Gran, still gripping his sword tightly, turned to Machivel.
“We made it,” he said,
“We’re alive. Let’s not waste time—we need to report back to Lord Sylas. He’ll want to know what happened.”
Machivel, leaning against the ship’s railing, shook his head.
“No,” Machivel said.
Gran frowned, his brow furrowing.
“What do you mean, ‘no’? Sylas will be worried sick about us! We’ve been gone for hours, maybe longer. He needs to know we’re safe.”
Machivel turned to face Gran, a faint smile playing on his lips, though his eyes betrayed a deeper concern.
“Gran, calm yourself. Listen to me for a moment.”
Gran opened his mouth to argue, but something in Machivel’s tone stopped him.
He took a deep breath and crossed his arms.
“Fine. I’m listening. But this better be good.”
Machivel nodded, his gaze steady.
“Think about what just happened. We were transported to an unknown realm by a spell designed to kill us or, at the very least, test our limits. And yet, here we are, back on the ship. Doesn’t that seem... too convenient to you?”
Gran raised an eyebrow.
“Convenient? We fought for our lives, Machivel. There was nothing convenient about it.”
“I don’t mean the battle,”
Machivel clarified.
“I mean the way it ended. The spell didn’t just vanish—it transported us back here.”
Gran hesitated, the weight of Machivel’s words sinking in.
“So what are you saying? That this is some kind of trick?”
“I’m saying we can’t rule it out,” Machivel replied.
“For all we know, the spell could have left a curse on us, or perhaps it’s monitoring us even now. Worst of all, it might still have some control over us. Do you understand what that means?”
Gran’s grip on his sword tightened.
“It means we could be a threat to Sylas without even knowing it.”
“Exactly,” Machivel said, his voice low but urgent.
“Until we’re certain we’re not carrying some hidden danger, returning to Sylas is reckless. If we’re compromised in any way, we could put him—and everyone else—at risk.”
Gran’s jaw clenched,
“So what do we do?” he asked, his voice laced with frustration.
“We can’t just stay here, doing nothing.”
“No, we can’t,” Machivel agreed.
“But we don’t need to go to Sylas directly. Instead, we should find Suntuzel and Redel. They’re strong enough to handle us if something goes wrong, and they’ll know how to deal with any lingering effects of the spell.”
Gran ran a hand through his hair and kept his silence.
Machivel stepped closer, placing a hand on Gran’s shoulder.
“I understand how you feel. Believe me, I want to see Sylas too. But we owe it to him to ensure we’re not bringing danger to his doorstep. This isn’t about disloyalty—it’s about protecting him.”
Gran looked into Machivel’s eyes,
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
With a reluctant sigh, he nodded.
“Fine. We’ll do it your way. But if anything happens to Sylas because of this, it’s on you.”
Machivel smiled faintly, his grip on Gran’s shoulder firm.
“If it comes to that, I’ll take full responsibility. But trust me, Gran—I’m certain this is the right call.”
The two men stood in silence for a moment, the tension between them easing slightly.
“So, what’s the plan?” Gran asked.
Machivel stepped back,
“First, we need to figure out where Suntuzel and Redel are. They’re likely searching for us, so we’ll need to send a signal to draw their attention. But we’ll have to be subtle—if whoever cast that spell is still watching, we don’t want to give away too much.”
Gran smirked, some of his usual confidence returning.
“Subtlety isn’t exactly my strong suit, but I’ll follow your lead.”
Machivel chuckled. “For now, let’s focus on recovering.”
Gran nodded, sheathing his sword.
-
-
Sylas leaned back in his chair, a faint smile touching his lips as Redel's report came through.
The news that Machivel and Gran were alive and appeared unharmed was a welcome relief.
Sylas nodded,
“It’s good to hear they’re safe, but we cannot leave anything to chance. I want Sardias and Suntuzel to abandon their search and redirect to escort Machivel and Gran back to me. I’ll personally ensure there’s no control or lingering magic affecting them.”
Redel, standing at attention, tilted his head slightly.
“Understood, Lord Sylas. But what if... there’s nothing to find? What if they are compromised in ways we cannot detect?”
“If I cannot discern any curses, control, or magical interference, then it means the one who orchestrated this doesn’t need such methods to harm me. It would suggest their plan is far more subtle and dangerous. Either way, we prepare accordingly.”
Redel absorbed the words in silence for a moment, his brow furrowed.
Finally, he nodded.
“You’re right. If the enemy operates on a level beyond detection, our caution must be absolute.”
Sylas’s lips curled into a faint smirk.
“Exactly. Now go. Inform Sardias and Suntuzel of my orders. Bring Machivel and Gran to me without delay.”
----------------------------------------
Redel thought as he moved.
“Machivel and Gran were capable, of that there was no doubt. But even the strongest could be reduced to pawns in a larger game if the enemy was cunning enough.”
Redel trusted that Sylas’s sharp mind would catch anything out of place.
----------------------------------------
Sardias, with his composed demeanor and sharp, hawk-like gaze, was the first to speak.
“Redel. Do we have news of Machivel and Gran?”
Redel nodded.
“Yes, they’ve been located and are alive. They’ve established contact and are waiting under my watch.”
Suntuzel, asked.
“And what are Sylas’s orders?”
Redel relayed the instructions clearly.
“Lord Sylas has ordered both of you to abandon your current search efforts. Your priority now is to join me and escort Machivel and Gran back to Sylas personally. He intends to assess them himself.”
Sardias frowned slightly, his analytical mind already working through the implications.
“If Sylas feels the need to handle this personally, it means he suspects a deeper danger. Does he believe they might be compromised?”
Redel’s expression hardened.
“He’s taking no chances. If nothing can be found, it only proves the enemy doesn’t need curses or control to achieve their goals. That possibility is equally alarming.”
“Understood. We’ll rendezvous with you shortly. This situation is far from over.”
Sardias gave a curt nod, his voice calm but resolute.
“We’ll make haste. Expect us within the hour.”
----------------------------------------
PREPARATIONS
Redel returned to the observation deck where Machivel and Gran awaited.
The two stood near the edge, their postures relaxed but their eyes sharp, constantly scanning their surroundings.
As Redel approached, Gran was the first to speak.
“Did you relay the orders?”
Redel nodded.
“Sardias and Suntuzel are on their way. Once they arrive, we’ll escort you to Sylas.”
Gran’s shoulders relaxed slightly,
“Good. The sooner this is resolved, the better.”
Machivel, ever perceptive, studied Redel’s face.
“You look troubled,” he observed. “Is there something we should know?”
Redel hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying.
“Sylas is cautious, as always. He’ll be conducting the examination himself. But there’s a possibility—remote, but significant—that the enemy’s methods are beyond detection. If that’s the case...”
Machivel completed the thought.
“Then the danger lies not in what’s visible, but in what’s hidden.”
Redel nodded.
“Exactly. It’s a possibility we can’t ignore.”
Gran frowned, his hand instinctively resting on the hilt of his blade.
“So we might still be a threat, even if we don’t know it ourselves. That’s... unsettling.”
Machivel placed a reassuring hand on Gran’s shoulder.
“It’s a logical precaution. And if there’s any chance we’re compromised, Sylas will find it. He always does.”
Redel’s voice softened slightly.
“For now, we wait. Sardias and Suntuzel will be here soon. Then, we’ll move forward.”
-