Sid retreated back into his study.

Day passed pretty rough, citizens’ outburst for a second disaster and the huge losses of medicine he intended to keepsake for the later battle left a bitter taste in his mouth. Now on top of these tasteful events, he didn't want to add a sour flavor. Yet he had to, for all he had done these past few days were soothe the people like a nanny.

Although before suffering another bad taste, he awaited. He held the communication talisman of the sect in his hands, caressed its surface. Then a quick knocking awoke him.

‘’M’lord, may I come in?’’ An aged, coarse voice asked.

‘’Enter.’’ He replied and straightened his back on the chair. Wooden door opened and closed at the same time, then the old man made a quick bow in greetings.

‘’Cole-sit down first.’’ He pulled out a chair and extended his hand to gesture.

‘’Yes m’lord,’’ Cole complied then turned to face his lord.

‘’Are there any big problems?’’ Sid asked.

‘’Too many-first of all the foundations. We were lucky since young lady’s factories had good materials to support. Yet other than that, all houses and their materials reduced into rubble. Some even fell on the city walls and cracked the joints.’’

‘’We are tight on money, too.’’ Cole sighed.’’M’lord, I suppose it would be easier to relocate the citizens to mud and earth houses for the time being. Their comfort shouldn’t be our first priority.’’

‘’I agree. It still pains me to see my people like this.’’ They both shook their head.

‘’M’lord, then what have you called me for?’’ Cole’s eyes fell on the talisman. ‘’Is it for...contacting someone?’’

‘’Not to someone-’’ Sid grumbled. ‘’To the sect. Their support division didn’t send news since they promised, then there is the current disaster. I can’t contact the emperor, his attendants said the majesty feels weak after witnessing such a scene.’’

‘’Your father must have some things in his mind already, m’lord.’’

‘’Those things aren’t about us, Cole.’’ Sid snorted. ‘’He might as well let me die here with the city so my sister can gain more fame. Heroic death of a royal family member should be a good way of influencing people.’’

‘’...then my lord, what do you have on your mind? I need to advise, the sect never had concern for continent border cities. Especially his majesty...have some disturbing history with them.’’ Cole mumbled the last part. ‘’They won’t be so merciful as to send more reinforcements.’’

‘’We have to try at least.’’ Sid was also hopeless. ‘’Even a strand of herb or dust of medicine will be useful for sure.’’ He took a deep breath, then beckoned Cole to come closer. Pulling the chair next to his lord, Cole looked at the brightening talisman.

‘’M’lord?’’

‘’Listen carefully, and transmit your thoughts when necessary.’’ With that, the brightening stopped and the talisman started to float in front. Strands of light escaped from inside and spread over to cover the table, then the entire room. Sid waited, then the voice came.

‘’Lord Sid of Yadratafos, what may I help you with?’’ An indifferent voice greeted.

‘’Inquiry about resources-It has been a long time since the sect’s promised division said a word. Do you have any excuse for this?’’

‘’Inquiry rejected. The sect is in an emergency situation to recover the continent to its order so all divisions and officials are called back to the aid.’’

‘’Recover the order? Does the sect not now that there is also disorder here?’’

‘’I am a spokesperson, Lord Sid. I do have no authority to comment on that.’’

‘’You are a spokesperson for a reason, little boy.’’ The man at the other side flinched.

My lord, let’s not go that way before validating some matters. Cole used Qi transmission to advise. Sid agreed with Cole’s view as well.

‘’Then tell me, spokesperson, how long does the sect expect the turmoil to last? They surely don’t hope for us to last all by ourselves.’’

‘’I don’t have any access to that knowledge, Lord sid.’’

‘’Does the sect plan to send any provisions after order is recovered?’’

‘’My authorization isn’t enough to know of that matter, Lord Sid.’’

‘’Are we permitted to retreat to the second line of cities at the northwest?’’

‘’All kinds of retreat or deserting was, two hours ago, declared a capital punishment.’’

‘’Then will they provide a path for the evacuation of the citizens?’’

‘’I’m sorry Lord Sid, but we have no information about that matter.’’

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‘’If you don’t know anything, why in the light’s name are you even talking!’’ Sid shouted at last and slammed his fist on the table. ‘’Sect this, sect that. Can you not give a clear answer? Is this all the sect is capable when it receives a small set-back?’’

‘’Lord Sid Starlight, do you have anymore questions?’’

‘’So are you going to answer them?’’

‘’I am nothing but a mouth-piece, I tell what I’m told and nothing else Lord Sid. Now for the last time, do you have any additional questions?’’

‘’I don’t. But I have a message for the sect.’’

Other side stood silent for a moment, then agreed.

‘’I’m listening.’’

‘’Spring of our empire shall be the winter of our enemy.’’ With that, he cut off the communication.

‘’M’lord, what was that?’’ Cole’s confusion was, perhaps, well found at this matter. Sid found it alright, since Cole couldn’t assess the cultivation base of the other side.

‘’The middle-man was a youngster, Cole. Nothing but a small Qi Destructioner.’’ Sid sighed. ‘’The sect’s emergency response is too slow, way too slow. I’m sure they put young children like him on other contacts as well.’’

