“-She was quite the joy to watch,” Grea happily recounted the earlier encounter at the basement. The older man had wanted to meet someone who could notice Polonomia, who had been left behind, to observe the situation outside.

And Grea had dragged him into it as well. Isito clicked his tongue. It was annoying. He shouldn’t have left her alive back in that guard station. Especially because…

“We should get her to join. We must at least talk to her!” Grea passionately filled the Sage’s ears with words.

Very, very annoying words.

There wasn’t anywhere to go to avoid Grea either. They were sitting in the yard of one of the mansions. From here, they could observe the curious illusion that masked the large entrance into the complex below. The moment they would move was soon, but not now.

“...There is no rush.” The Sage finally replied. Most of the man’s attention was on the unfolding events and well-made illusions. “If she survives, then the possibility will be reevaluated.”

Isito clicked his tongue again. That was almost as good as agreeing. He really didn’t want the girl to join their cause. Not in a small part that she might overtake him in speed, knowledge and strength. He already was the weakest one. Another promising member would be annoying.

Perhaps he should increase the amount of practice? Isito habitually clicked his tongue. He really shouldn’t have slacked for the past year. But neither his Master nor any of the Sages had said anything, so Isito had assumed it was fine. Besides, he much preferred reading and writing down the knowledge they gathered.

“Great!” Grea turned towards Isito. “See. You’ll get a junior in training. How does that feel? Good?”

It didn’t feel good. It felt like shit. Isito wanted to argue back. The girl might die or refuse. It wasn’t a done deal. But it was a pain, so he didn’t.

Instead, Isito looked at his master - Sliof. But there was no support to be gotten there. His teacher was watching the sky with fascination, none the wiser for his pupil’s plea - as always.

Who else was there who could help? Polonomia was missing, watching the forces trying to stop the ritual. Not that she usually interfered when Grea became too heated.

Novoro was talking with Hellyana and the guy who was bonded with a wolf. Isito’s senses told him this Andrew was peculiar. There was something off about the man’s mana, but his master and the Sage had chosen to not comment - so neither would he. It would be too much trouble.

“Hey! Isito!” Grea continued to pester. “Do you think she will accept me as her master?”

There was no way she would. Why did Grea even think she would? Isito turned his head away from the passionate man to look at the last member of their group.

Piliste was checking his armour. The two one-handed battle axes hung on his side. The large man was waiting for the battle to start. His was the most bloodthirsty of them all.

This meant Piliste liked to talk about fighting, strategy, tactics and bloodshed in any order, but usually in the same conversation.

It was tiring to listen to. Was it better than Grea’s endless torrent of words? Usually, Isito would say no, but…

“You don’t think she would?” Grea read Isito’s thoughts correctly. “Perhaps I am lacking a little. Before long, she would surpass me. Maybe it’s for the better if I didn’t become her master.”

“There was a breach.” Polonomia materialised next to the Sage. “The City guard lost some of their strongest and were forced to retreat.”

That meant they would have to move. Isito perked up. He waited for the order, but before the Sage could speak, Hellyana stomped past Novoro and made her demand.

“Take us with you!”

Isito clicked his tongue. Of course, they would muddy the waters. He didn’t know the woman personally but had heard of her on multiple occasions. Her grandfather had been one of the Sages.

Hellyana had failed to take in all the teaching her wise progenitor tried to pass, but she held sway. She had grown up among the strongest people, and they had dotted her. The hellion had run away after failing to fulfil the requirements of becoming one of their order.

“Hey, old man! I am talking with you.” Hellyana spoke again. “Armin, can you do that for me? Please?” She changed her approach.

“Helly…” The Sage sighed. “What do you want to achieve by doing this?”

“My grandad’s stuff is there!” Hellyana pulled out a pendulum. The necklace spun for a moment before pointing downwards. “I want it back.”

The Sage watched the pendulum for a while. “Ah. He did like to keep tabs on his little toys. That he did.” Armin was reminiscing. “But what about the boy?”

“H-”

“Let him speak, Helly.” The Sage stopped the woman, who started to pout. “Now. What do you hope to achieve by coming here?”

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Instead of giving an answer, the man gritted his teeth and had a question of his own. “Are they sacrificing people? Are they planning to destroy the city?”

For Isito, the question seemed foolish. The evidence was in front of Andrew’s eyes. But perhaps Isito was too harsh. Not everyone was as discerning as they were. The average human had often proved how stupid they were.

“Yes.” The Sage replied, not taking offence to the rudeness. “Soon. That will happen.”

“Why aren’t you stopping them? Aren’t you here to do that? Won’t the ritual kill you all as well?” Andrew pushed on.

“It won’t kill us.” The Sage shook his head. “And we won’t stop it. We are here to observe.”

Which wasn’t strictly correct, but Isito wasn’t going to speak. It would be too bothersome. They also were here to collect an assortment of stray artefacts. The painting Polonomia had stolen was one such item. The bauble he had traced down by killing those corrupt guards was another.

