.........

  “Understand, Ryke, it’s not just about confidence, strength, abilities, or luck. It’s about manipulation first,” Azeya said, retaking her fighting stance. “In close hand-to-hand, we manipulate. Try it again.”

  “Yeah, seems a lot easier when you’re on the other side,” Ryke replied, pushing himself up from the dirt. ' how do you even have a training area beneath a mansion, that's just too much of everything.' Ryke thought before standing up.

  He cut in again, faster this time, throwing a double-punch combination. Azeya deflected both with fluid ease. Punch, Ryke thought, but then he caught a glimpse of her shifting weight. A feint. My leg! He realized just in time, yanking his limb back before she could sweep him.

  “Learn your reach and be faster,” Azeya criticized. “You’re too slow; I’m having a hundred thoughts about what to do before you even land a blow.”

  “Just play your part,” Ryke snapped. “You telling me you’re taking it easy isn't helping. Regardless, if Kaein moves that fast, I think he might be the real target—not this Sky.”

  “I’ve seen Sky in action. Damn it, I’ve fought her,” Neyra said, walking closer. “Trust me, the waters are too deep. It’s your decision to join them or be left out.”

  “I thought you just wanted to spectate,” Ryke said.

  “That was the plan. But I’d like to see whether you can actually use your ability to its fullest, rather than just sparking a ten-minute last stand.”

  “What do you mean? You speak like—”

  “Like what? You’re underestimating Sky because you’ve seen Kaein in action? You haven't fought him; just watching him is foolish.”

  “Hey, you lost to her! Just because you—”

  “And you lost to me. That at least means Sky would beat you,” Neyra countered, clutching her pure black mask. “Even if Kaein is a monster...”

  “No, stop right there. You’re making it—no. Let’s fight. Right now.”

  “I don’t like fighting for free,” Neyra replied coolly. “What are the stakes?”

  “I’ll give you money.”

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “You two were fighting just recently,” Azeya interrupted. “Regardless, Neyra still can't use her ability properly since the confrontation—she can’t keep it up for long. And Ryke? I’ve got something better for you.”

  ............

  It was an underground room, little dark, cold air, the light lit by magic and open, almost like a torturing room.

  “What you’re saying is that you think there is trouble, and I might be able to help,” Ell said.

  “Yes, and we are running out of time. I need you to stop the death of Dakota,” Rheis replied. Beside him, Wendy sat tied to a chair.

  “If what you’re telling me is true—where you got this information—that means you know what we plan on doing.”

  “You are working on problems, but you aren't fixing the issue,” Rheis said. “You’re just making it worse.”

  “Rheis, you say you’re my cousin, but maybe you don’t understand. It’s just a matter of time. Right now, they are clearing out 'Gate Openers.' Who do you think is next?”

  Rheis smiled thinly. “The right answer should be Magicians, right? There are so many of you; it would be like killing off a kingdom.”

  “Rheis is right here—they wouldn’t do that,” Wendy put in.

  “You’re young. Still so young,” Ell said. “This is how they start things. It all begins in the shadows, and then, once the numbers have decreased...”

  “But why would they search for you? You guys are just books,” Wendy argued.

  “That’s where you’re wrong. As Magicians, we are restricted. You just don't know how many books are hidden. Even people who know Necrosiphy hide,” Ell explained.

  “Necrosiphy?”

  “You don’t know about Necrosiphy? Rheis, tell her.”

  ..........

  “What the fuck happened here?” the man demanded, surveying the scene.

  An entire market outside the Valtherion kingdom had been wiped out. Blood stained the earth, mingled with stray body parts.

  “A spirit, my King. This place was well-known for killings and teen prostitution, but this was confirmed to be something more than human,” the noble replied.

  “Regardless, people aren't supposed to be subjected to such things. Knights!” The King turned to the twenty men flanking him. “Clean this up further. It is still horrific, even after your attempt to remove the headless bodies. And find everyone who lived here—I want them. This is still part of my kingdom. I neglected it, and this happened.”

  As the King spoke, a girl stepped out of a nearby alley.

  “We have a survivor...”

  “My King, look!” one of the knights shouted, halting the King’s relief as the girl stood before them.

  The girl snatched a sword from the floor and plunged it into the ground with terrifying, inhuman might.

  “A Thousand Swords!” she shrieked.

  The King looked at the bleeding girl with pity—and then sadness so sharp his eyes teared up. But the tears were quickly replaced by agony as swords erupted from the ground, piercing his legs and those of his knights.

  “Not as effective anymore,” the little girl muttered, walking toward the King. She stopped abruptly. “Ennis, do you give me permission to damage your land?”

  “I’m a King. When did Kings start stopping Julien?” King Ennis gasped.

  “Bad times, right? Reinforcements are coming for you." Julien said.

  'Your legs... damn,' Julien thought, looking at the two deep holes in the King's legs, both hemorrhaging blood. “One mistake. Ennis is one of the good ones.” He said, starring at the girl.

  Julien removed four rings—two from each hand—as he stepped toward the girl. The ground curved inward with every step he took, his body glowing with a faint white light.

  “Sword Ni—”

  “Sword what? Tell me. What!” Julien roared, catching her by the throat. He hoisted the girl high with one hand. “Pity. I’m sorry, little girl, but I want to beat this fool inside you so badly that it feels it. That, I promise I’ll do. I’ll also find the bastard who did this to you.”

  With effortless velocity, he tossed her aside, sending her crashing through five reinforced house's.

  .............

  “Azeya, Veryn called for you. He said it’s important,” the maid said.

  Azeya turned and made her way through the small mansion. Dusk was approaching, perhaps an hour or two away. She found Veryn in his room; his wound had been treated, but he was still far from his usual self.

  “Veryn, what is it?”

  “Sky. She’s in the district,” he said. Azeya’s face broke into a smile.

  “Are you sure? You’re certain?”

  “Yes. She just entered. It’s a little hard to track, and maybe slower—there’s an interference—but she’s here. She must have arrived just minutes ago.”

  “Interference?”

  “Yes,” Veryn replied. “There must be something powerful nearby. The creatures usually react to things like that.”