II.

Deep beneath the city streets of Vanadheim. Is a hidden massive dungeon that can house thousands of thousands of prisoners. But the quiet empty complex, will soon be filled by the many who awaits their fate. The second outlier named Jerome, remained to supervise and look after the whole procedure of transportation. Lining the hundreds to a four line walk, chained and beaten as they all pass through the already narrow dungeon corridors. Every corner is guarded by an elite guard, one being equivalent of a 5 regular vanadian knight. To some guards, it was already a big surprise upon looking at the massive number of prisoners, nearing to a one thousand number. Will their formation as guards hold them all if they escaped? Fear lingered to some, but with their captain’s presence, Jerome. They were all confident and proud of his mighty assistance, an unstoppable force to be reckoned with. And with an extra help from a higher elite wizard like Torrar. It seemed like a guaranteed successful transportation. With its full procedure took them 60 minutes of time to jail them all. Both the captain and dungeon elite guards expected the people to protest, make noise and shake the already tense complex. But it was no use, and with the help of Torrar’s incantation spell. It will take a week before the spell is due, expected by Jerome for her to take part of.

“Captain! All prisoners are properly caged and set. Locks, wards and even lady Torrar’s spell is at its work, awaiting orders!” One elite guard bowed.

Jerome signaled with a wave to dismiss the guard, and faced Torrar. She has been one of the leading wizards of Vanadheim, a top class elite student, hailing from their local academy called “Arcana Magi von Academia.” A prestigious academy, teaching only those who are gifted with immense and massive potential, cut from a different cloth. It has been only two years since Torrar served Jerome as his personal assistant mage. At first it was very hard for the shy wizard, only talking to her superiors when asked. The same can be said to Jerome, as he only has life of fire just for his position, only to serve his king. But to him, if Garlandth is his brother, Torrar was like a daughter. He smiled from his thoughts while staring at Maxinus, the most wanted individual from the west. Noticing her captain’s expression, she slowly pulled the cowl of her hood, as if a shy gesture, not wanting for her superior to notice.

“Thank you for your efforts, little Torrar…” he said while smiling, and slowly stared at the high profile prisoner.

“It was nothing my captain, it is a wizard’s duty to listen and execute any orders coming from a superior…” She said, still looking down.

“Enough with the formalities, I am strict, but it can be annoying sometimes…” He said with what seemed a forced smirk.

Torrar was surprised on the sudden change of her captain, she saw similar scenarios. But she thought it was weird of him to say that, even through the two years that she served the man. It’s as if Jerome slowly showed his true personality, hiding behind strict rules of his master, from his cruel king.

“Killing and being killed in this world is a normal occurrence, Torrar. I am mature enough to think before an action, and yet I killed that one wizard, beheaded him without a second thought…I was stressed and angry from the duty of hunting this foolish man.” He uttered, a twitch from his eyebrows.

“Death itself is a normal occurrence, sir Jerome. And with that despicable man questioning a solid order, and to potentially halt our progress is not by any means a wrong action…” She followed quickly with a glance.

“And yet here I am, staring at him, wondering what kind of creature is he, instead of acting on my promise of torturing him until he pleaded of death. I instead acted it out on that one fool.”

“What do you mean, captain?” She asked.

“First answer me this Torrar...Is it not better to trust those who are stripped with their fake personality, rather than those who still cling to it, desperately convincing people that they themselves cannot hurt a single ant?” He asked, now turning to her.

From that question she winced, is there a hidden meaning perhaps, “Does he know?”

“You acted based on your instinct, yet still. It was all you, still YOU…” Torrar claimed, glancing at the side, not wanting to reveal her expression, grief.

“Whether you acted because of loyalty for the vanadian law or for personal issues. It was your hand, your physical body, your thought of decision. But it was the real you.” She followed.

“You are right, Torrar. It goes to show that no one in this world is pure, anyone, even an ally or friend. Not even ourselves can be trusted, but what’s more important, is that we have the will to decide and do good, even if its against the influenced that grip us still.” He smiled, turning again towards Maxinus.

Torrar slowly pulled back, and looked away.

