Dante sat in the empty dining room and continued to study from the book the Historian had left him, combing through the pages for any secrets that might lay the foundation for his future training. The room was large and echoed a little but Dante enjoyed it. It reminded him of the Library, where he studied with the Historian. A soft knock had him look up to see Teron Atahchi standing in the doorway. Dante didn’t miss the slight look of consternation on his face.

“What can I help you with, Teron?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Teron let out a deep breath and walked into the room, sitting opposite of Dante.

“I came to say sorry.” Teron said quickly, his eyes glued to the table between them.

Dante raised his brow, surprised by his forwardness.

“Umm…okay?” Dante replied, at loss for how to respond.

Teron shifted in his seat, looking for the correct words. “My Grandfather used to tell me that people were insignificant. They were tools to be used and discarded.” He took a breath to collect himself and Dante waited quietly, unsure of what to say. “I was always afraid of him. He took me from my parents when I was five. I was tutored and watched over by him, as if anyone else would ruin my perception of what he deemed correct.”

Dante felt the tension in the room lift. His empathy helping him to understand how truly worried Teron had felt.

“What did they do? Your parent’s, I mean.” Dante asked, trying to alleviate a little of the awkwardness between the two.

Teron looked up, surprised by the question. “Uhm, my mother runs one of the smaller warehouses. My father is the family accountant. They were passed over for heir because my Grandfather didn’t think my father was strong enough to lead.”

Dante thought for a minute. “It seems like a person who can be an accountant for multiple businesses would probably make a good leader.”

Teron found himself smirking at the thought. “I wouldn’t have thought so before but it makes sense.” Teron looked at the book in front of Dante. “What are you reading?”

“The legends of Essence Mages.” Dante said.

Teron laughed. “Those are just stories though, right?”

Dante squinted, easing his head side to side. “Kind of. The text really is flowery but if you read it carefully, I think it gives you hints about what the previous Essence Mages could do.”

Teron looked at the book a little closer. “So, the Historian wasn’t joking the other day?”

Dante shook his head. “She’s not really the joking type.” He flipped back a few pages. “According to this, Bastet Kyza, the Fifth Essence Mage, could make physical armor out of Essence instead of the Essence Armor I use.”

Dante flipped ahead. “Helena Hourglass was not an oracle but a powerful empath.” He flipped forward to his previous page. “And if I am reading this correctly, Tontas Windspeaker could actually communicate with essence infused beasts.”

Teron’s jaw dropped. “Being able to talk to beasts? I wonder what you would even say to one.”

Dante looked at him seriously. “Probably something like, “Please, please don’t eat me!”

Teron erupted into laughter with Dante quickly joining. The joke had swept most of the worry from Teron and Dante saw him visibly relax. After a few moments, they settled back down.

“Still.” Teron said quietly. “I’m sorry for being such an ass. I promise I will help you get Kelsi and Ferris back.”

Dante nodded. “Thanks.”

They were interrupted when the Historian, Lucinda Bell and Francis Castellas came in, followed by Jasmi and Gretta. Jasmi looked at him questioningly. Dante mouthed “Later” so she nodded and sat between him and Gretta.

“Okay.” Lucinda started. “We leave in an hour. Alexandra, you will be leading Francis, Teron, Dante, Jasmi and Gretta. The other five teams are all prepared and will enter when Esteban and his planted guards give the signal. Remember, we are going in for Ferris and Kelsi. If we can get any of the Enchanters or Life Mages, we will but they are not the priority. If we do attain them however, they may help us break this new enchantment.”

The other’s nodded silently and left to equip their gear. Dante felt the tension return, washing over him.

An hour later and they were being led through winding side streets that were reserved for servants. Dante was amazed at how these streets were all but invisible from the main roads of the upper tiers. It seemed that the appearance of wealth really did mean a lot to the merchant families of the tower since they took such pains to hide their help.

The group moved quietly and each of the young Mages were clearly nervous. It was almost comforting to Dante to know that he wasn’t alone in that. He also noticed that the Historian and Francis were the exact opposite. Excitement and eagerness flowed through them and Dante had to wonder why they thought any of this was exciting.

They stopped briefly while Francis cast his illusion spell. Dante watched closely, seeing the magic surround them like a bubble. The world dimmed seemed to dim, as if a tinge of grey was trying to mute out the colors around them. The Historian was looking around a corner before she turned to face them.

