Koda and his company trekked through the Lantern Woods as they continued their journey to Wisp Haven. The elven king found the thicket full of mystery and wonder as he observed tiny flecks of light that bobbled in the air. As far as he could tell they didn’t have the tiny fae bodies of any fairy he studied from the Risen Forest and they were much too small for the will-of-the-wisps that he encountered in Nashoon. No, these spirits were entirely different. Perhaps they were wandering ghosts—lost souls separated from the Roaming Plane or maybe a weather phenomena. Whatever they were, they captured his curiosity.

Koda called out to Raine for a definitive answer. “What are these… things?”

Raine halted in her tracks and allowed one of the floating lights to land on her finger. “Well, other than a tourist attraction, no one really knows.”

Koda frowned in disappointment. “Not even the citizens of Wisp Haven?”

Rain pulled her finger away from the glowing object. “I really can’t say, Koda. Wisp Haven’s townsfolk mainly keep to themselves. Don’t get me wrong—they are very friendly— the salt of the earth. It’s just that they don’t talk about the Lantern Woods.”

Koda scratched head. “How odd.”

Stryneth sat on a mossy stump to rest his tired feet. “Yes, but everyone knows that Wisp Haven has always been a strange town to visit.”

“I heard they have excellent places to grab a bite to eat, at least,” said Cade as he lept on top of a tall stone.

Wildeye’s tail wagged at the mention of food. “I’m famished, we never had that meal in Blight City.”

Elucard reached for Wildeye’s ear for a good scratching but stopped short.

Wildeye gave him a wink. “It’s okay, Elucard. I might be a person, but I still fall for the enjoyments of a regular wolf.”

Elucard chuckled and continued to give her a scratch behind the ear. “Yes,” he said, “let’s get some supper when we get to the town.”

Raine looked back to her companions. “We’re not too far now, just beyond these trees.

***

Raine popped a cherry tomato into Koda’s mouth and giggled.

Koda munched and smiled as tomato juice dribbled down the side of his mouth. “Good choice, Cade,” he said through mouthfuls of salad.

“I’ve always wanted to try this place when I visited Wisp Haven in my youth,” Cade said as he sipped a glass of red-shadow wine.

Koda enjoyed looking around the restaurant. Ebonwood made up the floor from the trees they passed by in the forest, iron art of dogs and bears hung from the walls, and a dim light illuminated the bistro's rustic atmosphere.

“What did you say the name of this place was, Cade?” asked Elucard as he scooped another helping of pasta.

“The Forest Side Cafe,” replied the elf.

“Do you like it, Elucard?” asked Koda.

“Yes, very much so, but I still prefer the Mystic Fang’s dreamfizz cider to red-shadow wine.”

“It’s an acquired taste,” said Stryneth. He sloshed the wine in his glass and took a sniff of the bitter drink. “Like most things in life,” he finished with a sneer.

Koda paused for a moment as he looked down at his salad. He stirred around the leafy greens and put down his fork. He looked up to Elucard, who only seemed to ignore the subject that he was dying to ask him. “Elucard.”

Elucard rested his fork on the lip of his bowl. “I know what you want to hear.”

Koda chewed on the side of his mouth. “Those were the Spellbreakers that we encountered in Blight City?”

Cade looked over to Elucard and then to his master. Stryneth gave his shroud a side look.

Elucard nodded slowly. “Yes and they are of a greater number than the Anti-Rogue Ops anticipated.”

“Have you found out anything else about them when you rescued Azeva’s student?” asked Koda. His mouth grew parched as his anxiety set in.

“They’re leader is a man named Raze,” answered Cade.

“Yes, and as far as I can tell, a religious zealot more than an anti-magic rebel,” added Elucard.

“Religious? Dahlemar, perhaps?” Koda asked. Was this Raze a cleric or a wayward Silent One?

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Erzathen,” replied Elucard.

“Erzathen?” repeated Raine. “That sounds draconic in nature.”

“He is the son of Un’Draago,” explained Stryneth. “Supposedly the rightful heir to this world, at least according to Erzathen loyalists.”

“Un-what now?” laughed Raine.

“Un’Draago. The rebel dragon, Raine,” said Koda. He lowered this head on his knuckle. “This has become concerning, Elucard.”

“I’m sorry, I am still confused,” apologized Raine.

“This planet was once home to the great hordes of the titan dragons, however after an unknown cataclysmic event, only seven remained,” explained Koda.

“The five dragon realms, Agaas, and then Un’Draago,” finished Elucard.

“Oh!” Raine exclaimed. “If Un’Draago was the rebel dragon, wasn’t he banished by the gods? Is that why no one worships him?”

“Yes,” said Koda with a nod. He turned back to Elucard. “If these Spellbreakers are the acolytes of Erzathen, then why do they want me killed?”

