Tucker left the office that would be the base of their operations, walking over the oak door Ray had taken down. He made his way to the main chamber. From afar, he could see Adira and Violet standing with bright smiles as tears fell down their cheeks. Daniela stood to the side, catching sight of him.

  “Did your discussion go well?” she asked.

  “Yeah, it seems like we’re all on the same page,” Tucker replied.

  “I don’t suppose you’re going to fill me in on what you guys were doing.”

  “It’s not my choice; if Charles wanted to, he would be the one to bring you in.”

  Daniela clenched her jaw and looked bitterly at the ground. “Is there a reason I’m not included on the team? I’m just as good as any other scholar, if not better.”

  Tucker stopped beside Daniela, unable to say a word. The only reason Charles didn’t tell her about their operation was most likely to keep her and the children here safe. They had summoned a demon, and Ray may not have known, but he was far sharper than anyone could imagine. Odds are, he was already aware when he breached the room, but chose not to say a word because the situation was handled.

  “I don’t doubt your capabilities,” he said.

  “Then who does?” Daniela glared at Tucker with her violet eyes. “This is my home too, and I can contribute as well.”

  “No one doubts—”

  “Bullshit,” she muttered. “If that were true, then I wouldn’t be left in the dark.”

  Tucker focused on Daniela and saw the same fire in her eyes he once had. She was right. She had every right to contribute more to their cause. But it wouldn’t be a part of their mission. Not while Adira still needed someone to be there for her. He glanced at the closed door to the side of the inner chamber, noting the presence behind the door.

  “I can’t tell you the details of the mission,” Tucker said. “But I can tell you something else, only if you promise me you won’t believe that we’re holding something against you and that you will continue to look after the children.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I don’t believe I’ll see the end of this war,” he answered honestly. “I mean, think about it. Watchmen who are better than me are dying, and our odds aren’t exactly the best.”

  “Then if you let me look over your mission, maybe there’s something I can do to increase the odds—”

  Tucker forced a smile and shook his head. Her words died then and there as he nudged his head to the side.

  “You shouldn’t go behind Charles’s back if you want to know more about the mission. He’ll tell you if you ask.” Tucker watched as Adira and Violet sat down at the table. “If you want to contribute to something, then look into how Spirit Contractors can improve themselves. Right now, there are two things we talked about. Spirit Reflux and the possibility of expanding our capabilities by forcefully cycling essence in our hearts outwards. This creates an external band of essence, but it might differ per contractor.”

  Daniela stared in confusion. “Are you saying that you discovered a new technique?”

  “Spirit Reflux seems to have existed before. But the external band seems to be new. We don’t know enough about it. I was able to form it by carefully controlling the essence around my heart, but the same can’t be said for the other elements.”

  “Because each element has its own unique property…” Daniela muttered.

  “Exactly.” Tucker slowly released a deep breath. “But there’s too many things we don’t know. I’m not sure if I got lucky or it’s a unique case.”

  Daniela fell deep into thought. “So, you want me to find out if it’s possible for the other watchmen to replicate it.” After seeing Tucker nod, she asked, “Then where should I start?”

  “I wouldn’t know. You’re the scholar here, so you would have a better idea than me.” Tucker walked towards the open space. “I already told Charles some details, so you should have a chat with him. Just remember our promise that if something does happen to me, you’ll take care of Adira and her friends.”

  “I will,” Daniela said with a firm nod.

  Tucker exchanged a simple farewell as she went back to her office. Even though the contents of their mission were a secret, it wouldn’t hurt to have Daniela look into some other matters for them. If she could figure out how spirit contractors could consistently form spirit bands, then the entire Order would only grow stronger.

  “Tucker!” Adira waved at him. “You kept your promise!”

  She grinned while lightly brushing Violet’s hair. “Say hi to him; don’t be shy!”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “H-h-hello.” Violet nodded, her gaze hiding behind her bangs.

  “Hello.” Tucker shook his head as Adira patted the empty wooden chair beside her. “I have to prepare to head out. You should show Violet around and get her a room to stay in the scholar’s chamber.”

  “You always do this. You leave right as you come back…” Adira crossed her arms and looked away. “Then go.”

  Tucker rubbed the back of his neck with a weary smile. He could see that she was upset, but he didn’t know what to do. They needed to rest and prepare for their next steps to strike at the Emerald Tower. That was the only way for them to prevent any future tragedies.

  He held back the nausea rushing forth from his stomach. The sight of the tortured mages in the depths of the Emerald Tower felt like a punch in the guts. Then came the hanging and mutilated bodies in the sewers that hammered in the back of his mind.

  He gave a small nod to Adira as Violet’s eyes drifted between the two.

  “I’ll see you when I leave Adira. We should still be here for the next few days,” Tucker said, waiting for a response that never came. He just smiled and looked at Violet. “Make sure to take care of each other, alright?”

  Violet quickly nodded.

  “Good.” Tucker released a tired sigh before heading to the steel doors. He would fulfill his promise of being there for Adira whenever he could. That was the least he could do as the person who saved her, but for the times he couldn’t. Someone else would have to look after her.

  She was a child raised in a turbulent time of war.

  The same applied to her friends.

  They were children who experienced the cruelty of a world no one should have to bear. And even if he was being selfish, the least he could do was make preparations for them to live normal lives once the war ended. There weren’t many funds in his account, but the little he had saved up would be enough to lessen the burden for them. Maybe if he worked hard, it would be enough to send them to school.

