Back in the village, the sun was dipping toward the horizon, casting long shadows across the red-tiled rooftops and cobbled streets.
Solis paced behind the inn's stables, his thoughts racing. Ada leaned against a post nearby, arms crossed.
"An ancient group tied to both Prism and Sagacia?" he asked, echoing Razille's words. "The Ashlight Circle? And they've been here longer than both kingdoms?"
Razille nodded. "Hidden in plain sight. Their reach goes deeper than anyone thought. And they're after something... buried beneath all this history."
Ada frowned. "And Phill's part of it now."
Razille's lips thinned. "They've been watching him for a while. Maybe longer than even he knows. But they've grown bold. If they've started attacking in open daylight, it means they're getting desperate."
Solis ran a hand through his hair. "What do they want with him?"
"That," Razille said, her voice distant as she stared at the mountains beyond the village, "is what we need to find out before it's too late."
As if on cue, the stable door creaked open—and Vaidya walked in, mud-covered, breathless, and with Phill close behind him.
"Vaidya!" Solis ran over. "You found him!"
"Yeah," Vaidya nodded. "But it wasn't easy."
Razille stepped forward. "Did they confront you?"
"Two factions did," he said, eyes locked on hers. "Ashlight Circle, and Hamad's men. And they fought. Over Phill."
Phill looked up, his face still pale.
"They said I was bound to something. A key. Something that can unlock a veil between realms."
Razille's eyes darkened.
"I was afraid of that," she murmured.
Solis stepped between them. "Then no more hiding. We find out what this is. What they're after. And we stop them."
Razille nodded slowly. "Then we'd better start digging. Because if the Ashlight Circle believes the veil is real... then history is about to come back from the dead."
And for the first time in years, even the stars over Prism seemed to shiver.
---
Before the tension in the room could settle, the stable door creaked again. A familiar figure entered, the lantern light catching her silvery-braided hair and tired yet warm expression. It was Maglina.
Phill's face lit up the moment he saw her. Without hesitation, he ran into her arms. She embraced him tightly, the kind of hug only someone who had cared for a child could offer.
"Phill," she whispered, her voice trembling. "You're safe."
"I thought they'd take me," he mumbled into her shoulder.
"You're here now. You're safe," Maglina said again, as if repeating it might make it more real.
Behind her, another figure stepped in. Broad-shouldered, cloaked, and wearing a slight, old grin: Leader Hamad.
The mood shifted.
Vaidya immediately stepped between Phill and Hamad, his guard raised. "You. Why are you here? You're with them, aren't you? The Ashlight Circle."
Hamad raised a brow and folded his arms behind his back, that same grin never fading. "Misconceptions are dangerous, boy. I came there to save the kid. I didn't expect you'd be in the thick of it."
"You almost got us killed, you bastard," Vaidya snapped, his fists clenched.
"I could say the same," Hamad replied. "But you being there… made our job easier."
"Job?" Solis repeated, stepping forward. Ada was right behind him, her hand near her sword.
"I think it's time you explain what the hell happened," Ada said, her voice sharp and unrelenting.
Vaidya turned to them, still catching his breath. "Phill was with the Ashlight Circle. But not by choice. They were speaking about him like he was… a relic. Or a weapon. Then Hamad's faction showed up. They didn't even hesitate. They started to fight without ensuring Phill's safety. Explosions, fite, projectiles, magic, I had to dodge attacks just to reach Phill. He was terrified. I pulled him out of it."
Hamad remained unfazed under the accusations, his gaze falling calmly on Vaidya.
"You interfered, but you did the right thing. That battle wasn't supposed to happen that way. The Ashlight Circle's gotten… impatient."
"Impatient?" Ada shot back. "You gambled with a child's life!"
Razille stood silently through it all, processing. "Phill said they called him a key. To a veil between realms."
Hamad's smile faded. "Is that Sotheby's? Then it's confirmed. They have acquired too much information than we predicted."
Vaidya looked to Maglina. "And you? Why are you with him?"
"I'm not," she said. "I came on my own. I'm still the temporary village leader even though I don't deserveto be one, still. When Phill didn't return, I started looking. I caught wind of movement in the woods. Then I saw the battle." She looked down at Phill. "And I saw Leader Hamad and his men coming back in rugged situation."
Hamad sighed. "We're fighting the same enemy. I won't deny the risk, but you weren't the target, Vaidya. Phill was. And he still is. You saved him tonight, but they'll try again. And next time, they won't hesitate."
The stable fell into silence. Even the horses had gone still.
Solis finally said, "Then we make sure there's no next time. We protect Phill. We stop the Ashlight Circle. And we make sure this veil never opens."
Everyone nodded. Even Hamad, though his eyes drifted toward the shadows outside.
"Then we plan," said Razille. "Because this fight… just became much bigger than a missing boy."
---
As the room finally settled, the last rays of the sun casting long shadows over the stable walls, Ada crouched beside Phill, who was still gripping the edge of a hay-stuffed blanket.
"You'll stay with me tonight," she said gently. "You've been through enough, and I'm not letting anyone near you without going through me first."
Phill blinked at her, then gave a small nod. "Okay."
Ada offered a rare, softened smile. "Good. I snore, though. So if you hear something weird, it's probably just me, not some magical beast crawling in."
That actually drew a faint laugh from the boy. He leaned into her side, and she ruffled his hair lightly.
Solis gave Ada a nod of approval. "He's safe with you."
Vaidya also nods in an approval gesture.
"Obviously," Ada said, eyes still on Phill.