Princess Alice walked through the halls of the manor, stopping near a door.

  “Father?... Are you in here?” Princess Alice knocked twice on the door.

  “Yes, I’m in here. Come in, Alice.” King Alan said from inside the room.

  Alice pushed the door open and entered the room. King Alan was seated at his antique desk. Papers were splayed all over, and the faint sound of scribbling filled the room. The size of it was moderate—there was nothing to draw amazement. A bed, a desk, and a shelf of books.

  “What’re you doing?” Alice approached his chair from behind.

  “Writing a letter to our friends in Hirmzin.” He replied.

  “Oh, I see. Father, why do you think he did it?” Alice walked around the chamber.

  “Why do I think who did what?” He rested down the feather.

  “Avery, I meant. Why would he… Attack the council?” She walked past the bookshelf in the room, her hands gliding across the spines of various books.

  “Alice, I don’t know why he would do it. But every small detail about him that I’ve overlooked is starting to haunt me. I’m beginning to see more of my father in him than anything else. I let him become something he shouldn’t have been. And for that, I failed him,” Alan said.

  Alice looked over at him, taking a deep breath.

  “You’re not going to like this, but I always had a feeling—the feeling that I think he was born that way. Sometimes people are just the way they are,” she said.

  “... And somehow you got everything from your mother—her nose, her eyes, her cheeks, and even her outlook on life. Oh, how I miss that woman,” Alan sighed, rubbing his temples.

  “I can’t even begin to imagine how she’d react if she heard what Avery’s done. She’d be so upset,” Alice said.

  “No. She’d be disappointed with me. It’s my fault he ended up like this. The good news is that he’s been spotted in Hirmzin, which is why I’m writing a letter to Ivan. With their inventions and gadgets, they should be able to find him with Xena’s help. I’ve been keeping up with their inventions, and so far, I’m delighted with their progress,” Alan leans back in the chair.

  “Father, about Veyric… What do you think?” She walked to the nearby window, staring out into the surrounding forest.

  “I’ve no answer. Veyric is in the midst of unraveling himself. It’s in our best interest to wait and see. But currently, there are other things to worry about, other than Veyric, such as the warding runes.” Alan rubbed his temples hard and exhaled sharply.

  “I heard even the institute is having a hard time deciphering it. Are we sure it even counts as a rune?” Alice said.

  “The institute will harbor results—it would be impossible for them not to figure anything out,” Alan turned back to his letter.

  “Alice, when Xena returns, tell her to prepare to go to Hirmzin. I would have her use the astral gateways, but they're no longer viable when the mana links have been weakened. Hirmzin’s maintained theirs, but if someone were to enter ours, they’d be torn apart.” Alan added.

  “Yes, father. Will we ever repair ours? What if we’re in a critical situation and we need it?” Alice asked.

  “I’ve been looking into it. I’ll make sure to ask Ivan if anyone from Hirmzin could come fix it.” Alan said.

  “Okay. Until supper, then,” Alice left the room.

  “I’ll say… Are you sure about this, Echthron?” Xena said.

  “Yes, I’m very sure. Now that Agthar’s here, this team has a defensive anchor,” Echthron nodded his head toward him.

  “Well, he’s… Huge if you ask me. He looks as tall as you, does he not?”

  “That’s because he is. He’s got much more mass than I do, as well.” Echthron looked toward the center of the courtyard.

  Agthar was sitting in the very center, legs crossed, and his eyes shut. His frame was muscular, but not overly bulky. His eyes opened, his legs uncrossed, and he stood up.

  “Hey, big guy’s awake! We can get some good practice in, now!” Carmine shouted out.

  Agthar muttered irritably. He had furred, triangular ears with small, stiff black tufts on top of his head. The back of his ears was black, featuring a prominent white spot that resembled an extra pair of eyes.

  “I didn’t notice those ears before… What is he, a cat?” Xena put a hand on her chin and narrowed her gaze.

  Agthar’s hair was a dusky blend of greyish brown and black spots, similar to a bobcat’s coat. The back of his uniform had a small exit for his short tail, which was grey on top and white underneath. Carmine walked over to him with a toothy grin, reaching for his tail. Agthar’s ears perked and turned.

  “How many times must I tell you? It’s not okay to touch my tail whenever you want.” His voice was feathery, and his hazel-toned eyes latched onto Carmine’s.

