A town in Ravens Country
Military tanks drove through the streets in droves. People looked on in curiosity and terror. The military piled out with their rifles in hand, but the tanks looked different than before; the body was metallic with a fresh silver paint job, and at its core was an orb brewing with pulsating energy.
As per their command to take to the streets and secure its people from the terrors that had befallen several cities a month ago. The Empire's primary goal was to eradicate any fear threatening the Chancellor’s rule. The talk of ‘Altars’ rising from the earth had been whispered to almost everyone's ears who had a radio. There were fits and buzzes, and people started to believe that legends were real.
Chancellor Radovinov needed them to be complacent and focus solely on the Harmony Tax. So, a well-constructed lie was used to redirect people's focus to the Empire and its Imperial Military.
“Good people of Aurum…” Chancellor Viktor Radovinov’s thick, accented voice played on the radio.
“Many of you have seen the newly deployed automatons called tanks patrolling around. Do not be alarmed or fearful, for they are here to protect and keep you safe.”
Throughout many homes and cities, people conversed with one another, wondering if that was true.
“...It is a scary thing to process, but we must face it together! Rumors have been escalating that the infamous Magycte Beast and the Children of Deimos are coming to resurface. What do I say? It is a constructed plan by terrorists to frighten the good people of Aurum into hiding and coercion. My conclusion to Harmony and peace with the Harmony Tax has left revolts and riots to appear across many countries. People seem not to fathom the existence of a world with peace.”
“But we will not let them sway us to hide away. I promised you that the military would protect you and that unity would come into play with the Harmony Tax Act, and they shall. Join the Imperial Military to reclaim our peace and sanity from those who wish to take it from us. You, too, can protect your families from the hysterical and the naysayers. I have deployed a Military to reside in parts of Ravens Country and Verdan Glen, then Lysandrian and Gearford. Soon, they will be all over Aurum waiting to hear from you and join our ranks to eradicate the invaders who seek to ruin your harmony and union.”
As the announcement ended, people seemed conflicted by the Chancellor's words. All they wanted was to return to normalcy, but was sacrificing so much of their lives worth it to retain their peace?
The uncertainty was like clockwork, and many questioned whether it was the right thing to do. Many would even turn their backs on the military and the Chancellor. Nothing was worth sacrificing if it meant something terrible had to be wagered.
The voices of the people's uncertainty were valid and robust for all but a few moments when a purple-black miasma of aura surrounded its citizens. A blank expression crossed their faces, and what was once filled with intense uncertainty and hesitancy was replaced with surefire obedience and loyalty– to the Chancellor's message.
As people lined up before the military tanks, they signed away to join the Imperial ranks.
Hidden away from prying eyes, a lone blonde hair figure lurked on top of a building. His lips pursed in disgruntled disapproval of what was happening.
“This doesn't look good. I'll bet an Altar is formulating as we speak…” Where are you?
•†•
With the following day ahead of them, Lyra and the others continued their trek to Ravens Country. She would need to come clean about what Nikolai had told her on the farm.
“So he knows… about everything?” Cassandra questioned first as they walked the dirt path.
Lyra nodded. “I believe so. He's obviously leaving out information on purpose and waiting for a big reveal, but I think he, along with the Chancellor, knows the existence of Magycte Beast and the Children of Deimos are true.”
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Malakyh hummed. “Isn’t it obvious?” The two girls looked at him. His eyes closed with his hand cupped at his chin.
“No, but I'm sure you'll explain it to us,” Cassandra retorted with an eye roll.
He opened his eyes. “What has the Chancellor wanted from the very beginning?”
Lyra raised a brow. “To control the people? Get them to believe that his Harmony Tax will set up unions." The thought of his ‘goal’ made Lyra make a sour face.
“Yes, true, and he was going to achieve that. How?”
“Uh? By forcing the people, tricking them, sending their military goons–” Her eyes widened as the answer slammed into her. Malakyh nodded. Now, they were on the same page.
“Did you think of something?”
