Chapter 14
Title: To The Capitol
Gyra stepped into the back alley behind her tavern, her blue hair stuck to her forehead from the sweat of manning the new oven, gripping the rim of a wooden barrel filled to the brim with ale. The cool night air tickled against her skin, carrying the faint scent of spilled drink and distant fire smoke. As she set the barrel down with a grunt, the sound of boots crunching against gravel drew her attention.
Five men emerged from the shadows, smirking.
"Well, well," one of them sneered, licking his lips. "What kinda luck is this, boys?"
"She's all alone," another chuckled. "Back alley, no witnesses."
"For your own sakes," Gyra said, calmly rolling up her sleeves, "I suggest you walk away."
One of the men grabbed her arm with a leer. "What're you gonna do, sweetheart? It's five against one."
"Let. Go." Gyra's voice dropped an octave, her tone as sharp as a blade.
When he didn't, she wrapped her fist in water magic, a force that shimmered with faint distortions, and shot it straight into his jaw. The man flew backward, colliding with the opposite wall and slumping to the ground.
The other four froze, eyes wide with terror. One turned to flee and backed straight into a wall of muscle, and murderous intent. Looking he stared into a purple abyss that was endless.
***
"Good evening, gentlemen," I said, my voice like velvet dipped in venom.
"And goodnight," Lace added coldly, appearing beside him. A blur of motion followed, and within seconds the would-be assailants were crumpled on the ground, groaning and twitching.
I whistled, rounding them up with ease. "I'll be escorting these worms to the city jailhouse. Don't wait up." I gave Lace a cheeky elbow as he passed, dragging the men by their collars like sacks of spoiled grain.
Lace watched me go before turning to Gyra. "You alright?"
She smiled and dusted her hands off. "I'm fine. Thanks." She picked up the barrel and offered it to him. "Figured you could help me carry this one."
He took it without hesitation. "Gyra, Basil and I… we're leaving tomorrow. The Empress is looking to recruit him into her army. I don't know if he'll say yes or not but I-"
"You're leaving?" she interrupted, her expression falling. "Already, Basil hasn't been here that long?"
Lace hesitated, his words dying on his tongue.
"Then I'm coming with you," Gyra said firmly.
"What? No, you can't just… what about the tavern? And what if something happens and I'm not there to protect you?"
Gyra rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Lace, I'm not a porcelain doll. I've been through more battles than most men in this town. I'm plenty strong. Besides, Basil's coming too. And I'll ask Sabet to watch over the tavern while I'm gone."
"But.."
"We are coming back, right?" She asked with a hint of worry in her voice.
"Well… yeah," Lace said reluctantly.
"Then it's settled!" Gyra grinned. "I'll start packing."
Lace scratched the back of his neck. "Are you sure about this? It's not just going to be a walk through the countryside."
She tilted her head up and spoke with excited gestures "Things haven't been this exciting since you and I used to raid gates together," she said, her voice softening. "And with Basil around… it's like we've picked up right where we left off. I miss those days, just me and you!" She gave Lace a light punch in the arm.
Lace's cheeks tinged pink. "I… I guess it wouldn't hurt."
Gyra leaned in. "So, if you don't have a good reason for me to stay here. then I guess that settles it yea?"
"Fine," Lace said quickly. "Just… I warned you so don't come crying to me later." He paused, a soft tone was woven into his words " I just want you to know, You're… important to me. I'd kill anyone who tried to take you away."
Gyra blinked, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Thanks, Lace," she whispered. "Let's go back inside."
They walked inside both slightly red in the face, no fault from carrying the barrels.
"Dummy!" Gyra mumbled to herself as she walked back to the front.
****
I dropped the men off at the jailhouse, casually tossing them at the guards' feet. The prisoners tried to plead innocence, but one glare from me and they sang like canaries, confessing everything, including the bribe they'd accepted from Garthen.
I whistled as I strolled through a quiet street, the moonlight played in the barely visible clouds floating above like a flicker of fire. A gust of movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention.
*SWOOSH*
A figure emerged from the shadows behind me.
"Hello, sir," the woman said, her voice like silk wrapped around steel.
