When Kai leads them to his own secret path he'd found long ago -- a small barred passageway along the walls of Caelus, one will think it's rather impossible for anyone to get through. However, up close, it is actually possible when you remove the bars; it is really a large tunnel space that is, perhaps, able to fit an entire carriage.

The opening is definitely small, but that's not the case on the inside. After all, looks can be deceiving.

It's a waterway canal. The stone ceiling is high above them, and the flow of water down the canal along with the occasional drops of water around the stone walls can be heard very clearly through the quiet tunnel.

They stand on the platform at the side, above the waterway; right below, the water rushes through the canal like a raging river. Not even getting a single drop of water on them, Lloyd is still rather displeased. He complains when not even Alaina does so, and Rose resists the urge to push him into the water.

As they walk along the stone pavement, their footsteps echo through the tunnel. The slightly curved stone walls around them are carved with certain marks, Lancaster notices, as they continue down the path. It doesn't take him long to realise this isn't a regular waterway canal.

"This is not a mere waterway, is it?" he asks, but it sounds like a fact he's confident of, and the only thing left that he requires is a confirmation to his statement. Squinting his eyes at the walls, Lancaster tries to make out the carvings. Not only are there odd marks along the walls, but there are certain words in random spots.

The marks may be random to everyone else, but they are marks he is rather familiar with. It was a necessary knowledge when Lancaster was still in Caelus.

"Those are war marks!" Lloyd exclaims suddenly, his voice echoing through the passageway. "I've read about them, too, of course, that these marks are used by soldiers back during the Great War," he says proudly.

"Do you know how to decipher it, though?" Lancaster challenges, unable to stand his ego, especially since this is something only the people of Caelus should know.

"I'm working on it. Slowly, but surely."

Eyeing them all suspiciously due to the unusual knowledge outsiders like them have on Caelus, Kai wonders just who these people are.

A princess who can defend herself and has no issues throwing deadly weapons; a scary looking, skilful young knight who might actually kill you with that sword of his; a bespectacled insufferable know-it-all who really does seem like he knows it all; and a hyper, lively girl who loves nature enough to be a part of it herself fearlessly. An interesting bunch indeed.

Lancaster is about to say something, but everything he wanted to say vanishes as his eyes lay upon the words on the wall right opposite of the platform they're walking on.

The words are too familiar.

Deep fire within.

And only in that very moment does Lancaster realise something very important: that those are the few words that make the difference between the old and new Caelus Anthem.

How did he not notice this very tiny, yet very important detail sooner?

Ruler of the skies and all of lands; amidst the skies there's a heart of gold, and the spark lies beyond.

That's what he has always remembered, but as he recalls Kai's words, he now knows for sure that only those three words make the difference between the two Anthems.

Ruler of the skies and deep within; amidst the skies there's a heart of fire, and the spark lies within.

But that finding isn't the only reason why Lancaster is just standing there, smiling ever so slightly; because when the three words are thrown together, they mean something else. Something of significance.

Deep fire within.

However, Lancaster's silent, satisfied moment of triumph is interrupted once again by Lloyd, who always doesn't seem to watch where he's going, as he walks right into Lancaster.

"How many times do you wish to stop in the middle of our track?" Lloyd says frustratedly, adjusting his glasses and straightening his clothes. "What if I fell over, right into the water?"

"It would be worth it, since I now know where we should be headed," Lancaster replies, earning questioning glances from the others. Lloyd opens his mouth to say something, but Rose slaps his arm for Lancaster to continue. Turning to Kai, he asks, "where does this canal lead to?"

"Only slightly beyond the walls; it doesn't take us further from the outskirts of Caelus."

"Where are we going? What do you mean you now know where we should be headed?" Alaina asks Lancaster for everyone, as they all have similar questions in mind.

"The church."

"St. Aether?" Kai offers.

"Not that one."

"Are you talking about the Holy Church of Iros?" Kai questions, rather confused. "Because that one's abandoned."

"Exactly," Lancaster says, "that is where the rebellion is."

