A cold wind blew into the monastery and disturbed the gathering of psychic energy which caused most of the candles that were lit to fade out. The reclusive Lares immediately felt something had changed. Their psychic abilities were refined to the maximum so they were able to sense something would happen but they couldn’t pinpoint the cause of it. So they did what seemed most sensible and gathered together in the main chamber.

Grey haired men and women who had small wrinkles at the edge of their eyes had gathered. Each of them shared the trait of having a turquoise-colored gem that served as their third eye. They were the oldest members of some ancient Lares family but instead of remaining in the forefront of the continent like the dragons, they were simply waiting for their deaths or for the small chance of ascension. It was something that seemed grim but, like most higher races, they were long-lived.

At some point, all their memories grew to be a burden. Especially since they held a massive amount of psychic power. The Collapse had severely injured and killed the most powerful but those who managed to survive managed to persist. It was unfortunate that the Great Storm had disappeared when they only had a hundred or so years left to live which didn't leave them with enough time to seek new ways to grow. They hope for a breakthrough in their psychic abilities that would lead to ascension but that wasn't likely in their current state. So, they spent most of their time predicting how events would unfold in Yeramesh. It wasn’t until a strange and foreboding feeling passed through the monastery that they were shaken out of their daily routines.

“I’ll skip any pleasantries and get right to the point. There is something happening, it could be at this moment or days from now, but it is taking place as we speak. I am unable to make out it’s exact nature so I seek your opinions.”

“I can sense something malicious...I wanted to push further beyond but I almost suffered an injury.”

“...That means whatever is coming must be resistant to our abilities for it to evade detection as much as it did.”

“Do you think it’s that Dragon? The one who claims to rule over all others? I’ve long since guessed he was proficient in spatial magic.”

“It couldn’t be, at least not yet. My last vision showed that he didn’t move into action for another decade.”

“Yes, that was before the Great Storm wasn’t it? It is wrongful to assume that the future remained the same.”

“Then that means it’s a foreign presence. It can only be something we’ve had yet to come across.”

The Lares all shared a dark look before one spoke up.

“So what should we do?”

“I say we link all of our psychic energy. Our combined might should be able to shed some light on that mysterious presence.”

“Isn’t it possible that we'll all suffer a major shock and receive injuries instead?”

“We didn’t come to these mountains with the purpose of living did we?”

“No, but to leave ourselves weakened when facing such an enemy would be foolish. If it’s power transcends our combined strength then we should warn the other races. It’s clear that the Uprising is the smaller threat when compared.”

“...We will all make this decision together. Those who want to combine our power to learn more about that mysterious presence raise your hands. Those who want to prepare for a direct conflict with that presence, leave your hands down.”

The thirty or so Lares were evenly split in their decision and they soon figured out a conclusion.

“Let half of us prepare to fight while the other half links their psychic energy.”

A few minutes later and preparations were made and a psychic barrier was formed around the group who wanted to investigate the entity who evaded their senses.

“Are you all ready?”

“Let’s hurry on with it. Every moment wasted is a moment we’re in danger.”

The group nodded and soon multiple turquoise colored threads were linked between their crystal eyes. Sweat formed on their heads as the intense amount of energy and concentration caused them immediate stress.

“Darkness…” One spoke.

“Endless…Darkness...” Another added.

“A...beast...a…wolf.”

“Hungry...”

Their predictions sounded ominous until it took a strange turn.

“Pastries...Sweet...Pastries...”

“Mooncakes…Delicious...”

“It’s...Dark…”

They spoke in unintelligible sentences and then something odd happened. Blood began running from their noses and their faces grew redder with each passing second. They drew every breath in an erratic manner and fear soon filled each crease and fold on their faces. A cacophony of screams and groans mixed together to form one unified wail of terror. Their bodies contorted and their linked concentration was shattered.

Blood spewed from their mouths and it seemed as if their bodies suffered a huge recoil. One Lares began clawing at his crystal eyes with the intention of removing it but when that failed he instead of dug into his eye sockets. Another pulled her hair from her own scalp while bashing her head into the stone floor. A different one laughed while using their teeth to pull at their own fingernails.

A savage display of madness played out and those who watched on were speechless with shock and fear.

“We have to help them!” The ones watching woke up from the initial blow and channeled their psychic energy.

“I don’t think that’s necessary.” A clear and energetic voice that somehow had an imposing air put a pause to their attempts to help. The Lares who had gone insane were the only ones making noise though a few had died or rather killed themselves.

Standing in the main hall was a handsome young man with long black hair and bright yellow eyes. He wore simple black clothes that didn’t do much to hide his muscular physique. A serious yet somehow mischievous feeling danced around in his gaze as he looked around. At his side was a small girl who had similar black hair but her eyes were far softer and round with a childish curiosity. She wore a small hooded cape, a grey tunic, and leather sandals that would no doubt be ineffective against the cold but she didn’t seem uncomfortable.

