Even when Alder was considered a meeting place, it was more than that at first sight.

Not as big as Galya, not as small as High Sword, that location was in the middle of nowhere. What would have been a disadvantage in the past, as few places would serve to hide, their inhabitants had adapted. Stone walls prevented anyone from entering, or at least not having access. Several watchtowers were strategically distributed, offering a vision of both inside and outside, and even their bridges, those marking the main roads, were well guarded. However, what stood out most was a large white mill in the centre of Arden, making it the heart and the usual place where its leader could hide.

“Everything is ready?” Finnian said.

Nor is it that they had the possibility of turning around or that they would choose it. Braunah and the other wolves had taken positions to launch their offensive, something that would happen in a matter of minutes while they set in motion Nero’s plan. While it was apparent the night offered them greater possibilities to hide, their alternatives were limited. Surveillance towers could be equipped with artefacts or magic that would allow them to see more accurately, something that many populations would have at their disposal. It was likely that Calamity would have provided them with such a resource. For the same reason, Nero’s idea had to be implemented.

“Can we do it?” Nero said, looking at them cautiously.

“It’s a complex spell, though not impossible,” Finnian admitted.

The wolf intended to channel the power of the new moon to hide. The main problem was that it was not completely hidden, missing a day or a little more to have that requirement. Because of that slight detail, that magic would not be as practical, although it would have to work for them.

“Maintaining it is what worries me,” Finnian said, running one hand over his chin, “although if that helps us avoid a confrontation, it will be worth it.”

It was not a spell that Finnian had to repeat to remain active. He understood the basics to know that it would be enough to start it and let his energy do the rest, although other factors also influenced it. His biggest fear is that he would not control it and hurt them.

“You forget we’re with you,” Rune said.

“If we feel it’s too much for you, we will intervene,” Aer assured him.

After all, they would use their link to affect everyone, including Nero. He would love to have more time to practice, but time was running, and the earlier they moved, the earlier they could avoid further damage.

After checking his belt and the potions that were on it, in case they needed them, he nodded with conviction as Nero crouched down, helping him climb on his back.

“Good thing your pack isn’t seeing us. Who knows how they would react,” Leith murmured.

“Let them think what they want. Everyone fights as they want,” Nero snorted.

“I support that,” Finnian said, pulling up his hood.

After a moment, when Aer, Rune and Leith settled on the back, they soon found that Nero had no trouble with all the extra weight. With a simple soft view, Nero’s hair offered more excellent resistance than Finnian came to imagine, helping him hold on without fear of harm or falling.

“All set. Let’s get started,” Ead said, hiding inside his hood.

Without words, without gestures of his hands or other methods, he called his magic to the power of the moon and night to start the spell. A tickling ran through his body, and from what he could perceive from his partners, it was a sensation that everyone shared because that resonated as if it were a piece of new music. Then, the blue and white coat and Nero became almost transparent and dark, just like the night. However, he was not the only one who had changed. Everyone was now camouflaged, becoming a silhouette that others would have complicated to see correctly. The darkness was more defined, no matter which of his partners he connected with, even capturing aromas carried by the wind.

“I could get used to this,” Finnian murmured.

“I had been wanting to try this for a long time,” Nero admitted.

He perceived something more than his heart accelerating or the joy and excitement of following his plan. Neither he nor the rest of his friends understood the kind of life Nero had, but being all there made them feel they fit. Some would call it destiny, though the closest thing that crossed Finnian’s mind was when he finally made friends.

After a few seconds of watching the spell, Nero started to run, making his world tremble with every step he took. However, it hardly generated noise despite the fierceness of its movements. They advanced straight to Arden while avoiding the main roads, where Braunah and the rest of the wolves were fighting, heading towards one of the outer walls. A wrist twist moulded and solidified the air, producing platforms Nero took advantage of to jump over them and infiltrate.

“We are safe, or so I think,” the wolf murmured.

His connection took a step further without anyone pretending to do so. The wolf’s senses were improved, not by what Finnian could capture, but by what Aer, Rune and Leith were collectively capable. The battle sounds came like pentagrams with notes of all colours and intensities, making the night cease to be so dark.

The Calamity’s elthean had not noticed his presence, too worried about the advancing wolves.

“None of them is the ones in charge,” Rune said, letting out a mental snort.

“Have you just blown with your mind?” Leith sighed, as surprised as he was by their friend’s reaction.

“It’s not that complicated, haven’t you tried it?” Aer said, imitating her but this time with a whistle.

“Do you think it’s the best time for something like that?” Finnian said, containing the desire to laugh, although he was not sure whether it was because of how ridiculous that situation was or where they were,

“Watch out, the leader has not made an appearance, nor has anyone else,” Nero said.

None of the fighters had an overwhelming aura of controlling the area. The logic told them that they would either take the initiative to fight their aggressors or wait until they had no choice in the face of any attack. They expected the latter to make the task even more tricky. However, not finding other elthean was the worrying thing. What had happened to those who lived there? Did they join Ariel’s army? Were they taken to a kind of prison? Or had a worse fate?

“Maybe they’re hidden, though,” Finnian began to say.

“I think that’s a problem we don’t consider,” Aer said.

“Not to mention the one we have now,” Nero said.

Alder was illuminated as if it were a Christmas tree, too much for a town like that, especially at night. Even the Galya was plunged into the shadows and limited to having the light necessary to know where they walked. But so much light had weakened their spell, causing the new moon mantle to fade, making them visible.

“I guess it needs some adjustments to make it work better,” Nero said.

“It has taken us to the city, which is no small thing,” Ead said.

To be more specific, they managed to reach Alder’s heart, their white mill. The houses (some made with stones, others with wood) were intact, leaving severe doubts that they would have fought for the territory recently but also totally closed. The streets were lit, and in the centre, right on the square in front of the mill, it was where Ariel’s henchmen seemed to have settled, although no one would guard the entrance. The building gave off overwhelming energy, all that civilization lacked. The one they were looking for must have been inside.

“You go in. I will protect this area,” said Nero.

“We will not leave you behind. We take care of each other,” Finnian said.

“Someone must guard the exit,” Ead reminded him.

“I’ll stay with him,” Leith said. “We will let you know if anything happens.”

“We will do the same,” said Aer before clashing his hands with the dragon.

Outside it looked like a giant windmill, but its mechanism inside was fascinating. Stairs, levels and rooms are hidden inside, all moving thanks to the wind from the outside. Was it a mill? A mansion? Both at the same time? The urge to explore it was put aside because of their mission and the elthean they found wholly bound near the stairs.

“This is too easy,” Finnian muttered, aware that everyone could hear him. “They even put him close so that we couldn’t miss it!”

“Now there is no going back,” Ead admitted.

Outside, the fight continued for the control of Alder, but it was upon entering that Finnian noticed a rarefied atmosphere, charged with more than just being closed. Using one of her sharp feathers, Rune freed the mysterious elthean, a bipedal animal with large ears, but the rest of the body resembled a young adult. Then he began to ask for forgiveness as if life were in it.

“Tell us what’s going on,” Finnian said.

“What has Calamity prepared?” Aer added.

“He forced me,” the rabbit groaned. “He said you would come, and if we cooperated, nothing would happen to us. He wants you.”

“He’s here!” Ead said immediately.

They perceived other eltheans there, although they could not determine whether they were a threat or not. His friends nodded, informing those on the outside of the change they had already seen coming.

“For the next one, remind me not to accept express plans of this kind again,” Finnian said, shaking his head.

They had to leave Arden, which would be more complicated than getting in.