The kimono-clad Spirit Vessel wielder let himself fall onto the grass and let out a weary yawn.

“Urgh… Haven’t travelled this far on foot in quite some time.”

Why are we even going out this far? His Ancient companion asked, We should have stayed in Mahernas in case another boat showed up ahead of schedule!

“And pass off an opportunity like this?” The man answered out loud because there was no one around. They were at the entrance to a forest, and no travellers seemed to be around, although there seemed to be evidence of people entering the forest not long before he himself did, “Why, I’d be a fool to do that! This is about to be history in the making! Lendras is dead, so now the question arises: Who will lead Alreese?!”

Huh? Why do even you care about this backwater country anyway?

“Lendras wasn’t successful in his conquest of the Dungeon, but someone was! Which means there’s a Spirit Vessel wielder here, likely a strong one, and they’re probably on their way to Fort Rosharien right now, to either assume power or tear the place down! I must meet this would-be maker of history!”

Even after all this time, you still get fired up about this stuff?

“But of course, Patsy! Don’t you? Surely when you Ancients peopled this world along with the Old Mages, it must have amazed you to see those who would become rulers!”

How many times do I have to tell you? I can barely remember anything from back then! I swear, seven years we’ve been bonded, and you still forget this basic stuff?

“It merely slipped my mind,” the man stood up and looked towards the deep forest, “A busy man like myself cannot remember every little detail!”

Urgh… What’s all the yelling about? A new voice in his mind, a gruff, older voice than that of the youthful-sounding Ancient, interrupted their squabble.

“Ah, Rogmel… You’re awake! How wonderful!”

Roggy, talk some sense into this overgrown brat! He’s not just some wandering vagabond anymore, he’s…

Ah, be quiet, Patrenna! Sylas is a grown man now- And he’s doing well for himself, too! But, um… Where are we, exactly?

“We’re, uh… We’re in Alreese. I’m headed towards Fort Rosharien, to observe what events transpire there in the wake of Overlord Lendras’ death.”

Lendras? Who the hell is that? Ah, whatever, I don’t care. But shouldn’t you be back in Yuleir by now? Where’s Ulmei and them?

“Ah… They would be… Probably halfway back to Yuleir by now… Without me. I missed the boat, you see.”

You WHAT?

See, Roggy? Patrenna chimed in, I told you time and time again that he was a fool! But did you listen?

The laughter of the older-sounding male Ancient rang out in Sylas’ mind.

Ah, youth! Enjoy it while you’re young, I suppose! I’d surmise it was because of a woman that you missed the boat?

“…That would be correct,” Sylas said shamelessly, “I had to do what I had to do.”

You didn’t have to go off with some tavern wench! Patrenna sounded angry, She wasn’t even half as pretty as me…

These things happen, Patrenna, Rogmel said wisely, Perhaps it was fate that we should end up out here, headed to this Lendras’ place… Maybe we’ll see something worth seeing.

“My thoughts exactly,” Sylas answered, “I do believe fate is what brings me everywhere I go. Everything happens for a reason… It’s just like the old man used to tell me.”

And wise he was, Rogmel added.

…Maybe you’re both right, Patrenna admitted, The old guy did have a good head on his shoulders…

Sylas looked down, examining the pattern on his kimono contemplatively.

“That he did… Now, shall we? This slightly ominous-looking forest awaits!”

*

“Hyah!”

Eswyrene lept through the air and kicked the Fiend in the face with such force that it was blasted back, hitting against a nearby tree. Its body went limp and it started to disappear into dust.

“Nice one, Es!” Auros called to her as he pinned another of the pack of wolf Fiends to a tree with a spear of ice which had jabbed into its neck.

“Es?” The girl looked slightly taken aback by the nickname.

“We’re friends, right?” Auros laughed as one of his icicles met its target and another Fiend fell, “Besides, it’s a cute nickname, don’t you think?”

Eswyrene grabbed a wolf that had gotten too close by the tail and picked it up, swinging it around effortlessly with her Jureinian strength before sending it crashing back to earth.

