The morning broke with a new urgency as Mikos, the older man now assigned to their care, roused the boys from their slumber before the first light of dawn. His voice was firm but lacked any harshness as he called out, "Up, everyone. We need to meet downstairs."

Fenric yawned and rubbed his eyes. “I was having the best dream,” he muttered.

Soren snorted. “What, people didn’t find you insufferable for once?”

Fenric ignored him. “There was this clueless merchant who left his stall wide open. A coin purse stuffed with gold just sat there, begging to be nabbed. I was about to blow it all on one huge lavish spree when old grumpy here ruined it.”

Arelos shook his head. “Even in your dreams you can't manage your coin properly.”

The boys shuffled into the kitchen area, where the aroma of food mingled with the chill of the morning air. Mikos stood by the table, setting out breakfast along with a small vial of ink and a curious needle-like tool.

"Eat up," Mikos instructed, nodding toward the spread of bread, cheese, and fruit. As they settled into their seats, he approached each boy in turn, marking their forearms with a tattoo of a diamond-shaped eye, crossed by two parallel lines.

Soren winced slightly as the needle touched his skin, curiosity piquing his discomfort. "What’s this symbol for?"

Mikos finished the mark and looked at him, a hint of formality in his tone. "It’s our guild’s mark. A symbol that connects you to us, signaling your bond."

"So, what happens if we try to leave the guild?" Fenric asked, his tone half-serious, half-curious.

Mikos’ eyes met his with a piercing look. "You don’t. Leaving isn’t part of the arrangement," he said flatly, then softened slightly. "The mark is a commitment, not a trap. But breaking that trust has... consequences."

"Consequences?" Soren repeated, leaning forward. "What kind?"

Mikos didn’t answer immediately, instead finishing his own meal with a deliberate slowness. Finally, he looked at the boys. "Let’s just say it’s better to stay loyal. You’ll understand more as time goes on."

Fenric leaned forward, his tone unflinching and direct, "So, you’re saying the guild just works us until we’re old and gray?"

Mikos chuckled lightly. "Members are allowed to retire, though few take that path. It’s an option after meeting certain conditions. In fact, I myself retired, started a family. Only recently returned to service."

Viktor tilted his head slightly, curiosity evident in his voice. "What made you come back?"

For a moment, something flickered across Mikos’ face—a hint of pain—but he waved the question aside with a faint smile. "Eat up. We’ll have time for questions later."

As they ate, the boys glanced at the tattoos, an unspoken understanding passing between them about the permanence of the choice they’d made.

Just as they were finishing breakfast, Voralis entered. "Are they prepared to head out?" he asked, casting a quick, evaluating look over the group.

Mikos assessed the readiness of the boys with a swift glance. "We’re nearly there. Just need a moment to wrap things up."

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The early morning atmosphere was cool and bracing as Voralis led the group through the awakening city. Mikos, with a watchful eye, brought up the rear, ensuring none lagged behind.

Viktor walked with a sense of uncertainty, the city's undercurrents now more palpable than ever. His eyes kept darting around as they crossed intersections, passed shuttered storefronts, and maneuvered through the quiet alleys of Lycona. He sensed the city's hidden stories and unresolved secrets.

"Why all the twists and turns?" Soren whispered to Arelos, hoping Mikos wouldn't catch on that his curiosity had gotten the better of him.

Arelos shrugged. "Caution, probably? Keeping others off track. No paths too obvious."

Fenric, catching their hushed conversation, smirked and raised his voice without hesitation. "Does the winding path have a purpose, or are you just testing our patience?" he called to Voralis, his tone casual but his curiosity evident.

Voralis glanced back, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Patience is a virtue. But if you must know, the path keeps us unseen—and unpredictability keeps us safe."

They continued their trek, the architecture around them growing more sophisticated. They entered a wealthier district where the houses were grander and gardens more expansive. Viktor noted the stark contrast with the other areas they'd been through.

Eventually, Voralis stopped in front of a large manor, surrounded by a meticulously maintained garden. A narrow path led to a gate with a small guard booth beside it. Inside, a young man dozed, resting his head against the wall.

Voralis approached the booth and delivered a light kick to the man's boot, jolting him awake. "Catching up on sleep during duty hours? The steward will hear about this," Voralis said, a hint of reprimand in his voice.

The guard scrambled to his feet, rubbing his eyes. "I wasn't sleeping, just resting my eyes," he muttered defensively.

Voralis sighed, looking at him with mild disdain. "Do you want to test how the steward feels about drowsy guards on duty?"

