...
In the Midst of the Mountains...
Rovela and The Fraudster stood frozen, their breaths caught in their throats. Their eyes were fixed on the man before them who had just destroyed their weapons with his bare hands.
'Incredible... what kind of power is this? Is he human or a monster?' Rovela thought, trembling inwardly.
The Fraudster, feeling his pride trampled upon and his life threatened, could not stay silent. His squid-like face flushed with rage, and the tentacles on his back writhed wildly.
"WHO ARE YOU?! HOW DARE YOU STAND IN OUR WAY?!" The Fraudster roared with a thunderous voice.
Without hesitation, the monster leaped high into the air, gathering all the moisture in the surroundings to form a gigantic fist, and slammed it down toward the mysterious man with all his might!
"DIE!!"
However... the man simply stood still. His face was blank, devoid of emotion. He slowly raised his left hand forward.
"Black Vortex."
SPLASH!
A pitch-black void, resembling a dark tornado tunnel, appeared directly in front of The Fraudster's attack. The massive water fist hit nothing; instead, it was instantly sucked inside!
Not only was the attack absorbed... The Fraudster's entire body began to be pulled in!
"W-What?! Gravitational pull?! Impossible— AKKHHH!!"
Slowly but surely, the monster's skin and flesh began to erode. The parts touched by the vortex's suction crumbled into fine dust, vanishing into the void. The once-mighty beast now screamed in agony as his body was slowly disintegrating into nothingness!
On Rovela's Side...
Witnessing this horror, every hair on Rovela's body stood on end. He realized he could not afford to lose or wait. If he did nothing, he would suffer the same fate.
Quickly, Rovela gripped the hilt of his already cracked sword. He closed his eyes, channeling every ounce of his energy and soul into the blade.
"HYPEZERO: ANQUILUZERO!!"
TRANGGG!!!
The blue flames he usually wielded transformed completely. Now, the fire erupting from his sword was PITCH BLACK, yet at the core and tips of the flames were blinding streaks of PURE WHITE light.
This was no ordinary fire.
Description of Inquilizero Flame:
- Against Inanimate Objects: It does not burn things into ash; instead, it deconstructs matter down to the atomic level. Objects hit by it do not turn black or charred—they simply cease to exist, transforming into pure energy or vanishing dust without a trace.
- Against Living Beings: It does not produce the sensation of burning heat, but rather an intense, bone-piercing cold and a pain that slowly yet surely destroys the nerves. This flame purifies and destroys evil energy or dark magic with extreme effectiveness, acting as if it were a "judge" deciding the fate of its target.
Current Situation
The Fraudster is slowly being destroyed and consumed by the Black Vortex.
The mysterious man stares at Rovela with cold, piercing eyes.
Rovela stands ready, his sword wreathed in black-and-white flames that radiate an aura so terrifying it chills the very air around them.
"Do not underestimate humans..." Rovela whispered hoarsely, his eyes burning with determination. "This flame... will incinerate every evil that stands before me!"
The screams of The Fraudster slowly faded away. His body had been completely eroded by the Black Vortex, vanishing into dust carried away by the wind without a trace. Silence once again enveloped the mountain peak, leaving only the howling wind in its wake.
The mysterious man slowly lowered his hand, then turned his gaze toward Rovela Silvio, who still stood firm, gripping the sword wreathed in Inquilizero flames.
The black-and-white fire burned fiercely, radiating a strange and terrifying heat.
The man stared at the flames, then shifted his eyes to Rovela's face—filled with both determination and fear.
"Good... truly remarkable power," the man spoke softly, yet his voice carried clearly through the air. "A flame that can purify evil, yet is also capable of destroying everything... Your nature is wild, rebellious, yet overflowing with justice..."
He paused for a moment, then spoke a name with absolute certainty.
"From this moment on... you are 'THE RIOTERA'."
Rovela furrowed his brows, his heart pounding wildly at the title. 'The Riotera...'
"Who exactly are you?!" Rovela challenged, refusing to let his guard down.
The man smiled faintly, then bowed slightly, introducing himself with immense dignity.
"My name is Demesis. They call me... Lord Of Eye."
Suddenly...
"WAKAKAKAKAKA!! HAHAHAHA!!"
Demesis burst into loud, hearty laughter, looking at the Inquilizero flames flickering in Rovela's hand as if they were reacting to his presence.
