"Wanna hang out tonight?" Spencer asked me, her face hopeful as she leaned against the cafeteria table.

  I shook my head and gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry... I can't. Not tonight."

  Her eyes narrowed. "If you have a date, you can just say that. I'm sure Luke wouldn't mind if I knew."

  "I don't have a date. I promise. I just...have to be somewhere."

  "Okaaay. Is it a secret?" Her tone was teasing, but I didn't miss the undercurrent of curiosity.

  I sighed. I hated keeping Spencer in the dark. She was one of my closest friends, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to dodge her questions. But there was no way she'd believe the truth, even if I did tell her, so I simply said, "It's a dumb...family thing. People demanding my presence."

  "Hm. Your family sure seems to have a lot of those. I mean, don't get me wrong, I like your family." She ughed, and I was relieved that she seemed to accept my excuse. "But we should have a sleepover soon. It's been, like, too many months since we had one."

  "How about this weekend?" I suggested. "We could have it at my house. I shouldn't have too much going on."

  Her expression brightened. "Really? Sounds good! We'll totally do it. I'll bring the pizza, Niki will bring the gossip, and Lauren can bring whatever snacks her mom makes. I'll text Reese and let her know. I think she's free... Jess might want to come, too, if she's not busy with work."

  "Perfect. It's a pn," I replied, a grin overtaking my features. It wasn't often these days that things were simple, so having my mind taken off Ermiarhia and Inkbloods for a night was something I was actually looking forward to.

  "Let's coordinate details ter," Spencer said before slinging her backpack over her shoulder as the bell rang.

  I rose to my feet. "As long as you know I might not be able to answer you right away." I trailed her through the double doors of the cafeteria, heading for our psychology css. "I'm...pretty bad about that tely. Sorry."

  She fshed me a smile over her shoulder. "No sweat. Just make sure to answer me as soon as you're free."

  A sudden pang of gratitude welled up in my chest as I watched Spencer saunter down the hallway ahead of me. Even after how distant I'd become, even after the things I'd failed to do, she was still here. She didn't understand, she didn't know... But she was here, and I was incredibly thankful for her.

  "Hey, wait," I called as I picked up my pace and moved to her side.

  She raised a curious eyebrow. "What's up?"

  I bit my lip. "You know you're one of my closest friends, right? Even if I can be...bad at showing it sometimes?"

  The surprise on her face made me immediately regret not telling her more often. But I was saved by her familiar smile.

  "I know. You're a weirdo, but I still love you." She nudged my shoulder with her elbow. "Just keep me in the loop, yeah? And please let me know if you ever get sick of me. I want to make sure I can find a repcement before I get tossed out on the curb."

  I snorted. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."

  "Well, who else would keep me out of trouble?" she asked as she batted her shes in mock innocence.

  "Not my job," I shot back, holding open the door to the cssroom for her. "If anything, you're the trouble-making influence."

  "I'm fttered." She bowed, then waltzed inside with a skip in her step.

  I rolled my eyes, but followed her with a grin. Maybe things could still be simple for once. Maybe certain things never did actually change. Maybe there was still some part of me that hadn't changed, either.

  Since there were no csses at the Academy on Wednesdays, I got a good few hours to do some homework and eat a quick dinner before I had to head to Emiarhia – but not for training like usual. It was for a knighting ceremony at the decree of King Typhis. His messengers had sent me, Shaye, and Ashkan each a letter about it only a few days ago. The three of us were to be officially knighted for the great strides we'd made towards accomplishing our saviourhood duties. It was apparently tradition to do so for anyone who'd been chosen by the gods for any important task or augury since almost the beginning of the country. I couldn't exactly say no. Besides, the wording of the letter was very careful to ensure we didn't think we actually had a choice. At least, not a choice that didn't end with a stern talking to from our families and a nasty rumour getting started about us being disrespectful brats.

  The ceremony would take pce before sundown and after a private feast, at a coliseum called the Chaplet Amphitheatre that I hadn't had the chance to see yet. It was where many major public events were hosted: battle tournaments, music performances, religious celebrations... They were expecting thousands of spectators tonight. The whole thing had been carefully arranged in such a short amount of time. And the letter had instructed me not to worry about what to wear – it would all be taken care of by the castle. I could only hope I wouldn't get handed another pair of wretched heels to snap my ankles in.

  Just before seven o'clock, I changed clothes and transferred dimensions alongside my dad. I tried to tell him that it really wasn't necessary for him to go, but he'd been insistent on seeing me get knighted, despite how much I wished he wouldn't. Mom would've come if she wasn't currently working through a backlog of orders for an upcoming ga, but she'd been ecstatic to hear about what was happening. She couldn't find her travel ticket, anyway. I hadn't ever seen her on Emiarhia, so I assumed it'd been a very long time since she'd used it. But Dad kept his in the safe in his office. I'd learned recently that he'd purchased a permanent pass soon after travelling to Earth for the first time so that he could keep our neckce hidden on Emiarhia just in case someone were to steal it, or – more likely – he were to lose it. The gifted runes on the pendant were powerful enough that I knew there were more than a few people who'd want to get their hands on it. Thus, Dad's travel pass had seen decades of use. He had bought an identical one for Mom after they got engaged, but she rarely ever went back after I was born. I suspected it made her anxious to be away from Earth for too long. I didn't exactly bme her for that.

  By four p.m. Emiarhian time, the carriage that had been sent to retrieve us rolled up to the Chaplet Amphitheatre. I felt a shiver travel down my spine at the sight of it. The coliseum was a massive, circur building carved out of reddish stone, towering several storeys high and surrounded by intricately decorated arches. It was open to the sky above and supported by high, round columns that dispyed murals of gods flying through the air, watching over everyone. Rather than a sand pit, this arena had a checkered floor made of smooth tiles that I expected weren't dirtied by blood very often. Decorations of candles and blooming flowers already adorned the arched beams, with golden ribbons streaming down from the highest points. Members of the pace staff hurriedly coordinated preparations all around the structure. It was clear that this was an event they'd given a lot of thought to executing perfectly. Armed guards patrolled the circumference of both the top and the bottom. A hundred or so spectators were already in attendance, though I had no doubt that the numbers would multiply quickly.

  The carriage driver opened the door for us, and I followed Dad out, pausing as I eyed the excited audience members.

  "Don't look so worried," Dad told me, offering an encouraging smile.

  My hands csped together. "I don't think I'm quite in the mood for this..."

  His gaze turned sympathetic. "I can promise it won't be all bad. This ceremony is very traditional and has been conducted countless times. I've seen a handful of them for champions over the years; sure, there's a lot of fanfare and theatrics, but it's really more of a celebration than anything else. They'll acknowledge how the gods have blessed you and the great strides you've made to fulfil their will, then they'll express their pride, bestow a title, and send you on your way with appuse. And we'll be home before you know it. Just stay calm, and don't let yourself get swept up in all the fuss. Most of it isn't even for you, really."

  I stared at him bnkly. "Most of it?"

  He squinted a little. "I mean– I guess it's technically for you? But... Well, the public needs reassurance that their heroes are actually making progress. If it seems like there's been a slowdown in the movements of those the gods have chosen, then people may grow worried about the threat."

  "Yeah, I know... They're just looking for someone to root for so they can sleep a bit better at night."

  "In a sense. But that's not always a bad thing! Their adoration can give you the means and motivation to achieve things you'd otherwise be unlikely to." He squeezed my shoulder. "It'll be just fine, you'll see. This is all a formality."

  I didn't have the energy to argue about how I was pretty sure the people who would've rather had some random pheasant as a champion than an eighteen-year-old Earthborn weren't going to change their minds just because I was going to stand in a coliseum and wave to the crowds like a pretty doll. Instead, I slowed my pace in order to walk beside Shaye and Ashkan, leaving Dad to catch up to Kadia farther ahead.

  Shaye was holding up her golden pendant and gesturing animatedly about something. "–And there must be a magical enchantment of some kind, or a... A special...ability. Or perhaps one of the runes is directly responsible. It would be logical. Unfortunately, all the information I've found on the subject is too vague to confirm. Maybe they're– Oh, hi!" Her head whipped in my direction.

  I gnced between her and Ashkan. "Did I interrupt something?"

  Ash shook his head and raised a hand in a zy wave. "Just another one of her research rambles. Shaye, you really ought to learn to pace yourself."

  "Pish posh!" she responded. "How is one ever meant to gain new knowledge if not through relentless pursuit and meticulous documentation? Who else is going to do the work? Certainly not you, Mr. 'I'll just figure it out in the moment'."

  He blinked. "...You make me sound so careless."

  "Not careless." She crossed her arms and gave him an evaluating look. "Just...not pedantic."

  Ash let out a sharp exhale through his nose, amusement visible in his eyes. "I'm sure there's plenty I know that you don't."

  "If that's the case, you're certainly free to document everything you know. I would gdly be a peer-reviewer."

  "Hm. I'll be sure to write a dissertation on my personal feelings towards the notion of that offer."

  Shaye just rolled her eyes with a smile.

  I finally piped up, "So, is this the part where I get to know what you were rambling about?"

  "Ah! I was expining to Ashkan how I've been trying to replicate something I suspect my neckce does," she told me excitedly. "Remember the mission in Opios? After we'd emerged back above the water, and... Well, my arm was terribly broken, so I wasn't doing much besides sobbing. But did you notice I was levitating while Kadia was tending to me?"

  My mind fshed back to that day, and I had to admit that the sight of Shaye suspended a few inches in the air was a bit hazy amidst the more pressing details. But it came back to me when she mentioned it, and I nodded. "Yeah. It was weird. I don't think I've ever seen someone do that, at least not for that long."

  "Precisely! I thought the same. I've never been able to levitate, let alone fly. Even aerokinesis merely temporarily counteracts gravity. But true levitation and flight are the most difficult branches of air magic. The vast majority of people aren't capable of such things, or else you'd have people flitting through the skies and bsting the clouds all day, every day. So this begs the question, how did I do it?" Her expression was growing more intense. "My best hypothesis is that my neckce, which I was wearing that day, is the answer. Because I haven't been able to replicate that feat even once without it. But when I do, and I focus hard enough on its power...I can sense it. Although I'm not certain exactly how to expin what I sense."

  I pursed my lips for a second. "I mean, I don't think it's a secret that these neckces amplify our magic. But I didn't know they could amplify abilities you don't already have..."

  "I know. That's part of the mystery." She let out an agitated huff of air, but I got the distinct impression she was thrilled by the puzzle instead of irritated. "It was as though...something about my distress activated a dormant faculty in my pendant, which it then channelled to me. It's very odd. I have to wonder if it's linked to my blood magic type; my elemental discipline..."

  "Then, that would imply that Ash and I would also be granted conditional powers from them," I concluded.

  "Correct."

  "But...powers that correte with our magic types, and represent the absolute heights of said element?"

  "Theoretically."

  My gaze moved over to Ash, who shrugged.

  "That'd be pretty interesting," I decided. "I'd love to be able to turn invisible whenever I want. I still don't have that one down even slightly..."

  Shaye beamed. "Wouldn't it?"

  "Not sure how I'd feel about being able to talk to pnts," Ashkan remarked dryly.

  "If you'd even amass such skill. Deliberate telepathy with pnt life is no easy feat, remember? People come first, followed by animals," she reminded him. "My stars, that would make gardening so much easier..."

  "You'd be able to read minds?" I questioned incredulously, with a hint of worry. I needed Ash to be privy to all my tangled thoughts of him like I needed a hole in the head.

