How Long Has It Been?

[Dalazar Denkou]

"This is the place, correct Evant?"

His journey had taken him across many of the mother's monuments. Both well known and mythic. When last he sat on Neovian soil, he was a child fumbling around the text of the Conservatory in search of any leads about his family's lost legacy. Of the many harrowing trials accompanied by some existential discoveries, his time beneath the sands of the Gajun Waste in the fabled lands of Uran spoke loudest. The gemstones of the parable he could talk about that journey alone wove a tapestry of loss, betrayal, restitution, and retribution. Now, he returned a man armed with the truth he sought and the high cost of the tolls he paid.

"Really, Sire, we must sharpen your sense of direction. Neovia was the first stone upon your path..."

Amidst the busy streets leading up to the Atleir, Evant, and Dalazar found themselves in the middle of the marketplace. Their cloaks, which bore a casual appeal, smothered their royal attire beneath. Dalazar's ensemble hid his missing arm, and his emerald green scarf nuzzled conformably under him. His blade was hidden beneath his clothing. Evant beside him donned a black cloak that matched his underlying armor. The hood of his cloak hides his locks. In his hands was a piece of paper that he pulled closer to his face; upon it was a rough scribbled map with an arrow pointing to what he assumed was the building further up the road.

"Oh please, do not bore me with your sensibilities right now; it said here, right?"

He casually said, Evant rolling the paper he was glaring at and chopping his charge over the head with it.

"Achem...Well, Yes. According to the scouts, this is pretty much his home."

Dalazar's eyes tenderly sat upon the Atleir just a short way away.

"Zero..."

He said as he recalled briefly how they met. As cliche as tales of adventure go, he just so happened to stumble across him in a tavern. Founder of Neovia and apparent international pirate King casually serving at a tavern. Considering how he met him, it was hard for the naieve prince to assume he could be part of any foul play. How could a ruler serving his people dinner be capable of toying with the trust of a people as a hospital as Uran? This dilemma, along with the others, the Diamon Dust crew, the shady corporate twins, and their followers showed him how people can have more than one face ever since he wondered why he trusted Dalazar with his capture. It could have been as simple as how gullible he was. A young, sheltered, aspiring student with a newborn thirst for adventure. The easiest of marks...or was there something more that he had seen? Whether there was a reason or not, that was one part of why he came here.

"And you're sure he will assist in the evasion threatening the Kingdom? By, what have you told me about the man? Forgive me for saying, but he seems like a wildcard. How can you be sure?"

The white-haired King stared into the distance, his eyes seeing the energy wisping around the Atleir.

"Because it's not just our kingdom at stake. B'halia tried to conquer us once, and we survived through our accord with the Gafren and Titans. Unity won that day, with the Denkou as they are now; even if I manage to stop Myos, B'halia would swoop in like birds of prey upon carrion..."

Loathe him to admit it, but his words rang true. Their kingdom's discord would prove to be its greatest vulnerability. So Dalazar's awakening of his king's blood was reported to the heads so that measures could still be taken under Myos's nose. This potential alliance is one of hopefully many more contingencies.

"We still have time before our agents finalize the route to infiltrate the Kingdom. Let us hope this use of our time is futile."

Dalazar bumped him in the shoulder, breaking his stern focus.

"Lighten up, Evant, Neovia was built of the dream of people being able to live happily in unison...as a tribe. There was a time when our people yearned for the same."

"....."

"I will see it done... let's hurry, daylight wasting."

They made their way through the sea of people and up the way to his Atleir.

"Seems the door is open. Rather trusting of them..."

"Or suspicious."

Dalazar rolled his eyes.

"Hmm, I hear people talking; I don't suppose we should just let ourselves in?"

It was less of a question and more of an announcement. With little caution, Dalazar entered.

"My lord! It is most unbecoming of a royal to just."

" Here, I am simply a fellow Neovian, ready to lend my aid to the cause."

his brow furrowed as Dalazar became obsessed with the decorum of the earlier. The legion of trophies and other manifestos of knowledge recall legacies of the long past, maybe even the present. The hours he would spend if he had the time to lock himself away in this tower. Evant noticed the group of people whose scowls caused him to tap Dalazar's shoulder. He waved him off at first, enamored with Zero's vast collection of memorabilia.

