In the vast chamber, where the air carried the weight of authority, every detail exuded power and command. At the center stood a large wooden desk, its polished surface gleaming under the dim glow of Ether Lanterns. Behind it sat a grand leather chair, towering in stature, exuding power. In front of the desk, two smaller leather chairs faced it—less imposing, yet still refined.
This was no ordinary room—it was an office of the patriarch of House Vaelgrim
Not far behind those chairs, Cassius and Alistair were seated on opposite ends of a long sofa. Between them lay a table covered in documents, maps, and books. A large map of the capital was sprawled across the surface, several areas circled in deep red ink.
Alistair's gaze remained on the map as he spoke. "In multiple locations around the capital, Imperial patrols have been attacked by unknown assailants. I received reports that the attackers had no Etherea."
Cassius raised an eyebrow. "You mean they weren't using Etherea, or they don't have Etherea at all?"
"They don't have Etherea," Alistair confirmed.
Cassius frowned, his fingers tapping against the armrest of the sofa. "No one is born in this world without Etherea. There has to be another explanation. Have you managed to capture any of the attackers?"
"I deployed several Imperial squads to set a trap, but they strike without warning and vanish just as fast. This is more in your area of expertise," Alistair admitted.
Cassius leaned back, exhaling slowly. He pinched the bridge of his nose, calculating his next move. His expression darkened.
"Why are you handling this personally?" he asked. "Shouldn't the Mayor of the Imperial Capital be dealing with something like this?"
Alistair hesitated, inhaling deeply before answering.
"The Mayor is preoccupied with… other matters at the moment," he said carefully.
Cassius sighed, running a hand through his shoulder-length black wavy hair. His mind was already racing through the implications.
"Fine," he finally said. "I'll send a few people to investigate. But don't expect a large unit. You know what's brewing in the Empire right now."
Alistair nodded. "I understand. Even a small unit will be a great help. Thank you, Cassius."
Cassius smirked slightly. "It was my pleasure. Let's head back to the party."
Both men rose from their seats and moved toward the door. Just as Cassius reached for the handle—
A sharp, ringing bell shattered the quiet.
They both froze.
Then, in perfect sync, they spun toward the large window overlooking the gardens.
Outside, Vaelgrim soldiers were moving swiftly between several unmoving bodies scattered across the courtyard. The torches cast flickering shadows over the fallen figures.
Cassius didn't hesitate. His body vanished in an instant, engulfed by dark flames as he teleported to the scene.
Beside him, Alistair's form dissolved into shimmering light particles, reforming moments later right at Cassius's side.
Cassius's voice was sharp as a blade. "What happened here?"
One of the soldiers, clad in the distinct black armor of the Vaelgrim Guard, straightened and saluted. It was Captain Lars—the same man who had welcomed Revan and Xander at the Hall of Shadows.
"My Lord, there were five intruders," Lars reported, his voice steady but urgent.
Cassius's golden eyes flicked over the fallen bodies. Some were motionless. Others barely stirred.
"We found them like this," Lars continued.
Cassius's expression darkened. "Dead?"
"All but one," Lars replied. He turned and motioned toward two guards.
They dragged forward a hooded man, his robes stained with blood. His left arm was missing below the elbow.
One of the guards pulled back the hood, revealing an older man with a thick mustache and beard. His bald head gleamed under the torchlight, deep wrinkles marking his aged face.
"Tend his wounds and interrogate him," Cassius ordered.
"At once, my Lord," Lars responded, signaling his men.
Cassius nodded in approval. "Good work, Captain Lars."
Lars hesitated, shifting slightly. "There's… one more thing, sir."
Cassius turned to him sharply.
"We cannot locate Young Lord Revan and Princess Luna."
Silence.
Alistair's expression twisted with alarm. "What?!" His voice was sharp with barely contained anger.
Cassius's jaw tightened, but he forced himself to remain composed. His fists clenched at his sides.
Lars continued, "Young Lord Xander may be able to provide more information."
===
Inside Cassius's office, a room carved from authority and silence, young Xander now sat quietly in his mother's lap on a long leather sofa. In his small hands was a cup of warm milk, the steam rising gently as he held it close. His face was pale, his eyes unfocused—still shaken by the ambush in the garden.
