LYRIAN
The infirmary was quiet in a way that felt intentional, as though the room itself understood the need for rest.
Soft, ambient light shone from crystalline panels embedded in the curved walls, casting a glow over rows of neatly arranged beds. Pale fabrics draped each one, light as mist, while faint threads of resonance hummed in the air—subtle, soothing, alive. The scent of clean minerals and cooling herbs replaced the sharpness of battle.
Aside from Mia, Diamond, and Nova, everyone lay on a bed.
The Diviners rested as healers moved among them, hands glowing faintly as they tended to bruises, burns, and minor fractures left behind by the fight. Even the Sylphs and Legion warriors were cared of.
Reone sat upright on the bed beside Lyrian, a healer kneeling near him, sealing the last remnants of strain in his flow.
A woman in pale robes approached. It was Makhini, the head physician—and the woman who had raised Primi after his parents died, as he told them with affection.
"A messenger has just arrived from King's Hollow," she said calmly. "The Royals—King Arnab and Princess Anika—will be here shortly."
Captain Primi inclined his head respectfully. "Thank you for informing us, Makhini."
"Of course, sweetheart," Makhini replied, kissing his forehead. "Until then, you and your friends can rest here."
"Nowhere else we'd rather be," Romi said, freshly healed, flashing a grin at a nearby nurse.
Feya narrowed her eyes. "Girls really are your weakness. Noted," she muttered.
Mickey stretched slightly, wincing as a Diviner finished healing a bruise on his face. "Looks like we won't be needing the recovery module this time."
"No… we won't," Sire agreed, looking at his freshly healed body.
Nova sat beside Mickey on the edge of his bed, eyes wide as she took in the sight of the Diviners at work. "I can't believe this," she murmured. "We're actually in the Diviners' Nest. And Diviners are healing people. This is awesome."
"Yeah? Even though it's got no network, Wi-Fi, or electricity?" Lyrian said softly.
"Still worth it," Nova announced.
"Of course it is," Primi said with a touch of pride. "Our Nest may not have those… things, but it's still a great place."
Mia's gaze drifted, unbidden, to the far wall. "I agree. My husband Rhys would have loved this place," she said sadly.
The mood dipped, and everyone looked at her with sympathy. Mia quickly cleared her throat.
"Anyway, Makhini, I saw a beautiful painting on the wall outside. I was wondering about it," she said.
"Good eye. Primi here made it when he was just a kid," the head physician said proudly.
Everyone looked at Primi.
He sighed.
"Thanks a lot, Makhini," he said.
The old woman just smiled and left the room.
Lhanak grinned wolfishly.
"Aww, he's shy."
"What was that, Lhanak?"
"Oh, nothing, Captain. I'm just talking to myself," Lhanak said.
"I thought so," Primi replied.
"Primi, I just wanna say how surprised I am," Reone said boldly. "It's just that, well… you don't really seem like the artistic type."
"Huge understatement,"Lhanak murmured,snorting.
Primi glared at all of them.
"Well, I am. Now everyone shut up about it," he told them gruffly.
Reone raised his hands in surrender.
"Okay—but after I tell Anika," Feya said, smirking.
Primi groaned. "Please don't."
"I won't. For a price," Feya said.
Primi sighed.
"This is Makhini's fault," he muttered.
Mia, watching him, giggled.
"You should be proud of your painting, Primi. You're very talented," she said.
"And she should know," Seren added. "Mia is an artist too—a painter. And an excellent one at that."
"Well, since you saved our home, you can have the painting," Romi said cheerfully, turning his flirtatious attention to Mia.
Primi frowned at him.
"I see you're feeling better, Romi," he said dryly.
"Way better," Romi replied, grinning.
Ignoring the banter, Lyrian glanced sideways at Reone.
He was staring at nothing, shoulders tense, expression distant.
"Hey," she said quietly. "You okay?"
"Yeah, for the dozenth time, Lyrian," he lied, not unkindly. "You don't need to worry."
She folded her arms. "Don't pretend you don't like it."
That earned a small smile. "…Alright. You got me."
Mia cleared her throat. "Sorry to interrupt, you two, but I think it's finally time to explain this thing about Damon and the Sisterhood?"
The room stilled.
