Chapter 72: Beautiful Land

The air was electric, the tension so thick it felt like even the light around them had grown sharp. Xyenn and Yuuna stood side by side, their glowing golden eyes locked on Rye, the Seventh Siren of Sugred. She hovered in the air before them, her radiant wings unfurled wide, each feather shimmering with blinding white light and intricate golden runes. The platform beneath them glowed faintly, a reflection of the celestial battle about to unfold. 

Xyenn said to Yuuna in a low tone, "I'm pretty sure Vektor and Faera didn't think this would happen. Even Klem told us specifically not to engage with a Siren. But..we have no choice I guess. We're not dying here."

Yuuna nodded, "It's her or us. But I DO have a question."

"Yeah?"

"Do you know how to use the light magic in our hands?"

"Uhhhh I guess we just shoot it out like we do our regular magic and see what happens."

"We definitely could have figured out our skills back in the room!"

"They're probably limited, that's why they didn't suggest we use it then and there."

"But they would've told us that too, right?"

"But they most likely knew we would be able to wield it instinctively when the time came. When we drowned in their pool, adding runes of light to our souls. Prepared us to be able to even use the magic in the first place. Also, hold back a little. Knowing you, you're insanely strong. We can't appear to be super strong in front of a Siren. But we're not gonna lose, not gonna die on purpose just to keep up this act."

"I'll sell it well, don't worry, darling!" Yuuna whispered.

Xyenn thought, 'I was hoping to waltz through here without having so much attention on me. But my whole plan went to shits when this Siren came. This was supposed to be an easy mission, in and out and then the big bang at the end.' 

Rye, watching them with a cool, almost detached expression, raised her hands in a slow, deliberate motion. Her movements, like a deadly dance, were fluid and hypnotic. Golden light sparked from her fingertips, weaving into strands of celestial power that spiraled around her body. "You think you're strong enough to pass? Prove it," she said, her voice calm but laced with a ferocious challenge. 

'Alright, let's see what I can do…how weak is it?'

Xyenn didn't hesitate. His fist clenched, and the runes on his arms and legs ignited with radiant golden light, stretching up his neck as his body glowed with raw energy. His speed was instant, a blur of motion as he launched himself at Rye, leaping high into the air and conjuring his shield of light mid-flight. The shield's golden glow pulsed as he swung it down like a hammer, aiming to smash into her with devastating force. 

'Ohhhhhh! A shield and..that's it? Can it do anything else?'

Rye's wings folded around her body just before impact, forming a radiant cocoon. Xyenn's shield collided with her defense, unleashing a mini-explosion of light that sent shockwaves rippling across the platform. The blast pushed Yuuna back slightly, (she pretended to be effected by it) her hair whipping in the wind, but Rye remained unshaken. 

As the explosion cleared, Rye unfurled her wings with a powerful snap, sending a concussive wave of light outward that forced Xyenn to brace himself mid-air. She spun with deadly grace, her arm extending as her fingertips carved glowing glyphs into the air. The glyphs sparked with energy before unleashing a spiraling beam of white light laced with golden runes that spiraled around its pillar. The beam roared toward Xyenn like a celestial lance. 

Xyenn twisted his body mid-air, narrowly evading the beam as it carved through the platform behind him, leaving a molten trail of white-hot destruction. Landing on his feet with a somersault, he slammed his shield into the ground to steady himself before darting forward again, his movements seamless and ferocious. 

'She's strong!'

Rye was already in motion, her wings beating once to lift her higher into the air. She spun in place, her arms weaving intricate patterns as strands of light erupted from her fingertips. The strands shimmered with golden feathers, twisting and writhing like living serpents. With a flick of her wrist, the strands lashed toward Xyenn, each one striking with the force of a battering ram. 

Xyenn raised his shield, deflecting the first attack with a resounding clang that sent sparks of golden light scattering in all directions. The second strand came from his blind side, slamming into his shoulder and sending him skidding across the platform. He gritted his teeth, rolling to absorb the impact before springing back to his feet. 

Yuuna was trying to work her new light magic, saying, "Aww man, it's so boring! How come he looks all cool?"

She lifted her hand, forming her fingers into a pointed gesture. A small orb of golden white light materialized at her fingertips, glowing brighter as she aimed. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she fired, the orb streaking through the air like a comet. 