I didn't even flinch. "Ah. You again. The one spying from the rooftops earlier."
"You noticed?" she said, slightly impressed. "Then I assume you also know who I am."
"Not really," I shrugged. "Just know you're not strong enough to be a threat." I said as an arrogant smile spread my lips.
Her eye twitched. In a flash, she was in front of me, a dagger pressed to my throat.
"Is that right?" she purred.
Without missing a beat, I tapped a shadow blade, small as a dagger, against her inner thigh. It had appeared in my hand without a single visible movement.
"Don't be such a tease, if you're into knife play just say that." I said with a wink as I slowly moved my dagger up and down her thigh.
She blinked. "When did you..?"
"Before we get started, could I know the name of this beautiful lady in front of me?" I said with a smile.
The woman stepped back, sheathing her weapon. "I'm Nella, the Empress's messenger and head of her elite assassins."
"A pleasure," I said with a slight bow, my tone completely unserious.
"I came to verify that you'll be honoring your agreement to assist Her Majesty," Nella continued. "And to test your trustworthiness."
"I don't intend to harm the girl, if that's what you're worried about."
Her eye twitched again. "The girl? You mean Her Majesty, Mirian Althanis, rightful ruler of the empire?"
"Ah, so her name's Mirian. Got it."
"You're incredibly unpleasant to deal with," Nella muttered. "Regardless, you seem strong. I'll inform her that you're en route."
"Before you go," I said, "do me a favor."
Nella turned, arching a brow.
"Be a doll and smile. You have such beautiful facial features, why waste it with a frown?"
She stared at him a moment longer, disgust crawling across her face like a plague.
"I'll make sure Lace is granted permission to go, per your conversation with him earlier." Then vanished without another word.
"Chow chow!" I blew her a kiss as she vanished.
*sigh*
"Hope this Mirian chick isn't as tightly wound."
***
I returned to the tavern to find Lace sitting alone at the bar, depressed and eating pie.
"Did you tell her?" I asked, sliding into the seat next to him.
"She's coming with us, mAstER" Lace muttered with a mocking tonne. "Also, I've never had pie before… but this one's surprisingly good."
I laughed and slapped him on the back. "Well, I figured that was gonna happen. Women always win in the end don't they?"
"Hey Basil! how'd it go?" Gyra asked as she emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.
"Smooth as butter," I said. "Turns out Garthen sent those guys."
Gyra scowled. "That bastard just won't quit."
We stayed up chatting until Gyra made us retire for the night. All sleeping at her place.
⸻
Gyra woke to an empty house. Basil and Lace were gone.
She began packing, then walked to Sabet's forge to ask him to keep an eye on the tavern and to see if he'd seen Basil or Lace. The dwarf agreed, albeit with grumbling, and mentioned that he'd seen Lace heading toward the church. No sign of Basil.
Assuming Basil was running errands, Gyra returned home and began making preparations to leave.
⸻
At the Church of Death, Lace stood before his commander's office.
"Sir, I have a request."
General Zaren barely looked up from his paperwork. "If it's about going to the capital, save your breath."
He handed Lace a scroll.
"To General Zaren,
You are hereby ordered to relieve Captain Lace of his duties and send him to the capital immediately with sufficient supplies and a carriage for the journey.
– By royal decree of Mirian Althanis."
Lace exhaled slowly. 'That guy pulled it off somehow.' he thought to himself.
"It's been an honor serving under you, sir."
Zaren stood and extended a hand. "No, Lace. The honor's been mine. You were one of the finest Captains I've ever commanded."
He smirked. "I'm sending Adian with you. Kid's been driving me up the wall lately." Zaren said with a wink.
⸻
Adian sat cheerfully in the driver's seat of a well-stocked carriage when Lace stepped outside.
"Captain! Ready when you are!"
They rode to Gyra's home, arriving just as she stepped out with a basket of packed provisions.
"What's all this?" she asked.
"Our ride. You and Basil ready?" Lace replied through a window on the carriage.
"I am, but I haven't seen him all day."
