Chapter 126 - Threads Beneath the Quiet

Date: Early April X789 — Four months after Shrine Valley

The valley had been quiet for months now. No more broken hymns echoing through the trees. No more black feathers drifting in the rain. Just the whisper of winter wind moving over moss and old stones.

That morning, Teresa stood on the outer ridge, watching the faint line of sunrise climb over Fiore's eastern edge. In that new light, her cloak looked almost silver, like an echo of her blade resting at her side.

Below her, the camp lay in a soft, uneasy sleep. Romeo curled by the dead fire, his sword lying across his chest as if guarding his dreams. Kinana slept near the cooking pot, still holding her wooden ladle, as if she had dozed off while stirring. Macao snored loudly by the log pile, each rough breath stubborn and oddly comforting.

Teresa closed her eyes for a moment. She could feel something beneath Fiore's surface — not an earthquake, not a relic's pulse, but the slow shifting of people's plans, like knives waiting under tables. Something was coming undone.

She turned away from the sunrise and stepped back toward the camp.

Morning at Camp

As the sky grew lighter, Macao woke first. He sat up slowly, groaning as he rubbed his neck.

"You're up early... again," he mumbled, scratching his chin.

Teresa didn't reply right away. She sat at the edge of the logs, her blade balanced on her knees. Her hands rested lightly on it, steady and calm, fingers flicking away a bit of frost now and then.

Romeo woke next, sitting up fast. When he saw Teresa, he let out a small breath and relaxed.

"Morning," he said, voice still hoarse.

Teresa nodded. Her eyes moved to him, studying.

"Good form last night," she said.

Romeo blinked in surprise, then straightened, his cheeks turning pink.

"Th-thank you," he stammered, fingers tightening around his sword.

Kinana was last to stir. She pulled her blanket closer, blinking sleep from her eyes. After a moment, she managed a tired, gentle smile.

"I made tea," she said. "It's probably cold now, but it's there."

Teresa inclined her head slightly. She didn't move to take it, but that small nod said enough.

Before anyone could settle into the slow rhythm of morning, a voice crackled out from a small crystal device on Macao's belt — Warren's voice, sharp and urgent.

"Macao! Priority call — you need to come to Magnolia's central hall now. Bring Teresa. The council has called a special meeting. All local guild leaders are required. Repeat — all leaders."

Macao froze, fumbling to grab the crystal.

"A meeting? Now? With who?!"

Warren's voice lowered, as if someone else was leaning in nearby.

"The Magic Council's oversight branch. They're calling it The Hollow Assembly. It's about underground relic trades, hybrid threats... and her."

Macao's eyes snapped to Teresa.

She didn't move, didn't even blink. She stood, her cloak falling around her like calm water. Romeo's face twisted with worry.

"I'm going too," Romeo blurted, jumping to his feet. His voice shook, but his stance held.

Macao opened his mouth to argue, but Teresa turned her head, fixing him with a quiet look.

"Let him," she said. Her voice was so soft it felt more like the wind than speech.

Romeo's shoulders straightened. He stepped closer to her side, almost unconsciously matching her quiet readiness.

Kinana pulled her cloak tighter, stepping forward.

"I'll get supplies ready here," she said firmly. "If things go bad... come back here first."

Macao let out a long sigh.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

He looked at Teresa one more time, as if searching her face for reassurance. But she gave only that small tilt of her head — her silent battlefield signal.

Magnolia's Hall

They reached Magnolia just as the winter sun rose above the tallest roofs. The plaza in front of the hall buzzed with nervous energy. Small groups of mages and guards stood close together, whispering with tense faces.

Alzack and Bisca waited near the steps, both looking worried. Warren paced in circles nearby, fiddling with his communication glyph.

When they saw Teresa and Romeo, relief washed over Alzack's face.

"Teresa!" he called. "I'm glad you're here. They're pushing for something big — bigger than anything since the auctions."

Bisca nodded, hand on her holstered gun.

"They're talking about relic laws, merging guilds under central watch, forced surveillance... It's all moving fast."

Romeo's eyes narrowed. His hand hovered over his sword.

"They're scared," he said, almost to himself. "Scared of the dark... and of what we've become without them."

Teresa's eyes flicked toward him. For a moment, a subtle softness warmed her gaze.

"Good," she said quietly. "Then they're showing their echo."

The main doors groaned open. Two council agents stepped out, faces hidden behind high collars and shimmering mana veils.

"All representatives," one of them called in a flat, echoing voice. "Enter. The Hollow Assembly awaits."

Macao looked at his friends, jaw tightening.

"All right," he muttered. "Let's go hear their echo."

Teresa stepped forward first. Her boots tapped the marble floor in a calm, steady rhythm. Romeo followed close behind, his face pale but determined.

Inside

The hall felt colder than the winter air outside. Pale mana lines crawled along the walls, shifting in slow, anxious patterns. The wooden benches creaked under the weight of guild leaders, town chiefs, and lone mercenaries, each one tense and watchful.

At the far end, a raised dais held robed council members, their presence heavy like a closing door.

The central figure stood. His dark robe pooled around his feet like ink. His voice cut across the room, sharp and practiced.

"Welcome," he said. "You are here not only as leaders of Magnolia, but as guardians of Fiore's future. The shadows beneath this land grow restless. The relic echoes too strongly. We must act before we are consumed by forgotten gods and wandering hymns."

His eyes locked onto Teresa.

"And you," he continued, voice tightening. "The Silver-Eyed Valkyrie. The blade that rejects the echo. Today, you will answer to us."

A hush fell over the hall, heavy and tight. Romeo stepped closer to her, breath shallow, knuckles white on his sword.

But Teresa only tilted her head slightly, the faintest hint of a smile at the edge of her mouth — small, sharp, and impossible to read.