7th Winter Moon, 908 – Midnight Village

Luna had a demanding mission to take on in Jason's absence, and she wasn't ashamed to admit the dread she was feeling being on her own in the Arcania Kingdom.

For the most part, the Arcanians kept their distance after the thorough warning Jason left them with. She had her own space to work in peace as she tried to figure out a way to get Arcania on their side. She envied those not caught in her position, knowing the massive undertaking of getting a village riddled with self-doubt and despair to take a chance that could just as easily lead to more loss.

It was a hard pill to swallow, she understood, but she could see the decay herself. Arcania just wasn't the kingdom it once was, and it'll never be that again if allowed to continue in the state it's in now. It wasn't just denial holding the Arcanians back, but fear of greater loss. Trust was a sacred thing, and they had they taken from them many, many times.

How was she going to help them understand the hand reaching out to them was genuine?

It was a terrible mess of thoughts to bury herself in, especially with her current project taking up most of her time.

She put aside her research into self-experimental alchemy and poured her time into tinkering with the headbands (managing to convince Daarkston to let her examine one). She took it apart piece by piece to understand the threat they were up against, and her previous fears became validated.

The main components worthy of examined were the wiring within the headband and the gemstone. The wiring, likely made with trace particles of elementium, were hypersensitive to the electrical signals produced by the brain. A mere thought could create an insufficient, barely noticeable spark that couldn't even generate force greater than a static shock. When worn by a creature with psionic attributes, however, it was considerably more dangerous.

The gemstone itself was the key to making those weak signals meaningful. A crystalized form of the Scarlet Flame, its legion-like properties allowed it to connect with another source of itself across currently undeterminable distances. If they indeed worked the way she believed, they translated thoughts into remote signals to command an artificial army.

A disposable army powered by the Scarlet Flame. It was a recipe for disaster.

Luna's prodding with the gemstone also concluded her other fear. Despite the simplicity of just destroying the headbands, she was right in keeping them intact. Breaking even a sliver of the gemstone resulted in a burst of flame she was barely able to contain before it could transform into a wildfire. She still had the burns on her hands, which were currently bandaged.

Not only were they controllers for an army, they could double as suicide bombs in the event of capture. It wasn't likely an intended purpose given the flame's volatile nature, but still a dangerous aspect to consider.

Luna leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Daarkston seems to be the only one who knows how to make the headbands, and he might be the only one who knows how to properly handle the crystalized Scarlet Flame." She glared. "Destroying the bands would be our best bet, but even if we found a way to properly contain the wildfire, that still leaves Arcania in a difficult predicament. Stopping the trade and saving Arcania requires us to reach an agreement. But how?"

A knock sounded on her hut's door. She glared over her chair, cautiously extending a vine to undo the locks while keeping a hand on her sword.

The door opened, and a Duraludon entered the hut, carrying a tray with a sandwich, a diced fruit bowl, and some water. She dressed in a mint-green sweater that went halfway up her neck, black pants, and a heavy black coat with an emblem on the back: an anvil with a red, blue, and green flame in the center. Her metallic body seemed to shimmer in an iridescent glow when caught in the light.

Given Luna's shaky relationship with most of Arcania's people, this Duraludon was the only person she allowed to bring her meals.

"Here," the Duraludon said, setting her food on the table.

Luna didn't look up as she went back to examining the dismantled headband. "Thanks, Enid."

"…" The Duraludon turned her back to the Snivy and scoffed. "You know you're wasting your time, right?"

"I'm aware," Luna mumbled, poking at the flame crystal.

"So, why are you still helping us?"

"Because abandoning people in need just isn't who I am."

"…" Enid sighed, crossing her arms as she paced up to the door. "We've heard that before. Doesn't make much difference."

Luna glared. "Nothing ever goes right, and it's unwise to expect it to. I've made that same mistake myself before I came to work with the Foresters. I wish you all would better understand us."

