The potential for a security leak was his highest concern, even ignoring the situation with Ferdinand and Andromeda, the number of state secrets and hidden operations here being released to the public could start an international incident itself. It had been several hours since he got the chilling message from this “Arbiter”, and the sun had started to rise. At the current moment, he was standing in a small auditorium, with several magisters and some staffers arrayed in seats before him.

These individuals were the ones he had personally screened for any signs of mental corruption, and thankfully, they were all clear. He needed to address them to prevent any further complications.

"I have reason to believe that there has been an intelligence leak related to the situation with Arch Mage White," Carrion stated resolutely. "As a result, I have implemented a full-scale lockdown of the facility. No one is to enter or leave until my investigation is complete. Any breach of this directive will be considered a hostile action."

His announcement elicited an angry gasp from the crowd, and several people stood up to protest.

"This is ridiculous, you can't keep us from our families indefinitely!" one magister screamed.

"I have children, I can't be away from them for days at a time!" another magister cried.

"I am sorry, but the risk of a catastrophic information leak is too great," Carrion explained. "I'm sure I don't need to remind any of you of the importance of the work we do here, and for those who aren't privy to that information, know that I do not make this decision lightly." The crowd was momentarily stymied, but discontent was palpable in the air.

"If any harm should come to you or your families, I will move mountains to rectify it. Please don't just take my words as Arch Mage, but as a person. I will not allow misfortune to befall you. But please understand the gravity of what I say," he continued.

A magister ran in the door and rushed to Carrion. “Sir, Arch Mage White is moving!” The Magister said.

Carrion's eyes widened in disbelief as he turned to face the crowd. "Dismissed!" he barked, his voice filled with urgency. Without wasting another moment, Carrion and the Magister sprinted through the halls, their footsteps echoing through the corridors as they raced towards the observation room. As they turned the corner, they were met with a small group, including Ferdinand, who stood in front of the glass, looking grim.

"Report!" Carrion demanded, his heart pounding in his chest.

“Roughly five minutes ago, Arch Mage White stood up, and shortly after High Magister Ferdinand arrived.” A nearby Magister said.

“Sir?” Carrion said.

Ferdinand took a deep breath, "There has been a change of plans, and you're not going to like it," Ferdinand repeated, his tone heavy with concern. The tension in the room was palpable, and Carrion's mind raced with the implications of what Ferdinand had just revealed. He knew that he had to share the information he had received.

"Before you say anything," Carrion began, taking a deep breath, "I need to tell you something. There has been a potential breach of security." Ferdinand's expression darkened.

"Elaborate," Ferdinand said, his voice low.

"A few hours ago, a woman going by the name 'The Arbiter' appeared in front of the complex, demanded we bring to bring Arch Mage White to her in three days," Carrion explained, his voice steady. "She was accompanied by a massive crowd of Aeroae residents, and she admitted to everything we suspected based on Argram's testimony." The weight of Carrion's words hung in the air, and Ferdinand's face grew even more serious.

Ferdinand turned back to the observation chamber and fell silent, deep in thought. Carrion's gaze shifted to the crowd that had gathered in the room, and he knew he had to take action. "Until further notice, the observation room is off-limits to anyone except those with the highest level clearance," Carrion announced, he gestured for the crowd to disperse, knowing that the situation required swift and decisive action to ensure the security of the facility.

The room was quickly tidied up, and soon they found themselves alone. However, Rapture was nowhere to be seen, noticeably missing from the glass where they had last spotted her. "Where did Rapture go?" Carrion asked.

"I didn't see her when I got here," Ferdinand said. Carrion's mind immediately raced with the potential dangers of Rapture could present unchecked, but Ferdinand quickly brought his attention back before he could spiral into panic.

"I had an unusual experience last night, Carrion," Ferdinand began. "During my sleep, I astral projected a fragment of my soul, and unexpectedly found myself in Andromeda's mind. I spoke with her."

"Really?" Carrion responded skeptically. "That's...hard to believe, but quite incredible."

"Yes, even I was taken aback when I realized what had happened," Ferdinand continued. "There appears to be a connection between her and me that goes beyond our connection with the Arch."

"How so?" Carrion inquired, curious about Ferdinand's revelation.

"That's not important right now," Ferdinand replied sternly. "We need to discuss our next steps."

"Right. Did you inform Andromeda of your departure?" Carrion asked, concerned about the implications.

"Yes, but as I mentioned earlier, the plan has changed," Ferdinand said, causing Carrion's stomach to sink with dread, knowing there was only one other option left.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"You don't mean to say..." Carrion trailed off, unable to bring himself to complete the sentence.

Ferdinand shook his head firmly. "No, she has convinced me that we cannot leave," he stated.

Carrion's concern deepened. "Doesn't she realize the consequences her death might bring?" he questioned.

"She understands perfectly," Ferdinand replied, his tone heavy. "I explained it to her in detail. However, she is resolute in her decision not to abandon the people of Betel to their fate."

Carrion felt a sense of despair grip his soul at these words. "I can't ask you to make such a sacrifice," he protested. "While she may be the Arch Mage, these are my people. I couldn't live with such a burden..."

Ferdinand shook his head, interrupting Carrion. "You misunderstand," he said solemnly. "She insists that she will neither allow herself to be killed, nor let the people suffer for her sake. She has asked me to assist her in this, and I have agreed."

