Sub-Chapter 6.1: The Silent Hunt
Morning mist rolled slowly through the towering trees of the Lycan Forest.
The forest was quiet.
Too quiet for most soldiers.
But for the Hunter Squadron, silence was their home.
A series of wooden targets hung high among the branches—some carved like demons, others shaped like moving prey.
Then...
THWIP
An arrow pierced straight through the center of one.
THWIP
Another arrow followed.
THWIP
Three arrows struck the same target within a heartbeat.
From the forest floor, twenty hunters moved like shadows.
No shouting.
No commands.
Just subtle gestures.
A glance.
A nod.
Perfect timing.
Among them stood Kestrel Lysanedre,
Captain of the Hunter squadron.
Her midnight combat suit blended perfectly with the shadows of the trees.
Matte armor plates rested across her shoulders and chest, forming the subtle V-shaped harness pattern that marked the hunters of ARCANA.
Across her back rested the sacred weapon of her people.
The Lycan Mythical Bow.
Only Lycan blood could lift it.
Only Lycan hands could fire its arrows.
And when it did...
The result was usually death.
High above the ground,
Kestrel sat calmly on a thick tree limb, observing her squad's training.
Her sharp wolf ears twitched slightly.
Below her, the squad moved like a single organism.
Hanz Peronny, Vice Captain.
He dashed between two trees.
His movements were silent and brutal.
Without speaking a word, he loosed two arrows in mid-run.
Both targets shattered.
Nearby,
Rue Syllias spun her bow playfully.
"Five shots says I beat Flamini today."
A calm voice answered from behind her.
"That bet assumes accuracy is your goal."
Flamini Moriatta released a single arrow.
The arrow curved through three branches before striking a moving target.
Rue blinked.
"…okay that one didn't count."
But Kestrel wasn't watching anymore.
Her eyes drifted toward the distant sky.
For a moment…
The forest faded from her mind.
Instead she saw something else.
A small church.
Old stone walls.
Warm candlelight.
The place was known as the Church of Light.
And inside it...
Two children laughing.
One of them wore a black mask too large for his face.
The other girl hid behind a wooden pillar.
"You can't hide forever," the boy said.
"Watch me," the girl whispered.
They were playing hide and seek.
The girl smiled proudly when the boy couldn't find her.
Then suddenly...
"Ow!"
Kestrel jerked slightly as someone pinched her wolf ear.
Rue grinned beside the branch.
"Captain," she said teasingly.
"You were daydreaming about him again, weren't you?"
Kestrel blinked.
Rue leaned closer with a mischievous smile.
"Let me guess…"
"The mysterious Nightbringer."
"Tall."
"Brooding."
"Probably smells like..."
Kestrel grabbed Rue's ear instantly.
Rue yelped.
"OW—CAPTAIN—"
"You're avoiding training again," Kestrel said calmly.
Rue winced.
"Technically I was performing psychological observation."
Kestrel released her ear.
"Back to training."
Rue sighed dramatically.
"You're no fun."
She jumped from the tree branch and returned to the field.
Kestrel followed a moment later, landing lightly on the forest floor.
She raised two fingers.
The squad gathered instantly.
Hanz stepped forward first.
Rue leaned against a tree.
Flamini stood quietly nearby.
Kestrel crossed her arms.
"The Dark Elven territory is unstable."
Rue whistled softly.
"That's putting it politely."
Flamini nodded slightly.
"Rumors say the Underworld army has begun mobilizing."
Hanz made a quick hand signal.
War approaching.
Kestrel's expression remained calm.
"ARCANA will move soon."
Rue tilted her head.
"You think Nightbringer already knows?"
Kestrel looked toward the horizon.
Far beyond the forest.
"Lucifell always knows."
At that very moment...
Lucifell and Azazel were still riding toward the Mournvale Kingdom.
And Kestrel had no idea what had just happened in the Dark Elven Forest.
The Silent Hunt resumed its training.
Sub-Chapter 6.2: Eyes Above the Kingdom
The western hills of the Mournvale Kingdom were known for their constant winds.
Perfect winds.
That was why the Oracle squadron built their base there.
Not too high.
Not too low.
Just high enough that the skies were always open.
Above the hilltop fortress, shadows circled slowly across the clouds.
Griffins.