  "Not exactly. The ability concerns itself more with emotions and mental states than it does with the precise wording of conscious thoughts. Think of empathy on overdrive," she crified. "And the caster can control it."

  Ashkan whistled. "Lucky me..."

  Our conversation was promptly cut off by us being guided down a flight of stone stairs and into the interior chambers of the Amphitheatre. Numerous rooms branched off, each filled to the brim with people and decorations. The pce seemed to be an ongoing hub of movement and purpose. I wandered just behind Shaye and Ash as we were directed past archways and through corridors by the ever-efficient castle servants. It wasn't long before I realized that we were being led to a suite of dressing rooms. Dad and Kadia disappeared down one of the smaller hallways, no doubt to get changed into their own appropriate finery, leaving us in the capable hands of the staff.

  "What does one wear to a sociopolitical bloodbath?" Ashkan quipped as we passed a second cluster of nobles and distinguished members of the court.

  "I'm sure the people would love to hear you call it that," Shaye mused in an attempt to be polite.

  I chuckled quietly. "Yeah, uh, now's not really the time or pce for your prickly-pear act."

  His reply was a gnce in my direction that asked a whole lot of questions and made my stomach do backflips. "Sorry. I'll run it by you next time."

  I didn't know how to react, so I just gave him a half-hearted ugh and a nod. Real smooth.

  Soon, we were each ushered into separate dressing rooms. A woman in maid's attire was waiting for me with a crisp smile on her face.

  She curtseyed as I closed the door behind myself. "It's an honour to make your acquaintance, Your Luminary. My name is Elisse. I'll be your handmaiden this evening."

  "Hi, Elisse," I replied, bowing my head briefly. I gnced around the room. There was a velvet stool situated in front of a huge, three-panelled mirror. A door at the far wall stood slightly ajar, leading into a private washroom. Armoires and wardrobes adorned the perimeter. "Is all of this...for me?"

  "Yes, midy," she confirmed. "You are our honoured guest of the day."

  "Right..."

  She looked like she'd been anticipating me to be a little more enthusiastic than I was, but she quickly brushed it off and started her job.

  I undressed in the washroom and donned a simple robe while Elisse debriefed me about the ceremony and what would be expected of me. Stand here, kneel here, face this way... It sounded more like I'd be doing a military training course or dance recital than being knighted at a public ceremony. I tried my best to absorb everything as she bustled about, applying cosmetics, perfecting the waves in my hair, and rambling about how wonderful I was for Emiarhia, for the gods, and for the monarchy. I wasn't entirely sure if she was being sincere or if she was just paid to say nice things. Regardless, her voice was a comforting distraction from what I knew would be an incredibly long evening. And I was thankful that she didn't even bat an eye at my anti-dark cuff.

  After about twenty minutes, there was a knock at the door. It opened to reveal a mustachioed man wearing the same attire as the other pace staff I'd seen around. There was a mannequin on wheels beside him.

  Elisse turned to address him. "Oh, Hector. That was fast. Are we ready?"

  Hector nodded, rolling the mannequin to the middle of the room. "As ready as we can be, ma'am. This is what His Majesty approved of, polished to perfection. The King sincerely hopes this ensemble is to Her Luminary's liking." He spoke in an overly dramatic voice. It was obvious that he'd been prepping his delivery of those lines.

  I gave him an obligatory smile and eyed the clothing that'd been set up on the dummy. My smile instantly vanished. It wasn't even a gown, or clothing, really. It was...

  A full suit of armour. Rose gold, vaguely Gothic, incredibly opulent, and positively glistening. It was the exact same colour as my travelling neckce, which I'd wear overtop. Dark grey fabric peeked out between the ptes. The cuirass, with its engraved detailing and glossy finish, was shaped for a feminine physique. The ornamented pauldrons emphasized a commanding presence without compromising the sheer elegance of the suit. Small, clear and violet jewels and dangling beads adorned the colrbone, hips, elbows, and vambraces. The gorget had a high colr that would meet almost at my jawline. Bck boots with low heels were situated underneath the eborate greaves and sabatons. Even the fingers on the gauntlets had carvings and decorative gems attached. The ensemble had an almost mythic aura. But it didn't take a genius to figure out that the suit was never intended for an actual, practical purpose. It would never see battle, if not only for the risk of denting or scratching the pretty details. This was just for the show.

  I stood in shock as I took it in. I'd suspected they would design ceremonial garb with plenty of flourishes and precious materials, but... It was like they were dressing me up as a war goddess from ancient tales of yore. And that's when it clicked. This thing in front of me was practically a costume. Whether it was who the pace thought I was, or who they wanted me to be, I couldn't say, but this was the mold they were imposing upon me either way. As the figure they'd decided I should be.

  Hector was the first to notice my less-than-eted reaction. "Your Luminary? Is...everything to your standards?"

  Elisse stared at me. "...Lady De Mavset?"

  "I– It's... Yeah. Yeah, it's, uh..." I raked my tongue over my front teeth. "It's amazing. Thank you."

  That must've been enough to pcate them, because they each broke into satisfied smiles. Hector then bid us adieu.

  After a long series of clicks and snaps as the pieces were attached to my body, as well as several minutes of fidgeting and trying to get comfortable in the irrationally corseted waist, the ensemble was completed by fastening a strange contraption to my shoulder bdes. At first gnce, it looked like a pair of rge wings made of iridescent gss. The tops of them were indeed constructed of small shards of crystal that mimicked feathers. But the lower sections were made of carefully crafted yers of an organza-like, 'liquid gss' fabric that I'd become familiar with. The two ends connected to create a looped train of fabric that began at my ankles and dragged about four feet behind me. The wings were lighter than I expected them to be when Elisse attached them, but were bulky enough that it took a couple of seconds for me to find my centre of gravity again.

  I studied my appearance in the mirror once it was all finished. I felt...wrong. Not bad, exactly. I actually did like how I looked, even if the fit was stiff in pces. The warmth of the rose gold made for an interesting contrast against my ptinum hair, the top half of which had been expertly twisted and braided away from my face. The somewhat exaggerated proportions of the ptes did an impressive job of creating a shapely silhouette, as well. I could appreciate how the aesthetic was carefully crafted. And the overall effect was quite lovely, albeit...unnerving.

  "You look radiant, midy!" Elisse procimed with a beaming grin, standing off to one side and looking like she'd just finished constructing a priceless work of art.

  "It's very...impressive," I settled on saying. "Um, thanks. This must've been quite the challenge."

  She just shook her head politely. "Nonsense. No challenge is too great if it is in service of a padin of the gods."

  A knock at the door cut off whatever reply I was going to think of.

  Elisse scurried over and opened it, curtseying low upon finding someone important on the other side. "Milord! I... How may I assist you?"

  "Oh. Would it be possible to, uh...borrow Brielle for a bit? I can wait if you're not quite finished yet, though. It's not urgent."

  Ashkan's voice floated into the room, and my head snapped towards the sound. I wasn't sure if he was nervous, or embarrassed, or anxious, or what, but the fact that he was there at all gave me a rush of butterflies. It was such a dumb reaction, and he'd probably checked up on Shaye, too, but it was impossible to suppress.

  Like a messenger, Elisse trotted back across the room to where I stood. "Midy? Lord Wroet'by is requesting a brief audience. How shall I answer?"

  The urge to make some quip about how Ashkan could definitely hear us was hard to ignore, but I resisted and gnced at the clock above the vanity. "How much time do we have before the feast?"

  Her eyes followed the path my gaze had taken, then returned to me. "Nearly fifteen minutes, madam. Enough time to conclude a few matters before I must escort you to the dining hall. Shall I allow His Luminary a brief stay?"

  I gave her a quick smile. "Yes, please let him in."

  She immediately complied, and turned to go open the door fully. I could feel a tension in my posture that hadn't been there moments ago. I didn't know whether or not that was a good thing, but it was certainly a thing.

  The moment Ashkan walked through the doorway and spotted me, he stopped short and just...stared. His reaction was instant. His eyes widened; he inhaled a small, sharp breath, and he seemed to stop himself from saying whatever first popped into his head. The only sound to escape his lips was a faint 'huh' as he blinked once.

  I probably would've felt more vulnerable had I not been doing basically the same thing to him. Because he was wearing... I mean, he looked unbelievable. The finery they had adorned him in was simir to mine: a gleaming, white gold suit of armour with dark grey clothing underneath, embellished and detailed to high heaven. The transparent wings on his back were more reminiscent of a bat's wings than a bird's like mine; a sleeker, sharper style that created a more intimidating air to complement his overall frame. Decorative studs and the occasional jewel were sprinkled onto almost every pte. He looked...powerful. Like a warrior whose victories were won with more than a bde. Like he carried enough presence to change the atmosphere of a room just by walking through the door. Like a king. And I found myself quite distracted by how well it suited him. It wasn't entirely incongruent. There was something about his character, about the way he bore his burdens, about the adversity and obstacles he'd faced that gave him an essence that matched this new shell in spades.

  I opened my mouth to speak, then closed it again. Even with all the months I'd spent around Ash, and all the months I'd spent developing some degree of immunity to his appearance, and all the weeks that I'd tried (and failed) to teach myself how to be near him without feeling vaguely discombobuted, there would still be occasions like this that would fry my brain. An opportune sunbeam, an unexpectedly genuine smile, a ck of sleeves, or a stupid, fancy suit of armour. He'd almost become like a liquor: something I only trusted myself to have in small doses.

  No! the logical side of my brain practically shouted at itself. Quit idealizing things that aren't good for you! This would never work, remember?! Cool it.

  But the more romantic part of me chastised my knee-jerk reaction and challenged, But wouldn't it be nice...? Just imagine...

  I quickly shoved the intrusive thought out of the window, threw it into a ditch, and buried it in a ndfill in my head. Focus.

  Ashkan's arms moved behind his back. There was an impossibly awkward pause, until he shifted his weight and cleared his throat. "Sorry. I just... That– You, uh... That's quite the, uh... Um..."

  "I know. It's intense," I supplied in an attempt to inject some levity.

  "Understatement," he muttered under his breath. "You look, um... It looks very...fancy? Regal. It looks very regal."

  I forced out a ugh. "Thanks. So does yours."

  He shrugged a shoulder. "I guess that's kind of the point of all this."

  Elisse, whom I'd almost completely forgotten was still in the room, suddenly interjected, "...Well, I shall take my leave and ensure the other attendees are properly dressed. Shall I return to collect you for the festivities at five-to, midy?"

  I looked over. "Um, yes, please. Thank you for all your help, Elisse."

  "It was my pleasure," she said with a curtsey. After taking a final gnce over the room to make sure everything was in order, she slipped out and left Ashkan and me alone.

  Another lengthy pause, in which both of us stared at the floor or at a random spot on a wall.

  He spoke up soon enough, "So, are you as uncomfortable as I am?"

  My brows furrowed. "What, the armour?"

  "Yeah," he crified, before chuckling briefly. "Yes, the armour. Sorry; I should've specified that."

  "Uh, yeah. It's not bad. But it's not exactly practical. It's mostly the weight that's throwing me off." I demonstrated with a step in each direction. "My bance is totally different."

  He nodded in agreement. "Same here. I really don't feel like...myself in general. This all just seems... I don't know."

  "Like they're trying to buy our loyalty, but in the most convoluted, over-the-top way possible?"

