[Teleporting to Coltherstone hold...]

[Teleportation successful!]

Nicholas strolled out of the portal, hand clenching the handles of his axes. His eyes darted across his surroundings, double-checking that the coast was clear despite his guards having already done so. Old habits died hard.

Much to his dismay, the view that greeted him was not a blank stone wall. A round table with features similar to that of the war room in the castle spanned his vision. A single soldier guarded a doorway. A few strolled about the room, scribbling away at clipboards and moving pieces about the board. Despite the importance of this room, it was sparsely occupied.

It was quiet, too quiet.

"Why are the anti-teleportation runes off," he muttered quietly.

The guild master sank into a low combat stance, axes drawn, mimicking a similar position to that of his two guards. Yet no ambush came only worried glances and hushed whispers.

A door opened.

The trio's muscles tensed, axes and swords aimed in the direction of this new intruder. A young man walked in, followed by two escorting troops. No armed-to-the-teeth heavy infantry swarming into the room and surrounding them.

A brief flash of alarm appeared on the arrival's force before being quickly wiped away. He squared his shoulders, straightened his back and puffed out his chest before strolling steadily towards the trio.

"You must be the commander coming to replace me... So the noble brats have finally seized their parent's ear...although I certainly don't disapprove of the choice... Typical."

The guild master and his guards straightened back up, sheathing their weapons. Nicholas arched an eyebrow at the man, only to have his response mirrored back at him. However, the expression was hurriedly wiped off his face, resuming a stern, unsmiling facade. The current commander gestured for the guild master to follow him into an adjacent room.

The guild master followed after him, raising a hand to signal his two bodyguards to stay behind. A round of protests ensued. "This is against protocol BUT sir...this is our job! What if he sneaks and attacks you with a poisoned weapon?! You saw how empty this place is! It might be a setup."

The shouts stemmed into silence as Nicholas turned, raising a hand to cease the concerns.

"We have been through many trials before, much harder than even the worst scenario you can make of this current position. You and I both know I can handle this kid with ease."

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The two men sighed and shook their heads in resignation, "Classic Nicholas," they mumbled in sync before making a shooing gesture at the two.

The commander leads them into a small office. Two chairs sat facing each other, separated by a table. A quill and ink pot sat neatly in the corner of the desk. Two bookshelves leaned against the back wall, brimming with books.

As soon as the door closed behind the current and future commanders, the young man began lecturing, "You can't let them speak to you in this way. It undermines the command structure! You must put up a strong front to ensure loyalty and that you are capable of making hard decisions! This is the standard procedure for officers of the military." The commander panted as he ended his rant, grabbing a glass of water sitting on the opposite side of the writing implements and gulping it down.

"As expected of one having studied under the direct tutelage of Ingaret the Honorable. Allister Lennox, yes? You have one of the most mixed reputations I have ever seen..."

The man grinned slightly at the comment and nodded affirmatively.

"As much as this might sound fake, I am not here to replace you. I am simply here to ensure the necromancer threat is dealt with. On that matter, I need a report."

Allister nodded and turned to his bookshelves, scanning through the files. He grabbed a thick volume of pages and handed it to the guild master. The man's eyes and hands glowed blue.

[You have activated [Hybrid][Info Scan]!]

[Scanning...]

His eyebrow jumped upwards, nearly shooting off his face. His forehead scrunched together, knuckles turned white. His jaw loosened, barely hanging onto his face. Slowly, in sheer disbelief, he looked up at the man.

He grabbed the man by his chainmail collar, tugging him close. Nicholas whispered in Allister's ear, "What game are you playing? What do you mean your request for reinforcements was ignored? All clear-minded people, military or not know the importance of this base. I PERSONALLY saw off the two battalions sent to assist you and the two conscripted bands of adventurers..."

The commander looked at the guild master in shock... "They never arrived... There was never a response!"

Nicholas's grew dark. In an ominous tone, he released his hold on the man's shirt, "You and I both know or at least suspect..."

"A trai-"

A coarse finger was pressed against his parted lips. "Don't say it out loud."

The door slammed open. "SIR! The refugees are missing! They're not in the guest rooms! I checked everywhere!"

The guild master's stormy gaze transferred from the messenger to the commander. He released his killing intent, pressing it solely against Allister's trembling body.

"Do you know why this castle is built on a steeply-sloped hill overlooking the roads?"

The commander gulped audibly.

"For the high ground advantage and to hinder invading troops?"

A deathly soft answer drifted into his ears, "Yes but to also minimise traveller interaction with this defensive facility! And like you said before, this is in the manual..."

The man attempted to wrench the guild master's hand off his collar. Nicholas let him. Allister stepped forward, noses nearly touching.

"It is the duty of the military to aid those in need. A responsibility cast aside constantly for the sake of convenience, incompetence and laziness."

Nicholas jabbed a finger into the man's chest piece, shoving him backwards. A cylindrical hole was visible where his finger had made contact.

"Don't lecture me on responsibilities, boy. I HAVE PAID DEARLY FOR MY SERVICE TO THIS NATION WITH MY OWN FLESH AND BLOOD AND ANY CHANCE OF CARRYING MY LEGACY ONWARD!"

His roar was engulfed by a much bigger wail. Multiple thunderous rumbles shook the building, tilting the floor side to side, sending the men crashing into the corners in a massive jumble of limbs.

The castle groaned as shock waves rippled through the building, once again sending the occupants flying. Cracks and fissures grew in the walls as the stone buckled under the pressure.

Ringing silence. Hot, red liquid dripped out of their ears.

Nicholas felt the stone floor beneath him crumple outwards, propelling his body upwards. Beneath the floor was blaring white nothingness.

His vision fizzled out.