Aleksi watched Galen Daxton ride back to the stables.

  He smiled as he waited, giving his student from another world some time to leave before heading back himself. Aleksi mounted his horse and had the steed walk in a relaxed pace towards the stables. As he trotted along, he thought about the past five months he’d spent with the one who’d been summoned to become the new Champion.

  Galen Daxton was a unique person, which was a given considering he’d been summoned from another world altogether. He was extremely diligent, responsible, and had quite the head on his shoulders given his adolescence.

  The lad had a good heart, as proven by the fact that, despite the power and influence he could obtain as the Champion, all he wanted was to return to his world. To return to his family.

  His heart had ached when the teen had told him of the disaster that had taken his younger sister from him. Little did the Champion realize, however, just how painfully Aleksi could relate to losing a sibling…

  For he had lost his own years ago.

  Only unlike with Galen, it wasn’t a force of nature that had taken Aleksi’s sister. Oh how much easier it would have been to move on if it had been.

  That incident had been the catalyst that led him to the path he walked now.

  Aleksi had been extremely fortunate the gambles he’d made paid off. It was a miracle of the Maker, no doubt, that had allowed him of all people to become Galen’s mentor. Years of planning, sacrifices, and risks… all of them had been for this. He was certain of it.

  Of course, there was no way for Aleksi to have realized that Galen would be summoned to Avani. Especially not years in advance, even before the Dominion and Athanasius themselves had come to the decision to bring forth a new Champion.

  But now, he truly believed it had all been for this purpose.

  To shield the Champion from the corrupting influence of Athanasius and his Dominion. To reveal to him the truth, and guide him onto the right path.

  As Aleksi ruminated on what would come next, he’d returned his horse to the stables, and was currently walking towards his quarters, which was on the other side of the castle from where Galen’s was.

  His eye twitched as he briefly sensed someone’s Ether.

  It was but the faintest trace, so minute that only those with the most attuned of senses could have noticed it. But there was no doubt.

  Someone was following him.

  No doubt it was a Shadow. THAT sinister group had been keeping almost as close an eye on Aleksi as they did Galen ever since it had been decided that he’d be the Champion’s mentor.

  Because of that, it’d been extremely difficult to reach out to his contacts and give them updates on his mission. Somehow, no doubt because of the Maker’s guiding hand, Aleksi had managed.

  Only today seemed different.

  Aleksi’s brow furrowed as he thought he caught traces of Ether, only his instincts told him that they were coming from more than one source.

  Multiple Shadows? Aleksi thought with trepidation, that’s not good… not good at all…

  He was glad he had his sword. He had a feeling that there was about to be a confrontation.

  Sure enough, as soon as he turned the corner, he saw them.

  The Shadows.

  Two of them.

  And at the lead was…

  “Arawn…” Aleksi recognized.

  “Aleksi,” the bald man greeted nonchalantly, despite holding a scimitar in hand, “why don’t we take a walk?”

  “Is this one of those that conveniently ends with me committing suicide?” Aleksi asked with a chuckle in spite of the bead of sweat that rolled down his neck.

  Arawn smiled, only there was no warmth behind the expression. The man’s green eyes glinted cruelly with malicious intent. His jet black armor, so dark that they looked to be made from the shadows themselves, glinted in the light. The Shadow at his side had their helm on, which hid their face and gave them a menacing appearance that sent a chill down the spine.

  Which was the intended purpose behind the design of the armor, designed to strike fear in whoever saw the wearers.

  For the Shadows of Athanasius were the enforcers of the false god’s will.

  Arawn, who for some reason decided not to don his own helm, spoke, “Now, now, Aleksi. We’re enforcers of Athanasius’s divine and immutable will. Not barbarians. If you come with us peacefully, then we will not harm you… much.”

  “Have I displeased the Emperor?” Aleksi asked as he mentally planned his escape, subtly casting an Art and flowing Ether to the scabbard of his sword.

  “Very much so, if you are who we suspect you to be… If not, then we will let you go on your way. However, regardless of the result, you are to be relieved of your duties as the Champion’s teacher,” Arawn answered.

  Aleksi snorted, “Please, you’re already convinced beyond any doubt. If that weren’t the case, then why bother to show me your face and reveal your true identity as a Shadow of Athanasius? Isn’t that right, Arawn? If that’s even your real name.”

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Arawn let out a quiet, yet cruel laugh, “As if you have any right to speak of true identities, ‘Aleksi’. Now, would you quit stalling and commit to a decision already? Will you come with us peacefully? Or will you decide to put up a futile struggle that will inevitably end in your capture?” Arawn affectionately ran a hand along his gleaming scimitar, “I for one, hope you choose to struggle. I’ve been itching for a real fight, you see. And given who you are, well… you should be able to be somewhat amusing, at the very least.”

  Aleksi chuckled as he shook his head, “Then I’m afraid I must disappoint you, Arawn.”

  He unbuckled his sword and dropped it to the ground in front of him.

  Funnily enough, Arawn genuinely looked disappointed by that anticlimactic development.

  The bald Shadow must have been really craving a battle, since he said, “You do realize that execution ultimately awaits you, right? Not before we’ve tortured the all information we’re looking for from you, mind you.”

  “My, my, Arawn. And I thought you said you weren’t barbarians,” Aleksi jabbed.

