Chapter 5: A City of Whispers

Two months ago, in the exalted abode of Taureís—the Cloud God of War...

High above the kingdom of Acortis, divine energy shimmered through the walls of Palti-Aris, the sacred seat of Taureís. The chamber glowed with a stormy violet hue, casting deep shadows around the immense amethyst throne.

The Cloud God lounged like a coiled tempest, his eyes half-lidded, his aura crackling. When the God of Wisdom materialized in a ripple of pale light, Taureís didn't rise.

"Why disturb me, Wisdom?" Taureís's voice boomed like thunder, shaking the columns of the hall.

"Arché is gone. The Child of Serenité still lives," Wisdom said evenly. "You retreat to Acortis now, of all times? That's either madness or indulgence."

Taureís scoffed. "Indulgence? Hardly. I'm reshaping destiny. The prophecy will never come to pass—not if I strike first."

He rose, thunder curling at his feet. "I will make the child irrelevant. My kingdom will ascend into the skies. To the world below, Acortis will appear destroyed—lost. But from the clouds, I will demand sacrifice. For every one of Rougemonde's children, I'll lower Acortis by half a meter. No tribute? Then a thousand Acortians will burn. This is how we purge weakness—with fear, faith, and flame."

Wisdom steepled his fingers, impassive. "A brutal plan. But undeniably... audacious."

***

Present Day...

Lucine and the hermit emerged from the geyser to a dizzying sight: a colossal leaf-shaped billboard hovered in the sky, spelling out:

WELCOME TO CHOREVON CITY, CAPITAL OF ACORTIS.

The city shimmered—a vibrant, living metropolis.

Or so Lucine thought.

The hermit's grip tightened on Lucine's arm as he pulled him into a nearby alley. From a capsule, he retrieved traditional Acortian robes. "Nefeli made these," he explained.

Lucine changed quickly. The loose, flowing fabric felt foreign—like trying to blend in with a cult of dancers.

Then came the voice.

"BRING THE SACRIFICE!"

The image on the giant billboard shifted—A boy, no older than sixteen, was dragged forward, weeping.

Lucine's blood froze. "That's.... One of Rougemonde's missing youths."

The hermit narrowed his eyes. "Looks like he didn't go missing. He was kidnapped."

Flames roared beneath a bronze bull as the boy was shoved inside. A high-pitched whistle, then a blinding flash—he was gone. Vaporized.

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A hesitant gasp rippled through the crowd

Then—in a wave of unison, a deafening cheer erupted:

"ALL HAIL THE EVER-GRATEFUL TAUREÍS, TO WHOM WE OFFER A HUNDRED LIVES SO A THOUSAND MORE MAY LIVE!"

Lucine stood watching, silence draped around him like mourning cloth.

A vow hardened in his heart

He wouldn't let Taureís claim another innocent soul.

As Lucine and the hermit continued their walk through the city, the shrill whine of an AeroGlider split the sky.

They both looked up—and horror seized them.

Children plummeted from the sky, each one branded with a single word:

SACRIFICE.

Memories surged within Lucine—his own childhood, his life once demanded as offering. Rage and resolve fused in his chest. He drew the wind dagger and unleashed a wave of emerald fire that cleaved the AeroGlider in two.

Several children tumbled through the smoke.

Lucine's flames flickered dangerously, but he steadied himself. Inhaling deeply, he called upon the wind. It answered—gathering into a cocoon that cradled the falling children and lowered them gently to the ground.

Relief washed over him, laced with exhaustion—and a bitter reminder of the cruelty thriving in this seemingly peaceful city.

Then came the Brazen Guard.

Flame-wielding enforcers in armor, they surrounded the children like wolves closing in on prey.

The hermit stepped forward, calm but firm. "Stop harassing these innocent children."

Before tension could ignite, two figures descended from the sky, swords blazing with ethereal blue fire. Clad in sleek, light-blue armor, they landed between the children and the Guard.

"We are the Azure Wind," one of them declared. "We fight for a free Acortis—for its people, not its tyrants."