Nova leaned forward. "Yeah. I'm especially curious why he brought the Sisterhood back—and why they're heading to Volaria."
Diamond coughed awkwardly.
"Question. Should we be discussing this in front of… them?" she asked, gesturing to the Diviners.
The Diviners frowned.
"Oh, don't mind us. Just pretend we're not here," Feya said. She very much wanted to hear everything. The outsiders were saying new and interesting things.
Primi and everyone else would never admit it, but they were interested too. So it was a relief to them all when Reone said, "The Diviners are trustworthy. We can speak freely in front of them."
"Thank you, Reone," Romi said, starting to sit up.
"Reone, if you trust them, we trust them. Right, guys?" Seren said.
A chorus of agreement followed.
"I'll take your word for it too, Reone," Diamond said. "Even though that one is looking at me funny." She pointed at Romi.
The guy smiled unapologetically.
Reone nodded, smiling at Sire's frown.
"Anyway, like I was saying—we don't know much. But my guess is Damon resurrected them to gain allies to help him take over Echian. I mean, going about it alone is crazy."
"Yet he tried," Diamond said doubtfully.
"Maybe the Sisterhood didn't agree with his plan, which seemed rushed and not fully thought out," Seren said. "Caelynn is particularly strategic. I know she would've wanted to be more prepared than that."
That gave everyone pause.
"And Volaria?" Mickey asked. "Why are they headed there?"
"They mentioned a plan," Lyrian said. "Something about taking control of the entire magical dimension."
Diamond scoffed. "I see that they're still an ambitious bunch."
"Where exactly in Volaria are they headed?" Mickey asked.
"A place called the Temple of Echoes," Lyrian answered.
"You say it's in Volaria? Why have I never heard of it?" Seren asked.
"Good question," Mia said.
Nova's brow furrowed. "Wait… I've heard of that place."
"You too?" Lyrian asked.
Nova nodded, thoughtful. A dark expression then crossed her face.
"There's something dark about it, right?" Lyrian asked.
Nova nodded grimly.
"Worse than dark. That place is cursed."
Everyone stilled—even the Diviners.
"I know it's none of my business, but cursed how?" Lhanak asked.
"I read about it at Arcannum," Nova said. "Most don't even know it exists, which explains why you guys are hearing of it for the first time. It's purposely hidden from civilization due to the danger it brings."
She then looked at them with a frightened expression. "Anyone who goes in… doesn't come out. Ever."
"Death?"Seren asks.
She nods.
"And the echoes of their souls are said to remain there for all eternity which is why it's called the Temple of Echoes."
"Oooh, spooky," Lhanak muttered, earning a sharp look from Primi.
"Lhanak, let the outsiders discuss amongst themselves," Feya said.
Lhanak raised his hands in surrender. "Sorry."
"Nova, you're serious?" Reone asked, ignoring him.
"I'm just telling you what the records say," Nova replied. "There was even a warning: Cursed place. Do not approach under any circumstances."
"This place sounds like a nightmare," Mickey said nervously.
"What are we gonna do?" Seren asked.
"We're obviously gonna go, Seren. It's what we always do," Diamond said, not sounding happy about it.
"Yes, we are," Mia said firmly. "Because those four need to be stopped, and we're going to do whatever it takes to do it."
"Or," Sire offered lightly, "we let the cursed temple handle it for us."
"Oooh, now that sounds like a plan," Diamond said.
Lyrian shook her head. "That leaves too much to chance. And from what i understood from their discussion, it seems that the Sisterhood thinks Damon can find a way around whatever kills people there. To stop them, we have to go over there and do it ourselves."
Sire rested a hand on Diamond's shoulder. "Sorry, babe. Looks like it's back to Plan A."
Diamond just responded with a sigh.
"But how do we know they haven't already reached the temple?" Seren asked.
"They couldn't have," Reone said. "Damon was badly injured at the palace. He'd need time to recover. Two days, I think Nivara said."
"It buys us time," Lyrian said, then hesitated. "Or it did… the time we spent here set us back."
Mickey did the calculations in his head.
"Him getting hurt two days ago means he should be fine by tomorrow."
Reone nodded.
"Tomorrow is likely to be when it's going down."
"What are we going to do?" Lyrian said, perplexed.