“…I guess so…” she said hesitantly.

“Es, behind you!” Kydan shouted. He and Sakhtras were fighting in tandem for the first time and it was a fierce sight to behold, a small forest fire erupting around them as they struck down their foes one by one.

Eswyrene turned after Kydan alerted her of the pouncing Fiend, just in time to punch it in the jaw and send it hurtling to the ground, where she stomped on its head, knocking it out.

“Th-Thanks!” She called to Kydan before returning to the fray.

“You’re certainly a warrior, Eswyrene… You make this look like a walk in the park!” Hai told her as they crossed paths, fighting back-to-back, the girl lashing out with mighty kicks and the older man cutting down Fiends left and right with his magical weapon, which also served to douse any flames that got too close to the rest of the group with its water elemental capabilities.

Eswyrene grinned at the compliment from the swordsman, “I’m just glad I can use this strength for good now… For my friends!”

With all the wolves in their vicinity cleared, she and Hai watched as Kydan and Sakhtras dispatched the last of their foes, with a synchronised blast of flame from Kydan’s dagger and Sakhtras’ palm. All that was left was a dark vapour which told them that the Fiends had breathed their last.

“Well, that wasn’t too bad, all things considered,” Auros walked over to the pair, Hai and Eswyrene following.

“We barely broke a sweat,” Hai agreed, “Are you two still in fighting form?” he asked Kydan and the Ancient.

“I haven’t had a good fight like that in a long time!” Sakhtras grinned viciously, “I could fight a thousand more of those things!”

Kydan, meanwhile, looked slightly tired- Eswyrene assumed it was from the exertion of summoning Sakhtras as well as using the dagger for an extended period.

“Hey, Kydan, do you need a break?”

His breathing was slightly ragged, but Kydan shook his head, “I’ll probably be fine. I just need to get used to fighting alongside Sakhtras.”

Sakhtras smiled and ruffled his hair, “You’re certainly doing a fine job so far! It must have been fate that my old dagger fell into your hands and then we became bonded! How lucky are you?”

Kydan laughed, “I count my blessings every day, I assure you.”

“I would too, lad, if I was bonded for life to such a flaming beauty as she,” Auros added.

Sakhtras scowled his way, “Does everything you say about me have to sound so… Lecherous?”

“Look, I’m just a man who appreciates beauty, nothing more, I promise!”

Sakhtras smiled wryly, “Ah, I’m just teasing- We may have just met recently, but I know there’s a heart of gold down there somewhere.”

“I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment… Anyways, I’d wager we’re almost to Deirnes. If Kydan’s all right to keep going, we can rest up there anyway.”

Kydan nodded, and so he and Hai sheathed their weapons and Sakhtras returned to her Spirit Vessel for the moment.

“I’m impressed, Es,” Auros walked alongside her when they set off again through the dense woods towards Deirnes, “You really gave those Fiends a beating, with no weapon needed!”

“Some Jureinians fight with weapons,” she explained, “But my family always fought bare-handed, sometimes with gauntlets… That’s why even when ordered to by the people I was enslaved by, I always refused to take up a weapon. Even if it earned me a beating after the fact,”

Auros paused, “…That’s unbelievable. You’ve really been through a lot for a girl around Kydan’s age… Although, I suppose he has too.”

“In a way, I’m thankful for it,” She told him, “It taught me things- The extent of human cruelty, for one thing. I was also able to hone my strength a lot, without being trained by one of my own people.”

“So if you’d been able to stay in Jurei, you’d have been trained by a fellow Jureinian warrior?”

“Yes, more than likely my father,” a far-off look flashed across her face for a second, “If I do manage to make it back, I’d aspire to complete my formal training. I’m sure I have a lot still to learn.”

“Well, you’re already a strong companion as it is, Es,” Auros smiled, “One I’m glad to have around, watching my back.”

