-{House of Peace, Government District}-
Grand and Vibrant were the two words that best described the buildings of the government district.
Their white plastered walls with fine light wooden details and the blue roofs that painted a target of beauty among the buildings fit well together.
Inside the House of Peace, a building dedicated to the people who allowed the Kingdom of Gion to survive in trying times were discussing the events that took place the night before. A never seen before entrance using the Spout of Orneas.
To trample on the idea of their god created fumes amongst the powerful leaders of the table.
These leaders were known as the Peace Council, who also collaborated once every quarter with the council of the House of Law and House of Order — all underneath the King of course.
Once the specifics of the surprise attack were brought to light, discussion began with the veteran and Elder asking the most important question. "How many casualties?"
"Only 43."
"Really? Only that much?!" Kallus Evertree, the oldest of the House of Peace council members, was a person with a great amount of experience. When the specifics of the invasion were finally confirmed, he couldn't help but think how many casualties there would be. At least multiple hundreds considering it took place in one of the most popular places in the entire Kingdom!
"My men asked around for witnesses, and many of them explained how two boys, around the age of thirteen or fourteen based on looks, held off the beasts just long enough for the Protector's to arrive. One was supporting from the back, while the other was fist first in the faces of those monsters." Jameson Falworth, a man not of the military, but with a mind designed for strategy whether it be chess, or war. Because of having no background in the Peacekeepers, his frame was rather skinny — without any noticeable muscle. His black hair, eyes, and simple beard thankfully gave him a very mature look with the addition of being 45 years old.
"Do we have any idea who these two boys are? They must be rewarded for their noble efforts. Maybe even a medal and reward!" Wyntor Damnatio, a crippled ex-peacekeeper that received an unlucky flaw that did not work well with his power.
"They are children. If anything, we should ignore everything related to them and thank the Protectors for doing their job. Of course the children deserve praise, but we shouldn't waste any resources trying to find them… especially now." Albus Terrador added being a very high ranking ex-peacekeeper who meant strict business. The man was built like a machine, and his simple looks made him someone to not shove aside.
"Okay. I suppose that works. I will send a letter to the Protector guild so they can begin investigating the Spout." Kallus ended the abrupt meeting and went their separate ways. While walking down the white quartz steps to the main floor of the house of peace, Kallus began wondering if not praising them was the right decision. However, there was far too much at stake to spend time locating them, and all they had were a multitude of different descriptions from scarred individuals.
Come the morning, the Springs of Orneas would be unfortunately closed with large details of protectors doing their best to undercover their way in.
Already, they suspect there is an entrance to the underground pressured river where the source or beginning of the river stands.
But… entering it from the spout or wherever the source is, would be considered suicide.
…
-{Tavenas, Central Market District}-
From the flight full of direction changes, devastating punches, and the spear of water that was thrown at lightning speed, Elijah's mana was dropped drastically to lower than twenty percent. Of course, this was partially due to the lower amount of mana within the atmosphere.
A sight of normalcy entered the eyes of Elijah upon waking.
Two ordinary looking adults were sitting on a long couch with a small infant within their grasp. The couch sat directly behind a window that looked out into the battlefield of the night before. Except for the fact the courtyard that housed the statue of Orneas had been blocked off by Protectors and orange cones.
"Ah! Wonderful! You are awake." The lady said while handing her newborn child to her husband. "Are you feeling okay, enough to go home to your parents? I saw what you did, and I would be happy to arrange a carriage."
"I'm sorry, but where is Niko?"
"He should be in the other room if I'm not mistaken."
Elijah began to get up, but felt an immense amount of pain within his left leg. Then he remembered the hole…
"I had doctors come in here to heal you as best as they could, but they were only able to do so much. Please, allow me to grab you a—"
"Elijah! You are awake!" Niko funneled into the room and began expressing his need to leave. These people had graciously taken care of them as they were a witness to their acts of selfishness.
In reality, Elijah just wanted some action and to make sure Saskia stayed safe. If only he knew where she was…
Quickly, a cool liquid began to form within Elijah's left thigh, and over a period of ten minutes was healed to the best of the ability that water magic could manage.
"You are sure you do not want a carriage?!" The lady said while walking to where the front door was.
"We are fine. Thank you for your act of kindness, it goes a long way."
The mother who held her infant seemed rather depressed at their need to leave. "O-oh… Okay then. Thank you for everything!"
Before Elijah followed Niko out of the door, he took a moment to take in the sight of a modernized apartment within what most people would call the heart of Tavenas. The organic colors of white, brown, and blue — alongside tasteful decorations and pigmented couches that sat in front of an ornate wooden coffee table.
Gathering, normalcy, and love were the first words that came to mind.
"Something like this… sure would be nice…" Elijah muttered on his way out the door — barely limping with every step he took.
Niko and Elijah conversed about the events that took place, the obvious investigation occurring within the Orneas Square of the Central Market District of Tavenas, food, and the route they would have to take on the way back to Richter's flat.
Both of them still had their emblems and spatial storages on their persons thankfully. Later on, they would hopefully find who this so-called "princess" is.
Either they are Royalty, or the one of the King's daughters. Elijah and Niko had recently learned of the hierarchy in the kingdom. Commoners, Nobles, Dukes, Royalty, and the King's family.
Elijah limped all the way to a restaurant fuming with the smells of seasoned meats. Upon sitting down, he focused on further healing his leg, and quickly begged the waitress to order.
"Do you think the attack was targeted at us?" Niko asked as he sliced into his salmon filet.
Elijah was busy chewing on a perfectly cooked bowl of ground meat filled with all kinds of herbs, onions, avocado, and a feta dressing. Rice was underneath, and not yet mixed into his large bites.
"That was way too random to happen casually… But it also wouldn't make sense if we were targeted. I think we may have just been in the perfect place at the perfect time when the void beasts recognized my benevolence."
"Do you think I have benevolence too?"
Niko's question was valid, but also impossible to prove. Elijah had no information about what benevolence grants him besides the obvious immunity to corruption-based magic. Perhaps void magic and corruption are the exact same concept besides corruption being the opposite of benevolence, while void is the artificial element created by the void.
"No way to know unless we figure out if benevolence grants me different powers and advantages."
…
"Please don't tell me you were part of the invasion…" Richter said while watching the two boys walk in through the wooden door.
"How do you already know about the attack?!" Niko asked before reclining into his orange chair.
"Words spread fast Niko… There are a few news outlets nearby to keep everyone in the loop of everything happening within Gion. Just know, your names were at all in the paper released this morning."
Elijah kneeled next to Richter on the second single couch, and began intently observing the map of Gion.
"It seems like there's a lot more to this kingdom than I expected… Do you know anything about the origin of the Spout of Orneas?" Elijah asked while looking at the eastern edge of the Gion map.
"No idea. The water is obviously pressurized, so I wouldn't suggest exploring. One thing to note is the body of water next to Ostand. Over here…" Richter pointed past the western side of Gion, and into the blue pigments full of ocean waves. "The waves are said to be hundreds of feet high, which created the Sandbar that protects Ostand from the violent currents. If anything, there must be caves underneath the water, and currents of water pressurize through a long cavern, leading to the Spout of Orneas."
Elijah's brain suddenly jumped from surprise. He had noticed the thick band of a beige color, but just assumed it was a large stretch of sand.
"You may be right, but there may be an explanation unseen to the eye. A deep underground river similar to the many waterfall chasms in The Catacombs. The King could've intentionally sent the beasts through a chain of caves, eventually leading to the spout."
"Oh. I did forget about that. The King has control over the void beasts."