The sun had already set by the time Alton finished putting Bibi back into the stable. His dinner, which had been put aside for him, had already gone cold. Alton didn’t care though. He walked past everyone and went straight to Sybil.

Alton pulled her up from her chair and hugged her as tightly as he could. “... I love you.”

“Are you feeling alright?”

Sybil's fingers dug into the back of his jacket and the sensation of her clinging to him brought him a great deal of comfort. This was real. His love for Sybil was real and not a command from a cut up and discarded god.

She was his soulmate.

“I'm better now. Thank you for worrying about me... We can talk about everything later, but I need to hold onto you right now. You’re all I need.”

Stonetoe cleared his throat and dropped his feet from the table. “Or you can stop wasting my time and have a damn seat.”

Alton sat down in Sybil's chair and let her sit on his lap. He didn't want to let go of her, even if it was embarrassing for her to be held like this. His chin rested on her shoulder as he glanced over at Stonetoe. Even as the knight glared at him, Alton gestured for him to go ahead.

Despite how annoyed Stonetoe was, there were other places he needed to be. “We had this big, stupid meeting. The knights have gathered what information we could, and Duke Sickleson has offered his own advice. We've decided that the elementalists will be moved outside of the barracks until further notice. Furrow’s incident marked the seventh recorded instance of mage blowout this month. Ain’t no telling yet how many more are waiting for their chance to explode.

Everyone is gonna be much safer once we’ve sent them someplace safe. Cully will be given a forge and the supplies he needs so he can manage their condition. Duke Sickleson has sent a letter to Fogbloom. We’re having to ask the big religious head for help on this. Likely, a medical team will be sent in to evaluate the situation.”

Alton frowned. The church would be getting involved regardless if Duxton had notified them of Tyrtain’s involvement. However, since the Duke was in town, and none of them had been asked to speak with him about the elementalists, it seemed like Duxton had kept his word about keeping Tyrtain secret.

Veximarl looked to see his squadmate’s reactions before he spoke up. “I'm not comfortable with expelling Chi from our room. This is our home.” He gave Chickadee a reassuring smile and the mage nodded in appreciation.

“And I'm not comfortable being stuck in the attic of a building that might catch on fire in the middle of the night,” argued Stonetoe.

“You don’t even sleep at night,” argued Zaniyah.

“Shut it,” replied Stonetoe.

Grimhawk, who had been drifting between sleep and consciousness this whole time, suddenly snapped awake. “It’s only temporary,” he muttered. “The little one will be allowed to return by the end of spring... A good doctor will come in and they'll work with Sarya to clear things up quickly.”

Veximarl didn’t want anyone to leave. Especially not once he learned more about binding magic. He hadn't realized what extremes Chickadee had been going through in order to keep himself in check. Chickadee didn’t approve of it either. Mages should only bind their magic when it was their own choice to do so.

“We'll see how it goes and talk about it after the expert checks them out,” said Stonetoe as he stood up. “Cully, finish packing and head out. Krogastein, best of luck with your training. Come back on time.” He then gave a nod to his fellow knight. “Come on, Grimhawk. Let's get you to bed.”

Veximarl could do nothing but frown as he watched Stonetoe lead Grimhawk away. Grimhawk’s condition hadn’t seemed to improve during their time away. He wanted to see if Blu had made any changes to the knight’s medical records, but the archival system was still malfunctioning. With their missions temporarily suspended, he certainly had time to ponder if his own magic could somehow improve his situation.

Sybil gave Alton a peck to his temple before she went to sit at her work station. She pulled out Foggy's skull and started to work on it again. Working on golems eased her mind. It kept her calm. Alton grabbed onto his plate and sat down with his back against hers. Neither said anything, merely taking comfort in how close the other was.

Zaniyah kept shaking her head. “I don’t know if I should go anymore. I don’t like the idea of Chi being stressed out and away from us. That’ll just make his own problems worse, right?”

Chickadee had already considered that. “Would be more stressful to know that other mages are left unassisted. Kindrick's magic could prove extra problematic. Will need to modify each of his coins separately in order for him to maintain control... Much work to be done. Will be busy. No need to worry.”

They had every reason to worry. Chickadee was wearing all sorts of new charms. He had on a series of pendants, his gloves, some bracelets, a hair barrette, and a collection of rings. The majority of it was unnecessary, but he didn't know how quickly his own powers would grow and what effect they would have on the environment around him.