"Sire..."

"A normeian crystal? Extraordinary, though, they were said to have all vanished after the fall. Oh! Is that an arcane focus of some sort?"

It was a swift chop, but one that he nimbly evaded. It did prompt him to turn to Evant, his finger pointed at him. Only then did he notice the group of people.

"Oh...um...hello. I was expecting Zero to be here. This is his home, can't it?"

Evant quickly stepped to his side and bowed slightly.

"Do forgive my charge; the door was wide open. We hope you can forgive the intrusion. I am Evant Urso and this..."

"I am Dalazar Denkou...I come as an...agent of the Denkou Kingdom in the Emerald Ascenion."

[Okoye]

..Jaq’s chest heaved as Okoye disparaged Zero’s character, compelling her to spit back without a single signed word, “He’s going to come back!”Jaq shot to their feet and stood right next to Subori glaring at Okoye. Subori gave Jaq a judgmental once over with his eyes as he moved half a step away from her Caecilian comrade. “You don’t get to just walk in the front door of his home and doubt him!”..

..“Hey, calm down. He convinced us to trust her, so it’s our turn to convince her to trust us.”

..Subori moved started walking over to one of the shelves nearby the hallway corridor leading to the kitchen. He lined the walls with his webbed fingers, clearly looking for a very particular ledger…Jaq’s breathing stabilized, but her heart rate remained elevated. Her cheeks flushed with blood but she took a big gulp of air before getting her fingers in order again.

..“Sorry, I know he’s coming back.” she whispered to herself, signing away from Okoye.

Okoye did not respond. Her expression was apathetic to Jaq's feelings, but she also wasn't the type to intentionally slander someone's name. Zero was a man of power and strength, his legacy transcending across more cultures than most. Okoye was no different.. but she meant every word she sai– signed. She wouldn't blame Zero if he decided to run. In all honesty, she figured it was the wisest thing to do.. but Okoye couldn't afford to run anymore.

Jaq was clearly inspired or influenced by the Thunderer, but Okoye had learned the hard way not to fall too hard for your heroes. She simply crossed her arms and allowed Jaq to create distance between them.

“Bingo,” Subori said bounding over with the book he found and placing it front and center on the coffee table between them. “On my honor, he’s guaranteed to come back for this.”

“The Jaida Force weren’t called that for nothing.” Subori let the pages go and flow in front of Okoye, crossing his fingers in a prideful pyramid.”So, what do you think?”..

Okoye's eyes studied Subori's red book, but was immediately confused. There was no mention of anything he was referring to– nothing about whatever the Jaida Force was.. or anything at all for that matter. She found the pages were empty as they fluttered from one cover of the ledger to the other.

”Subori.. I'm not sure what you're trying to do, but these pages are empty.”

She signed casually, until the doors of Zero's Altier swung open once again, ushering in two faces that Okoye had never seen before. Her expression grew more cautious— retreating slowly behind Subori's position. He was the “man” in charge after all, and though she'd only briefly met him, there was something genuine about his personality. She studied Dalazar and Evant, humans.. Hailing from unfamiliar colors and clans. If they were truly allies of Zero, she wondered if they were privy to the incoming invasion. And if they were.. would they be assets in their survival? Or more liabilities..

[The Conservatory]

Subori's face scrunched in confusion and Jaq rolled her eyes all the way to the back of her head, his absentmindedness showed itself in full force.

I think he's from around here, I picked him up at Cold Frontier before I went to Uran. He rolls with the punches and could probably do some damage in a pinch. He's got a really nice scarf, I think it heals him too!

"Wait, I think you're on the list too!" Subori exclaimed when Dalazar sauntered up to the table and Subori welcomed him in with a gracious wave. "Dalazar, Evant, I'm just going to trust for right now that your retainer can also be trusted."

"It's very nice and convenient to have you here," Jaq followed, casting a more discerning look upon the two who just arrived.

"It has to be a good omen they all arrived at once," Subori mentioned to Jaq, it would save them some talking meeting this cast of allies simultaneously. With Okoye at his side, he contined to sign to make sure she'd get the full breadth of the conversation. He continued with both of his webbed fingers wiggling towards the shimmering ledger before them.

