House Aegis

Sabbath stepped in first, his feet touching against the cold floors of the large hall. Kevin followed, casting a glance at the servants who gathered in neat rows, their expressions carefully neutral. 

"Welcome, Lord Kevin," one of them said, bowing low. "Welcome, Lady Aisha." 

Kevin straightened his shoulders, but his gaze betrayed his amusement at the formalities. Aisha, ever composed, simply nodded, her silver-trimmed cape shifting with the motion.

Just as both deigned a reply, Duke Eilead rose, his golden cape shimmering in the light. His broad smile was an immediate balm to the tension lingering from the journey. 

"My children!" he boomed, striding forward. He wrapped Aisha in a firm embrace before pulling Kevin into a tighter one, ruffling the younger man's hair despite his protests. 

Eilead's gaze shifted to Sabbath, and his smile softened. "I see you met them on time, Sabbath. Welcome. Your reputation precedes you, and House Aegis is honored by your presence." 

Sabbath inclined his head. "The honor is mine, Duke Eilead." 

Then he saw Athaan, after a curious pause he said "And you must be Athaan? Pleasure having you join us."

"Your grace." Athaan replied curtly.

"And please, release the man from those cuffs."

Kevin stepped forward with a smirk, undoing the binding "So how does it feel to have your hands free of those dampening cuffs? Any sudden urges to punch someone?" 

Athaan's lips twitched, the ghost of a smile threatening to appear. "Maybe just you, Kevin." 

At the far end of the group stood a man clad in armor so polished it caught the rays of sunlight like a mirror. Sir Krown, Lord Commander of the Knights of Aegis. He strode forward, and his stern face split into a grin as he clapped Eilead on the shoulder. 

"And here I thought you'd show up late," Eilead teased. "Been keeping yourself busy, haven't you?" 

Krown chuckled, his voice light. "Ah, brother. You must know how it feels to be a Knight who turned down the seat of High Castellan. Still happy about missing out on all that paperwork."

"Certainly not as sweet as beating you in the joust last summer," Eilead shot back, his grin widening. 

The group laughed, and for a moment, the weight of their shared burdens seemed to lift. 

***

They convened in the dining hall after freshening up, its vaulted ceilings and intricate stained glass casting a golden glow over the polished stone floor. A long table dominated the room, set with enough food to feed an army.

Only the royals and their guests were here now. All other Knights and the likes were dismissed.

Eilead took his seat at the head, motioning for the others to join. As the meal began, conversation flowed, from talks about the trip, to insights gleaned in combat.

Soon enough, though, the lightheartedness of the hall was replaced by a more somber tone. 

"The Crownfall Conflict looms over us." Eilead began, his voice steady: "Our house will send its best to represent us in the trials. That task falls on me." 

Kevin and Aisha exchanged glances, their expressions betraying a mix of pride and worry. 

"Mhmm, what about Sabbath and Athaan?" Krown asked, his tone measured. 

Eilead leaned back, his gaze shifting between the two Espers. "Sabbath, I know. I've already made preparations for my end of our deal. We will address that soon enough. Athann, however, I hear you want an audience with the King? Strictly speaking, this is the best time to do so, shortly before the succession rites, after the Crownfall Conflict, but I need to know what you want with him first. That is to say, all our goals align. It seems fate has intertwined your paths." 

All eyes turned to him, and for a moment, the only sound was the crackle of the fire. 

Athaan, who had remained silent thus far, finally spoke, his voice a low rumble. "My family, the D'vars.... they run a church in Severa," He continued, his tone heavy with bitterness: "But it's a facade. They use it to cover their experiments — on Humans, Devils, Fiends, Subjects. It's an extensive list. I was just an heir to the family legacy, ripe to be introduced to the true nature of their actions, that was…. until they discovered the true nature of my Subject, now I'm meant to serve as a vessel for something far worse."

"That certainly sounds dire. Such days father would have hated to see." Eilead said grimly.

Turning to the twins, his expression firm but kind. "Aisha, Kevin, you'll stay with Krown at one of our more remote vistas until the Conflict is resolved. There, you'll train and prepare. It's not a request — it's for your safety." 

Kevin asked anxiously "And what about mom?" 

"She's alright, I'm yet to decide who will accompany me to the Southern reaches. It could be her, otherwise she'll act as my second while I'm away. She isn't here today due to a task she had to handle…. In my stead." 

Kevin nodded without protest, though Aisha's brows furrowed. Before she could argue, Eilead raised a hand. "You're strong, both of you. But this Conflict is bound to be bloody, I'll need all the help I can get, yes. But not from you, it isn't time yet." 

The twins exchanged a glance, their silent communication conveying more than words ever could. 

Finally, Eilead cleared his throat. "One more thing. Sabbath, Athaan will join you…. Then you'll need to pick up the third member of your group." 

Sabbath and Athaan said in unison. "Group?" 

Eilead nodded, his expression unreadable. "Sabbath, you will be the leader of a covert operation that'll be overseen by House Aegis, and since I'll be away for the most part, you'll work with my brother. I'll brief him on everything you'll need to know. So yes, the third member of your team is waiting for you, she'll join in before you can proceed."

As the night deepened, the group dispersed, but the weight of their tasks lingered. The Crownfall Conflict was only the beginning, and the threads of fate were tightening around them all.