“The signals been given.” The Historian whispered. “We go through the front gates which will be left open. Teron, stand next to me and direct which way to go.”

Teron nodded, standing next to the Historian. Francis and Jasmi stood behind them and then Gretta and Dante. They moved around the corner, entering the empty main road, the gate of the Atahchi house towered in front of them but they found no resistance as they walked through.

Dante almost gasped aloud when he saw the estate. The place was huge compared to the Castellas estate. Easily four times its size. They followed Teron to the entrance that was left unlocked. They moved slowly, trying to dampen their footsteps but the plush carpet made it unnecessary. They moved through a grand empty foyer with dual winding staircases and dimmed chandeliers. Teron led them to the left, pausing at the hallway to check for guards. Once clear, he led them to the guest library that hid the entrance to the hidden rooms.

The house was eerily quiet, so much so that the group could hear themselves breathing. Dante used his Essence Pulse but no one seemed to be moving near them. Once inside the guest library, Teron pointed out a wall with a locked glass paneled cabinet. The Historian looked it over and nodded as Teron moved a small latch that was well hidden. The cabinet opened silently and they slipped into the hidden hallway.

As the cabinet shut, a piercing alarm sounded throughout the house, startling the group.

“What was that?” Dante asked.

“It appears we have tripped an alarm.” Francis said, seemingly not worried.

Jasmi pushed Teron against the wall, her dagger held against his throat.

“What did you do?!”

Teron’s held up hands. “I didn’t know there was an alarm! I swear!”

Dante gently grabbed Jasmi’s shoulder. “He’s telling the truth.”

“Enough!” The Historian grumbled. “Francis and Teron, hold the door. You three with me.”

They nodded, Dante falling instep beside the Historian as Gretta and Jasmi followed.

After a few moments, Dante’s Essence Pulse caught movement ahead of them.

“We have company.” He whispered to the Historian. She only nodded.

As two Mages ran around the corner, the Historian raised her hands and a wave of water crashed into them, pinning them against the wall.

“Do you sense anyone else running towards us?” She asked Dante.

Dante waited a moment and then shook his head.

“No, but a few people are up head moving around in what I think are rooms.” Dante said quickly.

The Historian nodded. “Go forward and try and find your friends. This will take another minute or so.” She said looking at the Mages still pinned.

Dante moved forward creating a sword and shield. Jasmi and Gretta staggered behind him, staying somewhat in cover. Sounds of fighting where heard above but at least there were no explosions. Dante worried they might have to escape while the house was on fire.

The next hall had several doors that were barred on the outside. Dante peaked in through a small window to see a Mage in shackles. She was old and was cowering in a small bed in the corner.

“I think the Life Mages and Enchanters are prisoners.” Dante whispered.

“Should we release them?” Asked Gretta.

Dante shook his head. “No, the Historian said she would be right behind us. We need to find Ferris and Kelsi.”

Moving forward, Dante looked into every room they passed but it wasn’t until the last two rooms that they found Ferris and Kelsi.

“Found them!” Dante said. He gestured for Jasmi to get Kelsi while he unbarred Ferris’ room. The bar moved with a loud squeak and Dante flung open the door to see Ferris already up.

“Come on, Ferris! Were ge-”

He didn’t have time to finish before Ferris rushed at him, knocking him down. Dante’s vision swam but he had the foresight to hold up his shield, blocking the blows raining down on him.

“Ferris! It’s me, Dante!” He yelled but that seemed to enrage his friend even more.

Sounds of fighting could be heard in the room across the hall where Kelsi was being held.

“They have been enslaved!” Jasmi yelled.

Dante felt his stomach tighten; his mind sent reeling. His friends had been enslaved and it all led to him. If they hadn’t met, if they hadn’t become friends, they would have been safe. Regret and despair welled up within him and Dante looked at the anger in his friend’s eyes. Ferris looked more like a beast than man, his jaw tightly shut as a growl escaped his throat.