"…" Enid shook her head. "There aren't many clans left in Arcania, and some of us have just given up on our passions because of it."

"You're the village weaponsmith, correct?"

Enid smiled bitterly. "I come from a long line of weaponsmiths. It's basically in our blood to create weapons. Though, my family specializes in something a bit more…archaic to your westerner roots."

Luna took a bite out of her sandwich. "How so? From one alchemist to another?"

"…" She sighed. "You know how the roots of alchemy utilize nature and materials Pokémon naturally shed? Like fur, scales, cotton, metal, and all that? With Pokémon, it's…fascinating. There's a lot you can pull from tiny samples like that, changing the nature of a potion to give it that extra kick."

Luna glanced over her chair. "Okay?"

"Well, what if you used something a bit…bigger?"

Luna narrowed her eyes. "You're referring to artifacts."

"You're familiar?"

"To a westerner, it definitely sounds archaic. It's the process of turning a Pokémon into a weapon according to my teachers."

Enid smirked. "That's a westerner's narrowminded view of it. Remember, we of Arcania have a love for nature, thus we experiment on ourselves to become one with alchemy. That definition is also technically incorrect. While it's true artifacts are created from Pokémon, it's not done in the barbaric manner you were likely raised on as some ancient legend to scare the younglings."

"So, what's the actual process?"

"Well, there are two ways. One, an exceptionally powerful Pokémon can turn their power into an artifact to be wielded by others. Of course, this process requires exceptional talent, and it varies depending on how you manifest the form. For inorganic Pokémon, it's as simple as transferring the whole of your power into a severed piece of yourself. For organics, it can take months to turn your power into a physical form. We don't typically use organs or limbs unless it's given to us willingly. You'd be surprised how many preserved Cyclizar tails I have on standby."

Luna tilted her head. "And the second…?"

"Well, then you have someone like me: an alchemical craftsman. See, my family's alchemy is tailored toward creating rather than fighting. Like I mentioned, I have a lot of material stored away for crafting, and they're either pieces graciously given to my family by other Arcanians or anything we happen to find on the battlefield. We try to only use material that isn't vital to living, so we mostly just have pieces from inorganic Pokémon."

"Freaky."

"It seems weird to you, but that's just the roots of alchemy taken to the next level. You have to learn to see past what's taboo to understand everything. I'd graciously give up a bucket's worth of my hide if it meant pushing the boundaries of alchemy."

Luna scratched her chin. "Arcanian customs are truly fascinating."

Enid opened the door. "If you're not too afraid to talk to me outside your safe haven here, I'd be more than open to talk more in length—" Right as she let herself out, a flash of teal appeared in the room, and Vauquelin appeared hovering above the floor.

"Dame Freia," he addressed.

She frowned. "What do you want?" I haven't forgotten the head injury you gave me…

"A representative of the Umbra Clock Kingdom has arrived."

Luna perked up. "Someone's here? Thank goodness." She jumped out of her seat, rushing past Enid. I'm glad someone will be here to help me. I need all the help I can get. I wonder who they sent. Eadwulf? Maybe Zephora? She'd probably get along with most Arcanians. Perhaps Moira? A bold choice, certainly. Or maybe they sent—

HIM?!

Luna's eyes nearly shot out of her skull when she arrived at the village entrance. Zorzo Moonleaf, Zana's father, was there to announce the arrival of Umbra Clock's visitor, and it was the literal last person the Snivy expected to be heralding a peace operation.

Jet Fyrewalker.

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT?! Luna trembled like she was on her seventh cup of coffee, panicking as the Rillaboom led Jet toward her. They sent Jet? To help me? On a peace mission? With the people who literally work for our enemy?! Did Pandora arrange this?!

Jet stopped in front of the Snivy and glared. "Huh. Guess you're still alive."

"At least try and sound like you're happy to see me!" Luna snapped.

Zorzo sighed. "I was just informing Jet of our…current stalemate with Umbra Clock. I will assemble our highest ranking magicians for a meeting in an hour, though I don't expect much to change in their decision." He bowed before leaping into the trees.

