The Burning Flowers

Chapter VIII

When the following morning arrived, Abigail Reiner met up with Faye, Jessi, Hiro, and Rennigan at the gates of Saientia before the five of them began making their way towards the nearest gondola. As expected, she hadn’t gotten even a wink of sleep the previous night, having been kept up by all of her common anxieties as well as by the stress of using her sense again on Omorossa. She hadn’t opened herself up to it since the attack in Noctalus, and even with Faye’s encouragement, she couldn’t help but agonize over it for the remainder of the night. Luckily, it didn’t seem like she was the only one who had issues getting rest because Rennigan’s eyes were so droopy and glazed over that she could have been convinced he hadn’t slept in weeks. She mildly wondered what his problem had been, but since the two of them rarely ever talked, she decided it wasn’t her place to press the subject. The other three must have been of a similar mindset at first, but when they got on the gondola and Rennigan nearly passed out seconds after sitting down, Faye began to grill him for answers.

“Rennigan, wake up!” she snapped, snapping her fingers in front of his face impatiently. “Are you okay? How much sleep did you get last night?”

The water mage scowled, rubbing the weariness from his eyes as he glared at Faye. “I got plenty of sleep, thank you very much. It’s just that we have to march our asses down to that clown so early in the morning! I think it’s more strange that the rest of you are so alert!”

“Bullshit,” Hiro cut in instantly. “Stop lying, Glaus, I know you slipped out last night and you can’t convince me otherwise! I was not dreaming!”

Faye raised her eyebrows with interest before once again addressing Rennigan. “You snuck out? Where?”

“No, I didn’t sneak out anywhere!” he swiftly defended. “Pafran is just being a goddamn fool! I was in bed all night, so if you saw my bed empty then you must have been so delirious that you’re remembering things wrong!”

Hirokol leaned forward challengingly, his mouth twisting in a snarky grin as he growled, “Oh, as if! Stop trying to trick me!” The wind mage then turned back to Faye and Jessi. “I got up to use the bathroom not long after midnight and there wasn’t a sign of him! He wasn’t in our room, he wasn’t in the main quarters, and he wasn’t in the bathroom, so unless you secretly crawled into bed with Caeli and Noctis, you were not there!”

“I would never go anywhere near their beds!” Rennigan retorted.

“Then where the hell were you?!”

As the bickering grew worse, Abi couldn’t help trying to lean as far back into her seat as possible, her face turning red as the other occupants of the gondola glanced over at them to see what all the commotion was about. Jessi was doing the same, and it was clear based on Faye’s expression that she was debating a similar dilemma. Naturally, Abi couldn’t deny a certain curiosity given that it was very unlike Rennigan to slip away in the middle of the night, and especially if it was something he didn’t want the others knowing about.

I believe Hiro. That’s a weirdly specific thing to dream up, and given how passionately Glaus is defending himself, I’m almost certain he was up to something. Luckily, it's not my business, so I’m just gonna look over here and pretend not to know them!

“Alright, I’m not going to waste my time with the nonsensical accusations of a sleepwalker!” Rennigan huffed. “Instead, why don’t we turn to matters more important. Why have we dragged Abigail here with us? I’m pretty sure four people is plenty for a mere conversation!”

“Abi’s here because she needed some fresh air!” Jessi declared, hopping right to her defense without even a second of hesitation. “Are you saying you don’t want her here? That’s rude, Glaus, and if you insult Abi again, I’ll smack you!”

Rennigan rolled his eyes. “I’m not insulting her, I’m just wondering! There’s not a lot of fresh air in that stuffy ass tent, now is there? Whose the one with faulty logic now? Give me a break!”

“I’ll break your damn legs if that’s what you mean!”

“Why would that be what I mean, Yuahl?”

Putting her face in her hands, Abi let out an impatient sigh before glancing up at Faye and asking, “Is this what all your missions are like?”

“Yup, every single one,” she confirmed with the tone of an exhausted mother. “Every. Single. One.”

Poor Faye…

Thankfully, they were only traveling to the Fourth Ring, so the ride was soon over and the five of them were on their way in the direction of Omorossa’s tent. Abigail had never been to an entertainment district anywhere, so she wasn’t really sure what to expect from it, but since Faye had warned against talking to anybody who approached her, she had a feeling she was not going to like it. That feeling was swiftly proven true as they passed under the red archway and entered a very bustling, busy, and overwhelming street full of people calling out to the passerby and attempting to attract patrons for whatever establishment they worked for. Rennigan even got hounded by a trio of young, scantily-clad women half-a-second after they arrived, and based on Faye’s annoyed “Ah, not again,” she concluded this must have happened already.

