Chapter 8

What the Night Revealed

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That Fateful Night...

Sleep gives way to something else.

Where... am I?

Kaze!

They’re pouring in faster than we can cut them down!

Fall back to the keep!

AGH—!

Darius!

Can you stand?

Does it look like I can’t?

Fine. You were right.

We fall back to the keep.

Who in the Six Hells is this?

Ghk—!

KAZE!

Kaze...?

No... no, no...

Six above...

Sylvarra Village

Do not trouble yourself to rise.

A short time later...

I had hoped you wouldn’t mind.

So… the relic from Sylvarra was yet another fusion reactor.

Alas.

Not quite the prize you were hoping for.

Still... you may be pleased to hear that another lead has surfaced.

Has it?

Where?

Tisk, tisk.

The Ashen Dominion does not pass through military command, General.

I am not interested in your games, Ashwalker.

You will answer me.

As you wish, General.

The trail leads to the Sunscorched Plateau.

Grant me an airship, a detachment of soldiers, and enough laborers to excavate the site...

And what do you gain?

...and I will place the relic in your hands.

I am told an ancient outpost lies buried beneath the sands of the High Desert.

The relic is yours.

Everything else uncovered there belongs to me.

One cruiser.

Bring me the relic.

Then we have an accord, General.

Whatever else lies buried there is yours.

The next morning...

…Ngh…

Where…?

…Darius?

Kaze.

Thank the Six...

You’re awake.

Easy.

Not so fast.

Gh—

What...

What happened?

How did I get here?

I remember someone broke into the house…

A soldier.

I remember...

I grabbed my sword.

Then… nothing.

Kaze...

Is that all you remember?

Yes.

Why?

So... how did I get here?

You’re awake…

Hey.

Where’s my mother?

Kaze…

Where is she?

After the soldiers took what they came for.

they withdrew.

Just as suddenly as they arrived.

When I reached your home...

I found you on the floor.

You had taken a terrible blow to the head.

And my mother?

Your mother was there…

beside you.

She was already gone.

I’m sorry.