The eastern provinces were quiet beneath the veil of twilight, but within the towering halls of the Summit of the Divine Church, silence was a rare thing. Mira's boots echoed against the polished marble as she moved with purpose, the air thick with incense and the distant toll of a prayer bell. Her mind stirred with unease.
I hope Nina's managing things at Balmount… it's going to be harder now. The Saintess never calls for urgent meetings unless something serious is happening… Still, I shouldn't have left.
She turned a corner, and there he was.
Drakos stood by the arched window, posture loose, head tilted as he gazed out over the courtyard. The dying light painted shadows across his sharp features. His hair, ash-grey and cropped close, was tousled just enough to make it look unintentional. One eye glinted, electric blue. The other was hidden beneath an old black eyepatch. Mira's steps slowed.
Even Drakos had come. That alone said everything.
He didn't turn right away, just spoke lazily into the silence. "Mira… I figured you'd be waiting inside already. Thought maybe you'd grown serious."
Mira stopped a few paces from him. "Drakos. Still loitering where there's light."
Drakos finally turned, a slow grin tugging at his lips. "You sound disappointed. I've changed, you know."
"You haven't," she said flatly. "Still the same slacker hiding behind a title."
He let out a quiet chuckle, stretching his arms. "Ouch. Come on, Mira, cut me some slack. I am the First Commander, after all."
She crossed her arms. "Remind me how you got that again?"
Drakos's grin widened, but his voice was dry. "Details. The Saintess appointed me. That's all that matters."
"She must have had her reasons," Mira muttered.
"There it is again. The Saintess." He walked past her, then slowed to glance over his shoulder. "You put too much weight on her decisions. Faith can blind."
Mira's tone sharpened. "And sloth is worse. Don't forget why we're here."
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. No sermons before supper." Then his tone shifted. "Any word on the Bloodbound Covenant?"
Mira's jaw tightened. "You'll hear it inside."
She stepped past him without another word. He followed, trailing a step behind.
"You really are exhausting," he muttered.
"You're just not used to people holding you accountable," she shot back.
At the summit doors, Mira hesitated. She exhaled slowly.
Drakos smirked. "Must you sigh every time you walk into that room?"
She didn't answer. She pushed open the door.
The chamber inside was lined with solemn banners and flickering sconces. At the end of the long, oak table, the Saintess sat unmoving. A blindfold covered her eyes. Her presence, though silent, pressed on the room like unseen weight.
Seated already were the other Commanders, Kira, bright-eyed with midnight blue hair cascading down her back in waves, framed by small braids on either side of her face, Valdis silent and cold, and Aria, whose stare cut sharper than most swords.
Kira lifted a hand. "Mira, Drakos. You both made it."
Mira gave a nod. "Kira. Good to see you."
Drakos closed the door behind them, tossing a lazy wave. "Sigh, I forgot how annoying you were." To Kira, he grinned. "Pumpkin, you looking good as always."
Kira's cheeks flushed pink, her words tumbling. "Y-you d-don't mean that… I-I mean, thank you."
Mira sat down beside her. Aria didn't wait.
"You're late."
Mira opened her mouth, but Drakos cut in, his tone sharper than before. "Save it, Aria. Mira's been carrying more weight than you ever have. Mind your mouth."
The Saintess's voice followed, soft yet certain. "Welcome, Mira. I trust the road wasn't too harsh?"
Mira bowed her head slightly. "It was manageable… Saintess."
"I'm glad."
Aria turned to Drakos, her expression unreadable. "And you. Surprised you bothered to come."
Drakos gave her a look. "You're as tiresome as ever."
He patted Kira's head. "She keeps me sane."
Then, casually, he addressed the Saintess. "Saintess."
Her head tilted slightly, blindfold never shifting. "Drakos. It's good that you're here."
He sat down on his chair opposite Mira, resting an arm on the back of his chair. "Only because Mira dragged me. You know how she gets."
The Saintess gave the smallest smile. "Then Mira did well."
Mira bowed her head slowly, her voice calm. "Thank you, Saintess."
Drakos tilted his head toward Valdis, his voice laced with teasing amusement. "Hey, Valdis… didn't even say hi to me. Am I invisible or something?"
Valdis didn't so much as look at him. "That won't be necessary."
Drakos placed a hand on his chest, feigning pain. "Ouch. You just hurt my delicate feelings… sucks for you."
Valdis's gaze narrowed, sharp and unbothered. "No, not sucks on me, but you."
He smirked. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say."
Kira giggled lightly, the only one amused. But the mood shifted again when Aria spoke, her tone sharp and clipped. "Saintess, can we begin? I have duties waiting, and I'd rather not waste more time."