"This is a volume of The Bestiary. According to the Lucis Acolytes, every living thing has an being with Naten Awareness has a Cordo that ties it to this realm, while special places on Vescrutia posses Anchors. The Lucis Acolytes are studying it intensely trying to find every Anchor there is to add to the Bestiary." He took a moment to let his words marinate in the room, but only seemed to get more excited as he continued.

"Although the Lucis Acolytes are studying the whole of the Bestiary, this volume is one that's unique to the Jaida Coast. Each region around us, the Gafren Highlands, Emerald's Ascension, Nonoir Mangroves and more each have an Anchor related to a sacred place to us. These Anchors, swirling vortexes of Naten, are why the natural geography and climate are so varied and dynamic, integral parts of our ecosystem. These Anchors unlocked transformations in the Jaida Force's abilities that helped them beat back the Mazoku at the Fosfe Incident.

We're going to use them to take on the B'halian Empire again."

Subori closed his eyes for a moment and began making a series of hand seals. They ended and he held his hand toward the unfurling pages. They flipped faster and faster in every way until all four directions flapped open and the light produced a series of glowing lights that traced what looked to be the outline of a long barreled rifle, as primitive as it could be designed. The light traced a cylinder for a barrel, a geometric handle and not even a trigger or sights, just the faint semblance of a firearm itself. Subori reached for the handle of the weapon and it gained definition, reactive to his style and spirit, becoming a brightly colored liquid rifle. He brandished it in a consecrating flash of light and held the weapon high above his guests heads and the coffee table.

"With this Cordo, I summon the Buster Rif--" As he spoke those words, the chamber atop the rifle began to twist, revving loudly to a high powered spin whose piercing whine echoed through the book insulated walls of the atelier. It broke free from Subori's hand and the entire weapon flipped wildly in midair above the Bestiary's volume's flipping pages.

"Subori, why'd you do it inside?!" Jaq screamed, hitting the deck and waving her hands for everyone else to do so immediately. Subori attempted to cover Okoye from the impending blast, but couldn't move her battle hardened body, so he just stood in front of the violently disappearing weapon.

After a few moments, the yet fully named or formed Buster Rifle vanished in a pulse of force that rocked every book on every floor of the atelier, pushing the table and sending the coffee table, recliner, and couch firmly and soundly into the walls behind them.

The Bestiary's volume closed on the floor and Subori and Jaq were silent, both feeling the massive embarrassment from Subori's horribly planned demonstration. They looked to one another for confirmation everyone remained unharmed and slowly rose back to their feet. Subori dusted himself off, chuckling nervously as he gathered himself to speak again.

"Heh, so that was supposed to be the Buster Rifle," he said, scratching the back of his head. "It's a Siege Weapon, as Zero calls them, but the Acolytes refer to them as Cordis Nova. You might not have seen it before I pulled it from the Bestiary because you haven't been acclimated to your own Cordo. And that's where we are. The whole coast is preparing themselves for the coming invasion, but The Conservatory is actively searching for Siege Weapons since the Jaida Force took the knowledge of theirs to the grave. Respectfully. And that's where you guys come in!" Subori reached down and grabbed the Bestiary's volume off the floor before the coffee table reoriented itself between the group as if it never moved. The books shaken slid neatly back into their slots and the chairs landed the same as they ever were. Still a bit shaken by the botched summon, Subori took a seat in the ornate recliner and waved his hands to his new guests to open the floor to them. "Zero left a message with us specifically for you and a few others, requesting that you join The Conservatory, or at least help us out while you're in the neighborhood. You'll get access to the Atelier and a ton of legendary books, plus free room and board out here as long as you're here for the cause. What do you say?"

[Dalazar Denkou]

"The List?"

Dalazar said with a curious tone. They had been expected, though as he looked around, he saw that Zero was, in fact, not here but had left a couple of folks in charge while he was away. That was dismaying, but if Zero were that easy to catch, he wouldn't be a very good, ex-pirate pirate. He supposed it was okay; Subori and Jaq seemed like nice enough folks, as he had found most people in the Conservatory to be, minus the smug academic elites he ran into there before.