The blast struck one of Rye's glowing strands, causing it to disintegrate in a burst of golden sparks. Rye glanced at Yuuna, her expression unreadable, before raising her hand and summoning more strands. This time, the strands coiled together, transforming into a massive serpent-like dragon of light. The dragon's form was majestic, its body covered in shimmering golden feathers, and its eyes burned with molten fire. 

Yuuna's jaw dropped slightly, clearly pretending to be scared, "Oh no…" she muttered, quickly raising her other hand to gather more light from the environment. The runes in the air around her glowed as streams of light funneled into her palm, recharging her magic. 

The dragon roared, its sound a thunderous blend of crackling energy and celestial fury. It surged forward, its massive jaws snapping at Xyenn. He vaulted over the creature's head, his movements precise and acrobatic. As he flipped through the air, he conjured his shield again, slamming it into the dragon's back. The impact created another explosion of light, but the dragon barely faltered, twisting its body to swipe at him with its tail. 

Xyenn brought his shield up just in time, the tail's impact sending him flying backward. He hit the ground hard but rolled to his feet in one fluid motion, his golden eye blazing with determination. 

Rye descended slightly, her wings folding around her like a protective veil. With a graceful motion, she extended her fingers, slashing the air in a sharp, deliberate pattern. The air itself seemed to shatter as glowing fissures of light spread outward, each one detonating in a series of brutal explosions that forced Xyenn to dodge relentlessly. 

"Y—!" Xyenn shouted, his voice strained. 

"—I got it!" Yuuna replied, firing another orb of light at the dragon. The orb struck its head, causing it to reel back momentarily. She grinned, recharging her magic again as she darted to the side to avoid one of Rye's explosive fissures. 

Rye's attention snapped to Yuuna, her eyes narrowing. She raised both hands, her fingers moving in a rapid, intricate pattern. The air around Yuuna shimmered as a massive glyph materialized beneath her feet, its golden runes sparking with volatile energy. 

"Move!" Xyenn shouted, sprinting toward her. 

Yuuna didn't hesitate, vaulting backward just as the glyph erupted in a column of blinding light. The force of the explosion sent her tumbling across the platform, but she quickly recovered, sliding to a stop with her fingers already forming another orb of light. 

'It's fun acting like a weakling!'

Rye's wings flared out, and she ascended higher, her presence godlike as she looked down on them. With a slow, deliberate motion, she clasped her hands together, and a dragon of light formed above her, at an insanely large size mirrored her movements. Its massive jaws opened, and a torrent of burning light spewed forth, carving a molten path across the platform. 

Xyenn dove to the side, rolling to avoid the attack as the heat singed his robes. He lunged forward, his shield glowing brightly as he bashed it into the dragon's side. The explosion of light disrupted its form, causing it to flicker and writhe.

"Now!" Xyenn yelled. 

Yuuna grinned, firing another orb of light directly at the dragon's core. The blast struck true, causing the creature to explode in a shower of golden sparks. 

Rye didn't flinch, her expression calm as she raised her hand, summoning another glyph. "You're persistent," she said, her voice like a blade. "But persistence won't save you." 

The air around the platform shimmered with tension, an oppressive aura of light and power radiating from Rye as she floated in the air, her glowing wings spread wide like an angel of death. Xyenn stood below her, his chest rising and falling with labored breaths as his golden eye narrowed. His hand moved to his neck, tugging at the collar of the cleric robe, and with one sharp motion, he ripped it off and cast it aside. 

 'I gotta let loose. I'm not dying because I'm holding back. She's pretty tough actually, ill give her that. That's what makes this all the more weird because I have to use weak magic. I have to balance my real speed and strength with it.'

His body was revealed in full—the glowing white hue of his skin stretched across his torso, arms, and back, with intricate golden runes etched into his flesh, radiating faint pulses of energy. The brightness of his form was almost celestial, a stark contrast to the blood and dirt smeared on his face. He flexed his fingers against his shield, the light flickering faintly across it. 

Rye's eyes, glowing orbs of cold radiance, watched him with an unflinching gaze. She tilted her head slightly, her expression unreadable. "You've revealed your true form," she said, her voice calm, yet laced with disdain. "I see your physique is commendable, thus proves your physical strength. But it doesn't matter. You're still far beneath me." 

'And he's lost an eye, and has an arm brace on the other…what's his story

Xyenn smirked, wiping the blood from his lips. "You talk like you've already won," he said, his voice gravelly. "I don't like that."

He lunged forward, his shield raised. The ground beneath his feet cracked with the force of his acceleration as he closed the distance in seconds, his glowing form streaking toward Rye like a comet. 

