good measure. He released them into the air as he drifted among the clouds. The mode of transportation was a glider known as a Zephyr Wing made in Crystalline City¡¯s mountainous region of Windcrest. He had never seen one before, but the news broadcast had promoted it as a prototype that would successfully make a tremendous plight in the coming years.

    There were rumors that the Voxlink towers would be expanded to allow the signals to travel further, possibly broadening calls.

    <i>You would have loved this.</i> His thoughts drifted to <i>her </i>again. <i>Keep out of this. </i>But the connection was too strong for him to ignore and push away. Only the power of the Dormant¡¯s activation word would render him asleep again.

    His hands drifted to his pockets, and he felt a paper surface, an old Sepia print with two Children in it: a boy with a bowler haircut awkwardly smiling at the camera with his lips twisted oddly, and a girl younger than him, with two puffy puff balls and a wire along her teeth as she proudly showed them off.

    <i>It¡¯s clever of her to hide that from me, but it won¡¯t be long until I return to my place as a Dormant. Enjoy it while it lasts¡­</i> As Blackthorn¡¯s voice faded into the background. Like he said, it wouldn¡¯t be long before <i>he </i>would fall back into sleep, and his Dormant Shadow would take over again.

    He looked at the picture, clearly remembering that day. It had never popped into his head once, but he saw it like yesterday. The girl had only recently gotten the wires in her teeth, and a group of boys started to pick on her. Naturally, he couldn¡¯t stand bullies, let alone bullying <i>her. </i>

    Unfortunately, the bigger kids pushed him down, and the boys laughed. It wasn¡¯t until she had enough of it that she punched the bigger boy in the eye, giving him a shiner.

    They never bullied anyone again. She was punished, but that gaping grin told it all. She didn¡¯t care as long as there wasn¡¯t a world where ¡®bullies¡¯ took advantage of people. She¡¯d protect those who needed it or couldn¡¯t fight back.

    It was her mantra, in a way, that led her to become a Locksmith and¡­

    The moment he knew he liked her, and even now¨C as he stared at the photo of them as children¨C he knew he loved her.

    But that¡¯s why Blackthorn needed him to get away from her.

    ¡°Must be a pretty intense photo.¡±

    The soft-spoken voice was from a girl two years younger than him, with silver pixie hair and blue highlights. The brown in her eyes seemed to twinkle when they reflected off the sun.

    He moved the picture away from his line of sight, breaking the link that kept Blackthorn away.

    The girl held up her hands in surrender. ¡°But don¡¯t let me take that moment away from you. I¡¯m just making sure that all crew and cargo are good.¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    He bobbed his head. Hoping she¡¯d get the hint if he were silent¨C she didn¡¯t take the bait.

    ¡°That¡¯s a cute picture. Cute kids, too. Is that you and your family or something?¡±

    He looked down and frowned. ¡°Yeah, or something.¡± He looked at the picture a bit longer, as if staring at it would burn him, but somehow, he still had control over some parts of the body. He assumed it was from all those years he had been dormant; it would take time before he had complete control.

    ¡°Or¡­ am I wrong to assume that she¡¯s more than that, like, a girlfriend or something?¡±

    She leaned against the railing of the Zephyr like he was.

    ¡°Something like that¡­ and more like the ¡®girl who got away¡¯ and only because I pushed her for her own good.¡±

    ¡°Ah, I see.¡± The girl nodded. It makes sense; you have this whole ¡®regrettable¡¯ expression on your face, but my question is, does she know how you feel?¡±

    He parted his lips but then closed them again. <i>I¡¯ll need to be more conscious of these expressions, too.</i>

    ¡°Feelings are simply fleeting and a distraction, don¡¯t you think?¡±

    The girl sucked her teeth. ¡°Mmm, I see. So I guess it was a bittersweet goodbye; no one planned for it, hence the moodiness you¡¯re portraying.¡±

    He grinned. ¡°Who says I¡¯m portraying anything?¡±

    She shrugged. ¡°Eh, just a little guess¡­ it¡¯s in the eyes like there¡¯s another part of you screaming to get out.¡± Blackthorn mentally flinched at her perception but hid it away. ¡°But hey, who am I to judge? Me and my family are smugglers paid to ask little questions and bring you and your¡­ father? Wherever you wanted to go.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just the messenger.¡±

    The girl raised a brow, wondering about his answer, but knew she¡¯d get no answer from him.

    ¡°But on that note, is he fine? Any defects will be on me, so I would prefer to complete what I need to do without a hitch.¡±

    ¡°Mmm. He¡¯s still sitting where you left him in his seat. He stares into the abyss for hours as if nothing phases him.¡±

    Blackthorn nodded, and a strand of white hair fell into his eyes. ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. He¡¯s not my father, more like a¡­ family friend. I¡¯m bringing him to see my father.¡±

    Something unsettling made his stomach churn at the mention of him calling Walsh his father. It was <i>him</i> again, forcing his intrusive thoughts into him and how someone else raised him, someone he honestly thought of as a father.

    <i>But none of them are, are they? So quit trying to break free and sleep.</i>

    His inner voice was more hostile than before, and it would be increasingly difficult to shut it down.

    ¡°Hey. Hey!¡± finger snaps pulled him back to attention. ¡°You just went off somewhere. I guess it runs in the family?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess,¡± he said, more coldly and off-putting. There was a disappointed look on her face. ¡°Look, I¡¯m going to give you a warning. You seem to be¡­ nice, but I¡¯m someone you don¡¯t want to get entangled with. You can even say I have a dark heart.¡±

    ¡°Nice?¡± was all the girl said. She didn¡¯t say anything, and he thought she¡¯d walk away. Instead, she tucked the loose strand behind his ear¡ªgetting closer to him so that their chests almost touched¡ªand looked him straight in the eye.

    ¡°I¡¯m the daughter of a rebel group that¡¯s known as a terrorist across Aurum. You say you have darkness in you, but don¡¯t we all? I have my  darkness to bear, so I¡¯m unwilling to carry someone else¡¯s. However¡­¡±

    Her words trailed off, and her tongue glided across her lip. He looked down, then back into a new look in her eyes.

    ¡°I¡¯m all about distractions. We don¡¯t need to be in that darkness alone, at least for a while.¡±

    The gesture was as clear as day, and even he knew what she was implying, but a distraction was not what he was looking for. Unless¡­ <i>if it was to stop you from thinking about her, maybe. </i>That would prevent him from trying to take control, and he¡¯d fall into despair, especially at the thought of her knowing. Not even their Kesync, a bond that connected their thoughts and emotions, would repair it.

    ¡°Well,¡± The girl said, once more pulling him back. ¡°When you figure out if it¡¯s a <i>distraction</i> you want, my room¡¯s quarters are below deck. It was good to meet you¡­.¡±

    ¡°....Blackthorn.¡±

    She raised her brow and smiled. ¡°Blackthorn. Jude Larkin, nice to meet you.¡±

    With the greeting in the air, he watched Jude strut away from him and down the length of the airship to the inside. She knew he was watching and gave an extra sway of her hips to entice him just a little bit to be inviting.

    With <i>his</i> thoughts once more, he voiced, <i>don¡¯t do this.</i>

    He knew what he¡¯d do, and everything in him was trying to claw out of him.

    <i>You won¡¯t have power here for long.</i>

 Part Four: The Tower Whispers Secrets

    The path to Emerald Fortress was like its name. A tint of green illuminated the forest floors and walls as they teemed with nature''s wildlife, but in the depths were the unspeakable evils of the monstrous Fiends and Veilspawn.

    Lyra took up the front, Followed by Cassandra, Malakyh at the rear, and Aurora and Tierney in the middle.

    The forest came to life as wildlife thought to greet them at the edge, but they wouldn''t dare sit in their line of sight. One wrong move or look would spell disaster.

    A shrill, inhuman scream rang out down the forest path, and two large Onyx black wolfish creatures emerged from its depth with blue crystals on their backs. More creatures emerged from the forest: now the lanky, limp arm and crystal blue eyes¡ªthe Veilspawn.

    ¡°Let''s form a circle and surround them, then attack from there,¡± Lyra instructed the group. They formed around the monsters, keeping Tierney and Aurora toward the back.

    Cassandra acted first and let out a war-like cry to agro the Fiends and Veilspawns to her. This gave Lyra ample time to charge up the Wellspring-oriented elemental Essentia and swell with power around her.

    She pivoted her stance, with bent knees, and propelled herself in the air as she called out: ¡°Radiant Smash!¡± The brilliance of Gaia Essentia surrounded her blade, Riftblade, and as she catapulted the blade down, a shot of rock pillars impaled the creatures, ricocheting them in the air.

    A Veilspawn, however, managed to avoid the same fate as its comrades and was about to ambush Lyra From behind.

    Aurora caught sight of the creature first and stepped forward, prepared to take action with the powers vested in her. She didn''t know what would happen, but she couldn''t sit back and watch while everyone fought.

    A hand stretched out to block her from taking another step. She tilted her head, and her red eyes trained on the cloaked figure, Malakyh, but his attention was focused on the creature before him.

    Malakyh''s eyes glowed an iridescent white and gray. The power of a Strega commanded the shadows, and a tendril of shadowy arms lurked around the Veilspawn.

    It shrieked in agony as the tendrils of shadows tightened until the creature exploded into a black mass, trickling down from the ground.

    The three slashed, attacked, and power drove through the forest Path, taking Veilspawn and Fiend right and left.

    Their destination was finally met, and they saw a tower in the far distance.

    Emerald Fortress.

    Lyra led the group across the stone bridge path that trailed across a cavernous abyss.

    Once they reached the Tower''s front gates, Lyra turned to face them: ¡°Okay, I don''t think this is or will be an Altar, but you can never be too sure, so keep an eye out.¡±

    The group nodded in agreement and tightened their formation.

    ¡°Aurora, you and Tierney stay close to us. We don''t know what''s in there, so keep your eyes peeled. ¡°Lyra told them.

    ¡°B-But, I can help.¡±

    ¡°I already said no, Aurora. Please leave it at that.¡±

    Aurora pouted and crossed her arms, staying close to the group.

    A stone structure had been abandoned and broken down inside the Emerald Fortress. Columns were broken and shattered among the cracked stone floors. Grassy shrubbery and vines hung along the stone walls, giving the fortress the impression that it had been there for a long time without any human interaction.

    The group ascended a set of cracked stone steps in their vicinity.

    From the next platform, several Veilspawn lurked on the stone walkway. Lyra cued them to charge forward, and they took out the Veilspawn with some struggle, but otherwise, they defeated them to ash.

    They continued their ascent when they heard a scream.

    They rushed to the scared cry and saw a little boy cowering in the corner as a Veilspawn lurked over the cowering boy.

    ¡°Oh no, you don''t!¡± Lyra cried out. She propelled herself into the air and landed before the boy, facing off against the blue-eyed beast. She channeled the Essentia inside her as the power swirled around. ¡°Radiant Slash!¡± Her arm swung through the air, and a surge of Zephyr blasted the Veilspawn away. Then, it smashed into the stone wall, obliterating it in seconds. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°Hey, hey, don''t worry. You''re safe now,¡± Lyra cooed to the frightened child. She picked up the little boy in the crook of her arm, keeping another tight grip on her sword''s handle.

    ¡°It looks like we have company,¡± Cassandra voiced as ethereal shapes began to appear from the air. Veilspawns began to morph one by one into physical bodies.

    Lyra gritted her teeth with a flinch. ¡°There must be a Rift somewhere in this tower, and I would bet that a Magycte Beast isn''t too far behind.¡±

    ¡°Any idea what we should do?¡± Malakyh asked.

    Lyra didn''t know. <i>Our objective was to save the boy from the Fortress, but if there were a Rift somewhere here, it would be imperative to close it so it doesn''t affect anyone else in the long run. I can''t just leave the Rift nor go at it by myself. Ugh!</i>

    It would be troubling if only two of them fought to take down a Magycte Beast, and even though Cassandra''s arm was healing, that still put them at a bit of a disadvantage. The same thing would apply if she went with Malakyh. If it were just her and Eamon there, Kesync would be enough with just the two of them; it would be like four Locksmiths.

    Her eyes watered, thinking about him. No<i> time for tears. S</i>he looked over to where Aurora and Tierney were standing. Lyra Didn''t like this idea, but there wasn''t any other option. She trusted Aurora but was also scared, but¡­ she had to trust her that she would be able to think on her feet.

    ¡°Aurora and Tierney too, I have a mission for you¡­¡± Their focus turned to her, and Aurora''s eyes widened. ¡°I''m trusting you with this.¡±

    ???

    ¡°Leave the Fortress and wait for us outside; protect the boy at all cost. Can you do that for me?¡± Lyra asked Aurora. Her heart was beating in its chest, and her eyes expanded, finding the moment unreal.

    She bobbed her head up and down so Lyra knew she was serious. <i>She''s going to trust me. I won''t let her down!</i>

    ¡°Do you have the daggers you gave you, Tierney?¡± Cassandra asked her. She, too, nodded. She was nervous, but she would be sure to stand independently if not to make Lady Cassandra proud.

    Lyra situated the now unconscious Boy securely on Tierney¡¯s back since she could carry him.

    ¡°Like I said, wait at the exit for us, and if you can, avoid fighting at all costs. Okay?¡±

    Aurora bobbed her head. ¡°I promise. We''ll be safe.¡± Before wrapping Lyra in a hug. Lyra clung back; she didn''t want to let go but knew they didn''t have much time.

    They separated from the two girls and returned to the fortress''s exit. Despite the several floors they needed to descend, no enemies respawned after they had been defeated earlier.

    ¡°This is going to be easy-peasy,¡± Aurora exclaimed. ¡°Are you okay, Tierney?¡±

    Tierney had the boy''s legs hooked under her arms. She huffed as she followed the quick-footed aura.

    ¡°Yeah, I''m fine. Don''t stop now; the faster we get out of here, the closer we''ll be to the exit.¡±

    They continued their descent but didn''t see a slithering Fiend hiding as they climbed down. Its yellow eyes squinted as it stared at the two running girls, and its long, skinny tongue flickered with a <i>ssss </i>sound<i>. </i>

    Tierney couldn''t see it herself, but her ¡°other eye¡± could. She flinched and grabbed the side of her head as her eye throbbed as she cried out.

    ¡°Tierney!¡± Aurora skirted to a stop and approached the two-eyed girl, leaning against the stone wall with one hand and trying to hold up the boy with the other. ¡°W-what happened?¡±

    Tierney hissed. ¡°I don''t know. I just¡­ this pain shot up through my body. That only happens when I¡¯m about to experience¡­ a vision.¡±

    Her eyes seemed to glow the moment she said it, and images played throughout her mind''s eye. There was a yellow-eyed creature circling on the walls. Tierney¡¯s vision self-called out, ¡°Look out!¡± just as the vision self of Aurora''s head was bitten off.

    The vision cut off when the creature jumped for her. She screamed and backed away, almost losing her grip on the boy.

    ¡°Tierney! What did you see? Are you okay?¡± Aurora tried to coax her back to normal, but all she could make out was her saying, ¡®Something is watching us.¡¯

    Aurora stood up straighter. Her senses are alert now. She didn''t know precisely what Tierney saw, but how Tierney reacted made her realize it was scary.

    Aurora gulped and tightened her tiny but shaking fists. <i>Calm down¡­ calm down¡­ You''re an Ashborne! Just what would Lyra do? </i>

    ¡°Be confident and¡­ and¡­. Stand your ground. Look around your surroundings.¡± She listed off to herself, remembering the times she had seen Lyra fight in battle.

    A shuffling sound was heard to the right, and Aurora snapped her head to the noise. Whatever it is¡­ maybe it''s on the walls? These stone pathways seem to be good hiding spots<i>.</i>

    ¡°Gotta channel my power¡­ somehow.¡± She might have known she had the ability, but she wasn''t sure how to trigger it. <i>Wait, can''t I call on Saint Lumos? Lyra gets her power from the Wellsprings. Maybe Lumos will give me some. </i>

    ¡°Okay!¡± She slapped her palms together and shouted, ¡°Please, Lumos, lend me your power so I can protect us!¡±

    A moment passed, but nothing happened.

    ¡°Aurora, watch out!¡±

    Aurora opened her eyes just in time to see the Fiend spread its teeth jowls at her and was mere inches from chomping down on her head.

    Aurora fell back and rolled off to the side from the danger of the Fiend.

    The scaly Fiend with leathery fins on the side of its head stood up on its two rear legs And let out a roar. It looked at Aurora, then turned to Tierney, and the boy flicked its tongue. It was dinner time.

    ¡°No!¡± Aurora shouted. She sprinted toward the creature and jumped on its ridges back. The Fiend hollered. ¡°Leave. My. Friend. Alone!¡±

    Though brief, Aurora''s eyes turned white, and sparks of electricity shot down from seemingly nowhere and cascaded into the Fiend. The Fiend collapsed to the ground, its skin now smoked from being fried.

    Aurora blinked. She stared down at the Fiend at her feet, then looked at her hands. ¡°I did that¡­ I did it!¡± Aurora jumped up and down. Realizing she should cut the celebration, she hurried over to help Tierney.

    As the two girls helped each other outside the tent, another figure emerged from the open window of the Fortress twenty feet above them.

    <b>Sovran #12 Death''s Mistress, Raelina.</b>

    Her jet-black hair, with streaks of white, blew in the wind, caressing her tawny cheeks. With a delicate, manicured hand, she moved it effortlessly away. Her painted red lips spread to an even smile as her purple eyes trained on Aurora. She had found the Locksmith and her quite easily, but she was not to engage under strict orders, only watch.

    ¡°Soon, little White Krieger. Soon. Now let us see what else you can do.¡±

 Part Five: Discord Among the Plenty

    <i>Gearford - Legalio City</i>

    The whip crack sounded like lightning as it struck its moving target. The Veilspawn let out a following shriek before exploding into ashes.

    That was the last of them. Sly assessed her surroundings to make sure there were no longer any enemies lurking or sneaking up on them.

    The A-ranked Locksmiths she was paired with were finishing a job taking out their share of Veilspawn. This had been the umpteenth time there was a call for Locksmiths to take care of hordes of Veilspawns appearing seemingly out of nowhere, many without a Rift to come out from.

    Sly knew that most, even the mayor of Ledel, didn''t want to believe, perhaps out of lack of knowledge or fear of not wanting it to be confirmed.

    Who would want to believe that a Curse made 500 years ago by their beloved Saint Lumos and the nefarious Deimos was reliving itself all because a book created by Lumos herself had a way to strip freewill from her creations? If the public found out, there would be riots across the country, and they would riot against Lumos¡¯ name (though there were still plenty with the Dawn Coalition on the rise. Especially with the increase of taxes and rumors stirring of a draft). These shortcomings could have the common person turn their backs against Lumos.

    It was exactly what the Children of Deimos and their Master, the Arbiter, wanted.

    ¡°Blasted all, this is getting us nowhere.¡± She hissed, running her fingers through her thick locs. She was ready to report back in and be prepared for another day of the same thing, all without any word from Mayor Duskmire.

    She was ready to leave the Oris Pathway, where they had been eradicating the Veilspawn when someone called out for her.

    ¡°Oi! Sly, care to have a drink with us? The lot of us are headed over to the tavern. We could use some R&R after that last one.¡±

    The invite came from a tall, large man with dark, curly, rustic hair and a bushy beard. His round cheeks were red, complementing his tan.

    ¡°Aye, Earl. I might have to skip out on this one.¡±

    Earl frowned, making the rounds of his cheeks more prominent. He placed his polearm on his shoulder.

    ¡°Ah, that''s disappointing to hear, Sly! You said that last time, too.¡± Reilly was another cropped, platinum, short-haired guy. He was a skinny young man with slim arms who could break you in half.

    Soon after a while, a few faces she had seen on the battlefield approached her.

    ¡°Fine. Fine,¡± she said with a small smile. ¡°But only a few drinks.¡±

    A few drinks had turned into a couple before the night was over. Sly didn''t think abandoning her drinking would have left her in solitude. She couldn''t say not drinking helped in any way; she was just as sharp if she was hammered. Incidentally, it made her less herself.

    ¡°We¡¯re glad you could finally join us, Sly. It was starting to feel like you were ignoring us.¡± Ginny, a Locksmith and Earl''s wife, cooed to her with oval-shaped eyes. Her gray and white hair was partially tied back, and the remaining strands fell onto her tawny skin.

    Sly gulped her mug and settled it back on the table. ¡°Hmph, never. It would take a lot to get rid of me. I''ve just had a lot on my mind.¡±

    A lot is going on regarding leaving Lyra behind and not finding any link to where Eamon could be.

    ¡°Do you mean from your time in the country?¡± Earl asked, sipping his drink. ¡°You were on official business from the mayor, yeah?¡±

    Sly nodded, swirling the brown liquid in her cup with her hand, watching it slosh back and forth.

    ¡°Aye. I left some students behind, that''s all.¡± she sat the cup down again, changing the mood. No need for anyone to dig too deep. ¡°All I know is they better be ready ''cause I''ll be quizzing them.¡±

    Ginny and Earl burst out in drunkard laughter, but Reilly¡¯s drunk comment opened the stage.

    ¡°I had heard, Sly¡­. You''ve been dealing with things other people deem myths? Like, like, Magycte Beasts and the children of Deimos. A cousin of mine in Crystalline City picked up a story from a journalist, can''t think of her name, Jo or something¡­.¡±

    Sly stayed silent. Though Reilly was young, she knew it was only the liquid giving him loose lips. She''d think of something to say that would sound convincing to a drunk and when he sobered up.

    ¡°It''s like you said: the news reporter witnessed something and did as any reporter does. Spread whatever is feasible to the public.¡±

    He seemed to buy that excuse and was about to ask another when Sly noticed a dark shift in the corner of her eye. A cloaked figure was watching her. It could be anyone, from the Sovran of the Children of Deimos to the many rioters she had the misfortune of crossing.

    All Sly knew was she would find out who this person was.

    ¡°Excuse me, ¡°she said to her companions, who were too drunk to notice her disappearance. Although she was only mildly drunk, that didn''t stop her hyperawareness of her instincts.

    She walked out of the dimly lit and loud tavern and onto the dirt road streets of the city. She looked left and right, only seeing an occasional passerby or two¨C the time for curfew would be soon. No one but military and appointed Locksmiths could leave.

    That was one other thing the public was curious about.Stolen novel; please report.

    ¡°Nothing,¡± Sly said. She placed her hands in her pocket and started to tread home with her head knelt. Of course, this was a trick for the cloaked figure to reveal themselves.

    Once the shift of feet was heard, Sly spun around, whip hand, ¡°Got you.¡± Having every intention to lock them up.

    Only she came up empty.

    She blinked. Surprised, she knew she had seen someone or¡­maybe not directly someone.

    A disembodied giggle rang out. Sly¡¯s gaze rounded the corner streets, forest parks, and buildings, but nothing.

    ¡°I can see that realization in your eyes that you figured it out. Well, they don''t call you the Rosevera Whip for nothing. Finn wasn''t playing!¡±

    The person referring to Finn was known as Sovran #0, The Trickster, which meant this voice was also a Sovran.

    ¡°What do you want, Sovran-whatever-number you are?¡± Sly spat back, still keeping her guard but not seeing any threatening shadows.

    ¡°Why, how rude of me¡­¡± the voice came from Sly¡¯s right into the alleyway and revealed a figure with pink, curly ponytails with white streaks and a dark purple and white frilled dress wearing a tiny black top hat. ¡°The Southern Belladonna, Sovran #11, Bella, at your service.¡± with a curtsey bow at the end.

    ¡°Why is a Sovran here?¡±

    She smiled; it was almost chilling, and her red eyes glared at her. She looked like a hungry feline waiting for her prey.

    ¡°Isn''t it obvious?¡± She clapped, sounding more like a child than anything. She couldn''t have been no younger than ten. ¡°I was told to watch you; all the Sovrans were appointed to watch someone. It was my luck I got you as my pick!¡±

    Every alarm in Sly went off, and with a whip crack, the thorny Vines snapped out to the Sovran. Only it phased right through it and the image became blurry before being visible again.

    Tch, I knew it, an illusion.

    The girl shrieked with excitement at having been ¡®struck.¡¯ Her eyes twinkled with amusement and marvel.

    ¡°Finnian is going to be so jealous. Ooh, I wonder if I should tell Blackthorn about you too.¡±

    Blackthorn!? She''s seen Eamon?

    ¡°Oh, no you don''t¨C¡±

    But the image had already faded away. Leaving Sly in the darkness. Though she didn''t catch the Sovran, the Sovran child gave her two big clues.

    They were watching them, all of them, Lyra and Aurora, and¡­ Eamon was with them.

    ???

    Lyra and company exited the Fortress, and to her relief, Aurora, Tierney, and the boy were outside sitting on a flat stone.

    Relief washed over Lyra as she made her way to the Children. She hugged them.

    On the other hand, Aurora was unsure if she should tell Lyra what happened with the Fiend. She didn''t want her to worry or be overly concerned because she had to use it.

    But one look at Tierney¡¯s frightened expression as Cassandra consoled her, she knew that wasn''t the right thing to do and decided to tell Lyra the truth.

    Aurora finished telling her about the Fiend lurking behind them and how Tierney¡¯s vision saved them, leading up to Aurora using her powers to protect them.

    Lyra wasn''t sure how to feel about that. On one hand, she used it to protect her friend, but on the other hand¡­ it was one more step closer to whatever the Children of Deimos planned for her. That being said, she couldn''t be mad¡ªnot at Aurora, anyway¡ªher anger was made out for a certain kind of evil.

    She wrapped her arms around Aurora and pulled her close, surprising Aurora with a tiny yelp.

    ¡°Okay¡­ Thank you for telling me the truth. I''m glad you''re both safe. We''ll talk more about what we should do about your powers.¡±

    Aurora¡¯s eyes blurred with tears, and she hugged Lyra, cradling her face into her body.

    ¡°As for you, Tierney,¡± Cassandra said, softer, her eyes worried. ¡°Have you been having any other visions as of late?¡±

    Tierney shook her head. ¡°I haven''t had another since the last one.¡±

    That''s right, Cassandra tried not to flinch at the memory. The night she foresaw that Magycte Beast and the children of Deimos, Croger, slaughtering her soldiers.

    ¡°Hmm.¡± The two women turned to Malakyh, who was stroking his chin. ¡°I may have some kind of insight.¡±

    Cassandra raised her brow. ¡°To what, if I might ask?¡± She stood protectively in front of Tierney.

    Malakyh raised his arms in defense. ¡°I mean no harm. It''s just that I''ve seen this kind of ability among witches.¡±

    ¡°Tierney is no witch. Let alone a primal coven one.¡±

    Malakyh shrugged. ¡°Perhaps. Perhaps not. All I''m saying is that her abilities, it seems, must span from trauma or when she is distraught. My Master has shown me plenty of things; perhaps I could ask her¨C¡±

    ¡°--Not, Strega!¡± Cassandra yelled at the top of her lungs. ¡°You may be on our side for now, but I refuse to let a witch into her life.¡±

    Besides her relentless hatred for Maxwell Croger, Cassandra detested witches. She had heard far too many things about them, and there had been one too many lawless witches who had done treacherous things.

    ¡°Again, I meant it as no harm. Your perception of witches is both factual and blind. There are cruel witches out there¨C ones that do get reprimanded or banished from the coven¨C but there are also morally Grey ones; I cannot say good because not even humans are good. They only want to be left alone. Now, I could teach the girl myself. I''m not a full-blooded witch, and as a Strega¨C¡±

    ¡°Even worse. As far as I''m concerned, you''re only cousins of each other.¡±

    Lyra looked between the Praefectus and the Strega, knowing that both of them had their own thoughts and beliefs, but no matter what anyone believed in, they would need to work together to put an end to the Altars. This needs to end before someone gets killed.

    ¡°Okay, everyone, break it up. That''s enough.¡± She stepped toward them, keeping their distance if they decided to throw caution to the wind. ¡°We have a job to do: stop the Altars from taking over and then stop the Children of Deimos and Professor Walsh.¡± And save Eamon.

    ¡°But right now,¡± she looked to the boy on Tierney¡¯s back, who was beginning to stir. ¡°We return this boy to his home. So whatever your reservations are with each other, squash it, or you can take that hatred elsewhere because that''s exactly what Deimos and his followers want. You''d be helping Walsh and their Master all too easily.¡±

    She hoped that they wouldn''t leave. Lyra knew she couldn''t do this on her own. Thankfully, Cassandra¡¯s answer was quick as she bowed her head.

    ¡°My apologies for acting out, Lyra. You''re right. In order to do our job, we have to work together¡­ but we need no help in that regard.¡± Her comment was directed at Malakyh.

    Understanding the partial threat, Malakyh nodded. ¡°Agreed. We have a goal at hand, but let us complete this one, shall we?¡±

    Ensuring things were settled, Lyra retook the lead as they headed out of the forest.

    However, when they exited the forest, a rumble settled under their feet, and passing them was a massive, metallic behemoth rumbling along the dirt road. Its hulking form imprints into the earth and casts an ominous shadow over them.

    At least two of the metallic Beasts headed toward the farm.

    ¡°By Lumos'' grace, is that a tank?¡± Cassandra named the unknown Behemoth of a giant. She only heard of them through discussions when she attended the Valerian Republic conferences with her uncle, the High Cardinal.

    The tank was a fearsome sight. Its sleek, angular design exuded an aura of raw power and invincibility, and thick armor plating covered every inch of its massive frame.

    Twin turrets protrude menacingly from its turret, each bristling with heavy weaponry capable of unleashing devastation upon anything foolish enough to stand in its path. The tank emits a deafening roar as it moves, the thunderous rumble of its engine echoing through the streets.

    To Lyra and many of the wide-eyed face civilians staring at the metallic beast, who had never seen such a marvel of modern warfare, the tank was a terrifying and awe-inspiring sight.

    Yet, it still represented the might and brutality of Aurum''s future, a harbinger of the looming storm of war that threatened to engulf their world. Rumors of a draft would start to swirl throughout the cities, and the sight of the tank would serve as a stark reminder of the grim realities Aurum would soon face.

    ¡°Let''s go and find out.¡± Lyra urged them to follow her.

 Part Six: The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend

    <i>Raven Wing Farm, midday</i>

    When they reached the farm¡¯s entrance, military men prevented people from entering.

    ¡°This area is off-limits, please carry on.¡±

    Lyra frowned. ¡°I¡¯m a Locksmith who just came back from a quest. You would be obstructing me from doing my job, which is illegal.¡±

    The military man furrowed his brows and looked Lyra up and down. She was holding the hands of the missing boy, whose eyes darted around nervously in the presence of the uniformed man.

    ¡°Unless you have signed documentation stating this, I can¡¯t let you through.¡±

    ¡°Wha-what? Are you serious?¡± She exclaimed. ¡°I only need documentation if a quest was picked up at the Guild. Locksmiths can acquire quests by word of mouth if the recipient calls the nearest Guild after it¡¯s over.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, new rule.¡±

    ¡°On whose accord! Your own men even asked me to take on this job since they couldn¡¯t do it. Just go and ask around who was stationed here earlier.¡±

    As Lyra bickered with the military man, it caught the attention of a blonde-haired man standing at six feet and wearing a navy blue ensemble that was different from the burgundy uniform the usual military men wore.

    His gray eyes narrowed at the noise, and he grinned, having recognized it before. He walked over to the yelling Locksmith and military personnel.

    ¡°Let her through. She has clearance to be here. The parents assigned her to a missing person¡¯s case.¡±

    Observing the confident gait of the man with chiseled jaws made Lyra¡¯s face contort in annoyance and disgust. She wouldn¡¯t have expected to see him again.

    ¡°Captain Nikolai Volkov, sir! Of course.¡±

    He moved to the side to let Lyra through, with one hand holding the boys and Aurora¡¯s. However, he stopped the others.

    ¡°Are you serious?¡± Lyra yelled at him again.

    ¡°Only Locksmith personnel, I¡¯m afraid,¡± Nikolai told her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Lyra. We¡¯ll wait here!¡± Cassandra called out to her so she wouldn¡¯t cause another scene.

    Lyra rolled her eyes and sighed. ¡°Fine.¡± Following Nikolai. The entire farm was no longer quaint and serene as the Imperial Military now overran it.

    ¡°You¡¯re a sight for sore eyes, little Ashbourne. I didn¡¯t expect to see you so soon.¡±

    ¡°The feelings are not mutual.¡± She scoffed. ¡°Now let¡¯s cut to the chase and tell me why there is an Infestation of you fiends.¡±

    Nikolai smirked. It infuriated Lyra how much he had never been affected by anything.

    ¡°It¡¯s just a new protocol. I¡¯m afraid that was your only get-out-of-jail-free card. You¡¯ll need to get signed documentation from anyone asking you to complete a quest.¡±

    ¡°And again, I ask, on whose accord?¡±

    ¡°Why, Chancellor Viktor Radovinov made an announcement a few days ago. Have you not been keeping up with the news, little Ashbourne?¡±

    Lyra¡¯s eye twitched at his name-calling. She was about to retort when the boy dropped her hand and shouted, ¡°Mom!¡± He ran over to a woman with brunette hair who dropped down on the ground, getting her long skirt dirty as she knelt her face into her son and started crying.

    Lyra¡¯s expression relaxed as she watched mother and son reunite, forgetting all about Nikolai.

    ¡°By chance, aren¡¯t we missing someone¡­ Where is Eamon?¡±

    For the moment, at least.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say his name,¡± she said through gritted teeth. A surge of energy seemed to course through her. Had Aurora not been by her side, tugging her arm back to her original state, she wasn¡¯t sure what she would do.

    ¡°Ah,¡± Nikolai said matter-of-factly. ¡°He left you too, didn¡¯t he? It was inevitable, unfortunately. If he left me, it was only a matter of time till it was your turn.¡±

    ¡°How about you mind your own business?! You don¡¯t know anything that¡¯s been going on. Eamon didn¡¯t leave; he¡¯s fine!¡±

    The tears blurred in her eyes, betraying her own words. Nikolai raised his brow, saying nothing more.

    ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll square your quest away so you can get your payment and keep your journey moving, yes? We¡¯re working on a new wired system to access payment from your Voxlink instantly.¡±

    ¡°Whatever.¡± Lyra quietly said. As much as that idea of instant payment marveled her. She didn¡¯t want to risk showing him any more emotion than she had to.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Lyra?¡± Aurora whispered.

    She shook her head and looked down at the little girl with a sad smile. ¡°I¡¯m okay, Aurora. Promise.¡±

    But Aurora knew that was a lie.

    ¡°What you see here is phase two of the Chancellor¡¯s Harmony Tax: The Unification Pact.¡± Nikolai pointed to military men around the farm, marking their posts. The sad expressions on the civilian¡¯s faces were blatant to Lyra, but she knew that The Imperial Military was nothing but masochist and sadistic to see through the people¡¯s Pain.

    ¡°Last I checked, it didn¡¯t seem like ¡®unity.¡¯ The Empire seemed to mount themselves and decided to bribe the people to keep them complacent.¡±

    ¡°Please, little Ashbourne, the common person will ultimately thank us. There must be some sacrifices before people can get what they want.¡±

    ¡°What I want,¡± through gritted teeth. ¡°Is for you to stop calling me ¡®little Ashbourne.¡¯¡±

    ¡°But it is fitting as small as you are and the next generation of the Ashbourne lineage. Though I suppose without Eamon, how will it continue.¡±

    ¡°Okay, that¡¯s it!¡± Lyra shouted. She was about to swing at him when Aurora grabbed her hand, and a surge of energy made her hesitate as she shouted, ¡®Stop it!¡¯ Even Nikolai seemed to sense the strong-willed girl¡¯s aura. He narrowed his eyes, observing the white-haired girl, before regaining his composure.

    ¡°Don¡¯t let him bully you, Lyra. He¡¯s just trying to get a rise out of you!¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips together, knowing she was right, and she was letting Nikolai get under her skin so quickly.

    ¡°Smart girl. I¡¯ve never seen her before. She isn¡¯t yours, I can assume?¡±

    She was not in the mood for his questioning.

    ¡°I have a question for you, Nikolai. It¡¯s about the Imperial Military¡¯s involvement and an announcement so abruptly? It makes me wonder if the Chancellor knows something he isn¡¯t telling anyone.¡±

    Lyra hoped that her bait would catch. It was odd that this happened so suddenly, even by Empire standards. So when a glimmer of recognition flashed in his eyes, she knew she had gotten him.

    Lyra spread her smile across her lips. ¡°That must be why you helped me get passed earlier.¡±

    All smiles were gone now, and Nikolai¡¯s expression was severe. ¡°Let¡¯s talk somewhere more private.¡±

    The two of them, plus Aurora, made their way between a set of houses further away from where the military was posted.

    ¡°It would seem like you have become quite popular in Crystalline City, and the Argonian Empire isn¡¯t pleased about that.¡±

    ¡°And why do they have beef with me? I haven¡¯t done anything.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure about that, little Ashbourne? Does the name <i>Joanne Ryvers </i>mean anything to you?¡±

    Lyra sucked in a breath. It did mean something to her. Joanne Ryvers was the reporter for the Daily Crystal Clear in Crystalline City, where they met at Tro¨¦r when it was attacked by a Magycte Beast and transformed into an Altar.

    ¡°I take from your silence that you do. Well, she¡¯s made your speech quite popular. People have begun questioning the reality of fairy tale villains like the Magycte Beast and the Children of Deimos, which are real and meddling in the Chancellor¡¯s plan for the Harmony Tax Act. If people focus more on mysticism than the proposed unity, it won¡¯t bode well for you.¡±

    Lyra gritted her teeth. ¡°And why are you telling me this?¡±

    He hunched his shoulders. A carefree, narrowed-eye looked her way. ¡°Think of it as a gift because of our relationship with Eamon. <i>Wherever </i>he is, he¡¯d be furious if something were to happen to you.¡±

    ¡°Tch quit acting as you care so much about him.¡± She turned to leave, but his following words pulled her back.

    ¡°Of course I do. After all, he was supposed to be my weapon, as Walsh had promised.¡±

    Something in Lyra snapped, and in the next moment, she was only a few inches away from Nikolai, with her blade out and the steel tip pointed at his throat.

    ¡°How do you know that name?¡± Fury claimed her body as a raw power surged off from her.

    Aurora stood off to the side with panicked, wide-eyed fear at the person before her. She didn¡¯t look like Lyra; it was like something <i>dark purple miasma aura </i>took over. Something negative.

    ¡°You want to sit here and act coy, explaining what¡¯s happening in the Empire with the announcement and people¡¯s conclusion. Now you sit here and tell me you know Walsh?¡±

    Nikolai kept a calm look on his face even though a sword was too close to slitting his throat. He only smiled and eyed her with a gleam in his eyes that infuriated Lyra, and she hissed at the mockery.

    ¡°<i>I </i>never said anything about being unaware of what¡¯s going on. I know Walsh because he used to work for the Empire. Argonian¡¯s project was to have¡­ special weapons¨C what was their name again? It was a strange thing at first, human-made weapons, but even so, the Empire accepted this.

    Lyra gasped, catching onto what he was saying. ¡°They wanted to use Homunculus as weapons.¡±

    He tipped his head to the side so as not to slice his neck. ¡°Precisely. Eamon was one of them and promised to me until he decided to leave. During that time, Walsh too had left¨C something to do with not having met proper demands¨C but the Empire had a backup plan¡­ until it was taken a little over a month ago.¡±

    His attention now drew to Aurora, who gasped at the man¡¯s hardened glare. She cowered backward. Lyra, still holding the sword to his throat, stepped before Aurora.

    ¡°Leave Aurora out of this!¡±

    ¡°Come now, Lyra. It isn¡¯t hard to figure out. That girl, that <i>Homunculus, </i>is supposed to be a weapon. Their power was supposed to rival the Locksmiths Wellspring Essentia. Luckily, we did find a way around that and uncovered a new way to fight, close Rifts, and even fight Veilspawn. Now, we can even slay the dreaded Magycte from these Altars.¡±

    Lyra gasped, having so much information thrown at her all at once, but only truly got her attention: the secret revealed in front of Aurora.

    She spun around to see the wide-eyed, teary glare of the little girl she had come to love as her own.

