Episode 3 Part 3 Sneak Peak #1

Some brand new material from Part 3 to share! This is Aeran and the MC taking the most direct path to get into Diradan Tower. 

Stone crunches beneath your feet as you march on in silence. Despite the breeze, the air feels oddly still as you approach the gate—almost as if it is holding its breath in anticipation. With the tension as tight as a bowstring, the only relief you have is the comfort of Aeran’s presence at your side.

The back of your neck prickles. Your hand strays to your side, thumbing the hilt of your sword, and slow your pace. You can’t shake the distinct feeling of being watched. Craning your neck, you chance a final look behind you at the grove. There has been little movement on the part of your companions, though judging from the tilt of their heads you are certain they are watching you like a hawk.

“You all right?” Aeran asks quietly.

You turn back. “Yeah.”

He smiles briefly. “Can’t imagine how bored out of their minds they must be. I wouldn’t want to stay put in one spot if I were them.”

“Not like they have much of a choice. Malsara would be shadowing us if it weren’t lethal.”

“Maybe she should have come with us. Wouldn’t put it past her to survive through sheer will alone.”

You catch his eye and the attempt at humour falls flat to you both. Aeran sighs, his shoulders sagging, and pulls ahead of you. Though you appreciate him trying to add some levity to the situation, the significance of what you are about to do is too great to ignore. As much as you would like to pretend this is just another mission, you know all too well that it is not.

Nervous, $firstname? Good. I would be worried if you weren’t. Now accept it and put it to good use. No sense in worrying yourself to death before the action start. You’ll only strangle yourself. Can’t do your job if you’re suffocating, can you?

Sero’s voice comes to you unbidden. A memory from long ago, so far you can’t quite remember the circumstances. There is comfort in it, a reminder that even though you have lost them, they are still with you after all these years.

Pushing your unease aside, you quicken your pace to catch up with Aeran. He has arrived at the gate and is inspecting the intricate, wrought-iron bars. You exhale a breath and fold your arms, watching him hunt through the abundant ivy for the lock. From here, you can see what awaits you on the other side: ruined gardens, statues defaced by falling debris, and broken stone and mortar hanging in the air like dust motes.

Aeran curses and pulls back, his hand and wrist scratched by the tendrils.

1. [STRENGTH] If you can remove the ivy, you should be able to get the gate off its hinges.
[CHOICE] 2. [AGILITY] Pick the lock with your dagger.
3. [LOCKPICKS] Pick the lock.
4. Inspect your surroundings and let Aeran deal with the gate.

“Here,” you say. “Let me do it.”

He shoots you a side-eyed glance. Rubbing the marks on his hand, he sighs and steps back, giving you space to work.

Withdrawing your dagger from your belt, you push the leaves and vines out of the way. The gate pulses with the throb of magic—not the wards erected to contain the disaster, but rather the simpler, familiar kind intended to keep unwanted visitors out of the premises. Shrugging it off, you reach through the bars and twist your hand around, pressing the tip of your dagger gently into the lock.

“Didn’t expect this from the Guild of Mages, to be honest,” you say, carefully rocking the blade up and down. Too much force and not enough precision and you’ll have to start over. “The greatest collective of minds and magical skill in Rhesainia and they’re still using mundane tools.”

“A last, half-hearted resort, more like—as is usually the case.”

A couple of shifts and twists and the lock clicks open with ease. Satisfied, you pull your hand back and sheathe your dagger.

“I’m starting to think we’ve chosen the wrong career path,” Aeran says as you yank the gate open. It swings forward on well-oiled hinges. Someone must have cared for it. Or perhaps it was the magic that did it.

You throw a look over your shoulder. “Hm?”

“Just saying that maybe we should have led a life of crime. Considering how easy it is to break and enter into high security establishments.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what happened with the Viridian Lady already.”

“That was one instance—”

“Doesn’t speak well to our track record.”

He chuckles and shakes his head, his shoulder brushing against yours as he follows you through the gate.