Through Water

“Wake up, you oversized pillowcase! We're leaving now!”

The walls of the Lord Mirthveil Mansion trembled as Taro pounded on a polished wooden door, his voice echoing through the pristine hall.

Inside, the reply came with a muffled grumble.
“Yeah, yeah, quit knocking, Taro... I’m getting up.”

Fariel yawned as he pushed himself out of bed, stretching until his bones popped. The morning light filtered through snow-white curtains, illuminating the room’s fine furnishings and warm-toned decor. Life under Lord Mirthveil’s roof wasn’t just good—it was dangerously close to luxurious.

Fariel’s fashion for the day: a crisp white shirt, long brown coat, black tie, and dark slacks. He strapped his elegant rapier to his right hip—the sword affectionately named Chuo Chuo Maru, or simply "CCM." Its gold-tipped hilt gleamed faintly. A simple blade at a glance, but one known for drawing blood when things got serious.

Outside, the crew was already hard at work. Rima, Lenna, and Velluna were organizing luggage onto the dragon carriage, their practiced movements brisk and efficient.

Taro caught sight of Fariel as he emerged.
“Yo, white guy—sleep like a baby, did you?”

“Pleasant,” Fariel answered coolly, dodging the barrage of follow-up questions Taro always had in his chambered mind.

Ellimere, radiant as always in her lavender-white attire, greeted Fariel with a calm nod. It was subtle, but warm.

“So… where are we headed again?” Fariel asked, blinking as the realization hit him.

Lilibeth, ever the pint-sized judge of ignorance, sighed from her seat near the carriage.
“I suppose you didn’t listen at all, I suppose. We’re headed to Miragard—the Watergate City. Royal Candidate Alciel Vireya summoned us, in fact.”

Fariel shrugged. The name rang a bell, faintly.