    ¡°I¡¯m¡­ A weapon.¡± She whispered and looked down at her shaking hands. ¡°A¡­ Homunculus.¡±

    ¡°Aurora, listen to me. You are still every bit of a person as I am. Remember? You¡¯re an Ashbourne, too.¡±

    Nikolai sighed. ¡°The faster you stop lying to her, the easier things can be. I can imagine this is what happened to Eamon.¡±

    ¡°Shut up!¡± Lyra lashed out at him. She took a Slash at him in a fury-like state, but he could evade her swing with a sideways dodge, then kicked off against the wall and backed away from Lyra.

    ¡°Now, we don¡¯t want your anger to get carried away. That¡¯s unbecoming of a Locksmith.¡±

    ¡°Why even tell me all this? What¡¯s your goal in all this?¡±

    ¡°My goal?¡± He tapped his chin and looked to the sky. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t reveal that, not yet, anyway. Let¡¯s say that more people believe you: that Magycte Beasts, Altars, and the Children of Deimos are all real. Just not for the good you align yourself with. In time, you shall know, but for now¡­¡±

    He bowed with a hand to his heart.

    ¡°...you have a few seconds to stash your sword away, or you¡¯ll never be able to save Aurum or Eamon.¡±

    That struck a chord within her, and she put it away. Just as he said, two armed military men went by for patrol. Upon seeing Nikolai, however, they started to approach, but he casually waved them away.

    ¡°What is it that you want from me, Nikolai?¡± Lyra said through gritted teeth. She wanted nothing more but to punch his face in, but another part of her wanted to console a teary-eyed Aurora.

    Nikolai smirked. ¡°Nothing. You¡¯re following your path to destiny exactly as the Hero of Aurum should. Just be mindful of what you say going forward and be careful; not everything is what it seems.¡±

 Part Seven: Questioning The Darkness

    <i>Overseas | Across the border</i>

    They were almost near their destination, and it would be time to depart from the glider, but first¡­

    Blackthorn knocked on the wooden brown surface, and the door opened to reveal the silver pixie-cut girl, Jude Larkin. Her brown eyes glazed up at him, surprised to see him, and the quirk of her lips titled to one side.

    ¡°I wasn''t expecting you.¡± Her voice was low and sensual. Heat rose at her cheeks, making her complexion a rose color. ¡°You''ve come for that distraction?¡±

    He smirked. Enjoying <i>him</i> squirm. ¡°Naturally.¡¯

    She quirked a grin at him. Her enclosed fist grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled him close so they were inches apart. ¡°Good. I''ll make this something you won''t forget.¡± in a sing-song way that gave every clear indication to him that this girl wanted him and would surely be the death of the other <i>him.</i>

    Until he stiffened. <i>No. I¡­ won''t¡­ let you¡­Though broken and scattered, his thoughts tried to break through again¡­, and</i> then images of <i>her </i>came into his mind again.

    He stepped back. Jude''s eyes cast a look of sadness then, but no matter how much Blackthorn tried to pursue the girl, he was forced to stand back.

    And for a moment, he lost control¡­

    ¡°...I''m in love with someone else,¡± Eamon finally managed to say. He knew he wouldn''t have long before the Dormant took over again. ¡°If I had given you any impression otherwise, I apologize.¡±

    Jude gasped both at his declaration and his apology.

    ¡°I know what you said¡­ my feelings and her being a bad distraction, but¡­ they''re my distractions, and I want to keep them, her, into my thoughts until the very end. She''s what makes me stay <i>me.¡±</i>

    <i>Until she ends you, I''ll make sure of that. </i>The Dormant managed to say. <i>Accept who you are. You were made to be a weapon and nothing more. Embrace and accept it, or you won''t like what happens next.</i>

    Jude looked at him for a moment longer. Perplexed by this strange white-haired man. She knew nothing about him, yet¡­ it was like she could see some of him all at once.

    She cringed. Looking too long was like looking into the dark depths of the abyss. If you stare long enough, whatever hides in the dark will emerge.

    ¡°... If you love her, then go to her. Not away from her.¡±

    He flinched. <i>She wouldn''t get it. </i>I''m trying as hard as I can, but¨C

    ¡°Then you aren''t trying hard enough.¡± Cutting him off. Her hands were on her hips, and she had a defiance on her face. ¡°Look, all I know is that if I want something, nothing will ever keep me from it. Least of all me. So stop being that wall that separates you two, whatever darkness lies inside of you, don''t let that be the thing that silences you.¡±

    Flashes of memories flooded back into him, and he gritted his teeth to suppress the pain. A hand reached out to touch his eye.

    Blackthorn was retaking control.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Jude stared curiously at him. ¡°Are you okay, Blackthorn?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Blackthorn heaved in pain. Back by his trigger word, but there was always a chance he would return just as quickly without Walsh''s voice to silence him longer. ¡°I appreciate the wise words, Jude, but¡­ I''m afraid there''s no use for them.¡±

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Men. Whatever, do the right thing eventually, alright? I bet you never even told her that, huh?¡±

    ¡°Not in so many words¡­ No. We kissed, and then I used Essentia to make her fall asleep so I could leave because she has the power to make me stay. She has always been my distraction.¡± However, the words on Blackthorn''s lips were venomous and vile.

    ¡°Well, for one, I hope you know doing that was creepy and wrong.¡±

    A smile reached his lips. ¡°Yes, I know. It wouldn''t have happened if it had been up to me.¡± The dark implication of his meaning hung in the air.

    Jude sighed. ¡°Good grief, you''re tiring. At least you know where you screwed up, but want my advice?¡±

    It was his turn to sigh as he looked at her as if she possessed him to do so.

    ¡°You''re going to give it to me anyway.¡± He contemplated ending her, but that would draw attention and leads, something they didn''t need.

    ¡°The next time you see her, no matter what, under any circumstances, tell her you love her. I don''t care what happened before or even what happens after. Just let her know that and <i>then</i> let her make the decision. Whatever <i>that may be, </i>you will respect it and honor it. Got it? You owe her that much.¡±

    He didn''t say anything for a moment. Then, he closed his eyes and let out a laugh, one that sent chills down Jude''s spine.Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°And what is so funny?¡±

    He looked up at her and smiled, but his eyes were cold and dark, not the sad look from earlier. ¡°Yes, you just made me realize something.¡±

    The intercom announced their next destination throughout the ship, interrupting them.

    Blackthorn started to head toward the ship''s exit when Jude stopped him.

    ¡°Hey, aren''t you going to tell me what you realized?¡±

    He stopped walking but didn''t turn to look at her. ¡°That humanity should have never had free will to begin with. It''s only making things that much more complicated.¡±

    Blackthorn left her questioning what he meant, his hands in his pockets. He felt the paper there, but despite being asleep, he still didn''t have the power to toss it away.

    <i>Just you wait, you won''t have control for long. You''ve not only seen the abyss, but you are the abyss; it is very hard to get out of it.</i>

    ???

    Leaving Ravens Wing Farm, the group continued their appointed journey, but something wasn''t right.

    Cassandra noticed Lyra''s stiff posture and Aurora''s dismissive presentation. The sadness in her eyes indicated that something had happened at the farm.

    ¡°Something happened.¡±

    Malakyh hummed, looking back at her. ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    The two of them whispered from where they were at the rear.

    ¡°Lyra is never closed off, and the same goes for Aurora. It''s like she''s avoiding us and acting dismissive to Lyra. <i>Something </i>had to have happened between them or to them.¡±

    Malakyh narrowed his eyes at the back of their heads. ¡°Or maybe family drama? She is getting older, so maybe Aurora is just acting out.¡±

    Cassandra sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Why do I even bother? Look, you can help me or go about your business.¡±

    ¡°Fine. What do you have in mind?¡±

    Midday turned into night, and they had a roaring fire going as they put up their tents to be ready for sleep. Tierney was on Cook duty, and Aurora sat on the log beside her as she tended to the fire. Lyra was putting up her tent.

    ¡°Now''s the time,¡± she whispered to Malakyh. ¡°You said you had an idea?¡±

    ¡°Just watch.¡± He instructed her.

    As a Strega, he had command over the shadows and used them to his will, and as a Custodian, to exorcize the dead. A witch¡¯s ability could amplify all of them and even raise the dead with a simple chant or word.

    All Malakyh would do was summon a few undead and return Lyra to herself, and in turn, have Aurora reach out to her for protection.

    Unfortunately, when he told Cassandra that now, her eyes bugged out. ¡°That is not a plan. We are not going to bait them.¡±

    Malakyh wrinkled his nose. ¡°I wish you would have something then. It''s too late; once the incantation has been cast, the summoning will stay until it is defeated.¡±

    Cassandra shook her head. <i>Great, look what I''ve done. I should have just talked to her instead of letting him help. </i>

    Before Cassandra was about to tell Lyra what happened, Aurora screamed, followed by Tierney¡¯s cry of panic.

    A moldy skeleton with bright yellow eyes grabbed Aurora''s ankle as it tried to claw itself from the ground. Tierney, in a state of panic, grabbed a stick and whacked its skull with it.

    ¡°Hold on, Aurora!¡± Lyra called out, grabbing her sword from where it leaned on a log. Only another skeletal hand grabbed onto Lyra''s ankle and tried to pull her under.

    ¡°This isn''t going as planned. Fix it!¡± Cassandra demanded of Malakyh. Malakyh hummed in agreement that things had gotten out of hand and prepared to get rid of the summons.

    However, things panned out differently than they thought, and a surge of lightning strikes hit the ground. They almost struck Cassandra just as she moved out of the way, causing Malakyh to stop his spell-casting as the raging lightning storm took out anything that moved.

    Lyra gritted her teeth, remembering the disarray that had caused Aurora to get like this. She plunged her sword into the skeletal head, then ran toward Aurora and Tierney.

    A bolt of lightning was headed directly for Tierney, but Lyra slid across the ground. Using her Essentia, she summoned Gaia to cause a wall of earth to protect them.

    Lyra checked on the shaking Tierney first before assessing Aurora. The skeleton had scratched her leg, and her fear had activated her power.

    Lyra dove the blade into the skull, dropping her sword and wrapping her arms around the frightened and out-of-control Aurora.

    ¡°Please, Aurora. It''s me, Lyra. I''m sorry I didn''t tell you about who you were. It was selfish for me to keep that a secret and think it would protect you, but I have to start trusting that you''ll know what to do or come to me if you don''t. You are not a monster or a weapon, you hear me?! <i>You are not a weapon¨C you''re an Ashbourne!¡±</i>

    Aurora''s eyes opened, and tears developed. Her lips quivered, and a cry burst out of her. She wrapped her arms around Lyra''s neck, burying her wet face into her neck.

    The burst of lightning had died out and returned to normal. Lyra held Aurora in her arms as she consoled her.

    ¡°<i>Different doesn''t make you a monster. It makes you flawed, and humans are flawed. You are every bit as human as anyone. You are you, and let no one tell you otherwise.¡± </i>

    As high-strung emotions faded away, consoling only led to whispers. Lyra¡¯s Voxlink alerted her to a message.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Who is it?¡± Cassandra asked her as Lyra turned the mobile, rectangular device to the screen.

    ¡°It''s Sly¡­ she''s sending us a warning. The Children of Deimos are spying on us.¡±

    ???

    Sly had her bags already packed and was waiting for a carriage to pick her up when she received a Voxlink message back from Lyra.

    <i>Good To know. I might have something else to tell you, too. We''re headed to Ravens Country. See you there?</i>

    Sly grinned. She admitted she missed those kids. All that was missing was Eamon, and she was sure Lyra already had that handled.

    <i>See you then. </i>

    A carriage pulled up, and she climbed aboard. It would be a long drive, but she couldn''t think of anything better than teaming up with Lyra again.

    ???

    Blackthorn and the black-haired and bandaged man had left off the Zephyr Wing glider. He assessed his surroundings in an open field off a beaten path of a backroads.

    They were between the Eastern border of Lysandrian Kingdom¡¯s Hinterlands and the Argonian Empire.

    The Voxlink finally came in with a new message. His assignment: ¡°<i>Find the man named Ludwig Klause in the Dawn Coalition.¡±</i>

    He grunted. ¡°Hmm, the Dawn Coalition. The radical rebel group that has been making waves. At least this one is a fun challenge. ¡± Though he couldn''t help but be curious about what Walsh wanted from this man.

    ¡°Hey, you, Ash Born Demon.¡± He called out. It stared dazed with its soulless eyes like an abyss of nothing. ¡°Let''s keep it moving. You follow me.¡±

    Without so much as a peep or response, the bandage-haired Homunculus listened this time. His stride was relatively astute. Even as Blackthorn had to dress him in a trench coat, tunic, and breeches, he had seen the lean build on him. His body looked to be designed like some fighter. Walsh must have modeled him after an Imperial Military or Locksmith.

    Whatever the story, it didn''t matter. All that mattered was that he delivered the package and found the person he wanted. Then Walsh would make sure this body was his from now on.

    Though he hesitated at that thought, no<i>, keep going. </i>They continued along the backroads path to their destination.

 Part Eight: A Scary Change

    <i> A town in Ravens Country</i>

    Military tanks drove through the streets in droves. People looked on in curiosity and terror. The military piled out with their rifles in hand, but the tanks looked different than before; the body was metallic with a fresh silver paint job, and at its core was an orb brewing with pulsating energy.

    As per their command to take to the streets and secure its people from the terrors that had befallen several cities a month ago. The Empire''s primary goal was to eradicate any fear threatening the Chancellor¡¯s rule. The talk of ¡®Altars¡¯ rising from the earth had been whispered to almost everyone''s ears who had a radio. There were fits and buzzes, and people started to believe that legends were real.

    Chancellor Radovinov needed them to be complacent and focus solely on the Harmony Tax. So, a well-constructed lie was used to redirect people''s focus to the Empire and its Imperial Military.

    ¡°<i>Good people of Aurum¡­¡±</i> Chancellor Viktor Radovinov¡¯s thick, accented voice played on the radio.

    <i>¡°Many of you have seen the newly deployed automatons called tanks patrolling around. Do not be alarmed or fearful, for they are here to protect and keep you safe.¡± </i>

    Throughout many homes and cities, people conversed with one another, wondering if that was true.

    <i>¡°...It is a scary thing to process, but we must face it together! Rumors have been escalating that the infamous Magycte Beast and the Children of Deimos are coming to resurface. What do I say? It is a constructed plan by terrorists to frighten the good people of Aurum into hiding and coercion. My conclusion to Harmony and peace with the Harmony Tax has left revolts and riots to appear across many countries. People seem not to fathom the existence of a world with peace.¡±</i>

    <i>¡°But we will not let them sway us to hide away. I promised you that the military would protect you and that unity would come into play with the Harmony Tax Act, and they shall. Join the Imperial Military to reclaim our peace and sanity from those who wish to take it from us. You, too, can protect your families from the hysterical and the naysayers. I have deployed a Military to reside in parts of Ravens Country and Verdan Glen, then Lysandrian and Gearford. Soon, they will be all over Aurum waiting to hear from you and join our ranks to eradicate the invaders who seek to ruin your harmony and union.¡±</i>

    As the announcement ended, people seemed conflicted by the Chancellor''s words. All they wanted was to return to normalcy, but was sacrificing so much of their lives worth it to retain their peace?

    The uncertainty was like clockwork, and many questioned whether it was the right thing to do. Many would even turn their backs on the military and the Chancellor. Nothing was worth sacrificing if it meant something terrible had to be wagered.

    The voices of the people''s uncertainty were valid and robust for all but a few moments when a purple-black miasma of aura surrounded its citizens. A blank expression crossed their faces, and what was once filled with intense uncertainty and hesitancy was replaced with surefire obedience and loyalty¨C to the Chancellor''s message.

    As people lined up before the military tanks, they signed away to join the Imperial ranks.

    Hidden away from prying eyes, a lone blonde hair figure lurked on top of a building. His lips pursed in disgruntled disapproval of what was happening.

    ¡°This doesn''t look good. I''ll bet an Altar is formulating as we speak¡­¡± <i>Where are you? </i>

    ???

    With the following day ahead of them, Lyra and the others continued their trek to Ravens Country. She would need to come clean about what Nikolai had told her on the farm.

    ¡°So he knows¡­ about everything?¡± Cassandra questioned first as they walked the dirt path.

    Lyra nodded. ¡°I believe so. He''s obviously leaving out information on purpose and waiting for a big reveal, but I think he, along with the Chancellor, knows the existence of Magycte Beast and the Children of Deimos are true.¡±If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

    Malakyh hummed. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious?¡± The two girls looked at him. His eyes closed with his hand cupped at his chin.

    ¡°No, but I''m sure you''ll explain it to us,¡± Cassandra retorted with an eye roll.

    He opened his eyes. ¡°What has the Chancellor wanted from the very beginning?¡±

    Lyra raised a brow. ¡°To control the people? Get them to believe that his Harmony Tax will set up unions." The thought of his ¡®goal¡¯ made Lyra make a sour face.

    ¡°Yes, true, and he was going to achieve that. How?¡±

    ¡°Uh? By forcing the people, tricking them, sending their military goons¨C¡± Her eyes widened as the answer slammed into her. Malakyh nodded. Now, they were on the same page.

    ¡°Did you think of something?¡±

    Lyra palmed her face with her hand. ¡°Of course! That''s also what Nikolai said about me being popular in Crystalline City and the Empire not liking that. He doesn''t like that someone else got to the information first¨C let alone a Locksmith¨C because he wants to erase the idea of Locksmiths and make sure <i>his </i>military gets the credit, followed by his ideologies, and once those Altars start appearing, it will make things much easier for the people to think of him and his military as saviors.¡±

    ¡°Exactly.¡± Malakyh nodded in agreement.

    ¡°And all this negativity spurring will probably cause more Altars to appear.¡± Cassandra figured. Her eyes widened. ¡°He''s deliberately trying to force an Altar to appear.¡±

    ¡°And whether he knows the repercussions or not, he''s also contributing to the Astral Contract,¡± Malakyh said.

    Cassandra frowned. ¡°So, what, are the Children of Deimos and his working together?¡±

    Lyra shook her head. ¡°I don''t think they are anymore. If that''s anything coming from Nikolai, this might be all the Chancellor¡¯s doing, and the Children of Deimos are conveniently riding in the backseat.¡±

    A sign head was on the roadside that read: Welcome to Ravens Country.

    Ravens Country was west of Verdan Glen, with a surplus of small cities and towns spread apart on its land. Verdan Glen was the #1 spot of rural tranquility, making Ravens Country #2 the embodiment of country life.

    Like Ealdred said, they are the only region in Aurum that has not used technological advancements and has stuck to the <i>old ways </i>since the Era of Expansion of 1083CC and even before the Great Convergence Era of 600CC.

    Lyra knew they wouldn''t be bombarded by the Imperial Military. Ravens Country had four capital cities, and Corvus Holden was their first destination.

    Corvus Holden was a beautiful area with a wire berth of plains field. Makeshift tent-style houses were stationed around the field at varying distances from each other.

    ¡°Let''s go ask around town and see if anyone has seen anything, or anyone, strange or off. It looks like the military haven''t found their way here, so that¡¯s a plus.¡±

    ¡°Should we split up?¡± Cassandra asked, ¡°We can cover more ground that way.¡±

    Lyra nodded. Cassandra and Tierney went one way, Malakyh another, and lastly, she and Aurora.

    She and Aurora up to someone taking care of a garden outside of a shop.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Lyra called out to the gentleman.

    The man had mousy hair and big bluish eyes. He was wearing a regular dark green long-sleeved and breeched with sewn patches into the knee parts. His smile was wide when he met eyes with them, and a shiver traveled down Lyra¡¯s spine.

    ¡°Oh! Travelers. Forgive me for not noticing you sooner. Welcome To Corvus Holden; my name is Gean Wayland.¡±

    Lyra bowed. ¡°Thank you. I''m Lyra Ashbourne, a Locksmith, and this is Aurora. We hope you''ll answer a few questions. Is that alright?¡±

    ¡°But of course! Ask away!¡±

    Aurora gripped Lyra¡¯s hand tightly, taken aback by the man''s forwardness. Having seen the motion, the man drifted wide, unblinking eyes and a rather toothy grin at her, making Aurora whimper and scurry behind Lyra¡¯s back.

    The man''s attention shifted back to Lyra with the same wide grin.

    ¡°Um, well, have you seen anything¡­ odd lately? You know, like ¡®things that shouldn''t be here¡¯ or the Fiends acting abnormally than usual or weirdly colored, strong Veilspawn? Also, maybe a mysterious person or two.¡±

    The smiling man tilted his head to the side, with pursed lips, thinking.

    ¡°Strange¡­ weird¡­ occurrences or¡­ people.¡± His head straightened from where it was tilted and exclaimed, ¡°Nope!¡±

    Even Lyra had to jump this time from the man''s over-excitement.

    ¡°The Fiends don''t bother us here out in the country, and there''s nary a Rift for a Veilspawn to show up. The only folks who may pass by are the Imperial Military and yourselves.¡±

    ¡°So the military has bothered you before?¡±

    The man shrugged. ¡°Last week was the last we saw of one of them, a blonde-haired captain. They had come over a month ago, too, but they were gone quickly after that. They are not too kind people if you ask me.¡±

    Lyra couldn''t have agreed more. They were simple country folk trying to live in everyday peace. They didn''t need the Military''s drama.

    ¡°Oh, but fret not!¡± Gean said, seeing the annoyed expression on her face. ¡°We know best how to handle angry people like that, but you folks are good-hearted and welcome. Perhaps I should bring you to our Chieftain? He would happily answer questions that I cannot and provide you a place to stay.¡±

    ¡°That''s very kind of you, thank you. Let me find the rest of my party.¡±

    The man nodded and watched them leave. Aurora turned her head back, and the man waved to her with a smile, making her half-raise her hand before turning back.

 Part Nine: Among The Shattered Few (Part 1)

    Gathering everyone together, they followed Gean toward the north end of town, where an oval home sat and their Chief lived.

    Gean Knocked on the wooden door, and an old, kind voice allowed them inside. They stepped in two at a time inside the country-style home.

    The interior wood was made from cedar against cream, speckled Walls. An older man sat in the living quarters at a large round table. There were bookshelves against the wall and little Knick knacks on the cabinets.

    Gean cleared his throat to get the older gentleman''s attention. ¡°Chief, I have brought guests who would be delighted to be graced by your company. One of which is a Locksmith.¡±

    ¡°A Locksmith, you say?¡± The man''s jubilant voice rang with sound curiosity and admiration. He turned to them, and they were met with the same toothy smile as Gean. His white hair was balding but slicked back, and his rough complexion was weathered from old age, yet there seemed to be energy in his cobalt eyes. ¡°Come, come, have a seat, please.¡±

    Lyra and the others walked from the foyer into the living quarters, treading lightly over the rug floor to prevent it from becoming muddy.

    ¡°Ah, don''t you worry about that rug. We have people who can clean that.¡± The old Chieftain said, waving his hand at the carpet they walked upon.

    ¡°Thank you for having us, sir,¡± Lyra said first, sitting on the wooden stool. Aurora sat beside her, followed by Cassandra, Tierney, and Malakyh.

    ¡°Please, call me Albert. It''s an honor to have a Locksmith grace our humble home.¡±

    ¡°That''s kind of you to say. My name is Lyra Ashbourne. And these are my friends¡­.¡±

    Each of them introduced themselves with a slight bow of their head, respectively.

    The man''s eyes widened. ¡°My gosh, to have so many faces, least of all an Ashbourne? This is a surprise.¡±

    Lyra grinned. ¡°You must have also known my grandpa. I''m sure he''d love to know how you''re doing.¡±

    ¡°Hmm? I know of Ealdred, but I was referring to your father, Arcemedus.¡±

    A quick gasp escaped past her lips. ¡°My-My father?¡± wide-eyed shock revealed on her face. ¡°He was here?¡±

    Albert nodded. ¡°Back in the day, he would come here often. Sometimes for Locksmith duty, other times to shoot the breeze. He was a young lad, around your age, but always made time for us folk. I was in my thirties and just starting as a leader. I was nervous as one could be, but your father always had a life lesson, and I kept that to hurt. Had I never met him, I don''t think I would have become the Chieftain I am today. It''s a shame he''s no longer here with us. The life span of a Locksmith can be wildly short. Especially back then.¡±

    Though the moment was sad, Lyra still couldn''t believe that someone knew her father and pretty well by the sound of it. She was more than eager to hear more stories about the father she never got to grow up with.

    Cassandra cleared her throat, pulling Lyra from her excitement. ¡°If you wouldn''t mind helping us, sir, we have a mission we are set out to do.¡±

    ¡°Uh, right!¡± Lyra fumbled over her words. Hoping no one could see the red on her cheeks for forgetting why they were here in the first place. ¡°We came to Ravens Country to survey the area and look for anything or anything¡­ strange.¡±

    The old Man''s furrowed brow raised, making the wrinkles on his forehead defined into deep ridges. ¡°Anything or anyone strange? May I ask you to elaborate?¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips and looked to her left at Cassandra and Malakyh for approval to reveal the truth. Both nodded slightly, but their narrowed gazes told Lyra to choose her words carefully.

    ¡°There''s been something odd going on with the Veilspawn and Fiends, making them more¡­erratic than usual. We think it might be caused by a group of people that are pretty nefarious. You''d be able to know who they are right away.¡±

    Mentally sighing, she hoped that was a good enough excuse given their circumstances.

    ¡°Erratic patterns, you say? Nefarious individuals¡­ mmm, that is quite a conundrum.¡± Albert rubbed his jaw as he was in deep thought. ¡°Nothing meddlesome so far, but if you feel inclined to survey the area, you may do so.¡±

    Lyra smiled, bowing her head. ¡°Thank you so much, Chief Albert. We really don''t want to cause an uproar here, and we''ll be out of here in a little bit.¡±

    ¡°Pish-Posh!¡± The elderly exclaimed with a wave of his mind. ¡°It''ll be late once you finish scouting the area. No, you''ll stay in our inn tonight, and you can leave in the morning.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    ¡°Are you sure about that, sir?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°We don''t mean to intrude.¡±

    ¡°Nonsense. Arcemedus has done good things for us plenty of times, but the least I could do was provide food and a place for his kin to stay.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Chief Albert. That means a lot,¡± Lyra said, wanting even more to know about her father from this man.

    ???

    After patrolling the area, the group settled in for the night at the inn the Chief put them under. However, Lyra could not sleep as she was riled up with excitement and curiosity about the possible stories Albert had of her father.

    ¡°...How long are you going to be gone for?¡± Aurora asked. She sat on the bed with her legs dangling off to the side as she kicked them back and forth.

    ¡°It won''t be long, promise. I want to ask Albert a few things.¡± She told her as she pulled out a night set her mother had packed away for the two of them. They were some of Lyra¡¯s old clothing when she was little.

    ¡°About your dad?¡± Aurora questioned, peering up with wide and curious eyes.

    Lyra put the clothes on the bed, then sat beside her, brushing her white hair away from her tawny cheeks and behind her ear.

    ¡°Yes. My dad died when I was young, so I would like to know more about him and his adventures as a Locksmith.¡± Lyra¡¯s hand gently cuddled her cheek. ¡°And when I get back, I hope you will be asleep. We''ll have to wake up pretty early tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°How come I can''t come? I don''t wanna be in here alone¡­¡± she leaned forward to whisper. ¡°It''s creepy.¡±

    ¡°Cassandra and Tierney will be here. They should be back from getting food, and if it needs to be addressed, Malakyh is in the room across from us.¡±

    Aurora pouted. She wasn''t sure what it was, but a feeling of nervousness increased within her that she couldn''t shake away.

    ¡°Okay? Everything will be fine, I promise. I always keep my promises that I''m Fine, right?¡±

    Aurora nodded. ¡°Okay.¡± She let out a sigh.

    Lyra beamed at her and kissed her forehead just as the doors opened for Cassandra and Tierney to make their way inside with food.

    ¡°I''ll have your food stored away when you get back,¡± Cassandra said to a leaving Lyra already out the door.

    ¡°Thanks, Cassandra. I''ll see you all in a few.¡± Then, closing the door behind her.

    In the hallway, however, was Malakyh leaning against the inn''s faded brown walls.

    ¡°Are you¡­ waiting for something?¡± She asked, with raised brows.

    ¡°Just wanted to tell you something,¡± he said, leaning off the wall. ¡°It won''t be long.¡±

    She shrugged. ¡°Shoot.¡±

    ¡°When you''re out there, just be mindful of your surroundings. It might be peaceful here, but things are rapidly changing around here. I can''t shake this feeling in my gut, but instead of telling you what to do, I only wanted to warn you.¡±

    <i>Weird. He''s sounding like Aurora. Maybe there might be some Fiends or Veilspawn lurking about? Possibly. We still don''t know what the curse is about, but Albert''s house isn''t too far¡­</i>

    ¡°I''ll keep that in mind, don''t worry.¡±

    With nothing but a nod, Malakyh stepped aside so Lyra could reach the stairs. Though she couldn''t help feeling his eyes staring back at her, he was no longer there when she turned around.

    <i>A little past Midnight</i>

    Aurora tossed and turned in her sleep, turning left, right, and left again until she finally woke upright in the bed. It was dark inside the inn''s bedroom, but she could still see the silhouette shapes of Cassandra¡¯s broad shoulders and Tierney beside her.

    What she didn''t see beside her was Lyra.

    Aurora pouted. She patted the space beside her to double-check if her mind was playing tricks on her, but it was indeed empty, and a thump of nervousness in her chest slammed into her chest.

    <i>She should have been back by now</i>. Aurora had already slipped out of bed and walked to where Cassandra slept.

    ¡°Cassandra? Cassandra? Something is wrong¡­ Lyra should have been in by now.¡±

    She waited for a response, but no one came. She frowned and shook her shoulder again. Nothing. She could feel her body rise and fall but didn''t stir awake.

    ¡°Cassandra?¡±

    Aurora tried to wake Tierney, but once again, nothing happened. Both of them were breathing and alive, but it was like they couldn''t hear.

    Panic washed over Aurora''s features as the worse played into her head. She hurried to get dressed and rushed out of the bedroom to knock on the door across from them.

    But the door was already opened, and the cloaked figure stood with a look of concern.

    ¡°Malakyh!¡± Aurora exclaimed. ¡°Thank goodness you''re up!¡±

    ¡°Aurora?¡± Malakyh was bewildered seeing the little girl walking about. ¡°Is Cassandra and Tierney¨C¡±

    Aurora shook her head before he finished his sentence. ¡°I tried to wake them up, but they wouldn''t move even though they were both breathing okay.¡± He sucked his teeth in frustration and mumbled to himself. <i>This isn''t good. I knew something seemed off.</i>

    ¡°And Lyra? She''s still not back?¡±

    Again, Aurora shook her head.

    ¡°This isn''t good.¡± Malakyh shook his head. ¡°We need to find Lyra quickly. Come on.¡±

    <i></i>Malakyh darted down the inn''s halls, and Aurora tried to catch up.

    ¡°Malakyh, what''s going on? How come Cassandra and Tierney are unconscious? Why are we the only two up?¡±

    ¡°It would seem like whatever is going on here affects the people in this town, but that doesn''t include witches or¡­¡± He paused, wanting to say anything he shouldn''t.

    ¡°Someone who''s not a human¡­.¡± Aurora answered him. ¡°I know¡­ I''m a¡­ Homunculus.¡±

    They made it to the inn''s door when Malakyh stopped. He bent down to her height. ¡°I''m sorry you had to learn that, but right now, you are the only one who can free Lyra and the others. Are you ready? Homunculus or not, you''ll have to be the hero they need right now, and I bet all my denarius it has something to do with the Curse.¡±

    Aurora tightened her fists and nodded, knowing she would need to put on a brave face. She wouldn''t let anything happen to Lyra, Cassandra, or Tierney.

    ¡°Good. Stay close to me; we don''t know what Veilspawn or Fiend awaits us, but if it looks like the trouble, you''ll have to high tail it out of here and get some help if you can.¡±

    Malakyh removed sheathed blades from his cloak and held them out to her. ¡°Have you ever used one of these before?¡±

    Aurora''s eyes widened at the sheathed daggers in a brown cloth skin. She shook her head. ¡°I¡­ I have¡­ power already.¡± However, she wasn''t sure if it was Essentia or something worse.

    ¡°And do you know how to use this power of yours?¡± Aurora pressed her lips together and stared down at the daggers. ¡°Just think of them as a fail-safe, okay? If your power doesn''t work  as it should, you might have to fight up close.¡±

    ¡°Lyra won''t be happy about this,¡± Aurora said, hesitantly taking the daggers in each of her hands.

    Malakyh grinned. ¡°Guess that''s our little secret then. Now let''s go find out what''s happening.¡±

 Part Ten: Among The Shattered Few (Part 2)

    The two of them left the safety of the inn and went outside to face the darkness, but a purple mist surrounded the ground floor.

    ¡°Is that¨C?¡±

    ¡°¨CMiasma.¡± Malakyh finished Aurora''s sentence. ¡°Stay close and try not to inhale the toxins.¡±

    Aurora stiffened her chest and sucked in a breath. The sheathed daggers close to her chest in one hand while the other gripped Malakyh''s cloak.

    Ahead of them, however, the ground began to pull away from itself as something clawed its way from underground.

    ¡°M¨CMalakyh?¡± Aurora gripped onto his cloak tighter.

    ¡°The undead. The Curse is triggering them. Stand back, Aurora.¡±

    The undead were relatively similar to Djinn; the only differences were how they were formed and who they hailed from.

    He raised two fingers to his lips and recited an incantation to seal them. Instead of the ghostly silver chains used to imprison the Djinn, a talisman formed between his fingers, and he released the seal with a swipe of his arm.

    The seals were tossed toward the undead and stuck to their rotting flesh. They roared in pain before dispersing into shadows until they were no more.

    ¡°Follow me and watch yourself.¡±

    They followed the path of tombstones that weren¡¯t there previously and a trail of purple miasma gas that seemed to reach toward their knees. Aurora pinched her nose and puffed her cheeks to avoid inhaling the poisonous gas, which, due to her height and daughter, would cover her entirely.

    Malakyh removed his cloak hood to prevent this, releasing his coiled locks from its hidden perch. ¡°Here,¡± he said, putting on the hood and placing the cowl over her mouth and nose. ¡°Try not to breathe too deeply in shallow breaths until we escape this miasma.¡±

    Aurora nodded. She wasn¡¯t feeling as light-headed as before, so she put a pep in her step and followed Malakyh¡¯s trail.

    Once they reached the town center, they realized it was not the same quaint town as earlier. Instead of the townhomes, a large castle-like structure stood tall in the distance, right where Chief Albert was. Dilapidated ones replaced the houses, and tombstones littered the fields.

    They had stumbled across an Altar, which had already overtaken the town.

    ¡°W-what do we do?¡± Aurora clung to his cloak, knowing fearfully that Lyra was inside.

    Malakyh gritted his teeth, knowing this as well. His eyes narrowed at the open wrought iron door, begging them to enter its depth.

    ¡°We fight, that¡¯s what. Are you ready?¡±

    Aurora nodded. Knowing she wasn¡¯t genuinely ready, she had no choice if she wanted to save Lyra, but before they could make their way inside, a horde of undead inched toward them as they emerged from the shadows and from underneath the ground.

    ¡°Blasted it all. These things won¡¯t give us a break.¡±

    Even if Malakyh was strong, Aurora knew his energy was best served by the Magycte Void Beast inside.

    Aurora closed her eyes. <i>I¡¯m not a weapon. I¡¯m not a monster¡­ I¡¯m an Ashbourne¡­ I help others, not destroy. </i>Aurora repeated the mantra, willing her powers to come out of her. She gripped Malakyh¡¯s clothing for support, and a pulsating pressure of electricity scattered across her skin and leaped off her.

    ¡°What in Lumos name¡ª.¡± Malakyh gasped, but Aurora didn¡¯t open her eyes as she concentrated.

    She could feel the surge of energy pulsating around her. She would need to release it. <i>Please¡­ Lumos, help me. </i>A gasp released from Aurora¡¯s breath as a gentle but firm push was felt on her chest, and a release of electricity was sent out in red waves around her, striking each undead with a direct hit.

    They exploded into a shadowy mass without so much as a scream, as if they hadn¡¯t even known they were hit.

    Aurora opened her eyes to see the undead no more. She panted a bit, having so much power expelled from her all at once. Malakyh was over his shock, realizing that this was Aurora¡¯s doing. He looked down to see her gripping his cloak tighter than before, her eyes lulled closed occasionally, and she looked pale, like she could pass out at any moment. A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    He was about to offer her rest, but Aurora only shook her head as if she was reading his thoughts. ¡°We have to keep going. Lyra needs us.¡±

    He nodded, accepting her request, but did one thing. He scooped Aurora from off the ground and carried her in his arms so she could save her energy for the fight ahead.

    Aurora didn¡¯t protest and curled in his arms as they headed inside the Altar.

    The second Altar was not as large as the first one but just as wide. Several armed spirit soldiers marched along the wide path, blocking them from the exit, where the next Great Void Beast was located.

    Malakyh placed Aurora down on her feet, and she felt more restored than before. ¡°I''ll take the enemy from the front, and you cover our rear, but if you feel yourself depleting in energy, let me know, and I''ll handle it from there.¡±

    Aurora nodded and stuck by his side as he chanted an incantation. Blue wisps of fire circulated like a protective barrier. When an undead came too close to them, they evaporated into mist.

    They continued like that down the long stone Hall of the castle, with tombstones sticking up from the ground. They found their way to the entrance, where an effeminate man with long, gracefully brown hair seemed to flow in the wind despite no windows. His ghostly, dull, silver eyes were sharp and profound, with soft features from his sculpted jawline to his posture.

    He sat on top of a steed, wearing glistening armor. Behind him was Lyra, trapped against the wall with vines wrapped around her body. Her head lulled to the side unconscious.

    ¡°Lyra!¡± Aurora cried out, forgetting they were not out of danger yet. She would have run to her had Malakyh not stopped her.

    ¡°Wait, Aurora. We''re in the presence of one of the Great Void Beasts¡­ Paine.¡±

    With the greeting, the Void Beast tipped his head in a bow with a hand on his heart. A crooked smile spread across his lips when he lifted his head to look at them. An illusion of a skull flickered on his face, revealing his true form.

    Aurora flinched, hiding behind Malakyh from the man¡¯s creepy grin. The undead spirits appeared in shadowy wisps and surrounded the entire area, waiting for their master to give them an order.

    Malakyh pivoted his stance, and the chant that fell past his lips formed an iridescent ghostly sword made of white smoke. The Void Beast, Paine, also reacted, drew his elegant, long, gold sword, and dropped down from his steed.

    ¡°Aurora¡­¡± Malakyh whispered to the fearful girl. ¡°Fight with all you can muster, but run if your power wanes or you grow fearful. Run back to the inn and try to wake up the others. Do not engage.¡±

    Aurora¡¯s bright red eyes widened and nodded. She couldn¡¯t run, but she¡¯d do whatever it took to save Lyra and this town. She just hoped she wouldn''t lose herself in the process. Taking a deep breath, she focused on her power and could feel the surge of electricity at her fingertips.

    Malakyh stood on the other side of the makeshift Altar graveyard, his eyes fixed on the figure before him. Paine, the Great Void Beast, exuded an aura of dread. With long brown hair cascading down his back and an effeminate grace, Paine looked almost serene atop his steed, a nightmarish creature with a skull-like face that seemed to leer at Malakyh.

    Paine¡¯s long sword gleamed in the dim light, an extension of the darkness surrounding him. Malakyh tightened his grip on the white smoke, the flames licking the blade with an eerie intensity.

    "I have waited for this moment," Paine said in a whisper, yet it carried across the graveyard like a death knell. "To face a warrior worthy of my power."

    "I will see to it that this Altar is cleansed and these spirits are set free," Malakyh replied, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.

    With a swift movement, Paine urged his steed forward, the beast''s hooves thundering against the ground. Malakyh met the charge head-on, their swords clashing with a shower of sparks. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the air, and the spirits shrieked in response.

    As they fought, Aurora held her ground. Her power banished the spirits that tried to overwhelm her.

    Paine''s movements were fluid and precise, his strikes lethal. Malakyh countered with ferocity, his fiery sword leaving trails of white fire in its wake. Each clash of their blades was a symphony of power and skill, neither willing to give an inch.

