Talasin and Garnet stepped out of the sewers and into a ghost town. The buildings were all empty, the streets deserted. A few lanterns hung over doorways, but most of them had burned out or been smashed in as the villages had fled to the cathedral.

A cold breeze blew down the street and Talasin shivered, goosebumps rising on his skin. He wrapped his cloak tighter around himself.

The pale moon light shone through broken windows and crumbling walls. It cast the town in shades of gray, making it seem even more lifeless than normal.

"It's peaceful," Talasin breathed.

"Like a graveyard," Garnet agreed.

There were no demons in sight, just the occasional rat scurrying away at their approach.

"Where are they?" Talasin asked as he peered behind an abandoned lumber mill. "I don't see anything."

Garnet stared about her, then shrugged. "I'm just glad most of the village evacuated in time."

Or maybe they were taken by the demons, to feed an army on the march.

He didn't speak his thoughts, there was no point in frightening Garnet. The truth was he didn't believe her family had survived the fall of K'rith Vatali, but he knew that hope was a powerful motivator, he couldn't take that from her.

“We need to keep moving,” he said, taking the lead. His body still ached but he forced the pain aside and kept moving.

They walked through the town quickly, keeping to the shadows and looking for any sign of movement amongst the buildings.

They came a few bodies littering an empty back alley, their bodies sprouting red feathered arrows.

"Sethi," Talasin hissed.

Garnet touched his arm reassuringly, "We should find the horses," she said, "We don't have time to discover what's going on."

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They reached the stable at the North gate and found two horses saddled and ready to go. One was a gray stallion, the other a brown mare.

Talasin swore as he climbed onto the stallion, refusing Garnets help, and then he fasted the pack on the back of the horse.

She shook her head, annoyed at his stubbornness, and then she hopped onto her own horse with a well practiced motion.

"Which way?" asked Talasin as the horses stepped out of the stable and into the main road.

Garnet pointed down the road towards the moon, "That's east," she said. "Astraeus is south-east of Kadrak."

"We're not going to Astraeus anymore," he said.

Garnet swung in her saddle to face him, "Why not? That's where the Archon was sending the delegation?"

Talasin glanced about, "Exactly, the demon's will be watching that path. No, we are heading to Westwind."

"The monastery?"

"Exactly," said Talasin. "There's something I need from the brothers."

"That's a two-day ride in the wrong direction."

He gave her a hard look, "There's something going on here, something we are missing. Right now, the best move we can make is the one they least expect."

Garnet sighed, "Ok, so what's at this monastery?"

"A little brotherhood of monks," he said. "And the Tower of Mysteries."

Garnet stared at him, "Are you crazy?" She asked. "You're still an apprentice, there's no way the brothers will let you into that tower."

"Probably not," said Talasin. "But that's not going to stop me from trying."

He nudged his horse into motion and winced as it sped up to a canter.

Eventually, I am going to come up against something I can't run away from. When that happens, I want to be able to fight.

"What if they try to kill you?" Garnet asked as she sped up her horse and came up beside him.

"Then I am dead anyway," he said as he flicked the reins and sped up.

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It wasn't until sunrise when they reached the crest of a low hill that Talasin stopped his horse and turned back to look down at the village of Kadrak that lay in the valley below them.

From his vantage point, he could make out that the village was on fire. He looked back at Garnet, who sat silently staring at the flames.

"What are you thinking?" she whispered.

"This doesn't feel right," he said quietly. "How do demons and Sethi travel through our lands unnoticed and unhindered."

"You believe they had inside help?"

He shrugged, "I don't know what I believe anymore." He turned his face away from the burning village. "Let's get moving then," he said, urging his horse down the slope.

They traveled for sometime until Garnet eased onto her reigns. “We should stop for the night,” she said as he lopped back to see why she’d stopped.

He looked back at the village far in the distance and then looked at the mountains up ahead. He knew they should keep going, but his body was aching, and he didn't know how much more he could take.

