Panic initially swept through the city when the temple exploded in a massive column of power. Only to turn into abject terror when those pieces of the temple’s roof threatened to come back down and smash everyone in the streets. The Emerald guard rushed to spell fighters, but it was clear they wouldn’t stop all of it.

The Indra turned out to be the capital of Eryn’s saving grace. Without the corvette attacking the debris, many people would have lost their lives. But what turned out to be a tragedy actually worked to the outer residential districts’ benefit. Unknown to the squad, the chunks of debris that Arjun was breaking down in the air possessed strong economical value. Overnight, many of the poorest districts of Eryn became very wealthy.

The shock of the attack was still thick in most of the populace. Many attempted to go about their day to preserve some sense of normalcy. Ominek and the Sauridius had dragged the people of Eryn into the heart of the war. Casualties were high, as Morwen had always feared would be the case.

Yet, it also had to be said that with their help, they contained the situation far better than without. The poison and blast would have erased all life on the planet, rendering it a devoid wasteland. That small victory was little mercy when one considered the elves had lost their Archpriest. A new guardian for the well would need to be chosen. The two being subjected to a much more rigorous vetting process than their predecessor.

They had held a public wake for Eaulmant, and a more private ceremony held for family and friends. Morwen stood in a small garden facing to aether crystals. One for Lucinda, and one for Eaulmant. She stared at them for a long time in her dress blues. She felt the loss more intimately than most of the people, having lost not only the leader of the state, but her father.

Sirsir and Akamori slowly approached her, and she gave them a weak smile, inviting them over. She gave the stones an acknowledging nod. “When I was young, and he was first selected for the role, I remember thinking how grand it would be to have my father as the ArchPriest. He could finally smash Darnal Rose in his smug face.”

The Sgt. and Lt. each exchanged amused but confused looks, so she explained when they didn’t ask. “He was no one important. The son of some pompous aristocrat who had it in his head, we’d marry some day in a power bid.”

“How’d your father’s new position to work out for that?”

“It did little to discourage young Darnal or his father’s ambition. He thought he could treat me however he wanted because he thought his father’s designs as good as settled.”

“How’d it work out?” Akamori asked hesitantly.

She smiled at the aether crystal, and the corners of her eyes glistened. “Muppet, he said to me one day.” She chuckled, shaking loose a tear. “One day, you’re going to leave this world and its petty problems behind. You’re going to find a life of meaning. You’re going to make a difference. Not play host to some empty-headed deluded little boy’s dreams of power.”

Sirsir whistled, and Akamori chuckled. “Go dad.”

“Indeed,” she said with a sigh. “After that, he withdrew. Getting him to acknowledge me was harder and harder. His work with the government taking a bigger priority in his time. Eventually, the family fell apart. But the time with Darnal Rose stands so clearly to me I can almost visualize it like happened a second ago.”

“He pulled back?” Akamori asked.

“Yes. He worried showing me attention would be construed as playing favorites and incentivize that case for further abuse.”

“Ah.” Akamori said, having some idea of what she’d went through. Where his own father had leaned into the roll, it sounded like her own had backed off. Looking back, he wasn’t sure he would have appreciated that. His time with his family had been precious. Losing that would have destroyed him. “My old man asserted it was up to me to settle issues like that. If people had problems with him loving his kid, they could shove off and leave.”

Morwen smirked, “Somehow, that seems oddly appropriate for you.”

“We were rough edged farm folk. Didn’t have time for political ass slapping.”

The two shared a chuckle. Sirsir cleared his throat and spoke, breaking the fragile silence softly. “So, what now? We saved the day again. But why does it feel like we lost?”

“Because we did. This was never about winning, sergeant. More accurately, trying to negate as much of the loss as possible. Given the circumstances, I’d argue we did ok.”

“Shit ain’t right ma’am.”

“I won’t argue with that. But reality is what it is. Having said that. The government will want to rebuild and bunker down.”

“They still won’t take the fight to dragons?”

Morwen shook her head. “They’re scared. They’ve been spoiled for so long they don’t know how to process being on the back foot.”

“I heard a bunch of spell warriors in the war college are pushing for an inquisition. They want everyone scried and vetted. They’re worried there are still more shackled walking around.”

Morwen pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed softly. “An unfortunate proposal that will probably pass. Sadly, I fear it may be necessary before the people will feel safe again.”

“They aren’t safe. You taught us that.” Akamori said sternly.

“Yes. I suppose I did, didn’t I?”

The aftermath of Ominek’s attack left many scars. Some deeper than others. Allosius Rayshe and Headmaster Avreone were both apprehended and magically cleansed of all soul bindings. The revelation that Rayshe had been bound by Ominek resulted in an immediate reinstatement of Morwen’s former rank and command, much to Allosius’ chagrin.

“You can’t let that murderer back in command!” Rayshe howled in protest.

“That murderer saved the collective asses of all your people from the likes of you, no less. If it weren’t for the fact you were shackled, it’d be your ass on this stand, Mr. Rayshe. Not Captain Morwen.” Admiral Brown said. The Brotherhood of Man naval officer ran his hands down his face in exhaustion.

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“She murdered my son!” Rayshe snarled.

“And you’ve got the blood of your own people on your hands.” Brown retorted.

“I was bound, you simpleton Zero.”

Brown rose from his seat, displaying just how much bigger he was than the lithe Rayshe. Looming over the thinner elf, Brown got uncomfortably close to the man. “One. More. Word.” Brown warned. “Please. Give me one more reason.”

