Silas walked out of the Gateway Mirror of the fortress called Tearsfell Prison. It was always a sight to see what the Manidion family had made of this place. Half a century ago, there was nothing here but rocky land, but there was still a Gateway Mirror here. Did Midiea know there would be this megalith here one day, or did they make this fortress here because of the mirror?

Cossus whistled. "What a beauty. Which one is bigger, this one or Arhazar's?"

"Arhazar's," Silas replied.

"That was fast. Did you even think about it or just say the last thing I said because it was the only thing in your empty mind?"

Silas turned his head to him slowly. "Do you want to annoy me this early in the morning?”

Cossus chuckled and tried to pinch his cheek, but Silas swatted his hand away. "You're just too fun to annoy, brother."

"Okay, quiet now."

They weren't far from the bridge, and the less threatening they looked, the better. Maybe I should let Cossus play the fool that he loves to play.

The soldiers on the ramparts noticed them right away. Since it was daytime, the Steel Sentinels were on patrol. It was for the best, as the Shadow Vanguard was stronger at night. Silas had often wondered why they didn't combine the two into one. Just have one army instead of two, but the military commander in him saw the benefits of having two armies, one that could fight at night and the other during the day, giving the enemy no time to rest.

As soon as Silas' foot touched the bridge, the smaller gate opened, and two Steel Sentinels, dressed in full armor with spears in hand, marched out.

[Steel Guardian – Level 189]

[Steel Guardian – Level 192]

It was decent levels as far as levels went for this world. If the rest were like this, then Silas could see how they had conquered so many of their neighboring kingdoms in such a short time.

The Steel Guardians' armors were polished to shine. They marched military-like, and memories of Silas running his own units, his own army, came back to him. Though his troops were anything as disciplined as these folks, but he did whip them into shape, and by the time he was finished, they put all armies to shame, all but hers.

I am not that person anymore.

The soldiers arrived. Their faces were hidden behind their helmets and were about the same height, so it was hard to tell the difference between them.

"State your business traveler," said the one on the right.

"If you're lost, get lost through the Gateway Mirrors," said the second.

"We have an appointment with your commander, the Shadowsteel Warlord," Cossus said. "We bring an important message for him."

"There is no one scheduled to see him today."

"But we're late by…whenever the last time someone was supposed to see him," Cossus said.

The left one huffed. "Oh, you think you're funny. Do you? We'll see how funny you are when I make you swallow my sword?"

"Is that a threat or an invitation?" Cossus said, clearly worsening the situation.

Silas sighed and snapped his fingers. "Orders. When I snap my fingers again, you will take us to Prince Narikas and make appropriate excuses along the way."

"What the—"

Silas snapped his fingers again.

"Okay." They both said, turned about face, and walked down the bridge, with Silas and Cossus following close behind. Their escort stopped at the small gate and exchanged words with their brethren before moving in and motioning them forward. Silas nodded and smiled at everyone he passed while his carefree brother whistled a tune that her mother used to sing to them when they were little.

It brought back old memories when their world was still innocent, and things like the end of the world were not even a possibility to them. Of course, this tune made most who heard it a little sad as it was the Lament of Virelia. The tale that was put into song of how the goddess Virelia, the queen of the heavens, lost her sons to the very thing that haunts them now.

Silas focused on his surroundings as he did not want to go down memory lane as this song hit too close to heart.

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He had to give it to the Manidion family or, precisely, the Shadowsteel Warlords. They had made this into a fine fortress over the generations. It had no foothold, hardly any windows. If it were besieged, an enemy force would have no way in. Even the doors were made of the same dark shadowsteel as the fortress that could be sealed shut.

They were led through a door, and the inside was lit with torches all along the walls between hanging drapes with sigils of the Shadowsteel Warlord—two blades, one of shadow and the other steel.

Everyone stared as they walked the various corridors and hallways. They climbed three levels before walking down a long hallway with high ceilings. They stopped before a pair of great doors. The guards knocked and a few moments later, an older woman with graying hair materialized out of the door.

[Shadow Scribe – Level 249]

Ah, there it is—the famous Shadow Scribes.

Silas had heard about the women with the power to write whatever they willed into existence. It was false, of course. They, too, had skills like the rest, but they could do more with their skills.

The Steel Guardian explained to her who they were and that they had come to deliver a message. The woman listened as she stared daggers at Silas and her brother, who was strangely quiet.

"And you brought them here because they said so," the older woman snapped at the guards.

They looked confused as Silas' spell finally wore off. "B-But—"

"Shut up, you imbeciles," the woman snapped. "Fall from my sight and take the pair of them with you. And you two will not return here or—"

"Or is Narikas going to absorb us into his armor," Cossus said, returning to form.

