The room was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from the tall, arched window that framed the darkened sky. Dux sat behind his large, mahogany desk, fingers steepled and eyes sharp with focus. He reached for a piece of cloth draped over the arm of his chair, tugging a single, frayed string from its edge. With a slight flick of his wrist, the string transformed into a glowing circle, hovering mid-air. The circle shimmered and unfolded, revealing the image of three figures standing in the dappled light of a forest. A deep, warm smile tugged at Dux’s lips as he took in the sight.
”Ah, there you are, my brave recruits. Now, let’s go over this mission, shall we?”
The three figures in the circle were framed by ancient trees, the muted greens and browns of Sylvana’s forest surrounding them. Amissa’s brown hair swaying as she surveyed their path, was a familiar presence, The others were a mix of resolve and fatigue.
Dux’s voice softened, tinged with a note of humor. ”Amissa, I hope you’ve been able to keep the peace with Aevus. I know she’s not the easiest to tolerate.”
The image shifted slightly, showing Amissa casting a wry glance at the figure of Aevus, who stood with her arms crossed, eyes sharp and unyielding as the forest’s shadows.
”I hear she’s still wearing that scowl like it’s a badge of honor,” Dux continued, a grin tugging at his lips. ”That’s good, though. You’ll need every bit of patience you have for this part of the mission.”
The forest in the circle seemed to breathe, the leaves rustling as if whispering secrets.
”Now, you’re heading for Sylveris, the capital of Sylvana. It’s a long path, but if you follow it properly, you should arrive by sunset tomorrow. You’ll be collecting the book from Aevus’s mentor—the one on the withering lands. It’s crucial; it contains their most detailed report on the ongoing investigations.”
A moment of silence passed, the gravity of the task settling over the room like a shroud. Dux leaned forward, fingers tapping the edge of his desk.
”Once you’ve got the book, you’ll move on to Valerion and make your way to Valthorin. I’d say it’ll take you two days from Sylveris to reach the small town on the edge of the withering lands. The mission ends when you deliver the book there. Understood?”
The image shifted once more, a fleeting glimpse of Amissa nodding, her expression resolute. The circle flickered, the light around it dimming as it hovered in the air.
”Good. You’re on the right path. Just remember, you’re not alone. Keep steady, and the rest will follow.”
The glowing circle slowly faded, leaving only the quiet hum of the room and the weight of Dux’s gaze as he stared at the empty air, his heart steady with the belief that his recruits would make it through.
@ohsumana – Kirara
@viiel.x – Ivadriel
Summy, the whole thing that happened with the attack on Kirara while training will be erased and we’ll redo it during their walk to Sylveris.