“I’m glad to have you around too, Auros,” then a sly smile danced across her lips, “For that dragon of yours, at least…”

Auros put a hand to his head, “Again about the dragon… When will you people learn there’s more to me than just the dragon?”

Es gave him a pat on the back, “I’m just kidding. You also come up with pretty decent nicknames.”

Auros looked at her, a warm expression on his face, “Yes, I suppose there’s that too, at least…”

*

At Fort Rosharien, a crowd of Lendras’ former guards and fighters were crowded around in a wide meeting room. Instead of their presumably dead Overlord addressing them, there stood a man they were all familiar with- A man with golden hair and golden eyes, who in the days that had passed since news of the Overlord reached the Fort, had defeated all other contenders for leadership and had declared himself the new leader of Fort Rosharien. A sword hung at his hip, a sword which all around him knew held wicked power, rumoured to have come from a Dungeon.

“Overlord Lendras still appears dead,” he told the gathered men and women and was met with some boos from the crowd, “But that does not mean the end. Fort Rosharien still stands, and will continue to stand for as long as we remain in control of it.”

“What’s next for us then, eh?” the rough-sounding voice of a large, axe-wielding man rang out through the crowd.

“We continue as we always did,” The blonde-haired man waved an arm, “You all know our role. We keep production going from the slaves, and we also keep the transactions going ahead. This country’s benefactors are hoping to ramp up production to be ready for all-out conquest within the coming months. Overlord Lendras paved the way for this with negotiations and dealings, and now I shall be the one to continue what he started. Given that there are no objections of course.”

There was silence from the crowd, apart from a few mumblings of agreement.

The man’s golden eyes flashed with a wicked glee, “Excellent. No more rats cower here, thinking they can assume power when they are so clearly unworthy. In that case, I, Gilden Meyer… Shall assume power as the next Overlord of Fort Rosharien, and of Alreese!”

The crowd jeered raucously, the sound of bottles smashing in celebration echoing through the wide, tall room.

Look at them, the helpless monkeys… What use would any of them have been to the plan? They need someone who can take the reins after that old fool’s death, and stop this country from being just another pawn in the Empire’s game…

“Now… Back to work, all of you! Get the next round of slaves ready for collection- A Zhion ship will be at Gadryl Bay tomorrow! Go, and be quick about it!”

Gilden’s authoritative barks of command soon dispersed the crowd as quickly as it formed- Off they went, to fulfil the mission that old fool Lendras had died for…

*

Afternoon turned quickly to evening, and night was starting to fall as the group finally made it out of the forest and the small village of Deirnes appeared on the horizon. They had had to face down a few more Fiends on their way, but the will and resolve to topple Fort Rosharien and free the slaves who remained there kept them going through the battles. They were, however, starting to grow tired, and the warm glow of the inn’s lights guided them towards it as they entered the town. There seemed to be no townspeople outside, which was strange since it hadn’t fully turned dark yet.

“This place looks to be a bit of a ghost town,” Auros muttered.

“Yeah- There aren’t even any guards around here ‘keeping the peace’” Kydan said the last three words with a sarcastic edge.

“I wonder why they’re all inside, though…” Hai wondered, “You don’t think this is some plague-ridden village, and the villagers are all inside to stop infection, do you?”

“I doubt it, somehow,” Kydan said, “Although, you do have a strangely morbid imagination, Hai…”

“I’ve been told that a lot,” Hai chuckled slightly.

“Maybe they’re afraid of something,” Es suggested, “Like Fiends or something,”

“I’m not sure if Fiends would just wander into a village like this,” Auros said, “Not wild ones, anyway. If they were trained, it would be a different story…”

“I guess we won’t know if we don’t ask,” Hai added, “What say we try the inn and see if we can get rooms for the night, along with some information?”

They all agreed with Hai’s suggestion, and entered the inn. Once again, no one was inside the tavern part, apart from a lone bartender. He had a nervous look about him, his eyes bloodshot as though he hadn’t slept for a while.

“Travellers?” He asked in a low grunt.

