The sun blinds my eyes as I walk hurriedly through the street, stepping on clean, polished stone.

  I quicken my pace to the point of running. Stumbling with a passerby, I quickly stand up, helping the man.

  [I-I’m sorry. Should’ve watched out… Let me compensate you.]

  Retrieving some coins, I hand them to him. He smiles widely, accepting the money eagerly. Then, without a single word, he quickly shakes my hand before walking away, striding happily.

  Turning around, I continue to step through the roads, gaze lowered. With every step, I seem to bump into the crowds.

  [Sorry, sorry.]

  I stop abruptly.

  What am I doing?

  The sun hangs high in the sky.

  Changing direction, I go further away from the city’s center, stepping through narrow roads, turning mossier and dirtier the more I walk.

  A feeling claws at my heart, persistent and irritating. My breaths hitch, annoyingly shallow.

  I approach the sign, climbing the few stairs before knocking at the dusty wooden door. A figure emerges with unadorned clothes. A small blade rests on her waist.

  [Hello.]

  [Hi, uh… what’s wrong?]

  [I’m with Wierszy and Garamond.]

  The woman nods in understanding, her confused expression vanished.

  [Nothing has been debriefed yet. Anyone following you?]

  [… No.]

  Content with the answer, she steps aside.

  [Welcome home.]

  I enter, scanning around the simple house.

  She closes the door tightly, walking over to a barrel before moving it. Then, she lifts a latch, revealing a secret passageway.

  I approach, stepping carefully down the spiraling staircase. A few steps in and the latch is closed, engulfing everything around in darkness.

  I squint at the lack of light, guiding myself by the feeling of my feet on stone as I descend.

  A thousand eyes set on me, glowing bright yellow as they scatter around. I snap my head downwards, biting my tongue as I move slowly, avoiding the light’s gaze.

  A deep rattling sound shakes my skull.

  Have I seen too long?

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  I close my eyes, flinching at nothing at all.

  Opening them again, I find myself inside a dim, dungeon-like passage lined with crackling torches. A heavy, arched door can be seen ahead.

  My steps echo loudly throughout as I approach it, knocking six times.

  With a metallic clang, it slides open. Wooden pews are fixed to the ground, looking straight into a raised platform with a stone lectern. Behind, the image of a blue eye, made from a translucent material.

  A tap on my shoulder.

  [I actually thought you’d come here with him, looking all defeated.]

  I exhale sharply, relieved. Alice tilts her head.

  [Though you do look defeated.]

  [Where’s Alfred?]

  [He's proceeding with the reports. Then, we’ll have to deal with whatever the letter’s purpose was.]

  Feeling tired already, I walk to a nearby pew, sitting down as I watch Alice mutter a quick prayer.

  [Don’t you hate cultist beliefs?]

  I ask, watching as she approaches the lectern.

  [I do. I believe there is no correlation in the Zenith’s physicalities to the light. Though he was, after all, relevant.]

  [Right. As if you were there to see who really was Zenith’s actual Divine.]

  [Stay gloomy, Kanell. Deep conversation about religion isn’t your strong suit.]

  As if struck, I sink in my seat.

  Even though my mind races, I decide to stay quiet.

  [I suppose Alfie will be back soon. Steel yourself, we need to show we’re capable.]

  [Do I look that miserable?]

  [I could almost pity you.]

  Rock slides from the wall, revealing an open archway. Alice meets my gaze, nodding towards it.

  [Let’s go.]

  In a delayed manner, I stand. Then, I follow her through the archway.

  A long corridor, stretching tens of meters. Alfie stands in front, head tilted upwards at the high ceiling. I squint my eyes at the countless lanterns hung on the walls, almost hurtful to the eye.

  [It has been quite the task. Your empathy has brought many issues to my report.]

  [They can hear us, Alfie. Now’s not the time to complain.]

  Alice steps forward, expectant.

  Claw-like structures thrust out the walls, ground, and ceiling, blocking the way to the end. Dried blood coats their dull gray.

  I flinch as the corridor turns dark, with each lantern dying out.

  The only source of light is a soft glint ahead. Alice tenses.

  A voice echoes throughout.

  [Your mission has been deemed fit for completion under special circumstances.]

  [Even though an unexpected issue appeared.]

  [You may walk and be assigned for your next task.]

  I watch as both my teammates advance, hesitant. Then, I follow, as slow as I can. Claws retract inches away from us, bursting again just behind my back.

  [Anesh have mobilized, sprouting from the capital towards every direction.]

  [The Cult of Anesh?]

  Worry clings to my heart as I ask.

  [They pose a threat to the entirety of Laraun, if not the whole world.]

  [What are they after that possesses such a threat?]

  Alice quickens her pace slightly, staring desperately at the faint light.

  [That information will not be disclosed. Wierszy, Garamond, and Dathur.]

  Alice: [I vow.]

  Alfie: [I place my vow.]

  I stay silent, hesitating before I ultimately answer.

  [… I vow.]

  [You are tasked to travel to the north, with the purpose of gathering a dysfunctional member of the Order for reactivation.]

  [The limit is twenty days, adding five for preparation and departure.]

  [Circumstances for failure are incorrect retrieval or death. Nothing else will be considered for cancellation.]

  [You may now reach the end.]

  Alice quickens her pace further, rushing towards the light. Alfie stays calm, though his pace shows hurry.

  I stay behind, waiting for them to reach the end of the room. Alfie shoots a backward glance towards me before leaving. Once alone, I part my lips.

  [I’m requesting to leave after this mission.]

  My heart threatens to burst.

  Silence follows. I tap my foot on the ground, hearing its echo.

  [Are you aware of the procedure?]

  [I… I am. I want out.]

  I sigh, clutching my chest. I glance around the room, looking for nothing at all.

  [Very well. After the mission, you will be executed accord—]

  Kanell: [Wait!]

  [I won’t tell anyone. I never have. I won’t affiliate with any group.]

  [I just want to live a simple life. Like I never even joined the Order.]

  [Please.]

  All claws retract, with the corridor lighting again.

  I feel the need to say something more.

  Say anything at all, and sound confident all the while.

  Only a soft sob escapes me as I make way to the end.

  Knowing the answer is nowhere near.