Chapter 128 – The Sunken District (2)

The mist swirled, soaking up the warmth of dawn, and spreading a lonely cold around it. As it approached the shore they were standing at, their breaths turned to mist, and their minds were assaulted with distant, unintelligible whispers.

The enforcers stepped forward, to the edge of the water, striking their weapons into the ground. The Empress stood just a few steps behind them. One of the jewels on her golden crown began to glow as she raised her chin and took a deep breath.

Midhir clenched his fists. This wasn’t going to be easy, not even for her.

Golden light spread from the jewel on her crown. Tendrils of spiritual power reached for the enforcers’ weapons, connecting with the augments embedded into them. They weaved a delicate pattern, forming a seemingly fragile barrier on this side of the shore.

Arwen breathed in sharply. “This is the same resonance you cast at Lohssa!” She whispered, her eyes wide as she glanced at him.

Midhir nodded. It was his mother who taught him how to cast that after all.

The resonance finalised only a handful of heartbeats later, allowing the Enforcers to step back. Leaving their weapons there, they stepped away from the shore and barrier, gathering around the Empress.

“Come,” Midhir muttered at Willow and Arwen as he hurried towards his mother as well. His gaze lingered on the enforcers – where was Moira? She was in An’Larion, so why wasn’t she here now? She was about as powerful as Lord Aulorn, and much more experienced. Worry gripped his thoughts.

The Empress’ crown continued to glow – the augment embedded into it was part of the resonance after all. “This will hold for a few hours,” she was speaking by the time Midhir and the others joined the small crowd of enforcers around her. “But it’s nothing more than a temporary thing.” Her gaze turned towards the mist gathering at the other side of the barrier. It had completely covered the river by now.

“We need to find the damaged focal point and reestablish the resonance there.” Ilya folded her arms. Her brows were furrowed, her lips a thin, pale line. “We need to go through the mist.”

“Yes,” The Empress nodded. “No one has ventured into the thirteenth district since the disaster. We don’t know what threats await you. Many of our people were taken by the mist. I fear like in Bareon all those years ago, they may have become enemies, alive, yet lost.” Her gaze turned to Ilya. “Be vigilant.”

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Ilya nodded. “We will. Cait, Granos, Lector-“ As she called out the names of the enforcers, voices rose behind them. “Hey! Stop him!” One of the guards shouted.

Midhir turned around just in time to see a familiar figure run past the Imperial guard. Winds whirled around him, carrying him forward, and knocking the guards chasing him away. “Lonan?” He whispered as he recognised the man. His eyes widened. “By the gods, no!”

Lonan ran past the guards with ease as his abnormally strong resonance protected him. He didn’t seem to hear the shouts, or even notice the commotion he caused. His gaze was on the mist as he ran towards it, passing through the newly formed barrier. The mist slammed against the barrier, hiding him from their gazes. The whispers seemed to grow stronger as even his silhouette disappeared.

Stunned, they stood there for a split second.

“We need to bring him back.” Midhir clenched his fists. He hadn’t had a chance to read any of the documents he took from Lonan. “How did he even leave the Keep?!” His angry gaze turned towards the Imperial guard. The men and women seemed just as confused as he was.

“He gave his life for naught.” His mother let out a sigh. “While it’s a shame-“

“No!” Midhir cut her off without even thinking. “The mist doesn’t just take you as soon as you step into it – neither me nor Principal Aoidh would have been alive now if that was the case. He isn’t dead yet.”

His mother narrowed her eyes. “I’m well aware, Midhir. What’s your point? Would you rather sacrifice however many lives – lives of our sworn guard to save the life of a madman?”

The judgemental gazes of both the Imperial guard and the enforcers were impossible to shake off. “No,” he breathed out. “He wants to find an altar and somehow get rid of the mist.” He glared at her. “Mother, I know how much power such altars hold.”

Her lips formed a thin line as she considered. “A madman cannot be allowed to tap into such power.” She finally decided. With narrow eyes, she glared at the mist. “I want teams of two enforcers and half a dozen guards to prepare. Midhir, you and your classmates go with Ilya and Cait. Dismissed!”

As the enforcers hurried off, Cait gently guided Willow and Arwen away from Midhir and his family.

“He shouldn’t come.” Ilya glared at their mother. “Mom, you’re risking too much.”

“I won’t sit back here and wait.”

“You should. You could die in there-“

“Enough.” The Empress cut them off with a stern voice. “Ilya, he’s going. It’s his duty, both as an Ardagh and as an Induen.” She turned her gaze to Midhir. “Be vigilant. I wish there was no need to send you – I know it will cause pain. But you’re right, that madman must be stopped.”

“You don’t need to justify your decision.” Midhir forced a smile. “I want to go.” His gaze lingered on the mist for a few short moments. “I must go.”

While Ilya scowled, his mother nodded with a faint smile. “May the gods be with both of you.”