  "Exactly. It's almost insulting... Expensive, though," he conceded after a second thought. "The handiwork on this is just...mad. But, I just have this creeping suspicion that we're about to get hoodwinked or something. I can't pinpoint exactly what it is that's setting off arms in my head. Maybe it's just me. Fshy gifts always tend to be a red fg to me..."

  That st part struck a chord of guilt within my chest. "Hah, uh... Fair."

  "I keep thinking about how much of a waste this is. At least our weapons that the King paid for have a real use. And a decent suit of armour also has a good purpose. This?" He gestured at the glittering suit in a wide circle. "What purpose does it serve? We didn't even get helms. We'll probably be taking them off within a few hours and then never wear them again. It feels like it's just meant to look pretty and sit on a pedestal for dispy."

  "No argument there."

  "Well, I figured you'd understand. Shaye got the same treatment, but she seems to be having a better time than us. I wish I could get into this stuff the way she does," he said with an easy, amused smirk.

  I giggled and folded my arms. "I bet."

  He stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before continuing, "Anyway, uh. Speaking of Shaye, I would've brought her along with me so we could have a little pre-feast huddle, but...I wanted to talk to you about yesterday. If you have the time, of course. But I think we should probably regroup before we all get thrown into an overstimuting situation with the upper echelons of high society. I know we talked about the assignment on the carriage ride here, but Kadia and Shaye were definitely getting confused by all the whispering we were doing in the back... And I think your father also tried to eavesdrop a couple of times..."

  I cringed slightly. "Yeah, I noticed. Sorry about that – I just wanted to fill you in before we got here so you wouldn't have to wait days for answers. I hope it wasn't too jarring. But I don't think anyone heard anything incriminating."

  Ashkan took a few steps closer so he wasn't conversing with me from the opposite side of the room, and dropped his volume by at least three levels. "It was a little jarring, if I'm honest... I can't believe you chased after Balgaur like that. It was certainly bold move. And it paid off, for the most part, which is really lucky, but... That was precisely why I asked you to stay on the safe side of things. If things hadn't turned out in our favour, it would've been a huge gamble."

  I tried to ignore how the way he'd phrased that sounded an awful lot like he was taking an 'I told you so' sort of stance. "You think I don't know that? That was the whole point. You're the one that suggested trying to emotionally manipute Balgaur to get intel out of him. If I'd stayed put and done nothing, I'd probably still be kicking myself over the fact that I let an opportunity to interrogate one of the most elusive targets in this country slip right through my fingers."

  He furrowed his eyebrows, though whether in confusion or irritation or some combination, I didn't know. "So it's my fault?"

  "No," I answered quickly. "I take full responsibility for my recklessness. I'm just saying that your idea, though risky, was a good one. And I got the right amount of lucky. Not to mention the nightmare premonition you had in Opios effectively prevented the whole team from getting disintegrated. So, yeah. Risky, but lucky. So... We're fine."

  "Luck isn't an asset. You can't rely on it in a critical situation."

  "Duh. I never assume we'll have luck on our side in the first pce. And, again, it was your suggestion, so I'm not sure why you're criticizing me. I made the most out of it."

  "I'm not trying to criticize you. I'm trying to understand what was going through your mind when you made the decision to run after him on your own. There were plenty of other options avaible that could've had a better outcome than you potentially dying."

  I shot him a hard look. "And you think I don't consider those possibilities before acting? That I would be that thoughtless with my actions? Maybe six months ago, but not now. I had to weigh my options in that split second, Ashkan. It's not as if I handed him my revolver and asked him to shoot me. Besides, he not only found out that I'm a hunter, but he also stopped attacking me when he did. That alone is suspicious. So I took an educated guess that it was going to work in my favour if I pressed the issue."

  He shook his head slightly, then raised his eyes to the ceiling again as if asking for some higher power to intervene and make this conversation easier. "Well... I can't deny that it did work. And I'm gd it did, because progress was made. I guess... I don't know. I'm gd you're safe. You took a big gamble, but you pyed the hand well, I'll give you that."

  I moved a hand to my hip. "You would've done the same thing."

  "Likely."

  "Then why are we arguing about this?"

  He blinked twice before his eyebrows drew together. "Are we arguing?"

  A sigh passed my lips. "...No. You just sound like Kadia right now, that's all it is. I understand your concerns, Ash. Really, I do. And you're entitled to be worried. I'm sorry if I worried you. But you have to trust that I thought it through. I had Steelshot with me, and I was armed, so I was safe."

  Ashkan's features smoothed out a bit, then he just stared at me for a second. "You know I do trust you. I'd just...feel better about this if you didn't have stitches in your ear right now."

  I reached up and gingerly tapped a finger against the two sutures holding the helix of my left ear in pce. I'd gotten to Northview pretty quickly after the mission, and I had helped it heal somewhat with magic before then, but the area was still sore to the touch and pretty raw in general. I wasn't going to be surprised if it scarred, or formed a notch or something. "It's better than me not standing here at all."

  His face darkened a bit at that. He was about to say something, then hesitated. "I suppose." A moment passed as I watched conflicting emotions py on his features. Eventually, he continued, "...How did you expin that to Lunellia at the infirmary? And to everyone else but me?"

  I gave a light shrug. "I just said it was a training accident. That I got clipped by an arrow. She could probably tell that it'd actually been a bullet, but she didn't press me about it, at least. As for Kadia and the rest, I think I did a decent job convincing them it was an accident involving a mishandled kitchen knife. Made me sound like a total idiot, but..." I trailed off, unsure of where to go next. "Um, and thanks for covering for me, by the way. How'd that go?"

  "It was nothing. I just told everyone who asked that you felt ill all of a sudden, and you'd run through it a while ter, after you returned to Earth for something important. Easy enough."

  "Cool. I'm gd you were able to lie so smoothly."

  "It's a gift."

  I ughed, then recalled, "Oh! Speaking of gifts..." I moved to grab my satchel from a table underneath the window. After fishing through it for a moment, I produced a small, paper-wrapped object, which I then handed off to Ashkan.

  He accepted it, but stared at it suspiciously for a moment before asking, "What's this?"

  "The rock you requested. From Earth."

  His mouth twisted to the side a little. "I didn't think you'd follow through, to be honest."

  "What?! I offered to!" I excimed. "Just open it."

  He shot me one st wary gnce before he obliged, unwrapping the small bundle to find a sparkling geode tucked into the crease of the paper. It wasn't an extremely impressive geode by any means. I'd actually seen bigger and more intricate specimens at the store, and had almost grabbed one that was ten times the price for him. But I'd reasoned that I should respect his request and just get him a 'rock' and nothing more, to the extent that the term could apply in the first pce. Because no way was I going to bring him an actual hunk of stone.

  The geode was like an egg, with a rough exterior and an inside filled with isometric, mostly cubic crystals. Milky periwinkle, rich violet, and aqua green melded together in a soft kaleidoscope of colour. I wasn't quite sure why I'd picked that one in particur. I just figured it'd look cool on his desk.

  Ash's expression turned a little dumbfounded. "This is not what I was expecting. Isn't this a mineral?"

  "Uh, no. It's a geode. A hollow rock containing minerals inside of it," I expined matter-of-factly. "This one's fluorite."

  "It's...lovely," he murmured as he tilted it to the side a few times to make the crystals catch the light. "I hope you didn't spend a lot on it..."

  I scoffed. "Don't worry about it. It's not like it's made of diamonds. Anyway, you wanted a 'rock'. You said I should just bring you a rock. So here's a rock. A rock from Earth, and not just some random pebble. Because that would be insulting."

  He raised an eyebrow at that, then chuckled softly. "Fair enough. ...Thank you, Brie. Really. I'll make a spot for it on my desk when I get home."

  I smiled at how contented he seemed to be with such a trivial thing. "Sure. Anytime."

  There was a quiet knock at the door a second ter.

  I turned, calling out, "It's open, Elisse."

  "No, it's just me!" Shaye's voice answered instead. "May I come in?"

  "Oh. Yeah, of course," I responded as Ashkan and I traded gnces.

  Shaye let herself into the room with a slight flourish and a beaming smile on her face, which grew wider the more she looked us over. She seemed quite taken aback by our appearances. A drawn-out gasp came from her, followed by a squeal. "Oooh! Look at you both!" She walked around in a wide circle so she could admire our outfits from multiple angles.

  "Forget about us. You look fantastic," Ashkan commented as he gave her a once-over.

  "Yeah, you look like a princess!" I agreed.

  She appeared to preen at that, standing up a little straighter and raising her chin proudly. Her armour was brilliant yellow gold with simir engravings and designs to Ashkan's and my own. Red and blue jewels were inid sparsely within certain segments. Swirls, scallops, ridges, and a great deal of filigree accented almost every inch of it. The same charcoal underyers as mine could be seen beneath. Tiny baubles dangled at intervals from her wrists, torso, and knees. Her hair was up in a half-bun style with the rest of it in ringlets. Her pair of gss wings were different yet again: more upright, and segmented like those of a butterfly or dragonfly. But the reflective train flowing from the hindwings was identical to my own.

  Shaye spun slowly around, then struck a dramatic pose. "You really think so?"

  "Without a doubt," Ashkan answered with a small ugh.

  I added, "Absolutely. It's nice that at least one of us can be happy in these things."

  "They're a tad heavy and tight, I'll grant you that. But we are supposed to be putting on a show here. They certainly made an effort, if nothing else." She took a breath. "Well, it's nearly time, so... How are we feeling?"

  "Awful. Like we're walking into a trap," Ash replied a bit too quickly.

  I nodded. "Or a mandatory performance."

  "Oh, stop it, both of you," Shaye huffed as she crossed her arms. "Let's make the most of tonight. It's not every day that we get knighted and honoured as heroes in a vish ceremony."

  "It's not an honour. It's an assignment," Ashkan corrected.

  She ignored him. "I, for one, am excited. Aren't you, Brielle? Or even a little curious?"

  "You know that I've never been one for the spotlight," I pointed out. "But I'm interested to see how this goes, I guess. It'd definitely be cool to be a knight. And, hey, free food. We can't deny that."

  "Exactly. And, besides, what could go wrong?" she asked cheerfully.

  Ash and I exchanged a look that communicated exactly how we were both feeling about that statement.

  Shaye didn't wait for an answer before she went on, "Regardless, it's too te to change anything now. There's no harm in enjoying the moment. So, come on, you two. Chin up! This is a wonderful achievement. We've worked hard for this, and we deserve a bit of praise."

  Ashkan sighed and shrugged. "You have a point."

  "Of course I do. I'm a woman of sense and sensibility."

  I gave a soft snort of ughter. "Okay. But I'm not going to start parading around and acting like a diva just because I'm getting a title."

  "Everything will be fine," she reassured. "And if not, we'll deal with it then. Just like the three of us always do. But there's no reason to fret. Now, we have a celebration to get to! Let's get out there and dazzle them!"

  Within minutes, we were ushered by Elisse towards the dining hall within the walls of the Amphitheatre. I fidgeted absentmindedly with my neckce on the way there. The growing audience in the stands outside could be glimpsed occasionally through the windows lining the passages we traversed. Servants darted back and forth in front of us, never quite colliding but clearly on a race against the clock to ensure everything was ready for the ceremony. They were so nimble that it seemed like they could dash through walls in a pinch.