Surrounding him were the core members of House Marvilion and House Vaelgrim. Standing watch, Captain Lars kept his position near the window, while two Vaelgrim soldiers guarded the door, their expressions sharp and unreadable.
"Xander…" Cassius's voice was low, calm. "Can you tell us what happened in the garden?"
The boy swallowed, his grip tightening around the cup.
"Someone came from behind," he said quietly. "They covered my mouth and pressed a dagger to my neck… Then Luna made a bright light, and Revan attacked—he kicked the man in the face."
Elsara, seated beside him, leaned in gently. "What's the last thing you remember, dear?" she asked in a soft tone.
Xander paused. "Luna told me to run and scream."
Then, his eyes widened. A memory sparked.
"I looked back… and I saw glowing orbs. They popped—like bubbles—and people with swords came out of them."
Cassius and Alistair exchanged a quick glance. No words were needed. The tension in their expressions said enough.
"Is that all?" Cassius asked.
"Oh—on my way to the banquet hall, I met Captain Lars," Xander added.
Cassius turned to Lars, who gave a firm nod to confirm the boy's account.
"Please take Xander to his room," Cassius said to his wife.
Elsara gave a reassuring smile, setting the cup aside. She stood, gently lifting Xander into her arms before carrying him toward the door.
"Captain Lars, escort House Marvilion to their chambers," Cassius added.
"At once, my lord," Lars replied.
The two guards at the door opened it promptly. Outside, four more guards stood in formation, two on each side. As Elsara and Xander passed through, two of the outer guards fell into step behind them.
House Marvilion followed, guarded front and back—with Captain Lars close behind.
Inside the office, only Cassius and Alistair remained.
"It's them," Alistair said firmly.
"I know," Cassius replied.
He stood, walked toward the massive desk, and reached beneath its surface. With a quiet click, he pressed a hidden button.
One of the tall bookshelves across the room slid aside with a soft mechanical hum, revealing a concealed space. Within it stood a caged perch, the door already open. Resting inside was a mechanical raven, its white Ether Stone eyes glowing faintly.
Alistair stood, frowning.
"What are you doing, Cassius? My daughter is missing. We don't know what they're planning to do to her!"
Cassius didn't answer. He retrieved a small scroll, scribbled something swiftly, then rolled it tight. With a tap to the raven's back, a chamber opened in its body. He inserted the scroll inside.
Then, raising his arm, he offered it to the bird. With a soft metallic click, the raven stepped out of the cage and onto his wrist.
"Cassius, you have to act now. If you won't, I'll summon the entire Imperial Legion to search for her," Alistair snapped, his patience wearing thin.
"The Emperor won't allow that," Cassius replied evenly.
"I'm not bluffing."
Still calm, Cassius walked to the window and released the raven into the night sky. Its wings extended, and with a sudden burst of motion, it vanished into the distance.
"Cassius!" Alistair shouted, frustration boiling over.
"I'm doing something," Cassius said quietly, his eyes following the bird until it disappeared from view.
Alistair scoffed, frustration sharpening his voice. "You sent a mechanical bird. That's it? What now?"
Cassius's gaze remained fixed on the sky. "Now… we wait."
Alistair turned to him, incredulous. "We wait? That's your plan?"
"Charging in blindly could make things worse," Cassius replied calmly. "Better to let them handle it."
"Them?" Alistair's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping into his tone.
Cassius finally turned, offering a faint, knowing smile.
"We don't even know where they are," Alistair pressed.
Cassius gave a casual shrug, his smile lingering. "I had a hunch."
Alistair let out a sharp breath, shaking his head. "Gods… you Vaelgrim and your damn secrets."
===
High above the Empire, the mechanical raven soared with unmatched speed. It cut through the night sky, passing over forests, rivers, and mountain ridges with ease—faster than any living bird.
Eventually, its flight slowed as it reached the mouth of a dark cavern.
Hovering for a moment, the raven let out three sharp caws, echoing into the hollow.
Then it landed—gracefully—on the arm of a figure cloaked in shadow.
She wore matte-black armor that reflected no light. A hood concealed most of her face, and a dragon-shaped mask hid the rest. Behind her stood six more figures, their forms silent and still beneath the dim canopy of the cave.
The woman touched the bird's back. A compartment opened, revealing the scroll. She took it, unrolled it, and read.
The raven fluttered up and settled onto her shoulder.
"We have a mission," the woman said, her voice low beneath the mask.