Lucine narrowed his eyes, uncertain of their motives.

"We're no enemies of Acortis," the second added. "We are its protectors. And we will not let you harm defenseless children."

The Brazen Guard captain sneered. "Sympathizers of heretics deserve the flame."

Yet hesitation flickered among his troops—caught between divine command and these defiant new warriors.

Sensing the moment, Lucine stepped forward. His voice rang sharp and clear: "Why are we even debating whether it's okay to sacrifice children? Ask yourselves—what kind of god demands this?"

The captain opened his mouth, but no answer came. The air coiled with tension, ready to snap.

One of the Azure Wind extended a hand toward Lucine. "We have a common enemy," he said softly. "Let's fight together."

Lucine glanced at the children—wide-eyed and trembling—then at the chaos teetering on the brink.

He was about to answer when a deafening voice shattered the sky:

"DO THE BRAZEN ONES DARE DEFY ME?"

It was Taureís.

The command came swiftly—desperate, absolute:

"KILL THESE SINNERS NOW!"

The Brazen Guard ignited their flamethrowers and charged like war machines.

But the Azure Wind met them head-on. Blue flames clashed with crimson fire, tearing the air apart. It was war in miniature—a dance of inferno and resolve.

Lucine acted fast. Steeling himself with the memory of "cold tea," he unleashed emerald fire, controlled and precise. He carved paths for fleeing civilians, shielding them from the blaze.

Beside him, the hermit activated a capsule that unfolded into a shimmering dome. He herded the children inside as battle raged around them.

Steel rang. Fire roared. The hermit moved like a phantom, every strike effortless and deadly. Lucine's fire melted armor, leaving the Guard disarmed and reeling.

The Azure Wind fought like living currents. Their blades sang through the chaos, disabling enemies with elegant precision.

Minutes later, the Brazen Guard lay defeated—scorched, broken, begging for mercy.

But mercy would not come from above.

"YOU DARE BEG FOR MERCY AFTER SHAMING MY NAME?"

The sky churned, clouds roiling with fury. Then—silence.

Then—annihilation.

Blue fire rained down like a divine plague. Buildings, bodies, weapons—consumed. The battlefield became a furnace of judgment.

Lucine gagged on the smoke, shielding his face. Screams pierced the inferno—then were swallowed by it.

A hand gripped his shoulder. The hermit, eyes hard, pulled him toward a hidden tunnel just as the flames engulfed the world behind them. The screams fell silent.

They emerged in a dark underground refuge. Lucine collapsed, coughing. From the shadows, two figures approached— the Azure Wind warriors, their armor glowing faintly.

"Apologies for the rude introduction," said the taller one with a tired smile. "I'm Theo. This is Minos."

"Nice to meet you both," the hermit wheezed, nodding in recognition.

Lucine forced himself upright. "What just happened?"

"Your audience with a god," the hermit muttered dryly, "ended in spectacular failure."

Theo held up a LeafScreen. On it: the charred remains of the Brazen Guard.

Lucine's stomach churned. "Taureis is a monster."

"Yes," the hermit said sharply. "But he's also a god."

Lucine turned to him, voice cold and steely. "Then how do we beat him?"

The hermit ignored Lucine's question and slipped into a fighting stance. "Spar with me."

Lucine blinked. "Now?"

The Azure Wind stepped back. The hermit's expression left no room for doubt—this wasn't a request. It was a test.

The duel that followed was breathtaking. The hermit moved like a storm—redirecting, flowing, unrelenting. He dodged Lucine's strikes, disarmed Theo with a single kick, dropped Minos with an elbow. Every motion was refined, every attack purposeful.

Lucine could only watch in awe. This wasn't raw power—it was mastery. And he knew, he had to learn it.

As they caught their breath, a pang of worry stabbed Lucine's chest.

Nefeli...

Having glimpsed Taureís's rule—his overwhelming power—Lucine finally understood her hesitation

His thoughts turned to her. Where was she now? What had become of her after their last encounter?