Deep within the tangled passages of the Placid Cave, two figures moved across the shadows. The faint sound of dripping water was the only background to the echo of their steps.

Awa, the Sword Demon, a feared and respected leader among the Cultists, walked with purpose.

His daughter, Lilinoe, followed close behind.

Her eyes darted warily from side to side as they navigated the twisting corridors.

“Father, is this safe?”

“We haven’t chosen the path of Abyssal Magic, but our charms will signal the creatures we’re not enemies.”

Lilinoe looked at the throbbing masses of snakes hibernating—complex symbols were inscribed on every surface of the nest.

Most snakes’ bodies occasionally throbbed, shedding skin and showing protuberances of limbs.

Awa’s face was grim as he regarded the experiment they had run for the past two years. His hand rested casually on the hilt of his cursed sword as his long hair swayed slightly because of his overwhelming aura.

Lilinoe, in contrast, moved with grace because of her graceful and slender figure.

Her eyes were green like her brother’s.

As they reached a wider chamber, Awa paused, turning to face his daughter.

“The time is drawing near,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “Our informants tell me that Iakopo’s ship will arrive soon, bringing a fresh crop of naive students.”

Lilinoe’s lips curled into a sneer.

“Including your precious son, I suppose,” she spat, unable to keep the bitterness from her voice.

Awa’s expression hardened, his eyes flashing dangerously.

“Takai is not my son,” he said curtly. “I’ve told you before, Lilinoe. You are my only child. The only one worthy of carrying on my legacy. Do you understand?”

The young woman’s posture relaxed slightly at her father’s words, but a hint of doubt still lingered in her eyes.

“Why not just eliminate him and be done with it?”

Awa sighed, running a hand through his graying hair.

“Because, my dear, Takai may prove useful to our cause. His connection to me, however tenuous, could be exploited. And if nothing else, he might be used against the Water Riders. Kaimana himself took him under his wing, apparently.”

Lilinoe scoffed, touching the dark blade that rested by her side, similar to her father’s.

“The Water Riders are weak. They’re no match for us.”

A cold smile spread across Awa’s face.

“You’re not wrong, my child. But we must never underestimate our enemies—especially Iakopo. Overconfidence has been the downfall of many who thought themselves invincible.”

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As they continued their journey through the cave, the conversation turned to more pressing matters.

“What news of Iakopo?” Lilinoe asked, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of anticipation.

Awa’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of satisfaction and dark amusement.

“Our plans are proceeding as expected. The seeds of doubt we’ve planted are beginning to take root. It won’t be long before Iakopo’s own actions bring about his downfall.”

“And the Academy with him?” Lilinoe asked.

Her father nodded slowly.

“In time, yes. But we must be patient. We can’t act until Iakopo’s been dispatched. But I confide he’ll be repeating the mistakes of the Placid City Catastrophe twenty years ago.”

The Placid City Catastrophe had been a turning point, a failed attempt at overthrowing the established order that had resulted in devastating losses for both sides.

As they rounded a corner, they encountered another figure waiting for them.

Apikalia, Lilinoe’s closest friend and fellow young Cultist, stood with her back against the cave wall. She was the most talented caster in Lilinoe’s generation. She had been selected to accompany her and gather experience on this critical mission.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Apikalia said, pushing herself off the wall and stepping beside them. “The preparations are nearly complete. We’ll be ready to receive our guests...”

Awa nodded approvingly.

“Excellent work, Apikalia. Have you identified any potential recruits among the incoming students?”

The young woman’s lips curled into a predatory smile.

“Several, actually. There’s always a few in each batch who are dissatisfied with the Academy and who yearn for something more.”

Lilinoe chuckled darkly.

“And if they refuse to see reason?”

“Then they become examples,” Apikalia replied without hesitation. “A demonstration of the consequences of being on the wrong side.”

As they reached a vast underground chamber, Awa held up a hand, signaling for silence.

The cavern was dominated by a large, eerily still pool of water around an elevated rocky platform.

“Our showdown will be here,” Awa announced proudly, looking at the water below and feeling the immense power of the creature residing there.

The phosphorescent fungi that lined the walls cast a ghostly light across the water, making Lilinoe and Apikalia, much weaker than the Sword Demon, quite nervous.

They knew the strongest monster they had bred was down there, and both feared their charms wouldn’t work on it.

Awa approached the pool’s edge, his eyes fixed on its dark depths.

For a long moment, nothing happened.

Then, slowly, almost imperceptibly at first, the water’s surface began to ripple.

“Even if Iakopo were to reach here,” Awa smiled to himself, “he’d be neutralized.”

Then, the Sword Demon frowned.

I hope this will show Him I’m ready for anything—I’ll be removing his greatest foe, Awa thought.

Miles away, unaware of the sinister forces gathering in the depths of the Placid Cave, the Siren’s Song approached Placid City, carrying its cargo of students toward their destination.

On the deck, Takai stood at the railing, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the first hints of land began appearing.

Beside him, Fiora leaned against the railing.

“Can you believe this is our first mission?” Takai asked.

Fiora shook his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Honestly? No. It still feels a bit like a dream.”

As they watched, the distant shoreline slowly emerged, revealing Placid City, named for the unusually calm waters surrounding it.

From this distance, it looked idyllic – a picturesque coastal town nestled between grassy hills and bushy beaches.

“It’s beautiful,” Fiora said, her eyes wide as she took in the sight. “I thought this would more like Solara.”

Takai nodded in agreement, but there was a slight furrow to his brow.

As the Siren’s Song drew closer to the harbor, the activity on deck increased since everyone was preparing to disembark.

Professor Iakopo’s voice suddenly cut through the noise.

“Alright, listen up! Change of plans! There’s an unusual gathering of monsters on a beach close-by! We’re going to go help the local guards deal with them! Remember, this isn’t a vacation! You’re here to prove yourselves worthy of being Water Riders! Stay alert, follow instructions, and for the love of the Deep, try not to embarrass yourselves or the Academy!”