Still confused like everyone else, Alaina asks, "how do you know that?"

Lancaster simply answers by pointing to the words on the wall opposite of them, across the flowing water.

"And what does that have to do with the rebellion or the church, for that matter?" Lloyd crosses his arms, not convinced.

"I will explain later," Lancaster replies, sending a glare towards Lloyd. "The only mystery left unsolved on my part is: who carved the words?"

Rose perks around the very edge of the platform. She would've fallen over already, if it isn't for Lloyd, who's grabbing her by the arm as she takes a look at the carved words. "They do look pretty new."

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"Lucky for you, The Holy Church of Iros is right around the corner," Kai says as he gestures to a rusted iron ladder leading up to an iron trapdoor. He climbs up really quickly, and this isn't the first time Alaina notices his swift agility.

Finally breathing in fresh air, they find themselves in a deserted back alley.

"Welcome to the dark side of Caelus."

"What do you mean 'the dark side of Caelus'?" Rose repeats mockingly, searching around, unafraid at all. "It's just some abandoned area." She crosses her arms, unimpressed; obviously she's expecting more than what's before them when Kai had made the statement.

"It's just deserted," Lloyd adds.

"What is wrong with you people? It was only meant to be a joke," Kai says innocently, earning a glare from Lancaster. "Really? After everything that happened in the forest, you expect more crazed up adventures?"

"We're just being careful," Alaina replies. Rolling her eyes, she adds, "thank you for the sarcasm."

But her comment is unheard by Kai, because he stares off in the distance, squinting his eyes at something ahead. When they follow his line of sight, they find a very torn and old looking piece of paper, dangling loosely from where it is pasted on the stone wall ahead. When the wind blows, it looks like it's about to fall off.

Curious, Kai takes a few quick steps forward to read its contents. His face turns sour upon reading the paper, and the others can tell that whatever it is, it isn't good news.

"Congratulations, we're now officially named as criminals." Kai peels off the paper glued to the wall and shoves it in their faces. "For the record, it is still all your fault, by the way."

"This better not be another one of your lame jokes." Lancaster shoots him another glare before reading the paper.

With the paper in hand, Alaina reads the inscription on it, done in a neat and tidy, yet threatening way:

Important:

Be on the look out for a small group of young men and women, who claim themselves to be travellers here in the peaceful Kingdom of Caelus.

Together with the Princess of Theia herself, they are a threat to the upcoming empire, and may be a threat to the people of Caelus.

As of yesterday, they have been taken into custody as ordered by the King of Theia himself in the dungeons of Caelus. Yet, due to unexplainable situations, they have managed to escape rather impossibly. Their whereabouts are still currently unknown, but it is believed that they may still be in Caelus.

Royal Knights will be on guard at all times around Caelus for safety reasons. If you care about your loved ones, please report of any odd activities you may stumble across, such as the young group of runaways and the rumoured rebellion.

It is for the better of Caelus, and for the better of Asteria.

An official message of the probably threats has been sent to the other kingdoms.

This is a final warning: any movements against the empire are considered a threat to all of Asteria and a heavy crime. Punishments are far worse than death.

"At least they did not mention our names?" Rose says encouragingly when she finishes, slightly hesitant and wincing slightly.

"They make it sound so serious," Alaina says, clenching her fists.

Scanning around, Lancaster makes sure there is no one else around before saying, "Holy Church of Iros. Now. Before anyone sees us."

"It's not far from here; plus there won't be anyone around this area, anyway."

*****

Half destroyed and demolished, the Holy Church of Iros stands with only what remains in an empty field, desolated and isolated.

The dark stone bricks that hold the church together seem to be falling apart themselves. The empty, eerie air around the church sends chills running down one's spine, giving off an atmosphere similar to a graveyard.

As they step onto the gravel that used to be the front steps of the dying church, Alaina asks, "are you sure about this, Lancaster?" She doesn't doubt him, and never does -- yet the empty, desolate atmosphere of the place they believe to be their destination doesn't seem capable of holding a rebellion. In fact, it shall be the last place someone will think of to search for a group of rebellions, much less start a rebellion.

