Eiziest idly sits and waits around on the large wooden round-table place in the middle of a cosy meeting room of sorts. He glances around to see what his friends new, semi-new, and old, are up to.

Eiziest sees Angie and Felice, idly chatting while also sitting around the round table. Eirene is gently combing Nora’s hair while she sits on her lap in front of the fireplace. While Nora is petting Silfy gently as she sleeps on her lap.

Eiziest turns his attention to Armira and Xion, with Mimir with them, which are currently having a heated debate about something while standing near a bookshelf.

Eiziest then finally looks at Remil, aimlessly staring at the night. Looking calm, yet having the feeling of dread inside him.

Eiziest places his sights up to the ceiling as he leans back and sighs solemnly. Just a moment later, a knock on the door is heard.

Everyone remained silent, as they see Gaul enter the room. Gaul laughs as he moves to one of the chairs around the round table, “Sorry for taking so long. The conversation took longer than I expected. The elf kid said we can use this place however we want for free, but the parents didn’t really agree. So, I had to use some of my charisma to persuade them…” Gaul says with a smug look.

Eiziest smiles at Gaul, “Not bad, Gaul!” Eiziest says as he leans forwards and places his on the table. “Guess we can begin then…” he says calmly.

Everyone nods and begins gathering around the round table. Silfy jumping onto the table, as Mimir floats back to Eiziest's side. Meanwhile, Nora idly looks at everyone as she remains seated near the fireplace.

Eiziest looks at Mimir and nods, a second later. Mimir projects a map of the tunnels below that even crosses under the bridge to both sides of Groven.

Gaul whistles, “Oh, boy… Can’t believe those tunnels cover the entire area of both sides of Groven!”

Angie looks at the tunnels being projected sternly. “Those tunnels were meant to be an emergency pathway during the war… The Osmous family must have found it and used it for their own means, and further adding on more to it as they please” she explains calmly.

Felice sighs, “They’ve added a few chambers here and there and even made some seals covering the entrance to it. But all exits just lead to outside the walls… None of them leads to any other places specifically” Felice says with a shrug.

Remil interjects, “How about the markings on the walls we found? Did those lead anywhere?”

Mimir then lights up the locations of the markings on the map. “All lead to the exit westside of Groven. The eastern exits seem to be rarely used” Mimir explains as he draws out a line showing it.

Eirene nods, “That narrows down our search area then to the outside walls on the western side” she says as she crosses her arms.

Angie looks at Mimir, “Were there any signs of anyone else moving along the tunnels besides us?” she asks as everyone else waits and looks at Mimir for his answer.

Mimir shakes his head, “No, I found no signs of any form of life at that time. Traces of people coming in and out were the only thing I’ve found” Mimir explains while again drawing it out on the map. “Most recent was over at this area…” Mimir says as he marks it on the map leading to one of the alleyways up the tunnels.

Remil jolts, “That’s close to where people said they saw Nemi!” he says as he points at it.

Gaul nods, “Yeah, guess it’s safe to say. That no one else is gonna go missing today… for now…” Everyone nods as Gaul solemnly say.

Xion continues, “Even though we have all of this information, we still need to figure out where they keep the kidnapped people. And how deep are the Osmous family are involved in all of this…”

Gaul smirks, “Base on what I’ve gathered, Osmous Junior will be having some sort of charity event at an orphanage tomorrow. While the father, which from what I’ve heard, rarely goes inside the walls. He just does rounds and checks on his farms outside the walls!” Gaul laughingly explains to everyone as he points the locations on the map.

Eiziest nods, “Then we split into three groups, one follows the father, Gulius. One tails the son, Loren. And another will try to sneak into their home and look for clues… Which is where exactly?” he asks looking at Gaul.

Gaul stands, “Here at some hills near the west side walls of Groven” he says as he points it out on the map and Mimir marks it.

“Thanks…” Eiziest continues, “So, now we just need to know who goes to where and when…” he says as he crosses his arms and glances at everyone.

Felice is the first to speak. “Leave me and Angie to take to the rooftops and keep an eye on Loren!” she says with a smile as Angie nods and agrees with her.

Eirene speaks next. “Nora and I can tail the Gulius once he makes his rounds, should be easy to blend in with Felice’s cloak on us” she says confidently.

Remil looks with concern at Eirene, “Are you sure you want to bring your daughter?”

Eirene smiles at Remil, “My daughter can handle herself just fine!” Eirene proudly says with a grin. While Nora gives Remil a simple thumbs-up, to which Remil just nods and leaves them be.

Gaul places his arms onto the table, “So that leaves the breaking and entering to the leftovers. Unless you three would want to go elsewhere?” Gaul looks at Remil, Xion, and Armira.

Xion shakes his head and smiles, “I’m fine to join with that plan”

Armira smirks at Xion, “Ooh! Sir lawful being fine with breaking and entering…” She teasingly says at Xion. To which Xion simply snarls at her.

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Armira chuckles as she sees Xion angered and ignores him as he looks back at Gaul. “I’m okay as well to join you guys!” she says with a smile.

