Imminent Tempest

In the dawning of a new day, a shocking discovery was made in the southern district. A young lad with skin as blue as the ocean lay lifeless, his body guarded by the watchful eyes of the security unit. In light of the peculiar circumstances, a messenger was dispatched to summon a representative from the discerning Intel Unit to travel to the southern region to investigate the remains.

Amidst the morning's tranquility, a faithful servant approached their master as they broke their fast. "My master," the servant, Anna, spoke softly, "Your superiors have summoned you."

The master, with eyes as dark as a moonless night, merely nodded as he savored the final morsel of his meal. "Tell them I'll be there soon, Anna," he replied.

Anna stood motionless as if frozen in time, awaiting further instruction. But the master, with a cloth to wipe his mouth, rose from his seat and stretched his limbs.

The sun's rays, like arrows from the heavens, shone upon his face, illuminating the panda-like circles surrounding his eyes. "All right," he spoke with determination, "Time to work."

As the slumber of night dissipated and the sun began to rise, Kisaki stirred from her slumber. She rose from her bed and reached to draw open the blinds of her chamber's window. The morning light flooded the room, bathing Kisaki in its warm glow. She stifled a yawn with her hand and peered across the way to another window, which was already open, basking in the dawn's beauty.

Kisaki stood before the door of Sarah's chamber, draped in the familiar garments of her day. She had lingered for five minutes, yet there was no response to her gentle knocks. Recalling the open window in Sarah's quarters, Kisaki surmised that her friend must have departed early. Yet, nagging uncertainties lingered in her mind. Steeling herself with a measure of bravery, Kisaki slowly pushed open the door.

As Kisaki entered the chambers of Sarah, she was greeted by the emptiness that had befallen the room. Though her belongings were still in place, Kisaki noticed the absence of Sarah's rain-worn cloak. This led Kisaki to believe that Sarah had ventured out amidst the pitter-patter of the rain and the gentle drizzle that had fallen from the heavens the previous eve.

"Sarah left after I confirmed that Mité was in the city," With urgency in her heart, Kisaki hastened her steps, her eyes set upon finding Sarah who she believed had journeyed to the grand halls of the Intel Unit headquarters.

In the grand square, Kisaki's steps came to a halt as she encountered a throng of onlookers gathered near a raised platform. The lamentations of a woman echoed throughout the air, piercing Kisaki's ears with a sense of foreboding. Praying fervently that it was not her dear Sarah, she pressed forward through the throng of onlookers toward the source of the distress.

As Kisaki neared, the source of the commotion came into view. A heartbroken woman cradled her beloved spouse, now forever still, in her arms. The onlookers murmured tales of the man's tireless dedication to his craft, and whispers of a thunderous roar that echoed through the night preceding his untimely demise. The solemn procession of the Security Unit arrived, bearing the bereaved couple away into the unknown.

It had been an age since Kisaki sought information on the whereabouts of Mité, but their inquiries proved fruitless. Despite seeking answers from the guardians of security, the armies of might, and even the watchful eyes of the intelligence unit, not a soul held knowledge of Mité's location.

All efforts were in vain. Despite all the trials and tribulations that Kisaki had undergone, she remained ignorant of the whereabouts of Mité. She was aware of his association with the fabled Intel Unit, yet the precise location where he dwelled remained a mystery.

The void of uncertainty surrounding Sarah's disappearance consumed Kisaki, filling her with frustration. She berated herself for being unable to take any significant action. The weight of everything, the blame, lay solely upon her own shoulders. "All this is because of me," She whispered, as she dwelled on her self-reproach.

Kisaki's rage boiled within her as she clenched her jaw and tasted her own blood on her lips. With fierce determination, she strode forward, landing a brutal strike upon a member of the Security Guard on duty. The guard was caught off guard, yet he tried to reason with Kisaki and calm her down. But Kisaki's fury knew no bounds and she continued to lash out, igniting a fierce battle. Despite Kisaki's valiant effort, her weaker physique proved to be her downfall and she was ultimately overpowered, falling into unconsciousness and being taken into custody.