Luna jabbed Jet in the chest, shouting, "Why are you here?!"

He brushed her hand off. "To help you—"

"The last time I had you for help, you nearly assaulted Sir Gerard!"

He scowled. "Oh, get over yourself, he was a grumpy old man! I responded the way I needed to!"

"Why the hell did King Tadhg send you here in Jason's place? We don't need a second fight to break out!"

Jet huffed. "Actually, I volunteered myself."

"…" Luna facepalmed and groaned. "Sweet Xerneas, we're going to war with Arcania…"

"Calm the hell down, we're not going to war with them…you know, yet."

"Uuuugh…"

He groaned. "Look, you all are being way too passive about this crap, so I decided I need to do things my way to get them onto our side."

She scowled. "How? By calling them zygotes and making them feel worse about themselves for siding with Last Autumn?"

"Sounds about right."

"I WAS BEING SARCASTIC! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"

Jet winced, picking at his ear. "Will you shut up already? Your screeching is giving me a headache." He marched past her. "So, I've got an hour to kill before I have to speak to the elders or whatever. Mind filling me in on things from your end?"

She rolled her eyes, but sighed. "I did some tinkering with the headbands. We can't destroy them without causing a massive explosion, so our safest bet is confiscating them. I'm not entirely sure why Jason didn't do that, though."

"I trust Jason's judgment. Like it or not, Arcania is still our ally, even if I'm not happy about which side they've taken recently." He cracked his knuckles. "Do you know when their cargo mule's supposed to arrive?"

"From the looks of it, a Takigawa will be here to retrieve the headbands on the twenty-third. So, we have a little over two weeks for Arcania to either let us help them or face two armies. I really do not want to go with the second option in case you haven't noticed."

"A Takigawa, huh?" A cruel smirk stretched over Jet's face. "After the crap we had to deal with because of Marie, I wouldn't mind cutting down one of her family members."

Luna grimaced. Evolving has certainly toned down some aspects of his personality…and worsened others.

"Well, well, well, you're the last person I expected to show up." The duo looked up into the trees, spying Zana hanging from a branch. She glared at the Dewott. "You've changed quite a bit, but you're just as I remember…Jet." She dropped down in front of him.

Jet scoffed. "Zana. Haven't seen you for quite some time. I heard you captured Luna and Victoria. Can't say I appreciate you capturing one of our rookies."

Luna glared at the back of his head. The fact I don't know which one of us he's talking about is already pissing me off.

"However, I promised to hold my tongue from the verbal lashing you deserve because the king wants to solve these matters peacefully."

Zana huffed. "Well, save the pleasantries for someone else. We're not backing out of this deal if it means preserving our land."

"Ah yes, this worthless stretch of forest is just so lovely. Totally worth selling your pride over."

Luna dragged her fingers down her face. Are you even trying?!

Zana growled. "I don't expect a vagrant like you to understand the love we have for our home. This worthless forest may not mean much to you, but it's everything to us. If this is how you plan to convince us, you might as well turn back the way you came."

Jet shook his head. "Let's be clear on your position here, Zana. We have more firepower than you. We're trying to be nice. We can easily bowl through your forest, flatten your homes, take those headbands, and take everyone here prisoner." He jabbed her in the shoulder. "You have no say in the matter, so you might as well act smart."

She scowled, batting his hand away. "You sound just like the Takigawa. Throwing around your power against the weak. Yeah, it's so much easier for you to say stuff like that. We're not stupid. We know we have a cannon pointed at us from both sides, but at least this one means everyone who's wronged us goes down in flames."

Jet glared. "And is that what you really want? To take your anger out on everyone just because those in charge screwed you over?"

"We're not ignorant to the way the west looks at us. They probably think we're as savage as the Subterrans. So, what changes?"

"…" Jet reached for his scalchop.

Luna immediately got between them. "Okay, okay! Let's keep this civilized here! We're trying to establish peaceful relations, not start a fight!"

