The mud clung to their boots like lead. After days of agonizing march and silence, the enormous bell tower of Arkania's cathedral finally broke the gray horizon.
"Aria, Varkas... we're almost there," Darian sighed, exhausted but relieved.
Varkas looked at him and a fierce smile appeared between his fangs.
"Almost there, pup."
"I'm dying for a cold beer," Aria murmured, limping slightly and rubbing the soot from her forehead.
"Yes. And a lot of meat," Varkas agreed.
"I just want to see what weapons Thorgar will make us with all this," Darian added, clutching the pack pressed against his chest.
As they approached the city gates, Darian lowered his gaze to the leather bag.
"Darian..." said Aria, narrowing her eyes. "Is the egg glowing or is it just me?"
Darian reached inside.
"Yes, and it's much warmer."
Varkas stopped and fixed his yellow eyes on the sky-blue shell.
"It's normal. That kind of egg needs three things to hatch: acceptance, affinity, and valor."
"And does this one have them?" Darian asked.
"The acceptance was when Vaelor didn't crush you. The valor you proved by fighting the colossus. And the affinity... it felt you vibrate with your mana."
Aria crossed her arms with a mocking smile.
"I think it accepted me. I was the one who shot the colossus in the eyes to give you the opening."
"Not a chance," Darian shot back, tightening his grip on the egg. "I was the one who landed the final blow. It obviously chose me."
"If it weren't for my arrows, you'd be rock pulp."
Varkas let out an impatient grunt.
"Enough childish arguing. I can already see the gate."
They crossed the immense iron entrance without the guards asking questions upon seeing their blood-stained badges. The bustle of carts, merchants, and horses enveloped them immediately. In the center of the main plaza, the statue of the legendary hero stood imposing.
Darian glanced at it sideways. A cold knot formed in his stomach as he wondered how much innocent blood was hidden behind that pristine marble.
"Darian, let's go," Aria urged him, pulling him from his thoughts.
When they pushed open the heavy Guild doors, the laughter and clinking of mugs died at once. Every gaze fixed on them. A novice adventurer approached cautiously.
"Is it true that the three of you took down a rock dragon alone?"
Aria silenced him with a cold stare.
"Where did you hear that?"
The boy pointed trembling at the enormous announcement board. Aria approached and her eyes went wide.
"Darian, Varkas... Look at this."
In the center of the board was an imperial scroll with their faces drawn on it. The text read: "For defeating the rock dragon of the Eastern Canyons, a direct Imperial reward is offered."
They ran to the counter. The receptionist went pale recognizing them and went to fetch the guild master immediately.
In the office, Valerius was waiting on his feet.
"What does that Imperial notice mean?" Darian asked, straight to the point.
Valerius pointed to three heavy gold bags on his desk.
"It means you did the impossible. The Empire pays well. There's your gold. And there's something else." He pulled out two sealed scrolls. "Darian, Varkas. You have official authorization to take the Silver Rank test."
Varkas took the paper. Ten years of chains were behind him; now he was a recognized man. Darian thanked him and pocketed his own, frowning.
"But I still don't understand why the Empire made a public announcement..."
"They didn't do it to arrest you," said a drawling voice from the dark corner of the office.
All three turned. A man in an impeccable gray coat stepped into the light. He was the same one who had been watching them in the tavern some time ago. Aria lowered her hand toward her dagger.
"Easy, hunter," the man smiled, raising his hands. "Low Mountain. Puerto Vell. Now the Canyons. You attract anomalies."
"We just do our job," Varkas growled, stepping in front of the others.
"And you do it very well." The man walked slowly, left a small metal card on the desk, and looked them in the eyes. "The Empire watches everything. If you find more anomalies... find me. We pay much better than the Guild."
Without another word, the man in gray turned and left. Darian pocketed the metal card in silence and they took the gold.
The visit to Thorgar's forge was quick. Upon seeing the crystals and dragon plates, the dwarf was fascinated. He promised to forge them weapons that could withstand all their mana, but warned them it would take weeks to work materials of that level.
Following the smith's advice, they found rooms at the Golden Lion inn, bathed, and went down to eat. Varkas and Aria devoured their food, but Darian stared at a crumpled piece of paper on the table, absent.
"What's wrong, pup? You haven't touched your plate," Varkas said, wiping his mouth.
"Do you remember that I researched at the library before going to Puerto Vell?" Darian asked, lowering his voice.
Aria nodded, setting down her mug.
Darian pushed the crumpled paper toward the center of the table.
"I found the names of the four Demon King's generals: Seth, Krug, Nyssa... and Sarion the Archmage."
Aria frowned.
"The same Sarion whose memories you saw?"
"The same," Darian nodded, clenching his fists. "The man I saw had a wife. They were going to have a child. He loved his people and his king. How could he have betrayed everyone like that? It doesn't make sense. They're lying to us."
Varkas crossed his arms, absorbing the blow.
"What are you suggesting?"
"To discover the truth, I need to find the other grimoires. And for that... I need both of you."
Varkas didn't hesitate. He raised his mug.
"I gave you my word, pup. I'm with you."
Darian looked at the archer. Aria sighed, but smiled.
"Someone has to look after you two. I'll come."
That night, in the darkness of his room, Darian stroked Vaelor's egg pulsing warm on his bed. The dark gravity in his chest and the celestial magic of the egg vibrated in unison. He smiled and closed his eyes, knowing he wasn't alone.
On the other side of the city, Aria walked alone through the cobblestone streets.
She arrived at her father's modest house. When she knocked, Elias opened immediately and let her in.
"Papa," said Aria, planting herself in the middle of the living room. "We're leaving Arkania. We'll be taking missions outside the Imperial borders."
Elias went pale and grabbed her arms with trembling hands.
"Are you crazy! You know your mother fled the elven kingdom for a reason!" he pleaded, desperate. "Lord Aelthas has eyes everywhere! If you leave Imperial jurisdiction, your grandfather will find you. They'll hunt you down, Aria!"
Aria looked at her father's trembling hands. She knew he was right. The Empire was a cage, but it kept her safe.
She freed herself from Elias's grip with gentleness but absolute firmness. She didn't say a single word. She turned around, opened the heavy door, and walked out.
She stood in the middle of the cobblestone street, breathing the frozen air, completely alone beneath the immense night sky of Arkania.