“Here we are,” the driver called back to us.
I opened the flap, expecting sothing grand, and I guess it was, in a way.
A huge wall, maybe ten ters high, stretched out ahead, built from smooth, listone-like stone, but that was it. No gate, no drawbridge, just a solid wall.
Two guards stood where the road ended at the wall. Marcus gently nudged aside and hopped down first.
“Stop there!” one of the guards barked, but he froze when Marcus pulled out his orb.
The guard stared for a second longer before his partner snapped to attention and bowed slightly, making a clasped-hand salute. “Commander.”
“I need to use a Gate,” Marcus said, his voice sharp with authority. “Also, I need to access my vault. This citizen assisted .”
The guards exchanged a quick look as the dogs and I hopped down behind him. “This way, sir,” said the taller one.
He placed a hand on the wall. It rumbled, then shifted, stone sliding into itself, revealing a tunnel just tall enough for a grown man to walk through.
Marcus turned to the carriage driver. “You’ve helped more than you know. May I see your orb?”
The man shook his head modestly. “It was my privilege to help soone who’s sacrificed so much.” Still, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an orb, deep blue like a polished sapphire.
Marcus tapped it against his own, but no numbers were exchanged, just a simple touch. He handed it back with a respectful nod. “Goodbye.”
The man nodded back.
“Let’s go, Peter,” Marcus said. I followed, the six familiars trotting happily behind him while I brought up the rear.
One guard stayed behind, and as I passed through, the wall shifted again, sealing us in.
“It’s an honor to et a Starborn warrior, sir,” the guard said to Marcus, his voice full of awe. “I never thought I’d see one in my lifeti.”
Marcus chuckled, but there was sothing in his voice, sothing heavier than amusent. “I’m not that special. Just lucky enough to survive the frontlines a few tis.”
“But the power you must have... I only heard about your squads recently. So say you guys are strong enough to split boulders,” the guard added, clearly trying to flatter him.
I thought about Marcus’ strength. He’d told once that his captain was truly strong. Wonder how Marcus stacks up now.
“So of us could,” Marcus admitted. “Not . Still a lot of training left to do. Just keep working hard, kid. Stay safe. It's all just ti and effort.”
“YES, SIR!” the guard barked, practically vibrating with excitent.
We walked deeper into the corridor, lit by torch-like sconces holding small, colorless stones that glowed steadily.
We passed a few doorways, catching bits and pieces of conversation, words like “taxes,” “scheduling,” and “incoming recruits.” Nothing worth paying attention to.
Finally, we stopped in front of a door.
“You can access your vault in here,” the guard said.
Marcus turned to . “Stay here. I’ll be back in a minute.”
He disappeared through the door, leaving alone with the dogs and guard, staring awkwardly at my toes.
“Sooo, um... what’s guard work like?” I asked, trying to break the silence.
“What? Oh. Uh, not bad. A little boring, but better than my ti in the frontlines,” the guard answered. “What about you? How’d you get lucky enough to et him?”
I shrugged. “Luck. Honestly, I didn’t even know he was anything special. Strong, sure, but important? Had no clue.”
The guy leaned against the wall. “I get it. Until I saw one of their squads myself, I didn’t even know they existed,” he said, glancing at one of the glowing torches.
“A total turn in the tide. Six people, taking out... Well, anyway, if you can, try to get close.”
I nodded. “Thanks.”
Another brief silence fell between us.
‘Ask him if he knows the origins of the Starborn,’ Wyrem suggested, startling . ‘I rember inhabiting soone who spoke of them.’
I opened my mouth to ask but before I could, Marcus ca out of the vault room. “Thanks. Now to the gate, if you don’t mind,” Marcus said, cutting off the conversation.
‘I’ll just ask Marcus later,’ I promised internally.
‘Good,’ Wyrem approved.
‘Hey, I should be done with the three foundations soon!’ Luna chid in excitedly.
That felt fast, but I guess she'd been working steadily for a while now. ‘How soon?’ I asked.
‘At this rate, a couple days,’ Wyrem answered for her.
I smiled a little, feeling excited. ‘Let know when you’re close.’
‘Got it!’ Luna replied.
We continued down the hall until we reached a familiar horror, the so-called ‘gate’ with a panel beside it.
Instant dread seeped into my bones at the sight of the most horrific invention of this world.
“Where do you need to go, sir?” the guard asked.
Marcus leaned in close and whispered, “I can’t just head straight to a recruitnt center. It’ll look suspicious.”
Those words made sothing unpleasant click into place. “Gates are monitored?” I hissed.
He nodded grimly.
I quickly stepped forward. “Drake Ama. Tell him Peter has returned.”
Marcus’ eyes widened in shock.
“A—Ama? I can’t just—” the guard stamred.
“I’ll take full responsibility. Contact him,” Marcus reinforced, still clearly rattled.
Still hesitating, the guardsman finally moved his hand over the panel with practiced ease.
Then... “Holy gods. Uh. Step into the Gate. Prince Ama has granted an audience.” The guard's face turned a shade paler as he stepped aside, giving a look of genuine fear.
