As it turned out, trying to walk while only seeing through a vague sense that I wasn’t familiar with was rather hard. I found myself on more than occasion nearly bumping into people until I managed to slowly get used to guiding myself off of the vague outlines of mana I could see.

  By the time we had begun heading back towards the estate the sun was already beginning to set in the horizon, casting much of the city in a dim golden glow.

  “So, you just heading to the school now, Kirin?” Tulip asked as she walked a few paces in front of me.

  “Probably would be best…” I said with a light sigh. With the sun setting people were quick to retreat towards their homes, vacating the vast cityscape into a much more manageable meander of crowds.

  It was refreshing no longer feeling oppressed by an endless wall of colors, even if they were muted by the linen over my eyes.

  “Want to just split up here then?” Tulip asked calmly.

  “I guess so, but sure you don’t want to watch me bumble through the streets half blind any longer?” I retorted with a self-depricating chuckle.

  “I think I’ve seen enough of that for one day,” Tulip answered with a giggle. “Panna?” Tulip then asked.

  “I’ll head back to the manor… Would you like me to have a bath ready for you, Kirin?” Panna asked.

  “That would be nice—But don’t stay up too long, alright? I don’t know how long Daedrik will be needing me,” I answered with a light sigh. “I’ll see you when I get home, Panna.” I added with a slight wave.

  “I’ll see if I can get Father to actually make a more finite schedule for things as well. Same time tomorrow, Kirin?” Tulip inquired.

  “Yeah, same time tomorrow—Hopefully I’ll actually be out of bed by then.” I said, already dreading the idea of an early day.

  “You better be out of bed by then.” Tulip said threateningly before seemingly starting away.

  “I’ll see you when you arrive, Kirin.” Panna said with a tone that easily reflected the happy yellow colors surrounding her.

  “See you then.” I replied with a soft wave. Almost immediately afterwards I found myself working my way towards the outer edge of the city. After only a few blocks I was able to shed my blindfold, the ebbing crowds finally giving away enough that I could afford as much with only minor discomfort.

  —

  “How close are they?” Verdant asked as she moved, Tassia still clinging tightly to her back even as the first-laiden air threatened to freeze her lungs through.

  “Two hundred paces behind. Wall is twice that in front.” The nearest guard to Verdant’s side answered, their gruff voice struggling through the cold even more than Verdant was.

  “Keep moving—If they catch us before we reach the city we’re dead to rights.” Verdant declared before redoubling her pace. Thick snow lay underfoot, snow that was compressed from years of snowfall—Yet the powdery top layers were still more than thick enough to slow her down immensely.

  “We won’t make it at this pace.” Another guard stated the obvious from her other side, their voice sounding more… resolute than the first.

  “No!” Verdant declared, her gaze turning to risk a glare at her compatriots. “You are not about to go and sacrifice yourselves—I will not have people dying before we’ve even taken our first steps!”” Verdant’s voice was shaking as she spoke, her jaw clenching tight as soon as she finished.

  “My lady, you aim far too high to think small now,” One of the guards said, Verdant could almost hear the resolution in his voice. “You two, get them to the vessel. I’ll see you both within the Mountain’s View.” Without another word the guard halted, his foremost foot slamming heel first into the ground before he slid to a stop. In a smooth motion he turned, his blade drawn—And Verdant lost sight as he charged back up the hill with a warcry aimed at the silent assailants chasing them down.

  “Damnit!” Verdant hissed. She desperately wished to use her magic, to forcibly drag him back, but she couldn’t—Not while she was carrying Tassia. All she could do was run, run and pray that indeed, they would all meet again on the other side.

  —

  It was quite a walk to get out towards the school again. With the massive island having landed a small ways outside of the city, which was a good thirty minute walk out towards it. However, there was at least a sort of magical lift that would raise a platform of stone up towards the island—Something I was quite thankful for, as the other option was to attempt climbing the grand chains that held the island to the ground.

  Craning my neck upwards, I was able to see the vestiges of cacophonous colors peaking over the ledge. With a light sigh, I accepted the fact that I would almost certainly be the last to arrive.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  When the platform came to a gradual stop, my assumptions were proven correct.

  Five figures stood in a group, four of which I could handily recognize without much concern, the fifth I could only just vaguely recognize.

  “Ah, the last finally arrives,” Daedrik declared from the head of the group, a smile on his face as always. “You've already met the rest, so of course the last and closest to your rank among your peers, Alexander Vonstrova.”

  Daedrik turned, gesturing to the group of Skyliners. They seemed to be lined up in rank of seniority, making it easy to pick them apart again.

  The eldest in line was Samuel, a man who looked average in nearly every way—Tall, but not massive. Fit but not quite toned. His messy brown hair and blue eyes did little more to make him stand out, but the colors surrounding him could have picked him out from any crowd.

  He just had an aura of warmth and trust about him, not unlike a father, or an elder brother.

  Next in line was a man who stood a clean foot shorter than Samuel, Lucille. His black hair and green eyes almost gave him an aura of someone sly or shady, yet the caring green and blues which emanated from him gave off nothing but peace of mind.

