As the group exited beyond the gates of the arsenal, they prepared on for six hour-long journey to reach the location where the artifact rested. The path is supposed to be through multiple landscapes landscape of forests, plains, and mountains, according to the map Lorin had.

Being washed by the radiant sunrise, Akihiro turned to group with a smile on his face.

"So... who's taking the lead?"

Midir slowly caught up to Akihiro, his eyes taking in the vast distance and seemingly endless terrain ahead of them that seemed to stretch out until the ends of the sky. However, Midir showed no signs of rushing.

"I gave it to Helios. Everyone seems to confide in him the most, so I had him agree to lead the way. Everyone will be able to keep up with his pace that way.

Six hours was the estimated time to reach their destination on foot. At the earliest, they would return by sunset. However, the fact that Lorin chose to send five people and not accompany them himself suggested a lingering sense of danger. Lorin appeared to know little about the locations itself, so there was a potential threat that was near that area. Midir was of it.

"Well, Helios? Ready when you are."

Helios who was holding the map remained silent for a moment taking in the sunlight and the gentle breeze from the morning sky.

Helios snapped back to reality as Midir asked him if he was ready, and without hesitation the Warrior of the Sun nodded.

"Let's go."

Just having been woken up for this event he couldnt stop himself from yawning and stretching out his arms, already wanting to go back to bed but knowing that obviously isnt an option. His brain automatically tuning out most of the talking and leaving him to fill out the rest with what he thought was going on, getting the general gist. Kronos who was already thinking of how haunting the walk would be, was already kicking ankles. "Yeah. I'd prefer we talk less and walk more now, don't wanna be coming back tomorrow night."

All five start heading towards their destination.

During the six hours they spent venturing outside, they quickly came to a few realizations. None of them had prepared substantial resources like food and water. Luckily, Selene had reminded Helios to bring some provisions, so they shared. Akihiro had also brought a bunch of snacks for himself, though he frequently got into conflicts with wild animals, which ended instantaneously. Akihiro's strength was enough for you to be reminded you that you were lucky to have him on your side. Zero made use of his ability to heat up and cook boars they encountered along the way.

The walking resumed along the edges of mountains, through rivers, and across vast fields of grass. They passed through umerous plains and biomes, impoverished cities where barking citizens threw rubbish at Helios for daring to show his wealthy face in their streets. They took him as nothing but an arrogant royal who did not care slightly for the poor, just like any other Daystar. Under Indra's rule, the council seemed to provide nothing, and the cities only received donations from Fenris.

While they're wildly worshipped in cities, in the outskirts, the council are what stole their freedom from them.

After passing that town, the sun had gotten to them. As if right on cue with Kronos' complaint, all their eyes settled on an abandoned town. Wishing nothing but death upon Akihiro at the moment before due to the comment about Kronos running out of energy due to his halfling breadstick legs, he groans loudly while still walking with everyone else. He'd never admit it directly but he actually was starting to feel like he needed a break already, not feeling like walking for another God knows how long without any sort of stop inbetween.

"How long have we been going? We haven't had anytime to stop and it doesn't feel like we're getting any closer either. Honestly i'm getting tired already, can't we just take a break or something?"

Before Helios even glanced at the map to see if they were in the right place, Midir walked forward, entering the town under the summer heat, his eyes dead set on a specific building.

"We're here. I'll lead the way now."

Akihiro remained at the back of the group, keeping watch of Kronos and Midir while also pondering on thoughts of his own. Why hadn't Lorin come himself? Was it because he was a Daystar? More importantly, the son of Texas? Obviously, they were being used as a means to an end, sparing Lorin from harms way incase of uncertain danger. But this uncertainty meant he didn't know if something roamed these areas or not.

Akihiro could tell from Helios' expression that he was on guard, ready for someone to ambush them at any second. Midir, however, seemed entirely confident, walking with the assurance of someone who knew the of their surroundings inside and out.

Midir continued navigating through the ruins, aware that shortcuts were blocked by rubble from the collapse of age. They finally entered the building Midir had his eyes on, which was obviously barren like the rest of the town. He pushed over a fallen bookshelf, revealing a set of stairs that led upward. Ascending the stairs, Midir turned to the window, punched through it, and climbed out, motioning for the others to follow him. This was the only path to the warehouse that wasn't obstructed by debris.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Stay close."

