From outside Luminberg, the view of the reactivation of the Wizards' Wall was nothing less than a spectacle; the yellow layer of light frequently disturbed by ever-moving streaks of differing colors was something people couldn't take their eyes off from so easily. Those outside opted to view the city from telescopes; the wealthier individuals went aboard airships to check out the view from atop. The alarm that went off from the administration building, Brillanz, was thought to be part of the defense network's features. People were at first, fascinated at how such an ancient system was quickly made to adopt and work with newer defense systems in place. Surely, the people during the time this energy barrier was built depended on something like bell towers and town criers.

It took a few curious dirigible-riding observers with telescopes to figure out: something with the event was wrong.

"Why is there no one moving?"

"Max, you've got to see this! Everyone on the ground isn't moving."

"This isn't right. What are the Constabulary and the Army doing?"

"Look Mama! What are those on the ground?"

Calls were made to the seat of administration from neighboring cities and army outposts: no one was picking up telephones anywhere in Luminberg. Whatever happened inside the city rendered everyone unable to act. The military decided to bring up one of their own aerial vehicles to make a closer survey of the city itself. Unlike the airships hovering above, this was a two-man transport whose fuselage was kept afloat with engines that powered a pair of upward-mounted propellers. It was difficult to see through the rainbow streaks that ran around the Wizards' Wall at first, but the presence of metal-clad entities confirmed that the first people who saw it were not mistaken. There was a loud, shrill ringing from a vehicle before it spoke:

"This is the Imperial Air Arm. Strangers, state your names and affiliation."

There was no answer from the figures standing at the battlements; one of them looked at the flying machine with bright green eyes before its gaze affixed back at the horizon. The airmen were looking at creatures that only stood like humans. A closer look at them revealed gun-like extensions and claws replacing what supposedly were hands; supporting . The pilot then used his radio to speak:

"These things on the walls. They're not human at all."

†

Rinvar did not expect that he was going to the Evening of the Defense through a military transport. While he would have preferred a faster, more private means, this unit on the move was the surest way to get to where he was needed. He imagined Elena going to make quite a fuss about the captain showing up late. His wife would understand, eventually. Working with Farin Arinas on an investigation was everything that included lengthy details discussions; it wasn't like the wife of Rinvar De Melvich had not known this before.

Besides, the director herself was coming along to see the event; Elena wouldn't mind having a word with her on why Rinvar ran late to the occasion.

The trains coming in and out of Luminberg were definitely cut off from entering given the Wizards' Wall being seen from where his convoy was at the time. He remembered the old magister talk almost incessantly on how the barrier would be raised the way the old texts have described it. If that wall of magical energy did fit into every single hole to completely blanket the citadel, it was impossible for any train to get inside the city. There was no point keeping the railway open during the celebrations.

It was customary for the Empire to also introduce military innovations to the civilian populace during Luminberg's Evening of the Defense. This helped the government save on costs that would have benefited more civil projects; since the occasion was militarily-related, might as well use the event to showcase the latest product of government spending rather than spend more money on a dedicated parade.

Behind Rinvar's vehicle were two large, rectangular automobiles that hauled long, eight-wheeled trailers. Mounted on them were eight box-shaped vehicles, four on each carrier. The machines had slanted front and rear regions that gave them an appearance of unsightly boats out of water. Atop the chassis sat a domed turret that housed a wide-bored cannon a third of the vehicle's total length.

"So this is what the Army is going to put on parade. What an unusual way to mate a field gun to this... tractor-like contraption."

Farin craned her neck against the window. She was used to the typical armored car the Imperial Army had been using for the longest time. While they were more than enough for operations that needed something more powerful than a rifle or a machine gun, the boxy machine had to be introduced to field bigger guns on a stabler, more robust platform.

"I can imagine how slow and lumbering these machines will be once they get off the trucks."

The convoy moved along; flanking the larger transports were automobiles that moved on four large rubber tires. Turret hatches were left open as soldiers who manned the guns made sure that the barrels were kept raised. The vehicles were painted in blue and vermilion colors; the Imperial Seal showing on their left and right sides. Metal-plated hats and uniforms adorned with roses and swords complemented the ceremonial colors of the machines. The roads were almost empty, save for either a random deer that came out of the forest cover to stroll in the open, or a random traveler who went the other way stopped and looked at the line of vehicles.

Farin pulled down the car window to get a clearer view of the outside; the thick glass obscured details the Investigation Bureau director always wanted to have a look. Not far from the road was the way to Luminberg; the view of the Wizards' Wall in its spectral restlessness was both an exhilarating yet ominous sight. A low, long wail was heard from the city.

"Rinvar, has the Wall looked like this in those old books?"

"The old scribes didn't draw the Wall this way. I guess the company the Magister hired didn't get it right?"

"Strange. The previous celebrations used to have a lot of fireworks in them. This one, is dull. Don't tell me Demian Silbern decided to use this occasion to test the Wizards' Wall and the alarm system's compatibility." Farin noticed their vehicle halted when a different-colored armored car stopped in the middle of the road. It had the usual olive and drab color scheme; the turret gunner held on to a six-barreled machine gun as if readying to aim.

"That crest." Rinvar saw the lion and maces insignia on the blocking vehicle's door. "Father's men are here?"

