The midday sun filtered through the narrow windows of the lighthouse, right beside where Rhea sat, her silver eyes skimming over the documents before her. Outside, the sea was restless, crashing against the rocky shore in rhythmic waves that seemed to echo the unease stirring within her. The cries of seagulls punctuated the air, their sounds distant yet present. Autumn had finally arrived, its cool breath soothing the heat that had attached itself to the land like a stubborn fever. She loved summer, but the change of seasons alluded to the very real changes she faced. The crispness in the air was welcomed, though it did little to ease the darker thoughts swirling in her mind. Her fingers traced over the names on the papers, pausing every now and then to consider a particular detail.

Among them, one name stood out: Zerutod.

"Interesting," she mused, her lips curving slightly in intrigue. His reputation had preceded him and whispers of his strength and his curious ability to manipulate time had reached the Major's ears. Why a man of his caliber had not risen through the ranks was unclear, but Rhea knew better than to dismiss such a mystery. She found herself drawn to puzzles like this, where the pieces didn’t quite fit and the edges were blurred with variables she could not yet see. "Time control..." The very concept sparked a dangerous desire within her; a hunger to bend time to her will. Maybe to correct or destroy what had been lost, or to give herself more time. Such was one of the things she needed most these days.

It was corrupt of her to have summoned these Knights, but Rhea had long since stopped concerning herself with the opinions of others, especially her colleagues. She was better than them, and everything she had done was just. The world had shown her too much betrayal, too much loss. If the Rune Knights wished to believe her motives lay in protecting Hargeon from the night creatures she had encountered, then so be it. Vampires, after all, made a convenient excuse, and she could easily argue that the defense of the town’s lighthouse was a worthy cause. But in truth, Stella, and the Boscosi assassins weighed heavier on her mind, like dark clouds gathering at the horizon.

Selfish, perhaps... she thought to herself, a flicker of amusement dancing in her thoughts. But survival was never a matter of charity, and I'll do whatever it takes.

Rhea leaned back in the wooden chair, her gaze lifting from the papers to the wide window that offered a view of the endless sea. The horizon stretched out in a line of molten gold where the sun met the water. Beautiful in its own untouchable way. The waves continued to crash against the shore relentlessly, as if the ocean itself waged war against the land.

The lighthouse had become her sanctuary, an office of sorts in this coastal town. The Elf relished the isolation it provided, the distance from the noise of the world. And yet, soon that isolation would be interrupted. Rhea had called for twenty Knights. A mix of Privates, Corporals and Sergeants, and they would follow her orders without question. A part of her wondered if she should feel guilty for leading them into her personal storm, but such thoughts were hardly lasted. She had a mission, and it was one she intended to see through, no matter the cost.

Zerutod, though… he would be different. His presence here had the potential to change everything, though she doubted he knew it yet. If his abilities were as formidable as the reports suggested, he could be the key to something far greater than merely protecting her from assassins or vampires. Time was a weapon few could wield, and Rhea had every intention of seeing just how sharp his blade could be.

The crowd in Hargeon parted slowly as the group of Rune Knights marched forward, their presence immediately drawing the eyes of curious onlookers. Sergeant Baldwin led the pack, her sturdy frame cutting an imposing figure among the more slender knights. She was a wolf among mere men. The twin axes strapped across her broad back reflected the sun's light, as if she had never used them before. There was no mistaking her for anyone but a warrior bred for battle, her muscles rippling beneath her armor with every step she took.

She was aware of the whispers. The people wondered, worried perhaps, if the sudden appearance of so many Knights was a sign that something evil lurked in the shadows of their beloved city. Their suspicion lingered in the air like a brewing storm. Baldwin did her best to ignore it. The Sergeant had a mission, and she would see it through, as always.

When the group finally reached Zerutod, Baldwin’s eyes settled on the pale haired knight, his calm, distant expression unreadable. He seemed to exude a strange calm, the way an unlit fire waits for a spark. She offered a small grunt of greeting before speaking. "Zerutod," she said, her voice carrying with it the no-nonsense tone of someone used to being heard. "Has Major Rhea arrived yet? And have you been briefed on the mission?"

But before he could respond, Baldwin continued, her voice becoming more animated as she spoke. "We’re here to deal with these vampires," she said, her lip curling in slight disgust at the word. "Migrating here from fuck knows where. We’ll be stationed at Hargeon’s lighthouse for the time being. Major Rhea will join us shortly."

Baldwin's eyes briefly flicked to the surrounding crowd, noting the concerned looks of the townsfolk. She sighed. "Looks like we’re already causing a stir. Vampires or no, we better get used to it. The people will always assume the worst when they see us gathered like this." Her gaze swept back to Zerutod, her tone softening just a touch. "But we’ll get it handled. The Major will see to that." She clearly loved to hear herself talk.

As she finished, the other Knights spread out, doing their best to assure the townspeople that there was no immediate danger. Baldwin stood firm, her eyes watching Zerutod closely, wondering what went on behind those strange eyes of his.