“This is as good as any time to go for training,” said Veximarl. “With our elementalists being sent away, it is likely that the barracks will be considered to be on downtime until summer.”

“He's right,” said Sybil as she glanced over her shoulder. “I doubt Duxton and Shaw are going to go anywhere. Goldheel will likely be the ones sent out to Grand Temple. The only mission ready squad in our year is Moontear, and Flaytongue would be kept here in the event that there is trouble.”

Alton agreed. “They'll likely assign us classwork and ask that any of us with magical abilities to stop using them unless there is an emergency. Few people know that this is Tyrtain's doing. They're going to think that this will start with the elementalists and spread to the acolytes. If they do find out it’s Tyrtain, they’ll probably banish all the elementalists from the Gilded Region until they find a way to fix their surges.”

“For Chi's sake, we will refrain from mentioning Tyrtain,” replied Veximarl. “Hopefully, someone will be able to contact Iath and have him settle this without a fight.”

Zaniyah started to help Chickadee pack up. “I would say that I plan on visiting you every day, but... You know.”

Chickadee reflected on her statement. To him, it was more important that Zaniyah learned about her own magic. He didn't want her to restrict herself anymore. “You will see me when you return. Learn much. Be great.”

“I swear, it's going to be amazing,” she replied with a large grin. “I'm going to be spitting shields out of my butt and setting the world on fire! Just you wait!”

One by one, they settled into their beds. The day had been a long one. Thankfully, Anais was alive, and no one else had suffered serious injuries. Yet there was suddenly the talk of gods and champions. All of them had trouble sleeping that night. This was an edge of a raging storm, one that would no doubt lead to future travesties.

It was before dawn when Beat quietly entered the room. He took a moment to look around. First, he picked up Foggy’s head and rolled it around in his hands with a look of disgust on his face. Then he stood upon the dining table so he look at the beds. Beat frowned when he saw Alton and Sybil tangled together. A quick scoff, and he turned away with disgust, only to see that Zaniyah was in the opposite bed.

Beat hopped down and began to examine her luggage. Most of these items were useless. He pulled out the majority of her clothes before going through her dresser. Going through his pack, he retrieved half of his rations. These were packed in her bag along with any clothing he had deemed to be “training appropriate.” Last were two sets of sandals, which were set down next to her belongings. After all was said and done, he punched the bottom of her bed.

The sensation jolted Zaniyah awake. Her hair was wild and flying in every direction, which made it look like she had been struck by lightning. Everyone else was asleep, but she could make out Beat's form in the darkness. “... I thought you weren’t supposed to go into different dorms.” She slipped over the side of the bed and landed softly on the wooden floor.

“As the Bronzescale captain, I may enter any room I wish.” He gestured to her luggage. Beat then suddenly snapped his head away as Zaniyah began to change her clothes without warning.

“What?” Zaniyah picked up the leather sandals, then she noticed her bag. “Aw, come on… You touched everything.”

Beat glanced her way, realized she wasn't wearing a shirt, then locked his eyes with the door. “We will be running for some time. Any items not needed for training must be left behind for the sake of traveling quickly. Your boots will not survive the journey. Wear those instead.”

“I guess it's kinda sweet that you thought ahead to get me new shoes.” Even if they weren't all that fashionable. “Give me a second to write a note to Alton. I forgot to ask him to look after Gypsum for me.”

She grabbed a scrap of paper and wrote down a quick message. When she went to put it on the table, she found a box with her name on it. Inside were jewel cookies that Chickadee had baked. There were also notes from the others wishing her luck. Zaniyah smiled to herself, stuffed the box into her pack, then went to grab her axes.

“You don't need those,” interrupted Beat with a harsh whisper. “We will be using our fists to overcome any obstacles in our path.”

“Wow... That sounds really badass.” Zaniyah's eyes widened in admiration for a moment. “... But I need my axes. They’re my family. I can’t leave my family behind.”

“They are extra weight that will wear you out and slow you down.” He narrowed his eyes as she pouted. “...” She took a few steps closer and pouted all the harder, making her eyes as wide and as full of tears as she could. “You may take the smaller one if you stop looking like that.”

“Aye, sir.” She took Fling and attached it to her thigh. “Ready to leave, sir.”

With a roll of his eyes, they left the barracks and began to jog south. It was almost like one of Grimhawk’s forced marches, but this one wouldn't end. Every few hours, they took a brief break to eat and drink. When night came, they slept for only a handful of hours while the other kept watch. Always out in the open, with only the stars above them.

