Ayo awakened with a start, her mind foggy and her body pulsing with a strange energy. She slowly lifted herself off the ground, wincing as she felt a dull ache in her muscles. Her skin still radiated a soft glow, the remnants of the light show that had captivated her attention. She stared at her hands in wonder, flexing her fingers and watching as the ethereal illumination danced across her palms before fading into a light shimmer.

Blinking away the haze, Ayo's gaze shifted to the ongoing battle before her. Mairo and Wole were locked in combat with the constructs, wielding bright weapons that hurt to look at for too long.

But something was different. The number of constructs had multiplied; the big one had tripled and the smaller machines had increased by several factors of ten. A sense of urgency welled up within Ayo as she realised she needed to join the fight.

However, as she moved forward, a glint of light caught her attention. Vibrant system notifications appeared in front of her, demanding her immediate focus. She quickly glanced at the ongoing fight and was relieved to see that the boys were managing well on their own. Satisfied that they weren't going to be murdered while she was distracted, she tapped one of the prompts open.

[Rank up successful! Congratulations on ascending to the rank of Sigil! Your essence pool, base strengths, reflexes, and Arts have all been strengthened for achieving this feat.]

[ALERT! For completing the Sigil rank secret quest, you have unlocked and received the soulblade: Nightshroud. Simply say "Soulblade Awaken" along with the name of your weapon to summon it. Please note that this soulblade is unique and will remain with you permanently after the first summoning, but in a passive state. You may also use the phrase "Soulblade Release" followed by its ultimate art's name to unleash its full power, but use caution as it requires a significant amount of essence.]

[Oh and Ayo, you can figure out what your soulblade's ultimate art is by looking at its construct in your soulspace. I don't believe I'm cheating by telling you this. Good luck - The Mediator]

Ayo's heart raced with excitement as she read the notifications. This was what she had wanted, coming here. This was the strength she had craved. Sure, she was only Sigil, two steps away from the ultimate powers of this world but the essence surging through her veins was intoxicating and filled her with a newfound confidence.

Without hesitation, Ayo recited the words instructed by the system. "Soulblade Awaken... Nightshroud."

And as the words left her lips, a surge of power coursed through Ayo's body as her soulblade bloomed around her. Nightshroud was unlike any weapon she had ever seen, this fusion of elegance and darkness.

It was a gown, a white and dark blue frilly thing with fabric that floated on a phantom wind. The shoulders were bare, revealing Ayo's smooth skin, while intricate moon and spider motifs marched across the surface of the gown. The very sight of it filled her with delight and anticipation.

But there was more to Nightshroud than met the eye. As Ayo reached out to the gown, activating its power, she felt something happen. More of the dark blue fabric emerged from the gown and floated around her, like silken servants and a tingling sensation enveloped her body as she left the ground. Ayo could barely suppress a scream; I can fly!

With a surge of excitement, she propelled herself into the air, her body effortlessly defying gravity. The sensation was exhilarating, as if she had become one with the wind itself. The threads of cloth that surrounded her swept past and out, acting like wings and guiding her through the open expanse of the battlefield.

From her newfound vantage point, Ayo could see the battle unfolding beneath her. The constructs were no match for the true combined strength of Mairo and Wole, but there were still too many for them to handle alone. They needed help.

Concentrating on the many streamers of cloth encasing her, Ayo willed them to stretch and expand. In response, they grew stronger and thicker, forming a protective cocoon around her body. The fabric hummed with power as it absorbed energy from her essence pool, ready to be unleashed.

Ayo's eyes gleamed with determination as she surveyed the battlefield below. She spotted a group of smaller constructs closing in on Mairo and Wole, their glowing forms filled with malice. Without a moment's hesitation, she commanded her fabric wings to swoop down like a diving hawk.

With all the grace of a dancer, Ayo descended upon the unsuspecting constructs. Her fabric slashed through the air like a hammer of judgment, decimating one of the big constructs and making quick work of a few smaller ones. Power surged through her veins, empowering her strikes with an otherworldly ferocity.

The battlefield erupted in chaos as the constructs turned their attention to the airborne threat. But Ayo was not deterred. She twisted and spun, her fabric wings twirling around her like a cyclone. With each movement, they weaved intricate patterns in the air as more and more threads of cloth were summoned and launched forward to ensnare the machines.

As the constructs struggled to break free from her bindings, Mairo and Wole took advantage of the chaos caused by Ayo's aerial assault. The former pulled back on the string of his bow, the golden soulblade shining, and a blinding light gathered in a ball around the weapon.

"Soulblade Release," he called. "Radiant Barrage."

At once a storm of arrows erupted from the bow, transforming into searing beams of energy that streaked through the air with pinpoint precision.