Elucard rubbed his chin. “I’m not entirely sure, Koda,” admitted Elucard. He tried to answer his king to the best of his ability. “Raze mentioned something about taking back the Magi. Also, he wanted to perform a ritual to draw the magic from Nia. So, if I had to guess, the Magi is related to Erzathen somehow.”

Dragons? What does the Magi have anything to do with dragons? Koda asked Wildeye telepathically.

“The Magi runs through ley lines in the Dragon Realms. It is not too far-fetched to believe that the dragons are where the Magi comes from,” answered his familiar.

Koda glanced at Wildeye before lowering his head. “When will Raze make his appearance?”

“The Spellbreaker threat is global, my liege,” Elucard said quietly. “I assume Raze will make his presence known eventually.”

“Do not be afraid, Koda,” offered Stryneth. “We will protect you.”

“I am not afraid.” Koda narrowed his eyes. “It is Raze who should be frightened by me.”

“Be wary of the man at the very least, sire,” said Elucard with a low voice. “He has the ability to cancel magic with his staff.”

“Cancel magic!?” Koda gasped. He nearly spat his food at Raine. “Surely you are exaggerating.”

“I do not, my king.” Elucard’s face turned grim. “Where he acquired the staff, I do not know, but what we do know is that all my shroud magic that touched it was neutralized.”

“Interesting,” Stryneth whispered. He perked his brow when Koda gave him a mean stare. “Er—I mean… we will deal with Raze with no troubles presented to you, sire.”

Koda gave him a slow nod.

“I agree,” said Elucard. “We shall make sure you are kept safe.”

***

Inle followed Stryneth down the eerie streets of Wisp Haven. Mists rolled over the cobblestone roads and a large golden moon hung in the sky giving a strained beam of light for the two Dead of Winter members. Floating within the fog, glowed the firefly-like lights which they witnessed in the Lantern Woods. Townsfolk stood in doorways and sat on stoops, only watching the two men as they walked by. Their unsettling smiles made Inle uncomfortable.

“Why are they staring at us, master?” whispered Inle.

Stryneth eyed a villager and tilted his head in acknowledgement. “They are trying to blend in for their tourists.”

The shadow elf shot a confused look at the hydro mage. “Blend in? What does that mean?”

Stryneth gave his shroud a short chuckle. “I suppose you should know their secret.”

Inle stopped walking. “Secret?”

The mage turned to Inle. “They are demons—Amber Men to be precise.”

Inle’s eyes widened with surprise. He asked Stryneth a flurry of questions. “Like Calsoon? Is he from here? Why is there a town full of demons in Blight? Are they friendly? How did you find out?”

Stryneth ushered Inle into a dark alleyway. “Hush. Master Wraslyn awaits us.”

Inle quickly buttoned his lips and watched as the wall in front of him ebbed, flickered, and then warped into a portal. From it, stepped out the shadowy form of Wraslyn’s shade. Only an image of the vampire lord.

“What is your report, Strife?” Wraslyn’s voice came out as a hiss; a cold whisper that cut through the tranquility of the town like Inle’s ninjato.

“My lord, we have come upon an unforeseen threat to our mission,” Strife said.

“Explain.”

Strife fell to a knee and bowed his head. “They are called the Spellbreakers, my lord. They wish to hunt down Koda.”

“They are led by a man called Raze, Master,” added Inle.

The shade narrowed its fiery, red eyes until there were only slits of light. “These Spellbreakers are of no concern, continue with the mission as planned.”

“As you say, Master Wraslyn,” said Strife.

Inle looked at Strife in disbelief. He stepped forward to the shade. “Master Wraslyn, they are a threat to the mission. They seem to be everywhere! If they are not taken seri—”

“Enough, Inle!” hissed Strife. He bowed to the shade so low that he nearly fell over. “Forgive the Silent Master’s outburst, Master, he is still learning his boundaries.”

The shade fell silent for a moment before speaking again. “Inle.”

“Yes, master?”

“You have been trained to be a formidable warrior, more skilled than the previous Silent Master. I trust that you will take care of Koda and Stryneth from this…threat. Do as your must, but they are but a splinter in my plans.”

Inle nodded and held his tongue further.

“How is Koda’s progress?” asked the shade.

Stryneth hesitated to relay his report. “Koda continues to accumulate colors and learn how to control the different elements…”

“But?”

Strife raised his eyes. “He hesitates to use the Magi.”

The shade clenched its fist. “Worry not of Koda’s Magi use. Soon he will be under my tutelage and he will finally learn of his potential and destiny.” The shade’s hand reached for Strife’s shoulder. “You are doing well, my hydro mage.”

“Thank you, master,” responded Strife.

“As we speak, Sable and Calsoon near the discovery of the third seal.” Wraslyn’s shade slowly dissipated into shadow flames, burning into the night sky. His final words lingered as an echo in the air. “Soon we will walk amongst the gods.”