"Evant is my guard and dearest friend. I trust him with my life."

The stalwart Urso knight stood proudly, though his brow furrowed as he caught Okyoe's eye. The way her hands moved... initially, he thought she was preparing an arbor, but as he paid closer attention to the intricacy of her movements, he identified it as VSL. Though he had never become adept at it, he could follow some of the basics—enough to gauge that she was also an ally. Dalazar also noticed this, but his experience with Okoye was vastly different. His emerald eyes twinkled as his magic sense observed her being. She was the catalyst for an awe-inspiring power; though he did not wish to pry, he could tell she held a deep reservoir of mystic abilities. But there was something...oddly foreboding about her naten....something almost profane. But if she was here, alongside Zero's trusted, he trusted her, so Dalazar would also.

"Lucis Acolytes...I thought they were a myth. I've found myself stumbling on many a true myth recently."

"The Fosfe Inccident, history indeed has a habit of repeating itself."

"So the scouts were right; the Mazoku have returned. They couldn't have picked a worse time, though."

Evant said, his fist trembling from a mixture of worry and anticipation. He wanted to believe those words firmly, but with his people on the brink of civil war, he worried about how they would do so. Their bond aside, Dalazar saw Evant's trepidation and merely touched his shoulder to affirm his concerns.

"We weren't alone then, and we aren't alone now."

They listened intently as the Cordo, Cordis Nova, Jaida Force, and anchors were explained. Dalazar's eyes sparkled with intrigue and excitement. This was like a book he had read, in which the hero transformed and gained extraordinary powers to stand against the force of evil. He watched with a mildewed confluence as the lights whisked and wisped around, manifesting the rifle. Dalzar was a magic fanatic, anything with a spec of arcane energy under the umbrella of his interest. To witness this art once lost to time being revived in front of him, he could not help but feel a sense of inspiration. That captivating was cut short as the mystic weapon went haywire.

After a few moments, the yet fully named or formed Buster Rifle vanished in a pulse of force that rocked every book on every floor of the atelier, pushing the table and sending the coffee table, recliner, and couch firmly and soundly into the walls behind them.

"Sire, Get back!"

Evant said, throwing himself in front of Dalazar before a barrier of light manifested around them. Dalazar chuckled. Evant was always ready to throw himself in harm's way, yet he crafted the barrier shielding them from the burst of force. It seemed that these siege weapons were dangerous and unruly magic, and it was good to see that they should be invoked with more care and intent.

"Zero left a message with us specifically for you and a few others, requesting that you join The Conservatory, or at least help us out while you're in the neighborhood. You'll get access to the Atelier, a ton of legendary books, and free room and board out here as long as you're here for the cause. What do you say?

After the danger passed, the Emerald Noble caused the barrier to dispute like fragmented glass before its shards became dust that faded in time.

"I must say, This initiative seems to be just what we need to gain the upper hand. However, I must be frank; my people are without a...competent ruler. The current King throws caution to the wind, doing little to prepare for this invasion...We and those loyal to me have been working secretly to cover his slack...until."

"Sire...are you sure?"

"I am; without an alliance, we will be wiped out, siege weapon or not..."

He nodded in understanding.

"Until I claim my rightful place upon the throne, the Emerald Asceion is more vulnerable than ever before... that said."

He adjusted his scarf and cloak, revealing his Noble treasure, his Katana, Umina.

"I humbly accept this offer and offer my full support in the Jaida force efforts to stave off this invasion; you've my word, as the Fourth Emerald King.

Dalazar said, placing his hand above his heart. If they needed these anchors, and there was one in the Emerald Ascension, Dalazar had a good idea where it could be, the very place he needed to infiltrate to complete his Rite Of Rule and take back his kingdom. Their aims were synonymous.

"And her? What's her angle in all this?"

Evant said, gesturing slightly to Okoye. He would prefer to communicate with her directly, but his VSL was horrible, so he'd rather not risk offending her. They revealed their aims; he pondered hers.

