Chapter 23: Alexander; Shauran 30th, 344SR; 8:00

Alexander stood shirtless in front of his bedroom mirror, the warm flame from a candle flickered away at the cold dark. His torso riddled with scars from countless battles, he fiddled with the green gem embedded between the muscles of his chest and abdomen, it was a bit bigger than the size of his fist now. He poked it, then attempted to grasp it. 'It looks similar to Logorite, but it feels like it's connected to me... as if it's just another organ...' Alexander gripped his fingertips around the gem, however he couldn't get a good grasp to try to pull it out. It became annoying as he struggled to grip the gem, but he gave up as it felt better to leave it alone. 'Lucifer Lightbringer... I still remember the day he came into power...'

***

"Faster you useless fools!" Alexander shouted at the miners.

He stood in front of the mountain just north from Logos. A young brown haired slave glanced at Alexander every once and a while, he was a teenager who had recently arrived at Logos. The slave along with ten others had mined into the wall of the mountain. The sun beat down on them as the sounds of iron striking stone echoed through the surrounding forests. The sound of a horses hooves galloping through the dirt approached.

"Slack off and I'll have you mine for the entire night!" Alexander commanded as he turned to the direction of the horse.

A stone horse came to a stop in front of Alexander. An old man with grey hair, and a man with black hair got off the rigid horse. As he turned towards the approaching horse, in the corner of his eye, Alexander noticed the brown haired slave suddenly reach down for something.

"Hey! I saw that!" Alexander walked out of the shade towards the skinny brown haired slave.

"What? Saw what?" The slave replied as his legs shook.

"Empty your pockets!"

"I didn't-"

Alexander struck the man's face with the back of his hand, the sound of the smack dwarfed by the crack of his nose. He fell into the dirt and grunted as he grasped his broken bleeding nose. He writhed on the ground and out of his small pocket, several green stones of Logorite rolled out, clicking against each other. Alexander grasped the slave's hair and dragged him up so they we're face to face.

"You damn rat! Why have you taken the Logorite?! What do you intend to do with it!" Alexander grasped his neck and slammed him against the wall as he demanded an answer.

"Sir Alexander!" The old man shouted.

The old man wore a white shirt with House Rael's insignia over his chest. 'Owen Armstrong... Bruno's father...' The old man was both muscular and fat, his wrinkled skin greased with sweat as he bowed his head.

The other man was slim, wearing a red and white cloak, the insignia of a dragon coiled around a spear on his chest. His black hair was slicked back, a stern look on his face as he observed the slaves mining. 'Shinra Pendragon... Arthur's father and the man who would later be killed during Arken's crusade...'

"What is it?" Alexander asked as he squeezed the slaves neck.

"Lord Lightbringer- The King- He's dead!" Owen shouted with tears falling from his eyes.

"What?" Alexander replied with a somewhat dispassionate tone. He released the slaves neck which caused him to fall to the dirt.

"I'm afraid it's true, I saw his corpse with my own eyes, he died in his sleep according to his wife," said Shinra.

Alexander took a step back as he looked up, contemplating the ramifications of the sudden news. The sound of picks against stones had stopped. The slave on the ground coughed raggedly.

"The... king of the angels is-"

"Who said you could slack off! You all want to end up on this fool's level too, huh!" Alexander snapped as he turned to the slaves who had stopped.

The sounds of mining quickly resumed. Alexander sighed as he nodded his head left and right.

"Old age huh... who will take up the throne?" Alexander asked.

"Well, I'd hope myself, but knowing how unlikely that is... it'll most likely be their son who takes the throne, Lucifer Lightbringer, " Shinra replied.

"A boy? A boy can't run Helios?!" Alexander scoffed.

"Ymir's son will be the next king?", "You think he'll be able to defeat the demons?" The slaves gossip and whispers annoyed Alexander.

"Owen! Beat these slaves if they decide to speak once more!" Alexander ordered.

"Y-yes sir!" Owen accepted hesitantly.

"I'd like to speak with you in private Sir Alexander," said Shinra.

Alexander raised an eyebrow. Shinra turned and walked around the path that surrounded the mountain.

"Owen, while your at it... this slave, have him shaved later today... from here on out we martyr those who disobey, I want to recognize them."

'I never did recognize that slave... by now he's probably dead.' Alexander followed Shinra as he walked down the path with his arms behind his back.

"What do you think?" Shinra asked.

"About the kings death?" said Alexander.

"Yes, what do you make of it?"

