Beneath the kingdom of Elion, in a dimly lit underground chamber carved into solid rock, the senior members of the Fabled Class gathered around a large stone table, their voices low as they debated their next move. The topic at hand was which of their agents to dispatch to the region of Iona.
"We should send Vincent and Kei," proposed Deikher, his gaze fixed on a detailed map spread before them. "They're well-equipped to investigate the rumors surrounding the Heavenly Crystals, especially Kei."
Byron leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "You know how Vincent is viewed in some countries—after the incident in Westex, where so much destruction occurred, the Sunhonghin Imperial Kingdom won't exactly roll out the welcome mat for him."
"Vincent is no longer a reckless youth, and Kei has grown into one of our most reliable operatives," Deikher replied firmly. "We need to have faith in what they've become, Byron."
A grin tugged at Byron's lips as he raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright—I trust your judgment. And for the record, I do have faith in those two. They've proven themselves more times than most realize."
Several hours later, Kei and Vincent were escorted into the chamber. The air grew still as they approached the table, their posture straight and attentive.
"Director," Vincent spoke first, his voice thin and clear. "We're curious what prompted this summons."
Deikher turned to face them, his expression grave as he regarded each in turn. "Vincent… Kei… I'm assigning you both to a mission of great importance."
"Important?" Vincent arched an eyebrow. "What kind of work are we talking about?"
Kei remained silent, his eyes steady on Deikher as he waited for him to continue.
"As you both know, the gates of Abaddon are appearing with alarming frequency," Deikher began, gesturing to the map. "Just this past week alone, we detected thirteen new gates opening across Elion. Eight years ago, we were averaging only three per week. The fiends are advancing—their presence in our world is spreading faster than we ever anticipated. Give it five years more, and we will probably end up closing a gate every six hours."
"Alright, but what exactly do you need us to accomplish?" Vincent pressed, leaning forward slightly.
"We'll get to the details shortly—but first, have either of you heard the tale of the world's very first sorceress?" Deikher asked, his eyes moving between the two.
"Hm… I think I remember bits of it from when I was younger," Vincent murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Amaterasu," a voice called from behind them. Both Kei and Vincent turned to see Zein—another member of their order—stepping into the chamber. "In the Sunhonghin Imperial Kingdom, she's revered as the Goddess of the Sun. They've kept her memory alive through generations of worship and honor."
"Correct, Zein," Deikher confirmed with a nod. "My research into ancient records reveals she was far more than a legend—she was a priestess and sorceress of unimaginable power. Time and again, fiends attempted to conquer our world, and each time she drove them back. When one apocalyptic assault by Abaddon's hordes wiped out hundreds of civilizations, Amaterasu faced them head-on, shattering their ranks and petrifying the remaining beasts deep within Mount Iona. To ensure they could never rise again, she forged the Heavenly Crystals—that which kept the gates of Abaddon from opening at all. For centuries after that, we knew peace from such incursions. But now that the gates are returning, we have reason to believe something has gone awry with those crystals. Your mission is to travel to Iona and uncover the locations of those crystals."
"Where do we begin our search?" Kei asked, his tone sharp and focused.
"Always direct. That's why you're so valuable to us, Kei," Deikher said with a small smile. "From what I've uncovered, the key may lie within Shengyowon. Before the Ionan Empire unified the land, three kingdoms fought for control—and one of them, Honglung, made it their purpose to gather every artifact, scroll, book, and ancient text they could find, even those predating Amaterasu herself. All of that knowledge was later consolidated in Shengyowon."
"So you want us to infiltrate it?" Vincent asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"While I know you're capable of slipping into secure places, Shengyowon is in a league of its own. It's the most heavily guarded location in the entire empire," Deikher warned. "You might manage to get inside, but escaping with your lives would be nearly impossible."
"Then what's the plan?"
"Simple—gain their trust. Become allies with the Sheng Family who oversees Shengyowon. There's an event called Fang Heian that takes place once every three years. It will be held again in five months' time, and I need both of you to be in attendance." Deikher said.
"Are you certain we're the right choice for this?" Kei asked. "Neither of us knows anything about Iona's customs or lands."
