Tucker read the words decorating the doors leading into the scholars’ chambers.

  Loyalty in silence, and honor in deeds.

  The words struck a string in his heart. He knew he had failed to show his loyalty, and the very deeds he strived to make were now wasted. Yet upon seeing Adira’s childlike demeanor, he knew everything would be alright. All that remained was finding someone to look after her while he went on his next mission, and the only person who came to mind was Charles. The scholar of the Order.

  It would be difficult to convince him, but if there was the slightest bit of a chance, then he had to try. Tucker watched as Alex pushed the steel doors open, allowing the light from the corridors to pierce into the chamber. In the open room, with countless bookshelves lining the walls and chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Two figures were standing before a long table with stacks of papers scattered throughout.

  One was Charles and another was someone he had not seen before. Her azure robe fluttered with each swift movement of her tanned hands as she snatched the pages out of thin air. She locked eyes with Tucker, who was still carrying Adira. Her purple eyes seemed to examine every inch of him but soon drifted onto Adira. Focusing on the magic circles tattooed on the child’s wrist and the magic shackles.

  “Charles, you have a guest.” Her voice caused the old man to gently shift his gaze up.

  “Tucker? Alex?” Charles stared at the three that entered the chamber with a warm gaze. “Oh my! I didn’t expect you two to return so soon! And who is this young lady you’ve brought with you?”

  Tucker glanced at Alex, who nodded. “This is Adira. We rescued her from our last mission.”

  “I see…” Charles carefully examined the markings on her wrists from afar. Then at the mana-draining shackles with a pitiful gaze. “It seems like the Empire has done something dastardly once more.”

  “They have, and we’re not sure what to do,” said Alex.

  “Hmm… and for what purpose did you bring her here?” Charles asked.

  Tucker and Alex exchanged a glance. The rookie cleared his throat and then placed Adira down on a wooden chair before looking at Charles. “Well, we were wondering… if you could take Adira under your care for the time being.”

  “Sure.”

  “Look, I know that it’s a lot to ask, but—wait, what?”

  “I said sure. I don’t see why not.” Charles stroked his grey beard. “It’s not like this chamber has a lot of folks here anyway, and we have extra rooms in the back.”

  “Right but…”

  “It’s fine, I already know. It’s not the first time I’ve seen something like this.” Charles motioned at his apprentice to come closer. “This is Daniela, my apprentice.” The old scholar knelt down before Adira. “She’ll help you get settled here, would that be alright with you, Miss Adira?”

  The girl quickly turned to Tucker, searching for an answer. He gave her a warm nod, one that was reassuring without any words, and without hesitating any longer. Adira glanced back at Daniela, then clutched the fabric of her white dress in a silent plea. Daniela’s smile was gentle and patient. She only extended her hand, waiting for Adira to step forward, and after a brief hesitation. The young girl reached out, her fingers trembling slightly before finally taking it and following the scholar’s apprentice.

  Once the two were out of sight, Charles sighed quietly. “So, what sort of punishment did they give you?”

  Tucker released a dry laugh and scratched the back of his head. “I uh… got a scarlet seal placed on my records.”

  Charles’ eyes widened in shock. “That’s pretty bad.”

  “I also got sent to the front lines.”

  “Oh, that’s really bad.”

  “What?” Tucker stared at Charles in disbelief. “I mean, it can’t be that bad, right? I’m being sent to a bastion city.”

  “If you asked me a month ago, I would agree but recently I’ve heard some unsettling news about the front lines.” Charles held the page towards them and shook it several times before them. “This right here is a copy of one report an officer sent to the Order. One who had survived an encounter with the Empire’s latest war machine.”

  Tucker took the pages and handed one of them to Alex. They both scanned the contents of the report with disdain and bewilderment. Something had changed in the empire and it seemed from the reports that some sort of mechanical creation had been developed. One that was fifteen meters tall and the pinnacle of sorcery and engineering. Its armor comprised reinforced steel plates interlocking around the machine’s limbs. Shaking the earth with each step and the sword and shield it wielded easily tore through the trenches and battle lines that had been formed. From the report, it had devastating combat capabilities. But no matter how many times Tucker read it, he couldn’t believe what was written.

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  “It can nullify magic spells and domains?” Tucker held the page in the air and shook it. “How is that even possible for something that sounds like a fancier version of a golem?”

  “We’re not sure,” Charles replied while leaning against the table with his arms crossed before his chest. “If we take what is written in the report for face value, then we’re in a very dire situation.”

  “Has there been any other reports like this where we fought one of these things?” Alex asked.