  Then there was the giant in the gathering, a woman who was rivaled only by Levi in shear size and muscle mass. Yet, despite that fact she still managed to Keep a feminine frame I could only be jealous of. With the smile on her face and the joyous, golden aura around her, it was easy to recognize Lillicia.

  And lastly there was Alexander. Taller than Samuel, yet still nearly a foot shorter than Lillicia. His golden blonde hair and deep purple eyes were two things I could still recognize, even a year after seeing him in the Arena.

  I couldn't parse him by his colors, they were all muddled together like a swirling puzzle—Almost as if he was obfuscating them somehow. Even stranger was the satisfied smile on his face when our gazes met.

  “Ehem,” Daedrik cleared his throat, gathering our attention as I got in line to Alexander's side. “More thorough introductions can be made in the coming days. For now, it's time we talk about the mission at hand.”

  —

  A great wall lay before them, blocking their entry into the coastal city.

  Verdant was already lost in thought by the time they made their way up to the wall proper. Behind them, the sounds of fighting grew more intense—Her guard was more than a match for the Flamewatch, but he was outnumbered severely.

  The entire situation has gone to hell so quickly, every part of her plan was falling away from her. She wasn't ready—It wasn't supposed to happen for another month, but her damned father…

  “My Lady?” One of the two remaining guards cut off her thoughts, snapping Verdant's attention back to reality.

  “Yes?—Ehm, yes, yes. Stealth is already gone…” Verdant said, clearing her throat before she stapped back from the wall. She shifted her grip under Tassia's legs lightly, causing the girl to whimper before Verdant could speak.

  “Just a moment Tass, we're almost out of here.” Verdant assured, though, her tone nearly betrayed that she was trying to convince herself as well. With a slow motion she crouched down, letting Tassia stand under her own weight for a few moments so that Verdant could do her work.

  Stepping back from the wall, Verdant took in a slow, steadying breath. She sretched her arm slowly, tracing her along her side and down to her hip. Her index finger gently brushed against a belt of gemstones on her right hip, she could feel the heat, begging to be unleashed. Just this once, she would let it be unleashed.

  “Desolation.”

  —

  “Firstly,” Daedrik began, his gaze settling on me first. “Be up and ready early tomorrow morning. A carriage will be ready to take you to the castle, the King will be officially granting you your title as Empyrean.” Daedrik's usual jovial tone was gone as he spoke, a sense of firm urgency filling his words.

  “Aftwards, you will all be setting off North to Avernus. Then, towards the Dwarven City-States. Specifically, the former Empirial capital of Wind Rose.” As soon as Daedrik finished Samuel raised his hand, recieving a quick, yet firm nod from Daedrik.

  “Sir, aren't the Dwarves still locked in their civil war over succession?” Samuel asked, his tone clearly concerned.

  “Indeed they are, but Wind Rose has remained neutral in the war. As one of few truly neutral regions in the world, it will be the place hosting a meeting between you Skyliners, and a group that I cannot disclose at this time.” Daedrik answered.

  When the group fell silent I could feel a sort of pressure in the air, one of calm anxiety. The fluctuating colors around everyone remained the same, yet the air almost felt heavier in the silence—A weight which grew tenfold when I hesitantly raised my arms.

  “Don't be afraid to ask questions, Kirin.” Daedrik said with a nod towards me.

  “May I asked what the mission is? I still don't really understand what a Skyliner is supposed to be—Let alone why us, a bunch of students, are being sent to another nation?” I was rather blunt with my question, my gaze meeting Daedrik's. All he did for a few mlments was smile at me before nodding.

  “You Skyliners are sent on special missions like this. Things that are sensitive and need those with the greatest potential and least reputation sent out for. Sure, a top-ranking Officer or Noble would be preferable for some of these missions, but sending an unknown helps us keep initiative,” Daedrik explained calmly before taking a deep breath and continuing.

  “You five are going to Wind-Rose for a political liaison, and a request for help. As to who its for, I cannot say. At least not as long as you're on Berinian land.” He answered.

  After more silence settled on the group he gave us all a reassuring smile and a subsequent clap.

  “Well, you should all head to your homes and get some rest,” Daedrik said, waving his hand slowly. “Sunset tomorrow evening, the Northern Gate of the city. You better be there, lest you want me to drag you lot there myself.” He called out over his shoulder as he walked away.

  Silence fell over the group after that, at least until Samuel raised his hand and cleared his throat for our attention.

  “Well, I’ve never seen him act like that, so, I would think it’s best that we listen and get some rest,” Samuel said with a nod towards the group. Everyone but me muttered their agreements, turning away with the knowledge we would be meeting up again soon. “And, Kirin?” Samuel asked as he turned.

  “Yes?” I inquired with a raised brow.

  “Welcome to the Skyliners. Usually we’d have some sort of welcoming ceremony, but, I guess duty calls first.” Samuel said with a smile. After a few more moments of silence he turned and made his way towards the school as well.

  “Guess it's time to head back…” I grumbled to myself. It was going to be a long walk back into the city.

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