Burning Embers Part II: Conspiracy [Arc 6-10]

Arc 8: Ghosts of the Past (Prologue)

Note: Most of this arc is from Nat's perspective (unless otherwise mentioned).

An awkward silence prevailed over the room, known as the "Strategy Room" of the castle. They had been gathered here for a few minutes now, but no one had said a word, waiting for the guild leader, Findaris, to tell them why they were here. But the man himself stood before the window, staring outside anxiously into space as if waiting for something. He twisted strands of his hair with his left hand, which was a habit Nat had only recently started to notice him doing when he was either deep in thought or anxious.

His hair had grown long again, and he wore the ponytail and bangs he had when they first met. Sometimes he would twist his bangs, while other times it was the sides. Still, it meant he was probably anxious right now, since his other hand rested on the window sill and gripped it quite tightly. All eight of the current guild members were gathered here and sat around the round table in the middle. Of course, Zero and Kuri were still not back from Lanexi, nor had they heard from them. 

It had been over a month since their trip to the capital, and Nat's birthday was soon. However, something had clearly come up, and he had the feeling he wouldn't get to celebrate this one. Come to think of it, he hadn't celebrated last time either, just going with Sean on their first quest. The current situation reminded him of when the noble Raethis Des Toridae had issued a challenge to them and Findaris briefed them in this very room, the western tower of their castle. 

Unlike back then, their commander was paralysed right now, and thus they sat in complete silence, until it was finally broken by a familiar voice:

"Unacceptable! What is this farce?! Hast thou called us here just to stand and stare off into space like a depressed loon?!" Vector called Findaris out provocatively.

The dragon-knight looked over at him, his face expressionless, then looked away again.

"Hmph, very well, I shall take charge in this situation as vice-commander!"

"Wait, hold up. Vice-commander?" Sean interjected.

"Ho? Did you not know? I am the second-in-command of this guild, officially."

"Well that was a pretty bad decision," Sean smiled smugly, provoking Vector.

With a smirk of his own, Vector replied, "Unfortunately, no one required the opinion of a plebeian such as you when making that decision."

Sean shot him a glare and opened his mouth to retort, but Nat put a hand on his shoulder and stopped him. "L-Let's not fight right now," he suggested.

"Hmph."

Vector smirked. "Well, now that the pest has been taken care of, we can get to the important matters." He looked over at Kotori, nodding. 

He's dropped his over-the-top tone. This must be a really serious matter.

Kotori cleared her throat. "Earlier today, a messenger from the Royal Family came to us with a summons."

"A summons?! We have to go back to the capital already?!" Lediga exclaimed.

Smiling at him awkwardly, Kotori replied, "N-No, it's more like a prompt. We've been issued a challenge—"

"Oh! I like that! Which noble dared to challenge us this time?!" Lediga was being Lediga.

Andrea gave him a light thwack on the back of his head, glaring at him. "Listen to what she has to say, oaf."

"Sorry, sorry. Please continue!"

He's even louder than usual.

Kotori took a step back reflexively when he shouted, then continued, "There is an army from Dagunland at the border north of this city. They've challenged Findaris specifically, and allowed no more than four companions to go with him," she paused, letting the information settle in. "If we refuse, they will commence an invasion, which the country is not ready for at all. The man who called for us...is named Lord Alseiv, a Demonic General of Wrath..." her voice trailed off, as she looked at Findaris.