  “But you said I could touch it sometimes, what’s the problem?” Carmine put her hands on her hips.

  Agthar sighed, and it came out like a grumble.

  “See? What did I tell you? If you let this moron get too comfortable, she’ll do whatever she wants. Best you slap sense into her, if anything.” Reyla approached.

  “Pff, slap me? He wouldn’t do that,” Carmine laughed.

  “She’s right, I wouldn’t.” One of his ears twitched.

  “Can we get some of those rock guys up and ready, Agthar? I’m itching to practice against something sturdy.” Rai said.

  Echthron and Xena were watching from afar, her eyes focusing on the team.

  “The institute’s taken over investigating the white runes. All we know so far is that they disable incantations and can destroy objects infused with them. Thanks to Zeta, I got to witness it. What’s been bothering me is that the runes are just sitting there doing nothing,” Xena looked toward Echthron.

  “Yes, it’s strange that nothing’s happened. And for that fact, it means we must be incredibly alert.” Echthron’s gaze was persistent in watching the team.

  “Are you sure they can handle the danger that is undoubtedly coming their way?” Xena said.

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  “Why don’t I give you a little rundown on them and the strategies I’ve taught them?” Echthron said.

  “I’m listening,” She put a hand on her chin, focusing her attention back to the group.

  Agthar put his hands in front of him, palms facing each other. A blue spark of mana flickered between his hands before grey stones began to form, until he was holding a heaping boulder. He launched it out in front of him, and the boulder began to morph into a blocky, humanoid figure. The rocky humanoid landed, breaking off a piece of its arm and tossing it to the side. Another one like itself formed, then it repeated what the host had done. This process was repeated until there was a swarm of them. Agthar walked out of the swarm.

  “That should be a hundred. Go all out. I made these tougher than usual.” Agthar said.

  “All out? Now that’s what I like to hear!” Carmine said.

  “Agthar can create and manipulate stone. He’s the spine of the team. Only recently, he learned how to make these constructs. They’re a lot better than training on wooden logs and dummies,” Echthron said.

  “So, what’s his role in their overall strategy?” Xena said.

  “Effectively, he places stones and limits the mobility of a target, ensuring an opening for Yvette, Rai, or Carmine. Not only can he use his surroundings to his advantage, but he can also use them to make defensive structures. And any smart opponent wouldn’t fight him head-on—his strikes are enough to shatter bones. We’ve already had an accident like that.” Echthron said.

  “What happened?” Xena looked at him.

  “During a spar, Rai became impulsive and ignored the rules. Agthar’s exceptionally instinctive thanks to his origins. Rai’s shoulder dislocated, and his ribs were crushed because Agthar listened to his instincts. Thankfully, Reyla was there, but it was a lesson learned for all of them.” Echthron said.

  “I feel uneasy imagining that,” Xena rubbed the back of her hand.

  Carmine raised her foot high above her head, using her hands to keep her leg in place.

  “Oh, great star, she’s flexible,” Xena’s eyes widened.

  “Very flexible. She comes from the House of the Ashborne.” Echthron said.

  Xena’s head snapped toward Echthron.

  “What?! And she can’t read or write?”

  “I don’t understand it either,” Echthron said.

  Xena’s gaze turned to Carmine. She dropped her leg and raised the other one to her rear, stretching it for a few moments, then it dropped back down to the ground. She unlaced her boots and kicked them to the side, sparks of flame flickering at her feet as a crowd of constructs approached. Carmine lunged forward, then pivoted on one foot, swinging her other through the air while her entire foot was wrapped in flames. Her leg effortlessly sliced through an entire row of constructs, the flames erupting in a wide, arching slash. Stone flew around the area, skidding across the courtyard with traces of steam trailing behind. Carmine’s leg dropped, and the sweeping arc of fire surged forward, searing through the entire crowd of constructs. The acrid scent of burning stone filled the courtyard as the flames lost their shape and eventually extinguished. The flames on Carmine’s foot settled to their last ember.

  “Wow… That was incredible. Does she only use her legs? I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Xena put a hand on her chin.

  “Yes, she does. It’s not that she’s unable to use her hands—she just refuses to. I don’t know why, but I won’t tell her no because she’s skilled,” Echthron said.