Remil then speaks after Armira. As Remil chuckles wryly, “Most of you should know I’m not much for the sneaky type. So, I’ll go with Eirene as I could blend well with the farmers!” Remil says enthusiastically.

Gaul nods, “Alrighty then! Eiz you’re with us here right?” Gaul asks with a smile to Eiziest.

“…I’m fine with that” Eiziest says while observing the map. Eiziest nods with a smile, “Alright! Now we got the who goes where now we need the when…” he says as he looks at Gaul.

Gaul ponders, “Our best time to act would be… just before sunrise, that’s when both bird kid and bird dad will be leaving their house” Gaul explains to everyone as he thinks about it.

Eiziest nods and holds his chin up with his hand, “Tomorrow, just before sunrise…” he then looks back at everyone. “Best we rest early then…” Eiziest says as he sighs. To which everyone nods in agreement.

Gaul smirks, “Keep in mind to watch out for the guards. We don’t have much clues on how are they involved in all of this but, best stay clear of them for now!” he says playfully.

Gaul then stands, “So, if that’s it. Let’s go grab something to eat already!” Gaul excitedly says.

Armira grins, “I take it you’ll be paying?” she playfully says to Gaul.

Gaul laughs, “The drinks are on me, but anything else comes out of your pockets!” Gaul grins as he says and opens the door out.

Armira playfully pouts as she stands up, “Oww… Thought I could go all out for once…” she says as she sighs.

As Xion begins to stand, Armira quickly surprises him as she puts her arm around him, “How about you treat me instead. Mister lawful!” she grins at Xion as he tries to get her off him.

Eiziest sighs, “…Does everyone who lives here have such a big appetite?” he asks Mimir.

Mimir simply projects in reply, “¯\_(─_─)_/¯”

As Eiziest sighs at the thought, Nora daintily moves to Eiziest and tugs at his shirt. “Eizy…” she says as she lifts up her arms.

Eiziest nonchalantly lifts Nora up to his shoulders. “Yet everyone stays so slender…” He says with a sigh, as everyone heads on out to the first floor.

Eiziest and his group, after a while, then begin to enjoy their meal. Eiziest watches in awe as everyone devours their meal in massive amounts. Then later on after that, they head on back to the inn as they rest and prepare for tomorrow's plans.

* * * * * * * * *

The sky’s darkness slowly fades as the sun slowly rises. Felice in her slender and voluptuous form stands on the edge of a rooftop while holding her Silfy turned white staff. With Angie by her side, with her grey wings out. A thin iridescent bubble-like layer covers their bodies, making them invisible to the people below.

Angie stares at Felice, seeing her full form. “It has been a while since I last saw you in that form…” she says as she places the hilt of her spear on the ground.

Felice giggles, “You already know when I stay like this, men seemingly just flock all over me, even when I use my cloaking, they just still keep on coming. Do you remember when I had to train those apprentice mages at Alberio? They hardly listen to what I said, which was very much a pain…” Felice says with a sigh.

Angie looks down at Felice’s revealing chest. “Next time, try wearing a bit more clothing. Rather than relying on freezing people to stop them…” Angie blankly says as she looks down at the streets.

Felice shrugs, “Angie darling, these clothes make me more limber. You should try wearing lighter clothes as well rather than that heavy-looking armour of yours. You’ll see how much it gives you room to move around and probably fly better!” Felice says excitedly as she thinks of clothes Angie could wear.

“No thank you…” Angie bluntly says as he observes the streets below.

Angie then spots their target. “Loren is on his way to the orphanage along with a group of his guards with him. We have eyes on him now…” Angie says mentally as everyone uses Felice’s psychic link to communicate.

= = = = = = = = =

A cloaked Eirene holding hands with a cloaked Nora, walk casually next to a fence on a dirt road. They see a small carriage arriving and going to the direction they’re heading and passing over them. “Gulius is on his way to make his rounds…” Eirene mentally says as she looks at the carriage pass by.

Remil is helping out some of the elf farmers across a field from Eirene and Nora. “I see them…” he murmurs to himself as he casually plows the field.

= = = = = = = = =

Eiziest nods, “Understood…” he says as he crouches down, along with Xion, Gaul, and Armira. All of which are hiding under the shadows of the trees nearby the Osmous family mansion.

Gaul uses his binoculars, “I see a couple of pawns outside the entrance, three of them just lazing around. And four or five roaming around the perimeter…” Gaul says as he continues to spot.

Gaul drops his binoculars, “Gimme a sec…” Gaul pulls out his rifle from his back.

Eiziest looks at Gaul, “Just knock them out as we plan. No need for needless death here…” Eiziest murmurs.

Gaul nods and smirks, “Yeah, yeah… I got it…” he says as he loads up a light blue vial into his rifle.

A moment later, Gaul aims at the lone targets one by one and with each shot, they get knocked out.

Gaul then aims at the group of three. He switches a nod on his Rifle and smirks as he shoots a lightly glowing bullet that hits in between the three guards, as it releases a thin white smoke that knocks the guards out quickly.