I passed him without much thought.
“I ant no disrespect earlier!” he blurted quickly.
“Huh? Oh, no problem, man,” I said, waving it off as Marcus and I stepped into the Gate.
The doors shut behind us, and I dropped to the floor without hesitation, bracing myself for the horror to co.
Neither of us spoke as the madness began.
And this was so much worse than before. We weren’t just moving through space; we were being dragged through it, tossed sideways, hurled up and down, yanked around like a chew toy.
It went on far longer than felt remotely reasonable.
Finally, the doors slid open with a sigh, and a familiar voice greeted us. “I can’t believe it. Elric said you got left behind in a labyrinth.”
I cracked my eyes open, clutching my stomach. “He—urp.”
Deep breaths. In… out… in… “Help. .” I croaked.
Marcus started to respond, his voice full of formality. “Your Highness, it is my great honor to—”
Drake cut him off sharply. “Get him up, if you would.”
A strong, not-so-gentle hand grabbed my left arm and hauled upright, dragging across a deliciously cold floor.
So nice. I let my face lt into it, savoring the chill against my queasy body.
“Peter,” Drake continued casually, ignoring my tragic state. “Elric and the rest thought you were dead.”
“Nope. Not dead. Or it didn’t take anyway.” I weakly lifted my right arm for emphasis. “Just more… plant-like.”
I turned my head and spotted Marcus kneeling, his gaze locked on the floor with soldierly discipline. “Ugh,” I groaned, forcing myself upright, limbs heavy as stone.
“He said he can’t just travel to the recruit camp. Can you help?” I asked, rubbing my aching temples and gesturing to Marcus.
“Oh, and too. I, uh, also don’t have my orb anymore.”
Drake didn’t answer imdiately. His gaze pinned in place instead. “I need an explanation, Peter. It’s been over two months.”
That sobered instantly. “H-How long?” I stamred. A few weeks, sure, maybe. But months? There was no way cultivation, even slowed down with the Water Force, had eaten up that much ti.
Did the trial really last that long?
“Just over a couple months,” Drake repeated. His voice dipped lower. “And... I heard sothing strange.”
I raised an eyebrow, my nerves already sharpening.
“A man entered a... special place reserved for royals,” Drake said slowly. “He killed a noble from Voxter. Then went on to score the highest marks in the second round of a special exam.”
My stomach twisted. He knew. He knew about the trial ground.
I guess he was more involved than I thought in royal matters.
“It was strange,” Drake continued, his eyes narrowing slightly. “This individual, he was both physically and magically capable. The way they described his movents... the techniques used… It sounded very familiar to .”
I clenched my jaw. “What do you want to say?” I asked, tension leaking into my voice.
“Nothing. Say nothing if you know nothing,” Drake said imdiately, waving a hand before performing a familiar technique. “*You were trapped. That’s all anyone needs to know. You learned nothing. No one saw anything except an avatar. Unless...*”
He leaned back slightly. “Unless that person wanted to get involved with other royals.”
He let the weight of the words settle between us, then sighed heavily.
“Before eting you, I didn’t know the potential of your practice,” he admitted. “But that avatar... it must’ve been so rare blessing, right? So hidden gift? No way the rumors about a Bloodless are true... right?”
At the word, my heart kicked painfully in my chest. Bloodless.
A word I’d only heard from Synthia and Callum, from Voxter.
Could they have? No, well not Synthia anyway. But maybe Callum’s subordinates had overheard my unique condition.
Maybe even spies in Voxter in the Bal family alerted people here. It made sense during war, but for the rumors to travel this fast?
I t Drake’s gaze, and to my surprise, saw sothing almost pleading in his expression.
Was he... protecting ? No, not . Maybe Elric.
He knows plenty of my secrets, my abilities. I an, he invented a few of them himself. Is he in trouble?
I swallowed hard. “Must be,” I said, forcing a shrug. “You can ask Marcus here. We were stuck in so cursed forest trying to survive, nothing more.”
Drake’s attention shifted to Marcus, his tone cooling. “Yes... the deserter.”
WHAT?!
“For such a cri, you deserve death… but considering your years of service, I will grant you rcy in my father's place,” Drake declared, voice steady.
“Drake, it’s not what—” I tried to jump in, but Marcus cut off.
“Thank you, your Highness. I’ve heard of your kindness, but only now do I truly understand it.” He bowed even deeper, voice calm.
“I hereby demote you to the lowest civilian rank,” Drake continued smoothly. “You will serve as an attendant at the Hall of Heroes.”
I spun back to Drake, catching the smug smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. A second later, he used the power invented by his brother again. His voice echoed directly into my head.
“You should really learn tact, moron, and for the love of all things holy, keep your mouth shut around people like . If it had been any other noble or royal, you’d already be dead. Just… stop being an idiot.”
It felt unnecessarily rude, but probably, most certainly... fair.
‘Peter…’ Luna’s voice drifted into my mind, gentle and pitying, like a mother consoling her hopeless child.
‘Does everyone think you’re an idiot?’
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