"I'm concerned for the future of Helios, to hand it to a boy who isn't even a teenager, a spoiled one at that..."

"That's true... I imagine the nobles will be kept busy without a wise king... to think this would happen so soon after a noble was appointed to House Lightbringer..."

"Arid Lightbringer? He seemed like a wise man... Not sure where he came from though, the Academy of Magic always produces odd ones like him..."

"The Academy of Magic... huh? To think we'd continue research into that accursed field..."

"How was his wife? I imagine she'd be distraught at the sight of her loved ones corpse, what of the child?"

"Lunaria? Well... it's hard to tell... she had been upset, but her demeanor shifted when the discussion came to the child... and... keep this a secret..."

"A secret?"

"When I had got to the room, Lunaria, Lucifer, and Arid we're the only ones in the room, later on more of my lieutenants showed up to assist the medical officers."

"And?"

"Before others showed up, the boy was smiling... only upon my lieutenants arriving did he start to cry... for the entire ten minutes I was in that room, that boy looked nothing but delighted that his father was dead..."

"He was smiling? Spoiled little brat... he was probably delighted about his new position," Alexander joked.

"Hah! He's ten Alexander! Do you hear yourself? By the gods, why do you hate kids so much," Shinra laughed.

"Ha... hahaha, I don't hate kids... they just... annoy me. What do you make of it, you're well versed in peoples psyche," Alexander asked.

"Well... unless he resented the king... I think it's hard to tell, even stranger that Arid and his wife didn't notice. What boy could resent their father enough to grin at their deathbed..." the noble questioned.

They approached Rover's Glade, the left half section of the forest between Helios and the mountain.

"When I raise my child, I couldn't even imagine how horrible I'd have to be to make them have a reaction like that to my death..." said Shinra.

"Your child?" Alexander asked, bewildered by the sudden news.

"Ah, I've been discussing the idea of having a child with my wife..."

"They're a headache, that's for sure... i'm okay with a squad of fine lieutenants..."

"Really? When you get married, I bet on Balakin's scales that you'll consider it."

"Married? I already am, her name's Lavera. How could you forget?"

Alexander continued to walk forward, Shinra stopped.

"And... I... we," Alexander looked down, his mind went blank for a moment.

He turned to Shinra who had wide eyes as he looked at Alexander.

"What's wrong?" Alexander asked.

"N-nothing... I have to get back to my office, I've been gone for over an hour now..." Shinra conjured his spear, the black dragon Balakin was summoned from a red portal behind him.

The massive winged lizard had a long snake like body, it's hands and body covered in black scale plates. The teeth of the monstrous dragon we're as sharp as knives, drenched in the sweltering fumes from it's lungs. It's red eyes glared at Alexander as it growled. 'That dragon never did like me...'

"Well... my friend, it's been a good talk. Don't forget the alliance has an emergency meeting being held next week,"

"Yeah, yeah..." Alexander lazily responded as he turned around.

The dragon tilted it's head, using it's helmet as a ramp for Shinra. The noble stood on the dragon's head and it rose up before it slithered through the sky towards Helios.

***

'Friend...'

Alexander stepped away from the mirror and approached the window, he put his hands on the cold stone sill, the chilly winds of Shauran embraced him. The grey buildings below matched the cloudy sky, the leaves of trees outside of Helios faded to warm shades of orange, yellow, and red. The Celestial loomed over, it's grey color matched the rest of the same old boring city.

'The Lightbringers are fools... I will pursue the off worlder myself.'

Alexander turned to his bed where his clothing had been laid out, he picked up a white sleeveless vest, a chainmail layer in weaved into the fabric which provided reinforcement. Alexander pulled the vest over his head and his figure looked even bulkier in the mirror. He picked up the white dress shirt and put it on top of the vest, and then threw a black coat over that. He approached the door and exited the room, then made his way down the spiraling stairs of the tower.

Alexander descended down the flight of stairs, as he got to the door which led to the top of the outer wall he went past it and continued further down. Instead he continued to the next door on the way down. This path connected directly to the upper floors of House Rael's main office. He opened the door and arrived at a bridge between the tower and house Rael, he walked across it, to the left was a view of the ocean past Helios's city streets, in the distance a small island was just barely visible.

"Oh, my lord, I was searching everywhere for you!" the maid of the tower was walking across the bridge in the opposite direction.

