As Lyra along with Nyx, Garett, and Leona made their way through the bustling streets of Vallorien, the city hummed with life. Cobbled roads stretched between towering stone buildings adorned with banners displaying the emblems of various noble houses. Magitech lanterns lined the streets, their soft luminite glow casting warm hues upon merchants hawking wares, blacksmiths hammering away at fresh steel, and adventurers boasting of their latest conquests over tankards of ale at open-air taverns. The aroma of sizzling meats and freshly baked bread mingled with the crisp evening air, while street performers played lively tunes on enchanted instruments, drawing small crowds of cityfolk and travelers alike. Beyond the city walls, rolling emerald hills stretched to the horizon, dotted with farms and small settlements, their faint lights twinkling under the encroaching twilight.
A massive shadow loomed in the distance—a transport ship hovering over Castle Eldenreach. Its sleek, industrial design, mingled with some angular highlights, was unmistakably Fenralis. Its hull was adorned with the sigil of a wolf’s head. The ship’s engines hummed faintly, a low, resonant sound that carried across the landscape.
Lyra shielded her eyes against the sun, her gaze fixed on the ship. “Is that…?”
“The transport from Skara, one of Fenris Lupus’ moons.” Garett confirmed, his voice calm. “It arrived earlier than expected.”
Leona crossed her arms, her expression a mix of pride and annoyance. “Typical. They couldn’t wait for us to get back before showing off.”
Nyx, perched on Lyra’s shoulder, let out a soft chirp. “Looks like someone’s eager to impress.”
Leona shot the celestial familiar a glare. “And who asked you, fluffball?”
Nyx’s golden eyes narrowed mischievously. “I don’t need your permission to speak, boobs-for-brains.”
Leona’s eye twitched. “Oh, that’s rich coming from a feather duster with an attitude problem.”
Lyra stifled a laugh, her hand covering her mouth. Garett, meanwhile, sighed deeply, as if this were a conversation he’d had a hundred times before.
As they approached the castle, the sheer scale of the transport ship became apparent. It was a behemoth of steel and luminite, its hull bristling with defensive turrets and glowing runes. The FRS-04 Direhounds it carried were being unloaded, their massive forms moving with surprising grace as they were guided into the garrison.
Lyra’s eyes widened as she took in the sight. “They’re even more impressive up close.”
Garett glanced at her, his tone curious. “You’ve seen mechs before.”
Lyra nodded, her expression thoughtful. “At the Astralis Lyceum. They had a few on display for study. But seeing them up close and ready to deploy like this… it’s different.”
Garett’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, his sharp blue eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re not from the Verdant Vale, are you?”
Lyra blinked, caught off guard. “I am, actually. I just… haven’t been back in a while. I recently graduated from the Lyceum.”
Garett’s expression shifted, a flicker of recognition crossing his features. “You’re the Ealdorman of Elderwyn’s daughter.”
Lyra’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she looked away. “You know my father?”
Garett nodded. “I’ve spoken with him several times. He’s a good man. He talks about you often.”
Lyra’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and mild panic flashing across her face. “He does? What… what does he say?”
Garett’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “That you’re brilliant, determined, and that he’s proud of you. He mentioned you were studying at the Lyceum, but he didn’t say much else.”
Lyra let out a breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding, her shoulders relaxing. “Oh. That’s… good.”
Nyx, perched on her shoulder, let out a soft chuckle. “Sounds like someone’s embarrassed.”
Lyra shot her familiar a glare. “Quiet, you.”
Leona, who had been watching the exchange with mild amusement, crossed her arms. “Well, isn’t this touching. Can we move on now? We’ve got Direhounds to inspect.”
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Garett nodded, his expression returning to its usual calm. “Right. Let’s go.”
The courtyard of Castle Eldenreach was a sprawling expanse of polished stone and luminite-infused pathways, flanked by towering walls adorned with the sigils of House Fenralis—a wolf’s head. The air buzzed with activity as technicians and engineers moved about, their voices mingling with the hum of machinery and the occasional hiss of steam. At the center of the courtyard stood the newly arrived FRS-04 Direhounds, their massive forms gleaming under the afternoon sun.
The Direhounds were a marvel of engineering, their sleek, humanoid frames crafted from a composite alloy known as Mithrititanium. This material was a fusion of mithril and titanium, forged under the intense heat of a starforge to create a substance that was both lightweight and nearly indestructible. The alloy’s unique properties allowed it to absorb and dissipate kinetic energy, making it highly resistant to physical attacks. Its surface was etched with intricate runes that glowed faintly, channeling barrier magic to further enhance its durability.
Lyra walked beside Garett, her eyes wide as she took in the sight. “The alloy… it’s incredible. How does it hold up against energy-based attacks?”
Garett gestured to one of the Direhounds, his tone matter-of-fact. “The Mithrititanium is layered with a luminite mesh, which acts as a conduit for energy dispersion. It can withstand plasma blasts, laser fire, and even some forms of arcane energy. The runes you see here amplify that effect, creating a barrier that can absorb and redirect incoming attacks.”
Lyra nodded, her curiosity piqued. “And the HUD? The operating system? They don’t look like standard Fenralis designs.”