  We reached a wide staircase that led down to the dining hall. It was an open area with a rge, circur table and chairs, all set with fine dishes and silverware. The room itself was round and ringed by columns and arches. The floor was checkered in blue and white tile. Everything had a soft, golden hue to it, from the flickering torches to the furniture. Pnts were nestled into corners or draped across walls. Banners, buntings, and decorations of all varieties adorned nearly every surface, and even hung from the ceiling in some pces. It was a bit much, to be honest.

  I took a moment to scan for who'd already arrived: the King and Queen of Shialumura, the Queen of Noslux, the King and Queen of Opios... Two women I assumed were the Queens of Criosedera, though I hadn't yet met either of them in person, sat beside the other royals. There were also two men – likely the Kings of Hezura, judging by their features – chatting amiably. And, finally, about a dozen of King Typhis' closest advisors and council members were mingling here and there in their finest clothes. Duchess Lysia, Earl Oleth, Lady Kyr, Viscount Rheil, Baroness Haelen... A spark of irritation fred up as my eyes nded on Duke Efren, as well as Count Taviel beside him. They were two peas in a pod. A sour pair.

  A footman suddenly moved to announce us from the top of the stairs, which meant we were about to be presented in the proper manner. I braced myself for the awkwardness I knew would be inevitable.

  "Your Majesties, Your Graces, and noble members of the court!" The volume of his voice almost made me wish I was wearing earplugs. "May I present to you the three Luminaries of the Tremaium augury, in the flesh: Lord Wroet'by, Lady Onusch-Eires, and Lady De Mavset."

  The crowd, which had been chattering and ughing quietly until this very moment, instantly fell silent. Everyone looked to the stairway. I tried to keep my discomfort from showing as I began the descent downwards. Shaye led the way. Ashkan went behind her. I followed, keeping pace and trying my best not to fall on my ass.

  When we finally reached the floor of the room, we stopped and gave respectful bows to our audience. They nodded their heads in turn. We were then guided towards the table and given seats. Shaye, Ashkan, and I sat directly across from where King Typhis and Queen Vanche would be seated. Since the table was circur, everyone could see each other. This meant we were getting plenty of stares. I tried my best to sit comfortably what with all of my armour. Thankfully, the back of my chair was low enough to fit under my wings.

  The Winithinian royalty arrived only a few minutes ter, and the remaining chairs at the table filled up. Servants were instantaneously in every nook and cranny, pouring drinks and bringing in ptes of food. They seemed to appear out of thin air. It was almost impressive how efficiently they moved, how much they could carry on one tray. I briefly wondered how much time they'd spent cooking and preparing all the food, just for us. Probably days. However, as much as I tried to stay quiet and focus only on eating, it soon became clear that this banquet wasn't just about the food. It was about socializing.

  "We have not yet properly thanked you for your work," the King of Opios remarked, meeting my gaze. "To think that our own goddess' dwelling has resided so untouched, right under our noses... We would have never known. We're in your debt."

  "No thanks is necessary, Your Majesty. We only did our duty," I answered with as much propriety as I could muster.

  The Queen of Noslux nodded and chimed in, "As did you outside of Lin Seriar a few months ago. Your efforts and courage have not gone unnoticed, champions. Our prayers and well wishes shall be with you always, so that your deeds might continue."

  Shaye's eyes lit up. "That means so much to hear, Your Majesty. Thank you."

  "How many gemstones have you retrieved to date?" the Shialumic Queen asked.

  Ashkan opened his mouth to answer when King Typhis interjected, "Four. Only two remain: fire and earth. Quite close to being reunited."

  One of the Queens of Criosedera – the shorter of the two – tilted her head. "Well, rest assured that our kingdom is prepared to equip you all with our very finest armour, as well as provide whatever other materials may be necessary, when the time comes."

  "Our chainmail is known to be unparalleled," one Hezuran King cut in. "We've provided armour and weapons for countless saviours throughout history. We'd be delighted to craft some for you."

  His husband agreed, "Indeed. It would be my pleasure to offer my personal forge for your use. We shall make armour that could survive even the sun itself, should such a need ever arise."

  "Always the ftterers," the Queen of Opios remarked with an amused smile.

  The Noslene Queen rolled her eyes a bit as she took a sip of her drink.

  "Regrettably, I hope it was understood that we were unable to supply you with attire for your assignment in Yethriondra," the King of Shialumura noted, leaning a little forward and cing his fingers together as he spoke. "Had we known sooner that the situation required ample protection, of course we would have offered only the best options."

  Ashkan responded, "It was not expected, Your Majesty. The circumstances were rather complicated and unpnned."

  "I, for one, am gd my tailors were able to receive your measurements in time," the Opian King said as he shot a brief, meaningful gnce towards King Typhis.

  A wave of ughter filled the table for a few seconds. I noticed Queen Vanche's mouth twist downwards a little, and I realized that might've been some kind of petty jab.

  "Tell me, Typhis," the first Hezuran King inquired, "have you considered what might occur if the sceptre doesn't function as expected once repaired? Since, as we know, the gods gifted it to the first Winithinian king... Might that bestowal, and its accompanying potential, have been severed upon the termination of King Hreiuk's bloodline?"

  A hushed quiet fell over everyone. I could practically feel the tension rising as eyes were shifted towards King Typhis, who had to swallow his food before speaking. "I do not pn on using the sceptre in that sense, nor do I anticipate that I will need to do so. Its purpose is to aid the saviours in their endeavour to restore peace to Emiarhia."

  "It would be most unwise to purloin a god's own gifts without proper permission, and without cause," the Noslene Queen stated. "A transgression of such calibre might provoke their ire. That could have catastrophic repercussions on many a soul in this world and the next."

  One Criosederie Queen added, "Indeed. An act of arrogance."

  "I do not disagree. However, it is something to be examined – after the Luminaries complete their mission," the King of Opios commented, to which his wife nodded along. "We must be prepared for every outcome. What if the gods require further assistance, even after the world is righted once again? Alternatively, what if they have been inactive for too long, and thus are in no condition to return to their rightful stations? Would the jewels not need to be utilized by someone else? Or even destroyed? Prophecies always only foretell so much..."

  "The gods can and will manage just fine," King Typhis stated curtly.

  A moment of unpleasant silence followed. I turned to Ashkan, then to Shaye. I was unsure what I'd missed or how the conversation had reached that point. Both of them seemed just as puzzled, but not surprised, at what was being discussed. The lower-ranking nobles who'd been quiet thus far, likely because of some kind of conversational hierarchy system I wasn't familiar with, all seemed to be giving each other pointed stares or lingering looks of disapproval. But that wasn't unusual.

  "Do not worry about any of this tonight. You have earned a rest," the Shialumic Queen encouraged us. "Instead, let us eat and drink well in honour of our three valiant saviours!"

  "Hear, hear!" several nobles echoed in response.

  Gsses were lifted up and clinked together in unison.

  "I must know, my friends," Baroness Haelen spoke as soon as everyone had settled, "how do you feel about your soon-to-be knighthood? It will be such an honour!"

  "A true pleasure," Duke Efren said in an oddly sweet tone. "One we will remember with great pride and admiration."

  Shaye beamed at the question. "It's an exciting moment indeed, midy. We're quite fttered by the King's offer."

  "A fine way to mark your victories, I'd say," Count Taviel added with a subtle gnce in my direction. I met his gaze as unobtrusively as possible.

  "How has your journey treated you? Have you all enjoyed travelling to various corners of the world?" Duchess Lysia questioned as she folded her napkin over.

  Ashkan answered, "It's been...eventful. But not without its rewards."

  "There is always an aspect to appreciate in everything we've seen," Shaye agreed. "And each region we've visited has been an excellent learning experience."

  "Yes. Very educational," I said simply.

  A few people gave small chuckles at that.

  "The world has become such a dangerous pce in recent years. I do hope you've been staying safe," the Shialumic Queen told us with a look of genuine concern.

  "We're managing, Your Majesty. Thank you," Shaye assured.

  Lady Kyr raised an eyebrow in my direction. "I'm certain that shadowbane fetter has proven itself most useful, Lady Brielle. One might even go so far as to consider it a lifesaver."

  "Yes. Most helpful," I murmured as I stared down at the piece of bread I'd been tearing apart.

  "Indeed," the Count remarked. "You should be thankful to have received such a gift. One that, I'm sure, has saved you from many...unpleasantries."

  Shaye's lips formed a tight line.

  I gnced up to see everyone watching me, and I tried my best to give a nonchant shrug. "I'm very grateful for the protection, milord. Although I do regret the circumstances which necessitated it."

  "Oh, the circumstances were nothing compared to the pain that would have followed, were it not in pce," the Queen of Noslux asserted. "Darkness is never kind to its prey. You three are most rare exceptions."

  "We certainly appreciate the opportunities we've been given, Your Majesty. And we endeavour to do our best to live up to expectations," Ashkan said.

  King Typhis commented, "There can be no question that you three will do the kingdom proud. You've proven that much."

  "And you will always be celebrated for it," Queen Vanche promised with a warm smile. "But, I digress. We should let our saviours eat. The food is for you to enjoy, after all."

  The other nobility made simir statements, offering compliments and words of support and congratutions. Ashkan, Shaye, and I continued eating, replying when prompted with short answers, but otherwise not participating much in the conversation. It was like mental warfare, almost. All of the court members were vying for their own position in society or for more influence with King Typhis, and the royals were each more or less trying to one-up the others, to poke holes in each other's reasoning or intentions or ideals, while also making a point to praise us and hold our attention for as long as possible. It was never too clear who liked whom, who was envious, who was more respected than others. It was a political chess game.

  I had to admit, some of the fttery was, well, fttering. It was kind of nice to hear the affirmations that were thrown our way. To feel important. The three of us were uded as the greatest hope this kingdom had had in decades, praised as the ones who could turn the tides in the people's favour, who could maybe even resurrect the gods themselves from their ancient slumber. I didn't quite disagree with that notion. I still didn't know how we'd do it, exactly, or if we even could. But I had confidence in us. However, as much as I'd grown to enjoy the company of those in high-ranking roles – some more than others – there were many yers of tension to contend with, and a lot of small things which felt forced. The odd stares or unspoken comments. The little backhanded statements here and there, whether they be about my gender, or Earthian status, or some other arbitrary detail. The almost too-quick change of subjects or the veiled undertones to every conversation. There was a tinge of disdain beneath all of the charm and friendliness. As if me being a champion was the only thing preventing everyone at the table from ignoring my existence entirely. Or at least from speaking that opinion outright.

  The feast ended within the hour. I hadn't even managed to finish eating my meal, despite being fairly hungry. The dishes and cutlery were whisked away right before we were taken to the network of subterranean tunnels and chambers underneath the Amphitheatre. My getup didn't make it easy for me to keep pace with the staff as we hurried towards our destination. Shaye, Ashkan, and I followed in silence, barely looking at one another. My nerves began to build up more and more. This was really happening.

  Upon rounding a corner, I was surprised to see three pegasi waiting for us in a long alcove of sorts, all tacked up in eborate barding which matched our respective armour. I soon recognized them as Taphira, Pyracos, and Winphiy. A few stablehands were busy preening them. Hay littered the floor. The trio nickered as we approached.

  "Your Luminaries," one of the attendants greeted, "your steeds are all prepared for the procession."

  Every staff member around us looked on in anticipation. The crowd above us in the Amphitheatre grew louder with every passing minute, chattering excitedly or stomping their feet. It sounded like thunder rumbling. Music and cheers echoed around us. The anticipation was almost unbearable. I gave my thanks and ran a hand over Taphira's nose as we readied ourselves. I couldn't deny the nerves I felt. I just tried to channel them into a quiet confidence instead.

