Within moments, the grand hall was empty except for a middle-aged man lingering by a pillar, the one nearest to the throne. He had black hair, streaked with silver, and piercing blue eyes that watched Ignis with a mixture of curiosity and concern. King Ignis seemed lost in thought, his fingers drumming a slow rhythm on the armrest.
The silence stretched, until the man spoke in a low, measured voice. "That was… unusual. I thought you'd have gone after him yourself with a team of Experts." The man stepped closer. "And you sent the First Prince to find the Second? Surely you remember how strained things are between them."
Ignis didn't answer immediately, his eyes flicked to Venko, his most trusted advisor. A shadow crossed his features. "I wonder about that, Venko. Sometimes I think those two are closer than any of us realize."
Venko raised a brow. "Prince Lorca's expression when you named Lorian your heir… It wasn't subtle, my king. That sort of anger is hard to hide." He paused, voice dropping. "Not to mention, things only worsened after the Second Prince's change."
King Ignis didn't say anything but his hand was gently tapping on the edge of his throne. After a bit, he pulled a note out of his pocket and tossed it to Advisor Venko.
"This is?" Venko muttered as he began reading. But as he read the note, his expression began to change.
Hey Dad!
As you already know, I plan to try my breakout again in the next three days. Which is why I want to have a bet with you. If I am unable to escape this time, then I promise to give up on any future attempts and finally work towards inheriting the Kingdom from you… But If I can escape, you can't come after me and I want you to do me a favor! I want you to send big bro Lorca and a team after me with the order being for them to find me!
Sincerely, Favorite Son - Lorian!
Venko read through the letter multiple times. But each time he read it, his expression continued to get worse.
"My King…Prince Lorien."
Ignis nodded his head as a faint smile appeared. "A lot of things begin to make sense when you think about why he decided this month to escape. Even more so when Activia has a limited amount of forces we can send after him."
King Ignis' words led Venko to let out a sigh as a bell rang through. "Just what is our prince planning to do?"
…
Nuya Town, almost midnight.
In the vast expanse of the Anisa Desert, the moon ascended with a deliberate grace, casting a silvery veil over Nuya town. The lanterns, shining with fireflies, illuminated the narrow alleys and the worn cobblestones with their warm glow.
Atop the wooden and bone watchtower, Roy, scanning the horizon. He glanced up to the moon before glancing to the side where the Sun-Moon Jil stayed. The hourglass displays a moon at the top half with glittering stars and a shining light at the bottom with golden clouds.
Roy quickly jumps off the tower, rushing to the stables, turning off their lights and closing all windows and open pathways. The Unicols were silent, all of them huddling together as Roy rushed away from them.
Then with urgency, he clambered up to the tower's, each creak of the wooden beams beneath him echoing like a warning in the stillness.
At the top was a golden bell with markings and light scratches on it. With a heavy hand, he struck the bell, its resonant clang cutting through the tranquil night like a knife. The sound reverberated through Nuya, a call that sent ripples of unease through the hearts of its inhabitants.
Four chimes rang out in the next four seconds.
One chime came from him.
Then another chime came from the watchtower at the other side of the town.
Then the third chime came from the watchtower on the west side of town and the final chime came from the east.
As the final note faded into the air, an unnatural quiet enveloped the town. The lanterns, once vibrant, flickered and dimmed, before extinguishing one by one, plunging the town into darkness.
Roy's heart raced, a wild drumbeat echoing in his ears as he descended the tower, his boots thudding against the wood. The world around him seemed to warp and twist, shadows elongating and merging into a suffocating blackness. He hurriedly closed every window, the wooden shutters slamming shut and turning off the lanterns.
Once done, he curled into a tight ball on the cold, hard floor, his hands clutching his head.
…
The entire Nuya town has fallen into silence, the only light was the moon's glow above. As the moon continued to rise, until it reached the top.
The soft glow dulled, dimming the colors until, in an instant, the moon's light was extinguished, plunging Nuya Town into darkness.
Silence rang through for a bit.
Then from the horizon, an impenetrable wave of darkness began to emerge. A thick mass that rolled toward the town like a black tide, devouring everything in its wake. With each fleeting heartbeat, the darkness crept closer, slinking over the dune hills and flowing down the sandy slopes.
It unfurled, billowing like smoke, encroached upon Nuya Town, the darkness enveloped the first building. Sliding over the beige bone walls and pooling in the doorways like ink in water. Then moving on to the next buildings, one after the other with the rooftops and lanterns vanishing beneath this tide.
A calm settled over the streets as the waves of darkness slithered along the sandy paths and streets. The darkness spilled over homes, snaking through alleyways, and creeping along the edges of forgotten corners.
Even the faint glitter of starlight above was erased.
