Yuuna tried to put on a fake smile, saying, "Alright! Let's allow him to clear his head! We should focus!"
Draeven said, "Yuuna—."
Yuuna interrupted, "We should..just focus right now." She then looked at Sethrak and Zyphira, and continued, "Your father, King Alaric…he pleads to have done you two wrong, and seems to fully regret what he did. Even stabbing himself like some maniac."
Sethrak asked, "What else did he say?"
"A land he called the cursed region. He wants our help to go in and clear it out, as this is definitely a sign Ezrael will rampage through here anytime and any moment. And the expedition will start in a few days. He'll let us know, he wants to get things prepared. Might have something for us."
Zyphira stated, "Father is smart. We can't believe him so easily. That's what makes him dangerous."
Sethrak agreed, "He's not the strongest draconic vessel…but his mind makes him one of the most fearsome. Did he say anything else?"
Mertha spoke for Yuuna, saying, "It's pretty evident we need Kassius Velmire to help us kill King Haldrek, and King Alaric believes he's in the cursed region. Told us we could try summoning him at the old crypt of the Velmires, but there are things we have to do to make it appear."
Sethrak explained, "The crypt of the Velmires was only a physical place. That's the reason why they abandoned it, their enemies always ambushed them. They had enemies, they were a noble family of assassins, warriors, and a conduit of members who devoted their lives to multiple dragon gods for more power and an advantage in espionage, infiltration, and more."
Zyphira added. "And we know this because we grew up here, obviously. If anything, if we're going to summon Kassius at the crypt, we might have to go to the exact location where the crypt used to be. And..stand in the middle of it I guess?"
Mertha asked, "So you two think it's a trap?"
Kivorn replied for the twin siblings, "I think…it is. The bastard..king lied..to us."
Gridd commented, "Aye. He's watchin' us."
Sethrak continued, "We've never seen this cursed region, let alone know anything about it. If Ezrael wanted to conquer Jörvaldr, he would've done so by now."
Quinara commented, "This dragon guy is so right about that…"
Sethrak added, "Tch, I'm always right. Anyway, do you trust him, Yuuna?"
Yuuna shook her head with a smile, "Nope! Not in the slightest!"
"Good."
At that moment, something came to Zyphira, a sudden thought of remembrance.
"Waitttt."
Everyone looked at her, and she said, "Do you guys remember that weird guild from Gabriel's Ladder? Outside of Vördrheim?"
Yuuna, Mertha, Kivorn, Illyana, and Draeven started to say:
"I hate them." Yuuna snarled. "Bastard tried to rush me and darling Xyenn when trying to solve that door riddle!"
"Gorran kicked their ass! Then bolted when the Lysfødt showed up! Haha!" Mertha grinned.
"They..were annoying. But somehow survived everything that happened there…" Kivorn yawned. "Then acted like he was friends with me for years yesterday…"
Draeven added, "They're annoying…"
Illyana peacefully smiled, "They are odd, but I think they're funny."
Quinara squinted her eyes, "Uhhh, am I the only one confused here?"
Gridd answered Quinara, "Same here, lass."
"Nice to meetcha."
"Ye too. Try not to annoy me, lass. And we can get along just fine."
"Damn we're so alike. Do you say that to everyone or…?"
"Yes. Yer not too bad."
"Thanks! I'm cool like that."
Zyphira nodded , "Yes we despise Gunthr and the Crimson Claws guild. BUT, we might need them."
"How?!" Yuuna asked.
Sethrak grinned, "Since we got here, they were the only ones to mention something related to this cursed region, cursed land or whatever. Saying they saw it. If we can find them and ask them what to expect, or what they saw, then we'll be able to tell if our father is hiding something. Without ever getting near the cursed region, to know what it truly is. We know what to expect from Ezrael and his abominations of War, it could be something similar, or Ezrael had nothing to do with it at all. We know Ezrael being a dragon god of war means he is full of conquest, not teasing. This continent is not as strong as Haldrek and Vördrheim, so he'll be able to take it with ease."
