Synchronisation I

Aurelia shuffled towards the stone path and high-arched tunnel, her boots clapping against the moss-covered stones.

As she slowly made her way south, the princess felt her heart pounding furiously, her stomach churning, sweat beading on her forehead.

After climbing up the staircase, she rested her hand against the wall to catch her breath. "What is going on with me?" Aurelia murmured, confused. Was she afraid? Or was it something entirely different?

Fifteen minutes of walking led her to a clearing. Every sensation pointed to it. Undoubtedly, something bizarre lurked within that silver Armatus. She was certain of it.

The Armatus mobile suit was now parked, kneeling on the grass. The grand opening space was enclosed by the defence tower's outer wall. A group of people huddled next to the giant steel suit. Triss Mercie and one of her Novitcius mages, clad in black, were inspecting an unconscious man lying on the ground. Nearby stood a Wildren and a white-haired man. From Triss's reaction, the guests appeared non-hostile, yet Aurelia did not recognise any of them.

Narrowing her eyes, she examined the new arrivals. Something about the silver-haired man caught her attention. Each strand of his hair seemed to sheen and dance elegantly against the gulf of wind. His shoulders were broad complementing his towering heights, a head above Triss Mercie's. His frame was wrapped in a loose grey tunic and black trousers. But most noticeably of all, there was an aura about him, something deeply familiar. It reminded her of someone she had known — someone she knew very well indeed.

Without hesitation, Aurelia found herself rushing forward, hope glimmering in her eyes.

***

Inspecting the unconscious man, Triss spotted the purple glyphs around his throat, its tendrils slithering into his skin like deadly serpents.

"O' Mother Gaia, he bears the Deadman's Brand," She concluded, clasping her hands. Concern was evident on her pale face.

The Deadman's Brand was an arcane spell designed to gradually but ultimately kill its victim. It was a specific spell that only the Shadowbringers could wield. These assassins were trained under the Celestius mage of the Sagittarius Division, Jovian Zel Zepharion — the most feared assassin in human history.

Many rumours surrounded Jovian's origins. It was said that at just seven years old, he took a man's life. But not just any man, but a Stellius mage. And he had done it with nothing more than a paperweight. If that wasn't shocking enough, he had carried out the assassination undetected, leaving nothing behind but whispers and speculation. Tales of his ruthlessness spread far and wide, painting him as a cold-hearted killer who lived solely for the thrill of the hunt.

If Ignius Lux Draconus, the former Celestius mage of the Ares Division, was the master of thundering war, then Jovian was the master of silent, unseen death.

Triss scanned the group, ensuring everyone understood the gravity of the situation. Then she hesitated before adding, "And… he's also missing his p~penis." Her voice wavered as she blushed at the mere mention.

"What?!" Jack blurted out, his forehead creasing. He wanted to ask for clarification but held his tongue. The others seemed equally disturbed and chose to remain silent.

"Umm… Triss-y, can you do anything about it?" Lupus eventually asked, resting her hands on her hips. She exchanged a glance with Jack beside her, as if to say, "I'm doing everything I can for this Armatus knight."

Jack nodded slowly in acknowledgment.

"Well… I'm terribly sorry. I might not be able to heal him completely. His condition is far worse than I initially anticipated because the brand is already spreading throughout his body," Triss admitted apologetically, bowing her head to Lupus and Jack. 

Her eyes brimmed with kindness and empathy as they lingered on the painful face of the man. 

"But I thought you could. Haven't you registered your Essence of Iasis as mythic in the mage directory?" Lupus asked in disbelief, scratching her upper arm.

"Yes… that information is accurate, but I do not possess such immense mana required to perform this level of healing," Triss responded, her voice resonating softly.

Jack's shoulders slumped in disappointment. Triss took note of his genuine despair, her eyes darted the ground in guilt as if she was at fault.

"But there is~ Huh?!" Her sentence was cut short as another girl lunged forward, tackling Jack from behind.

"Zetius!" Aurelia cried out, wrapping her arms around Jack's waist. 

Jack yelped reflexively from the impact.

Lupus's eyes widened in shock, watching her husband get a sudden hug right in front of her eyes.

Jack spun around. "Woah?! Young miss, who are you?!" he snapped, startled. Now that he could see her properly, he guessed she was no older than fifteen — her round face and wide eyes giving away her youth. He studied her for a moment. Aside from her striking red hair and eyes, there was nothing particularly remarkable about her. In other words, she was quite mid as his DebrisX crews would refer to such quality. 

Aurelia's expression mirrored his shock. She recoiled as if struck by lightning, landing on the ground. "W-who are you?!" She shouted, her face drained of colour before flushing crimson in embarrassment. Her skin shifted colours as though she was a chameleon.

Lupus shot Jack a menacing glare, yanking his collar toward her. "Who is this lost child? Since when did you start grooming a child?! Answer me, Jackie!" She fired off accusations without giving him a chance to respond.

"Wait~what?! I don't know this girl, Lupus!" Jack yelled back, his face serious. "She just popped out of nowhere and called me Zetian or something." He turned to the girl.

"I'm~I'm sorry! I mistook you for someone else," Aurelia stammered sheepishly. Yet, despite her words, she neither bowed nor gestured any sign of apology.