Chapter 54: Past The Walls

A Chapter by Latifa Rahim

Banri and Jadel meets a small thief who is about to get captured. The worse comes after they got involved in that matter.

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"So you won't let that kid go, no matter what?" Banri sighs, placing back his money

back. "That's a shame."

"Shame for him, not us." the Seraphim scoffs. "Your lightest punishment won't even

cost you a head... It'll be just two fingers maximum."

The kid tugs his hand harder after hearing such ominous predicament. He screamed

on top of his lungs, trying to break free from the soldier. "No! Let me go! Let me go!!"

The soldier sneers, seeing his prey doesn't even match his strength.

He walk past Jadel and Banri, saying they can do nothing about this child's fate.

"Hold it, b*****d." Jadel holds his fuming breath. "Where d'ya think ya going?"

Before any of the soldiers react, he had Mörs swung violently. The blunt end hits the soldier's helmet, sending his figure off the street. A loud, crashing sound follows as his metal suit rammed the stone pavilion. His friend who's holding the kid's hand dropped his jaw, speechless as Banri also does.

"W- What...!" both of them gasps in shock, "Are you crazy?!"

Banri finally found back his voice.

"I've always been, beardy!" Jadel flex his shoulder, readying another attack.

The soldier quickly released the kid and prepare his sword. "Insolence! You’ve crossed

the line, now! How dare you defy us, the Seraphim army?!"

"We're not defying anything, jerk; this is called common sense!"

"What are you trying to say?" the soldier grunts. "Peasants. Do you know nothing

about obliging laws in foreign country?!"

"Never been a fan of law!" Jadel let out his signature smirk.

"Sorry, mate! Time out for you!" Another swing follows his words; Jadel aimed straight

to the head like he did before.

The soldier turns out able to dodge his attack, deflecting Mörs with his own sword.

Seeing the situation is now far from the word 'compromise', Banri pulled the kid to his

safety. "Thanks, Uncle!" the kid grins wide, showing a blank between his teeth rack.

"Uncle? Hey now, I'm not that old! Anyway, don't go off from me, okay?!"

Jadel roared as he swung Mörs in circular motion, trying to sweep victory in one game. The Seraphim narrows his eyes, focusing where he should strike to render off Jadel's attack. He took one step back, then as Jadel storms closer, he bend rightward and strike. His sword, thin as fencing rapier, nudge against Mörs' heavy blade. Jadel staggered behind as his attack has been disrupted.

"Damn it!" he spat.

"Heh. So vicious, brutal... like a wild animal." the soldier smug-smirked himself. "You

can't win against me, peasant."

"Ha! That's my line, sucker!" Jadel wipes off his sweat. "Damn, I had hoped won't have

to use special means to finish you off. Guess you didn't give me much choice!" he

changes his stance. Legs stretched, Mörs lowered to the ground.

"What? Are you giving up already? So boring... Huh?!" The soldier's eyes sparks worry

as he saw Mörs began to envelope itself in guzzling wind. "What the...?" he blinks.

"Victory never feel so close!" Jadel says before leapt off. "Eat this! Gyro Splatter!!" he

hurls Mörs, along with the gusts to his enemy.

The wind blows off the soldier's landing, rigging his solid armor. "D****t!" the soldier

grunts. "What... What's that just now?!" his forceful grin tries to flush away the

imminent fear rising from his heart.

"Not done yet!" Jadel leapt again, this time he sent off small hurricanes from his sword.

"Feathergust!!" he roars. Jadel's whirlwind are strong enough to blow even some

plants around the street, breaking their bond with the soil permanently. Banri and the

kid have to cover their eyes from the dirt's remnants.

As Jadel lands, he is left in triumph as his enemy now laid to waste on the ground.

"Heh! Not hard at all, not at all!" he bluffed. "Howzat, kid? Pretty awesome, huh!"

The kid couldn't even say a word, he's left in awe seeing a fight so one-sided.

"Commoner, peasant; my a*s! This one have bested you, oh-so-mighty soldier!" Jadel

smirks at the fallen soldier, now unconscious. But their victory didn't last long, as the

commotion now invites more crowd-- from the army.

"Hey, what's going on there?!" shouts one of the soldiers.

"I think there are people fighting!" one bystander reports.

"What, fighting? Where is it?"

"I heard some soldiers are trying to subdue some brutes!"

"Guards!! After them!!"

It doesn't take long for the Seraphim to gather around and run to Banri and Jadel's

way. This turn of event has got uglier! So they waste no time and dashed out.

"Kid, with me!" Banri nods to the kid. "Jadel, go the other way! We'll spread them

out!"

"Roger!!" Jadel gives him a thumb-up then took another turn on the intersection.

Banri and the kid ran with all of their might, past the intersection and into a complex of noble houses. The spiraling pillars acted as their protectives, casting shades against their apparition. Banri took the kid around one house, into its back walls. They stopped for a bit, catching their roused breath after a long sprint. Banri slouched to the brick walls, patting his weary shoulders.

"Geh... We're safe for now..." he huffed.

"Kid, you got some serious sprints on those feet!" his smile invites one from the kid.

"Flint. That's my name."

"Ho! A sharp name for a daring one." Banri let out a breather. "Mine’s Banri. Banri

Yates. Still, theft is a dangerous stunt to pull; you can get troubles from it. Make sure

this is the last time, kid!" Flint pouts, he seem to not agree with the older man's

advice.

"What's that? You have something to say?" Banri taunts. "You're not agree with me?"

"Of course not!" Flint yells back. "There’s no way I can afford this medicine! Not by

stealing them! But I-- we need it, so I don’t have many choices, right?”

Banri sighs, he can only respond with a clueless scratch to his head.

"Those soldiers... They are also residents of Isfel! Why didn't they say anything to their

boss? I'm sure their family or relatives are also suffering down below... But why are

they trying to punish me?!"

"Calm down, kid." Banri ruffles Flint's hair. "That’s what happened when you grow out

from love. None of those things matters but your personal gain."

"Love, huh… Yeah, I think that’s what everyone in Divum lacks. Did you see how they

throw party every night, for talks about their money, estate, possession?" Flint ask.

"Yeah, they are lonely people..." Banri nods. "Anyway!" he shifts the topic.

"...Make sure you don't drop that medicine. Get it back safe and sound to your folks."

“Will do!" Flint nods eagerly.

Before the two can pursue further chat, some noises in the background which was faded now comes alight. It was the Seraphim's, shouting all over the place to surround Banri and Flint so they won't have any opening to escape.