Mertha chuckled, "Heh, you big brained dragon man. That's a good idea."
"Of course it's a good idea. I'm made of nothing but good ideas. So furthermore, Yuuna, allow me and my sister to handle this simple task, and we'll report back to you with whatever we need." And Sethrak pointed at Gridd, "And you, dwarf, hand over that Mythic Ram horn."
Gridd folded his arms, "Eh? Plannin' on summoning Kassius alone? Have ye gone mad, lad?"
"I've always gone mad. Ever since I was a child, since I ran away with Zyphira, and ran into Yuuna."
Yuuna pleaded, "We're all going with you. We do this together. You don't have to handle this alone—."
"—Please..Yuuna."
Yuuna gasped slightly, she hasn't heard Sethrak plead like that since she met him as a child. Back when Sethrak and Zyphira were running as children in the rain, and Yuuna found them. And Sethrak pleading how he and his sister Zyphira had nowhere to go.
That one moment had brought Yuuna to take a deep breath, she knew once that tone came out, it meant determination and seriousness.
"You're sure about this? What if something happens to you two? Trying to summon Kassius at the crypt? Trying to figure out the truth of the cursed region…I can't let you do that alone."
Zyphira clenched her fists, thinking, 'I don't even know if I'm really ready to confront all of this…I still don't know what I would say to my father if I ever saw him again. AND I haven't done any drinking or anything to distract myself from what I've been through. My mind has been distracted on what I would or do if I saw my father. Based on how Sethrak feels right now, I can tell he's made up his mind of what he's gonna do. Does he think we'll actually run into Father? It's possible, since we're being watched.'
Mertha gritted her teeth, "We're Tyrants. If you're dealing with this, we deal with it together. It's more than just a villain to kill."
Sethrak responded, "And as Tyrants, we are notorious for getting missions done with consistency. Dealing with them in groups, we cover more ground since our group is big, and even adding a Quen woman to our team."
Quinara whispered like a fan, "He's talking about me! Awesome!"
Sethrak grabbed Zyphira's hand, and pleaded with Yuuna, "Let us do this. I'm ready for anything now."
'If I'm going to be a good brother to Zyphira…I have to show her how ready I am. Maybe she'll be ready. How ready even am I? I really feel like our father will come to us. But we can't back down or run anymore. We had enough time to think about what we would say or do. I might just come naturally. Fuck it..'
Draeven said, "I-I don't want you two to go alone, can I come?"
Yuuna put on a smile instantly, trying to hide her frown from everyone. She put her arm around Draeven, patting him on the head, "Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! He can go with you guys! That's a good plan!"
Illyana agreed, "That would be good. Just in case anything happens."
Sethrak walked up close to Draeven, and squinted his eyes, "Sure. Just know this: whatever we decide to do—."
Draeven finished Sethrak's words, "—I won't interfere, got it."
Zyphira grinned and put her hand on Draeven's shoulder, "If you see our father, don't insta-kill him please, thanks!"
Draeven nodded, his face still covered in bandages only revealing his glowing red eyes, "Go-Got it!"
Sethrak explained, "Now we don't have time to waste. We're off."
Quinara waved, "Bye! Come back alive, I just met you two I don't wanna be depressed and shit if you all come back dead."
Kivorn side-eyed her, "How are they..gonna come back dead…? That makes no sense."
"Huh? What are you? The grammar elf?"
"I'm a Svren elf. Elves who can master and merge with…all the elements of magic."
"…You're one of them…?"
Illyana bowed slightly, holding Sethrak and Zyphira's hand, "Be safe, brother and sister. May the light guide you."
Sethrak didn't say anything, but Zyphira replied, "Thank you, Illyana. Please keep us in your thoughts."
"Do you want soothing magic to help ease your mind?"
A small temporary way out of a clouded mind. Zyphira before would've easily taken this, a small magic route to keep her mind distracted from whatever invaded her mind. But..
