Chapter 71: Echoes of Rebirth
The city of Locaris was slowly finding its rhythm again. Two weeks had passed since the Architect's devastating assault, and while scars of the attack lingered in the form of collapsed buildings and charred streets, the heart of the capital pulsed with resilience. Reconstruction was in full swing, thanks to the Ministry of Finance funneling resources and labor into rebuilding efforts. Masons worked tirelessly to repair the shattered walls, merchants reopened their stalls, and the people of Loyrn found solace in returning to their routines.
Alaric, as ever, had thrown himself into his duties with the administrative council, overseeing logistical efforts, coordinating with the guild, and ensuring the city's recovery stayed on track. It was a demanding role, one that left little time for rest.
Back at home, however, the mood was starkly different.
Lucian's Recovery
Lucian leaned back against the worn cushions of the couch, a blanket lazily draped over his legs. Though his body had fully recovered, the strange sense of strength and clarity that had come with it remained unsettling. His eyes wandered over his hand, flexing it slowly as if searching for answers in the simple motion.
Across the room, Quintin lounged in a chair, sharpening his blade with slow, deliberate strokes. His gaze occasionally drifted toward Lucian, but he said nothing, content to let the silence linger.
Seraphine sat cross-legged on the floor, books and scrolls sprawled out in front of her. "Do you know how boring it's been without the Architect blowing up cities?" she muttered, half to herself.
"Eh..your sure so gets boring without constant fighting." Quintin said with a chuckle.
Lucian gave her a flat look. "I'm sorry our lives aren't chaotic enough for you."
She smirked without looking up. "You're forgiven."
Quintin chuckled, the sound low and brief. "It's been quiet, I'll give you that. Not that I'm complaining. After what happened, I could use a bit of normalcy."
"Normalcy?" Seraphine raised a brow. "Is that what you call the Ministry officials practically camping outside to get Alaric to sign papers?"
Lucian sighed, rubbing his temples. "He brought that on himself. Nobody else can manage things like he does. If he didn't, this city would probably still be in ruins."
"He's been working nonstop," Quintin added, setting his blade aside. "I don't think he's slept more than a few hours in days."
Seraphine rolled up a scroll, tossing it onto the pile. "He'll be fine. Alaric thrives on this kind of stuff. Meanwhile, we're stuck here doing… nothing."
A Shifting Mood
Lucian rose from the couch, stretching as he walked over to the window. The view outside was a mixture of progress and hardship: scaffolding covered half-rebuilt structures, wagons full of supplies rolled through the streets, and citizens worked together to restore what had been lost.
"It's strange," he said quietly.
Quintin glanced at him. "What is?"
Lucian kept his gaze on the city. "How quickly people move on. Two weeks ago, this place was on the brink of destruction. Now, it's like it never happened."
Seraphine joined him by the window, folding her arms as she looked out. "People have to move on. What else can they do? Sit around and cry about it?"
"That's not what I mean," Lucian replied. "It's just… I don't know. It feels too fast. Like they're pretending everything's fine when it isn't."
Quintin leaned back in his chair, watching them. "They're not pretending. They're surviving. You'd know that if you hadn't been sleeping through the cleanup."
Lucian shot him a glare, but Quintin's smirk softened the jab.
"You're not wrong, though," Seraphine admitted. "It's weird how fast things go back to 'normal.' But maybe that's the point. If they don't rebuild fast enough, it gives people time to dwell on what they've lost."
A Moment of Reflection
The room fell quiet again, save for the faint sounds of the city outside. Lucian stepped away from the window, his expression thoughtful. "I've been thinking," he began, breaking the silence. "About what that woman said."
Quintin raised a brow. "Hmm?..oh the one who told us about? The one with the tea and the garden?"
Lucian nodded. "She mentioned something called a Monarch Core. Said it was rare. That it's… inside me."
Seraphine tilted her head. "A Monarch Core? Sounds fancy. What is it?"
"I have no idea," Lucian admitted, his frustration evident. "But she made it sound important. Like it's something I'm supposed to understand."
Quintin frowned, his demeanor shifting to something more serious. "Maybe Alaric would know. He's got more books than sense. If anyone can find out what it is, it's him."
Seraphine tapped her chin, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Or we could just find this mysterious garden lady and ask her directly. Maybe she'll invite us for tea."
Lucian groaned. "I'd rather not."
Quintin smirked. "Smart choice."
A New Resolve
The conversation drifted into lighter topics as the day wore on, but the weight of Lucian's encounter lingered in the back of their minds. As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the city, the trio found themselves in an unspoken agreement: they couldn't afford to stay idle for much longer.
The world beyond Locaris was still rife with dangers and mysteries, and Loyrn's troubles were far from over. Whatever the Monarch Core was, whatever the Architect had been searching for—it was only the beginning.
Lucian, Quintin, and Seraphine would have to face it together, as they always had. And this time, they would be ready.