"We're here," Sonalius whispered to Riza and tapped her on the forehead. "Let's be quick and inform Tyrien about this." He audibly gulped as Riza opened her eyes and nodded. After five days of traveling, they had reached the city of Yytar.

Riza looked around at the towering buildings and elaborate stone sculptures that formed a "V" shape. she stopped walking and gazed up in the sky in awe. thirteen life-like sculptures stood before her, each one conveying a different set of elegance. At the center of the point, with six statues on either side of him, was a green-haired statue that was twice as tall as the other twelve. Riza couldn't fathom how much time it took to carve a statue over 50 meters tall, or where someone would even find a single stone that large. Sonalius, seeing Riza's mouth wide open in wonder, felt nostalgic at the sight.

"That was the same reaction I had for the first year I became an elite guard here in Yytar. The statue on the left, in the middle, that is Matriach Tyrien." Riza saw the statue of a lychnus woman standing on one knee. The sunlight beamed down on her blonde hair and fair skin. Her kind smile smirked upward made Riza feel light. Sonalius coughed and got Riza's attention, "Er, don't expect her to laugh or smile. In my years with Tyrien, I had only ever seen her smile from looking at her statue…"

Sonalius urged Riza to hurry as they walked past the statues and came upon a wide building that was surrounded by guards.

"This is where the Thirteen stay and raise their own disciples. Naturally, it is well protected with many elites. We can ask to see Tyrien from here." Sonalius looked worried, constantly looking forward at the guards.

"If she is so important, why would she agree to meet with us?" Riza felt puzzled, "We are only from a small city beyond the Sun Empire's control; aren't we insignificant to her?"

"She'll see us, there's no doubt." Sonalius gulped and moved further. "Let's go, I'll introduce you to my former master soon enough."

Before Riza could ask him more questions, Sonalius already picked up his speed and swiftly came to a checkpoint.

"Your identification and purpose for being here?" The guard gave him a side glance and paid no attention to Sonalius. He handed him the familiar blue card and the guard ran his energy through it.

"This identity is old. What is your purpose here, Sonalius Isiria?"

"Keep reading it."

"Alright," the guard gave him a peculiar look, "Born in Yytar, an elite soldier, nicknamed Jade Lion…" He scratched his head before realizing why it sounded so familiar. "You're the Jade Lion?" The guard's face went blank as his eyes lost focus for a split second. Sonalius noticed the change and gave a faint laugh.

"There's no point in calling the guards, I'm not going to fight you." Sonalius sighed and looked at Riza, who shied away and hid in his shadow. "It's alright, you'll be fine, Riza."

Patting her soft head, Sonalius' beaming smile was all Riza felt.

"I trust you."

"Good. We'll get our revenge on that bastard soon..." Sonalius paid no attention to the tense and sweating guard as six more came from within the palace. They formed a ring and surrounded him with spears.

"Sonalius Isiria, we have been ordered to capture you for your crimes of aiding the Ghora in battle and disobeying matriarch Tyrien's commands. Don't resist, Jade Lion!"

Sonalius stood there willingly, but the commander continued.

"There is no point in trying to resist. Our peak Scholars are stationed nearby. Even if you could defeat them, the Awakened matriarchs here will destroy you. But you still want to fight, don't you?" He drew his sword and pointed it at Sonalius.

"No, I give-"

"Enough chatter! Your reputation precedes you, Jade Lion! If you want to fight so badly, then come at me!"

The commander poised himself for battle as Sonalius looked worried. Seriously, he only wanted to go quietly! Had he been too ruthless in the past? If he is to go all out... Sonalius looked at Riza who was behind him.

"I won't. Take me to matriarch Tyrien already, I'm certain she'll want to see me unharmed."

"...You don't want to fight? Not even a single duel?"

Sonalius stood there speechless, who's the criminal here?! He almost wanted to shout "Help, police!" Oh, right. He's about to be assaulted by the police...

The commander felt disgruntled as he thought about it more. He sheathed his sword and looked downcast.

"Even criminals can't be beaten right now," he sighed, "where are the bloodthirsty people who love to battle nowadays?"

"Sir..." One of the guards meekly responded.

"Hey... Qwan, do you think others would mind if we accidentally let a prisoner escape?"

"Sir! We still have to maintain our image, even if you want to fight that badly!"

Qwan panicked. What if the prisoner got beat to death by this commander of his, what would happen if the higher-ups found out? Just the thought of it was enough to send shivers down his back.

"Since they're so willing, I'll take the Jade Lion to the jail room for now. The girl seems to be with him too. Maybe she's willing to resist..."

Another shiver crawled down Qwan's back. "I can take them if you want to go to the sparing grounds, I can handle them with the suppressors, sir." He pleaded as beads of sweat ran down his face.

The commander's eyes lit up. "Very well," He threw four bands next to Sonalius and Riza, "put these on so I can leave. Unless..." He looked at them with a fiendish gaze.

"Do as he says," Sonalius and Riza put the band over their wrists and ankles. Their strength quickly dwindled, leaving them powerless.

"Come with me," Qwan said in a stern voice and pushed them along. "To think I'd be escorting the famous Jade Lion to prison. Why did you turn yourself in?"

Sonalius kept moving but stayed silent.

"Very well, keep to yourself. At the very least, who's the girl?"

"A good friend's daughter. Don't worry, she's innocent."

"It's not for you, nor me, to decide. What's her name?

"Riza Arriero."

How can I contact her parents? Assuming she's innocent, she'll be leaving shortly after we investigate."

"They're dead. Killed by Lychni"

"I see..." Qwan said grimly. "Her hometown?"

"Invaded by the same Lychni." Sonalius glanced at Qwan's purple skin and short figure.

"What's the name?"

"Lorea."

"Is that so?" He kept walking along the road, pushing them forward from time to time. "I met an annoying brat through our soul realm that said he lived in Lorea. My sister took great interest in him."

Riza, who stayed completely silent until now, suddenly spoke up. "What's his name? Is his name Rey?"

Shocked, Qwan stopped where he was and blinked. "You know Rey?"

"He's the main reason we're here."

Qwan looked at the two and started walking again. "Come, you can tell me more when we reach the jail."