"If your father's soldiers are here, then something must have gone wrong with the celebration." Farin's hand was on the door latch, ready to lift it.

"I'll have to wait on what these officers will talk about."

The convoy commander stepped out of Rinvar and Farin's transport and met with the operator of the other vehicle. There was a two-minute conversation that took place; no voices were raised, but whatever the issue was made the parade convoy commander take off his hat and loosened his collar. Rinvar decided to step out; it did not take long for the other officer to look at him and said:

"Sir Rinvar." The other soldier made a salute; Rinvar returned the courtesy. "Your father sent us here to assess this situation."

"At ease. You're making me look awkward. Not part of the Army, you see."

"As what would Lord Erik want, let me take you closer."

Rinvar scratched his head and followed the officer's lead. The parade troop leader walked closely behind them. Not far from the convoy was a gathering of soldiers; field guns of various lengths were towed into position and aimed at one of Luminberg's openings. Rinvar borrowed a pair of binoculars from one of the officers manning the artillery pieces. He peered into the lenses and saw bodies of men and women lying still. None of them showed any movement; the gathering was seemingly put into stupor. Overhead was a two-seater autogyro scanning the city with a searchlight.

"So, what did you see?" Farin showed up at the left of the constabulary officer.

"It looked like someone plainly shut the whole gathering down – everything and everybody." Rinvar offered the binoculars to his superior.

"This is horrible." Farin swept her vision from right to left; one of the bonfires was toppled and began to set fire to a nearby wooden fence. "Is there a way we can get in?"

"There's a passage that will connect us to Brillanz's basement." Rinvar looked to a cluster of trees near Luminberg's western gate. "We can't bring everybody though."

"Do you think we can force our way through the barrier?" The parade troop commander was listening to them all along before he pointed to the field guns that were being loaded.

"The legend says this wall withstood the strength of the great beasts." Rinvar sat on the grass and pulled out a small rectangle in dark wrapping. He tore through it and took a bite. "We have no idea if a monster's fireball is more powerful than our artillery, but it wouldn't hurt to try."

"I've heard your suggestion, Sir Rinvar. Let me contact Headquarters."

The De Melvich soldier disappeared into a tent. Farin dug into her robes, pulling out a pistol into the light before placing it back. She said:

"Just when I finally decided to be in a festive mood, then this comes along."

"Elena... be all right."

Rinvar stood up just in time for the De Melvich officer to come out of the tent.

"We have received approval from Headquarters. We can commence firing at any time."

"Let's not ruin the city gates. Aim at the parts of the barrier not in front of the battlements." Rinvar dusted the back part of his pants, shaking off flakes of wilted grass that clung onto it.

Only three of the smallest field guns took aim; the blast that came out of them rang the ears of those who stood close. The shells slammed into the transparent areas; there was an angry cloud of fire, followed by black and white smoke. The wind revealed their efforts in the form of an undisturbed layer of energy.

"It looks like either we draw the strength out of the Wizards' Wall, or we run out of shells."

The small artillery pieces had to be pulled out; in their place were larger field guns that had the length of two men. Firing on the sealed Luminberg resumed; ground-shaking shots and more violent explosions only made mild ripples on the energy barrier's surface.

†

Unknown to most of the observers was a flight of eight ovoid objects emerged from the northeastern approaches of the army encampment. Pillars of light appeared from their base before they began to rotate with increasing speed; the whirring formed into a larger column until a gradually-solidifying silhouette formed inside the luminescence. The disks broke away from their axis and flew off, leaving a monstrous figure behind.

A moonbeam caught a portion of the creature and revealed a large paw; long claws peered out of what were plates of metal that covered the rest of its leg. The portions of its upper body still concealed by the darkness moved around; three dots of light gave a fierce red glow. Drawn to the sound and glow of cannonfire beyond the brush of trees, the creature let out a short, low growl and ambled its way out of the covering.

†

Meanwhile, Farin watched as the artillery kept pounding on the field of energy; the Wizards' Wall continued to mock the Imperial Army's efforts as exploding shells made thin, radiating waves that quickly dissolved as they traveled all throughout the shielding's surface. None of the men and women in the field had an inkling of knowledge on whether the barrage was weakening the Wizards' Wall. Even Rinvar De Melvich, the person closest to those behind Luminberg's administration had no idea of how potent the defensive barrier was. Farin watched another salvo of shells being loaded into the artillery pieces before saying:

"So, anything from memory that you can pull out for us to know if we're even making any progress against this wall?"

"All I'm sure of is that our guns are not doing enough to shake the Wizards' Wall." Rinvar drew even farther from the artillery teams; his ears were starting to tremble from the noise of gunfire.

"This... has got to be a product of a very creative villain. Who knew that trapping a city using an ancient mechanism proved this hard to deal with?"

"All I know Farin, is we'll be dealing with worse things once we get inside the city."

Rinvar caught a rushing group of riflemen turning towards the northeast. These soldiers began cocking their guns, readying to take aim at a growing shadow that was emerging from the trees. The light revealed a massive creature unknown to the land; it showed a toothy grin with streams of small fires steadily coursing outward. The rest of its body was covered in layers of steel made to fit as the creature's armor.

"Wh... what is that? A... monster?"

"You're seeing it too, Farin?" Rinvar dropped his candy bar to his left pant pocket. "It's not the chocolate that's playing tricks with my mind then."