  Taphira's voice rang out in my head, clear as a bell. "Do not worry. There is nothing to fear. These people are here to see you, remember."

  I sat a little uncomfortably in the saddle. "I know... Thanks."

  The stablehands opened a gate at the end of the the alcove that led into a dimly lit corridor. I could see that the passageway curved upwards. That had to be our way into the stadium. Ashkan was instructed to lead. Then Shaye followed after, with me right behind. The walls were so narrow that we could only travel single file. It wasn't long until I could feel the rush of air coming from the outside world. I could also hear the noise of the crowd more acutely now. The pegasi walked forward, picking their way along the slope. The cacophony became louder, almost overwhelming in volume, as we climbed ever higher towards the opening.

  Then, a loud horn bred through the air, cutting across the sounds of the audience to announce our arrival. I took in a breath. Here goes nothing.

  As Pyracos stepped out onto the smooth tile, a burst of cheers erupted from all corners of the Amphitheatre. People screamed and appuded as soon as they spotted us. My eyes adjusted to the sunlight and I surveyed the massive crowd in awe. Thousands of people were gathered there to watch us be honoured, from nobles in their best regalia to servants and soldiers and reporters, from every css and corner of the kingdom. Zyel, Reuvyn, and Diamae were seated on slightly smaller thrones beside their parents, in a private box on the highest tier. It was only then that I realized just how huge the Amphitheatre was. I could barely even make out any of the features of the faces that stared down at us. The only reason I could spot Dad in the crowd was because of how feverishly he was waving. Kadia stood right next to him, appuding loudly. Thorne, Tyrath, Reyshore, and Morgina were situated in the row behind them, all whistling and cheering as well. Nearby, Ashkan's and Shaye's retives were beaming proudly at the sight of their children. Even Lev seemed impressed.

  I turned my head to the right to find a sizeable group of our friends also waving and calling out our names. Lilwen, Viktor, and Miseris. Ivahr. Cassius. Elliott. Ofelia, surprisingly. My heart leapt a little at that, to see them all rooting for me. I couldn't believe this was happening. And that so many people were there to celebrate this moment. I scanned the area one more time to take everything in. Taphira's hooves clopped on the tile as we slowly made our way towards the centre of the arena, facing the royal skybox above. Ashkan and Shaye both sat up straight, hands pced atop their ps. My cheeks flushed pink from all the attention. I just tried to remain as composed as possible. I didn't think any of us were prepared for the noise and scale of this event. It felt like a dream. Or maybe a nightmare.

  Without warning, bundles of bright colours came flying down towards us in arcs from different spots in the crowd. Bouquets, I realized. Some were smaller than others, some rger. Some were only a single bloom, but none ever nded close enough to reach. A few slid across the tiles. The guards that surrounded us made no move to stop it – at least, not until some people started chucking pebbles and other random things instead. The commotion from the spectators grew rowdier with each second. Rocks, handkerchiefs, bits of fruit, what seemed like pieces of trash were hurled through the air alongside the flowers. The guards immediately threw up a protective dome around us. Some people kept on throwing things at it regardless. Taphira's ears twitched from the loud noises, and I tried not to let my unease show. Not everyone was cheering. There was also plenty of angry shouting. The audience wasn't as harmonious as we'd been led to believe. I spotted a few people jeering or booing and holding signs, and I wondered why they were wasting their time coming to a celebration they didn't agree with. Just to disrupt it? To...intimidate us? To try to send a message to King Typhis? Regardless, the instigators were swiftly apprehended and ushered out of the Amphitheatre as quickly as the security in the stands could manage.

  "ENOUGH!" the King bellowed through the echoey arena, his voice projected to be heard by everyone. I jumped a little.

  All the spectators in the audience hushed. It felt like everyone was collectively holding their breath. The dome dissolved. I swallowed, trying to calm my nervousness.

  "Our champions shall continue with the procession. I will not tolerate such disruption." His Majesty's tone was curt and serious, not to mention frightening. The threat was implied.

  The guards quickly used their magic to sweep aside all the debris. The crowd murmured, but otherwise stayed silent. Then, numerous musicians carrying drums, flutes, horns, and other instruments marched into view, dressed in full ceremonial attire and pying a grand march that boomed throughout the Amphitheatre. I caught a glimpse of the King and Queen being escorted down from their seats. Three well-dressed footmen approached us and each took the reins of our pegasi. I knew that meant it was time to proceed on foot. With a gloved hand to steady me, I dismounted with as much grace as I could, careful not to slip on the tile or my train. Taphira was led away with the other two.

  When I looked forward again, His and Her Majesties had reached the pit. An eborate dais with steps was situated about forty feet ahead of me, closer to the far wall. It was painted silver and trimmed in jewels. Two rge, marble pilrs framed the sides. A heavy, royal blue cloth hung down between them, embroidered with Winithas' emblem. Two thrones, one slightly smaller than the other, were perched at the back of the ptform. The Queen, followed closely by her guards, made her way up to one. King Typhis took a seat on the other, nodding once. He seemed more rexed now. A wide carpet that had a simir pattern to the cloth was then rolled out all the way from the steps, across the tile, and back to where we stood.

  The three of us walked side by side down the makeshift path. It was all so surreal. I felt like a piece of artwork on dispy. The fanfare around us continued as we slowly proceeded closer. Several dozen of the King's knights stood on either side of the carpet in two parallel lines, swords raised diagonally so that they crossed each other over our heads. Their helmets gleamed in the sunlight. Every time we passed a pair of them, they flourished their bdes in perfect sync, tucked them under their arms, and swiftly kneeled with their heads bowed. The first time it happened, I almost flinched from how sudden the movement was. But then it happened again, and again. Like shiny dominoes, each set of knights lowered themselves with reverence. A small part of me wanted to tell them to stand. But I knew they were just following orders. And they were there to show their loyalty to the kingdom. ...As were we.

  By the time we finally reached the dais, adrenaline was racing through my veins. It took a fair amount of restraint not to let it affect my composure. King Typhis and Queen Vanche were watching us expectantly. At the bottom of the steps, the three of us pced our right hands over our hearts and dropped to one knee, just as our handmaidens had instructed us earlier. Our armour cnged in unison as we hit the ground. The musicians behind us let out a long, low note to signal the end of the song. I kept my head bowed as we stayed there. It was dead quiet for a few moments. The silence felt almost suffocating. I tried not to breathe too loudly.

  Finally, the King spoke. "Lift your heads, saviours."

  We did as instructed, although we remained kneeling. My gaze slowly met His Majesty's. His expression was hard to read. It was like he was studying us.

  "Welcome, all. ...My people, we are gathered here today for a very special occasion. For a momentous event." He rose from his throne and spread his arms wide in a dramatic gesture. "It has been many moons since our beloved deities fell to the depths of slumber. Centuries since any Elder has managed to cross between realms to properly deliver to us wisdom and guidance from the gods themselves. Prayers have gone unanswered. People have suffered. Make no mistake, dear friends – our creators have not forsaken us. Their silence is not of their own choosing. ...But they are not with us. And it is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that this state of being will continue to persist."

  The crowd burst into chatter again. Murmurs of displeasure rippled through the arena. I couldn't say I was surprised by that. People had different opinions on what the gods' purpose was in life. Some people didn't believe in them at all, of course. The ones who did argued endlessly about whether or not they'd truly been subdued. Some people cimed to have received answers or miracles, others insisted the gods couldn't hear their anguish. Others said it was the kingdom's own fault that Winithas had fallen into its current state. To hear that your main source of spiritual guidance would be out of touch for the foreseeable future was a hard pill to swallow, I knew. There was no concrete way to prove things in either direction. So it made sense to me that some would take offense to the notion that the gods couldn't do their jobs, and hadn't for ages. But it was ultimately up to each individual to decide what they believed.

  King Typhis' booming voice cut through the din, "As it stands, we cannot count on the gods to rescue us from this current predicament. However...we can rely on the champions they have elected." The audience went silent at that. The King began to pace back and forth on his dais as he continued, "This world has faced countless tragedies: famine and pgue, turmoil and war, atrocity upon atrocity, disaster after disaster. And throughout all these occurrences...despite all the suffering...despite the loss..." He moved in front of his throne again, facing us directly this time. "Our creators bless us with auguries from the ether which foretell how our nation shall be salvaged...and who they have decred will ensure that Winithas rises from the ashes. Time and time again, saviours have been selected through their divine foresight to restore our future. For hundreds upon hundreds of years, those selected have brought about great change and prosperity. They are a keystone of renewal and healing, proof that the gods have not abandoned us."

  His words sat heavy in my stomach. The pressure was real.

  "Throughout my reign, I have had the honour of knighting several saviours who have distinguished themselves and proven their fealty to the nd," the King resumed, picking his speech back up. "All have emerged victorious in their respective trials, in accordance with the will of the gods. All have served Winithas loyally and dutifully. And all have been graciously inducted into the pace's Hall of Salvation, whose portraits shall forever remain alongside the others who preceded them." He paused for a moment and raised his voice to an even louder volume, "...On this day, the names of three more padins shall be written down in that esteemed registry. The gods of old have decided to restore our peace once more. And as they have commanded, by the scripture of the Tremaium prophecy, the newest saviours kneel before me now."

  Everyone in the audience held their breath in anticipation. Their eyes bore into us. Waiting. Watching. Evaluating. My right knee was starting to ache, but I forced myself not to move a muscle. My mouth felt dry. I had so many thoughts racing through my head.

  "For far too many years," His Majesty pressed on, "the Inkblood cn has stained the divine soil that we so cherish. They have relentlessly wreaked havoc upon the lives of my people: burned towns, tormented our flocks, infected our crops and supplies, robbed our resources, maniputed minds with curses... Darkness has seeped into the hearts of the pure and driven them to crimes beyond imagining. It has become their mission to leave destruction in their wake – and their influence has been a blight on every innocent soul unfortunate enough to stumble into their clutches. Only ill tidings arise from them. Without our deities to rid this nd of the malicious threat, the elements are left imbanced. Our enemies will never let us be." Another pause. He then raised his voice again, speaking with conviction, "It is high time that the murk be dispelled, vanquished completely. Retribution must be exacted!"

  The crowd roared with cheers and stomping feet. They agreed. Whether or not the gods were around didn't change the fact that there were hostile beings causing problems.

  "Though the beasts that live among us do not warrant any mercy, their numbers are great and their methods brutal. Their greed is fathomless. An absolute threat to all, and surely a detriment to those who call Winithas home." His Majesty gestured to the three of us once more. "And so, to answer the call of righteousness, to honour the procedure of the old faith...the fate of the mortal realm shall be entrusted to these three chosen individuals. In the name of the gods. In accordance with their wishes." He spread his arms wide. "Rise, Luminaries, if you would."

  I gnced at both of my friends before slowly rising to my feet. The st thing I wanted to do was cause offense. There was still a tiny chance this would turn into some kind of public execution, after all.

  "First and foremost is Lord Ashkan Pheirozald Wroet'by, blessed with the gift of earth. A fearsome warrior and dependable leader. Strong of build and keen of mind," the King announced.

  The cpping started, along with a few 'hurrah's. Ashkan lifted his chin slightly to acknowledge it. He stood tall and perfectly poised, even though I could guess with confidence that he was loathing the attention even more than I was. Still, the way he carried himself under the weight of all that armour and scrutiny... It was impressive. And he definitely looked like the perfect saviour: valiant, humble, and sharp. He could easily have stepped straight out of a fairy tale.

