The room was tiny, containing a bed that needed to grow by a foot to reach Dallion’s height. Whoever had designed the curate’s quarters had done a pretty poor job, or a good job depending on what the goal was. Dallion could imagine this being linked to some lesson the Order wished to convey to its members, although he struggled to see the practical benefit of such knowledge.

After looking at it intently for over a minute, Dallion finally sat down. There were no sheets, no pillows, just a pair of rough blankets. The albino had made assurances that should Dallion join the Order he would be treated better. Apparently, initiates were given special benefits. Based on what he’d seen, though, that didn’t seem to amount for much.

Don’t tell me you’re considering the offer, Nil grumbled. The Order doesn’t usually lie, but that’s not the same as telling the truth. That whole thing about saving the world, it’s a common tactic people used to get what they want. My original himself said the same to more than a few reluctant parents.

I thought the Academy took what was theirs. Dallion lied down, bending his knees so that his legs could fit. It was outright impressive how the Order had managed to make this place more uncomfortable than the wilderness, or maybe Dallion had become accustomed to space.

It’s always tricky when dealing with nobles. They always think they know best, living under the mistaken impression that if they keep their children with them, they’d somehow rival the Academy. Never underestimate the effect vanity could have on the powerful. Of course, there were the occasional ones that caused problems.

That ever happened to you?

Thankfully, no.

Despite the echo’s assurances, Dallion felt couldn’t shake the lingering feeling of unease the conversation of the cleric had brought up. Ever since his first encounter with the Star he had been carrying this fear, the obsession that the crippled was out to get him. He thought that after passing the awakening trial focused on the Star, he had dealt with the matter. Apparently, that wasn’t the case.

Dallion closed his eyes for a few moments, then opened them again. Even the ceiling was bland, made in such a fashion that no one could look at it for long. After another few minutes of laying in fruitless attempts to fall asleep, Dallion stood up and left the room.

Night had fallen, leaving the corridors empty. In theory, there were supposed to be several dozen curates and a few clerics awake at all times. With the wars raging up north, the rules had been changed outright forbidding people from entering the citadel at night. It wasn’t a solution Dallion would normally agree with, but being an initiate already, he decided he could use some calm and quiet.

Silently, he made his way to the chamber of the statues.

“I could really use some advice about now,” he said to the Moon. “I don’t want to cap my level. But I also know that I’m not strong enough to take the Star. Heck, I’m not strong enough to take a full noble. They really got me good with this phenix hunt. I bet the countess was waiting for me to become a full hunter, so I couldn’t refuse her request.”

Not that he would have either way. She had made it very clear to him that he didn’t have any option. More than likely, she had waited for him to get his current title, so as to appear more of a threat.

“Don’t you have anything to say?” Dallion asked, looking at the statue.

“You’re doing a fine mess on your own,” the statue suddenly replied. “Why interfere now?”

Instinctively Dallion tried to split into a dozen instances. When he tried, he found that he no longer had the ability. Not only that, but the Nox dagger that was always on his person seemed to have vanished.

“I warned you that the Star can’t find the phoenix on his own. What did you do then? Completely ignore me.” The dryad stepped down from the pedestal. “But when some minor cleric says the same, you act as if it’s the end of the world.” Felygn didn’t seem pleased. “Don’t you see any problem with that?”

“This is a dream?”

“Of course it’s a dream. It’s time you start telling the difference. Any idiot could see a dream when it’s obvious.” A marble table appeared in the middle of the room. “There. Convinced now?”

There was no way to respond to that. If Dallion said no, he’d look like an idiot. If he said yes, he’d just be parroting the obvious.

“Before you ask, yes, I can arrange for you to have a chat with Jiroh. The question is, do you want to?”

“You think I should join the Order?”

“Of course not. And neither do you. You’re just scared of what’s to come. Thankfully, you’re smart enough to know that the Order won’t save you. Despite our best efforts they remain mortal, and mortals can be easily tempted. “

That much was true. Dallion had seen members of the Order killed by cultists. Of course, the clerics in question had questionable dealings with elements of the criminal underworld. It was safe to say that they weren’t exactly vigilant.

“You’re hesitating which noble to back: the countess or the Archduke. The archduke seems the obvious choice, but if the countess has made her move now she must have something up her sleeve.”

“Can you give me a hint?”

“I gave you the power to raise your skills up to a hundred regardless of awakening level. You chose a familiar instead. Now you want me to tell you how to live your life best? Being your deity doesn’t mean being your servant.”

You’re only here because you don’t want me to end the game, Dallion thought.

“I’m only here, because you want me to be here. I can hear every thought running through your mind. You’re begging me for another favor. A boon today, a debt tomorrow.”

There was a time when Dallion would have jumped at the opportunity. Even now he wanted to, but he also knew that it wasn’t going to help him. Favors came at a cost far great that the short term benefits they provided.

Calming his thoughts, Dallion focused his thoughts. The Moons were said to be all-knowing, so he could ask anything from the location of the aetherbird to all the information relating to his enemies. Deep down, though, he felt that wasn’t the way to go. If he wanted to move forward from his current state, he had to act, though cautiously.

“Is there a way to catch the phoenix?” Dallion asked.

“That’s what you want to ask?” Felygn tilted his head.

“It’s all I need to know.”