Rye's wings flared as she spun in the air, her spear materializing in her hands in a burst of golden light. She thrust it forward with blinding speed, the tip of the weapon streaking toward Xyenn's chest like a streak of lightning. 

Xyenn twisted his body at the last second, the spear grazing his shoulder as he pivoted on his heel. Using the momentum, he swung his shield upward, aiming for Rye's side. The impact connected, sending a shockwave of light and force rippling across the platform. 

'At my current strength, with this weak magic I have, I'd have to mix in my brute force. Though I can't go overboard with it. As a Jotyin, I can feel how much stronger I've gotten from the last training session. This will be good practice.'

Rye staggered slightly, but her wings beat once, propelling her back into the air. She retaliated with a graceful spin, her spear slicing through the air in a deadly arc. Xyenn ducked under the strike and lunged forward, slamming his shield into her torso with a deafening clang. 

The explosion of light from the shield sent sparks flying, but Rye barely flinched. She twisted her body, her wings folding around her as she flipped backward, landing gracefully a few feet away. Her spear dissolved into golden particles as she raised her hands, her fingers moving in intricate patterns. 

Glyphs of light erupted around her, forming a swirling vortex of golden energy. The runes on her wings glowed brighter as streams of light shot out from the glyphs, carving through the air with devastating precision. 

'Her movements are flawless', Xyenn thought as he darted to the side, his shield raised to deflect one of the streams. The impact sent a jolt through his arm, nearly dislocating his shoulder. 'Every attack is designed to pin me down. She's not just fast—she's controlling the entire battlefield.'

He leapt over another stream of light, landing in a crouch as he scanned her movements. Rye floated above him, her hands weaving patterns in the air, each motion creating more glyphs and beams of light. 

'She's using those glyphs to keep me moving. They're forcing me into predictable patterns so she can corner me.' He narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. 'If I keep dodging, I'll exhaust myself before I can land a solid hit. I need to disrupt her control without giving her room to counter.'

He glanced at her wings, the runes pulsing in sync with her attacks. 'The wings. They're the key. Every time I hit them, her control falters. But they're also her greatest defense. If I can break through them…'

"Brute strength."

Rye's glowing eyes followed Xyenn's movements as he darted across the platform, her expression calm and calculating. 'He's fast,'  she thought, her fingers continuing their intricate dance. 'Every move he makes is reactive. He's testing me, looking for an opening. But there are none. He's experienced in battle!'

She shifted her focus to his glowing shield, watching the way it absorbed and redirected her attacks. 'That shield is his lifeline. He's using it to close the distance and deflect my strikes. If I can overwhelm it… No, if I can make him overcommit to it, he'll leave himself vulnerable! I'm a Siren, even though I'm the weakest, I won't be defeated by a low magic rookie. His strength is carrying his survival!'

Her wings flared as she descended slightly, her hands moving faster. The glyphs around her shifted, their patterns becoming more chaotic and unpredictable.

The glyphs erupted, unleashing a storm of golden beams that crisscrossed the platform. Xyenn gritted his teeth as he sprinted through the chaos, his shield raised to block the oncoming blasts. Each impact sent shockwaves through his body, but he didn't stop. 

Rye moved with him, her wings propelling her in smooth, graceful arcs as she rained down attacks from above. Her spear reappeared in her hands, and she hurled it toward Xyenn like a javelin. 

Xyenn sidestepped, the spear embedding itself into the ground and detonating in a blinding explosion. The force sent him sprawling, but he rolled to his feet, his golden eye narrowing. 

'She's trying to push me into a corner.'

Xyenn launched himself into the air, vaulting toward Rye with his shield raised. She spun to meet him, her spear materializing once more as their weapons clashed mid-air. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, the platform beneath them cracking under the force. 

Xyenn twisted his body, using the momentum to swing his shield into Rye's wing. The impact sent her spiraling backward, her control over the dragon faltering. 

"Now!" Xyenn shouted, his voice echoing across the platform. "While it's staggered!"

Yuuna grinned, "Finally! My time to shine.." her glowing fingers forming another orb of light. She fired, the blast striking the dragon's head and causing it to writhe and flicker. 

Xyenn didn't hesitate. He sprinted forward, his shield glowing brighter than ever as he leapt toward the dragon. With a roar, he slammed the shield into its mouth, forcing it shut as its energy destabilized. 

The dragon exploded in a burst of golden light, and Rye staggered, her wings faltering. It stunned them, but didn't do any significant damage.