  The appuse sted for a little while before dying down. The King proceeded by gesturing with one hand to Shaye. "Next, Lady Shaylie Jhéneux Onusch-Eires, bearer of air's might. Well-studied, wise, and generous. A master of both diplomacy and swordsmanship."

  The cpping started anew as people cheered her name, maybe more quietly this time. She straightened her posture a bit, trying to hide a tiny grin as her brothers hooted and hollered from the stands. She managed to maintain a steely fa?ade, but she seemed to be basking in the praise regardless. I bit back a smile. She deserved to feel proud. And with her sparkling armour and fming hair, she was radiant. Like a beacon of hope.

  Moments ter, His Majesty shifted his attention to me. "And, stly... Lady Brielle Tivona de Mavset." His tone was vaguely different from how it had sounded minutes prior, but the change wasn't lost on me.

  I squared my shoulders and met his gaze.

  "Bestowed with the grace of...light." He took a beat. "A healer. With a will of steel. One whose courage shines brilliantly, despite being not of this world."

  It was hard to tell whether he was emphasizing the word 'light' because it was typically an especially revered element, or if it was because he was intentionally trying to drive home his verdict that my somewhat equally potent dark magic did not belong to me, nor was it welcome. There was a beat of silence that was just a fraction of a second too long. And then the crowd started cheering once more. It was subdued, though. Stilted. As if some people still hadn't decided what to make of me. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. But it would've been a lie to say their halfhearted reception didn't make me nervous. I looked to Ashkan and Shaye, who were both trying not to make their gnces in my direction too obvious. They probably sensed it too.

  After a few seconds, King Typhis cleared his throat to speak again, "...Luminaries. The crown implores you to assume the mantle that the gods have chosen. Winithas, and the greater pnet of Emiarhia, look to you to end this dark and wretched period of disharmony, lest it swallow us whole. May your virtues prove steadfast. May your minds be stronger than your hearts. For the sake of the living. For the sake of the dead. This great kingdom shall never forget your sacrifices." He raised one arm and held it out in front of him with an upturned palm. "And so, as decreed, let the bestowal of knighthood commence."

  The musicians from earlier began to py a tune once more, but it was much more solemn than the celebratory one that had heralded our entrance into the Amphitheatre. I suddenly heard a range of voices humming. A full choir had positioned themselves a ways behind us. They harmonized very well, the music echoing through the coliseum. It was an anthem I didn't know. But it sounded old. The chanting, coupled with the majestic and slightly sombre song, created a stirring and almost haunting energy. The entire thing reminded me of a funeral. ...It kind of was. We were there to mourn the passing of the final shred of our old way of life, and to welcome our new roles.

  Shaye and I stood off to one side while Ashkan went through the process first. Before anything else, he dropped to both knees in order to swear to a list of oaths. One by one, the King would name a virtue. And when he would pause, Ashkan had to reply, 'By the will of the gods, I solemnly swear.' The vows didn't involve anything outndish. It was mostly stuff like pledging to always try to make the right decisions for the sake of Emiarhia. That was the easy part. It was when the ceremonial equipment came out that it really began to feel more intense. I knew what was coming, but that still didn't ease my stress as the ceremony rolled on.

  I watched Queen Vanche rise from her throne for the first time. A soldier to the right of the dais kneeled, presenting a decorative weapon on an eborately embroidered cushion. It was an artifact from the past, and it supposedly used to belong to the first king of Winithas – King Hreiuk. A pristine longsword that looked more like a rapier, with gold and silver filigree twining its way up the hilt and down the blunted bde. Surrounding the handle was a rge, circur piece of polished marble. The whole thing was beautiful, if not a little gaudy. The Queen accepted the weapon and took a couple of steps towards Ashkan. She raised the sword vertically with both hands before gingerly pressing the bde to her lips. Then, she lifted Ashkan's chin with the end of it so they were looking into each other's eyes.

  The bde moved to his left cheek first. Without warning, Her Majesty quickly dragged the weapon across that lower quarter of Ashkan's face, though it was too dull to draw blood. He didn't flinch; he kept his face perfectly composed. But I couldn't help a sympathetic wince. Shaye's hand found mine and she squeezed it. The same action was repeated on Ash's right cheek. It was all tradition and fir, I knew. Something about the ancient sword being a judge of character, and that it would only cut the flesh of someone with impure intentions. But Elisse had assured me earlier that it was impossible to be truly harmed by the thing – it was just for show.

  Next, two soldiers pced a slightly curved piece of wood across Ashkan's back, right in the notch where his gss wings connected to his shoulders. This part of the ceremony was also all about symbolism rather than actual functionality. But it still seemed important to do properly, so Ashkan couldn't afford to show any weakness. Two ornate, metal buckets that more resembled oversized weight scales were then attached to either side of the beam. The choir continued to sing in the background. The musicians carried on with their tunes. When the vessels were successfully hung, Ashkan bowed his head, and they gradually filled, magically, with water that'd been dyed dark red. It was supposed to represent the blood of the popution; every person he had to protect. The less you spilled, the better your success in saving your people.

  Once the pails had both been filled, Queen Vanche handed Ashkan the ceremonial sword. I studied his expression as he accepted it with both hands. He had an intense look of concentration on his face, as if he were silently repeating some mantra. Then, he began focusing all his energy into standing. His brow was furrowed deeply as he forced himself to bance perfectly under the weight of all that water. He wobbled for a split-second and almost stumbled forward. My heart stopped. I caught myself before I gasped. The crowd let out an audible 'oh'. But after a brief pause, Ashkan eventually righted himself, still stoic as ever as he anchored himself on the carpet. He stood, then pointed the sword overhead and turned in a slow circle, looking to the sky and to the four cardinal directions. The arena filled with raucous cheers. A second ter, the two soldiers came back to relieve him of the massive weights. He passed off the sword to the Queen, then slowly exhaled as his shoulders rexed. His eyes flicked my way and he gave a very faint, almost imperceptible shake of the head. A subtle, 'Be careful'. I nodded. Finally, he was escorted off to the side by a footman while Shaye took her pce for the same ritual.

  Her responses to the oaths were identical in wording to Ashkan's, although they seemed to flow easier off her tongue. It was like she had more conviction. That might've just been her natural disposition, though. Shaye was loyal to a fault to her family, to her friends...and her country, by extension. She cared deeply and took things to heart, so it made sense to me that she might be more invested in swearing allegiance to an entire nation. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to say it with such passion. Overall, I got the impression that she was in her element, despite the attention. And as much as she had told us before that she'd never wished for this kind of pressure...I wondered if maybe she did have a little bit of a thirst for it, on some level. She refused to fail. She wanted to measure up, even to impossible standards. The more I watched her go through the motions, the more I could tell that she was a natural at the pomp and circumstance.

  When it came time for Shaye to have either cheek scored, she did flinch – only because it was so sudden, I figured. But she took the whole thing in stride. After that, the metal pails were secured to the beam across her shoulder bdes. The Queen waited until they were full before handing Shaye the rapier, which she accepted with the utmost care. I thought they would've given her smaller buckets, or at least not fill them as much, considering Shaye was considerably lighter than Ashkan. But nope. My stomach turned when she nearly toppled over upon shifting from her knees to her feet. The audience yelped. She only swayed for a few seconds before she banced, but my heart pounded as I watched her try to hide the struggle on her face. Miraculously, not a single drop was spilled. She took a pause to breathe. I noticed her arms were shaking as she raised the sword and slowly rotated. The cheering began anew, and a triumphant smile appeared on Shaye's face. When she'd made a full circle and lowered the bde, the footmen came to retrieve the heavy weights, and she gratefully passed off her ceremonial weapon back to the Queen.

  "Brielle," King Typhis beckoned once it was my turn. "Step forward."

  I exhaled slowly before moving into the spot that was designated. Both of my knees ached as they pressed into the first carpeted step. The choir was still singing, and the instruments still pyed, but it all seemed quieter now. My chest tightened with anxiety, and I struggled to keep my hands from fidgeting.

  "Brielle Tivona de Mavset. Do you vow to hold the safety and livelihood of Emiarhia's citizens above all else? To brave the dangers this world presents without fear or doubt? To use the gifts of the heavens to shield and guide our people – for prosperity and for peace, until the end of your days?"

  "By the will of the gods, I solemnly swear," I said, a bit louder than I would've liked.

  He tilted his head slightly. "Do you vow to remain devoted to the church, to the ways and the words of the scripture, throughout your journey, even when the journey becomes shrouded in darkness? And, should you stray from the path, may you follow the light back, each and every time? To fight on Emiarhia's behalf to the very st breath in your lungs?"

  I swallowed and blinked. It sounded so harsh. "...By the will of the gods, I solemnly swear."

  "And do you vow to serve the throne's cause faithfully, unwaveringly, and fearlessly, should the need arise? To protect the rule of the crown, and act in accordance with this great country's code of conduct? To never do anything in malice or selfish desire, but instead, seek harmony within our walls and without?"

  That oath felt oddly specific. I was a saviour, compelled to save the whole pnet. I wasn't signing up to be a knight of the Rime Guard. There was a difference. It felt wrong to promise allegiance to royalty's cause when we might have conflicting interests at one point or another. But maybe the distinction was inconsequential to them. Or maybe I was being sensitive. Regardless, I couldn't say no. "By the will of the gods, I solemnly swear," I repeated, careful to keep my voice level and measured.

  King Typhis looked pleased enough with my responses. He retreated to his throne, and his wife took his pce in front of me. For the third time, she retrieved the ceremonial rapier from its cushion, pressed a chaste kiss to its bde, then lifted my chin with it so that my gaze met hers.

  "With this weapon of our ancestors, you have been judged," she stated. The audience quieted to hear. "Your character has been made manifest by the grace of Former King Hreiuk Gowayn. Should this sword of avowal find fault within you, blood shall flow from the wounds, and your true intentions shall be id bare. But should it prove you righteous, then your flesh will be unharmed by its might, as all virtuous things are immune to the treachery of evil."

  I forced myself to remain perfectly still. Her Majesty paused for a second before moving to graze the bde along my cheeks: left, then right. The bde itself was bitingly cold. I gritted my teeth so I wouldn't react. It hurt more than I thought it would. It was like being scratched by scissors; too dull to slice, but too rough to do nothing. I just focused on maintaining eye contact. The Queen stepped back once the motions had been completed, and before I knew it, there were two soldiers standing behind me. The long piece of wood sat flush atop my wing joints, and then the engraved buckets were hung from either side by heavy chains. The crowd seemed to get a little louder once they were set.

  Queen Vanche's eyes flicked to the vessels, which I assumed had begun to fill. "The people of this great nation, and Emiarhia as a whole. Their trust has been assigned to your care, Brielle. If the gods deem it so, your hands will remain steady throughout the trials. You shall not spill their blood. You shall prove their faith in you justified. And if your heart is pure, and your motives are true, you shall not be punished by the burdens you are to carry. If, however, you fail, then may the gods strike you down as they see fit, for it is their will, and not ours." She handed me the rapier, then nodded once.

  The echoes of the choir grew even more expressive. While my hands cradled the weapon, I first straightened my spine, which lifted the scales higher off the ground. They were so heavy that I almost felt like I was carrying a person over my shoulders. I took a moment to steady myself before trying to rise to my feet. A handful of spectators began exciming things, but I couldn't tell what. I squeezed my eyes closed. As much as I didn't want to be the centre of attention, it was more embarrassing to disappoint everyone by not being strong enough.