"Don't let that trouble you. I've already arranged for Haein to provide you two with quick details," Deikher assured him. "As you know, she was born and raised in Iona. She may not know every detail, but she'll be more than familiar enough with how things work there to keep you both on track."
"But will she agree to come with us?"
"Our resources are stretched thin right now—you know how it is when crises mount," Deikher explained with a heavy sigh. "A standard strike team has three members, but we're spread across multiple fronts. Konor is leading Cero and Kiara on several campaigns in the Walaxia mountains. Karina and Haein have only just come back from their own expedition, and we need them both to help handle the surge of gates opening across the western regions. Even Lady Sora can't afford to stay at headquarters anymore—she's out in the field too."
"I see," Kei nodded, understanding the weight of their situation.
"So it looks like it's just me and Kei—should be a walk in the park," Vincent said with a grin, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm.
Kei simply brushed off his comment, settling back in his chair with his arms crossed.
When Haein and Karina finally arrived at the underground chamber, Haein wasted no time. She pulled out a small leather-bound notebook and began walking Kei and Vincent through key points of Iona's culture and laws, carefully outlining what to do—and what to avoid—to keep from drawing unwanted attention from local authorities. "The Fabled Class isn't widely known in Iona," she emphasized, "so we don't have any bad blood there. But that also means we have no protections—you'll have to blend in and play by their rules if you want to stay safe and get your work done."
Haein took her time breaking down Iona's general laws and customs, making sure every detail was clear. "One thing you'll notice right away," she said with a small smile, "is that physical presence carries a lot of weight here. People value attractive features and a strong physique just as much as skill or profession—it's one of the ways they quickly gauge trustworthiness and respect." She glanced between Kei and Vincent, her expression brightening. "Luckily for us, you two are both sharp-looking young men. That should work in your favor and help you navigate most situations without unnecessary conflict."
"Well, I'm definitely handsome—no question there." Vincent laughed, running his fingers along his jawline and tilting his head from side to side as if admiring his reflection. "Not so sure about Kei though; he's got that 'too serious to be charming' look going on."
Kei shot him a dry glance but said nothing, letting Haein continue.
"Alright, enough joking around," she said, her tone turning more serious. "There are a few individuals you absolutely need to be cautious of once you're there. There is Choi Eunjoo, the Dae-Ryeong, the commander of the empire's great Hwa-samurais. If you ever find yourselves facing off against him, your best move is to retreat immediately. They say he's a prodigy, so I suppose he's on par with Zein here, but with years more experience in real combat under his belt. He's not someone we want to cross lightly."
"Come on now—Kei might look calm and collected, but he's stronger than he lets on," Vincent countered confidently. "Between the two of us, I bet we could hold our own if we had to work together."
"Let's hope you never have to find out," Haein replied firmly before moving on. "Now, let's talk about how to actually interact with the people of Iona…"
She went on to cover everything from the proper way to greet someone based on their social standing, to how to behave in markets, taverns, and public gatherings. She emphasized the importance of showing respect to elders, avoiding discussions of politics unless invited to do so, and how gifts were often used to build trust in relationships.
When the briefing finally wrapped up, Deikher stepped forward. He placed a steady hand on each of their shoulders, his gaze heavy with responsibility. "The weight of this mission isn't lost on me, and I know it won't be on you either," he said. "What you discover about the Heavenly Crystals could determine whether Zeon stands against the coming darkness—or falls to it. We're counting on you both."
The other members gathered around to see them off. Byron gave Vincent a hearty clap on the back, his usual grin wide and reassuring. "Bring back some good stories, will you? And try not to blow anything up this time." Zein approached quietly, pressing a small, leather-wrapped pouch into Kei's hand. "Some herbs for healing, and a few powders that might help you blend in if things get tricky." Even Karina, who rarely spoke more than a few words at a time, stepped closer and gave them both a slow, deliberate nod—a simple gesture that carried all the encouragement they needed.
With their packs ready and their minds focused on the road ahead, Kei and Vincent set out from the underground chamber, heading toward the distant lands of Iona to begin their crucial mission.