The underground strategy room was illuminated by the pulsing blue light of unstable glyphs dancing on the walls, creating an air of mystery. The cold stone walls felt hard and rough against Elena's back, while the enchanted table made of Aldron material, covered in dust, gave a chilling sensation on her skin.
The distinct aroma of the magic chamber filled the air, a blend of burning incense intertwined with thick arcane energy, creating a nearly unparalleled knot of tension. Elena stood near the table, her body rigid like a statue, her gaze filled with uncertainty. She stole a glance at Kael Juno, who stood with his back to her; his jaw clenched tight, the line of his chin indicating deep unease as his eyes stared vacantly at the world map.
The magical symbols on the map's surface vibrated and transformed, as if alive and responding to their emotions. They had once stood in this very position together, fighting for the same cause. Yet now, they were caught in sharp tension, pulling away from each other in an immeasurable distance; Kael's face bore small creases that indicated an inner struggle, while Elena raised an eyebrow, her eyes signaling deep anxiety. As time passed, they began to see their world differently; Elena contemplated ways to save their faction, while Kael was trapped in an uncontainable fear of the looming threat.
"He's picking us off one by one, Elena," Kael's voice finally broke, his tone trembling with waves of uncertainty, "and you... still consider this just a minor betrayal."
Elena did not respond. She merely pressed a symbol on the map, replaying the moments of their faction's destruction. Shadows of the past haunted her thoughts, reminding her of the times they vowed to be the guardians of this world, though now everything felt beyond their grasp.
The cold, rough stone walls around him contrasted with the chill emanating from the neatly arranged magical table, which sent a shiver through his palms. The mixed aroma of incense and arcane energy created a suffocating atmosphere, as if reminding them of the heavy burden they now had to bear. The magical symbols on the map moved fluidly, twisting and changing shape, crafting an illusion that the map was alive, reflecting the dynamics of despair they faced. Kael turned quickly, his footsteps heavy, his face a mix of shock and anger, his brows furrowed in tension. "Do you really not understand, or are you pretending? If he dies—if Rinoa dies—Fitran will come."
"And what does that make you afraid of?" Elena asked flatly, though beneath her calm demeanor lay a faint furrow in her brow and an uncertain movement of her lips. A deep pain, masked by anger and loss, flickered clearly in her eyes. She missed the Kael of old, who fought alongside her as one, not as an enemy in her sights. Shadows on the walls and floor were distorted by the light of the glyph, forming shapes that resembled beautiful memories, which now felt painfully bittersweet.
Kael let out a small laugh, but it wasn't a joyful one. It was full of bitterness. "Every noble in Gaia saw it that night. At the masquerade. The way he looked at Rinoa... not like an observer, Elena. But as if... she were the only thing keeping him tethered to this world."
"Love doesn't make someone invincible," Elena replied sharply, her expression revealing an emotional tumult, her eyes shining with determination while the corners of her mouth quivered slightly. She struggled against the overwhelming urge to sink into despair, feeling the cold, hard stone wall behind her, providing an inescapable pressure.
"But love can make someone stop holding back. And we are dealing with someone whose power is only bound by his own decisions." Kael's voice quivered, reflecting the heavy burden they had to bear. Around them, the characteristic aroma of the magic room wafted, a mixture of burning incense and flowing arcane energy, adding to the tension in the air and seeping into every pore.
"Can't you see it?" Kael exclaimed, his voice trembling with deep emotion. "Watch as Fitran dismantles those Executors in mere seconds, as if they were nothing more than mere illusions."
It was silent for a moment. Shadows on the wall blended with the shimmering glyph light, creating distorted shapes as if yearning to find meaning amidst the darkness. Kael stepped closer, his voice softening, barely desperate, "Forget about Rinoa for a moment. Focus on the Arkanum Veritas Faction. Isn't now the right time to act?" Gently, his fingers brushed the cold surface of the magic table, where magical symbols moved and shifted across the map, depicting potential threats and strategies they needed to adopt.
"Rinoa already knows this location too well," Elena replied, her voice dampened by the tension hanging in the air. The cold stone wall behind them echoed their words, adding a chilling atmosphere to the conversation. "If you want to save this Faction, then you must kill Rinoa."