[Okoye]

Okoye stood steady, unfazed as the Buster Rifle’s wild misfire scorched the air, its energy veering off-course. Subori’s attempt to shield her, though lacking in the appropriate muscle, was not lost on her. She silently acknowledged his effort with a subtle glance but chose to raise her own hand, allowing the surging energy to dissipate harmlessly over her. Her expression remained composed, betraying none of the thoughts stirring behind her sharp, calculating eyes.

As Subori continued his explanation of the siege weapons, Okoye rested a finger lightly on her chin, her stance contemplative. She had never heard of these weapons before, but their significance was immediately clear. Pieces began to fall into place as she considered their potential impact, particularly during the Fosfe Invasion. Then, the mention of the Conservatory's secrets weapon sparked a memory of her initial meeting with Zero, his words echoing in her mind even now.

"Is that why he wanted me to join so long ago? For these weapons?"

The thought lingered as she paced slowly around the table, her measured steps the only indication of her deepening analysis. Her sharp gaze occasionally flicked to the others as they exchanged thoughts, but she remained silent, her focus unbroken. Okoye couldn’t help but muse on B’halia’s notorious pride. If their empire had stumbled upon such technology and failed to fully grasp its potential, they would likely bury the knowledge rather than risk admitting ignorance. Yet here lay an opportunity—a crack in their otherwise unyielding armor. They could use their huurbis against them.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard her name mentioned.

“And her? What’s her angle in all this?”

The voice belonged to Evant, who gestured vaguely in her direction. His tone was inquisitive but tinged with hesitance. Okoye noted the faint tension in his posture. He avoided direct communication, likely due to his poor grasp of VSL, or his apparent noble heritage.

Still, she chose not to respond. Her eyes briefly flicked to him, then away, as if to say she had heard but wouldn’t indulge the question just yet. Instead, she noted his attempt to use VSL, however flawed. It was thoughtful, a gesture she appreciated more than the clumsy execution.

For now, Okoye remained an observer, her mind quietly analyzing, plotting, and weighing the balance of what lay ahead.

[The Conservatory]

With the demonstration over for the time being, Subori could answer some questions to the inquiring crowd. He thought he did a pretty good job of getting everyone up to speed all at once, but Evant seemed to take pause with Okoye. Funny, they all just happened to meet in this workshop yet the most foreign guest showed himself to be the most discerning. Still. Neither Subori nor Jaq enjoyed the way he referred to her presence as an 'angle' since everyone's 'angle' should be fending off the forces of the Empire.

"Her angle," Jaq started, "happens to be Vescrutian Sign Language, so try to keep up."

"It's good to know we have the support of the Emerald's Ascension" Subori followed up. "after the festival, we were worried they'd keep their isolationist policy. The Jaida Force 2 is totally happening!"

"Subori," Jaq interjected as she stepped toward the table, holding out her hand toward The Bestiary unfurling on the table. "You do remember that Okoye probably doesn't have a Cordo herself, right? And she hasn't even given you an answer yet. Maybe take a moment to process next time."

The Bestiary glowed with a soft light, its pages producing tiny sprites that danced above it. They spiraled out of the pages and up into a wide, glowing ring, pulsing with her heartbeat. Jaq closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and in time with her focus a dense sprite lifted from the pages and floated over the table. It took no shape, but responded to Jaq's razor focus and piercing eyes. "Siege Weapons take more than just blind will and brute force. Each one has an undying will you must resonate with to utilize it at all, and you must cultivate your Cordo to make the most of the weapon's power. There's homework involved, and it might be difficult, but worth it." Jaq looked to Okoye, sure she was reading her lips during this controlled demonstration. The Cordo within Jaq gave her an aura that pulsed in time with her heartbeat and she breathed deep as the light above the Bestiary flickered and disappeared in a flash and the halo around the room faded away. Jaq was able to use both of her hands now. "The more Siege Weapons we can get into the hands of capable and trustworthy individuals, the better. Is that going to be you?"

Subori had been signing for Okoye, just in case she didn't catch Jaq's lips. He also applauded her restraint and technique with her Cordo and the Bestiary's Anchor. The two of them, having already worked with their Cordos, saw just a single spined book without the extra ephemeral pages. The book had a crisper glow, almost like the coffee table gave it a backlight. While most of the pages were blank, some that Jaq and Subori could read were inscribed with images of different sigils and illustrations. This special sight was afforded them in a series of exercises the Acolytes of Lucis created and would have to be taught to Dalazar and Okoye if they intended on utilizing their power in the coming battles.

