warm welcoming

Axel and Mat walked through the outermost section of Harmonia also known as the green sea city, their footsteps echoing in the quiet streets. The place felt like an afterthought, tucked away far from the city's heart. Yet, it was the best they could do for now.

"You seriously think someone's gonna sell us a house?" Mat asked, skepticism clear in his voice. "These places look abandoned."

Axel shrugged. "Doesn't matter. We need to stay low."

They walked up to a small building with a worn sign hanging outside. The paint was peeling, the wood creaked under the weight of age. A man stepped out of the door, noticing them immediately. He was middle-aged, with a worn face and hands that looked like they'd seen a lifetime of hard labor.

"Looking for something?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow.

Axel stepped forward, trying to seem confident despite the uneasy feeling in his gut. "We're looking for a place to stay. Something... secluded."

The man grunted and eyed them carefully. "Ain't too many people looking to stay out here, especially after dark. You sure this is the spot?"

Mat shifted uncomfortably. "Does it matter? We're just looking to rent."

"Buy," Axel corrected quickly, shooting Mat a glance. "We need a permanent place."

The seller stared at them for a moment longer, then nodded. "Alright, I got a place. Far enough from the main roads. You'll have your privacy. But it'll cost you."

Axel glanced at Mat, who seemed to think it over for a second before nodding.

"We'll take it. How much?"

"Five hundred silver for a year," the seller said with a shrug, clearly unimpressed with Axel's attempt to negotiate. "Not bad for the area. Places like this go fast, you know."

Axel paused. He wasn't thrilled by the price, but there was little choice. They couldn't afford to be picky, not now.

"Deal," Axel said, holding out a pouch with the required amount.

The seller snatched it, counting the silver coins slowly. "Pleasure doing business. You're gonna be left alone out there. No one bothers the place unless you make noise."

"Understood," Axel replied. "Where's the key?"

The man handed over an old, rusted key, his eyes glinting strangely. "Just don't cause trouble. The city's got a lot of eyes watching."

Axel nodded, and without another word, they took the key and turned to leave.

---

The house was small—two floors, wooden beams, cracked walls, and a roof that creaked in the wind. But it had what they needed: a place to hide. It was far from perfect, but it was theirs, at least for the time being.

"Could be worse," Mat muttered, tossing a bag of supplies onto the floor.

"Let's just hope it doesn't fall apart on us," Axel said, giving the walls a tap.

Eliza walked through the front door, taking a deep breath. "It smells old. But I think it'll work."

Mat grinned. "It's got character."

"More like character flaws," Axel muttered. "We'll have to patch some things up, but it's a place to lay low."

The door creaked behind them. They turned to find the seller standing there, a worried look on his face.

"You alright?" Axel asked.

The man hesitated, glancing over his shoulder. "Just a heads up," he said, his voice lowered. " Don't cause trouble, the city is well guarded, and trouble makers are severely punished".

Axel frowned. "What do you mean?"

The seller hesitated again, then shrugged. "You'll see for yourself. Just... be careful."

---

It was that evening that they first noticed the shadows in the distance. Movement, always watching. The unease returned, prickling at Axel's skin. The tension had followed them from the mountains into the heart of Harmonia. Whatever came next, they had to be ready.

Mat leaned against the doorframe, watching the darkening sky. "We're not safe here, are we?"

_____

Axel stood by the window, eyes narrowed as he scanned the city from the comfort of the old house. He could feel it again—the pressure in the air, the eyes on him. It was only a matter of time before they were found.

Mat was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, looking disinterested. "We're being watched again, aren't we?"

Axel nodded.

Eliza was pacing around the room, her expression thoughtful. "We've made it this far. We'll have to keep moving forward. But something feels... off."

The tension was thick, just the way it always was when they were on the run. They had left the Vallorian Kingdom behind, but it didn't feel like they'd left the danger behind. Axel didn't trust Harmonia to be the safe haven they needed, especially with the shadowy figures that had appeared at their door that morning.

A knock echoed through the house. Axel's hand instinctively moved to his side where the Grim Skyth rested, but he didn't draw it. He glanced at Mat. "Stay back. I'll handle this."

The door creaked open, and six cloaked figures stood in the threshold. Their eyes scanned the room, sharp and calculating. One of them, the leader, stepped forward, his voice cold and direct. "We've been watching you."

Axel stood his ground. "You've been following us. For what reason?"

