While Machivel and Gran fought valiantly against the relentless onslaught of Demonfire Candles, the world beyond the enchanted trap continued to move.
Sylas, seated upon his high-backed chair, commented.
"Late,"
"They are late, and they are not the kind to be late."
Standing at his side was Suntuzel,
The two men shared a moment of silence, the tension between them growing.
Suntuzel eventually nodded.
"You’re right, Master," he said thoughtfully.
"Gran is disciplined to the point of obsession. Machivel... well, his efficiency speaks for itself. For them both to be delayed—it’s not just unusual. It’s concerning."
Sylas stood,
He halted near the large window that oversees the ocean from the Blue Hope.
He extended his senses, reaching out with his magical connection to Machivel.
As Machivel was his creation, an extension of his will and power, locating him should have been effortless.
However, as he delved deeper, a faint frown began to form on Sylas’s face.
"Oh,"
Suntuzel, who had been observing Sylas carefully, straightened.
"What is it, my lord?"
Sylas opened his eyes, their usual piercing gaze now colder and more focused.
"I cannot feel Machivel."
Suntuzel’s eyes widened slightly.
"You can’t feel him? That... shouldn’t be possible. Not unless..."
"There are only two reasons for such a phenomenon."
Sylas interjected, turning back toward Suntuzel.
"Either Machivel is dead—"
"Which is highly unlikely,"
Suntuzel quickly added, almost reflexively.
Sylas’s lips curled into a faint, humorless smile.
"Indeed. Highly unlikely. Machivel is not so easily defeated. The second possibility is that he has been transported to a magical domain where my connection to him is severed. A place powerful enough to block even me."
Suntuzel’s brow furrowed deeper.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
"A pocket dimension, perhaps? Or an ancient trap designed to isolate its victims?"
Sylas nodded slightly, his mind already racing through possibilities.
"Both are plausible. But the fact that Gran is with him complicates matters. Gran would not falter easily, either.”
The room fell silent again as Sylas contemplated his next move. Suntuzel, sensing his master’s growing intensity, chose his words carefully.
“Should we send somebody to look for them?”
Sylas shook his head, a glint of steel in his eyes.
"No. If I cannot sense Machivel, then any mage we send will fare no better. And sending a team of your mages or any other mage lower than level three blindly into a trap would be reckless."
"Then what will you do?" Suntuzel asked, his voice steady despite the weight of the situation.
Sylas tilted his head slightly.
"For now, we wait. If Machivel and Gran are alive, they will find a way to return. If they do not... then I will take matters into my own hands."
Suntuzel bowed his head in acknowledgment.
Sylas returned to his chair,
He rested his chin on his hand.
"You should not worry, my lord," Suntuzel said, breaking the silence. "If anyone can navigate a situation like this, it is those two."
"You’re not wrong. But even so, I do not leave such matters to chance."
With that, he closed his eyes again, this time focusing not on Machivel but on the broader threads of magic within his domain.
If there was any ripple, any trace of the trap that had ensnared his creations, he would find it.
Suntuzel stood in silence, carefully weighing his next words.
The situation was dire—both Machivel and Gran were critical assets, and their absence could lead to disastrous outcomes if left unchecked.
After a moment, Suntuzel spoke, his tone resolute.
"My lord, waiting may not be the best course of action. If this is indeed a trap or a calculated move by an enemy, we must act swiftly to prevent further loss."
Sylas, still seated, closed his eyes briefly, as if considering Suntuzel's suggestion.
"You’re right. This is your domain, Suntuzel. You have my authority to manage this matter as you see fit."
Sylas thought that in the end he was not able to find Machivel at all.
Suntuzel straightened, accepting the responsibility with a deep nod.
"As you command, my lord."
Sylas continued,
"This task is suited to you. While I crafted most of my Masters with comparable power levels, your role as General Master gives you a distinct edge. You are second to none in matters of battle and defense, save for myself."
"I will need some help…"
"Take ten of your mages. And ask Sardias to assist you. His knowledge of magical traps and ancient wards will prove invaluable."
Suntuzel nodded, already forming a plan in his mind. However, Sylas was not finished.
"One more thing," Sylas said, his tone commanding.
"Summon Redel to my chambers immediately. He is to drop everything he is currently engaged in and report to me."
The mention of Redel piqued Suntuzel’s interest.
"I will see to it," Suntuzel replied.
----------------------------------------
Minutes later, Suntuzel arrived at the third room of the VIP Room.
"You ten," he said, pointing to a group of mages. "You’re with me. We leave within the hour."
Suntuzel’s authority was absolute, in the end all mages are created by Sylas himself and every group of mage under Generals, and Masters were given to be direct and complete authority over lower-level mages.
-
Five minutes later, Suntuzel found Sardias.
Due to both being created by the same mage and individual. As long as nothing is wrong, distance is not much; they can feel each other with no problem.
Sardias looked up as Suntuzel approached, his eyes sharp with curiosity.
"Suntuzel," Sardias greeted.
"Why did you want to meet with me?"
"We have a situation: Machivel and Gran are missing, likely caught in a powerful magical trap. Sylas has tasked me with their recovery, and I need your expertise."
Sardias arched an eyebrow but did not argue.
"This could be... interesting."