With the onset of rain, Elwin and Blue’s conversation wandered from the topic of magic. She had much to share from her great reserves of knowledge.

“…And that’s how Don Valsevich convinced the world that he was ADAM’s avatar,” Blue said.

“And did it last?” Elwin asked.

“Of course not, the-”

Abruptly, Blue stopped talking. She appeared to be processing something.

“What’s going on?” Elwin asked.

But before the priestess could answer, there came noises like the cracks of thunder from ahead of them.

…But there was no lightning. Instead, familiar black smoke began to billow into the sky from the base of a hill in the distance, perhaps a thousand meters away.

Elwin ran to get a better vantage point, coming to a stop to take a closer look with his keen elven vision. In contrast, Blue had reshaped her form, making herself taller and slimmer to see over the curve of a hill that obscured their vision. Her cameras had already increased their magnification.

Far in the distance, the pair watched as arcs of orange light flashed like the flickering of a flame. With each lick, a distant figure fell. Elsewhere, several small, fire-cracker like explosions went off, setting off a chain reaction of larger explosions. Hidden contraptions, previously invisible, revealed themselves as they fell apart.

Blue recognised the machines as military vehicles.

“Do you know what’s going on?” Elwin asked again.

“It’s already over,” Blue said. She watched as the remaining forces scattered. Some took flight using some kind of technology, glowing with a blue flame. The Angel’s assailant gave no chase and sheathed their weapon.

“What happened?”

“That down there was a battalion of Lucina’s Angels. Someone just attacked them.” Blue explained.

“What?” Elwin asked in astonishment.

“And, it seems that they are now coming this way.”

Elwin looked again. It was true. A lone figure was approaching, fast. Faster than any human Elwin had seen before on two legs.

Blue stood still and returned to her ‘normal’ form, awaiting their arrival.

“Shouldn’t we run?” Elwin asked, fearing for their safety.

“We cannot outrun them. We may as well see what they want... Besides, I have a feeling that you might be interested in meeting this person.” Blue replied.

So, Elwin waited anxiously with Blue. Though, it didn’t take much longer before Elwin was face to face with the warrior, standing just five paces away.

She was tall, Elwin thought. Most of her fiery red hair was tied back in a ponytail, leaving strands on either side of her face. Despite the wet weather, the young woman was completely dry, save for a few beads of sweat running their way across what skin was visible. Elwin’s curiosity revealed an invisible barrier prevented the rain from reaching her. Likely an enchanted item. The features of her face were striking, her vibrant vermillion eyes especially so. Not just their colour, but the determination therein. She looked alive. More alive and vibrant than any individual Elwin had seen, save perhaps for Kari’s rageful expression at the dinner table when he was facing Rhaspalaka.

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Elwin couldn’t help but notice the warrior was wearing several visible enchanted accessories. These included a ring, earring and familiar-looking bracelet. It was common practice to enchant jewellery, so seeing these items enchanted was no surprise. What was a greater surprise to Elwin was the woman’s weapon: A long silver pole with golden grips. It had no apparent blade, though its length would indicate that it was responsible for the arcing flashes they had seen less than a minute prior.

“Knight Leader Sophia,” Blue said in greeting. Having already deduced the warrior’s identity.

“Wait, do you mean, the Sophia?” Elwin asked Blue in a disbelieving whisper. He realised that he recognised Sophia’s bracelet as it was identical to one he had seen before – on Effie’s wrist.

“Yes,” Sophia replied simply. “Are you two the ones whom Effie contacted? And you have since completed a Labyrinth Trial and released a seal on ADAM’s Labyrinth?”

“Yes. We met Effie a few days ago, and have access to your communication channels. And yes, we have succeeded in passing one of the trials left on this earth by our Creator. I am Blue, High Priestess of ADAM, and this young sprout is Elwin, an Ellenian child,” Blue replied, with equal clarity.

Sophia regarded the digitised lifeform with unbridled interest. But unlike Effie, whose curiosity was like that of a cat, ready to take Blue apart and see what makes her tick, Sophia’s curious gaze was filled with a more innocent air.

“King Rolynd and I formally extend our invitations to you, High Priestess Blue, and Elwin the Ellenian. Currently, our city of Al Dherjza is under heavy siege from the invader, Empress Lucina, and her armies.” Said Sophia. She paused to glance at the horizon. “…And I do not have much time to spare with you. Lucina’s retribution is undoubtedly on its way to this location already.”

“What do you want from us?” Elwin asked.

“King Rolynd believes that ADAM is Apolaphia’s best chance for survival, and so wishes to challenge the Labyrinth as soon as possible. With your success, there lies only one more trial to be overcome, somewhere in the Shimmering Sea... though we have yet to detect any signature seismic tremors that arise when the next monolith typically becomes ready for a challenge.”

“I see. And the Shimmering Sea, Glimrene Mer, lies between us and Al Dherjza, where the nearest entrance to ADAM’s Labyrinth awaits… You desire for us to attempt the final trial, and break the final seal on ADAM’s Labyrinth, is that right?”

“Yes,” Sophia replied honestly and without shame.

“I am not surprised. It is the most logical course of action. Well, we will be happy to oblige your wishes… but be forewarned, The Labyrinth itself is the greatest test of all. Those who are not prepared for its arbitration may meet an unpleasant and untimely end.”

Sophia seemed to consider Blue’s words for but a moment. “Thank you for your advice, and your co-operation. Let us hope that the sun is shining upon us when we next meet.”

“The same to you,” Blue replied in kind. Elwin nodded his agreement.

“Excellent. We will assist you in every way that we can.” Said a voice from behind Blue and Elwin. Elwin whipped around.

Who the?

When did they get there?

And how? The owner of the voice had managed to evade Blue’s impressive array of sensors as well as Elwin’s enhanced elven senses.

Behind Blue and Elwin stood another figure. A lithe form clad in black robes with golden trim. Similar fabric covered the lower half of her face. This left just the view of her orange eyes, flecked with bright golden yellow spots.

Beneath her hood, the person’s unusually styled hair was bright orange. The right half of it was stuck up in a mohawk, giving way to braided twintails at the back of her head. The two bundles of hair poked out the back of her hood and trailed all the way down to her waist, granting some contrast to an otherwise dark outfit.

Elwin noticed that this new person too wore enchanted accessories for protection. An earring and bracelet as Sophia did. an extremely thin rapier hung sheathed by her waist, its elaborate golden wiry handguard evoking images of dancing embers.

“That is Phee, my little sister,” Sophia stated. “She will accompany you until you reach Al Dherjza safely.”

“O-Oh! Pleased to meet you.” Elwin stuttered.

“Phee can fill you in on the details. I must be going now.” Sophia explained, sticking Solreyn into the ground and disappearing in a flash.

Barely a breath afterwards, something roared by overhead at tremendous speed.

Elwin flinched and covered his ears to protect them from the sudden, ear-piercing noise.

“What was that?!” he exclaimed.

“Some kind of supersonic aircraft.” Explained Blue. “…They seem to be turning back, we should have nothing to worry about.”

“Wait, where did Phee go?” Elwin asked. For at some point, the small girl had disappeared.

Blue failed to find a single trace of her until Phee spoke from the empty space beside them.

“I’m right here. Staying hidden. Rolynd said that I can’t let Lucina know about me.” Phee said from empty space. “Oh, and avoid the warzone up ahead if you can… Where exactly are you guys headed again?”

“Sarigold City,” Blue said.