"I heard it's done?" Azerel asked.

"Yes, we did everything as you wanted," Kyros said.

"Oh? Well then, nice job done," Azerel praised as a smirk made its way to his visage.

"Well then, show me now, won't you?" Azerel said.

Kyros gritted his teeth, his hands balling into a fist. "...Follow me."

They were currently in a dark corridor, hidden from the sight of everyone. No one knew of the place except for Kyros, Azerel, and his guardian. The knights that helped with the project? They vanished.

As they proceeded deeper into the darkness, they eventually arrived in a large room. The walls were made of grey old bricks with moss growing on their surfaces, but what really made the structure stand out was the thing in the middle.

In the centre of the room was a large formation composed of multiple black crystals that emitted some form of dark aura that shrouded the room. However, that same energy seemed to gather in the middle.

"Wonderful," Azerel said as a large fanatic smile etched its way across his face.

"Then my payment? The power you promised?" Kyros asked.

"Patience, Thaesir leader. You'll have it at the right time," Azerel said.

"What are you saying? You promised," Kyros said, rage slowly boiling in his blood.

"Oh, I did, and I'm saying it's not time yet," Azerel said as he turned around to leave.

"Then when is the time?!" Kyros roared.

"Soon," Azerel said as he left.

***

The days within the academy were swift. Days would pass by like the wind, changing as time went on. Before Samael's eyes, what seemed like minutes were hours turning to weeks.

Within that time, he and Lilith spent a lot of time together. They went on picnics, fought abominations, trained together, and told each other stories of their ventures.

For once, Samael felt at peace and happy. He was content. Yet, the thought of leaving would often keep him awake at night, and as it looms closer, the more it bothers him.

He and Ajax have received news that Icarius is to return soon. It is estimated that he will arrive some time in the next four days, along with the new saint of Tera. This news brought excitement for the people of the sanctuary but pain for the two.

News of Samael's leave had also circulated around, reaching the ears of the Thaesir heirs, who found it the most pleasing news in a while. On the other hand, the other Nightwalkers felt dismay and sadness for his soon departure. Not only that, but his leave aligned with the start of their rounds.

Rounds was a part of the academy's curriculum where the students will undergo monster subjugation, city patrol, and public service for the next two months before they enter their next semester.

Samael sat down as he wiped off the sweat from his forehead. Today marked the end of his training with Michael. The sky had already turned golden in colour, and the wind had gotten colder. Night was soon to come.

"Good work today, everyone. You guys rest for a while; the rounding is soon to commence, and trust me, you'll need all your strength for that," Michael said as he went back to Hallstone.

The rounding event was a collaborative project where all the families would help each other maintain peace. Unfortunately, the rivalry between the groups often ends in disputes, which Michael finds very tiring. Especially with him taking most of the talented individuals, they were surely to push their anger at the students.

In preparation for this joint training, all of the Nightwalkers students are training twice as hard. They didn't want to be looked down upon by the nobles, and with Samael's leave, they're more vulnerable.

Samael silently watched the students go inside the hallstone one by one as he stayed there for a couple more minutes, absorbing the cold night air as Lilith sat beside him.

"Hey," she said as she hesitantly held Samael's hand. Noticing this, Samael tightened his hold on hers.

"Hey," Samael replied.

"I heard Icarius will return soon," Lilith mentioned as she stared at her feet.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Samael remained silent for a while. "...Yes."

"I see," Lilith said as she disturbed the earth with her feet. "When?" she asked.

"In four days," Samael answered.

"Oh," Lilith muttered.

Samael shot a silent glance at Lilith. "I heard your grandmother will arrive with Timeus," he said, swiftly turning the topic to another.

"She is?" Lilith asked. "How come I didn't know?"

"Well, you've been working hard lately," Samael said as he chuckled.

"Oh, you mean busy being teased by you?" She asked as she pinched the boy. Samael recoiled as the two erupted in laughter.

"I wish we could just stay like this," Lilith said.

Samael fell silent as she led the girl's head towards his shoulder. "Me too, me too..."

As the moon climbed higher and higher in the sky, what remained within the darkness of the night were two silhouettes sitting close to each other, bathing in the serene glow of the moon.

When the morning of the fourth day arrived, Samael was up early to prepare for their departure. As he went down the stairs of the hallstone, Samael remembered all the memories of this place. After all, this was the only place he could call home. A place where he belonged. A place of safety and peace. But the world is a harsh place, and he must face reality.

As he went down the stairs, Samael's eyes widened as he saw Lilith waiting for him.

"Hey," she said, a soft smile planted on her lips. "Shall we go? Ajax is waiting outside."

Samael released a small smile as he went with the flow. As they exited the place, Samael took one last look before leaving.

