Ferdinand turned the pages of the tome, each one filled with such heart-wrenching stories that he couldn't fathom how they all fit within its covers. With each turn, he encountered countless tales of men, women, and children who had succumbed to starvation and the merciless grasp of hunger. His heart, once hardened by the harsh realities of life, began to falter at the overwhelming weight of their suffering. Just when he thought he couldn't bear to read another line, he arrived at a lone page.

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t stop. I did it as quickly as I could, they didn’t suffer.”

With a shudder of disgust, Ferdinand slammed the cursed tome shut and hurled it away from him with all his might. The mere act of touching it left him feeling unclean, as if its dark contents had seeped into his very being. In all his long years, he had borne witness to the worst of humanity's atrocities, but this was a level of horror that he could scarcely comprehend. A potent mix of anger and despair roiled within him, while a frigid chill settled deep in his gut, threatening to consume him entirely.

"We saw it all in an instant, everything that you read. Whisper, on the other hand, had to deal with that for longer than us," explained White.

Ferdinand's realization sank in as he struggled to find the right words.

"I...I couldn't even begin to imagine," he finally managed to say.

White shook their head in response. "No, you couldn't, but the rest of us can. That's why it's important not to judge anyone for what they do," White explained.

Andromeda, who seemed exhausted, cast a brief, tired glance at White before continuing.

“Once we arrived, all of us were so broken from the thoughts that I’ve had to focus all my attention on suppressing it. It’s gotten easier with time, but it’s still hard.” Andromeda said.

“What do you mean?” Ferdinand asked.

“Like I said, I have to focus on keeping all the pain of those memories from breaking us. ” Andromeda said.

“Do you mean to say that you can willfully control this place?” Ferdinand asked.

"Yes," Andromeda said, her voice soft and sad. Suddenly, Ferdinand felt a jolt in his body, as if his very being was shifting. In a blink of an eye, he looked down and saw that his hands were no longer his own. They were small, belonging to a child. Before he could even process what was happening, a mirror appeared in the air before him, and he saw a reflection of himself as a young child staring back at him. His heart raced as the reflection began to morph and change, rapidly aging from a child to a teen, then an adult, and finally to his current age. The experience left Ferdinand feeling dizzy and disoriented, as if he had just glimpsed a lifetime of memories in an instant.

As Ferdinand tried to make sense of what had just happened, the mirror in front of him began to fade away, as if it had never been there at all.

“It’s how I made this house, and how I created that book. Everything in here is my creation.” White said.

“This is… Remarkable. Your ability to control your own mental state is beyond anything I’ve ever known.” Ferdinand said. All three gave him a strange look, and he went on to explain.

“I don’t know if you know. But this place, this void, it’s in the realm of the mind. Living beings have very little ability to control such a place, and even among those who do, they rarely do more than influence it. You can control it, and manipulate it with a level of control that no other could.” Ferdinand said.

“I’ve been able to come here since about when I was kidnapped by Rapture. It took some getting used to, but once White and I came to an understanding, it was easy.” Andromeda said.

"That- No, I'm getting distracted," Ferdinand said, pausing briefly to collect his thoughts. "It wasn't my intention to come here, but I need to speak with you about an urgent matter."

“Go ahead.” Andromeda said.

“First, I need to clarify several things with you. The first is your purpose in being in Skysea Adalay. The last I heard from you was before the attack in Cylas. From that-” Ferdinand started, but he was interrupted by Andromeda raising her hand.

Andromeda's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wait, what? Attack? What happened?" she asked, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.

"Do you not know?" Ferdinand replied, his own voice tense and urgent.

"About an attack? No, I've been on the road for a month. I haven't been reading the paper. What happened?" Andromeda's voice grew more frantic with each word.

"We don't know," Ferdinand said, his tone heavy with worry. Andromeda shot him a look of mixed emotions, a combination of annoyance and fear.

"Was anyone hurt?" Andromeda demanded, her voice rising in panic. Ferdinand remained silent, his eyes downcast.