“The horses need their rest,” Garnet said, slipping off the side of the horse and landing on her feet.

Talasin knew she was actually offering him a chance to rest. The horses were still fresh, they could have gone for miles still.

“You're right,” he said as he painfully dismounted.

Garnet steadied him as he landed on his feet.

They led the horses into a small copse of trees beside the road and set up camp.

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Talasin and Garnet sat close together, warming their hands around a small fire, while they watched the sky change color from red to purple.

The wind was frigid, and their teeth chattered in their mouths. They didn't speak much, preferring to listen to the sounds of nature, the chirping of birds and the rustling of wind through the leaves above.

Now that the adrenaline had worn off, the pain in Talasin’s body had tripled. He opened his backpack and handed a chunk of bread and a few slices of cured ham to Garnet. He cut himself a few slices and ate in silence.

When he was finished eating, he set down a green speckled bird’s egg he’d found whilst searching for firewood and pulled out a small bunch of milkweed leaves. He held the leaves over the flames until they turned from white to a shimmering silver.

“What are you doing?” Garnet asked around a mouthful of bread.

“Making a weak potion of restoration.”

“I didn't know you were an alchemist.”

“Not exactly,” he said.

He called upon the goddess, and his aspect appeared before his eyes.

[Aspect]

[Name: Talasin Ward]

[Race: Human]

[Class: Apprentice Crimson Hunter of the Fifth Order]

[Abilities]

- [Alchemical Invocation] (Tier 1)

- [Two-handed Sword Master] (Tier 1)

“I have the alchemical invocation skill,” he said as the aspect vanished once again. “And the Order teaches all of us how to craft basic potions.”

“Ha!” said Garnet. “What else don't I know about you?”

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

He smiled as he crushed the leaves in the palm of his hand and then added them to a water skin.

Healing herbs blessed by the goddess.

Next, he gathered the ash from the fire, from a slice of pork he’d burnt to a crisp.

The ash of something dead.

Lastly, he cracked the bird’s eggs into the water and gave the skin a shake.

The spark of life.

He muttered one of the few invocations he knew in a low voice, and a soft glow surrounded the water skin for a few seconds before returning to normal.

The life force of the ingredients were broken down by the invocation and infused into the water, changing its color to a semi translucent pink.

[Crude Restoration Potion: Crafting Successful]

Talasin blinked at the message of the goddess and it vanished. He’d never given the aspects much thought, it was just part of life in Ivalice, the same way that snow was white and fire was hot.

“I thought you had to boil the potion in a cauldron?” Garnet asked skeptically.

Talasin sniffed the wine skin, pulled a face and took a sip. It tasted worse than it smelled.

“Some potions require being boiled, but as I said, I have the alchemical invocation ability, so I can bypass that step.”

Garnet nodded, clearly looking impressed.

“Did it do anything?” she asked.

“It's weak, it can't close wounds or heal diseases, it’s more of a painkiller if anything.”

He took another sip of the potion and then handed it to Garnet.

“It will ease some of the pain in your…” he paused, thinking of a more delicate word to use. “In your thighs,” he finally said.

Garnet gave him an odd look and took the water skin from him. She sipped it and pulled a face, but a few seconds later a smile spread on her lips. “Thanks, my ass has been killing me all day.”

She handed the potion back to him and as he took it, he heard a sound that sent shivers down his spin. Far in the distance, a hound howled.

The horses stamped and neighed in fear, and Talasin shot to his feet and grabbed their reigns to steady them.

“Wolves?” asked Garnet with a panicked look on her face.

Talasin shook his head, “Hounds.”

He sat back down and pulled his sword closer, resting it on the blanket roll beside him.

Garnet noticed the gesture and glanced around nervously. “You think they’re tracking us?” she asked.

“Maybe, but if they came from Kadrak then they’ll be just as tired as we are. They sound far away, we should be safe tonight.” He glanced back down the hill. “But we should break camp early, just in case.”

