The sky that night only confirmed what Noble already knew. The strange light in the heavens was shooting eastward and a little south, directly toward the point on the map where they were going to head the following morning. All too soon, the sun began to filter through the leafy branches.
After writing two notes, one for the Fortress and one for the city by the sea, Noble and Flint prepared to leave with Syrce and her party.
"If you can post the message for people to see or at least make a public announcement, I would be most grateful," Noble told Orrin as she pressed the note in his palm.
"You helped save Drusus," the Shieldbearer responded in a low tone. "I will do everything in my power to make sure those that you want to reach see this message."
He meant the words, and Noble took great comfort in them.
The second missive was reserved for the Fortress. With an iron nail, it was affixed to the gate along with a map. No one would remain to deliver it should Roan or the others arrive at a later date.
Those who did not leave with the Saint or Orrin would have to disperse in the next few days. With the gate at the base of the enormous tree, the area was no longer considered safe. They would have to leave before another terrifying creature escaped from the Darkness to consume them.
The Fortress would be abandoned.
As Syrce gave Orrin her final instructions and things to tell Lyra, the wagons began to be lifted and lowered in reverse of the day before. It was mesmerizing to watch how they harnessed the Pink Ones.
The ancient pulleys groaned as the creatures were hoisted into the air one by one.
At last, the final one was released to the ground. They were ready to disembark.
'It was nice while it lasted.' Noble wriggled her bare feet against the bark floor. Reluctantly, she headed through the gates and to the edge of the ledge.
Flint joined her with his fingers tucked into his belt.
"What are you waiting for, Blondie? Come on!"
He didn't wait for her to answer. He simply leapt from the edge.
Noble followed after him, activating their connection and sharing her Ability with Flint as she sailed down.
The man slowed his fall midway down and floated gently to the ground.
"That will never get old," he smiled.
Child of Promise came down beside him, her golden hair reflecting the morning light.
"A little more warning next time would be nice," she laughed softly, "but I am glad to know you finally trust me."
"I wouldn't go so far as that." Flint brushed a falling leaf from his freshly summoned armor. "I have just seen you save a person you didn't know and a guard whom you had barely met. It was a calculated risk that you would help me."
"What you are describing sounds a lot like trust..." Noble raised one eyebrow at him.
The man could have called on his power to create an ice slide as he had before, but he had chosen not to do so.
The Legacy shrugged. "Call it what you like. I got to fly, and that is what matters."
A smile formed on Noble's face. It wasn't much of an admission, but still.
"Thank you for trusting me."
Flint scowled. "Stop grinning at me like that. You would think I had admitted to making blankets for orphans in my spare time."
Regaining her neutral expression, the lady nodded. "I had no idea you did that, Flint. I am sure the orphans appreciate it."
"Blast it! That's not what I meant." Before Flint could explain further, a large basket filled with soldiers and their commander landed lightly on the forest floor.
The Saint had opted not to take her Transcendent form in favor of the mundane means of travel. She looked at the two Masters with a curious expression.
"Is everything alright?"
"We are just anxious to leave," Noble decided against agitating Flint more. A light jest was fine, but she had no desire to make him seriously angry.
"As am I." The mossy-haired Saint exited the large basket. She waved to her men. "Make your final preparations. We either leave in five minutes or someone is leaving their head behind."
Noble didn't want to ask who. She hoped that she wouldn't find out. As the soldiers hurried to complete their tasks in time, the trio took their place in the front wagon. Without Orrin, Syrce once again took up the driver's seat. Her fingers danced on the reins in untapped energy.
Noble joined her on the front bench, and Flint wordlessly sat behind. His complaints had either grown less frequent or, without The Other's Voice, he was just keeping the thoughts to himself.
Either way, Noble was glad for the change.
At the front of the wagon, the Pink Ones were already in place and stomping against the ground to get going.
Without a word, Syrce flicked the straps in her hands.
After a single night of rest, the caravan was off again.
They were in much better shape. Those who had been hurt in the course of their travels were sent to the sea, but a new crop of soldiers from the Fortress was equipped and ready to join them for whatever came.
Under the new directive, the group's energy was renewed. Even the creatures travelling with them seemed refreshed and eager to go. They set out on a brisk pace, making much better time than the previous days that Noble had traveled with them. Their journey would take four or five days if things went well.
If they didn't...No! She couldn't think like that. They would reach the Mirage's home without delay.
'By then, I will have been in the Nightmare for a week.'
Things did go smoothly for the first few days. Aside from an occasional attack from isolated monsters, the convoy of soldiers did not meet any real obstacles.
In the second half of their journey, the forest around them subtly shifted. The few mundane creatures that they had spotted along the way disappeared entirely, and the forest became more sinister, as if their presence was no longer welcome.
She remembered the wood carved into the table and chairs back at the Awakened Academy. Were these trees their predecessors? If so, hopefully, they were just protective of their area and not corrupted yet.
Coming around a bend, Noble's eyes opened wide.
The world opened up to a wide river. Its muddy banks were once filled to overflowing, but now it only flowed at a mild pace before reaching a steep cliff.
At the edge of the cliff stood a once-great city. Though there were no people to populate it currently, Noble could see that it once thrived.
The water had been their main resource, and a bountiful one at that.
With the help of ancient enchantments, a complex system of dams and locks was meant to help raise and lower ships down the kilometer-long drop-off, guiding them to safety.
It would have been beautiful if not for the harrowing reality surrounding it.
All around the city, deep scars akin to valleys were carved at unnatural angles, made by claws bigger than Noble could fathom. The ruins were scattered as entire swaths of streets had been turned to rubble.
What had destroyed this beautiful place?
Noble wasn't sure, and she shivered as she contemplated how harrowing the monster must have been.
There was only one clue that was left behind, and it did not ease the Master's mind in the slightest.
Against the top of the shattered dam lay a piece of porcelain taller than any building in the Waking world and wider than any train.
Only it wasn't porcelain.
It was a single glistening talon.