    The battle raged on, a dance of death between two formidable opponents. Paine''s steed reared and kicked, trying to unseat Malakyh, but he remained steadfast, his focus unwavering. Despite his efforts, the fight took too long, and fatigue began to creep into Malakyh''s limbs.

    Just as Paine seemed to gain the upper hand, a thorned whip lashed out, wrapping around the Void Beast''s sword arm and yanking him off balance. Sly emerged from the shadows, her whip crackling with energy.

    "Need a hand?" she called out, a smirk on her face.

    "Perfect timing," Malakyh replied, breathing heavily.

    With Sly''s assistance, the tide of the battle turned. Her thorned whip and Malakyh''s fiery sword worked in tandem, their attacks synchronized and relentless. Paine, caught off guard by the new assault, struggled to regain control.

    With a final, powerful strike, Malakyh drove his sword through Paine''s chest, the flames consuming the Void Beast in a blaze of dark fire. Paine let out a scream of agony as his form disintegrated, his essence banished back to the void from whence it came.

    As the energy of the Altar began to dissipate, Sly hurried a Rift growing at its center and closed the tear in reality, sealing it shut. The spirits, now freed from their torment, slowly faded into the ether, their wails turning into sighs of relief.

    "Lyra!" Malakyh called out, spotting her vined to the wall of the Altar. He and Sly rushed over, breaking the vines and helping her to free her.

    Lyra''s eyes fluttered open, and she looked around, disoriented. "Malakyh... Sly...?"

    "We did," Malakyh confirmed, a tired frown placed on his face. They all knew too well that the triumph only meant they were that much closer to completing the astral contract.

    As they emerged from the Altar, the dawn''s first light breaking through the dark clouds, they saw the town''s people exiting their homes, waking from their sleep, including Cassandra and Tierney.

    They had survived another trial, and though the road ahead was uncertain, they faced it together.

 Part Eleven: The Power of the Mind is a Dangerous Game to Play

    The light from the windows beamed inside the room where Lyra¡¯s sleeping figure lay in bed. She winced in pain and moved slightly until she felt pressure on the corner of the bed where Aurora rested her head, sleeping.

    ¡°Aurora?¡± Her throat was raspy and dry. A throbbing sensation entered her temples, making her flinch. She could scarcely remember what had happened before but knew she had fallen prey to the Altar. After that, it was blank.

    Aurora mumbled as she roused awake and blinked the sleep out of her eyes, only to realize that Lyra was no longer lying unconscious on the bed. She was sitting up, albeit confused, but sitting up alive.

    She jumped into Lyra¡¯s chest, to her surprise, and let out a coughing gasp when Aurora¡¯s head hit her chest.

    ¡°I missed you! I¡­ thought you were¡­ was¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t get the rest of the words out when the tears came.

    Lyra pulled her onto the bed and her lap, wrapping her arms around her to comfort her.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ I¡¯m okay now. See? I told you I¡¯d be fine, and it was all thanks to you and Malakyh.¡±

    And speaking of Malakyh--

    Someone knocked on the door, and the person on the other side opened the door to walk inside.

    Lyra gasped, having not seen their face in quite some time.

    ¡°Sly!?¡±

    The woman grinned. A strand of her white fell into her eyes as she blew it away.

    ¡°Welcome back, Sleeping Beauty. You¡¯ve been out practically all day. I¡¯m glad I got here when I could.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here!¡± She exclaimed with a wide grin spread across her lips.

    ¡°And you¡¯re a sight for sore eyes, too. Now,¡± taking a seat in the wooden chair in the corner. Her hands folded together with her usual serious expression. ¡°I hate to end pleasantries, but¡­ we should talk about everything that has happened. If you¡¯re up to it.¡±

    Lyra nodded. Everything that happened with the Altar to The Children of Deimos watching her and the Chancellor¡¯s knowledge of everything.

    Sly nodded. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll get everyone together.¡±

    ???

    ¡°What? Are you saying that a Sovran mentioned that she knows Eamon and has seen him?¡± Lyra exclaimed after Sly revealed that he seemed to be established with one of them on top of the designated Sovran watching them.

    ¡°I thought I felt someone watching me too when Tierney and I had escaped that Altar that day,¡± Aurora revealed. ¡°It didn¡¯t feel like malice intent, but¡­ it felt sinister. I thought it might have been a Fiend, though.¡±

    Tierney nodded. ¡°It¡¯s true.¡±

    Cassandra pursed her lips together. ¡°But I don¡¯t understand why they watch us. Surely, it¡¯s not to make sure we are stopping the Altars. We would do that, no question.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s as obvious as that,¡± Malakyh said.

    ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± Sly agreed. ¡°They aren¡¯t just making sure we follow through¨Cthey know that we¡¯re a part of the big plan that has already happened in history¨C I think¡­.¡±

    ¡°...they don¡¯t want us to mess up,¡± Lyra finished her sentence. ¡°We will complete the Astral Contract to fulfill Deimos¡¯s return. The world will be overrun regardless, but they probably need to repeat the Astral process until we fight on soiled land between Lumos and Deimos¡¯ creations.¡±

    The room fell silent as they took in everything. It wasn¡¯t until after a few minutes that Sly broke the silence. She stood up, walked over to the radio on the dresser, and let an instrumental show tune play.

    ¡°Well, until then, we should rest up and continue to travel through Ravens Country. An Altar may be located somewhere, or we could catch one of those Sovran¡¯s to tell us since they want us to do their dirty work.

    The group nodded in agreement. Sly borrowed the cabin from an old friend who was out of town during her Locksmith days. They were still in Ravens Country, but the cabin was far from Corvus Holden, to Lyra¡¯s relief and dismay.

    Everyone retired to do anything else until they were ready to leave, but Lyra was left sitting at the table with Sly, who was also in the living quarters with her.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t have more information about Eamon. If I had caught that Southern Belladonna Sovran she called herself, I would have had her tell us.¡±

    Lyra sadly smiled, shaking her head. She wiped the corners of her eyes. ¡°I know Sly. That¡¯s way more information than I ever had. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Hey.¡± Her voice pulled Lyra¡¯s attention to her. She rested her reddish brown hands on top of Lyra¡¯s. ¡°We will find him, there¡¯s no doubt about it. Understand?

    Lyra nodded. But what if¡­ No, I can¡¯t doubt myself. Even if the Dormant part of him seemed potent than I thought, who knows how much stronger he is now? She hoped the picture she had taken from his things and slipped in his pockets that day would help.

    She sniffed and composed herself, straightening her shoulders. ¡°So where in Ravens Country?¡±

    Sly cleared her throat. ¡°I have contacts on the lookout. We stay on the path of Ravens Country and make our way to Farehaven. Military trucks were seen pulling up there, promoting people to sign up for the draft, and apparently, many people have signed up.¡±

    Lyra frowned. ¡°That doesn¡¯t make sense. Not for everything that¡¯s been happening with riots and protests.¡±

    Sly nodded. ¡°Agreed. If Nikolai is anything to go by, there might be more to it than he¡¯s letting on. I can only assume he knows why people are so readily joining, especially if he and the Chancellor seem to have an inkling of knowledge about the Altars.¡±

    ¡°And he wants to be the one to solve the issue. Not some backwaters Locksmith because that would ruin things for his election and his presidency in the future.¡±

    Sly and Lyra stared at each other silently, fearful of that thought alone. It wasn¡¯t until the show tunes ended that they were replaced with a news update from the Empire.

    ¡°Loyal citizens of Aurum, I stand before you in the Grand Hall of the Empire.

    ¡°We find ourselves at a crossroads, a moment in history fraught with uncertainty and peril. Our nation faces threats, both seen and unseen, that require our collective strength and resolve.

    While challenging, the Harmony Tax is a necessary burden we all must bear to ensure the continued prosperity and security of our beloved kingdom. It funds our defenses, sustains our infrastructure, and prepares us for trials. I understand the discontent it has caused, but let us not lose sight of its purpose.

    Rumors and whispers of dark forces and ancient evils have spread like wildfire. Some claim the resurgence of forgotten horrors, while others speak of mysterious happenings and shadowy creatures. But I ask you, is this the time to succumb to fear and division? No, it is a time for unity, strength, and decisive action.

    To protect our land and secure our future, we must be ready to face any threat, no matter how vague or distant it may seem. This is why I propose the introduction of a draft to bolster our ranks and ensure that every able-bodied citizen stands ready to defend our nation. This measure, though extraordinary, is vital. We must be prepared to face unexpected dangers with unwavering courage and steadfast resolve.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

    It is easy to be swayed by the impassioned words of a Locksmith to believe in the tales of legends and magic. But make no mistake, the proper solution to our plight lies not in fantastical stories but in the complex, unyielding reality. We shall overcome these threats through our military''s strength, our soldiers'' discipline, and our people''s resolve. We shall prevail through the strength of our military, the discipline of our soldiers, and our people¡¯s resolve. The time has come to stand together and embrace the reality of our situation.

    Trust in our leadership, trust in our soldiers, and trust in the resilience of the Empire. Together, we will face these challenges head-on and emerge stronger than ever. This is our duty and our path to destiny.¡±

    The news ended, but¡­ they weren¡¯t the only ones listening.

    Outside the door, Aurora and Tierney were crouched, listening. Aurora looked at Tierney with concern, who nodded that she was too scared by the outcome.

    But they had a plan, and maybe it would bring Eamon back.

    ???

    ¡°I don¡¯t know about this, Aurora,¡± Tierney nervously said. The two of them walked away from the doors of the cabin that they had eavesdropped behind.

    ¡°You heard on the radio. We have to do something. You said your powers can see into the future and talk to people, right?¡±

    Tierney pursed her lips. Her hands folded together tightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to control it. It¡¯s only when I¡¯m anxious or worried about someone I care about, like Cassandra. I might know Eamon, and I am concerned for him because Lyra is, but not enough for it to kick in.¡±

    Aurora furrowed her tiny brows to think. That is true¡­ Wait! She snapped her fingers, making Tierney raise her brow.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we ask Malakyh? He¡¯s a Strega and a Witch, right?¡±

    ¡°He offered to teach me better control¡­ but I don¡¯t want to go behind Cassandra¡¯s back.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ if it will help us save Eamon, that will help us take down the Altars. We have to try at least.¡±

    Tierney thought about it for a moment and let out a sigh. She nodded. Letting Aurora take the lead to where Malakyh was staying inside the cabin.

    They knocked on the door and waited until he told them to come in.

    ¡°What are you two doing?¡±

    Both girls looked at each other from the corner of their eyes. Tierney¡¯s hands clasped in front of her, and Aurora¡¯s behind her.

    Aurora stepped forward and spoke, ¡°Do you think you can¡­ tell us how to control a Person¡¯s power?¡±

    Though Malakyh didn¡¯t know what they were planning, he knew they were up to something involving one of their abilities. While Lyra never outright demanded of him not to speak of his background with Aurora, he could only assume she would feel some kind of way, like how Cassandra was with Tierney.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you two. I don¡¯t feel comfortable revealing or Showing you anything without your guardians¡¯ consent.¡±

    ¡°But¨C!¡± Aurora pleaded.

    ¡°Look, I know it can be tough not understanding who you are fully, but some things just take time, and you don¡¯t want to rush into anything, or else it could have detrimental side effects.¡±

    Aurora was unsure what else to say to let Malakyh know he wouldn¡¯t get in trouble.

    Tierney, however, stepped forward. She squared her shoulders.

    ¡°I know what Cassandra said, but¡­ I¡¯m just curious to know. You don¡¯t have to teach me anything. I want to know how to say, like, contact a specific person. Like the day Cassandra and her army were ambushed. If I had known early, I could have saved them and prevented Cassandra from carrying that burden.¡±

    Malakyh looked between the two girls, sighed, and ran his hands through his hair. He wasn¡¯t sure if he should do it; he did not want to see Cassandra¡¯s wrath, but the girl¡¯s eyes reminded him of something.

    Or someone. Himself.

    Had he not met his master, and she took him in, teaching him and starting him on the path he was on now? He was afraid he might have been dead a long time ago.

    ¡°Okay. There are several ways to gain focus: chants, herbs, rituals; some may need to be done under the guise of the moon.¡±

    ¡°But what if you don¡¯t have much stuff or experience?¡± Aurora jumped in.

    ¡°Well, if the person in question is already in touch with their magic, not so much control; they just need to have a conduit, something personal to the person you want to contact.¡±

    A light bulb went off in Aurora¡¯s head. She remembered seeing Eamon¡¯s Escrima sticks in Lyra¡¯s bag. Those would be the perfect conduits!

    ¡°That¡¯s perfect! Thanks, Malakyh!¡± She grabbed Tierney¡¯s hand and pulled her to the door, awkwardly waving goodbye.

    ¡°Now, hold on,¡± he said, stopping them midway out the doorway. He wasn¡¯t sure what he wanted to say or if she should say anything. It wasn¡¯t necessarily his place, but if anything happened to them, he¡¯d feel guilty for leading them to something. He sighed. They¡¯re smart girls; I¡¯m sure they won¡¯t cause any trouble on purpose.

    ¡°Just¡­ be careful.¡±

    Tierney hesitantly bobbed her head while Aurora yelled, ¡®Okay!¡¯ Before leaving the room.

    Aurora first set out to go into Lyra¡¯s bag and take the Escrima sticks. She could hear her in the washroom, and though some part of her was nervous, she needed to do this to help them get some lead.

    With Escrima sticks in hand, both girls raced out of the cabin and to the outside, where Cassandra was out in the front training with no armor to speak of. Her arm was feeling much better of late, and she knew she would need to pick up the slack for the lost time. Timely grunts passed her lips as she swung her ax arm at an invisible force. Beads of sweat dropped from her forehead. She spotted the two from the corner of her eye; she swiped her forehead with her arm and approached them.

    ¡°What are you two about to do?¡±

    Aurora hid the Escrima sticks behind her back, hoping to play coy. ¡°We¡¯re going to the lake for a bit,¡± Aurora lied.

    Tierney nodded in reply. Her stomach twisted at the lie despite not speaking.

    ¡°Huh,¡± Cassandra said, eyeing the two back and forth. Aurora beamed at her, and Tierney stretched a painful smile that awkwardly met her eyes. ¡°You sure you¡¯re both okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± they said in unison.

    ¡°Hmm¡­alright. Don¡¯t stay there for too long; the minute Lyra is ready to leave, we¡¯ll be leaving.¡± Her gaze lingered on Tierney a moment longer before looking away.

    Once free from Cassandra¡¯s questioning, they bolted for the hills, where a lake passed a forest entrance.

    ¡°That was close. Okay, are you ready?¡± Aurora said, handing Tierney the weapons.

    She hesitantly took them in her hands. ¡°Are we really sure about this, Aurora? I don¡¯t know¡­ I¡¯ve never lied to Cassandra before. I was sure she would figure it out.¡±

    ¡°And neither have I, but I know how much Lyra misses Eamon and how much trouble the Empire and Altars are causing bad things to happen in Lysandrian; then maybe all of Aurum is next.¡±

    They situated themselves on a hill and sat underneath a large tree. A cool breeze blew across their cheeks, blowing strands of white in Aurora¡¯s face. The lake¡¯s waters shimmered from where the sun¡¯s rays bounced off.

    They sat cross-legged across from each other.

    Tierney Held the Escrima sticks in her left hand. ¡°So¡­ I just concentrate on Eamon, right?¡±

    ¡°I think so¡­ Maybe I should help give you some power?¡±

    Tierney shrugged and took Aurora¡¯s hand on her right. She closed her eyes and pictured Eamon¡¯s face, first how he looked before and then after.

    ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m getting¡­ something?¡± She furrowed her brow with a tilt of her head. Her braids fell partially in her Face.

    ¡°What do you see? Can you see anything?¡±

    She pursed her lips, trying to focus harder. ¡°I¡­ it¡¯s really blurry. I can¡¯t make anything around me.¡±

    Aurora frowned, disappointed. She gripped Tierney¡¯s hand as if she could give her extra power. It wasn¡¯t until she cinched that Aurora did a double take and saw Tierney¡¯s eyes turn from their usual color to pure white.

    ¡°T-Tierney?¡±

    She didn¡¯t respond.

    Her lips started moving, but no sounds came out. Aurora began to panic. Her heart sped up and pounded in her chest. No matter how much she tried to call out to her, there was no answer.

    She moved her lips faster, but still, no sound and Aurora feared the worst.

    It wasn¡¯t until a shock shot up Aurora¡¯s arm from Tierney¡¯s that she yelped and put her hand back. Tierney started to convulse, and fear clenched at Aurora. She didn¡¯t know what to do, but a fast blur moved past her before she could process what was next.

    Malakyh was in front of her, and with his hand pressed to Tierney¡¯s forehead¨Ca black and purple circular aura appeared¨C stopping her convulsion. Her body went limp, but thankfully, her chest rose up and down slowly.

    Malakyh sighed. His arm was securely around Tierney¡¯s shoulder. He didn¡¯t say anything, only looked to Aurora: a warning. Things would have gotten much worse if he had not come when he did.

    Aurora¡¯s stomach twisted from guilt. Her haste could have almost harmed her friend or worse. However, if anyone looked closer, within her braided hair was a strand of silver mixed in with her natural hair.

 Part Twelve: Meeting Under False Pretenses

    The faces were a blur as he swiftly moved across the field. Screams ignited the sky, and the gurgling sound of someone choking was met after a slice to the throat. The look in the people''s eyes wasn''t shock or fear because they were gone in an instant too quickly to register their life was over.

    The black blur let out a ravenous pant. The bloodlust seeped out of him.

    His back turned to the bloodied and ruined city. The Black hair assailant couldn''t have been any more than fourteen years old, possibly younger.

    His hair was cut short, but the hair in front of his face covered half of it, blocking the eyes of something far more dangerous than a Veilspawn.

    He held two bloody daggers in his red-stained hands.

    There was no more left.

    ¡°Blackthorn.¡± The sound of his name made him freeze on command. The man who had called was wearing a white lab coat, and his hair was a thinning, mousey dark color with white hairs coming through.

    Ever obedient, he went to the older man''s side. The man was none other than Walsh.

    The field of blood and bodies was no longer present; it was now in what looked like a cave with blinking machines all around.

    ¡°You have done well. Now, it''s time for your next mission¡­¡±

    Black Thorn sat upright from the nightmare he was having. He spun his head around wildly, looking at his surroundings, seeing that it was midday in the open plains. There were no bodies or labs. There was only a campfire that had long since fizzled out and the Ash Born Demon sitting straight up, staring into nothingness.

    He rubbed his hands over his eyes. Whether that was his nightmares or a resulting adverse effect from being Dormant for too long, Blackthorn knew he was getting no sleep.

    He could see the Ash Born Demon look at him, but he didn''t do much else. Not even blink.

    ¡°Don''t you ever sleep?¡± He asked the bandaged Homunculus. He didn''t get an answer. ¡°Or talk.¡± Again, no response.

    Blackthorn sighed, shaking his head. It was like talking to a brick wall. ¡°I should pack everything together so we can leave. We still have some miles to cover.¡±

    No words, just silence. Only a lidded-eyed gaze stared into the darkness.

    ¡°H¡­Home.¡±

    Blackthorn thought he heard but ignored it as a fluke.

    The two of them traveled the backroads as the sky turned from pinkish-purple to navy blue, establishing that morning was just beyond the plain''s reaches.

    The trail was winding with tall, dense trees in clumps and patchy grass. Many of the hidden caves housed Fiends, muggers, and thieves. It was nothing Blackthorn couldn''t handle, and despite the near-comatose Ash Born Demon, he was optimistic that he could handle it on his own.

    Things were going smoothly when there was a rustle in the bushes. Blackthorn reacted almost instantly and reached for his weapons: solid, chrome-polished black obsidian daggers with curved, sharp edges at their bases. The hilt was wrapped in leather, which surrounded the marble handle.

    That part of him longed for another weapon in his grip, but he pushed the thought away and focused on the danger ahead.

    Before he could react, a blur whizzed past him. He didn''t have time to blink when the Ash Born Demon rushed into the forest, and someone cried out in pain.

    Blackthorn rushed over and pinned down to the ground. The Ash Born held down a hooded assailant. His broad, bloodshot eyes looked to him as if pleading for help, but Blackthorn would first ask some questions.

    ¡°Give me a reason not to kill you?¡±

    The man gagged. He could not correctly speak with the Ash Blood''s tight grip around his throat.

    ¡°Release him some.¡± He told the Homunculus. He did, but still kept a grip around his neck. ¡°Now speak. Who are you?¡±

    The man coughed, clearing his throat. ¡°I''m just¡­ on my patrols, that''s it. I don''t know¨Cwho you are. Just making sure nothing dangerous comes into town looking for trouble.¡±

    Blackthorn assessed the man. His hood covered his hair. His sun-kissed dark complexion matched the shade of his dark gray eyes. He had tired lines underneath and a speckled gray after shadow.

    He looked rugged but completely normal, like someone you would meet passing by in town. Not a mercenary or a mugger.

    ¡°Patrol for?¡± He questioned.

    The man gritted his teeth. He was hesitant to tell him anything, but with the large man on him with his hardened grip on his throat, he would be lying dead in the forest if he didn''t say anything.

    ¡°I hope there won''t be any reason to¡­persuade you to talk.¡± Blackthorn was itching for any bloodshed.

    ¡°Fine, fine!¡± The man panicked, seeing he meant it. ¡°I work for the Dawn Coalition. The Empire has been on high alert for any radicals or rioters, so we take turns to keep watch of anything at all suspicious.¡±

    Suspicious, huh? He didn''t know all that was going on in the Empire, but he did know that if he could get this man to trust him, even a little bit, it could lead him to Ludwig Klause.

    ¡°Let him go.¡±

    The Ash Demon''s grip loosened, and the man hacked up spit as he tried to regain his breathing. Once he regained composure, he turned to Blackthorn with concern and mysticism.

    ¡°Why did you free me?¡±

    ¡°Because I am not your enemy, and I was hoping you could help me.¡± He would play the fool to get this man to trust him and get him closer to Klause.

    The man said nothing, but it was evident in his eyes that he was contemplating that decision.

    ¡°I can assure you I¨Cwe mean no harm. We aren''t with the Empire. I''m looking for Ludwig Klause. Do you know him?¡±

    Recognition flashed before the man''s eyes. He tried to hide it, but Blackthorn had already seen it.

    ¡°We wish to help.¡±

    That''s all it took for that twinkle in his eye to reveal itself, and Blackthorn mentally smiled.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    ¡°Follow me, then.¡±

    ???

    Blackthorn followed the man into the Cliffside gated border of the Hinterlands. It was a mere cutoff between Lysandrian and Argonian; even to a degree, it was just on the cusp of Crystalline''s borders. There was a fine line between the Hinterlands, as most laws forgave crimes because they were stationed between two jurisdiction regions, let alone three.

    It was the perfect place for runaways, traitors, cutthroat and wanted criminals, illegal trades or deals, and¡­ a place to hide rebellious groups like the Dawn Coalition.

    ¡°Passes?¡± a guard at the Hinterland gate asked. A man dressed in a black hood and bare muscular shoulders with scars said to their guide.

    He was introduced to Blackthorn as Ricter.

    ¡°They''re with me.¡± Ricter gestured to Blackthorn and the Ash Borne, ¡°Thaddis A¡¯thorn-Fyella and Ash.¡± Stating the names that they had falsely given to him.

    The cloaked guard scrutinized them with one good eye; the other was firmly shut and a marred gash over the other.

    ¡°Hmph, very well. See to it they cause no trouble. We''ve got enough of that already.¡±

    After promising that they would be on their best behavior, they were allowed entry. That was until Blackthorn withered to the side in pain, grasping at the base of his skull.

    It was an intense, if not painful, intrusion, like someone was stabbing his subconscious with a knife. It was so powerful that he even managed to pull ¡®Eamon¡¯ from his sleep.

    A girl. Tawny-skinned girl, young, with braided hair and two different eye colors.

    Blackthorn didn''t know this girl, but when Eamon voiced her name, ¡®Tierney?¡¯. A tug was at the center of Blackthorn''s mind as if he was reaching out from their invisible connection.

    No! If he gets in touch with her¨C

    The girl spoke¨Cmainly gibberish, which he couldn''t make out¨Cand he knew that even one connection associated with his previous life would force Blackthorn into dormancy until he was called back out again.

    With as much force as he could muster, he pushed back with success. The connection faltered and then broke piece by piece. All Blackthorn had to do was put a wall in his mind to force her out.

    ¡°And stay out,¡± he said out loud. Both the guard and Ricter stared at him in confusion at his sudden change of stance. ¡°I''m fine; keep moving.¡±

    He brought his hand down to his side, but when Ricter touched below his own nose, Blackthorn mirrored the movement and felt something warm. He pulled back and discovered it was blood on his fingertips.

    He wasn''t sure whether it was that girl or Eamon, but as long as any connection stayed out of his head, there wouldn''t be any more problems.

    He followed after Ricter once more into the Hinterland tunnels.

    ???

    The Hinterlands¡ªa lawless, enigmatic city that defied the order imposed by both nations. It served as a haven for outlaws, smugglers, and those who wished to vanish from the grasp of the law. The city is a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets and hidden alleys, echoing with the whispers of clandestine deals and the clinking of illicit coins.

    Above and precariously embedded into the mountains sat a haphazard blend of ramshackle huts, often pieced together from scavenged materials and adorned with ornate, albeit tarnished, decorations.

    Most of the Hinterlands, if not the heart of it, was an open market that stretched endlessly, filled with stalls selling every kind of contraband. The air was thick with the mingling scents of exotic spices, musty incense, and the intangible but distinguished aura of malicious intent. Merchants, irredeemable criminals, and sellers of illicit goods hawked their wares, and the clang of metal and hum of hushed conversations created a cacophony that drowned out any semblance of peace.

    Like the merchants who sold their wares, there were others as diverse as they were dangerous. Rogues, mercenaries, and renegades rub shoulders with traders, spies, and informants. Hoods or masks obscured faces, and daggers were concealed beneath cloaks.

    Inevitably, it was the perfect place for the Dawn Coalition: a rebel organization wanted for crimes by the Empire that would send them all away for life if they were lucky, and not at the end of a blade.

    ¡°It''s this way,¡± Ricter said. Blackthorn followed closely behind, with the Ash Born behind him.

    Blackthorn had an intuition to cover his face. Someone could recognize his other self, and he was sure there would not be a ¡®friendly conversation¡¯ if they recognized a Locksmith who stood beside her and spoke of Altars and Magycte Beast.

    It would ruin everything Walsh had planned.

    At the very least, I don''t have to worry about the Ash Born. Either he fits right in, or they''re staying far away. Smart on them.

    ¡°It''s this way.¡±

    They followed through a dark, narrow passageway, skirting past a few people until there were fewer and fewer people around. Blackthorn''s senses were sharp, and they noticed two people before they jumped out of the shadows to attack.

    He brandished his dagger at the two cloaked men. Their hazel eyes stared immensely at them as they danced in the narrow path. The square of the passageway left him enough room to dance with them and with Sovran #1 at his side¨C

    ¡°No, stop!¡± Ricter stood in the middle with his arms out wide. ¡°He is with us. The resistance. I''m here to take him to Klause.¡±

    Blackthorn frowned. He was a bit disappointed there wouldn''t be a fight, but he''d play along for now and stashed his weapon away with hands in surrender. They did the same. The Ash Born Demon followed Blackthorn''s movements as well.

    Ricter let out a sigh of relief. He looked almost pale at the thought of a blood bath breaking out.

    The thought made him grin. ¡°You seem to be on edge for someone in a rebel organization.¡±

    Ricter gave an awkward laugh. His skin looked even paler. ¡°Oh, I''m not prone to violence at all. I''m usually behind the scenes, but one of us had called out.¡±

    They walked a short distance to a lone door at the end of the hall.

    ¡°Called out? I didn''t think rebellions got sick days, or is that code for something else?¡±

    He knocked on the door in a specific way, a code Blackthorn assumed that only the Dawn Coalition knew. He¡¯d store that away for later.

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll understand quite a lot once you both undergo initiation.¡±

    That had him curious. ¡°Initiation?¡±

    The door opened, and before Blackthorn knew it, a sack went over his head, and everything went dark.

    Of course, they wouldn''t fully trust me. Not yet, anyway. He still had to prove himself. Hopefully, ¡®Ash¡¯ wouldn''t break their cover and play along. It seemed like he adapted quickly.

    ¡°Did you think you could waltz into our secret location and become a member without us testing you first?¡± An anonymous man voiced, though Blackthorn couldn''t be sure from where.

    ¡°I tarry the thought. So do these initiations require us to be blindfolded the entire time?¡±

    The cloth was removed, and they were consumed in the dim light of a tavern. The walls were made from the mountain''s red caverns, and round tables were placed randomly. Some individuals in cloaked hoods sat, but one caught Blackthorn''s eyes, leading him to believe that the man was his primary assignment.

    Ludwig Klause.

    A handsome man with an angular jawline and a 5 o¡¯clock shadow. His dirty blonde hair was pulled up in a loose-fitting bun. A strand of hair was braided and fell wire-rimmed spectacles; turquoise eyes glanced over the two younger men.

    Klause was wearing a loose-fitting, long-sleeved tan tunic shirt and pants. His attire did not seem to resemble that of a former doctor turned journalist or faction leader.

    But looks can be deceiving. What does a rebel even look like, anyway?

    ¡°So you two young men want to join the resistance?¡± Klause questioned. Thick brow raised. ¡°Why is that?¡±

    ¡°Why else is anyone?¡± Blackthorn replied with his question. Klause rested his hands on the table and folded them together, regarding him intently. ¡°There needs to be a change in the world. Too many and too long are people who try to force a claim on ¡®what the world should be like¡¯ and never allow those people living in it to decide. It''s already decided for them.¡±

    Though Klause resonated with Blackthorn''s words, he was unaware that his connotation had a double meaning. Yet, there was a twinkle in his eyes; he was sold¡ªjust as Blackthorn thought.

    ¡°And your friend there?¡± Turned his attention to the long-haired, bandaged assassin. ¡°What is his story?¡±

    The Ash Born stood perfectly still, eyeing and calculating the person across from him and his surroundings.

    ¡°Someone who, too, has been used by society¨C in more than one way.¡±

    He hummed, thinking he meant the bandages on his body.

    ¡°Very well. Before we can accept you, you''ll need to do a task for us. Will you oblige?¡±

    Blackthorn''s sly grin tugged at the corners of his lips. ¡°When do we start?¡±

 Part Thirteen: With Great Power...

    Leaving the cabin by the lake, Lyra and Co. returned to their path into Ravens Country''s Shadowmere. However, before that, Lyra and Cassandra had a few things to say regarding Aurora and Tierney¡¯s ¡°project.¡±

    ¡°What were you thinking, Aurora?¡± Lyra exclaimed. ¡°Messing with something like that when trying to understand your own powers was selfish and irresponsible.¡± She had been passing back and forth in the cabin''s living quarters while Aurora and Tierney sat on wooden chairs, their heads bowed and their hands pressed together nervously.

    ¡°You could have been seriously injured.¡±

    ¡°Or worse,¡± Cassandra added. She stood off to the side, arms crossed, and glaring at the two girls. ¡°You know, especially Tierney.¡±

    She flinched at Cassandra¡¯s curt tone and mumbled, ¡°Sorry.¡±

    Aurora''s distraught expression looked to the deflated Tierney. If she had never goaded her, none of this would have happened.

    ¡°Please don''t yell at Tierney. I pushed her to do this.¡±

    Lyra shook her head. ¡°That is not the point, Aurora. You both have your own mind and can say ¡®no¡¯ anytime. You both are at fault; is this how I should trust you?¡±

    It was Aurora¡¯s turn to flinch, knowing that this was the last thing she wanted to do and mess with the trust they had just established.

    Malakyh, who had been off and leaning against the wall, casually walked over to the group, hoping to deflate the conversation and keep them moving.

    ¡°I don''t mean to butt in and undermine your teaching, but I think the girls understand they screwed up. You should have seen how Aurora looked when Tierney passed out; she already thought she could have killed her. Not to mention, had I not given them an idea or told you what they were up to, none of this wouldn''t have happened.¡±

    Lyra''s brows twitched. She didn''t thoroughly look at Malakyh but glared at him from the corner of her eye. ¡°Yeah, I''ll deal with you later.¡±

    She sighed. ¡°You both did something wrong and dangerous. It could have sent you to see Lumos real quick. Why did you do that anyway?¡±

    Tierney and Aurora looked at each other. Aurora turned to Lyra and said, ¡°We wanted to help find Eamon so we can find him and better stop the Altars.¡±

    Now, it was Lyra and Cassandra looking at each other. Even Malakyh seemed surprised by their response.

    ¡°I think,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°We''ve berated them enough. I hope you girls know how dangerous your actions could have put more than your lives at stake. The Children of Deimos are already looking for us, and if they find out how strong either of you are, that will be one more thing to worry about.¡±

    Lyra nodded. ¡°Cassandra is right. Don''t ever try to handle things like this alone again. We are going to find Eamon and demolish the Altars no matter what. You can bet Lumos on that.¡±

    Having been lectured enough, they left the cabin to find Sly sitting on the railing of the stairs.

    ¡°Sly!¡± Lyra called out in surprise. ¡°There you are. When you weren''t in your room, we thought you might have left already.¡±

    She smirked. ¡°And let you kids have all the fun with these Altars? I''ll tag along with you all if you don''t mind.¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Lyra excitedly said.

    ¡°I have no issues with it.¡± Cassandra shrugged. ¡°The more the merrier.¡±

    ¡°Agreed.¡± Malakyh voiced last.

    They set off on their destination through Raven Country''s rural regions.

    The open plains field spread for miles, with tall wheat grasses growing. Several forests and two-story vernacular homes stood in the far distance.

    There was something pleasant about the natural air of the countryside, which seemed peaceful. There weren''t even any Fiends in the area, nor Veilspawn.

    It wasn''t until the next few hours that they found themselves upon a split road, a sign in between. To the left was Shadowmere, and to the right was Eden Highland and an Eden Military base.

    ¡°Military base?¡± Lyra questioned. ¡°I didn''t think there would be any military if no guilds were around.¡±

    ¡°On the contrary, actually,¡± Sly pointed out matter of fact. ¡°There is a Locksmith guild in the Highlands. This EMB must be pretty new.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips. She wanted to see what the military did for herself, but they couldn''t diverge their plans further than they had.

    A hand rested on her shoulder. Cassandra¡¯s face was forlorn, as if she understood Lyra''s turmoil. They would come back eventually when they had the time. For now, if the people of Shadowmere didn''t have a problem with them, they would put their minds at ease.

    They headed to their destination on the left, and the moment they entered the gates of Shadowmere¡¯s farm town, it was riddled with the military like many other places they had been to.

    ¡°It''s like they''re roaches or something.¡± Lyra squinted her face at the armed and uniformed soldiers.

    ¡°I''m going to take a guess here and say that activity is never like this,¡± Malakyh noted.

    ¡°You would be right,¡± Sly said. ¡°Come on, let''s ask someone what''s going on.¡±

    The first person they encountered was a military personnel in a purple uniform and cap who was looking at some documents in his hand.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Sly called out to the gentleman. He looked their way and raised a brow, seeing a variety of diverse individuals in one group. ¡°I''m hoping that you will be able to help us.¡±

    ¡°That depends on what business you may have. Any Locksmith appointed duties will need to be held at the guild in the Highlands.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips, already annoyed. ¡°We weren''t exactly intending on doing any quest runs or anything¡­ Sir.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± He seemed intrigued by that reply, but the papers were no longer his interest. ¡°Hmm, actually, you look¡­ kind of familiar?¡±

    Crap. He might recognize me from that Tro¨¦r announcement I made a month ago.

    Sly, however, anticipated this and intervened before the soldier could piece together the truth.

    ¡°What we do is take notes from the military to see how it''s done, you know? With the Chancellor¡¯s speech in full effect, unity is rising as we speak.¡±

    With Lyra forgotten, he turned to Sly with an entirely different expression.

    ¡°I''m glad you think so. General Morgan wouldn''t mind accommodating you by answering some questions.¡±

    ¡°Great. Where can we find him?¡±

    ¡°Eh, unfortunately, he''s been tied up in meetings all day at the Highlands. I''m not sure when he''ll get back.¡±

    ¡°Oh, how unfortunate. Well, no matter¨C I appreciate giving us your time,¡± Sly said with a slight bow to the soldier. ¡°But before we leave, have you noticed anything strange happening with any of the Fiends?¡±

    ¡°Strange?¡± The soldier repeated. Be squared his eyebrows and looked up, thinking. ¡°Maybe¡­ they''ve been a lot more aggressive of late¡­¡±

    He stopped mid-sentence as if realizing what he was about to say was classified and not to be repeated.

    ¡°But don''t worry, everything is safe. You can count on the military.¡± With a fist to his chest, then a bow. ¡°Now, if you will excuse me.¡± he walked off to do something else.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    They waited until he was out of earshot to speak.

    ¡°Well,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°That wasn''t suspicious at all.¡±

    ¡°Indeed,¡± Sly agreed. ¡°It would seem like they''re hiding something.¡±

    ¡°We already know that the military and Chancellor Radovinov are hiding what they truly know,¡± Lyra said, her arms crossed and eyes closed. ¡°Hmm¡­ We need to visit the Highlands and speak with General Morgan.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Sly said with a raised brow. ¡°And what are you thinking?¡±

    ¡°That there''s more that they''re letting on.¡±

    A blaring alarm sounded through the air, and the military began to panic. They shouted to each other to get into formation.

    ¡°It''s some kind of emergency,¡± Malakyh said. He took notice of a young blonde-haired soldier running past him. ¡°What''s happening?

    ¡°I-It¡¯s unreal¡­ something out of a horror¨C the tower just showed up, and the Veilspawn have breached the base.¡±

    Everyone looked at each other, thinking the same thing: ¡°Altar.¡±

    ¡°Time for us to visit the Highlands,¡± Lyra said, leading them back to the road.

    ???

    The widespread fields stretched out for miles through sprawling and endless land that covered a large portion. Different kinds of Fiends roam the area as they mind to themselves.

    ¡°Let''s get a move on,¡± Sly said. ¡°We won''t have all day to travel through here. Onward to the base.¡± The others followed after her.

    The walk toward the base took several hours, and they eventually found themselves in a settlement of cedar-wood log houses.

    Someone came out of the log house wearing a tunic and leather skin shoes with the familiar emblem of the Locksmith.

    The person with tawny brown skin and long black hair noticed them first. His eyes are a dark hazel. ¡°Oh! I never would have expected to meet Locksmiths from the suburban area. What brings you folks here?¡±

    ¡°It''s good to meet you. We were hoping that you could help us out,¡± Lyra started. You see, some strange and scary tower-like structures are coming up from the ground. We wanted to know if you saw anything like that around here.¡±

    ¡°Not to mention, we heard an alarm go off in Shadowmere. Is the Eden military base in trouble?¡±

    ¡°Ah, you caught me about to head out and check it out. As for your question, a tall structure appeared in Eden¡¯s Highland not far from here; it fomented much of the Highland''s eastern area, but when we sent out a group of us to check it out, the military barred us from investigating the matter. Not sure if you''ll get an answer, but perhaps you can weed something out of General Morgan¨C do you all ride?¡±

    He gestured to beautiful stallions that were behind a fence.

    ¡°First time for everything, I guess,¡± Lyra said, though some of her seemed intimidated by the giant beast.

    ¡°Great! My name is Gideon, by the way. Now, if you follow me¡­.¡±

    The horses galloped across the vast fields, their hooves hitting against the dirt floor. The scenery of rolling cliffs and mountains zoomed past them.

    ¡°Hm? Open your eyes, Lyra.¡± Aurora sat in the front on the horse while Lyra sat behind her, with her eyes closed.

    She opened one eye and looked down at the chestnut horses'' hooves kicking up dirt, and immediately, a tension headache filtered through her head.

    ¡°I think I''m going to be sick.¡±

    ¡°Really? You can fight Fiends and Veilspawn, sailing through the air to Fight Magycte Beasts and riding a horse. Is that your worry?¡± Cassandra chimed in. Tierney was sitting in front of her.

    ¡°Hey, I got on it, didn''t I?¡± Her eyes were closed as she said, and her arms squeezed tightly around Aurora¡¯s waist.