[Dalazar Denkou]

By the weight in Jaq’s tone, Evant could tell he might have overstepped. Adjusting his collar, he noticed the slight glare his charge had given him.

“Of course, we’ve been through a lot recently.”

Dalazar stepped forward

“As have we all…Evant, but if we wish for others to place faith in us, we must be willing to place faith in them. The Denkou are part of this mess because of our standoffish deposition. We aren't in a position to be inquisitors.”

He looked to Okoye and bowed slightly. Having observed and analyzed the signing patterns and words, Evant's brash display gave him a swift yet general understanding of the dialect. His specialty was identifying and translating languages. This knack led to their discovery of their latent legacy. He said accordingly.

“He meant no harm; our last encounter has left him a bit...crestfallen, whatever our stakes in this may be. It is Madeira's survival that has brought us together this day.”

Apologies of sorts, Evant had witnessed Dalazar's nature cost him dearly in the last few months and held reservations about thrusting him into another fray with unknown faces. But in truth, they were all unknown to each other, guided through whatever paths by a common thread: Zero’s faith in them and their desire to see Madeira through this storm. Mutual trade aside, the Denkou had done little to foster relationships within the Conservatory; their presence at the festival was meant to be an invitation to allyship, as the present-day Denkou understood the power of unity, Thier current King did not. He quickly realized the need to disarm his inhibitions; it was pivotal to working together. Evant said nothing further, not wishing to crosshairs any further. He was resolute in doing what needed to be done to protect their kingdom, come what alliances that may. He turned back to Jaq and Subori.

"The more Siege Weapons we can get into the hands of capable and trustworthy individuals, the better. Is that going to be you?"

“Your faith will not be wasted, nor shall your aid. I will give my earnest effort to ensure it.

[Okoye]

Okoye remained in silent contemplation until Jaq and Subori proposed their offer. Their suggestion mirrored Zero’s, but with a key difference: they offered tangible incentives where Zero had leaned solely on the gravity of the cause. The mention of siege weapons tugged at her resolve — she couldn’t deny their value in the looming confrontation with the B'halian Empire. It was a tempting offer, but despite its value and how truly charming she found Subori to be in this short time, Okoye was no in a position to commit herself to any long term team.

She glanced between Subori and Jaq, allowing a moment of silence to linger before raising her hands to sign. "While I am here to help, I do not plan to stay in Maderia after you all are safe. I'm sorry." she conveyed, her signs deliberate. She met Subori’s gaze, hoping her eyes would soften the finality of her words. There was a tinge of regret in her tone, an unspoken apology for refusing what seemed to be a sincere effort to unite their strengths.

Turning her attention to Dalazar and Evant, neither struck her as overtly threatening, but she was too seasoned to ignore the possibility of hidden motives. Trust was a currency she spent sparingly, especially now. Her hands moved again, this time with sharper precision, her gaze flicking between the two.

"You don’t have to sign," she clarified, the faintest curve of a smile playing at the corner of her lips. "I’m mute, not deaf. Though I do appreciate the gesture."

Though outwardly composed, Okoye’s mind churned with questions: Could she trust these people? Would they be allies when the time came, or liabilities?

[The Conservatory]

Jaq closed the cover of the Bestiary and its mystic glow faded from sight. A bead of sweat descended her brow shortly before she wiped it away briskly. Subori nodded in agreement with both of the invited guests he hosted. Dalazar's nobility would definitely be a boon in coordinating the forces of Emerald's Ascension with The Conservatory, and Okoye's abstention was not the answer he preferred, but one he expected. Zero mentioned the heft of her ambition as a benefit to their cause, guaranteeing nothing but her willingness to go toe to toe with the Empire. Subori, Jaq, and a few others were familiar with Zero's past, as he would often compare the beats in his training on Madeira to various moments he could have used the insight the Acolytes' teachings of the Jaidan Way afforded him. The fact that the man and many of his associates were actually able to make it to and from Arcturus, existing squarely in the Crucible and becoming living legends amazed them time and time again. The Acolytes applauded his ability and took advantage of his skills to further his own mission and were pivotal in the talks that occurred after Skyblight, establishing a peaceful accord for the Jaida Coast and the remnants of Arcturus. Having another with that legendary experience is an advantage so long as they didn't uncover a clash of ideals in the process.