“If I tell you, I won’t tell you anything else. You won’t get to talk to Jiroh. Dependong on how things go, you might never get another chance.”

“That means that the answer will be worth it.”

A long time ago, back when Dallion was back on Earth, he remembered his father saying that the only way to win a losing game was not to play. The explanation didn’t seem at all smart at the time. Dallion had been convinced that was something losers said. The only way to win was to get better at the game. When dealing with deities the principle no longer applied. Anything he could do they could do better, not to mention that they had powers Dallion couldn’t even imagine. The only way to defeat a Moon was not to rely on it. As Nil liked to say, even advice could become an addiction if one relied on it too much.

“Very well.” The statue’s expression darkened. “No, there’s no way to catch the aetherbird, not unless you’re a Moon.” There was a momentary pause. “The cleric told you that you’ll save the world if you join the Order. He’s not wrong, but he’s not right either.”

“A riddle?”

“Consider it a small gift free of charge.”

The statue clapped its hands. A split second later, Dallion jumped out of his bed. Seven hours had passed—enough to bring morning, even if he didn’t feel refreshed in the least. What he had gained, though, was a bit of clarity. While he intended to sleep in the citadel, he was going to disappoint the albino cleric.

The decision was converted during what passed for morning breakfast. Everyone was given as much as they needed, which for the curates means a bowl of porridge of some sort. While it had been prepared in such a way so as to be palpable for awakened, it wasn’t something Dallion would voluntarily eat if he had the choice.

A few attempts were made on the cleric’s side to change Dallion’s mind, though without success. In the end he gave up, although he promised to keep his word and find out what he could about the phoenix.

Along with morning came the queues of people eager to increase their levels to twenty in exchange for a minor payment. Dallion ignored them as he exited the citadel. From there he went directly to the Archduke’s palace. It came to no surprise that he was watched by the city guard, and possibly someone else, all the way there. To his great surprise, the guards at the entrance didn’t stop him from entering. What was more, they even stepped aside, making it clear that he was expected, if not welcome.

“Hunter Dallion,” a tall woman dressed in a turquoise outfit approached. Judging by her clothes and demeanor she had to be a high-level attendant, probably the most important servant he’d be allowed to talk to. “It’s a pleasure to have you visit.” The woman’s tone suggested the opposite. “Unfortunately, the Archduke is busy at the moment and won’t be able to grant you an audience.”

“That’s unfortunate,” Dallion played along. “In that case, I’d like to speak with the organizers of the night auction.”

“The night auction?” the woman sounded surprised. “Do you have any interesting finds?”

“That’s between me and the organizers.” Dallion remained firm. “Are they here?”

“I don’t know. If you tell me what it is about, I’ll make sure to—”

A sudden draft made her stop. Even before it, though, Dallion had noticed the reddish blur crossing the room—the person he had come to see had made an appearance.

“I’ll take care of this.” A crimson fury appeared. “You can go.”

Looking at the being’s red hair made Dallion think of Di. She, too, had been transformed into something that wasn’t supposed to exist. The bigger question was whether any of those transformations had to do with the aetherbird, or was it completely unrelated?

The female attendant nodded, then made her way to a nearby corridor, hiding from view. Within moments, the other servants and guards soon followed, leaving the lobby of the palace completely empty. Goot to know that the fury had so much power, and in the Archduke’s palace, no less.

“Good morning, sir.” The fury greeted Dallion with a bow so low it seemed mocking. Dallion’s musk skills, though, weren’t able to pick up anything other than interest and curiosity. “It appears you’ve developed a liking to our humble auction.”

“Hello. Do I get to learn your name this time?”

“I assume you’d like to continue the conversation somewhere more comfortable,” the fury avoided the question. “I have some rather exotic refreshments ready.”

“No need. I’m just here for one thing.” Dallion took a step closer. “Where was the phoenix feather found?” he whispered.

The fury didn’t blink. The polite smile remained on his face, although Dallion could feel the air currents around him increase.

“That isn’t something I can share.”

“Why not? I’m not asking where it’s been, just where it was originally found. For the amount you sold it for, it must have a document of providence.”

“It was found up north. That’s all I can tell you. The family that sold the item was very clear that it didn’t want any links between them and the auction. Naturally, the total anonymity of the actual seller has been guaranteed.”

“Just give me a location, Scarlet.” If the fury refused to share his name, Dallion decided to come up with one for him.

“I’ve never heard that one before.” A hint of annoyance flashed across the fury’s face. “I really don’t know. The story presented at the auction was fake. Since they were selling the genuine article, there was no need for a document of providence. Personally, I’m not sure that the people that approached me were the real owners. Their family was prominent, but there were some inconsistencies in their story. The only interesting thing is that the sale was quite rushed. The person selling it definitely wanted to get rid of it in a rush. ”

“How do you know?”

“Originally, there was to be another item for sale. The switch was made literally in the last hour.”

That was interesting, though still another dead end. With the seller remaining unknown, Dallion was pretty much back to square one. No wonder the creature was so difficult to find. Not did it appear at random, but everyone related to its previous sightings was going through great lengths to keep all they knew secret. If the Temple and the night auctioneer had no information, that left the hunter’s den. If someone from there had even been hired for a similar hunt, there were going to be records. And where there were records, there was a pattern.