It was a long way to Volaria."How are we going to get there in time?"
"You guys are forgetting that we have the jet,Lyrian. With it, we can get to Volaria by tomorrow, but we need to move quickly," Mia said urgently.
"Of course—the jet. How did I not think of this?" Lyrian said.
"What's a jet?"Anika asked curiously.
"Think super fast giant flying machine,"Reone told her simply.Ye then turned to Lyrian,smiling. "You're right. With the jet, we'll be able to—"
Reone was cut off as the door opened abruptly. Footsteps echoed outside the infirmary as Makhini approached them, followed closely by King Arnab and his daughter.
"Here we are, Your Majesties," Makhini told them.
The Diviners rose instinctively from their beds, bowing. The Sylphs and Legion warriors followed suit after them.
"Greetings, Your Majesty," they all said together.
"Please, remain seated," King Arnab said gently. "I hear some of you were injured."
"They're fully healed now, my King," Makhini said. "You need not worry."
"Oh, that's a relief," Princess Anika said warmly.
"Thank you for taking care of them, Makhini," the King added.
"Just doing my job, Your Majesty," she said, bowing before leaving.
Anika blinked. "Is it just me, or are there more of you now?"
"It's not you," Reone said. "These are our friends."
He gestured. "Mia, Seren, Diamond, Nova, Mickey, and Sire." He hesitated. "I hope it's not a problem that they're here."
"Of course not," Anika said quickly. "It's lovely to meet you all. I'm Princess Anika, and this is my father, King Arnab."
"An honor to meet you, Your Majesties," the group replied.
"Likewise," the King said. "Now, Captain Primi, Reone, I'd like to hear how the mission went."
"I am happy to report that the Extractors are no longer a threat," Primi said.
A satisfied look flashed across the King's face.
"So the Legion's plan succeeded?" the King asked.
"Not exactly, Your Majesty. You see—" Reone began.
"His friends showed up unexpectedly," Lhanak cut in, "but it helped."
Reone frowned,confused then nodded gratefully at him. The guy replied with a wink.
"Well," the King said, "well done, everyone. Especially you, Reone."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. But it was a team effort."
"Then you all have my gratitude."
"We should celebrate!" Anika said with a clap. "I suggest a feast!"
"A wonderful idea, sweetheart," the King agreed.
"I'm afraid we must decline," Reone said, wincing. "We have a mission we urgently need to return to."
"A mission?"
"We're pursuing four dangerous individuals. We're trying to stop them before they can cause a lot of suffering—well, more than they've already done," Lyrian explained, looking at Mia and Reone.
The King nodded gravely. "Well, your heroic deeds will be remembered here for generations to come. And you will always be welcome here."
"You honor us, King Arnab."
"I guess this is goodbye," Anika said to Lyrian.
"Guess so," Lyrian replied sadly.
Though the two girls hadn't spent a lot of time together, they had formed a bond and were disappointed that they wouldn't have a chance to get to know each other.
The next moment, the two were hugging.
"So where are you headed?" Anika asked when they pulled away.
"The Temple of Echoes. You've probably never heard of it."
"Nope," Anika said—then froze as she saw her father.
"The… Temple of Echoes?" he repeated.
"Yes," Lyrian said.
His expression hardened.
"Know it, Dad?" Anika asked.
Silence.
"Dad?"
"I know nothing," the King said abruptly. "Now, Im sorry but I have urgent matters that I have to get back to."
Anika was confused by the sudden change in his demeanor.
"What matters?" she asked suspiciously.
"Anika, I don't have to explain myself to you. I am your father and the King," he snapped, then turned away from his stunned daughter to the outsiders.
"It is unfortunate to me that you can't be with me and my people a bit longer. But I won't keep you anymore than I suspect I already have. So I will bid you all farewell."
No one responded. They were all too shocked by the bizarre change that had come over him.
Determined, it seemed, to escape, the man didnt wait for their responses.
"If you will excuse me," he said before exiting the room.
"Uh… what just happened?" Reone asked, looking at Primi who was next to Anika.
"I'm just as lost," Primi told him with a shrug.
"Anika?"
The girl was unusually silent and serious for a moment. Then she said quietly,
"I think my father knows something about your Temple of Echoes. And I think he's trying to hide it."