The queen entered a large room with a table that had five chairs. Four of them are filled with only one chair remaining and the queen sits in it. There in the other three seats are Alcore, a bird beast-blooded wearing a kimono, an elf, and a wizard.

Alcore looked up “oh good that’s all of us, Yes?” Everyone in the room nods. Alcore smiled “good now who should go first?”

The beast-blooded bird stood up. They have a set of long feathers that are braided together with red ribbons. Their feathers are red, brown with white accents. They have gold-colored eyes with a black beak “I will.”

Alcore noded “very well reported Phenic.”

Phenic nodded, “yes sir, as of recently we have discovered the soul stone's location it’s just a matter of retrieving it.”

While saying this she taped a button on the table and in the center, a holograph of a large set of crumbling ruins, and in the center was a broken-down castle. “It is literally on the other side of Terra. But we can’t ever seem to get to the ruins before nightfall and you know well as I do no one wants to stay there after nightfall.”

The elf tilted his head “I forget what the problem is about being there after nightfall?”

Phenic turned to the elf “the reason that we cannot afford to stay there during night Eltric is that curse on the land. Remember all the land turns to fire. Do you not remember history?”

Eltric shook his head “no, sorry I’ve been in space too much.” Slight sarcasm in his voice.

Phenic sighed “very well I will explain, do you at least remember the war of fire?” Eltric nodded “that I do.”

Phenic sets her wing on the table and looked up at Eltric “good, that saves me a lot of time, after the war, many of the powerful weapons and relics were hidden by the victorious. What no one really remembers is that the wizards also sided with the witches. Then why aren’t the witches still around you may ask?

Well, who do you think agreed to stay behind to guard, manage, and protect the said powerful articles of war. The witches only activate the curse at night. We have never gotten close enough to talk to them and I doubt they would listen. Seeing as in history they swore loyalty to the crown.

But seeing as the queen informed me personally that the king’s father or his mother never told the blood king of this. We still have a chance to get it before the blood king does.”

Eltric noded realization In his eyes “oh, ok now I see why this is so important.”

Phenic nodded and turned to the queen “that is all I have to say on that. Now what I was thinking is that since we still have a chance is that you can negotiate with the witches. But our one problem is getting there fast enough. Even when we leave at the crack of dawn, we don’t get there quick enough.”

Phenic turned to Alcore “which is why I would like to know if our scientific team has had any breakthroughs with the mechs?” Alcore shook his head “No but I will put Fendres up to see if she can find an ace. I’ll tell her to test everyone. The same goes for the rest of you. Have your flight captains test everyone.” They all nod

Alcore then looked around “now how well are supplies flowing? Reply on a scale of one to ten. Ten is perfect zero is near to nothing”

Phenic replied first “7” then Eltric “5” then the queen “6” the wizard last “5” Alcore noded “good. Now does anyone else have something to bring up?” No one responded.

Alcore noded “all right then I would like to share with you some interesting information my stealth captain has brought up. She found out that two-thirds of our troops are still alive and as far as we are aware, they are currently imprisoned in the capital. I have not shared this with anyone lower than a squad captain. I recommend the same precaution. This is a need to know bases only.” The others nod.

The wizard stood up“so are we to rescue them or is it too early.” Alcore shook his head “it is too early to tell Drew.”

Drew nodded his expression solemnly and Alcore went sympathetic “I understand you want to know if your daughter is alright, but it would be best to wait. I worry if we act too quickly that it will be a trap and then they will kill the ones who we were trying to save and the rescue party.”

Drew nodded “I understand knowing she is alive is relieving for now.” Alcore nodded “good that is all I have in this situation does anyone wish to bring something else up?” No one responds, “Good then this meeting is adjourned.” With that, they all leave the room.

Everyone but Alcore who stared at the table “need of an ace.” He left the room and walked through the halls, took a left then a right. He entered a hallway that ended with one door. He opened the door at the end of this hallway and entered a spiral stairway leading up.

Alcore walked up the stairs that led him to another door. He walks through it leading to a large open area on the roof of the base. There are a few racks of metal backpacks and uniforms. Above this rack was a shelf that had a set of large bracelets.

They're sitting on a chair looking at the fields in the distance was Fendres. “so, what do you want cuz I'm going to assume you came up here for a reason other than watching the sunset?”