But it was enough to close in quickly.

Xyenn saw his opening. He charged forward, his hand glowing with golden runes as he made it into a sharp, chopping motion. 

'Brute strength..it's her or us..I chose her.'

With a primal battle cry, he brought his hand down on Rye's head. The force split her skull with a sickening crack, blood and golden ichor spraying across the platform. 

He spun, his movements a blur, and delivered a brutal kick to the remaining chunks of her head, sending them flying. 

With one final roar, he punched her torso with all his strength, the impact shattering her body into grotesque, bloody fragments. 

Xyenn stood there, his chest heaving as he stared down at the remains of Rye's body. His hands were trembling, his shield flickering faintly as the runes on his body dimmed. Blood dripped from his knuckles, pooling on the cracked platform beneath him. 

Rye's once-radiant form was now a broken, grotesque shell. Her wings lay in shattered pieces, and her glowing runes had faded to nothing. 

Xyenn took a shaky breath, his golden eye flicking toward Yuuna in the distance. "It's over," he muttered, his voice hoarse.

Yuuna smiled, "Uhhh, I don't think it's over."

The air around the broken platform crackled with volatile energy, the atmosphere thick and suffocating as Rye's body lay shattered and lifeless at Xyenn's feet. Blood, golden ichor, and the remnants of her radiant wings were strewn across the glowing ground. Xyenn stood motionless, his chest heaving, blood dripping from his fists and the jagged pieces of his shattered shield clenched in his hands. His glowing golden eye scanned her remains warily, his body tense and ready for anything. He knew better than to let his guard down. 

The silence didn't last. 

A deep, resonant hum filled the air, vibrating through the platform like the growl of an awakening beast. Xyenn's eye snapped to Rye's corpse as a radiant crystal of light emerged from her chest cavity, spinning slowly and emitting swirling golden sigils that pulsated with celestial power. The crystal's energy lashed out violently, tendrils of light snaking across the platform and pulling Rye's mangled body back together. 

"Shit…" Xyenn sighed.

'And my shield is broken. Shattered into chunks of sharp pieces. They weren't lying when they said this magic is weak.'

Yuuna bonked Xyenn on the head, "I told ya!"

Her wings snapped back into place with an agonizing crack, the jagged edges smoothing over as feathers of light regrew in bursts of radiant energy. Her skull reformed, her glowing eyes reigniting, now brighter and more furious than before. Muscles and flesh knitted themselves together grotesquely, the sound of grinding bones and tearing sinew filling the air as she stood once more, fully restored. 

The crystal embedded itself into her chest, pulsing with power as golden light poured from her wounds, sealing them shut. Rye's expression twisted into one of pure rage, her ethereal beauty now warped into something feral and terrifying. Her wings flared wide, their radiant glow illuminating the cracks in the platform. 

"You thought you could defeat me?" she hissed, her voice low and thunderous, layered with a godlike echo. "I am eternal. You are but a speck beneath Lancelot's divine light!" 

Xyenn tightened his grip on the shards of his shield, his glowing runes pulsing faintly as his body steadied. Blood dripped from his brow, stinging his remaining eye, but he didn't flinch. He squared his stance, his senses sharp as he prepared for her renewed wrath. 

'When I fought Death, I used the shards of his scythe to finish him. I'll use the same strategy here. I'll use the shards of the weak ass shield.'

Rye didn't wait. She exploded forward in a flash of light, her speed blinding as she closed the distance in an instant. Her spear materialized in her hand mid-flight, and she brought it down with a ferocious overhead strike, aiming to cleave Xyenn in two. 

Xyenn twisted to the side, the spear carving through the ground where he'd stood a moment before, splitting the platform with a deafening crack. Before she could follow up, he retaliated, slashing upward with one of the jagged shards of his shield. The blade scraped along Rye's armor, sparks flying as she spun away with a snarl. 

The battle ignited into chaos, their movements a blur as they clashed again and again in a deadly dance of light and fury. Rye's spear moved like a living thing, slashing, stabbing, and spinning in intricate patterns as she pressed her attack. Xyenn dodged and parried with precision, his body twisting and vaulting with agility as he countered her strikes. 

'The shards and pieces won't last long either!'

Rye swept her spear horizontally, the blade glowing with volatile energy. Xyenn ducked under the strike, rolling to the side as the weapon carved a molten trench through the platform. He rose to his feet in a seamless motion, hurling one of his shield shards at her with all his strength. 

