In the boundless spiritual domain, untethered by the physical laws of Tehra, a pure, warm white light, the embodiment of Will, gently pulsed, as if sensing a newly established connection. Another entity silently materialized, not of flesh and blood, but as a concept, a powerful and cutting presence. Laurent. Though merely a spiritual image, his cold, authoritative aura seemed to make the surrounding ribbons of light shrink back, apprehensive.

"Greetings, Will." Laurent's spiritual voice resonated, carrying no specific tone but clearly conveying measured respect and unconcealed urgency.

Will's white light inclined slightly in response. "Greetings, Laurent. This unusual contact must mean something important".

"Indeed, sir," Laurent stated without preamble. "I have just received news of a strange phenomenon, an event that could have dire consequences if not addressed promptly. Someone has recorded the appearance of the Sanctuary Enclave's Light Tree symbol at the edge of the Verodawn Forest, near the altar of the recently slain Raum".

Will remained silent for a moment, as if assessing the information. " And What's the problem, Laurent? The presence of the symbol, though unexpected, does not always mean danger ".

"Sir, the issue is," Laurent's voice grew more serious, "according to my knowledge, none of the six current core members of the Sanctuary are present in Zephyros, or even operating within a range that could cause such a powerful energy signature in Verodawn. So, could this be the work of the new member we just recruited? That young man, Henry?".

"If you are all still following the planned steps, then it is highly probable that this event was caused by Henry, though perhaps unintentionally on his part".

"If it is indeed him," the urgency in Laurent's spiritual voice noticeably increased, "then the situation is more dangerous than I thought. Sir, you must help him immediately. For a low-ranking like Henry to reveal his connection to the Sanctuary, and to create an energy signature strong enough to be detected from afar, s like a blazing torch in the dead of night, attracting all kinds of attention, especially unfriendly attention. I hope you will soon contact Socrost to assist him. This is a matter of life and death for him".

The seriousness in Laurent's words was genuine; he understood clearly the perils that a new, unprotected, and insufficiently powerful Sanctuary member could face.

"I understand your concern, Laurent. Henry's safety will be prioritized. I will contact Socrost," Will replied, the white light gently wavering, like a promise.

"Thank you, sir. I take my leave." Laurent's spiritual form faded and dissolved, returning the boundless space of Will to its natural stillness. Only the ribbons of light continued their endless flow, yet it seemed a small wave had been created, heralding impending changes.

Meanwhile, in an ancient castle hidden amidst forests east of Aerion, where sunlight struggled to penetrate the dense foliage, another meeting was taking place.

The grand hall, adorned with tapestries and oil paintings, was filled with a tense atmosphere. Smoke from expensive silver pipes hung lazily, forming hazy wisps in the flickering candlelight from intricately carved bronze candelabras. Four figures sat around a polished ebony round table, their faces etched with tension and contemplation.

"Raum is dead." The first to break the silence was Londor, a middle-aged man with a noble bearing. He was an influential figure in the underworld, controlling numerous smuggling rings and vital intelligence networks, and also the contact for the Gilded Veil society in Aerion. " Reports from my network confirm he was eliminated at his Altar in the Verodawn Forest. And the perpetrators, once again, were the Bureau's investigation team, Zephyros's agents."

"The Investigation Bureau?" A high, clear, but cold female voice interjected. Queen, vice-leader of the Black Chess Society, a woman of haughty, noble beauty, her jet-black hair coiffed high, evealing a slender neck and a stare that could make skin peel. Her deep purple evening gown accentuated her porcelain skin. "That Raum was close to completing his Rank 5 ascension ritual. With that power, how could mere investigators defeat him? Or did Chief Ragley himself intervene? Only that old man would be strong enough to stop a breakthrough Raum".

"Not Ragley." Londor shook his head, his voice firm. "My information is clear. Just a standard investigation team. Two Rank 4 and three Rank 3. No Rank 5 was present".

"You jest?" A derisive laugh came from a powerfully built man, his fierce face covered in bizarre tattoos that spread across his neck and bare arms. Zepar, representative of the Black Society Scarlet Crusader, an organization famed for its brutality and fanaticism. "Those five combined, even if all were Rank 4, would hardly be a match for Raum at his peak, especially with the Altar's support. Absurd!".

