“Astraea Lifebringer. I thank you for appearing before me despite the short notice.”

  Before them is Emperor Primus, sitting on a grand, golden throne at least twice the size of the average human. His gaudy purple robes, along with his smug expression, accentuate the air of superiority he exudes, even while only resting.

  “However, I see that you have brought someone with you. I suggest you explain this choice.”

  Sweat forming on her brow, Astraea responds slowly as she chooses each word with care.

  “He saved me from a group of vile men who intended to rob me. I trust you understand that I felt compelled to repay him, and he desires an audience with you.”

  The Emperor down at to ?elare, resting his head on his palm. He waits several seconds to break the silence.

  “Speak, boy.”

  “I greet Your Majesty,” he says as he kneels to the ground. Primus' condescending grin grows slightly. “I come from a hidden village in the centre of Periculand Forest. It harbours a Unique Monster that has resulted in many deaths over the years. I come before you requesting help in eliminating it.”

  The mention of such a beast causes Primus’ eyes to widen and his mouth to open as if he is about to speak, but there are several more seconds of nerve-wracking silence.

  “This is the first Unique Monster I have heard of in my thirty-year reign, assuming what you say is true. I will send only my best scouts to confirm this. If it is found to be accurate, I shall create a strike force. Now, what I have to discuss with Astraea is a private matter, so I think you should depart.”

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  He waves his hand to the enormous metal door behind them. ?elare whispers thanks and begins walking to leave. At the same time, the Emperor winces and groans.

  “I retract my statement. You are to be involved in this as well.”

  ?elare stops and turns slowly, puzzled, as he continues.

  “I am not privy to the specifics, but someone beyond even me claims to require both of you for something. That is why I summoned you, girl.”

  The two of them share a look of bewilderment.

  Primus stands up from his throne and walks to one of the several towering bookshelves behind him. He takes a book seemingly at random and flicks through it. Gently placing his fingertip on a page, he channels a minuscule amount of mana into it.

  The room seems to shake as he closes the book, then he turns the same bookshelf to a ninety-degree angle, revealing an unassuming door on the wall. He opens it and looks back.

  “Step through here. It will take you where you need to go.”

  Astraea looks at ?elare and nods. They walk up the steps onto the raised section where Primus’ throne is, and to the door.

  “Thank you,” ?elare says, and they pass through, the entryway closing behind them. They find themselves in an excessively long corridor with many similar doors, placed at regular distances on both sides. Astraea is about to speak, but he raises his hand, stopping her. The boy closes his eyes and focuses, hearing a voice in a room down the hallway.

  He grabs her hand and releases sound element from his body, creating a noise barrier surrounding them.

  “There are people in one of the rooms down that way,” he says, pointing to the only one that is open. “I’ve blocked all sound around us so we can speak freely.”

  She replies, “Let us investigate with caution. It will be safe, but there is no reason to create unnecessary risk.”

  They walk to where he indicated, stopping just before anyone inside may notice them. Along with the already present sound barrier, he adds a refractive layer, causing light to bend around them, and they enter.