The central avenue of Ashenhold stretched wide before them, its stone-paved road lined with battered buildings that still bore the scars of past conflicts. The towering gates of the stronghold loomed ahead, framed by watchful guards standing in disciplined silence. Beyond those gates lay uncertainty—a path Cassius knew he had to take, whether he was ready or not.
He tightened his grip on the reins of his horse as he glanced at Elric and Varcen, both mounted and waiting. Varcen adjusted the bracers on his arms, his gaze drifting toward the city walls, while Elric sat in composed silence, the wind barely shifting his cloak.
A presence stirred behind him. Cassius turned to see his father, King Marko, approaching with deliberate steps, clad in his royal armor, though the weight of leadership seemed heavier on his shoulders than the steel he wore. Beside him, Aelina, his mother, stood with quiet strength, her eyes fixed on him as if memorizing his face before his departure.
Flanking them were members of the royal council—Verran, General Aldric, and Strategist Rhen. Their expressions were unreadable, yet their presence alone was enough to remind Cassius that his journey was no longer just his own.
Aelina took a step closer, her voice soft yet firm.
Aelina: "You don't have to do this alone, Cassius."
Cassius exhaled, his resolve steady.
Cassius: "I won't be alone. I have Elric. I have Varcen."
Marko crossed his arms, his piercing gaze locking onto Cassius.
Marko: "Even so, I'd prefer you take someone who knows you best."
Cassius frowned slightly. He already knew what was coming.
Marko: "Take Soren with you."
At the mention of his friend and personal guard, Cassius hesitated. He looked past the gathering toward the castle barracks, where he knew Soren was stationed.
Cassius: "Soren's father needs him more right now. That tavern incident…" He trailed off, shaking his head. "The city needs its guards here."
Verran let out a quiet chuckle, arms folded over his chest.
Verran: "Tavern brawls will happen with or without Soren, my prince."
Just then, a voice broke through the conversation.
Soren: "The King has already stationed extra guards there."
Cassius turned to see Soren approaching, his leather armor freshly strapped, his sword resting at his hip. He carried his usual mix of confidence and unwavering loyalty, though his expression held the weight of someone who had already made his decision.
Soren: "You know I won't let you leave without me."
Cassius sighed, shaking his head in reluctant acceptance.
Cassius: "…You never give up, do you?"
Soren smirked.
Marko gave an approving nod before resting a hand on Cassius's shoulder.
Marko: "Take care of yourself out there."
Aelina stepped forward, placing a gentle hand against Cassius's cheek, her touch lingering for a moment longer than usual.
Aelina: "Promise me you'll return safely."
Cassius held her gaze, the warmth in her eyes reminding him of childhood nights when she had soothed his fears. Now, he carried the weight of something far greater than fear—responsibility.
Cassius: "I will."
With that, he turned toward his horse, mounting it in one swift motion. Elric and Varcen followed suit, while Soren adjusted the straps of his saddle before taking his place alongside them.
As they began their slow ride toward Ashenhold's massive gates, the air felt heavier with every passing step.
Just before reaching the threshold, a lone figure stood waiting.
Cassius narrowed his eyes.
Korvek.
The old scavenger leaned casually against a stone pillar, his axe slung over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Korvek: "And here I thought you lot would leave without me."
Varcen raised a brow.
Varcen: "We weren't exactly expecting company."
Korvek chuckled, stepping forward.
Korvek: "Expectations are boring. Besides, something tells me you'll need my expertise before this is over."
Cassius exchanged glances with Elric, then with Varcen, before nodding once.
Cassius: "Then let's not waste any more time."
With that, they urged their horses forward, passing through Ashenhold's gates and into the unknown.
---
The path beyond Ashenhold's gates stretched far into the horizon, a winding trail of packed dirt flanked by patches of tall, wind-bent grass. The morning sun sat low in the sky, casting golden hues over the vast plains, where remnants of old battles lay scattered—half-buried swords, broken shields, and the skeletal remains of once-mighty war machines now rusting under the open sky.
A soft breeze carried the distant calls of birds, and for a time, the group rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The rhythmic clatter of hooves against the earth was the only sound accompanying them.
Breaking the quiet, Varcen spoke up, his deep voice cutting through the air.
Varcen: "So, where to first? Veiled Assembly? Or do we have other plans?"
Cassius shifted slightly in his saddle, glancing at Elric, who had remained silent for most of the ride. The swordsman rode with his usual poise, his cloak billowing faintly behind him. Without turning, Elric answered.
