The aftermath of the battle was grim. The air was heavy with the stench of blood, ice and burnt wood.
The once-proud city of Volxane was in shambles. Its walls were breached, streets coated in frost and rubble and the plaza was now a haunting scene of huddled survivors. The people were silent, their faces hollow and pale, eyes staring into the distance, too exhausted or terrified to cry.
Among them were the remnants of the kingdom: soldiers leaning on shattered spears, mothers clutching their children, elders staring blankly at the destruction. The victory over the Ice Mannequins was hollow; they had won the battle, but the war was far from over.
Farrynelle, Xander, and Eldrigan made their way to the city walls. The king stood there, staring out at the horizon where a massive portal still loomed far beyond the city. Its swirling blue light pulsed ominously. The trio approached him, their expressions hardened by what they had seen. Farrynelle was the first to speak, her voice cutting through the silence.
"Hey old man. Long time no see. I see you do not remember me even though I used to work for you four years ago. We don't have time to waste. You need to evacuate the city."
"Evacuate? We just defended our home. Surely we can hold out—"
Farrynelle cut him off, her lightning blue eyes flashing with impatience.
"Hold out? Did you not see what just happened? Forty percent of your people are gone. The walls are breached, the city is in ruins and that portal out there isn't closing. More are coming. In an hour, maybe less."
She gestured toward the plaza where the survivors were gathered. "Volxane won't last much longer."
The king's gaze shifted to the plaza, his shoulders slumping as he took in the sight. Families clinging to each other, soldiers trying to tend to wounds with makeshift bandages, children crying softly into the arms of their elders.
Xander stepped forward s he sighed, "She's right. You need to think about your people. Staying here is suicide."
"And where would we go?" He snapped. "Do you think the other islands will welcome us with open arms? You must know our history. Our people hunted down the Rune Speakers for generations. We've made enemies of every tribe across the Erna Isles. If we show up on their shores, they'll slaughter us."
Farrynelle crossed her arms, and suggested, "Then you've got two choices. Face the wrath of the people you and your ancestors tried to kill or die here in a few hours when the next wave of mannequins comes through that portal."
The king's face twisted in anguish but he said nothing. He knew she was right. Finally, after a long pause, he nodded, his voice barely above a whisper.
"We'll move."
Farrynelle exhaled sharply, relieved but far from satisfied. She looked up at the sky, her expression dropping.
"Are you listening?"
For a moment, there was nothing but silence, broken only by the distant cries of the wounded. Then, with a soft shimmer of light, Phaenora appeared before them, her white hair cascading down her back as she floated effortlessly above the ground. She sighed, her arms crossed as she surveyed the scene.
"You really do know how to pick your battles, Farrynelle."
Farrynelle smirked, gesturing toward the portal. "Figured you were watching. Got any bright ideas?"
Phaenora's gaze swept over the plaza, the survivors and the destruction. She shook her head.
"They won't be welcomed anywhere. The Rune Speakers, the Phoenixborn Tribe, the Raukerai, the Summer Tribe, they all have deep scars from what Volxane did to them. You're looking at centuries of animosity, Farrynelle. But… the best choice would be the Halo Islands. The tribes there have their own issues, but they're less likely to outright kill these people."
The king stepped forward, desperation in his voice.
"And what should we expect there?"
"Discrimination," Phaenora said bluntly. "You'll be treated as outsiders, maybe worse. The Phoenixborn Tribe and the others were forced out of the Lake of Miracles Island by your ancestors. They've lived on the Halo Islands ever since. Don't expect them to forget what happened."
The king's face darkened, but he nodded. "If it's our only chance, we'll take it."
"Good. Then start organizing the survivors into seven groups. I'll use teleportation circles from the Obsidian Runic Spire to get everyone out but... it'll be faster if they're grouped."
The king hesitated for only a moment before barking orders to his knights. They moved quickly, dividing the survivors into groups.
As the preparations began, Xander glanced at Farrynelle, a question forming on his lips.
"How did you know she was watching?"
Farrynelle smirked, "Call it a hunch. Phaenora's got a knack for showing up when you least expect it."
Eldrigan frowned, his arms crossed.
"And why exactly is she helping us? Last I checked, the Obsidian Runic Spire wasn't handing out favors. Isn't it a sentient tower protecting the Halo Islands?"
Phaenora chuckled, her silver eyes glinting with amusement.
"Oh, I'm not doing this out of charity. The Spire connects all the islands, and Vastarael gave me temporary access as the Towermaster. It's convenient for situations like this. Also, we might need more servants on our islands."
The mention of Vastarael's name made Eldrigan's eyes narrow.
"You know where he is, don't you?"
Phaenora's smile didn't falter, but there was a subtle shift in her expression, a guardedness that hadn't been there before.
"I do. But don't expect me to tell you. Vastarael's got his own plans and I'm not about to mess with them. Not even I know them."
Xander exchanged a look with Eldrigan, both of them clearly suspicious but unwilling to press further. Farrynelle, however, just shrugged.
"Leave it. She's got her reasons and we've got enough to deal with."
Phaenora smirked again, her tone almost playful.
"Smart girl. Now, get ready. Moving this many people is going to be a nightmare and I'm not doing it alone. In the meantime, I'll create massive circles and inspect on the others."
With that, she turned and began weaving the first teleportation circle, her hands moving in precise, fluid motions. The survivors watched in awe as the runes began to glow.
As the first group prepared to leave, Farrynelle turned to the king one last time.
"You'd better make this count. Your people are getting a second chance but it's up to you to make sure they don't waste it."
"I'll do what I can."
Farrynelle nodded, stepping back as the first group vanished in a burst of light. The battle was over, but the fight for survival had only just begun.
°°°°°°
As the survivors began to gather into groups, the teleportation circles glowing faintly under Phaenora's guidance, she quietly stepped away from the chaos.
She made her way to a quiet corner of the ruined plaza. With a subtle gesture, she drew a small glowing rune in the air and a holographic screen flickered to life before her.
On the other side of the screen stood Vastarael. He was perched casually on the broad stone shoulder of a massive Submerged Centaur. Around him, chaos reigned.
Thousands of Ice Mannequins surrounded him in every direction, their frosted bodies glinting under the overcast sky. Vastarael stood calmly, one hand resting on the hilt of his sapphire glaive, Calimostria.
"Phaenora? Um... sorry for...well, this."
He gestured broadly to the battlefield around him as the centaur's stone limbs swung in sweeping arcs, crushing Ice Mannequins beneath its massive weight.
Phaenora tilted her head, her usual teasing smile softening into something warmer.
"You really are a piece of work, Vastarael," she said, her tone laced with affection. "But you know I'll always be here for you. Just... die in glory, alright? And come back. Because if you don't..."
Vastarael chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"I know. You'll hunt me down yourself."
The massive centaur construct shifted beneath him, releasing a grinding sound as it raised one colossal arm and smashed another wave of Ice Mannequins into icy shards. Vastarael balanced effortlessly even as the centaur moved at incredible speeds.
"The plan will continue," he assured her as he turned his gaze back to the hologram. "I'll be back soon."
Phaenora's smile grew softer, though her eyes sparkled with unspoken worry.
"You'd better be ready when you do. Because I'm not sure how much longer I can hold it in."
Vastarael sighed, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"I know what you're going to say," he murmured. "But I promise, Phaenora, I'll come back. Just keep the group stable until I arrive."
She nodded with a bittersweet smile as the holographic screen flickered, his image fading into the glowing air. For a moment, she stood there in silence. Then, with a deep breath, she turned back toward the survivors, her expression hardening once more.
"You really are a monster, Veneri..."