As the noon sun blazed outside, the light did not reach the dungeons below where Tobias lay. As he roused from slumber, Tobias spotted a figure in the shadows, dining on a meal served on a plate of iron. It was none other than Inietta. Their eyes met briefly, but Inietta paid him no heed and went back to feasting, indifferent to Tobias' presence.

Tobias gazed upon the mysterious figure of Inietta, who sat savoring her meal in the dim light of the dungeon. For the first time, Tobias caught a glimpse of the stranger without the veil of her hooded cloak, revealing a being unlike any he had ever encountered. Inietta's bald head was swathed in tight bandages, obscuring all but a single piercing eye and her two slender legs. The sight of her strange and macabre appearance left Tobias stunned and filled with unease.

"Are you okay?" Tobias inquired with concern, but Inietta merely took a momentary pause before continuing to savor her meal, paying no heed to Tobias's inquiry.

Tobias saw the untouched plate of food next to Inietta and approached it, his hand reaching out to take what he believed was his own ration of sustenance. He was intrigued by the contentment in Inietta's sigh. As she finished her meal, he sensed an opportunity to gather information from her.

"Has Master Albalbel come here yet?" inquired Tobias, his hand stretching forth with the grace of a lion's paw, seeking to grasp the plate with both hands so that it might not tumble and spill its contents onto the ground. "Is that his name??" asked Inietta, her countenance nigh upon Tobias, her piercing sorrowful eyes nigh but an inch betwixt theirs. Tobias felt a chill run down his spine as he beheld the stark white orbs within Inietta's gaze. "Yeah ... That's the name. It might be familiar to you," Tobias replied, drawing back his neck as if to create distance between their faces that were uncomfortably close.

"Al-bal-bel," spoke Inietta, her lips shaping each syllable with deliberate care, her gaze growing wide and unseeing as she delved deep into the recesses of her mind. A hush descended upon them, not a sound to be heard save the beating of their own hearts. Tobias, observing Inietta's frozen demeanor, began to feel a twinge of concern. "Are you okay?" he queried, his voice tinged with worry.

"If it's him, surely he is able...," muttered Inietta to herself, lost in thought. Tobias watched as she did so, a curious look on his face. "Hmm-mm," her hand coming to rest upon her lips as if to reset her voice. And then she spoke, her tone filled with awe and reverence, "As expected from the God of War. He is powerful."

The rumble of an empty belly echoed through the air. Inietta hastened to press her hand to her stomach, seeking to silence the noise. Yet despite her efforts, Tobias' keen ear had already caught the sound, and he looked at her with a knowing gaze.

Tobias, still filled with concern, held forth his plate, offering, "Take of mine," Inietta felt the pangs of hunger within her, yet despite Tobias' kind gesture, she found herself struggling to accept the offering. How could she partake of Tobias' bounty, after the harm she had wrought upon him and Ephi? Yet despite these misgivings, she sensed the true generosity of Tobias' heart and so she spoke, "I'm used to being hungry. Even worse than this."

Tobias' lips curved into a gentle smile. "I'm not in the mood to eat right now," he lied, his heart filled with empathy for Inietta's plight. Inietta took the offered plate with hands swathed in bandages, handling it with utmost care. "Don't regret it," she said. Tobias felt a sense of relief wash over him, for he had always been one to aid those in need.

Tobias' gaze wandered about, and he suddenly realized that his attire had undergone a transformation. No longer did he wear Bell's dark raiment garb, but instead he was arrayed in his tattered, yet restored, old clothes, which brought him great comfort. "I had surmised that Master Albalbel has come to this place," he thought to himself, "I really want to ask about Ephi's condition."

The door creaked open, and a familiar pair of shoes emerged from the threshold. The figure stepped forth into the chamber, its windows of transparent glass that offered a glimpse of the blazing sky beyond, as the sun descended towards the horizon, painting the sky a brilliant red. In the center of the room stood a grand bed, draped in a billowing canopy of rich red hue, a shelter against the night's buzzing pests. It was the bedchamber of the one whom he so eagerly sought.

Bell journeyed to the city of Oryza, within the realm of Salaria. His hand reached out, touching an object on the table, causing it to clatter to the ground, yet remaining unbroken. Finding the room devoid of any presence, he deduced the whereabouts of the one he sought. Striding forward, he pushed open another door, striding forth and closing it behind him.

