Lyall closed the door softly behind him, leaving alone in the quiet room. I turned my attention to the faintly glowing communication brooch lying on the table. Its soft, persistent hum reminded of the call I had delayed for far too long.
I picked it up and activated it. "Yes, Uncle," I answered, my voice steady.
"About ti you answered!" Silas’s tone was sharp, tinged with worry. "How are you? What’s going on? Why haven’t you contacted for so long?" His words spilled out in a rush, the questions coming one after the other.
"I’m sorry, Uncle," I said with a small sigh. "I’ve been a bit busy, but I’m fine."
I kept my tone light, omitting the darker truths. He didn’t know about the demon or the chaos that had unfolded since I kidnapped the Pope. If he did, he’d only worry, and I couldn’t afford to burden him with that now.
"What about that dark spell you ntioned?" he pressed.
"I’ve identified the dark mage responsible," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "I’ll deal with him tomorrow night."
"And the Temple?"
"It’s taken care of," I said plainly, but his sharp intake of breath told he wasn’t convinced.
"Taken care of? Just like that?" he exclaid. "How is that even possible?"
"I had the High Priest confess publicly," I explained, "and I showed the people a Dragon."
"A Dragon?" he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief. "How?"
I allowed myself a small, tired smile. "A Water Dragon isn’t hard to create," I said, brushing off the feat as though it were nothing.
There was a pause on his end before he spoke again, his voice cautious. "So, does this an you’ll be leaving the day after tomorrow?"
"Yes," I confird. "If everything goes as planned, I’ll leave in two days."
"Good," Silas said with evident relief. "The portal is complete, Reina. You need to return soon."
"I know," I assured him. "I’ll be back soon. How’s Father? And everyone else?"
"They’re well," he replied. "They’re all waiting for you to return. Oh, and I stopped by your mansion."
I straightened in my seat. "The Ryujin Mansion?"
"Yes," he said, and there was a slight pause before he added, "Your aide seems overwheld. He asked if he could get so help from one of your vassals."
I frowned, confusion tightening my brow. "Vassals?"
"That’s what he said," Silas replied. "He ntioned you have three of them."
"What?" I said, genuinely taken aback. "I don’t have vassals, Uncle."
"Strange," he mused. "He seed pretty certain about it."
I shook my head, trying to process this revelation. "Tell him to manage for now. I’ll look into it once I’m back," I said firmly.
"All right," he agreed.
There was a brief pause before I added, "Thank you, Uncle."
"For what?"
"For checking up on that place," I said sincerely. "Did you also go to the Eldarf?"
"I did, briefly," he replied. "The children there asked if I could help them contact you."
I could easily picture the enthusiastic swarm of elves, dwarves, and dark elves clustering around him.
"And what did you tell them?"
"I told them you’re on a mission and don’t like to be distracted," he said with a slight chuckle.
I smiled faintly at that. "What else?"
"Nothing much," he said, though I suspected the children’s charm had left more of an impression on him than he was letting on.
"I’ll find out the details once I’m back," I said knowingly.
"Of course," he replied lightly.
"All right, then. I have so work to finish here," I said, my tone signaling the end of the conversation.
"Take care of yourself," he said warmly.
"You too," I replied softly, the line going silent as the glow from the brooch faded.
I sat there for a mont, staring at the now-dormant brooch in my hand. Despite the calm exchange, my mind churned with the weight of everything that lay ahead. I had to make this work—no matter what.
The next morning, Lyall brought in breakfast, setting it carefully on the table before . I wasn’t particularly hungry, but the determined look in his eyes told he wouldn’t take no for an answer. Reluctantly, I picked up the fork and began eating.
"Did the child wake up?" I asked between bites.
"No, Master," he replied curtly, standing at attention nearby.
I nodded, formulating the final steps of my plan as I ate. It was risky, perhaps even reckless, but there was no alternative. It had to work.
"In the evening," I began, my voice calm but firm, "you, that child, and I are going to see the demon."
Lyall stiffened imdiately, his sharp gaze narrowing on . "You’re not planning to sacrifice yourself, are you?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion and concern.
I allowed myself a small smile. "Of course not. If I left, who would take care of my kids and my people?"
He studied for a mont longer, then visibly relaxed, his shoulders losing their tension. I finished the rest of my al in silence, and Lyall quickly cleared the plates once I was done.
As he moved toward the door, I glanced at the map laid out on the table and then called out, "Lyall."
"Yes, Master?" he paused, turning back to .
"Don’t co to my room unless it’s an ergency."
His brow furrowed slightly, confusion evident. "Pardon?"
"I need to prepare before facing that demon," I explained. "I’ll co and get you and the child when I’m ready. Until then, no interruptions. Understood?" My gaze held his firmly, ensuring he grasped the importance of my request.
Lyall hesitated for a mont before nodding. "Understood, Master."
I watched as he left the room, closing the door quietly behind him. The mont I was alone, I stood and removed my cloak, ear stud, and every other mana-infused device on , placing them aside. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, I took a deep breath.
It had been months since I last ditated. Focusing myself again would be no easy task, but it was necessary.
Closing my eyes, I imdiately felt the world around sharpen. The presences and essences within my surroundings grew vivid, my heightened senses catching even the faintest shifts. My ears picked up distant whispers of movent, and the air felt alive with mana.
Forcing my senses inward, I inhaled deeply, pushing aside external distractions. I envisioned the flow of my mana, tracing its current through my body until my awareness centered on the steady rhythm of my heartbeat.
As the minutes stretched into an hour, I could feel my Dragon’s presence begin to stir. The energy swirled around like a quiet storm, its force contained but undeniable. It filled the room with a weighty stillness, a reminder of the raw power that resided within .
Today was for preparation—nothing else. I would ditate and attune myself to the Dragon’s mana, drawing on its strength for what was to co. My resolve was unshaken. This battle wasn’t just for —it was for everyone counting on my return.
I was too deeply into my ditation that it felt as if soone had rapped on the doors of my mind when I heard Lyall calling out for .
I opened my eyes feeling the sharp contrast that clouded my eyes for a mont before I let my mana recede to my body. I watched as Lyall was standing at the door, his face had lost all color and his heart was beating a bit too loudly and hastily.
"What’s wrong?" I asked and he relaxed a bit before he stood up straighter.
"Th-The informants who stay near the towns of the outskirts found sothing."
I frowned a bit, "What?"
Lyall licked his lips before he spoke the word and I stood up.
"What?"
"Yes, Master. Even I don’t understand it but currently, they are awaiting the orders."
I sighed as I grabbed the earstud putting it on.
"Get the child, we’re leaving now." I ordered him.
Lyall bowed before he walked up to the last room on the corridor and I grabbed the cloak along with all the mana devices that I would need for this. I also picked up the ring with the pink crystal that Lyall had given in case of ergency. I didn’t know what it could do but I needed everything that could help .
After a couple of minutes, the child and Lyall were in my room. The child looked a bit worried as he fidgeted and I crouched in front of him.
"Are you ready for this?" I asked and he looked at with uncertain eyes.
"I’m scared." He admitted and I smiled.
"It’s all right to be scared, but you do know that I’ll be there to protect you, right?" I asked and he nodded.
"Good, tonight, you’ll be free of this curse and then we’ll go ho, all right?" I spoke with a smile.
The child looked at for a brief mont before he nodded again and I looked once up at Lyall before giving him a nod.
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