Alcore chuckled and walked up to her “you know me well as pretty as the sun is, you’re right. I didn’t come up here just for the scenery. I came here to tell you about your new set of orders. You are to test everyone who has magic strong enough to use a mech. Find the fastest cadet and then tell me once you find them or if you find them. I already have the other bases doing the same.”

Fendres nodded “very well. I'll start tomorrow. I have a feeling in my guts about a certain individual.”

Alcore noded “Good, I can’t wait to see the results.” With that, he left.

****

Lexy woke with a groan when she opened her eyes to see she was in a cell and her hands were cuffed together with metal. She looked around with panic to see she was in a cell made of stone and metal that had engravings into them. While there was one door that had no handle.

“Hello? Varikin!”

But no one came. She was alone and she hated it.

“Varikin? Where are you?”

No response came. Not until thirty minutes of nothing. Was when she heard a set of footsteps and the cell door was opened by someone Lexy had seen before. The man with a black boar mask. He looked at Lexy,

“Oh, you're awake. I was starting to get worried if I had overdosed you on the drug.”

Lexy snarled and if glares could kill this man would be dead,

“The hell you want me for!”

The man shrugged,

“A bounty set up by some pretty high up people. They're going to pay me a pretty penny for you.”

Lexy raised a brow,

“And what do they want me for?”

To this, the man only shrugged again,

“Them? I think It would be pretty obvious to the guardian herself.”

Lexy wrinkled her nose,

“Guardian? Like the guardian that was meant to be a gift from one of the gods?”

This made him nod,

“Yup, the said being that is meant to help and protect the people. Well lucky you. These high-ups believe it’s you. Now come on or do I have to drag you?”

Lexy narrowed her eyes, thought hard,

“I will only come willingly if you tell me where Varikin is.”

The man raised a brow from under his mask,

“Varikin? Oh, the wonder wolf. I already handed him to them.”

Lexy huffed and stood up,

“Fine, I'll go willingly.”

Tarvos attached a lead to the iron cuffs and began to lead Lexy through cave systems that opened up to where there were three people in black hoods. By them was a cage with a snarling Varikin who was doing everything he could to get out of the cage. Tarvos walked up to one and handed the line to them.

“You already paid me for the wolf and the kid. Do you have any more targets you want?”

The man took the line and shook his head,

“No this will be enough. Tarvos”

Lexy smiled when she looked to the exit of the cave and saw a sand storm.

The hooded man pulled off his hood revealing he was Albis. Albis’s half ear twitched when he grinned at Lexy,

“We meet again, guardian. I do hope no one will be missing you. Because you are about to die. Now any last words?”

He said when he pulled out a knife. Lexy looked at her shadow and gazed at it for a moment. She smiled when it flickered on its own. Lexy closed her eyes and listened carefully. Her smile grew to a knowing smirk when she felt the ground shake. She opened her eyes and looked at Albis.

“I don't believe you realize just who you captured. I am not some mere child you just get to kill.”

Albis smirked and raised a brow,

“Really now why would that be?”

Lexy felt the ground shook more, which got everyone's attention. Albis looked to the exit of the cave.

“What is that?”

Lexy looked to Tarvos who had the key to her metal cuffs and then back to Albis,

“That’s why.”

Without warning, a booming voice echoed around when Algavorian approached. The titanic beast cackled,

“You think you can hide from me, little mouse! I am death and I am lightning! Now die!”

Lighting crackled when Algavorian took in a deep breath and exhaled the chaotic energy. Lexy quickly dived to move varikin out of the way while the others in the room did the same. Lexy used to lighting attacks from training, was able to snap out the shock from the attack, and saw Tarvose had landed near her and the key even closer. Lexy quickly snatched the key from the ground and undid her shackles. She then used the key to free Varikin.

Lexy put a hand on his scruff and looked at the monster readying for another attack. While she thought of being in her bedroom,

“See ya, ya bunch of nitwits!”

Before they could say a thing Lexy was in her bedroom. She groaned upon sight of her lack of equipment,

“dang it, I forgot my stuff.”

Varikin raised a brow,

“What do you mean it’s all right there.”

Lexy’s eyes widened and she turned behind her where her shadow was to see all of her equipment.