Elric: "We deliver the letter first. That was King Marko's request."
Cassius exhaled, gripping the reins tighter. He had barely spoken since their departure, but now, curiosity pushed its way forward.
Cassius: "The Veiled Assembly... What exactly are they?"
Elric finally turned his head slightly, regarding Cassius with a thoughtful look.
Elric: "A network of spies and informants. They once served your father, gathering intelligence from the shadows."
Cassius: "Then why did they leave?"
Elric fell silent for a moment, but before he could answer, Varcen scoffed, shaking his head.
Varcen: "Because they lost faith. After the war, they deemed Marko unfit to protect Ashenhold. So they vanished. No warning, no farewell—just gone."
Cassius absorbed the words, his gaze falling to the trail ahead. Another group that had abandoned his father after the war. Another loss Ashenhold had suffered in silence.
After a long pause, Cassius straightened in his saddle.
Cassius: "Before that, I need to visit Tiberius at your camp, Varcen."
At this, both Elric and Varcen turned their heads, exchanging a glance. There was something unspoken in their looks—something Cassius couldn't quite place.
It was Soren who broke the silence.
Soren: "Tiberius? Who's that?"
Varcen's expression softened slightly, though his voice remained steady.
Varcen: "My father."
The revelation carried a weight of its own. Soren blinked, processing the information, but said nothing more.
After a moment, Varcen nodded.
Varcen: "Fine. We'll go to the camp first."
Elric turned to Cassius, his sharp gaze narrowing.
Elric: "Why? Why do you want to see him?"
Cassius met his gaze, his voice firm.
Cassius: "When we stayed there, Tiberius mentioned something about the relic. I didn't think much of it at the time. But now… I need to know more."
Varcen considered this, then gave a short nod.
Varcen: "Alright. Then we head for the camp."
Without further discussion, they adjusted their course, veering slightly southward toward the mercenary stronghold.
---
The land beyond the main road was harsher, untamed by trade routes or civilization. The plains stretched endlessly, interrupted by scattered ruins—crumbling walls and broken towers that stood like the ribs of a fallen beast. The land here bore the scars of the war, its soil cracked and dry in some places, overgrown and reclaimed by nature in others.
A ruined watchtower jutted out from a distant hill, its once-proud stone structure now barely standing. Crows perched upon its jagged edges, watching the travelers pass below with silent judgment.
The sun had climbed higher, casting long shadows that stretched across the uneven ground. A gust of wind kicked up dust and stray leaves, causing Soren to pull up the hood of his cloak.
Soren: "Feels like we're riding through the ghosts of old battles."
Cassius remained quiet, his mind already focused on the questions he would ask Tiberius.
Varcen, however, glanced back at the ruins, his expression unreadable.
Varcen: "That's because we are. Too many battles, too much deaths."
Cassius, lost in thought, barely registered the conversation.
Varcen, riding beside him, finally spoke.
Varcen: "You're quiet, Cassius."
Cassius looked up. The mercenary's tone was calm, but knowing.
Cassius: "Just thinking."
The group rode onward, toward the place where answers waited.
As they crested a small ridge, the sight of the mercenary camp came into view.
The mercenary camp loomed ahead- a hidden stronghold nestled on the edge of the barren plains. Its canvas tents fluttered in the harsh wind, and the distant clang of metal hinted at the camp's constant activity. A worn flag fluttered in the wind, bearing the sigil of the mercenary band: a phoenix wrapped in chains, wings outstretched yet bound—symbolizing resilience even in captivity.
Soren's eyes widened as he took in the sight before him—rough-hewn buildings and makeshift fortifications, surrounded by armed men and women who looked hardened by battle.
Soren (looking around, eyes wide): "I didn't think a place like this could exist out here, in the middle of nowhere."
Varcen (chuckling): "It's a place that thrives on the chaos of war, Soren. The people here are survivors, and this place keeps them alive."
The group rode onward, their horses kicking up dust as they entered the heart of the camp. Two guards stationed at the entrance immediately straightened when they saw Varcen approaching. They exchanged a look before one stepped forward with a gruff salute.
Guard 1: "Commander Varcen, you've returned!"
Guard 2 (nodding with respect): "We've kept the camp secure while you were gone. Everything's in order."