"How?" Carrion said "The situation is as precarious and delicate as it could possibly be."

"How? I haven't the faintest clue," Ferdinand replied, his tone tinged with uncertainty. "But this girl, she has a knack for challenging my perception of reality. If she believes she can navigate this treacherous path, then I will support her to the best of my abilities."

Carrion wrestled with conflicting emotions, but he knew better than to question the resolve of a High Magister, let alone a fellow Arch Mage.

"Where do we begin?" Carrion inquired.

"We start by waking her up," Ferdinand said. "We need to find Alice Magrisal and Argo Lander."

-----

Argo sat on the porch, his gaze fixed on the rising sun in the early morning sky. The past few nights had been restless for him, as his sleep was plagued by an unsettling sensation. To distract himself from the strange feeling gnawing at the back of his head, he had taken to rising early and watching the sunrise.

Ever since his brother had departed, Argo had been feeling drained, more so than when Andromeda first arrived. It was as if something was tugging at him, pulling him in a direction he couldn't quite discern.

As the first rays of light painted the valley with their golden hues, Catherine emerged from the house and joined him outside, sensing his unease.

“Morning, dear. How are you feeling?" Catherine asked, her voice tinged with warmth and concern. A small yawn escaped her lips, disguised as a question.

"Same as usual, I guess. It's been a struggle to sleep," Argo replied, his tone matching hers. Catherine sat down beside him,

He tried to tell himself that it was just worry. Hearing that Andromeda was in trouble in any situation would probably make him lose sleep, but he was worried about the implication. He only felt this way when she was “absent”, and it sounded like that happened again. He worried that something more serious happened. Nico wouldn’t lie to him, so he knew that there was no deception. If the situation was concerning Arch Mages and the like, even Nico might not have the inside track.

He thought back to that day, the day King’s Grove Proper had its attack.

When he saw her, lost and confused, his first instinct was to make small talk. He knew that look of confusion well, and wanted to help her if he could. He was so caught up in his casual talk that he didn’t notice her about to fall over.

That day weighed heavy on him, even to this day. The pain he saw in her eyes for the hours following that, then the dead stare in them for days later. It was traumatic. But one thing that his mind just couldn’t wrap around was in those moments before the explosion. He remembered a bright white flash of light, then nothing… Before he woke up, he felt a peace wash over him. Something so deep and complex that words could not describe it. Time stopped having meaning, and everything seemed so distant. When reality came back to him, it felt as though he lost something. Even now, he didn’t know what he lost, but the harder he thought about it, the more he felt moved to tears.

Now she seemed to be in trouble again, and he was half a world away from being able to help. Though hearing about her at all was a blessing.

At that moment, the yard in front of them began warming and changing. The air and ground twisted and turned in a way that made no sense to their minds, and for a moment both thought they were going insane, then a sound that had the same feeling as how the air smelled after a thunderstorm rung out.

Before them, standing in the yard only a few feet away, was a humanoid being. One with the face of a fox, but the body of an (albeit fur covered) man. They were both two shocked to say anything of substance, and all Argo could do was say “H-Hey there?”

“Greetings, I am Arch Mage Carrion of Skysea Adalay, I am looking for a man named “Argo Lander”, is he here, and if so, may I speak to him?” Carrion said.

Argo stumbled over his words as he introduced himself to the tall figure before him. "I, uh... I mean, my name is Argo Lander, sir."

Carrion, the mysterious man who had appeared at Argo's doorstep, nodded solemnly. "Ah, I see, that's good. It is important that you come with me. Your presence was requested by Arch Mage Ferdinand."

"Wait a minute, hold on, are you sure you're not looking for my brother? His name is Nico Lander. He works in the capital." Argo said.

"No, I am familiar with Senior Arcanist Nico Lander," Carrion replied with a hint of impatience. "I am here specifically for you."

Argo exchanged a nervous glance with Catherine, his fellow apprentice. She looked just as puzzled as he did. "Umm, sir, can I ask what this is about?" Argo said.

"High Magister Ferdinand believes that you may be able to assist in a situation regarding Arch Mage White," Carrion said gravely.

Argo's heart skipped a beat. "Andromeda? Is she alright?" he exclaimed, unable to contain his concern.

"How do you know her real name?" Carrion questioned, his eyes narrowing at them both.

"Nico told us the other night, when we were told we were exempt from the tithe," Argo said. Carrion’s glance turned to concern, then annoyance.

“I’ll speak with him about this at a later time. But I am indeed here for you. I must ask that you come with me.” Carrion said.

“Wait, sir, I want to come. But I couldn’t leave my wife and child here alone. There isn’t anyone for a dozen miles. If anything happened to them…” Argo said.

“If it's all you need to agree. They can come as well, but know full well that the situation you enter into is less than safe for all involved.” Carrion said. He almost refused, but Catherine squeezed his hand.

“It's your call, just know that I’ll follow you to the ends of the world. Just say the word.” She said. Carrion waited silently for an answer, and Argo weighed the options. Then he realized, it wasn’t a question. When the image of her blue eyes, sitting under the shade of the faded blue hood, how they glowed just slightly in the dim light when she looked at him with a smile.

It wasn’t about a memory.

It was about seeing that light again.