Vhersio and Adelaide were pissed off beyond belief. Naturally, I understood why. Their dance appeared so elegant and serene. Every step seemingly released this soothing sensation across the room. It looked precisely like the dancers at the Wharf's theatre - and my former ballroom dancing teacher.

I hated myself for forcing the short intermission upon them.

"What's the matter that just could not wait for us to finish?" Vhersio's voice had moulded into a scolding snap, fury and anger resonating within each spoken syllable. His thick, black eyebrows had furrowed down into a glare that could ready as any beast.

"It's Theos-" I paused my muttering briefly, still feeling horribly guilty of committing a heinous crime. "He sensed a looming threat awaiting us. Danger's coming for us."

Vhersio's glare submerged, its path to the shadowy depths covered only be a looming frown. "And so it did two nights ago - which we effectively, with the necessary struggles, repelled. Lord Theos might just as well have said that to hasten the process of turning you both into Disciples."

"The process?" I inquired, confusion almost oozing from the words I had chosen to voice.

Adelaide, who had remained in utmost silence til now, withdrew the arm wrapped around Vhersio's neck, then crossed hers. She appeared stern and unyielding. "He is going to challenge us, Cynthia," began Ada before shaking her head, sighing and only then proceeding with a final addition. "In a way never before."

I resisted the urge to tilt my head in confusion. I did not need a physical action as a manifestation of my unawareness. Both Ada and Vhersio knew I was clueless, and so did I. After all, what could I know of the world beyond the Isle's borders if I lacked the knowledge of what happened within said boundaries. "What do you mean, Adelaide?"

"The sail's set for World's End," Adelaide's words mentioned a location I had never seen on any maps. Not in the keep's great library, nor within the ancient remnants of the collapsed bookstore that once rested entirely on the chasm's ridge in the valley beyond Adelaide's mansion. "More specifically, the Great Nexus of the S.H.-"

"The shed?" Unknowingly, I had finished her sentence with a word devoid of all meaning.

"How-" began Vhersio, eyes widened in a horrifying shock. His jaw, in unison with Adelaide's, dropped to the floor. They both stood there, overwhelmed by a sudden yet clear apparent surge of fear. Fear of a word I knew nought about; aside from Grandmother Astrid's sole words, 'It's where we keep the monsters.' I could still see her humanity fading from her glazed eyes.

"-Do you know?" finished Adelaide, aiding her baffled fiancé.

I did not want to sound like a fool again. They all believed Grandmother Astrid had died many, many years prior. But I knew better, and even though they were fully convinced of this apparent truth, I craved to make them realise she had lived up to last night's dying hours.

"Just a creeping suspicion, haha," I answered, my voice breaking over the evidently faked laughter. I had never been a great liar, and it was a trait I never missed, aside for moments like this.

"Cynthia, you will absolutely not convince me that you just happened to randomly state a random word of irrelevance that happened to precisely be the abbreviated title granted to a place ruled by nought but chaos - and reeks only of death," retorted Ada, fiercely debunking my excuse. And still, in the progress, she had unveiled some details I would never be able to pinpoint had she not brought them up.

"How do you know, Adelaide?" Her words had gotten me increasingly wary, almost as though she was covering for the parts of her life's tale, she did not want me to know. "You speak of this place like you've been there before." I investigated further.

"It's because I happened to be thrown-"

Before Adelaide was even allowed to finish speaking, Vhersio immediately cut the conversation short with an abrupt, "Enough," his features reigned by an all-encompassing sense of grief and seemingly-misplaced sadness. But it dawned on me as he spoke, "I told you, let the past die. All that matters is now."

"No, darling. Cynthia deserves to know," She turned towards me, starting, "You know, I've always considered you as the little sister I never knew I longed for. The sister I never had back at the Ember Isles, but when my ship crashed on the cliffs here all those years ago, you found me. And I have - and always will consider that faithful day a blessing."

I cupped my hands over my mouth and nose. Tears had begun prickling the corners of my eyes, a few running down my index fingers. I wanted to thank her, but as much as I tried, no word could leave my throat.