I guess Glaus does kinda have the face of somebody who could be easily lured away in a place like this, she internally commented, smiling to herself as Faye shooed away the girls and dragged a bright red Rennigan back over to them.

Dodging and weaving past all of the advertisers, they eventually made it to Omorossa’s tent, the line already quite long despite the fact that the show didn’t open for another hour. Given that they had an appointment with the ringleader, they were able to bypass that line and approach one of the bouncers directly, who upon hearing their names immediately stuck his head inside and called over a young woman who was ordered to escort them to Omorossa’s office. Rather than be taken through the main entrance, the woman led them around the side of the tent and through a flap on the opposite end from where they arrived. Just within was a rickety metal staircase they used to reach the second floor, and when they arrived, Abi was surprised to find corridors and connected rooms that looked more like they belonged in a building as opposed to a portable tent.

Though, I guess they can probably take this all down with magic somehow… Interesting…

Omorossa’s personal office was just around the corner, so within a mere minute, the young woman had poked her head inside, checked in with the ringleader, and permitted them access. Faye entered first with the other three just behind her, but Abigail couldn’t help but hesitate as the knot in her stomach worsened. Once she caught sight of Omorossa, there would be no reason to refrain from opening her sense. She could do it in the next few seconds, and since she had promised Faye she would do so, there was no avoiding it lest she make a liar of herself more than she already had. Swallowing her anxiety, Abi stepped through the doorway and got her first look at Hakelades Omorossa, who was even more eccentric and obnoxious-looking than Faye had described, though as she took in his colorful attire and large top hat, she found herself realizing that words alone could not properly convey the presence this man had.

“Oh, it seems we have a new guest today,” Omorossa noted, his dark eyes shifting to Abigail as a broad smile spread across his lips. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss. I am Hakelades Omorossa.” Having been sitting at a small desk in the back of the room, Omorossa retrieved his cane, got to his feet, and bowed a greeting to Abigail. “I welcome you, as well, to my humble establishment!”

“Er, yeah, thanks,” she muttered awkwardly, internally wondering whether she should use an alias or be completely honest about who she was.

However, at breakfast that morning, Faye had concocted a plan to communicate the results of her sense without Omorossa being any the wiser. If she registered him as pure, she would give her full name, if he was neutral then she would only use Abigail, and if he was impure then she would give him a fake name. That meant it was time, so steeling herself, Abi opened her sense and allowed it to fully read the man.

“Y-yes, it’s nice to meet you, too,” Abi continued, doing her best not to allow the results of her sense show on her features or in her voice. “My name is Laura, and Master Acostav decided to have me come with them today as a representative of Lord Cartigan.”

He’s terrible, Abi thought with a chill, making sure to spare a quick and subtle glance at Faye. This man is a threat so we need to be very careful right now. If he does anything even remotely suspicious, we have to be ready to subdue him. Granted, this doesn’t mean he’s aligned with the Kosah-Rei since he might just be a run-of-the-mill conman, but he is certainly not an ally of ours. Tread wearily…

Faye was as collected as ever, her own pleasant grin not wavering, but since Abi knew to look for the signal, she took quick note of the rock mage’s gentle brushing of her hand against Jessi’s, who then did the same to Hirokol on her other side. The issue was Rennigan, who still had never been trusted with the knowledge of Abi’s sense, so at the moment, there was no way to communicate to him that they had to be on their guard. If things went poorly, they would simply have to hope Rennigan would react fast enough.

Though at the very least, he hasn’t reacted to me using a fake name… That means he’s aware I’ve done it for an important reason…

“Charmed,” Omorossa said in response to Abi’s introduction before hopping up and taking a seat on the surface of his desk. “Well, I must get right to the point as my first performance of the day begins in an hour, but I will say that I have read Master Acostav’s letter and found that it didn’t really tell me anything. It merely said you four have authority to question me, so question me you may! What can a showman like me do for you?”