The leader's gaze flicked over to Eliza, but he quickly refocused on Axel. "You're new here. And we don't like newcomers, especially those with no clear purpose." His eyes flickered to Eliza again, but there was no recognition. "We want to know why you're in Harmonia. And why you're running."

Axel didn't flinch. "We're just trying to survive. It's as simple as that."

Mat, finally speaking up, cracked a grin, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Yeah, no intentions to cause trouble. We just need a place to lay low."

The leader of the shadows didn't seem convinced, but he didn't press the matter. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Eliza. "You carry yourself differently. You're not just some wanderer. What is it that you're hiding?"

Eliza's eyes hardened, but she said nothing. She was aware of the growing tension and her own power simmering under the surface. The manifestation phase wasn't something to hide, but it wasn't enough to put these spies off. They weren't afraid of her. Not yet.

The leader's voice softened slightly. "We'll be watching. But make no mistake—we're not your enemies. Not yet."

Without another word, they turned and left, leaving Axel and Mat standing in the small house, the weight of their words hanging in the air.

"That went well," Mat muttered dryly.

Axel didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed on the door. "They're not the ones we need to worry about."

---

Above them, hidden from view, Damian watched the entire exchange. His presence was an unspoken force, one that wrapped around the group like a shield. He had been the one to send them here, to Harmonia, offering them a chance to escape, but he knew that their troubles were far from over.

The silence between the six shadows and Axel's group didn't last long. Within moments, the sky above seemed to ripple, and there, high above, Damian appeared, his figure like a silhouette against the cloudy sky. He wasn't trying to be subtle. He was making his presence known.

Axel's senses were on high alert the moment he felt the shift. He looked up. Mat did too. There, standing in the sky, was the figure of Damian.

Mat whistled lowly. "That's one hell of a way to make an entrance."

Axel's eyes narrowed. "Damian's not one for subtlety."

The shadows below looked up as well, the tension rising. The leader of the spies grimaced. "That's him, the person in the mountains."

One of the other shadows muttered, "We can't deal with that in the city without the lords order".

Axel didn't look away from the sky. "He's the one who keeps us safe. You don't need to worry about him."

Mat grunted. "I think they're worried about themselves, not us."

The leader of the shadows locked eyes with Axel. "Don't think you can hide in the city forever, we are not your enemies, but it's better to not cause trouble in this city."

Before Axel could respond, the city guard arrived, marching toward the group with heavy footsteps. The guard leader stepped forward, his presence commanding. His eyes flicked from the group to Damian, his gaze hardening.

"What's going on here?"

Damian's voice cut through the air. "Nothing yet. Just a little misunderstanding."

The city guard leader glanced at Axel's group, then back to Damian. "We don't allow disturbances in Harmonia. No fighting. It's the law."

Damian gave a small nod, a quiet acknowledgment. "I'm just passing through."

The guard leader's eyes narrowed but he didn't challenge Damian. Instead, he turned to the six shadow spies

"What's your business here?"

The shadow leader spoke up. "No business. We're just watching over the city, our business here isn't over".

The guard leader didn't seem entirely convinced, but he wasn't in the mood to argue. "The final wird is the lord's command, I will take it from here" he said curtly. "And remember, no fights. If there's a problem, take it up with the Lord."

The six shadow spies didn't respond but faded into nothing while leaving.

---

Back in the shadows, the six spies made their way to the grand hall, reporting to the Lord of Harmonia. The woman seated at the head of the table listened intently, her eyes sharp.

"A dragon? And two Grand Priests?" she said, her voice cool. "This is more complicated than we thought."

She glanced at the spy leader, her expression unreadable. "And what about them? The ones who entered the city? What's their role in this?"

The spy leader hesitated before answering. "They're not dangerous. We're not sure about their connection to the dragon, but they were there. In the mountains."

The Lord of Harmonia leaned back in her chair, her eyes distant. "Keep an eye on them. I want to know what they're up to. If they're tied to the dragon... well, this city won't be neutral for long."

"Yes my lord", the shadows responded while fading into void.

______

In the house.

Father Damian stood firmly before Axel and Mat, his gaze unwavering. "Show me your War Soul," he commanded, voice firm.

Axel nodded, his hand instinctively reaching for the power within him. The Grim Scythe materialized in his grip with a sharp crack, the dark energy crackling around it. It felt familiar—his weapon, his soul's extension.

Damian observed quietly, his eyes narrowing with interest. "A scythe," he mused. "It's a weapon born from your darkness. But remember, it's not just about power—it's about control."

Axel swung the scythe once, feeling its weight settle. "I understand," he said, ready to take the next step in mastering it.