At this moment, the fourth individual, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke. He wore simple yet elegant attire, his face hidden in the shadows of a hood. Only thin lips and a low, emotionless voice that nonetheless commanded attention were visible. This was Laurent. " I received word," he said slowly, each word seeming to fall into the heavy silence, "that there were signs of the Sanctuary Enclave's symbol appearing in the Verodawn Forest, precisely when Raum was eliminated."

The words "Sanctuary Enclave" exploded like a bomb in the room.

"Sanctuary Enclave?" Queen gasped, her usually cold voice now unable to hide her shock and a hint of indignation. The feathered fan in her hand froze. "Those blasphemous atheists? They dare show themselves in Zephyros?".

" Your reaction is a bit excessive, Queen," Londor cautioned, though he himself felt a chill through him. The name Sanctuary Enclave always carried ominous signs and horrifying memories.

"How can it not be excessive!" Zepar sneered, his voice full of mockery. Even King, your Chess Society's supreme leader, was beaten half to death by one of those Sanctuary bastards, nearly losing his life. His wounds still haven't fully healed after eight years, have they? Anyone who hears that name and isn't terrified is fortunate."

Queen gritted her teeth, her attention turning sharply towards Zepar, but she offered no rebuttal. Zepar's jibe, though malicious, was true.

"If a Sanctuary member truly appeared," Londor mused, trying to steer the discussion back to the main point, "this would be a massive variable, capable of disrupting our entire plan. I propose we temporarily halt all actions. All affiliated black societies must immediately cease disruptive activities in Aerion and surrounding areas. We need to lie low until we can confirm that individual has departed or that their target is not us".

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Could it be," Zepar spoke again, his tone still provocative but now with a hint of speculation, "that individual knows your Chess Society is involved in this plan? Last time he didn't kill King; perhaps this time he wants to be thorough, to eradicate the root?". He clearly wanted to shift blame and creat suspicion towards the Chess Society.

"Truly strange," Laurent finally interjected, his voice still even, emotionless, yet compelling the other three to listen silently. "That Raum, even with the three of you assisting, would hardly be of sufficient importance for a member of the Sanctuary Enclave to personally intervene".

Laurent's words were like an invisible slap to the faces of the three black society representatives. They were leaders of powerful underworld forces, commanding hundreds of smaller black societies and thousands of operatives ready to do anything. Yet Laurent bluntly stated they weren't significant enough. et Laurent bluntly stated they weren't significant enough. This insult was hard to accept, but deep down, they knew he was right. The Sanctuary Enclave was a legend, a terror that even demigods regarded with caution.

" So, according to Lord Laurent," Londor tried to maintain his composure, hiding his discomfort, "what kind of event would be significant enough for that individual to appear in Zephyros? ".

From under the hood, a low chuckle sounded. Though brief, it sent a chill through the three opposite him. "If I said that Raum, along with his entire Altar, was simply an unfortunate soul who accidentally crossed the path of another target of that Sanctuary member? Would you believe it?".

"I... I truly wish to hear Lord Laurent explain further," Londor said, his voice trembling slightly.

"I have reviewed the reports of the Investigation Bureau members involved in this incident," Laurent continued, his voice even. "The last one to retain consciousness, a female investigator named Brena, recorded the appearance of the Sanctuary Enclave's Light Tree symbol in reality, after the Altar was destroyed. And another report, from the Zephyros support mage team that arrived at the scene later, confirmed that a medium-sized Lifestream vein had just formed at the Altar's location". He paused, letting the information be absorbed by the minds of his listeners. "Do you understand what I mean?"

Silence enveloped the room. Then Queen stammered, "You mean... that Sanctuary member... he created... a Lifestream vein? He managed to draw... Primordial Aether?". Her voice was filled with terror and disbelief.

"Correct," Laurent confirmed. "A Sanctuary member, somehow, found a way to interfere with the Lifestream's flow, perhaps even creating a new vein or reawakening a buried one. And perhaps, Raum's Altar was simply located where that individual needed to destroy it to release or channel that Primordial Aether to the surface". He presented the most plausible, yet also the most terrifying, hypothesis.

Primordial Aether, the purest energy, the origin of all things, magic, life, matter... something no one had been able to touch or directly control for millions of years. If the Sanctuary Enclave could do that....

"So the good news is they aren't targeting us?" Londor rubbed his hands together, trying to find a shred of optimism in this terrifying situation.

"And the bad news is," Zepar laughed dryly, "we should probably spend the rest of our lives praying we never accidentally cross their path".