On their third afternoon, they reached an old stone structure. It was far enough from the roads that it was unlikely anyone had a reason to be here. The structure was quite large, possibly allowing a few hundred to live there at once, yet there were signs that no one had been here in some time. There were dead vines clinging to the walls, worn down carvings, but not a single entrance to be seen.

Beat approached the wall and brushed some of the vines aside. He placed his palm against the stone and a glimmer of light appeared. Runes that were faintly carved into the stone lit up and a section momentarily shuddered before descending into the ground. He gestured for her to follow as he stepped over the threshold.

The door closed as she walked past it. Beat continued through the halls of the temple while Zaniyah absentmindedly followed. Their travels had left her exhausted, but she was feeling rejuvenated thanks to her curiosity.

A real temple of Eatha, and not like the modest one she had seen in Carapace. The goddess of relationships certainly loved her risky murals. Occasionally, Zaniyah would pause, trying to figure out how a position worked. Beat would sharply whistle, and she needed to hasten her footsteps in order to catch up.

No matter what they passed, Beat kept going. There was an altar room, a dining area, and several smaller rooms. All of the furniture had fallen apart from age. The structure seemed sound, but debris had blown in, and dust was covering everything. When there was no more light, gold light spiraled around Beat’s arm so that they could see.

Corridors broke way to a large courtyard. It was big enough to have a small orchard of mulberries, peaches, and jujubes, a pond, and a field. There were signs that the field had been used as a farm, but any plants that may have gone there had been dead for centuries. Beat gestured around as he gave Zaniyah instructions.

“Only eat any mulberries that are bright red. You may also fish from the pond. All water must be boiled before drinking. There is a hot spring that channels into a communal bath indoors. Weather permitting, we will be sleeping outdoors. You may leave the temple anytime you wish, but I will acknowledge that you have failed your training if you choose to do so.”

“This is awesome.” Zaniyah was disappointed to only be here for a week. The idea of training in a place like this for a year was exciting. Actually, she was more interested in being able to study some of the murals more closely. Somehow, she doubted that she’d be allowed to.

Beat walked over to the edge of the pond, set down his pack, and pulled off his shirt. He retrieved a pouch from which he pulled out a pinch of yellow powder. When mixed with a little water, it turned into a gold paint that he started to apply to his face, arms, and torso. Watching him work, Zaniyah had a sudden realization.

He had a nice body.

Zaniyah thought he might be the boney type, since she never saw him do much of anything, but his muscles were lean and well defined. There were brown scales along his spine, but the rest of him appeared normal. She found herself with nothing to do but to stare a bit longer. Suddenly, everything in the world seemed better. Her head tilted to the side as she continued to admire his form.

“So uhhh...” She cleared her throat and tried to think of something that wasn’t perverted. “... Am I going to be allowed to wash off first? Should I be painting myself too?”

“My master wishes to test your skills before you will be allowed to rest for the night.” Beat looked over his shoulder, and his expression hardened. “... Turn around.” She blinked. “I said to turn around!”

Zaniyah looked away and folded her arms in a huff. She grumbled to herself that this was unfair treatment. Behind her, she could hear Beat shuffling about, but she couldn't understand why she wasn't allowed to watch. If he was going to strip down in front of her, he should've told her to leave first.

“My master is particular about appearances. He should be arriving shortly,” grumbled Beat. He was clearly annoyed by something.

Zaniyah turned around and was forced to grasp onto her throat as she made a choking sound. Beat had stripped down to nothing but a loincloth. Why, of all things, was he wearing just a loincloth?! He had painted silver lines alongside the gold and had extended them down to his legs. The intricate designs sparked as he began to stretch out his limbs.

Beat’s body began to shift in the most peculiar way. The horns on his brow thickened and grew outward. They curled about his head in the form of a crown. At the same time, a tail appeared unfurled behind him. It was like a snake’s in the way it curled about. His nails grew dark, as did his eyes, each appearing as a black void as he glanced up at Zaniyah.

“Zaniyah!” Even his voice was deeper, yet somewhat jolly. Clearly excited, he approached so he could examine the woman more closely. “It's an honor to be able to speak to you directly!”

“... Eh?”

The transformed Beat grabbed her by the arm. In one swift motion, he rolled her across his back and hurled her across the courtyard. “I am Iath! It will be my pleasure to break your body this week! As you can see,” he grinned as Zaniyah landed with a hard thud, “training begins now!”