A sealed letter arrived at Kubu Fort, carried by an envoy under Prince Mettan's banner. Dyeva sat at her desk, breaking the wax seal with practiced ease. As she read, her expression darkened.
"Disbanding the Golden Sun Guild?" she murmured, eyes narrowing. The letter detailed that one of the King's advisors had managed to persuade the King into considering the guild's dissolution.
The exact reason remained unclear, and even Prince Mettan had yet to confirm the details. However, the prince reassured them—the deal he had proposed still stood. If the kingdom withdrew its funding, he was willing to privately invest in their independence.
Dyeva exhaled sharply and leaned back in her chair. This was bigger than she expected. Without hesitation, she summoned Evan and Gerrard to the meeting hall.
The air in the chamber was thick with tension as Dyeva placed the letter on the table.
"We need to talk," she said, her voice firm. "Prince Mettan warns that the dissolution of our guild is being discussed in the royal court. We need to verify this. But if it's true, we may have no choice but to consider independence."
Gerrard stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Going independent might be the answer we've been looking for," he admitted. "But there's one thing I'm not sure about—if we cut ties, will the royal family take Kubu Fort from us?"
Evan folded his arms. "Even if they don't, there's more to this than just breaking away. If we go fully independent, we're entering a political battlefield. That means enemies—some we may not even see coming."
Dyeva nodded. "That's exactly why we need intelligence before making a decision. We need someone inside Janma to confirm if the royal court is truly moving against us."
A heavy silence settled over the room before she continued, "Ourra's magic arts specialize in infiltration. He could be our best chance."
Gerrard gave an approving nod. "He's perfect for the job."
Evan, however, remained hesitant. "I won't deny his skill, but we're talking about spying on our own kingdom. If he's caught… the consequences could be severe."
Dyeva sighed. "I know. That's why we need to plan this carefully."
After much discussion, they reached an agreement. Ourra would take on this special mission.
Evan summoned Ourra to the meeting hall, where Dyeva and Gerrard awaited. As soon as Ourra entered, he immediately sensed the seriousness of the situation.
"I don't like the way you're all looking at me," he said, crossing his arms. "What kind of trouble am I about to be thrown into?"
Dyeva smirked. "You're going to Janma. We need confirmation on the King's decision about our guild."
Ourra's grin faded slightly. "So, you want me to spy on the royal court? Risky job. You do know I'm pretty recognizable, right?"
Evan nodded. "Which is why you'll need a disguise. You'll also have backup. We're assigning Roam Squad members to go with you."
Ourra leaned back, thinking. "I'll need time to prepare. New face, new identity. And I need to coordinate with the Roam Squad first."
Dyeva nodded. "Take the time you need, but don't delay."
Evan met his gaze. "Do you think this mission is even doable?"
Ourra smirked. "Nothing's impossible with the right preparation."
With that, he left the meeting hall, already forming a plan.
That night, Ourra found his twin brother, Ourri, near the training grounds.
"Hey, big guy. Got a mission outside the fort."
Ourri frowned. "How long?"
"Not sure yet. Just don't let anyone push you around while I'm gone," Ourra teased.
Ourri exhaled, concerned, flickering in his dark eyes. "Be careful, Ourra. You may think you can talk your way out of anything, but some people won't give you that chance."
Ourra grinned. "I'll be fine. You just keep punching things for me while I'm away."
Ourri managed a small smile, but his worry remained.
The next morning, Ourra and a few Roam Squad members gathered at the gates, dressed as ordinary travelers. Their guild uniforms had been swapped for simple, unmarked outfits.
Dyeva stood by the gate. "Come back in one piece, Ourra."
Ourra chuckled. "Don't say things like that, it's a death flag." His grin was wide, but there was seriousness behind his eyes. With a final nod, he and his squad set off.
Only a few kilometers from Kubu Fort, they passed an envoy from the royal kingdom. The crest of the King adorned the carriage.
Ourra noted the sight but kept moving, aware that they were now deep in a disguise mission.
That evening, back at Kubu Fort, another royal envoy arrived. This time, they bore a sealed letter from the royal court.
The message was brief but carried great significance—the Elf Kingdom's royal family would be passing through human lands, and the Golden Sun Guild was ordered to escort them to Janma's capital.
The main team gathered in the meeting hall, unease clear in their expressions.
"Why now?" Yvette asked. "After everything that's happened, why is an elf royal coming here?"
"There are too many possibilities," Gerrard said. "Could be about that illusionist fugitive we encountered. Could be related to the ruins in the rift. Or maybe it's something we don't see yet."
Dyeva's gaze swept over them. "Regardless, we have no choice but to comply. We'll prepare to escort them. Stay sharp—we don't know what we're walking into."
With that, the guild mobilized, readying themselves for what could be their most dangerous mission yet.
A few days later, one of the guards spotted a banner in the north of Kubu Fort. The guard quickly rushed to inform Gerrard, his urgency clear.
Gerrard furrowed his brow as he received the news. He wasted no time and passed the message on to Dyeva and Evan.
The three of them stood by the inner gate of Kubu Fort, awaiting the arrival of the Elf Kingdom's royalty. The air was thick with tension, and the unease was palpable.
"It's finally happening," Evan murmured, his voice low but filled with a hint of apprehension. He shifted his weight, clearly uneasy with the situation.
Dyeva's sharp eyes watched the horizon, her posture steady. "We must stay calm. The war ended, but the wounds are still fresh for many," she said with a quiet resolve.
The memory of the recent war hung heavy over them. Many senior members, including the main team members of the Golden Sun Guild, had fought in the war. The scars of the Great Race War were still raw.
There were whispers among the group, some of the guild members still grappling with grief, anger, and a thirst for revenge. Many had lost loved ones in the war, their pain still lingering in their hearts.
Evan clenched his fists. "I know some of us aren't ready for this," he said quietly, his eyes narrowing. "It's hard to let go of everything that happened."
Dyeva suddenly announced to all the members in the Kubu Fort, her voice calm but firm.
"Don't let your emotions become the spark that ignites another war," she said, her gaze piercing. "Your actions will determine the fate of our kingdom and its people. Remember that."
The silence that followed her words was heavy. Then, one by one, the faces of the guild members began to shift.
Anger that had once burned brightly in their eyes was replaced with determination. The reminder of their duty, to protect the people, had an immediate effect.
"She's right," said Yvette, her voice steady, though there was still a trace of frustration in her tone. "We've fought for peace. We must continue to show that."
Evan exhaled slowly. "For the people, not for ourselves," he muttered under his breath, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the weight of the situation.