Chapter 1: False Peace

Isz returned distraught from recent events, his heart racing uncontrollably."What's happening?" Isz muttered to himself. "My hands are sweating."He placed a hand over his chest and leaned heavily against the wall for support."Hahaha... Am I scared?" he chuckled dryly. "Yes, I really am scared... but why now?"Harpya approached Isz, calling out to him as he drew near."Isz, the king needs to speak with you," Harpya said.Isz swallowed hard and replied that he was already on his way.In the throne room, the King of Volny expressed his gratitude to Isz for his services. Isz intended to discuss the lingering dangers threatening the land, but ultimately withheld the information to prevent the military from drawing unnecessary attention to this new threat."You are already aware of the reports, aren't you?" the King of Volny asked."Yes, I heard about them on my way back, Your Majesty," Isz replied. "I'm deeply sorry for what happened to the guild members. I spent little time with them, but I grew attached to several of them.""I see," the King said. "I apologize for asking, but could you accompany Nyx and his group on a new foray? I don't know the full extent of the issue, but recent reports suggest that the vast majority of the kingdom is currently at peace."Isz was about to accept the request when the Lightning Beast suddenly intervened in his mind.Do not accept, Isz. You have another commitment.Confused, Isz nevertheless declined the offer, stating he was exhausted from his previous mission, though he warned the king that Nyx's group should hold off and wait a little longer.The king agreed, and Isz took his leave.Walking down the castle corridors, Isz spoke with the Lightning Beast."What on earth was that?" Isz asked. "Why did you ask me to decline?"You know Irineia is still alive and active, the Lightning Beast replied.A chill ran down Isz's spine. "Yes, but I don't know where she is."Whenever a higher being dies, their energy goes out. I can feel that flow. Now that I have come into contact with Irineia, I recognize her energy signature."What do you think she's plotting?" Isz inquired.I'm not certain, but you had better follow my advice: complete your training and prepare for the worst."You're right," Isz agreed.Isz hurried toward the medical ward to ask about Cerberus, but the hound came running out to meet him. Isz stroked the creature, apologizing for not being by his friend's side during the battle.Harpya's children arrived, happily playing with Cerberus."Hey everyone, how are you doing?" Isz greeted them."We're good!" Lucca replied. "Where did you travel to, Uncle Isz?""To many places," Isz answered."Was it fun?" Lucca asked.Isz offered an awkward smile and nodded. "It was.""Good morning, Isz," Ida said, stepping forward. "I hope Lucca hasn't been bothering you with his curiosity.""Not at all," Isz smiled. "Where did Harpya go?""He went to try and stop Nyx from going off alone to avenge their guildmates," Ida explained."Where are they?" Isz asked in surprise."I think they left while you were speaking with my father," Ida said.Isz stood up abruptly, panic crossing his face. "That utter fool! He's going to get himself killed!" he exclaimed, taking a step toward the door."Wait, Isz!" Ida called out, reaching out to stop him, but it was too late."What a terrible pain!" Isz gasped suddenly. "What's happening to my body?"Arcing bolts of lightning erupted from Isz's body, and the sharp pain abruptly ceased."My goodness! Isz, are you alright?" Ida cried out."Yes... I'm fine," Isz panted.Isz sat on the floor, and a maid quickly offered him a cup of herbal tea.As soon as Isz recovered, he encountered two soldiers reporting back from outlying towns and parts of the capital. They announced that the illness had been cured and that no more monsters had been spotted since.Harpya arrived, dismounting from his horse."Dear, did you speak with Nyx?" Ida asked, rushing over.Harpya simply shook his head negatively, explaining that the two had clashed and that Nyx was likely planning to desert the army.Harpya's children ran over and threw their arms around their father."Harpya, I'm worried about Isz," Ida whispered. "He was extremely agitated and collapsed to the floor. He seemed hurt, but there were no visible wounds."Startled, Harpya immediately went to check on Isz."Hey," Isz greeted him. "I thought you had gone with Nyx. I'm glad you came back.""Only I returned," Harpya said somberly.Isz lowered his gaze."What's going on with you?" Harpya asked. "Ida told me what happened.""I don't know, my friend," Isz replied. "I'll be better soon. I think it's just exhaustion from back-to-back battles, and also..."Isz recalled his confrontation with his former companions, Helena's face, Alphonse's arrogance, and the rage in Irineia's eyes as she held a baby while trying to remove the mark from her chest."Come on, get up from there and go rest in your room," Harpya urged."Someone has to get Nyx out of this," Isz insisted. "He won't be able to handle it.""I've already sent a support team hidden from his view," Harpya assured him."No, none of you can handle these enemies," Isz stated firmly."Do you know something?" Harpya asked, narrowing his eyes."Maybe. For now it's just speculation, but I believed they were linked to Zhofia. Now, I think there's someone else behind them.""Irineia?" Harpya questioned. "What can she do if she's isolated? Besides, didn't she die?""It's highly likely she didn't," Isz explained. "I believe she has an intermediary within this kingdom.""Like a soldier?" Harpya asked."No, like a commander," Isz corrected. "Irineia had her own subordinates, it started with Zhofia and Alphonse. These monsters aren't native to Volny, so I believe she maintains her tactical positions through allies.""Are you sure about this?" Harpya pressed.Isz let out a weary laugh. "Do you have any other theories?""No," Harpya admitted. "But if she really is still around, I can't risk acting on mere assumptions.""You don't have to," Isz said. "Even if you send an army, they will be decimated.""You're being arrogant, Isz," Harpya countered. "The army of Volny is exceptionally capable. I know you're a special case, but there's no reason to underestimate us.""I'm not underestimating you," Isz replied softly. "I just think it's a lost cause to scatter everyone, especially now that the dangers plaguing the population have ceased.""What do you suggest then?" Harpya asked."I'll go after her," Isz declared."Isz, you're being arrogant again," Harpya said. "You don't even know if she's actually alive.""I know," Isz said. "And I need to find out who her intermediary is. But right now, I can't just leave. Harpya, can you tell me where the Chamber of Ascension is located?""Why?" Harpya asked, surprised. "What do you plan to do there?""I want to train inside it," Isz explained. "I need an isolated place.""I don't think that's a good idea," Harpya warned. "Everyone who tried had serious issues with the atmosphere in there. Besides, they say the chamber is so silent that you can hear your own blood circulating.""Perfect," Isz said. "That's exactly what I need a place where I can think clearly.""We'll talk about this later," Harpya said. "I understand that the environment would be great for your training, but I think you're rushing into this."Isz mentioned he was heading to his room and took his leave.Afterward, Harpya reported to the king that he had failed to prevent Nyx's departure, feeling deep guilt over his comrade's state.