The wind swept through the tumultuous mountaintop, swirling around Everess as she stood at the peak, trying to clear her mind. The air was sharp and cold, biting against her skin, but the physical discomfort was nothing compared to the storm of thoughts raging inside her. She gazed out at the distant horizon, where dark clouds gathered ominously, a reflection of the impending doom that consumed her thoughts.

Every breath she took felt heavy, laden with the weight of responsibility and fear. The Gods and Animos, with their cryptic plans and impossible demands, but all she could do was accept their demands as their Herald. She slowly restored their plans to their rightful path. A path that she did not want to take to begin with. But with all the things happening, with things already taking a life of its own, she had no choice but to let it be.

She remembered the night she had promised Tamiron that they would find a way. His face, etched with a mixture of hope and desperation, haunted her. He was out there now, doing his best to support her, to trust in a plan that seemed as fragile as a dream. Should she confide in the others? Could they handle the truth? Would they trust her judgment, or would their belief shatter under the weight of the gods’ absurd scheme?

No—she couldn’t risk it. To share too much would be to jeopardize everything. What she was doing now was a desperate, forceful correction. She had promised Tamiron she would find a way, even as hope seemed to flee beyond the horizon. But sometimes, darkness brought new light, a glimmer of hope. In the depths of her despair, she remembered the promise of a Unibeltrasian victory—at all costs.

As the wind howled around her, she felt a cold clarity settling over her. She remembered that she already had decided to make use of everything around her - of everyone. For she had already accepted that this needs to succeed, no matter the cost. As the Great Conductor had invited her to be part of the grand scheme, she will make sure that she will steer it to what will benefit everyone.

The battle draws near, as the world braced for its arrival. The Gods and animos may have orchestrated this grand cosmic game, but she was determined to seize the reins and steer it toward their favor. She would not waste this chance. Not anymore. Not ever.

Even if it meant standing alone against the storm.

But was that really necessary? To be alone? She had already shared part of the plan with Tamiron. He was out there, fighting alongside her, doing everything in his power to support her. Should she trust the others with the full truth? Would they believe in the gods’ plan?

No—she couldn’t afford to.

She promised Tamiron she would find a way. She promised herself she would turn this fleeting hope into a reality. Darkness sometimes brings new light, a new hope; and out of this hope, she slowly realized what needed to be done. For in this darkness, she remembered the promise of a Unibeltrasian victory—at all costs.

Her resolve hardened. She would do whatever was necessary. She would use life, the very essence she was taught to cherish, as a weapon in this struggle. She would keep her promise to Tamiron, who would help her usher in this new era, ensuring it happened whether he liked it or not.

With one last look at the gathering storm, she turned away from the edge. The battle was coming, and she would be ready. She would face it head-on, alone if she had to, with Tamiron’s promise lighting her way. Victory was not just a hope, but a destiny she would forge with her own hands.

She took a deep breath and teleported back to Bastominad, landing in her room within the castle. However, her heart sank when she saw the state of it. Her once orderly sanctuary was now a chaotic mess, with overturned furniture and scattered belongings. Something was terribly wrong. A shiver ran down her spine as she sensed an underlying tension in the air.

Moving swiftly to the window, she glanced outside. The usual calm of the castle grounds was replaced with an uneasy stir; people moved about with anxious urgency.

Determined to find answers, she left her room and ventured into the corridor. She hadn’t gone far when she was intercepted by Kaira, her expression stern and unyielding.

“Everess!” Kaira called out, her voice a mix of relief and accusation.

Before she could respond, Kaira closed the distance, flanked by a group of guards. They seized her without hesitation.

“What’s going on? What’s the meaning of this?” she demanded an answer as she struggled against their grip.

“You should be answering our questions, especially after what you did,” Kaira replied coldly as she led her away.

Confusion clouded her mind. She had no idea what Kaira was referring to, but she knew that resisting would only worsen the situation. Reluctantly, she allowed herself to be escorted, though her thoughts raced with possibilities.

As they exited the castle, she was struck by the sight of the gathered crowd. Dozens of eyes were fixed on her, their gazes filled with a mixture of fear and suspicion. The atmosphere was thick with tension.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, as she tried to maintain her composure.

Kaira didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she marched her through the courtyard and towards a makeshift platform that had been hastily erected. The crowd parted reluctantly, whispering amongst themselves.

“You will see soon enough,” Kaira finally said, her tone grim.

She felt a surge of frustration and fear. What had happened in her absence? What did they think she had done? Her mind raced back to the dark energy she had unleashed atop the mountain. Could that have reached here somehow? Had it caused some unforeseen catastrophe?

The guards pushed her forward, and she stumbled onto the platform. Facing the crowd, she saw familiar faces twisted with distrust. She had to find out what had transpired, and fast.

“Kaira, please,” she implored, her voice softer now, “what’s going on? What do you think I’ve done?”

“You have a lot of explaining to do,” Kaira said, her eyes narrowing.

“Then why the cuffs?” she shot back, her frustration evident.