The shard spun through the air like a deadly boomerang, its jagged edge aimed for her throat. Rye deflected it with a flick of her spear, the force of the impact sending it spinning away. She shot forward again, her wings beating once to propel her into a devastating thrust. 

Xyenn sidestepped at the last moment, his golden eye catching the glint of her spear as it grazed his side. He pivoted on his heel, slamming the remaining shard of his shield into her ribs with a powerful strike. 

'Brute strength.'

The impact forced her back, golden ichor and blood spilling from the wound, but Rye didn't falter. 

"I'm a Siren!"

She spun with godlike grace, her wings slicing through the air as she unleashed a wave of radiant feathers. The feathers ignited mid-flight, becoming searing projectiles that rained down on Xyenn like a meteor shower. He darted through the storm, his movements fluid as he evaded the deadly barrage. 

One feather clipped his arm, burning through his skin and leaving a glowing scar in its wake. He gritted his teeth, ignoring the pain as he leapt into the air, flipping over another wave of attacks. 

'Can't believe I'm debuffing myself just so I won't seem overpowered to these people!'

Rye's fury only grew as her strikes became more ferocious, her movements more erratic. She slashed her spear downward, creating a fissure of golden light that raced toward Xyenn. He vaulted over it, landing in a crouch and immediately lunging forward to close the distance. 

He spun low, sweeping his leg out to knock her off balance, but Rye beat her wings, ascending into the air and avoiding the attack. She retaliated by slashing her hand through the air, summoning a massive glyph that erupted beneath Xyenn's feet. 

The explosion sent him flying, his body twisting mid-air as he crashed into the ground. He rolled to his feet, blood dripping from his mouth as he steadied himself. His golden eye locked on Rye as she descended, her spear spinning in rapid rotations.

Xyenn roared as he charged forward, his body a quick speed of motion. He ducked under Rye's spear, closing the distance and slamming his shoulder into her chest. The impact sent her stumbling back, and he followed up with a brutal combo. 

He slashed horizontally with one shard, carving into her side and causing golden ichor to spray across the platform. Before she could recover, he spun and drove the second shard into her thigh, twisting it as he ripped it free. 

Rye screamed in pain, her wings flaring as she lashed out with a desperate strike. Xyenn ducked under the blow, his golden eye catching every movement as he leapt onto her back. 

With a primal roar, he drove one shard into the base of her wing, severing it completely. The wing tore free with a sickening crunch, and Rye collapsed to her knees, blood pouring from the wound. 

"I'm..a Siren—!"

Xyenn didn't stop. He grabbed her remaining wing and tore it off with both hands, the sound of ripping flesh and snapping bone echoing across the platform. 

Rye screamed, her voice a mix of fury and agony, but Xyenn thrashed her with a devastating blow to her chest. 

The light in her eyes flickered as her body convulsed, golden ichor pouring from every wound. Xyenn stepped back, his body trembling as he watched her collapse in a grotesque heap. Her wings lay in broken pieces, her radiant form now a twisted, lifeless shell. 

The platform was silent once more, save for Xyenn's ragged breathing. He dropped the shards of his shield, his bloodied hands trembling as he stared down at Rye's remains. His golden eye glowed faintly, the runes on his body dimming as the battle's toll finally caught up with him. 

Yuuna walked up on Xyenn, saying, "Are you okay?"

Xyenn grinned, "Never better. I missed the crystal that was in her."

"Yeah I saw. But that's good. We could use that."

Then, Rye began to reform.

As the dust from the battle began to settle, the radiant light on the platform dimmed, leaving only the faint glow of the runes etched into the ground. Rye knelt before Xyenn and Yuuna, her once-terrifying presence subdued. Her wings, though battered and bloodied, folded behind her as she rested one hand on her knee and the other across her chest. Her golden eyes, now softer yet still piercing, lifted to the two standing above her. 

"You are… remarkable," Rye said, her voice calm but laced with reverence. "To have defeated me with such pitiful and weak light magic… I am astounded. Though you relied on your natural strength and speed to make up for it; you used your own pitiful weak light magic as a stepping stone for your natural abilities."

Xyenn and Yuuna exchanged a glance, their expressions carefully neutral. Inside, both were grumbling with barely contained irritation. 

'Pitiful?' Yuuna thought, her eyebrow twitching as she clenched her fists. 'I'll show you pitiful, you glowing pigeon.'

Yuuna knew her light magic was weak like Xyenn's, but she still felt insulted.