Kael stared at Elena for a long time, recalling the complicated relationship between them. Their silhouettes were distorted by the flickering glow of the glyphs radiating from the walls and floor, heightening the intensity of the situation. In the past, when they fought together and trusted each other, this tension had slowly emerged alongside their increasingly sharp ambitions. They once shared a vision for a better world, but their methods of achieving it had now diverged.
"No. I will not be part of your script." Kael moved his hand, feeling the cold, hard texture of the magic table beneath his palm. "You want Fitran to explode. You desire chaos."
Elena gestured emphatically, her expression reflecting a clash of determination and vulnerability. "I want an end, Kael. This world must be cleansed of all that is gray. And for that, Rinoa is an obstacle." The distinctive aroma of the magic chamber mingled with incense evoked memories of fate and choices.
Kael stepped back.
"Then don't expect me to be with you when that ash falls into your own eyes."
Memories rushed through his mind—the times when they devised strategies together, envisioning a future free from fear. But now, the ticking clock felt heavier, reflecting their inevitable separation. The magical symbols that shifted and transformed on the surface of the map added to the fragility of the hopes they once held. He left the space, his steps heavier than usual, not due to tactical defeat, but because their beliefs had diverged.
District III, City of Thirtos
Gloomy twilight hung over District III, casting long shadows across the ruins. Beneath the remnants of the old observation tower owned by Arkanum, a small room lay hidden with walls coated in anti-magic metal—a place that evaded the surveillance of watching glyphs and the sounds of airborne guardian creatures overhead.
Inside this room, Kael Juno sat quietly at the cold stone table's edge. His forehead rested on his weary hand, and his weary eyes stared at the now meaningless map, as if it were calling back lost memories.
Orvin—once a writer of moral doctrine for Arkanum and now a living fugitive—leaned against the wall, allowing the silence to envelop the room. No mask covered his face; only deep breaths escaped his lips, resonating with a hoarse voice steeped in despair.
"So, you've finally realized… Elena is no longer Elena."
Kael remained silent, drawing a heavy breath that seemed to press against his chest.
Orvin continued softly, almost pityingly.
"She no longer speaks of justice. She speaks of purification. Of erasing doubt from the world. Do you know who else has said such things, Kael? The fire worshippers of the underworld."
Kael lifted his head, his voice heavy, as if he were trying to gather wounds that no magic could heal.
"I... don't know when she changed. Perhaps when we all fell silent. When we believed that the downfall of Arkanum could be redeemed by mere personal power."
Orvin slowly sat down across from him, his face filled with a profound peace.
"We all allowed Elena to lead us. Out of fear. We thought she would guide us out of chaos. But look at what happened. She leads not with vision, but with pain. The pain she idolizes."
Kael nodded slowly, feeling his emotions align with the darkness surrounding him.
"And she began to feel the urge to end Rinoa's life. Not for strategic reasons, but because… Rinoa is such a complex figure, something she cannot comprehend. Someone loved by a presence she cannot control."
"Fitran."
Orvin smiled wryly, the dim light reflecting the discontent in his eyes.
"Yes. It seems even the whole world understands that. Only Elena, perhaps, insists on refusing to acknowledge it."
Silence hung heavily, full of meaning.
Finally, after a moment of contemplation, Kael expressed,
"I want to distance Rinoa from all this. However, if I take a step now... Elena will surely accuse me of treachery."
"Let her accuse you," Orvin interrupted firmly, his voice full of certainty. "The craziest people are not the ones who lose control… but those who pretend not to see it."
Kael gazed into Orvin's sharp eyes. For the first time in months, he felt an uncomfortable burden… guilt.
"But…
"Why don't you confront Fitran directly?" Orvin asked, his tone expressing a desire to push Kael to take a risk.
"Are you crazy? Facing him head-on? That's like committing suicide!" Kael retorted, his voice trembling with fear of the consequences of such an action.
"Not in a physical sense. You have that ability too, don't you....
"Dream Magic and Voice Magic... You should consider using them," Orvin advised, his tone calm yet urgent. "Perhaps Elena feels jealous, knowing you're thinking of another girl while she's right in front of you," he added, trying to instill confidence in Kael.
Kael fell silent, reflecting on those words. Each phrase felt as if it were creating a new wave in his mind.
"Think about it carefully," Orvin said, emphasizing his words with a firm tone.