[Title in Progress]

Chapter 5

Hello! Before the chapter begins, I'd just like to say that I hope you've enjoyed the story so far, and if you like it, please consider voting; I really appreciate it! And now, here's Chapter 5:

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Silent awe. That was the feeling that Lance always got when the city of Tricon came into view, and even after he abandoned the city with the other rebels, he still couldn't help but admire the beauty of the city. Looking at Shade standing beside him, he assumed Shade felt the same way.

"I heard stories of the magnificence of Tricon," Shade whispered, "but I didn't think it would be like this. And we aren't even in the city yet!"

"Yeah," Lance smiled, "we're still at least a couple miles away. It'll look even better once we're inside the city."

"Wow.. I can't even imagine that." Shade said. "I thought Phyraa was huge, but this - this makes my city, well, my old city, look like a mere village."

"You came from Phyraa?" Lance asked curiously.

"Yeah. Phyraa defected to the rebels about a year into the war. They would've joined sooner, but there were difficulties, to say the least." Shade said with a smile.

"Wow," Lance said in wonder, "I can't believe I've known you for nearly eighteen months now yet I never knew you came from there."

"I don't talk about myself much." Shade shrugged. "Anyways, we have other things that are more important right now."

"Such as breaking into Tricon?" A woman's voice said from behind both of them. Lance and Shade both whirled around at the sound of the voice, but they relaxed when they saw who it was.

"No need to scare us like that, Flo." Shade said, shaking his head while laughing.

"I assume you've been trailing us since the camp was attacked?" Lance asked.

"So you aren't as dumb as you look." Flo smiled to show she was joking. "But yes, I've been following you for awhile. Good thing I was, too. You two didn't notice the three Dengral that were hunting you."

"You say it's not noticing. I say it's ignoring them." Lance said. "Anyways, they're gone now so there's no point in worrying about them." Flo raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

"Why have you been following us?" Shade asked, not noticing the silent gesture Flo gave to Lance.

"Well... 'Make sure Lance and Shade get to the city safely without getting intercepted.' Those were Kiev's last orders."

His... last orders? Lance thought. Shade seemed to have the same thought, as he asked, "Is Kiev dead? You said his last orders."

"No, no," Flo said, waving off their concern, "he's merely been captured."

"What?!?" Lance exclaimed.

"He let himself get captured. I have no idea why, but he knows what he's doing." Flo replied. "Let's not worry about him. For now, we need to focus on what he ordered me to do. What did he tell both of you before you left?"

"He told me at first that he was sending me and Shade on a mission to scout out Tricon and find why Vestele fled from there, in the hopes of finding out if Tricon was weak right now," Lance answered, "but right before we fled the camp, he told us to find Miss Jade because she'd be able to help us."

"He basically told me the same," Flo mused, "the same about Miss Jade, anyways. Do you have any idea who this person is?" Lance and Shade both shook their heads. "Very well, I suppose I'll have to lead you along. I know who she is, although I haven't met her before." Flo said. She looked past Shade and Lance to eye the city with distaste. "We'll have to go in that despicable place sooner or later, so let's get it over and done with now." She instantly started walking towards the city at a swift pace, and the two young men hurried to follow.

Cyra?? Is that you? Rash thought wildly as he stood outside the throne room.