"Drat!" Banri curses. He peeks from the back wall, then found out that he's surrounded.

Seraphim soldiers have scattered all around the house's perimeter, completely

blocking him from any way out.

"Uncle! Are we surrounded?" Flint ask.

"Not 'uncle', kid! It's Banri." he tries to sound calm, but the bullet of sweats says

otherwise. "Calm down, they’re just small fries! We’ll get past them without sweat!"

Banri looks potently at Flint. The boy has his face still, though the situation have soured. His eyes are glued check to the medicine jar, curled on his palm. This kid is worried about his folks alright, Banri thought to himself. There's no way I will let his effort go to waste!

He rounded some ideas, potential for slipping past the army. Truth be told, Banri has long thought of using his artillery assist; but it would aggravate his pursuers further and put him at greater risk. Banri scratches his head; knowing it’s the most viable way to open a breaking escape.

"I can't think of other way. But where should I aim?" As he kept thinking, suddenly a

rare chance flashed upon his eyes.

A group of noblewomen is seen strolling towards his direction! They seem to be flawlessly obnoxious, though there are technically more than a dozen of soldiers surrounding the area. The noblewomen ignores them; all for the sake of juicy talks they have to share right this moment with their peers.

"A-ha!" a sly grin spun on Banri's lips.

"Banri? Do you have an idea?" Flint ask.

"Worry not, kid! Uncle Banri is here to save the day!" he boasted.

"Ain't called ‘Robin from the South’ for nothing!" he dig out his bow, Elanus Axila and

some wooden arrows.

"Wait! Banri, don’t kill them! We’ll be jailed if we do!" Flint sounds worried.

"Listen, kid. I'm going to make an opening for our escape." Banri explains.

"Don't lose this chance. When you see an opening, go run past this house and around

the big building over there." he points across.

"Got it! But what about you?"

"I'll be right behind you. Now, get ready!"

Narrowing one of his eyes, Banri aimed, adjusting his arrow head to the target. His plan is to fly some arrows right before the noblewomen's feet, surprising them and hopefully their ludicrous scream will distract the Seraphim.

"Alright... Here we go!" he crossed fingers, then stretched the bow line.

The noblewomen beams off past the soldiers, despite their warning. Among those giggles, their steps have been marked by the Robin. In precision, Banri release his grip from the arrow's tail. Three shots have been fired from his direction; the arrows sped into the noblewomen's side. Calculated less than two seconds, a panic scream hits the street as Banri's arrows stubs few inches before the noblewomen group's shoes. Their pitched voice sends alarm to all of the soldiers.

"Now! Run!!" Banri said to Flint. The boy nods before quickly running off.

Banri waited seconds longer, trying to make out of the scene he caused.

After ensuring all Seraphim’s attentions are to the noblewomen, he sped off also,

catching up to Flint. They sped off, past the street where some soldiers started

shouting, "Hey! There they are-- after them!"

"Whoa, Banri! That's clever!" Flint laughs merrily as he ran.

"I know, right?! This 'Uncle' has still some tricks on his sleeves!" Banri laughs also.

The two sprints like they weren't on chase; those faces shows more of rushing

excitement. "Around the building, lad!" Banri shouts to Flint.

"Gotcha!" the kid sprints faster toward the large building; turns out to be the Palace.

As the two making their way, from the Palace's outlook, a window blurts open. Whoever inside seems to be distraught by the commotion he had to see for himself what has happening. Behind the door, there is Blythe Neredzīe, distracted from his paperwork.

"What in blazes?!" he eyed pack of soldiers storming the street, carrying weapon on

their hands. "Hey! What's the meaning of this?!" he yells on top of his lungs.

One soldier running from afar caught his message, stops a bit and saluted. "Sir

Chancellor! We are deeply apologize for the inconvenience, Sir! Currently, there's

A thief on the run!" he implores.

"Thief?! How can you overlook such puny mistake?! Do you call yourself Seraphim

soldiers in that way?!" Blythe sounds furious.

"Sir! We shall catch and punish him soon!"

"Good! Catch him soon, and let me work in peace!" Blythe grunts deeply.

Before he slips back and close the window, he saw Flint sped by. Blythe was so shocked he couldn't even inform those soldiers that the person they were chasing have passed his very own eyes. Ultimately, he's too shocked seeing Flint grins ear to ear and spout some mocking words from his small mouth.

"Baldy old man! You’ll be punished by the Gods for being mean to us!"

He flashed his tongue, before disappearing into the backway.

"What the...? I- Is that... Is that the...?!" Blythe was just about to reorganize his

thought, when Banri slips by.

"Good day to you, Sir!" the older man greets him plain as day. "Don't let the soldiers

know where we are, alright? See ya, then!" he waved, then disappeared also.

"What is... just happening..." Blythe suddenly feels his feet dragging along the thick

carpet.

"Are we safe here?" Flint crouches behind the walls.

"Not likely. We haven't lost them..." Banri kept his eyes checked, eyeing the soldiers.

"Flint, do you think you can run for a bit more?"

The kid wipes his sweat, stand back up and nodded. "I can!"

"Good. It seems we'll have to go now..." Banri said, seeing the soldiers are heading

towards them. "Go, go, go!" he gave Flint's shoulder a push, and began running behind.

Within his sprint, Banri suddenly felt a peculiar stinging pain, thwarted inside his calf.

He turned around and... there is an arrow lodged inside.

"D****t!! Aaargh!" he spat on his mind as he stumbles down to the ground.

"Banri?!" Flint stopped, he looked around in horror.

"Don't stop! Go! Go!" Banri yells, one hand grasping his bleeding leg.

"F**k! Just how ugly my luck recently..." he glares at the Seraphim, amongst there

were some who carry crossbows. "They found out the thief has an archer on his side,

huh..." he grit his teeth. "Flint! What are you dallying about?! Run!!" he shouts again.

"But, but... You're..." the kid's resolve starts to falter.

"Goddamnit, kid! Just run! Leave me alone!!"

"NO!!!" Flint rushes back to the older man's side. He crouched, checking how bad his

wound is. Flint bit his lips, then finally realized he won't go anywhere if he keep this

charade on.

"I surrender!!" he shouts at the Seraphim, standing in front of Banri. "Don't hurt Banri!

I'll surrender myself!"

"Wait, no!" Banri hisses. "Flint, don't!"

