The Departure

Baitenkaos's wild grin stretched impossibly wide, jagged teeth gleaming as he lunged at the squad with primal hunger. Ether rippled from his body, distorting the air around him.

"Stay together!" Ubel shouted, his voice sharp with urgency.

Velvet raised their guitar-axe, energy crackling at the strings, while Kouneli's blood powers flared in crimson arcs. Leo charged forward, sword gleaming.

Before any of them could strike, a shadow materialized between them and Baitenkaos. The air grew deathly still as an overwhelming presence filled the battlefield.

The figure's eyes glowed a brilliant, piercing red, with eerie concentric rings swirling within them. The very sight of those eyes commanded silence. The shadow's form was cloaked in darkness, exuding a suffocating power that made even the Prophet of Gluttony falter.

"You're out of line," the shadow spoke, voice low and authoritative.

Baitenkaos's grin faltered. "L-Lord First..." he stammered, his previous arrogance dissolving into dread.

"Return," the shadow commanded.

Baitenkaos immediately bowed, trembling. The air shimmered behind him, forming a dark portal. Before stepping through, Baitenkaos glanced back at the squad, hunger flickering in his gaze.

"See you soon, little morsels."

The shadow's glowing eyes lingered on the squad for a moment before both figures disappeared into the void, leaving only eerie silence in their wake.

The squad stood in stunned silence, tension still thick in the air.

"What the hell was that?" Leo muttered, lowering his sword.

"That was a problem for another day," Ubel said, voice cold. "But it's clear the Ministry is on the move."

Kouneli grimaced. "Great. Just what we needed."

Velvet nudged him with a grin. "Hey, at least we didn't get eaten, right?"

Later, as dawn broke over the horizon, the squad stood at the village docks, preparing to set sail. Eris was there to see them off, her expression calm but warm.

"You sure you'll be okay here?" Rajin asked, his tone serious.

Eris nodded. "The village is safe for now. We've weathered worse, and I think the people are stronger for it."

She handed Rajin a small, rune-inscribed device no larger than a coin. "Take this. If you ever need me, press it, and I'll come running."

Rajin's brows furrowed in surprise, but he took the device with a solemn nod. "Thanks... for everything."

"You've got a good heart, Rajin. Don't forget that."

The group exchanged final farewells as they boarded the ship. Eris stood at the docks, her figure shrinking into the distance as they sailed away.

Upon returning to the Isle of Vigils, the squad made their way directly to the command hall, where Evengarde waited for them.

"Welcome back," he said, his voice calm but edged with curiosity. "I trust your mission was eventful?"

"You could say that," Ubel replied dryly.

They recounted everything—Kaelith, Baitenkaos, and the mysterious shadow that commanded them. Evengarde's expression darkened with each word.

"This is troubling," he said. "If the Ministry is mobilizing, it could destabilize the entire region."

Velvet crossed their arms. "What's the plan now?"

"For now, rest," Evengarde ordered. "You've done well, and you'll need your strength for what's to come."

The squad nodded and dispersed to their quarters, tension still lingering in their minds.

Later that evening, Evengarde sat with Arcanos in the war room. The flickering lantern light cast long shadows on the stone walls.

Arcanos frowned, her brow furrowed. "This situation with the Ministry is more dire than we anticipated. If Baitenkaos is involved, then the rest can't be far behind."

Evengarde nodded gravely. "Baitenkaos alone is a formidable threat. But there's another pressing matter—the insectoids on the southern island are evolving at an alarming rate. If we don't act soon, they may reach a stage where even I might find them challenging."

"Do you think we should send a team to exterminate them?"

"Yes, but carefully. We can't afford any mistakes," Evengarde said.

Before they could continue, the door burst open. Zeke Ureshi, one of The 12 Royal Commanders, hurried in, his face pale and strained.

"Evengarde, I have urgent news!" he exclaimed.

Evengarde straightened. "Speak."

"I've just returned from Minityrsa. Warden Jericho was injured—barely clinging to life. I managed to get him back on his feet, but he gave me vital information."

Evengarde's eyes narrowed. "What did he say?"

Ureshi's voice wavered. "The prophets are planning a meeting in Minityrsa. This might be our only chance to find out what they're up to."

A heavy silence fell over the room. Arcanos and Evengarde exchanged grim looks.

"Then we have no choice," Evengarde said. "We'll need to intercept that meeting and uncover the Ministry's plans before it's too late."