Londor quickly tried to make things better: "Regardless, our plan must proceed. Hopefully, what Lord Laurent said is true, and the Sanctuary member's appearance was merely a coincidence." He still hoped the upcoming attack on Aerion would proceed smoothly.

"For now," Laurent interrupted, his voice returning to its usual cold, calculating tone, "we should focus on the next step. Contact Ipoz, that mad bird. With his brother Raum just killed by Aerion's investigation team, it's highly probable he'll agree to help us in the upcoming plan. He will be an effective wild card". He always seemed calm, always having backup plans for every situation.

"Ipoz Mad Vulture?" Zepar sounded excited. "A notorious Rank 6 Bloodluster. He is indeed an excellent choice. If he participates, our plan is sure to succeed brilliantly".

The atmosphere in the black societies' meeting room seemed to ease slightly with a new target, a new potential ally. But they were unaware that elsewhere across Tehra, news of the Sanctuary Enclave's symbol appearing in Zephyros was spreading rapidly, eliciting entirely opposite reactions.

At Silver Wing Castle, the center of Zephyros, the nation's three leading demigods were reviewing the top-secret report just sent from the Investigation Bureau regarding the Verodawn Forest mission.

"If what is written in this report is true," Alfie, the Radiant Prince, whose majestic statue stood in Aerion's Central Square, spoke first, his voice contemplative. He wore pure white robes, his golden hair shining. "Then why would a member of the Sanctuary Enclave appear here, in Zephyros? And why at this particular time?".

"Someone from the Sanctuary Enclave wouldn't act merely for a newly risen Rank 5 like Raum," Vincent, the current Pope of the Radiant Angels Church, whose image was revered in every cathedral in Aerion, agreed. He wore the jet-black ceremonial robes of the church, his face refined but stern. "They always have larger, more unpredictable motives".

The person seated in the middle, in the highest position, finally spoke. Karatyr, the Supreme Grand Marshal of Zephyros, a powerful Rank 7 demigod, mentor to all Four Divine Monarchs. His face was grim, with deeper wrinkles on his forehead. "The investigation team confirmed, a medium-sized Lifestream vein appeared in that area right after the mission was completed. And the Sanctuary's Light Tree symbol was also recorded".

"The report mentions the Sanctuary's emerald green Light Tree symbol appearing," Alfie speculated, a hint of insight crossing his features. "Could it be that the symbol was formed from that medium-sized Lifestream vein itself? That individual... did he manage to draw Primordial Aether?". If that were true, it would be an event that would shake all of Tehra.

"This could be the first time in history someone has drawn Primordial Aether directly from a Lifestream vein," Vincent said gravely, realizing the terrifying nature of the event. "This Sanctuary Enclave... how much more terrifying can they be?".

"I do not rule out that possibility." Karatyr looked at his two distinguished disciples. "Although the subsequent report from the mage team only stated they detected a normal Lifestream vein, with no Primordial Aether remaining on the surface. But we must be more cautious than ever".

"I will personally go to Verodawn Forest," Alfie offered, taking responsibility. "To confirm the true state of that Lifestream vein".

"And I," Vincent continued, "will personally check and erase the memories related to the Sanctuary symbol from the members of the recent investigation team, to ensure the report's integrity and prevent this information from spreading. From this moment on, no one will know of the Sanctuary symbol's appearance, except us".

As Alfie and Vincent left the meeting room, carrying their worries and action plans, another figure silently entered through a side door. A high-ranking internal affairs official, Rank 5, a familiar face in the Aerion court. But as he sat down opposite Karatyr, a confident, knowing smile appeared on his lips, and the aura he exuded was entirely unfamiliar. "This is the third time we've met this way, Sir Karatyr," the official's voice had also changed, becoming low and authoritative.

Karatyr frowned, his eyes boring into the person opposite him. "Each time you control a different confidant to speak with me. Are you helping me purge spies from the court, Laurent?".

Laurent, in the official's body, merely smiled faintly. "Consider it a small introductory gift. I wish to continue discussing the terms of our previously agreed-upon transaction". He spoke as an equal, without any deference to the most powerful demigod in Zephyros. His cards, it seemed, were still numerous.

And so, the unseen ripples from the event in Bonecrack Valley began to spread, reaching the highest centers of power, heralding a great storm slowly gathering over Tehra.

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