Arkadia: Lightbringer Clan

Chapter Eight

Dawn breaks, Leaf and Mr Eid is looking over a table, an ensemble of evidence spread across it, Pit Fiend sightings, reports of interesting movements in and out the city, strange signs and markings found along alleyways and villages, all pointing to the Dark Cult.

"Their sightings are tracing along a route." Mr Eid says, "but to where?"
He traces his hand along a string of markings for Pit Fiend sightings on a map, murmuring under his breath.
Leaf could only stay silent, his mind is elsewhere. He stared at the Pit Fiend marker where Tots had died.
"If we follow where we last saw it and killed it..." Mr Eid's finger slowly tapping towards a point on the map, slightly moving past Anfangmen. "their next sighting and appearance should be..." his hand stops. "here."

Leaf looks over, the point where Mr Eids' hand is on shows an abandoned ruin "Nought", a place in between Anfangmen and Lignarium down south

"... Interesting.."
"That's where the Pit Demon came from." Leaf finally speaks up.
"Yes, and that place has been abandoned for 150 years, could an aspiring Cultist went there to look for inspiration?"
"Shouldn't that place be guarded?"
"...Yes, unless.."
Mr Eid flips a notebook, it's filled with dates and mentionings of things to do.
"Leaf, when was the last time we visited that place?"
"About a month and a half or so"
"..."
"You think it's compromised?"
"Well, the first Pit Fiend sighting close to Fosurbs was about a month and half as well."
Mr Eid sighs, "This may be very bad news, we tell this to no one, you hear? at least not yet until we're sure."
Leaf nods.
"Oh, and Mr Eid, about Mr Guffwaters..?"
"He said there isn't any need for that after what's happened.... and to take care."
Leaf chokes at that, and nods again.
"Let's head to the meeting, I'll talk to Advisor Berator afterwards to figure out our next plan, if Nought really is compromised, we'll need to move as quickly as possible."

-

The group gathers at the council meeting room, without the Lightbringer soldiers this time. At present, Mr Eid, Leaf, Duchess Verra, Champion Portis, Forster, Alisif, Ol' Gregory, Lehrerin and Advisor Berator.
They poured over what has happened in the days of the travel, the death of Tots, the second attack and the pause that happened in that battle.
"What did you think it was?" Champion Portis ask, Verra quickly glances over at Leaf.
"I'm don't know" Leaf replies.
"Whatever was, it bought us precious seconds to get that spell off" steam puffs out of Ol' Gregory mouth.
"Yer probs lucky maybe." another puff escapes him.
The room falls silent.
"We'd like to mention something." Duchess Verra raises her hand, darts her eyes from Alisif to her cousin.
"We are of one mind that the Dark Cult is stirring again."
The room's air tenses, the people present hold their breath.
"and who are "we"?"
"The Champion Portis, Alisif and I." Verra says, Leaf perks up.
"We believe the recent sightings are not a coincidence, these "random" attacks are getting more and more specific." Alisif pulls out a map of Arkadia on the table.
"See here" she traces the attacks from Fortia Logi, and Frigardia all the way towards west of the border of Fosurbs, and stops at Anfangmen.
"The attacks reconvene here." the map shows an outline that shows the letter "V", with each upward ends at the Steel-forged city and the freezing land, ending at the bottom of the V is an empty land.
"But there's nothing there." Forsters points out.
"Well from what I remember from the books, this is where the Pit Demon appeared all those years ago." Alisif points at the spot where Naught is suppose to be.
"But recent maps have removed that landmark, but I'll remember." Alisif smiles confidently.
Leaf gave a quick glance at Mr Eid, who signals him to stay quiet.

"Hmmm, I will send a group of rangers over, they will investigate and report anything there, it will take less than a day if they hurry."
Advisor Berator puts a hand on his chin. "Concerning, and it being where the Pit Demon appeared, you believe that the Dark Cult has somehow found a way to funnel magic again?"
The group freezes at that.
"N-no, we don't mean to question the Rexs' power and magic abilities." Alisif said quickly.
"Maybe they found another way, o-or..."
"Ah that was not what I meant, Arkadia is a strange place, I do not doubt that the Dark Cult would've found another way to.... but right here?... right now? why?"
The Advisors eyes narrows. He lets out a sigh.
"In any case, I believe we know what we need to do, Ol' Gregory and Lehrerin, thank you so much for being able to cooperate with us on this matter, I think the Magical Circle will appreaciate your efforts in breaking down the Speaking Stone."
Both of the travellers nod and bow to the Advisor, Lehrerin gave reassuring look at Verra and Alisif and turns to leave.

"Forster, I expect an immediete report on any findings to this place." He glances quickly at the Shadow Walkers. "You'll have reinforcements with you."
Forster nods, "Ay, would be an honor" he bows, nods at the young boy and his mentor. He left afterwards.

"The Lightbringer Soldiers will continue to stand guard, we will keep a watchful eye around the borders and along these routes." Champion Portis bows. "Us too!" The girls then leave the room.

The Advisor then waits until everyone has left, save the two that is waiting for him. After he is certain, he turns to the pair.
"To Naught then?"
"Yes, we also believe that all points to Naught, the Birthplace of the Pit Demon."
The Advisor lets out a long sigh.
"If the Dark Cult really has found a different way, then your mission is to dismantle that, find out as much as you can on this trip to Naught. Figure out who the head of this new uprising and end them where possible."
The purple suited man and the dark cloth boy nods, "Anything else that the Rex should be aware of?"
"So far none, no one has had any suspicious behaviour."
"Good, thank you for the work you have done you two."
The Advisor smiles, "I know it's been tough, but endure it, we have a goal and mission to accomplish."
Leaf looks over at his mentor and realises there is a deep sadness in his eyes, he realised that he was so out of it, he didn't realise his close friend was in pain too.
The Advisor clasp at the the shoulders of the pair, they nod and bow, both  then Walk away.

-

"Hey Mr Eid." Leaf throws up an apple to his mentor, who easily catches it.
"Thank you." Mr Eid doesn't say anything, he smiles, and hug his apprentice.
"Anytime kiddo, and chin up, Duchess Verra is worried about you."
Leaf goes silent. "It's tough, but we gotta keep movin." Leaf smiles and nod at this. "Let's pack up, this trip is not going to be an easy one."