Zana brushed her off. "It was never a fight. After all, according to Jet here, we've already lost. What's the point in being peaceful, right?" She leapt back into the trees and vanished.

"…" Luna looked back at Jet, gesturing to the falling leaves with a wild-eyed glare. "Really?!"

He shrugged. "What?"

"Is this how you plan on negotiating with Arcania?!"

"I know what I'm doing."

"I would love to see what part of this is working from your perspective!" Luna covered her face and groaned. "Can't you at least try and be understanding? This is a difficult position for them to be in as well."

Jet walked past her. "They're never going to learn the harsh truth if we keep coddling them. They need to face facts."

Luna scowled. "Jet, they love their kingdom more than anything. They're not just going to give up on it—"

"It's not the land they're clinging on to."

Luna paused. "What…do you mean?"

"…" He shoved his hands into his pockets and continued along. "Just let me handle this. Unlike you, I understand a thing or two about broken trust."

"…" She narrowed her eyes. What are you up to?

Daarkston once called himself a proud alchemist who would push the boundaries of their kingdom's alchemical achievements. He saw no road toward progress too steep or insurmountable to traverse.

But when it came to Project Talos, his faith in alchemy waned ever so slightly.

Despite his drive toward discovery, he understood the consequences of progress. For every great achievement toward a new discovery came a dark side to alchemy's teachings. The line between a miracle medicine and the deadliest poison came down to dosage, and creations meant to save also meant they could do great harm. That was the ultimate price for discovery, and it was a price any alchemist or scientist had to endure for the sake of such.

He looked over his schematics for the Talos controller bands, cursing himself for the intricate design. He poured his blood and soul into perfecting it sheerly to guarantee Arcania's safety in the coming war. A project divided up among the greatest minds across Virdis, each contributing to a weapon meant to suppress warring kingdoms in light of a new dawn. It was such a small part of the grander design, but one so undeniably necessary that he wretched at his heart.

His hatred for the kingdoms that rejected them was genuine, but he regretted much of his outbursts in the past. He didn't want to burn down everyone that wronged them. He just wanted to protect his kingdom's legacy. Either they comply, or they are eliminated. That was the choice that hung over their heads before they were ever given the order to construct the bands.

The old Kabutops threw down the schematics and covered his eyes, trembling in his seat. "What have we done…?"

He heard the door to his shop open. He quickly wiped his eyes and looked up as an eyepatch-wearing Golduck with a grizzly scar on his left side. He waved his cane erratically. "Alchemist! I am here for your finest poisons!"

"…" Daarkston covered his face and groaned. "Old man, I don't have time for this. Go away."

The senile king approached the counter, slamming his fist down. "I have narrowed down the king's exact position, but time is of the essence! If I don't find him today, my hunt will continue for another thousand moons! I implore you to give me a poison that'll—"

"Will you just leave me alone already?!" Daarkston snapped. "I've got more important things to worry about that humoring a delusion king!"

"King Kirby?! He's here?!" The eyepatch-wearing assassin waved his cane toward the front entrance. "Show yourself, you scoundrel!"

Daarkston collapsed in his seat, covering his face. "I…I'm just so tired. The moment we hand off these headbands, we'll be branded as killers for centuries. We just can't win. The reign of Arcania has fallen, doomed to a dismal spiral of failures and treachery. That is our legacy…"

A fez-wearing Golduck approached the counter. "Young man, there's no need to look so down over a bad sale. Why, I have to deal with troublesome customers all the time." He scratched his chin. "I still don't know why they refuse to buy that armchair…"

Daarkston sighed. "It's too much. We're just going to have to accept the facts. This is who we are."

Salesman Kirby stamped his cane down. "Poppycock!"

The Kabutops recoiled. "E-Excuse me?"