The Essence around Dante buzzed angrily and shocked him, pulling him out of his own thoughts. The Essence apparently didn’t agree with him lying there and getting tenderized by his best friend. Essences warning echoed in his mind. Doubt leads to hesitation; hesitation leads to death. His heart pounded in his chest as his anger inside him. Anger at his friends being taken, anger at the people who dared enslave them and anger at himself. He had been hesitating this whole time. Afraid to lead, afraid to trust, afraid to act. He thought he had shed his doubt but he was wrong, he had just given excuses. His friends were his family now. They needed him here and now. No more excuses.

Dante felt something click into place, his thoughts began clear, focused. With a thought, the Essence condensed around him. Over his leather armor, plates of bluish crystal formed. The impacts on his shield continues but they didn’t feel as heavy as before. Dante used the wall behind him, standing up under the rain of blows. With a grunt of effort, Dante pushed off the wall, catching Ferris off guard and sending him flying backwards into his room. Dante closed the door, barring it before Ferris could stand. Turning, he ran towards Kelsi’s room.

Jasmi and Gretta were holding her off but Jasmi’s left arm was hanging limply, obviously broken. Moving quickly, Dante formed a staff in his hand and stuck between the two girls, hitting Kelsi in the chest. She fell back, crashing to the floor but was quickly getting up.

“Gretta, use confusion now!” Dante yelled. She looked a little stunned at his new armor but cast her spell causing Kelsi to slump on the ground. Dante pulled out some rope from his bracelet and tied Kelsi quickly before the spell broke. He touched his enchanted necklace and threw a compulsion into Kelsi’s mind. “Sleep.”

He wasn’t sure if it would work but Kelsi’s body went limp. He sighed in relief.

“I put her to sleep.” Dante said. “We need to do the same for Ferris.”

Jasmi and Gretta stared at him. Did they not hear what he said?

“Are you okay?” Dante asked them.

Jasmi shook her head. “When did you get armor!?”

Dante looked down, giving his new armor a good look. The crystal was blue like essence crystal but it didn’t have the intense light coming out of it. They were shaped like heavy plate mail but Dante barely felt it them and he moved easily as if each plate wasn’t actually connected.

“Huh. I guess it does look a little different.” Dante said.

“A little different!?” Jasmi almost yelled. “You look like somebody mated with an essence crystal.”

“Umm...” Gretta interrupted. “What about Kelsi and Ferris? Are they really under the slavery enchantment?”

Dante looked down at Kelsi, his anger returning as he looked at her tied up and unconscious. “I think so. That means we need to take the prisoners with us. They might know how to remove the enchantment.”

Jasmi and Gretta nodded sadly, worry written across their faces as the Historian burst in the room.

“What is taking so damn long?!” The Historian yelled.

“Kelsi and Ferris have been enslaved.” Jasmi said quietly.

The Historians grim look softened but she nodded as if she expected as much. “I will knock out Ferris. Tie him up then put the spell restriction shackles on both of them.”

They moved quickly, placing the shackles on Kelsi. Once they were done, they turned to find the Historian standing over Ferris’ unconscious body. There stunned expressions made the Historian roll her eyes as she cuffed and tied Ferris up. Dante picked up Ferris as the girls carried Kelsi. Dante struggled to balance his abnormally large friend, cursing every few steps.

Once Francis was informed of the situation, he and the Historian released the prisoners. Thankfully, they were all shackled with spell restriction cuffs but the sight of their haggard appearance made Dante’s stomach twist.

Under the illusion enchantment, they left the house with the sounds of fighting still above them. Francis struggled holding such a large illusion and Teron had to help the Light Mage walk. Once they were relatively safe, a signal was passed and Esteban pulled his guards back, leaving a few beaten and unconscious. It was a risky plan but they couldn’t afford losing their intelligence. It took longer to return, the guards covering their retreat, leading the enemy off in a different direction, but once they were safely inside the Castellas estate, they felt a hidden weight lift from their shoulders.

Dante, Jasmi, Gretta and Teron sat in the dining room while the Historian and Lucinda interrogated the Mages. None of them bothered with conversation. They had plenty to think about. It took a few hours before Lucinda and the Historian came into the dining room and fell into their chairs.

“Can they reverse the enchantment?” Dante asked. With the adrenaline from before, he didn’t have time to dwell on Kelsi and Ferris’ condition. After waiting for several hours, his worries had plenty of time to catch up to him.

The Historian nodded with a yawn. “It will be a long and dangerous procedure but they think they can reverse it.”