Midir approached the entrance to the abandoned warehouse, his hands protected by leather, brushed against the cold, rusted surface of the metal handle. Slowly, Midir pulled the handle as the door slid aside, the hinges of steel screeching in response. The sound echoed through the empty space as inch by inch, the door creaked open, revealing the interior of the warehouse. Dust motes lightly danced in the rays of light that pierced through the cracks and fans, with crates thrown all over place. Just then, a similar thought shot through each of their heads

This place reeks of decay.

Midir let everyone go in first, shutting the door behind them with a loud clang. He took a few steps forward, only to halt.

Finally, Midir's voice cut through the silence, low and grave. "On guard. We're not alone," warned Midir as he turned back to the door.

Helios snaps his head around quickly sensing multiple heat signatures behind the door and sees a ball of energy generating behind the door. He looks to his side seeing Kronos & Zero near the door.

"Shit!"

Helios does a quick ass time event and misses a button as he only manages to grab Zero on time.

Midir, Zero and himself get launched back a bit. However, Kronos got blown across the room like a lightless toddler.

Midir flipped onto his feet after the explosion, his eyes instantly being dragged towards the seven cloaked figures darting towards them, their leader at the forefront. They were after the artifact too. The artifact wasn't Midir's primary concern for now, as his main focus was the identities of each person behind the hood, recognizing them all too well.

"Shadow..."

As if on cue, the dust clears revealing the a man dawning a pure-black cloak. His eyes were a similar color of Eris, but his features and hair... It was just like Azrael. Besides him are seven cloaked females and two hidden in the far back with hoods covering their faces.

His eyes scan the room taking in the strongest Empire State High has to offer: Helios Sol Daystar, and Akihiro Oni.

He finally notices Midir amongst the students and a dead child presumably from the small fraction of strength he released to bust down the door from the hinges.

"Stand down if you know what’s good for you, or you’ll end up like that child."

He stares specifically at Akihiro & Helios, the two idiots who would most likely fight to their own demise unless they had someone who dragged them out by force.

Zero looks at Kronos who is sprawled out on the floor. His eyes then land on the new person who just showed up.

"Who the hell are you? And why'd you do the short one like that?"

"I'm only 5'2" you fucker.."

Shadow extends his arm out pointing towards the group as his mana begins surrounding the entire group as the rooms lights up in a purple hue, his eyes set dead on Helios.

"It's been way too long."

Before Helios can respond, Shadow launches an orb of energy that lands on the ground, he stares at it confused before realizing what it is, the explosions destroying the already decaying walls around them.

Helios slides across the ground taking count of all the others…except one. Akihiro. Did he manage to slip away like an eel? It doesn't matter as Helios stands up.

"What kind of shit do you think this is! Why are you waiting here of all places?"

Shadow snaps his fingers as a woman drops down from the tree.

"Simply put, Sol. Our glorious leader wants that artifact you’re going after…and he will get it. None of you all match him in strength."

"This is my second in command, Orion. We are Nebula!"

Orion looks at Lyra who’s half asleep before getting her cue.

Lyra yawns as she gazes at each one, she's Nebula's Head of Research & Development as she looks at the group below her.

"Helios Sol Daystar, the last remaining male heir to the main branch. Currently enrolled in Empire State University. Are you with Lorin?"

Shadow stands still after hearing Lorin's name before laughing to himself.

"Lorin? Oh right…the son of Texas & Reyna Daystar. Reyna kept Lorin away from you so you wouldn’'trub your stupidity on him. The only good thing about you is your battle skills…but even that is inferior to my own."

Shadow begins walking towards the group before disappearing entirely, the hair on the back of Helios' neck stands up as Shadow reappears behind him holding a blade almost cutting off his head entirely as Helios parries with his own.

"Let our two groups have some fun! Huh? Come on, tell me the name of your crew!

Shadow snaps his fingers, summoning shadow tendrils wrapping around Helios' leg and tossing him in the air away. Shadow dashes by saluting him before jumping in the air, landing a backflip kick sending Helios crashing into nearby crates.

Midir quickly scanned the battlefield enveloping him, rushing to find his own position in this fight. Knowing they couldn't reach the artifact without him, he felt assured in joining the fight without worrying about any of them sneaking away to snatch it.

It's safe to bet each of us alone are an equal opponent, person for person.

While other figured left to chase Akihiro and simultaneously search for the artifact, the rest were stuck Orion, Andromeda, and Lyra. The main group would only stand a chance if they could take on the opponents one by one, and Helios was dealing with Shadow.

"Zero, you can take on the one to the right. Kronos will get up soon, and he can handle the left one. The one I'm best suited for..."

Midir brandished his blade. His expression was one that could only be described as the face of a warrior.

"Is you."