"How bad was it?" Andromeda yelled, desperation creeping into her voice. Once more, Ferdinand said nothing.

"Answer me!" Andromeda screamed, her words echoing through the room. Whisper reached out to place a calming hand on Andromeda's lap, trying to soothe her.

"It's not good," Ferdinand finally replied, his voice low and grim. "I haven't been able to keep up with the reports, but hundreds are missing. The college's matrix was connected to locations across the face of the planet. We may never find them all." The room fell silent as everyone tried to process the terrible news.

Andromeda's voice shook as she spoke. "I need to know... Where is Alice Magrisal?"

Ferdinand furrowed his brow in confusion. "Alice Magrisal? Why do you need to know?"

"She was a classmate of mine," Andromeda explained, her voice tinged with emotion. "We were friends."

Ferdinand's expression softened in understanding. "I see. Well, seeing as how she is a noble, judging from the name Magrisal, I can say that she was not unaccounted for. Neither dead nor missing. The most likely situation was that she was not caught in the attack."

Andromeda let out a long, shaky breath of relief, her eyes closing briefly. "Good, I'd never forgive myself if something happened to her," she said.

Ferdinand waited patiently for a moment before continuing the conversation. "I'm glad to hear that your friend is safe," he said. "But we still need to address the matter at hand. Why exactly are you here in Skysea Adalay?"

“It's a long story, but I’ll give you the short version.” Andromeda said. “It started after Rapture kidnapped me. I was speaking with The Headmaster, Ander Plact. Things happened, and before I knew it, I was out on the road due to an oath we swore to each other. I had to come here and speak with a man named “Entai Algoer”. I realized it was a setup very quickly, but I didn’t have a lot of time to work around it.”

“Why didn’t you contact me?” Ferdinand said.

“I couldn’t be sure that me talking to anyone would put them in danger. He was trying to get me killed, what do you think he would have done If I tried to talk to you?” Andromeda said.

“You… have a point.” Ferdinand said.

“Not far out of Trevias, I met the man I was supposed to travel with for protection. Along the way, we were attacked by bandits, and we met Whisper, who tried to kill both me and him.” Andromeda said.

“What?” Ferdinand said.

“Ignore that, it’s fine now. If you touch her, I will do everything in my power to make you suffer for it.” White said suddenly.

“Whoa, I get the point, but you’re coming on strong there.” Andromeda said. White did the closest thing to pout since Ferdinand arrived, and Andromeda continued.

“Anyway, we get to the port in Betel Stretto and get on a boat, along the way we meet someone claiming to be the son of Entai Algoer. I thought it was suspicious the moment I heard that, but things went south, and it led to the man who was travelling with me both literally and metaphorically stabbing me in the back. The next thing I remember was waking up on a beach on Betel.” Andromeda said.

“Then you met a man named Argram, or he went by “Gram” at that moment.” Ferdinand said.

“How did you know? Have you met him?” Andromeda asked.

“When we found you, your semi-unconscious form lead us to his place of work. He gave me an abridged version of the story you just did.” Ferdinand said. “Which means we have a much greater issue at hand.”

“Yeah, someone wants me dead, and I’m basically stuck on the island until I walk right into the trap.” Andromeda said.

“No, even beyond that. If we don’t let them have you, then the lives of thousands might be at risk.” Ferdinand said.

-----

It was the early hours of the morning, and Carrion was sat in a chair behind a desk near the window of Andromeda’s room. He hadn’t gotten the chance to step away because for the last few hours because the mana sensors in the complex were routinely frying under the pressure of the mana. He was the only one awake who could mend them without dying, and even then it was taking a toll on his body. While he sat there, he a commotion behind a nearby door. Then two magisters stepped inside.

“Is there something to report?” Carrion asked.

“Yes Arch Mage, in a sense…” One man said.

“Go on.” Carrion responded.