“You know what you did,” Kaira retorted, her voice icy.

She was escorted through the camp, the murmur of voices growing louder as they approached a large tent at the center. This tent, typically used as the mobile command center for generals, now seemed destined to serve as her makeshift courtroom. Her heart sank further as she braced for what lay ahead.

Inside the tent, a tense silence greeted them. Every general was present, their expressions a mix of anger and betrayal. But what truly shocked her was the presence of Tamiron and Sevidon. They stood at the front, their faces grave.

“I’m sorry to put this much pressure on you, Aderon,” Tamiron began, his voice breaking the heavy silence as he entered with Sevidon.

“Pressure? You have a lot of explaining to do as well,” Aderon responded, his eyes narrowing.

“You are right, but I will in time. For now, you need to release her,” Tamiron said, trying to maintain his composure as he pointed to her.

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“What? Are you out of your mind? She leveled Oroz’Kram!” Aderon argued, his voice rising. “She also undermined our goal of going there in the first place!”

“Enough! I will be taking back command now, Aderon. You did your job well, but a more pressing matter needs to be discussed,” Tamiron demanded, his tone firm.

Aderon cackled bitterly. “What makes you think command will be handed back to you that easily? With what you and Everess are doing, I’ve had enough! No more lies! No more secrets! The only thing you told me the day you passed command to me was that Everess is doing something for the cause! I chose to believe you! But to be deceived like this? I expected better from you! I was wrong!”

“What is he talking about, Tamiron?” Kaira asked, her voice sharp with suspicion.

“I will tell you right now, but again, let Everess go,” Tamiron pleaded once more.

“No, Tamiron. I have to tell them about this before we even consider removing her cuffs,” Sevidon interjected, his voice heavy with resolve. He looked around at the gathered generals, taking a deep breath before speaking again. “The one attacking our tombs and temples. I know who is behind it,” he said, his gaze settling on Everess. “It was Everess.”

Everyone was dumbfounded, stunned into silence by Sevidon’s accusation. Aderon, like the rest, struggled to comprehend what Sevidon had just said.

“What are you saying, Sevidon? Do you have solid proof of this?” Aderon finally managed to ask.

“I agree with Aderon. That is a very serious accusation. What proof do you have?” Kaira added, her voice edged with skepticism.

“Look, I know it’s hard to believe, but—” Sevidon started.

“It is hard to believe,” Glaivel interrupted. “Come on, Sevidon, it would take her a month just to get from the tomb in the Empire to Mt. Mjior. The attacks happened within a very short period of time from one another. I know her actions speak of insidious motives, but attacking and raiding tombs and temples? Even for her, she couldn’t do that.”

Sevidon sighed, trying to remain composed. “I know it’s difficult to explain, but I already had suspicions. They were confirmed when she appeared in front of my very eyes.”

“What do you mean? Out with it,” Aderon demanded, crossing his arms impatiently.

“She appeared in the middle of the Grand Sulinhawi Library. She came out from a pink orb and disappeared as she was swallowed by one. She was the one who burned our library,” Sevidon explained, his voice carrying the weight of the revelation.

A shocked murmur rippled through the tent as the generals began to talk among themselves, casting suspicious glances at her. She stood there, dumbfounded, trying to process the implications of Sevidon’s words and the growing mistrust in the room.

“Is this true?” Kaira asked, turning to Everess, her voice a mix of disbelief and accusation.

“Sevidon, just stop it!” Glaivel shouted. “You need to stop your accusations now. She did not mention that she has a spell that can instantaneously send herself to a different part of the world with the snap of a finger.”

“I called out her name, and she looked at me!” Sevidon suddenly shouted back, his voice trembling with conviction. “When she looked, this tomb raider had the same eyes that she has, the same ring that she has. It was her. The way she paused and looked at me before burning down our Grand Sulinhawi Library—it was definitely her.” Sevidon looked everyone in the eye, but all he saw was defeat and disbelief.

“I’m sorry, Sevidon. It’s just impossible,” Kaira said, shaking her head. She refused to believe him. Sevidon sighed and rubbed his eyes in frustration.

Aderon, having had enough, walked up to Tamiron. “If this is your second in command, then you can kiss your command goodbye.” He then turned his piercing gaze to Everess. “You have one more crime to answer for, witch,” he spat, then addressed everyone else in the room.

“Weeks ago, we detected and confirmed the existence of Mencraft weapons that only the Race of Men can make.” He pointed an accusing finger at Everess. “We finally confirmed that they are alive—until she murdered them by striking Oroz’Kram without restraint.”

The room gasped in shock at the revelation.

Tamiron stepped forward, trying to maintain his composure. “Aderon, you don’t understand—”

“No, Tamiron, it’s you who doesn’t understand!” Aderon cut him off. “Your blind faith in her is leading us to ruin.”

Everess felt the weight of their accusations and the piercing stares of those she once called allies. She took a deep breath, mustering all the courage she had left.