Drakos leaned closer to Mira, speaking low. "Still stuck up, huh?"
Mira didn't look at him, but replied under her breath, "As you can see, nothing's changed."
Drakos gave a slight shake of his head, more disappointed than surprised.
The Saintess raised a hand, her voice calm and clear. "Yes, we may begin. I understand the short notice… the fault is mine."
Valdis's tone carried respect. "It's not a problem, Saintess."
Kira nodded, the others offering vague murmurs of agreement. But Drakos leaned back in his chair, clearly unimpressed. "Guess I'm the only one here who's bothered."
Valdis shot him a glare. "Could you try being serious, just once?"
Drakos raised both hands lazily. "Alright, alright. I'll behave."
The Saintess's faint smile didn't touch her voice. "Apologies again, Drakos, for the short notice."
He waved it off, uncaring. "It's fine, Saintess. Apparently, I'm expected to be serious this time."
But when the Saintess spoke next, her tone changed, grave, weighty.
"That's good to hear. Because the reason I've called this meeting is due to recent events tied to the Bloodbound Covenant… and the Reaper."
The room shifted. Even the air felt heavier.
Valdis leaned forward slightly. "If that's the case, Saintess… shouldn't only Mira and Kira be here?"
Kira's face twisted into a pout. "Hey, that's not fair."
Mira glanced sharply at Valdis, but it was Aria who added, her tone colder than before. "Yes, Saintess. It's rather obvious both of them have failed on a very simple task."
Mira scoffed, her voice rising just enough. "Simple task? If you could see half of what the Bloodbound Covenant has been doing, you'd eat those words."
Aria rolled her eyes. "Uhh… and what exactly are they doing?"
Mira opened her mouth, but Drakos cut in, his voice a low growl that left no room for games. "What else? Killing innocent children…Using women like toys. Enslaving men to break stone and spill blood. And capturing elves for whatever twisted thing they have planned."
The room went silent.
Mira's expression shifted, her voice hesitant. "How did you even…"
Drakos's voice came sharper now. "How do I know? Because I've been doing my own work. Private investigations. Watching. Listening. Saintess… may I speak freely?"
The Saintess nodded without hesitation. "Go on."
Drakos sat forward, his expression unreadable. "Thank you. Now listen… what the Covenant is doing isn't just random cruelty. This isn't like before. The world's changing. And they…" he pointed to the center of the table, his voice steady "…they're not just our concern. They're the only concern that matters right now."
Valdis narrowed his eyes. "You said they're not the only issue. What else is there?"
Kira leaned in, worry creeping into her voice. "Drakos… is something about to happen?"
He turned his head slowly to Kira, voice softened. "Not yet, pumpkin. But if you think they're only in Balmount, you're wrong."
Mira's brow furrowed. "That's not possible. Zephyr is in Balmount."
Drakos raised one brow, his tone dry. "Did I say anything about Zephyr?"
Mira hesitated, then looked down. "No, you didn't."
"Exactly." His voice sharpened again. "Now, before Mira cut in… the Bloodbound Covenant isn't just a cult anymore. They're functioning like a system. Organized. Strategic. Spread across kingdoms. And if you think they aren't here already…" He paused, scanning their faces. "Then you've all been sleeping."
Aria let out a sarcastic snort. "Ha. Here? And what source exactly gave you this…"
Drakos didn't let her finish. His voice dropped, deep and cold. "Hey, Aria…shut it."
The words hit like a slap. Aria stiffened. Her mouth snapped shut. Her face went pale.
Drakos tilted his head, his voice calm again. "Thank you. We're not here to question how I get my information. We're here to talk solutions."
Valdis folded his arms, eyes thoughtful. "I agree… but what use is this information if we don't even know what they want? Why form a cult at all?"
Drakos's voice dropped low, almost a mutter. "DoG htaeD liaH liaH."
Kira blinked. "What?"
She leaned forward slightly, puzzled, but the Saintess only gave a faint smile.
Mira turned her head toward the Saintess, whispering. "Is there something wrong?"
The Saintess's voice was soft. "No… I just remembered something."
Drakos finally answered, turning his eye on Kira. "It means… Hail Hail Death God. Flip the letters, you'll see it."
Kira's face fell blank, then she whispered it back to herself, trying to reverse it aloud.
Valdis looked unimpressed. "And so? If it does, what does that have to do with the Bloodbound Covenant?"
Drakos leaned forward, fingers laced together. "Unlike us… who follow the Goddess Lumina, they worship the Death God."
Mira's voice turned sharp. "Those sick people."
Drakos lifted his hand, as if to slow her down. "Hold on. Let's not rush to call them sick. They do worship a god… just not ours."