As Varcen exchanged a few words with the guards, a buzz of activity spread through the camp. Residents and mercenaries alike turned their heads, curiosity piqued. Whispers grew louder, and soon, a group of men, women, and children were hurrying toward them, eager to welcome their leader home.
Cassius's eyes scanned the crowd, looking for a familiar face. Among the bustling people, he spotted a man standing just outside the crowd, a weathered face with a salt-and-pepper beard. Tiberius, Varcen's father, was waiting, his arms crossed in front of him. His eyes locked with Cassius's, and a slow smile crept across his face as though he had been expecting this moment.
Without a word, Cassius dismounted, his boots hitting the dirt with a soft thud. He followed Tiberius through the camp, the murmurs of the residents fading into the background. Tiberius led him to a small hut, tucked away from the busy center of the camp. Its weather-beaten walls were lined with shelves, and inside, the scent of herbs and leather filled the air. Tiberius gestured for Cassius to sit.
Tiberius (with a knowing smile): "So, you've come to find answers, then?"
Cassius didn't immediately sit. He stood for a moment, his gaze fixed on Tiberius. The questions that had been weighing on him for so long seemed too numerous to voice at once, but there was one thing he needed to know more than anything else.
Cassius (firmly): "No. Not yet. But you know something, don't you? You've seen it, the same relic I've been carrying."
Tiberius's expression shifted slightly, becoming more guarded. He didn't immediately respond, his eyes flickering to the door for a brief moment, almost as if considering whether to speak further.
Tiberius (slowly): "I've seen something like it. A long time ago. A relic that once belonged to someone… powerful."
The room seemed to hold its breath. Cassius clenched his fists, trying to control the swirling emotions inside him.
Cassius (leaning forward): "I keep seeing them. The visions. What are they? Foresight? Or something from Genesis's past?"
Tiberius's eyes softened with a touch of sympathy, but his response remained as cryptic as ever.
Tiberius: "It's hard to say. Visions can be strange things—foretellings, memories, or even echoes of the past. I'm not sure what you're seeing, but I do know this: the relic you carry isn't just a relic. It's part of something much larger."
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
"The relic I saw—years ago—wasn't just a tool. It was a key, and I believe it's still out there. Still hidden."
Cassius's mind raced. He needed to know more. He needed answers.
Cassius: "A key? To what? And why do I keep seeing these visions? Why me?"
Tiberius hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded toward the small window of the hut.
Tiberius: "I can't say for certain. But what I do know is that the place you need to go… the cave where the First Engine rests… that's where the answers lie."
Cassius's breath caught in his chest. His heart raced, and his hands tightened on the edge of the table. The words struck him like a blow. The First Engine—the machine he had barely escaped from, the same one that nearly killed them all. His mind flashed back to that moment, to the overwhelming power and mechanical might of the First Engine.
Cassius(his voice shaking slightly): "The First Engine?"
He closed his eyes briefly, trying to steady himself.
"Are you sure? It was there… it's still there?"
Tiberius's eyes were steady, filled with an almost unsettling calm.
Tiberius: "It's the only place where the answers you seek may lie. But it's not without danger. The relic, the vision—it's all connected to that place."
Cassius could feel the weight of the words settling over him. Fear clutched at his chest, but beneath it, something else stirred—something like resolve, a sense that he couldn't turn away from this. The path ahead was unclear, but it was the only path that mattered now.
As he stepped out of the hut, the air felt thicker, heavier. The camp, which had once seemed so bustling, now felt distant, like the world outside was closing in on him. Varcen and Elric were waiting by the entrance, their faces filled with concern as they saw Cassius's troubled expression.
Varcen (quietly): "Cassius, what did he say?"
Elric (narrowing his eyes): "You look… different. What did he tell you?"
Cassius(after a long pause, voice tight): "I need to confront the First Engine again."
The words hung in the air like a heavy fog. Varcen and Elric exchanged stunned looks, their expressions reflecting a mix of disbelief and concern.
Elric (sharply): "Are you mad? We barely survived that last encounter!"
Korvek (stepping forward, tone serious): "It's too dangerous. Whatever answers you seek, Cassius, I don't think they're worth risking your life again."
Cassius turned to face them all, his resolve solidifying.
Cassius (steadily): "Tiberius said that one of the relics is in First Engine's possession. If I don't go, I'll never know the truth."
A long silence followed. The wind howled through the camp, carrying with it the distant echoes of the past. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Varcen spoke.
Varcen (nodding slowly): "We'll go. But this time, we have to be more careful. We can't afford another close call."
