The basement of the tower was dimly lit, its air thick with dust. Leonard, Nathan, Leyra, Darmas, Hammond, and the rest of the magitechnicians were busily gathering their supplies. Hammond, who had been carrying Zeke on his shoulder all this time, sat him down on a chair next to desk and started to search the room.
Racks of tools, food supplies, and strange contraptions lined the walls, with tables lined messily with more of the same. His eyes landed on a marble-sized orb resting among the assortment of artifacts and weapons scattered across the table. A female technician with wavy, blonde hair and a single streak protruding from her forehead grabbed some of the tools that were clearly meant for maintenance and a white overcoat from the walls, smiling to herself.
Darmas nodded toward her: “Good Sahra, grab everything that could even vaguely help,” as he reached for something resembling a small, compact crossbow. Its frame was sleek but unadorned, more practical than decorative. Nathan watched curiously as Darmas slung it over his shoulder.
“What kind of Artifact is that?” Nathan asked, leaning closer to examine it.
Darmas chuckled and waved a dismissive hand. “It’s the kind where you pull a trigger, and a hole appears in someone. Simple, effective, no magic needed.”
Leonard laughed hesitantly, as he was about to ask the same thing.
Nathan’s cheeks flushed, and he mumbled, “Oh…No offense, I was just trying to learn.”
Darmas took some more bolts from one of the racks. “None taken. We’re not Arcanists—well, most of us aren’t. My boys and I know how to make this stuff, not use it like you folks.”
"If you do want to learn something Nathan," Hammond said, "pay attention to this." With practiced ease, he twisted the outer ring on his Spellbreaker gauntlet until it clicked audibly and instead of a green orb, an empty indentation was visible on top of his wrist. He then turned his attention to the unconscious prisoner, Zeke, whom he'd been dragging along. Grabbing Zeke’s head, Hammond pried open his mouth and casually slipped the marble inside. “Enjoy your meal,” he said dryly.
Still holding Zeke's head steady with his left hand, Hammond channeled a surge of magical energy through him. A flash of light engulfed the prisoner, and when it faded, Zeke was gone—reduced to nothing but the marble that now sat glowing faintly in Hammond’s palm. Leonard looked at the entire ordeal very intently, while also spinning the ring around his glove's wrist in circles.
“Portable prisons,” Sahra explained, holding up a finger as if giving a lecture as Hammond was holding the orb up for everyone to see. “They are quite expensive to make and they only last for a few weeks before your inmate enjoys regaining their freedom but they save you the trouble of lugging prisoners around. They can still hear you, but they can’t move or do anything. No need to feed them either!”
Hammond agreed and pocketed the small orb. “Lucky we found one here—I was getting tired of carrying this hothead everywhere.”
Nathan and Leonard were visibly impressed, but didn’t have much time as they heard a high pitched noise which came from Leyra.
She had spotted her staff leaning against the wall. Her eyes lit up as she grabbed it, holding it close. “Don’t speak for all of us, Darmas! I know how to use Artifacts. This is Soft Ether,. I’m so glad to have you back, so glad!” she said, hugging the staff as if it were an old friend. She then grabbed an amulet, looking at it just as fondly, after which she put it onto her neck.
Hammond, standing near the exit, spoke up. “We’re heading to Avisia next. Do any of you know a fast route?”
Leonard puffed up his chest before anyone else had the chance to speak. “I’ve got just the path. It’ll cut hours off our journey.”
Hammond raised an eyebrow. “Is it the direct route along the official roads?”
“Nope,” Leonard replied with a smug grin.
Hammond’s face broke into a smile. “Good. Then we can take it without being attacked by Kazzorakians at least. Lead the way.”
Leonard beamed. “Gladly. Stick with me, and we’ll be there in no time.”
Nathan gave him a thumbs-up. “Sounds good.” Leyra nodded her agreement, and some of the magitechnicians murmured approval as they shouldered their packs and weapons.
Hammond exclaimed “Very well. Let us head to the city of flight, Avisia!” as they left the tower past the two guards who they previously defeated. They let them pass, visibly sweating and saluting the now much larger group than before.