…
Nuya Town - Yasoy Bella.
Kyros sat under the table, back leaning against the wall, his head down, hidden by his arms. All around him were other people in the bar, either hiding away or looking away from the closed doors and windows.
All the while, it was dark.
Everything was silent, until suddenly a sound pierced the silence.
"Thump, thump, thump…" The beat echoed like a distant drum, sending ripples of chill through the bar.
"Thump, thump, thump…"
Kyros's heart raced. He gripped his arm slightly as the knocking continued without pause.
Before it then stopped.
After a few seconds of silence, a childlike voice broke the silence inside Kyros mind: "Grandpa… Are you in there?"
He trembled, a shuddering breath escaping his lips. The memory of her voice wrapped itself around him, the soft lilt tinged with innocence.
"I see you are! Grandpa guess what, I talked with this scholar who is dressed weirdly. But he is pretty smart, even knowing more stuff about the demons than you! Can you believe it?!"
The girl's enthusiasm made him grip his arm tighter, a fleeting image and hope. He could almost see her now, her violet eyes sparkling with curiosity, her smile radiant in a way that made the world around him fade slightly.
"Well anyway, I asked him about the demon border… Oh, uh, sorry grandpa." The girl's voice spoke softly. "I know you wanted to tell me, but well, I couldn't wait! And you've been silent about it for so long, no matter how many times I ask… So it's obviously your fault!"
Kyros trembled, trying to move his head down even further. Yet he couldn't stop the sight of a pouting seven-year-old girl appearing in his mind, turning her head in a huff.
"Anyway! He told me how the Demon Borders seem to be split up into twenty different areas. How is that even possible grandpa!?" The girl began giggling. "The scholar said it's because each area is ruled by a very strong demon!"
The image of a giggling girl with long black hair in a braid, sparkling violet eyes as she grinned, eyes bright with unquenchable curiosity, filled his mind.
'No… Please no…'
"Oh, oh! He also talks about how there are terrifying disasters in these areas… Um, each one… I think he mentioned, each disaster is unique to their own area." The girl's voice let out gasps. "Grandpa! Doesn't it sound similar to how we have beast tides here and disasters?"
Blood leaks down, as Kyros fingers slightly pierce his forearms as the image of a girl with shining eyes stared up at him, shaking her arms. The warmth of her tiny hand slipping into his, the way she'd look up at him.
'Yes… They are familiar- Stop it!... She… She isn't…'
"Um… I think you mention the disasters are what helped keep the beast tide in line… And from hurting us even more. Could it be the same for the demons?"
'She isn't real—'
"Grandpa, do you still plan to ignore me… It's been four years now… I wished you would just talk to me…" The girl's voice went silent before returning with even more energy. "But that's fine! I will always come back, until you do grandpa. I promise I won't give up!"
'…I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!'
Kyros desperately tries to ignore the flashing image of a sorrowful little girl before she perks up with a huge grin.
…
The sudden crash of a chair splintering against the floor shattered the fragile stillness, sending a tremor of tension rippling through the room. Silis's gaze snapped to the source of the sound, adrenaline surging through his veins, mingled with an unsettling sense of foreboding.
A man's voice cut through the silence. "Kyle! I'm here! I'm sorry!" The words tumbled from the man's lips, frantic and raw, each syllable laced with a palpable desperation. "I won't leave you again! I promise!"
The name hung in the air and Silis felt an involuntary shiver run down his spine. He could see the man now, a silhouette desperately crawling, form twisting in anguish, features obscured but his pain unmistakable. He was trying to push through the chairs and tables, a look of yearning on his face, as blood leaked from his fingers.
"Stop him!" Louise's voice cut through the room.
Silis instinctively moved, the other Silvian Outlaws following and moving as one. Muscles coiled with determination as they intercepted the man, blocking his path to the bar's door. The man's eyes widened in horror, a flicker of recognition igniting within them as he realized he was trapped.
"Please! Let me go! I need to find him!" His voice cracked, the rawness of his plea echoing through the dimly lit space. All who heard it flinched, some gripping their heads, some looking down, and others in a daze.
Silis could see the man's desperation, the way his hands clenched and unclenched as if grasping at something or someone.
"My little brother, please, I need to go to him!" Silis felt a pang of sympathy, but he quickly buried it beneath layers of hardened resolve.
"You can't go there," Silis warned, his voice low and steady, yet carrying an edge of urgency, "There's nothing waiting for you out there."
But the man was undeterred, his resolve hardening like steel. "You don't understand! I hear him saying he is outside! I need to get Kyle! I can't let him down again!" The anguish in his voice was a siren call.
"Knock him out. And bring him back," Louise's voice rang out once more, closing his eyes, as another outlaw hit the man behind his neck.
