2 hours later

Julie’s office

“In summation, whatever beast, entity, or curse is in the basement, the Phoenix detected it and told you to seek the Nameless Knight, whom it thinks must know about it. And you, brother, believed it? Did you suspect that the voice could be something other than the Phoenix?”

“I can only hear it when the flames go out of control. It has to be the Phoenix! I just know it.”

“And you… Elyna.”

Julia stared at the young lady for a moment before talking, “Your previous Master, Leonis Sanguis, gave you a coin that turned out to be his family’s heirloom. They sent people to retrieve it, eventually located you, and in so doing killed your mother. However, you say that you don’t know how you escaped death and that, even after they took it away, the coin returned to you?”

“Yes, my lady. The coin talked to me and gave me powers.”

Julie, who was still processing this ludicrous turn of events, massaged her aching temples and lowered her head. How was it that everything that had happened keep connecting to ‘Arthur’, the man who saved her.

“It’s a lot to take in and… if all you told me a lie, then it certainly is an elaborate one. Alright, let’s say I believe you and agree to attend the banquet with you. What then?”

“...”

Hearing no response, Julie snorted, “The Nameless Knight isn’t just going to randomly appear in the banquet, is he? Surely, a godlike being isn’t just a mere guest. How are you going to find him? What will you do to convince him? Do you even know what he looks like?”

A lot of questions but only silence for an answer. The only reason Julie listened to Feylord was because the basement anomaly was truly worrying her. She didn’t want to leave it alone and simply hope it would go away.

“I need time to consider our choices. I can’t act on your whims. You two are excused.”

Feylord didn’t object, he stood up and left with Elyna.

Julie was about to lean back against her chair only for a swift shadow to jump into her lap. Furball, who had grown plump and fluffy, snuggled in her arms. His blood-red eyes were half-opened as he made himself comfortable and soon fell asleep.

“Why did you give her the coin? Was it an arbitrary choice? Are you also going to the banquet?”

Julie really wanted to talk to Arthur. She wanted to know if this was all a big plan of his or simply a coincidence. Maybe he knew something about the basement.

After spending an inordinate amount of time lost in thought, Julie closed her eyes and concentrated, hoping to see a vivid image like what happened months ago.

Back then, she felt that Arthur was in danger, so she brought her knights and headed North-West. Although she didn’t meet her savior, she knew that she helped by saving Furball and forcing the Holy Knights to retreat.

…

27th of the Fallen Star

“Take care of yourself, okay? And make sure no one goes to the basement.”

“I know, my lady. Everything will be well-taken care of.”

The elderly butler smiled at the overly-worrying baron, who stood next to a big carriage. She was going to the Imperial Capital along with Fairti and Leyna.

She was a vampire, so there was no need to bring protection. All of her knights were going to stay at the manor, guarding it. Excluding her butler, all other servants were given a vacation until her return.

As it turned out, Julie decided to attend the banquet scheduled 17 days from now. Two or three weeks were simply not enough to travel from Wilsden to the Imperial Capital, but Julie was planning to go to Cinder City and commission a mage to teleport them to the Militant Capital.

After that, crossing the Dwarven Canal and reaching their destination shouldn’t take more than a day.

“Please take care of yourself and be safe, my lady. I shall await your return.”

“Thank you.”

Soon enough, Julie entered the carriage and sat across from her brother and Elyna.

“Sancha Sanguis will also attend the banquet. So will some members of her family. You will be registered as my maid, so anything you do will reflect on me. Do anything rash and I will end your life myself, Elyna.”

The dark-haired young woman simply nodded her head, but her eyes were eerie and cold, as if impatiently awaiting to witness the vengeance.

“And you, brother, you will not leave my side once we’re there. You will do as I tell you and nothing more.”

“I know. You too… don’t forget that we must… MUST find and speak to the Nameless Knight. He is our priority once we’re there. The Phoenix Flames are getting more uncontrollable, so I will either do as I must or die trying. If things get chaotic, you can just leave, sister.”

Although he tried to look resolved, Feylord was nervous and even shaking a bit. It was apparent that he was stricken with fear and unable to calm down.

“I certainly will.”

28th of the Fallen Star

West of Greenbell Forest, near the coast.