  The man merely shrugged and glanced to his fellow Shadow, “Grab his swor-”

  In that moment, Aleksi struck.

  He kicked his sword, sending it hurtling point first towards Arawn’s head.

  The man savagely grinned as he caught the sheathed blade with his armored gauntlet. Only Arawn frowned as he realized there was no sword. It was merely the sheathe.

  Then the sheathe exploded in his hand.

  Aleksi took the opportunity to leap out a nearby window as the explosion occurred. The force of the detonation gave him forward momentum as he fell, and he cast a quick Art to shoot flames from his feet, pushing him forward with even greater speed.

  When he hit the ground, he had managed to make it just outside the castle and into Ignis’s First Circle.

  Before he could even begin to run, Aleksi found himself facing yet another masked Shadow. He breathed in Ether, as he unsheathed the sword he’d hidden on his back under his cloak.

  A voice spoke behind Aleksi, no doubt another Shadow, “I figured you were the kind that wouldn’t go down without a fight.”

  Aleksi froze for a second before turning to face the Shadow who had spoken.

  This one had his helm off, and Aleksi recognized him. It broke his heart to see this particular Shadow, for his face brought with it terrible, grieving memories.

  “You…” Aleksi spoke with a tremble before a look of sadness crossed his face.

  “What’s with that face, Aleksi?” taunted the Shadow.

  “You have no idea just how much I’ve dreaded this day,” Aleksi said as he brandished his sword, “nor do you realize why.”

  The Shadow drew his own sword, “I believe I already know why. You’ve realized your time is up.”

  “If only that were it…”

  Aleksi steeled himself as he and the Shadow charged at one another.

  ***

  Galen awoke the following morning to a knock on his door.

  He jerked awake as he rushed to open it, “Alek-”

  He stopped as he saw that it was Milton, rather than Aleksi, who had knocked on his door.

  “Ah, you certainly are chipper today, Champion!” the scribe beamed.

  Galen blinked several times before he said, “Oh… sorry I was expecting someone else.”

  “I can tell,” Milton teased, “now, I do apologize for waking you, Champion. However… I’m afraid I bear news you won’t like to hear.”

  Galen frowned, a bad feeling forming in his gut, “What is it?”

  “I’m afraid Aleksi has been relieved from his duties as your tutor.”

  It took a long moment for the news to sink in.

  “Wait… what?”

  He thought back to yesterday’s conversation with his mentor. Aleksi had told him to be prepared, and that he’d come to get him and give him the “truth.”

  Now he’d been relieved.

  No… this timing is way too suspicious! Did the Dominion catch on to what he was going to do and… have him killed?! Did they-

  Milton interrupted his thoughts, “Yes, I’m afraid he’s been reassigned to another mission.”

  “Another mission?” Galen narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “what kind of mission?”

  The scribe sighed as he apologetically, “I’m afraid I wasn’t informed. I was merely sent to give you the news. My apologies, Champion.”

  Galen’s suspicions remained, though the hopeful part of him wanted to believe what Milton had told him.

  Because that meant Aleksi was still alive.

  Perhaps sensing his doubts, the scribe pulled something out from his robes and handed it to Galen.

  As he inspected it, he saw that it was a note. He recognized the handwriting as Aleksi’s, and saw that it was written in English.

  “Aleksi asked me to give you that before he had to leave on his new assignment. He said it was important, and that you’d know what it said,” the scribe explained.

  Galen eyed him suspiciously, “You didn’t read it?”

  “Of course I did. However, I couldn’t understand a word of it. It’s not written in Durainese, so I can only assume it’s the sacred language. That being the language of your world, Champion.”

  “You don’t know my language?” Galen raised a brow, “you’re a scribe, aren’t you? I would think you would know it.”

  Milton actually looked embarrassed, “Well, there’s a simple reason for that. Your language is considered… sacred to us. As the same language originally spoken by the First Champion, and given all that he’d accomplished, his, and by extension your, language became regarded with the holiness that we hold it to today. Only a select few are permitted to learn it. Arawn and Aleksi are two such examples. Honestly, it makes me uneasy seeing Aleksi wrote this in the sacred language, but… well… he’s been given a lot of leeway as your tutor.”

  “I see…” Galen said as he read the note.

  “Lad, allow me to start with an apology. It seems luck was not on our side. If you’re reading this, then Milton has done as I asked and given you this note. As you are now aware, I’ve been reassigned to a new mission, the details of which, I’m afraid, I’m unable to disclose. I should be allowed to return to my duties as your tutor upon completion of this task. Unfortunately, I do not know how long that will take. In regards to our talk, it seems we have no choice but to postpone our plans. Make sure you remain prepared for my return. Until then, stay out of trouble. No matter what.”

  Galen had to force himself not to crumple up the note in frustration.

  Milton eyed him curiously, “What did the note say, Champion?”

  “It was just an apology from Aleksi,” Galen lied, “damn it…”

  “Again, I am sorry Champion. Also, there is more news.”

  Galen groaned, “Alright, hit me.”

  “Since Aleksi has been reassigned, I will be overseeing your studies in his place. As for your training, both combat and with Ether, Arawn will be taking that role,” Milton beamed, seemingly unaware of just how much that had further crushed Galen’s spirits.

  Lord… have mercy on me… Galen thought with trepidation.

  His life in this world… had just gotten a whole lot worse…

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