35 Repose

"This is bad.", Agaven started. "The Arcane Watch is on to us already. We were lucky that we had the element of surprise against the fledgling. I'm afraid the next won't be as easy."

"Agaven. I don't want to make the same mistake again with our experiment. You were hurt during the attack and you need to rest.", Rhael said, looking at her husband's damaged arm. "We must be at full strength if we hope to make this procedure a success. Besides, I scanned the fledgling for any communication devices or spells and it turned out negative. The Watch still knows nothing about what happened today."

"Fine.", Agaven agreed. "I'm glad you said that. My arm is already killing me."

Instead of carrying Sera directly to her room, Agaven opted to teleport her back. After making sure the security wards are back in place and stronger than ever, the Stedores turned in for the night to tend to their wounds.

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Early the next day, Agaven and Rhael were back in their basement laboratory, trying to assess the situation. The intruder, a magus named Alamid, was a strong magician. They couldn't deny that fact. So instead of getting rid of him completely, they stored his body in another cryo-capsule to use it for future experiments. Their problem now was the preparation time they needed to conduct their final procedure of extracting Sera's life-force.

"My arm hasn't fully recovered yet. It might take three days before it's fully healed.", Agaven told his wife, after examining the damage.

"That will do. I also think we need to prepare Lerica's body as well. The amount of cryo-preservatives on her bloodstream might have caused the failure of our experiment earlier. We should make sure these chemicals are at the minimum when we conduct the final procedure.", Rhael added.

"It's settled then. We shall commence with the final procedure three days from now.", the Stedores agreed.

"What about Sera?", Agaven asked, concerned on what to do with their subject for the three-day repose.

Rhael was about to respond when a loud sound rang throughout the whole Magistrate Sanctum. "That's the Arc Tower Resonance. They're calling for a gathering.", Rhael looked at her husband grimly. What could be the Arcane Watch's reason for this call?

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"Nooooooooo!", Sera cried out, waking up from a nightmare.

Aurice, who was sitting beside her, grimaced and placed her hands over her ears. "Well, you're awake."

Sera noticed her and began to apologize immediately. "I'm so sorry, miss Aurice. I had a very bad dream. I was--" Starting to realize the situation, Sera stared dumbfounded at the girl sitting beside her.

Aurice saw this and started to explain. "That was no nightmare, Sera. I think you were recalling what happened last night."

Sera only stared back at Aurice, no words coming out of her.

"I think I've found a way for us to communicate easier. I accidentally stumbled upon it, actually.", Aurice continued.

Still, Sera looked at her as if her words were not understandable.

Aurice sighed. "We're in your head, dummy. This is somewhat like a dream. Anyway, lets get serious. I wanted to tell you something."

"What is it, miss Aurice?", Sera was starting to regain her mood, and tried to level with Aurice.

"I saw how you tried to resist the Stedores. I'm sorry I wasn't much help." Aurice looked away from Sera, trying to hide the pity in her eyes.

Sera's mood changed again at the mention of the Stedores. Still, she forced herself to smile. "I'm fine, miss Aurice. You don't have to feel bad."

Aurice, not wanting to hurt Sera anymore, changed back to the subject. "I'm making a soldier, Sera."

"A what?", Sera was startled.

"A soldier.", Aurice repeated. "It could be our final hope against the Stedores. Although, I'm still on the process of creating it.", she immediately followed up, not wanting to get their hopes up.

"Thank you, miss Aurice.", Sera's eyes were starting to well with tears, but she fought them back. "What can I do to help?"

Aurice smiled at Sera, seeing her fighting spirit for the first time. She reached out and held her companion's hand. "I want you to hold out for a little bit longer. I know, this is too much I'm asking of you already. But--"

"I can do it.", Sera immediately accepted, giving out her best smile. "I will buy you all the time you need, miss Aurice."

Aurice was once again amazed at this young girl. She had gone through so much but she still smiled like it was all nothing to her. Aurice thought at one point that she was the one who was going to save them. Right now, it was almost like the opposite. It didn't really matter, anyway. They were going to escape this hell the Stedores have created. They were going to do it, together.

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High Magistrate Kiri was alone in her chamber, a troubled expression deeply etched in her face. She had received a comm-capsule from Alamid with very disturbing message. She had constantly tried to reach out to him and confirm the message but with to no avail. She couldn't even sense his unique aura in the magical leylines. Not wanting to consider the worst, she continued to contact her envoy.

"I hope you're all right, Alamid. Come back home safe."