The young man scowled, clearly displeased with being caught. "Who are you to talk to the steward? Just a trick of the light, it was. You say I was asleep, and I say you're mistaken."

Voralis folded his arms, unimpressed. "That's the story you're sticking to? Fine, just adjust your attitude and open the gate."

The guard huffed, glancing at the group. "I don’t know you folks. What’s the passcode?"

Voralis replied smoothly with what seemed like an arbitrary string of words.

Unconvinced, the guard eyed Voralis skeptically. "Let me see your mark, then."

Voralis obliged, showing him a tattoo on his forearm. The guard studied it briefly before grunting and unlocking the gate. "Whatever," he conceded begrudgingly, pushing open the gate.

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As they walked past, Voralis ignored him, while Mikos stopped briefly, observing the guard thoughtfully.

The guard met Mikos' gaze, raising an eyebrow at the scrutiny. "What're you looking at, old man?"

Mikos didn’t offer a response, instead, he simply strode past him, catching up with the others as they entered the manor.

----------------------------------------

Inside the house, the air was filled with the quiet stir of activity as morning routines began. The entrance hall was polished, echoing the early hour's stillness. As the group stepped through, Viktor observed the subtle signs of life: a lingering scent of breakfast, hushed voices from distant rooms.

An older man noticed them as they entered, halting his brisk walk. He wore a welcoming expression, a blend of surprise and warmth crossing his features.

"Well, if it isn’t Mikos back among us," the man exclaimed, approaching with measured steps.

Mikos nodded, a genuine smile breaking through his usually stern demeanor. "It’s been a long while, indeed," Mikos replied, his voice carrying the familiarity of old acquaintances.

"Far too long," the man agreed, his gaze shifting to the younger group at Mikos's side. "And who might these young ones be?"

Mikos gestured toward them, introducing the boys with a sense of pride. "These are new recruits, ready to learn the ropes and become part of the Black Cipher."

The man's expression brightened with an encouraging nod. "Excellent! Welcome to the guild. I trust you’ll find your place here soon enough."

Mikos stepped closer to the man, lowering his voice slightly. "Could we have a moment? There's much to discuss."

"Certainly," the man agreed, nodding in understanding. He gestured for Mikos to follow.

Mikos turned back to Voralis, a note of assurance in his voice. "I’m counting on you to show them where they’ll be staying. I trust you know these halls every bit as well as I do."

Voralis nodded confidently. "I haven’t forgotten the layout," he assured, his familiarity with the place evident.

"Good. Once you're settled, find me later," Mikos instructed, leaving with the older man.

As Mikos and his acquaintance departed down a side corridor, Voralis motioned for the boys to follow him. Their footsteps echoed in the quiet hall as they ventured further into the manor.

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Voralis led the boys up a wide, creaking staircase to the second floor of the manor, where they found a spacious hall filled with rows of wooden beds. Each bed was simple and unadorned, with a sturdy trunk positioned at the foot, presumably for storing personal belongings. With sunlight streaming through the large windows, the room appeared both inviting and orderly.

"All right, listen up," Voralis said, turning to face the boys. "Pick any bed without sheets—that means it's unclaimed. Once you've chosen your spot, the staff will bring you fresh linens later. Take this time to relax and settle in. I'll come back to fetch you shortly."

The boys nodded, spreading out across the room to examine the available beds. As they wandered around, their playful banter filled the air, easing the tension that came with entering an unfamiliar place.

Fenric flopped onto a bed near the entrance, letting out an exaggerated groan. "Man, that Voralis guy could sure loosen up a bit. He's all serious, all the time." He rolled onto his side, propping his head up with his hand as he surveyed the others.

Arelos was already inspecting a bed frame, running his fingers along the grain of the wood. Without looking up, he said, "He's efficient. I like him."

"Efficient, yeah," Soren said, flopping into a chair near one of the windows. He stretched his legs out and crossed them at the ankles. "Still, I get the feeling he's not exactly thrilled to be here."

Viktor leaned against the footboard of an unclaimed bed, his arms crossed. "I'm guessing he wasn’t expecting to be saddled with a pack of kids to look after. Especially Fenric."

Fenric shot upright, feigning a look of indignation. "Hey! What’s that supposed to mean, especially Fenric?"

Viktor shrugged, his expression unchanging except for the faintest smirk at the corner of his mouth. "Take it however you want."

Fenric glared at him, but when Viktor remained unmoved, he threw his hands up in exasperation. "Whatever. You all saw I got a reaction outta him on the way here. I'm tellin' you, I’m gonna crack him eventually."