"How amusing! Truly fascinating! This flame you wield... possesses the very same nature as the destiny you are destined to walk!" Demesis exclaimed, wiping a tear of laughter from his eye.
"Destiny? What do you mean?!" Rovela asked, growing more confused and alert.
"Calm down... I would never harm the newly born 'The Riotera'. On the contrary... I am here to give you a 'gift'. A vision of the future that awaits you all," Demesis said mysteriously.
Before Rovela could refuse or ask further questions, Demesis's eyes began to swirl violently like whirlpools.
"WITNESS IT!!"
TRANG!!
In an instant, Rovela's vision changed completely. The world around him vanished. He was no longer standing on the mountains; instead, he was pulled into a stream of visions that felt terrifyingly real and alive!
Inside the Vision of the Future...
Rovela stood frozen, his eyes wide in shock as scenes unfolded before him. Image after image rolled past rapidly yet clearly:
1. He saw King Alderic step down from the throne, succeeded by a valiant young man named Erico Roses. The Kingdom of Roses grew larger and stronger than ever before.
2. However, this happiness was not eternal. He saw the beautiful figure, Eivana Roses, lying lifeless amidst the snow. Her tragic and sorrowful death made Rovela's chest ache with pain.
3. Next, he witnessed the birth of a child shrouded in dark aura. Edinowl Roses... the child labeled as the 'Demon Child' who would bring about great division and chaos.
4. And the most painful sight of all... he saw himself, now old and gray, standing before the grave of a young man he loved dearly. Gaele Silvio... his beloved grandson, killed in a great battle!
"NOOOOOO!!"
Rovela screamed within his mind, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. His body trembled violently, his legs gave way, and he fell to his knees inside the vision.
"THIS CANNOT BE!! IT'S A LIE!! ALL OF THIS IS A LIE!!" he shouted hysterically, unable to accept what he had just seen—a future filled with blood, tears, and utter destruction.
Back to Reality...
SPLASH!
Rovela was thrown back into consciousness. He fell hard onto the rocks, breathing heavily, his entire body drenched in cold sweat. The Enquilizero Flame Sword Suddenly, Rovela's experience slowly faded away.
He looked up at Demesis with red, tear-filled eyes—brimming with anger, fear, and disbelief.
"Whether it is true or false... that is for you to live and decide, The Riotera," Demesis said coldly, yet his voice held a note of seriousness. "This is but one possible path that may come to pass. Now... it is up to you to change it, or let it happen."
The situation had become dire. Rovela was no longer fighting just against enemies—now, he had to fight against a terrifying destiny itself!.
Demesis waved his hand to the side. TRANG! A massive portal, colored Blood Red, formed in the air, spinning violently like a gateway to another dimension.
He looked down at Rovela, who was still sitting weakly, his gaze sharp yet filled with purpose.
"Listen closely, The Riotera," Demesis spoke gravely. "What you saw just now was the worst-case scenario. However, destiny is not a stone that cannot be changed. But remember... every step you take, every decision you make, will determine the flow of the current."
Demesis leaned his face slightly closer.
"Be very careful with your actions. Do not be reckless. Change that future if you are able. And remember... the birth of 'The Tyrant' is right before our eyes. Do not let the world be destroyed because of your inability to prevent it."
SPLASH!
Demesis stepped into the red portal, slowly vanishing along with his shadow.
Rovela remained frozen in place. His mind was in total chaos. His body felt incredibly heavy, drained not only physically but mentally as well.
'God... what just happened?' Rovela trembled inwardly. 'This brief encounter... consumed so much energy, and my mind feels like it's going to explode thinking about all those visions. The Tyrant... Edinowl...'
On the Lower Slopes...
DUG! DUG! DUG!
The sound of marching royal troops echoed like thunder. King Alderic Roses, riding an iron steed and followed by hundreds of knights and mages, was almost at the peak.
"There! I see Rovela's figure! Speed up!" Alderic shouted excitedly.
However...
At the mountain peak, the red portal had not completely closed. Demesis's hand reached out from within.
"Rise, ancient creature... awaken!" Demesis roared from inside the portal.
SKRIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!
A terrifying screech split the sky! Descending from the red portal came a colossal monster.
It was LAMMERGEIEROS.