"Young man, is that the attitude you want your customers to see when they peruse your wares? You are a symbol to the patrons of this fine village, and you are to show them the dignity your products deserve! Look at me, I once sold a half-made ottoman for five gol because I allowed the customer to see just how special it was. If you don't have faith in your products, why should anyone else?!"

"But the headbands are dangerous. What's there to be proud of?"

Eyepatch Kirby smacked his cane against the counter. "You think any of us have anything to be proud of?!"

"How do you keep changing outfits so fast? I was looking right at you—"

"I've been chasing down the king for years, but do you see me giving into despair? Nonsense! I keep fighting the good fight in the name of justice because I believe in my justice! If you let something as nonsensical as the law and common sense to slow you down, you'll never get anywhere in life!"

"…" Daarkston frowned. "I-I'm confused. Are you saying working for Last Autumn is the right call or that it isn't?"

The mad duck pointed his cane to the fossil's neck. "What is your heart telling you, you old geezer?"

"I…don't feel good about what I'm doing?"

"Buuuuut…"

"…" Daarkston looked aside. "But that doesn't mean I should be ashamed of my profession as an alchemist?"

Salesman Kirby snapped his fingers. "And that's precisely the attitude you need to put forth for the customers!"

"S-Seriously, looking right at you. Where did the eyepatch go—" He froze as the mad king reached up, placing his hand on the fossil's shoulder. The tension in his body loosened, staring in the gentle eyes of…the king. Not the mad salesman or assassin.

It was just King Kirby.

"Jonathan. You're an inspiration to the young alchemists of today. The pursuit for progress is a frightening journey, but that is the heart of our traditions. That is what we hold onto so dearly. Our love for this kingdom is true and just. You did what you had to for our safety."

"…" Daarkston frowned. "Your Majesty…"

The king sighed, resting forward on his cane. "It's been a great many years since the dreadful battle. The spirits of our people have diminished significantly. There is no good will left to give for those outside the kingdom. The horrors that await us."

"…What would you have us do? Are we making the right choice?"

Kirby laughed softly. "You tell me. Are our foes who live below the surface evil? Or do they retaliate because of our alchemical experiments from an age before my time? No history is without its blemishes, and some scars are necessary in the name of progress. Even our enemy, the Great Gate Empire, does what it does rooted in necessity foreign to us."

"Your Majesty…"

"Jonathan, despite our clashes with our enemies over these several decades, what I am most ashamed of is the hate it bred in the next generation." Kirby laughed. "Despite all that, I do not hold any hate in my heart for the empire or the other kingdoms that tarnished us."

"…" Daarkston looked down. "You are…a man among men, Your Majesty."

"Now, I believe you just asked me if you were making the right choice. How would you respond?"

The Kabutops narrowed his eyes for a moment, looking back at his schematics for the headbands with disdain. No, maybe not disdain. Perhaps…shame. Not shame for building the device, but for building it with hate in his heart. That wasn't what alchemy meant to their culture. This was the pride of their people, and he forgot that.

"…" He scooped up the schematics and marched into the storeroom of his shop.

Kirby smiled. "What are you up to, Jonathan?"

"What I should've done a long time ago: think like an alchemist." He shoveled whatever he could grab into his satchel before marching back to the front counter. "Your Majesty, I can't thank you enough for your wisdom."

Kirby tilted his head and laughed softly. "I'm not the Golduck I used to be, but I can still lead when I need to, old friend."

Daarkston knelt down and embraced the mad king, tears welling up in his eyes. "Thank you. Thank you, Mortimer. Thank you—"

"Mortimer Kirby?! Where?!" Daarkston recoiled as Eyepatch Kirby flailed his cane around. "Thought you could escape me?! Alchemist, I shall return later!" The elderly duck charged out of the shop. "You won't escape me this time, you bastard king!"

"…" Daarkston breathed a heavy sigh, tears dripping past his warm smile. "I truly cherish…those brief moments where I see that light in your eyes again, my friend."

