"Follow me."
The Arl of Fangshade signaled for Haise to follow him, his heavy cloak trailing behind as they exited the main hall.
As they walked down a long corridor lined with stone columns and faded banners, Haise could hear murmurs rising from the crowd behind them.
"Did I hear that right? He's a Sasaki?"
"One actually survived?"
"I can't believe it…"
He didn't respond.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't even turn back.
He knew what his name meant.
The weight it carried.
The blood behind it.
'Let them talk. I'll ask my questions when this is over…'
The Arl led him through a large wooden door at the end of the hall. Inside was a strategy room, dimly lit with candlelight and the soft hum of magic.
A grand map of Aeloria stretched across the far wall, with red and blue markers placed at various points—territories, conflicts, borders.
A robed mage stood at a corner, muttering incantations while his fingers glowed faintly with arcane energy. Nearby, several captains stood around a round table, clad in different sets of armor. All of them turned when the Arl and Haise entered.
"Captain Athena, please fill our dear guest in on the problem."
The Arl's voice echoed through the stone chamber like a command from on high.
Haise turned his attention to the one who stepped forward.
She had a tall, commanding presence—broad shoulders, a thick scar over one brow, and eyes like tempered steel. Her armor bore signs of many battles—scratches, dents, worn edges. But she stood straight, proud.
'Sharp and rugged features… I can tell she's been through a lot.'
Haise thought to himself as she began to speak.
"There have been reports of a dragon circling the western watchtower."
Her voice was calm, but there was something sharp beneath it.
"We've sent men—scouts, riders, even a few mages. None of them have returned. We fear the worst."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
The air thickened.
"Haise,"
The Arl said, stepping forward,
"with your experience in taking down a dragon, we want you to escort and assist Captain Athena and her soldiers. This town doesn't have the strength Blackreach does. If we lose more people, Fangshade won't recover."
Haise nodded. No hesitation.
"Very well. I'll gladly help."
There was a quiet fire in his tone.
He was going to fulfill his duty to Aeloria.
Haise and Athena exited the room, the heavy doors creaking shut behind them. The corridor outside was quiet, the only sound being the click of their boots against the stone floor.
Haise walked beside her, silent at first, but he could feel her eyes burning into him with every step.
"Is there something wrong?"
He finally asked, his tone neutral but sharp enough to cut the tension.
Athena scoffed, not even bothering to look at him.
"Tch. I don't trust outsiders. Especially one who looks weak."
There was venom in her voice, wrapped around every syllable like barbed wire.
Haise stopped in his tracks, frowning.
'What the hell is her problem?'
He turned to face her, but she simply continued walking, her back turned, her posture unbothered.
"Meet me at the town's entrance."
She said coldly without slowing down.
"I'll gather my men. Be there, or stay out of our way."
She disappeared down another corridor, the sound of her armor echoing faintly behind her.
Haise narrowed his eyes and exhaled slowly.
'Not everyone is Matilda…'
He muttered under his breath, shaking his head as a small, dry chuckle escaped him.
He turned away, footsteps echoing through the now-empty hallway as he made his way toward the exit.
…..
…..
…..
As Haise walked back to the entrance of Fangshade, he could hear murmurs from the vendors scattered across the plaza.
Their voices were hushed, but the weight behind their words was loud enough.
"Did you see Captain Athena? She was gathering her soldiers outside."
"Could they be heading out to face the rumored dragon?"
"I hope they slay the winged beast before it gets any closer…"
Haise slowed his pace slightly, catching each whisper that drifted through the air like smoke.
He glanced around. Faces were tight with fear, eyes wary, hands fidgeting with goods and coin.
The mood of Fangshade was anything but calm.
It was the silence before the storm.
Haise felt the sword strapped to his back become heavier with each step.
'The weight of duty…'
He smirked at the thought, a quiet scoff escaping his lips.
As he exited the gates of Fangshade, the cool wind greeted him once more.
And standing not far ahead, framed by the early gray sky, were Athena and her soldiers.
They were lined up, armored and silent, weapons gleaming faintly in the dull light.
Athena stood at the front, arms crossed, her gaze sharp and unreadable.
"So, you decided to show up."
Athena said coldly, voice carrying without effort.
Haise approached with an easy stride, smirking slightly.
"I wouldn't want to disappoint you, Captain."
He replied, his tone light—borderline playful—but his eyes steady.
Athena's expression didn't change.
She scoffed and turned away.
"Just don't slow us down."
She muttered, raising her hand and signaling her men to move forward.
The road to the watchtower was rocky, uneven, and harsh on the feet.
The terrain shifted with each step—sometimes rising, sometimes dipping suddenly without warning.
Weeds pushed through cracked earth, and the trees that once lined the trail now stood in ruin, their bark blackened, their branches twisted and lifeless.
Haise walked with his eyes on the trail ahead, brows furrowed as he scanned the desolation around them.
"What a depressing place."
Haise muttered, more to himself than to anyone in particular.
The air here was heavier—dry, but thick with the scent of char and death.
Even the birds, it seemed, had long abandoned this stretch of land.
In the distance, perched atop a jagged hill, a tower jutted into the sky like a lonely spear.
Its stone walls, though weathered, still stood firm.
"That's the Western Watchtower."
One of the soldiers said, pointing ahead.
Haise narrowed his eyes.
It looked intact—but something about it felt... wrong.
Too quiet.
"Bring me my scope."
Athena commanded, stepping forward with authority.
One of the soldiers handed it to her without a word.
She lifted it to her eye and scanned the surrounding area, her stance unmoving like a statue carved from the same stone as the tower.
A few moments passed.
"No signs of the dragon… but the trees—"
She lowered the scope slightly.
"They're burnt from what I can tell. Scorched black. Whatever was there, it's not far."
A sudden gust of wind blew across them, lifting the ashes from the nearby foliage and swirling them into the air like gray snow.
"What do we do, Captain?"
One of the soldiers asked, voice tight with concern.
Athena didn't answer immediately.
Her eyes stayed on the tower.
Haise could see it in her face. She was calculating, listening to the silence, measuring something they couldn't yet see.
In that moment, haise could feel it.
Something was wrong.
In the distance, a low rumble could be heard.
A sign of what's yet to come.