As Lilith said, Ajax stood beside a carriage with his arms crossed. Like before, he now wore an armour that resembled the one he wore before, albeit slightly better in the eyes.

Upon seeing Samael, the man nodded as he went into the carriage. Timeus was currently waiting in a tavern called Shrine Maiden along with Lilith's grandmother.

Along the way, Samael watched the bustling streets and the people running about their daily lives. The reason they were this lively was because of the recent announcement of their new permanent saint, meaning another celebration was in order. But they won't be there to see it, as they are to leave once they regroup.

As they arrived at the tavern, the three went in and were greeted by another lively crowd of commoners meddling about.

"Here!" Icarius shouted, attracting Ajax's attention as they made their way across.

"Lilith!" Aphemis shouted as her face beamed.

"Grandmother!" Lilith returned as she hurried over and greeted the woman with a big hug.

Meanwhile, Icarius simply laughed as he waved. "Boys! How have you been? Come on, sit down!"

Soon, a waitress came by as she delivered two beverages and some snacks to nibble on.

"By the way, this is Cole, the new saint of Tera," Icarius said as he pointed to the man sitting next to him. He had brown hair and greyish eyes, and he had a rather warm aura around him. It was a rather ironic thing considering the amount of bloodshed he must have witnessed.

"Nice to meet you," Cole said as he shook both Ajax and Samael's hands.

"So what now?" Ajax asked.

"Geez, can't you let me finish my drink first? I just got here!" Icarius said as he chugged the entire pint in one breath. "Oh, that hits the spot!"

Seeing everyone's expressions, he cleared his throat. "To answer your question, I'll have to explain a few things," he said as he shot a look at Aphemis and Cole.

The woman rolled her eyes as they moved to another table to catch up. As she left, Timeus snapped his fingers as a veil of lightning covered their spot.

"Much better," Icarius said. "First, before I go and tell you the details, you must promise to never tell anyone what you hear today."

The two nodded as they leaned closer.

"As you know, the church is onto something, and because of their recent actions, the high table has begun to move. Right now, we're preparing to fight them—not just some duel, but for a war this world has yet to see," Icarius said. "Unfortunately, the high table is outnumbered by the Cardinals, which means we're at a disadvantage. But with some persuasion, I've managed to convince them to hire the two of you for the fight."

"What?!" Samael asked in disbelief.

"I know, I know. But what choice do we have? Aside from you two, there's no one else who has as much potential for growth," Icarius said.

Samael released a heavy sigh as he leaned back. Yet another trouble in their place.

"We haven't even finished the sanctuary tasks, and now you're putting us in this?" Samael asked.

"Oh, about that, the mission has been updated," Timeus said.

"Elaborate," Ajax said.

"As you know, we've currently covered Tera and Erudicio. The only remaining sanctuaries are Parnasus, Oros, Erdun, Servan, and Osmo. However, the high table has agreed on a joint training; therefore, you'll only visit Servan, Oros, and Erdun," Icarius said.

"How about Parnasus and Osmo?" Samael asked.

"Parnasus will be handled by me while Osmo by Aphemis," Icarius said.

"You're moving personally?" Samael asked, his brows raised.

"I'm not that lazy," Icarius said, earning the sceptical gazes of the two. Clearing his throat, he resumed. "As I was saying, you'll visit those three sanctuaries, and you shall be guided by the high table leaders in the ways of combat."

Samael's brows raised even higher. Having the leaders of the high table themselves train him and Ajax? This was the opportunity of a lifetime!

"Which sanctuary will we go to first?" Ajax asked.

"Well, that would be... Servan, the frontlines," Icarius said. "Ishkar, a fine warrior who is debatably the strongest physically amongst us, will teach you the way of combat and war."

"Then?" Ajax asked.

"Next will be Erdun, the city of arms where the best blacksmith to ever exist stays. There you will hone your weapon proficiency, and you will also be taught by Mendez, an assassin, in the way of killing," Icarius said. "The last will be Oros, humanity's final sanctuary hidden deep within the mountains, where my dear friend Nova will guide you in elemental proficiency."

"Won't it take too long?" Samael asked.

"Well, your time period is one year, no more, no less," Icarius said.

"A year? I haven't event reached saint rank, and we're talking about fighting Cardinals who are ranked at possibly deity level!" Samael said.

"I know, but we're running out of options. From the beginning, this was never a fair fight," Icarius said, his visage solemn. "You might undoubtedly die in the line of action, but if we don't move, millions more will suffer."

Samael and Ajax fell silent.

"Not only that, but a god supports them. Who's to say what's stopping Taranius from intervening himself?" Icarius said. "So in the end, the question remains."

"Are you in or not?"

Ajax and Samael exchanged glances. From the moment Samael took up a blade, he knew his life would be full of bloodshed and danger. So the answer was obvious.

"Of course we're in."