At that moment, the night was very quiet, even amidst their duties down the deep dungeon. When suddenly an eruption shook the whole structure, near towards the royal vanadium hall where the king resides, and where Garlandth went earlier!

“Wha—“ Garlandth stummered.

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“That was too powerful and massive! What the heck are they doing over there?!” Torrar panicked, trying to use arcane dynamics, secretly to track the destruction coming from.

“CAPTAIN JEROME! URGENT, CAPTAIN GARLANDTH IS CURRENTLY IN COMBAT AS WE SPEAK! OUTSIDE THE HAL—“

“DAMN IT! WHAT IS THE STATUS OF OUR KING, ROYALTIES AND CIVILLIANS?!” He demanded as he suddenly reappeared next to the man, and grabbed him by the collar, coming so fast like a flickering light.

“I-IT WAS A DISASTER CAPTAIN! THE STREETS FILLED WITH CRATERS AND DEAD BODIES! THE KING--!” The man shouted with grim expression.

“WHA—“ Jerome quickly pushed the man away and started to run as fast as he could.

“TORRAR! TAKE THE REIGNS FROM HERE ON!” Jerome’s voice trails away far from the low complex.

“If I use dash step, I will arrive there quicker! Damn Garlandth…hold it!” He promised.

“NOTED MY CAPTAIN!!” Torrar shouted behind the now seemed shadowy figure of her captain.

“It’s that bastard Conrad! He promised that the civilians will be safe…but what was that?!” She asked to herself, as she panicked and looked at Maxinus for answers.

Within five seconds of cryptic chanting. The jail housing Maxinus suddenly opened, and before the guards noticed what happened. They were already paralyzed, and slowly slept on the cold dungeon floor.

“Cold tempest of hard metal, binds that crumble under swift wind! Incantation number five, Piercing Unbind!” Torrar chanted, the magical binds of Maxinus instantly exploded in violet particles, freeing his whole body.

“What in the blazes were they thinking?!” Maxinus asked, as his single arm hold onto Torrar.

“I don’t know damn it! Let us just get out of here quickly before we found big trouble! The whole kingdom is at high alarm! We might as well meet with Conrad, and know the answers!” Torrar suggested, while they both ran, using weird magic that makes them reappear on short intervals. Dodging many elite guards until they finally exit the vanadian dungeon.

-

The streets spiraled into a huge chaos. A sea of both disoriented soldiers and civilians filled the now narrower streets. With their kingdom walls not hiding the erupting and booming sounds of panicked shouts, explosions and cries. From afar, just before the boundary before the outer villages, a hooded figure walks towards the chaos, appearing as if a shadowy mirage that penetrates tangibles structures, until in finally inter the vanadian kingdom.

-

At the same time. Nina put a steamed towel on the forehead of Lucius, still in a squirming fever, yet lying there like a calm feather. The dwarf brothers admired the young lady, as she shows care for their strange guest. Twenty years ago, Nina was just but a child. A child of war whose parents died too early for her to even remember their faces. Both Welit and Banduck found the girl crying on the middle of a burning village, hidden under her father’s dead body. The village said to have been a major battlefield between the two kingdoms of Vanadheim and Vrepia. Located far south-east of Tel’anurr. The disputed village was already a lost cause for King Odovacar, as his nemesis Varagor of Vrepia was already a very powerful beast lord from the east. A power so great that the dispute only lasted within a one hour mark. At that time, the beast lord already established his grip among the mines of the southern dwarves. With some leaving their nameless territory, not wanting to work for an evil draconian. The dwarf brothers, among the refugees of that war, the same day they passed through that razed village. They Willingly adopted Nina as their own daughter, two different worlds yet met the same fate. The door slowly creaked opened as a black cloaked woman entered, bearing an urgent news for the three in the room.

“Edna, what is about?” Nina glanced back at her.

“Operation Phantom has started. Conrad is currently on his way with a reasonably amount of manpower, both from us and Blue Doves.” She announced.

The three suddenly stood up to look at Edna, half her face hidden by shadow and the other highlighted by the piercing moonlight.

“Yer all nuts! Especially that Conrad lad! We already told ye last week that too many civilians will get caught! It’s the trading season!” Welit fumed in frustation, not wanting any more death.