As if on cue, Basil appeared at the end of the street, waving. "Sorry for the wait! Just had a few loose ends to tie up."
Gyra raised a brow. "Doing what, exactly?"
"Wouldn't you like to know," he grinned.
***
We boarded the carriage and departed. As we reached the city gates, a familiar figure ran up to us, panting.
Garthen.
He stopped beside the carriage and bowed.
"My apologies, Lady Gyra. I regret my past behavior and will ensure the tavern is well protected in your absence."
He turned to me, bowing even lower. "And to you, Master Basileus, I offer my deepest thanks for your mercy. I will remember it for the rest of my days."
Gyra turned slowly. "Basil… what did you do?"
"Me?" I blinked innocently, throwing my hands in the air. "Nothing. Just said goodbye, that's all."
Lace sighed. "This is gonna be one hell of a trip."
We traveled two days by carriage, stopping once at an inn before camping on the third night.
Around a crackling campfire, meat sizzling over open flame, our group sat exchanging stories.
"So, Sir Basileus," Adian asked, "where are you from originally?"
Gyra and Lace were lost in their own quiet conversation nearby.
"I'm from the Dale Kingdom. Doubt it exists anymore. I was a duke, once. Beautiful land. Peaceful."
Lace glanced over, surprised. "You? A duke?"
"That explains the posture and that weird way you talk," Gyra added with a smile.
I laughed. "Long time ago. Now I'm just a simple man."
Lace leaned forward. "So… how did you end up in that cube?"
I looked at him with serious eyes.
"Keep this between us," I said. Then, over the next hour, I shared the shortened version of my tale, the goddesses, the King of Hell, the prision, and more.
Adian's eyes sparkled. "You met the King of Hell?! And two of the goddesses! That's incredible."
Gyra gasped. "Wait… then you're the Guardian of Lukeauh! The hero from the bedtime stories!"
I blinked. "The what-now?"
"Every person in the Lukeauh continent hears tales about you," she said, eyes wide. "The Guardian who sacrificed himself to buy the world time, the one who sealed all the gates.. or at least most of em! That was you."
I scratched my head. "Huh. Maybe. I don't remember sealing all the gates though?"
Gyra grabbed a stick and began drawing words in the air with the smokey end "Per the legend, it says that when you went in to stop the invasion of hells gate 98, you succeeded and ended up finding a way to stop future invasions giving up your life in return. But! Not before saving the saintess!"
'She must be talking about Bella?' I thought to myself.
Adian, still trying to wrap his head around everything, asked "Wait, that happened more than 500 years ago? So if what you're saying is true, how are you alive right now?"
"Yea are you a dragon like Lace and I?" Gyra chimed in.
"I- honestly couldn't tell you. For some reason Sarien, the goddess of order, has been keeping me alive all these years." I paused and stared into the dancing flames of the fire. "I'm not sure what I'm here for but every time I die… I just wake back up again."
The mood shifted and no one said nothing, we all simply stared at the fire, thoughts swirling.
'Why did all the invasions stop when I entered gate 98? Why are gates 50 and 99 still open?'
So many questions and not enough answers. Thoughts ran rampant in my head.
Gyra leaned against Lace and yawned. "Whatever you are, I'm just glad you're on our side."
⸻
In the imperial capital, Mirian Althanis stood in the training grounds, her sword a blur of steel as she sparred with four of her elite guards. After dispatching them, she wiped sweat from her brow and turned.
"Welcome back, Nella."
Nella released her stealth skill. "Your majesty, the man with the skills you asked for is on his way. Captain Lace was the one that found him so I sent a letter to the church of darkness in your name to have him relieved of his duties in order to bring that man here. He's odd, but… powerful. I believe he'll make a suitable addition to your army."
Mirian smiled. "Excellent. Good work. I'll reward you later."
"No need, my Empress. Serving you is reward enough."
Nella vanished into shadow once again.
Mirian sheathed her sword, her heart thudding with anticipation.
'I wonder what kind of man he is… please let him be powerful enough to stop this war, I don't need another cocky young Guardian full of himself.'
She turned to her sparing partners. "Again!"
And charged them with renewed vigor.