Inside the castle of Ravalind, the enormous door leading to the throne was suddenly swung open. There the dukes and aristocrats were filling the atmosphere in anxiety. The death of Oreson reached their ears, as their words are smeared with fear. The only word coming out of their mouth were questions, to why the guards and bodyguards did nothing. To how they wouldn't able to catch the man who created the macabre.

And from the center of the throne chamber, lies Ashalain and the adventurers who were tasked to protect the duke. Even Oregon's slaves were there.

"I was wrong to have you guard the duke's life since there were no magical adventurers to hire... Tell me, why didn't you save duke Oreson while he was still alive? King Reigal IV said in cold words.

"My-my king..." Nervously implores Ashalain, but she gathers an act of small courage and spoke. "It's not why, but we were bound by a powerful spell."

"A spell?" Says the King.

"It's true my lord, there was a---" Follows by Ashalain's companion only to be cut off by the dukes and aristocrats.

"Magic! Pheh... Pitiful lies!"

"Yeah, if there were magic involved, then why didn't the ones who witness it wasn't held by that spell you were uttering?"

"It's because she wanted to free that slave girl, that's why she didn't want her hands to be dirty."

While the Aristocrats were shouting with a mix of fear in their tone. The King suddenly shouts to the crowds, dispelling their rowdiness.

"You can come out now." The king continues, there a woman manifests through his left side. "Is she telling the truth?"

"Yes, my lord."

The king sighs and orders his aristocrats to set off, leaving only Ashalain and her associates who were cuff in a magical string of energy.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Hello?... Anybody?" Akatosh echoes through the desolated thief’s guild. While exploring he wasn't able to find a corpse lying around.

"Looks like somebody did some cleaning." The stillmage says manifesting in a murky black shadow.

Just as they headed towards the building, Amaragnum felt a disturbing presence in front of them. It was a dark hallway leading to Hawk's room. And as he prepares for combat, Hawk emerges from the dark.

"Y-you're alive?" Hawk says, surprised.

"In the flesh, yes I'm alive."

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

They exchange their greetings after that, the two sit down for a drink and a story to exchange.

"Sooo... You didn't inform the other headquarters, because you suspect something from them?"

"Quite, I have stained my hands for far too long to know the anticipation."

When said, the two were silent for a minute so was Hawk contemplating his next words.

"Do you remember the stories that I've told you?" Hawk asks.

"The four artifacts. I do."

Hawk stares at him like an eagle, but Akatosh wasn't provoked by his serious eyes. After only ten seconds, Akatosh drifts his face and starts drinking avoiding Hawk's gaze. Exhaling deeply, Hawk then revealed the truth of his secrets.

"Forgone after the age of fire and heroes, there one of the princes of demon emerges. Drawn by the remaining power of the golden dragon hoping to become far more than a prince of demons. The demon sought the remaining powers but was sealed by Mezura’s champions. Gifting her champions and a task to confront the demon. And one of those champions was I..."

"Just how old are you exactly?!" Akatosh replies and a little far-fetched from his words.

"Time knows, I have forgotten even my name. For I have seen kingdoms rise and fall. Humans deceiving each other, Elves raising their weapons to their brethren just because of religion by their gods. Dwarves consumed by greed."

"And the prince?"

"Sealed, the delusional temptation overcome my fellow champions. Yet before the price could take over them, I manage to seal him. It was the only thing I could do so was to end my fellow friends before they could completely be manipulated and return the prince to our world. Like circles, I've searched champions compatible with the artifacts. Still and all, it ends the same they were consumed just like what happened to their progenitor."

"If so, why didn't you query a hand to those powerful adventurers and the arc sage?"

"That because I sealed the prince on Mezura's realm. Only I and the ones who are compatible with the artifacts can. The gods are selfish and prideful to one another."

After some time, their topic slowly changes, and what Hawk said surprises Akatosh.

"A war?"

"Might be, but before we get to the details, our acquaintance wants to see us."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

After the brief conference with the King, Ashalain and her fellow subordinates are confined in a dungeon. She could confess the man who hideously killed the duke's life. Yet her second instinct clasps her mouth. Each of their cells was separated for an extensive investigation. While inside her cell, she prays on the spot where the narrow window welcomes the sunlight. Her prayer wasn't for freeing her from her cell, but to have a strong faith in her god and the chaotic situation she hopes to diminish. After a broad kneeling and praying, Ashalain opens her eyes just when she heard the door open.

"Father." She implores after seeing Ariendal waiting for her.

She slowly steps out of her cell, but her eyes are avoiding his father. Feeling guilty and disappointed because she failed to protect the duke's life.

"You must be tired now. You should take a rest at your sister's--"

"I'm sorry--" She implores with a very disappointed look on her face. "I'm sorry I've failed, I'm sorry..." She continues with a tearful emotion after remembering the northern girl who's nearly in her last breath. She still remembers Akatosh carrying away the northern girl to who knows where.

He waits for her emotion to subside after which the two set out of the dungeon. Just as the two exited, they bump into another reunion.

"Ah... Master Hawk, and sir Torval. I never suspect to meet you so early."

Stun and surprised, Ashalain was confused upon seeing sir Torval whom she knows when she was still a child. And a mysterious man she didn't know that rings her holy sense. For what she didn't know was a spark of war that would soon grow into a wildfire. But most importantly, the thing that surprises her was Akatosh who was writing his diary. He was too mesmerized by scribing his second life and the constant conversation with his two partners inside of him.