"And frankly, I, for the longest time, worried nobody on this peaceful island would accept my unapologetic, savage side. Suppressed it for years, and only when Vhersio and I grew to be lovers, I dared open up. Now, however, I see how stupid I was. I should have known it mattered not to you - you always seamlessly look beyond one's impurities."

Muttering as the tears were manoeuvring through their broken path down my face, I responded, "I loved you like a sister from day one, and that won't ever change."

"And knowing that- it is precisely why I now realise I should tell you." Adelaide let out a sigh which marked the moment she finally opened up, showing the mental scars that still haunted her, "During the torturous time I spent a slave, I slowly began to disobey my masters' commands, and before I knew, I became a leading figure among the great slave revolts."

Vhersio listened with a proud expression washing over his face, though, that was merely for the beginning. As Adelaide had momentarily paused, his mood soured. Pride turned to great sorrow and grief.

"But I was captured, shipped off to World's End to work in the harsh labour camps the island once housed. But those men knew of my disobedient nature and tossed me in the Fractured Crevice. Always assumed my former master, Vincent Cruor, ordered them to do so. I still feel the pointy rocks jab my skin while I tumbled down the deep shaft. I had accepted death, but thankfully - I suppose -a source of water broke my fall."

I listened on; every additional detail came like a stab to the heart. I had anticipated a fate I dared not imagine. But in reality, Adelaide had been right all along. She had been through things my worst nightmares could never wish to measure up to.

"Frankly said, I believed I died during my fall. And I wish I did. The dungeon that lies beneath World's End is the darkest place I've journeyed. Mayhap even the most sinister place Theos has encountered during his travels. I don't wish to return there for I'm afraid, Cynthia."

She stared into my eyes, no, beyond them. Adelaide peered right into my soul with her horrified gaze.

"I fear that monster residing inside me will break free again upon entering that cursed place." Her voice was trembling, reaching nearly its shatter point. And, similarly, Adelaide's body quivered under the emotional pressure she exerted over herself. "And really, I don't want you to see that part of me. I don't want to change the way you see me."

My mind backtracked immediately to the moment Adelaide disintegrated that group of raiders in front of my eyes. She may not have desired for things to change, but they had. She had uncovered a whole new world for me - how could even live with the pretence that nought would change. I let out a sigh, Vhersio glancing at his fiancé with a troubled look, laying a hand on her shoulder as I spoke, "Things have already changed."

My words came like a deathblow. "I see," stammered Adelaide, closing her eyes in. Her neutral stance shifted to accommodate one of defence - folding her arms and ducking her head. Most likely in anticipation of a possible verbal assault.

And so, I concluded, we both did not know each other as well as we would have liked. But this new world marked, too, a new beginning. A greater bedrock as a foundation to build upon. That thought, that simple conclusion alone, left me smiling. "But change is not bad. Especially not in this context, Ada, you opened my eyes to a whole world I would have never have known about."

"It's a dangerous realm, one treachery, corruption and death."

I moved closer, embraced both Vhersio and Adelaide, "Then I'm awfully thankful I've got you my side." I heard her breathing hitch, but having closed my eyes and simply embracing, I needed no reassurance. This moment felt like the calm before the great storm. Deep down, I already knew we were bound to face some life-threatening dangers along the way. And even though Adelaide and I figured out we misunderstood each other's character, I'd still prefer none else to watch over my back as I watch over hers.

"Darling, could you please put the cargo in the saddlebags for me?" Adelaide said, both of us opening our eyes whilst I let go.

"Of course," answered Vhersio, hastily scurrying down the hallway to the main entrance, leaving Adelaide and me standing in the ballroom all by our lonesome. He left the great doors open, the rays of light that shot through the windows cascaded on the gem-adorned cave wall. This large chamber truly was magnificent, and I could undoubtedly see why Adelaide would say it was her favourite spot on the island.

"Shall we leave too?" I inquired, watching her move towards to glass walls.

Adelaide looked over her shoulder, "Please, don't let me hold you up, Cynthia. I'll meet you at the docks in a little bit. For now, I . . . just want to immortalise the fond memories of this place in my soul." She broke a saddened chuckle.