Jet stood firmly in the meeting room of the Midnight Council, Luna standing worriedly behind him. Before them were the four acting leaders of Arcania in the king's absence: a Coalossal, a Crawdaunt, a Meowscarada, and Zorzo.

"An alliance with the Umbra Clock Kingdom is unacceptable," the Coalossal stated, crossing her arms. "With the delicate balance of our remaining territory, we cannot afford betraying the Takigawa Clan, especially with our pickup date so close at hand."

The Crawdaunt nodded in agreement, sharpening his pincers together. "We barely have enough warriors as is to defend ourselves from minor threats. One Takigawa alone is enough to wipe us out, especially one of Lord Takigawa's elite children."

Jet scoffed. "Sounds like the attitude of a bunch of cowards."

Luna facepalmed. We're doomed. So doomed.

Coalossal slammed her fist down. "Do you fail to understand the predicament we are in?!"

"What I fail to understand is your inability to do basic math. Here's the solution to your problem: we have an army to make up for your lack of numbers, so why don't you quit whining and just accept our help already?"

Crawdaunt grunted. "This is who Umbra Clock sends in place of the Fairy Knight? A child like you with no respect to his elders?"

Jet scowled. "Oh, don't you fret, I have no respect for anyone."

"You yourself fail to understand the scope of our enemy. The Takigawa are among the most feared soldiers in all of the east. Their clan's leader is singlehandedly responsible for exterminating a great number of our clans and stealing away our women and children to grow his festering horde of soldiers. They are not to be taken lightly."

Jet casually picked at his ear. "And which one of us managed to successfully invade the New Chariot Empire? Oh, that's right, us! Unless you want to argue that Emperor Nero and his army were weaker, I suggest you take my perspective seriously."

Luna grimaced at the Dewott. Can you please look a little more dignified?

The Meowscarada sighed. "We're going around in circles. Our main goal is to protect our culture, and we know of King Foirbeis' reputation. Our alchemy means everything to us. You've made your position clear that your army can defeat us in combat. We do not deny this, thus it doesn't look favorable to accept an offer based on assured destruction for incompliance."

Luna stepped forward. "Ladies and gentlemen of the council, please understand we have no intention of misusing or taking away your research into alchemy. If anything, the king celebrates the spread of knowledge. Your knowledge on the subject—"

"—would be an invaluable resource," Coalossal guessed with a scowl.

Luna flinched. "I…cannot deny that fact, but—"

"That's the only value the kingdoms and empires have gotten out of us," Crawdaunt said. "We're viewed as nothing more than tools, just like it was then and now. Again, why should we accept an offer such as this when our lives are considered a secondary objective?"

"That's not true!" Luna insisted. "Look, I assure you, King Foirbeis is not a man who lies about what he desires. He truly wants to help you, but the Arcania Kingdom just cannot survive under these conditions. You don't know what Last Autumn is like. You can't guarantee whatever deal of preservation they offered will make you happy."

"…" The Meowscarada looked up at Zorzo. "You've been awfully quiet, dear. What's your take on all this?"

"…" Zorzo sighed. "I am deeply ashamed for our actions when the Fairy Knight confronted us. You must understand, we had to take this deal under duress. Last Autumn merely wished for us to complete one component of their grand plan. If we didn't, the Takigawa would've been free to destroy what was left of our land."

Jet scoffed. Sick freaks.

"It's not easy for us to accept this deal. Many of our remaining villagers have experienced trauma that'll be with them for the rest of our lives." He covered his face. The Meowscarada touched his arm gently. He wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close. "Arista and I…we lost our son to that massacre, and it's been…a great weight we've had to carry ever since. None were more affected than my daughter. Zana watched Lucco die in front of her. He was loved very much, and…this whole situation has taken its toll on her."

"…" Luna frowned. "I'm so sorry."

Arista wiped her eyes. "We're ashamed of the road we're traveling on, but there's nowhere else for us to go. This is the fate of Arcania, and we're not proud of it."