"No! I can't let someone get hurt because of me!" hand shifts into his pocket, Flint got

the medicine out. "Here! I'm giving this back." he put the ointment jar on the

ground, slowly. Several steps back, the kid raise his hands on the air. "Don't hurt Banri!

I'll go with you to your barrack or whatever, but don't hurt him!"

"Bind." Suddenly, a voice echoes. Seconds later, Flint felt his body got heavier from an

unseen restraint. The kid fell to the ground, wondering why his legs aborted their duty.

"Flint!!!" Banri tries to reach the kid's body, but failed due to his limited movement.

"If I were you, I won't move too much." the voice's owner shows his figure from the

Group of soldiers. “Your limbs won’t be able to move for a while.

I suggest you cooperate to make this less painful.”

"Iegor!!!" Banri barks angrily.

"How ugly of you to taint this serene day with your repugnant mischief." this junior of

Blautiel still plays his hair's side-fringe. He crouches down, meeting Banri's alerting

glare. "Acting like a stray dog to the very end, I see." he chuckles.

"Careful to not bite your tongue while mocking someone, boy!" Banri gets him back.

"Men!" Iegor stand up, commanding his platoon. "Leave the small fry to me. I'll deliver

his punishment personally..." he smirks at Flint. "Take this seedy guy to the jail!

A pair of soldier quickly drags Banri off. The older man stumbled few times due to his injured calf, but they doesn’t seem to care. He's forced to walk with one leg, while another gone limp from the injury. From behind, Iegor smirks profoundly seeing the detained man walks crippled.

"Make sure he walk all~ the~ way~ to the jail, got it?" Iegor tweaks his side fringe again.

"Don't be lenient to him!!"

"Roger, Sir!" the soldier salutes back.

"Wait, Iegor! Let me... Let me..." Banri’s eyes flutter open and shut; trying to not lose

his consciousness over flesh wound he sustained. He is worrying the kid's safety, being

not any safer with sadistic Iegor on his side. "Let Flint come with me!" he begged.

"We'll go to jail anyway, right? So what's the problem letting us walk together?!"

"Shut your mouth, dog." Iegor's face twitched.

"Be grateful Commander Blautiel isn't here-- you wouldn’t want to upset him." A

sardonic smile whips his mouth.

"Wait, Iegor! Wait... Hey, let me go!" Banri's voice fades away, along with the

garrisoned Seraphim.

Now, Flint is left alone with Iegor. The kid trembles, seeing how unruly this soldier's

expression is, as if he's designing evil masterplan on his mind. In a moment, Iegor undid his binding spell with finger’s weave. Flint could feel his limbs finally removed from restraint. He’s able to stand up now, quivering in front of the ghastly image of his enemy.

"You." Iegor's sudden speech startled Flint, his shoulder jumps off. "W- What…?"

"How much did you stole?" Iegor scanned Flint's body from head to toe; under his

shabby shirt, under his sewn-patched shorts, beneath his sloppy socks or ragged

shoes... There was no sign of hidden item. Iegor gave a long, regretful sigh.

Hastily, Flint points at the ointment jar left on its device on the ground.

"Is that all?" Iegor asks.

"Yes." Flint nods slowly.

"Alright. Follow me." Iegor walks off, leaving Flint speechless this time.

Wasn't he going to deliver 'personal punishment' for my crime? Why he's trotting off without doing anything to me? Flint's idyllic mind prevents him from stepping forward. He waited for probable reaction before deciding to pick up the ointment jar.

"Come now, lad, I'm not a man with loads of spare time." Iegor calls him to go forth.

"W- Where to...?" That was the best Flint could make out of his curiosity.

"To Isfel." Iegor replied shortly.

"Isfel? B- But why? Aren't you about to..." he paused. "...punish me for theft..."

"There's no reason to, that’s why." Iegor answered honestly. "Book of Zarmesiton,

Devotion, verse 108: Would thee blindeth eye to thine brethren; they indeed suffer!

Would not thine hand extend with mercy?" he recites a passage from religious text.

"Y- You mean..." Flint holds his breath in anticipation.

Iegor shook his head. "Make no mistake. I’m not doing this for you. I simply act out

my faith to the Gods.”

"A- Alright... Thank... you." Flint whispers quietly.

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Divum Stratum Palace, the workplace of Blythe Neredzīe. The man draped in official white suit of Chancellor seems to be in a distressed state. He had just witnessed commotion broke out on his work hour; caused by mere thief lurking around his beloved city.

Impudent, he thought. How could the army failed to see utmost important of security? The Malakim lives here! What if they filed complaints to us Ophanim, then to Binah-- it would be disastrous. Blythe realized that the biggest supporter of his and other Officials are the nobles (Malakim). Their act of patrons greatly inquire the Ophanim to work ten times harder to upright the city structure, also handling security and provide luxuries for daily needs. This imminent request always kept the Ophanim at bay; working their bones from daylight to another.

Blythe has just received a report about another malevolent uproar in the Sealed Chamber. It is again, about the emerald orb insistently kept by Ölver as his prove of worthiness to his late parents. He was told by the guards that Ölver demands his presence ASAP at the Sealed Chamber. Ölver requested Blythe to personally see this issue resolved to its good end.

Soon, Blythe arrived in front of the same door he have been yesterday. It is choke full of talisman and magic wards, draped in the whole steel door. He grips the rigged handle and knocks. Moments later, the door creaks open.

"Chancellor, Sir." the same Seer he met yesterday. "I apologize for this condition."

She bowed. Under shaded veil, baggy eyes naught of vitality tries best to stay open.

"Why can't you do such simple job?" Blythe lands his protest head-on. "You were

recruited for this! You're trained for this!"

The Seer accepts his words without any disproval.

"Do you know how much we have spent scouting your group?" Blythe rise his brow,

fingers slamming the door angrily.

"I have no excuse." the Seer nods. "But, if you would, you can see for yourself how

dire the situation is." the Seer led Blythe into the chamber. The moment he stepped

inside, Blythe saw another fell down from their post. Some quickly went to her aid,

checking whether her life is still intact.

"How many of you left?" Blythe ask.

"With me, there are still five left." the Seer hangs her head low.

"Only five? I thought there were hundreds of you." Blythe has his tone scoffing a bit.

"Pardon, Sir, but they have been out of commission due to lethal fatigue."

"Humph." Blythe grunts. "How hard is that for you to..." his sentence paused mid-talk

as he peers into the green orb. “…Guarding a mere artifact.”