While reaching sunlight for the first time in what felt like hundreds of years, Darmas wasted no time and walked fast to catch up to Leonard who was leading the way. “You’re a bold one, I’ll give you that. But tell me, do you even know why Kazzorak took over Baharor in the first place?”
Leonard and Nathan exchanged a glance. Leonard shrugged. “Not really. They’re evil? They wanted power?”
Leyra chimed in. “I’ve heard bits and pieces, but never the full story. I’d love to know, too.”
Hammond, now walking slightly behind them, pulled a small book from his coat. The cover showed an exaggeratedly cheerful couple holding hands against a dramatic sunset. “Darmas, would you do the honors while we walk? I’ve got some reading to do.”
Darmas smirked and nodded. “Alright, gather ‘round, kids.”
The group entered the forest, the dense canopy above letting only sparse beams of sunlight filter through. Leaves rustled in the gentle breeze as Darmas began.
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“It started with Kazzorak’s Warchief, Gabriel. A tall, muscular figure without hair but with a massive beard. He was clad in a white and golden toga as he came to Baharor ten years ago, along with three of his warlords. The first was a hulking green brute, taller and broader than any man I’ve ever seen wearing the same colors. The second was a woman, angular and slender, but with a presence that could chill your bones despite her flowing, sun-colored dress. The third was… strange. A man in a similar garment to that of Gabriel, entirely covered up who barely seemed human, just a vague shape of average height under the cloth. Their appearance definitely wanted to seem ‘divine’, with a golden symbol of a sun on their backs.
Gabriel met with King Jinn and the council. He spoke highly of the relationship between our nations. Kazzorak provided Artifacts and technology that improved Baharor’s military, and in return, we exported our craftsmanship. Baharor had the finest magitechnicians, manasmiths, and artisans. Together, we were thriving.”
Leonard scoffed. “Doesn’t sound so bad. Where did it go wrong?”
Darmas continued. “Gabriel claimed Baharor wasn’t pulling its weight. While Kazzorak prepared for an inevitable grand-scale war, we… enjoyed the peace their protection afforded us. Gabriel demanded that we match their efforts, ramp up production, and start building for war.”
Leyra frowned. “But Baharor isn’t a nation of warmongers. Why would our King ever agree to something like that?”
“That’s precisely it, he didn’t. King Jinn told Gabriel that Baharor wouldn’t prepare for some nebulous war that ‘might’ happen. Unless Kazzorak had proof, we’d keep exporting as normal but wouldn’t jump into an arms race.”
Nathan, walking beside Leonard, listened intently. His fists clenched as Darmas spoke.
“This is when Gabriel probably got what he wanted. He said we weren’t listening. ‘War is coming,’. ‘One way or another.’ The meeting ended in tension, and the next day… The council chamber was buried under rubble. King Jinn, the council, everyone was gone. Gabriel declared war on Baharor, claiming we betrayed them on the same day we had to bury our entire upper political body. That’s what most of us were told at least”
Leyra’s eyes widened. “So that’s why they attacked?”
“Yes,” Darmas said grimly. “With their superior weapons and our technology, they swept through Baharor like wildfire. Cities held on for a few meager days whereas villages like Principium... Well, you know the rest.”
Nathan’s voice was quiet but firm. “They took my family with fire, leaving nothing but ashes and memories.” He looked at his Spellbreaker gloves, faint flickers of flame escaping his fists while clenching them softly and closing his eyes. “I don’t think I want anyone to know how that feels, not even someone like them.”
Leyra glanced at Nathan, surprised by his intensity. Leonard, noticing the shift in mood, slapped Nathan’s back with a grin. “Hey, don’t dwell on it. We’re gonna show them how to do this the right way!”
Nathan tried to smile, but it was faint, forced.
“Kazzorak got what they wanted: a war that was over in a flash, and a subservient Baharor. Well, that's all I've been told. Not like I was there, not really into politcs myself.” Darmas looked Leyra as he continued. "Now we produce weapons and even Arcanists for their cause. Although they’d never train them outside of their own country’s walls.
