When Van and Valentine didn’t have class, they were in the Rail, searching for the next clue to freeing the Sleeping Devil. Valentine scoured Valius Shrale’s journals with Moon’s Ark, Van worked to provide her new stacks of journals while returning the ones she finished to the exact places from which they had been taken, and Raven perused a sample of books individually, searching for information beyond the written words. So far, the work proffered no results regarding Shrale’s connection to the girl slumbering within the golden cocoon.

It had been several days since Raven’s encounter with Piper Redtune. He had spent a considerable amount of time thinking about their conversation since. He wanted to return, but she had left the city the next day. And while Rue did her best to help him, she simply couldn’t recollect anything about her former life that provided a clue to the mystery. He needed to talk to Fanny about it again. Perhaps she remembered who she won the pandora from. But she was currently out of town, and would not return for a fortnight. According to Van, she had assistants teaching her classes while she was gone.

So, for now, all focus remained on the Tetrapolis. This is the name Shrale had designated to the hall of his design, something Valentine discovered early on in her reading.

Van dropped a huge stack of journals on the desk, wheezing. “Okay, wait,” he gasped. “I need a break. You’re reading too fast.”

Valentine looked up, having just finished consuming the writing within the last journal in her latest batch. She smiled. “You have the easy job, you know.”

“I know… I know…” He collapsed into a nearby chair, still breathing heavily. “But I still need a break.”

She laughed, placing the journal she finished to another stack before standing up and taking the first one atop the new stack. She opened the first page, and her eyes lit up.

“Look!” she said. “It’s another journal with his signature instead of his mark.”

Raven and Van looked closer. Van pointed to the page. “It has an errant line running through the page, too. Didn’t the first one have something similar?”

“Read it,” Raven said. “Maybe it’s another early journal.”

She raised her hand over it, and pages rushed forward in a flurry. Her eyelids flittered as the knowledge forced its way into her mind. When finished, she shook her head and blinked a few times.

“I’m still not completely used to the sting,” she said.

“Take your time,” Van replied.

“I wish we had time.”

“Indeed,” Raven said, kicking up his feet onto the table. “What was the journal’s subject?”

She closed her eyes. “Snow crow migration.”

Raven frowned as he turned the page of the journal in his hands. “There is something frustrating about this endeavor. These must exist for a reason, but that reason eludes me completely. What does Shrale want the reader to know?”

“There’s something elegant about them, though,” Valentine said. “Shrale’s passion for knowledge shines in the text. Each journal is the same. He poses a question. A theorem if you will. The premise is always built on educated speculation of a subject. And then, he explores the possibilities. Each is purposeful.”

“But none of the journals presupposes the research has true meaning,” Raven replied. “The topics range from the important to the mundane and sometimes to the absurd. Does he really care about the topographical history of Mount Chappelle?” He held up the journal in his hand. “The appearance of passion exists here, but does the cause? His voice remains silent in that regard.”

“I see your point. Even so…” She pressed her lips together. “After reading so many of them now, I get the impression of enthusiasm about the things that do matter. He cared deeply for the school, and for Roespeye and her people. He mentions having children, although he has not yet given their names.”

“I’m sure Marcus could tell us,” Van quipped.

“There is a reverence for things he seems to really care about. I feel like I can understand why he was called a hero. Why he was able to give his life to save the city. Of course, I’ve only scratched the surface, but I’m gaining new insights every day.”

She took another book and read it using Moon’s Ark, finishing it in moments.

“Ooh,” she exclaimed, grabbing her head in pain. She tilted, and Van quickly stood to catch her before she fell.

“Valentine, are you okay?” he asked, gently helping her back into a chair.

“Yes, I’m alright.” She placed both palms on the desk, blinking rapidly. “I need to keep going.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to take a break?”

“No, I can’t. This is important.”

He frowned. He was about to put his hand on hers, but then he quickly withdrew. “It’s not more important than your safety. I think even Raven would agree.”