  I managed to pnt one foot underneath me. My calves burned. A bead of sweat dripped down my temple. I couldn't stay kneeling forever. So with a great heave, I pushed myself upwards with every bit of energy I could muster, leaning slightly forward to counteract the weight of the buckets. My bance faltered as my hearing became muted for a few seconds. I almost thought I'd colpse on the spot. But when I felt stable enough to stand fully, I adjusted my footing, then slowly opened my eyes again.

  The arena filled with roars. A lot of the onlookers were on their feet, appuding vigorously. My body was already begging to just set everything down and rex, but I managed to thrust the sword upwards towards the sky instead. More cheers ensued. I started rotating very carefully so that the pails wouldn't tip. My breathing came in quick and ragged bursts, but I smiled despite it. I scanned the crowd as I turned, spotting my friends and family along the way. Every one of them wore expressions of astonished relief. They all seemed proud, and it felt...really good. I'd never been that sort of person who sought the validation of others, but I couldn't ignore the fact that this moment meant a lot to me. There were people that believed in me and what I was capable of. And I knew I could let them down if I wasn't careful, so that meant I needed to do everything I possibly could to avoid screwing up. The whole pnet was relying on us. This wasn't a game, or some sort of novelty. This was my job. I'd agreed to it, so now it was up to me to see it through.

  When I had turned about three-quarters of a full circle, I jabbed the rapier skyward once more, just to hear the cheering get a little louder. But something caught my eye.

  A silhouette, standing still, watching the show from the very top of the Amphitheatre – not in the stands, but on the very top of the wall itself, where a group of guards had been patrolling. They didn't look like a guard, however. In fact, I couldn't find a single one on that level. That didn't seem like a coincidence to me. So I focused my vision a little harder. It was impossible, from this distance, and with the sun in my eyes, to discern any identifying features. All I knew was that they were watching me. There was no doubting it. It felt...intense; I could actually feel their eyes on me. A chill ran down my spine. I blinked to refocus, only after which I noticed the way the sunlight seemed to warp around the figure. Almost like a heat distortion effect, or perhaps an illusion altogether. The rays practically rejected this person's very form. Shadows clung to them like a cloak despite the gring light. It was utterly unnatural.

  In reality, I only stared for a few seconds. It felt much longer before I tore my eyes away, though. And once my body had turned all the way to the front, facing the dais once more, the Queen accepted the fragile sword with a nod. Nobody acted like they'd seen what I saw. The audience kept cheering as Queen Vanche stepped away and let her husband retake his pce before me. Dozens of cameras fshed from all angles.

  "For the will of the people, and for the prosperity of Emiarhia, Brielle de Mavset has proven herself worthy," King Typhis decred. The appuse increased in volume. He went on, "By the grace of our deities, and by our ws, let her be heralded from this day forward as a noble knight of the kingdom of Winithas! As our guardian. As our defender. As one of the very saviours who shall usher in a new dawn, to rid our people of the darkness that threatens us! Praise the heavens, for those who would spill blood in service to corruption shall know no mer–"

  I blinked, and in that blink, the murky figure from earlier suddenly dropped down, like a raven diving towards prey, right between the King and me. My nose was inches from the man's ribs. He opened his eyes. They fixed on mine with an unmistakable intensity. Time seemed to freeze, if only for an instant. But I recognized him immediately, despite his shroud. That hat, the cane, those ghastly eyes... It could only be him.

  I only had time to inhale. There was a brief silence. Then pandemonium erupted.

  An enormous force collided with my chest, sending me flying backwards. The weights on my shoulders went with me. The next thing I knew, I was tumbling and skidding across the tiles, all the way to the back wall where we'd entered, with all those gallons of water spilling from the pails. The wings on my back ripped and shattered upon nding the first time, spraying a million fractals in every direction. A wide trail of translucent crimson painted the floor in my wake like a streak of death. The wooden crosspiece with its scales and chains cracked, scattering pieces across the entire arena. My crumpled form slid to a stop only after my back smmed into a rge pilr. My vision went bck for a moment. There was a dull ringing in my ears, and then...silence.

  It wasn't until I'd regained control over my breathing that I became aware of all the noise.

  Shrieks filled the air as the citizens stampeded towards the exits. Guards and soldiers swarmed around the dais, while some herded the masses into the hallways to ensure a quick and efficient evacuation. I groaned as I lifted my head, disoriented. Everything hurt, but nothing felt broken. It had only been a second since it had happened. I pushed my hair – now soaked with red water, just like the rest of me – from my face so I could get a good view of the scene. Everything was still blurry, but not enough to miss the group of Inkbloods that'd descended into the coliseum after their leader. And Balgaur was among them, of course. Does this pce seriously not have anti-dark security system on it?! Or is he just too strong...?

  King Typhis and Queen Vanche were soon rushed off to somewhere secure. The stands were still emptying as everyone cmbered over each other in a panic. Spells and shields and all manner of attacks flew through the air. The Rime Guard was on the Inkbloods in no time. Weapons cshed, people screamed, and it was so chaotic that I couldn't tell who was winning or losing. A fsh of pain rippled across my sternum, and I went sck once more.

  "...Hey!" someone called, although the sound was a bit muffled. There was a hand on my shoulder, shaking it firmly. "Brie, come on!"

  My face twisted into a grimace. "Ugh... I-I'm up..."

  I cracked my eyes open again, only to see two figures standing over me, silhouetted against the sunlight. The world spun for a few seconds as the blur faded.

  Ashkan's worried expression came into view, as well as the way his eyes scanned me frantically. "Are you okay?! Can you move?"

  Shaye looked just as anxious if not more so. She leaned in to wrap her arms around me so I could sit up. "Oh, gods... Did you break anything?!"

  I inhaled slowly, trying to figure it out myself. There was an immense soreness all along my back and arms, especially around my ribs. But aside from some mild stinging, and maybe some bruises, it felt like nothing was damaged. "I... I don't think so. But this armour is probably ruined..."

  "We need to get out, now! They're taking people– Anyone they can grab; I don't..." Ash's words trailed off as he cast his gaze around.

  Just then, a soldier who'd been running past stopped in her tracks. "This way, Your Luminaries! I'll clear a path!"

  The three of us eyed one another. Shaye and Ashkan then helped me to my feet, and we followed the woman towards the nearest exit staircase. As we did, the sound of explosions and cshing metal reverberated all around.

  "What is Vhinrud even doing here?!" I excimed, trying not to get swept away by a mass of terrified aristocrats.

  "We're wearing our neckces aren't we? I'd assume he's still after them!" Ashkan yelled back.

  Shaye looked a bit queasy. "Do you think the others are all right?"

  Ash and I exchanged a gnce. It took less time to reach the passages inside the Amphitheatre walls from the stands above than down here, but it was impossible to tell for sure, given how much was going on. We couldn't see any of our friends or family anywhere.

  "We'll find them once we're safe," he reassured her.

  Just as we were getting close to the staircase, a swarm of guards appeared, shoving people along through the bottleneck. I was swiftly divided from my group by a bunch of nobles and officials, who all got jammed in the doorway.

  My heart jumped to my throat. "Wait! I'm stuck, guys! Hold up!"

  But the crowd kept pushing and pulling. I couldn't keep my bance. My friends' panicked faces disappeared behind the sea of bodies. There were a couple soldiers near the stairs, but they were too preoccupied to notice me. So there was nothing stopping me from being shoved against the wall by an errant elbow, or trampled under a stampede of heels.

  And then...nothing.

  I didn't even feel anything hit my body. The people around me suddenly flipped upside-down. My stomach lurched. Everything moved too quickly for me to figure out what was going on. I screamed on impulse. It was me that was upside-down, in fact. I was dangling by my ankles from a dark rope. Someone had plucked me out of the throng like an apple from a tree. And just as fast as I'd been picked up, I was being dragged back to the centre of the pit.

  When I finally managed to orient myself, and the world had stopped spinning, I found the culprit: Balgaur. He held a massive, shadowy tendril that was wrapped tightly around my feet, which kept tugging me farther and farther away from any exit. I slid on my back through the puddles of red water at breakneck speed. It was a good thing I was wearing ptes, because I definitely would've lost a few yers of skin by now. I desperately tried to grab something, anything that'd break my momentum. I was rapidly approaching a circle of Inkbloods. That was a scenario I was in no position to handle, especially with the pain and nausea from earlier still rattling my bones.

  About twenty feet away, standing atop the dais, Vhinrud's menacing form came into focus. I could barely make out any other details beyond that, with how the light shied away from his coat, and how the brim of his hat obscured his eyes. He'd been busy tying up the st of the defeated guards with dark threads of his own. I soon realized it wasn't just soldiers they'd captured – it was regur people, too. Random members of the crowd. The sight was horrifying. I knew they'd get sick from being exposed to that kind of magic. Even worse, the Amphitheatre was almost empty now. Every other soldier and knight had already left to protect the royalty and the guests that had escaped. There were surely more that were rushing over to help, but I knew the Inkbloods would likely have everything packed up and ready to go by the time reinforcements arrived. It was just him, his ckeys, and me.

  The Inkblood disciples who weren't surveying for threats, or holding captives, gathered to watch as I approached. Their expressions ranged from excited to bored. Their weapons gleamed dangerously. And when Vhinrud eventually turned to face me, his expression could've curdled milk.

  "Balgaur. For shame. That is no way to treat a dy," he muttered. His tone was more menacing than his words were. He didn't so much as raise his voice, and yet his words still struck me like a physical force. King Typhis had nothing on this man.

  The big oaf let out a hearty ugh, but didn't retract his magic. "Oi, she's no dy."

  Vhinrud's eyes narrowed. "I shall not ask again. Let her stand."

  The rope abruptly released its hold on my legs. I instantly scrambled to my feet. All of the Inkbloods present had their weapons trained on me, and some even began inching closer. My heart was beating so quickly it felt like a hummingbird was trapped in my chest.

  Vhinrud descended from the stage, his cane thumping rhythmically as he stepped. Balgaur and the others watched him expectantly. I turned to bolt, but before I could take a single step, a giant dome of shimmering bckness rose around me. It blocked out most sunlight and the outside world in general. It was opaque enough that I knew I'd need a great deal of focus to even attempt to break it. And although my neckce was replenishing my magic, my physical energy was low. Besides, I needed a pn before attempting anything.

  The leader strode forward until he stood just a few feet away. He examined me carefully. I stood my ground and tried to hide the fact that I was absolutely petrified, yet also repulsed by his presence. I'd never met anyone who made me want to simultaneously duck for cover and punch their lights out.

  He took a step closer, and I flinched.

  "Miss Brielle." He removed his hat before dipping into a sophisticated bow. "It would be remiss of me not to first commend you on your new knighthood. Congratutions are in order."

  Despite every molecule of my being telling me to stay silent, I couldn't resist the words as they came flying out: "Is that really the reason you're here?"

  "Why, no, of course not," he replied coolly while leaning on his cane. "But it is a courtesy."

  I clenched my jaw. What was this guy's deal? Why didn't he just lock me up and torture me for information like he did to Ashkan? Was he just here to taunt me? I tried my best to discreetly tuck my neckce into the gap between my cuirass and gorget. It was the only thing I could think to do.

  But Vhinrud's eyes darted straight down. "You needn't worry. I do not wish to harm you, nor do I wish to take that bauble."

  My face grew hot. "...What do you want?"