Verdant fog encloses the seething sphere endlessly; as if to boast its peculiar aesthetic. The more Blythe peers into it, the more he thought he's seeing things. There is... a man, or figure, seems to be angry for no apparent reason. This ‘figure’ has face so perplexing; half-angry and half-anticipating. Beneath the figure, there is a creature of twelve wings attached to its body, crowned atop its head are majestic horn slanted upwards. Blythe blame this enthralling mysterie to his fatigue from non-stop working for days straight.

"Sir, is there something wrong?" the Seer's voice awaken him from his train of thought.

"...Was there always that kind of projection inside the orb?" he asks.

The Seer looks surprised at first, but then she smiled in relief. "It seems the 'vision' has

finally came to you also, Sir Chancellor."

"What are you implying?"

"Shall we talk outside, Sir?" the Seer led him outside.

The two went quite ways from the chamber-- a couch put in one corner near the rear

garden. "Sir Chancellor." the Seer began. "The vision you just saw... Is the true God of

Myriad."

"WHAT?!" Blythe's lungs almost jotted out. "Preposterous! You dare deny our Gods,

Lord Gilthar and Zarmesiton?!" his voice reeks of vehement refusal.

"Sir Chancellor." the Seer remains calm. "What I meant by the true God is the one our

ancestors had revered, long before Lord Gilthar-Zarmesiton."

"I won't accept further desecrating of Lord Gilthar and Zarmesiton! The Ophanim

Committee shall hear of this-- " he was about to walk away, but the Seer replied.

"Do you wish to leave without knowing the truth?" Blythe stopped.

"There's no truth in those imbrue!"

"But what then, of the vision you saw, Milord?" she persuades. "Didn't you saw that

ethereal figure also?"

"That must've been because I'm tired for working days straight!" Blythe denies again.

Noticed her words only won't do, the Seer gave Blythe a small paper note she kept on

her pocket. "Here, Milord." she said.

Blythe scraps open the note, and saw a peculiar magic seal inscribed on it.

"What is this?"

"That is a seal I reckon can help to calm the orb."

"Where did you get this?"

"From a friend in the Archive, Sir. I apologize again if it's against your allowance."

Blythe stares deep into the magic seal... Didn't he just saw this moment ago? Snap! His line of thought collides with realization. The peculiar figure he just saw from within the orb has this mark on its body! Blythe's eyes narrowed, he's now unsure what to believe.

"Milord." the Seer said. "This Old God of Myriad is one who governs six directional

winds across Gaia: Vayu."

As the name spelled, Blythe feels his spine shivers along with every strand of hair on

his body. "Vayu...?" he recites the name.

"Yes, Milord. I was informed that he is once breathe life into Gaia, from his lungs."

"This changes nothing." Blythe's tongue ticks. He crumpled the paper, and groaned.

"Your order hasn't changed, Seer. You are to calm that damned orb no matter what."

"That is... unfortunately, impossible."

"...You dare to defy my order, now?!" Blythe frowns deeply.

"Milord. Please let me explain." the Seer holds him off.

"Lord Vayu only wished for one thing: for us to not restrain him further."

Blythe tilts his head, loss at speech.

"Lord Vayu seems to have sensed his warrior near..."

"To the point, Seer." Blythe demands.

"Yes, Sir. From what I have researched, it is conclusive that Lord Vayu wants to be

freed and bestow this warrior with his power."

"Power? What for?"

"Because the time demands it, Sir. Destruction is imminent for our planet."

"Are you speaking of the disturbance happened across Gaia?"

"Yes, Sir. That's why Lord Vayu wants his warrior to come forth, receive his blessing

and act upon this overt danger."

"And... What design this warrior would have?"

"I apologize, Sir, my research have not yet to that matter."

"Such a waste of time." Blythe shook his head, walking back towards the Sealed

Chamber. "Your order stands still, Seer."

"...As you wish, Sir." the Seer looks disappointed in Blythe's fallacy which she has to

obey nonetheless.

As they walked back, they realized the door hangs open on its side. The Seer shrugs it off, must've been one of her colleague exiting the room and forgot to close it shut. But inside, there was somebody else who shouldn't be there. The Seer's shriek almost echoed the whole room if Blythe didn't drag her back.

"Be quiet." Blythe hissed, as he too, examining this foreign intruder.

"Dangit, how did I end up here? What a creepy room..." the figure mumbles.

Unexpectedly, it was Jadel. He must've lost his way during the chase. He grunts, head tilts around to see if there are people here. Jadel only saw several Seer laying on the floor, unconscious and deprived from their energy. Far as his eyes could see, only four remains conscious; yet they are also in weakened state.

"Whoa, nuts... They're all unconscious..." Jadel mumbles. "What happened here,

anyway? What's that orb...?" his eyes gallantly faces the sphere atop of pedestal.

"He's trying to steal the orb!" the Seer whispered.

"No, he won't." Blythe scoffed. "Just look at him, I bet he doesn't even know how to

do simple math." he chuckles quietly. "Don't make any unnecessary movement." His

warning is stern, so the Seer abode to it.

"What's this orb? Really, it's creepy..." Jadel walks around the pedestal.

"I guess those people are guards who protect this jewelry? Bah, I can't understand rich

folk’s taste..." Curious, his hand stretches. His fingertips touched the orb's surface; in

one instant the orb begins to glow vigorously. Blythe and the Seer are wide open,

surprised as they may.

"Creep! It even glows in the dark. Erg, I shouldn't be messing with it-- where can I

hide? I’m done if those jerks found me…" his head wanders off, but something from

within the orb brought his attention back.

"Weird. Why am I so fascinated by mere child toy?" Jadel mumbles.

"Lessee... I touched it, it glows. Maybe if I put both hands on it..." his palms now

cupped the orb. "WHOOOOAAA!!" Jadel gasps, shocked to see the orb now shoots

greenish light to his entire body.

"The orb is reacting...!" the Seer thought to herself. "Don't tell me... He's the warrior?"

she looks to Blythe; to her surprise, the man also nodded. Blythe slips few steps back,

reaching for a large flower vase decked on a cabinet just behind him.

"Sir, what are you...?" the Seer feels she should stop him, but he assured her.

"Be grateful, I'm about to save you from further loss of comrades."

Blythe rushed inside, then banged Jadel's head from behind-- with the vase. What comes next is huge crashing noise from broken glass shards hitting inches-thick human head skull, and Jadel's body rammed the floor, deflated from consciousness.