A giant bird the size of a dragon, yet its body was not covered in ordinary feathers, but in hard, rugged stones that looked like obsidian from hell. Its claws were sharp and rusted, its beak massive and powerful, and its wings capable of summoning sandstorms. A legendary ancient scavenger beast!
"LAMMERGEIEROS!!" Demesis commanded. "Do your task! Attack the incoming forces of the Kingdom of Roses! Throw them into chaos! AND MOST IMPORTANTLY... DESTROY ROVELA'S INQUILIZERO SWORD! DO NOT LET THAT FLAME EXIST ANY LONGER!!"
SKRIIIIII!!!
The giant bird roared, then dove downward at lightning speed straight toward Alderic's army!
"LOOK OUT!! THERE'S A MONSTER!!" screamed one soldier in panic.
Seeing this, Rovela immediately stood up in shock.
"Damn it! He wants to destroy my sword and attack the King! Eilis, protect yourself! We have to hold them off!" Rovela shouted, gripping the hilt of his sword once more, which still flickered with the remaining embers of Inquilizero fire.
A new war had just begun, this time against a ferocious ancient beast!
"KRR....KRR....KRRAACKKK...KRR...KRACKK....!!!"
The terrifying screech of Lammergeieros tore through the sky. The giant bird flapped its hellstone wings, and the deadly battle began!
DARK ICE BREATH!
WUSSSSHHHH!!
Thick, freezing mist erupted from its beak. The temperature plummeted drastically in an instant!
"Aaaaahhh!! My body is freezing!!" screamed one knight.
Within seconds, dozens of front-line soldiers and mages were instantly turned into ice statues, then shattered into pieces and perished. No one survived that absolute zero temperature.
CORROSIVE ACID BREATH!
WPHOOSSS...WHUUSHHHHH..!!
Before the others could retreat, the beast exhaled a thick, toxic green gas.
Iron shields and swords melted instantly like wax! Even the hardest steel turned into toxic liquid. Soldiers splashed by it had their skin peeled away, feeling an excruciating burning pain that made them scream uncontrollably.
HELLISH PURPLE FIRE!
BLARRR....BLEURRRR....!!
Explosions of violet flames struck everywhere.
"My heart... it's so hot!!" cried a soldier, clutching his chest.
This fire did not burn the skin; it attacked the body from the inside out. The soldiers' blood literally boiled within their veins! One by one, they fell with wide, staring eyes and steaming bodies, meeting a gruesome death.
The army of the Kingdom of Roses was decimated in a matter of moments! Only a handful remained standing.
In Front of King Alderic...
King Alderic stood valiantly, raising his White Gold Sword to block the assault.
KRACK... TING... BURNNN!!
"WHAT?!" Alderic's eyes widened in shock.
His renowned, hardest, and most sacred sword actually began to crack, its color fading, and it felt unbearably hot to the touch. The sword COULD NOT withstand the combined assault of Ice, Corrosion, and Purple Fire!
"Damn it! My weapon is weakening?!" he exclaimed in alarm, forced to step back several paces to evade the lethal attacks.
Action by Rovela and Eilis!
Witnessing the horror unfolding, Rovela and Eilis did not hesitate. They stood back-to-back, their hands touching, their auras merging into one.
"EILIS! LET'S COMBINE OUR POWER! CREATE A TOTAL DEFENSE LAYER!" Rovela shouted.
"READY! MAGIC SEQUENCE: MULTI BARRIER ACTIVATION!" Eilis replied loudly.
White and blue light enveloped their bodies completely, then expanded outward toward King Alderic.
"ANTI-ICE BREATH: HEAT RESISTANT!"
"ANTI-TOXIC BREATH: NEUTRAL!"
"ANTI-PYRO BREATH: WHITE DIAMOND SAND!"
TRANGGG!!!
They were now covered by a rapidly spinning layer of invisible energy. Any attack—ice, poison, or purple fire—was instantly neutralized, deflected, or simply vanished upon contact, unable to harm them!
"LET'S ATTACK!" Rovela yelled.
The two shot forward. Rovela swung his sword, now enhanced by Eilis's magic, slicing through the wind and striking at Lammergeieros's wings.
"King Alderic! Take this!" Eilis shouted, hurling a ball of light toward the King.
"MAGIC!" Eilis chanted, pointing her staff at Alderic.
