Chapter 5: War Preparation & A New Rune

SERIS VITRA'S POV:

As the meeting progressed, Agrona's directives became more focused, and each of us received our orders with the weight of his expectations heavy upon us.

Viessa was the first to be tasked, her assignment as ruthless as it was strategic. Agrona commanded her to corrupt the mana beasts in the continent of Dicathen, turning the very essence of their land against them. The task suited her well; her precision and cruelty would ensure that the beasts would become nothing more than instruments of destruction in our hands.

Melzri was given a responsibility that resonated with the very core of Agrona's ambitions. She was to oversee the training of the anchor who had reincarnated here, Nico. The boy was the key to something far greater, and Melzri's methodical nature would ensure that he was molded into the weapon Agrona envisioned.

Dragoth was assigned the task of infiltrating Dicathen discreetly. His mission was to gather intel, to slip through the cracks of their defenses, and to uncover their vulnerabilities. Agrona also told him to look for the other Anchor, Grey, who was somewhere in Dicathen but not to make contact with him.

Cadell, with his unmatched loyalty and skill, was entrusted with the preparation of our armies. The war Agrona had long planned was on the horizon, and Cadell would ensure that our forces were ready to strike when the time came.

And then there was my assignment-weapon management. I would oversee the development, distribution, and enhancement of the weapons that would be used in the coming conflict. It was a role that required both precision and foresight, qualities I possessed in abundance. In the meantime, Agrona would look for a way to transport the Army from Alacrya to Dicathen.

As I stepped out of the hall, the weight of the meeting lingered in the air like a suffocating fog. The others dispersed quickly, each of us retreating into our own thoughts, already calculating our next moves. There was no room for hesitation in our world; the tasks Agrona had set before us required immediate and unwavering focus.

I made my way through the grand corridors of the Taegrin Caelum, the Tempus Warp waiting to transport me back to my estate. The silence was comforting, a brief respite from the intensity of the meeting. The moment I stepped into the warp, I felt the familiar pull of space shifting around me, the disorienting sensation as fleeting as a heartbeat.

And then, I was home.

The familiar surroundings of my estate greeted me with a quiet stillness. The grandeur of the place, with its meticulously maintained gardens and imposing architecture, brought me a sense of pride.

I let the tension drain from my body, my emotions finally slipping through the cracks of the carefully maintained facade I had worn in Agrona's presence. But beyond the burden of responsibility, there was something else gnawing at the edges of my mind. Agrona's smile, that cunning glint in his eyes as he issued his commands, unsettled me. There was more to this war than he had revealed, layers of plans within plans that even we, his trusted Scythes, might not fully comprehend.

I sank into a chair by the window, staring out at the moonlit landscape. The world outside was calm, unaware of the storm that was about to be unleashed. My thoughts turned to the boy, the reincarnation of King Grey. A child, yet potentially the most significant piece on Agrona's chessboard. What had Sylvia seen in him that made her willing to entrust her legacy to him?

As much as I wanted to push these questions aside, I knew they would haunt me until the truth was revealed. For now, though, there was work to be done. The war was coming, and I had a role to play—whether I liked it or not.

The night stretched on, the weight of my assignment pressing down on me like a relentless tide. I would do what needed to be done, but a part of me couldn't shake the feeling that, in this war, we were all just pawns in a game far more complex than we realized.

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Two Years Later~

CAERA DENOIR'S POV:

It's been two years since I received my first Emblem, and I still remember the pride I felt that day. Eight months later, during the next Bestowal, I was granted a second Emblem, Ember Surge. The power to unleash a surge of flames that could rapidly spread and ignite anything within a certain radius filled me with a sense of accomplishment. But it didn't stop there.

My third rune was different— Crest called Frost Nova. It harnessed the power of ice, releasing a sudden burst of freezing mana that could encase everything nearby in solid ice. The contrast between the searing heat of Ember Surge and the chilling cold of Frost Nova was striking, yet they felt perfectly balanced within me.

I couldn't help but feel happy about how far I had come. Mama-or Scythe Seris, as I have come to call her now-has been proud of my progress, but she never fails to remind me not to grow overconfident. Her advice is always in the back of my mind, guiding me to push forward while staying grounded.

And today, I was going to have my fourth bestowal, I was bubbling with excitement about my fourth bestowal. I couldn't wait to see what kind of rune I would receive this time and which element it would embody. As I was lost in my thoughts, Nessa came in with a gentle knock.