“It’s… Well, we’re unsure of how this happened, but there seems to be a crowd of people at the gates.” The man said.

"Crowd? What do you mean?" Carrion's brow furrowed in confusion. The complex was located several miles outside the city, and even the furthest flung cottage in the hills wouldn’t draw something in this direction. The mere suggestion of a crowd in such a remote location made no sense.

“Like I said, we’re unsure, but the concerning thing is that none of them are speaking. We tried to question them for their motives, but nothing came of it.” The man said.

“How many are there?” Carrion asked.

“By our estimate, approximately three thousand.” He said. Carrion couldn’t hide his shock. When he heard the word “Crowd” he pictured a few dozen at most, but thousands were an army.

Carrion stood from his seat, then quickly steadied himself when the blood rushed to his head. He was still recovering from the last repair and movement was difficult.

“Post sentries at every door between here and the front door, as well as a double posting at High Magister Ferdinand’s door. If any unauthorized individuals enter the building, you have permission to incapacitate.” Carrion said, the two men nodded and ran off, the whole facility went into silent alarm, and Carrion marched out to meet this crowd.

When he exited the complex, he was shocked by what he saw. There was indeed a massive crowd of people standing just beyond the gates. However, unlike what that picture might evoke, they were silent. Not a single word was spoken by any of these thousands of random people. Not even a murmur as he left.

Carrion levitated up into the air and perched himself on the top of the fence to get a better look at the crowd. It was a vast and teeming sea of humanity, composed of men, women, children, and even a few Medea. The sheer number of people gathered in such a remote location left him feeling uneasy.

He cleared his throat and spoke to them in a tone of authority. "My name is Arch Mage Carrion of Skysea Adalay. I must ask that any who are not permitted to be here leave immediately. If you remain past this statement of warning, your safety will not be guaranteed. Any who wish to leave peacefully should leave now!"

Carrion's words were met with complete silence, which only served to intensify his growing sense of foreboding and make his skin crawl. The inhumanity of the crowd was like a weight upon him, as if he was surrounded by statues carved from stone. Then, for the first time since he stepped out, the crowd began to move. A woman with black hair as dark as the night sky stepped forward from the middle of the newly formed void, her gaze somehow managing to make him feel angry.

“Greetings, Arch Mage.” She said, then she too floated up toward him. She remained in the air just a few feet in front of him and bowed politely in front of him. Somehow, the action only upset him further.

“What is your purpose here, who are these people, and why are they here?” Carrion questioned.

“Esteemed Arch Mage, I’ve come to inform you that today is the first day of a grace period I am extending to the people of Betel. I would like to have one “Andromeda Noelle” presented to my people at the step of Entai Algoer’s Estate in three days time.” The woman said.

“You didn’t answer my question, and I have no knowledge of this “Andromeda Noelle”.” Carion lied.

“You seem to misunderstand. It does not matter if you do or don’t know of her. I expect this person to be in my possession by the end of the period presented. If not, I will assure the destruction of Aeroae and it’s people, and for every day past the deadline, another city will fall.” The woman said.

“Are you threatening me? You do understand with whom you speak, correct?” Carrion said, taken aback at the response he was given.

“Quite well, yes, Lord Arch Mage. However, it does not change my stance. If it assists in the search for this person. I am willing to explain my purposes.” The woman said. The way she spoke oozed the kind of faux politeness that was common among high society, almost to an exaggerated degree. But that told him nothing about her as a person.

Carrion thought carefully, the zombie like state the people of the crowd were in, along with her seeming control of them, meant that anything untoward would be immensely risky. He would play along, only so long as no one was harmed.

“Very well, I will begin with asking for your name.” Carrion said.

“One such as myself does not have a need for names, we operate in a state beyond such trivialities. However, for the sake of pleasant conversation, I will state a name you may refer to. I may be called “The Arbiter”. Does this name please you, lord?” She said.

“If it will assist in this matter, sure. Now, answer as to why this crowd has been gathered here.” Carrion said.