"HOLLOW MAGIC!"
WUSH!
The light penetrated Alderic's body. All negative effects, curses, and power reduction affecting the King vanished instantly! His strength returned completely, and his sword shone brightly once more!
"THANK YOU! I AM BACK AT FULL POWER!" Alderic roared in delight.
Now, the three greatest forces—Rovela, Eilis, and King Alderic—stood ready and immune to all the deadly breaths! They were prepared to exact their revenge on the ancient beast!
"ROAAAARRRRRRR....!!!!"
Overtone's roar erupted with deafening volume, equal in power to a volcanic eruption! The shockwave shattered the clouds and created fierce winds that slammed directly into Lammergeieros's face.
The golden-blue dragon darted swiftly, circling its enemy relentlessly, ready to strike from any direction.
But Lammergeieros was just as ferocious. It combined its ultimate powers!
"SKRIIIIII!!"
From its beak, it spewed Purple Fire that boiled blood, mixed together with Dark Blue Ice that froze the very soul! An impossible and deadly combination of elements!
BYURRRR!!! DURRRR!!
Fire and Ice collided in mid-air, creating a massive steam explosion that obscured everything from view.
"KEEP ATTACKING! DON'T GIVE HIM A CHANCE! HIT HARDER, OVERTONE!!" shouted King Alderic from the dragon's back, filled with adrenaline. His face was flushed, his eyes gleaming with battle lust. He swung his sword, guiding Overtone to target the beast's wings.
The aerial battle was so intense that mountain rocks crumbled and the ground shook violently!
On the Ground - Rovela and Eilis's Strategy!
While the King and the Dragon were busy distracting the monster, Rovela Silvio and Eilis Mogina stood atop a high cliff, their eyes glowing green.
They weren't attacking blindly anymore. This time, they were thinking!
"Eilis! Activate Analysis Magic now! We have to find a weak point!" Rovela shouted.
"READY! ANALYSIS MAGIC: TARGET LOCK ON!!" Eilis replied instantly.
TRING!
A green light scanned Lammergeieros's entire body from the outside in. Data flooded rapidly into their minds.
'Outer hide: Adamantite Stone. Impenetrable. Muscles: Ancient Dragon Fiber. Highly elastic. Heat Source: Solar Core...'
"Wait... look there!" Rovela exclaimed, pointing toward the bird's chest.
Beneath the thick layers of skin and muscle, a brightly glowing object was clearly visible. A Pendant with a large Dark Red Gem, radiating immense and infinite energy! That was the main source of its power! That was its heart!
"IT'S INSIDE! THE POWER CORE IS IN ITS CHEST!" Eilis shouted in excitement.
"HAH! FINALLY FOUND IT!" Rovela grinned widely, his eyes shining with absolute confidence. "No matter how hard its body is, if the core is destroyed, it dies! Eilis, prepare maximum power!"
"Ready! We'll blast a hole straight through to its breastbone!" Eilis answered firmly.
They assumed their perfect stances. Rovela raised the Inquilizero high above his head, its black-and-white flames blazing as large as a giant tree. Eilis condensed her magic at her fingertips, ready to help pierce through the defense.
"KING ALDERIC! DISTRACT HIM FOR JUST A MOMENT! WE WILL FINISH HIM FROM THE INSIDE!" Rovela roared with all his might.
They were ready to leap and thrust every ounce of their strength straight into the giant bird's heart!
The Final Attack!
Rovela held the Inquilizero forward, while Eilis raised both her hands. From the sorceress's fingertips, solid white light formed into a magnificent, giant Bow. Rovela's sword transformed into the arrow, blazing with the deadly black-and-white flames.
"Stabilize the energy... Merge our power into a single point!" Rovela shouted intensely.
However...
"SKRAAAA!!"
Lammergeieros sensed their deadly intent. Its red eyes narrowed sharply at the massive weapon being prepared below. With lightning speed, it flipped its body and dove down like a meteor, ready to crush Rovela and Eilis before they could fire!
"DON'T YOU DARE LAY A FINGER ON THEM!!"
That piercing shout came from the sky.
KING ALDERIC ROSES leaped off Overtone's back! His body floated in mid-air, gathering every ounce of his strength.
TRAAKK!!
BYURRRR!!!