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Nighttime came abruptly; the sun sets faster than it usually did. Ophanim worshippers are seen walking down the street, back from their afternoon service. They are heading towards the dormitory specifically build to support their daily lives. Same goes with Ophanim officials, they also heading home from duties and some heading towards their midnight shift. Among the commuting lines, nobles have long sat down on their prized chair, inviting guests for routine of evening party.

Ölver Cahali-Zemin, the current acting Holiness, have just finished signing documents stacked on his work desk. Tired from sitting whole day worrying about political affairs, he plan to visit his friend-- a nobleman of high social strata-- for leisure chat. After making sure there are no more paperwork left to be signed, Ölver tidies up his desk. As he took his cane, though, he sensed an omen. Blast of gust stammered the windowsill, breaching its lock. It rattles like meeting storm, a weather should not be anticipated around this month. Ölver frowns, he wonder whether he needs to change the lock again. Just few weeks ago, he called the repairman whom he thought have done the maintenance.

"Stupid repairman." Ölver hissed. “I’ve paid him quite a sum, this was all he did?!

What a half-assed job!”

Against all odds, this man has more exciting thing to await; a leisure talk with evening tea freshly brewed from high-quality golden pot. How plentiful it would be! He quickly dissipates his smoldering rage, taking his cane towards the door. But then, another gust hammered the windowsill! This time it blares the lock fully with a roar. Ölver hurried to close it, before the wind scatter his wholesome work. He flicks back the lock, closing the panes tightly to prevent another hit from the wind. His early grunt resides again.

As he turns around, however, Ölver cried a tussis shock. A figure of darkness stood across his room! Wearing bated chumps of armor, the figure has their hair tied loosely, face down in balderdash cackle. With jumbled breath affixed to fear and shock, Ölver yield his footing by grasping the window panes. His eyes, flabbergasted, trying to comprehend the figure's commemorative attire to his understanding.

Between his rattling teeth, Ölver found some viable words to finally spoken out.

"W- Who are you...?" he huffed. "How... How did you get in here?!"

Like a broken acoustic, the figure continues cackling and replied. "Greetings to you...

His Holiness of Myriad Capital City." his words smells pungent.

"Do you know me?" His quizzical sentence corroborate Ölver's disagreeing nature.

"D- Do I know you?! O- Of course not!!" his voice gets smaller by minutes. "G- Guards!

Help... Help! Somebody's here!!"

"Who are you calling to?" the figure laughs. "I've sent them to permanent dreamland."

The word enunciates Ölver’s fear further. "Y- You did w- what...?"

"I see that you don't know me." the figure ignores Ölver’s question and went on.

"I am… a HOUNDS. Skydas Lustro." as he spelled the name, a flash bolt struck the

ground, even though the sky is dulcetly clear. "I’m here for the Green Sphaera."

Ölver’s fettle has just gone from difficult to degenerating. He starts sweating lots more

than he already did, mind walking astray to miserable thoughts about his own life.

"G- G- G- Green S- S- Sphaera...? I, I don't know what you're talking about..." he tries

to avoid the topic.

Robustly, Skydas let out a wide laugh. He seems pleased seeing the highest man of

rank in Myriad now cowers before his presence. "Oh, what a boring lie." he replied,

"The Green Sphaera… It’s the one that keeping this island float above ground, isn’t it?

Moreover, you insisted your father to keep it for yourself! How could you not know?"

Ölver’s fear meter flew thither near its end point. Now that Skydas has revealed the

orb’s secret, he won't stand a chance doing another bluff. "I- I won't give it to you!"

his apparent malaise seems to please Skydas even further.

"It doesn’t matter whether you're willing or not." Skydas steps closer, his Blacksteel-

rigged boots chimes against the stone floor. "By dawn," he said,

"I'll wait outside the wall for the orb. If not... Your city will be grey ash. Along with

your people, of course."

Apoplectic jolt sends chill to Ölver’s spine. Before he could say anything to rebuke, Skydas whisk himself away with a blow of gust. His figure is no more on the room, leaving the scared man in attire weak to his knees. The highest man of rank in Myriad now flaunts his insecurity. Should he give the orb to him? But the island will collapse, then, so does his reign. If he’s going to disobey Skydas, the whole city will be in danger-- including himself! Neither of the choices seem to be pleasant; Ölver’s mind went blank, and he rushed outside.

Around that time, on Seraphim army's underground cellar, Banri was forced to spend a night on it. His charge was 'disrupting order of peace', three days maximum on jail. The bearded man can do nothing against it, since he's technically outside of his jurisdiction. Showing official insignia of Southport Guild won't help; let alone pleading not guilty or false charge. His arrow wound, fortunately, have been given first-aid treatment by the medics. They said the wound is not too deep and clean, so it will heal over days with proper rest. Banri’s eyes veer into the cell’s window-- more like small hole on the topmost wall-- starry sky blends thoroughly under the lucent clouds.

"Damn, here I am again." Banri sighs as he lay down on the straw bed. A tad bit damp,

slimy and suggestive of manure's scent.

Not too shabby for a jail cell, he said. For he has been in much worse place to sleep in. Once, he had to starve himself abstemiously due to bodacious amount of smell spread around his cellar, located straight down below pig's pen. With several holes attached to its roof, frequently the pigs excrete their feces and regurgitations.

"I've been worse..." Banri nods to himself. "But what is this feeling...? I feel so uneasy

I can’t even close one eye shut." he shifts one way another, trying to find a good

position to sleep.

Tired from shifting too much, Banri decide it is unlikely of him to just wait for freedom to come by itself. He need to get out from here, quick! So he searched around, sweeping away the straws and check the floor. Perspicacious skill he had hone throughout his early years grants Banri only a moment to discover weak points scattered among the floorings. He knocked it softly and occasionally put his ears on it-- trying to catch a glimpse what lies below.

"Seems there are only animal voices... It might be the stable." Banri nods to himself.

After he made sure there's no one keeping an eye for him, the bearded man let loose his foot, stomping down the weakened floor. Few tries and the stone unclogged itself, breaking down one level under. The rubble made quite a sound, but seems no attentive response given except from himself. The older man shoves down, jumping liberally to the keeping area.

Landed safely one level below, Banri realized the animal kept here is no mere beast-- it’s the Scud Falcon! The top-notch messenger of avian class, Scud Falcons are said to be able delivering letters in time even if hailstorm hinders them. Banri calmed his steps so he won't awaken this lavishly-feathered bird sleeping. Then, as he about to reach the pen's knob, he heard some beguiling noise from outside. Banri decides to stay low for moment, assessing the situation fully. He heard three... four, actually-- yelling in bewildered manner.