Aerin was sitting near a campfire and looking at the calming waves coming from the Phantom Ocean. Besides the crackling of the burning wood, there was only a serene silence.

At first, the minstrel brought a lute to his lips and was about to play a tune, but he stopped and let out a sigh. It was the start of the night, and the search bore no fruits still.

Even with the Undead Jester helping him, the origin of the Signal could not be located. Aerin was at his wit’s end, and began considering other alternatives… drastic and possibly extreme measures.

“No… there’s always a better choice.” He furiously shook his head, a self-deprecating chuckle escaping his lips.

“Talking to yourself again, eh?”

A creepy and frightening head peeked from behind him, but Aerin didn’t flinch. He raised his hand and shoved it away.

“Guess what I learned?”

“If it’s about Hell politics then please spare me.”

“Well…” The Undead Jester crossed his long and bony legs and sat down opposite of his companion. “There’s some of that, but I heard more juicy stuff. Apparently, there’s some unrest in the Sea of Souls.”

“Oh?”

“Death is up to something, or so the rumors claim.”

Aerin snorted, “When is It not?”

“I’m not done yet! Here’s the fun part: It’s going to happen in Astria.”

Only then did Aerin show a bit of surprise and intrigue. “One would think It would learn after what happened to its predecessor. Astria is the closest world to the Crimson Rift, and it is under the protection of the Trickster.”

“That’s what’s exciting about this!” The Undead Jester cackled as it playfully touched the fire, “Knowing Death’s hate toward Leiu, and how It is planning something here of all places… it could only mean one thing.”

“No way. That’s a bit far-fetched.”

“Yes way, my friend! Death really went nuts. If it’s really after Leiu, then It cannot succeed alone, which takes us to the Headless Soldier.”

“Even then, the chances of succeeding are pitifully low. Leiu beat Moriah, Sedos, and Medtris.”

“But the Headless Soldier is different. Anyway, I’m excited to see what will happe-”

The Undead Jester suddenly stopped talking, Aerin abruptly stood and looked Southwards.

“Quickly!”

The horrifying tall creature didn’t respond, it grabbed Aerin using its abnormally large arms and then used its other one to rip through space and leap into the small rift.

The two reappeared in an underground corridor, lit only by flickering torches suspended on both walls. A couple of meters away, an elderly man dressed in a butler’s outfit was standing near an open door, his hollow eyes staring at something inside.

“Don’t!”

Aerin cried out almost immediately, which, fortunately, made the old man hastily back away.

“It’s here, Aerin!”

The Undead Jester appeared at the small room’s entrance and stared forward. The room was still dark and seemingly normal. There were no signs of a slumbering creature or a malevolent curse, but that made this situation even more disturbing.

Threads of black-colored energy shot from the Undead Jester’s fingertips, trying to completely seal away the room. Alas, they barely crossed the doorstep before being erased.

Aerin stood right behind him, his pupils radiating a multi-colored glow as they focused on one minuscule spot near an old statue at the back of the room.

“It’s as I feared- no…. Much worse.”

The Undead Jester backed away while wrapping his long arm around Aerin’s chest, pulling him back to safety.

“I… I must go into it. I-”

“No!”

The Undead Jester stopped him and shouted back, but Aerin tried to free himself.

“Are you crazy? You’ll die.”

“I have the blessings, I could…”

“Could what? It’s too late.”

“No… no no no. There must be a way.”

The Minstrel mumbled incoherently as his shining eyes were fixated on the same spot. After a while, he fortunately calmed down.

“We destroy it, then. Not through brute force, but using an opposite force.”

While the butler was standing there, flabbergasted about what was happening, the Undead Jester grumbled,

“An opposite force?”

“Yes. We pit Passivity against Activity. We’re going to need someone or something that can use-”

“A power imbued with an active essence? So… Leiu?”

“Not him. He will not destroy it. He’ll use it.” Aerin turned around and faced the Undead Jester,

“Hye, find us what we need. It’s up to you. Please.”

“Alright. You don’t need to beg. But first, I want you to swear to me that you’ll not jump in it.”

“I swear..”

“Good.” The Undead Jester smiled, “Someone who is strong and can harness an active power. Preferably Darkness, right? It will take a while.”

“I’ll monitor it until you return. Thank you.”

The Undead Jester opened a rift and slipped into it, leaving Aerin with the stupefied butler.