The late evening was full of chaos in Drudar as the kingdom prepared for war. Everyone was rushing about, making final arrangements. Any moment could mark the beginning of battle—it was just that no one knew exactly when it would happen.
Eleana stood atop the southern wall, overseeing the preparations below. She had been ordered to organize the army's defenses along the ramparts. Her gaze swept across the knights and soldiers arranging the simple cannons on both sides of the wall. Among them were several automated ones, reminding her briefly of the Puppet Bazaar. She shook her head and looked upward.
The stars glimmered faintly through the clouds, and the moon was half-veiled. She sighed softly, her long hair fluttering in the evening breeze. Turning to her assistant knight—a golden-armored warrior and one of the kingdom's strongest—she spoke firmly.
"Gurian, try to finish this within two prahars. After that, set up the automated bows—four on the towers and one at the front gate. And prepare the giant pot of Abarq furnace."
Gurian bowed deeply. "Yes, my lady," he replied before marching off to deliver her orders.
The wide wall-top was busy, filled with motion and noise. Eleana watched silently, her expression unreadable. She clenched her fists as she looked at them and sighed,"When will I catch up to him...". Then, glancing southeast, she murmured under her breath, "Be safe…"
.....
Near Eryssa's quarters, Lythria stood surrounded by a dozen golden knights—all of them women. Her eyes fell on the one in the center, a black knight
With a faint smile, Lythria said, "Lady Nyelle, are you home arresting me? I don't think I need this many knights for protection. You even stopped me from going with Veer! By the time I got back from your damn meeting, he was already gone…"
It was surprising to see the kindest soul Veer had ever met speaking so harshly.
Nyelle yawned and replied lazily, "I'm just following orders. Don't cause trouble. You all—take care of her."
The knights bowed in acknowledgment as Nyelle turned and left. Lythria bit her lip and walked back toward her room, muttering under her breath, "Oh Ancestor… what should I do?"
...
Far away, in the outskirts shrouded by a faint veil that distorted the air like rippling glass, a tall lady walked calmly with a Katana in hand.The Katana was so beautiful with intricate designs that reflected the veiled face of the lady. Her face was half-hidden behind a translucent veil, and her red-orange ritual robes shimmered faintly, concealing her form yet accentuating her beauty.
She stopped before a man lying in a pool of blood and asked coldly, "So tell me—did you find him?"
The man shuddered and shrieked, "Forgive me! Please! I'll do better next time… He was last seen in Drudar!"
There was no trace of blood on her blade.
"It's all right," she said softly. "That was just a small punishment. You may return to the temple—but you'll live as a servant from now on. As for me… I'll go personally. Let's see if he can really hide from me."
The man's form faded into shadows as he bowed and vanished. As she disappeared, a gentle sigh lingered in the air.
....
In a secluded palace, Eryssa stood silently. The place resembled a royal castle—majestic yet tranquil, adorned with fountains and finely carved statues. Before her shimmered a mirror-like portal surrounded by intricate orange-hued plants.
A lady dressed in mysterious veils bowed beside her. "Princess, as per your father's orders, please step into the Zythmic Spirit Mirror and complete the ritual."
Eryssa's golden hair fell gracefully over her shoulders. She wore a white gown with floral adornments and a simple wand at her waist. She bit her lip, hesitating only a moment before her eyes turned resolute. Then, with a deep breath, she stepped toward the mirror.
....
Veer was elsewhere—in a strange, dreamlike world that somehow felt familiar.
He stood before a middle-aged man and woman whose gentle eyes radiated immense power. Nearby, a little girl played joyfully with a toy in her hands. Veer's heart ached as he watched them, though he didn't know why.
The girl ran up to him, smiling. "Brother, look! Isn't it beautiful?"
She held up her dancing toy, and Veer reached out to pat her head. But just as he touched her cheek, the world twisted violently around him and he woke up.
He touched his face. "I'm crying…" he murmured. "Who were they? Why does it hurt so much?"
Footsteps approached. Sythris appeared, her blue cape fluttering as she walked up to him. "Veer? Wait—you're crying?"
Veer smiled faintly as he said, "Just a dream."
Behind her, the knights' campfires flickered in the distance. Sythris sighed. "I know this has been hard on you, Veer… but we need you."
Veer frowned. Was she… fidgeting?
It was already past the quarter of the night when he asked, "Why are we here? I don't see the point in this."
"Everyone is bound by duty to protect the land," she replied. "I'm just following orders."
She glanced around to make sure the nearby knights weren't listening, then suddenly tapped his shoulder and leaned closer, whispering near his ear, "Be careful. You'll learn what tonight's assembly is about after midnight."
Veer's eyes sharpened as he nodded. "Sythris—"
"I understand," she interrupted softly. "After everything settles, we'll talk more."
Veer watched her retreat into the moonlight, her face half-hidden by its glow. For a moment, he was entranced as he thought, What talk! He didn't even remember her...
He sat down near the campfire, lost in thought. The dream still haunted him—it felt so real, so close. As the night deepened and the sound of armor faded, his eyes grew heavy.
But suddenly, he jolted upright. Something had passed by—fast.
His half-formed core flared instinctively as he activated his new ability he had recently learned after forming his core. Through it, he could sense everything within a Thruti about thirty feet.
And what he saw shocked him—every knight was motionless, dazed yet alive. Even Sythris was gone.
A golden knight approached him slowly—it was Erith, someone Veer recognized from the march.
Erith crouched down before him with a grin. "Open your eyes, bro… You're using Star Vision, huh? Haha, looks like you're the only one unaffected. Amazing… truly amazing."
Veer tensed, ready to strike, but he was wary of the unexpected presence nearby, watching.
Then, a voice echoed faintly in his mind. He recognized it—it was Sythris's.
He also remembered now that Eleana had told him before fighting Noelle,"Someone will come when situation is dire."Why had he forgotten that?
He shook his head as focused on the voice again—it was calm, almost like a recording.
"Veer, listen. This message will activate only if we're in danger. Don't panic. Keep talking to that man… and whatever you do, don't try to sense the other presence."