    Malakyh chuckled. ¡°It''s not that bad when you get used to it.¡±

    ¡°Tch, easy for you to say! You fight spirits for a living.¡±

    The horse passed over a bump, causing Lyra to yell as she was tossed in the air before landing back in the saddle.

    ¡°You have quite an energetic bunch,¡± Gideon said. Sly, the closest to him, nodded.

    ¡°Agreed. We''ve also traveled quite a bit together, so there''s chemistry there.¡±

    ¡°Hey, what''s that?¡± Tierney called out, pointing to a statue in the mountains. ¡°Is that some kind of Fiend?¡±

    ¡°It has wings, too!¡± Aurora exclaimed.

    ¡°Oh, that? Those used to be ancient dragons of the pre-Primal Chaos era.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, I read about the pre-era,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°There were supposed Titans a world before Lumos, the Wellspring, and the first human civilization.¡±

    Gideon nodded. ¡°You would be correct. They were even the first guilds and eventually the first Locksmiths without the capabilities of harnessing Essentia from Wellspring like you do now.¡±

    ¡°I think I remember that history during mass,¡± Lyra said, shutting her eyes from the jump every so often. ¡°That was in 2000, of the Continental Calendar, right? Five hundred years after the Titan Wars.¡±

    ¡°You''d be correct.¡± Gideon nodded at her correct answer. ¡°The world once belonged to Titans until their eventual downfall.

    ¡°And it wasn''t until 600CC that dragons returned and the first settling humans bonded with them,¡± Sly said. ¡°At least what I remember from my teachings in mass when I was younger.

    ¡°You folks certainly know your stuff. These statues were made in their honors for their aid and assistance to man. But they''ve only been revered as legends nowadays and less of notable history.¡±

    Lyra snorted. Fear of the galloping horse for a moment. ¡°Yeah, we all thought that way about the Altars and Magycte Beast. Now look.¡±

    Gideon furrowed his brow with a tilt of his head. ¡°Altars and Magycte Beast, you say? Is that what''s causing all of this?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    On the one hand, the more people who knew, the better to keep the public safe, but on the other hand, the more people knew, the more panicked they would be, and negativity would fester. It was already an issue with the Altars, and now the Harmony Tax is raising taxes, recessions, and a worldwide draft with the military raising propaganda.

    They couldn''t risk the Astral Contract coming into play even faster than it was already.

    ¡°I think I see the base now!¡± Sly exclaimed, interrupting them from having to reply to Gideon.

    Everyone turned their attention to a large military base made of gray steel with black-tinted windows. A fence surrounded the front of the building, and rocky mountains surrounded the back.

    Military trucks and Soldiers stood out in front as they readied their officers for what was to come.

    The group saddled up to the gated fence and slowed their horses when an older, beefy man with mousy, laid-back hair and a straight muscle seemed to stomp over to them.

    ¡°What''s with the caravan here?¡± the man yelled. His voice seemed to carry over several miles, and there was a slight echo in the cavern their base was sandwiched in between. ¡°I didn''t call for Locksmiths to come here. What''s the meaning of this, Lafayette?¡± he looked at Gideon with pierced gray eyes, his bushy brows knitted together.

    He was dressed similarly to Nikolai but in a different-colored uniform: dark and lighter green. He had several stars above his breast pocket and stitched black lettering that read General Usef Morgan.

    ¡°Forgive the intrusion, General, but these Locksmiths only wanted your time for a moment.¡± Gideon rushed to say.

    ¡°Then we''ll be out of your hair,¡± Sly added.

    It didn''t take long for the General to say past his lips, ¡°No.¡± before turning his back on them and heading back to where he had been.

    Everyone seemed flabbergasted by what he had said. Looking at one another with bewildered looks.

    Gideon frowned deeply. ¡°I was sure that he would least hear you out. I didn''t think he''d turn you away so fast.¡±

    Lyra shook her head. ¡°Well, he''s going to listen to us whether he likes it or not.¡±

    ¡°Lyra¡­¡± Sly gave her a warning look. She watched her, unsuccessfully, stumble off of the horse. ¡°I hope you know what you''re doing.¡±

    She smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I''ve got this.¡±

    General Morgan spoke to several troops who stood at attention, waiting for orders. It wasn''t until the general caught sight of Lyra from the corner of his eye, his eyes angrily pinched together and fire burning, that some of the other soldiers in the vicinity shuddered and hesitated.

    Lyra ignored it¡ªto the soldiers'' awe and surprise¡ªand trudged toward their General with vigor in her step.

    Even the General was both annoyed and surprised by her straightforwardness.

    ¡°I thought I told you folks to turn around. This is insubordination, and I can have you arrested, Locksmith or not; this whole area is my jurisdiction, and whatever I say goes.¡±

    ¡°That all may be well and true, General, but the incident that the Locksmiths saw was also on their territory. We all know rules state that interference in a Locksmith''s duty to protect the public from threats is also against the law.¡±

    The area of surrounding soldiers stared at others¨C too scared to whisper¨C but the wide eyes on their faces showed how much they were shocked by how she spoke to the General and how right she was.

    The general pursed his lips. Annoyed, he crossed his arms over his chest but allowed the young girl to speak.

    Lyra mentally sighed. She managed to bypass the first step, but now she only had so much time and evidence to allow the General to listen to her and allow them to assist.

    ¡°I appreciate you taking the time to listen to me.¡± taking a page out of Sly¡¯s book. The simple line still gave the other person false power, as if they had control the entire time.

    Unfortunately, it didn''t work too well with General Morgan, but the curt man still allowed her to proceed.

    A boon is a boon, now how am I going to convince the General¡­.

    General Morgan¡­¡± Lyra started to say. She thought of the words carefully that would hopefully change the general''s mind. ¡°...let us join you, help you, in taking down this threat, and if I''m wrong¡­ no more Locksmiths will interfere in this district, again.¡±

    There was silence as Lyra¡¯s request to forfeit the rights of all Locksmiths sunk into the heads of soldiers and the General himself.

    His glare hardened as he stared for several minutes. ¡°Very well. It''s A deal.¡±

 Part Fourteen: A Test of Fortitude and Strength

    The initiation that Ludwig Klause gave them was simple enough and would only require a bit of espionage.

    Journeying into the Empire and¡­defacing an Empire property.

    It was juvenile, to say the least, but what to expect from farmers and civilians turned rebels. Though some rebels he encountered were seasoned criminals and de facto lawbreakers, he supposed it evened itself out. Besides, an initiation wasn''t supposed to kill its new members; that would miss their point about wanting to build an opposing force against the empire. You can''t do that if they''re dead.

    They were given a place to recoup in a cavern below their hideout. It was damp with the apparent rat that scurried across the cavern floor. Blackthorn assumed this was only a temporary spot until they proved themselves, or at the very least, this was for him. He felt they didn''t trust him initially and would have given newer recruits a more Appealing resting lodge.

    Overall, it didn''t bother him. He''d make due and finish the mission without a hitch; now, he would need to contact the others and let them know how close he was to the destination.

    ¡°Alright, Ash, let''s get going.¡± To the Sovran, who didn''t say anything but followed along like a sentient being.

    A group of people¨C including Klause¨C waited outside the base''s doors.

    ¡°You both will walk from here and enter the Empire from the back entrance of the Hinterlands gates. It is easier to go on the cover of the night. Do this¨C don''t make a scene¨C and don''t let anyone trace your whereabouts back to us. We will know, and no one will be here; you''ll be arrested without anyone to bail you out. Is that understood?¡±

    ¡°Perfectly. This will only be a moment.¡±

    Ludwig nodded to a cloaked individual who led Blackthorn to the Empire''s back gates. He obliged and followed until they reached the back cavern, the middle jurisdiction between Lysandrian and the Empire.

    ¡°Don''t die.¡± The cloaked person who had led them said.

    ¡°I don''t plan on it.¡± Was his only response, and he walked into the cavern''s entrance with the Ash Born behind him.

    The creatures inside the cavern were the weakest variant of Fiends and could even be erased by a civilian who knew how to hold a weapon.

    To Blackthorn¨C and even to his Dormant self¨C this was merely child''s play, and it was certainly nothing for the Ash Born Demon either.

    They slashed at the monsters and disposed of them until they reached the cave''s exit, which led them outside a forest. The tall buildings and structures of the Empire overlook the area.

    ¡°This seems far too easy, and to think I''d get some kind of challenge out of this.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you aren''t having fun, Blackthorn? We thought easing you back into things would help you since you''ve been dormant for some time.¡±

    The man''s disembodied voice came from nowhere. Yet Blackthorn didn''t look around or seem phased by the bodiless person.

    ¡°What, so you''re watching me too? I would not have thought I needed to earn Walsh''s trust, too.¡±

    ¡°It''s not so much he doesn''t trust you¡­.¡± from the shadows of the trees. Emerald-colored eyes pierced through the darkness. ¡°But to make sure that he stays asleep. We don''t want him getting out anymore, yes?¡±

    Blackthorn gritted his teeth at the comment. The insult was clear.

    The young man, in front of him, with pale white skin and windswept chestnut hair, with white streaks at the roots, had a stride about him that cocky and exuded power. He wore a brightly colorful suit to match his eccentric personality.

    ¡°What do you want, Trickster?¡± Formally known as Sovran #0 Finnian.

    ¡°Oh, that was it really,¡± he said with whimsicality like a child with his hands behind his back and a broad smile that didn''t reach his eyes, cold and deadly eyes. ¡°I see you managed to find Sovran #1. Bravo. He looks like he did all those years ago.¡±

    Blackthorn grunted. ¡°And now I''m running more errands. The Dawn Coalition wants me to run an initiation before they trust me. I think they suspect me.¡±

    The Trickster giggled. ¡°And why would they not? You don''t have his innocent eyes, and that white hair makes you look suspicious. You also don''t have that Locksmith girl by his side¡­¡±

    ¡°Don''t say her name,¡± Blackthorn hissed. The last thing he needed was to give a reason for him to wake up.

    The Trickster zipped his lips sealed, smiling while doing so.

    ¡°And when I grab Ludwig Klause, where''s the point of contact? You mentioned warehouses¡­.¡±

    The Trickster unzipped his lips and said, ¡°Don''t worry; someone will contact you. Oh, and one more thing¡­¡±

    He pulled out a Voxlink and pressed a button for a recording to play Professor Walsh''s voice.

    ¡°Follow things as planned, Blackthorn.¡±

    With the trigger word said again, by Walsh''s own lips. Blackthorn could feel him slipping further into the dark void of sleep. He could only describe it as feeling like a part of him was falling through an abyss.

    The Trickster, Finnian, put the Voxlink back into his pockets. ¡°Better? You''re welcome. Now, off you go. Things need to be moving. Best of luck.¡±

    The Trickster jumped in the air and onto a tree''s branch before disappearing further into the sea of forest.

    He shook his head. Always with the theatrics when he can teleport.

    With the Ash Born Demon, Blackthorn continued the path to complete their initiation and be one step closer to setting things in motion for Walsh, the Children of Deimos, and their master, the Arbiter.

    ???

    The night passed over the rolling hills of the Highlands. Both tanks, filled with Eden''s Military Base and Lyra and her company on horseback, headed for the designated area where the ruptured Altar was taking place: on top of a tall Mountain that overlooked the entire plains.

    Sure enough, to Lyra¡¯s relief, a tower stood at the base of the cliff.

    ¡°Hmm,¡± The General hummed, exiting out of the tank. ¡°It would seem your suspicions were correct. Very well, the military will handle it from here.¡±

    ¡°Whaa¨C?¡± Lyra exclaimed.

    ¡°With all due respect, General,¡± Sly said. ¡°But the Military''s artillery will not be able to handle what''s inside. I can assure you. Let us join you as we agreed.¡±

    He grunted. ¡°I did allow you to join me. To this location, now step aside and let the military handle this or be thrown into a cell.¡±

    With that, Lyra, Sly, and everyone were forced to stand off to the side while Soldiers, military operatives, and tanks emerged inside the open doorway of the Altar.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    ¡°What now?¡± Cassandra asked.

    ¡°They''ll be killed otherwise,¡± Malakyh said. ¡°Someone will need to close the Altar from the outside and inside, and we won''t be able to do that with the soldiers they left behind to watch us.¡±

    Some soldiers left behind had their guns drawn, watching them, ready to fire at will if they drew too close to the Altar.

    Lyra gritted her teeth, her hand clenched tightly into a fist. ¡°We can''t do anything¡­¡± Sly turned to her defeated-sounding tone, but not just defeat¨C a negative aura surrounded it. ¡°We wait until there''s no one left to hold us back.¡±

    Sly pursed her lips together and nodded, unfortunately knowing that was the only way.

    ???

    General Morgan and his military traversed inside the Altar. Strange drawings and a language that had long been forgotten were present, dating back to the 1050CC, the early days of the Age of Rediscovery Era. Much of the lost language was from a Primal Chaos Era and back to a pre-date.

    There were depictions of ¡°warriors¡±¡ªnot yet known as Locksmiths¡ªriding on the back of large monstrous creatures known as Dragons. Several more scenes depicted a massive war known as the War of Shadows when certain groups banded together and fought side by side to erase the supposed Magycte Beast.

    The soldiers collectively looked on with utmost curiosity, some with nervousness, feeling an ominous presence surface around them.

    General Morgan could sense instinct but would not back down and allow superstitions or legends to be why things happen. Everything and anything that happened could easily be explained, or so he thought.

    When the soldiers reached a tall, aging stone door with strange markings and pictures, it opened. A chill like no other escaped from inside the dark room, and a pungent odor and a dark purple miasma mist came from it.

    The General readied his weapon with determination. ¡°Onward, men!¡± The soldiers, though afraid, felt rejuvenated as they followed their general into the dark abyss.

    It shut behind them with a slam, and an eerie, disembodied laugh echoed throughout the room.

    Unbeknownst to them, a power unlike no other resided in that room lay the Void Magycte Beast in waiting.

    It had been about two hours since the General and his army left inside of the Altar.

    Lyra crossed her arms and tapped her foot impatiently. Looking back at the door, she expected someone to walk through.

    ¡°This is taking too long. They should have been out by now. Right?¡±

    ¡°Patience, Lyra,¡± Sly said, also waiting with furrowed brows at the entrance. ¡°Let the General lead his quarry as they see fit. Locksmiths cannot intervene if government officials lay claim to something.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I know. Only if it involves a civilian, but I''m just getting a bad feeling.¡±

    Sly nodded. Both in confirmation and acknowledgment that waiting didn''t sit right with her.

    ¡°Never would have thought to see you Locksmiths in such a conundrum,¡± A disembodied yet recognizable voice said in the wind.

    Malakyh his brows together, shaking her head. ¡°Of course, he showed up. Why am I not surprised?¡±

    To no one''s surprise, Alivier¨C the Lichtkrieger, the light warrior, and Lumos¡¯ follower¨Cappeared seemingly from the mist, making a grand show of appearing from a beam of light. The only ones who seemed remotely impressed were Tierney and Aurora.

    ¡°Mmm, talk about a tough crowd. Perhaps I should redo that scene entirely? Maybe with more seriousness and an ominous tone.¡±

    Lyra couldn''t roll her eyes high enough, even if she could try. ¡°I''d pluck you right now, but I''m too wound up and anxious for that.¡±

    Alivier touched his heart and feigned hurt. ¡°You wound me, Lyra, after all we''ve been through.¡±

    Lyra''s eye twitched, feeling the annoyance superseding her anxiety.

    ¡°I think the question we are all wondering about,¡± Sly said, intervening. ¡°Where have you been all these weeks?¡±

    ¡°Ah, here and there, mostly. My presence as Lumos'' follower requires me to be everywhere simultaneously.¡±

    ¡°Speak plainly, and all jokes aside,¡± Lyra told him.

    ¡°Touchy, but very well.¡± A dark look crossed over his features. Gone was the jubilant and happy-go-lucky hyperactive man facing a powerful Lichtkrieger who had seen things. Everyone in the group''s demeanor changed as they waited with bated breath for what he had to say.

    ¡°As you may well know, the Curse is getting stronger, and it would seem as if the Imperial Military¨Cand possibly the Empire¨C know about it or, at the very least, know how to trigger it to get what they want.¡±

    Everyone looked at each other at the severity of the situation.

    ¡°It''s apparent that the Altars don''t need to be in place in specific areas to generate the curse,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°Didn''t Lieutenant Nikolai regal information that the Empire was very aware of everything and wanted to use the happenings for their own benefit?¡±

    Lyra nodded. ¡°Nikolai might have his gain, but whether the Empire is in on it or not with the Children of Deimos or if they want to bask in the glory is another thing.¡±

    ¡°So our answer is clear: what must we do?¡± Sly asked.

    Lyra nodded. ¡°Yup. We''re going in that Altar and rescuing the General whether he likes it or not.¡±

    Alivier had somehow pulled out his instrument and strummed a single note. ¡°Excellent, marvelous! Aurum''s heroes are one step closer to fulfilling Deimos'' plan.¡±

    ¡°Malakyh, can you stay out here and close the Altar?¡± He nodded. She turned to Aurora and Tierney. I know you both want to help, but it''s too dangerous. However, that''s not to say you can''t help. Each Altar we end up at will get stronger and stronger, which means more power to close it. Can I trust you two to help Malakyh?¡±

    Tierney nodded, and Aurora''s eyes twinkled at being trusted despite her adamant behavior before.

    ¡°And no other shenanigans. Is that clear? Don''t do anything to push yourself.¡± Cassandra added, making the two girls yelp with a bob of their heads. ¡°And you, don''t let them pursue anything fatal.¡± The last remark to Malakyh, who groaned with an exasperated ¡®understood.¡¯

    ¡°I''m good to join the fray,¡± Cassandra said.

    ¡°As am I.¡± Sly agreed.

    Lyra nodded. ¡°Good. As for you, Alivier, you''ll be coming with us to help close the Altar inside.¡±

    ¡°The day never gets old. Very well, let''s tarry on!¡±

    With the plan in place, they walked into the Altar.

    The eeriness of the Altar was also met with an aura of Sheer dread and terror. Terror that only came hand in hand when faced with death.

    Alivier could tell. His entire disposition was rigid and off. The expression on his face was serious throughout and down the hall, passing by the drawings of a Time before and standing in front of the tall doors that oozed out the sheer terror-filled aura they had felt earlier.

    ¡°It''s in there,¡± his voice tense and raspy, unlike Alivier.

    Everyone drew their weapons and walked inside.

    The inside is an open field with a stone wall; tall stone edifices and tapestries are placed in random areas. To their confusion, there was no sign of a battle or of a Void Magycte Beast.

    ¡°Something isn''t right here,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°Where is the General, the army, anyone?¡±

    ¡°Keep your eyes peeled for any surprise attackers or¡­ hopefully, survivors,¡± Sly said, not as hopeful as she would have liked.

    Lyra scanned the field and saw nothing. She strides over toward Alivier. ¡°Do you sense anything? Malakyh might be able to sense the departed, but you probably have something similar to sense a negative aura, right?¡±

    ¡°Something of that nature, yes. The Void Beast is around here, but it probably wants us to let our guard down. Most Beasts can sense strong power levels in people; it''s wary of us.¡±

    Lyra hummed, noting that information. ¡°So we could catch it off guard then. At least, that''s something. And you''re sure you don''t know which Void Beasts this is? Because I swear Alivier¡­¡±

    ¡°Oh, Lyra. Have I ever lied to you?¡±

    Lyra frowned with a deadpan look on her face. ¡°You¡¯re kidding me. Yes, you have.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± a perplexed expression fell across his features, making his eyes doe-eyed. ¡°A simple misunderstanding is all that was, I assure you.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh, starting to think you''re more trouble than a Magycte Beast. If you have information, don''t keep it to yourself until now. Got it?¡±

    He touched his heart. ¡°On my sworn honor as Lichtkrieger.¡±

    ¡°Lyra, over here!¡±

    Cassandra called out to them. The two rushed over to where Cassandra and Sly were over by a crevice in the side of the wall.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± bewildered to know what they had found.

    ¡°See for yourself,¡± Sly said. Lyra peeked her head inside and gasped. To see injured soldiers and General Morgan. ¡°Looks like we found our missing General and his troops.¡±

    Then, the soft-sounding music of an instrument played, causing the soldiers to react by plugging their fingers in their ears. Alivier¡¯s face grew pale, and his eyes glazed with fear.

    ¡°Alivier?¡±

    ¡°I promised you I didn''t know beforehand,¡± he explained quickly. ¡°But I know who it is now because of the specific fighting style this Void Beast uses.¡±

    He looked at her gravely, making Lyra gulp but standing straight to keep her composure.

    ¡°Which is?¡±

    ¡°Byleth¡­ the court demon of insanity and death, by music.¡±

 Part Fifteen: By the Power of Lumos!

    A windswept breeze blew into the cave, carrying the sounds of a soft melody. This effect caused the grounds to become foggy, and strange, dark purple flowers appeared.

    Everyone drew their weapon, recognizing the poisonous miasma plant, Nightshade.

    From a platform of rocks, a humanoid figure appeared. Their platinum blonde hair was like silk and a wavy ocean, swaying casually with no effort. A small wreath sat around their forehead. Their face was indescribably beautiful, with feminine and masculine features that made it impossible to look away in awe at their sheer beauty.

    They were naked in front of them, but a long, white cloak wrapped around him. In his hand was an instrument similar to Alivier, and his gentle, manicured fingers strummed along the strings, playing the enchanting tune once more.

    ¡°So you have come.¡± The melodic voice sounded like an array of mixed voices speaking simultaneously. His eyes closed, making him seem eerie and profound.

    ¡°Let these people go!¡± Lyra shouted at the Void Beast. She knew it wouldn''t, but she showed him she was unafraid.

    ¡°But first¡­¡± he said, raising his arm delicately in the air. ¡°You must stay for the concert.¡±

    His eyes snapped open, and a black abyss stared back at him, causing them all to shudder. A surge of negativity forced them to their knees in submission.

    ¡°It''s to die for.¡±

    Lyra gritted her teeth. She stabbed Riftblade into the earth to keep her balance and help her stand.

    ¡°Lyra¡­!¡± She heard the voices of Sly and Cassandra call out to her.

    Lyra pressed on. Her teeth ground together, and she heard a chip on her tooth. The aura surge kept pushing her back down to her knees. The forcible aura continued returning like a strong current, but Lyra persisted.

    ¡°Please¡­ Lumos¡­ give me the Strength.¡± She whispered in a plea to Lumos. She could feel her muscles trembling and wasn''t sure how long she could hold on.

    The grip on her sword loosened, and her field of vision grew dark. She was fading. No amount of force could keep her upright.

    Until a soft embrace rested on her shoulder.

    ¡°Whaa¡ª¡± she tried to say. The darkness around her vision was expunged by light, and the weak state she was feeling early was replaced with sheer will¡ªa familiar power she had recently visited.

    ¡°Lumos?¡±

    Though she could not see her face, she could feel her smiling. A gentle caress settled on her cheeks, and a surge of energy that had not been there before replaced it.

    ¡°It is time to fulfill your duty,¡± she said. Lyra was confused about whether she was talking to Alivier when she responded.

    ¡°For if it is your will, Saint Lumos.¡±

    The grip on her sword handle returned, and a glistening of light emerged from it. Lyra¡¯s eyes widened at the blinding light from it.

    ¡°Shall we?¡± Alivier¡¯s voice came from the sword. She was stunned at this revelation but couldn''t question it.

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    A gleam of fiery white flamed in Lyra¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Celestial stream of light!¡±

    With blinding light speeds, Lyra zoomed across the field with unseen speed and was over to the Void Beast In milliseconds.

    The gleaming sword of Riftblade protruded from Byleth¡¯s naked abdomen.

    The Void Beast let out a soft sigh. Head looked up to the sky, and his eyes closed. ¡°Let the skies open up and swallow me; release me from this shell.¡±

    The moment he spoke, his body broke away into ashes until there was no more.

    Lyra breathed heavily. She dropped her sword to the ground and waited for the briefest of moments before turning back around again. That is until she stopped and looked down at the sword in her hand, still glowing a luminescent light.

    The power given to her by Lumos had not gone away. Something was amiss.

    Something isn''t right. Wouldn''t I lose these powers like before? Why stay with no explanation¡­.

    Lyra was right to be wary. From behind her, the Ash pieces of Byleth swept up together in a swirling vortex.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    ¡°Lyra behind you!¡± Sly shouted.

    She turned around, eyes wide, and tilted up to see no longer just a humanoid figure. Their back had gossamer white wings in the shape of blades. Their blonde hair was longer, coiling around their body like a shield. Their face, however, was no longer human but the face of a monstrous insect.

    ¡°Do not falter here, Lyra,¡± Alivier¡¯s voice said from the sword. ¡°Let us press on!¡±

    Right!

    Lyra held up her sword in front of her face, crouched slightly to prepare her stance and generated insurmountable energy inside of her before propelling herself into the air with a war cry.

    The Void Magycte Beast Byleth Responded in kind by tucking its wings back and dashed forward, too.

    The two clashed together with a surge of light.

    With the aura broken from below, Sly and Cassandra were able to free themselves from negativity''s bondage.

    A Rift Settled at the farthest ends of the Altar.

    ¡°I think I see the Rift we have to close,¡± Cassandra called out.

    Within seconds, Veilspawn responded by appearing and blocking their way to the Rift.

    Sly hummed. A smile perched on her loops. ¡°Looks like we''ll have to cut through them if we want to pass. Are you up for that?¡±

    Cassandra let out a laugh. Her axe arm that had once been wounded twirled her Weapon gracefully around.

    ¡°Never been better. On your mark.¡±

    Sly nodded. While Lyra and the Void Beast, Byleth, battled, they would get toward the Rift and close it.

    Sly brought herself up in the air and swept across a line of Veilspawn in one fell stroke. Cassandra darted from under her and cried out, striking opponents with a deadly bash to the head.

    One by one, dozen by dozen, the Veilspawn fell, and the two claimed victory.

    They hurried to the Rift. Sly got their first and called upon the Wellsprings'' power¡ªthey swirled together in a beacon hue. Cassandra stayed by her side, taking out Veilspawn, who dared to get too close.

    ¡°Finish it off, Lyra!¡± Sly shouted into the heavens. The Rift closed with every inch as the Void Beast lost power every second.

    Right! Are you ready, Alivier-sword thing?

    ¡°Your words wound me, but at my mark. Focus on its weak point. Do you see it?¡±

    A glowing orb appeared from the Void Beast''s chest when Lyra focused. A gift from Lumos herself to aid her in finding the enemy''s weak points when they were weak enough.

    I see it!

    ¡°Then, do it. NOW!¡±

    With her sword lunging back, Lyra let out a war cry and plunged the blade into the enemy''s weak spot. The sword cried and staggered about, but Lyra kept holding it.

    She could see Sly close the Rift almost wholly¨Ca crack was left.

    Lyra screamed at the top of her lungs and shoved the sword deeper. The Void Beast''s screech turned to a hollowed-out cry, and everything fell silent.

    It exploded in a beam of light just as the Rift closed simultaneously.

    The Altars surrounding, the same as last time, started to rumble.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to implode!¡± Lyra called out when she landed on her feet as Sly and Cassandra rushed over to her. Malakyh should be closing it from the outside. We have to get General Morgan and the soldiers out of here pronto.¡±

    The two women nodded, and the three returned to the crevice where some soldiers were already piling out.

    ¡°With me, everyone!¡± Sly gestured for the soldiers to follow her out of the crumbling Altar.

    ???

    ¡°...Had it not been for you, I''d be dead, and that Altar would have been my grave.¡±

    After all the soldiers and General Morgan were out of the rumbling Altar, they safely retreated to Eden''s base, where the Eden Imperial army and Eden''s Locksmith honored Lyra and her company for saving them.

    Many of the soldiers, including the General, were bandaged and taken care of.

    ¡°It''s the duty of a Locksmith, General, sir. I hope you can forgive us for being insubordinate.¡±

    The General grunted, clearing his throat. He wore his gold button uniform and coat, one part of which was loosely at his side since his arm was in a sling.

    ¡°I think we can forgive and forget, just this once. Now about these¡­Altars.¡±

    Lyra looked to the others, who nodded, saying it would benefit some people to know what was happening.

    Lyra explained the Altars as briefly as possible, how they were created, by whom, and why, without getting into the specifics of the Astral Contract itself.

    ¡°Hmm, I see. This very well adds up to why negative anomalies have happened. So you''re traversing throughout the regions to try and stop these Void Beasts? By Lumos¡¯ grace, to think legends are coming true. Does the Empire know of this, though?¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips. Unsure how to tell the General.

    Sly, thankfully, spoke up first. ¡°The Empire has its way of doing things. We are handling ours and by our duty.¡± Leaving it at that. They were unsure how much to tell him and risked exposing themselves.

    However, the General could sense in the room that something else was happening that they couldn''t reveal. He hummed, thinking to himself.

    ¡°Perhaps I can do something for you on your journey. To avoid causing further misunderstandings, you all have permission to pass through Ravens Country to Gearford.¡±

    Everyone was surprised by this and his willingness to help.

    ¡°Really, General? Thank you.¡±

    ¡°Of course. What you have said is true, and given the situation, you all seem to be a better fit for stopping this anomaly. May Lumos guide and bless you on your path.¡±

    Lumos¡­ Lyra touched her back where Riftblade rested in its sheath. It had stopped glowing brightly but still held a faint dim, and Alivier still had not returned. There were more secrets behind Lumos and the Lichtkrieger that seemed to have something to do with her.

 Part Sixteen: A Low Key Insight

    They were making their way to their next destination in Ravens Country. They had a two-day journey before they could enter Gearford.

    Things were going smoothly until they weren''t.

    ¡°That''s strange,¡± Sly said. Everyone looked at her, staring at her Voxlink. ¡°I can''t seem to get a signal on my Voxlink. I hoped to let some people I knew and the guild located in Legalio City expect us when we entered Gearford borders.¡±

    ¡°Hmm, strange, yes,¡± Malakyh pondered. ¡°But not entirely unlikely. Perhaps we are too far away from any signal towers. Ravens Country isn''t known to have the technology.¡±

    This might have been true, but Lyra couldn''t help but feel like something was amiss. Actually, she had been feeling like everything around her was amiss¡ªas if she could read a negative aura.

    ¡°That is true, but even in some of the rural places I''ve been to, they had some kind of communication to get in touch if they needed it,¡± Cassandra said.

    ¡°I agree with Cassandra,¡± Lyra spoke up. ¡°Maybe we should stop somewhere and see if we can find a signal.¡±

    All in agreement, they peered at the map Lyra had removed from her satchel and grouped around her. The closest area to them currently was Night Haven.

    ¡°That''s a lighthouse,¡± Sly told them. ¡°They¡¯re usually used as a rest stop for travelers on land or sea.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a plan to me. Everyone in favor?¡± Cassandra asked the group.

    Malakyh was not keen on the idea but agreed to move forward with everyone else.

    ¡°Are you girls okay with that decision?¡± Lyra asked Tierney and Aurora.

    They both nodded in earnest agreement.

    Lyra touched the hilt of her sword. Do you have anything to input? Though it was silent just as it was before. She hoped Alivier, wherever he was, was okay.

    Seeing her worried expression, Sly rested a hand on her shoulder and gave her a comforting gaze. ¡°He''s fine, I''m sure of it. It''s Alivier, after all; he shows up when he wants.¡±

    With her mind put at ease, for the moment, the group adjusted their journey and headed west to NightHavens¡¯ Lighthouse.

    ???

    It was close to midnight when Blackthorn returned to the Hinterlands after the ¡®initiation.¡¯ It was a simple graffiti mission to paint the Dawn Coalition''s insignia¨C a gold U shape with a hammer in the middle¨C in the business district of the Empire: you take from us, and we take from you. The one thing that you would die for. Pride.

    Blackthorn tossed the stone head to the floor with a loud crash, cracking the floor underneath. Had it been anything other than a stone, it would have caused damage.

    The rebels all looked at the stone head on the cracked floor, then up at the white-haired young man and his silent, bandaged partner beside him with panicked looks on their faces¨C this was too far.

    ¡°It accidentally broke off when I was tagging their wall. Got too close, maybe. I still completed the task. So I passed,¡± He said matter-of-factly. ¡°I thought removing the head was a nice touch, though. It really sends a message.¡±

    The group broke into an uproar. They all criticized his ¡®tactic,¡¯ which only showed their potential for violence. Ludwig Klause didn''t speak. He continued to look at the stone head.

    Blackthorn was getting impatient.

    Ludwig held up his hand to silence the bickering group, growing louder and furious by the second.

    ¡°What did you say your name was again? You look¡­ Familiar. ¡°

    Blackthorn grew tense. He wondered if he should cut his losses and strike everyone down now. He could have done it before they thought of overpowering him, but the Ash Borne demon was another thing. It wouldn''t be able to control itself and would end up killing Klause, not taking him as a prisoner like Walsh wanted.

    Play it smart. They don''t trust me¡­ well, how you''re making me look unhinged. Blackthorn thought he had said that, at first, till he sensed his Dormant¡¯s aura. From the slithers of his mind, he manages to slip through. Yet, it was not the time to question it, so I did as he suggested.

    ¡°Blackthorn,¡± he said his name, no aggression or hostility. Flat out. Yet, that still didn''t relieve the others of their anger.

    It must have worked on Klause, however, because once he nodded to those around him, the animosity still lingered, but they no longer targeted him with words. I can see why Walsh would be interested in him. He had crucial information the Children of Deimos might be able to use, but his presence with civilians held weight and authority no person could truly ever see.

    ¡°...you passed. We might be able to overlook this incident. It was not as bad as the raid on the prison.¡± There were angry, hushed whispers before they were silenced once more. ¡°However, in the future, we want your efforts to be¡­ less dramatic than what they were tonight. Keep a low profile; we don''t want to cause a massive war.¡±

    Just say yes. Being agreeable will work in your favor. The Dormant instructed him. He wasn''t sure what was going on, but he needed things to go smoothly at this moment.

    ¡°Understood. I''ll be considerate next time.¡±

    Accepting his answer, he nodded again, and begrudgingly, one of his people left.

    ¡°You both may stay in one of our rooms. We don''t have enough to accommodate you both. Mind you, once you are here, there is no leaving, so I suggest you make sure if you truly wish to hail the Dawn Coalition. Otherwise, your last remaining days will be in a cell. You understand, don''t you?¡±

    He pulled back a smile. ¡°Of course. We don''t want any secrets to be exposed. We''ll talk later. Was all Blackthorn voiced in his thoughts to the dormant inside of him.

    All the while, weakly, Eamon was fighting a mental battle, holding onto his memories to keep from going into cold sleep. He needed to avoid falling into eternal sleep; he needed to stay vigilant.

    If only he could reach out again to send a message to Lyra, but then he remembered¡­. Tierney. He had felt her presence enter his mind before Blackthorn forcibly kicked her out.

    He''d try again and maybe, just maybe, be able to get in contact with Lyra.

    ???

    Nights Haven - Lighthouse Tower, midnight

    Once they reached NightsHaven, they could see the shining light of the lighthouse in the distance. There were a few houses pitched off to the side near the forest, but otherwise, it was a simple plot of land.

    ¡°That should be in an inn where we can seek shelter.¡± Lyra pointed at the wood-made house. ¡°Perhaps even ask about a signal or a direct line to communicate.¡±

    All in agreement, they walked into the inn''s doorway. It was dimly lit inside, giving off an eerie vibe instead of the cozy atmosphere they were used to.

    Sly hummed. Her eyes scanned across the room, looking for anything that seemed off.

    ¡°Everything looks clear here,¡± Cassandra said, also looking around. ¡°Quiet as well.¡±

    Sly went over to the receptionist''s desk. She leaned over the desk; no one but darkness resided behind it. She wrinkled her brows.

    ¡°Almost too quiet.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips. ¡°Over here with me, girls.¡± Taking Aurora and Tierney by the shoulder.

    ¡°I don''t seem to sense any negative spirits amiss,¡± Malakyh also searched the area. ¡°Though that''s not to say I don''t feel any negative presence.¡±

    ¡°So, where is anyone?¡± Lyra asked.

    ¡°Let''s head back outside,¡± Sly instructed them. ¡°We can check the other houses.¡±

    They followed one after the other, sticking close to not being dragged away by whatever could be lurking among them.

    They each tried knocking on doors to no avail. It was as if no one was home.

    ¡°This isn''t good,¡± Sly said when they all met. ¡°It''s like this whole area is a ghost town.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°Without the ghosts,¡± Malakyh added.

    ¡°So, the question remains, where are the people?¡± Cassandra questioned.

    Lyra examined her surroundings, hoping that something would point to her. She half expected her sword to glisten with light like before, but nothing happened. Not even a peep from Lumos or Alivier.

    So, what are we missing?

    ¡°The lighthouse is the last place to check. Maybe we can find some answers there.¡±

    Agreeing, they made for the short path leading them straight toward the lighthouse.

    The same eeriness in the residential area was also present at the lighthouse. There was an unsettling quietness, not even a peep from the forest, and the lighthouse door was surprisingly unlocked.

    They looked at each other with reassuring nods to proceed forward. Lyra took the lead, followed by Aurora, Sly, and Tierney, and held up the rear Cassandra and Malakyh.

    They climbed up the winding staircase for a moment. A buzzing sound emitted from Lyra¡¯s back, one only she could hear, and stopped in her tracks.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡± Aurora asked, seeing the look of confusion as she scanned the lighthouse''s stone walls.

    ¡°Do you sense anything hostile?¡± Sly asked next, stretching out her senses to survey the area.

    Lyra shook her head. ¡°No to both. I just¡­ thought I heard something. My mistake.¡±

    ¡°Keep your wits about you, Lyra. Anything here can throw you for a loop.¡±

    ¡°What''s the hold-up? Are we all good here?¡± Cassandra asked, concerned.

    ¡°We are now, come on. We should be getting closer.¡± Lyra took the lead again until they finally reached the top of the lighthouse.

    The sword on her back started to buzz again, this time glowing with an illuminating white light.

    ¡°Lyra, your sword!¡± Aurora pointed out.

    Lyra removed Riftblade from her back and unsheathed it so it was in front of her. ¡°I knew it. Hey, Alivier, are you in there? Say something.¡±

    Silence.

    ¡°Well?¡± Sly questioned.

    Lyra sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Still nothing. I could have sworn¨C¡±

    A blinding light illuminated the lighthouse, blinding everyone as they shielded their eyes with their hands. The light faded shortly after, and one more person was in the lighthouse with them.

    A strum of music played in the air. They removed their hands from their eyes to see flowing blonde hair and fair skin.

    ¡°I have returned. I know, I know how much you missed me but please not all at once.¡±

    ¡°Yup, that''s Alivier,¡± Lyra grumbled with a roll of her eyes, but she was glad he was fine. She looked at her sword. It was even dimmer than before, yet it still held a faint glow, and she could have sworn that she saw the specter¡¯s shape of a woman''s face. Lumos, maybe?

    ¡°So, are you going to tell us what happened to you?¡± Lyra questioned.

    ¡°Cause one moment we were about to get offed by the Void Beast, Byleth, and the next you wound up in Riftblade. Explain.¡±

    ¡°And explain I shall¡­ later.¡±

    Lyra frowned. Irritation growing. ¡°...Alivier. Now is not the time to be coy.¡±

    A hand rested on her shoulder. Sly. ¡°We¡¯re all eager to hear the answer, but now isn''t the right time. Let''s see about this lighthouse and perhaps its townsfolk.¡±

    Agreeing that was best, they knocked on the door at the end of the hall. No one answered at first until there was a crash to the floor.

    With weapons drawn, they bombarded the room. It was a study with a dimly lit fireplace, a wooden desk to one side, and a few bookcases of thick tomes perched inside its shelves.

    Behind those shelves was a figure with wide, fearful eyes hiding behind it.

    ¡°P-please, take whatever you want. Just leave me alone and spare me.¡±

    Seeing that the man was not a threat, they sheathed their weapons.

    ¡°Spare?¡± Sly questioned.

    ¡°Have you not seen? T-they get consumed by a nasty aura and lose all train of thought and personality in favor of an apathetic one.¡±

    This was news to them.

