The Quiet Before the Storm
---
In the small meeting room of the Silent Grace, only the sound of waves filled the silence.
At the center of the room, Raka Aryasatya stood tall. The shadows beneath his eyes ran deep — since the Abyss, since the new burden on his shoulders.
Around an old wooden table, six members of The Ashen Creed sat.
They were not the Council of Embers. They were not elite Seekers.
They were the hands that still moved beneath the banner of ash: scouts, couriers, protectors.
They were the new face of the resistance.
Vira Caelum, her long black hair tied neatly behind her, met Raka's gaze with unwavering eyes. She was one of the most reliable couriers in the lower ranks of the Creed.
"Tell them," Raka's voice finally broke the silence — low and steady.
"I have released the power of Virtue. Now, we can move more aggressively."
There was no cheer. No applause.
Only nodding heads.
They all knew what it meant: the road ahead would grow darker, and now they carried a light that burned too brightly.
---
In the small communications room of the ship, Vira adjusted the code sheets in front of an old transmitter.
The soft pulse of Morse code flickered through the air.
She typed, her thoughts sharper than the machine before her.
> "The Voice of Ashes has spoken. Resonance released. Creed cells are cleared to proceed with Phase Ashen Flow."
A few seconds later, the green light blinked.
Message received.
---
On the upper deck, the night wind blew sharp and cold.
Brother Marec Veyne stood at the rail, eyes watching the northern horizon.
"The journey to Veloran... two days, by estimation. But scouts from the north are already moving. We'll need to avoid them."
Raka stood beside him.
"How many ships?"
"At least three. They're moving fast. If we break from the direct route, we might cut across their path."
Raka nodded.
His Empathy brushed faintly against distant intentions — a predatory hunger for power, reaching out from the edge of the sea.
> They know something has changed. And they will try to intercept us before we reach Veloran.
---
Inside the ship, the team prepared.
There were no great warriors here.
No masters of Anugerah.
They were:
Lira Fen — a young courier, quick and clever, still learning to control Kindness.
Joran Tel — a former fisherman, now a guard with an old sword at his side.
Vira Caelum — frontline courier, cold and precise.
Salen Dorr — land scout, expert navigator at sea.
Tarek Vens — veteran sniper of the Creed, half-retired, called back once more.
Brother Marec Veyne — field commander, the pillar of diligence aboard the ship.
And among them — Raka Aryasatya — now bearing an Empathy unbound by its former limits.
---
The first night passed tense.
The ship leaned sharply, cutting across currents to avoid the northern scout patrols.
In his cabin, Raka examined the Ashen Veil — each inscription along the blade now pulsing faintly — a sign that the power of Virtue had indeed been released.
Within the Heartbound Pulse, the latent energy felt heavier — now, each shot would carry a weight upon the soul.
Nearby, Vira stood in silence.
"Are you certain this is the right time?"
Her voice was soft, not questioning, but seeking confirmation.
Raka gazed out the window, the dark sea stretching endlessly.
"They have already sensed our movement," he answered quietly.
"We must act before it's too late."
---
Dawn, Day Two
Veloran was still distant, but the sky was beginning to lighten.
"Scout ship at two o'clock!"
Salen Dorr's voice rang from the mainmast, setting the crew into motion.
Marec took command of their positions.
Vira was already at the radio.
Raka stepped onto the deck, Ashen Veil on his back, Heartbound Pulse concealed beneath his cloak.
> This feeling... it always comes before blood is spilled.