"…" Jet sighed. Trust. Once it's broken, it's nearly impossible to fix. That's the one promise you can't break. Break it enough times, what's left to put back together? He glared. That's why I'm here. I'm going to show them how to trust again. That's how we fight under Melissa's banner for peace.

Curiosity getting the better of her, Zana hung outside the meeting hut curled up against the wall. She hugged herself, resting her face in her arms. Tears dripped onto her fur.

Lucco…

15th Winter Moon, 908 – Umbra Clock Kingdom

"Come on, come on. Ye're almost there."

Rikmai breathed slowly, taking one step at a time on the guided path toward Adenine and Tank. Every day, little by little, she was getting control of her legs again. Every step, though arduous and taxing, was another step closer toward recovery.

She nearly faltered under her own weight a couple of times, but persevered to the end of the path. She reached the finish line and collapsed to the floor, sighing with content.

"Ya did it!" Adenine cheered.

Tank gave a thumb-up. "Good job."

Rikmai panted gently, looking up at them with shimmering eyes and a grateful smile. "I can't thank you both enough for helping me. Especially you, Benjamin~," she said with unsubtle flirtation.

He shrugged and went over to collect her wheelchair. "Well, you seem to work harder when I'm around, so I figured some positive encouragement would do some good."

Rikmai held her cheeks, squealing with glee. So thoughtful~!

Adenine helped the Vaporeon stand. "Once ya've fully recovered, we can escort ya to the Senbo Kingdom and reunite with everyone. They'll be so happy to see ya alive and well."

She smiled. "Totally!" She pumped her fist, smiling smugly. "Just wait until I brag about this to my family! I survived a fight with the Roar of the Wastes!"

Tank pushed her wheelchair over. "Pretty sure they'll be just relieved you're still alive."

"Oh yes, that, too." With Adenine's help, she plopped herself back onto her wheelchair. She sighed. "So, I'm a bit out of the loop, but how's your whole…situation with Arcania going along?"

Adenine sighed. "Ah'm just as lost as mah pa during the holidays. All Ah know is that Jet should be eventually reportin' back about progress." She grimaced. "Although, we did send Jet to be our spokesman, so Ah'm not holdin' mah breath for positive results."

Tank shrugged. "Hey, he's not that bad. He wouldn't have offered to go if he didn't think he could handle it. It's been a week. He couldn't have caused that much trouble." He frowned. "I'm more worried about those rumors about an…artificial army."

Rikmai flinched. "Artificial what now?"

Adenine shivered. "Gives me the shudders. Is that sort of thin' even possible?"

Tank held his hips and sighed. "Nothing I could ever build, that's for sure. A part of me wants to write it off as a scare tactic, but…well, given the crazy stuff we're getting ourselves into as of late—"

"It's not entirely out of the realm of possibility," Rikmai guessed.

"Precisely." Tank scratched his chin. "I know Pandora's raving over the idea. If they are real, and if she gets her paws on one of them…"

Adenine laughed awkwardly. "Ah rather not consider the routes."

Rikmai looked down unsurely. She remembered when Alban first attacked the Western Alliance, something about the whispers of a new age coming to Virdis.

"Before the new year begins, a shift will occur across Virdis. The downfall of the ten kingdoms, and the rise of the new ruler who will bring this troubled land to salvation."

Rikmai clenched her teeth. Before the new year begins…it's already the fifteenth. She hugged herself. Please, please let nothing bad happen before then.

Castle Foirbeis War Room

With the threat of Last Autumn's secret project on the horizon, Tadhg focused his free time into researching what little he could uncover about the history of Talos. The information in the Stillsong journal was scarce, providing no exact details on the supposed automatons beyond their intended use. It was likely schematics for the design were drafted in a separate notebook, one that was acquired by Last Autumn at some point.

Plotting countermeasures against an unknown threat was hardly a simple task, but the information on the Scarlet Flame provided a necessary starting point for what they would be dealing with.

Based on the reports from the Echo Bell incident, he didn't like what he was imagining.