Garnet nodded and stared into the fire, her features hard and etched in worry.

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Finally, as the last few rays of sun died, Garnet changed Talasin’s bandages, and then they settled into their blankets and huddled close together, seeking the comfort of each other's warmth.

Talasin lay on his back, his ribs hurt too much to lie in any other position. He stared up at the night sky, watching the stars as they began to shine out clearly, painting the night sky with their cold light.

In the distance he still heard the howling, but the hounds had come no closer.

Garnet curled into him, resting her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist.

Talasin had never been this close to a girl, the Fifth Order forbade any sexual contact amongst its members.

He wondered if Garnet knew just what her close contact was doing to him. He felt strange and intoxicated, he wasn't sure he liked the feeling.

He tried to ignore her soft skin pressed against his and all that was going on below his belt, instead his eyes focused on the stars in Teon's anchor, he traced its outline with his finger, wondering how many others were like this one, shining bright, but unseen.

"Look," said Garnet, touching his hand.

Talasin followed her pointing finger and saw a blue bird sitting on a branch watching them, its long tail feathers trailing snowflakes that melted before they hit the ground.

"An arctic swift," said Talasin. He felt a pang in his chest at seeing the bird, it reminded him of Garrick, the Master that he would never see again.

Garnet held him closer as a cool wind washed over them, "You know you are far from home when you start to see the creatures you've only read about in stories."

Talasin closed his eyes against the sudden pain in his heart, "Yes," he said quietly.

Garnet leaned closer, "All things considered, I'm glad I came with you."

She snuggled up beside him, pressing her body against his, her warmth seeping into him.

He smiled, "Me too."

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As dawn broke, they continued their journey north, leaving Kadrak behind them. They rode for most of the morning without saying anything, lost in their own thoughts.

Talasin kept a constant look out for the hounds, he was sure they were being tracked, but he saw no sign of them throughout the morning.

By late afternoon a thick mist rolled in over the plains, they rode slower, carefully picking their way across the rough terrain. The hounds were still far in the distance and the horses were nervous and stumbled often.

Just before sunset they reached the crest of a low hill and through the thick mist the tower of Westwind came into view. It stood alone on top of a small rise, overlooking the plains beyond and the forest that spread out in every direction.

"It looks like a prison," said Garnet.

She was right. The walls looked like a giant cage, made of stone blocks topped with spikes. In the center of the monastery was a white tower stretching high into the sky, its arched windows dark.

Talasin had never seen a place so isolated, so removed from the world. It seemed to be cut off from everything, a fortress built to defy invasion and protect whatever secrets lay within.

Talasin spurred his horse to a gallop and clenched his jaws as his ribs ached with every step of the giant horse.

He wasn't sure if the hounds were close, but now that their destination was in sight, he just wanted to get behind the safety of those imposing walls.

It did not take long for them to reach the gates and when they arrived Talasin was sweat soaked and light-headed.

The black, formidable gates were closed and locked, but there was no guard in sight.

"How do we get in?" asked Garnet as she jumped off her horse and reached for the latch. She looked about nervously, as if she expected the hounds to attack at any moment.

Talasin winced in pain as he dismounted and stepped up beside her.

She looked at him with obvious concern on her face but said nothing.

There was a creak and rustle from somewhere inside the walls, and a man appeared from behind the gate.

"Welcome travelers," said the man.

Talasin bowed his head in a sign of respect, "I am Talasin, apprentice of Master Garrick of the Fifth Order," he said. "My companion and I seek sanctuary and a warm meal."

The man wiped his hands on his robe and extended one to Talasin. "We were not expecting visitors," he said as he shook Talasin's hand and offered a warm smile to Garnet, "But come in, our fires are warm, and our hearts will be gladdened by the company."

----------------------------------------

The two companions followed the monk passed the tower and into Westwind monastery. As they entered, the hallways echoed with the sound of laughter and singing.

The monks welcomed them with a warmth that both surprised and eased Talasin.

