Aeron, Allesio, Arcane, Julian, and Zorayel traveled together toward Everdawn, packed inside a rattling carriage.
"Hey, can I ask you something?" Aeron looked at Julian, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation.
Julian turned his attention toward him. "What is it?"
"Do you know what happened to the ASC camp?" Aeron asked, trying to keep his tone casual, but the unease in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Julian frowned slightly. "It's been a while since I visited. I don't really know how it is now…" He paused before adding, "Did you hear anything from the others?"
Aeron shook his head. "No. I just... I just wanted to know how everyone is doing."
Julian offered a reassuring smile. "Maybe once this is over, we should go check it out together."
"Yeah... okay," Aeron replied, forcing a small smile. Yet in his heart, the image of the ruined, abandoned camp still haunted him.
"Look, we're here!" Zorayel suddenly called out, snapping everyone's attention forward.
The carriage stopped atop a towering cliff, and below it, the magnificent town of Everdawn stretched out before them. Lanterns floated lazily in the air, phoenixes soared gracefully across the sky, and rainbow fireflies drifted like living stars. People raced through the open air, using magic to solidify it beneath their feet, walking and dancing above the streets.
Aeron stared in awe. "This place... it's like a dream."
"Look over there," Zorayel said, pointing toward a massive domed structure carved from pristine white stone, its surface glowing faintly with magical runes.
"That's the Vault of Wyrmsong," Zorayel said with pride. "One of the most revered libraries in our world. It doesn't just hold books—it guards magical artifacts, forbidden grimoires, and scrolls filled with sacred knowledge lost to the rest of mankind."
Aeron's eyes widened, absorbing every detail.
"And over there!" Zorayel pointed again, his voice rising with excitement.
A sleek, towering academy came into view, its spires touching the clouds, pulsing with elemental energy.
"That's the Everdawn Magic Academy—the most prestigious academy on the continent," Zorayel said. "This is where raw talent is honed into world-shaping power. Battle mages, elementalists, spellwrights… the greatest prodigies of our world trained here."
Zorayel puffed out his chest proudly. "Including myself, of course."
Aeron couldn't help but chuckle slightly at Zorayel's self-praise.
The view was mesmerizing, like a painting come to life, and for a moment, Aeron forgot all his worries.
"But before we reach the town," Zorayel warned with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "I suggest you hold tight."
Everyone looked at him, puzzled.
Without warning, the carriage suddenly lurched forward, barreling down the steep, winding mountain path at a terrifying speed. It bounced violently over rocks and bumps, tossing everyone around like rag dolls.
Aeron clutched the seat with both hands. "Are you trying to kill us?!" he shouted over the noise.
Arcane held onto his hat, laughing wildly. Allesio, of course, said nothing—but his face was definitely screaming regret.
Julian gritted his teeth. "Remind me again why we're haven at this early?!"
The carriage finally skidded to a halt at the base of the mountain, dust flying everywhere.
"Welcome to Everdawn!" Zorayel announced, stepping off the carriage like nothing had happened.
The others staggered after him, still shaking, giving him the deadliest glares they could muster.
"Let's not waste time. We've got a master to meet," Zorayel said, already walking toward the heart of the magical city.
Behind him, Aeron muttered, "Next time, I'm walking…"
They walked through a quiet path into the forest until they reached a modest wooden house nestled between tall trees.
Zorayel stepped forward and knocked gently on the door.
A few seconds later, an old man opened it. His long silver beard and wise, tired eyes hinted at a man who had lived through ages of experience.
"I'm home, Master," Zorayel said, bowing deeply.
The old man gave a small smile. "Took you long enough."
"Nice to meet you," Aeron, Julian, Arcane, and Allesio said respectfully, bowing as well.
"Come on in," the old man said, stepping aside.
Inside, the house was humble but elegant—old wooden furniture polished with care, shelves lined with dusty tomes, and walls decorated with faded scrolls and ancient sigils. Each of them took a seat on individual cushions placed neatly in a circle.
"You should consider moving to town, Master," Zorayel said gently. "You can't live out here forever."
"I have no desire to live in a society so deep-rooted in discrimination," the old man replied calmly.
His words settled heavily in the room.
"Now, tell me," the old man continued. "Why have you come?"
"I have something important to discuss with you," Zorayel said seriously. "But before that—I need your help." He turned to Aeron. "Show him."
Aeron nodded and raised his arm, revealing the chain still binding him to Allesio. "This was enchanted with a high-level unbreakable spell," Zorayel explained. "Can you remove it?"
The old man didn't even blink. With a snap of his fingers, the spell unraveled like mist in the air. The magical glow faded instantly.
Aeron and Arcane both stared, mouths hanging open. "Did he just—?" Arcane stammered.
"You can do that with a snap?" Aeron blinked in disbelief.
Zorayel wasn't surprised. "Master, can you also break the chain itself?"
The old man gave him a sharp look. "Break it with your young strength," he replied, waving a hand dismissively. "I'm just an old man."
Zorayel sighed. "Alright, fine."
"You all should take a walk around the town," Zorayel said "It's a beautiful town that you don't wanna miss."
"What about you?" Julian asked.
"I have things to discuss with Master," Zorayel replied.
Understanding the tone, the others got up and quietly left the house.
Outside the house…
"How will you break the chain?" Arcane asked
"I have a plan" Aeron said with a creepy smile
A little while later…
Aeron and Allesio stood apart from each other outside, both gripping the chain tightly between them. Julian stood nearby, holding a high-quality axe, its edge gleaming in the sunlight.
"You sure this is going to work?" Julian asked, lifting the axe above his head.
"There's no harm trying it," Aeron said, with a nervous chuckle.
Arcane stood ready, focusing his wind magic.
"Here we go," Julian said, swinging the axe down with all his strength.
Right before the axe made contact, Arcane released a blast of wind magic, increasing the axe's momentum. With a thunderous CLANG, the chain snapped at the impact point. The force of the strike sent Aeron and Allesio stumbling backward, both falling to the ground.
A moment of stunned silence followed.
"It… it worked!" Arcane said, grinning.
Aeron sat up, rubbing his back. "We're finally free."
But then—he looked around.
"Where's Allesio?"
He stood up quickly, scanning the area—but Allesio was gone.
"He didn't even say goodbye…" Aeron muttered, his voice low with disappointment. "When your work is done, you just vanish, huh?"
"Should we go after him?" Arcane asked softly.
"No. Let him go," Aeron said quietly.
Julian walked up beside him. "So... what now?"
"I guess we explore the town before Zorayel catches up," Aeron said, trying to force a smile.
"I actually have somewhere I need to go," Julian said suddenly.
Aeron looked at him, eyebrows raised. "Not you too?"
"Same here," Arcane added.
Aeron blinked at both of them. "You've got to be kidding me."
He sighed dramatically as the two turned to leave. "Fine. Leave me with my broken half-chain and abandonment issues."
They laughed lightly, walking off.
Aeron stood there for a moment, the wind tugging at his cloak.
"…Guess I'm on my own again," he muttered, then walked into the heart of Everdawn, uncertain what awaited him next.