  "To have a civilized discussion." His face was so deadpan that it was maddening.

  "I have nothing to discuss with you," I spat.

  "Oh, but you do." He exhaled an airy, faint chuckle. "If I wished to simply loot your pendant by force, Miss Brielle, I would have. And, if I wished to dispose of you, I would have done so long ago."

  A jolt of fear ran through me, but I suppressed it and kept my gre fixed.

  Vhinrud eyed the dome as the world swayed and bent outside of it. Dark veins crept across its surface like a web. "My, my. Time runs thin. I believe we had best be off." He snapped his fingers towards his subordinates.

  Right away, Balgaur and the other Inkbloods began dragging the bound guards and citizens into a pile. There were at least twenty. Most were unconscious. A handful was awake and struggling. They didn't look too beat-up, aside from some minor cuts and scrapes, but I could tell their energy had been sapped.

  "Stop! Let them go!" I yelled, summoning a rge sphere of light in my palms. I wasn't sure if I was currently strong enough to combat dark magic of this calibre, but I had to try.

  Before I could release the spell, Vhinrud's own inky vines whipped through the air and encircled my wrists. They tightened until I was forced to drop my hands. I had no doubt he could've broken my bones if he wanted to. The orb dispersed, leaving only a few sparks to drift away.

  "You must calm yourself. You shall be reunited with your friends soon enough. They are unharmed," the Inkblood leader stated matter-of-factly.

  I winced under the strain. "Don't hurt them! What...? What do you want in exchange for letting everyone go?!"

  He paused, arched one eyebrow slightly, then answered, "You would sooner barter your life, your freedom, than those of some strangers?" He clicked his tongue. "How tragic..."

  "They're innocent," I argued, still fighting the vines' grip. "I won't let you hurt them."

  "Innocence is a fickle notion," he countered. "I'm afraid there is nothing to debate, although your efforts are noted. I intend to accomplish my objectives. Please refrain from further resistance. If I must incapacitate you, it shall only cause you undue stress. Now, come along."

  "W-What?! I'm not going anywhere with you!" I took several steps back as Balgaur turned to face me, the st guard now added to the pile.

  Vhinrud pced a gloved finger to his chin and frowned a little. "No, no. That was not an invitation. You may comply willingly, or unwillingly. What a simple decision it is. I do wonder which you will choose."

  My breath stuttered briefly. "...So you're all about being a gentleman until someone refuses to cooperate."

  "Well, one would expect you to be accustomed to such treatment, no? Do you believe your King and his sycophants are any more benevolent? How much say were you granted in this ritual, or in your prophecy, or in your future? I would not be surprised if you were promised the stars themselves," he riposted with a cold, scornful tone. "This world is a cage for the gifted. You flit between prisons like a moth from one ntern to the next. It is exhausting, is it not? At what juncture do you throw open the bars and flee?"

  Goosebumps prickled my arms. Cold sweat continued to bead on the back of my neck. After a few seconds of stunned silence, I forced myself to look him in the eye and said, "King Typhis isn't a bloodthirsty monster like you. He wants to bring peace. Your group is just trying to tear the world apart."

  Vhinrud's expression shifted, but I couldn't tell if it was because he was amused or disappointed. It just kind of...softened, like how one might regard a stubborn child. "...You wound me, Miss Brielle. The cyclical nature of humanity is far more complex than mere bloodlust."

  I had no response to that. It was too convoluted a statement for my frazzled brain.

  "That conversation, however, is best had elsewhere. This pce will soon be flooded with–"

  A sudden, loud cracking sound emanated from behind him. Something powerful had hit the barrier. Everyone whirled around to face the source.

  There, marching into the arena from the closest entrance, was none other than King Typhis. He'd swapped his formal attire for a suit of grey armour and a flowing, royal blue cape. Soldiers walked beside him in formation. And they all looked livid.

  "...Ah," Vhinrud breathed. He'd barely had time to turn his back to me before the King's voice rang out.

  "Release my people, at once!" Typhis' voice was as booming and authoritative as ever. His face was a bit flushed, presumably from anger.

  Vhinrud didn't look impressed. In fact, he seemed so confident and unperturbed that he flicked his left hand to dissolve the bck shield separating the two groups. "I see you are quite fond of making demands. Perhaps we should converse. As rulers."

  His Majesty's features turned even stormier, if that was possible. He pushed forward. The Inkbloods all tensed. I could tell they were ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. But so were the King's forces.

  His eyes nded on me. "Release her at once."

  "No. She stays," Vhinrud replied while moving to block me from his adversary's sight.

  "You are sorely mistaken if you believe this to be a negotiation. Do you not value the lives of your followers?" the King threatened, raising his gleaming broadsword.

  "Do you not value the lives of yours?" the Inkblood leader fired back, gesturing with a hand at the group of captives.

  The two gred daggers at each other for several seconds. Nobody else moved a muscle.

  I could practically hear the gears turning in King Typhis' head. He was a calcuting man, and clearly not eager to make a rash decision. It was obvious he wanted nothing more than to kill Vhinrud and all of his servants right there, but doing so would've jeopardized the lives of all the hostages. Not to mention mine.

  Finally, the King lowered his bde and asked, "...What are your terms?"

  Vhinrud's gaze remained frigid. He leaned more heavily on his cane. "That...relic, on your belt. I have need of it."

  I looked down and realized he was talking about the sword of avowal – the brittle rapier from earlier. It was sheathed at the King's side, probably tucked there in a hurry, or as some kind of good luck charm. The soldiers looked aghast. Some were already preparing spells and battle stances. Others were holding their breath, or gritting their teeth.

  "Absolutely not. This is an heirloom of the royal family. It is not for sale, or trade, or bargaining. You are welcome to ask any price. But the bde remains with us." Typhis' voice was stern and dictatorial, leaving no room for argument.

  "And the girl remains with me," Vhinrud retorted without missing a beat.

  I was stunned by how nonchantly he said it. What was so important about me being taken to wherever these fiends were based, anyway? I had to assume it wasn't because they needed a new maid. And the fact that the King was hesitating was not comforting, either.

  King Typhis cleared his throat. "That is out of the question."

  "Then it seems we are at an impasse," Vhinrud replied, adjusting his hat. "What a shame."

  "There must be something else you desire. Something of equal value."

  "There is nothing else. You may keep the relic, or you may keep your people."

  "And my knight."

  "Your dear knight, as well. Yes."

  Another tense moment passed. It was getting hard to focus. My nerves were frayed. The Inkbloods and the Rime Guard both looked prepared to unch themselves at each other, given the opportunity. The King's brow was deeply furrowed. A part of me couldn't believe how long it was taking him to decide. The correct decision was obvious, wasn't it?

  I didn't have to wait for too much longer, though. The King's jaw set. "...Very well. Take the sword. Let them go."

  "Balgaur," Vhinrud commanded, not even looking away from his opponent.

  "On it, sire." The hulking man immediately began stomping towards His Majesty.

  The King's eyes narrowed. The air around him crackled with icy energy. His soldiers closed ranks, ready to protect him from whatever Balgaur threw their way. He reached the royal party, but instead of attacking, he just held out one hand and waited.

  After several seconds, the King reluctantly unsheathed the rapier from his belt.

  Balgaur gave him a toothy grin and said, "Pleasure doin' business, eh?"

  King Typhis paused. His eyes flickered to Vhinrud, then to me, then back to the rapier. "My knight."

  Vhinrud didn't seem happy, but he nodded. The dark ropes around my arms dissolved in an instant. I quickly sprinted away from him and joined the King's side, where a couple of soldiers rushed forward to check me over.

  The Inkblood master strode over to the captive pile and motioned to his acolytes. Immediately, they started releasing the victims. They'd all stopped struggling by now. I wasn't even certain some of them were still alive, given how long they'd been exposed to dark magic that concentrated. ...Wait.

  "Now," King Typhis stated, tossing the old sword to Balgaur, "you will free every st one of my subjects, and you and your delinquents will leave without dey."

  "As you wish," Vhinrud responded with an almost bored tone. I didn't miss the ghost of a sneer on his mouth, though. He then turned to me. "...Until we meet again, Miss Brielle. 'Twas my pleasure."

  Balgaur rejoined his boss and promptly handed him the rapier. They exchanged a few words I couldn't hear. Lastly, Vhinrud held up the sword, examining it closely...and then snapped it in two.

  King Typhis' face darkened. A few soldiers audibly gasped.

  A small, bck cloud appeared around the pieces. It began eating away at them, crumbling and reducing them to a pile of dust. Vhinrud brushed off his hands after giving the sword's remains a quick look of revulsion. Finally, he jabbed the end of his cane into the tile beneath him, and he vanished in a plume of dark, swirling fog. I'd never seen such a thing before. Teleportation wasn't possible without a controlled device that'd been linked to a very specific location, like a medulet. It was far too lethal to attempt with mere spells. I could only assume Vhinrud's cane was tied to wherever he called home.

  Balgaur gave us one st glimpse and a mocking salute before he and the other Inkbloods started coughing and hunching over in synchronization. Blood dripped from their mouths and noses. I already knew what was happening before it did. Maybe it was their tattoos that granted them this ability, but it was clear that they were being summoned somewhere. Their forms started melting into charred globs, then morphed into pools of murky slime that oozed away into hideously unsanitary puddles, then seeped through the cracks between the tiles. They were gone within thirty seconds.

  King Typhis took a deep breath. His hands were clenched into fists. "...Secure the perimeter. Scour every corner. Take note of each victim, and report any casualties."

  "Yes, Your Majesty," came the chorus of replies.

  My eyes locked onto the group of hostages. They weren't moving. They were still. Too still. My heart skipped a beat.

  "I want the bodies brought to the infirmary, now," the King continued. "Make haste!"

  The Rime Guard got to work. I tried to join them, but the soldiers who were monitoring me stopped me in my tracks.

  "Wait, let me help! I can help!" I argued.

  "Midy, please, we have this under control," one guard reasoned, pcing a steadying hand on my shoulder. "It's best if you leave this area. For your safety. Allow us to escort you out."

  I looked to the King, desperate for him to overrule his soldiers. Instead, he simply said, "Get her out. That's an order."

  The words hit me like a sack of bricks. But I bit my lip and nodded. This wasn't the time to argue.

  One of the soldiers began leading the way. The others fell into step around us. I followed, albeit reluctantly, peering back a few times at the scene behind me.

  "...Will they be okay?" I asked, wringing my hands.

  The guard walking beside me didn't respond right away. Then, he shrugged, and answered, "We can only hope."

  "They'll be taken care of by the best healers the castle has to offer, Lady De Mavset. Please don't fret," the lead guard added.

  The soldier behind me chimed in, "In truth, few can survive a full dose of dark magic like that. It's possible His Majesty will have to break the news to several fam–"

  "Enough, squire. No sense in worrying the dy," the lead guard chided with a piercing gnce over his shoulder.

  I swallowed. It was a grim thought, but one that I'd considered. Dark spells were known to have lethal effects if the person wasn't protected by some means. Maybe Vhinrud had intended to kill the ones his Inkbloods could get their hands on. Or maybe he was hoping to collect some new subjects for his cause. Either way, any survivors would suffer the consequences ter. The guilt was crushing. I never asked for this many people to be put in danger. I didn't even want this ceremony. But was there anything I could do about it all? I couldn't even exist peacefully and follow mandates without drawing negative attention.

  It was hard not to feel like a curse on the world.

  We walked the rest of the way in silence.