"Glad we still have your support, Okoye. We can still work on strategies together, so I'd love to pick your brain," Jaq said, moving the closed tome back to the shelf from whence it came. Subori turned to Dalazar with a giant thumbs up, happy to make another friend and comrade in the Conservatory.

After the Second Annual Neo Festurus, the Denkou kingdom retreated back to Emerald's Ascension, with few individuals coming down from the heights to mingle with the rest of Jaida. It was a page out of the book of history, too involved in their own workings to bother with their neighbors. Yet, here stood the prince of their kingdom pledging his aid in spite of his people's seclusion.

Whatever Zero did to gain his favor had to have been a powerful moment. The same with everyone in the room. Zero Venkage, in all his chaotic, yet decisive energy, left a mark on the hearts of the people and on the land itself in more ways than one. Subori, Jaq, and many of the Conservatory's members have a story with the man, the myth, that they hold close to their hearts. Though a wildcard and actively reforming agent of chaos, they were able to recognize his diligent efforts to be a contributing member of the region and a force all of Jaida could rely on. Subori, though met with scrutiny from his own people, was proud to call Zero a friend and mentor and excited to teach Dalazar the ins and outs of Anchors and Cordos.

[Dalazar Denkou]

Dalazar's eyes widned as Okyoe's stament.

"Yes, Of course."

He smiled widely before nervously stretching the back of his head. It seemed he still had much to learn from the many types of people who called Vescrutia home. It was refreshing, to say the least, to have met someone so understanding. Dalzar's eyes trail the wisp of light as they fade, and he feels a sense of wonder again ignite in his heart. Upon his travels, he had long pondered whether his birthright would prove sufficient to handle the threat to his kingdom from within, let alone now he must rise to face two imposing foes. His eyes closed as he continued to listen to the conservatory members. It was becoming more apparent to him that the return home needed to be put off just a little longer, at least for him.

"Evant...I have an order for you."

Evant turned to him with a raised brow. It was not often that Dalazar personally gave him orders, and for him to do so now was most curious.

"Sir?"

"You will return to the Kingdom and report to our allies within the walls. Inform them of what we've learned here today, and tell them to fortify the seal of Pana Chiyo; Myos must not be allowed near it before I lay claim to it."

"My Lord, The plan was for us to return together...what of the operation."

Dalazar found himself sighing just slightly.

"It will still go according to plan; however, such a powerful alliance and the leverage it will give us cannot be passed up, yet I cannot leave Myos to his own devices without informing our contacts of my aims. Be selective; only inform those you trust inexpiably."

They needed to maximize every moment moving forward; he couldn't be in two places at once, and they still needed to secure him a route inside, which would take time anyway. His training with the Conservatory members would have used up the idle time he would have spent waiting, which was something none of them could afford to do.

"Tell my mother I will be home soon...let her know..."

He opened his eyes, and they twinkled with mystic resolve.

"The Light is soon to return."

Evant found himself weighted with the task given him. He had preferred to be at his lord's side with all they had endured recently. But he should also note that Dalzar had gone on many adventures without him and made it through alive and more vigorous each time. He had proven the loss of his arm to be anything but a handicap and knew he could protect himself should the need arise. Now was not the time for the Urso Knight to be stuck in sentiments.

"Understood, Sire. Subori, Jaq, I place within your care the very symbol of hope for our kingdom; please, don't go easy on him."

"Couldv'e left that part out..."

Evant turned to Okoye.

"It was a pleasure, Okoye."

He bowed to them before returning to Dalazar.

"Stay safe...return to us...return to me."

He kissed Dalazar's forehead.

"My King..."

Dalazar's checks flushed red as he waved Evant off, who smirked, departing from their company.

"I am ready when you all are!"

He said confidently, returning Subori's thumbs up with a gesture of his own.