The constructs in their path fell into formation, attempting to weather the attack, but their defences quickly proved to be no match. The beams pierced through their bodies, disintegrating them into particles of light that scattered across the battlefield. The sheer force of Mairo's attack created a brilliant spectacle, painting the room with trails of shimmering luminescence.

Wole was quick to follow with his Tidereaver spear's soulblade release, Abyssal Tempest. The spear transformed into a deep black vortex of swirling water, crackling with electrical energy. As Wole spun it in a mesmerising display of skill, the vortex expanded, drawing in the constructs like a powerful magnet. The air crackled with energy as the constructs were pulled into the raging maelstrom, their metallic bodies reduced to splinters by the destructive force.

Together, the trio fought like they were one, their movements synchronised and fluid. Ayo's fabric wings danced with elegance and grace, snaring the constructs in a web of cloth that left them helpless and open to Mairo's radiant arrows which rained down upon the battlefield, obliterating anything unfortunate enough to encounter them. And Wole's Abyssal Tempest snatched up and consumed the remaining constructs, leaving only chaos in its wake.

Soon, the once-threatening army of constructs was reduced to smouldering debris and scattered shards of metal. As the last of the constructs fell to the ground, battered and broken, silence settled upon the battlefield. The trio looked at each other in amazement, chests heaving, their bodies tingling with residual energy. Then, Ayo slowly descended from her aerial perch, the threads of cloth surrounding her dissipating into thin air.

"Well," she said as soon as her feet touched the ground. "That happened."

Mairo and Wole let out twin chuckles and rushed to her side, eyes filled with warmth and relief. And then, without a second thought, arms were extended and she was crushed in a tight embrace.

For a moment they stood there, just feeling one other, the weight of their triumph and the magnitude of what they had just accomplished sinking in. The Core room was completely unrecognisable, reduced to a battlefield strewn with the remnants of their enemies but at that moment, Ayo found it incredibly hard to care.

Then, finally releasing each other, Mairo smiled at Ayo, his eyes bright with admiration. "That was an incredible display of magic," he said. "You saved us."

Ayo blushed, ducking her head but was nevertheless pleased by his words. She had been incredible, hadn't she? It was odd reconciling this new warrior with the pathetic girl she'd known all her life but… this really was who she was now. It made her both happy and sad.

"Thank you," she replied softly. "But we did it as a team. I never could have done any of it without the both of you."

Wole merely hummed, his face buried in her hair. "You shouldn't sell yourself short. You did good. We all did."

Ayo's heart swelled at the praise and annoyingly, tears sprang to her eyes. It felt good to have this. Being accepted, finding a place where she truly belonged, how many sleepless nights had she spent hoping desperately for this? And now, here she was standing in the midst of two incredible warriors and safe in the knowledge that she was wanted. The physical thing she could feel extending from her chest to them sparked with pleasure, a warm current of energy that pulsed with every beat of her heart.

"Hmm," she slurred. "That feels nice." Ayo hesitated, then raised her head to look at the two men. "It's not just me right? You guys feel it too? This bond that connects us?"

And they did. Ayo could tell from the surprise that flashed across their faces. The guarded wariness in the way they paused and exchanged a coded look.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

But before they could do more than open their mouths, however, the ceiling above them cracked open with a thunderous roar. Startled, the trio instinctively leapt apart as a group of people descended from the broken ceiling into the Core room.

The newcomers landed with astonishing grace, their movements fluid and precise. Ayo blinked, frowning as she took in their appearance. There were three of them and they were dressed in flowing crimson robes, emblazoned with the intricate crest of a great gold tree with roots that extended outward, intertwining with each other.

"House Redwood," snarled Wole and her heart skipped a beat. The distinct pressure emanating from them told her that all three of the newcomers were Sigils and an instinct born from their postures whispered that this trio meant them harm.

The intruders regarded them coolly for a moment before one of their numbers stepped forward. She was a tall woman with skin so pale she was chalk white and fiery red hair that cascaded down her back in thick dreadlocks. Her crimson eyes gleamed with dark interest as she stepped forward, a malicious smile curling her lips.

"Well, well, if it isn't the Brothers Divine: The Kinslayer and the Breath Stealer," she began, her voice dripping with venomous amusement. "I've seen your pictures and read all the stories about you, of course... but to meet the legends themselves in person..." The woman's words resonated with a mocking familiarity that sent shivers down Ayo's spine.

Mairo paused, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. The arrival of House Redwood had shifted the dynamic of the Core room, and Ayo could sense the tension radiating from him. She moved closer to him, her body instinctively seeking the protection and strength he exuded.

"You have us at a disadvantage. You know who we are, but we don't know you," Mairo said, his voice steady but tinged with caution.