As two of the Silvian Outlaws gently dragged the man back, Silis stared at the doors. He sighed and turned around, but it was then he heard it.
"It's your fault… You murderer."
Silis froze, his figure trembling at the unfamiliar tone but familiar words.
"What did we do to you… What did we say? What action did we take? Just what did we do to have you…"
Silis slowly bowed his head, sweat trickling down his brow as fear spiraled within him, gnawing at his resolve, yet he dared not turn around.
"Was it worth it… How could you allow it… Did it help you achieve what you want…"
Silis remained silent, clenching his fists until his knuckles blanched white, a tempest of emotions boiling beneath the surface.
"… You filthy murderer."
…
In Room 204.
The air hung heavy with the faint musk of wine.
Uro leaned against the wall, his boots discarded, and in his right hand, a bottle dangled precariously, its white liquid swishing inside. He lifted one leg, resting an arm upon his knee, and tilted the bottle to his lips, the sharp tang of the beer mingling in the air.
As the cool liquid slid down his throat, it momentarily calmed his nerves.
A sudden voice, innocent and plaintive, pierced through the fog of his thoughts. "Can we train together today?" The words were a boyish whisper, light and hopeful, cutting through the dense haze. "I have gotten better at holding my sword!"
Uro's heart tightened as he clenched the bottle slightly, tiny cracks appearing before bringing it to his lips.
"Guess! Guess! Guess what!" The earnest enthusiasm in the boy's voice sent warmth flooding through Uro, swelling his heart with affection. "I can run from the royal palace of Activia to the gate without stopping! Only two people in class can do it like me!"
A wave of nostalgia washed over him at that moment. An image of a small, sweaty eleven-year-old flashed in his mind, grinning broadly on the ground. Friends piled on top of him, laughter ringing like a chorus of joy.
"The Activia Sword Arts… Could you teach me? The Dun Tournament is coming up and I want to be prepared. Of course, only if you have time, it's no problem if you can't."
With each sip, Uro's eyes seemed to become more dazed, as if trying to return to somewhere. The image of a sixteen-year-old, face radiant with a smile, clad in a flowing black robe, a stone necklace resting against his chest, bone sandals on his feet.
"Did I win? Of course I did! After all, how can they defeat your—"
The sound of a bottle shattering rang through, shards of bone dropping to the ground. Uro gripped his face with his other hand, breathing hard
"Damn It…"
…
In Room 203.
Lorian sat on the bed, a bone plate in his hand as he slowly cut into his roast beef with a lantern lit on the desk.
"So where did we leave off from last time, mom?" Lorian asked as he brought a piece of the beef to his mouth and chewed slowly.
The tender and sweet meat in his mouth moved. His teeth rubbed against the soft meat, giving him a sensation that could explode his pores. The sweet juice flowed in his mouth, soaking his tongue. Instantly, a fresh, sweet taste spread. Swish.
The roast beef meat slid through his throat and into his stomach.
"You were telling me about choosing which day to make your big escape."
"Ahh right, well I recently made my escape."
"Was there any trouble?" Grabbing another cube of roast beef, Lorian brows moved, eating to his heart's content.
Swish.
The lobster meat slid into his mouth Lorian eyes brightened with the sweet and delicious savor.
"For others maybe, but for me? Nah. And of course, no one got hurt so no need to worry."
"How can I not worry? I didn't want you to go demon hunting. I just wanted you to be free and enjoy your life in Activia."
"Come on, it isn't demon hunting. I am just looking for-"
"A place where the founder sealed a terrifying demon?"
"And politely asking it for its help, no big deal."
"Lorian!"
"Calm down mom, I have the Arc Goetia with me, everything will be fine. Trust in your son."
"I do trust you but that doesn't mean I don't worry… I wish you didn't have to follow my footsteps… But I guess it's my fault-"
"Never say that… Things just happen and that's it. Just believe everything will work out fine. Me and everyone will return to Activia safely after finding the Codex."
"You couldn't have at least make a plan with your father-"
"Father dislikes talking about anything related to your death… This includes the Codex. I think it's because he won't be able to stop himself from abandoning everything to look for answers."
"...I see. Well fine, at least you have Selene and Uro with you, hopefully more will join. Especially a friend I knew a long time ago, hopefully he will help out!"
"Mom, you had too many friends to know who you're talking about. Still, you are right. I have others to help me so you don't need to worry too much."
"I worry because you become a bit more like me, which is troubling."
"Dad mentioned that before, you both do think alike alot."
"Of course, he knows me too well and it was annoying sometimes."
"He mentioned that before, oh! One second mom, I need to go use the bathroom. Then we can continue this conversation, just no scolding for most of it like last time. You know you nag a lot–"
"Lorian!"