The journey back to the Grand Archives was a short one. The weight of their confrontation with the Naja hung over the group in silence, and the enigmatic last words of the Naja leader circled in each of their minds without resolution. Around them, the first rays of dawn were beginning to pierce through the dense canopy, casting long threads of gold across the path.
"We need to understand what we are truly dealing with," Kael said, breaking the silence. His voice was measured, but the undercurrent of concern was impossible to miss. "The Naja leader's final words suggest this goes far deeper than a rogue faction acting alone."
Zym nodded, his eyes catching the dawn light. "We need to return the Eye to Queen Melinoe and hear what she makes of all this. The mastermind could be anyone — someone already close to the throne."
Mieza walked beside Kael, her expression quietly troubled. "And we must be prepared for that. Whoever is behind this has already shown they are willing to go to extraordinary lengths. They will not stop simply because their Naja pawns have been dealt with."
Veridian, who had been unusually silent since leaving the caves, finally spoke. "We must also be careful about who we trust from here. This mastermind may have reach in places we would not think to look."
As they approached the Grand Archives, the ancient structure rose before them in the golden morning light. They passed through the courtyard and made their way to the central chamber.
Queen Melinoe was already there. The moment her eyes found the Eye of Naga in Veridian's hands, relief broke across her face — and then her gaze landed on Kael, and something warmer moved through her expression entirely.
"Kael." She stepped forward and embraced him without ceremony. "I never thought I would see you again."
Kael returned it, a genuine smile crossing his features. "It is good to see you, Melinoe. It has been far too long."
The Queen stepped back, the warmth giving way to something more sober as she looked at the Eye. "You have done well," she said quietly. "But I can see from all of your faces that what you found raised more questions than it answered."
Veridian set the Eye carefully on a nearby pedestal. Its energy pulsed softly in the chamber, steady and ancient. "Indeed, Your Majesty," he said. "The Naja were behind the theft from the beginning. They stole the Eye, planted the crimson feather to implicate the Garudas, and arranged the attack on the Garuda envoy to ensure war would follow. We overheard their plans and confronted the Naja leader directly — but he chose death over revealing who gave him his orders. Someone else is directing all of this. Someone with the reach to orchestrate events across both kingdoms without ever being seen."
Queen Melinoe's expression shifted from relief to something harder. "The Naja," she said slowly. "I was so certain the evidence pointed to the Garudas." She was quiet for a moment, the full weight of it settling over her. "This changes everything. I want every Naja implicated in this conspiracy found and arrested immediately." She paused, her voice tightening. "And the Garudas — I owe them an apology. But it may be too late for that. Word reached me that their army is already moving."
Kael stepped forward. "Let me go to them. I can reach King Eothis before his forces engage. But first — is there anyone you suspect? Anyone who would benefit most from a war between your people and the Garudas?"
Queen Melinoe exhaled slowly. "The Naja are the only faction within Oephidia with both the motive and the means to steal the Eye and frame another kingdom for it. As for why — I believe they want my throne. A war would destabilise my rule, divide my court, and leave the kingdom vulnerable. It is exactly the kind of chaos they would use."
"Then they will not get it," Zym said, his voice firm.
Mieza nodded. "But we must stay vigilant. The mastermind is still out there, and we do not yet know how far their influence extends."
Kael looked between Zym and Mieza. "Zym, I need you to stay close to the Queen — protect her until we know who is truly behind this. Mieza, keep watch over Oephidia. If anything changes, anything at all, I need to know immediately."
Veridian placed a hand firmly on Kael's shoulder. "I will protect the Queen, Kael. She is safer with me here than with all three of you. Go — together, you will have a better chance of reaching the Garuda army before it is too late. I will send word if anything develops here."
Queen Melinoe turned to face them, composed and certain. "He is right. Go, all three of you. Veridian is my most trusted confidant, and this kingdom will hold. Bring back peace — that is what I need from you now."
Kael held her gaze for a moment, then gave a single, resolute nod.
They left the Grand Archives as the morning light spread across the crystal spires of Oephidia. The Naja leader's final words still echoed in their minds — a warning without a name attached to it. Somewhere in the shadows, the mastermind was watching, waiting, and very likely already adjusting their plans.
But Kael, Zym, and Mieza moved with purpose. Kragnir lay ahead, and with it the last chance to stop a war before the first blood was spilled.