I nodded, turned around and left promptly without a word to add. I scurried through the long hallway, up the stairs, nearly clumsily tripping, as expected, and ran out the main door. I was immediately greeted by the dozen of Ember Isle-themed banners on the walls. Adelaide really turned this cliffside into a place only she could have envisioned.

Approaching and mounting Rosemary, I could not help but glance at the tracks in the stampeded grass. Only Theos' steed had left - and the horse left in the direction opposite to the Wharf. I tugged on the reigns, Rosy almost rearing backwards. I patted apologetically before we dashed off, leaving a bewildered Vhersio packing saddlebag in the dust.

At such a rapid pace, I could hardly see any tracks whatsoever, aside from the deep imprints of boots in the loose, dirt paths. They appeared fresh, yet to harden out before the rain would settle in and wash them away. This truly was one of the few moments the tracking skills Grandfather taught me turned out exceptionally useful.

Slowing down at the sight of a silhouette wandering under the great sun's light, I immediately recognised the robes even if they were as blatant and undetailed as could be. "Theos," I called out.

The man stopped not, instead, simply slowed down his pace until Rosy and I caught up. And we did just that. Catching up with Theos, I was conflicted over the reason why he decided to walk back to the Wharf, especially after informing us danger was closer than ever. Naturally, he took notice.

"I can see your judgement emitting from yours, my child. Leave me to my thoughts, please."

"If you tell me, what exactly are these thoughts? First, you tell us to hurry up, and now you're just casually walking instead of acting on your own words and reach Silvermoon Wharf as soon as possible."

"I am fighting an internal debate. A part of me, deeply rooted in my soul, firmly believes Grandmother Astrid may still be alive. Yet, similarly, I, too, am under the impression she perished recently. I can still sense her magic footprint on the island, still vibrating, pulsing, as though her blood's still circulating through her withered, decrepit body."

"What are you getting at?" I answered, partially knowing the answer as is, though, any offer of certainty was a bargain I would happily take.

"You see, every person leaves this mark so insignificant on the world they wander that it's invisible to the naked eye." Theos raised his head, chin up. I watched his delight in the sunrays. He looked so alive for a man his supposed age. "However, any mage of sizeable power is capable of picking up this signal; I believe that is one of the ways you found Adelaide at the pier during the attack. Though, in a similar fashion, great wizards, such as Astrid, can mimic this footprint and diminish their own."

"You are trying to say I used magick? And that she might still be alive?" I was utterly shocked yet again. And I hated being as baffled as I was. I was hoping for this trend of cluelessness to have died out by now, by evidently, it had not yet.

Theos nodded, containing to lecture me amid his leisurely stroll. "Every person is able to, my dear child, with the necessary struggles and hardship, of course. And yes, do you feel the cold, icy presence looming over the island?"

I felt nought, but the passing gales of broken currents through the bushes. "Sorry, Theos, I don't."

Theos mumbled inwardly, a muttering noise that resembled no words, just vague blurts of sounds. "Very well, let us continue down the Path." Before he had even finished speaking, an escort of Father's hand-picked riders, clad in iron and red velvets, approached on horseback. Both Father and Mother strode down the road, encircled by the elite warriors.

"Mother! You shouldn't be riding a horse!!" I yelled my lungs out, hoping for the sound to breach far enough into the distance.

Within seconds, the knights dismounted in unison with their Chief of Defence, immediately unsheathing their blades and pointing the blade towards Theos and me. However, Mother's bright blue eyes flared up, glaring daggers into Father's back. She raced over me and embraced me silently, "Cynthia, darling, we've received word of this blasphemy. Thank goodness we set out just in time!"

I was dumbfounded while she pulled me away from Theos. "G-Gotten word about what?" Amid the confusion, I barely managed to stammer some sounds that somehow resembled words.

"We've heard this traitor is forcing you and Adelaide to leave the island."