    ¡°We¡¯re afraid we aren''t sure what you mean,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°We just came from the residential area. No one was at the inns or in any of the homes.¡±

    The man hurriedly shook his head. ¡°The apathy¡­ it makes you stagnant. Unable to be what you once were in favor of something more¡­ stagnant.¡±

    Alivier hummed. ¡°I believe what this man says is true. I''ve seen people rally together, angry at one point, but then¡­ something would change, and they become complacent and docile.¡±

    ¡°It''s the curse,¡± Lyra deduced. ¡°It has to be.¡±

    ¡°I-I think so too,¡± Aurora added.

    ¡°Remember Malakyh? It made everyone back at the other town sleepy. Not even Cassandra or Tierney woke up. It even put Lyra in a trance.¡±

    Lyra shivered at the memory.

    ¡°So you have seen it already? Then you go before it gets you all, too.¡± The man pleaded. Seeing the man further in the light, his hair and beard were unkempt. His clothes had severe stains as if he had not bathed in weeks¡ªtired lines formed under his dull, fearful eyes.

    This man had seen the curse afflict apathy firsthand.

    ¡°Please, sir. Let us help you. What is your name?¡± Lyra asked, hoping to get the man to relax in some way.

    Unfortunately, he wasn''t budging and furiously shook his head. ¡°My name isn''t important. No. You shouldn''t be here. It will get you, too, and then it will get me. You must leave, or it''ll get you, too.¡±

    ¡°Sir,¡± Sly said with more authority. ¡°We are Locksmiths, myself a senior, the Rosevera Whip, if you heard of me? Let us help you, as my associate said, and we can....¡±

    ¡°NO!¡± The man screamed at the top of his lungs, surprising everyone. ¡°You all need to leave! Leave now!¡±

    ¡°Uh, everyone. I''m starting to feel that surge of negativity coming from him. He''s the one giving off that power.¡±

    ¡°That I can agree on,¡± Alivier said.

    Lyra, too, could confirm from the buzz and warmth of her sword.

    ¡°Are we just going to leave him?¡± Cassandra asked.

    Just as she did, a purple and black aura began swirling around the man. He grabbed the sides of his head and began to scream at the top of his lungs: ¡°No, no, no. I don''t want this! Leave me alone! Get out of my head!¡± The man rammed his body into different furniture, but the sheer destruction of the aura caused the most damage, as it made whatever contact it made explode into an ashy mass.

    ¡°The apathy has already taken him,¡± Sly confirmed. ¡°We need to leave now.¡±

    They all hurried out the door, with Lyra last just in time to see the man heading for the open window. In his crazed state, he would end up throwing himself out the window and off the cliff into the ocean.

    ¡°No!¡± Lyra yelled. She sprinted toward the man, and just as the man''s body was out the window¨C Lyra caught the ends of the man''s shirt, and¡­.everything went dark.

    ¡°...Elena? Elena, can you hear me?¡±

    Blinking several times, Elena pulled herself from her thoughts. She was standing at the front of a round stone table, with several blurry faces around her that she couldn''t make out.

    Elena the War Maiden. The name came into her head almost immediately. She had long goldilocks hair, a Tawny complexion, and bright, expressive brown eyes in silver armor with a white cape hanging off her shoulders with the golden insignia of the sun on the clothing.

    The warrior during the Primal Chaos era.

    However, the person was not truly Elena but Lyra Ashbourne.

    ¡®What''s going on?¡¯ She thought to herself. ¡®Where am I?¡¯

    ¡°Elena, are you alright?¡± a voice called out. They sounded familiar, yet Lyra couldn''t tell who they were even though ¡®she¡¯ was Elena herself. She couldn''t see the person''s face.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m fine,¡± she said in a voice that wasn''t hers. ¡°What were we discussing prior?¡±

    ¡°Battle tactics in preparation for the battle with Deimos army. The Archmage Aetherius was about to demonstrate the power of these ¡®well springs¡¯.¡±

    ¡°Wellsprings, you say? Go on¡­¡±

    Very briefly, like a shimmering pool of water, a man across the table to her right came into focus. He was wearing long, colorful robes and onyx, sheen hair.

    Lyra could only watch as her lips moved on their own as if the scene before her played out.

    ¡®What''s happening to me? How am I here¡­ Hundreds of years ago, no less. I need to get out of here. But how do I get back to my body?¡¯

    She screamed out in her thoughts. Hoping that someone¨C Lumos, maybe¨C could hear her.

    Her cries were received when warmth settled around her, and a bright light surfaced among the blurry faces.

    ¡°Do not fear, Lyra. For this is by my hand.¡±

    ¡°Lumos, is that you?¡±

    ¡°Wake up,¡± the soft voice said again. Her surroundings were washed away, and the image before her was losing color. ¡°Wake up.¡±

    Everything around her went dark until someone yelled, ¡®Wake up!¡¯ Lyra snapped her eyes open and jolted upright, where Aurora had thrown her arms around her, and she was crying.

    They looked to be outside at night, with a campfire in the middle.

    ¡°I''m sorry, everyone,¡± Lyra started to say. Sly wasn''t too far away and was concerned for her well-being. Malakyh sat on a log. ¡°What¡­ happened?¡±

    They all looked at each other, then back to her. They weren''t sure how to tell her.

    ¡°I think,¡± Alivier said. Who had appeared out of nowhere. ¡°I can try to explain, but don¡¯t freak out too much.¡±

    Her heart was already smacking into her chest. She couldn''t just be calm, especially not after what she had seen. Whatever that was. A dream? A¡­ memory? It couldn''t be possible, but¡­

    ¡°I''m fine. Tell me.¡±

    Alivier sighed. Nodding his head. He bent down and reached out a hand to her. She raised a questioning brow.

    ¡°Trust me. This aligns with my explanation.¡±

    Hesitantly nodding, she allowed to Alivier reach out to her hair and pulled down a strand of white hair. Lyra gasped. Her questioning gaze traveled up to meet Alivier¡¯s.

    ¡°It''s only happened a few times, mainly to a Lichtkrieger, but¡­ You weren''t affected when you touched that man, filled with negativity because Lumos has placed her Providence Aura on you allowing you to interact With negativity. And I can join your weapon as Lumos¡¯ guiding light. You were chosen as her Witness.¡±

    Lyra blinked. She wasn''t in disbelief as the pieces connected. ¡°...and that''s why I saw Elena the warrior maiden. She had the Providence Aura, too.¡±

    ¡°...Yes, about that.¡±

 Part Seventeen: Out of Body Experience

    Alivier explained everything to them.

    ¡°My Ancestor? Elena the War Maiden?¡± Lyra balked in disbelief. However, a part of her believed it as if she was still in that memory as Elena.

    ¡°Yes. Elena and countless others were hand-chosen, if you will, by Lumos herself as Witnesses. These individuals from different backgrounds banded together to defeat Deimos and his dark creations.¡±

    ¡°And where was it you said that you fit into this?¡± Sly questioned him.

    ¡°Merely a guide chosen by Lumos, too, to lead the Witness to victory. Elena was also given a gift from Lumos. It was why Lyra could possess Divine powers. Even touch the dark miasma because Lumos¡¯ divine protection protected her.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s head was reeling. Yet, it explained recent events that had happened.

    ¡°If that is true,¡± Malakyh interjected himself into the conversation. ¡°Why didn''t this divine protection protect her when she was being controlled back at the Ravens Farm?¡±

    Alivier sighed. Shrugging his shoulders. ¡°I don''t know. Perhaps it wasn''t time, or there is such a thing as holding onto too much emotions.¡±

    ¡°I was thinking about my dad during that time. How I might finally know more about him after all these years.¡±

    ¡°So, what you''re saying Lyra was vulnerable to the negative presence?¡± Cassandra pondered. ¡°I suppose it does make sense, and everything so far seems to be adding up.¡±

    ¡°And so now what?¡± Sly asked. ¡°What does this entail for the future? Because call me crazy, but I seem to recall history saying that all those who took part during the war of shadows died.¡±

    Alivier said nothing.

    ¡°Alivier!¡±  Everyone seemed to shout at once.

    Despite the raging confusion and uncertainty, Lyra knew it wasn''t best to sit here and argue. They still had a mission at hand.

    ¡°Let''s just calm down and¡­ Well, keep moving. We can''t do anything about it now, and it won''t help our situation if we start losing our heads.¡±

    The group nodded, understanding the situation.

    They continued their travels to Gearford the following day.

    ???

    Hinterlands - base of the Dawn Coalition

    ¡°What was that game you tried playing earlier?¡± Blackthorn angrily yelled into his thoughts at him.

    At first, it took some effort, but after a moment, he could become tangible, at least in thought.

    Eamon might not have had his body, but he was grateful for some consciousness instead of being secluded in a dark prison. Possibly the same one Blackthorn had been in when he was in cold sleep.

    I don''t see what the issue is. You¡¯re safely inside of the Dawn Coalition base. One step closer to completing your mission, right?

    Blackthorn grumbled. ¡°Don''t patronize me. How were you able to wake up?¡±

    I have my secrets. So if you want to ensure you can stay under the radar, we could wager a deal?

    Blackthorn could feel his face growing hot from the sheer demand he made, but what else could he do? In order to effectively kidnap Klause, he''d need the Man to trust him. Otherwise, the Dawn Coalition would fight him to the death.

    Not that they can take out some civilian turned-rebel. However, he did have to worry about a commotion, like a deadly fight that he and the Ash Borne demon would cause, which would undoubtedly draw a crowd and raise some eyebrows. He wanted to be as inconspicuous as possible.

    ¡°Fine. But if I smell foul play, you''ll regret it. Understood? I''ll even promise to make a visit to her and kill her myself. That''s not what you wanted, though. You''ll have to watch her die, and you''ll forever fall into the abyss.¡±

    There was silence but Blackthorn could feel the rising anger from inside of him. He was fuming, not in anger, but desperation. He knew he was powerless and that was exactly how Blackthorn wanted to make his victims feel.

    Crystal. Was the only thing he said in response before going quiet again.

    Blackthorn was more at ease, yet, he still couldn''t shake the uneasiness feeling in his gut.

    ???This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    He hadn''t been expecting sunlight to stream into the holed up quarters. His circadian system was already pretty used to getting up early from his time traveling (and during his military training). An arm stretched across his face. Their ear-length white hair fell across sun-kissed cheeks.

    ¡°Morning already¡­¡± he said out loud. ¡°I shouldn''t sleep the day away because we have a crazy schedule ahead of us.¡± so normally and casually that, for a moment, he didn''t realize what was happening.

    His eyes snapped open. He was staring up at the stone ceiling of the Dawn Coalition''s base. He wasn''t where he thought he was or with someone. Yet, something else left him gob smacked.

    He was back in his body. Not a voice screaming into the void but it really him.

    Eamon sat up and wildly patted around his chest, grinning from ear to ear at the sheer luck.

    Or for a split second he actually felt¡­ Relief.

    Then he heard laughing, in his head, mocking him.

    Eamon¡¯s smile dropped. His chest fell and his blood turned cold; he was sure the color had drained from his face.

    ¡°Had you really going there for a minute, hmm¡±? The voice was none other than Blackthorn.

    He should have known.

    ¡°Now, don''t try anything funny. I''m far stronger than you when it comes to understanding deep sleep. We ¡®work together,¡¯ as you put it, and there won''t be any consequences. So¡­.¡±

    Eamon¡¯s body stiffened. He wasn''t in control.

    ¡°It''s our first day in a new rebel camp. Have fun, make friends, and don¡¯t embarrass me now.¡± Eamon could feel him smiling.

    ¡°Is there anything else?¡± He gritted his teeth, holding back his annoyance.

    ¡°Oh, yes!¡± he exclaimed, almost comically, but that changed instantly. ¡°Don''t double cross.¡± Eamon¡¯s blood ran cold, and his heart skipped a beat at the dark undertone of his threat.

    If he could control his body at whim and even could tell his thoughts, Eamon wasn''t sure how he''d be able to cross him.

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    He stood up. He was preparing to start the day when he noticed the long, hair-bandaged Sovran#0, The Ash Borne demon.

    ¡°What about him?¡±

    ¡°Nothing. He''ll follow you whenever. If danger strikes, he''ll react.¡±

    He nodded. At least there was one thing he didn''t need to worry about. Yet, he couldn''t get past something¡­. about the Sovran. He wasn''t sure what it was, but there was almost a feeling of deja vu in the air.

    He brushed it off. He most likely recalled moments when he had been asleep watching the Ash Borne and Blackthorn.

    Pushing it from his mind, he continued to hey ready until he was out the door of the room.

    ¡°Seems like someone has decided to be up this morning,¡± Ludwig Klause said when he spotted him walking downstairs, which led to the rooms. ¡°How''d you sleep?¡±

    Eamon shrugged. ¡°I''ve had better. Thank you for asking.¡±

    He gave a bow of his head. ¡°You want to eat or something?

    Eamon¡¯s stomach growled loudly.

    Klause grinned. ¡°I''ll take that as a yes.¡±

    Eamon took a seat, and the next second, a plate of bread, cheese, and water was in front of him.

    ¡°Apologies that it isn''t appetizing. One can only get so much as a rebel faction, but speaking with the right group has its perks. It does help that some of the resistance used to be farmers.¡±

    Eamon shook his head. He picked up the bread. After joining the military, he was used to meager portions.

    All the while, Ludwig Klause watched him with intensity in his green eyes, studying him, if you will.

    Blackthorn grunted in annoyance. Also, noticing the man like Eamon had.

    Control yourself. Eamon said to him. He didn''t want any sudden reaction to give himself away.

    ¡°So¡­ you said your name was¨C¡±

    ¡°Let''s just call me E.B. for now,¡± Eamon interrupted, not wanting to trigger the safe word even more. He could feel Blackthorn laughing in his thoughts.

    ¡°E.B.¡­ sure¡­ so, E.B. I''ve asked this already, but I hope you''ll humor an old man anyway.¡±

    Confused, though compliant, he nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Why did you want to join the Dawn Coalition?¡± The deep sea green of the man''s eyes bore into him. He might have been on to him, and if that were the case, things would not end well.

    ¡°Watch what you say,¡± Blackthorn warned him, but Eamon had an idea. He just hoped Blackthorn would play along long enough for it to work.

    ¡°To be honest, I came to find you.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Klause was intrigued now, leaning forward in his seat, his chin resting on his hands. ¡°And why is that?¡±

    ¡°Yes, why is that?¡± Blackthorn cooed. He, too, was waiting, curious to know if he was foolish to reveal everything when he had no way to protect himself against Blackthorn taking control again. ¡°I hope you know what you''re doing.¡±

    Thankful for the chance, Eamon explained his reasoning:

    ¡°I used to be an ex-military¨Ca similar case to your own since you, too, worked for the military.¡±

    Klause nodded. ¡°Aye, that I did. A scientist to a doctor. It''s practically common knowledge. What of it?¡±

    ¡°I''ve always felt like an outsider in the military. So hearing of your leave from the Empire and taking up a practice for everyday civilians, only to have that taken away, resonated with me. Your cause. I want to fight for something I care about that accepts me for me, not for the past or what I did.¡±

    Silence passed between them. Ludwig didn''t look away from him, studying him.

    ¡°For one so young, you seem to understand pain. It is not something I''d wish on my worst enemy. Thank you for confiding in me. I hope you can go back to what was when this is all over.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, sir. Truly. I hope so, too.¡±

    Klause nodded. ¡°Now, how about we take a walk? A bit of fresh air will do us both some good.¡± Standing up from the chair. Eamon followed after him.

 Part Eighteen (Part 1): Help Wanted

    Lyra and her party had finally reached Legalios City in Gearford, where Sly requested to contact some of her Locksmith associates from the Legalios Guild.

    ¡°I''m sorry, Sly, but we haven''t been able to reach anyone for the past few days.¡± The curly mousy haired receptionist told her.

    ¡°Days?¡± Sly repeated. ¡°You haven''t heard from anyone, Marci? Not Reilly or Earl? Perhaps, Ginny, maybe?¡±

    ¡°N-No, I''m sorry,¡± Marci stumbled. Bowing apologetically. ¡°The beacon towers have been down, so the connection is even more spotty than usual.¡±

    ¡°Connection?¡± Lyra questioned. ¡°What''s wrong with the beacon?¡±

    Marci cleared her throat. ¡°Well, some travelers that had been passing through witnessed a Rift, and a hoard of Fiends seemed to have been attracted to it, which is an odd behavior for them.¡±

    Sly and Lyra didn''t need to look at each other to understand why they were acting oddly.

    ¡°So, that''s why we cannot send Locksmiths out to get rid of them or call in from another guild. Our usual local Locksmiths, like Earl, Ginny, and Reilly, went on another mission but haven''t reported back yet.¡±

    ¡°What was the mission?¡± Sly asked.

    ¡°Yeah, and where are the military, too? They''ve been roaming around in their big tanks. I was sure I''d see them soon as we entered the city.¡±

    ¡°To answer your questions, they were assigned to head toward Featherwynd in Ravens Country. We received a message from the town, but when we tried to contact them, there was no reply.¡±

    ¡°As for the military,¡± She continued. ¡°They passed by here a day after our local Locksmiths left. I told them that there may be trouble since they hadn''t contacted me in a day or so, but they proclaimed it wasn''t their prerogative.¡±

    Lyra sucked her teeth. Of course, they did. When they want to be in the know, they''re like flies, but you need them and can''t find one in spitting distance.

    ¡°May I ask what the message the people of Featherwynd sent? We just left Ravens Country.¡±

    ¡°Oh, yes, give me one sec¡­¡± Her fingers clicked away at the keys. ¡°URGENT: Requesting assistance to Featherwynd¨C People are getting sick and expressing lethargic symptoms. Locksmith and, or Custodian, preferred.¡±

    ¡°And that was all left,¡± she finished, then looked at them. ¡°I''m sorry I can''t provide much more than that.¡±

    ¡°Custodians, huh?¡± Sly questioned. ¡°You won''t find many of those around here, except the Valerian Republic or Crystalline City. What lethargic sickness could query for a Custodian they only¨C¡±

    She paused. Both Sly and Lyra were thinking the same thing. The man back at the lighthouse displayed lethargic movements until he went berserk. Would it be possible they were related?

    ¡°Thank you for your assistance. You can also put us on the case as a rescue party.¡±

    ¡°Will can do! But, um, I''m afraid I''ll need you to fill out some paperwork. I''m sorry, it''s a standard issue from the military.¡±

    It wouldn''t be the last if I roll my eyes one more time. Lyra angrily thought.

    ¡°Go meet outside with the others and tell them what''s going on,¡± Sly said, sensing Lyra¡¯s agitation. ¡°I''ll finish things off here.¡±

    Lyra nodded. It was the best course of action.

    ¡°Oh. I almost forgot,¡± Marci added. ¡°By chance, if you have a big enough party, do you suppose they could assist with that?¡±

    ¡°I think we can help with that, too.¡± Lyra told her. They were only Fiends and Veilspawn, Stronger or not, but nothing they couldn''t handle. They had someone who could defeat them and someone to close the Rift.

    Lyra left the guild, where the others had found a bench near a clock tower. Tierney and Aurora were eating Ice Cream, and Lyra had a newspaper to her nose. Neither Malakyh nor Alivier could be found.

    ¡°Oh, Lyra! Look what I have!¡± Aurora exclaimed, holding up her strawberry-sprinkled ice cream. ¡°Cassandra bought it for us!¡±

    ¡°Careful not to spill it now. It''s already starting to melt in this heat.¡± Cassandra looked away from reading to tell her.

    Lyra smiled. ¡°Thanks.¡± Taking a seat by her on the bench. ¡°And where pray tell are the others? Alivier has a habit of skirting off but always finds his way back, like a lost puppy. Malakyh is a different story.¡±

    Cassandra sighed. She looked extra tired thinking about the incident. ¡°Don''t get me started on those two. Alivier said something snippy to Malakyh, who was fuming. I yelled at them both for trying to make a scene. Then, I told them to walk it off. They should have returned by now.¡±

    ¡°Good grief. Now I kind of regret not having him in Riftblade again. At least I can keep track of him, and he can''t make a fuss.¡±

    Cassandra nodded. ¡°Agreed. So, what happened in there?¡±

    Remembering what she came to tell the group. She reiterated that Locksmiths, including the local locksmiths, were unreachable, and they were also Sly¡¯s friends. Then, told her that the mission they were sent on was one in Ravens Country, Featherwynd.

    ¡°And get this: the message talks about a lethargic sickness spreading through with Fiends mucking about it. They requested both Locksmith and Custodians.¡±

    That had Cassandra frown and put the newspaper down.

    ¡°Custodians? Why them¡­¡± She paused, catching on quickly. ¡°Wait, you don''t mean¡­ Like what that lighthouse keeper had?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn''t be surprised. Sly is filling out Papers the military requested we do now.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°But I thought one group could check out taking out the beacon towers; Fiends is lurking about, and a Rift; why I wanted Malakyh and Alivier here. While the other group goes to Featherwynd and help out there.¡±Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    Cassandra hummed. ¡°Should we really separate that much? We don''t know what this lethargic sickness is like and having Malakyh and Alivier on a team together is a recipe for disaster.¡±

    ¡°Maybe, but I figured if you and Alivier cover the beacons, you can get rid of the Fiends easily and ensure Alivier doesn''t act up. While Sly, Malakyh, and I head to Featherwynd. Malakyh used to be a Custodian, and if we need his Strega abilities, that will work out.¡±

    ¡°When you put it like that¡­¡± her eyes trailed over to where Aurora and Tierney were by the statue, reading the plaque on it.

    Lyra knew what she was thinking even before saying it.

    Lyra sighed. ¡°As much as I hate it, they have shown they can handle themselves sometimes. We can''t leave them alone for many reasons. So, taking them with us is the best plausible course of action.¡±

    As much as Cassandra hated that idea, it was the only solution.

    ¡°Fine. But first, we should find those two.¡±

    ¡°Don''t tell me they''re missing.¡± Sly approached them. ¡°Did they say where they were going?¡±

    Cassandra shook her head. ¡°Only that they both went for a walk after almost getting into it.¡±

    ¡°We don''t have time for this,¡± Lyra sighed. ¡°Legalios is just as big as Tro¨¦r. How are we going to pinpoint exactly where they are?¡±

    Having heard their conversation when she approached, Tierney stepped forward.

    ¡°Maybe I can help?¡± they turned their attention to her. ¡°I know I can find them. Let me help.¡± More so to Cassandra than anyone.

    ¡°Fine. We are under a time constraint, but if you feel exhausted, you stop.¡±

    Tierney bobbed her head and concentrated.

    Legalios came to her mind. It was similar in likeness to Tro¨¦r from the metal and cobblestone walkways. There were tram cars that Collected passengers from here and there. There weren''t as many people, but still, drones of people walked the streets in their petticoats and trousers.

    Tierney scanned the crowds of faces, searching for familiar faces. It wasn''t until she saw a mesh of blonde and fair skin that she took notice of Alivier in front of a tavern where a group of military men surrounded him.

    Tierney pulled herself from the vision.

    Concern washed over Cassandra¡¯s face with a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I couldn''t locate Malakyh, but I found Alivier. It looks like two guards harass him in front of a tavern.¡±

    Lyra snorted. ¡°Of course he is. I don''t know who to blame more out of them. Come on, let''s go find him before anything happens.¡±

    The group found their way through Legalios Metal City until they found the tavern. Three military men were at the scene with Alivier.

    Lyra recognized one of them right away.

    ¡°You have got to be kidding me¨C You, again?!¡±

    A blonde-haired military man looked up and heard a familiar voice. He had a purplish bruise on his fair skin and a bandage along his nose. His toothy grin was replaced with a crestfallen expression.

    Julian Ashcroft.

    ¡°Why am I not surprised to bump into you.¡±

    Lyra stepped forward first, her hands on her hips, glaring down at Julian. The young soldier stepped backward, and his two subordinates followed suit, seeing how their fellow soldier was wary of the Locksmith.

    ¡°Sir ¡± one of the soldiers said. Waiting for confirmation on what to do.

    ¡°Sir? Either you got a promotion¨Cunlikely¨Cor someone crazy put you in charge, or you filled newbie soldiers'' heads to think you''re top dog. Am I getting warm?¡±

    ¡°Sh-shut up! I won''t stand for this. I can probably report to you now that the military is in charge now.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips together. ¡°Yeah, I doubt that by how much you''re stammering. Look, I didn''t come to give you another black eye or busted nose. Just stop messing with our friend here and you can be on your way.¡±

    Hearing that, Julian''s expression reddened having been embarrassed in front of his subordinates.

    ¡°S-stay back. I mean it!¡±

    From the holster on his side, he produced a long-nosed, short pistol. It was different from the usual manufactured one. It was sleeved in chrome, with a brown and gold tint, and had a large orb on the side that glistened in the sunlight.

    To add to the severity of the issue, proving it was not a normal weapon, the two soldiers panicked, even one saying, ¡°That¡¯s a classified weapon! We aren''t supposed to reveal it to the public!¡± Seeing that he had done something incredibly Stupid, Julian started shaking, and his cheeks heated red.

    ¡°I suggest you put that weapon away, soldier.¡± Sly stepped forward, protectively standing in front of Lyra. ¡°You can¡¯t hurt any of us or a civilian who is unarmed, mind you, and I''m sure you don''t want that.¡±

    Taking in the severity and Sly¡¯s words, Julian shakily placed the weapon back. He didn''t say anything¡ªonly glared in Lyra¡¯s direction¡ªand turned away. His soldiers followed behind him down the street.

    Sly sighed heavily. ¡°We really need to work on your communication skills.¡±

    Lyra frowned. ¡°Wait, how is this my fault? He pulled out that strange, looking gun thing, and I''m at fault.¡±

    ¡°You did provoke him, Lyra.¡± Cassandra clarified. ¡°We all know he''s spineless, but to pick at that kind of person is asking for it.¡±

    Lyra balked at the confirmation. ¡°Seriously, Cassandra? Whose side are you on?¡±

    ¡°Never mind that. Let''s get Alivier off the streets. He looks piss poor drunk¡­and unconscious.¡±

    Helping Sly lift him, they took him to a room at an inn to properly sober him.

    ¡°That just leaves Malakyh now,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°And I''m not too comfortable letting Tierney try that again.¡±

    They stood in the middle of the inn''s room. An old-style room with cream-colored walls, a red carpet with gold linings, and two beds with cloth-made sheets. Tierney and Aurora sat on the wood-cushioned chairs in the corner of the room.

    ¡°Agreed.¡± Sly nodded. ¡°And that''s if he can even be seen like that. His ability as a Strega and a Primal Weaver might have given him the power to conceal himself from being seen.¡±

    Lyra hummed. ¡°So, that just means we have to be sleuth smart then. Where would someone like him go after being patronized by a Lichtkrieger who constantly blames your entire lineage?¡± Man, that is a mouthful I never would have thought to say.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Cassandra thought for a moment. ¡°If that were me, I would question myself and my faith. Perhaps even my role in society.¡±

    Lyra and Sly looked at her. They could see conflicting highlights in the features of her wrinkled expression and the sadness in her eyes. She might have been able to push through physically, but mentally¨C she was still fighting.

    ¡°Cassandra¡­.¡± Lyra whispered. She didn''t know what to say, but seeing someone she considered a friend pained her.

    Cassandra faked a grin, even if the others knew it was fake. She got up from one of the beds and headed toward the doors.

    ¡°I think I know where he is. Let me get him.¡±

    ¡°You sure?¡± Sly asked. More in concern than questioning. ¡°We can always back you up.¡±

    Cassandra shook her head. ¡°That won''t be nodded. I''ll be back.¡± She turned to look at Tierney. A non-verbal communication went through, and she nodded.

    Cassandra left the inn. Leaving the others concerned for her well-being but respected her decision.

    Lyra sighed and sat at the edge of the bed. ¡°I wish she would have talked to us. Told us how she was feeling, at least.¡±

    Sly shook her head. ¡°People grieve and will grieve in their own ways. She took what I said into consideration. She realized that things and people needed her, so she gave herself a push. She still is in pain and will process it, but she needs to get through the first hurdle. I was the same. We give people time so they can come to ask for help when they are ready.¡±

    ¡°I¨C¡± Lyra started, then pursed her lips together. ¡°You¡¯re right. I''m sorry, Sly. It''s the same thing with Eamon.¡± she flinched.

    What if¡­ the other part of him, the one who had been in cold sleep, is still Eamon? It had been him when he said not to follow him except to kill him. Maybe I shouldn''t force myself to find him¡­

    ¡°Hey.¡± Sly interrupted her thoughts. ¡°I can see the wheels in your head turning. Don''t go there. That situation is something else entirely. I can assure you that even though Eamon did those things willingly or not, he is being forced by another party at hand. They are not letting him choose. We aren''t here to force him back into our lives but so that we can free him to have the free will to choose his life how he wants to live.¡±

    That''s right. This isn''t about my feelings or getting Eamon back because he''s family. He deserves the choice of freedom.

    ¡°Thank you, Sly.¡±

    Unbeknownst to them, in the corner of the room, slanted against the wall, Riftblade glowed, and a pulsating hum vibrated from within its sheathe.

 Part Nineteen (Part 2): Help Wanted

    Cassandra had been walking for a minute, occasionally asking for directions. She walked the metal streets until she came upon a large, cream-colored building with a metal roof and colorful stained-glass windows.

    The Sanctuary of Lumos.

    Cassandra looked up at the bell tower attached to the roof. She wasn''t sure why Malakyh would go here, but she knew it was where she would have gone. Incidentally, when she had been staying in Sylvanbrook, there were a few times she wanted to go inside, but she found herself hesitant¡ªhesitant for many reasons.

    One in particular: Lumos would never forgive her for surviving and her cohort not.

    She knew it to be a foolish thought. Lumos loved all her children equally, no matter what. So why couldn''t she get over that hurdle?

    ¡°Because it isn''t Lumos who hates me¡­ it''s me. I''m in the way of feeling free.¡± no matter what she told herself at night to keep moving hard, it only half worked.

    She didn''t know about Malakyh, from his personal life to his background, but even regarding the disputes with him, Alivier told her that there was something attached to it all.

    She took a deep breath and took her first steps of the stone edifice. She opened the double wooden doors, and lo¡¯ and behold; there he was, sitting at a pew in front of the sanctuary.

    ¡°How''d you know where to find me?¡± Malakyh said without turning to her.

    Cassandra tenderly walked down the aisle and stood next to the pew he was sitting on.

    ¡°...it''s where I would like to go, if not to clear my head, but I''ve been hesitant. For a long time, I feared the Saint would disown me, but in reality, only I was keeping me away. The goddess doesn''t judge nor shame you.¡±

    ¡°Even what we know now? The book, the Astral Contract, was considered to rid us of our free will because of what Deimos had done.¡±

    Cassandra sighed. That had been weighing on her mind, and she''d be lying if she said she hadn''t been angry when she first found out.

    ¡°I''d like to think¡­ that it was not for ill purposes, so we don''t fall into the same pattern as Deimos. That made me think that perhaps Lumos is more human than most of us. She felt betrayed and did not want the same feeling to happen, but stopped herself from almost doing it.¡±

    ¡°Would you say that she didn''t trust us enough? She thought that because things happened in the past, they are doomed to repeat.¡±

    It occurred to her then that he spoke of the prejudice and dislike the Primal Weavers received. Many of them had fought in the war against Deimos but many of them either died or joined forces with Deimos. Some didn''t partake in either side. Which led to people, like Alivier, to judge them based on the past.

    ¡°It isn''t fair to cast sins on every person. Especially those who had not been a part of it.¡± she shook her head. ¡°Even those who didn''t want to be a part of it for obvious reasons: fear or not wanting to get involved. Our free will determines our personality, and I think that''s what Lumos realized, even if it was too late.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

    He turned his head to look at her. Then, she hurried over so she could sit on the bench.

    ¡°Does she feel remorse that there are people who dislike some others? Or she had gone back and forth wondering if taking away our free will could be used as a benefit?¡±

    ¡°That, I don''t know.¡± Cassandra shrugged. ¡°At least not until we meet Lumos at the final threshing. I want to think if she didn''t forgive herself for the past, she wouldn''t have made us all meet, of all different backgrounds, to love each other and ourselves.¡±

    At that moment, Cassandra noted that her situation was similar to the Saints''. She let out an airy laugh that echoed through the sanctuary''s walls.

    Malakyh raised his brow but wasn''t concerned by the grin on his face. ¡°Should I find a priest, or do you need a minute?¡±

    She shook her head. Her smile is still attached. ¡°No. I just realized that¨C like Lumos¨C I can be scared too and even feel negative emotions, but I have to learn to trust myself, forgive myself, and rely on the support of different people to see through my struggles. It took her¨C if not still¨C thousands of years to feel secure, but even the goddess herself is still trying. So, I think we as humans can give ourselves some leeway and grace to do the same. Then, once we learn to forgive ourselves, the doorway will open to others willing to accept us.¡±

    Malakyh hummed. ¡°You make a sound case. I''m unsure if any Primal Weavers will see it that way, but¡­ I can be one of the few to learn to take that next stop, even if others don''t.¡±

    ¡°One of the few?¡±

    ¡°My Master. She took me in and showed me a way when others didn''t even think of showing grace. I think she saw my potential, not just in ability, but that I could grow emotionally and mentally. It opened the doorway, as you said to her. I was able not to be as angry with myself, and even if some of the things I started were illegal, it opened a way for me to meet others who were in an unfair situation.¡±

    ¡°It seems like we both learned a thing or two.¡±

    ¡°Make that three.¡±

    Cassandra and Malakyh turned in their seats to see Alivier. Pale-faced and disheveled but otherwise sober as he treaded lightly along the walkway.

    ¡°Forgive me for prying and listening in, but hearing you both, well, I think I''ve certainly been¨C as Lyra would put it¨C ¡°foul as a Veilspawn and nastier than a Magycte Beast¡¯s odor.¡±

    Cassandra hummed. ¡°Mm. Spot on. Better hope she never hears that.¡±

    ¡°Too late!¡± Lyra¡¯s voice traveled from the entrance of the sanctuary¡¯s doors.

    The three chuckled.

    ¡°I''ve been a judgmental hack, and I''m not worthy of being a Lichtkrieger. We are supposed to be warriors of light, yet many of us were raised under false teachings¨C or old bravado¨C that only a select few deserve Lumos¡¯ Grace, but that shouldn''t be so¡­.¡±

    He stood at the pew where the two sat. Both Strega and Lichtkrieger stared at each other.

    ¡°You have gone through a great deal; you both have and have suffered hate for doing absolutely nothing. We all were chosen to work together, not because it is some predestined journey, but so we do not repeat the past.¡±

    They let the words sink in. Finding it true the more they thought about it. At any moment, either of them could drop this and turn their backs on this crusade, but it is because of the Free will¨C that same will that Lumos almost took away but decided against it ¨C that made up who they were as individuals and what drove them to continue.

    ¡°I cannot erase centuries of fighting and hate, but I can start now. We can. And not repeat what our forefathers have done.¡±

    As Alivier stood there, he held out his arm, palm out to the sitting Malakyh, who looked at the hand and then back at him.

    Everyone waited with bated breath and sucked it in when he stood to his feet, walking toward the blonde-haired Lichtkrieger.

    Cassandra tensed. Even Lyra, who waited in the sanctuary hall, gripped the door.

    Malakyh extended his arm and shook Alivier¡¯s hand to all their relief.

    ¡°I, too, would like that. It will be a tough road, but I am willing to traverse it if we all can work together for a brighter tomorrow and future.¡±

 Part Twenty(Part 1): "The Walking Dead"

    With the request filled out, the group separated into two teams: Lyra¡¯s party would head to Featherwynd with Sly, Aurora, and Malakyh. Team Two consisted of Cassandra, Tierney, and Alivier to defeat the Fiends who were disrupting the beacon signals.

    ¡°We''ll meet back at the guild tomorrow morning. It will least take us half a day to get back,¡± Lyra told Cassandra and her group.

    ¡°No worries there. Stay safe, everyone.¡±

    The two groups departed east and west to their respective destination.

    As Lyra and her party traveled back to Raven Country, unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by two Sovran¡¯s.

    ¡°Well, well, looks like they''ve separated their group. It would make things more fun ruffling their feathers a bit.¡±

    Raelina, Sovran #12''s Death Mistress, was perched in a tree and hidden among the forest leaves. She wasn''t alone either. Sitting perched on a branch, legs swinging, was Sovran #11, the Southern Belladonna.

    ¡°As long as I get to play with Sly again! We didn''t finish our last encounter, but now Lyra Ashbourne is with them!¡±

    Raelina pursed her painted red lips together. Shaking her head at the jubilant child. ¡°Calm yourself, Bella. You''re starting to sound like The Trickster.¡±

    She pouted. Her arms crossed over her chest. ¡°Least Finn is fun!¡±

    She sighed. ¡°Why on earth would Walsh assign me to work with this child?¡±

    ¡°That''s not nice! Say you''re sorry, or I''ll get Blackthorn.¡±

    She smirked. ¡°He''s a bit indisposed at the moment, but no matter, let''s hurry so we can catch up with them.¡±

    ¡°Mmph. Fine. When is the other girl going to join? I want someone my age to play with.¡±

    ¡°Dear child, you sure ask many questions, don''t you? But it''ll be soon, just wait...¡±

    They zipped through the tree lines to stay at a distance from their target.

    ???

    When they reached Featherwynd, it was already afternoon. The quaint village was beautiful. The cottages were aligned on each side with a wide berth from one another. The surrounding area had colorful orange and pink trees that gave the afternoon glow an idyllic feel as if it came from a painting.

    Yet, even as they walked across the curved bridge over a flowing stream, something seemed off about the environment.

    ¡°Do you sense anything?¡± Sly asked Malakyh if there were hostile forces or spirits in their presence.

    ¡°None. But something isn''t right. I can feel it,¡± he told her. His eyes darted around him.

    Sly nodded. ¡°Agreed. It''s too quiet as well.¡±

    ¡°Stay near me, Aurora.¡± Lyra had a dimly lit Riftblade at the ready in case anything happened.

    As they entered the village, someone ran to them in the distance. They tightened in formation, unaware of the presence, but on closer inspection, the person who started getting closer was a woman, and she looked frightened.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    She fell to the ground. Malakyh reached her first, making sure she didn''t need healing. She was whimpering, but her long, mousy hair covered her face.

    ¡°Ma''am, if you aren''t injured,¡± Sly firmly but patiently asked the weeping. ¡°Can you please tell us the state of what happened here? We''re Locksmiths here to help.¡±

    ¡°L-Locksmiths? Yes. Yes. Help. There were some other Locksmiths that had come to help, too.¡±

    Sly and Lyra gave the other a look. There was no doubt that she referred to the Locksmiths who went missing. The only thing that mattered now was what danger was ahead.

    ¡°Ma''am, I know you are terrified, but we need to know what is ahead to prepare accordingly. What happened to the people here?¡±

    She was still weeping. She still had not looked at her.

    ¡°Everyone¡­ they all started to act funny and¡­and¡­their eyes. Their eyes were distant and cloudy. They were lethargic and became manic so suddenly, I barely escaped an inch of my life.¡± She trembled as she tried to recall what had happened to the town.

    ¡°She¡¯s traumatized. I don''t think she can recall anything else without it putting strain on her.¡± Malakyh guessed. ¡°I can try a basic healing spell, but she''ll need medical attention.¡±

    ¡°It''s that Apathy illness,¡± Lyra said. ¡°The way she talked about feeling ill, how they looked and acted before and after the Apathy took over. ¡°It could be an Altar in place.¡±

    ¡°Or a very powerful Rift summoning a Magycte Beast,¡± Sly took another guess. ¡°Whatever the issue, we need to find the other Locksmiths and civilians who need saving. Malakyh? Can we count on you to heal this woman enough and head in our direction for any fight, or should we close a Rift from the inside of an Altar while you close the outside?¡±

    ¡°Can do, Sly. Leave it to me.¡±

    ¡°W-What about me? What can I do? I wanna help, too.¡± Aurora pleaded with them. Again, Lyra and Sly exchanged looks. She might have been capable, but she was still an untrained newbie.