“And the group…why did you not console to us first?” Banduck followed.

Nina tried to reply her own part, but was quickly dismissed by a hand wave from Edna.

“Fools, what did you expect will happen? Whether we like it or not, bloodshed is inevitable! Remember this Welit and Banduck…if it weren’t for the group, all you three refugees would’ve end up dead years ago! Conrad, just before he left the Outliers, tried his best to form the Exile. A mercenary group that challenges the status quo, where everyone is equal regardless of their background or heritage!” She angrily said, while pointing at the brothers.

“And? Yer gonna answer blood for blood? Just so ye know Edna…we dwarves could have fought back with our kin way back at our homeland! But me ancestor vain tells that our culture of smithing and trading is more important to preserve than to run towards a bloody ol war!” Welit claimed.

Nina hugged Welit and put a hand on Banduck’s shoulder, attempting to calm the brothers.

“Besides…ye telling us to acknowledge the lad Conrad about his achievements is nonsensical, WE ARE GRATEFUL! But have limits, is there any other way for the revolution to go for a more peaceful route—“ Banduck followed.

“I am wasting my time with the likes of you, there is nothing peaceful about our world, Kindraire. Not a revolution, no, It is a rebellion!” She said with a smirk.

“More like a massacre—“ Welit tried to protest.

“Hmm…” Edna laughed to herself.

The serious conversation was robbed of its urgency by a loud snore. Lucius, now in a deep sleep, snoring loudly in the middle of the room. Edna walked towards the sleeping guest, blocked by Nina’s outstretched hand.

“What is this? An important guest, or maybe a potential spy in Exile!” She said.

“The brothers found him nearly dead on a road, a days worth towards here. And judging by the fluctuations of his Arcane Aura, it’s as if it got siphoned…” Nina glanced at the sleeping Lucius.

“Brilliant as always, lady Nina. But you have one thing wrong, it’s not siphoned, but more like to build or reveal. In fact, as we speak this young man has a monstrous amount of Arcana that rivals our captains…” She said, slowly inspecting the man from afar.

“What do ye mean? When we found him, he was already half dead—“ Banduck said.

“Yes, it is true that much he suffered physically. If not for your help, he would’ve been vulture food by now. But…magically? It’s rising and building by the second! And with my prediction, by morning he will have a very, VERY high ceiling. A massive aura, and an elite potential…” Edna claimed, while staring.

“Could it be…” Nina asked.

“This man…he’s an Outlier, comparably that of Conrad, Jerome, Garlandth and Susan!” Edna revealed.

They were all mouth wide open upon hearing her speak. It was not mistaken. Edna Laurel, also called the “Deep Mystic.” An individual who specializes in observation, prediction and premonition when it comes to a arcane potential. The number one mystic in their mercenary group, a professional recruiter of the Exile!

“Yer telling me that this man here, is an otherworldly individual who went beyond death, and got transported here in Kindraire?” Welit asked, still in shock with his brother.

The two looked at Nina for reassurance.

“It should not be a question, big brother Welit and Banduck. When you brought this man, I already felt his otherworldly power, an immense aura so powerful that it made me question the sanity of you both…” She giggled.

“Well…a helpful dwarf, is a good dwarf ye?” Banduck followed.

The three shared a laugh, while Edna still stared at the sleeping man.

“Now, if you want this Outlier to remain here, specifically near our beloved headquarters. Our officials will take note of this soon enough.” Edna warned, turning her back and walking towards the door.

”Bah! Do yer worse, and expect the three of us to swipe the smug faces of the rebel leaders tomorrow!” Welit followed.

“Don’t ye worry lady Edna. We will sure to inform him of the group! He’ll be at our side, not ye!” Banduck mocked.

Nina slumped her shoulders from the reveal. A very tense conversation, still filled with doubts and many expectations, just from a single stranger. She now replaced the now stale towel and replaced it with a new steamed one. Edna paused for a moment at the door, as if a shadowy silhouette in the late night and continued her exit after a final glance at the sleeping man.

"A new Outlier, a new power that may tip the favor of this kingdoms political struggle..."