Traitor? What on Earth are they calling Theos a traitor for? I had never even seen the old man on the island before the Raid. Besides, he was never the one to force us off the island in the first place. It was Undinae's call, not Theos'. In fact, he's willing to take us under his wing. I was shaking my head over this great misunderstanding; although, I, too, wondered where this source of inaccurate intel originated from.

"Put those toothpickers down, lads, I don't want you to hurt yourselves." Theos remarked, casually shrugging the situation off as though it carried no gravity whatsoever. His eyes lost their light once more, precisely like last time. However, the warm, soothing aura Theos usually emitted faded out, being replaced only by a sheer coldness that chilled pierced even bone and armour. "Or rather, I don't want to have to hurt you," finished Theos.

Father's face turned red from anger, "Don't you dare threaten my men in these lands, wanderer." I saw him clutch his greatsword more firmly, most likely deliberating on the idea of taking the weapon from its sheath and striking Theos down.

"Remove your pets right this instance," demanded Theos calmly with an underlying hostility.

Father refused, drawing his sword instead.

"You just set one foot in an early grave, and being the kind soul I am; I'll give you once final chance to abstain from fighting and not interrupting our destined departure, fool." I was getting so many mixed feelings for both Father, Mother and Theos. My parents stood there in place with unwavering determination to keep me out of harm's way. As for Theos, he knew. He knew I wanted to stay by Adelaide's side, even if my parents would not allow me to.

"Threaten my husband once more and I'll-"

"You'll do what? The illness of a steel collision cripples you. You stand no chance, Maristella," answered Theos, cutting her off and surprising all of Father's men and me, merely by stating Mother's first name.

"Bollocks," muttered Mother, her stray locks obscured the light from cascading down onto her facial features. She waited for the briefest of times, swallowing and clearing her throat- then hatefully yet quietly shrieked, "I won't let him take her!" into Father's ear.

Within a split-second, Mother caught me off guard, reaching out for the blade sheath attached to my leather belt and withdrew her famed Rosario Rapier. It was a sight to behold, truly. Even after enduring the venom of a Scorpio Mk.1, Mother stood there with such confidence, pointing the blade razor-sharp tip at Theos' chest.

"Maristela, what the killing hell are you doing?!" Father yelled out, trying to disarm her, albeit to no avail. Mother ducked and weaved around him, and with a spinning slide on the ground, she kicked her husband to the ground.

"I'm sorry, darling." She swiftly apologised, turning back towards Theos, "But if this man threatens to tear my family apart, I will not stand by idly."

Theos glanced at me. He did not want to fight her. Theos had no intention to slay any of these men, especially not my Mother. However, her thoughts begged to differ. My head was spinning in total chaos, not believing what I had just heard my Mother say. She had gone berserker-mode. I glanced at Father, whose men had helped him back up. We locked eyes, both displaying worry over Mother - especially her mental state.

The two duelists went head to head. But Mother easily held the advantage. Her experience as a combatant during all the duelling contests on the island, which she consecutively won during her prime - and even well beyond - resulted in unrivalled prowess and finesse with a sword. No wonder Vhersio became a master of such renown under her teaching. Mother's unorthodox fighting style with a rapier, which involved near-fatal slashes as faints, spinning jabs and acrobatic movements had most opponents on the defensive- and even the great Theos was no different.

It made me question the extent of his skills, was he really the greatest warlock in existence? I dismissed the idea and doubts. I had to stop the fight. But I dared not yell out, my mind too occupied by Mother's physical health, she had been shot two days prior, and still, she rode on horseback and was now fighting a great adversary.

Just as I had gathered the courage to lash out at both Mother and Theos verbally, Mother sliced Theos' cheek open, a diagonal scratch running from just above the left corner of his mouth, away from the bridge of his nose.

A drop of blood slowly crawled down Theos' face, dispersing into his scrawny silver beard. Mother's onslaught did not stop there; she continued her barrage of quick, successive jabs, each strike slicing open parts of Theos' arms and legs. And with each strike, her flow of movements refined, as though her wounds slowly disappeared for a bit with every attack. Almost as if the Rosario Rapier healed her body with every decisive hit.