Mere moments before, as Miller and Xia Bei exit the teleporter chamber in the basement, the Pawns gather. Otso and Sam direct the group as they work to prepare their strongest cell. Ivar stops and turns to the duo as he runs up to Miller.

“Hey, Miller, we got a dozy of a prisoner this, huh?”

“Yeah. We’ll need all the defenses ready.”

Rufus nods. “I’m almost done casting charms on this cell. We’ll be ready to contain a dragon at this rate.”

“A dragon, are you sure?” Faye asks.

“Yeah. I mean, a full dragon is super strong, right?” Tan asks.

Fiona nods. “Indeed. But what are we dealing with?”

“Likely something related to Demons. Sam, did you tell them the details?”

“There wasn’t time. I had to run to the village to get some of these guys back here.”

Fiona nods. “So, care to explain, Boss.”

Miller explains the incident on the island and the potential for Demonic involvement. The oddities in their prisoner and the miasma that exploded out of them. And the plan to call the Shadows to their aid.

“This has gone from one level of crazy to a completely new level,” Ivar says.

Tan shakes. “We’re fighting Demons now?”

“Not necessarily. We’re dealing with their cultist. Once we’ve got the backing of the other Candidates and those Shadows, we can….”

“I’d be careful of what you say from here.” A voice says behind Miller.

He leaps back and sees a figure wrapped in a black cloak staring back at him. The figure stands in the middle of the basement, with everyone staring at them cautiously.

“How’d this one get so far without us knowing?” Sam asks.

The Shadow nods. “We’re trained in such expertise.”

“Why have you shown yourself?” Miller asks.

“I heard your words of Demons. As a Shadow, it's our sworn duty to investigate such matters.”

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“One of the King Candidates you're responsible for is behind this, so it’s your responsibility to get rid of them.”

The Shadow pauses. “Strange.”

“What?”

“If a King Candidate has been involved with Demonic activity, the rest of us should’ve been alerted. Then we would investigate earnestly and start a crusade should the need be determined.”

Miller pauses. “That means?”

“It means these Demons are better at hiding than one would expect. As if it gained knowledge and experience from being around for some time.”

Miller’s mind goes back to Talia. “That….”

“Oh, and it’s best you be wary of any outsiders. You never know if you're being led in earnest. Or being trapped until the cage closes around you.”

The Shadow fades away into the darkness as everyone watches.

“What did she mean by?.”

Miller steps ahead. “Has anyone seen Xia Bai!?”

“Huh?”

“I’m right here.” Xia Bai exits the teleportation chamber with smashed bits of her palm. “Just had to finish my job.”

Miller draws his blade as Xia Bai spreads her wings, the pair charging at each other and clashing in an eruption of flames.

Miller and Xia Bai battle across the manor, their fight pushing them into the courtyard as the other Pawns enter the fight. Xia Bai draws her sword as Tan flies up to attack her. Her sword sparks with electricity as she swings it, shocking Tan as Otso catches her. She flies down with Fiona and Faye, smashing their weight into her and pushing her back. She flies into the side of a wall with Ivar and Sam pushing her through the wall. She stumbles into the dining room and forces herself up.

Miller comes in swinging his sword as flames coat the blade, slashing at Xia Bai, who barely dodges the attack. “You’re slower, weaker, and more exhausted than our last fight!”

“You have a point. I’ve lost my Piece and with it whatever boosts I got from it. But I’m also free of my restrictions.”

“Restrictions?”

She spreads her wings as electricity sparks across them. Her eyes glow and she opens her mouth firing a burst of energy out as Miller pushing him back. He flies through a wall, entering a hallway as she walks over to him. She steps on his chest, looking down at him as she pushes him into the ground.

“Why did you betray us!?”

“It’s not a betrayal if you were never on the same side to begin with.”

“Didn’t you want to save Isaac?”

“I am.” She raises her sword and aims at Miller’s head. “No offense.”

Sam rushes in, throwing their shield and hitting Xia Bai, distracting her. Miller sees his chance and rises, knocking Xia Bai over and slashing at her. She barely dodges, crawling through a nearby hole in the wall.

She enters the courtyard and flies up, avoiding everyone's attacks as she takes to the air.

“If you guys know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of this and leave everything to play out.” She says.

Miller stares up at her. “You know we can’t do that.”

“Then you’re walking into your deaths.” She flies into the air, fading into the air, leaving the group in the courtyard as they can only watch.

“Miller,” Sam reaches out for him, only for him to shake his head and push them away.

Miller walks ahead. “Everyone survey the damage. We have to get ready.”

“Ready for what?” Faye asks.

“We’re going to save Glyn. Hopefully, he can hold out just a bit longer for us. We need to be in peak condition for the fight to come.”

“Do you think Glyn and the others can hold out?” Otso asks.

“We have to believe they can. If not, then everyone in the archipelago, if not the entire continent, is screwed.”