Yet his confident demeanour tells her otherwise.

"I have my reasons, your highness," Lancaster assures her, stepping on broken window glass as he enters through the broken wooden doors.

Dusty, broken long benches are scattered all over what's supposed to be the nave. Only one or two pews are still upright; although obviously covered in dust, Kai sinks into one anyway, impatient awaiting the proof of Lancaster's proclaimed clue.

Lloyd is strayed from the current mission when he notices the inscriptions along the crooked stone walls.

The words are difficult to read; with untidy bits and pieces here and there, dust covered and fallen or broken letters.

Yet it doesn't stop him from reading:

The name "Iros" is derived from Iris and Eos, the Goddess of Rainbows and the Goddess of the Dawn respectively.

The Kingdom of Caelus, also known as the Land of Sky, strongly worships the Gods responsible for the beauties of the sky.

If Lloyd isn't distracted, he will be searching for any hints however little they may be, along with Alaina and Lancaster -- the only ones searching the place very thoroughly. Kai isn't lifting a finger to help, believing it's only a mistake that they're here; Rose is skipping along the aisles covered in dust, gravel, and pieces of broken glass up to the altar.

After a short while, Alaina begins growing impatient and frustrated -- though not at the zero findings from their search, rather at the others who aren't doing anything.

Sweaty and annoyed, she turns first to Kai and says loudly, "since you have so much time to just sit there, why don't you help us search over the other side?" Then, turning to Lloyd just beside her, she almost yells, "stop reading those and start helping!" She tries to find Rose, but she is no where in sight.

Jumping at the voice, Lloyd turns to face her guiltily. "I apologise, your highness, I could not help myself; after all, when knowledge comes knocking, never hesitate to open the door."

But all he receives as a reply is a very angry glare from Alaina, and he adverts his eyes quickly, adjusting his glasses. "I'll search over there." At that, he strides off quickly, knowing it's not wise to stay.

Kai, however, continues to stare at her. "And I thought I'll never see a bossy side of you," he mocks.

This statement makes Alaina blush. She crosses her arms and tries to maintain her glare, but ultimate fails. "I am not bossy."

"Only you yourself know the truth."

His words circle in her mind. And indeed she does know, more than anyone else, that she has a very strong stubborn, bossy, and demanding personality. She is, after all, a princess who always gets what she wants -- and these are traits very much expected from someone like her. Yet Alaina is very self-aware, knowing they are negative personalities, and she's always struggling to change herself for the better. She has always tried to change, even taking the first step in changing the way how she is required to speak so it's not all too formal.

But the bossy side of her to slips so easily when things aren't going as she desires, even when they're away from the palace.

Realising she has been staring at the ground, she pushes her thoughts aside. "I'm sor --"

"Never apologise for being yourself," Kai interrupts. Only when Alaina hears his voice so close to her that she looks up to find him standing just before her. "And someday, you can turn it into a virtue."

Tongue twisted into a knot, Alaina is unable to find the words to reply. When all she does is stare in his piercing yet alluring glowing amber eyes, Kai immediately regrets whatever he's just said. With only so little of a distance between them, their resonating heartbeats are potentially a large drum sending out loud sound waves.

He doesn't even remember his own words now, feeling embarrassed, he quickly says, "did I say something funny? Forget it; I'll look over --"

"Found something!" Rose's voice interferes, and they break away from their eye contact at once, pretending it never happened in the first place.

Lancaster and Lloyd are already ahead of them, and Alaina and Kai follow them to Rose.

The reason Rose wasn't in Alaina's sight earlier is because she was up in the church's old and crumbling steeple. As she leads them up a series of fragile steps to the tower, they take light, careful steps as the stairs look as though they can crumble upon any random incautious step they take.

When they reach the top, the wind blows against their skin through the large openings on all sides of the steeple. It is empty, but something catches their eyes immediately.

Three familiar words:

Deep fire within.