Chapter 26: Changing times

Mikax decided not to make this journey a sprint. His reasoning was the time-old saying "take time to smell the roses". This trip was meant for him to see the world not just get back to his own, and the plus side was he was training the 'children' back at the guild. This was their first opportunity to have to do things on their own for the future if he found a way back.

Days went by mostly uneventful, he was approached by some wild beasts that promptly kicked rocks once Mikax let out his killing intent. It wasn't until his 5th day that he finally saw another town on the horizon. Thankful to finally have a chance to sleep in a real bed he immediately made his way towards the gates.

As he approached he noticed the 4 guards on duty all pointing at him and conversing before one of them split off into the guard station only to return moments later. Once Mikax was in front of the men the man who had just returned spoke.

"Sorry Westbank is full. We aren't allowing anyone else to enter currently." Was all he said as they stood to bar his entrance.

Mikax peered over their shoulders to see plenty of open space in town, it wasn't busier than Redgate and they were approximately the same size.

"Doesn't look full to me. I'm just staying the night anyway so why don't you let me in." Mikax was confused at what was going on and why he was being barred, he hadn't done anything to this town or its people.

The man handed Mikax the same poster Rotnam had shown him almost 2 months ago with his likeness on it, the same annoying words 'Do not aid, report any sightings to the guards' were plastered on it.

This was something he was going to need to handle if this was what he was to expect at every town or city he came across.

"Listen, I can assure you this will go a lot smoother for everyone if you let me in." Mikax was rotating his arms and leaning from side to side in a warm up motion as he spoke.

"Are you threatening us? This is your last chance to leave." The guards now drew their weapons in preparation for a fight. They didn't know who this man was or what he had done but they had a job to do.

"Wrong. I'm not threatening you because that implies even the slightest chance I won't take action. Don't blame me for your bad luck. Sucks to be made an example of I guess." Mikax then disappeared from their sight.

The men were stunned. They had never seen anyone disappear before. As they turned to look at each other Mikax reappeared in front of them.

"Why do you all look like your brains don't work? Have they turned to mush?" As Mikax finished speaking a groaning sound could be heard all across the town. Like dominos, the town wall itself slowly began to collapse outward until it had made a full circle.

"Looks like the town has plenty of space now, what do you think?" Mikax disappeared once again this time all 4 guards collapsed on the ground unconscious as he appeared behind them.

Panic had ensued all throughout the town as Mikax casually strolled down the Main Street looking to find an Inn.

~~~~Redgate~~~~

In the days following Mikax's absence, nothing of note had happened. Contrary to many their deepest fear of chaos didn't ensue. Daily life continued for all of them. They decided to adopt a rotating schedule to feed Zed, the 3 he had attacked petitioned to opt out of dealing with him since he had already caused them enough trouble.

Since Kydorzia had fewer daily tasks to do she volunteered to take over meal times for them. It was during lunch the 2nd day that Zed attempted to talk with her.

"How did you get stuck being here repeatedly? No one else shows up this often."

Surprised since she had never seen or heard Zed try and talk with anyone she ignored him and closed the door again leaving the food and drink in the usual spots.

That same night the guild was much busier than usual and many were fervently asking for a song from Kydorzia. She was embarrassed by all of the attention but Mr. Akkar decided that charging a small entrance fee during her practice songs would be a good start to having a steady income for the guild.

Kydorzia stood on the table in the center of the room directly underneath Zed's cube and sang one of her favorite songs. She had a lot of different emotions built up inside of her from performing directly in front of people for the first time. Usually, only a few people would be present, and not the nearly 75 that had crowded into the hall nearly bursting with excitement around her.

While singing she had activated 2 illusion spells at the same time. One caused 10 different copies of herself to appear and mimic her exact motions. The second spell changed the guild hall to look like a beautiful icy blue waterfall cascading down the side of a cliff into a pool behind her. Everyone present was amazed by this and when she had finally finished singing silence hung in the air.

Kydorzia was ready to break down and cry, she had given her all into that song and thought she did amazing. Of course, she had kept her eyes closed in fear so she was unaware of the miraculous scene she had just created that had stunned her audience.

As the spell slowly wore off everyone's vision began to return to normal. Applause and cries of joy rung out among the hall. Kydorzia was overwhelmed and thankful for everyone's positive response. Some people even pulled coins out and tossed them onto the table at her feet.

What everyone didn't take notice of was that Zed was inside the cube with a stunned look on his face. He had seen an image of Kydorzia appear inside the cube and the scenery changed from total darkness to a beautiful waterfall. To him, they seemed more like spectral images than reality it was easy to differentiate the two for him. One of his racial skills with being a demonic fox gave him insanely high resistance to Illusions. He was amazed by not only how the woman he had tried to converse with earlier sang but also her ability to cause such widespread illusion magic.

That night was a turning point in Kydorzia's abilities as she had awakened more spells to be at her disposal. Unbeknownst at the time it also would change the fate of the guild.

~~~~hidden meeting room~~~~

In a musty room deep within what appeared to be a castle, a group of people sat with their identities all hidden.

"We took stock of the new organization out of Redgate, although they have powerful members we don't believe that their leader is to be feared like we initially thought." One of the members seated at the table began to speak first. "We assess that, although the building is near impenetrable when sealed, if we launch a sneak attack they will be unaware and we can walk right in the front door."

A very seductive voice responded, "And what of their leader? Rumor has it he is an unstoppable fighter."

"All reports don't show him ever fighting in a battle. What we gathered from the locals was that he was extremely fast and had a few spells and tricks up his sleeves they hadn't seen before. Nothing that we can't work around." The first man responded to the woman's question with certainty.

"Then we should make sure to eliminate the members of the guild before we begin our plan. Removing loose ends before they start will increase our chance of success." This voice was male in nature but had a very snake-like hiss behind it.

After making this statement several of the other hooded members nodded their heads and voiced their agreement.

The woman stood up to speak, "All of those in favor of sending our Echo Crypt Squadron to do the deed?"

Following her statement, every person present stood as well. "Then it is decided." With that they all then turned, leaving the room in different directions.

~~~~Mythden~~~~

Standing in front of the King were 9 men. They had separated into two even groups with 1 man standing in between. It was very clear that this man was currently a pariah.

"So, Duke Quintas, you are telling me you chose to let the demon Eura live, your daughter killed the eldest son of a noble family directly in front of you, and you decided that leaving with your tail between your legs was your best option?" The King was fuming from his throne while looking down on the man.

Kneeling to speak to the King, Duke Quintas spoke, "I absolutely believe us leaving was in the Kingdom's best interest. Not only was Eura defended by my daughter but yours as well. That isn't including Rotnam or the larger problem still plaguing us, Mikax, who was watching from above."

"You dare to accuse my daughter of treason? She merely is playing those fools to benefit me at another time. She would never betray Azran like some obvious lesser nobles." The King stood as he shouted at Duke Quintas, "In fact, I'm not sure a family as incompetent as yours should be called noble anymore. Men! Detain the now former Duke."

Caleb Quintas didn't resist. He merely stood up and placed his hands in front of him waiting to be taken. When he had decided to leave Redgate he was smart enough to realize that there was a very likely chance that the King would react in this manner. That was the major reason he had hugged his daughter when he saw her. She had chosen to leave and follow someone worthy of respect and he trusted could protect her.

Once they had shackled Caleb Quintas, they drug him into the dungeon until the King could decide the man's fate.