“Yes, my good sir,” Auros spoke first, “We’ve come seeking rooms.”

“I can give you all a room,” The barman nodded, “It’ll be sixty pieces altogether.”

“A fine deal,” Auros smiled and turned to the group, “So, uh… Who’s paying?”

“You’re the one whose stories and songs can capture the heart of stalwart man or fair maiden, or so you say,” Kydan responded, “I figured you would have the cash to spare.”

“Er… Sadly, I do not… Ale expenses, and what have you…”

Kydan laughed, and produced a handful of coins from his pouch. Hai did the same and the two split the cost between them. The barman didn’t speak as he took their money, merely gesturing up to the ceiling to indicate the rooms were above them.

When the transaction was done, Auros spoke again, “Pray tell, my good man, why is this place so quiet? I had hoped to perhaps meet some enchanting village lady here tonight, but… The place is empty, as is the village itself, it seems. Do these people not go out after dark?”

The barman put down the mug he had been washing, “The people here are afraid,” he told them, confirming Eswyrene’s earlier suspicions.

“Of what, though?” Kydan asked, “Or rather… Who?”

“We saw no sign of Lendras’ band of fools around here,” Auros added, “Is it Fiends?”

The barman shook his head, “Deirnes used to be under the rule of Lendras, yes. But then they were driven out.”

“Unusual, given the close proximity of this place to Fort Rosharien,” Auros commented.

“That’s true, but… Given the nature of those who drove them out, I assume Lendras decided to cut his losses and throw us to the wolves. This place never had any real value to him, anyway.”

“There seems to be a story here,” Auros said, gesturing for the barman to continue, “Who was it, that caused the guards to turn tail? Rebels?”

“Of a sort,” the bartender’s face turned callous as if the thought of these rebels made him angry, “…Not the sort who have the country’s interests at heart though, no matter how much they may claim to.”

“Who are they?” Kydan asked, “Does this group have a name?”

“Folks around here named them the Raven Guard- We call them that because since they took over, they’ve been forcing money and resources out of the villagers’ hands... Like ravens coveting things that shine, they too covet riches. They claim to be protecting us, but what they’re really doing is leeching from us for their own gain.”

“That’s… That’s horrible,” Eswyrene looked disgusted.

“I can’t imagine thinking you’d been saved only to realise that your benefactors are just as crooked as your former rulers,” Auros agreed, “The people of Deirnes have evidently been through a lot.”

“It’s still hard to believe that these people managed to make Lendras back off,” Hai said, “Even if this place was as insignificant as you say, that man wasn’t the type to just give things up so easily…”

“True,” Eswyrene said softly, she and Hai knowing first-hand of the former Overlord’s dogged tenacity.

“It’s not like they didn’t try to fight them off,” the barman explained, “It’s just, those Ravens… They’re powerful, and coordinated extremely well. There’s a damn lot of them, too. They fought Lendras’ men to the bitter end, taking losses along the way- But the losses seemed to only make them stronger. They have a few wielders of magical weapons, too- They fought like wild beasts, the lot of them.”

The group paused to let all of this sink in.

These people are clearly downtrodden and oppressed, Sakhtras commented, It’s painful to think about. I suppose Lendras wasn’t the only wicked ruler in this country…

I know… I… I wish we could do something for these people, but if those Ravens really fought Lendras’ forces off… Not to mention multiple wielders of Dungeon weapons…

“Their leader, he’s the worst of them,” the barman continued, and the group’s attention returned back to him, “Even though he’s just a kid, he’s running the show with an iron fist- The rest of them do his bidding, although most of them are older than him. He has wicked eyes, hair dark as night and a scar under his left eye…”

The last two descriptions made Kydan gasp involuntarily, “Wh-What? Black hair and… A scar under his left eye?”

“Y-Yes,” the barman looked taken aback by Kydan’s sudden urgency.

“His name, what’s his name?!” Kydan’s voice was almost forceful, a worried look on his face.

“His name,” the barman repeated, “It’s, uh… Taryn.”