Rayshe scowled and leaned back, hands held up in surrender. Brown leaned back after a huff, tugging his uniform jacket taught. The rest of the proceedings were essentially Admiral Brown undoing all the previous recriminations earlier. The Mage Federation got a wake up call and realized it needed its best on the front and taking the fight to the enemy.

Recovery in the spell colleges was a different affair. Avreone’s shackling was less severe, since they used primarily her as fodder against the Emerald Guard’s troops fighting alongside Lucinda. She was placed on administrative leave for several weeks and then given permission to return. The weaver school was the hardest hit, losing Elder Weaver Erlaut entirely.

Following Ominek’s defeat, Erlaut and Rayshe were both seen to and cleansed of their bindings. The Eryn council of nobles selected Erlaut as the next inheritor of Eaulmant’s position as Guardian of the golden well. The preparation for which included time requirements that Erlaut couldn’t afford to spend any more time in the Weaver college. Morwen visited him to wish him well in his new position. Erlaut offered his condolences in trade, disliking his inheritance at the expense of her family. Both of them vowed to save their people.

The squad found themselves with a mission anew. Erlaut’s first act as interim Guardian was to order a full hunt for all shacklers and soul bound operating on Eryn and apprehend them immediately. However, there were other matters that needed tending to first, so the crew had some much needed downtime first. For Akamori and Amara it would be the first break the pair had since their family was destroyed and their village reduced to ash and corpses. Sirsir suggested they check out the Adventurer’s Guildhall to see if they could rustle up some spare credits.

The end goal of pursuing a side gig being the possibility of buying out their contracts. Dissent already formed with the squad regarding how poorly the Federation had treated the Captain, and everyone save the Captain who’d been left out of the discussion felt they’d be more effective on their own operating independently. They would only leave though if they all could, and if the Captain would go with them. Right now, though, she was still committed to the Federation, even after what they’d done to her career and crew. Akamori understood why, to some extent. The Mage Federation was a sector defense union created by Morwen’s late father. Saving it would save some legacy left behind by her father.

The conflicting feels bothered Akamori most, who’d leaned hard into the duty of fighting the Sauridius threat. A fact that came as a shock to Amara.

“Really?”

“Is it that hard to believe?”

“Well, yes. It is.”

Akamori shot her a wounded look as the two enjoyed a meal at Yasiin’s house. His mother had invited them over after learning about what happened to their village, declaring that any friends of Yasiin were really just family that didn’t know it yet.

“Yasiin’s mom would’t be shocked.” He said defensively.

“Only because she doesn’t know better.” Amara shot back casually over a bite of salad.

Akamori’s jaw dropped in mock horror. “I thought you were supposed to be a priestess.”

“I am, but I can’t work miracles. Not yet, at least.”

That earned chuckles from Yasiin and Sala both.

“Oh, you guys too, huh? No faith.”

Amara set her cutlery down and gave him a serious look. “For as long as I’ve known you, all you dreamed of was leaving home and escaping life there. You’re free spirited, and I get that. What I don’t get is why you’re so eager to throw all that aside to fight a bunch of soul binding dragons.”

Akamori darkened, and his gaze fell to his plate. His shoulders bobbed in a gentle shrug that was now more easily visible. Without his spell armor, he felt naked.

“You saw what they did to home. Hidros. Here. I couldn’t stop them at home. But maybe I can stop it from happening again.”

“And you’d rather do that at the expense of your personal freedom to go wherever you want and do whatever you want?”

“It’s a worthy cause. And how could I look my parents in the eyes if I didn’t?”

Amara nodded conceit as Yasiin and Sala simply watched the exchange silently. “What about this talk of leaving the Federation and going it alone?”

“That assumes we’d ever have the cash to buy our contracts.”

“You could probably get a noble house to sponsor you? They do it with arena champions all the time.”

Akamori’s face twisted in disgust. “Pass.”

Amara chuckled and leaned over to explain to Yasiin softly, “He hates politics and the nobility here loves their politics.”

Yasiin nodded solemnly. “True. There’s the Adventurer’s Guild.”

“Yeah, we’re going to look into them. Check their local listings.”

“Usually lower ranked adventurers actually work the board here. All the big names hit the Arena for the fame and glory.”

Akamori perked up at this. “That means we could stand a shot at some really lucrative gigs.”

“Possibly,” Yasiin said.

The group lapsed into contemplative discussion, weighing the pro’s and con’s of leaving the Federation. There weren’t many con’s that were unique to leaving that they didn’t already deal with while staying. Akamori and Amara soon left Yasiin’s house, with Amara exchanging a last look over her shoulder at Yasiin and Sala as they left. A small, smitten smile flashed across her face that Akamori couldn’t help pouncing on.

“Someone’s looking a little pleased.”

“Well, it’s not everyday you get to play hero to the poor and downtrodden.”

“Well, you made it rain literal wealth after all.”

“Debris, actually. But yes, we did effectively upend the economic dynamic of the city districts.”

“Correction. You did. I just got my ass kicked. As promised.”

Amara stood up a little straighter, grinning. “I did, didn’t I?”

“Yup. And now every noble for miles will know who to stare daggers at for losing prestige too!”

Amara wilted at the realization. Her go deflating some. “Oh.” She said. He nudged her side. “So what’s with the cutesy eyes at Yasiin?”

“That would be telling.” She said.

‎