"I'm fine, Illyana. Though I might need it if we get back."
'I remember when Xyenn mentioned how his own emotions and fear made him who he was. Is that why I've taken a liking to him? I hate that I feel this way about him knowing he is with Yuuna, but Xyenn's situation inspired me to let my emotions happen, as this might be a moment I'll never forget. I wanna win in the end and say I've conquered shit. Like some badass.' Zyphira thought.
Yuuna watched Sethrak, Zyphira, and Draeven leave. And Yuuna tried to hold her forced smile. Something tugged at her soul, she didn't want to even think that thought of them dying and her not being there to stop it. But she didn't want to be that leader who held back those under her, held them back from growing or conquering their past trauma and fear. That's why she let Xyenn walk off to clear his head alone. She didn't see Xyenn as someone under her, but equal to her or maybe even higher than her in some cases.
Yuuna watching Sethrak and Zyphira leave like this, she hoped they would come back. Because the way Sethrak was talking, it seemed like they were going to a point of no return.
Gridd walked beside Yuuna, and said, "It's natural, lass."
"What did you say?"
"To feel like this, as a leader. If anything does happen to the lads, they'll still thank ye for allowin' then to handle this without the whole group."
Yuuna kept the same smile, "What if they die….Gridd? Would it be my fault? Like my past vessels..? It still fucking claws at me a lot. That's why I strive to save and not condemn. But those who need and deserve condemnation from my hands will surely get it."
"Yer different from the old you. The old evil you. You genuinely care, and they know that. Whatever happens won't be on ye' or them. But destiny and fate itself. But those lads are strong. And you have to be too."
Yuuna's smiled faltered "It's like they're my own children or something…fuck it hurts. But, I let Xyenn walk off, so I have to do the same."
'Mother…isn't this something you would do?' Yuuna thought.
Yuuna cleared her mind, and smiled once again, "Thank you, dwarf!"
"It's Gridd, damn demon!"
"Haha! Whatever! Still a dwarf!"
Yuuna then soared into the air with her dragon wings, cuffed her hands around her mouth, and exclaimed, "Xyenn! Darling! If you can hear me, I love you! And hurry the fuck back here when you're done! Thanks! Miss ya!"
And unexpectedly, Xyenn roared back from a distance, "Yeah! Yeah! I love you too! I just beat up some bandits trying to rob me, I hope they're not dead and stuff."
"Kill them! What are you doing?! Haven't we taught you anything?!"
"Huh?! No!"
"I'm only kidding!"
Yuuna floated back down to the ground, and asked Illyana, "So was there anything else you wanted to explain? About the whole Cleric thing?"
"Yes, actually. The Clerics of the Holy Branch, the survivors have set up a stronghold in the guise of an orphanage. If we can discuss everything Xyenn told me and Draeven with them, then we can come up with a good plan to possibly deal with everything. Haldrek, the demons, everything. Talks of the Astral World and your mother popped up—."
"—Mommy?!" Yuuna smiled widely with a glow in her dark pink eyes.
"Yes. Apparently she had something to do with the seeds of Jotyin, and Xyenn. Since he is Jotyin."
"Xyenn really is..a Jotyin…? No wonder…"
'No wonder he's been getting stronger at a rapid rate. And it's not just because we devoured the dragon god of the sun, but he was able to handle the intensity of my magic with ease without being fully corrupt or exploding brutally despite not having runes on his soul. And not just that, he's able to adapt to my power effortlessly and able to wield power of the gods extremely well. I don't think he's noticed, but every battle he gets stronger. Jotyin aren't born with runes on their soul, I should've seen it there, but I just thought it was too good to be true, as Xyenn was just a random blur to me when I first met him. And there are people in Kyrrin without soul runes and aren't Jotyin, and are extremely weak. Is he really connected to my Mother? And about the Astral World…I truly believe my Mother is there. Where else could she be? That's why I'm really interested in it.'