Even she had not realized they were indeed alive. Her focus on her goal that day had blinded her, and her frustration had gotten the best of her.

“You,” Aderon spat as he walked toward her, his eyes burning with fury. “What do you say in your defense against this crime?”

She was too stunned to respond immediately. “I did not know,” she finally said, looking around at the others, seeking any sign of understanding. “Too much was at stake—you don’t understand.”

“You are not making any sense! Throw her in the cellars, and we will transport her back to the Queen Empress directly,” he ordered the surrounding soldiers.

“Stop this now!” Tamiron shouted from the back. He pushed his way through the crowd, standing protectively between Everess and Aderon, wielding his Mace of Revereigh.

“You are going to let her get away with insubordination as well?” Aderon growled, standing toe to toe with Tamiron. Troops flooded the scene, and both Aderon and Tamiron found themselves in a tense standoff. The soldiers, confused and uncertain, pointed their spears and swords at both Everess and Tamiron.

She looked at Tamiron, her eyes wide with surprise and gratitude. “Tamiron,” was all she could manage to say.

“You don’t understand what she’s doing. You need to let her go and let her explain herself,” Tamiron attempted to reason with Aderon, his voice laced with urgency as he reached out to touch his shoulder. But Aderon forcefully slapped his iron hands away, his gaze unwavering and filled with determination.

“She can do so in front of the Queen Empress. Regent Tamiron, I order you to stand down and move away! This is your final warning!” Aderon’s voice resonated with authority as he drew his sword, its glint reflected the tension in the air.

“You are making a grave mistake, Aderon. Please,” Tamiron pleaded, his voice tinged with desperation, but it was clear his words fell on deaf ears.

“Fine,” she finally spoke again, her tone carrying a quiet resolve as she effortlessly broke the cuffs binding her. “If you wish to do it the hard way, so be it,” she added, her voice betraying a hint of weariness.

“Everess, come peacefully. We don’t have to do it this way,” Sevidon interjected suddenly, drawing his sword and pointing it at her. “Just admit that it was you who attacked the tombs and temples!” His accusation caught her off guard, surprise flickering across her features before being replaced by determination.

Reacting swiftly, she unleashed a burst of wave magic, sending the soldiers staggering backward.

“Don’t play games with me, Everess!” Aderon demanded, his voice sharp with frustration and anger.

“Enough! Everybody, just calm down. We can’t afford to be fighting one another like this!” Kaira’s voice cut through the tension, her plea filled with urgency as she attempted to defuse the escalating situation.

“Stay out of this, Tigris! It’s time to bring everything out into the open. We can’t afford hidden agendas undermining our operations here,” Aderon retorted, his wings spreading protectively as he blocked Kaira’s path.

“How dare you, Everess,” Ravaen’s voice rang out, his sword held firmly in hand as he addressed her with accusation. “We trusted you, and you stab us in the back?” His words were laced with betrayal as he pointed his sword directly at her.

“Ravaen, not you too. Stop this at once!” Kaira pleaded with him, her voice filled with anguish as she attempted to reason with her fellow general.

“Why are you taking her side? She destroyed a tomb of yours as well, if I’m not mistaken?” Ravaen’s voice was filled with accusation as he confronted Kaira.

“We still do not know if it was her! Listen to what she has to say first!” Kaira urged, her voice tinged with frustration as she turned to her. “Just tell us the truth, Everess. This has gone far enough,” she pleaded.

“Stop it, everyone!” Tamiron shouted, but his efforts proved futile against Sevidon’s determination.

As she stood amidst the heated exchange, her attention caught between the accusing voices, she felt a familiar sense of dread creeping over her, reminiscent of the moment when the raider had attacked. It was as if time itself had slowed to a crawl, the words of the Generals becoming distant echoes in her ears. Amidst the chaos, a subtle pull tugged at her consciousness, drawing her attention with an almost magnetic force.

Turning her gaze to the northwest, she felt a strange sensation wash over her, like an invisible thread pulling her towards an unseen destination. It was a sensation she couldn’t ignore, a primal instinct urging her to heed the call emanating from that direction. Despite the tumultuous scene unfolding around her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she needed to be there, compelled by an inexplicable force that may wreak havoc once again. She needed to be there in order for her to stop it. “I will not be accused of things I did not do,” she suddenly declared, her voice firm as she summoned a pinkish mantle that slowly shaped into an orb, enveloping her form. “I will be taking my leave.”

“No, you will not!” Sevidon pushed Tamiron aside, his urgency evident as he grabbed onto Sevidon’s armor. “Stop her! That’s how she was able to attack the tombs and temples! She is about to disappear!” Sevidon’s voice rose with panic as he struggled against Tamiron’s hold.

The magisters stood down as she prepared to depart, her form already beginning to fade from view.

His heartbeat quickened as he looked between Sevidon and Tamiron. With a sudden surge of determination, he flew directly towards Everess, his hand outstretched towards the swirling orb.

In a heartbeat, they made contact with the orb, and the world around them vanished into darkness.

End of Chapter XXVIII