The air felt heavier as the Sorceress strode through the streets of Hargeon. Her white jumpsuit clung to her shapely figure like it was her skin itself, the long cape billowing gently behind her in the cool autumn breeze. Every step she took was purposeful, her silver eyes, glimmered with a thundering blue, scanning the crowd with a mixture of wariness and disdain. Rhea had made a name for herself in this country despite the distaste it left in her mouth. But that very reputation meant eyes would follow her now, and she wasn’t naive enough to believe they were all friendly.

It wasn’t fear that prickled her skin, but rather the awareness of being hunted, of always being one misstep away from chaos. Whoever had sent those assassins would be watching, waiting for the moment when she let her guard down. Today, though, would not be that day. Her Rune Knights would see to that. Though the weight of responsibility sat heavy on her shoulders, the sight of her comrades waiting up ahead offered a sense of calculated relief. The road to mastery over her new powers stretched out before her, long and filled with uncertainty. Yet she felt no hesitation. If anything, the challenge excited her, like the low rumble of thunder before a storm, heralding what was to come. Today though, there would be no trial by fire, at least not yet.

As the Major neared the gathered Knights, her eyes immediately sought out one figure among them—Zerutod. His pale hair like the white of winter, but it was his presence, calm yet charged, that intrigued her the most. He was the unknown variable, a man who had been overlooked, kept in the shadows. But she would change that.

“Comrades,” she greeted, her voice soft yet commanding, its edge like the bite of frost in the autumn air. A warm smile played on her lips, though her eyes remained sharp, cool as the sea beyond. She paused briefly, letting her presence settle over them like a slow, creeping fog before continuing. “I’m glad you could all make it. You’ll be stationed with me for a while, so I suggest you make yourselves comfortable in Hargeon.”

Her gaze drifted over the assembled Knights, lingering on the sergeants and corporals among them. They were seasoned, skilled, but Rhea wasn’t interested in maintaining the status quo. She needed something more. Someone more. Her eyes found Zerutod again, and with a quiet intensity, she spoke, her voice cutting through the air.

“While we are stationed here, Zerutod will serve as my second-in-command.”

The statement hung in the air, and she could sense the surprise rippling through the group like a shockwave. It was bold, to promote him so quickly, albeit temporarily, but Rhea didn’t concern herself with the murmurs of doubt. None dared to voice their objections, and she knew better than to expect them to. Her authority was absolute in their eyes, and she wielded it as she did all things as of late, with precision.

"Any questions before we head out?"

The Sorceress's gaze swept over the knights gathered before her. She remained cool and collected, her calm demeanor hiding the calculations rampaging through her mind. Could these numbers stand against the vampire threat? Or, more crucially, against the assassins she suspected were watching her every move? For a moment, there was only silence, the weight of her thoughts heavy as the sea air hung around them.

Then, Zerutod's voice broke through with measured questions. His words carried the weight of insight, pinpointing the unlikely nature of vampires in Hargeon. His question could easily trip someone unprepared. Rhea, however, was far from unprepared. A gentle smile tugged at her lips, though her expression remained thoughtful. Zerutod was asking the right questions.

The Major glanced around, the eyes of the townspeople still lingering on their gathering. She knew it was better to move away from the center of the city before they attracted more attention. Her voice, soft but holding that air of authority, shattered the serenity of silence. “Come,” she said, her tone smooth as silk. “We should move away from the city’s heart before discussing details.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned, her white cape fluttering behind her like a passing storm cloud. The lighthouse in the distance towered like a silent sentinel, and she led her company in that exact direction, the steady rhythm of their boots and clanks of their armor being the only sound amidst the quiet whispers of the wind.

As they walked, Rhea spoke, each word carefully chosen. “On the contrary, private. History will tell you how often vampires form covens to ensure their survival, so it isn’t out of the ordinary for them to move as a unit.” she began, casting a glance over her shoulder at Zerutod. There was a subtle edge to her words, like a blade hidden in velvet. She wanted them to know she had thought this through, that she wasn’t taking chances, albeit she wasn’t entirely truthful either. After all, her encounter had been with a small group of vampires and she had embellished the reports to suit the need for reinforcements.

She could feel the knights' eyes on her, their quiet tension, their unspoken questions. “We can only assume that the vampires are migrating from the east,” They believed in the Major, and that belief was a powerful weapon in itself. “considering Dahlia isn’t too far from here, and we know it harbors all sorts of maleficent beings.”

She glanced at Zerutod once again, a flicker of amusement in her silver eyes, though her face remained serious. “You're right, however. Attempting to colonize Hargeon is... foolish. Desperate, even. Perhaps they’re no longer content with feeding on peasants in the shadows. Maybe they crave something more, like a foothold in a city with better bloodlines?” She sighed softly, her breath mingling with the salty breeze, the weariness in her tone as went as quick as it came. “It’s something we need to figure out.”

The Stellan elf paused briefly, her vision catching his as the wind tousled her white hair, her expression shifting into something more thoughtful, more intense. “Do you have any ideas, Zerutod?” Her question charged with an almost electric tension. She was not only testing him but inviting him into her web of thought, like a spider drawing in a worthy prey. She respected his mind, and in this moment, she sought his insight—not just as her second-in-command but as someone she could rely on to see beyond the surface of things. Zerutod seemed to be a soldier overlooked, but Rhea hoped that he wasn't just another amongst the herd of sheep.