    ¡°For now, just stay close behind me and watch my six. Can I trust you to watch my back, Aurora? This is very important if something otherworldly takes shape. You and Malakyh were the only ones to dispel it the last time successfully.¡±

    Aurora gripped her hands together. Her head bobbed once. Determination filled her eyes. ¡°R-Right. I can do that!¡±

    ¡°And don''t push yourself either,¡± Sly added. ¡°Even if Lyra and I are surrounded, or the worst comes to worst, do not intervene. You run, and you get help. That''s a direct order. That''s what it means to be a part of a team.¡±

    ¡°I-I understand. Yes. I won''t take risks.¡±

    ¡°Alright, once we''re ready to go, let''s move forward. Malakyh, we''ll meet you then.¡±

    ¡°Understood.¡±

    Once ready, they continued into town, with Lyra taking the lead, Aurora behind her, and Sly at the rear.

    Nothing was out of order until they heard a scream back where they had come.

    ¡°That''s Malakyh!¡± Lyra exclaimed. She was about to return to help him when a black Nightshade materialized from the ground, and the purple miasma gas filtered the air.

    Lyra gritted her teeth. ¡°It¡¯s Miasma.¡± She pulled a piece of cloth from her and around her mouth. ¡°Don''t inhale it in.¡± Her order was directed at Aurora. Sly had already donned a cloth to her face.

    From the smoke-filled Miasma, an amalgamation of abnormal creatures fused together, with protruding blue crystals coming out of their bodies. They formed from the mist, blocking their way.

    ¡°Hmm, these Fiends don''t look normal. They''ve somehow mutated with the Curse.¡±

    ¡°Hmph, the last time Nightshade and Miasma showed up was when an Altar appeared.¡± Lyra crouched in a fight stance. ¡°But why do I get the feeling there is no Altar here? The Apathy Illness is one thanks to the strength of the Curse. As long as that Astral Contract is active, the Curse can do anything within the realms of possibility.¡±

    ¡°And the possibility of that Codex and Deimos¡¯ Power is beyond possibility,¡± Sly agreed.

    ¡°Look, something is out there!¡± Aurora pointed out.

    Also emerging from the shadows were humanoid figures walking discombobulated.

    ¡°Those are people¡­¡± Lyra gasped. ¡°But¡­ something isn''t right with them.¡±

    Sly sucked in a breath as she recognized two of the humans with distant and cloudy eyes: Earl and Reilly. Ginny was nowhere to be found.

    ¡°Those are your Locksmith friends, Sly? I recognize the emblem. They''re completely out of it, too?¡±

    Though it was painful, Sly nodded. There was no time to get emotional. To help them, they would need to dispel the nightshade miasma to weaken the Apathy in its hosts.

    ¡°The Fiends are getting smart. More strategic. They know we won''t hurt them if they use humans as shields.¡±

    Lyra frowned. ¡°That''s just foul, even for them. So what are we going to do?¡±

    Through panicked decision-making and the lurking creatures coming closer, using the civilians as shields, Aurora got an idea.

    ¡°I have an idea!¡± They looked at her. ¡°Why don''t we use their Apathy to our advantage? Let''s put them to sleep. We can use Essentia for that!¡±

    Sly smirked. ¡°Not a bad idea, kid.¡±

    Lyra grinned. Ruffling her hair with one hand. ¡°Good idea, Aurora. That''s thinking like a Locksmith.¡±

    Aurora grinned at the praise. Now, it was time to put it into action.

 Part Twenty-One(Part 2): "The Walking Dead"

    Somewhere on Legalios City trail

    ¡°I thought this was going to be an easy mission from the guild,¡± Alivier exclaimed as he fired beams of light at the ravenous, bearish Fiends, trying to fight and avoid them from maiming him. A few Veilspawn assisted the Fiends and clawed at its prey, hoping to catch him off guard.  It was a helpful boon that Tierney could predict when one attacked. ¡°A simple take out of a Rift, Fiends, and some Veilspawn from messing with the beacon power lines. How are we doing on those numbers, Tierney darling? Still never ending?¡±

    Tierney was far from the fighting but close enough to give orders whenever something came out of nowhere.

    ¡°I-I still can''t predict how many. It''s hazy to see, like the Rift. Maybe it is stopping me.¡±

    Cassandra snorted. She swung her ax down over a Fiend with a quick slash. ¡°And who told you that? I would have thought you''d be used to this by now, Alivier. And quit using a child for your gain before I clobber you silly.¡±

    ¡°So cruel.¡± He let out a snort. Pushing his blonde hair away from his face. ¡°But it shows how much you know me. But that''s a matter for another day. Where are these Fiends coming from all at once? I can''t even close the Rift ahead.¡±

    Cassandra did realize that the Rift had been coming from the forest edge. She had not seen anything off on the beaten trail. This was a regular Rift, not an ethereal one, which meant no Magycte Beast. The only indication that something still wasn''t right was that the Fiends were uncanny strong and had crystals forming at their backs.

    So what was making them appear in droves without the assistance of the Rift or protection from a Magycyte Beast? There wasn''t even an Altar.

    But there didn''t need to be.

    Of course! She had a eureka moment. It wasn''t just something making the Fiends appear in hordes; someone was doing it.

    ¡°Alivier! There¡¯s someone else here, too.¡± She shouted to him. ¡°Someone she knew all too well.¡±

    There were several claps heard. The Fiends stopped their movements as if they were commanded to.

    Tierney frantically cried out. ¡°Cassandra!¡±

    Her heart dropped when she saw the tricorned hat-wearing man of Maxwell Croger; his hand gripped Tierney''s arm.

    ¡°Perfect deduction skills as always, Perfectus; I never doubted you for a second, but¡± he drew out the word, tsking with a suck of his teeth, gesturing toward Tierney¡¯s panicked, stricken face. ¡°Using an oracle-gifted child to tell the future of battle is just cheating. That I didn''t expect. You Heroes are supposed to be lawfully good.¡±

    Cassandra¡¯s blood boiled as his hand gripped Tierney. She had lost her army, and she was not going to lose Tierney, either.

    ¡°Hey, Cassandra. You better calm down a bit.¡± Alivier said, sensing the negative blood lust coursing through her.

    ¡°Let. Her. Go, Croger. Your beef is with me!¡±

    He hummed, shrugging his shoulders. ¡°Our beef is with anyone that tries to get in our way.¡±

    ¡°Then, you might be giving us some weird, mixed signals. You know, cause every time we try to prevent Altars from appearing, you are right there. It''s the only way to enact the Astral Contract.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°You''re absolutely right, Lichtkrieger. While that part may be true, we also need to make sure you stick to doing just that. So we keep an eye out for you.¡±

    Alivier huffed. ¡°That''s just downright confusing and complicated if you ask me.¡±

    ¡°Hey, I don''t make the rules. I just live and abide by them.¡±

    ¡°Enough of this!¡± interrupting their squabble. ¡°You have seconds to let go of Tierney before I cut your arm.¡±

    ¡°Ooh, Feisty. You, Aegis¡¯ always have some grit. That whole generation does, but fine¡­¡± he released Tierney from his grasp. She broke into a run and ran across to Tierney on the other side, who checked on her first¨C she nodded to assure Cassandra she wasn''t injured. Cassandra stood in front of her protectively.

    ¡°so, do you want to settle this now, Praefectus Vigilum? Like your forefather before you, would you rather wait till the final showdown?¡±

    A low grumble surfaced in Cassandra¡¯s throat. Her eyes narrowed slits like daggers. She gestured to Alivier to take Tierney to safety.

    Cassandra stood in her stance.

    ¡°Why wait when we fight now?¡±

    He bobbed his head. ¡°True. Why wait, indeed.¡± He stood in a fight stance. ¡°Show me then, Praefectus, what kind of person death of hundreds has turned you into.¡±

    With gritted teeth, she focused on her physical reserve to build her power.

    ¡°Let me show you.¡± Charging for the Sovran, and leaped into the air with a roaring cry.

    <ul>

    <li>??</li>

    </ul>

    The clang and clash of metal struck together as Sly and Lyra were fighting off against the experienced Locksmiths who could not easily be put to sleep but administered the same level of chaos that the guy in the lighthouse had emitted.

    ¡°Okay, fighting strong, A- Ranked level, senior Locksmiths, mind you, is not fair in the status. I can''t keep up!¡±

    Lyra faced off against Reilly.

    Despite being twenty years younger than Sly and Earl, the platinum-haired Locksmith could easily handle a glaive, like it was as light as a feather, despite his slim build.

    Lyra narrowly avoided being stabbed, jabbed, and sliced. She parried with her sword for most of the fight but couldn''t find an opening.

    Despite knowing her friend''s fighting style, even Sly had trouble fighting the tall, muscular, bushy-faced, rustic-haired Earl. Mainly because she didn''t want to harm them, but fighting a hammer-wielding user at close range was proving challenging to her.

    ¡°Agreed. The Curse must be amplifying their general power. It isn''t using their Wellspring powers. Thank the goddess for that, so at least we know the Wellspring doesn''t answer to negative energy.¡±

    Lyra grunted as each fast-moving attack hit her sword. She dug her feet into the earth, calling upon Gaia for an earth-based attack.

    ¡°Least that''s something. There''s still one more left. Your friend, Ginny, right?¡±

    ¡°Yes. I hope she hasn''t been affected, but I doubt it. We have to find a way to take them down, little by little.¡±

    But how? Was the question Lyra wanted to know. Her trained eye could see Aurora hiding in a narrow alleyway between two buildings. After she had put the civilians to sleep with her power, Lyra told her to take cover.

    It only occurred to her, until now, that she had noticed something all too particular with Lyra each time she used her powers: There was always an iota of negativity festering in the air, whether triggered emotionally or by aura, from evil spirits to Miasma or the dwellings of the Altar.

    Aurora''s powers stemmed from negativity and darkness. The very thing the little girl was scared to become, but, it was something Lyra had been trying to forget and remind her that she was still good and just as human as anyone.

    When that wasn''t true, no matter what convoluted thing wanted to protect her from.

    Aurora wants to be a good person. She is a good person. A good kid. But there''s no denying the truth, no matter if she was good: she was still a Homunculus, made from Deimos¡¯ flesh.

    The sooner I realize that. The more Aurora can really learn to control her powers and not fear becoming a monster.

    She wasn''t a monster but she had to accept that part about herself and only then could she determine the path of good she wanted to take.

    ¡°Aurora!¡± she gritted through the pain every time Reilly struck her. She would drop her guard, but got back on her feet, weapon parried again.

    ¡°I know you''re scared of your power. I am too.¡± She called out to the little girl. Aurora crouched with wide-eye fear watching as Reilly pummeled her into submission over and over.

    ¡°I know you think you''re a monster because¡­ because you''re a homunculus, and I didn''t help you by telling you that you are and can be a good person, but by accepting who you are, you''ll be able to control your power the way you want to and use it for good. You hear me? You are who you choose to be. That power doesn''t get to choose you, nor does Deimos.¡±

    Aurora''s lip quivered. She looked at her shaky hands. She wanted to protect her friends and family, but¡­ she had gotten herself hurt too many times overdoing. She worried everyone, like Lyra, and she almost killed Tierney, giving her too much power.

    Is it because I was scared to become what the bad people made me for?

    ¡°No.¡± She squeezed her tiny fists. Her brows furrowed as she took a stand from her crouched position. ¡°I might be a Homunculus, but¡­ I choose to do good. I accept that about myself!¡±Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    Tendrils of red and black aura sprouted from around Aurora. The presence was chilling and eerie, but it seemed to make the Apathetic Locksmiths paralyzed by the insurmountable power coming from the approaching little girl.

    Sly took the opportunity to knock the back of Earl¡¯s head. He crumbled and fell unconscious.

    Lyra took the same approach and darted behind Reilly and chopped the back of his neck, rendering him still.

    That only left Aurora¨C who was still brimming with negative aura.

    ¡°I¡­I can''t stop it, Lyra!¡± The little girl cried out.

    ¡°Yes, you can, Aurora! I told you¡­ you can be good and A Homunculus. Trust yourself as both.¡±

    She tightened her eyes tightly and gripped her arms tightly to her sides. Her hands balled into fists as she focused on the energy coming inward¡­ to go back inside her.

    The nightshade on the ground faded into the dirt, and the miasma thinned out.

    ¡°Oh, you have gotten stronger indeed.¡± A woman''s calm and collected voice echoed around them.

    The miasma fog was starting to fade away as they looked around their surroundings in the middle of the town.

    ¡°Not so fast!¡± Sly spat out. She struck toward the humanoid foe encroaching behind Aurora with a whip snap. It snapped the air, missing her by a millisecond.

    The woman, with flowing black hair and a skin-tight black dress, had reappeared again, tangible this time. Her manicured hand raised and stopped Sly¡¯s next incoming strike telepathically.

    Her painted red lips grinned.

    ¡°The power of the Rosevera Whip is indeed impressive. The Trickster and Belladonna were right about you.¡±

    Sly¡¯s demeanor grew serious. ¡°Well, let me better acquaint myself with you.¡±

    ¡°Another time, dear. I have bigger things planned, but I have manners, at least. You may call me Raelina, The Dark Mistress.¡± She rested a hand on Aurora¡¯s shoulder, causing the girl to fall unconscious, but she kept her from falling via her psychic power.

    ¡°Aurora!¡± Lyra exclaimed. She lunged for the black haired Sovran.

    ¡°Nuh-uh! Where do you think you''re going?¡± The disembodied voice of a child didn''t seem to have a source but Lyra caught a glimmer of movement from the corner of her and dodged to the side when a furry of daggers came for her.

    Lyra tucked and rolled through the dirt. She jumped up, sword ready, and to see her assailant was but a child with pink hair, ponytails held together with white ribbons, and white streaks, wearing a frilly, blue and white dress, long lace white socks, pink loafers, and a dark blue top hat on her head.

    ¡°Lyra! Don''t be hasty with her. She can make copies of herself.¡±

    Belladonna frowned. ¡°Hey! That''s a spoiler, Sly! No fair! I wanted to introduce myself too and see the surprise when she realized. Eamon, I mean, Blackthorn isn''t the only Ashbourne I wanted to fight. I heard your strong Miss. Is that true?¡±

    Except Lyra was disoriented by the little girl''s revelation that she mentioned Eamon as if she had met him.

    ¡°Eamon? You actually saw, met him?¡±

    ¡°Whoops! I wasn''t supposed to let her know that, huh?¡±

    Raelina sighed. ¡°Learn not to get too excited next time, Belladonna. Now let''s go.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Lyra yelled, lunging for the child Sovran, but as Sly had said, she had already made a copy of herself, and it disappeared when she ran through it. Falling with a thud down into the throat. ¡°AURORA!¡±

    The gleam of Riftblade grew brightly from Lyra¡¯s call, catching Raelina¡¯s attention with a raised brow.

    She was, unfortunately, distracted long enough when a strong spell threw her back some distance away¨C dropping Aurora only a few short feet away from Sly and Lyra.

    ¡°Raelina!¡±  The Belladonna girl appeared beside the woman, worry etched on her childlike features.

    ¡°I''ve got you, Aurora,¡± Sly commanded Zephyr to swiftly bring the winds to carry the unconscious child to her side. ¡°I have her, Lyra!¡±

    Lyra let out a sigh of relief.

    Raelina, however, was none too happy. She had not expected such power to come from the Ashbourne girl. A power that was inherently familiar to Lumos herself. Did Walsh know about this? Mystery aside, she did want to know what power had taken her out so effectively. It was nothing close to Essentia but something of similar power she recognized from a Primal Weaver.

    ¡°So, Raelina, the Dark Mistress. You''ve finally decided to show your face after all these centuries.¡± Malakyh stepped into the middle of town, eyeing straight at Raelina. ¡°To think you had joined the likes of Sovran¡¯s. Master Hersa would be displeased to see her pupil fall from grace.¡±

    Raelina pursed her lips at mentioning her past and the woman she no longer referred to as her Master.

    Raelina stood to her feet, regaining her composure. Belladonna, worried, slowly phasing away, stood composed beside her.

    ¡°It would seem Hersa had found a new pupil, as the rumors suggested. That spell was powerful; you indeed are Hersa¡¯s prot¨¦g¨¦.¡± Though she cared no longer for that life as a Primal Weaver, her words were still laced with venomous jealousy.

    Lyra took to Malakyh¡¯s side, her sword radiating a bright glow and an aura imbued with Celestial energy.

    ¡°Glad you could make it,¡± Lyra said, her attention straight ahead.

    ¡°That woman ended up being one of the Apathy victims. Except, some cloaking feature disguised her; the curse, I assume. She had gray and white hair and oval-shaped gray eyes. She was wearing a Locksmith emblem. She''s unconscious but safe now.¡±

    ¡°That must have been Ginny. At least Sly can rest easy. Now¡­ What do we do about these two? It wouldn''t be right to let them run free before heading to the Altar.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, are you ready? I''ll take Raelina. You, Belladonna.¡±

    Lyra trained her sights on the little girl. Having an audience, she grinned mischievously and prepared several daggers in her gloved hand.

    They each stood still, from each side of the town''s main street, in anticipation of the first person to make a move.

    They didn''t expect the first move to be from the sky.

    ¡°Sorry to break up your fun, " the high-pitched voice said. Standing in the middle of them was a chestnut-haired young man with striking emerald eyes. He was wearing a brightly colored suit jacket and breeches, and a colorful light purple scarf wrapped around his neck.

    ¡°The Trickster, Finnian.¡± Lyra hissed. ¡°Where have you taken Eamon!?¡±

    Finnian frowned. His shoulders slumped to the side. ¡°Now, who went ahead and spoiled that.¡±

    Raelina shook her head. ¡°Take a long guess.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, Fin! I got too excited!¡± Belladonna pouted with puppy dog eyes.

    Finnian laughed. ¡°Now I can''t stay mad at that face. Well, she was bound to find out about her boyfriend anyway. He''s doing a mission for Walsh; if you''re lucky, we might all meet together!¡±

    Lyra gritted her teeth. ¡°Don''t play coy with me! Where is he?¡±

    He wagged his finger at her. ¡°Now, now. An eager beaver can''t properly make its home, can it? In due time. As for us, we should get going. Plus, I still have to pick up Croger! He better not be slacking off.¡± Shaking his head at his subordinates'' laziness.

    ¡°What of the girl?¡± Raelina questioned, looking to Sly protectively standing over Aurora.

    Finnian waved them off. ¡°Leave them for now. You got too eager, too, Raelina. Just watch was all we were told to do.¡±

    Having heard enough of their banter, Lyra sprinted toward them with the speed of Zephyr at her heels and propelled herself in the air with Gaia. Her sword glistened with a bright aura that caught The Trickster with timed surprise.

    ¡°RADIANT SMASH!¡±

    Her sword collided with him but smashed into the earth, crumbling the grounds beneath her feet. At the same time, she heard a loud snap that rang loudly in her ears.

    The dust settled. All three Sovran¡¯s had vanished without a trace.

    <ul>

    <li>??</li>

    </ul>

    As Ax clashed with the metal fisticuffs Croger wore, Cassandra thought she had the man. He was nimble and quick like he had been on that battlefield that day, but it was much easier to track him down without him riding on a Magycte Beast, and for once, she had a clear head.

    She thought she could bring closure to all the soldiers, men, women, and their families.

    The closure she needed.

    Cassandra swung her ax arm back and, with a force she had not realized, managed to chatter the Metal braces on his arms, to Croger¡¯s wide-eye shock that she could do so.

    Croger was sent sailing through the air and smashed into several tree trunks, shattering them as his body collided with each wooden surface. Until there was no more force, his final touchdown landed his back smack dab into a stone pillar.

    Croger sputtered blood from his lips. He tried to suck in a breath, but a white-hot flash of pain jolted throughout his body. He found it undeniably hard to breathe.

    ¡°That''s smart. I think my ribs are broken.¡± he hissed, trying to move but finding it difficult to do so. ¡°Guess I shouldn''t have undermined her. Even her grandfather Osiris was the last of his cohorts to fall and was still tough to beat.¡±

    Still, he wondered. She had no Essentia to speak of. No power that I can sense anyway, and yet¡­

    He looked ahead at the damage she had put him through. It looked like he had passed cleanly through six trees, ten at most.

    Croger rested his head on the stone and let out a lean, painful chuckle.

    ¡°Guess it''s my time now. ¡®Bout time too; I was¡­ getting sleepy. Maybe I can take that time off permanently now. I''ve paid back Walsh enough.¡±

    ¡°But not the Arbiter. The Master would be quite displeased if you decided to give up so easily when you can be repaired.¡±

    He didn''t need to open his eyes to know the voice was the Trickster. Out of Walsh and even the Master, Finnian unnerved him the most.

    He was far too unpredictable. But I guess that''s the power of Sovran #0.

    ¡°Well, I guess I won''t be resting anytime soon. Just don''t make it into one of those things.¡±

    The Trickster laughed. ¡°I can make no such promises. You know that, Croger. Whatever is the will of the Master Arbiter will be so. Now, let us get you patched up, hmm?¡±

    Cassandra had walked through the woods, having even surprised herself with the power she had caused. There was no kind of magic festering in the air. At least she could tell; it had been just her.

    She was at the end of the grove when she finally made it past the seven or so destroyed trees. He could not have survived that, but he is a Sovran, after all. She spied him slumped against a stone pillar.

    But he wasn''t alone.

    The young man¨C The Trickster¨C was standing by him. He turned, sensing her, and smiled an eerie grin that didn''t reach his eyes. It chilled her to the core.

    ¡°I''ll have to keep my out for not just Lyra Ashbourne, but you too, Praefectus Vigilum Cassandra, but I guess I shouldn''t have underestimated an Aegis either. Your family''s bloodline is quite formidable.¡±

    Cassandra flinched. Any mention of her family on that serpent''s lips unnerved her more than she would have liked to admit.

    ¡°But for now, we shall meet another time. Buh-bye!¡±

    ¡°Wait!¡± Cassandra lunged out of the forest toward him. But with a snap of his fingers, sending a ringing sensation to reverberate in her ears, and milliseconds, he and Croger were gone.

 Part Twenty-two: A State of Chaos

    The group met back at the guild and reported their missions as completed, retelling the events and the appearance of the Children of Deimos.

    ¡°Thank you all for completing these requests,¡± Marci congratulated them with a bow. ¡°I would like to report that the Locksmiths in question, as the citizens of Featherwynd, have been transported and are being hospitalized in Tro¨¦r.¡±

    Sly sighed with relief. The worried lines there had disappeared as if a huge chunk of her worries had been erased.

    ¡°That''s good to know,¡± Lyra said, vehemently signing forms to accept her portion of the base reward. ¡°Maybe we can visit them to see how they''re doing?¡±

    ¡°Maybe,¡± Sly said. ¡°We still have things we need to do. I can message them via Voxlink now that the beacon is repaired.¡±

    That was right. They would have to gather together and plan their next move. The simplest plan was to keep going through Gearford and to the Empire. They needed to continue taking out any Altar or Altar-related incidents caused by the Curse. Now, they had an Apathy illness on the rise, and Lyra was already on edge with the reveal of the Children of Deimos having seen Eamon.

    She didn''t know how long ago that was, but this shred of news was a clue and a continued drive not to give up.

    Sly seemed to have picked up on her somber, if not determined, aura. ¡°Come on, let''s get back to the others.¡±

    ¡°Oh, one more thing, you two,¡± Marci said, calling the two Locksmiths back. ¡°With these scary happenings and a future epidemic that affects your overall personality, unfortunately, I had to report this to the military. Anything that may cause a worldwide scare needs to be sorted out with the government. I just wanted to let you know in case you were given issues.

    ¡°Thank you, Marci. The warning is most appreciated,¡± Sly reassured her not to worry. The two turned to leave. Lyra did not look happy. ¡°I know what you''re thinking, but let''s try to be level-headed about this. You know our jurisdiction doesn''t extend on a world-bound scale, only if its civilians, individually, are at risk.¡±

    Lyra grumbled. ¡°Yeah, I know. It seems like no matter where we turn, they''re everywhere, and we have to follow suit to whatever rules they set.¡±

    A conundrum indeed. Sly only shook her head at the development so far. They would need to tune into any news to be informed of revelations in the Empire.

    They headed toward the inn where the rest of their party was staying. When they entered the room, they were surprised to see everyone gathered around the radio with a serious, crushed look.

    Lyra frowned. ¡°What happened?¡± half expecting them to tell her the worst.

    ¡°Listen,¡± Cassandra said, turning up the volume so they could hear.

    ¡­It is with great concern that we repeat to be wary of the terrorist group Known as the ¡®Dawn Coalition¡¯ or any rebel group opposing the Empire. I repeat these are a dangerous group of rebels whose key leader may be a former scientist of the Empire before he reassigned himself as a doctor, before turning to journalism, and now is the de facto head of the Coalition. Do not approach them. Do not engage. Allow military personnel to handle the situation¡­

    The radio broadcast ended, leaving the room quiet enough for them to hear a pin drop.

    ¡°Only military personnel, huh?¡± Lyra mocked. ¡°They want Locksmiths to remove us from everything as a whole!¡±

    ¡°Let''s not jump to conclusions, Lyra,¡± Sly said, hoping to calm her down.

    ¡°We keep hearing rumors, Sly, about how the ¡®military will do this better¡¯ and ¡®Locksmiths have to go through a whole procedure¡¯ to do what we''ve always done. Now, do they claim they have something to take out of Veilspawn? Next, they can close Rifts or take down Magycte Beast. What about Void Beasts!¡±

    If Sly was truly being honest, she, too, was concerned about the state of her job and what this would entail for the future. Did this apply to only Locksmiths? Or did it affect Custodians? Strega¡¯s? Does anyone have an inkling about Essentia?

    Seeing how the situation was getting tense and out of hand, Cassandra stood up, hoping to calm everyone down.

    ¡°Let''s all get some rest. We still have a job to do. Even if the military wants to do that, they can''t make that decision or appeal it so soon. They''ll need to have a worldwide meeting before anything can occur.¡±

    Lyra frowned. She couldn¡¯t believe it. ¡°They got the Harmony Tax off the ground with a state meeting, and it went through. It''s still going, and the military is going around Aurum in droves to hammer into people¡¯s heads that they are in charge now.¡±

    Cassandra¡¯s expression fell. She hadn''t meant to make things worse.

    ¡°I''m sorry. I only meant to support you when everything else is against you.¡±

    Lyra hadn''t meant to snap at Cassandra. She knew she meant well and what she meant by it, but things were happening far too fast with little results, and they made little headway in foiling whatever the Children of Deimos had planned, so they were not one step closer to finding Eamon.

    She was just tired.

    ¡°Alright, everyone.¡± Sly jumped into the fray. ¡°Tension is running high. Let''s sleep on this and deal with that issue another day. We first focus on our primary mission. We''ll get to the root of the Empire eventually. We''ll have to end up there at the end of the day.¡±

    Noting that everyone was on edge. They retired to bed for tomorrow.

    ???

    Gearford, Tro¨¦r

    By the middle of the day, they were in front of the massive steel doors of Tro¨¦r. Unfortunately, they weren''t able to bypass the doors. Security had increased exponentially, and showing them their badges wouldn''t have worked. Before they had been here, they traveled by cart with a civilian named Stephen, who showed identification to enter the city.

    They needed transcripts and further documentation to establish the person''s identity and business.

    ¡°Sorry, I can''t be of more service to you,¡± The soldier at the gate said. ¡°But I can''t let you through without the necessary paperwork.¡±

    Lyra was fuming.

    Sly hummed. ¡°I assume this has something to do with those rebel attacks on the Empire?¡±

    The soldier pursed his lips together, eyeing his superior across from him, who was checking someone else in case he heard him.

    ¡°More or less, ma''am. The rebel interference is just coincidental. That strange anomaly with that tower has made people both anxious and curious. New laws are being placed to form a conjoined system of unity, to keep its civilians in and its enthusiasts out.¡±

    Unity. There goes that word again. Lyra was getting a bit annoyed with the pressing delays.

    ¡°Ah, there you all are!¡± a familiar voice turned their heads.

    Seeing the copper-red hair of the smiling bronze-faced man they had helped on the road with their cart was Stephen.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

    Sly played along. ¡°Yes, we managed to get ahead of you by a few miles. Thought we could meet inside, but as you can see¡­¡±

    Stephen''s cart pulled up. He gestured for the others to come abroad. ¡°Please, good officer, these folks are with me. I hired them as volunteers since I can''t pay some employees the wages they deserve. You won''t believe the happiness I felt when meeting them!¡±

    Stephen exclaimed with theatrics and laid it thick as he talked to the officers to let us slide.

    ¡°Ah, I see. That makes sense. I can let you through with a warning since the system hasn''t finalized documentation for ¡®hired¡¯ Work. Just don''t make any trouble.¡±

    ¡°Wouldn''t dream of it! Thank you, good sirs!¡±

    The doors opened to them and into Tro¨¦r.

    Once they were out of earshot, Lyra sighed with relief, slumping against the cart''s sides.

    ¡°That was a close one. If you hadn''t come when you did, Stephen, we wouldn''t have been able to get in.¡±

    Stephen smiled earnestly at Lyra''s comment. ¡°You''ve done plenty for me that it would be wrong for me not to aid in assistance. It''s the least I can do.¡±

    ¡°And one we greatly appreciate,¡± Sly commented.

    As they rode through the town''s steel city and steam engine machines¨C the streets were more packed than usual.

    ¡°I wonder what''s going on,¡± Lyra questioned. ¡°There¡¯s a lot more people here than last time.¡± And she figured fewer people would be here had it not been for the Altar incident.

    ¡°Since that incident that took over Tro¨¦r, your regale speech has done the opposite of keeping them away,¡± Alivier commented.

    Stephen nodded. ¡°¡®Yer friend is right about that. While most people are consumed with worry, plenty want answers and will uncover them however they please.¡±

    ¡°Ah,¡± a light bulb went off in Sly¡¯s head. ¡°I can only assume that means attracting unsavory types and reporters hoping to catch the ¡®next story.¡¯¡±

    He laughed. ¡°Nothing gets by you, Locksmith.¡±

    ¡°So that would probably mean entry into the Empire is a no-go,¡± Cassandra guessed. ¡°They want to monitor suspicious activity and hope the guilty party will reveal themselves.¡±

    ¡°Right again,¡± Stephen said. ¡°But, er, I may have a solution for how you may be able to get, at least, near the Empire. It''ll be by way of the Hinterlands.¡±

    ¡°That would save us time,¡± Malakyh said. ¡°But crossing that far stretch of plains will take a few days.¡±

    ¡°What is this solution, Stephen?¡± Sly asked.

    ¡°Well, it''s more risky than anything, but people have been paying an unlicensed glider to transport any number of things now that the Empire has restricted travel. I wouldn''t suggest it, but you all seem to be in a hurry. I can take you to that location if you want.¡±

    Malakyh shook her head. ¡°If it is unlicensed, they are most likely illegal dealers. Trust me. We can''t have a civilian tied to us if someone sees us with him while he''s dropping us off.¡±

    Lyra nodded. ¡°That''s true. Maybe you can tell us where they are located. We can handle finding them from there.¡±

    Stephen hummed. ¡°If you are sure, I can at least get you close enough to it, as I have to make a shipment nearby.¡±

    ¡°We thank you kindly for your contribution, Stephen.¡± Sly thanked him.

    They traveled a little bit longer into the city until Stephen was at his destination. Once everyone got out, Stephen gave them directions to the place where they would meet the unlicensed people.

    ¡°I pray the goddess grants you safe harbor and favor.¡±

    They said their goodbyes to Stephen and followed his directions to where they would meet the group.

    The location where they were to meet these people was the downtown district, which has rundown and abandoned warehouses and factories¡ªa perfect place for illegal dealings.

    Sure enough, a Zephyr glider was in one of the abandoned open warehouses.

    Lyra gasped at the massive aircraft. She had heard that they were perfecting air travel, but seeing it in front of her face left her gob-smacked. Eamon would probably love to see this.

    ¡°Even if this is probably stolen property, this thing is impressive.¡± Lyra whistled.

    Cassandra nodded. ¡°Indeed. I''ve only seen schematics of prototypes during duties, but seeing it in person is a sight to behold.¡±

    ¡°Hey, Cassandra,¡± Lyra whispered. Her head knelt in guilt. ¡°I''m sorry for snapping at you the other day. I know you didn''t mean it like that, what you said.¡±

    Cassandra smiled. Turning to her, Lyra faced her as well. ¡°I''m just glad we can talk again. I don''t like fighting with those I consider my friends. All is forgiven, Lyra. You have a lot on your plate¨C we all do¨C but people, like Locksmiths, even Custodians, will get burnt by what''s happening. The same way citizens are being affected by the Harmony Tax.¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± Lyra huffed, suppressing her annoyance. ¡°They want to keep us compliant but made a big mistake messing with the wrong people. Let''s hope whoever is piloting the craft doesn''t get us caught with it not being registered.¡±

    ¡°If you have a problem with it, no one is forcing you to get on.¡± The voice came further from inside the warehouse. A girl with a pixie cut silver-haired girl, with blue streaks leaned against the doorway toward the back. Her brown eyes scrutinized Lyra with a lower-lipped frown.

    ¡°...you''re a Locksmith. Nah, you gotta go. We don''t serve your kind.¡±

    It was Lyra who frowned deeply this time. ¡°My kind? Who do you think you even are?¡±

    ¡°Nunya.¡±

    ¡°Nunya?¡± Lyra repeated. ¡°Nunya, what?¡±

    ¡°Nunya business, that''s what.¡± The girl smirked. Amused by how easily Lyra had fallen for it. The embarrassment made Lyra¡¯s cheeks grow a deep shade of red.

    ¡°I''ll show you Nunya business when my fists¨C¡±

    ¡°There won''t be any need for that,¡± Sly said, eyeing Lyra to relax. She was met back with a look that said, ¡®She started it!¡¯ Sly sighed. We don''t want any trouble or have any reason to report you. We actually want to use your services.¡¯

    The silver-haired girl raised a delicate brow. ¡°Locksmiths dealing with rebels?¡± she whistled. ¡°The world is going to hit the fan.¡± She barked out a laugh.

    ¡°So, will you help us?¡± Sly asked.

    The girl''s face dropped like Sly had offended her. ¡°No. Like I said, you''re still a Locksmith, and no matter your reasons, you can easily betray us after we aid you.¡±

    Lyra balked. ¡°Are you assuming we''re spineless rats?¡±

    The girl shrugged. ¡°You said it, not me.¡±

    Lyra''s eyes closed, and her brow twitched as she resisted the urge to latch out and tightened her hands. ¡°Please let me hit her, Sly.¡± Through clenched teeth.

    ¡°That won''t be necessary,¡± Sly emphasized how seriously she meant it. ¡°We are not in the position to betray you because that would also put us in the line of fire.¡±

    ¡°While an interesting scandal, still no. I don''t trust any of you ¡®protectors¡¯. You all work for the so-called government one way or another.¡±

    There seemed to be no way to reach this girl, and the group wondered how they would be able to travel to the Hinterlands in a timely manner.

    That is until Malakyh stepped forward.

    ¡°Would you do it if the Web of Scarlet gave you access to their networks? You would be registered in their system and would be kept under their protection. I can make that happen the minute I return to Federation.¡±

    As if to prove his ownership, Malakyh produced documents in his pockets detailing his involvement in the infamous international black market.

    Alivier¡¯s expressionless face said, ¡°You just have that piece of paper on you all the time? Incriminating evidence, mind you.¡±

    The girl''s eyes seemed to fall out of her head, and she gaped at them.

    ¡°You may hold them if you like if you need to prove their authenticity.¡±

    The girl shook her as if touching the documents was like a sacred artifact.

    ¡°No, no, I believe you. I just, oh wow, this is huge. I have to let my family know. Dad will crap his pants for weeks. There''s no passing this opportunity up; it''s the break we need and gives immunity.¡±

    ¡°Does that mean you''ll help us?¡± Malakyh clarified.

    She nodded. ¡°Yeah, yeah. We''re still going to have to charge you double, given that all your identities could be exposed before we even get our reward.¡±

    Lyra rolled her eyes. ¡°Always a gimmick.¡±

    The girl glared back. ¡°Take it or leave it. Seems like you don''t have a choice in the matter.¡±

    Alivier brought out his hand, startling Lyra. ¡°We¡¯ll take it! Don''t mind my poor sister; she''s delirious most days.¡± He kept a tight hand on his lips as Lyra tried to fight him off.

    ¡°I can see you have your hands full all the time. Just wait right here.¡±

    As soon as the girl left, Lyra bit Alivier¡¯s palm, letting a shriek of pain leave his lips.

    ¡°Good gracious to Lumos¡¯ name. Are you sure you aren''t part Veilspawn?¡±

    Lyra spit to the side. Then, she wiped her mouth with her arm. ¡°Just a very annoyed Locksmith who has to babysit an old man.¡±

    ¡°Old!?¡± Alivier exclaimed, pain written over his face. ¡°I''m hardly that at all. I''m in my twenties, I think.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s flat expression glared at him. ¡°You think? How does no one know their age?¡±

    ¡°Hey! We have bigger things to worry about than sharing our birth years. Besides, I wasn''t born like how a typical human is.¡±

    Lyra raises her hands, exasperated. ¡°And there it is, folks! Yet another ¡®let''s keep this a secret¡¯ that he hasn''t revealed yet. Whatever. I should be used to your antics now, but touch me like that again, and you''ll remember exactly how old you are.¡±

    Alivier paled, cringing in feigned horror at Lyra¡¯s threat.

    Sly sighed. ¡°Goodness, those two.¡±

    ¡°Better those two than me,¡± Malakyh said with shrugged shoulders. They might have been on good terms but were still on edge with each other.

    ¡°Maybe we should find some way to turn him back into a sword?¡± Cassandra joked with a nervous chuckle.

    Sly shook her head. ¡°Oh, please don''t give Lyra any ideas because she will learn how to do it again.¡±

    ¡°I don''t think I need to see the future to know their bickering will get us caught,¡± Tierney mumbled worriedly.

    ¡°Maybe I can stop them?¡± Aurora asked timidly.

    Sly shrugged a shoulder. ¡°Give it a shot. She usually stops when you give her those big puppy dog eyes.¡±

    While Aurora went to calm Lyra down, the silver-haired girl returned, but she wasn''t alone this time.

    ¡°So, you lot want to join Forneus Alpha?¡± a brute man with a puffed-out chest, gray slicked-back hair, and a thick beard crossed his arms over his chest.

    Sly stepped forward. ¡°Yes, sir, we''re willing to pay double the price.

    ¡°And keeping your end of the deal with the Web of Scarlet?¡±

    ¡°I can make a binding spell contract if you would like?¡± Malakyh offered to the man.

    He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. ¡°Aye, keep that Primal Coven magic to yourself, and we''re good. All right, you all can board. My daughter, Jude, will handle your transaction.¡±

    The silver-haired girl, Jude, held out her palm to them. ¡°Good to have you folks aboard. That''ll be double the price of 1,000 Gold Aureus.

 Part Twenty-Three: There are Two Wolves Inside You...

    Hinterlands - Dawn Coalition hideout -

    The moment he woke up¨C in his own body¨C Eamon was elated and couldn''t contain the excitement of being in his own head without feeling like someone else was in control of it.

    That all went downhill when the shifting sensation of someone else in his body other than him made him realize nothing had changed.

    ¡°You seem unhappy today. You were filled with excitement just a few moments ago.¡±

    Eamon could feel Blackthorn smirk as he mocked him. He wasn''t going to allow him to get to him.

    ¡°Well, since you are in a good mood. Mind telling me what you have planned for today? You''ve been getting Buddy-buddy with some of the members of the Dawn Coalition and Ludwig Klause.¡±

    He needed to keep his composure and thoughts to himself so Blackthorn wouldn''t catch on.

    ¡°Isn''t that what we''re supposed to do? You need him. I''m just getting him to trust us because you would have gotten us arrested or worse.¡±

    Blackthorn said nothing except for the glare from the inside. A cold shiver ran over his body.

    ¡°Don''t play coy with me. If you''re planning something, I''ll know. We''re one and the same person, but unlike you, I''m stronger for being imprisoned in the Void. I can find my way out easily.¡±

    Eamon didn''t doubt that it was true and did not want to test the theory otherwise.

    ¡°It''s nothing. If you want things to go smoothly, you''ll need to be patient and trust me.¡±

    With no more bickering to be heard, Eamon assumed he had the upper hand and got ready to meet up with Klause.