“Who are you?” Someone managed to ask while feeling an almost suffocating pressure.

“Oh, I’m Ira and this is my daughter Raveria. Say hello, Raveria.” Ira tapped the little girl on the shoulder.

“Hello,” Raveria greeted them with a dimpled grin while swaying restlessly.

“It’s a bit unfortunate that some of you already died or ended up like that,” Ira commented on the state of the mind broken group of Lares.

“...What is it that you want, Ira?” A Lares stepped forward and asked bravely.

“That’s a good question,” Ira replied. “Would it be ok to call it revenge? Maybe not since you haven’t done anything to me personally. Though just by living you’re sort of a problem for me.”

“What does that mean? If we haven’t done anything to earn your ill intent then why are you here?”

“Not you but someone related to you.” As Ira finished speaking, he snapped his finger and a haggard figure dropped onto the floor.

“Who...is that?” A man squinted his eyes as he recognized familiar features. It appeared to be a Lares but his crystal eye and the source of his psychic power was removed.

“This is Gicae.” Ira smiled as he placed his foot on the back of Gicae’s head.

“Ten million nine hundred eighteen thousand nine hundred eighty-four. Ten million nine hundred eighteen thousand nine hundred eighty-five.” Gicae was counting with an empty look in his eye. He didn’t even react to anything that was going on in front of him or to Ira’s foot that was pressed against the back of his head. Ira then grabbed Gicae by his hair and lifted him up until they were eye level.

“What are you counting, Gicae? Is it seconds? Minutes? Days? Weeks? Months? I know it’s hard to keep track of time in those conditions, believe me, I do,” Ira said with a chuckle before dropping him to the ground.

“Gicae...Gicae!” The Lares who were still sane seemed to remember something. “What did you do to him?! What did you do to my brother?!”

“So you are his relatives?” Ira looked pleased with their reactions. In fact, he looked incredibly pleased which stifled any and all outbursts from the Lares. His mood caused them to become immensely unsettled.

“Nothing to say? We have a bit more time until we get started so feel free to air out your grievances. I should warn you ahead of time that he did try to kill me and harm my daughter.” At the memory of his forced separation from Raveria and Avery, Ira’s mood turned sour.

“If what you say is true–” Just as one Lares began speaking, Ira snapped his finger.

Gravity suddenly increased and pushed them to the ground, forcing their foreheads to the floor.

“True?” Ira said with a laugh. “Are you trying to say I’m lying? Ah, was I not intimidating enough? Maybe I need to make a gesture.”

The Lares who called Ira a liar was teleported in front of him while being stuck in a frozen position.

“Raveria,” Ira turned to his daughter.

“Yes?” Raveria felt her dad had become more serious so she answered properly.

“Can you kill him?” Ira asked.

Raveria processed what he said and then turned to the kneeling Lares before turning back to Ira.

“Um…” Raveria seemed hesitant to carry out the act. She had yet to take a life and the closest she came was beating Kaidan but that was only because she didn’t know how to hold back properly.

“It’s easy, Raveria.” Ira encouraged her. “Go on.”

“Ok!” Raveria stepped forward and placed her hand on the shoulder of the kneeling Lares. Her temporal energy surged and the Lares began aging rapidly.

“Stop! Stop! Stop!” The man cried out as he felt the life fading from his body rapidly. His hair and teeth began falling out while his skin turned grey. His cries soon stopped and his body became nothing more than a pile of dust.

Raveria took a step back and looked at her own hands and for a moment there was only silence. The gravity pressing down the Lares had lightened slightly and they were able to raise their heads to see the fate of their companion. There was nothing left of him and they all shifted their gaze toward the little girl with astonishment.

Ira clapped his hands proudly and Raveria’s unsure look became more certain.

“Great!” There was genuine happiness in Ira’s expression as he spoke. “There are a few things we have to work on but that was perfect, Ria.”

Raveria nodded at Ira and then moved back to his side. By now, there was no hope of fleeing for the restrained Lares so a few began channeling their psychic power. Since Ira was immune, there was only one target to go for and that was obviously Raveria. They covertly shared their intentions and then made their move. A blast of psychic energy seeking to take control of Raveria’s mind flew forward but Ira was a step quicker and swung a black claw toward the projectile causing it to dissipate.

“Hey…” Ira narrowed his eyes and bloodlust filled the room. “I’m really not too fond of torture. I’d rather just kill you all right now but that would be way too easy for what just happened. So, try to bear with me while I try out something new.”

Ira’s laughter filled the room as he made sure to increase gravity pressing down on them. Of course, he was extra careful not to let them die. On the other side of things, the Lares sensed that they would regret their attempted attack for the few hours they had left to live.