"So, Nevra. Are you going out tonight?"
"Yep. Gotta job to do."
"Make sure you actually do your job this time, instead of wasting time frolicking around looking for people to hang around with."
"Oh come on Ez, that was one time."
"Enough, you three!"
"…But I didn't say anything."
"What was that Valkyon."
"Nothing, Miiko."
A snigger came from one of the three men that were standing around each other while the woman who had reproached them. The woman – Miiko – had heard the three talking in the hallway from where she had been staying in the room of the Crystal; the blue, faintly glowing structure that was housed in a huge room in the Castle of El. "Nevra, you know what you've got to do, so you should go. It's getting pretty late."
'Nevra' rolled his eyes, adjusting the sleeves he wore on his arms. "Don't you know me by now Miiko? The night is when I come alive. I'll go out for my rounds and be back before morning in no time."
"That may be so, but you're wasting time."
"Valkyon and Ezarel distracted me."
"Hey!" The blue haired man explained while the other – Valkyon – rolled his eyes and refused to comment.
Miiko growled, rubbing her temple as she glared at Nevra. "You better be gone by the time I count to ten otherwise I'll promote your youngest to leader of the Shadow Guard."
At the threat, Nevra bid everyone a quick goodbye before slipping away into the shadows of the castle, the others knowing he wouldn't be able to be seen unless he wanted it to happen. Nevra was, after all, a master of stealth.
"Now you two-"
"Would you hear that? Someone needs me to make a potion to cure a nasty cough! Guess I should get to work on that!" The blue haired man, Ezarel, interrupted before turning heel and walking out of the hallway to the Hall of Doors. Rolling her eyes, Miiko turned her attention to Valkyon. What are you going to do now?" She asked him.
"… Take my companion out for some fresh air." He said with a small shrug. Miiko sighed, watching as he too walked off, leaving her alone in the hallway. Silently, she walked back into the Crystal room, closing the door softly behind her. The room was extremely empty - the walls were pure and white, not a single speck of dust could be found anywhere in the bare room, and there were no messy clusters of items stacked haphazardly across the warehouse.
"Let's hope he finds something." Miiko whispered quietly, reaching out to touch the Crystal. The surface of it was cold to a touch and not a good sign. "It means no progress." Miiko grumbled unhappily before sinking into the chair she had brought in with her a few weeks ago. "But... that means you aren't getting worse, which is good I guess." She whispered solemnly, running her hand down the cool surface before tucking tip back in her pocket.
"I hope that Nevra can find what you're looking for soon, Miiko." A passing worker said on their way out. It was neatly time for them to shut too.
"Nevra is capable, but he's too easily distracted. We should have send someone more focused, like Vlakyon. Or someone responsible like Ezarel, though his methods could be slightly unethical.
Starting up at the crystal, Miiko let out another sigh. They needed to fix this problem, and fast. The crystal had been dormant for too long, and the affects of it showed. Hundreds of people beyond the Jade Coast were tormented by the decision to completely stop the search for the pieces that had gone missing just last year. Maybe then...
Maybe the land of Eldarya will become peaceful once again.
"Please Nevra, bring me back something." Miiko said to herself, hoping for the best but expecting disappointment...