Yuuna jumped on Mertha's back, and pointed forward, "Take us to these magic clerics at once!"
Illyana chuckled, "At once. And you're not disappointed with me?"
"Haha! For what?"
"Taking Draeven and Xyenn out to the Clerics last night under your nose."
Yuuna brushed it off, "So whaaat? If you haven't done that, we wouldn't be getting good lore and info! Let's head out!"
As they marched, Kivorn watched everyone's smiles, and joy. And once again, he was jealous of it. Because of the curse, he couldn't experience these things. And once again, he heard small whispers in his head, saying:
"You wanna laugh too, don't you?"
"Embrace me.."
"Embrace the mask.."
"Feeling like you don't fit in…?"
"Can't even be happy with everyone?"
"I can give you joy..joy that you never had before—."
"Have you been trying to do fun things in an attempt to bring your joy back? Not working, huh?"
Kivorn clenched his temple softly, whispering, "Shut up..whoever you are.."
Gridd asked Kivorn, "Ye alright, lad?"
"…No. But I'll be alright.."
"Mm. If ye' need to talk, I'm here."
"You're…definitely getting soft. Where's the mean Gridd?"
"Eh?! I'm not mean!"
"There he is.."
Gridd squinted, thinking, 'Smart kid, he changed the subject, basically letting me know not to press the matter anymore, I won't.'
The morning sun peeked through the dense gray clouds, its light struggling to pierce the haze of uncertainty lingering over the **orphanage**. The group, known widely as the **Tyrants**, stood just outside its creaking wooden doors. The hollow wind carried with it the faint scent of dew-drenched earth and the sharp tang of iron, remnants of the grim battles they'd endured. **Illyana**, ever tranquil, stood slightly ahead of the group, her crystalline staff faintly glowing as she smiled softly, her presence the only thing keeping the group's simmering tensions from boiling over.
Behind her stood **Yuuna**, her arms crossed as her m eyes flicked toward the door impatiently. Her wild, chaotic energy radiated from her in an almost tangible way, her hair unkempt and falling across her face. "We knocked a HUNDRED TIMES," she grumbled, rolling her eyes.
"Don't start," Illyana said gently, her smile unwavering but firm. "It's okay, dear."
Next to Yuuna, Quinara, leaned against the doorframe, her posture as casual as her tone. "I mean, she's got a point," Quinara teased, her golden eyes flickering with amusement as she smirked at Illyana. "This doesn't exactly scream 'grand adventure.' Maybe we got stood up?"
"I'd rather be sleeping," muttered Kivorn, who stood slouched against the wall, his perpetually tired eyes half-lidded as he yawned.
Gridd, the dwarven warrior, stood to the side, his massive arms folded across his chest as he grunted. His braided beard swayed slightly in the wind, and his sharp, piercing eyes scanned the orphanage as if he were preparing for an ambush. He said nothing, but his stern presence was as commanding as ever.
And then there was Mertha, a whirlwind of energy and excitement, her grin wide and wild as she shifted restlessly from foot to foot. The battle-hungry warrior practically vibrated with anticipation, her massive spiked mace slung across her back. "Can't we just kick the door down already?" she groaned. "I'm ready to bash something!"
"Please don't," Illyana said softly, her tone patient as always.
The door creaked open just a crack, and a young boy—probably no older than ten—peeked out at them. His messy brown hair stuck up in every direction, and his smirk was far too smug for someone his size. "What do you guys want?" he asked, his tone dripping with mockery. He stepped outside, standing defiantly in front of the group with his hands on his hips. "You look like a bunch of weirdos. What are you even doing here?"
Yuuna immediately stepped forward, glaring down at the boy with a fiery intensity. "Listen, you little shit," she snapped, jabbing a finger at him. "We're here on important business, so maybe don't act like a brat for five seconds, huh?"
The boy stuck his tongue out at her. "What are you gonna do? Yell at me? You're not scary at all, lady!"
Yuuna's eye twitched. "Oh, you've got some guts, kid. Wanna see how scary I can be?"