Gaul pulls back his rifle, “That’s all of them outside…” he says as he places his rifle back on his back.

“Eiz, you and I take the bottom floor. Xion, Armira, you two take the top…” Gaul says as everyone nods and agrees.

Eiziest looks at Mimir floating next to him, “Mimir, can you use your drones to keep an eye on everything?” he asks quietly.

Mimir simply projects a thumbs up, as he deploys his drones sneakily all around the mansion.

Eiziest and Gual then head on first to the window on the first floor. As Xion and Armira stealthily go in the mansion from the second-floor balcony.

= = = = = = = = =

Armira and Xion take cover as they hear two guards’ approach. “You take left I take right” Xion telepathically says to Armira.

Armira nods. As the two guards come to range. Xion and Armira quickly hold them down. Armira places her hand onto the guards’ face and uses a spell that knocks him out, while Xion simply targets a specific spot on the neck of his guard and hits it to knock his out.

Moving along the corridors and taking out anyone they see, Armira and Xion pass by a fancy looking door. “Hey! I feel something weird over here…” Armira quietly says as she stops and looks at the door.

Xion checks the surroundings before checking it. “…What do you mean?” Xion asks Armira.

Armira ponders, “I don’t know… but I feel as though something feels similar to that seal in the alleyway. Whatever it is, it's inside this room…” Armira grimaces.

“Mimir, is anyone inside the room we're looking at?” Xion telepathically asks.

Mimir quickly responds, “Only one apparently asleep”

Armira smiles, “Alright! Only one guy, we can deal with that. Come on, let’s check it out!” she says quietly with childlike excitement.

Xion sighs as Armira opens the door and follows her sneaking in.

= = = = = = = = =

Gaul and Eiziest takes out the last guards on the first floor. “That all of em?” Gaul asks.

“No other conscious life signs detected” Mimir says floating next to Eiziest.

Gaul sighs in relief and grins, “Hey… I took more out than you, you owe me a drink Eiz!” Gaul jokingly says.

Eiziest chuckles as he opens a door to the cellar of the mansion. “It wasn’t a competition to begin with. Come on let’s see where this goes…” Eiziest says as he descends down the stairs.

Gaul shrugs, “I still win…” he murmurs to himself as he follows Eiziest down the cellar.

At the bottom, Eiziest creates two lanterns and gives one to Gaul, While Mimir continues to scan. “See if we can find anything here…” Eiziest says as the move deeper in the cellar.

Gaul and Eiziest scan the dark area. They see large barrels and glass bottles of wine, stacked sacks of wheat, and numerous well-organized crates and boxes both big and small all throughout the large cellar.

Moments later, Gaul and Eiziest hear Xion's and Armira's steps as they go down the stairs to the cellar, looking a bit weary. “What took you guys so long?” Gaul curiously says as Eiziest continues to look around.

Xion sighs, “We tried speaking to you using the Telepathic link, but you’ve been suddenly cut off” Xion says as he creates a floating ball of light to help illuminate the area better.

Armira looks at Gaul seriously, “We were trying to tell you about th-” Armira gets cut off as Eiziest calls for everyone’s attention.

“Hey, guys! Come and take a look at this, I think I found something!” Eiziest telepathically tells everyone.

Gaul shrugs, “The link works fine to me…” He says as he goes to where Eiziest is.

Xion ponders as he and Armira follow Gual. “…It’s probably this cellar blocking off anything from outside” Xion murmurs.

As they reach Eiziest, they see him crouched down in front of a large wine barrel. “Check this out!” Eiziest says with a grin as he twists the faucet in front of the large barrel.

A moment later, the large barrel moves backward revealing a hidden entrance to a dark stone corridor.

Eiziest looks at the hidden corridor with a proud smile as everyone else looks on with curiosity.

Gaul smiles, “Nice find!” he says to Eiziest as he pats him on the back. Gaul then looks back at Xion and Armira. “So, what were you two saying earlier?”

Before Xion could tell them, Armira beats him to it. “Oh! We were trying to tell you we just found Gulius Osmous upstairs. Apparently, there’s a seal that’s keeping him from waking up” Armira bluntly says and shrugs.

Xion sighs, “Could have at least said it with a bit more tact…” he says looking disappointed at Armira.

Armira just looks at Xion confused, “…What I’d do?”

Xion sighs and looks back at Gaul and Eiziest seriously, “It is what she says… Everyone’s been deceived. Gulius is still here…”

Eiziest and Gaul look at the two of them confused. “That can’t be right. He’s supposed to be making his rounds, right?” Eiziest looks at Gaul.

Gaul crosses his arms, “I mean, he should be, yeah…”

Xion nods confidently, “There’s no mistaking it. Gulius Osmous never left, he’s upstairs locked in deep sleep by some sort of seal similar to what we found in the alleyway…” Xion says worryingly.

Gaul and Eiziest look at each other. “Well I didn’t expect this…” Gaul says with a sigh as he scratches the back of his head.