Leyra’s brow furrowed. “And what about that other war this...Gabriel talked about?”
Hammond’s voice cut in, dripping with sarcasm. “Have you seen another war in the last ten years? They just needed an excuse to justify their conquest.”
Leyra shook her head in disbelief. “They’d kill so many and destroy our peace just for…”
“An expansion of their territory,” Nathan interjected, his voice colder than before. “They sound ruthless… And Invincible.”
Leyra placed a comforting hand on Nathan’s shoulder, but he seemed lost in thought.
As they walked, the forest grew denser. The light ahead narrowed into a small, glowing patch. Leonard’s voice broke the silence.
“They sound awful, but that’s all they are! Listen up, folks! Kazzorak took over Baharor because we were unprepared. But now? We’ll take down their warlords one by one, steal their Artifacts, find allies, and then…!”
Leonard broke into a sprint, disappearing into the glowing light ahead. The rest of the group hurried after him. When they emerged, they found themselves on a cliffside overlooking Avisia. The city sprawled below, larger than Principium,
Leonard stood at the edge of the cliff, pointing beyond Avisia, toward the distant horizon. “Then we’ll take the fight to Gabriel and take back our country!”
The magitechnicians erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the forest. Hammond and Darmas, standing with arms crossed, exchanged knowing smiles.
“You’ve found an interesting one,” Darmas said.
Hammond chuckled. “Two, to be precise.” His eyes drifted to Nathan, whose fear had transformed into quiet determination. Nearby, Leyra watched Leonard, her gaze lingering with a mix of fascination and admiration.
Nathan noticed her expression and smirked. “He’s great, isn’t he?”
Leyra turned, startled. “Where did that come from?” A faint blush crept up her cheeks.
Nathan smiled softly. “Whenever I’m afraid or unsure, Leonard knows what to do. He might seem loud and brash, but he’s someone I respect more than anyone.” He paused, exhaling deeply. “Thanks for reminding me. I’ll be fine.”
“I barely did anything, it’s fine. Thank you two for saving us. I had lost all hope that I’d ever leave that cell, the only thing keeping me sane was mocking the prison guards but that also quickly became boring.”
Nathan jogged forward to catch up with Leonard, who now led the group’s loose formation. Leyra watched him go, then glanced back at Leonard, a faint smile on her lips.
“Oh,” she muttered. “Yes, that. That’s a good quality.”
With renewed determination, the group descended toward Avisia.
Nathan’s first impression of Avisia was its sheer difference from Principium. It wasn’t a sprawling metropolis, but it was unmistakably a city, with a presence and weight that dwarfed their small village. The streets below were a patchwork of stone and dirt, with the former steadily taking over. It gave the city a rough, uneven look, as if it couldn’t decide whether to embrace progress or cling to its rustic origins.
The buildings themselves were sturdier, their wooden frames reinforced with metal plates and rivets, giving the impression of armor rather than mere architecture. Smokestacks jutted from many of the homes and workshops, belching thin trails of smoke into the air. The sheer size of these chimneys seemed comical at first, but their purpose was clear: these were not simple dwellings—they were crafting hubs, likely producing Artifacts, weaponry or assorted magitech components.
But what truly caught Nathan’s eye were the airships. Two enormous vessels hovered above the city, tethered to its largest structure by thick, taut ropes. They looked like nautical ships from a bygone era, complete with wooden hulls and decorative railings. Yet, they didn’t sail on water but hung in the sky, suspended by glowing cyan circles of magical runes floating above and behind them. These runes pulsed faintly, their light steady and unwavering, a testament to Kazzorak’s mastery of magitech. The sight filled Nathan with a mix of awe and unease.
Hammond looked at Nathan and noticed his gaze focusing on the flying machines. “So, do you know why we’re here everyone?”
Nathan looked up at Hammond, without a reply ready to be spoken.
“We're going for a romantic cruise through the skies.”