"Yuuna," Illyana said gently, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "He's just a child. Let's not—"
"Hey, I'm talking to him!" Yuuna snapped, shrugging Illyana's hand off. She turned back to the boy. "You think you're tough? Say that again, I dare you!"
The boy grinned mischievously. "You're just mad 'cause you've got bad hair!"
"My hair is beautiful! My darling Xyenn even likes it!"
"I know that name! Is that the guy who was here yesterday! I flipped him off! He was so angry, haha!"
Quinara burst out laughing, leaning on the doorframe for support. "Oh, mannn, he's got you there, Yuuna."
"SHUT UP!" Yuuna barked, turning to glare at her.
"Hey, kid," Mertha chimed in, stepping forward with an unsettling grin. "You like games? 'Cause I've got a mace, and it really likes playing with bones."
The boy's smirk widened. "You're all crazy!" he shouted before sticking his tongue out again and bolting back into the orphanage.
As he disappeared, a faint, almost imperceptible wave of darkness rippled through the air. It was subtle, but for those attuned to magic, it was unmistakable.
Vektor and Faera arrived just as the boy ran off, the faint breeze carrying the scent of wildflowers from Faera's light-powered aura. Vektor frowned immediately, his piercing eyes narrowing as he turned his focus to Yuuna and the group.
"There's something wrong with your aura," Vektor said bluntly, stepping closer. His voice was calm but carried a weight of authority.
"What's wrong with *you*?" Yuuna shot back, crossing her arms.
Ignoring her, Vektor raised his hand, chanting softly under his breath. His voice was steady, rhythmic, and filled with purpose.
"Light eternal, cast away the shadows.
Light eternal, veil the unseen.
Light eternal, shield the innocent from the blackened hearts within."
A soft glow surrounded Yuuna and the group as Vektor finished his chant, the dark aura that clung to them fading away.
"Whatttt the hell was that for?" Yuuna snapped, glaring at him.
"Children can sense aura more easily than adults," Vektor explained, his tone calm but firm. "That boy felt the darkness radiating from you. If we're to stay here, we need to hide it."
Faera stepped forward, her golden eyes softening as she raised both hands. "Let's give this place a little more light, shall we?" she said, her voice gentle.
She and Vektor began to chant in unison, their voices harmonizing as their magic spread outward. The dull, decrepit orphanage began to shift and change. The cracked walls dissolved into shimmering light, the decaying wood transforming into lush greenery. The air filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and fresh earth as the orphanage became a **garden of light**, its beauty breathtaking. Golden sunlight filtered through the now-vivid green canopy overhead, and the faint sound of birdsong filled the air.
Standing in the middle of the radiant garden, surrounded by cascading vines and glowing blossoms, was a towering figure.
Klem.
The white lion humanoid stood tall and imposing, his mane shimmering like molten silver streaked with gold. His amber eyes gleamed with an almost predatory intensity, and his sharp teeth glinted as he laughed—a deep, rumbling sound that made the air vibrate. His massive eight-sided ax rested against his shoulder, its intricate runes glowing faintly. White flames of light spilled from the weapon, licking at the edges of his fur but leaving him unburned. The chains attached to the ax rattled faintly as he shifted, their glow matching the runes on the weapon.
"Klem," Illyana said softly, a genuine smile spreading across her face. "It's been so long."
Klem's laughter grew louder as he stepped toward her. "Illyana!" he roared, his voice a mix of joy and wild energy. "Still as serene as ever, huh? Hah! I didn't think I'd see you again."
But the moment his eyes fell on Yuuna, his expression twisted into something darker. His grip on his ax tightened, and his mane flared with white flames.
"Her?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Without warning, Klem dashed forward at light speed, his ax raised high. The white flames spilled off the weapon in torrents, illuminating the entire garden as his mane burned brighter. The chains rattled violently as the weapon gleamed in the sunlight, its devastating weight aimed directly at Yuuna.