He spared no time in telling the monks all about their quest, the demon's attack and the hounds that he feared were stalking them.

Abbott Hess, the leader of the monastery, listened intently, his eyes wide and his hands clasped together. "This is all news to us," he said. "Our monastery is isolated from the rest of Ivalice, so news is slow to reach us. But we will set a guard around the building for the night, just to be safe."

"Master Hess," said Talasin, "I am not here by accident. I have come to challenge the tower."

Hess nodded and a few of the older monks muttered words of encouragement, "It is not for me to deny you," he said, "The tower chooses its own."

Talasin bowed his head. He could feel Garnet watching him. He wanted to look at her, but he was afraid that the monks would see in his eyes the desire he felt for her.

"It has been seven years since the last pilgrim has come here to bind an armament," said Hess.

Garnet turned to the monk and gave him a curious look. "Why is that, master?" she asked.

"Well, daughter," said the monk. "When a Master of the Order dies, if he has not passed his familiar onto a new bearer, then the spirit of the familiar is reborn. The familiars are reborn in the same spot each time."

"And the tower is built over that spot," said Talasin.

"Indeed," said brother Geb, "In fact the familiar is reborn in the sky, the tip of the tower reaches that point."

"So with Master Garrick's passing," said Talasin. "His armament should have been reborn in the tower?"

Yes," said the monk, "An undetermined familiar appeared almost two months ago. We sent word to the Fifth Order, but no apprentice has come to claim it, until now."

"Undetermined?" asked Garnet.

"Oh yes," said Hess. "The familiar is but an embryo, its form is determined by its bearer's need."

The conversation was interrupted when a young boy carried in a large pot of stew and a stack of wooden serving bowls. He was a tall, skinny child with dirty blond hair tied back in a ponytail. His smile was genuine and warm, but his eyes lingered on Garnet's chest a moment too long, which annoyed Talasin.

Garnet blushed slightly and took a bowl, looking away from the boy as she began to eat.

The boy went to refill the pot as Abbot Hess stood and approached Talasin.

"Eat and rest," said the abbot, "In the morning we will see if the tower has chosen you."

----------------------------------------

Talasin, Garnet, and six monks approached the tower at the crack of dawn. The sun had barely risen above the horizon, and the only sound was the chirp of birds and the distant baying of sheep.

The tower stood silent and still. It looked like a giant pillar of salt. Its base rested on solid rock, and a single door lay in front of them.

The monks stood around the tower, while Talasin placed his hand on the door and closed his eyes.

A soft glow surrounded his hand, and suddenly a voice spoke into his mind. "Talasin Ward, son of Elodin, what do you seek?"

"I seek the Ethereal Armament of my fallen master," said Talasin.

A pause, and then the voice replied, "You seek power?"

"I seek revenge," Talasin replied, he knew there was no point lying to the spirit, it knew his soul better than he did.

Another silence, then, "If you choose to enter, it will lead you on a path where many will die by your side, and you will lose the one you love."

My parents are dead, my sister killed by my own arrogance, and my master taken from me by a zombie.

"I will pay any price," Talasin said without hesitation.

There was another pause as Talasin waited. Then the voice spoke again, "Find me where the tower touches the sky, I am waiting."

A cold wind blew against Talasin's skin as the door swung open.

He looked back at Garnet and the monks. She shot him a nervous look, and he smiled at her reassuringly.

He looked back inside the tower and swallowed the lump in his throat. On the other side of the door lay a large, dimly lit room that seemed to stretch out forever before him. To the right, he could see stairs leading up.

As he stepped inside, a hound howled close by. The hairs on his back stood on end as a shiver of panic ran down his spine.

Just as the door swung shut he saw movement outside, and then he saw a figure on top of the wall, silhouetted by the light coming through the clouds.

A second later, he was staring at the door as it slammed shut, locking Talasin inside the tower.

Through the walls, he heard the shadow hounds exploding through the monastery’s gates and Garnet's scream of terror filling the air.

----------------------------------------