The girl was young with smooth skin, her small hands gripping the handle of a supply box she carried, her white hair was pulled back by a black hairband. She wore a white dress with a black skirt, her heels clicked against the stone as she hurried over to Alexander. 'Priscilla Loyar, her family had been in service to the nobles for generations...' That fact made Alexander concerned. He suspected she would take notice of his body armor, but she seemed to be more afraid of him instead of focusing on his bulky figure.

"Priscilla, I was looking for you. I will be holding a banquet today for the members of house Rael. Please arrange the dining quarters later when you have time," Alexander ordered.

"You're- looking for me? A banquet? Lector told me you had treated him and the new recruit to a meal recently as well, you seem to be in a good mood." Priscilla asked.

"Yes..." Alexander squinted. 'Damnit Lector...' "They have worked hard. Would you like to attend as well, you deserve a break." Alexander asked abruptly.

"Wait? Me?! Uh... Well I suppose I could join you, Yami- I mean the new recruit will be there as well right?"

"Yes, please attend after you finish your work. What did you need from me?"

'That should by some time, when Lucifer finds out where I've gone it'll be too late for him to stop me.'

"I was tasked with delivering a letter from House Lightbringer."

"House... Lightbringer?" Alexander squinted at the young women.

"I was told to deliver it immediately, it must be urgent."

"Thank you... you may carry on with your duties." Alexander said as he stared at the letter, sealed by a wax symbol of a sword with an eye on it's guard.

"Have a great day Sir Alexander!" Priscilla shouted while she waved.

Alexander continued forward to house Rael, unlike house Lightbringer, house Rael was a three sided building that was just smaller than the height of Helios's inner wall. He entered into a stairwell with two paths, one led to the top floor, the other to the lower floors. Alexander looked around before he ripped open the envelope.

"Noble of House Rael and my friend Alexander,

I'd first like to sincerely apologize for not meeting with you last week. I understand your concern for Helios and the Celestial, your drive to defeat the off worlder is proof of your dedication to our cause.

I am sending you this letter in order to inform you of the recent events we are only learning of now. The gates we built to stop The Damned from reaching Necropolis have been destroyed while the alliance was preoccupied with the meeting. We can only assume this is the work of the heinous Geral Murdok. We could not send you to pursue the off worlder whilst this threat grows. There is no better equipped noble to defeat The Damned pose than you Sir Alexander.

Your orders are to travel East to the continent of Hiria, locate the outbreak of The Damned, destroy those who have escaped, and seal the gate. You will need the assistance of Bruno and Vivian in order to complete this task. Please make haste with this tasks completion, travel should take ten days, so afterwards, join the noble houses in Andurill on the forty fifth. The restoration of Logos will be postponed until after the Festival of Life.

Sincerely,

Lucifer Lightbringer"

Alexander looked at the letter carefully, he read it over several times. Each time his head would tilt in confusion. 'What is the meaning of this... the gate between The Damned and the Necropolis has been destroyed? Impossible... that gate was sealed by Owen! It's been sealed for over a hundred years! This is... terrible...'

Alexander walked up the stairs and opened the door, the floor was made of thick glass, multiple small offices we're on either side of the hallway. Alexander made his way towards his own whilst looking over the letter. He could see the ground floor through the glass, the sides of the building from the bottom to the top we're the various floors before, the hallway leading to offices on either side of the building. Alexander's office was at the other end of the triangular hallway, as he walked past the open rooms, he saw angels who worked there. The rooms past the offices had different signs labeled with locations, in those rooms 'Lemen, Baltin... Andurill...' Alexander stopped reading as he noticed someone in front of his office, it was Bruno.

He wasn't in uniform, and he looked like he had lost a significant amount of weight. He held his Celestial gift in his hands instead of wearing it on his finger. The grey haired man's expression told Alexander he was bothered by something.

"Bruno, you've recovered. I take it you are here to report the events that occurred on the twentieth of Shauran?" said Alexander.

"Sir, I apologize for my failure, I am ashamed of myself to have been defeated so easily," Bruno lowered his head.

"You shouldn't be ashamed of losing to someone who was capable of battling two clan leaders and a noble on even ground."

"He was that powerful!?"

"Yeah, I don't respond kindly to defeat, and I'm also certain I am the only noble who stands a chance against him. But even so, House Lightbringer has refused to allow our house to assist in pursuing him."

"I was informed we were responsible for the restoration of Logos... it's ridiculous in my opinion... the off worlder is on the loose still..."

"We won't be doing that, not immediately."

"Going after the off worlder?"

"No, we have new orders, the gate your father built, has been destroyed."

"The gate which sealed The Damned!? When? How?"

"Yes, it's suspected that the resistance was behind it's destruction..."