Garett’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Observant. I can't tell a civilian the specifics but the HUD and OS were sourced from several minor houses. The interface was developed by House Leonis, known for their expertise in neural integration. The targeting systems were provided by House Veyra, who specialize in precision engineering. Even the power core was a collaborative effort, with House Solarius contributing their luminite refinement techniques.”
Lyra’s eyes widened. “That’s… impressive. I didn’t realize the houses worked together like that.”
Garett’s expression grew thoughtful. “It’s not always easy. Each house has its own agenda, and trust is hard to come by. But when it comes to maintaining our military edge, we set aside our differences.”
As they continued their inspection, Lyra’s gaze lingered on the intricate details of the Direhounds. “How are these even manufactured? The precision, the complexity… it’s beyond anything I’ve seen.”
Garett paused, his sharp blue eyes meeting hers. “The Starforge on Skara. We discovered it over a millennium ago. It’s an ancient site, older than recorded history. No one knows who built it or why, but it’s capable of producing technology far beyond our understanding.”
Lyra’s brow furrowed. “A Starforge? I’ve heard only from my instructors at the Lyceum. What do you think exactly is it?”
Garett’s voice grew quieter, almost reverent. “A massive, self-sustaining facility buried deep within Skara’s moon. It’s powered by a core of the purest luminite, and its machinery is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. The Direhounds, along with all Fenralis mechs—from the major houses to the minor ones—are manufactured there. The process is automated, guided by systems we still don’t fully understand.”
Lyra’s eyes sparkled with fascination. “That’s incredible. But if it’s so powerful, why doesn’t every house have one?”
Garett’s expression darkened slightly. “Because Starforges are rare. And they’re hotly contested. Whenever one is discovered, it shifts the balance of power. Houses fight for control, alliances are broken, and wars are waged. The one on Skara is the reason House Fenralis rose to prominence. Without it, we’d be just another minor house.”
Lyra fell silent, her mind racing with the implications. “So… if another Starforge were discovered…”
“It would change everything,” Garett finished, his tone grim. “Which is why we guard Skara’s secrets closely.”
Lyra found herself standing before one of the Direhounds, her hand resting lightly on its armored leg. The metal was cool to the touch, yet she could feel the faint hum of energy coursing through it.
“It’s strange,” she said softly. “These machines are so advanced, yet they’re built using technology we don’t even understand.”
Garett nodded, his gaze fixed on the Direhound. “That’s the nature of the Starforges. They’re a reminder of how much we still have to learn.”
Lyra glanced at him, a small smile playing on her lips. “You sound almost… philosophical.”
Garett’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “Spend enough time around ancient technology, and it’ll do that to you.”
Nyx, perched on Lyra’s shoulder, let out a soft chirp. “Or maybe he’s just trying to sound smart.”
Garett raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought we were getting along.”
Nyx flicked her tail, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. “Don’t push your luck, Governor-General.”
Lyra laughed, the sound light and carefree. “Alright, that’s enough. Let’s not start another argument.”
After the inspections,Garett retreated to his study, the weight of the day’s events settling on his shoulders. He sat at his desk, the letter from Cassia in his hands. The seal bore the Fenralis sigil, and the parchment smelled faintly of lavender—a touch he recognized as uniquely hers.
He broke the seal and began to read.
“Garett,
I hope this letter finds you well. Skara is as cold and dreary as ever, but we’re managing. The new batch of Direhounds is ready, and I’ve included some potions and sweets for you. Don’t overwork yourself—I know how you get.
Be careful, Garett. House Draconis is stirring again. They have recently just quelled the Auroxa rebellion and I fear they may target the Verdant Vale next. If you need help, don’t hesitate to call on me. You’re not alone in this.
Take care of yourself. And don’t let Leona bully you too much.
—Cassia.”
Garett set the letter down, his expression thoughtful. Cassia’s words were a reminder of the larger forces at play, and the weight of his responsibilities as Governor-General. He tucked the letter into a drawer, his mind already turning to the tasks ahead.
Later that evening, Lyra found herself in the castle’s grand hall, her bag of supplies resting at her feet. She had decided to stay in Vallorien for a while, her curiosity about the city—and its enigmatic Governor-General—too strong to ignore.
Garett approached her, his greathelm tucked under his arm. “I’ve arranged a room for you,” he said. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you need.”
Lyra smiled, her gratitude evident. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
Leona, who had been lurking nearby, let out an exasperated sigh. “Oh, wonderful. Another guest. Just what we needed.”
Nyx, perched on Lyra’s shoulder, smirked. “Jealous, tin can?”
Leona’s eye twitched. “I’m not jealous. I’m just… concerned.”
“About what?” Nyx asked, her tone dripping with mock innocence. “That someone might actually like spending time with Garett?”
Leona crossed her arms, her expression darkening. “You know, for a glorified winged rat, you’re really pushing your luck.”
Nyx stretched lazily, flicking her tail. “And for a glorified suit of armor, you’re really bad at keeping your cool.”
Lyra hesitated before speaking again. “I still need to turn in my quest at Elderwyn,” she admitted. “I should head back soon, but… I think I’d like to stay here just a little longer.”