"Double it! Quick, to His Holiness' room!"

"What's happening? Is it the thieves we were chasing earlier?"

"No, I heard it's someone else. He infiltrated His Holiness' room to threaten him!"

"Threat? No way, really?!”

“He killed the door guards in one swoop… It’s not a mere thief! Be on your guard!”

“Alright… But hey... How did you know all of this?!"

Banri slips a smirk; he's somehow excited to hear a turmoil is brewing. This strike of opportunity could be as well his trump card, getting out from here and back to his team! He pressed his ear closer to the wall. More soldiers came rushing, spreading panics around their own kinds.

"His... His Holiness said so."

"Yeah, everybody saw him freaking out from the room! He ran around and tell

everyone about what just happened-- "

"The infidel wants His Holiness to surrender his prized orb!"

"What? That orb kept in the Sealed Chamber?"

Banri's mind lit. His gut instinct says it's not a mere orb; let alone a puny possession. There is no way an assassin would work his way up to the Holiness’ room if not for a hefty wealth. His brain's chord told him the orb is related to the main reason of his incoming to Myriad.

"Yes, the Green Sphere-or-whatever! He said he'll destroy this town by dawn

if His Holiness doesn't surrender it!"

“What about Isfel?! The lower town! Our families are there-- I have to go back!”

“Calm down! We have sent some of our comrades there. You help me check around

the Palace-- the infiltrator might be still inside!”

“I- I can’t! Sorry! I have to go to my family!!”

“Hey, you! Wait! Hey! Where are you going?! Damn… he’s gone!”

"The Green Sphaera?!" Banri cues his gaping mouth. "It was here?! Why didn't Meyer

told us anything about it?" His mind now races.

“Mere thief or assassin, even a top-class, won’t possibly threaten to burn the whole

city for that… Unless…” Banri’s eyes widen in unappalled shock. “…The HOUNDS?!”

Banri’s mind went frantic, he needs to act immediately upon this imminent danger. There is no telling what the vile organization would do if their demand isn’t met… He need to get himself-- and his team-- out of here! But in order to do so, he needs a backup plan. A plan foolproof enough to guarantee not only his safety, but also Myriad’s-- now that he knew his comrade has a family member resides here.

Then his eyes backed to the Scud Falcons, sleeping soundly on their perch. He got an idea. Banri dug his trouser pocket, reaching for some scraps of paper. He wants to write short, yet informative words on it. Realizing he's one short for writing tools, he found some possible 'ink' on the ground: the bird's drop. Colored slightly mud green to charred brown, he decide to use it to scribe the paper.

First, he divided the paper to the same amount of the Scud Falcon-- three. Then, he draw a circular line, indicating the Sphaera. Banri drew quite a sloppy circle… He hoped anyone who reads his letter would fathom it clearly. Beside the circle, he wants to inform about the HOUNDS, but if he write the bare word, it will be found should the falcon get caught. So he took a daring approach, drawing diagonal lines connected to one another by small dots: a constellation of Canis Major, often dubbed as 'hound of night sky'. Finished, he rolled the paper and folded it into the falcon's leg. Slight brush from Banri's fingertips awakened them, knowing their duty has come to call. They flex a bit, stretching their wings and checks on Banri.

"You two, go to Southport." he ordered. "Make sure to not get lost, okay?"

Then he went to the last one. "You'll go to Donmarrow. It's near, so it shouldn't take

long-- probably two or three hour’s flight." He gave a final nod before opening the

window, sending off the falcons to fly.

Banri watched them as they soar the sky, splitting ways after a while.

"I hope they'll make it..." he mumbles to himself.

Just before he close the window, a soldier passed by. The armored man is just about to double himself to the Palace’s heart, when he passed the cellar area. He saw right through the bare window, a suspect is standing idly, not in his supposed place. Fortunately, the soldier seem to not notice the falcon's flight. Alas for Banri, he is detained on his place and forcefully brought back to his cell.

--------------------------------------------------------

"Where is Mr. Banri?" Reita's face looks brooding in worry. "Jadel, too..." She stood

outside of the library, having finished the reading session.

Meyer is currently occupied with his nightshift work, so he can't keep the team around

for long. Everyone is about to return to Isfel, but two persons are currently missing.

"I'm worried..." she looks down.

Hameda, leading the trio towards the sky lift, affirms her with a trustful nod.

"Don't worry, they'll be fine."

"How can you be so sure? They haven't come back for a while."

"Maybe they have returned to the inn?" he replied. "Jadel said something about

having a drink..."

Oh, yeah. You're right." Reita sighs in relief, secretly hoping Hameda's predicament

would contrive her doubt.

Arriving at the sky lift, the team is surprised by Iegor's presence. The officer himself has just back from sending back Flint, the tiny thief, to his home-- along with the ointment jar he took. Iegor’s face soured as he saw the three headed towards him. He tried to play it cool, hiding beneath his sarcastic masquerade.

"Mr. Iegor..." Reita greets him. "Good evening."

Iegor put up a spurious smile against his afflicted thoughts. "Going down?" he stepped

out from the sky lift.

"Yeah." Hameda positioned himself straight in front of Iegor, it is clear he meant to

not implore the Seraphim's any more. "Excuse us."

"Please excuse us." Alma follows him.

"Um, Mr. Iegor..." Reita stopped. "Have you seen two of our friends?"

"Friends?" Iegor pretended he's ignorant. "Who are you speaking of?"

"One has this slicked back hair, red jacket, carrying huge sword-- the other has

stubbles around his chin, looks like an uncle and wearing green attires."

"Oh." Iegor curl his fringe with one finger. "...Maybe. I don’t know."

"What do you mean?" Hameda steps over. Standing almost 190 cm high, Hameda's

buffed body impends Iegor’s stature.

"Can't say I have... I was busy tending important affairs all day." Iegor slips a sneer.

"But I heard," he said, "There was a commotion here. The suspects of the disturbance

were one imbecile runt and one older man carrying bow and arrow."

"Mr. Banri!" Reita hold her breath. “Where is he now?”

"He's serving his time now." Iegor scoffs. "Three days. Be grateful he won't be there

for long."

"Where did you take him to?" Hameda grunts. "Did he do something wrong?"

"Disrupting order of peace." Iegor replied shortly. “Also, assisting theft.”

