The Lord turned his attention back to the others. "What else? What did you bring back? What happened? Tell me everything."

"We found something in Malakar's castle. This," Liliana gestured to the lantern in Kale's hand, "was one of them."

The Lord's eyes locked onto the artifact. "A Lantern of Revelation?" he asked.

"Yes," Liliana said, "This one is called The Betrayer's Light. It shows—"

"I know what it does. I hope you are not planning to use it."

Kale stepped forward. "We don't have a choice! We need it to get to Rika!"

The Lord turned to him. "You have many enemies, bladeweaver. That thing will show them exactly where you are. What makes you think she's even still alive?"

Kale's heart sank. "What? How long were we gone?"

"You were gone for two weeks."

Kale's mind reeled. Two weeks? He glanced at the Lord, studying his face. How did he hold that portal open for two weeks? Did he stay awake the entire time? Doesn't he sleep?

Liliana's voice cut through his thoughts. "Two weeks?" she asked, her tone incredulous.

"Yes," the Lord replied.

"How many men did we lose to keep the portal open?" Liliana asked.

"Dozens."

Two weeks. Dozens of lives lost. The number lodged itself in Kale's mind, but it wasn't just a number. Each one had been a person, someone who fought, bled, and died for something they would never see through.

They were dead because of him.

All so they could take the artifacts. For the fight ahead. For Rika.

Frustration twisted in his chest, but guilt burned deeper. He could justify it, tell himself the war demanded sacrifices, that it had always been like this. That they had no choice. But that wouldn't bring those men back. It wouldn't change the fact that they died so he could take another step.

Then he thought about Rika again.

Two weeks. She's been alone with Voss for two weeks.

His hands curled into fists.

"We don't have time to talk about the other things we got," Kale said. "We need to get to Rika. Right now."

"And what makes you think this time you'll be strong enough?" The Lord said.

"I know we are," Kale said. He gestured toward Namara. "And we have Namara."

The Lord scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Namara? If that is even her real name. What makes you think she'll help you when her life is on the line? What makes you think her help would even matter? Voss is a force you cannot begin to fathom. Compared to him, you are insects scurrying in the shadow of a mountain, oblivious to its weight."

"We're not leaving her behind! Rika would—"

"She would leave you behind," the Lord interrupted. "She would make the logical choice, the one you're too blinded by sentimentality to make. Very well." He waved his hand dismissively. "Go ahead. Throw your lives away trying to save someone who is already dead."

Kale opened his mouth to protest, but the Lord raised his hand and turned to Liliana. "Just go in there with a plan. He'll know you're coming, and this time, I cannot send the Keepers to save you."

"Please, Liliana. Use your brain. You may not be stronger than him, but you are smarter. That will have to be enough."

Liliana met his eyes. "It will be."

***

The group stood in the courtyard, the evening air cool and still. The sun sank toward the horizon, painting the stone in deep gold and amber, its fading light brushing against the edges of their armor and cloaks.

The Lord of the Scarlet Veil approached them. In his hands, he carried a massive warhammer and a rolled-up map.

"This," he said, extending the warhammer, "was recovered by the Keepers. Your friend's weapon. If Rika is alive, I think she'll want it back."

Kale stared at the hulking warhammer, its battered head catching the last traces of sunlight. Guts.

"None of us can lift that thing."

"Oh, don't worry," Namara said. She raised a hand, summoning a stout, somber soul. The spectral figure shimmered as it took shape, stepping forward and gripping the warhammer with ease. It held the weapon upright, awaiting further command.

Namara dusted her hands dramatically. "See? No problem."

The Lord ignored her, turning to Liliana as he handed her the map. "This was found with the hammer. Looks like it marks the location of every bladeweaver temple. With this, you won't have to use that lantern too often."

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Liliana nodded, taking the map. "Thank you. General Velanna was showing us this map… before Voss burst through the wall."

The Lord's gaze swept across the group, lingering on each of them before settling on Liliana. "You have your path. If you are to go, go now, but don't waste this chance."

Sadek adjusted the straps on his father's armor, the battle-worn chestplate fitting him like a second skin. Kale looked over at him and gave a small smile. "It suits you."

Sadek returned the look with a nod. "Feels strange. Heavy, but… right."

Namara, standing beside her summoned soul, tilted her head toward the horizon. "Let's not linger. Every moment we spend here is another your friend might not have."

The Lord's expression darkened. "Do not be so eager to throw your lives away. Honor and loyalty mean nothing when you're dead."

"It means something to me," Kale said firmly.

"And one day it will be your death."

"Maybe it will. But at least I'll die for something that matters."

Liliana glanced at Kale. He looked stronger now, his confidence solidifying into something tangible. His insecurities seemed to have faded, replaced with determination. Even his posture had changed—he stood straighter, taller, a man ready for the fight ahead.

The Lord studied the group in silence for a moment. "I have something else for you," he said finally. "These might get you to Rika in time. They might even allow you to outrun Voss… should it be necessary." He gestured toward the far side of the courtyard. "kusari harriers. Our fastest and most loyal creations."

Sadek looked surprised. "Harriers? I thought they were untamable."

"They are," the Lord said. "At least, they are for most. These are bred and trained by the Beastmasters of the Scarlet Veil and enchanted by our mages. But even then, they only serve those they choose."

