At the palace gates, Sora Vale, head of the Northern District, approached Zayden. Her eyes were grave, her voice tinged with relief. "Thank you for protecting the Northern District from a potential massacre by the Knight of Obedience," she said. If you hadn't arrived on time, he could have been summoned.
The group mounted their horses, the four restrained Magisters secured carefully in a carriage behind them.
Zayden's jaw tightened, the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. "It's not over yet," he said quietly, glancing toward the carriage carrying the Magisters. We still have a long way to go.
Then all of them headed toward the northern gate Rowan rode slightly ahead, his eyes scanning the path, but soon his gaze fell on Cedric, his massive mace resting easily across his broad shoulders.
"That weapon of yours," Rowan said, glancing at the enormous mace, it's pretty huge. How do you manage to hold that?
Cedric straightened, a confident glint in his eyes. Only the strong ones are able to hold this type of weapon, he replied teasing Rowan.
Rowan nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing with interest. "Yes… I can see that. Back in the village, I watched you wield it quite effectively. And… what about that black and red lightning that came out and struck the targets when you used your weapon?"
Kael, riding beside Cedric, shook his head and cut in quickly. "It's in Cedric's blood. His whole family had similar powers… but most of them died long ago."
Cedric's expression darkened slightly, his voice dropping as he continued. "When we reached sixty, my grandfather was the only one to survive… and he lived until he was eighty-eight. My father, though… he died at the age of forty-nine."
Rowan said nothing, his face unreadable, as he returned his gaze forward, focusing on the path ahead.
Zayden and Nyra rode side by side, the evening wind tugging at their cloaks as the Nor Palace gates disappeared behind them. Nyra glanced at the restrained Magisters in the carriage behind, her brow furrowed.
"Zayden," she asked, her voice low, "why do we need to take the Magisters with us, even with a greater threat like Malric looming? We could have left them in the Northern District Jail for a few more months."
Zayden's jaw tightened, his gaze fixed ahead on the winding path. "No… we can't," he said firmly. Not after the incident a few days ago, when the Sixth Magister escaped the Northern Jail while they were trying to move him to the Central District. We still don't know where he is.
Nyra's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait… there were six of them, and we only managed to capture four?"
Zayden nodded, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. Yes… but the Sixth was the least important in the group, and he was also caught first. Only because of him were we able to find out that the rest were planning to summon the Knight of Obedience.
They all continued toward the Central District, the long road stretching ahead of them under the fading afternoon light. The sun would set in roughly three hours, casting long shadows across the countryside. The ride was tense but steady until a sudden, thunderous explosion tore through the air behind a nearby barrack.
The sound was deafening, and smoke and debris shot into the sky. Cedric, who had been riding close to the barrack, was thrown violently from his horse. When the dust cleared, he lay on the ground, blood staining his back from multiple deep wounds.
Zayden and Nyra reacted instantly. They pulled their horses to a halt and spurred them backward, skidding to Cedric's side. Rowan and Kael were already there, lifting Cedric carefully from the ground.
But then, through the haze of smoke and chaos, Zayden's sharp eyes caught something far worse.
The four Magisters in the carriage their spellbound chains supposed to hold them powerless were broken.
They stood together, their faces twisted in malicious glee, smiling and laughing as if the explosion had been a planned welcome.
But then Zayden realized something else—a familiar face stood behind them, holding a glowing orb. As the smoke from the explosion faded from the four Magisters' backs, he saw it was none other than the fifth Magister, smirking.
"You fools," the fifth Magister said, his voice dripping with arrogance, you thought you could capture us and that you had won.
Another Magister stepped forward, voice sharp and cold. "Remember… you are facing the five greatest magicians of the Northern District."
Zayden's grip tightened on his sword as he processed the horrifying realization. The glowing orb in the hands of the fifth Magister pulsed with a dark energy that seemed to hum in sync with his own heartbeat.
Nyra's body was tense, ice knives forming around her like a deadly halo. "Cedric is injured," she reminded him sharply, eyes flicking to the wounded man. "We need at least Rowan or Kael with him to protect him."
Zayden didn't hesitate. "Kael, stay with Cedric."
Cedric shook his head weakly. No… I'm fine.
Zayden's eyes narrowed, and he stepped forward, lowering his voice to a firm command. No. You're not moving until this is over. Sit tight.
Rowan stepped closer, a mixture of frustration and exasperation in his tone. "Zayden… you really are a problem creator. Only if you had captured the fifth one too, we wouldn't be in this situation."
Zayden felt the weight of failure pressing down on him, disappointment gnawing at his chest.
Nyra shot Rowan a sharp look, her voice cutting through the tension. "Stop blaming someone. If you can't help us, don't say anything."
The five Magisters closed ranks, the one holding the orb in the center speaking, his voice echoing ominously. "Have you ever heard of the Dead Clock Ritual?"
Zayden's mind raced. Wait… the ritual where a summoner binds a summon with a timer… and when the time ends, the summon is released.
Rowan's voice cut through his thoughts. "Zayden! Are you listening? Zayden??"
Nyra nudged him, her eyes wide. "Are you thinking the same thing I'm thinking?"
Zayden's jaw tightened. Yes… I guess we're too late. They've already used the Dead Clock. And if I'm right… the Knight of Obedience is already being summoned and it's bound inside that orb.
The air around them thickened with tension, the setting sun casting long shadows over the battlefield, while the pulsing energy of the orb promised that the nightmare was only just beginning.....