Noa had led them to the entrance of the tunnels as soon as the sun rose. Or at least when she claimed the sun rose. The cloud-penetrating buildings made it difficult to tell when the sun had begun to rise or set. She had warned them of the loyalists' green hair, similar to the militia's red before she took her leave. As much as she supported their cause, she wasn't willing to risk her life to aid them.

When Noa had mentioned tunnels, Gwyneth pictured them to be something like the rocky stone tunnels of Aeceria, or maybe even the dirt ones of Losufea. No, these tunnels bore pale white walls lined with lamps the group had never seen the likes of before. Cetri noted how everything around them appeared comparable to the building she had entered the previous day.

The floor bore a dark blue carpet, muffling the sound of their footsteps. In fact, nothing could be heard save for the light breaths the group took. Something about being in eerily quiet places made Isla want to hold her own breath — something she tried for a couple of minutes before realizing how silly the idea was when her companions weren't doing the same.

At the end of the long hallway appeared a pair of white double doors. Elric opened it hesitantly, taking a few cautious steps forward. When the coast was clear, he beckoned the others in.

The room before them appeared to be another hallway; one much wider than the tunnel they had emerged from. This one bore dark blue walls, not unlike the many buildings they had passed throughout their time in Zetheria. The floors were made from similar concrete but sported a violet rug down the middle. It wasn't long before green hair spotted them.

The group made quick work of their opponents. They were nothing compared to the militia; their skills rusty from lack of use. Surely, they had thought of sparring with each other? What if the militia had tried a takeover? The more time they spent in Zetheria, the less things made sense.

"I don't understand... Why haven't the militia invaded yet?" Isla asked frowning.

"I think they have." Cetri pointed to a crack in the wall. Come to think of it, they had come across several broken pillars and what appeared to be remains of furniture. Had the kings' guards been successful in keeping them at bay after all? And how recent were these attacks? Surely repairs would have been made by now?

"We can ask the king later." Elric shook his head. He, like the rest of them, couldn't shake the feeling that something was very wrong.

Several rooms and flights of stairs later, they came across the people they least wanted to see.

The Fae.

Three of them, in fact. Unlike the tunics they wore in Losufea, their outfits were the same as the human guards. A mix of bright and dark green tunics with brown leather draped over. Brown leather boots and a helm completed the look. The three seemed taken aback by the perpetrators as if they weren't who they had expected.

"What are you doing here?" The middle one gawked, taking a step forward. "You're not with the militia."

Gwyneth was about to explain when Aston held his hand up, silencing her (figuratively). "I am Aston, the prophesized hero of old. I come to claim the life of your king so that our world may know peace," he spoke confidently. He was tired of being dragged around by the others, tired of Gwyneth speaking on his behalf. If he was the hero they were counting on, it was time for him to play the part.

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One of the Fae in the back chuckled while the other two remained unfazed.

"Caeva os si Ehat si gi end hyon avahusrong egeon." The middle one rolled his eyes.

"And just what crime has our king committed?" The Fae to the left crossed his arms.

The group stuttered, the phrasing throwing them off. They knew he was the evil the prophecy spoke of; the dark clouds and the state of Zetheria made that much obvious. But they still didn't have the full story.

Before Gwyneth could answer, Isla had a question of her own to ask. "You say your king. I know for a fact that all of the Fae worship their own king, their Titania."

"Or so they did," the middle one answered. "You're a half-breed, aren't you? You're not from Losufea. I suppose I can explain. Perhaps then you might see how foolish your endeavor is.

When Halcyone was first created, there was our king — our Titania. He was just a child at the time, not nearly old enough to rule. Thus, advisors from Sra Icd Wihcd were appointed. Only they — Titania and his advisors — were privy to the truth of our world. The ever-expanding truth. The advisors have long since passed, but before then, one specific advisor took to Zetheria centuries after it had fallen. Seeing an opportunity, he appointed us in his stead. We are to see to the Zetherian king's vision!"

A lance dipped in flame narrowly missed Aston's head as he dodged at the last second.

Elric quickly parried the next strike, pushing Aston out of harm's way in the process. When Aston recovered on his feet, another Fae was upon him. This one fired arrows, their tips possessing the same flames as the Fae's friend's lance. For a Fae to resonate with fire... These Fae truly did have differing views from the motherland.

Aston ducked under and launched himself at the Fae, tackling his opponent to the ground. While he may have expected the Fae to grab onto his forearm, he did not expect him to launch into flight, dragging Aston with in the process. Isla waited for an opening to shoot the Fae down. Once he landed on the ground with a loud thud, Aston shimmied his way out of the Fae's grip.

"I wouldn't try that again." Cetri clamped Aston's shoulder.

Aston rolled his eyes sliding Cetri's hand off his shoulder. He glanced over to where the third Fae was and watched as Gwyneth narrowly dodged each attack. Unlike his other two companions who fought with traditional Fae weapons, this one chose a Zetherian bat the militia were fond of. Aston wondered if they had picked it up after one of the militia's invasions.

As the fight drew on, Aston could see why the militia had been beaten. With their agile movements, it was difficult to land a hit. Isla, Elric, and Aston had to work together just to beat one down. Aston felt guilty when he realized Gwyneth's legs were covered in gnashes as she wasn't able to support herself on her own. He covered for her for the rest of their fight, with Cetri and Elric working together to take out the other Fae.

Aston had materialized Elric's sword, the sword he had become comfortable using. After trading several blows to no avail (the bat was covered in flame rather than the bizarre purple waves the others had been), he glanced over at Cetri and Elric who had nearly succeeded in their task.

A sudden epiphany washed over him: He was the prophesied hero, so wouldn't he be able to use light magic? He focused on casting a beam of light, just for it to fizzle out at the last second. That's something he would need to practice. Perhaps he'd have a chance before facing the king.

Instead, he relied on his traditional fire powers. This time, he focused on the flames enveloping him. As he had expected, when the Fae launched at him, he too was ensnared in those same flames.

"We should... Hurry..." Gwyneth panted before clenching her teeth, lips shut. While the cuts on her legs weren't deep enough that she would bleed to death, it still hurt more than anything she had endured before.

Before the group could react, another Fae along with human guards entered the hall. Aston cursed under his breath as he turned to his companions.

"Go!" Cetri ordered. "We'll hold them here!"

Elric nodded in approval and Isla gave a small grin, fear evident despite trying to remain strong. Perhaps this was the first time Elric truly had faith in him. The feeling only motivated Aston to succeed.

Aston turned to Gwyneth who had paled. Without thinking, he swept her up in his arms as he dashed past his companions to the next room.

He only hoped he would not have to defend the injured princess, or their fates would be sealed.