Xyenn wasn't much better, his jaw tightening as he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. 'Weak, huh? It's cause this temporary magic I have! Maybe next time I won't hold back, and we'll see how 'weak' you think I am. I know the magic is weak but for some reason it still insulted me.'

Despite their inner frustrations, neither dared to break their cover. They knew the stakes were too high. 

Rye tilted her head, her gaze sharp. "Tell me, warriors of light, your names and your stories. Those who pass through the Tunnels of Light are either guided by the will of Lancelot… or by sheer audacity, or curiosity to evolve into true tranquility and power. Which is it for you?" 

Xyenn stepped forward, forcing a faint smile as he extended a hand to help Rye rise.

'Make up a fake name. Something believable.'

"I'm Trevor," he said smoothly, his voice steady. "And this is Alice." He gestured toward Yuuna, who offered a dramatic curtsy that was a touch too theatrical. 

Yuuna smirked, and Xyenn side-eyed her with a flustered face.

Rye's eyes narrowed slightly, her brow furrowing. "Trevor… Alice. And what brings you to the Land of Sovereignty?" 

Xyenn took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself. 'Alright, time to sell this.' He placed a hand over his chest, his golden eye dimming slightly as he let his voice drop into an emotional tone. 

"I grew up in a place where I was hated—reviled—for reasons I couldn't understand. My family… or what was left of it… was taken from me. All I had was Lancelot's guidance. His light was the only thing that kept me going." He paused, letting a hint of pain creep into his voice. "I was alone… until I met Alice. We've been fighting ever since, trying to find a place to belong. A place where the light can guide us to something greater." 

Rye's gaze softened slightly, her glowing eyes studying him intently. She gave a slow nod, her voice even. "Your story carries weight, Trevor. Many have found themselves cast aside by the darkness of this world. It is through Lancelot's light that we find redemption." 

Xyenn gave a humble nod, though internally, he was sweating. 'Please don't ask too many questions. Please don't ask too many questions!'

Rye then turned to Yuuna. "And you, Alice? What of your story?" 

Yuuna stepped forward, her face instantly contorting into an exaggerated expression of sorrow. She clasped her hands dramatically over her chest and tilted her head back, staring upward as if she were calling on the heavens themselves. 

"Ohhh, my story," Yuuna began, her voice dripping with melodrama. "It is one of pain and unimaginable suffering!" 

Xyenn's eyelid twitched. 'Here we go.'

Yuuna flung her arms out, spinning in place as she continued, her voice rising with every word. "I was born in the darkest of villages, where the sun *never* shone, and the people were cruel, calling me names like… 'Weak Alice' and… 'Lightless!'" She gasped, clutching her chest as if she might faint. 

Rye tilted her head, her expression unreadable. 

"They mocked me!" Yuuna cried, tears (fake) welling in her l eyes. "For my magic was meager, my light barely a flicker compared to theirs. I was cast out, forced to fend for myself in the wilderness, where I fought off wolves, bears, and a particularly vicious goose with nothing but my bare hands!" 

Xyenn buried his face in his palm, hiding his expression.

"But then," Yuuna continued, snapping out of her dramatic pose and placing a hand on Xyenn's shoulder, "I met Trevor. He showed me that even the weakest light can shine brightly when given a chance. Together, we came here, hoping to strengthen our bond with Lancelot's light and defeat the darkness that plagues this world!" She paused for effect before adding, "We've heard rumors of people making contracts with demons. We came to stop it!" 

Rye stared at her for a long moment, her expression unreadable. 

The silence stretched. 

Yuuna glanced at Xyenn nervously, whispering out of the corner of her mouth, "Did I go too far?" 

"Did better than me," Xyenn whispered back through gritted teeth. 

Finally, Rye raised an eyebrow, her wings shifting slightly. "...I see." 

Xyenn and Yuuna both froze, sweat forming on their brows. 

"I must admit," Rye continued, her tone measured, "your stories are… unusual." 

Yuuna's grin faltered, her hands twitching nervously. Xyenn's golden eye darted to the side, searching for an escape route. 

Then Rye smiled, folding her hands in front of her. "But I believe you." 

Both Xyenn and Yuuna nearly collapsed with relief. 

"Your resolve speaks for itself," Rye said, standing. She studied Xyenn closely, her expression turning thoughtful. "However… I must confess something. The Tunnels of Light can only be accessed by a portal created by a cleric of the Holy Branch. Which means…" She paused, her sharp gaze locking onto Xyenn. "You must have defeated one to get here." 