Raven remained silent.

She smiled. “I appreciate that, Van. Thank you. But I must continue. I want to solve this puzzle and aid the cause. And when you really want something… you go for it.”

He looked at her in surprise, falling silent. He looked at Raven with an odd expression, as if something dawned on him.

“Are you okay?” Raven asked.

“I…” He looked back at Valentine again. Then, without another word, he stood and said, “I’ll be right back,” and left before anyone could object.

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“What was that about?” Valentine asked, bewildered.

“No idea,” Raven replied. “He’s an odd duck.”

She laughed. “I always said he was a nice urchin. My opinion hasn’t changed.”

“An urchin… a truly apt description.”

He went back to analyzing the journal he held. She did the same, flipping through the pages absently.

“Raven…” she said after a few minutes of silent reading. “Can I ask you a question? You don’t have to. But it’s been on my mind, and I need to ask.”

“You want to know why I didn’t kill the Titan in Lamgard,” he replied, not taking his eyes off his journal.

She smiled in a sad sort of way. “I shouldn’t be surprised you know what is on my mind. I wouldn’t say I want to know why you didn’t kill him. I guess… I just want to know what we are really doing. So, to be blunt… aren’t we trying to kill him?”

Raven set his journal down and folded his hands together.

“Are you prepared to kill him?”

Her gaze became icy. “Do you doubt me?”

“I do not doubt your resolve, nor Van’s. But you must understand the task. Once you gain that understanding, your ears will be opened to what your mouth says freely. Your father possesses wisdom even I do not yet possess.”

“You mean talking about the Titan’s death out in the open.”

“The Titan’s power… his resources… they are beyond comprehension. He has eyes and ears in every corner of Fallowreyk. I have spent every waking hour of my conscious life obtaining knowledge for the singular purpose of slaying the Titan, but I have not yet penetrated the depths of his menace. However, I do know much, and that has led me to a singular conclusion: he cannot be killed.” He smirked. “That is… not before I first counter his protection.”

“His protection? Oh, you mean those pandora he used in the desert.”

Raven breathed deep, closing his eyes. “The Titan possesses, among many other resources, two weapons. Two immense weapons. The first is a Class Ten pandora called Big Shield. At all times, the pandora protects the Titan from any attacks, both magical and physical. An impenetrable, omnipresent barrier requiring no direction from the Titan. It protects him from any harm, even in his sleep. The second is a Class Ten pandora called Remnant Aria. The ultimate sword. A divine soul able to cut through even the mightiest defense. At the Titan’s whim, Aria could destroy an entire city, and she has. The Horde of Provote is nothing but a witness to her colossal deeds.”

A tear trickled down Valentine’s cheek. “So, Barkley had no chance, did he?”

“And neither did we. Make no mistake. The Titan rules Fallowreyk by the might of his two standard-bearers. They are not easily overcome. But I will find the way. I must.”

“How much service do these pandora have left?”

“The Titan possesses the natural gift to extend not only his own life, but the life of the souls captive within pandora. Big Shield and Remnant Aria will never be freed, not as long as he possesses them.”

“Oh…” She fell silent, continuing to flip through the pages absently.

“Can I ask you another question?” she said.

“Yes.”

“Why didn’t the Titan kill you?”

“Ah…” Raven sniffed, shaking his head. “I was too young.”

“Too young?”

“The Titan believes that souls mature. That the class of a soul grows as people become adults and develop into their full potential. So, he waits. He waits to kill them until they reach the apex of their stature. At the height of their accomplishment, whenever he believes that is. Such as during Barkley’s promotion. He’s obsessed with this notion. He sincerely holds that there is a key to finding more high-level souls. He has no interest in killing children, only because he believes it wastes greater pandora that could be had. I praise the Holy One for His grace in this.”

“So, he’s looking for more pandora?”

“Yes.”

“Why? If he has achieved perfect protection, what else could he want?”