The woman chuckled darkly, then spread her arms in a grand gesture. "Oh, how rude of me. I do apologise for not introducing ourselves," she said, exaggerated politeness dripping from her words. "I am Folarin and these are my companions, Diallo and Iman. We are Inner Disciples of House Redwood. We were originally part of this little… expedition to your city when we decided to go off on our own and see what more it could offer."

"Expedition," repeated Wole flatly. "Is that what a warband is called these days?"

Folarin's eyes flashed with anger at Wole's comment, but she quickly regained her composure, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Oh, dear Oluwole. You misunderstand our intentions. We didn't come here seeking a fight. Quite the opposite in fact. We came for something much more... precious."

Ayo's frown grew some more as Folarin's words hung in the air and she glanced at Mairo, searching for answers in his guarded expression. There was something about House Redwood and their true intentions that he understood, something Ayo was currently blind to.

"You can't have the City's Core. Not after we just repaired it."

"Yes… you did. That was a rather unexpected occurrence." Her gaze flashed to Ayo once more. "It wouldn't have anything to do with this one, would it?"

A sliver of ice pierced into Ayo as Folarin's accusing eyes settled on her. Sweat trickled down the nape of her neck, and she felt a pang of fear. Did this predator know what she was? Could she possibly guess that she was Starborn? However, before she could descend into full-blown panic, Mairo stepped forward, his voice filled with authority.

"It would seem that you have no valid reason for being here. Begone at once. You won't be laying a finger on her or the Core."

Folarin laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the Core Room. "Oh, isn't that sweet? The Elders did say you were known for your chivalry." Her smile only grew larger as she said the following words: "Soulblade Awaken: Painseeker." and a long, thorned whip curled into existence in her hand.

"It's been a while since a fight was anything but boring," said Folarin breathlessly. "I do hope House Whiterose can live up to its reputation."

Mairo's muscles tensed, his hand instinctively reaching for the string of his bow. Ayo could feel the power emanating from him, a mix of determination and protectiveness that made her feel both safe and vulnerable all at once. Wole, on the other hand, seemed to embrace the imminent battle with a sense of grim excitement, his body coiled like a tightly wound spring.

The air crackled with anticipation, tension mounting as the standoff between House Whiterose and House Redwood reached its peak. Ayo's heart pounded in her chest, her palms slick with sweat as she watched the dance of power unfold before her and prepared to buy the boys enough time to act.

Folarin cracked her whip through the air with a resounding snap, sending sparks flying from its thorns. The sound echoed off the stone walls, reverberating deep within Ayo's bones. Diallo and Iman, flanking their leader, remained silent but their eyes burned with an intensity that sent shivers down Ayo's spine. Those two were an unknown danger but were sure to be a force to be reckoned with.

Then it happened. The duelling cultivators only had enough time to move, to begin to lift their soulblades, before the world broke like glass and pressure like an anvil smashed into them.

Instantly, they were on the ground, flattened like fried eggs. It was a power unlike anything Ayo had ever experienced before and she felt her bones creak under its weight. It was royalty distilled into intent, majesty loosed from its leashes. This was a force that demanded all other things bend to it, to submit now or be broken forever and Ayo and the others were powerless before its might.

There would be no resisting this, no fighting against this terrible force. It wanted them down and out and so they would be. Their only saving grace was that the pressure didn't discriminate, Folarin and her crew were also laid flat on the ground.

Ayo gasped for breath as the weight pressed down on her chest. The air felt dense and suffocating, as if something unseen was crushing her very soul. She struggled to lift her head, her vision blurred and swimming with disorientation. That was when, through the haze, she saw the older redheaded woman standing before her, bleeding from a slash on her shoulder and holding a red sword. It gleamed with an otherworldly intensity and dripped a nasty-looking liquid. Undoubtedly a soulblade.

Across from the woman was Elder Oneshi, his expression stoic yet determined. In his gnarled hand, he held a wooden staff of woven vines that seemed to crackle with energy. Ayo didn't bother to repress the shudder that went through her when she realised that the pressure she felt was coming from this duo—predominantly from their Elder.

As she tried to make sense of the situation, she noticed Folarin squirming on the ground, her whip fallen from her grasp. Diallo and Iman were also writhing in pain, their bodies contorted and helpless under the weight of Elder Oneshi's power. The pressure emanating from him was unfathomable, a force that seemed to defy the laws of nature. Ayo could feel her own energy being drained, her muscles weakening, as if every breath required a tremendous effort.

The older woman, still in control of her body, let out a guttural growl. Her eyes burned with defiance as she fought against the overwhelming power crushing her and her allies. She struggled to rise, determination etched on her face and with a surge of will, managed to take a single step forward, gritting her teeth against the pain coursing through her.

"This is your last chance to leave, Lady Saada," Elder Oneshi's voice lanced through the room, cold and unwavering. "I will not tolerate your presence in my city any longer."

