Into the Fortress

The last shrieks of the Enju's faded into the howling wind, Their twisted forms lay broken, encased in ice or crushed beneath jagged pillars of stone.

Garrick let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His grip on Agor loosened, but the boy remained frozen in place, his chest rising and falling in short, uneven gasps.

His wide eyes fixated on the two warriors who had cut through the Enju with such terrifying ease and flair.

It's was the most beautiful destruction he had ever seen . His eyes Glittered; for a moment

nothing else mattered than to see that one more time.

"How… how do they control the elements like that?" he thought.

The two Summoners who had orchestrated this destruction paid no mind to the weary travelers—they had their own work to finish.

One of them, cloaked in deep blue, flicked his sword, and the ice obeyed—spear-like shards forming midair before launching into a wounded Enju's throat

The other, clad in heavy, battle-worn armor, raised his blade, and the ground itself responded, jagged pillars of rock erupting beneath the creatures, crushing them into the earth as their last shimmering cries went still.

"I presume you have never seen a Summoner before?"

The voice was deep, confident—like a hammer striking an anvil.

Agor's head snapped up ; His eyes fixed on the now towering figure before him.

She stood with an air of absolute command, her crimson cape billowing slightly as the wind rushed through the gorge. Her armor was unlike anything he had ever seen—dark, metallic plates forged in a style that spoke of both elegance and brutality. The edges shimmered with faint runic etchings, pulsating like veins filled with molten silver. She exuded raw power, and yet her expression was strangely… amused.

"I am vice Commander Kaelis Varkos,

Summoner of Steel and Warden of the Gate" she declared

Her voice firm and commanding.

She studied Agor with the gaze of a seasoned warrior, as if trying to unravel him with a single look.

"And you… what hole did you crawl out of?"

Agor felt something shift in the air when she spoke her name, like the weight of history pressing down upon him.

Agor opened his mouth, but the words stuck in his throat.

She turned to Garrick, her piercing gaze softening slightly. "You look half-dead, old man. I should make you explain why you would abandon your duty and instead bring in a stray here and now, but…" Her eyes flicked to Agor. "I doubt the boy would survive the wait...He looks lost"

Garrick gave a tired chuckle, his breath still heavy.

"Let's just say… it's a long story." He gave a tired chuckle. "One best told over a drink."

Kaelis smirked. "Fine. But don't think you'll escape questioning."

Far behind them, the ice and earth Summoners finished their work. Their swords gleamed as they cut into the remains of the Enju, extracting something—small, glowing orbs pulsing with eerie energy. They placed the orbs into thick, rune-inscribed bags before making their way back.

Agor watched, fascinated, but as he turned

he saw the massive ruin gates of Eaglestone.

It was unlike any gate he had ever seen—not just in size but in its presence. The colossal doors were carved from a single slab of ancient stone, covered in symbols that glowed faintly, pulsing like a slow heartbeat. Though the words were unreadable to him, they stirred something in his mind, something… old.

Kaelis stepped beside him and traced a gauntleted hand over the runes. The moment her fingers made contact, the symbols flared with an ethereal light, casting shifting shadows over the walls. Then, in a voice that did not seem entirely her own, she spoke:

"Jhal'vok aresh tai lun'kora…

Karesh il'vothan su'al Eaglestone…

Karesh ka'nar vos thal'ra…"

The words sent a cold shiver through Agor's bones. They echoed deep into his skull, not as sound, but as meaning:

"As long as I stand, no darkness shall pass.

As long as I breathe, no enemy shall claim these stones.

By my blood, by my steel, Eaglestone endures."

With a deep, resonating groan, the ancient gate began to part. Mist rolled out from within, and beyond it, Agor saw the impossible.

Eaglestone was a city built into the very bones of the mountain. Towering structures of dark stone loomed overhead, their foundations merging seamlessly with the cliffs. The streets were paved with obsidian-like slabs, gleaming under the soft blue glow of luminescent crystals embedded in the walls. Waterfalls cascaded from unseen heights, flowing through channels carved into the city's pathways, feeding into underground reservoirs. The air smelled of metal, stone, and something ancient.

Agor stared, wide-eyed. "This… this is…"

"Home," Garrick murmured, though there was an odd note in his voice.

But something was wrong.

The streets were empty. No market stalls, no children running through the corridors, no voices carrying through the towering halls. The entire city lay silent.

Agor frowned. "Where is everyone?"

Kaelis exhaled through her nose, glancing toward the heart of the city. "A gathering," she said simply. "A rather important one. You arrived at an… inconvenient time."

Her words carried something unspoken beneath them. Something important.

She turned to Garrick. "Take the boy to your chambers. I'll call for you when I'm ready."

Garrick nodded, placing a hand on Agor's shoulder. "Come, boy."

Kaelis lingered a moment longer, watching them disappear into the city before turning toward the heart of Eaglestone. Her crimson cape flickered behind her, like a warning—a flash of blood on steel.

As they walked deeper into Eaglestone, Agor struggled to take in everything at once.

The city was vast, carved into the heart of the mountain like a labyrinth of stone and shadow. The streets wove between towering pillars, their surfaces etched with runes that pulsed softly in the dim light. Bridges of black metal arched over deep chasms, connecting various levels of the city. The deeper they walked, the more Agor realized how truly massive this place was—far larger than he had imagined from outside the walls.

"This place…" Agor murmured. "It feels… alive."

Garrick gave him a sidelong glance. "Because it is," he said simply.

They passed through an open chamber where massive statues stood against the walls. Each one depicted a warrior, their faces worn by time but still exuding an air of silent watchfulness. At their feet, intricate carvings showed battles long past—men and creatures locked in an eternal struggle.

Agor's eyes caught something strange. Among the carvings, there were figures that looked… inhuman. Their eyes were hollow, their limbs elongated, their mouths twisted into silent screams.

"What are those?" Agor asked.

Garrick's steps slowed. He followed the boy's gaze and let out a long breath. "The Fallen."

Agor swallowed. "Fallen?"

Garrick didn't answer immediately. Instead, he picked up the pace. "Come on. We're almost there."

The path ahead sloped downward, leading them deeper into the mountain. They passed under great stone archways, their ceilings high enough to make Agor feel small. At certain points, they crossed bridges that spanned across deep, mist-filled ravines. Somewhere below, he could hear the faint rush of water—an underground river, perhaps.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of walking, Garrick stopped before a heavy wooden door. He pushed it open, revealing a simple yet sturdy chamber inside. The walls were smooth stone, a single lantern flickering in the corner. A bed lay against one wall, a small table and chair beside it.

"It's not much," Garrick said, stepping aside. "But it'll do for now."

Agor hesitated before stepping inside. The weight of everything that had happened—the attack, the journey, the battle he had witnessed—settled on his shoulders all at once.

Garrick must have noticed. He sighed and placed a hand on the boy's head. "Get some rest, Agor. You'll need it."

Agor nodded slowly. He stepped inside, feeling the warmth of the chamber settle around him.

Garrick pulled the door shut behind him. The latch clicked into place.

And for the first time since the night his world was torn apart, Agor was alone.