"Please, Sir Iegor. Let us see Mr. Banri even just for a moment." Alma also tries

persuading him.

"Oho." Iegor eyed Alma, ogling him head to toe. "So you're the missing Archbishop

candidate." Alma's gut knot is about to abscond the moment he heard Iegor's mockery.

"Your mandate have expired years ago. Ophanim-exclusive treatment isn’t for you. "

"Hey!" Hameda scolds him. “Answer me.”

"Ha, did I hit a nerve? Well, well!" Iegor sighs exaggeratingly. "Anyway! I can't let you

see him, folks! See ya, make sure you go back to where you're from!"

"What happened to Mr. Banri?" Reita mumbles. "Should we... go and see him

nonetheless?"

"No." Hameda shook his head. "We'll cause trouble. Tomorrow," he said, "We'll go.

We can ask Meyer for help, too."

"That would be the best." Alma nods to him. "Shall we go back, then?"

The three agreed then, to call it a day and return to Isfel. Riding down the sky lift, they take a good gander of midnight sky surrounding Myriad. Prismatic light of thousand stars color the darkness like small bulbs, illuminating the entire city. But then, down below there seems to be a commotion happening. They can see people running frantically, carrying luggage and their kids towards the sky lift. At first they thought these people are about to steal some free ride and hop into Divum; but Hameda saw something huge-- like a crater, opens up beneath the floating island.

"It's... opening." He couldn't fathom the awe. “…Something’s happening down below.”

"What's that? It's huge." Reita comments also. “Lots of people are running there.”

"That is the underground shelter." Alma explains, "People of Myriad built it specifically

just below the man-made lake to host its citizens inside."

"Wonder what happened there. Everyone seems to be in panic." Reita sounds worried.

"Whatever it is, that may be not good. We'd better hurry to find our friends." Alma

suggests. The three waits patiently inside the translucent tube, as the ride slowly

descend into the sea of men escaping their house in a gusto.

Soon as the sky lift arrives down, everyone blares out from it. Their face flair an

uttermost kitsch; reframing the hectic scene of malignancy out here.

"What the heck is going on...?” Reita's head turns left and right, all she saw was people

and more of them screaming in fear, tugging their family towards the entrance of

underground shelter. Some of them beams through without second thought, almost

knocking her off. "Whoa! Hey, be careful!" she hisses. "Guys, we need to find

everybody else. ASAP!" she nods.

The latter two agreed, they begin to work their way against the massive wave.

In order to not get separated, Hameda led the front, opening a way for the rest to

follow.

"Miss Reita, please be careful!" Alma, who's on the rear side, shouts across.

"I'm okay, man! You watch for yourself!" she replied.

"D****t, the street is too crowded!" Hameda grunts. "I can't see quite well."

Then, a voice calls out. "Heeeyyy!!!"

"That's... Thomas!" Hameda tilts forward. "Where are you?!" he shouts with husky

voice.

"I'm here!"

"...There!" Alma points at one side of the mass with an arm stretched up. "It's near!"

Hameda said, "You two, stay here! I'll fetch him."

"Fetch, huh? Is Thomas a puppy, or what?" Reita chuckles seeing Hameda braces his

way. Moments later, Thomas is reunited with his group.

"Hey! Thanks a lot for saving me-- everything is frenzy mad here!" he said.

"What happened, Tom?" Hameda asks.

"Super emergency!!" Thomas yells. "They said the HOUNDS is going to raid the city by

dawn!"

"WHAT?!" the three responded in unison.

"But, why?!" Reita frowns. "What reason do they have against this city?"

"I don't know!" Thomas shook his head. "The rumor came from a soldier from Divum,

saying this scary stuff then people got panic all of sudden!"

"They might have traced us." Hameda spat. "Are you with Jadel?"

"Jadel? No, I haven't seen him! What's wrong?"

Hameda's face turned, looking at Reita and Alma anxiously. "He's not here..."

"Don't tell me... He's also jailed along with Mr. Banri?!" Reita's presumption goes wild.

"What?! Mr. Banri, jailed?! What's going on here?!!" Thomas became even more panic.

"Everybody, please calm down!" Alma tries to suggest positivity, but gets shouted back.

"How can we calm in this peril?!!" by Reita and Thomas.

"F**k it-- I’ll go." Reita turns around, but Hameda catches her arm.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"To get Mr. Banri out of there, of course! And probably, Jadel!"

"You'll cause a scene." Hameda shook his head. "And look at this crowd-- you’ll going

to get lost even before reaching the sky lift."

"No, wait, Hameda!" Thomas suddenly step up. "I agree with Reita! If Mr. Banri is still

up there, we have to get him! We'll escape from here together, right?" he turns to

Alma. "We won't leave anyone behind, right?"

"Are we really going to escape...?" Alma rubs his forehead, sighing heavily. "Is that

even possible...?"

"Let's go!" Thomas nods, then boldly took Reita's hand to sprint off.

"Wait, hey! Darn..." Hameda let his guard off, involuntarily loosen his grip. "Come on,

what we are waiting for?!" Alma nods, then the two follows.

Arrived shortly at the sky lift, Reita and Thomas saw Blautiel standing before his

platoon, giving orders regarding the evacuation.

"Report!" he shouts. One after another gave their reply, about the situation at hand.

"Sir! 2nd District have been completely evacuated!" one said.

"1st, 4th and 5th also have completely evacuated!"

"What of 3rd and 6th?" Blautiel asks again.

"Current progress is 85%, Sir! There are still few have not yet arrive at the entrance!"

Blautiel peers into the man-made lake, now impaled into two parts, stairs leading deep

to the shelter. People queueing neatly, nobody pushed another to get inside faster--

one thing he could, at least, be grateful of. "Assist the rest of them! Make sure nobody

is left behind!" Blautiel replied.

"Yes, Sir!" the soldiers saluted, before walking off.

"Tch... I should've been more aware." Blautiel bit his lips. He stares at the crowd, then

found a familiar group running towards the sky lift. "You?!" he eked surprise.

"Commander Blautiel." Alma nods, catching his breath after a sudden sprint.

"Why haven't you evacuate?! Didn't you hear the news?"

"We have." Hameda nods firmly. "But we need to go up."

"For what purpose?" Blautiel's voice turns hostile.

"Our friends are still there; we need to get them."

"And where might be this friend of yours?"

The team looks to one another, unsure of revealing the news they got from Iegor.

"Well, where is he?"