From the shadows emerged ten kusari harriers, their forms sleek and predatory as they moved silently toward the group. Each one was slightly larger than a warhorse, their lithe, muscular frames covered in smooth, obsidian-like scales that reflected faint hints of deep greens and purples under the fading sunlight. Their chitinous faces, angular and sharp, ended in tapering, blade-like jaws, and their triple-segmented mandibles clicked faintly as they moved.

The creatures' heads were framed by ridged neck fins. Their talons were long and curved, glinting like polished steel as they moved, each step deliberate and graceful. Along their backs, leathery wings were tucked tightly against their bodies. The tails of the harriers were long and whip-like, ending in sharp, barbed tips that swayed subtly as if in constant anticipation.

Their heads turned toward the group, twin glowing slits where eyes might have been shifting faintly in color, giving them a deeply unsettling, almost alien presence. Each harrier exuded raw, restrained power, their silence more menacing than any roar.

Namara's eyes lit up with curiosity as she stepped closer. "Now, this is unexpected. I didn't think anyone could tame harriers. Let alone breed them."

"They aren't tamed," the Lord corrected. "They are bound. Once a kusari harrier chooses you, it will never accept another rider unless you die. But before the bond is made, a ritual must be performed."

"What kind of ritual?" Kale asked.

The Lord folded his hands behind his back. "Simple but significant. The harrier will bite itself, offering its blood. You must taste it. Then, you must offer your own blood in return. Once the ritual is complete, the bond will be sealed, and its eyes will change to match your own. From that moment, it will obey only you."

Kale looked at the creatures, their strange elegance both fascinating and unsettling. "What happens if it doesn't choose you?"

"They won't approach you if you're not worthy," the Lord said. "They are not easily impressed."

The harriers began to move, their talons clicking softly against the stone as they spread out, each one seemingly drawn to a specific person. One by one, they approached the group.

A lean, sleek harrier with shimmering black scales and a faint, violet sheen stepped in front of Liliana. Its ridged fins flared slightly as it lowered its head in acknowledgment. Liliana hesitated, then squared her shoulders, meeting its gaze.

Another harrier, this one larger, more muscular, with dark green undertones in its scales, strode toward Sadek. The creature's steps were deliberate, assessing, before it finally stopped and inclined its head. Sadek responded with a single nod.

Namara's harrier was almost spectral in appearance, its shimmering form catching the light like polished onyx. It moved with a feline grace, lowering its head to her with an almost playful elegance. "Charmed," she said as she extended a hand, letting her fingers brush its ridged neck fins.

Kale, however, found himself caught in a different scenario. Two harriers approached him, one sleek and agile, its scales reflecting hints of dark gold, while the other was larger and more imposing, its scales a deep obsidian with faint blue undertones. They paused a few feet from each other, and then the smaller one hissed, opening its mandibles. The larger harrier's ridged fins flared in response.

"Uh… is this normal?" Kale asked, taking a cautious step back.

Neither harrier moved at first. They sized each other up, fins flaring wider, mandibles clicking in anticipation. A low, rattling hiss vibrated from the smaller one as it opened its jaws in challenge.

Then it charged.

The fight was swift and brutal, a blur of talons and snapping mandibles. The larger harrier slammed its opponent to the ground, its segmented jaws clamping around the smaller one's throat. A sickening crack echoed through the courtyard as the smaller harrier went limp.

The Lord spoke without looking at him. "The strongest always claims its rider."

As if summoned by the words, the victorious harrier turned from its fallen opponent and fixed its piercing eyes on Kale. It approached, head high, fins flaring wide, blood dripping from its maw.

Kale hesitated, looking at the harrier. It was unnerving, but there was something regal about the way it held itself, as though it was daring him to refuse. He took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Alright," he said. "Let's do this."

The victorious harrier turned to Kale, stepping forward with slow, deliberate grace. It bit into its foreleg, dark blood dripping from the wound as it extended the limb toward Kale.

"Go on," Liliana said. "Don't overthink it."

Kale grimaced but stepped forward, pressing his lips to the wound. The blood was thick and metallic, leaving a bitter taste on his tongue. He cut into his forearm with his dagger, then extended it to the harrier. The creature's mandibles closed around his wound, its bite sharp but controlled.

A faint glow emanated from the wounds on both, and Kale watched as a rune formed on his arm, burning briefly before fading. The harrier's glowing slits shifted in color, changing to the same deep blue as Kale's eyes.

"Well," Kale said, flexing his arm with a wince. "That was intense."

The Lord gave a slight nod of approval. "It is done. Your harrier is bound to you. Now, name it."

"Name it?" Kale repeated, glancing at the others.

"Yes," the Lord said. "It is bound to you now, but a name seals the bond. The name is not yours to give—it is yours to discover. It will come to you."

Kale furrowed his brow, the words turning over in his mind. As he gazed at the harrier, he felt a strange connection begin to form, something deeper than words, something primal.

"...Saryn," he said. The name felt right, like it had been there all along, waiting for him to find it.

The harrier responded with a low, rumbling sound that reverberated through Kale's chest. Its mandibles clicked together briefly before it lowered its head in acknowledgment.

The Lord of the Scarlet Veil gave a small nod. "Saryn it is. Your bond is complete."

Kale ran his fingers over his arm, tracing the spot where the rune had been. "That wasn't what I expected."

"Few things worth having are," the Lord said. "Your harrier will now serve you faithfully until one of you falls. Treat it with respect, or it will not hesitate to remind you of its strength."

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