The rhythmic beat of marching boots grated on Rhea’s nerves as the lighthouse drew closer, its towering figure a distant beacon. The steady cadence of the knights, how they were so in sync and once a source of order, now felt invasive, like an unceasing hum just at the edge of her patience. Still, the Major's focus remained on Zerutod. Admittedly, the man intrigued her. His abilities, his intellect, and more curiously, his rank. For someone who wielded time itself and had proven his worth with feats even captains would found formidable, remaining a lowly private didn’t quite make sense.

The wind tugged at her snow-white hair as she cast a glance at him, silver eyes, crackling with blue, narrowing thoughtfully. Was he hiding something? Or had he merely chosen the shadows, intentionally slipping past the eye of ambition? The Sorceress would look into his file soon enough, dig into any missed promotions or curious refusals if any existed. For now, though, she entertained their conversation.

A warm smile crept across Rhea's face, a rarity that softened her normally cool features. Amusement danced in her eyes, though it was not just at his words. The private was... beguilling. Like a puzzle, each piece of him was sharp, fitting together with a precision she hadn’t quite cracked yet. His hypothesis intrigued her. It wasn’t impossible that the vampires had motives far beyond what they appeared, and though she was loath to admit it, his reasoning made sense. More sense than Rhea initially thought she'd allow herself to consider.

Then, unexpectedly, a laugh broke from her throat. It started small, a single note, before growing louder and echoing over the coastal winds. "Bwaha..." she chuckled, her laughter swelling into a full, uninhibited roar. "Hahahahahaha!"

She let the sound die slowly, leaving behind the faint trace of a smirk. The elf's amusement was genuine, but it carried the weight of something more. In a way it was a quiet challenge, yet an acknowledgment of his insight.

"You have a sharp mind, private," Rhea replied, her Stellan accent dripping with a kind of warm intensity, like molten metal slowly cooling but still dangerous to the touch. Her gaze lingered on him, appraising, as if she could pry open the layers he kept sealed so tightly. "Makes me wonder why you've chosen to stay a private for this long." Of course she hadn’t yet confirmed whether it was his choice, but she was fishing for the truth, hoping the man in front of her would reveal himself, even just a little. So the major watched his expression carefully, waiting to see if her suspicions would be pulled from the horse’s mouth.

Still walking, Rhea turned her gaze back to the horizon. "It’s a good thing you’re here," she continued, her tone shifting to something almost conspiratorial, low and intimate. "If the vampires of Dahlia are planning something bigger than we can see, your time magic will definitely come in handy."

There was a subtle tension in her voice now, like the pull of a bowstring just before release. Rhea was not one to easily admit reliance on others, yet here she was, acknowledging not just Zerutod’s presence, but his value. The wind shifted, catching the edge of her cloak, and she tilted her head toward him slightly, her smile fading into something more contemplative.

"But tell me," she added, her voice taking on a curious tone, "why is someone with such power still serving at the lowest rank?" It was not a demand, but an invitation. She was giving him a chance to explain if he chose. "Our information on you is not as vast in comparison the other privates. So, Zerutod, what's your deal?"

The Sorceress slowly nodded, watching Zerutod with a glimmer of interest. He was intelligent not only in his logic but in some odd way, the unspoken method with which he placed his words, like pieces on a board. She knew well that ranks came with weight; she had learned how to shoulder them just enough to keep the balance without tipping over into selflessness. But the private was different, skillfully avoiding expectations.

"I see," she said softly, the ghost of a knowing smile playing on the edge of her lips. "You're sharper than most, Private. rare is the individual who finds freedom in obscurity." The Stellan turned her gaze back to the path ahead, toward where the lighthouse stood tall against the sky, that lone construct standing watch over Hargeon's port. Sometimes she amazed herself at how well she weaved the words of the Fiorian language. The Tome of Forgotten Memories had given her the gift of gab, a gift she appreciated. "It's wise to know when to step forward into the light, and when to remain with the shadows."

They reached the base of the lighthouse, Rhea's steps steady as she led the way up the hill, her form silhouetted by the setting sun. She turned back to face the knights, her silver-blueish eyes gleaming with an assessing calm.

"Now then, we’ve arrived," she began, her voice like the edge of a blade, each word purposeful and clear. "As previously mentioned, Zerutod will be second-in-command while we’re stationed here. This post will be yours for now, until the vampire threat is eradicated." Her glance swept over the group, lingering temporarily onto Zerutod before she continued. "This is expected to be an easy post--but vampires… they have a way of becoming phantoms when you’ve all but forgotten them." A sigh escaped her.

"I want each of you to become familiar with Hargeon, make contact with the locals, find out if you can get any tips on sightings. You'll be camping in and around the lighthouse for the time being. When you've finished that, take your lunch, and report back."

With a clap to dismiss her squadron, her eyes came to rest on the blind prodigy, something both curious and challenging flickering there. "Zerutod, you'll be having lunch with me." She said blatantly, eyes glinting with amusement. "Do you like duck?"