"They’re at..." as Thomas intend to reply, Iegor showed up from the lift. He descended

with several of his men, possibly per his commander request to help with the

evacuation.

"At the jail." the wavy-haired man said. "He's on serving time for disrupting order."

"...Humph." Blautiel let out a sardonic smile. "Then you might be as well forget about

them and worry about your own safety."

Suddenly, Hameda charged towards Iegor. Everyone is dumbstruck as he clashed his forehead to the Seraphim's, throwing him off-balance. Though protected by sturdy band over his head, the officer-rank still staggers receiving Hameda’s head-butt. He faltered, so does his men-- creating a small gap for Hameda to launch his next attack.

Not even Blautiel was able to prevent Hameda. He charged, knocking down several of his front men with Argent Jab, his titular move. Heat from his magic gauntlet emanates; assisting his deadly blows doing more damage. Iegor’s men fell, leaving him bared open. Hameda wasted no time to grab Iegor's hand swiftly, pressing his palm into the sky lift's sensor. The panel lit up, opening the door.

"Hurry!" Hameda said, rushing inside. The three follows without ado, leaving Iegor still

dumbfounded with bruised forehead.

"Urgh..." he groans. “Imbecile! Wait!!" he tried to pursue the team, but the lift door

has been closed.

"Sorry! Thanks!" Reita bowed slightly before the lift went up.

"Hey, wait! Argh! My head..." Iegor wiped his forehead and found traces of red

smeared on his fingertips. "Blood..." he smiled petulantly.

“Commander Blautiel! Please let me go after those mongrels! "

Blautiel stayed, quietly admiring Hameda's quick reflex. "...Evacuation of citizens shall

be our priority." he said. “Let’s move out.”

The lift arrived soon at Divum Stratum. Everyone rushed outside and began running towards Seraphim army's barrack. Their hopes to release Banri from there soon vanishes, after meeting the least people they would want to: Meyer, along with Blythe Neredzīe. Both of them has just went outside of Ancient Library, heading back to the Palace.

"You guys!" Meyer gasp. "What are you doing here?"

"We're heading to find Mr. Banri and Jadel! There’s a massive panic outbreak on Isfel!"

Thomas replied.

"Yes, son, we know. We are currently on our way to discuss this matter." Meyer

replied. "Where could they be?"

Thomas looks around. "Mr. Banri is inside the barrack. Jadel… We don’t know yet."

"Heh, is it the thief I saw just earlier?" Blythe roused a smirk. "If he is, then he won't

see daylight until days later! Forget it." he continued. "Let's go, we have agendas to

meet."

"Wait." Alma spoke up. "Blythe." the chancellor turns around, face twitched.

"I'd appreciate if you don’t get too friendly with me, using such term..."

"No, please listen. The city is in peril-- they said HOUNDS is going to attack the city.

We need to get our friends back, and get out from here."

"It’s pointless." Blythe hasten his steps. “There’s nothing you can do now.”

Before Alma could persuade him again, the Seer from before came running. "Milord!"

she called from afar. Everyone waited. "The... The orb!" she shouts again.

"What happened?!" Blythe replied.

"The orb, Sir..." the Seer arrived, still reorganizing her breath.

“It’s getting violent again!"

"How come? Didn't you said, with the sacrifice, it will calm down?!"

"Y- Yes, Sir, actually... It's the man himself. Seems he got a reaction with the orb, now

he’s barely himself! The orb might trying to use his energy to break free!"

"Sacrifice…?” Alma said. “Blythe, you surely wouldn’t--“

"This is none of your concern, Cess." Blythe says, eyes still glowering the Seer.

“Do something about it. Render him unconscious with the huge sword he carried, or…”

"You just said ‘huge sword’. Accidentally, we're also missing someone with that kind

of weapon." Hameda smirks a little.

"Jadel?! No way..." Thomas gasped. "Uncle Meyer, where’s Jadel? Please tell us!"

Meyer grind his teeth, now the secret has leaked. The scholar sighs heavily to Blythe.

"Blythe." Alma grabs the chancellor's shoulder.

"Please tell me your sacrifice it's not the man we’ve been looking for."

Then, out of blue, a roar is heard. Echoing like a fire bolt scarring heaven's cloud.

Along with it, comes green luster enveloping the Palace's innermost, seen from afar.

"Jadel!!!" Reita panicked, she dashed without second thought.

"Rei! Wait!" Hameda follow suit. Confused, everybody now involuntarily followed the

girl inside.

"Move it!!!" Reita yells to the soldiers guarding Sealed Chamber's entryway.

"Who are you? How come you got inside?"

"Move it!!!" Reita shrieks, unconsciously removing Varunastra from her belt.

As the oceanic blade glisten, a resonation happened. It feels like sudden tremor in high-pitched noise. Just for a moment, everyone in Divum Stratum are pulverized by minor shockwaves which sent the floating island descend slightly. Even Blautiel and Iegor saw it happening from below; the island shook, yammering and gravitate downwards.

Reita fell to her feet as she tried grasping a handle; so does everybody else following

her. "Urgh...! W- What is this?!" she cursed inside.

Soon, the shockwave recedes but no one has yet to stand back up. Even the Seraphim guards, they are still regaining their courage to re-stance. Reita saw this an opening. She reformed Varunastra into watery whip, lashing it forward. The guards are strewn back, landing on her back. She sprinted, toward the door with jaunting talismans attached to it.

When she put her hand on the knob, another shockwave hits. This time, it was delivered only to herself-- oddly. Reita was seconds too late from jumping back. The shockwave caught her and strewn her off. She's coiled backwards and landed near the guards.

"W- What is just...?" she groaned, pain from the impact sears around her spine.

The Seer finally caught up, she shouts. "Please wait! Don't touch the door!"

"Rei! Are you alright?!" Hameda quickly went to her aid, along with Thomas and Alma.

"What happened? Just now there's a terrible earthquake..." the younger man said.

"It felt... repulsive." Alma nods along. “As if Gaia’s core itself reverberates madly.”

"I don't know, I was just..." Reita forced herself to stand up.

"You there." The Seer walk forward. "Let me see your weapon."

Alarmed, Reita went back to fighting stance. She positioned Varunastra chest-height,

a pose she would use to perform skills. "...I see." the Seer nods after she took gander

of the gleaming blade. "Milord." she went back to the Chancellor.

"This one is also a warrior."

Meyer, who stood behind Blythe, doesn't seem surprised. The spectacled man nods