Xyenn's back stiffened. "Well, uh…" 

Rye stepped closer, looking him up and down. "Your fighting style is ruthless—calculated. Not the way a cleric fights. And the way you wielded that shield… it speaks of battle experience far beyond what most possess. Many years ago, there were a large number of clerics going rogue after following a traitor. Those rogues were hunted down, one by one. But for outsiders to defeat one of them…" She trailed off, her golden eyes narrowing. 

Xyenn clenched his fists, his mind racing. Yuuna glanced at him, her grin strained as she whispered, "She might be onto us." 

Yuuna asked Rye, "What makes you so sure we're not working with them?"

Rye chuckled, "Please. Any worshipper of Lancelot with your magic levels wouldn't even dare side with those rogue traitors, and infiltrate the Land of Sovereignty on top of that. You two seem smart enough. I can feel the light in you, it's pure. Though it's not refined. It has potential. And those uniforms—."

Yuuna spoke, "After we faced off against the traitors, we didn't want to show up here in our dirty ragged outfits. We wanted to be at least presentable in front of you guys. We've wanted this for a long time. And I'm sorry my magic wasn't commendable; but I promise I'll get stronger here! I hope. I almost faltered, I thought of myself as evil once we took their lives, it was only one Cleric, but still…he was a brother in the light."

Xyenn laid his hand on Yuuna's shoulder, acting alongside her, saying, "It's okay, Alice. I'm sure they'll help us."

Yuuna nodded at him, looking into his eye, "Yeah I guess we did."

They both thought at the same time, 'We're such amazing actors!'

But Rye's expression softened again. "It doesn't matter. What's done is done. You've proven your strength, and that is enough for me. I will personally escort you through the Land of Sovereignty. It is not only the sanctuary of the Clerics of the Holy Branch but also home to the vessel of Lancelot himself… Sugred." 

Both Xyenn and Yuuna tensed at the mention of Sugred, though they quickly masked their reactions. 

Rye extended a hand toward them, her wings flaring slightly. "Come. You are no longer strangers. You are warriors of light."

Xyenn hesitated for a moment before nodding, his voice calm. "Thank you. We'll follow your lead." 

Yuuna, ever the actress, gave a dramatic bow. "We're honored to have your guidance, oh glorious Siren of the Light." 

Rye smiled faintly, turning and gesturing for them to follow. As her back was turned, Xyenn shot Yuuna a glare, whispering, "Damn that was close.."

Yuuna smirked. "You're such a great actor, darling."

Rye said, "One more thing—."

That made Xyenn and Yuuna jump, then fixing their posture.

Rye continued, "Sugred would want to know how exactly you defeated those traitors. Every little detail. And so do I. But I am not worthy to hear it before he does, so I want to be in his presence as you speak of it. Along with the other Sirens who are stronger than me. You will surely be rewarded!"

Xyenn asked nervously, but held his composure trying to act super serious, "You'll be taking us TO Sugred himself?"

"Yes. That won't be an issue, right?"

Xyenn and Yuuna shook their heads and slightly waved their hands, "No no not at all."

Yuuna added, "It would be an honor granted by the light itself to meet a vessel of our most humbled deity."

Xyenn looked at Yuuna, thinking 'She's good at this.'

Xyenn sighed, shaking his head as they followed Rye into the glowing gates of the Land of Sovereignty. 

The moment they crossed through the glowing gates, the air seemed to shift around them. Xyenn, Yuuna, and Rye floated on a cloud that shimmered faintly with golden light, its surface soft yet firm beneath their feet. Rye stood at the front, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air, guiding the cloud like a captain steering a ship. The cloud moved smoothly, cutting through the misty expanse of glowing white and gold, rising higher and higher into the sky.

As they ascended, the horizon began to open up, revealing a sight so breathtaking it nearly stopped Xyenn and Yuuna in their tracks. 

The Land of Sovereignty stretched out before them—a floating metropolis suspended in the heavens, its sheer scale almost incomprehensible. The city glowed with an otherworldly brilliance, as if every structure was carved from pure light and polished to perfection. Massive towers spiraled upward, their surfaces shimmering with golden runes that pulsed like the heartbeat of the land itself. Bridges of translucent crystal connected the towers, and beneath them, cascading waterfalls of radiant light spilled into the infinite expanse of clouds below, vanishing into the endless horizon. 