    On his way out, the Ash Borne Demon was still in the corner. It was like he didn''t sleep or eat, for that matter. Blackthorn said he wouldn''t cause any issue; he''d follow, and if something needed to be done, he''d carry that order to end the threat.

    Eamon cleared his throat. There was no reason to have him near when he was trying to gain people''s trust.

    ¡°You can stay here,¡± he told the Ash Born. The Homunculus said nothing. Eamon wasn''t sure what to do but decided that he understood.

    He left the room. No one followed him.

    He sighed with relief. At least that''s one less thing to worry about.

    He proceeded to find Klause.

    ???

    Eamon finally found him lower Underground after asking a few Dawn members¨C who begrudgingly gave him Klause¡¯s whereabouts¨C he was off to the side watching a practice fight with a few of the Dawn Coalition members.

    Eamon cleared his throat to address his presence.

    ¡°Oh, good you''re up¡­. E.B., was it?¡±

    ¡°You can tell that it was me, sir?¡±

    He had his hands on his shoulders and shrugged. ¡°Nothing like how Locksmiths or Custodians sense things, but everyone gives off a certain amount of energy and vibration. Yours is surprisingly low, but it¡¯s there.¡±

    ¡°I see,¡± he said. He wasn''t sure what he meant by sensing his energy and vibrations. It wasn''t like he had Essentia-related energy, and he wasn''t sure if a Homunculus¨C a nonliving being¨C could have the type of energy that could be sensed.

    ¡°You look lost in thought.¡± Ludwig looked at him with a raised brow.

    ¡°More or less,¡± Eamon said. ¡°There''s just a lot on my mind, that''s all.¡±

    He hummed. He walked to the side of the cavern''s walls, where a tool shed of weapons hung against the wall. Ludwig grabbed two swords.

    ¡°What are we doing with those?¡± Eamon questioned when Ludwig returned. He handed a sword to Eamon.

    ¡°Practice. You didn''t join us to frolic. Everyone works here; that means you, too.¡±

    Understanding, Eamon prepared his stance.

    ¡°You have a good form. The military has taught you well, physically, at least.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°Because,¡± Ludwig Klause stood in a fight stance, less refined but still capable. Their purpose is to drain you emotionally until you become a mindless soldier, like how they want.¡±

    The two clashed their swords together. Klause wasn''t as strong but nimble and dodged Eamon¡¯s swing.

    ¡°So, will you tell me what''s been on your mind? I don''t want you distracted while we''re on a mission.¡±

    ¡°Choose your words carefully.¡±  Eamon could hear the menace in Blackthorn''s words.

    ¡°Not much to tell¡­¡± he ducked after a swing his way but came back up quickly to charge at him with the sword. ¡°I''ve been someone who I wish I weren''t. That part of me has driven those I love away.¡±

    ¡°And what drove you away?¡±

    Eamon pursed his lips together. He parried a few slashes that came his way¨C a good distraction in need. ¡°I didn''t want to hurt them.¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Klause hummed. ¡°That''s an admirable response, but there''s one wrong thing you did.¡±

    He furrowed his brow at the question. ¡°What is that?¡±

    ¡°Did you let your loved ones also make a decision?¡±

    The question seemed to throw him off-kilter, and he tripped, falling backward on his butt. He hissed from the pain, and when he opened his eyes, Klause was over him with the silver point of his sword at his face.

    ¡°Those you love, dear, should also have a say. Instead of running, probably without their Knowledge? You should have talked to them. Without communication, you''ll be at war and continuously fighting because one or both parties refuse to work things out.¡±

    Klause sighed. Though he spoke to Eamon, he talked about the very cause they were doing now and rebelling against the Empire. He wished there was another way.

    Eamon bowed his head. Thinking on his words. His mind went to Lyra. Seeing how much pain she was in as she tried to make him stay, that they could figure things out together. Perhaps¡­ they could have worked together and fought through this, fighting Black¨C

    ¡°I think you''ve had enough time to yourself. Time to go back.¡±

    Eamon gritted his teeth as a sharp pain struck his temple. He grabbed his left eye, trying to bite back a scream as Blackthorn forcibly tried to claw back to the surface. His chest tightened, and he started to sweat profusely. It was like he was repeatedly submerged in freezing water, without taking a breath.

    Seeing his pained expression, Klause knelt to his side and grabbed his shoulders. ¡°E.B. Are you all right? What''s wrong?¡± he asked, trying to shake him back to reality.

    It was, unfortunately, too late, and the innocent, lidded eyes disappeared and were replaced with the furrowed glare of Blackthorn.

    ¡°...I''m fine.¡± The words came out sharp and acidic, catching Ludwig Klause off guard momentarily. He shook the man''s hands off his shoulder. ¡°I think I''m done with training.¡±

    Blackthorn stood to his feet. Klause mirrored him.

    ¡°Let me know when we''re going on our next raid or mission, whatever you call it. I''ll be in my room preparing.¡±

    Klause didn''t stop him, finding his sudden reaction strange, but he didn''t know him from the thousands of trees in the forest. He let him go, yet he still couldn''t help feeling a strange presence¡ªan energy¡ªthat had split into two and was far more malicious than before.

    ???

    The mission was simple: release civilians who were persuaded to join the draft. They were being carted away to the Empire; it was their job to stop it before it reached Argonian territory.

    ¡°Is everyone prepared?¡± The voice belonged to a woman Blackthorn remembered as one of the members who had been by Ludwig Klause¡¯s side, Captain Isabeau, the same captain who had led the charge on prison escape in the Empire months prior.

    ¡°Hey, that means you too, newbie.¡± Her harsh tone directed itself to Blackthorn.

    He smirked. ¡°Ready and prepared.¡±

    The Dawn Coalition headed toward a trail from a hidden tunnel at an open-face Cliffside. A couple of miles in between was a trail leading directly to the Empire and another city south of it.

    Under the guise of night, the Coalition trekked through the forest, hiding among the tall grass and hills as they waited for a cart leading to the Empire.

    Had it been only him and the Ash Borne, it wouldn''t have required waiting or sneaking. They wanted to loot the cart filled with people, release them, and return them home. The military would only be knocked out if that wouldn''t have consequences.

    ¡°Here it comes.¡±

    There indeed was a cart, but it was trailing behind a large military truck. The discovery caused a hiss of annoyance.

    ¡°We need to fall back,¡± Captain Isabeau hissed the order.

    ¡°No,¡± Blackthorn said. He turned to Isabeu''s sharp gaze as if instilling him to listen. ¡°We only have one opportunity, right?¡± He looked around to the group of The Dawn Coalition men and women.

    The rebels looked at each other with uncertainty.

    Blackthorn continued. ¡°As soon as that cart enters the military, that''s it. The one chance to free those people is over. They become mindless soldiers, too. Is that what you really want?¡±

    The people murmured to themselves and shook their heads. They were unnerved but defiant. Blackthorn''s words of empowerment fed their fear, uncertainty, and hatred for the Empire.

    An ever-faint mist of miasma circled the area.

    Everyone seemed to be under the influence of negative influences, except Captain Isabeau, who grabbed Blackthorn by the arm.

    ¡°What are you doing? This is mutiny. Klause strictly said no violence.¡±

    Blackthorn smirked. He leaned closer to Isabeau, who recoiled in fear. The bright reds of his eyes made him look devious and evil, and the whites of his hair made him look both young and old. It was eerie, and discomfort weighed on Isabeau like she was submerged in water.

    ¡°Ludwig Klause isn''t here right now, is he?¡±

    Her face paled. Wide gray eyes dilated as she saw the monster hiding behind many faces.

    ¡°You''re¡­ you''re a monster. I knew we couldn''t trust you.¡±

    He shrugged. Her words were an afterthought. ¡°You''re right¡­¡± she gasped at the same time a slice sound was heard. Isabeau gasped for words that didn''t come. Her tightened grip loosened, yet she still tried to grab onto his shoulders for support.

    Unfortunately, The Ash Borne Demon had been behind her and kept her steady in his arms. The weapon he had used back in its sheath.

    Blackthorn leaned closer once more to say his last words to her. ¡°... You shouldn''t have trusted me.¡±

    The Ash Borne pulled the captain away, if not to dispose of her, as Blackthorn faced the now inebriated ¨Ccrowd of Dawn Coalition members.

    The cart was only a few distances away now.

    ¡°We Fight Tonight¡­ or die trying.¡± The slick grin spread across his lips as the soldiers roared angrily and charged for the military.

    Upon the military spotting unknown figures hurdling closer to them, they sounded the alarm to let their battalion know of the attack.

    They fired from the tank, hitting a few of the Dawn Coalition; scattered debris and bodies flew in the air, but more were coming down the hill and out of the forest.

    Soldiers emerged from both tank and cart, guns at the ready, to shoot if they didn''t stop.

    ¡°Stand down, civilians!¡± One of the military men shouted at them.

    Blackthorn emerged from the crowd of the Dawn Coalition. ¡°Don''t let them strike fear into your hearts. They have done plenty already.¡±

    ¡°This is your last warning! Stand. Down. Now!¡± Another warning from a soldier called out to them.

    ¡°Don''t back down!¡± Blackthorn chanted back to them.

    ¡°My, my,¡± a soft but masculine-looking male said, emerging from the cart. ¡°I thought that was your voice, but I didn''t think to believe it.¡±

    The uniformed navy blue Imperial Military soldier walked toward the commotion, standing behind the soldiers.

    A tall, blonde-haired, chiseled-jaw man looked directly at them with piercing gray eyes that smiled almost menacingly without even smiling.

    ¡°So this is where you''ve been hiding, Eamon. The trouble you must have caused and the worry you put the poor little Ashbourne through. Tsk, tsk, guess the relationship didn''t work out?¡±

    ¡°Nikolai!¡±  Eamon shouted, but within his ¡®Thoughts.¡¯ Blackthorn hissed. They both knew that Nikolai would have the means to pull Eamon through besides Lyra or anyone he cared for.

    ¡°Stay in there.¡± Blackthorn hissed out loud. He grabbed his left eye. A pulsating shot through him¨C Eamon was trying to break--but Blackthorn pushed back, forcing his Dormant into his abyss.

    Nikolai''s brow rose. Realization crossed over his features momentarily, putting two and two together.

    ¡°You aren''t Eamon anymore¡­ are you?¡±

    Blackthorn seethed, glaring at the Imperial. ¡°What gave me away?¡± Hissing at him.

    Nikolai laughed. He removed his sword from his sheath. ¡°Call it a lucky guess, but I would know all about the weapon designed for me. Isn''t that right, Blackthorn?¡±

    A disgusted look of vial anger flashed across his face. Memories of being used by the Empire because they forced Walsh to make super soldiers. They wanted to use them as prototypes and test out what the future of the Empire could be.

    Blackthorn removed his weapons and charges. Both the Ash Borne and The Dawn Coalition mirrored his reaction.

    The military fired.

    Blackthorn didn''t care as his target stood unfazed, waiting for him.

    ¡°Give me your best shot,¡± Nikolai said when blades clashed with each other.

 Part Twenty-Four: The Truth Is Revealed (Part 1)

    In the Zephyr Glider, severely thousand meters above land

    When they boarded the rebel-stolen glider, it had been a few hours, and it was starting to get dark.

    ¡°You should get some sleep. We don''t know what we''ll face when we land,¡± Sly said. She was speaking to the back of Lyra¡¯s head, who was leaning against the railing of the glider.

    ¡°Couldn''t sleep.¡± That was all Lyra said. She stared into the open nighttime sky of sparkling stars and a bright moonlight bay.

    ¡°It''s about what those Sovran¡¯s said?¡±

    Lyra didn''t need to say anything. Only her sagged shoulders gave away everything.

    ¡°He''s still out there, you know. One mention of him means nothing.¡± She walked to Lyra, catching a glimpse of her Face.

    Her lip pursed. Her eyes stared blankly into nothing. ¡°I just¡­ can''t help question¡­. Is what I''m doing the right thing?¡±

    ¡°And why wouldn''t it be? He might have said those things for you, but you saw It yourself. You know that wasn''t Eamon but Blackthorn. That boy needs you. He''s needed someone for a long time, and you reached out a hand to pull him up. He''s just been too used to drowning to think that no one would care to save him.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s lip quivered. She turned to Sly with tears in her eyes and fell into Sly, bawling her eyes out. Sly comforted her tightly, rubbing her hair as she cooed to her in hushed shh¡­shh noises.

    Once her crying ceased, Sly released her. Yet she kept her hands on Lyra¡¯s arm to steady her as she looked at her with a tilt of her head and a concerned look on her face.

    ¡°Better?¡±

    Lyra bobbed her head with a small, hummed agreement.

    ¡°Don''t lose faith now, Lysandra Ashbourne. Saint Lumos guides you, all of us, including Eamon. We will find him, hear me?¡±

    She nodded.

    ¡°Good.¡± Releasing her shoulders. ¡°Get some sleep soon.¡± She headed back toward the inside.

    ¡°Where are you going now?¡±

    ¡°Figured I see if the captain has any liquor on board.¡±

    Lyra snorted with a smile. ¡°Really, Sly? Shouldn''t you be sleeping too, not getting drunk?¡±

    She waved casually to her. ¡°Pish-posh, I can fight drunk or sober. That is, years of fighting paid off¨C don''t try that at home.¡±

    She entered through the doors. Lyra chuckled, turning back to the sky when she heard the door open with a swish.

    ¡°No, Sly, I will not be your drinking buddy. You know I''m not legally able to¨C¡±

    She stopped her sentence, seeing that the person was not Sly but the silver-haired pixie rebel, Jude.

    ¡°What do you want?¡± Lyra snapped at the girl.

    Jude grinned. ¡°Oh, nothing. Just thought you''d like to know where your boy is?¡±

    Lyra¡¯s frown deepened. ¡°I''m not in the mood for your games.¡±

    ¡°Oh, certainly not.¡± she smiled, almost mocking. ¡°But I just assumed that you might have been the girl in the photo he was carrying.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s heart leaped in her throat. The picture. He still has it. It was one of them as kids. When she met him on the hill, she had stashed it in his pockets. She had hoped it would help him to remember.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Seems I have your attention now,¡± Jude couldn''t help but grin from ear to ear. ¡°So, if you want answers about where he''s been and what he''s been up to, you''ll be a good Little locksmith.¡±

    Lyra had to grit back a quip at the tip of her tongue. ¡°Fine. Tell me.¡±

    ???

    Ludwig Klause had not expected the scene before him: Blackthorn covered in blood¨C the Ash Borne demon, too, coveted in the dark liquid¨C stood behind him.

    Yet, seeing it, Klause didn''t show any fear.

    ¡°You don''t look very scared or surprised for that matter?¡± Blackthorn asked.

    ¡°What''s there to be scared of?¡± Klause answered. ¡°I always knew that the Children of Deimos, Walsh, would come find me.¡±

    Even Blackthorn seemed impressed by his deduction skills. ¡°You''re good. Guess this makes things easier. Let''s go.¡±

    Klause sighed. There was no point to run. He even knew that the Coalition was no more, possibly his doing.

    ¡°Just let me ask one thing, as it will ease the suspicion I had.¡±

    Blackthorn rolled his eyes but decided to let him speak. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°You''re one of the Dormant¡¯s, aren''t you? The Homunculus Walsh and I created in presiding with the Empire''s demands?¡± Blackthorn said nothing, but the dagger-like look in his eyes said it all.

    ¡°I figured as much. After the Empire wanted us to create human-like weapons that were more monstrous than human, I left. Pre-made or not, all life should be respected, as Lumos taught. Walsh seemed to agree with that idea, but then he started remarking about the Children of Deimos, and no mere man should have this power besides Deimos himself. I don''t know how long he has been in contact with whomever, but he changed after that, and that was the last time I saw him. Now, I can only assume the Empire has acquired mine, and possibly Walsh''s too, of the creation of Homunculus. That''s why he sent you to find me, yes? Because of my knowledge of Homunculus and Deimos?¡±

    Blackthorn grunted. ¡°Your point in all this?¡± Ignoring his question at the end.

    Klause shook his head. He held up his wrists. There was no escaping. He had accepted his fate. ¡°Nothing but the ramblings of a man with guilt hoping to be judged mercifully.¡±

    Blackthorn smirked. ¡°Mercy? It''s a little too late for Mercy, don''t you think? Don''t worry you''ll be judged by your ole¡¯ Saint Lumos, but not before you have a chat with Walsh himself. Now come, we''re going on a little trip.¡±

    ¡°To where?¡± Though Klause knew the answer already.

    Blackthorn smiled. ¡°Why, to meet your old partner. I''m sure Walsh will be delighted to see you again.¡±

    ???

    Jude had told Lyra everything.

    ¡°... And that''s pretty much it. He seemed normal at first, but something dark layered within there. It was almost like he was more than one person wrapped in there, crazy, right?¡±

    Lyra stiffened. She wouldn''t tell a civilian¨Ceven an illegal one¨Cabout Eamon being a Homunculus and Blackthorn his dormant.

    ¡°Yeah, crazy. Did he say where he was going? What mission was he on?¡±

    Jude shook her head. ¡°Nope. Those details were kept classified from us. All I know is that he needed to get into the Empire, and the closest possible way to get there without walking through the front gates was to go to the Hinterland. It''s the border between the Empire and the Lysandrian Kingdom, so the law can be rather skewed that even the Empire can''t touch it. Lots of criminals and illegal happenings end up there.¡±

    The question was: why did he need to go there? Was he looking for something? Sent by Walsh? The answer stumped Lyra.

    Jude snapped her fingers. Her eyes filled with realization. ¡°I do remember this. He wasn''t alone.¡±

    Lyra frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± She wondered if it was another Sovran with him.

    ¡°Yeah, some really tall guy. He wore bandages all over him, had long black hair, and his skin looked gray. When I asked if that was his father, he said no, that he was some family member who he was returning to his father.¡±

    Lyra wasn''t sure who this other ¡®family member¡¯ was but knew that the ¡®father¡¯ he was returning had to be Walsh, whatever.

    So Walsh needed this person and something in the Hinterlands. I guess we better see what.

    ¡°Thanks, this information is helpful.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, whatever is up with him, he has some unrequited feelings buried deep down. It''s not my place to tell you, so hopefully, he will let you know. You might have been annoying, but no one shouldn''t have to feel what if.¡±

    ¡°And even if you''re a criminal, you have a good heart,¡± Lyra told her. ¡°I misjudged you. Course, I don''t appreciate you trying to put the moves on him.¡±

    She shrugged. ¡°Hey, don''t blame me. Technically, he didn''t confirm what you were until he blurted out a change of heart at the last second. Guess you must be something really special.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s cheeks grew warm. She wanted to ask Jude what was said¨C she had a feeling she''d tell her¨C but¡­ a part of her wanted it to be said from his lips. Whatever it was. Her heart accelerated at the thought.

    ¡°Anyway,¡± Jude said. ¡°Now that is out of the way, you better get some sleep. We¡¯ll be landing in several hours.¡±

    Agreeing to get some rest, the two girls returned to the ship to their respective locations.

    As Lyra walked to her room, she prayed to the goddess on behalf of Eamon: "Please watch over him."

 Part Twenty-Four: The Truth Is Revealed (Part 2)

    The Hinterlands - Early morning

    As dawn approached, the Zephyr glider, the Forneus Alpha, landed on the plains of the Hinterlands. Everyone disembarked from the glider.

    ¡°We appreciate the ride, good sir,¡± Sly told the captain, Leif Larkin.

    The brute hummed with thick arms crossed over his chest. ¡°Just long as ¡®yer keep your end of the deal.¡± His eyes glanced over to Malakyh.

    ¡°You have my word. We''ve exchanged contact information, so I''ll let you know the coordinates once I return home.¡±

    They started to make the trek along the plains when a voice called out Lyra¡¯s name. She turned to see Jude jogging over to them. Lyra met her halfway.

    ¡°Er, what''s up?¡± I''m sure you didn''t want to give me a farewell hug.¡±

    She rolled her eyes. ¡°Pfft, unlikely, but¡­¡± she removed a Voxlink from her pocket. ¡°I do find it best to keep connections. You know, I scratch your back, and you mine.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips. ¡°I mean, it depends on the line of legality.¡±

    She waved her hand at the comment. ¡°Bah, no need to underline the specifics. Just give me your info.¡±

    They exchanged Voxlink numbers.

    ¡°If you need me, call and¡­¡± her cheeks reddened as she looked off.

    ¡°Jude? You, uh, okay? You look a little red in the face there.¡±

    The acknowledgment made her cheeks even redder. Her eyes widened in embarrassment. ¡°J-just let me know when you meet that Eamon guy. I-I might not look it, but I''m a sucker for romance. So. Yeah.¡±

    Lyra grinned with lidded eyes. ¡°Yeah? Someone''s already become a softie, Huh?¡±

    She rolled her eyes. Her face was still red. ¡°Ugh, whatever. You''re really annoying, you know that?¡±

    ¡°I know you are, but what am I?¡± Lyra mocked in a sing-song voice.

    ¡°Childish,¡± Jude responded with a straight face.

    ¡°I know you are, but what am I?¡± Lyra sang again.

    ¡°Seriously? We''re really doing this?¡±

    Lyra busted out laughing. But before she could say more, Sly grabbed her by the collar.

    ¡°We''ll take our leave from here. Thank you, Jude,¡± she said while dragging Lyra behind her.

    ¡°Oh, come on, Sly! This is not fair! I''m not a kid, you know?¡±

    Jude chuckled. ¡°They do make a good couple. I hope they end up together.¡±

    Once they entered the forest part of the Hinterlands, they walked the path until they reached the cave entrance.

    There was no security.

    ¡°Huh,¡± Malakyh said, looking around the cavern entrance. ¡°I expected there to be a guard or two.¡±

    ¡°How so?¡± Cassandra questioned. ¡°I would think there wouldn''t be anyone who knows about this, per se, except for a select¡­ few.¡±

    Sly shook her head. ¡°No, illegal holding or an Unlawful dystopia would still have people to oversee to ensure no one ruins the ¡®peace.¡¯ Something happened.¡±

    With nothing more left to do, the group continued through the cavern''s tunnel until they found themselves in the market-like, narrow inner city of the Hinterlands.

    Unfortunately, they were too easy to stick out in the crowd and received stern glares.

    ¡°Me thinks we aren''t to be invited,¡± Alivier noted. ¡°What should we do? I don''t think any of these people will help or answer our questions. Especially not to a couple of Locksmiths, a knight, a pretty boy, and a couple of kids.¡±

    Cassandra raised a brow. ¡°Are you the pretty boy by chance?¡±

    He grinned, straightening his clothing. ¡°Naturally.¡±

    ¡°Hey, we don''t have time for the chatter,¡± Lyra interrupted them. ¡°What should we do now? Before someone decides to challenge us or rip us a new one.¡±

    ¡°Let me speak. You have to speak their language and know how they talk¨Cbe right back.¡±

    Malakyh sauntered through the crowd. They were amazed at how easily he blended into the crowd as if he weren''t even a part of their group. They watched him go from one booth to another, speaking with the merchants and some civilians, too.

    ¡°Let''s get out of the pathway and out of prying eyes,¡± Sly suggested. The group saddled off to the side where a narrow alleyway stone staircase was located. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    They waited for a few more minutes until Malakyh returned to their side.

    ¡°What did you find out?¡± Lyra was the first to jump up and ask.

    ¡°So after a bit of tugging, haggling, and coaxing. A few people said they saw a young man that fits Eamon''s description.¡±

    Her heart leaped in her throat at finding more proof of where he was after not having anything for weeks.

    ¡°...how long has he been around? Who is he with?¡± Sly asked, also eager to know what happened to Eamon.

    ¡°Apparently, he''s always seen with some bandaged guy with black hair.¡±

    The same thing Jude told me. ¡°Anything else?¡±

    Malakyh nodded. ¡°He''s been seen a few times with some members Of the Dawn Coalition, but since last night¡­ They haven''t seen him, their leader, Ludwig Klause, or any Coalition to speak of.¡±

    Lyra¡¯s heart was thrusting fast in its chest. She didn''t want to assume or connect the pieces without the full facts, but something told her otherwise.

    ¡°Do you know where this Dawn Coalition sided?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°Maybe someone came back?¡±

    Malakyh jutted his chin up toward the stairwell. ¡°Should be somewhere in an enclosed alley. Narrow walk space and tight room, one door. But there is one other thing¨C¡±

    Lyra bolted up the stairs before he could finish and followed the vague clues until she matched the description Malakyh had told her.

    The one lone door was partially open. Lyra crept closer and pushed open the wooden frame. There was no one inside, not a soul. There was only a disarray of tables and chairs, glasses, and broken and thrown things everywhere as if a fight had somehow broken out.

    Lyra stepped inside and gasped as a horrid scene played out before her. The smell hit her next.

    She didn''t have time to react when someone yelled, ¡°Freeze and put your hands up!¡±

    Sly grabbed Malakyh¡¯s clothes when Lyra ran off. ¡°What else was there?¡±

    ¡°The Imperial Military has been snooping because a supposed attack on them happened on the road. People believe they''re after the person we know as Eamon¡ª he and this Ludwig Klause guy were the last to be seen.¡±

    ¡°Oh no,¡± Sly looked panicked as everyone else did, but the most distraught was Aurora.

    She bolted off in the direction Aurora had run off, too.

    ¡°Aurora!¡± Sly called out to her.

    The little girl quickened her footsteps. Her eyes blurred with tears, hoping the worst had not fallen onto Lyra. She''s okay. She''s okay. She''s an Ashbourne. She can always get out of trouble, she said.

    Except for this time.

    Aurora gasped when she reached the entrance to the alleyway and saw two Imperial Military and Lyra handcuffed and being dragged away.

    Aurora stood still. She wasn''t sure how to react or feel¨Cshe was angry, but most of all, she was scared¨Cbefore anyone saw her hands reach out and grabbed her, covering her mouth.

    ¡°Keep quiet, and don''t make a sound.¡± Malakyh¡¯s voice said. Using magic from the Primal Weavers, he had turned them invisible. So when the Military walked past, they kept going¨Cnot seeing them.

    All the while, they stared helplessly as Lyra was being carted away, and the soldiers said in passing, ¡°She must be an accomplice.¡± They waited until the military disappeared, just as Sly and everyone else appeared, too.

    Malakyh was about to tell Sly what had happened. Aurora ran into Sly¡¯s chest and started crying. Sly coaxed her with her hand running through her hair soothingly.

    ¡°...I know. We saw.¡±

    ???

    It had been over twenty-four since Lyra had been arrested, where she was taken to the Empire and thrown in jail. Despite the jurisdiction being hard to dictate, that unfortunately didn''t apply to Locksmiths. They were a part of the government, and to see them fraternizing in the same area, the Empire was also banned from getting too close, so there was a need to prosecute.

    ¡°Stupid. Stupid. I should have been more careful. Why didn''t I sense them in time?¡± Lyra spouted to herself as she paced the square, cramped dungeon. There was no window, only a single bench, a broken sink and toilet, and dirty floors with suspicious markings.

    She thought she might have been close. She felt that there would be proof of Eamon himself. Lyra thought that she would be able to see him again and pull him back to her.

    How stupid was I¡­

    She yelled in a battle-like cry and smashed her fist into the stone wall to make her point¡ªno Essentia.

    And She was surprised when¡­ the wall broke, leaving her hand dirty but unscathed and unbroken.

    She pulled back her arm and examined her fists in disbelief, turning her palm to face her as she examined her hand and then the wall.

    ¡°Well, I was wondering what that noise could be.¡± A disembodied yet familiar voice called out to her from the other side of the cell.

    Lyra turned her head to see blonde hair and a military uniform.

    ¡°Of course, it''s you.¡± She sighed, holding her wrist despite it not being broken.

    He smirked. ¡°We have got to stop meeting like this, little Ashbourne.¡±

    Lyra furrowed her brow. ¡°Nikolai, still a pompous jerk that only a Veilspawn could love.¡±

    He chuckled. ¡°And only your grave insults seem to keep me up at night with delight when our next encounter would. I daresay I''m almost obsessed with you.¡±

    ¡°Ew,¡± she said, making a face. This time, however, she got a better look at him. His face was marred with several cuts, and a long scar ran across his left eye. His arm, thought behind a cloak, was propped up in a sling. ¡°Uh, what happened to you? Because I know that wasn''t me.¡±

    He grinned. ¡°Unlikely. You wouldn''t have left me with such ghastly bruises and scrapes or splitting my arm in twenty different places.¡±

    She hissed in pain. ¡°What could have done that?¡±

    Nikolai shook his head. ¡°Not what, but who, and I think you know who.¡±

    Lyra gasped. She shook her head, not wanting to believe it, but as she looked into the man''s eyes, she knew it was true.

    ¡°This was Eamon?¡±

    ¡°Well, more or less. You have come to know the Dormant as Blackthorn. Led a party of the Dawn Coalition to their deaths as they tried to rob a cart going to the Empire. Possibly to free those who had agreed to be drafted.¡±

    She looked disgusted by his answer.

    He raised his one good arm in surrender. ¡°I still have to follow the rules, too, doll. The real issue we need to worry about is stopping Blackthorn. It''s been known that a man named Ludwig Klause was a part of that rebel group, and Blackthorn took him. To where, you may wonder¡­?

    ¡°...Walsh.¡± she breathlessly said.

    Nikolai nodded, repeating, ¡°Walsh. I don''t know for what reason, but it has everything to do with the exact thing your group has been tracking down.¡±

    ¡°Why are you telling me this? I can''t do anything while I''m locked up.¡±

    From his pockets, Nikolai let jangling keys hang from his hand. ¡°Not anymore, you aren¡¯t. You¡¯re free to go. I¡¯ll handle the consequences for this.¡±

    He inserted the key into the iron-wrought doors. Lyra stepped out but stood before Nikolai, looking up at him.

    ¡°Why help me? Didn¡¯t you say before that was my last get-out-of-jail-free card?¡±

    He smiled. ¡°You¡¯re starting to grow on me. Now, go. I have my own goal at hand. I need you to handle this, you and your friends seem to be capable of stopping whatever is at large. Now go, you¡¯ll find your weapon, bag, and Voxlink toward the front. No one will stop you.¡±

    Though she had a million questions, they would have to be for later. She hurried down the cell hall and found her way to the waiting area where Nikolai said her stuff was being held¨Cunguarded.

    She grabbed her sword, bag, and Voxlink. She messaged Sly to let her know she was okay and where to meet her.

    Next she messaged the last person:

    Seems like I''ll need that ride sooner rather than later. You in? The message came in a few moments later.

    Sure, but it''s gonna cost ya.

 Part Twenty-Five: Aura Projection

    Lyra met back up with Sly and the others after escaping the jails of the Empire and sneaking back into the Hinterlands to the plains where they first came in.

    ¡°Lyra!¡± Aurora cried out, seeing her first before anyone else. She ran across the long stretch of land until she collided with Lyra''s chest.

    Lyra clung tightly back. Letting Aurora sob into her, Lyra couldn''t help but shed a few tears herself.

    ¡°Should I ask how you made it out?¡± Sly asked. Now that she was closer. Her face, too, looked relieved that Lyra was all right.

    Lyra stood to her feet. Holding Aurora''s hand. ¡°You wouldn''t believe that it was our dear Lieutenant Nikolai.¡±

    Sly seemed surprised as Lyra had been. ¡°That Nikolai?¡±

    ¡°Yup. It turns out he has way more confidence in me, all of us, to stop this, and¡­ He might also have an unhealthy obsession with me.¡±

    Sly hummed in disgrace. ¡°Well, obsession aside¨C we''ll deal with that later¨C I''m glad you''re safe.¡± She pulled Lyra into a tight hug. One more thing surprised her, but she knelt in Sly¡¯s warm embrace.

    ¡°Room for a few more?¡± Alivier said. Getting their attention to see everyone else coming closer.

    They hugged and greeted Lyra warmly, glad that she was okay, all right.

    ¡°So, it would seem like Nikolai hired us,¡± Sly said.

    Lyra tilted her head. ¡°How so?¡±

    ¡°Well, for one, he helped you escape prison and noted that we are best to end all of this. And you know what that means?¡±

    Lyra had to think for a minute before a light bulb struck. ¡°It means a government official has given us direct orders. We can evade certain rules that held us back before.¡±

    ¡°Correct.¡±

    ¡°I have a question?¡± Cassandra asked. ¡°How are we supposed to get out of here?¡±

    Lyra smiled. ¡°I called in a little favor. They should be arriving very soon.¡±

    The sound of whirring Blades in the sky brought their attention to the sky. The giant glider, the Forneus, flew down to the ground. A platform dropped down to let them get on the glider itself.

    ¡°I''m pretty sure I just saw you,¡± Jude said once they boarded. Her attention was on Lyra now. ¡°To think a Locksmith would need help two times in a row.¡±

    Lyra wrinkled her nose. ¡°Last I checked, Denari was Denari. Right?¡±

    Jude waved her comment off with her hand. ¡°Hey, nothing wrong with that. So¨Cwhere are we going next?¡±

    ???

    Incidentally, they didn''t have any clue or idea where Eamon could be. They only knew if he had captured the scientist and Doctor Ludwig Klause, who worked closely with Walsh. They were going to the Children of Deimos¡¯ base. The only question was: where could that be?

    The group sat around a table below the deck to discuss where the whereabouts could be.

    Lyra didn''t know where to look or even where to think to look. The thought of getting there too late to stop Walsh and save Eamon made her feel a little inside like she had failed him.

    Outside the room, Aurora and Tierney were leaning against the door, listening in. They looked at each other as if speaking telepathically.

    ¡°I don''t know, Aurora. Cassandra was pretty upset the last time I tried¡­ And you blamed yourself, too.¡±

    ¡°I know, but¡­¡± Aurora pressed her lips together. ¡°We have to do something. You saw him before. Maybe you can see him again?¡±

    ¡°...maybe, but what if Blackthorn tries kicking me out again? He''s too strong for me.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Just channel from me,¡± Aurora chimed in. ¡°I know when I did it the other day it was too much, but I think I can understand more because I can trust myself.¡±

    Tierney, still unsure, chewed on her bottom lip, deciding what to do. She wanted to help everyone, but if she failed, would the world also fail?

    ¡°Hey, Tierney¡­¡± Aurora pulled her out of her thoughts. She grabbed her hands. ¡°You just have to believe in yourself. Don''t think you''re going to mess up. What you can do is a part of you, accept that part of you, and do your best. Okay?¡±

    ¡°Do my¡­ best,¡± Tierney repeated. ¡°And accept myself, but¡­ who am I?¡±

    If she was honest with herself. She didn''t know who she was. A girl lost no family, was orphaned during the Veilfall tragedy, and passed around from person to person. She didn''t have an identity but¨C

    ¡°... You''re Tierney, that''s who!¡± Aurora exclaimed. ¡°I didn''t know who I was before, but Lyra and everyone named me gave me a reason to be. Your reason to be is who you are.¡±

    ¡°I¡­ wanna protect my friends. To help people. Like Cassandra, Lyra, and Sly, and¡­ encouraging, like you.¡±

    Aurora beamed at the comment. ¡°That''s because we''re friends, and friends support each other along the way.¡±

    Tierney¡¯s eyes grew watery at Aurora''s comment, and she hugged her friend. ¡°Thank you,¡± she whispered. Let''s go inside.¡±

    They opened the doors to the room, and Tierney stepped through them first. Puffing up her chest with determination fired in her multicolor eyes.

    ¡°I know how to find him,¡± she said as all eyes were on her now.

    Everyone turned to look at the two girls. Lyra spoke first, ¡°Tierney? How?¡±

    ¡°I did it before. I saw him, Eamon, right before Blackthorn pushed me out of his head. If I can try again, I might be able to get back inside of his head and get into his head. Maybe speak to Eamon¨C¡±

    ¡°Absolutely not.¡± The strict tone made everyone turn to look at Cassandra. She bowed her head, and her brows furrowed together through the covering of her brown hair.

    Tierney blinked at Cassandra. Caught off guard by her abrupt tone. ¡°C-Cassandra?¡±

    ¡°Cassandra, maybe we just hear her out¡­.¡± Lyra started to say. She could see the woman''s arms shaking, her hands in a tight fist.

    ¡°Did you not hear me? I said no! Out of the question.¡± Her head snapped up, revealing lidded, watery eyes. ¡°You almost died the first time. Did anyone forget that?¡±

    No one said anything, remembering that day at the lake house all too well.

    ¡°B-But, I''ll be there with Tierney,¡± Aurora added. ¡°I can get a handle on my powers this time. Blackthorn won''t be able to get through.¡±

    ¡°Because that worked so well the last time.¡± Cassandra¡¯s snappy tone made Aurora jump, stepping backward.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Lyra reacted. Her hand slammed on the table. ¡°That is uncalled for, Cassandra. Aurora knows the mistakes she''s made. She only wants to help her friend.¡±

    ¡°And I''m helping her just as you would Aurora. Remember how Aurora could have been an asset, but you denied her.¡±

    ¡°And,¡± Lyra enunciated. ¡°I was wrong. Fear kept me holding her back, and though I loved her unconditionally and told her she was still her, I still saw a part of the bad, but it was something she could control. Instead of realizing that it''s who she is and can be who she wants to be, do what she wants to do if only she understands, trusts, and knows herself completely through and through. I think Tierney wants the same.¡±

    ¡°I do,¡± she whispered, her tiny voice carried across the room. ¡°I don''t know why I can do these things or even my life before the Veilfall tragedy, but if I can understand one aspect of my powers, maybe that could answer questions about me. I don''t want to be afraid, Cassandra, or feel useless. If I had been stronger that day when you and your army left, I could have reached you in time, and everyone would be alive, and you wouldn''t be filled with survivor''s guilt.¡±

    ¡°Tierney¡­¡± Cassandra breathed out. She managed to get out of her chair and stumbled over to the girl. Tierney looked up at her superior, her lady, and her family. ¡°Have you been burdened by this the whole time? That you feel responsible and powerless?¡±

    She bowed her head and hummed in response.

    ¡°Sweetie.¡± was the only thing she said before her arms through themselves around Tierney. Catching the girl off guard with a gasp, the initial surprise wore off after a second, and Tierney hugged her back.

    ¡°Nothing was your fault, and nothing would have changed what is supposed to be already. You aren''t useless or worthless either, but¡­ I guess my fear of your safety won''t exactly help you. I can''t always be there to keep you safe.¡±

    Cassandra held onto her as Tierney cried into her chest. She brushed her hand along her braids, her cheek resting on her head. Her red-stained eyes landed on Aurora, who froze.

    ¡°I''m sorry for snapping at you, Aurora. I trust that you''ll protect Tierney. I only have one thing to ask¡­.¡± she turned to the group sitting, her eyes on Malakyh.

    ¡°Can you help her, too? You have my permission.¡±

    Malakyh nodded.

    ¡°Well,¡± Alivier exclaimed with a clap of his hands. ¡°Now things are less tense here. How about I play us a tune?¡±

    Lyra groaned. Her eyes dipped into an eye roll. ¡°Read the room, Alivier.¡±

    Without warning, the glider shook, followed by an alarm and a red light filling the room with a vibrant red.

    ¡°Something must be happening on the ship,¡± Sly guessed. ¡°We should check it out!¡±

    Everyone sprinted outside the door and half collided with Jude.

    ¡°Thank goodness I didn''t have to seek you guys out.¡±

    ¡°Jude, what''s happening?¡± Lyra exclaimed.

    ¡°We have an unexpected passenger on our ship. See for yourself.¡±

    ¡°Okay, we¡¯ll go check things out!¡±

    ¡°All right, I''m going to help my brother down in the boiler room and see if he needs help. Good luck out there!¡±

    When Lyra and the group made it onto the glider''s roof, they were surprised to see that the unexpected guest was the Sovran, the southern Belladonna.

    She stood on top of the railing with a grin on her face. Her hands were filled with several daggers.

    ¡°Glad you can join me. Now we can play.¡±

 Part Twenty-Six: Theres No Place Like Home

    Sly and Lyra removed their weapons, leading everyone to do the same.