Arelos glanced over, raising a brow. "Crack him? You mean irritate him into losing his temper?"

"Exactly," Fenric said with a grin, jabbing a thumb toward himself. "Consider it my mission."

Soren chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Ambitious goal there, Fen. Might take you a while."

Fenric flopped back onto the bed, his grin widening. "Patience is a virtue, my friend."

Viktor shifted his gaze to a row of empty beds along the far wall, seamlessly changing the subject. "Should we pick beds at random, or stick together?"

Fenric, having already sprawled himself comfortably across a bed near the entrance, waved a dismissive hand. "I’m sticking with this spot. Less walking," he declared, settling further into his claimed territory.

Arelos shook his head, pointing to the far corner. "Together. Though, the leftmost corner against the wall gets my vote."

Soren shrugged. "Sticking together sounds smart. I’m good with wherever."

Viktor glanced between them before nodding. "Fen, you good with the corner?"

Fenric let out a dramatic sigh. "Fine, but only because you lot would be hopeless if something went down without me."

With that, they claimed four unoccupied beds in the corner and sat down, the quiet hum of their conversation filling the space as they waited for Voralis to return.

----------------------------------------

Voralis finally returned, gathering the boys from their beds. "Come on, time to head downstairs," he said, steering them toward the entrance hall.

In the hallway, the boys were greeted by a gathering of people: Mikos, a handful of men and women, as well as a small group of youths of varying ages. The atmosphere was charged with quiet anticipation as all eyes turned to the newcomers.

The man who had first greeted them upon their arrival stepped forward, his posture calm but commanding. "Welcome again," he began, his voice carrying through the hall. "For years, it has been my honor to serve as the steward of this establishment. However, the time has come for me to step aside." He gestured to Mikos. "I am passing the reins to Mikos, who will not only oversee the operations here but also be responsible for your education. Rest assured, you are in very capable hands."

Among the crowd, the young guard from earlier stood uneasily, his expression shifting to one of visible panic as he realized with dawning horror that he had likely disrespected the wrong person. His discomfort didn’t go unnoticed by the boys, Fenric stifling a grin at the awkward shift in the guard's demeanor.

Mikos stepped forward, his presence solid and authoritative. "Thank you," he said with a slight nod to the former steward. "As was mentioned, I’ll be assuming responsibility here. I take this role seriously, and so should you. There is much to learn, and much to do. Let me first introduce Voralis." He gestured to the man standing off to the side. "He will assist our current instructor with combat training. Trust his guidance; it may one day save your life."

Voralis gave the group a curt nod, his expression impassive but his eyes sharp, assessing each of the boys in turn.

Mikos continued, turning his attention to the boys. "And now, meet our newest recruits. Viktor, Fenric, Soren, and Arelos. Their journey here has not been easy, but they’re ready to prove themselves."

The other youths—eleven boys and one girl, most appearing to be in their mid-to-late teens—studied the newcomers with a mix of expressions. Some seemed friendly or curious, while others regarded them with mild disdain or indifference.

Breaking the silence, Viktor stepped forward, a polite smile on his face. He offered a subtle bow, his tone smooth and confident. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m sure we’ll get on just splendidly."

The room remained quiet for a moment, the other youths watching him closely, trying to gauge his sincerity. Fenric, Soren, and Arelos stayed silent, shifting uncomfortably under the sudden attention.

Mikos clapped his hands once, breaking the tension. "That’s enough introductions for now. You will have plenty of time to get acquainted later. For now, let’s focus on settling in and preparing for what’s ahead."

The former steward nodded in agreement. "Indeed. The regular programming is still in effect everyone, you're dismissed."

With that, the group began to disperse, leaving the four boys to exchange glances. Viktor’s smile lingered as he whispered, "Well, that wasn’t so bad."

Soren smirked. "Speak for yourself. I thought they were going to eat us alive. "

Arelos shrugged. "We’ll see how it goes. At least we’ve got beds and food."

Fenric leaned back with a cocky grin, crossing his arms. "That? Please. Give me a week, and I'll have this place running like clockwork under my rule. Mark my words."

Viktor smirked, unable to resist playing along. "Of course, Fenric. I’m sure your reign will be legendary."

The silence stretched, the boys quietly absorbing their surroundings, the weight of uncertainty hanging heavily in the air.

"Now what?" Soren asked, glancing between them.

Before either of the boys could reply, a voice from behind broke the stillness. "Now you come with me. There's a lot to discuss," Mikos said, motioning for them to follow as he turned and walked down the hall, disappearing into a room.