The sky was an endless expanse of soft blues and radiant golds, the clouds swirling like an eternal dance. The air was crisp and carried a faint, sweet aroma—like wildflowers blooming after a fresh rainstorm—but it was tinged with something deeper, something ancient and sacred. It was the smell of magic, raw and untouched, filling their lungs with every breath. 

The city was alive with activity. Clerics moved gracefully along the bridges and streets, their robes flowing behind them like rippling streams of light. Each cleric was uniquely dressed—some wore gleaming white armor adorned with feathers and golden filigree, while others wore flowing garments of pure silk that appeared to shift colors as they walked. Even the children, who laughed and ran along the edges of the floating platforms, wore small halos of gold that shimmered faintly above their heads. 

Xyenn's eyes darted to one group of clerics gathered near a glowing fountain. They were performing a ritual, their hands moving in unison as golden glyphs formed in the air between them. The glyphs spun and twisted, creating shapes that seemed almost alive before bursting into radiant light that illuminated their serene faces. 

On another platform, a group of clerics tended to an enormous, bird-like creature with long, elegant wings that shimmered as if coated in liquid light. Its beak was sharp and curved, its eyes glowing with a soft blue hue. The clerics brushed its feathers with glowing tools, and the creature let out a melodic cry, its voice resonating through the air like a song. 

Other creatures flew through the skies, each one more fantastical than the last. There were massive, manta-ray-like beasts that glided effortlessly through the clouds, their translucent bodies glowing faintly with veins of golden energy. Smaller, dragon-like creatures with sleek, feathered wings darted between the towers, their scales reflecting the city's light like prisms. A herd of glowing stag-like creatures leaped from one floating island to another, their antlers crackling with arcs of blue and gold lightning. 

Yuuna's mouth hung open as she took it all in, her golden eyes wide with awe. "This… this is insane," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sounds of the city. 

Even Xyenn, who rarely showed much emotion, couldn't hide the look of shock on his face. His gaze was drawn to the massive statue at the center of the city—a towering effigy of Sugred. The statue was easily the largest structure in the Land of Sovereignty, its base alone the size of a small village. Sugred was depicted as a radiant figure draped in flowing robes, his hands outstretched as if welcoming the heavens themselves. His face was serene, almost divine, and his head was encircled by a jagged, glowing halo that seemed to pulse with barely contained energy. 

The statue radiated power, and even from this distance, Xyenn and Yuuna could feel its presence, an oppressive weight pressing against their chests. 

Rye glanced over her shoulder, her expression calm but proud. "Beautiful, isn't it? The Land of Sovereignty is the heart of the Clerics of the Holy Branch. It is where Lancelot's light is strongest, and where his vessel, Sugred, resides. This is the sanctuary of the faithful, a place untouched by the corruption of darkness." 

Yuuna didn't respond. Her smile had faded, and her hands trembled slightly at her sides. 

The cloud drifted closer to the city, gliding just above a series of floating gardens filled with glowing flowers and crystalline trees. The air was warmer here, the sweet aroma of the flowers mingling with the faint hum of magic that seemed to emanate from every blade of grass. Clerics walked through the gardens, their faces serene as they tended to the plants or meditated near the glowing pools of water. 

But Yuuna's attention was elsewhere. Her chest tightened as a sudden, heavy *thoom* seemed to echo through her very being. It wasn't a sound, not exactly—it was something deeper, something primal. Her fingers twitched, her breath hitching as an overwhelming sense of power washed over her. 

She leaned closer to Xyenn, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you feel that?" 

Xyenn's face had gone serious, his golden eye narrowing as he scanned the city. He could feel it too—a suffocating presence that seemed to press down on him from all sides. It wasn't just power; it was something ancient, something alive. 

"What even is that…?" he muttered, his voice low and tense. 

Yuuna swallowed hard, her eyes darting toward the massive statue of Sugred in the distance. "So much power… it's suffocating," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "Lancelot is already here." 

Xyenn's jaw tightened, his grip on the jagged remains of his shield instinctively tightening. He glanced at Yuuna, his expression unreadable, but she could see the tension in his frame, the way his muscles coiled like a spring ready to snap. 

The cloud continued its ascent, drawing closer to the heart of the city. Rye remained at the front, her hands steady as she guided them toward their destination, oblivious to the growing unease between her two passengers. The towering figure of Sugred loomed larger with every passing moment, its radiant presence dominating the skyline. 

The Land of Sovereignty was beautiful, yes. But beneath its stunning facade, Xyenn and Yuuna could feel it—an undercurrent of something far darker.