Bruno looked down in thought.

"I understand you respect your father, to hear about his works destruction must upset you," Alexander sympathized.

"When do we leave?" Bruno asked with a determined expression.

"Today. We've been ordered to complete this task immediately, it is a threat to the alliance and the Celestial. The longer The Damned are not sealed, the closer they will get to the Necropolis. Our last resort should be using the Lightbringer, it's power is too destructive."

"What about the off worlder? Who will be sent for him?"

"House Lightbringer and Rover will pursue the off worlder, however they intend to make peace with him. The Lightbringers believe his knowledge could be an irreplaceable asset."

"Make peace?!"

"While I don't agree that peace could be made, especially with a man who scoffs at our values and traditions, there is merit in using the knowledge of other worlds he possesses."

Alexander walked past him and opened the door to his office. The room was small, just a cluttered desk and new chair. He pulled the chair and took a seat. There were various papers pinned to the board on the wall, most of them detailed shipping schedules or important notices. One of the notices behind several other papers referred to the destruction of the eastern bridge to Hiria, an event which occurred sixty five years ago. He turned the chair so that it faced the window, then took the key to the room he usually left unlocked out of the cabinet. The silver key had the symbol of house Rael imprinted on it, he stuck the key into the pocket of his coat and walked towards the exit of the room.

"Oh, Bruno you're here? Is something wrong?" Alexander heard Vivian from outside.

As Alexander exited his office she immediately bowed her head.

"Sir, I-" Vivian stuttered.

"Stop, there's no need to apologize. Where's Yami and Lector," Alexander cut her off.

"Yami was downstairs training with recruits," Vivian answered.

"And Lector?" Alexander asked again

"I don't know, I haven't seen him around today," said Vivian.

"Go find Lector and Yami and then meet me back here. Arm yourselves for combat, we are going to Lemen."

"Wait... we aren't restoring Logos?" Vivian asked.

"No, The Damned have been released into Hiria," Bruno answered.

"Yes, if we leave them be, they will surely be a to all of us. House Lightbringer gave the order," Alexander added.

"O-oh my god! We're only sending house Rael? Shouldn't we send more?! " Vivian complied quickly.

"It won't be necessary, go, now! We don't have all day."

"Yes sir!" Vivian and Bruno both answered.

The two lieutenants turned and started towards the stairwell, Alexander was about to walk into his office, before he heard a pair of steps approach behind him. He turned to see Lector walking down the hall with his hands in his pocket, and a blank expression.

"I was looking for you, are you coming along?" Alexander asked.

Lector didn't answer, Alexander turned to his door which he closed and locked behind him.

"I don't expect you to," said Alexander.

"Don't do this, I have a really bad feeling about this," said Lector.

Alexander turned to Lector, his eyes cold but clearly upset, his eyes looked tired, 'He looks like he's been losing sleep over something.'

"I don't trust the Lightbringers on this... After what you did to their houses entrance, how you acted... for them to respond so kindly and understanding is... it's just abnormal!" Lector explained.

"Yeah, I suspected that as well, however... this works for me," said Alexander.

"The fact it works so well should be a huge red flag! Everything in that letter, they have no reason to be show so much gratitude to you! They aren't telling us something!" Lector snapped.

Alexander stared at Lector, his eyes looked upset but in pain.

"They aren't the only ones not telling me something, I don't know if I should be impressed or upset but... when did you see the contents of this letter?"

Lector's expression lit up, he realized his mistake immediately.

"I- I don't..." Lector sighed. "You guys are the only people I feel like I can be myself around... and I feel like there's something wrong here. I don't wanna lose you or the others!" Lector shouted.

Alexander turned to the lieutenant he trusted the most.

"No matter what happens, the well being of the Celestial and Helios takes priority over our lives," Alexander walked forward. "You could always accompany us to Lemen and die alongside us."

"And deal with a bunch of rampaging skeletons? No way..."

"I understand."

Alexander handed the silver and green key to his office to Lector. Lector didn't take it, he stared at it before he looked back up at the noble.

"I don't know what you're hiding, but it seems like you only have our best intentions, House Rael is blessed to have a lieutenant like you, I leave you in charge whilst I am gone," Alexander handed him the key.

Lector looked away as he twitched, he looked like he desperately wanted to say something on his mind. 'It must be important if it has my laid back lieutenant this worked up... but you can't tell me, that much is clear... I understand, Lector.'

