Death's End

Chapter 23 - Long Night

 The subsequent nine hours spent in the room with Mirayoung, after Holz had left, was one of lengthy discussions, brainstorming and refinement to the strategy to ensnare the wraith.

During the process, Mirayoung had used the Cabal Network to sustain communication with a few other mages of authority, mostly from within the Guild but there was at least one on an assignment in the far-flung city of Ohai, further than even the Eastern Nations.

When Mirayoung called it a day, they were satisfied with the plan and at the end of their strength. She left to speak to Kas about setting up the trap, insisting to leave Jerius out of it, while he headed straight to the guest room, skipping the evening meal in favour of a well-anticipated nap.

He woke up many hours later, full of abruptness and disoriented. He had had a loathsome dream of Nox's destruction, where he remained helplessly trapped in the Cell. It roused him from his sleep with a sudden jerk; a potent word of power rose but ultimately died in his throat. The nightmare-induced sweat had stuck strands of his dark fringe to his face, as he breathed hard and adjusted to reality.

The room was shadowy as he did not light the candle by the wooden table or open the window to let in the soft glow from the artificial illumination that hung above the mage's city. He exited the door, feeling the cold air whistling around him. Then he made a sharp left to the dining hall, guided by his grumbling stomach.

Nearing the dining hall, he was surprised to hear the low voices of other inhabitants in the Administrator's Hall. He then saw Edeli heading in his direction, whose face lit up with something approaching a mixture of joy and surprise.

Smelling of alcohol, the Gatekeeper greeted Jerius. "It's good to see you again, Jerius of Nox. Didn't have a chance to reconnect since our fortuitous meeting at the town square."

Jerius responded in kind. "Good to see you too, Edeli of...the Guild. I was expecting you to join us in the strategy room. Catching a wraith is the kind of task where the more brains to pick, the better."

"You must have been told I've volunteered to be the bait. The...spirit essence, for a lack of better words, trapped in me will be exceedingly tempting to the wraith. The whole afternoon was spent on these..." Edeli said, rolling up his left sleeve to show strange runic symbols that interlaced with each other. "Additional protection. Can't have the subject dying under the masterful plan of several archmagi."

"I am told," Jerius said.

"Dome right?" Edeli said, looking towards the right in the general direction of the Dome as if he could see through the walls. "Never fully fond of that place. Others see it as a majestic, olden-world place for assembly, but it always feels like a dismal cavernous hall for me. I was born in a cave. Long story for another time. Perhaps that contributes to my perception."

"You're in good hands, Edeli," Jerius said. "Truly. I came here cautious and uncertain but having met Lady Mirayoung and even Administrator Fermand‒granted, we had some initial friction‒they proved to be reliable and excellent allies I can trust."

"Don't mind me," Edeli said. "I get a little pessimistic in grave circumstances. It was only several days when I knew so many deaths had occurred within the Guild, and most of the other Gatekeepers, many of whom were personal friends, had been killed. I was merely lucky I was later in the order."

"It means fate has more things in store for you," Jerius said. "Thank you for helping us with the wraith, and in extension, in stopping Aderis."

"I must go, Jerius of Nox," Edeli said at last. "Holz is in a talkative mood as he always is when he's intoxicated. If he catches me loitering at the passageway, he will surely force me through a few more rounds of wine. It is a scenario I actively want to avoid."