Anastasis 26 – Pyra 2, Imperial Year 1644
The Southern Road, Mercia – Toward Valdria
The class left Ironfast at dawn. All of them – twenty‑seven reincarnators, plus Reinhard the teacher, plus Valeria, who had decided to travel with them rather than return to Fallowfield. It was a small army, but they moved in loose groups to avoid attention.
Elara led the main column. Roderick and Grom flanked her. Behind them walked Hikari, their healer, along with Mira and Vesper who rode in a cart, still recovering. Corvin walked with Celia, their quiet companionship a comfort to both.
The road south wound through farmland and forest. The spring rains had ended, and the sun was warm.
Anastasis 28, Imperial Year 1644
A Crossroads Inn – Evening
They stopped at an inn called the King's Peace. The common room was crowded with travelers, and the air smelled of ale and woodsmoke. The class took over a corner of the room, pushing tables together.
A merchant at the next table was speaking in low, urgent tones.
"…the Black Knights struck again. A cultist hideout in the eastern marshes. They killed a dozen demon worshippers and freed a batch of captives."
"Demons?" another traveler asked. "Real demons?"
"Lesser ones. But still demons. The cultists were trying to summon something bigger."
"And Zero?"
"No one's seen him. But his knights are everywhere now. They move like ghosts."
Corvin leaned toward Elara. "Demons?"
"We've heard rumors," Elara said. "The Black Knights have been hunting demon cults. It seems there are more than we thought."
"A lot more," Roderick said. "They can't be everywhere."
"Neither can we."
Anastasis 30, Imperial Year 1644
The Road – Morning
The class marched south. The rumors followed them like a shadow.
At a village market, they heard that a demon had been spotted in the northern hills – a shambling thing of bone and shadow, killed by a passing knight before it could harm anyone.
At a waystation, a priest of Dike told them that the demon cults were growing bolder. "They believe the gods have abandoned us," he said. "They want to bring a new order."
"What kind of order?" Reinhard asked.
"Chaos. Destruction. The end of everything."
Vesper, still pale but recovering, spoke quietly. "The dragon's heart saved me. But there are others out there who aren't so lucky."
"We'll help them," Hikari said. "When we can."
"Not today. Today, we save Talia."
Pyra 1, Imperial Year 1644
The Valdrian Border – The Prince's Camp
Prince Orin met them at the border, accompanied by a small escort of knights. He wore simple traveling clothes, no crown.
"You came," he said. "All of you."
"We made a promise," Elara said.
Orin looked at the crowd – orcs, elves, dwarves, humans, beastfolk. "You're not subtle."
"We're not trying to be."
He led them to a camp in a valley, hidden from the main roads. Tents were pitched, fires lit. The class settled in.
"Talia is being held in a fortress called Blackstone," Orin said, spreading a map. "It's owned by a minor lord named Voss. He's holding her as leverage against her family, who are merchants in the Free Cities."
"What does he want?"
"A ransom. Ten thousand gold marks. Or a favor – he wants the Free Cities to lower tariffs on his goods."
"We don't have that kind of money," Rosalind said.
"Then we negotiate." Orin looked at Elara. "I can arrange a meeting. But you'll need to convince him that releasing her is in his interest."
"And if he refuses?"
Orin's face was grim. "Then we find another way."
Pyra 2, Imperial Year 1644
The Camp – Evening
The class gathered around the fire. The demons, the Black Knights, the cults – all of it seemed distant here, in this quiet valley. But the rumors followed them even now.
A messenger arrived from the south, bearing news. The Black Knights had destroyed another cult hideout. Zero had not been seen, but his knights had left a note: "The Circle of Ashes is no more. The demons will follow."
"They're doing work that needs to be done," Roderick said.
"They're doing everyone's work," Gregor said. "But the demons are still out there."
"Then we fight them," Grom said. "When we're done here."
Elara stood. "One thing at a time. Tomorrow, we meet Lord Voss. We get Talia back. Then we deal with the demons."
The class nodded.
Corvin looked at the stars. Somewhere to the north, Zero was hunting.
And somewhere in the darkness, the demons were waiting.
End of Chapter Sixty‑One