Despite Rennigan having been appointed the unofficial leader of the team years ago, it was Faye who stepped forward to take charge of the conversation. “Well, Sir, I suppose I must be quite blunt. The reason the Master of Light is here in Stellareid is because there have been multiple sightings of Rotana Vesh, the leader of the treacherous Kosah-Rei cult. I understand you’re from the south, so are you familiar with them?”

Now knowing this man wasn’t to be trusted, Abi watched his reactions very closely, but if his surprised and slightly concerned reaction wasn’t genuine, then he was a very talented actor—a possibility that was quite high given his occupation as a ringmaster.

“Of course I know of them,” he confirmed. “There is not a soul in Ijiria that has not heard about the tragic events of Hiriech years back, or of that self-declared saint, Rotana Vesh. Yes, even those of us in the south where their presence is less established know who they are. I must admit, though, I am a tad confused why you think I would have information on a man as elusive as him?”

Faye quickly shook her head reassuringly. “Oh, please don’t misunderstand, it’s not that we think you have contact with them, rather the popularity of your show and the effort you put into personally speaking to your audience has you in a very convenient position to hear rumors and whispers that we in Castle Saientia may not. We want to know if you have heard of Kosah-Rei members attending your show, or if information has reached you that might be beneficial to our hunt.”

Omorossa twisted his lips as he very obviously looked around the room, as if wanting them to know he was considering it. After an annoyingly long moment of silence, the ringmaster clicked his tongue and sighed. “Unfortunately, I can’t say I recall anything like that. Yes, our popularity means we have attracted people from every Ring higher than the First, so if the Kosah-Rei is in Stellareid then I’m positive there have been plenty of cultists within my stands, but none that came out and admitted as much to me. However, if Rotana Vesh himself had been here, I would know, so I can assure you that man has not tainted this tent with his presence.” His charming, toothy grin then returned to his pale face as he leaned his chin on his hand and went on. “But, I can still look at the registry, if you would like. We keep a careful and meticulous record of who attends our shows, primarily to track people down if they use counterfeit coin or cause trouble in the audience. We won’t have anybody marked as Kosah-Rei, but it couldn’t hurt to look.”

Faye nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, that would be wonderful. Please, do so.”

“Very well!” Hopping back to the ground, Omorossa straightened up and chuckled. “Lucky for you, we’re closing early tonight, with our last performance ending just before six. With showings every day for the last few days, I do my best to give breaks where I can, so tell you what? Return to my office tonight at, hmmm…seven o’clock? That should give me time to retrieve the records for you. Can you do that?”

“Seven o’clock is perfect. I’ll let Master Acostav know,” Faye confirmed.

“Splendid!” Clapping his hands together, Omorossa grinned. “It’s a date! Now, I hate to rush you all out so quickly, but I have a lot on my plate, so unless you have something else to inquire of me?”

“I do, actually.” Finally cutting into the conversation, Rennigan took a step forward and addressed Omorossa in a soft tone that was neither accusatory nor pleasant, rather it was somewhere between. “Has Rickori Keskivaara ever attended? And if so, with how many people?”

Omorossa furrowed his brow. “Keskivaara? Oh, the People’s Mind? Yes, he was here just the other day, in fact, and with a quite sizable group. Why?”

“I want to know who was with him,” Rennigan stated. “So if you focus your search around any particular time, I want it to be when Keskivaara was here. Can you do that?”

“Yes, I could, though that is a curious line of thought based on Miss Rio’s previous questioning.” The ringmaster then raised an intrigued eyebrow. “Is Mr. Keskivaara suspected of working with the cult?”

Rennigan shrugged. “Not your business. Draw your conclusions however you like, just get us our information.”

Abi couldn’t help worrying about providing Omorossa any information about their theorized alliance between Keskivaara and the Kosah-Rei, but since Rennigan didn’t know the ringmaster was dangerous, she couldn’t really blame him for saying what he did. Abigail then glanced once more at Omorossa, opening her sense a second time only to feel the same revolting sensation that was reserved only for the highest of scum—a feeling not much different from what Vesh and Mallicent gave her all that time ago. Her reading hadn’t changed, and as Faye had said the previous night, she had yet to falsely read anybody as dangerous, so for all intents and purposes, there was no reason to doubt the darkness within Hakelades Omorossa.

Caution was a necessity.