Lady Saada's lips curled into a defiant smirk. "You think you can break us that easily?" she said, her voice laced with venom. "We've endured far worse than this feeble attempt at domination."

“Have you?” asked Elder Oneshi, eyebrows rising and the pressure intensified, the air crackling with an electric charge. The glyphs etched on the walls trembled beneath the weight of the opposing forces, their failing magic threatening to tear reality asunder. Ayo watched in awe and terror as the room itself seemed to warp and twist, caught in the vortex of power unleashed by these two formidable foes.

Then, the Elder's eyes narrowed, his grip on the staff tightening. With a swift motion, he thrust it forward, sending a blast of energy hurtling towards Lady Saada. She barely had time to react before the green explosion plucked her from the earth and launched her backwards.

The Redwood woman crashed against a stone pillar, the impact causing cracks to spiderweb across its surface and groaned in pain, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth.

"You will leave because I commanded it," said Elder Oneshi simply and suddenly Ayo understood. Lady Saada had to be the Icon and head of the force attacking their city. And hadn't someone mentioned something about the fiends being the work of one particularly gifted Redwood cultivator? Saada must be her. And yet, Elder Oneshi was overpowering the woman, easily, which could only mean one thing.

Elder Oneshi was a Legend.

The woman groaned and staggered to her feet, defiance in her blood-red eyes. But she nodded, once, and the pressure lifted, like it had never been. Suddenly Ayo could move again, could breathe again and she crawled to the boys with a groan.

"So, a Whiterose Legend survived the purge," said Saada sourly. "No matter. Our Queen will dispose of you like she did the others."

Elder Oneshi's expression remained calm, his expression grave yet resolute. His white robes billowed around him, as if a phantom wind stirred within the room. Then he exhaled slowly, his breath carrying a hint of weariness. "There will be none of that now. I am sparing your life, child because enough blood has been spilled today. Collect your disciples and foul fiends and leave this place at once. In exchange, you are to deliver a simple message to the archipelago. Tell them that The Garden-That-Walks is abroad once more. Tell them that a Legend has returned to the world. Tell them… that the White Rose blooms again and the Redwood will soon return to the shadows where it belongs," he said, his voice steady and unwavering.

Lady Saada's eyes widened but in a remarkable show of wisdom, she remained silent. Merely giving a begrudging nod, she bowed her head and muttered a single word of agreement. Then, in an instant, she invoked her teleportation technique, and the room was consumed by a blinding flash of light. When the illumination faded, Lady Saada and her disciples were gone, leaving behind only an eerie silence that hung in the air.

Elder Oneshi let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping with the weight of the encounter and the pressure disappeared again, folded up like a scroll. He turned to face Ayo and the boys, his expression contrite. "I apologise for the spiritual pressure you all endured," he said, his voice filled with genuine regret. "There was no time to get you three out of range."

Ayo winced as she struggled to her feet, rubbing her sore muscles. The power that had coursed through her veins mere moments ago was now dissipating, leaving behind a lingering ache. "It's... alright," she managed to mutter. "We... we can handle it."

But before she could protest further, Elder Oneshi raised his staff high into the air and chanted a single phrase. The staff glowed with a brilliant, pulsating light, and a surge of energy enveloped the room. It was as if time itself had slowed, then reversed and Ayo could feel the warmth of healing magic wash over her, soothing her pained body. She watched in awe as cuts and bruises vanished, replaced by unblemished skin and renewed vitality.

As Elder Oneshi completed the incantation, he lowered his staff, the glow fading along with it. A gentle smile played on his lips, and Ayo could see a genuine warmth in his eyes. "Soulblade Release: Life's Embrace," he whispered softly, his voice carrying the weight of ancient wisdom. "You have done a great service to House Whiterose, my children. The entirety of An Solidan is forever in your debt.."

Ayo and the boys exchanged glances, then bowed back. "It was an honour."

"The honour is mine. But our work is far from over," Elder Oneshi continued, his eyes cloudy with concern. "Lady Saada's force may have been defeated, but the Redwoods came here for a reason. Also, now that they have witnessed our restoration, we must expect reprisal attacks anytime soon."

Mairo nodded. "Of course. What do you need from us?"

"I would not ask for much, gods willing. If the Father is kind then a situation like this will not arise again. But first, please tell me how everything went. I'm afraid we will need all possible information if we are to deal with House Redwood efficiently."

The three shared glances before obediently accompanying the Elder back to the city. Ayo took a deep breath before beginning her story and it took till noon had come and given way again to evening by the time they were done.

“So, what now?” Ayo asked, a nervous hand running through the frills of Nightshroud.

“Now? Now we begin,” replied Elder Oneshi thoughtfully. “Remind me again Ayo, where exactly you said you rediscovered our dragons.”