  “No, not that I’ve seen at least. All we know is that this… thing that the Avalon Empire has created is their answer to our defenses.” Charles looked over his shoulder at a map of the front lines. Focusing on seven marble pieces that were sculpted into castles. Then at the encroaching red line with several rectangular blocks placed behind. “We’ve been pushed back from our first line of defense on the southern lines. In a few weeks, they’ll be at the bastion cities.”

  “Already? But the war has just started.” Tucker moved closer and stared at the map. “How’s that even possible?”

  ”I’m not exactly sure. We failed to use memory spells to record the previous engagements.” Charles shrugged his shoulders with a tired look. “But there is good news.”

  “And what would that be?” Alex asked.

  “With the messages, we were able to decrypt. It seems like we avoided what could have been devastating losses on our end.” Charles pointed at a stack of papers resting to the side. “With your help Tucker, the other scholars and I devised a way to automatically translate these messages with a series of steps. I would go into the finer details of how it was done like I usually do, but sadly, we don’t have that luxury.”

  “Charles, is the situation that bad?” Alex asked.

  “I’m afraid it is. Our defenses were to buy us time, but with the Empire’s new weapon. They broke the stalemate that normally would have occurred.” Charles released a deep exhale. “I don’t know what to make of the situation. All we know is that this mechanical golem that the Empire has made is few in numbers, but whenever they appear, destruction follows.”

  Alex nodded. “Are they on the death list?”

  “As far as I know, yes. When there is word of these golems stepping on the battlefield, all divisions are told to retreat at this point unless there is a high chance of victory or if it is something the Kingdom can’t afford to lose.” Charles’ weathered face seemed to have grown far older once he finished his sentence. Right now the death toll of their soldiers had hit a threshold that far exceeded their expectations, but this was information that Alex and Tucker didn’t need to know. “But that’s enough of that. You two should rest! This is precious time to recharge one’s body.”

  “I’m fine,” Alex said with a smile. “Besides, I’m heading out soon with Owl.”

  “Wait already?” Tucker raised a brow to which Alex simply nodded.

  “I don’t know the exact details yet; it's just that the Administrators had something urgent for us to take a look at.” Alex took off his demonic leather hat and pushed it against Tucker’s chest. “Keep this safe for me. Where I’m going won’t let me wear such a thing.”

  “If you’re parting with your hat, then that means this mission must be pretty dangerous then,” Charles said.

  “Perhaps, it’s something that Rangers would normally get assigned to but we’re short on staff,” Alex smirked as Tucker held the hat in his arms. “I’ll take that back when I return, but for now, I must go. Owl would give me an earful if I don’t meet him to discuss our next steps.”

  “Ah, that fellow was always meticulous with his plans.” Charles nodded and glanced at Tucker, who accepted the hat.

  “Try not to die old man.” Tucker grinned and patted Alex’s shoulder with one hand while holding his hat with the other. “I won’t be able to watch your back now.”

  “From the sounds of it, you’re in a shittier position than me,” Alex countered. “I probably won’t be back for a while, but when I do come back, I expect my hat to be in mint condition.”

  “No promises.” Tucker watched as Alex took his leave. Each step echoing loudly in his ears as the veteran left the scholar’s chambers. Parts of him were disappointed in not being able to join the old man in his next mission, but there was no point in dwelling on the past. With the sound of the steel doors slamming shut once more. Tucker placed the hat on top of his head. “Alright, so in that case, what the hell should we do if those things come to the bastion?”

  .

  .

  .

  As Alex entered the corridor, he stopped for a moment and sighed. “You know, it wouldn’t hurt to at least say goodbye to your fellow comrade.”

  “I’m the last person he wants to see after requesting for his punishment.” Blaire leaned against the stone wall outside the scholar’s chambers with his arms crossed. “Besides, I’m pretty sure your farewell was enough.”

  “I suppose so. Now what exactly did the Administrators request of us?” Alex asked in a hushed voice while walking down the corridor with Blaire.

  “It’s a rescue mission of sorts. One that requires us to track down an individual that went missing.” Blaire pulled the envelope from his chest pocket. “This mission was requested by the Sword Saint himself.”

  Alex immediately froze in place. “What?”

  “That was my reaction too, but apparently this was the only way to get that old bastard to fight in the war.” Blaire’s voice carried a grave tone. “Honestly, this wouldn’t be something Nightfall Rangers would handle, but the contents of the mission are far more dire than I thought. It relates directly to that demon you two fought in the sewers and the Sword Saint’s disciple that went missing.”

  The old man stared at the envelope with his charcoal eyes. He brushed his grey hair to the side and continued walking. “Does that mean a priest will be accompanying us?”

  “No, not a priest. The Holy Kingdom is sending a paladin with us to handle this matter.”

  “And here I thought Tucker got the short end of the stick, but instead it seems like we got fucked just as bad.” Alex let out a dry chuckle. “Let’s go. We have some heavy work ahead of us.”