Massive creatures with the body of a lion and the wings of an eagle glided gracefully through the air.
Among them, one rider descended rapidly toward the landing platform.
The griffin folded its wings and landed smoothly on the stone platform.
Its rider jumped down lightly.
It was Viona Leracrux, vice captain of the Oracle squadron.
She adjusted her riding cloak and walked toward the strategy tower.
Inside, several large maps filled the circular room.
Wooden markers covered the map of the continent.
Each one representing army movements, patrol routes, and intelligence reports.
Standing before the central table was Donnie Ab Kelenzy, captain of the Oracle squadron.
He looked exhausted.
Not physically.
Mentally.
His eyes were buried in patterns across the map.
Without even turning around, he spoke.
"You delivered the envelope."
Viona blinked.
"…you didn't even look."
Donnie pointed lazily at the map.
"Your flight path changed direction exactly forty minutes ago."
"That only happens after long-distance courier missions."
He finally turned his head slightly.
"So yes."
"You delivered the Queen's Envelope."
Viona crossed her arms proudly.
"Of course I did."
She stepped closer to the table.
"I delivered it directly to Nightbringer."
Donnie sighed deeply.
"The Queen has too many errands lately…"
He rubbed his temple.
"Report the details."
Viona began recounting the mission.
How she found Lucifell.
How she handed him the envelope.
How he accepted it calmly.
Donnie listened silently.
Then he suddenly waved his hand dismissively.
"Good."
"Now report it directly to the Queen."
Viona froze.
"…what?"
"You heard me."
"I'm not doing that again," she complained.
"The last time I reported to Her Majesty she asked twenty questions."
Donnie shrugged.
"Then answer twenty questions."
Viona groaned.
"You're the captain!"
"You should report it!"
Donnie leaned back lazily in his chair.
Then he casually added:
"If you do it…"
"…I'll tell you Edward York's favorite food."
Silence.
Viona's face turned red instantly.
"You—!"
Donnie raised one eyebrow.
"Motivation works."
Viona grabbed her helmet angrily.
"You're unbelievable!"
But she was already walking toward the door.
Donnie smirked.
"Palace garden."
"She prefers meeting riders there."
Viona stopped mid-step.
"…you already knew she would ask."
Donnie shrugged again.
"I map behavior."
Minutes later...
Viona's griffin soared across the skies toward the royal capital.
Soon the massive towers of the Royal Palace of Mournvale appeared on the horizon.
She guided the griffin toward the garden landing platform behind the palace.
The griffin touched down gracefully among blooming trees and marble fountains.
Viona jumped down and walked toward the inner garden.
And there...
Near a koi fish pond...
Sat Queen Shenly Quirsa Voyage.
The Queen of Mournvale calmly sipped tea as if the entire world had no urgency.
But her eyes were already watching Viona approach.
Without looking away from the fish pond, the Queen spoke.
"You delivered my message."
Viona bowed respectfully.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The Queen gently placed her teacup down.
Then she asked the first question.
"What was his expression?"
Viona blinked.
"…pardon?"
"When you handed him the envelope."
The Queen looked at her now.
"Did his mask tremble?"
Viona thought for a moment.
"No, Your Majesty."
The Queen nodded slowly.
"Did he hesitate before accepting it?"
"…no."
Another nod.
"Will he attend?"
Viona answered carefully.
"I believe so, Your Majesty."
The Queen leaned back in her chair.
Satisfied.
"Good."
She picked up her teacup again.
The conversation seemed finished.
Viona waited.
Then waited longer.
Finally she gathered the courage to ask.
"…was that the report you needed?"
The Queen smiled slightly.
"Yes."
"That was enough."
Viona walked away from the garden moments later.
Her shoulders slumped.
Inside her mind she groaned.
"Donnie owes me Edward's favorite food now."
Behind her,
Queen Shenly watched the koi fish calmly.
And quietly whispered to herself.
"War is coming."
Sub-Chapter 6.3: The War-Song of the Wind
The cold wind tore violently across the peaks of the Zorel Mountains.
The locals called the mist here The Breath of the Bereft.
It rolled endlessly across the granite slopes like a living shroud, swallowing sunlight, muting sound, and turning the world into a monochrome dream of silver and shadow.
Every ridge looked like the broken rib of some ancient titan buried beneath the mountains.
