Ivish walked back to the place she came from. And there, two groups stood in stark contrast.
In the first group were Eyvind, Nereid, and the remaining members of the Nameless Dynasty. Their hands tied behind their backs. Eyvind stood at the forefront, his expression was a mix of annoyance and rage as his guild was now falling appart.
The second group was Ivish's people who were guarding Namelss Dynasty's guild members.
Eyvind couldn't help but speak as soon as she came into earshot. "What about my son?" He asked with concern.
For a moment Ivish didn'tsay anything. She imagined herself Neclord's massacred body. Her mouth curved into a thin, hard line. "That kid got his revenge," she said simply.
Eyvind's eyes widened. "How could that be?" he said in terror. "I know he had only five people, but they were the best of the best. It shouldn't have been possible."
Ivish just shrugged. "I don't know. There were two others with him, though they didn't look like they were through combat. Either way, your son's dead."
Eyvind opened his mouth to speak, but a voice called out from the side, pulling Ivish's attention away from him.
"Miss Ivish!" Ivish turned around as she saw two children approaching. They were Ivish's children.
The younger of the two, a boy of about twelve with tears in his eyes and dark hair, broke into a run. Tears spilled down his cheeks as he reached her, flinging his thin arms around her waist and sobbing, "Mommy… I was so scared."
Ivish's expression softened further, as she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. Stroking the back of the boy's head, she whispered, "It's all fine now, Nir. You're safe." Her voice was gentle.
The older child was a girl of about sixteen, stood just a step behind. Her dark eyes were so much like Ivish's. She hesitated for a moment, as if unsure whether it was real.
Ivish met her eyes and, without hesitation, reached out with her free arm. "Come here, Jia."
Jia stepped forward, and let herself fall into her mother's arms. As soon as Ivish hugged her, the composure she had held cracked, and she broke in tears. Ivish pressed a kiss to her daughter's forehead. "You're safe, Jia," Ivish murmured, her voice breaking with relief as Jia's tears fell.
Ivish let them stay there for a while, letting the minutes stretch on as her children's sobs quieted and their breathing steadied.
She pulled back slightly, enough to look into their faces. "I'm here, and I won't let anything happen to you again," she promised.
Nir nodded, his tears slowing, while Jia wiped her eyes, standing a little taller now, though she kept one hand latched onto Ivish's cloak as if it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
Ivish, having ensured her children were safe and in the care of one of her most trusted aides, took a moment to steady herself. Then she walked toward the gathered crowd of her people, who had encircled the remnants of the Nameless Dynasty.
She stopped before them, as she looked around between her people and Nameless Dynasty's people. And for a moment a heavy silence followed.
"Listen up," Ivish started. And everyone turned their attention towards her. "In a few days, the national forces will arrive to secure these criminals and take them into custody. Until then, your orders are clear: find any remaining members of the Nameless Dynasty and neutralize them. Leave none unchecked. Is that understood?"
A chorus of voices responded, "Yes, miss! Yes!" Ivish's eyes lingered on Eyvind for a moment longer, ensuring he understood that any semblance of power he once held was now shattered. Then, with a final glance at her forces, she pivoted on her heel and walked back toward the center of the city.
From the corner of a nearby alley, three figures watched the scene. They were Jezar, Peles, and Ri.
Jezar broke the silence first, his voice low making sure they weren't spotted. "I guess that's it for the Nameless Dynasty. It's over." He shifted his weight, glancing between Peles and Ri. "I'm getting out of here. I'll travel west. There's less risk of being recognized, and they won't be able to track me easily. What about you two? This life of being a scum for coins… it's not worth it anymore."
Peles gave a half-smile. He nodded slowly, and then he said. "Yeah, I agree. They promised us stability, power… growth. But now? Now it's nothing but ruins. This isn't the kind of stability I was hoping for." He glanced at Ri, raising an eyebrow. "I'll go with you, Jezar. This life is also not for my old bones. Your plan seems reasonable."
Jezar's eyes moved to Ri. She had always been quieter, but there was something sharp and determined about her. "What about you, Ri?" he asked. "You're new to the guild, but even so, you might be marked just by association. It'll be risky."
Ri's gaze dropped to the cobblestones beneath their feet, and for a moment, she didn't said anything. She thought back to the confrontation with Amukelo, how he had shattered their defenses, how her arrows were worthless in the entire confrontation. The humiliation of being ineffective gnawed at her pride. Lifting her head, she said. "I'll go to the capital," she then paused. "It has the most opportunities for growth. I need to become stronger. If I'm ever caught up in something like this again, I won't be so useless."
Jezar frowned. "The capital? You know that's a risk. They might recognize you. Even if you didn't show your face much, word spreads."
Ri's lips quirked into a small, humorless smile. "I'll take care of myself. I was careful, kept my face hidden when it mattered. I have my ways."
Peles chuckled dryly, the sound almost bitter. "Like everyone in Nameless Dynasty," he muttered, the irony not lost on him. But then, after a moment, his expression softened, and he clapped a hand on Jezar's shoulder before nodding to Ri. "Well, in that case, I wish you nothing but good luck. We all need it. This life isn't meant for old bones like mine. Time to find a quieter path."
Ri nodded, saying nothing. She watched as he and Peles walked away, and soon they disappeared down the alley.