Andrew clearly didn’t understand the Sage. Istio saw the furry in the younger man’s eyes. He was idealistic. Foolish and sheltered.

The order didn’t obey the morality of the masses. They could seem callus and sometimes evil, but they weren’t. They didn’t interfere often, electing to observe and learn. But there were times when they helped.

Isito watched Hellyana pull Andrew away. And to his surprise, the Sage nodded. “You can come.”

Why? Isito didn’t understand. But he wouldn’t comment. That would be too bothersome. At least Grea wasn’t harassing him anymore.

—

“YOU LET THEM GET AWAY!” Oscar failed to contain his anger. A part of him understood that the squad with him wasn’t made for digging through a cave-in, nor were they good at tracking.

It didn’t mean Oscar could accept it. “FUCKING USELESS!” Several whips of emotions swirled behind him, contemplating reaching for the soldiers in front of him.

“Oscar. Contain yourself. Now.”

The new voice cooled Oscar’s storming rage. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths. Just like Astra had always told him to. Then, he turned towards the officer.

“Any news?” Oscar addressed his superior in name only.

The man frowned, clearly displeased with the disrespect. But he had his orders. “We cleared the way forward. The fighting is continuing, and while… I advised your talents to be used against the less dangerous foes in the periphery… I have been overruled.”

Oscar guessed the man had tried to send him mince the fodder. He was good at that. Not as much against truly dangerous opponents. But he had Astra on his side. “So?”

“Lady Inquisitor requests your presence.” The man spat out and left.

A tentacle reached for the man’s back, and Oscar struggled to pull it back. He had seen how this officer looked at Astra. The man was infatuated with her.

It was understandable. Even that other Inquisitor’s gaze sometimes lingered on Astra. And Oscar envied them. He understood Astra was beautiful. But it was purely an acknowledgement of reality. He didn’t feel any urges towards the woman… No, his friend.

And perhaps that was normal, but… Oscar didn’t feel any sexual urges. Not towards anyone. Not since he last Munny.

The thought of his love made Oscar’s emotions seethe. He missed her. He wanted to see her again. To speak and laugh…

And Munny’s killers had been so close… He had seen them. The shorter one had looked at him with indifference. She had dismissed his anger as if it were a breeze. He would make them pay.

But not now. Not right away. Oscar took another breath and left the terrified soldiers behind. His feet carried him through the empty streets. He saw soldiers combing through the buildings. Sometimes, they would stumble upon a deserter or two. But every defender worth their salt had fallen back already - towards the centre of the district.

Occasionally, Oscar would glance up to where the fiercest battles had been fought. The sky was now empty, with just a single bird circling above. Maybe there was more, but the setting sun didn’t give much light.

It was getting dark. Oscar hastened his steps, turning his walk into a run. It didn’t take him long to arrive at the end of the street, where the most important fighters had gathered.

Oscar spotted Astra standing next to Koldon and the other Inquisitor from Maltra. They had been an invaluable help in the fight. Oscar was envious of their strength. He wanted to have it. Astra always told him to train and grow. In a few years, he would be strong, but it wasn’t now. He needed power when his hated enemies were so close… So, so close.

The anger and helplessness threatened to boil over again. Astra shot him a glance, cautioning him to not make a scene. Oscar managed to clear his mind. The Commander was giving a rundown of the situation, the immediate plans and how to proceed.

Oscar let his eyes wander. There was a large, empty area in front of them. He wondered what purpose the place served.

Only for the Commander to turn around, point his arm and shoot something intangible out of it. The wave quickly moved over the empty area, making the air tremble.

And the next moment, Oscar’s eyes widened. In front of them now stood a fortified position. Not a building, no. It was walls and fortifications in multiple layers. The defences were operated by countless people.

“Wow…” Oscar gulped. He wasn’t quite ready for this.

“It is too small,” Koldon mentioned after studying the place for a moment. “They likely have an extensive underground system.”

“I fear you are right.” The commander agreed. “Leitnant. Gather a few squads not engaged in combat and get them to survey the surrounding buildings. Look for entrances into underground tunnels.”

One of the men saluted and left. Oscar continued to watch the buzzing nest of enemies. They were preparing to hold their fortress until the last man.

It was impressive. And daunting. Besides, Oscar doubted his targets were there. He should be searching the district for them.

“You cannot leave now.” Astra correctly assumed Oscar’s thoughts. “I want you in my reach. The enemy might get desperate.”

“Right…” Oscar bitterly nodded. He did consider leaving, but… He owed Astra this much.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let them get away. But we have to stop the ritual. Or we will all be dead.”

From time to time, more soldiers arrived. Oscar watched the fortress be surrounded. He waited for the sign. He was just one of many, but he would help take down these madmen.

The Commander shot out a bright ball of light. They all charged.