No birds flew here.
No animals lived long.
Only the wind remained.
And tonight the wind was singing.
The War-Song of the Wind.
At the highest cradle of the mountains stood a fortress carved from the bones of the earth itself.
The Eventide.
The castle rose from the knife-edge ridge like a jagged crown.
Basalt towers stabbed into the mist.
Silver banners of the Eclipse Guard snapped violently in the storm winds.
Behind the fortress, the cliffs plunged thousands of feet down into the dark waters of the Mournvale Sea.
Tonight the waves below looked like shards of black glass beneath the fading sky.
Then...
For a moment...
The air itself bent inward.
A ripple of darkness formed above the mountain path.
Two riders emerged from the mist.
Lucifell.
And beside him...
Azazel.
Their horses climbed the final stone road toward the gates of Eventide.
The mountains seemed to breathe around them.
Azazel glanced at him.
"You should still be resting."
Lucifell kept walking toward the castle stairs.
"I already did."
Azazel frowned slightly.
"You collapsed after healing fifteen hundred people."
Lucifell replied calmly.
"I didn't die."
Azazel sighed quietly.
"…that's not the standard for 'rest.'"
Lucifell kept riding.
"I did what was necessary."
The great iron gates of Eventide slowly groaned open.
No guards touched them.
The ancient mechanisms simply responded to Lucifell's presence.
Inside,
the castle carried its eternal twilight.
Floating embers drifted through the Great Hall like wandering fireflies.
The polished obsidian floor reflected their faint crimson glow.
Somewhere in the eastern wing, monks of the Tigris Clan were singing their slow evening lullaby.
A song meant to calm restless spirits.
But tonight…
The castle felt like it was listening.
The Eclipse Council
Deep inside the fortress,
the members of the Eclipse Guard gathered in the Eclipse Hall.
A massive war map covered the center table.
When Lucifell entered, the room fell silent.
Standing nearby were:
Alice
The underworld prodigy.
Runagard
The giant-orc guardian.
Marvelerick
The young draconian warrior.
Tigris le Lohk
The silent tiger monk.
And floating above the table...
A tiny glowing figure.
Alquine.
Her small wings fluttered nervously.
Azazel took his usual position beside Lucifell.
Azazel stepped forward first.
"The negotiation succeeded."
Marvelerick blinked.
"With Lavik?"
Lucifell nodded once.
"Lavik will remain neutral."
A murmur spread across the room.
The infamous cursed elf.
The rumored cannibal.
The criminal who had been erased from elven history.
Runagard folded his massive arms.
"That elf is a monster."
Lucifell replied calmly.
"He is also intelligent."
Tigris spoke quietly.
"Sometimes monsters understand war better than kings."
Lucifell placed a small pouch of gold on the table.
"Lavik returned the tribute."
Azazel then placed a marker on the war map.
"And he revealed something important."
He pointed toward the Dark Elven Forest.
"A tunnel network beneath his territory."
His finger traced the underground path southward.
"It leads directly to the Underworld Kingdom."
The room grew quiet.
War routes.
Hidden ones.
The most dangerous kind.
Marvelerick's eyes lit up slightly.
"So war is finally happening."
Runagard smacked the table with his massive hand.
"My axe has been bored."
Tigris calmly sipped tea.
"Violence is rarely boring."
Then suddenly...
Alquine flew straight toward Lucifell's face.
"You idiot!"
Everyone blinked.
"You released HALF YOUR ENERGY!"
Her tiny voice echoed across the chamber.
"My jewel almost cracked when you healed those elves!"
Lucifell simply stared at her.
"It did not crack."
"That's NOT the point!"
Azazel quietly muttered.
"I told him the same thing."
Alquine crossed her tiny arms.
"You healed fifteen hundred people in one day!"
"There is another matter."
Lucifell placed a sealed letter on the table.
"The Queen's Envelope."
Shenly Quirsa Voyage.
The room turned toward Lucifell.
Alice looked at the letter.
"She moves fast."
Lucifell opened the envelope slowly.
Inside was a single message.
A royal request.
Or perhaps a command.
Lucifell read it calmly.
Then he folded the letter again.
"I will attend."
Alice sighed dramatically.
"Of course you will."
Lucifell looked at her calmly.
"Yes."
