Queen XI

"First my mother missing," Viktor's words hung heavy in the air, each syllable laden with an ominous weight that Aden struggled to comprehend, "Now the Demon Lord Xander is back."

Aden's brows furrowed in confusion. "Huh, wait, what? Who's back?" he asked, his mind racing to grasp the implications of Viktor's statement. The sudden convergence of personal and political turmoil left him reeling, his thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty and disbelief.

"The Demon Lord Xander is back," Viktor repeated, his voice steady but tinged with an undercurrent of concern.

"They'll convene endless meetings, debating endlessly, but no decisive action will be taken. Just like they did with my brother," Viktor said with a bitter undertone, standing beside Aden and Fenrir with a gaze fixed on the floor.

The weight of Viktor's words hung in the air, a reminder of the political intricacies that often left victims stranded in the crossfire.

In the midst of the tense atmosphere, Aden interjected with a suggestion. "Why not try to find your mother?" His nonchalant tone cut through the gravity of the situation, offering a glimmer of proactive action.

Turning to Aden, Viktor's expression was a mix of determination and apprehension. "You think we should? It's not like we have any leads," he mused, grappling with the enormity of the task ahead. Yet, the prospect of embarking on a quest to find his mother stirred something within him—a resolve to defy fate and seek answers in the face of adversity.

Fenrir's voice cut through the tension, his tone solemn yet resolute as he spoke of the debt he owed Viktor's mother. "Viktor's mother has been nothing short of a savior to me," he began, his voice carrying a weight of gratitude and admiration. "She extended her love and care to me as if I were her own son. For that, I owe her a debt, and I am compelled to help you in the search for your missing mother. The bond we share is not bound by blood, but by the warmth and kindness she showered upon us."

"And I believe Aden must also feel the same with me," as Fenrir spoke, Aden contemplated the real reason behind his own willingness to embark on this quest. For him, the search for Viktor's mother was merely a guise, a convenient pretext to conceal his true intention — uncovering the true identity of the individual claiming to be Xander Nightborn.

The allure of unveiling the mysteries surrounding his imposter existence drove him forward, hidden beneath a façade of camaraderie and shared purpose, his determination unwavering in the pursuit of uncovering the identity of the one who dared to don the mantle of his past life.

Viktor, grappling with the uncertainty of his mother's whereabouts, finally spoke up. "But how do we even begin searching? Where should we start?" he voiced the question that lingered heavily in the air, uncertainty clouding his features.

Fenrir, with quiet confidence, offered a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty, "I might be of assistance if we can pinpoint a place to begin."

Aden's response was more pessimistic, his words tinged with resignation. "I believe no one might help us, we are on our own," he declared, the weight of their predicament settling heavily upon him.

Just as the three started contemplating their next move and the solemn atmosphere could settle further, Celtic and Esme made their presence known, catching the group off guard. Celtic's inquiry cut through the tension, her curiosity piqued by the hushed conversation. "What are you boys up to now?" she questioned, her eyes flitting between each of them with concern and intrigue.

Aden, taken aback by their sudden appearance, wasted no time in returning the inquiry. "What are you guys doing here?" he questioned, his brow furrowing with curiosity.

Celtic's response was swift, her expression softening as she explained their purpose. "We heard what happened with your mother," she began, turning her attention to Viktor with genuine sympathy. "We are offering our sympathy," she added, her words carrying a sincerity that spoke volumes of their solidarity in the face of adversity.

Aden chuckled at the mention of the fast-spreading news. "News sure flies fast," he remarked, acknowledging the pace at which information circulated.

Celtic nodded in agreement, offering insight into the Academy's atmosphere. "That's all they've been talking about at the Academy, and while you argue to follow Agatha, we heard a little about what's going on," she disclosed.

Viktor, feeling the weight of the situation, decided to confide in his classmates. "We are going to save my mother, but please, don't tell anyone about this," he pleaded, recognizing the delicacy of their mission.

Fenrir, skeptical of Viktor's decision to share their mission with Celtic and Esme, raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure about this? We don't even know if we can trust them with such a sensitive matter," he pointed out, his instincts urging caution.

Celtic, noticing the hesitation, crossed her arms. "If it's about saving someone, we should all work together. Secrets among us won't help us find Viktor's mother," she calmly suggested, emphasizing the importance of collaboration. "Plus, I am indebted to the queen."

Aden, observing the dynamics, leaned against a nearby wall. "Well, whatever you decide, time's ticking. If we're going to find your mother, we should start moving," he added, injecting a sense of urgency into the discussion.

Esme, who had been observing the conversation in silence, interjected with a suggestion. "Why not start with the Knights Archive? All the information related to knight incidents is kept there," she proposed, offering a potential lead.

Viktor, however, voiced a practical concern. "But we don't have access to the Knights Archive," he explained, acknowledging the obstacle in their path.

Viktor, surprised by Esme's knowledge of the Knight's Archive and her ability to access it, couldn't help but inquire further. "Esme, how do you know about the Knight's Archive? And how on earth do you have a way to enter it?" he asked, genuine curiosity etched on his face.

Esme, with a playful glint in her eyes, simply responded, "Girls are prettier when they keep their secrets, Viktor." She maintained a mysterious demeanor, leaving Viktor perplexed but intrigued.

Celtic chimed in, her impatience evident. "Alright, enough with the mysteries. Let's go rescue Viktor's mother," she urged, eager to get moving.

Fenrir, still cautious, studied Esme for a moment before nodding his agreement. "Lead the way, then. Time is of the essence," he said, acknowledging the urgency of their mission.