A heartbeat later, the door creaked open once more, and a voice called out, "Master Terry?" 'Twas a maid who had opened the door, drawn by the sounds of objects falling from within the chamber.

Bell found himself in a dimly-lit place, surrounded by towering bookshelves. The only source of light came from a solitary candle, illuminating a table where someone seemed to be scribbling in a frenzy. "Terry," Bell spoke as he approached. Terry immediately fell to his knees, overcome with emotion. "My Lord! You've come just in time!" A voice echoed within Bell's mind. Bell wore his usual expression of stern intensity, yet a glimmer of relief shone in his eyes upon seeing that Terry was unharmed. However, it was clear that something was amiss. Terry Finales, unable to speak due to a speech impediment, possessed a unique power - the ability to communicate through telepathy. But due to Bell's formidable mental barriers, communication with Terry required a lowering of his defenses.

"What befell?" Bell enquired, his voice heavy with concern. And with a voice heavy with grief, Terry replied, "The emissary of the Finales in Antemur, Devin Finales, has been slain by an unseen hand!" Bell was taken aback by this news. It was nigh impossible, for he had himself been in Antemur all this while. Though this was a gap in his foresight, Bell remained poised, his thoughts turning to his original purpose for coming to this place. "Devin... slain?" he murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"A Teleporter like him, that's impossible for me. But a few days ago, he came into this room with several knives already pierced through his body. He chose my residence as his final resting place," Terry spoke, his voice quavering as he struggled to contain his tears, fear evident in every word.

"Verily, if a pebble is cast into a still pond, ripples shall spread forth. So too, if Devin were to fall, there should be signs of disturbance in Antemur. Yet, none have been reported," Bell mused. An unease settled in his chest, for yesterday, Ephi was tasked with rendezvousing with Devin in the Southern District.

Bell asked with a voice as cold as the icy winds, his thoughts now darkened with a sense of foreboding. "Hast thou informed the other kin of the Finales of this dire news?"

Terry's visage was wrought with fear as he addressed, "It was Devin who hath fallen, my Lord, and I dared not reveal this fateful news to others. I kept even his funeral shrouded in mystery. If one as powerful as Devin could meet his end, what hope have I, a mere mortal with naught but my loved ones to protect? That is why I have contact to you first, my Lord, for I know not where else to turn..."

Bell sensed that the thoughts he harbored mirrored those that Terry was about to impart. "Do elaborate," he questioned, his tone weighted with expectation.

Terry inhaled deeply, his voice weighed down by the gravity of his words. "My Lord, it is possible that there are insider interferences. The very worst outcome we could imagine ... another Finales."

Bell's eyes fell upon the table, where an incomplete missive lay in wait. He understood immediately that it was a letter intended for him, written by Terry, for Bell's mind was shielded by a barrier that rendered him beyond the grasp of telepathy. It was evident that Terry had only just had the chance to pen his thoughts, what with the solemn obligations of conducting Devin's funeral in secret consuming him the days before.

Bell stood still, his mind lost in thought as his regal countenance remained steadfast. With a voice steeped in mythical reverence, he declared, "Let not thy heart be troubled, for I am certain that none among the noble Finales of Agriraslia shall dare to cross me with their spears. Kindly impart unto them the solemn tidings of Devin's passing, and bid them to keep a prudent distance from the lands of Antemur.

No.

Bid them henceforth to forbear from treading upon the soil of Antemur! Command them to abide within their own cities and to redouble their vigilance!"

Terry rose to his feet, his visage etched with the trails of tears. "Aye, my liege!" he proclaimed with a quivering voice. Clasping his forehead with his hand, he delved into the depths of his mind, focusing all his might to unleash the power of long-range telepathy.

"All was of a sudden and unexpected nature. Ephi hath fallen into a swoon, Tobias, a lad hath arrived, Wilson's passing remains a mystery, a maiden from Eleventine hath made an appearance, and a shadow that hath plagued me, I have confined within my bracelet. What fate hath in store, remains to be seen."