With all his might, he plunged the White Gold Sword straight into the beast's back! At that exact moment, he unleashed a Sacred White Aura that exploded outward from his body!
This aura completely disrupted the flow of energy inside Lammergeieros!
"GGRRAAHHH!!"
The giant bird screeched in pain and shock. Its movements became stiff, erratic, and unbalanced! It spun wildly in the air, its wings flailing frantically but unable to carry it anywhere! It was completely stunned and disoriented!
The Golden Opportunity!
On the ground, Rovela and Eilis finally stabilized their magical connection despite the earlier turbulence. They looked up and saw the scene unfolding.
"NOW! HE CAN'T MOVE! OVERTONE, HELP US!" Eilis shouted.
"ROAAAAARRRRRR!!!!"
Overtone unleashed a super-sonic roar, equal to a volcanic eruption, right next to the bird's ears! The sound shattered Lammergeieros's focus and equilibrium completely! Its eyes rolled back, dizzy to the point of fainting.
"THIS SECOND! NOW!" Rovela shouted with all his might toward the King.
"KING ALDERIC! PULL OUT YOUR SWORD AND JUMP FAR AWAY! THERE'S GOING TO BE A MASSIVE EXPLOSION! HURRY!!"
On the Bird's Body...
Alderic, still clinging to the monster's neck, heard the shout clearly. He grinned widely, full of confidence.
CREEETT!
Quickly, he ripped his sword free from the thick flesh. He blew a small whistle between his lips as a signal to his dragon.
"See you next time, Stupid Bird!" Alderic shouted casually.
JLEB!
The King dove downward, and instantly Overtone swooped in to catch his master, speeding them away as far as possible from the danger zone!
The Ultimate Blast!
"FIRE!!"
TWANGGGGGGGG!!!!
Rovela released the bowstring!
An Arrow of Fire—colored Black, White, and Red—shot forward at a speed invisible to the naked eye! It pierced through wind, tore through smoke, and...
TRAAAKKKK BBBBOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!!
The arrow penetrated Lammergeieros's entire body as if it were paper! Nothing could stop it!
It struck directly at the Dark Red Gem Pendant inside its chest!
THUD!
The pendant snapped and was thrown outward!
"SKRIII... GGRRR...."
The structure of the hellstone body began to crack everywhere. The light in its eyes faded. Within seconds, the entire colossal body crumbled and turned into fine dust carried away by the wind.
Rovela leaped high, reaching out and skillfully CATCHING THE PENDANT mid-air!
"GOT IT! THE PERFECT PRIZE!" he exclaimed in satisfaction.
In Another Dimension - The Black Portal...
Meanwhile, Lammergeieros's soul and remaining energy were sucked into a black portal that opened in another dimension.
Inside, the atmosphere was dark and silent.
Sitting on a simple yet terrifying throne was Demesis: Lord Of Eye, twirling his ring. Beside him sat another figure completely shrouded in a dark robe, their face hidden, their aura cold and desolate. This was Armeliech, one of The Lords equal in status to Demesis, yet their name and true purpose remained a great mystery.
"Hah... failed again," Demesis muttered with a smirk, watching the ashes drift in.
Armeliech remained silent, staring blankly into the distance, as if waiting for something far greater to happen.
The atmosphere was silent and tense. Only the dim light from the portal glowed in the corner of the room.
Demesis still wore a cynical smile as he watched the last remnants of Lammergeieros's energy vanish into smoke. He turned toward the figure beside him, Armeliech, who remained sitting motionless, staring straight ahead without any expression.
"See that, Armeliech..." Demesis spoke softly, yet his voice carried a mocking tone. "One of our best warriors... gone just like that. Destroyed by a bunch of ordinary humans and an arrogant World King."
Demesis stood up and paced back and forth with his arms crossed over his chest.
"The power they displayed just now... it is no joke. That Inquilizero flame belonging to that boy, and the King's sacred sword... If left to grow and continue working together like this, our grand plan—the 'Future' we have designed and built for thousands of years... could crumble into nothingness."
Demesis's expression turned deadly serious, his eyes blazing sharply.
"They are a real threat. If we don't stop or eliminate them immediately, we will be the ones regretting it later."
Armeliech's Terrifying Answer!
Silence fell for a moment. Armeliech did not turn his head, nor did he move much. Only his lips moved slightly, uttering a voice that was flat yet pierced to the bone.