Alexander dropped the key in front of Lector. It tapped against the glass and spun on the ground, vibrating along the tense atmosphere. Lector looked down at the key. Alexander turned and walked in the opposite direction.

"Arthur stood between me and Jack with the help of the Lightbringers, and now the Lightbringers chose to stand between me and Jack again when he has the off worlder... but their mind has changed... it is rather odd, I agree." Alexander explained.

"Jack... Is that what this is about?" Lector asked, expecting to get hit.

Alexander turned to his lieutenant, his eyes waiting for him to speak out of line.

"Face it! The kid is innocent... I can understand you worrying about the off worlder, but Jack? The piss ant from Logos who barely talks to anyone? I have nightmares all the time, but I don't act on them as if they're actually-" said Lector.

"The very fact Jack has come to obtain such an ally in such a short time is proof my vision was real!" Alexander snapped.

"That's insane and you know it."

"The Celestial works in ways our minds couldn't comprehend."

"What- what does that even mean?"

"Good luck with your endeavors, when I return, this place better be even better than it is now."

Alexander walked away and left Lector and the key in front of his office.

"Hey!" Lector called.

Alexander turned around once more.

"The off worlder and Jack went west according to house Rover's scouts, if that was a week ago and they didn't go to Andurill, but the surrounding areas instead, then this is a goose chase. Lector explained. "Your best bet is to go east, if you have Bruno you can get across," Lector added as he knelt down and picked up the key. "Oh and make sure you remember all the hotties from Lemen! I need to know!"

Alexander smirked, "Why the change of heart?"

"Because house Rael has the best spy in Helios, do you want me to say you're working in Logos or you're in your office?"

"Tell them i'm in my office, and then when they can't find me, tell them I went to Logos." Alexander grinned as he walked off.

Alexander turned the corner and walked to the door he entered the hallway from, he entered the stairwell from.

"Don't get too close to the sun," Lector warned as he waved.

'Don't get too close to the sun? What is he trying to warn me of?' Alexander opened the door to the stairwell.

'A spy gathers information, Lector went to the back of house Lightbringer and got caught...' Alexander walked down the steps. 'A spy possesses information... Lector flirted with women... and was caught by Arid Lightbringer...' Alexander turned and walked down the stairs. He could hear his subordinates down below, Vivian was scolding Yami about something. 'Whatever, Lector's warning was enough, something's gonna happen in Andurill, I'll get there before the festival of life, I'll stop whatever they have planned, kill Jack, and then defeat the Off Worlder!'

***

They had arrived at the gate to Helios's lower city. The large buildings we're a short distance away from the large circular wall which separated the two districts. Yami, Vivian and Bruno walked behind, discussing whatever they could to keep them occupied on the trip to Lemen.

"Open the gate!" Alexander shouted to a man who stood on a platform halfway up the wall, a wooden ladder rocked in the wind as it hung off the platform. The gate keeper grasped a lever and began pushing it with all his strength, the gate cracked open.

"To be honest, it shouldn't take too long to rebuild," Yami suggested. "Maybe we could use Bruno's gift?"

"No, we specifically use weak wood," Alexander declined.

"Why?"

"They are lesser than us and must recognize that."

"We also can't take the chance of them using stone against us," Bruno added.

"Oh... I suppose that's true..."

The gate's movement rumbled the surrounding city of Helios as it slowly opened. The lower city of Helios came into view. A wide dirt road down led straight towards the Quiet Woods and Rovers Glade. On the sides we're separate paths into the lower cities streets. Lesser angels in ragged robes watched from the stone houses. Unlike the upper city, these stone houses we're at most a story high. 'Filth... aspire to be something greater...' Alexander cringed at the angels who watched them.

"So... what are we doing exactly?" Yami blurted out non-chalantly.

Vivian and Bruno stared at Yami with dumbfounded faces.

"How did he become a lieutenant?" Vivian asked Alexander.

"How have you already forgotten?" Bruno asked Yami.

"Huh?' Yami replied.

"We need to take him to house Pendragon, he's sick with the disease of having nothing in his brain,"

"What's with all these new recruits? They're all oddballs... besides that one girl who joined the Lightbringers, I've heard she's quite fearsome in terms of power and strategic expertise," Bruno pondered.

Alexander started down the dirt path while the others followed.

"He's strong, don't berate him for his short comings, improve them instead. Vivian you we're afraid of flying for the first six months after becoming a lieutenant, and Bruno don't forget about that land slide you almost caused, the one that would have destroyed Ulkay," Alexander scolded them.

"My apologies sir," the two lieutenants bowed their head immediately.