"Young Lady Caera, the rune instillers are here. Scythe Seris has called you to the main hall," she announced.

Nessa had been with me for as long as I could remember, taking care of me with unwavering dedication. Her orange hair and warm brown eyes always provided a comforting presence, especially during times when Scythe Seris was preoccupied with the war preparations.

I quickly gathered myself, taking one last look around my room before heading towards the main hall. The anticipation was almost overwhelming, but I knew I was ready for whatever came next.

~~

Arriving at the main hall with Nessa by my side, I saw Scythe Seris standing at the far end, her presence commanding as always. The rune instillers were also gathered around her.

Scythe Seris gave me a nod, her gaze intense but reassuring. I took a deep breath, stepping forward to stand in the center of the room. The rune instillers began their work, the air humming with energy as they prepared to bestow my fourth rune.

The process was both familiar and daunting. I could feel the power building around me, the energy of the instiller's staff merging with my own mana core. The sensation was much more overwhelming than previous times, but I remained steady, drawing on the strength and discipline Scythe Seris had instilled in me over the years, but the pain was too much and I started feeling dizzy and a soft whimper escaped my lips as I struggled to stay conscious.

As the mana peaked, I felt my consciousness slipping away. The last thing I registered was the sensation of the rune settling onto my back, the pain finally subsiding into a dull ache as darkness took over, pulling me into its depths.

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I slowly opened my eyes, blinking against the soft light filtering through the curtains. The familiar ceiling of my room came into focus, but my head still felt dizzy, making everything seem slightly off-kilter. I tried to sit up, but my body felt heavy, the remnants of the overwhelming experience still lingering in my muscles.

My back ached a dull throb where the new rune had been etched into my skin. I could still feel the faint traces of the energy that had coursed through me, leaving me drained and exhausted.

As I lay there, trying to make sense of everything, I noticed Nessa sitting by the side of my bed. Her expression was a mix of concern and relief as she watched me slowly come back to consciousness.

"Lady Caera," Nessa said softly, leaning closer. "You're awake. How do you feel?"

I managed a small smile, though it felt weak. "I'm... okay, just a bit dizzy." My voice was hoarse as if I hadn't used it in days.

Nessa nodded, her brown eyes warm with care. "You've been out for more than a day. Scythe Seris was here earlier, but she had to leave to attend to some urgent matters. She asked me to stay with you until you woke up."

I was grateful for her presence, the familiar comfort of her orange hair, and her gentle demeanor. Even though I felt drained, knowing Nessa was there made the recovery a little easier. "Thank you, Nessa," I whispered, trying to sit up again, but Nessa quickly reached out, gently urging me to lie back down.

"Please, rest a little more," she said. "You went through a lot today."

I nodded, sinking back into the pillows, my body too tired to argue. "What time is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"It's just past midday," Nessa replied, smoothing the blankets around me. "You should rest more before trying to get up." I sighed, letting myself relax again.

"Anyway, what happened there?" I asked, wanting to know what had caused me to collapse.

Nessa hesitated for a moment before answering, "You received a new Regalia during your bestowal Ceremony. The power burden of receiving such a rune was too much for your young body to handle at once."

"Huh!? Rega-Ow!!" I shouted, jolting up in shock, but the pain made me fall back onto the bed. Nessa panicked, rushing to my side, her eyes wide with concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice concerned.

I winced but managed a small smile. "I'm fine, just... surprised. Did you really say Regalia?"

Nessa nodded her head, her expression serious. "Yes, it's true."

Her words left me stunned. A Regalia? I knew how rare and powerful they were, but to receive one at my age was almost unheard of. Most people only managed to obtain a Regalia after becoming veteran Ascenders, after countless battles and multiple ascensions in the Relictombs.

"Also, Scythe Seris advised you not to use your Regalia for now," Nessa added gently.

I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment at her words, I had been so eager to test the new rune. "But Nessa, I really wanted to try it out," I whined, my frustration seeping through.

Nessa smiled softly, shaking her head. "It's for your own good, young lady. Your body is still too young and needs time to adjust to such a powerful rune. You should focus on resting and recovering first."

I sighed, understanding where she was coming from, but the disappointment lingered. Even though I knew it was the right decision, the desire to explore the extent of my new abilities was still there.

Well, I can't do anything in this state anyway, "I think you should go back to sleep, I will inform Sycthe Seris that you have woken up." I heard Nessa's voice, I nodded my head in affirmation as I soon drifted back to sleep.

~~