Mira's eyes narrowed. "You sound like you're defending them."
"I'm not." Drakos leaned back, tone calm, unfazed. "But maybe try looking at it from another view. Most of them…if not all…have been lied to by the ones leading them. Sold on a dream of what their god is supposed to give them."
Mira's voice shook slightly. "That's what you call being misled? Murdering people? Destroying entire villages? Is that what you think is forgivable?"
Drakos shrugged. "Call it what you want. Some people follow orders without question. Especially when it's wrapped up in faith. That's how power works… you just need the right kind of lie."
Silence stretched for a moment.
Kira's voice broke through gently. "Then… if we know what they are, and what they believe… what is it they want?"
Drakos looked at her, then looked away. "I don't know."
"You don't know?" Valdis's voice cut in, sharp.
Drakos's tone stayed flat. "It was already a pain getting what little I did. You think I'd go crawling further into that madness? I have my limits."
Valdis's voice grew harsher. "But people are dying. You should have gone further."
Drakos didn't flinch. "Sucks to them, then."
The word slapped across the table. Kira's face fell, Mira frowned deeply, and even Aria sat straighter.
The Saintess's voice came, quiet but firm. "Drakos."
He sighed, rubbing the side of his face. "Sorry. Slipped out."
"It shouldn't," the Saintess replied calmly. "Life is sacred."
Drakos nodded. "I know. My bad… everyone."
Kira's voice was soft. "You've been forgiven."
Mira sat forward now, her voice tight. "Then… what do we do?"
Valdis tapped his fingers on the table. "The world leaders… Maybe they need to be informed."
Drakos nodded slowly. "Sure… but what use would that really be? What matters right now is for Mira to find out what their goal is. That's where the answer lies."
Mira's eyes sharpened. "Then I'll need to move faster."
Drakos's expression changed, his voice now quieter, but carrying weight. "Mira… I know you'll do that. Especially with how things are already falling apart around you. But hear me… the Bloodbound Covenant isn't just dangerous. They're worse than that. And from what I've heard, Balmount holds a gate. A gate to their beginning."
Valdis's voice was tight. "What does that mean?"
Drakos shrugged. "How would I know? I said I heard it. Nothing more."
Valdis glared. "Then you shouldn't have said anything at all."
Drakos waved his hand, tired. "Sure. Whatever."
He looked back at Mira. "But I mean it, Mira. Whatever you do… you'll need to get your hands dirty. I don't care how far you have to go, but just don't end up dying over it."
Mira exhaled, steady. "I won't die."
Drakos gave a slight nod. "Hmm… okay."
The Saintess's voice remained calm. "Is that all you have to say?"
Drakos leaned back in his chair. "Yes, Saintess."
The Saintess's voice was steady, her tone deliberate. "Now… since we've spoken of the Covenant, I believe it's time to speak of another matter. The Dreadholm Dominion."
A subtle shift filled the room.
Her voice carried evenly. "Whatever they're planning… we won't intervene. Unless it crosses the line into harming the people. And that line…must be clear to all of you."
Kira looked up, her voice uncertain. "Saintess… is the Dreadholm planning something dangerous?"
The Saintess was quiet for a breath before answering. "That, I'll know when the leaders' summit begins. Until then, I won't speak on assumptions."
She turned her head slightly. "Valdis. Drakos. I'll need you both to escort me there. You'll serve as my eyes and guard."
Valdis gave a crisp nod. "Of course, Saintess."
Drakos groaned faintly under his breath. "Do I really have to?"
The Saintess didn't change tone. "Yes. That will be necessary. You know what tends to happen when Subaru is present."
Drakos gave a tired laugh, eyes half-lidded. "Subaru, right… that man can talk the bones out of a corpse."
He leaned back, smiling faintly. "Fine. I'll come. Might actually be fun to watch people bite each other with words."
The Saintess's lips curved slightly. "Thank you."
Then she turned toward Aria. "You've been quiet. What is it?"
Aria's voice came clipped. "Nothing, Saintess."
Drakos smirked. "Aw… come on, Aria. That little exchange earlier still biting at you?"
Aria shot him a cold look. "I said I'm not upset."
He raised his hands lazily. "Alright. If you say so."
The Saintess gave a slow nod. "Very well."
She turned toward Mira. "And, once again, Mira… I am sorry for the short notice."
Mira's voice was quiet. "You don't need to apologize."
The Saintess tilted her head slightly. "Then I thank you."
She let the silence settle before speaking again.
"This meeting is over. The next time we sit together will be after the kingdoms' leaders summit. Prepare yourselves… the days ahead may not be calm."