Cassius nodded, his heart heavy, but his mind clearer than ever. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but it was the only path to understanding what lay hidden in the shadows.
---
The wasteland stretched before them, a barren expanse of cracked earth and jagged rock. The wind howled through the desolate land, carrying with it the scent of dust and old metal. The sky was a dull, endless gray, as if the land itself had long forgotten the warmth of the sun.
Cassius rode in silence, his thoughts a tangled storm. His mind kept circling back to Tiberius's words. A relic… in the First Engine's possession. The idea alone sent a chill through him. They had barely survived their last encounter with the machine, and now they were returning to face it again.
Elric, riding beside him, exhaled sharply and turned to him.
Elric: "Are you absolutely sure about this?"
Cassius kept his gaze on the horizon.
Cassius: "I have to be."
Elric shook his head, muttering something under his breath. Meanwhile, Varcen rode ahead, unfazed by the tension.
Soren, riding just behind, tilted his head curiously.
Soren: "So, where exactly are we heading?"
Korvek, gripping the reins of his horse, gave a short nod toward the distance.
Korvek: "To a cave."
Soren's eyes brightened slightly.
Soren: "More adventure, huh?"
Varcen let out a loud laugh, breaking the tension for a moment.
Varcen: "That's the spirit!"
Elric turned to glare at him.
Elric: "This isn't funny. We barely escaped that thing last time."
Varcen smirked.
Varcen: "And yet, here we are again."
He leaned forward slightly in his saddle.
Varcen: "If my father is right, then there's a clue waiting for us inside that cave. We'd be fools to ignore it."
Silence settled over them. They rode on, passing through the wasteland's ruins—crumbled towers of forgotten civilizations, rusted remains of machines long since dead. The air felt heavier as they neared their destination.
Finally, they arrived.
Cassius slowed his horse as the mouth of the cave came into view. It was just as he remembered—an imposing, gaping maw carved into the side of a dead mountain, the stone darkened with age. He felt something stir inside him, a cold coil of dread wrapping around his chest.
He dismounted slowly, staring into the darkness.
The others followed suit, gathering near the entrance.
Elric studied Cassius's face.
Elric: "You don't have to do this."
Cassius exhaled.
Cassius: "Yes, I do."
Stepping forward, he reached into his cloak and retrieved the relic. The ancient artifact pulsed faintly, a dim glow flickering along its surface. His eyes locked onto a stone formation near the entrance—one that stood taller than the rest, its surface smooth and deliberate.
He placed the relic onto the stone.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then—
A deep, grinding sound rumbled through the air. The stone beneath the relic shifted, mechanisms long dormant creaking to life. Symbols illuminated across the rock in a slow cascade, forming patterns that glowed like molten veins. Then, with a final clang, the massive stone door groaned open, revealing the abyss within.
Then came the voice.
A cold, mechanical rasp that sent a shiver through Cassius's bones.
First Engine: "Protocol 1: Retrieve Catalyst."
A blinding red light ignited within the cave, and the First Engine awoke.
Metal shrieked as the monstrous machine unfurled itself, its massive frame shaking off dust and stone. Its mechanical limbs hissed as it activated, towering over them like an iron colossus. Drones hovered from its back, their red eyes scanning for targets.
Cassius's breath hitched. The last time he stood before this thing, he had barely made it out alive.
Elric drew his swords in a swift motion.
Elric: "Ready yourselves!"
Varcen pulled his blade free, his eyes narrowing.
Varcen: "We don't run this time."
The first drone struck. It zipped through the air, aiming for Cassius. He barely dodged as Elric intercepted, his blade slicing through the machine in a single fluid motion.
Korvek roared as he swung his axe, cleaving through another drone.
Soren moved with quick precision, cutting down a drone as it swooped toward him.
Varcen dashed forward, his sword flashing in wide, powerful arcs. Sparks flew as he severed metal limbs and tore through enemy ranks.
Cassius found himself face-to-face with a drone. He raised his sword, barely parrying its attack before slashing through its core. But before he could catch his breath, the First Engine moved.
The machine lunged, its arm swinging like a battering ram. Cassius barely threw himself aside in time.
His pulse pounded in his ears.
Cassius (thoughts): We can't win this.
The First Engine's core glowed brighter. It was preparing something.
Elric turned sharply, his voice urgent.
Elric: "Cassius! Focus!"
He clenched his jaw, for