The wind moved through the empty village streets.
Then
A sharp crack split the air. Lightning.
It came from the eastern side of the village, followed by the sound of stone shattering.
Rowan turned instantly. "That way."
They rushed forward, boots striking broken cobblestone as another thunderous impact echoed ahead. As they reached the open square, Rowan stopped. At the center stood a massive, muscular figure, Cedric.
In his hands was a heavy round weapon — a thick handle with a solid metal sphere at the top. Lightning crawled across its surface, snapping violently with every movement.
He swung it downward.
The weapon struck a weaker summon, and thunder erupted on impact. The dark form shattered instantly, scattering into ash.
Rowan narrowed his eyes, stepping forward
But before he could speak
A calm voice came from directly behind him.
"Who brought you here?", Rowan stiffened.
And what's with that anger on your face?
He turned slowly. A girl stood a few steps behind him.
Her expression was calm, almost unreadable. Frost lingered faintly in the air around her fingertips, thin threads of chilled mist curling and fading. A chained dual-bladed weapon rested loosely at her side.
Nyra, stop, Cedric said firmly, resting the weapon against his shoulder as sparks faded. He glanced toward Rowan.
"He is Rowan, son of General Varro and Mira Creed."
Cedric's lightning faded into faint sparks along the metal sphere of his weapon.
From behind him came the rhythmic strike of hooves against stone.
Kael Draven stepped forward from the smoke.
His lower half powerful, steady, unmistakably equine moved with controlled strength. His bow rested across his back, a single arrow loosely held between his fingers.
The Commander is calling both of
He stopped mid-sentence.
His sharp eyes locked onto Rowan.
"Rowan?" He tilted his head slightly.
What are you doing here? he asked calmly. "Aren't you supposed to be helping your mother at the Royal Hospital?"
Nyra's lips curved slightly. Cedric exhaled through his nose almost a quiet laugh. For a brief second, their smiles remained.
Then Rowan's expression hardened. The air shifted. The faint amusement on Nyra and Cedric's faces disappeared, Rowan stepped forward. Do not speak to me like that, he said coldly. "Half-human." The word landed heavier than the lightning had.
I am here to take Zayden Luceran.
Kael did not move, but his eyes sharpened.Kael and Rowan stood face to face.Neither spoke, the air between them tightened not loud, not explosive but sharp. Rowan's jaw was set. Kael's grip on the arrow in his hand slowly tightened.
For a long moment, they simply stared at one another.
Anger met restraint.
Then, Kael looked away first.
Without another word, he stepped aside, moving past Rowan with deliberate calm.
Cedric. Nyra, he said evenly. The Commander is waiting inside the village temple.
He glanced toward the center of the village where the old stone structure stood, its doors cracked and darkened by scorch marks.
"He found something while clearing the summons inside."
The wind shifted again, carrying the faint scent of ash and something else
Something colder.
Cedric lifted his lightning weapon onto his shoulder.
Nyra's chained blades gave a soft metallic sound as she adjusted her grip.
Kael began walking toward the temple.
"Come," he said.
The temple doors groaned as they were pushed open.
Dust drifted from the cracked ceiling. Broken ritual markings scarred the stone floor. The air inside felt heavier charged.
At the center of the temple stood a lone dark summon, flickering violently.
And before it
ZAYDEN LUCERAN.
His blade moved in a clean horizontal arc.
The summon split apart, collapsing into smoke.
Zayden flicked the remaining ash from his sword, then slid it back into its sheath with controlled precision. He tilted his head slightly back, not yet turning.
Oh. Here you are, he said calmly. "Did you kill the rest of the summons?"
Cedric stepped forward. Yes. And if the one you just killed was the last one, then the village is clear.
Zayden turned fully
And froze.
Rowan stood behind them.
Zayden's expression shifted. Tense. Confused.
"What are you doing here, Rowan?"
Rowan stepped forward, walking past Cedric, Nyra, and Kael. He stopped directly in front of Zayden.
The Archmagister said to inform you to return as soon as possible, Rowan said firmly. "I assume you already received the message about the King… and the threat from the Deadline Civilization."
Zayden's eyes darkened slightly.
"Yes," he replied. "I did."
A brief silence passed between them.
Then Zayden spoke again.
But before that there's something you should know.
He glanced toward the spot where the last summon had dissolved.
While I was fighting it, its wounds kept closing, he said quietly. Every cut I made it healed. As if something was entering the summon from the atmosphere itself.
The temple fell quiet.
Then Zayden's voice shifted colder, commanding.
We will be rechecking the entire village and conducting one final patrol to ensure no summons remain.
Kael stepped forward slightly, his hooves pressing against the cracked stone.
Zayden… we still need to find the fifth Magister. He was the one behind all of this. If we stop searching for him now, he could become a far greater problem soon.
Zayden was silent for a moment.
"Yes," he said quietly, I know.
His eyes lowered briefly before lifting again.
But right now, we must think beyond this village. The entire kingdom is at risk. We cannot divide our strength.
Cedric tightened his grip on his weapon.
Then let me stay, he offered. I'll continue the search alone and track him down.
Nyra's voice followed calmly, but with quiet agreement. He's right, Zayden. Let him stay.
Her gaze swept briefly across the ruined temple. We have already lost the entire village. Not a single person survived.
Cedric's jaw tightened. "And it was only because we were late."
Silence settled heavily between them.
Zayden stepped closer, his expression steady despite the weight in his eyes.
"I understand both of your concerns," he said quietly. "But after what we did to them… I do not believe he will attempt the same thing again."
Kael exhaled softly and nodded.
"Zayden is right. He won't even dare to walk the roads of the Northern District… or anywhere within the Valca Kingdom."
Zayden's voice lowered, his expression firm but not harsh.
"We need you. And every single person who can stand with us."
His gaze returned to Rowan.
And I will need your help.
Rowan narrowed his eyes slightly. For what?
"The four surviving Magisters," Zayden said. They are being held at the Nor Palace
Rowan nodded once.
They will be transferred to Valca Jail under direct command, Zayden continued. But I want them taken personally. No leaks. No interference.
He stepped past Rowan. You will accompany me when we retrieve them.
The words settled heavily in the temple.
Zayden stepped past Rowan without breaking his stride.
"We can't afford to lose more time, Zayden said quietly. Prepare to move.."