  “As for Reyla, her ability to heal and tendencies to stay back are often overlooked as fear or inexperience in combat. And that leads to the defeat of many opponents.” Echthron gestured to Reyla, who was clearing out constructs one by one with a metal staff.

  “I see. You know them well, but what about those two?” Xena pointed at Yvette and Rai.

  “As for Yvette and Rai, they’re all-rounders that bring the team together. Yvette is swift and crafty. The attacks from her rapier total up, and her speed will leave you disoriented. She’s the buzzing bee you can’t catch, but there’s more to her than that. There’s not much else to say about Rai other than watch him in action.” Echthron nodded his head toward the two.

  Yvette rushed forward, her rapier piercing through a construct as it crumbled to pebbles. A construct swung at her from behind. She turned, parrying its attack, then thrusted the rapier once through its chest, its body crumbling apart. Her eyes drifted into the distance, lost in thought, while her hand meandered through the air, idly mimicking the fluid motions of battle, practically toying with the constructs that came her way. One would swing, she would dodge, then it would crumble to her rapier. With unwavering resolve, Rai evaded the advancing swarm of constructs that threatened to engulf him. With precision and agility, Rai unleashed a flurry of devastating slashes, each stroke of his blade slicing through the air with deadly grace. The constructs fragmented under the onslaught of attacks, their bodies shattering and scattering into debris at his feet. Rai took a deep breath, grasped the sheath, and guided the blade along it until he found the opening. He slipped the blade back into the scabbard, the sound of a secure click locking it in place.

  “After observing their practice, I feel much more at ease leaving Leviara in their care. They are capable. However, I can’t imagine what each of them has experienced to reach this level. After all, they are still young.” Xena said.

  “Some of them chose this path willingly, while the others were thrust into it against their will. This divide is the crux of the team’s struggle. The stark truth is that they hesitate to risk their lives for one another, even when that sacrifice holds the promise of triumph for all. Until they overcome this fear, true success will remain just out of reach.” Echthron folded his arms behind his back.

  “I see. I thought you noticed a more glaring issue, but that’s different. Haha, only you could identify something like that. To me, the way they performed here was enough for me to believe in them. But the mind is the inner enemy everyone shares,” Xena said.

  “Yes. Only when they face it will we see if they can overcome it.” Echthron said.

  Nightfall, The Silent Expanse.

  “I’ve seen many fools in my day, but you? I think you transcend that. You’re an imbecile,” Elowen said.

  Zeta clenched his fists and furrowed his brows, staring at the elven woman. Elowen shifted from foot to foot, the wind tugging at her dark, baggy cloak.

  “I didn’t expect him to be so aware of my presence,” he said.

  “No, no, no. Wrong, wrong, and wrong! You expected him to be terrified of you, didn’t you? If we are to sustain our hybrid, we need his blood in any way that is possible to get it!” Elowen shouted.

  “I’ll get the blood. You just make sure you don’t go back on your word, or I’ll have Morris crush your skull,” Zeta said.

  “Oh, Zeta. Your threats are empty to me, and you know why. I knew you’d come crawling back to me one day. I am the reason you’re still alive here today! You left the onyx on death’s fucking door!” Elowen said.

  “Shut up! You don’t know what happened in there!” Zeta pointed at her.

  “Oh, but I do! Don’t think I’m some gullible little elf, Zeta. You had it the easiest in there! You were the one they wouldn’t lay even as much as a finger on, yet you left, because you’re an ego-driven lunatic! And now I can see that nothing’s changed since then.” Elowen said.

  “Nothing’s changed? No, you just won’t open your eyes. I have changed, I am better than who I was back then! You should reconsider everything you’ve just said to me, because I am better, I am smarter, and soon no one will be able to stand next to me! They’ll worship only me and my ideas, because that is what is meant for me! I will make sure that even the stars worship me!” Zeta yelled.

  His hands trembled, and veins bulged on his forehead. Zeta’s breaths were uneven, and the buzzing sounds of nightlife took over. Crickets chirping, a cold wind gliding through, the hooting of owls, and the rustling of leaves.

  “I should’ve left you to bleed out and rot. If you don’t have that blood by our next meeting, then the deal is off.” Elowen said.

  She turned and vanished into the vast forest.