"Hahaha! Wait what? You almost destroyed Ulkay?!" Yami broke out into a fit of laughter.

"Why are you laughing..." Alexander cringed.

"Okay wait- I was getting used to my gift... I made some stuff that ended up crashing down and almost- well... I did... level a few buildings in Ulkay... complete accident though!" Bruno explained while flustered.

"If I wasn't there you would've destroyed more than just a few buildings..." said Alexander.

"Hah! I haven't destroyed a building yet," Yami laughed cheerfully.

"Why are you laughing... you slept in when Alexander was fighting the off worlder..." Vivian spat while she looked in the opposite direction.

"I bet I could beat you in a flying race Vivian," Yami randomly challenged.

"Huh?! What does that have to- You think I care? I don't! I really don't you idiot!"

"Sounds like she cares..." Bruno told Alexander.

"Shut up Bruno, you're- you're just wrong!" Vivian cursed.

Alexander smiled as he listened to the banter.

"This is like that one time- where Lector didn't want to admit he was flirting with girls," Bruno recalled.

"Oh yeah- for like two years right!" Vivian bursted into laughter.

"I know! Haha, he tried to play it off for so long!"

"Wait, really?" Yami asked.

"Yeah, he was so afraid of getting caught flirting, he'd outright argue with Sir Alexander all day." Vivian quoted Lector.

"Wow... a few days ago he went off with two lieutenants from house Pendragon and left me behind in the stairs to do his job... he used to be secretive?"

"Well..." Bruno snickered and covered his mouth. He needed a deep breath before continuing, "He got caught red handed like two years in, insane that he went two years without getting caught, but on the spot in the middle of a crowd..." Bruno curled up as he struggled to tell the story.

Vivian's lips pursed as she tried to hold in her laughter.

"He yelled out, in the middle of a crowd, 'I can't help it god damnit, I love women!'"

Vivian, Yami and Bruno exploded into laughter. 'He really should've come along, he would have gone to war over Bruno exposing that...'

"You think that's bad... One time I was in the office and I told him to wait outside... he marked the wall with his gift and talked to me through that while he left..." Vivian scoffed.

Alexander walked quietly in front as his lieutenants filled the area with their stories. They continued to laugh together as they moved west towards the bridge.

***

Alexander walked up the cracked stone steps. The stone was grey but the edges had been smoothed by years of rain, a flag with the symbol of the angels stood at the top of an abandoned watch tower to the left of the structure. Alexander turned and looked at the fields of grassy hills. Far in the distance was the ruined houses of Logos he had no intention to return to. To the north were the mines, to the south was the silhouette of two tall buildings, that was Torovince.

Vivian, Yami, and Bruno stood on the edge of the broken stone bridge, which was once the eastern road to Hiria. What was left of it that is, the path in front of them broken, but at the pillars of the bridge parts of the path still stood.

"Bruno, you know what to do," Alexander ordered.

"Yes sir," Bruno knelt down and put his hands on the ground.

The sun was setting in the distance in front of the bridge, over the horizon. The soft light from the distant sun receded behind the mountains north of Lemen, as it descended, the sky became a soft blue which darkened as it stretched over their heads. Except around the fabled Necropolis, its bright green flames peered over the top of the tower and illuminated a green circle in the clouds. The stone began to shift and extend, creating a path to the next part of the bridge.

"That's a really useful ability," Yami commented.

"All of the great Celestial's gifts are useful Yami, it depends on the wielder," Bruno replied.

"What will we do when we reach Hiria?" Vivian asked.

"We will stop by Lemen before proceeding to our destination. The whole trip should take less than ten days if we have Bruno's chariot," Alexander explained.

Alexander took a deep breath, it'd been a long time since he'd gone on an expedition with his squad.

"The fate of the celestial rests upon our shoulders, Jack and the off worlder have probably made it to Andurill already and have become even stronger. We must act now, the Lightbringers fail to recognize this. House Rael will defeat the off worlder, and we will keep our birthright!" Alexander shouted.

Yami grinned as he tightened his headband, his blue hair whipping around in the strong wind, his shirt flapped in the wind as he dived off the bridge, a blue light flashed and he flew straight up and soared through the sky over the water. Bruno took his hands off the stone as the path across had completed. Vivian stepped onto the stone chariot and Bruno followed, Alexander looked up at the Necropolis and felt a sudden nostalgia, but ignored it as he got onto the chariot. The horses began to trot, the stones clicking together with each step, each step bringing Alexander closer to his destiny.