The wailing from the goblin lair still echoed in their ears as Grayson, with Katheren and Elyra in tow, made their way out of the cavern. With swift strides, he ascended a cliff and thrust his silver sword into the snow before tearing off his tattered clothing and throwing it aside. He stood at the cliff's edge, lost in contemplation as he gazed into the abyss below.
Katheren stood behind him, her heart filled with disquiet as she watched his bare torso against the snowy cliff, his head bowed in deep thought.
With one leg propped on a stone, his arm resting on his knee, and the other hand on his hip, he resembled a predator surveying the wilderness. His black wolf claw tattoo stood out starkly against his taut muscles, and the ferocious wolf on his back seemed to snarl at Katheren, its piercing gaze instilling fear in her.
After a long silence, Grayson turned to look at the silent Katheren, noticing her trepidation. He walked back to her side, pulled his sword from the ground, and spoke calmly, "Let's move on. We need to meet up with Seraphine and Morven."
Katheren nodded silently, glancing at Elyra who was obliviously eating snow. She whistled softly to the little owl, who glanced at her before Katheren gestured for her to follow, and they set off after Grayson.
"The little fool has some conscience after all, remembering to call me along," Elyra mumbled to herself, flapping her wings to catch up and land on Grayson's shoulder.
"Do you understand the trouble we're in?" Grayson said as they walked, his sword slung casually behind him. Elyra, half-asleep on his head, ignored him, while Katheren ventured a soft inquiry, "What's wrong?"
"The black-clothed man whispered something to me before he died. I can't be sure if it's true, but if it is, we're in deep trouble," Grayson said, stroking his stubbled chin. "He mentioned 'Titan.' Do you know what that means?"
"Titan?" Katheren shook her head, puzzled.
Grayson wasn't surprised by her reaction. He elaborated, "Yes, Titan. It's located in the north of this island, and we're not far from the land of the Titans. Those giants who live atop the snowy mountains could flatten a seaside fishing village with a single step."
"That's terrifying!" Katheren exclaimed, looking up at Grayson, who nodded gravely, "If the Titans are indeed behind the relic theft, we're facing a serious threat. But I can't figure out what use they'd have for the relic."
"Perhaps they seek the power of the Vampire King. I remember you discussing the relic's use with Miss Seraphine," Katheren cautiously suggested.
"No, that's impossible. The power of the Vampire King can only reside within humans, vampires, or other demons, not Titans," Grayson immediately rejected the idea.
"Maybe they aim to revive the Ghost King and make him obey their commands," Katheren speculated further.
"Do you even know what vampires are?" Grayson suddenly turned to her, his intense gaze demanding an answer. She bit her lip and shook her head in confusion.
"That's right. You don't understand the Strigoi. They're not caged birds or puppets to be controlled," Grayson sighed, his gaze drifting across the snowy plains. "The Vampire King is uncontrollable. He moves like a shadow, only holy power can bind and seal him, but it cannot destroy him. Only pureblood werewolves possess that power."
"Werewolves..." Katheren shuddered, recalling the terrifying dream she had on the snowy plains.
"Right. So the relic is of no use to the Titans. It baffles me why they would steal it."
"Moreover, if they truly sought the relic, why rely on 'Bloodhand' Wystan and these traitors? With their strength, they could wage direct war for it; the Merfolk stand no chance against the Titans!"
"Maybe they've struck a pact with 'Bloodhand' Wystan, each with their own objectives," Katheren persisted.
"Perhaps. Regardless, we might need to venture into Titan territory to investigate, though that likely means a one-way trip. Those giants are not known for their temper."
Grayson exhaled a resigned sigh, patting Katheren's back, "Let's pick up the pace. We'll head to the border outpost first, see if we can glean anything from the archmages."
They soon reached where their sled had been destroyed and turned north. After crossing a vast expanse of barren snowfield, the silhouette of the border fortress came into view.
Perched at the edge of a frozen river, with the Mage Tower's lands to the south and snow-capped mountains to the north - the Titan realm - the fortress loomed forebodingly.
Approaching the gate, Grayson glanced at the ramparts, where only the blue triangular banners of the Mage Tower fluttered in the wind, with no one in sight. He shouted towards the towers but received no response.
"What's going on? Why is there no one here?"
Grayson furrowed his brow in confusion and turned to Elyra, "Little one, fly up and see what's happening, and find a way to open the gate." Elyra didn't budge until Grayson picked her up and lobbed her towards the wall.
"What a brute for a gentleman!"
Muttering complaints, Elyra flew unsteadily to the top of the wall. Grayson had no patience for banter; he waited with Katheren outside for a long time, but Elyra was nowhere to be seen, prompting his suspicion.
Suddenly, the fortress gates thundered open, and the two hurried to greet a returning Elyra, who whispered with a finger to her lips, "Shh, there's trouble inside, a bunch of baddies have corralled the Merfolk and the injured 'Scorpion' in the square!"
"Could it be that the ones aiding the man in black have finally revealed themselves?" Grayson wondered, alarm rising in his heart. He urged Elyra to lead the way, and they navigated the maze-like fortress paths to a vantage point overlooking the square.
From there, Grayson saw a group of silver-robed figures, clutching their tomes, encircling Seraphine and Morven. Mage Tower sorcerers stood on the castle steps behind, watching silently.
At the forefront, a man with a silver scepter exuded authority as he pointed it at the two women, interrogating them loudly.
"The Order of the Winged Light!" Grayson recognized them at a glance. They were under the command of Gothard, leader of the sacred Order, and the man before them was his trusted executor, Bachmann.
"The bloody executioner!" Elyra recognized them too, her eyes blazing with hatred, her small teeth biting her lip till it nearly bled.
"Stay calm, my dear. Let's assess the situation first," Grayson whispered, holding the trembling girl close, as Katheren and he watched the unfolding scene intently.
On the square, Seraphine's voice rang with righteous indignation, "Your Eminence, we bear no grudge against the Holy Order. I have declared my identity as the Guardian Envoy of the Merfolk, not the 'witch' you claim. How can you be so blind to justice? Is this also by the decree of His Holiness?"
Before Bachmann could respond, a somber voice echoed from behind him, "Pathetic excuses! The Merfolk and the Elves are one and the same, abominations all. Countless sailors have been lured and devoured by these sea witches. You're no different from vampires!"
A dignified man in golden robes appeared on the castle steps behind Bachmann, his scepter shining as he pointed at Seraphine, "Saints, what are you waiting for? Remove this siren and her filthy accomplices at once!"