A range of emotions played on the woman's face, from shock to surprise to finally resting on rage. She flipped her book open and got her quill ready.

Silas snapped his fingers. "Stop."

She stilled. They all did.

"Now, I know you are all trying to move or break through my workings," Silas said. "You won't be able to. We have a message from the oracle Domina to the Shadowsteel Warlord. Once we deliver it, we'll be on our way."

"The message is a prophecy that concerns his health," Cossus said. "Actually, more like his life. So, you would be better off not stopping us, as he needs to hear this. So, step aside." He smiled. "Please."

He moved to open the door, but it didn't open, even when he pushed on it. He sighed as he turned. "Looks like we need the hag."

"We'll unfreeze you," Silas said. "But I hope it doesn't come to violence."

"Well, let's make sure it doesn't come to violence." Cossus took the Scribe's book from her.

Silas snapped his fingers. "Unfreeze."

"Give me back my book," she seethed.

"Or what? Last I checked, you can't even sweep the floor without these things." Cossus flipped it open. "I wonder what'll happen if I rip out a page."

"Cossus." Silas motioned him to return the book. "We truly have come from Domina with a grave message about your Warlord and your home."

Cossus held out the book. "Just know, lady, that if you write anything other than open the door, I'll disintegrate you to nothing."

"You speak the truth," she said once she had the book. Her eyes widened a little. "I will permit you to speak with His Highness, but if you—"

"Yes, yes, you'll kill us," Cossus said. "Now, if you will open this, please. We have things to do."

The woman sneered as she wrote in her book, and the doors opened. Narikas, the Shadowsteel Warlord, sat on his throne in his armor, shadowy faces in agony. But the man himself didn't look any better. He was still young, but his troubles made him look far older.

[Shadowsteel Overlord – Level 396]

Cossus gave Silas a look. Silas returned a nod. Narikas didn't have much time left.

The prince stiffened and hid his pain once he noticed he had company. The throne was modest, but then it wasn't a throne, and Narikas wasn't a king.

"Your Highness, it appears you have uninvited guests," the Scribe said.

Silas bowed his head. "Your Highness, I am Silas, and this is my brother Cossus. We bring you a prophecy from the oracle Domina."

Narikas did a double-take when he heard Domina's name. Good. We won't have to waste time explaining everything.

"What's this about a prophecy?" Narikas asked, face stoic. The troubled man from a few moments ago was gone, and in his place sat the Shadowsteel Warlord.

"Our mistress, Domina, had a vision or a prophecy came to her." Cossus scratched the back of his head. "Honestly, I'm not really sure how it works, but basically, she told us to come here and give you the prophecy."

"Prophecies have driven people mad," Narikas said. It was hard to tell if he was talking to himself or someone else.

Silas squinted at the man. "That may be so, but still, we should hear them. Who knows, it might save your life."

"What is it?"

Cossus took out the scroll, unfurled it, and spoke like a great orator.

War and Death will surround you all,

To rain and fire will the cage of tears fall.

An oath to a parent shall a son break,

"Stop," Narikas said, eyes lying in shadow. "On second thought, I do not wish to listen to false words."

"You really should listen to these," Cossus said.

"No."

Cossus let the scroll drop to the floor, where its clutters echoed through the chamber.

"She also told us to tell you that when the time comes, do nothing," Silas said.

"Do nothing?" the woman asked. "At what time?"

Silas kept his eyes on the warlord. "She said he'll know."

Narikas drew a deep breath and gripped the two hilts at the end of his armrests. "You come to my home, claiming to bring prophecy, yet all I see is deceit and deception."

Cossus scoffed. "You're delirious, man."

Darkness emanated from Narikas. "War and Death, you said. How very poetic. You'll get plenty of both here." He stood, taking the hilts with him. Two swords formed from the hilts, one of steel and the other of shadows, just like his sigil.

Silas stepped forward. "Prince, listen, we do not want any quarrel with you. All we're here for is to inquire about the Champion. What was he here to do, and if you gave him a powerful artifact."

"You spies have done your work, it seems," Narikas stepped off the pedestal. "I must hand it to King Draros. I had heard he liked to toy with his enemies' psyche before battle, but this is something else. You would have me concentrate on this fake prophecy while he assembles his armies."

"Trust me, prince, you do not want this fight," Cossus said.

"Oh, but I do. I'll make such an example of you two he will fear sending anyone else."

"You will tell us what we want to know," Silas said. "You don't have enough time as it is, Narikas. This will only shorten it."

The warlord drew a deep breath as shadows danced around him. Silas and Cossus readied their bows.

Narikas lunged for them with his swords, and the brothers let their arrows fly.