Lyra palmed her face with her hand. “Of course! That's also what Nikolai said about me being popular in Crystalline City and the Empire not liking that. He doesn't like that someone else got to the information first– let alone a Locksmith– because he wants to erase the idea of Locksmiths and make sure his military gets the credit, followed by his ideologies, and once those Altars start appearing, it will make things much easier for the people to think of him and his military as saviors.”
“Exactly.” Malakyh nodded in agreement.
“And all this negativity spurring will probably cause more Altars to appear.” Cassandra figured. Her eyes widened. “He's deliberately trying to force an Altar to appear.”
“And whether he knows the repercussions or not, he's also contributing to the Astral Contract,” Malakyh said.
Cassandra frowned. “So, what, are the Children of Deimos and his working together?”
Lyra shook her head. “I don't think they are anymore. If that's anything coming from Nikolai, this might be all the Chancellor’s doing, and the Children of Deimos are conveniently riding in the backseat.”
A sign head was on the roadside that read: Welcome to Ravens Country.
Ravens Country was west of Verdan Glen, with a surplus of small cities and towns spread apart on its land. Verdan Glen was the #1 spot of rural tranquility, making Ravens Country #2 the embodiment of country life.
Like Ealdred said, they are the only region in Aurum that has not used technological advancements and has stuck to the old ways since the Era of Expansion of 1083CC and even before the Great Convergence Era of 600CC.
Lyra knew they wouldn't be bombarded by the Imperial Military. Ravens Country had four capital cities, and Corvus Holden was their first destination.
Corvus Holden was a beautiful area with a wire berth of plains field. Makeshift tent-style houses were stationed around the field at varying distances from each other.
“Let's go ask around town and see if anyone has seen anything, or anyone, strange or off. It looks like the military haven't found their way here, so that’s a plus.”
“Should we split up?” Cassandra asked, “We can cover more ground that way.”
Lyra nodded. Cassandra and Tierney went one way, Malakyh another, and lastly, she and Aurora.
She and Aurora up to someone taking care of a garden outside of a shop.
“Excuse me?” Lyra called out to the gentleman.
The man had mousy hair and big bluish eyes. He was wearing a regular dark green long-sleeved and breeched with sewn patches into the knee parts. His smile was wide when he met eyes with them, and a shiver traveled down Lyra’s spine.
“Oh! Travelers. Forgive me for not noticing you sooner. Welcome To Corvus Holden; my name is Gean Wayland.”
Lyra bowed. “Thank you. I'm Lyra Ashbourne, a Locksmith, and this is Aurora. We hope you'll answer a few questions. Is that alright?”
“But of course! Ask away!”
Aurora gripped Lyra’s hand tightly, taken aback by the man's forwardness. Having seen the motion, the man drifted wide, unblinking eyes and a rather toothy grin at her, making Aurora whimper and scurry behind Lyra’s back.
The man's attention shifted back to Lyra with the same wide grin.
“Um, well, have you seen anything… odd lately? You know, like ‘things that shouldn't be here’ or the Fiends acting abnormally than usual or weirdly colored, strong Veilspawn? Also, maybe a mysterious person or two.”
The smiling man tilted his head to the side, with pursed lips, thinking.
“Strange… weird… occurrences or… people.” His head straightened from where it was tilted and exclaimed, “Nope!”
Even Lyra had to jump this time from the man's over-excitement.
“The Fiends don't bother us here out in the country, and there's nary a Rift for a Veilspawn to show up. The only folks who may pass by are the Imperial Military and yourselves.”
“So the military has bothered you before?”
The man shrugged. “Last week was the last we saw of one of them, a blonde-haired captain. They had come over a month ago, too, but they were gone quickly after that. They are not too kind people if you ask me.”
Lyra couldn't have agreed more. They were simple country folk trying to live in everyday peace. They didn't need the Military's drama.
“Oh, but fret not!” Gean said, seeing the annoyed expression on her face. “We know best how to handle angry people like that, but you folks are good-hearted and welcome. Perhaps I should bring you to our Chieftain? He would happily answer questions that I cannot and provide you a place to stay.”
“That's very kind of you, thank you. Let me find the rest of my party.”
The man nodded and watched them leave. Aurora turned her head back, and the man waved to her with a smile, making her half-raise her hand before turning back.