"All we can do is prepare for something bad before we can make exact countermeasures," he grumbled. He heard a knock on the doors. "Enter."

Una and Leitis entered the war room. "Hey Tadhg!" Una exclaimed. "Just making sure you're not hauling yourself away in the dark again!"

Leitis rolled her eyes. "Well, that, and we came to inform you that Vilde's troop has just returned from their scouting mission near New Chariot."

Tadhg frowned, setting his notes aside. "Already? Are you sure?"

Una crossed her arms. "Yeah, we were surprised, too. Though, according to the few teleporter Foresters that accompanied them—"

"That explains how they got back so fast," Tadhg muttered.

"They had to make an emergency teleport back into Umbra Clock territory. Vice-Captain Vilde wanted to speak with you, apparently."

"Hmm…" Tadhg stood up and followed them out. "If we're lucky, perhaps New Chariot reached out to us first and accepted our proposal for peace."

Leitis shrugged. "We didn't make it easy for them to refuse. I can't imagine a lot of New Chariot civilians are going to be pleased with the shift in their lifestyle."

Una laughed. "Ah, they had a couple months to adjust!"

Tadhg scratched his chin. "Still, it must've been quite the response to the proposal to initiate the emergency teleport. How strange."

The gates to the castle courtyard parted open just as Tadhg and his wives exited the castle. Standing in preparation for Vilde's return were Eadwulf and Sir Neil, bowing to the king as he joined their side.

"We spotted his return merely a half hour ago," Neil explained. "Did you receive word of his early return, Your Majesty?"

Tadhg shook his head. "Can't say that I have. I'm hoping it's news of the peace efforts with New Chariot. Perhaps they finally reached out to us."

Eadwulf crossed his arms. "Getting them on our side would increase our chances with Algus, given both territories' bitter rivalry. If they see we've allied ourselves with their enemy after the devastation they've endured, they might see us as a worthy force to do treaty with."

"One can only hope," Tadhg said.

Once the gate was fully opened, Vilde marched down the courtyard with his team of knights and former New Chariot prisoners-turned-soldiers in tow. He stopped before the king, dropping to one knee and bowing.

"Your Majesty, I've returned from our scouting mission in New Chariot's territory with an urgent message."

Tadhg smiled. "Give me the good news, Vice-Captain Vilde. Has Emperor Martius finally agreed to a treaty with us?"

"…" Despite his helmeted face, Vilde's eyes expressed a palpable discomfort that could be felt by the present party.

Leitis frowned. "You…did return early to tell us they accepted our proposal, right?"

"…" Vilde clenched his fist, digging his knuckles into the stone path. "Your Majesty, I…I bring terrible news from New Chariot."

Tadhg's eyes widened. "What kind of news? Did something happen?"

"…" Vilde sighed, meeting the king's eyes. "I'm afraid I didn't return in haste because of our proposal to the empire. No, in truth, I bring news of a catastrophe: Telo Martius has been invaded."

The present party's eyes widened. "Invaded?!"

"Someone attacked the capital?" Eadwulf gasped. "Who? Was it the Algus Kingdom?"

Neil grimaced. "It's just as likely to be Great Gate. There have been reports of the Takigawa surveying their territory."

Vilde shook his head. "No. It was neither territory." He trembled. "I saw terrible things from my scouting point. Terrible creatures I've never seen before descended upon the capital. Though damage was minimal, the resisting soldiers were decimated effortlessly."

Tadhg frowned. "Terrible creatures?"

"I did recognize two banners being wielded by the invaders. One belonged to the Subterra Kingdom, and their king was on the frontlines."

Eadwulf scratched his chin. "The Subterra Kingdom attacked? Who spurred them to invade now?"

Una raised her hand worriedly. "Uh, who was…the second banner?"

"…"

A terrible tremble shook the listening audience, filling them with a cold dread that was most felt by the young king who stared at the Armorouge in abject horror.

"My king, it was House Blackwood's emblem."