The group reached the front of the mansion and stepped toward the shimmering barrier.
"We'll be going on foot, just like the old days!" Morvath declared, his voice booming with a morning energy that felt almost aggressive.
Vaelus let out a long, theatrical groan. "Aughhh! Can't Eiden just summon some horses or something?"
"Where's the fun in that?" Seraphaine countered, her excitement perfectly mirroring Morvath's. "It isn't a real adventure if it goes by too fast."
Selyndra sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I suppose you're right... I won't complain. Let's just get moving."
Dravien and Morvath stepped through the invisible veil first, vanishing into the forest path beyond. One by one, the others followed, emerging onto a dirt road that cut through the ancient woods.
"If we go right, we hit the border of Linn—oh wait," Dravien chirped, skipping ahead. "Never mind. They took the border down."
"Why?" Eiden asked, his brow furrowing.
"Because everyone's favorite elven mage returned from the dead, obviously!" Dravien laughed.
"Right... so borders are a thing of the past now," Eiden murmured.
They walked in silence for a time. The world was alive around them; white rabbits darted through the underbrush, and birds sang soft, intricate melodies from the branches above. Eventually, the woods gave way to vast, rolling fields of emerald grass. Clusters of deer slept in the shade of a massive white dragon, its scales shimmering like pearls in the midday sun.
Morvath glanced back, his grin fading as he noticed Vaelus. "Vaelus, you're awfully quiet. Usually, you're the loudest one here."
"He's been like this for a while," Iris added, her voice laced with worry. "Is something wrong?"
Vaelus kept his eyes fixed on the ground. "No, it's nothing," he said, his voice uncharacteristically small.
"Maybe if we find a red dragon to fight, it'll cheer you up?" Dravien suggested.
"No... I don't want to fight a dragon," Vaelus replied, his energy clearly drained.
Morvath abruptly halted, raising a hand. "Stop. Vaelus, you aren't even interested in dragon hunting. Are you hungry? We did skip breakfast."
Vaelus finally looked up, his eyes heavy. "Just tired. My legs feel like jelly, the sun is too hot, and I'm starving. I just... don't have the energy to keep walking."
"I can carry you," Eiden offered.
Relief flickered in Vaelus's gaze. "Sure. I guess."
Eiden draped his cloak on the ground and knelt. Vaelus climbed onto his back, hooking his legs around Eiden's waist. Effortlessly, Eiden stood, retrieving his cloak and draping it over both of them to provide a cool, shaded canopy.
"Nice! Let's keep going!" Dravien cheered, resumed his skipping lead.
As the sun began to sink, painting the horizon in strokes of orange and gold, the spires of a kingdom rose in the distance.
"The Tcil Kingdom!" Dravien shouted. "Food for everyone—and especially for Vaelus!" He turned back, but Vaelus was dead to the world, his head resting peacefully on Eiden's shoulder.
"He's so calm. It's unsettling," Selyndra remarked, squinting at the pair. "He's usually a disaster when he sleeps."
"Whatever the case, he needs food and a bed," Morvath said.
They approached the gates, but Selyndra's hand suddenly dropped to the hilt of her blade. Her eyes narrowed. "Devils."
Eiden's expression sharpened instantly. "Ahead. At the gates. They're arguing with the guards."
A red-skinned devil in black robes was gesturing wildly at a shaking guard, while a pale, white-haired devil woman stood beside him with an air of cold indifference.
"I told you!" the guard yelled. "Devils are not welcome in Tcil!"
"Aww, but we're just hungry—" the male devil started.
"That's enough," Morvath interrupted, stepping into view.
The male devil turned with a smug smirk that vanished the moment his eyes landed on the group. The female devil's expression shifted to one of wary recognition. "Well. I never thought we'd run into them," she muttered. "Let's go."
They retreated into the shadows of the tree line, eyeing the Sages as they passed. The guard let out a breath he'd been holding and bowed repeatedly. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Selyndra stepped forward. "We wish to speak with King Tcil."
"Of course. Please, follow me."
Inside the gates, the city was a sea of white dresses and silver suits. As word spread that the Seven Great Sages had arrived, the streets erupted. Nobles whispered in awe at Selyndra's goddess-like beauty, while others simply fainted at the sight of the legendary figures walking among them.
At the castle, King Tcil himself met them—a man in silver armor and a white cape, wearing his golden crown with a warm, confident smile.
"Welcome, Sages. And to you, Ms. Selyndra," he said, bowing. "Please, make yourselves at home. You may have any room you wish—save for mine, of course."
"Thank you. We're exhausted," Seraphaine said.
Eiden adjusted Vaelus's weight. "I'll find a room for us," he said, heading for the grand staircase.
"You aren't giving him his own room?" Iris asked.
Eiden paused. "He's overheated and hasn't eaten. I need to keep an eye on him."
He entered a room filled with the scent of cold stone and fresh linen. After laying Vaelus on the bed and removing his sword, Eiden summoned a long silk robe and carefully changed the sleeping man. He tucked him under the covers, then used a cleansing spell to refresh Vaelus's traveling clothes.
"Creation Magic," Eiden whispered. In his hand appeared a plate of steaming pork and fresh bread, followed by a silver chalice of ice-cold water. He set them on the nightstand and turned to leave.
"Eiden?" Vaelus's voice was faint.
"We are in the Tcil Kingdom. Eat while the food is warm," Eiden replied softly before stepping out.
Vaelus sat up, reaching for the water, but something outside the window stopped his heart. On a distant hill beyond the kingdom walls, shadows were gathering. He channeled mana into his vision, his eyes widening as the image sharpened.
He scrambled out of bed, nearly falling in his haste, and sprinted downstairs.
Eiden and the others were gathered in the lounge when Vaelus burst in, breathless and still in his silk robe. "Eiden! Selyndra! It's Reia! She's outside the gates!"
"The Beast?" Seraphaine's voice cracked.
Vaelus nodded frantically. "And her daughters. Five of them."
A murderous, freezing bloodlust suddenly filled the room. Eiden's eyes had gone cold, his calm demeanor replaced by a sharp, lethal edge.
"Morvath, Seraphaine, Iris, Selyndra—you're with me," Eiden commanded. "Dravien, stay and watch Vaelus. We don't know where the sixth daughter is."
King Tcil entered the room, his hand resting on his silver hilt. "I'm coming too. Her daughters are legendary; you'll want a king at your side." He smirked. "We humans might not have mana, but we have our tricks."
The group stepped out into the night air, walking with purpose toward the kingdom gates. Tcil barked orders to his knights, sending half of them back to secure the castle.
"Now," Tcil said, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "Let us go meet our enemy."