Imperial Palace
The EmperorNoburo nodded.
"Well I guess that settles it then. I'll see you all when we catch these criminals." The Emperor stood and thanked everyone for attending the conference. The Phoenix Knights that were stationed around the conference room escorted the nobles out, and more began moving across the city to protect the nobles to make sure no assassinations took place.
Esquoria DelegatesAlexander and Luther Esquoria both exited the conference room in the minutes following the meeting's conclusion. While they were walking towards their carriages, Alexander was reading the letter that one of the Knights had given him. As they went into the carriage, Alexander informed Luther of its contents. "
Apparently a Phoenix Knight from the Silenor House, or what's left of it anyway, has requested to see us."Luther was surprised.
"A surviving member of the Silenor house has willingly expressed their desire to meet with us? This is a rather interesting development." "
And that's not all. She has also inherited her family's Bloodline Magic, which literally revolves around the manipulation of actual blood." Alexander replied.
"Hmm. I think she would be a great addition to us.""
I agree. That's why I will ask the scribes to send a letter out to her. We will see what she can offer us. However, I'm not sure how the other houses will react to a Silenor.""
They will have to get over it. If we want to catch the Etira, then we need all the allies we can get."The Esquoria faction arrived back at their estate, where Alexander ordered a servant to pen a letter out to Alune Silenor.
To: Alune Silenor of the Phoenix Knights
From: The Esquoria Family
It has recently came to my attention that you seek an audience with us. The Esquoria will grant your request. I believe your skills will be useful as we get closer to finding and capturing the Etira. However, I will like to inform you that the other noble houses, and even members of this house, may treat you with disdain. I will do my best to ensure that peace remains here. The Esquoria Estate is open to anyone, so you may arrive whenever you can.
Sincerely,
Alexander Esquoria
Adelina LarotAdelina's heart sank. Being a Black Phoenix meant that she would no longer be involved with Luther Esquoria, or anyone else she cared for. If she died during a battle with the Etira, then the Black Phoenix would simply move on and find another person to join their ranks. Adelina sat there in silence for a long time, before looking at Caimus. With a soft, but firm voice, she said, "
I will join the Black Phoenix."Kalingway
The Cheristi FamilyElakashi and her father arrived in Kalingway after a short journey from Eravil. They were summoned to the capital after the Emperor personally ordered them here. Several Interior Guardsmen were escorting the Cheristi family as they stopped before the city gates. The Phoenix Knights at the gates noticed the IGs who were waiting outside, and immediately bowed and let them into the city. The Interior Guard wore drastically different clothing than the Knights. While the Knights wore vibrant red and gold, the Guards wore blue and black, and had a symbol of a sword and shield on their capes. Elakashi ignored the stares from both the citizens and the Knights and looked at her father. "
I wonder where they'll station us next." She said as she activated the Mind Awakening Seal in her eye.
"
Probably around the front lines. Any captured Etira members or even sympathizers for that matter, would give us a lot of information. And with our Mind Manipulation Magic, we should be able to find information quickly.""
And speaking of information, you may want to check out that guy across the street."Elakashi's father looked perplexed, before he activated his own Mind Awakening Seal. His eye caught what Elakashi was talking about. A man wearing dark colors was reading a newspaper rather...intensely. But that wasn't what caught Elakashi's attention. It was his aura. Although it was heavily suppressed, Elakashi was able to see that the man had an aura unlike any of the other mages she's been around. "
You think he's an Esoteric, Elakashi?""
Maybe. That energy he's giving off is also slightly malicious." With her eye, Elakashi remembered everything about the strange man she saw, from the aura to even the creases in his clothes. She could memorize the appearance of anything she saw, and keeping track of this man would be important.
"We need to keep an eye on him."KiyonariKiyonari had recently teleported to Kalingway after Jade resurrected Baesu Sayuga. He had been sitting at a table of a market reading a newspaper of events that had taken place. While they all differed in what was reported, they still had the same frontpage:
Etira Strikes Again. While word of their escapade in the Dacryn catacombs had not reached anyone, Kiyonari still preferred to be aware of what was happening. And it was during this time that he noticed Interior Guardsmen entering the city. He was surprised, since he rarely saw the secret police of the empire show themselves in public. Even the Phoenix Knights seemed intimidated by the IGs.
So the Emperor summoned his personal guard, huh? But it's far too late for anything to be done now. Kiyonari and Jade had a telepathic link with each other (which was one of House Cheristi's most well known forms of magic). Using the Mind Link, he informed Jade of what he saw.
Etira Base
Jade was visibly exhausted after the resurrection. The technique took a lot of magical power to perform, but with an archmage like Baesu Sayuga, she had to spend even more power than normal. She gulped down the magic restoration pill Kiyonari gave her before she left, and turned towards Cross. "
You are correct, Cross. Word of our mission has spread all across the empire-" Jade was interrupted when she heard a voice, before she recognized that it was Kiyonari. "
It appears that the Interior Guard has been summoned. I haven't gotten too much information, but I do believe that the Empire has been making moves to catch us. Be careful.".
Jade's magic was nearly depleted but she still had enough to communicate with Kiyonari. "
I should be saying the same to you. Don't make any dumb choices that would get you interrogated."When Jade was finished communicating with Kiyonari, she decided to see exactly what Baesu Sayuga was capable of.
"Everyone, keep your guard up. I will allow Baesu to act on his own free will, but if he does anything drastic, it will take a few seconds for me to place him under Level Three control."Baesu Sayuga slowly stood up and looked around. He seemed dazed. However, he quickly recovered and was now on high alert. With a deep, annoyed voice, he asked "
What is this?""
You've been summoned to...correct our society." Jade replied nonchalantly
Baesu Sayuga eyed each of the Etira members with suspicion. "
Do you mind explaining more? How am I here, and what are you talking about when you say "correct our society?" "
I'm saying that the democratic government you and the other Archmages of your time created, has now been replaced with a totalitarian monarchy, ruled with an iron fist by a descendant of Dyfores Allegrodo." Jade began breathing heavily. The resurrection took more of a toll on her than she expected. "
I'll allow the others to fill you in."