“I can only guess, but I believe my guess is a good one. I think he’s afraid. You saw how he acted in the desert. I believe he’s so afraid of people like us, that he searches for even more protection, even more power. At least… I hope that is the reason.”

She smiled. “Thank you, Raven. I feel reassured. So, is this why we are trying to free the Sleeping Devil?”

“She is a key part in a greater scheme. Her freedom from Shrale’s cocoon is immensely important.”

“Then my resolve is renewed. I will read every single journal in the Tetrapolis if I have to. Shrale wrote them for a hidden purpose. We agree on this. I will discover that purpose.”

The sound of footsteps preceded Van’s sudden return. He held a large bouquet of Lightflare Lilies. He approached the desk. Looking Valentine in the eyes, he extended the flowers toward her.

“Valentine, will you go on a date with me?”

Her jaw dropped. Raven’s eyebrows rose. She took the flowers, cradling them. “Of… of course!”

“You will?”

She smiled, recovering from her shock, but still heavily blushed. “Yes, I will. When?”

He ran a hand through his hair, smiling brightly. He offered his hand. “I was hoping right now.”

“Oh, but…” She looked at Raven.

He smirked. “Don’t worry. I know your resolve is true. Go. Trust me, I’m happy about this development as well.”

She smiled and took Van’s hand. Raven watched as they went, amazed by Van’s sudden courage. What a development. He was elated to finally be free from his silly agreement to help him.

But then the silence hit him. Looking around, he suddenly realized how alone he had become in the great hall. The quiet was deafening.

“I’m still here,” Rue said.

“Yes, you are right. Thank you.”

“What’s wrong?”

He sighed. “I miss her.”

“And Noelle misses you. She works hard, even now, to accomplish her mission.”

He tapped the desk, finding himself less interested in journals by the second. “Valentine reminds me of her in that way. Seeing their new love… just makes me long for her even more.”

“Your last Task of Yearning begins soon. You’ll see her then, won’t you?”

He shook his head. “No. In fact, it is imperative I not look upon Noelle’s face. That will be far more difficult than the Task.”

“Take heart, Raven. You may not get to see her, but she will see you. And she will be strengthened by your resolve. Soon, you will have your bride. Be strong.”

“Thank you for your words. They have helped.”

“Why don’t you write her a letter. It’s been some time, right?”

“An excellent idea. You are right. It has been far too long.”

Raven returned to Panka’s Tower, having no desire to continue without Valentine and Van. He was tired and ready for rest, but Rue’s idea sparked his desire to reach out to his beloved. Seated at his desk, he found his previous writer’s block forgotten, and the words flowed from his pen.

.

My Dearest Noelle,

Words cannot express how often my thoughts turn to you. You are my breath and my song, the light of my dreams. Forgive my silence these past weeks. I found myself in an intolerable state, mired in a swamp of unrest and dissatisfaction of my progress thus far. My only hope is that you have garnered greater success.

However, I am glad to report we have achieved some recent advancement, having finally penetrated the mysterious room in the Rail. Van and Valentine, my two unexpected underlings, have become something more than lackeys, I daresay. I should be keen to call them friends. They recently bore witness to the Titan’s atrocities firsthand. Since then, they have better understood the daunting task before us all. As Arkh would often say, their eyes opened in the night, clear as day. Their fervor for vengeance is amplified, and it has greatly served our purpose.

Even so, I worry. The more they learn, the more difficult it will be in the end. They believe I have come to Roespeye to kill the Titan. They believe this because I have made it so. If only they could know the truth. Perhaps one day they will forgive me, but for this one vengeance, the deception must endure.

I will soon be leaving for Zaliance. Pray for me, this boy who would become your husband. My last task lies before me, but the difficulty will not compare to the day when I complete it and stand near to you, unable to touch you or even look upon your beautiful face. Know that when that day comes, though my face should harden, my heart remains forever yours.

Raven