  I need to write a will.

  That was the thought in his mind, but as he walked past the steel doors, a voice from behind him called out.

  “Take care of yourself…”

  He glanced over his shoulder to see Adira staring at him while pouting. The corners of his lips tugged into a smile. “I will. You should also take care of yourselves. It’ll be one less worry of mine.”

  Adira stuck out her tongue. “Says you!”

  Tucker chuckled before turning away from her. He waved his left hand to the side as if saying goodbye. All doubts of him worrying about Adira faded. She had Charles, Daniela, Violet and the custodians by her side. That was enough for him. The career path of a watchman was one that was short-lived, especially in times of war. Something he had to remind himself so that he could set boundaries.

  Before he could continue his thoughts, a faint footstep echoed through the corridors. It was a soft tap of leather boots against cold stone. One far too gentle for the nature of his comrades. He glanced up at the figure humming a free-spirited melody, noticing her violet eyes and short black hair that stopped just above her shoulders. Each step caused the white and gold priest garments to sway, and in an instant, he knew who it was.

  “It’s good to see you, Mary.” Tucker stopped for a moment as Mary caught sight of him.

  “Geez! You’re always so formal,” she teased, stepping closer.

  “Can’t help it, it’s just how I am,” Tucker said. “I didn’t think I would see you so soon, though.”

  Mary smiled, peering over the doorway leading into the scholar’s chamber. She watched as Adira and her friend tightly hugged each other while talking about something she couldn’t make out.

  “Do you think it was all worth it?” she asked.

  Tucker thought back to Adira’s smile as she ran into Violet’s arms. “Yeah, I do.”

  “You know, behind your strict demeanor, you’re actually a pretty soft guy.”

  “Am I?” He faintly grinned. “I’m sure when you first met me, you wouldn’t have thought that.”

  “Well, I suppose you’re right on that.” Mary stood beside him, holding her hands behind her back. “When I first met you, I thought you were careless and a tad bit rash. But now I like you a lot more.”

  Tucker spaced out for a moment, reflecting on how close he was to dying at the hands of the demon in Everfall City. Maybe if he were stronger. More experienced. Then he could have defeated the demon instead of running.

  But now there wasn’t a point in worrying about the past.

  Only in what he could improve going forward.

  “Do you have a minute?” Tucker asked.

  Mary thought about it for a minute. “Why? Do you want to grab tea or something?”

  “I don’t think I have enough time to drink coffee, but I do have some things I need to ask.”

  “It’s always business with you.” Mary gazed down the corridor before closing her eyes. “Alright, we might as well do it while walking.”

  Tucker nodded and took a step down the corridor. After walking for a few moments, he glanced over his shoulder to make sure Mary was following. Seeing that she was a few steps behind, he slowed his pace. The silence seemed too stretched for a bit, and with nothing to say, Tucker slowly lifted his left hand.

  “Did you know… apparently, how you wear your ring and who gives it to you matters?”

  “Eh?” Mary glanced at him, staring at the silver band on his ring finger. “Well...” she looked away. “Yes, most women know.”

  Tucker chuckled. “Then you should have said something when I first put it on.”

  “Huh?” Mary slightly frowned. “You’re kidding, right? How was I supposed to react when you just did that!”

  “Why? Did it make your heart flutter? Play with your emotions a little bit?” he teased.

  Mary kicked his shin, but right before it could land, Tucker pulled back his leg. “God, has anyone ever told you how annoying you are?”

  He faintly smiled at her words, thinking of Luka and John. “A few have.”

  “Good! Because someone should let you know!” Mary crossed her arms, thinking back to Adira. Her voice slowly grew quiet. “You know, when I saw that child in the device through the memory orb… I couldn’t believe the Empire would do such a thing.”

  “I couldn’t either, but I’ve seen it firsthand, and it’s all the more reason that we need to win.” Tucker pulled out the glass vial holding a black shard from his pocket. “We found this in the sewers of Alexandria; do you have any idea what this is?”

  She stared at the vial, holding out her hand as Tucker placed it on her palms.

  Mary held it under the light of the magic lanterns. “It doesn’t seem like something I’ve seen before. Where—no, what did you take it from?”

  “A demon. One that called itself the Scholar of the Undivided... Serevoth the Unbound Curator.”

  Mary’s gaze sharpened with a hint of anger lingering in her voice. “What?”

  “Yeah, it’s a demon with a single teal eye.” Tucker glanced over at Mary, watching her stop in place.

  “That’s impossible.” Mary held the vial as her hands trembled. “Serevoth isn’t just a demon. It’s a Sovereign Demon that requires a sortie of paladins and bishops to counter. But we would have known if a demon of that caliber had crossed over to this plane.” She locked eyes with Tucker. “How did you survive?”

  Early New Year's chapter!

  Then the next release is on the first which is the start of the New Year.

  I hope you guys have your resolutions ready. I expect one of you to at least start going to the gym.

  That being said, I have bad news, mainly for me and potentially you.

  I have started rewriting/editing the first book. The process is a bit of a pain, but it is what it is.

  Future chapters may be delayed depending on how well that goes. We'll have to see.

  Also, I now have three chapters stacked for my backlog. Maybe I'll release my Patreon at 10.