“It is insurance. If this one came before you, unaccompanied, then I believe we both know what would have happened to me had I asked what I did. If it eases your mind, they are in no danger, yet.” She said.

“If this person is brought to you, this “Andromeda Noelle”, what do you intend to do with her.” Carrion said.

“Once she is delivered to the location specified, she will speak with Sir Entai Algoer, after which she will receive a gift from him. Once this is done, I will faithfully execute the contract made by one “Ander Plact”, and take her life. Once that is done, she will be quietly disposed of, and all parties involved will remain silent on the matter for fifty years.” She said, not even a single stutter or pause for tact.

“I-I see, and if this… request, isn’t fulfilled, what will happen then?” Carrion asked.

“As I've warned previously, the city of Aeroae will fall to riots and death the likes of which not seen since Sond’s Folly.” The Arbiter said.

“How do you intend to incite riots?” Carrion asked. Instead of answering, she turned to the crowd behind her and gestured toward them.

“Before you stands a fragment of the population under my control, at the snap of my fingers I could cause the nearly entire population to break down into fits of violent fury until the point of exhaustion.” The Arbiter said.

“Under your control?” Carrion asked.

“Yes, for the past several weeks, I have seeded my followers through the city and slowly taken control of a majority of its population. They suffer no ill effects under this control besides being beholden to my will, and as soon as my work here is done, they will be released without harm.” The Arbiter said.

“You are aware that you’re confessing to not only a contract assassination of a sovereign citizen of Legoria, but that you have personally, illegally, infiltrated the minds of thousands of other citizens of Legoria, with the express intent of committing an act of mass terrorism, right? Not only that, but you’re saying this to an Arch Mage… of Legoria…” Carrion said.

“Yes, I am perfectly aware of this fact.” The Arbiter said.

“I was just making sure, it just seems a little, well, counterproductive, to do so at this time. You are being spectacularly forthcoming with this. Most criminals I am familiar with would wait until after they have committed a crime before admitting to it.” Carrion said.

“It may seem that way, but it is simply the cost of doing business. I seek no ill will with this confrontation. My only desire is to conclude my contract and collect. If it is done so to my desires, then the day will end with only one dead. Besides, what harm could be done with the loss of one woman? I’m sure you’ll make the right decision, Arch Mage Carrion.” The Arbiter said. When she turned away, Carrion raised his voice to ask one final question.

“Wait, I have one more question to ask. There has been a rash of, for lack of a better term, attacks on the people of this city. Crippling headaches, mental distress, even death… Do these events have anything to do with you.” Carrion asked, prepared to hear the worst.

To his surprise, he got the answer he was not expecting.

“No, rest assured that I am strictly interested in the conclusion of this contract, and would not risk unnecessary death or harm. As a sign of good faith, I will tell you the only thing I have been able to discover about it.” The Arbiter began. “The cause is not mystical in origin.”

Then, without another word, she turned and left. The crowd followed after her as she floated through the air, and within minutes the crowd of several thousand had left.

Carrion sat there, unsure of how to even process the information he was being presented with. This woman basically corroborated what Argram Gallery said in the days prior, as well as vastly contextualized the enormity of the situation. What was more concerning is that it sounded as though this “Arbiter” genuinely didn’t know Andromeda’s true identity, which was concerning because she had come here.

Either she knew Andromeda was here and knew he lied, or she didn’t know and was led here through other means. Both of which were massive security breaches. Carrion turned and descended toward the ground, he was met at the door by the two men from before, and before they could speak he put his hands to their heads. The eyes of Carrion and the two men glowed with bright white light for a moment. When he released them, both men were surprised and shocked.

“Sir?” The one man said.

“I apologize, but the complex might be compromised, all staff are barred from leaving, and if any leave they are to be considered hostile. Am I understood?” Carrion said.

“Yes sir.” Both men said.

The sea was beginning to boil, and Carrion was unsure if he would burn or drown.

Both looked likely.