    ¡°Everyone prepare yourself,¡± she shouted. ¡°She''s not to be taken lightly. Bella the Sovran is very dangerous.¡±

    ¡°Not to mention her companion, Raelina,¡± Malakyh replied. ¡°Where is she hiding now?¡±

    Belladonna giggled. ¡°Silly, silly. Raelina isn''t with me, but I''m here.¡±

    Lyra frowned with a furrowed brow. ¡°Somehow, I feel they don''t know you''re here. Even if you''re a Sovran, you''re still a kid.¡±

    ¡°Hmph,¡± she pouted. ¡°It''s not like I''m in any real danger. Finn can teleport us out of here.¡±

    ¡°And what makes you think he will if you disobey an order?¡± Sly questioned her.

    ¡°Croger gets in trouble all the time, and he just gets a scold talking too.¡± She beamed happily with her hands on her hips.

    ¡°She''s disillusioned,¡± Cassandra said. ¡°I don''t think anything more we say will change her mind. We''ll have to defeat her in combat; at least, we may have a chance.¡±

    ¡°We might have some trouble with her little duplication and copy ability, but I think I have a spell that can bind her. It just needs to be charged. Mind protecting my front ¡®Krieger?¡±

    Alivier''s eyes seemed to twinkle at the request. ¡°My, we are working on our partnership quickly, and I''m blushing! But of course, of course. As long as Tierney, darling, can you tell us when she may appear next?¡±

    She clasped her hands together and briskly nodded. ¡°O-okay! I''ll try my best!¡±

    ¡°I''ll protect your front!¡± Aurora shouted.

    ¡°And leaves Sly, Cassandra, and I to charge from the front.¡±

    All the while, as the group planned their coordination, Belladonna pouted and stomped her foot on the railing.

    ¡°I don''t like to be ignored! If you won''t acknowledge me, I''ll have to make you!¡±

    With an outstretched hand, purple miasma floated mid-air as the vegetation of nightshade seemed to grow from the metal floors of the Forneus.

    At least six Veilspawn emerged seemingly from nothing. Their electrified blue eyes glared at their prey. They opened their muzzle, revealing a gaping blue Void, and roared at them.

    ¡°I''ll take three of them,¡± Sly said.

    ¡°I can take care of two,¡± Cassandra also said.

    ¡°Have no fear. I can take one on. You girls watch Uncle Alivier and Malakyh¡¯s backs, just in case.¡±

    ¡°Right!¡± Both girls chimed together.

    ¡°Guess that leaves me with Bella herself,¡± Lyra said. She was bent in a fight stance. She took a shallow breath and closed her eyes. All right, Wellsprings, Lumos, let''s do this! She snapped open her eyes, and without as much as a chant, she sped across the deck with Zephyr at her heels.

    The initial surprise catches everyone off guard, including Belladonna, but she narrowly dodges away at the last second as Lyra slashes through the air.

    ¡°Phew! That was a close one,¡± Bella said from the other side of the glider to the left. ¡°You really are something!¡±

    It looks like she''s going to be in a bit of trouble.

    Lyra surveyed the scene to see everyone taking on their own Veilspawn. They were all handling themselves; she just needed an opening or a distraction.

    ¡°You never fully explained how you met Blackthorn, or was it Eamon?¡±

    Her face lit up during the conversation. ¡°Yeah, Eamon¡¯s nice, but then Blackthorn bossed his way back in. He can be mean, but lets me do whatever I want.¡±

    ¡°Oh? So you know that they share a body?¡±

    She pondered the question. ¡°Um, I think so. I didn''t understand all that stuff that Mister Walsh was talking about. He said lots of terms like Dormant and Homunculus, and I don''t get any of that.¡± with a shrug of her shoulders to add.

    ¡°Well,¡± Lyra took a careful step while she was distracted. ¡°What if I told you that Blackthorn is a mean bully, and he''s been mean to Eamon.¡±

    ¡°Bully?¡± her eyes looked far away now as if her mind was elsewhere and she was thinking of a memory. ¡°Bullies¡­ they aren''t nice. They''re mean.¡±

    Lyra bobbed her head. ¡°That''s right, and we¡¯re trying to stop the Bully Blackthorn.¡±

    ¡°But¡­¡± she hesitated. ¡°If I stop what he''s doing, everyone will be mad at me. The Master will yell at me. I don''t want Walsh to put me back into confinement.¡±

    Hearing her panicked words left Lyra heartbroken at what she could have gone through. She didn''t understand how she ended up with Raelina and Walsh, but she was afraid they had manipulated her to do their whim.

    ¡°And you won''t have to,¡± Lyra told her. The little girl looked up at her with confusion. ¡°Bella, Right? You''re allowed to make your own choices that don''t revolve around The Children of Deimos. You have a choice and a voice. All you have to do is look for it and¡­ Ask for help.¡±

    ¡°...I don''t need help. I know who I am!¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°But do you?¡± She was gambling on the little information she had, but she hoped she could break through on her own.

    ¡°I¡­¡± she started to say. Her eyes grew watery and then distant, as if she were recalling another memory. ¡°I just wanna go home. I wanna go home. But you are home¨Cthis has always been your home.¡±

    Despite Bella using her own voice, she was repeating a conversation that had happened with someone else.

    Lyra felt a pang of guilt for the little girl. She didn''t know her, but one thing was clear: she, too, was a victim.

    She let out a scream and grabbed the sides of her head. Tears ran down her cheeks as she cried in pain. Lyra reacted immediately to go to her aid, but a Veilspawn materialized before her.

    ¡°LYRA! The spell is almost complete.¡± Malakyh shouted from the other end of the glider.

    ¡°Bella, listen to me,¡± Lyra called out. ¡°You can fight it. You have to push through it. What do you want most? Use that as your way to break through!¡±

    The Veilspawn charged For Lyra. She reacted instantly and dodged out of the way of one of their talon claws charging for her. She slashed out with her sword¨Cit gleamed a bright light-and the Veilspawn exploded.

    ¡°What do you want most in the entire world?¡± Lyra shouted at the crying girl. Her eyes filled with tears, and her hands over her head.

    Lyra faced the Veilspawn head-on, and the two clashed. They parried each other''s movements, but Lyra was faster. She ducked as the Veilspawn sliced A talon through the air. She slashed through The Veilspawns stomach with incredible speed.

    The Veilspawn fell to its knees, and Lyra raised her sword over her head and shouted, ¡°All you have to do is ask for help, Bella! We can help you give what you want most.¡±

    She plunged the sword through the Veilspawn. Bella¡¯s eyes widened as she watched it fade away into ashes. Her eyes watered more than ever as Flashes of a village, mountain heads, and blurry faces came into her vision. She couldn''t make them out, but they were smiling at her.

    ¡°...Home.¡± She whispered. Picking herself up from the floor. ¡°I want¡­to go home.¡±

    She stood on the railing now. Lyra¡¯s heart jumped out of its chest, seeing what she attempted to do.

    ¡°I have to find¡­home.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Lyra shouted, running towards the girl before she jumped.

    ¡°Heads up!¡±

    Ricocheting through the air was a dark purple aura of a boomerang. It shot through the group and entangled itself around Bella, wrapping around her body and making her fall to the ground of the glider.

    The Veilspawn disappeared, and Bella lay unconscious. Her eyes closed as she mumbled a few words before falling asleep, ¡°Mama¡­papa¡­I wanna go¡­home.¡±

    ???

    Once Bella was tucked away on a bed, it was time for the next step: to prepare Tierney to go into Eamon¡¯s mind, with Aurora and Malakyh at her side to boost power and protection.

    ¡°We¡¯re almost ready,¡± Sly said to Lyra, who sat at the edge of the bed, stroking Bella¡¯s curls. She hadn''t left her bedside since. ¡°She¡¯ll be okay, I promise.¡±

    Lyra sighed. ¡°I know. I''m just realizing how corrupt the Children of Deimos are. They did something to her and must have taken her from her home. No person or child deserves this.¡±

    Sly¡¯s hand rested on her shoulder. ¡°And they won''t have to again when we put an end to all of this.¡±

    Lyra nodded. It was her cue to leave. She and Sly left the room to meet with the others.

    In another room, everyone gathered around Tierney¡ªAurora on one side and Malakyh on the other¡ªso they could persist with the plan of finding Eamon through Blackthorn.

    ¡°Are you ready?¡± Cassandra asked for the umpteenth time as worry laced her features.

    Tierney nodded. ¡°I''m fine, I can do this.¡±

    ¡°Don''t worry,¡± Malakyh told Cassandra. ¡°I won''t let anything happen to her. If Blackthorn does try anything, I''ll be there to negate it.¡±

    ¡°And I''ll give her as much energy as she needs without overdoing it!¡± Aurora added.

    Cassandra sighed. Knowing she was outnumbered and didn''t have a say.

    ¡°They''ll be fine,¡± Lyra said before her, a comforting hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°All right, all right. Let''s do this!¡±

    It didn''t take long for Tierney to focus with the added power flowing through to her from Aurora. Even Malakyh, whose presence was only used for emergencies, she even felt the presence of his aura.

    She trained her focus on the Escrima sticks like last time.

    A surge of emotion and power rushed through her. Her eyes turned white.

    ¡°Aurora, can you hear me? It''s Malakyh.¡± The disembodied voice said in her head. ¡°If you need anything, I''m here. Just focus on the Escrima sticks, and I''ll make sure there''s no danger near you.¡±

    ¡°Got it.¡± She said, submerging herself deeper into the subconscious.

    She finally managed to attach herself to the leyline she had seen before, leading her to Eamon in the first place.

    ¡°Malakyh, I see it! I see the connection forming to Eamon.¡±

    ¡°All right, do what you need to do. I''ll be here if Blackthorn tries anything.¡±

    She grabbed onto the shining ley line cord. When she touched it, a sharp pain jotted up her arm, but it instantly went away¨CTierney assumed Blackthorn was at work¨C because after that second, it went away.

    She figured Malakyh must have blocked the connection between him and Eamon. She didn''t know how long it would hold but hoped it was enough time to talk to him.

    She tugged on the line again until she was pulled into Eamon''s subconscious.

    Tierney found herself in an open liminal space. The room was foggy, and black-and-white mist circulated. Nothing and everything all at once pushed the space of the atmosphere, making it almost impossible to breathe.

    Her vision adjusted, and she noticed a single person sitting and staring into nothingness.

    ¡°H-Hello?¡± She called out to the person. She didn''t recognize the white-haired individual.

    When they turned around, revealing red eyes and a seemingly pale complexion, Tierney was surprised at the person''s state. Yet, there was something almost familiar about them.

    ¡°Tierney?¡± the person voiced. She recognized the face and matched it with the one she had previously known.

    ¡°Eamon?¡±

    He stood, walking over to her. ¡°How did you get here? How¡¯s this possible? You shouldn¡¯t be able to reach because¨C¡±

    ¡°Malakyh is holding Blackthorn back, and Aurora is lending me some power. We came to find you, to save you.¡±

    His eyes widened. His breath caught in his throat. ¡°We? As in¡­¡±

    She nodded. Confirming his thoughts. ¡°Lyra hasn''t given up. None of us have. She doesn''t care what you were before or did, especially if it wasn''t your fault.¡±

    Eamon didn''t say anything. His head bowed. He listened as she explained; not only were they making sure to rid any regions of Altars, but they were trying to find any clues about where he was.

    ¡°...she really misses you. Everyone does.¡±

    He lifted his head when she said that. His eyes gleamed with sadness and¡­regret.

    ¡°I miss her too¡­everyone.¡±

    Tierney¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Then, tell us where you are so we can find you and stop the Children of Deimos.¡±

    Eamon nodded. A dark look crossed his face then as if remembering something that soured his memory.

    ¡°Yeah, me too. I know where we are; it''s some abandoned mansion in Crystalline City to the west.¡±

    A surge of dark energy coursed through the air, making Tierney shudder at the violent sensation. Even Eamon stiffened, sensing the blood lust in the air.

    ¡°You have to go, it''s¨C¡±

    ¡°Tierney, we have to go. I couldn''t hold Blackthorn anymore,¡± Malakyh¡¯s disembodied voice sounded strained from the outside.

    ¡°Go,¡± Eamon urged her on.

    Tierney nodded. She focused on the ley lines to bring her back.

    The effort was more painful as Tierney bypassed any connection that would make her visible to Blackthorn.

    She was forcibly thrown back into her body. She gritted her teeth in pain from the hard thrust.

    ¡°Tierney!¡± Her name was called out, followed by hands at her arms and face. She opened her eyes to see Cassandra with a fearful and worried look on her face, followed by Lyra, Aurora, and even Malakyh, who looked worried.

    ¡°I''m okay, I''m okay,¡± she repeated. Ensuring everyone was she was okay. ¡°I saw Eamon.¡±

    Lyra''s heart leaped in her chest. Her breath caught in her throat she almost couldn''t speak. ¡°Y-you did? Is he okay?¡±

    Tierney nodded. ¡°Yeah, for the most part, I think. And¡­ I know where he is.¡±

 Part Twenty-Seven (Part 1): Infiltration

    Changing course, the Forneus glider flew in the direction of Crystalline City, where Eamon and the remaining Children of Deimos were held up in their mysterious Warehouse.

    With the glider, transportation was only A few hours.

    They landed on a road on the outskirts of the city, surrounded by a brush of trees for protection. As they gathered their things, Lyra went back to the room Bella was resting in, but when she opened the door, the bed was unkempt, the window was smashed, and nobody was inside.

    When the girl had escaped, Lyra didn''t know, but a part of her worried that through processing her trauma, she would end up back with the children of Deimos.

    At least, she prayed to Lumos that she wouldn''t make that decision. All she could hope for was that she would eventually find what she was looking for.

    ¡°If you keep heading north, you''ll be near the city,¡± Jude said when everyone was present outside the glider¨CLyra was last to disembark. She pointed in the direction they needed to go. ¡°Probably best to stay off the main roads, though. We saw a bunch of military personnel below us.¡±

    Thanking her and her family one last time, they departed off the glider as it flew up into the sky.

    Their destination needed to take them as close to the Crystalline City as possible, but an abandoned building may be close to the city, but it wouldn''t be on the main road.

    ¡°We have to go deeper into the forest, ¡°Tierney told them.

    It was safe to say that everyone was surprised by her response.

    ¡°How do you know that?¡± Lyra asked.

    Tierney shook her head. ¡°I don''t know, but since I talked with Eamon, it almost feels like he gave me coordinates from when we last spoke.¡±

    Seeing the situation at hand, Sly nodded, taking the lead. ¡°Then let''s follow that connection before it gets cut off.¡±

    They were walking deeper into the forest, further away from the main road. They finally came upon a warehouse building in the middle of an open field. The building was boarded up and looked like it hadn''t been occupied for several years.

    ¡°They''re in there. I can feel it.¡± Tierney confirmed.

    Aurora, too, nodded. ¡°Me too, it feels like really, really bad energy.¡±

    Lyra had assumed that it was because Aurora''s homunculus abilities made her sense what was beyond the walls.

    ¡°Okay,¡± Lyra faced her group. Determination filled her, giving her the strength that she needed. ¡°Let''s devise a plan.¡±

    ???

    ¡°Good. Everything is completed as necessary. Well done, Blackthorn.¡±

    Walking up the steps, Blackthorn met with Walsh at a podium altar where he was preparing the final ritual to complete the Astral contract.

    ¡°As promised, I''ve brought the Ash Bourne Demon and your old partner, Ludwig Klause.¡±

    Blackthorn tossed a tied-up Ludwig to the floor. The man grunted from the hard toss, but his eyes were directed to the one person he thought he would never see again.

    ¡°Hello again, old friend,¡± Walsh greeted his old science partner. ¡°It''s been a while.¡±

    Klause grunted. He spat on the ground. ¡°Friend " wouldn''t be the word I use, but it has been a while, Walsh. What do you want?¡±

    Walsh grinned at his old friend and partner. ¡°I think you know, Ludwig. We didn''t spend decades working on it and deciphering ancient texts for nothing.¡±

    Ludwig pursed his lips. ¡°The Homunculus DNA to create indestructible weapons. The Empire wanted us to make them but never trusted them, so I eventually left. But why do you still work for them?¡±

    ¡°Unfortunately, friend, I work for someone else now, and they''ve given me a far better offer than anything the Empire could ever give.¡±

    It only took a moment for Klause to realize this. His eyes widened, vibrating with fear.

    ¡°No¡­ How is that possible¡­ You actually did it. You''ve managed to find a way to summon Deimos?¡±

    Walsh clapped. ¡°You''re half correct. The person whom I found to help me is the Master, the Arbiter. And you? Will assist us with a bit of knowledge.¡±

    ¡°What do you even want with me?¡± Klause tried to back up. ¡°Whatever knowledge I know is what you know.¡±

    Walsh tsked. Shaking his finger in the air. ¡°Now, now, there''s no need for lies. We''re all friends here,¡± he reached into his lab coat and pulled out a book. ¡°Only one of us is skilled in operative surgery. You''ll be completing the task we started all those years ago with this.¡±Stolen story; please report.

    Tossing the leather-bound book to the floor, it was embroidered in gold string along its binding. The front cover read: Radiant Codex. This is the same Codex that belonged to Saint Lumos, the same text that created the Astral Contract.

    Ludwig gritted his teeth. ¡°And what do you expect me to do with this?¡±

    ¡°Is it not simple? You''ll extract the Dormant from Blackthorn and create more Homunculus with the Codex.¡±

    Ludwig shook his head. Appalled by what came out of his old friend''s mouth. ¡°What you''re doing is a mistake, Walsh. Having this kind of power goes against Lumos herself. You''re playing with the creation of life and using it for nefarious purposes.¡±

    Walsh shrugged. ¡°All for the love of science, as you used to say. It didn''t stop you then. Now, get to work or see if you can handle taking on Sovran¡¯s.¡±

    He snapped his fingers, and one by one, the figures of Finnian, Maxwell Croger, Raelina, and the newly recruited Ash-Born Demon appeared from the shadows.

    Ludwig had no choice but to comply.

    ???

    From the outside, infiltrating the warehouse had been easy, but Lyra and everyone knew that inside, traps would prevent them from reaching their primary goal.

    ¡°How about if we go through the air duct?¡± Lyra pointed out the grate on the side of the building.

    ¡°It''ll be far too small for most of us,¡± Sly confirmed. ¡°Perhaps only Lyra, Aurora, and Tierney shall go? They¡¯ll look for Eamon, and the four of us will infiltrate from the front, remove any guards, and meet up at the final threshing.¡±

    Alivier hummed a lyrical tune that vibrated along his lips. ¡°Make that three. In case Lyra needs extra assistance,¡±

    Lyra narrowed her brows at Alivier. ¡°And suddenly, I can''t handle myself? I think it was at least twice I saved you.¡±

    ¡°Take no offense, Lyra,¡± Malakyh said, grinning his head. ¡°He''s feeling lazy and doesn''t want to do the work.¡±

    Alivier feigned hurt. Placing his hand on his chest and staggered as if his words wounded him.

    ¡°How uncouth of you, but very true. You do happen to know me so well, Malakyh. And to think I once thought of you as an enemy.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you make it very hard not to know you, Alivier.¡±

    ¡°Right?!¡± Lyra exclaimed in agreement with Malakyh.

    ¡°Can we focus on what is in front of us?¡± Cassandra interrupted¡ªher attention on Tierney. ¡°Be safe. I want to make sure you come back alive.¡±

    Tierney nodded. ¡°You, too.¡±

    Once the two had hugged, and Alivier had possessed Lyra¡¯s sword again¨CRiftbreaker glowed brightly from beyond its sheathe¨Cthe three peeled open the grate and crawled through, Lyra first, Aurora, and Tierney. Sly, Cassandra, and Malakyh entered from the front and entered through the laden trap warehouse of the Children of Deimos.

    Lyra and her accompanying party would be directed right where they needed to be¡ªin the infirmary, where the scientist and Doctor Ludwig Klause would start his operation on removing the dormant soul from Eamon''s body so that only Blackthorn remained.

    Then, recreate the process all over again with the newly created Homunculus¡ªnot the perfect weapons as the Empire wanted, but the perfect followers for Deimos when he returned.

    ¡°It''s down this hall!¡± Tierney shouted once they pulled themselves from the grate. ¡°I can sense that same aura sensation, like when I saw him before.¡±

    Lyra lifted Aurora out of the grate and placed her down. They followed Tierney down the marble white halls and toward a set of two double doors.

    Lyra brandished her sword, glowing brightly in the dim area, and ushered the two girls behind her. She slammed her hand on the door in time to see a man in a white lab coat standing over a metal table: on top of the table was the unconscious body of Eamon.

    ¡°Eamon!¡± Lyra exclaimed. Her eyes snapped to the long, dark brown hair. His green eyes snapped open with his hands raised in surrender. ¡°Put the surgical tool down now!¡±

    The doctor dropped the tool from his hand.

    ¡°Wait! You''re a Locksmith, are you not?¡± The man looked at the emblem on her jacket. ¡°This is a misunderstanding. You have to believe me. I was forced to do this.¡±

    Lyra frowned. Squaring her eyes at the man, her blade pointed directly at him. ¡°Right. You expect me to believe that you aren''t a part of the Children of Deimos and not performing heinous experiments on unwilling participants? Yeah, sounds like a flaming pile of Veilspawn dung.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I swear to Lumos.¡± The man pleaded. ¡°My name is Ludwig Klause. I was a former Scientist for the Empire and then quit, retiring as a doctor until I was forced out of my practice and became a journalist for the resistance ¡®The Dawn Coalition.¡¯¡±

    A tug pulled Lyra¡¯s attention down to Aurora, who was looking intently at the man Ludwig Klause.

    ¡°He''s telling the truth. I think I can sense it.¡±

    Lyra slowly dropped her sword. ¡°Are you sure, Aurora?¡±

    She bobbed her head. ¡°Yeah, I can see something in his aura. It doesn''t feel hostile like Veilspawn or Fiends.¡±

    ¡°I can''t sense anything better,¡± Tierney confirmed. ¡°He''s telling the truth.¡±

    Lyra twisted her lip, deciding what to do next. Eventually, she sheathed her sword. ¡°Okay, well, if you aren''t on their side, then you won''t mind telling me what you were doing.¡±

    He nodded. His shoulders relaxed now that he wasn''t in any danger. ¡°Yes, of course. You see, Walsh and I worked together years ago, and we studied the creation of Homunculus to be made into weapons for the Empire. I left, but Walsh remained until he was taken in by someone named ¡®The Arbiter,¡¯ the true master of the Children of Deimos.¡±

    Lyra wrinkled her nose. ¡°And to think Walsh was the brains of this operation. Now we have to find the main perpetrator in charge of this.¡± She walked over to the table where Eamon¡¯s body was laid. His white hair was sprawled out, and the parts of his bangs fell in his face.

    Lyra gently moved the hair away from his forehead. She thinly smiled.

    ¡°He''s still alive,¡± Klause spoke, pulling Lyra¡¯s attention to him on the other side of the table. ¡°I assume you''re here for the other version of him. The one called Blackthorn is the Dormant, who was silenced while ¡®Eamon¡¯ was awake. However, when Walsh woke the Dormant up, Eamon became the dormant.¡±

    Lyra pursed her lips. She nodded. ¡°That''s the long and short of it, yeah. What were you going to do with that?¡±

    ¡°The same thing you want. I sensed there was something good about him. But there were two souls¨Cif you will¨Cfighting for supremacy. It wasn''t hard to distinguish who the original person was even if he was created as the Homunculus.¡±

    ¡°So, you can get Eamon back?¡± Aurora exclaimed. She stood at the table beside Lyra, gripping onto the edge of the metal.

    ¡°I can try, but removing any Dormant is tricky, especially the sleeper, Blackthorn, who has had time to adjust to the body. Eamon will have to become stronger than Blackthorn and fight him off while I do the soul removal. Do you know if he is willing to cooperate?¡±

    Lyra parted her lips but shut them at the same. Did she know? This journey was partly to rescue Eamon, but did he truly want to return? Yes, Blackthorn intervened, but Lyra didn''t want to project her feelings onto him.

    A hand touched Lyra¡¯s. She looked down to see Tierney taking her hand. ¡°Don''t think like that. He needs you, just like you need him. But being there will help.¡±

    She grabbed Eamon''s hand and, like before, transported Lyra into Eamon¡¯s mind state.

 Part Twenty-Eight (Part 2): A Promise Is A Promise

    Tierney transported Lyra to the same place she had been. The surrounding area was white with gray smoke surrounding the area. A singular person was alone in the emptiness of the area.

    ¡°Eamon?¡± Lyra recognized the long white hair. ¡°Eamon, if you''re in there, please look at me. It''s Lyra.¡±

    He didn''t turn around. Lyra inched forward and was about to reach for his shoulder when Tierney¡¯s disembodied voice shouted, that¡¯s not him, Lyra!

    Her instincts were up, and Lyra pulled out her sword, parrying in a blur. The object that rammed into her sword was met with a clang as Sword and dagger met.

    The person mistakenly named Eamon gave Lyra a haunting look and grin. The reds of his eyes bore into her. Lyra glared back. The sparks from their steels ignited sparks that shot out.

    ¡°Blackthorn.¡± Lyra hissed menacingly. ¡°Where. Is. He?¡±

    ¡°I told you, didn''t I? I''d do whatever it takes to ensure you couldn''t reach him.¡±

    Lyra gritted her teeth. She pushed her sword further toward Blackthorn. The bright light illuminated the more she pushed.

    ¡°Seems like you''ve upgraded. Impressive, but it won''t give you an edge.¡±

    Something forced Lyra to back up. She pushed backward with her feet before Blackthorn propelled a dark ball of aura energy at Lyra.

    ¡°Quick with Precision. You''ve gotten stronger.¡±

    ¡°And you''re nothing but a cheat. Now, where is Eamon?¡± She yelled at him.

    One moment, Blackthorn was in front of Lyra, and the next, he was behind her. The back of Lyra¡¯s neck stood on end. Heavy breathing crept along her skin. ¡°Why don''t you find out?¡±

    Lyra¡¯s eyes widened. She pivoted to see Blackthorn igniting a dark energy ball. She wouldn''t be able to avoid the attack at their proximity. The only she could do was take the attack, except, that wasn''t what happened.

    Someone jumped at Blackthorn. The dark orb disappeared, being disrupted by someone who had pinned Blackthorn to the ground. The two wild meshes of white hair tussle to the ground.

    One being Blackthorn, and the other¨C

    ¡°¨CEamon.¡± The words were breathed past her lips.

    ¡°Stay away from her.¡± Eamon let out a predatory growl after standing to his feet. He faced the other version of himself.

    Blackthorn chuckled. ¡°Swooping at the last second. How chivalrous of you, but that won''t save your girlfriend. Your soul is mine; you are what you are, and there''s nothing you can do about it to change it.¡±

    Eamon cinched. Blackthorn''s words had more weight than either of them thought he had. How would he be able to fight back against himself?

    ¡°You''re wrong,¡± Lyra stepped forward. She stood beside Eamon, who looked at her, but she was looking at Blackthorn. He is what he is, and that''s okay. He still has a family that cares and loves him regardless of the past or what he or you did.¡±

    Blackthorn sneered. His eyes bore into her. All the while, Eamon just stared at her.

    ¡°If he needs to believe that he is not human to free himself, so be it.¡± She turned to Eamon, breathing in deeply, then exhaling. ¡°Eamon, no matter what you want to believe. You are a Homunculus. You may not have been fully conscious of the things you or Walsh made you do, but it happened. There''s nothing you can do about it or change it¡­.¡±

    Eamon pressed his lips together. He said nothing as he let her speak. He searched her eyes and saw that there was so much she wanted to say, to admit as they stared at each other.

    He was done running. Tired. All he wanted was to hear her voice.

    ¡°But you can rectify those things now. You can be the person you want to be now¨Cmuch like I told Aurora¨Caccepting who you are is half the battle. Once you do that, everything else will fall into place, and you don''t have to do it alone. You know why?¡±Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    She grabbed his hands, never breaking contact with him.

    ¡°Because you are loved. By your friends, family, and people whom we have met. Our Master, your father, and¡­ me.¡±

    Her face blushed. Her eyes vibrated as the truth she had held for so many years would finally be let go.

    ¡°I love you, Eamon, not just as family, friends, or partners. I want you in my life, romantically, and I always have. I want you, the good and the bad, the Homunculus. You. All of you.¡±

    Tears shed in his eyes, and his heart leaped in his throat as she spoke those three words. There was no hesitation or conviction in her words or face. She meant every single word.

    She loved him.

    ¡°Lyra, I¨C¡±

    Loud clapping interrupted his speech. They turned to see Blackthorn lazily clapping with an amused grin.

    ¡°How cute. She finally admits to having feelings for you. What a climax, don''t you say, Eamon? I, for one, saw that from a mile away, yet I still feel touched by her roaring speech. Bravo, Lysandra Ashbourne. Bravo!¡±

    Lyra frowned. Her gaze glared at Blackthorn, wanting nothing more than to rip him apart.

    ¡°Unfortunately, I can''t let this little story have a ¡®Happy Ending¡¯. No. You know why?¡± The humor on his face was gone and replaced with a dark and foreboding look. ¡°Because this is my story.¡±

    He lunged for Eamon. Lyra screamed his name as he pushed her back out of harm''s way. His glare never took his eyes off the charging black aura blur that was Blackthorn.

    Eamon stood his ground. He didn''t flinch or look away. It was only a split second that Blackthorn froze mid-charge, a glowing orb of dark energy in his left hand about to end Eamon.

    What? What''s happening? I can''t move my body! Blackthorn manically screamed into his thoughts. What did you do? You shouldn''t have control of this body!

    ¡°Except you''re wrong, Blackthorn, about everything,¡± Eamon told him.

    Lyra stared in disbelief at the frozen Blackthorn suspending in the air, mid-attack stance. All the while, Eamon stood with rounded shoulders and faced the Shadow of his former self.

    ¡°It is, and will be, a happy ending. Do you know why?¡± Blackthorn gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to stay silent. ¡°Because this is my story, and I will get to choose my life.¡±

    He looked to Lyra. His hand was outstretched, and Lyra curled her fingers through his without hesitation. She tightened her grip on him, and they both looked at Blackthorn.

    ¡°You will no longer control the aspects of my life anymore. Homunculus or human, I decide what is best for me.¡±

    Blackthorn sneered. You fool! I''m a part of you. I''ll keep coming back, stronger than before. You won''t be so lucky next time.

    It was Lyra¡¯s turn to give him a smirk. ¡°Actually, no. You see, we have a powerful book and someone who can forever strip the Dormant part of you away.¡±

    Realizing what she meant, Blackthorn''s eyes widened, and for once in his long existence, he finally knew what the cold, heart-throbbing Pain of fear was.

    In that sheer second, Blackthorn cried out an agonizing wail as his body started cracking, like a porcelain doll. Dark, purple light shone through the cracks. Blackthorn panicked. But it was too late¨Cwith a poof his ash-like remains exploded into black dust.

    Lyra was pulled from Eamon''s mind, and she found herself again in the doctor''s room.

    Tierney and Aurora were at her side, and Ludwig Klause, book in hand, pulled down his surgical mask and nodded.

    ¡°The erasure of the Dormant Blackthorn is gone.¡± he extended his arm and handed her the codex. She took it from his hands.

    Eamon¡¯s eyes opened.

    Lyra gasped. Tears filled her eyes. Though his hair was still white and his eyes red, she could see him, her Eamon, in his eyes.

    ¡°Lyra,¡± he breathed out her name. Her heart beat wildly. ¡°I love you, too.¡± His words were not said out loud but through their Kesync, causing tears to fall down her cheeks.

    She rested her head on top of his. Touching his cheek. Gentle, nimble fingers touched hers as well.

    For just a moment, it was only them.

    At least in that moment. Riftblade glowed an iridescent white light from the sheathe and hummed with power. It was also in that instant that Lyra¡¯s senses routed out the blood lust sensation and the terror from Aurora.

    Everything happened in slow motion. Lyra unsheathed her sword as Aurora screamed. Tierney stumbled backward, and Eamon pulled the girl back with as much Zephyr as he could manage, pulling her to safety with the winds on his belt.

    In the doorway, holding Aurora in the air, was a bandaged Figure with long black streaks of white. His red eyes bore into Lyra like that of a dead man.

    Lyra took her stance, Riftblade; Alivier glowed intensely, facing the humanoid Of a monster.

    Eamon hissed. He slinked off the table, pulling Tierney back behind the metal table and with the doctor out of harm''s way.

    ¡°It''s the Ash Borne demon,¡± Eamon told her. ¡°The Homunculus that traveled with Blackthorn. The one that Walsh wanted.¡±

    Only Lyra shook her head. She had felt it the moment he stepped through the doors. It wasn''t just blood lust but a spark of recognition and realization.

    It scared her more than she knew, but deep down, no matter what was on the inside, she couldn''t let her guard down.

    ¡°No,¡± Lyra shook her head. Confident in her answer. ¡°It''s my father, Arcemedus Ashbourne. I''d recognize him anywhere.¡±

    As if responding to the name, the demon Arcemedus blinked, but that was it. Whatever familiar part that Lyra sensed was buried deep or clinging to death, where the former Arcemedus no longer existed except for a shell of his former self.

    Her father or not, Lyra knew¨Cregrettably and painfully¨Cthat she would need to take him down at all costs.

    Forgive me, daddy.

 Part Twenty-Nine (Part 1): A Path To Destiny

    Once, Sly, Cassandra, and Malakyh fought their way through hordes of enemy monsters. They found themselves in an open floor space with adorning columns on each side, a platform with stairs ahead¨Cbut they weren''t alone. Someone clapped in the room''s emptiness until they revealed themselves, sitting precariously on a wooden railing of a narrow walkway on the second floor.

    Finnian, Sovran #0 - The Trickster.

    ¡°Looks like you finally found your way here, but, oh¡­¡± he points to them and counts. ¡°Seems like we''re missing a few people. A girl with a freakishly large Sword, a blonde enthusiast, and two kids. Where or where could they be?¡±

    Sly had enough of his joking manner. ¡°Enough with the jokes, Trickster. Where is Walsh? Or your Master, for that matter?¡±

    Finnian tapped his chin. Feigning confusion. ¡°Walsh is somewhere in these hallowed halls. The old man can get around when he feels like it. As for our Arbiter, they come and go where needed.¡±

    ¡°And aren''t they needed here?¡± Malakyh questioned. ¡°Is that not why you had enacted the Curse and the Altars, ensuring we destroyed them so they could become active?¡±

    ¡°Well, if you do the math, we have a few more regions to tackle. Verden Glen, Gearford, and Ravens Country have seemingly been infected with Altars. For now, the Curse and Miasma have done what they needed to do.¡±

    ¡°So, what,¡± Cassandra interjected. ¡°You plan to continue infecting their regions?¡±

    ¡°Don''t forget the Lysandrian Kingdom, the Valerian Republic, Crystalline City, the Aurora Federation, and we can''t forget about the Argonian Empire.¡±

    Cassandra seethed. ¡°You''re sick is what you are.¡±

    His only response was to shrug. ¡°Call it what you want, but it won''t matter in the long run. The Curse has already started and will finish once every last region has an overgrown population of defeated Altars and their respective Great Void Beast guardians. Even if you decide not to get rid of Altars, the Great Void Beasts will wreak havoc, more Veilspawn will be released from the Ethereal Rifts, and Fiends will continue to be corrupted. They will wreck the regions and force people to fight back, anyway. Thus, the cycle will continue as it has been since the Primal Chaos era.¡±

    ¡°That doesn''t mean the Children of Deimos must be in that world.¡± Sly threatened, glaring dagger-like eyes up at the Sovran.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Finnian raised an amused brow. ¡°Do I detect a hint of malice from our great Rosevera Whip? How tantalizing.¡±

    ¡°Enough of your games.¡± Sly''s voice commanded with absolute vigor, removing her whip that ignited with Wellspring power. ¡°Let''s take this fight head-on once and For all. No games.¡±

    A darkened look crossed his features. The smile on his face was like a crooked doll. ¡°With pleasure, let me invite the others.¡±

    With a snap of his fingers, the Sovran¡¯s Croger and Raelina appeared on the bottom floor.

    Cassandra''s focus turned to Croger. Her glare turned fiery, removing her ax from its sheath.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Guess we get to finish our fight, after all, Commander Praefectus.¡±

    ¡°You''ll regret crossing paths with me, Croger. I swore to myself that you''d pay. For all the lives you have taken in your lifetime.¡±

    Raelina swiped her black hair behind her shoulders. A calculating cat-like glare toward Malakyh. Her painted red lips pursed together.

    ¡°Bravo turning our precious little Belladonna. Your corrupt influence has blinded her to the truth.¡±

    Malakyh scoffed. ¡°More like your blind influence has corrupted her to see what she wants, but you weren''t one for caring. Not even for your own coven.¡±

    ¡°hmph, let''s see what Hersa¡¯s pupil has learned over the years.¡±

    Lastly, Finnian disappeared from the top roof and reappeared at the bottom with the others. He faced Sly.

    ¡°Now, Heroes of Aurum. Let us make this showdown one for the history books again.¡±

    All at once, the six charged.

    ¡°Aurora, now!¡± Lyra shouted.

    Aurora shut her eyes and exerted as much power as she could muster. Sparks of red and black electricity shot out from her, making the bandaged Man Ash Born Demon release her; she ran back over to Tierney and Ludwig Klause.

    Eamon walked from around the metal table to Lyra¡¯s side. They both waited as the Homunculus shook himself free of the initial shock Aurora had left him.

    ¡°You sure you wanna do this alone?¡±

    Lyra tightened her grip around the hilt. Her eyes narrowed at the Homunculus, her father. After several years, she finally saw him. She knew it was him even when he was unrecognizable with his long black hair and bandaged skin.

    ¡°I have to do this, Eamon. That¡­ it is him but not him. At least, on the surface, it''s not. I can try and reach him, but if I can''t¡ª" she didn''t want to say the words. She never thought she would have to take down her own father.

    ¡°Hey,¡± Eamon whispered. His hand rested on her shoulder. ¡°You don''t have to do this alone, you know.¡±

    I know, she said through their key sync. They looked at one another instantly, eyes meeting and minds in sync as if there were no breaks.

    You go high, I go low? He asked.

    She smiled. You know me so well.

    The Ash Borne demon, now free of his paralysis, focused his attention on them. Only for Eamon and Lyra to spring forward.

    Eamon took the first lead.

    ¡°Eamon, think fast!¡±

    Tossed into the air, Lyra had propelled his Escrima sticks from her bag. Eamon Dove grabbed them, tucked and rolled, and with lightning-speed reflexes provided by the shared Kesync powers of Lyra¡¯s Wellspring powers. He flew like the wind directly into The Ash Borne demon.

    Lyra Jumped in the air. Her sword gleamed with light as it propelled itself with the Force and might of Eamon''s physical power.

    Both of their attacks, however, were caught in each of the Ash Borne hands.

    Lyra and Eamon''s eyes snapped open in surprise. Not even the Sheer force of power caught the Homunculus off guard as he sustained any damage.

    He''s powerful, Lyra called out into their Kesync. What do we do?

    Eamon gritted his teeth. His mind reeling with different possibilities. Overwhelm him with as much power as we can muster to get away from it. For now, let''s get out of this infirmary.

    Lyra nodded. Like Eamon, she concentrated on the Wellsprings'' powers, calling upon as much as she could, including the power from Riftblade.

    Whether it was Alivier or Lumos, who answered, the sword brilliantly shined.

    The power surge was too great for the Ashe demon to hold, and it blew him backward, careening directly into the wall.

    ¡°Woah, is that new?¡± Eamon asked, staring at the sword.

    Lyra held it up. ¡°Yup, say hello to Alivier. He can''t talk right now because he''s a sword.¡±

    ¡°Have no fear! I''m very adverse in speech now.¡±

    Lyra balked at the sword. ¡°Are you serious? Now you decide to talk? Don''t tell me I mourned before for nothing.¡±

    Eamon tapped her shoulder. ¡°You two will have to hold onto that conversation because he''s back up.¡±

    Lyra focused her attention on the Ash demon. She stood in a firm stance. ¡°Eamon, get the girls and the doctor out of there. I can give you enough time to get by and for you to get back here.¡±

    He nodded. ¡°Got it. Come on, girls, Klause.¡±

    As Eamon ran with the girls and Klause behind him. The Ash Borne demon lunged to attack them, but Lyra swooped in and blocked his incoming strike.

    ¡°Not so fast. I have a bone to pick with Walsh, but I guess I''ll settle it with you and free you from my dad''s body.¡±