Lucinda shook her head. “Poor bastards. Those Mages have been locked up for quite a while. Each one of them thinking they were lucky to get hired by a rich merchant family, only to wind up slaves themselves. We are lucky none of them have been enchanted.”

“How do you know they are telling the truth?” Asked Teron.

Lucinda smirked, pulling a vial out of her storage ring. “Truth serum. We also had our Alchemists put Ferris and Kelsi to sleep. We won’t have to worry about them waking up until the enchantment is gone.”

“How did you put Kelsi to sleep?” The Historian asked Dante.

“I used my enchantment and sent a compulsion to sleep into her mind.” Dante said. “I didn’t know if it would work but I thought it better to try than just hitting her until she was knocked out.”

The Historian nodded. “Interesting. And the armor?”

Dante pulled out the book she had left behind. “I have been studying. It’s tough to get past all the fantastical wording but there are little hints hidden in the text. The armor was from the stories of Bastet Kyza.”

“The Juggernaut of Horus!” The Historian cackled. “Good. Keep reading! Someone was really clever in writing that book. It retains the knowledge I had thought lost. Everyone loves fanciful stories so why not hide it in a book that will be so popular, it weathers centuries without change.”

“How long until Kelsi and Ferris are back to normal?” Jasmi asked.

“We will make sure the procedure is safe first.” Lucinda said. “We will have the Enchanters and Life Mages working with the best we have. Now if you will all excuse me; my men will be taking the ex-prisoners and your friends. We also need to inform the Council and get approved to attack the Atahchi estate.”

Teron jumped up. “What about my Mother and Father? They wouldn’t have been behind this!”

Lucinda looked at him, her brow furrowed. “Can you prove that?”

Teron fell back in his seat, Dante felt the pain and worry moving through him.

Lucinda shook her head. “They will all be interrogated as long as they surrender.”

Teron looked up hopefully and nodded. After Lucinda left, the Historian let them get some rest. It was an eventful night, more so for the young Mages though she could tell that Dante stood a little straighter than before. She smirked at the thought of the nervous young student he once was.

“They grow so quickly.” She said to herself.

Dante woke to the sounds of waves crashing against the shore. The sounds were alien to him and he jumped up, finding himself on a dark beach. The cold sand felt odd as it found its was between his toes. Another thundering crash and Dante looked up to see water that went on endlessly, the waves crashing upon the surface. It was a terrifying and wonderful sight.

“Dante.”

Dante turned to see the familiar glowing ball of silver float through the odd-looking trees.

“Hello again, Essence.”

“Hello to you as well, Dante.” Essence said, a childish giggle sounding from the ball of light.

Dante smiled. Essence was older than Kahlea itself and yet she giggled like a school girl.

“You have started understanding your abilities but it is only a start. You must continue to train yourself. Time is not on your side.”

Dante frowned. “What more is there? Alistern will be arrested, the dungeons are being handled and we just got my friends back.”

“Alistern is a pawn, Dante. Another moves him as they move others.”

Dante sat on the sand, hanging his head. He had hoped that they were done. That he had succeeded but those hopes were swiped away.

“Don’t pout, Dante.” Essence chided.

Dante looked up. “I’m not pouting! It’s a lot to take in.”

“I do understand. Being an Essence Mage means bearing great responsibility, but I wouldn’t have chosen you if I didn’t think you could do it.”

Dante felt a little better at her words. He sat back feeling the sand against his hands. “What should I do now?”

“The Tower of Metris is still in danger, as are the others. The dungeons cores were what they were after but they will not stop at that. Warn the Council, they are in danger.”

Dante stood, wiping the sand off his hands. If he needed to do more then he had to accept it. No more doubt. No more hesitating.

“I will do my best.” Dante paused. “Essence, will Ferris and Kelsi be okay?”

“Your friends are being looked after, Dante. Focus on your task and trust your allies.”

Alistern Atahchi fumed as he received word of his estate being attacked. He had been visiting his contacts, preparing for his eventual escape but now his plans would have to be pressed if he was to have any hope of success. The loss of his prisoners made it clear that the Council would be moving against him shortly. He needed to set his final plan into motion and quickly. If he succeeded, he would have enough of a distraction to flee easily enough.