[ Solitharian Empire, Imperial Barracks in the Capital, also known as the City of the Sun: Arkaen. ]
"Why is the Court of Mages from the Scarlet Order requiring my presence?" asked a woman's voice, laced with authority and icy resolve.
"Captain Neryana Caldius, we have summoned you to discuss a grave matter we have detected. Your intervention is therefore required," replied a mage calmly, though a faint note of unease betrayed him.
The woman, with long scarlet hair and fiery orange eyes, swept the room with a piercing gaze, scrutinizing the assembly. The intensity of her stare was enough to make even the most seasoned mages shudder.
"What has happened?" she asked, her cold voice cutting through the air like a blade.
"We have discovered an unusual disturbance in the flow of aether originating from the Quartzian Forest of Lunithar," explained an elderly mage with a raspy voice. "We request that you go there with an escort to investigate its origin."
Neryana raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. Crossing her arms, she responded in a sharp tone,
"You summoned me for this? A mere reconnaissance mission?"
Her open disdain caused some of the mages' confidence to waver. Yet, despite the intimidating atmosphere, one mage dared to speak up, trying to dispel the growing tension.
"Captain, this is no ordinary mission. The fluctuations we measured are unprecedented. Their intensity rivals that of a natural aetheric disaster..."
Those words instantly caused an uproar in the room. Advisors erupted in outrage, shouting their disapproval.
"Do you realize the weight of your words?" one of them yelled.
"Imagine if word of this gets out!" added another, his face red with anger.
In the midst of the chaos, Neryana's commanding voice cut through, silencing all objections.
"Silence!"
The room froze instantly, paralyzed by the sheer force of her presence.
"If the Scarlet Order deems these disturbances alarming, who here dares to question their judgment?" she said with unwavering authority. Many attendants lowered their eyes in shame.
"I understand your concerns," she continued in a measured tone, "but it is my duty to protect this empire. I, Neryana Caldius, Captain of the Imperial Guard, will conduct this reconnaissance with my escort. We will determine the cause of this anomaly."
Shortly after the meeting adjourned, Neryana and twenty imperial guards set out, crossing the golden plains toward the ominous Quartzian Forest of Lunithar.
[ Meanwhile, with Basil and the unconscious fugitive. ]
The daylight was fading, painting the horizon in hues of orange shadows. The fresh air, tinged with the scent of damp vegetation, deepened the heavy stillness that surrounded them.
On a white cloak stolen from the unconscious Paladin, Basil had laid the young woman, ensuring she rested in a comfortable position.
A sudden, sharp sound of movement broke the silence.
Where am I? thought the young woman as her eyes fluttered open, her panicked gaze scanning her surroundings.
"Ah, you're finally awake! Took you long enough, damn it," Basil muttered, visibly irritated.
Instinctively, she lowered her eyes to her abdomen, noticing a crudely bandaged wound. Shocked, she looked back up at him.
"Why did you help me?" she asked, still shaken.
"Because you're pretty, why else?" Basil replied, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
Huh? Wait, what? What's he talking about?
His casual and cheeky response left her dumbfounded. Receiving help… for such a shallow reason?
"And… may I ask who you are?" she asked timidly.
Basil burst into laughter, further amplifying her confusion.
"Why are you being so formal? We're the same age."
She studied him for a moment, realizing that despite his strange demeanor, he did indeed look young.
"My name's Basil Mardovk. And you, criminal?"
Annoyed by his provocative tone and baseless accusation, she nevertheless replied calmly, aware that she owed him her life.
"My name is Lilith Avegno. And… thank you for saving me."
"Yeah, yeah, cool… but why was some guy dressed like a Templar chasing you and trying to kill you?" Basil asked.
Lilith averted her gaze, her eyes landing on the grass as anger and sorrow flickered across her face. Clearly, the question stirred a painful memory.
"He was hunting me because I stole classified documents," she finally admitted, pulling carefully rolled parchments from her small bag.
Basil frowned, intrigued.
"And what possessed you to steal classified shit from fucking Paladins?"