Alice crossed her arms.
"You always do this."
Azazel leaned slightly away.
He knew this tone.
Alice continued.
"You carry every burden yourself."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You healed an entire cursed kingdom today."
"And now you're preparing for war tomorrow."
Lucifell remained quiet.
Alice stepped closer.
"Promise me something."
The room grew silent again.
Lucifell looked at her.
Alice spoke softly.
"When this war begins…"
"…you won't try to save everyone alone."
Lucifell's eyes softened slightly behind the mask.
Then he answered.
"I never fight alone."
Alice sighed.
"That's not what I meant."
Lucifell turned back toward the war map.
Alice walked closer to him.
"Have you forgotten something?."
Lucifell looked at her.
Alice crossed her arms.
Azazel suddenly found the ceiling very interesting.
Alice continued.
"You promised we would go for a walk."
Lucifell paused for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Yes."
Alice blinked.
"…wait, that easy?"
Lucifell answered calmly.
"I keep my promises."
Marvelerick leaned toward Runagard and whispered.
"Is this… a date?"
Runagard whispered back.
"Probably."
Tigris drank tea.
"The war will wait."
Alice turned away quickly, pretending she wasn't smiling.
"Good."
Then she added quietly...
"You owe me more than one walk."
Lucifell didn't respond.
But for a brief moment…
The cold commander of ARCANA looked almost human.
Outside the castle, the wind screamed across the mountains again.
The War-Song of the Wind.
Because somewhere beneath the earth…
The armies of the Underworld were already moving.
And the mountains of Mournvale were waiting for war.
For a long moment, no one spoke.
The wind outside howled through the stone ribs of The Eventide, slipping through the arrow slits like a whispering specter.
Lucifell's gaze remained on the war map.
Then he finally turned his head slightly.
"Alquine."
The tiny fairy stopped mid-flight.
Her wings hummed softly in the dim light of the Eclipse Hall.
"Yes, yes, what now?" she muttered,
still annoyed about the energy he had spent earlier.
Lucifell's voice remained calm.
"Send a telepathic message."
Alquine crossed her tiny arms.
"To who?"
Lucifell answered without hesitation.
"Three captains."
The room grew attentive.
"Elrich."
Captain of the Umbral Phantoms.
"Donnie Ab Kelenzy."
Captain of the Oracle Division.
"And Kahn."
Captain of the Dread Cavalry.
Marvelerick tilted his head.
"Only three?"
Lucifell nodded.
Alquine hovered closer.
"What message?"
Lucifell spoke slowly, each word precise.
"Tell them this."
His eyes returned to the map of the Dark Elven Forest.
"I will report the Dark Elven Forest mission.
Tomorrow.
King's Hall.
Midday."
Alquine repeated the words quietly to herself.
Then the tiny fairy floated higher into the air.
Her wings began glowing faintly.
Ancient runic light formed a small ring around her.
Telepathic magic.
A moment later...
Three invisible threads of energy shot outward from the castle like silent lightning, disappearing into the mist-covered mountains.
Messages sent.
Alquine lowered herself again with a small sigh.
"Done."
Marvelerick leaned on the table.
"But… why those three?"
Alice confused.
Runagard also looked curious.
Tigris simply waited.
Lucifell answered without looking up.
"Because they represent the crown."
Azazel understood immediately.
But the others remained silent.
Lucifell finally spoke again.
"Elrich."
His finger tapped the northern side of the map.
"He is the choice of the Great Pope Lucas III."
"The church watches the shadows through him."
Another tap.
"Donnie."
"The chosen strategist of Queen Shenly."
"The Queen trusts his mind."
Then his finger moved toward the western naval cavalry routes.
"Kahn."
"The sword chosen by King John Voyage."
"The King trusts his strength."
Lucifell folded his arms.
"In ARCANA…"
"…those three represent the will of the throne."
The room fell silent.
Marvelerick finally nodded slowly.
"So tomorrow…"
"…the Pope, the Queen, and the King will all be watching."
Lucifell's eyes lifted toward the high stone ceiling.
"No."
His voice was quiet.
"They will be judging."
Outside the fortress,
the wind screamed again across the Zorel Mountains.
The War-Song of the Wind grew louder.
Because by midday tomorrow...
The fate of the Mournvale Kingdom would begin to move.