‘’M’lord, you mean the sect didn’t expect this?’’

‘’Of course they didn’t. If not, there would have been notices sent a long or a short while ago. Even an hour of time would be enough to prepare for it.’’

‘’M’lord...you are right.’’ Cole bowed his head, contemplating about something. ‘’Then when shall I contact them again?’’

‘’Oh, let it rest for a day. If our situation is like this, I can’t think of the chaos in crowded cities like Cindersnow or Karnival. They will establish the communication on their own after everything is resolved.’’

‘’I shall obey, M’lord. But there is something on my mind.’’

‘’Pray tell Cole.’’ Sid leaned back in his chair, no anger or wrath remained on his tired face.

‘’What did you mean by that verse? That was Claudius’ words when the forsakens breached past the third ring of the city, right?’’

‘’Indeed you are right.’’

‘’Then what did you mean by that?’’

‘’Fath-Imperial majesty said something before I returned to Yadratafos from Karnival.’’ Sid recounted his father’s words.

‘’A big change is coming in the spring. I heard voices, I saw dreams. Lands were devoured by fire and blood, the sect’s city fell under the hands of people. Then Cinder left Snow and anger devoured reason.’’

‘’His Majesty always had accurate dreams, even when I was a child.’’ Sid continued. ‘’ Those prophecies always come true one way or another. And now... I wish his words doesn’t come true this time.’’

‘’I share your sentiments, m’lord.’’

‘’Yes, you better do.’’ Sid leaned back in his chair and looked out of the window.

Snowflakes seemed to cover the Mountain Of Emperors.

If they don’t come true, it is all good and we won’t have any worry.

And if they come true, then father is prepared.

At least, no fire will burn our lands.

''Then, m'lord, shall we talk about the production of cannons now?''

''Of course.''

*********

‘’Greet the lords!’’ Archura shouted and half-kneeled altogether with the horde of beasts behind her. In their front, at the entrance passage of the Mountain Of Emperors, seven figures looked towards them. Disdain and ridicule was the most evident of the emotions. Then came satisfaction. The sight of thousands kneeling before them must have fueled their pride.

‘’Rise.’’ One at the front said. Like other six of his comrades, he wore a metallic armor covering torso and lower body. They were painted purple and black, and under the plates of armor their red tunics covered all the way up to their necks. They held spears, the tips made of gold and shafts covered with blue runes. And cloaks, most important of all in this harsh winter, expanded from their back. Insignia of the Hall Of Revenge, Two blazing, crimson eyes with three white dots between them, struck fear into the monsters.

‘’Half-breed, come over.’’ He said and beckoned Archura. She came while lowering her head. She didn’t dare to raise her head. Why would she? She didn’t have a death wish, and she didn’t enjoy humiliation. These were people who enjoyed ridiculing, putting down the others. Especially half-bloods like her.

‘’So, care to tell what is the situation?’’

‘’Masters. I don’t have much to tell you- we stopped in our tracks after leaving the mountain and awaited your presence.’’

‘’Our presence, why so? Aren’t you capable enough to take over a small city by yourself?’’ One spoke from behind. ‘’You have so many beasts under you. Unless someone of King level from immortals comes you shouldn’t have any trouble.’’

‘’It is a half-breed, of course it has troubles.’’ Another one chimed in. ‘’Or it feared for its life and didn’t dare to go further than that.’’

‘’Cease your talk-’’ The leader said and sent a glare to the men behind, then turned back to look at Archura.

‘’Tell me, why did you wait for us?’’

‘’Master...there was someone we couldn’t deal with.’’

‘’A King?’’

‘’No master, not a King. But someone whose light is as bright as-’’

‘’As bright as?’’

‘’-As bright as a Hallmaster. Their power filled the sky and pierced the clouds, it was so bright that our auras seemed like a firefly in front of a star.’’

They all stopped snickering and their expressions fell. Archura knew this would be troublesome. For all she knew, she used her own power to compare rather than theirs’. If not, then their pride would take a huge wound from her mindful words. But she did not choose, anyway. A firefly and a star-a flame and a star, there was no difference between the two’s utter demise in the end.

‘’This will be troublesome.’’ Their leader commented at last, and it reinforced the already dire worries of the other.

‘’Squad leader, how should we deal with it then?’’ One asked, ‘’How? We should just corner that one person and quench the flames of his life. The children of the half-breed should suffice in holding back the others.’’

‘’Masters! My children can’t-’’

‘’Your children can, and will do.’’ Leader said after contemplating for a short while. His cold gaze told everything Archura needed to know. She lowered her head, and heard him grumble.

‘’A hallmaster, I can take them on but others are a problem. Someone of that caliber can hide their aura pretty well so I can’t anticipate where or when they will appear.’’ He smiled at this point ‘’Unfortunately for them, I can do the same too.’’

‘’Get the cannon fodder ready. In a few days, we shall take out those mortals from that city.’’

Then all six behind him licked their lips, two even drooled.

‘’A banquet with their flesh...someone of that level should taste better than the six-legged hellions.’’

‘’Yes...master. It should taste good.’’ Archura only had a bitter taste in her mouth when thinking of their flesh.

Without her children, that flesh didn’t seem enticing.