"Noisy."
Just that one word. But the atmosphere instantly turned freezing cold and lethal.
Slowly, Armeliech reached his hand toward a large black wooden box in front of him. He lifted the lid carefully...
KREEKK...
Inside lay piles of human skulls that shimmered strangely, as if storing dark energy within them. Armeliech picked one up casually, twirling it between his fingers.
"Humans... merely good building materials," Armeliech said in a voice that was incredibly cold and inhuman. "They die, then become tools. That is simply the cycle. Nothing special about them."
Suddenly, Armeliech stomped his foot on the floor.
TRANG!!
From the shadows on the ground, a perfect body emerged. Tall, firm, shaped like a flawless human, yet it possessed no face and no life. It was a Mannequin, a living doll made of shadows and dark matter!
"You worry too much, Demesis," Armeliech continued as he placed the skull he had taken onto the mannequin's neck, forming its head. "They are strong? Good. That will only make this game more interesting."
Armeliech patted the shoulder of the figure, which now stood rigid like a living statue.
"Send this to the State of Disidess. Hide among them. Infiltrate. Gather information. And destroy everything from within... when the time comes."
The mannequin nodded stiffly, then slowly melted into the shadows and vanished toward the outside world to carry out its dark mission!
...
After the inevitable battle came to an end, everyone packed up to return. Royal medics and healers from outside the kingdom worked together to treat the wounded.
Those who lost their lives in the mountain battle were remembered as heroes who fought against evil. The clash became famously known as "The Golden Highest"—regarded as the most intense battle in history, for its tremors and atmospheric pressure could be felt all the way in the Kingdom of Victoria.
And then...
In King Alderic Roses' Private Office...
The room was warm and luxurious. The fireplace crackled soothingly, but the conversation taking place was of utmost importance. King Alderic sat on his throne, while Rovela and Eilis sat before him.
Alderic's expression was serious, yet his eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"Alright... we are safe and calm now. But I need a clear explanation," Alderic spoke firmly, then offered a slight smile to ease the tension. "Tell me exactly what happened in Civica City? Why did you two vanish suddenly in the middle of the crisis? And how did you end up facing a monster that strong? Come, tell me everything from start to finish!"
Rovela took a slow breath and began speaking concisely and clearly.
"Very well, Your Majesty. Here is what happened..."
"We were initially disguised as merchants under the alias 'Miscellaneous Trader' to investigate traces of the Vulture Family. However, we were reported by a wealthy merchant named Boben Scriwel and arrested by the security forces. Just as we were about to be detained, we sensed a powerful aura watching us, so we decided to escape."
"But suddenly, a monster named 'The Fraudster' appeared and attacked us. Since the battle grew too massive and dangerous for the civilians, we were inadvertently swept all the way here to the mountains. There, we encountered a mysterious figure named Demesis, the Lord Of Eye. He was the one who summoned Lammergeieros to test our strength, and it was also he who showed us a terrifying vision of the future."
Rovela paused for a moment, his face turning grave.
"That is all, Your Majesty. We did not disappear because we ran away, but because the battle carried us here."
The Map of the Great Continent!
Listening to the explanation, Alderic nodded slowly, digesting the information. He seemed satisfied.
"Hmm... I see. Lord Of Eye, huh? A high-level being who plays with fate... dangerous indeed."
Alderic then reached for a large scroll on his desk and unfurled it. It was a magnificent and highly detailed World Map.
"Look at this..." he said, pointing to the map.
"This world consists of large islands divided into 7 Great Nations, each with its own kingdom. However, among these 7, there are 2 nations whose territories are shrouded in mystery—their leaders and contents remain unknown. Those regions are dangerous and strictly forbidden to enter."
Alderic then pointed to a vast landmass.
"And this... the land we are standing on right now is the State of Disidess. Within this state, there are three major powers or kingdoms that rule it:"
1. Kingdom of Roses — Led by Alderic Roses (Their current location).
2. Kingdom of Zewilste — A region famous for its advanced technology and magic.
3. Kingdom of Victoria — A fertile land possessing an incredibly powerful military force.
"So the situation is this... we are not alone. Around us lie other great powers, and out there, enemies are plotting something sinister," Alderic said, looking sharply at Rovela and Eilis. "We must be vigilant. This game has only just begun."