Yet even so…

***

Sitting quietly in the quarters she shared with the other women on that mission with her, Album Luz absently fidgeted with a strand of her hair, feeling completely and utterly useless. She was in Stellareid to erase Uma Miyon if things went wrong, but with the plan now altered for them to remain in the City of Starlight until Neah was found, her purpose was yet to be called upon. In addition, since the search for Nigreos’s sister was left in the hands of Lord Cartigan’s soldiers, there was little she could do to aid in that task. By the orders of her father, she was to remain patiently in Castle Saientia until the transportation of Uma Miyon began, and while she was perfectly willing to play her part, she couldn’t deny she had grown rather lonely these past few days. Abigail was strangely withdrawn while Faye and her team were obeying Acostav to investigate Hakelades Omorossa, leaving only Iris Mackia left in their quarters.

However, the Kotonorish girl had been very quiet since they departed Erika, having barely spoken a word to anybody to the point that Album kept forgetting she was there. Even at that very moment, Iris was sitting on the couch without addressing Album’s presence at the table as she read a book she had received for the solstice. A part of Album considered reaching out to her and trying to spark a conversation, but she also didn’t want to bother the younger woman, so Album kept her mouth shut and pondered paying a visit to the boys before dismissing that option as well.

Nigreos hadn’t been himself since the festival and while she absolutely couldn’t blame him for how he was handling his emotions, she found herself hesitant to approach him in his current state. He was quicker to anger, as was proven by his venomous words towards his father two nights ago, and it was as if his respect for their authority had been hurled out the window. Just last night, he and Rennigan slipped out of the castle and made secret contact with Rickori Keskivaara despite King Markreas and Lord Cartigan’s vehement forbidding of talking to him. The only reason Album knew this was because Nigreos had called the royal team together that morning to inform them both of what he did, as well as Keskivaara’s request for a meeting with Ilirianna. Abi had unfortunately gone with Faye before Nigreos made this revelation so she wouldn’t know until she returned, but the rest of the team were now left to ponder what to do.

“I understand why you would oppose this, Princess,” Nigreos had said to Ilirianna. “But I beg of you… He might be able to help Neah, so please just do as he asks. Please…”

Ilirianna had grimaced, though it was not out of anger towards Nigreos, rather it was more a frustration at the dilemma now being presented to her. “Nigreos, it’s one thing for you to have done this, and while I’m not going to punish you, the same cannot be said for me… I have a certain authority, but not over anything my father has explicitly banned.”

“Not to mention, he admitted he was in contact with the Kosah-Rei and considering their offer,” Ryokumo pointed out. “All theorizing has gone out the damn window! This bastard is actually pondering becoming a terrorist and a traitor! If Liri meets with him like he demands—”

“Then maybe he won’t decide to help Vesh!” Nigreos frantically cut him off. “Rennigan has agreed to speak in Keskivaara’s favor to Kloras, and I know Luna and I can turn Noctalus into an ally for him! If Princess Ilirianna, the future queen, were to reach out a hand, then what reason would he have to go down a path he clearly doesn’t want to take anyway?! We could prevent this alliance and potentially save Neah in the process!”

“And I…would also be willing to support him,” Album added, wanting to contribute to the conversation as best she could. “Luna and I are going to take over Noctalus soon, so if the both of us are with him, then he would have the whole of our Great City on his side.”

Ilirianna gave a pained and conflicted sigh as she shook her head. “The two of you are quite quick to suggest turning Noctalus against Stellareid. A fracture between two Great Cities like that could heavily damage our already shattering political environment.”

“Then so be it,” Nigreos declared. “Cartigan refuses to prevent Keskivaara from turning on us, so that makes it clear he only has Stellareid’s elite interests in mind. Why should Noctalus give a damn what he wants when he won’t consider us?”

In the end, all Ilirianna had said was that she would think about it, but since Keskivaara demanded he meet with the princess that night, there wasn’t much time for her to make her choice. Nigreos and Album stood in support of Keskivaara, if only for Neah’s sake, while Ryokumo was more concerned about trusting him. Perhaps it would come down to Abi’s opinion that would sway Ilirianna one way or the other. For now, only the four of them, plus Rennigan for some reason, knew about that meeting, and it would stay that way until Ilirianna decided otherwise.

What am I supposed to do? How can I help anybody? Mother’s dead… Neah’s kidnapped… And all I can do is sit here and wait, powerless to help any of my friends. At least Nigreos was able to bring himself to do something. He went to Keskivaara because he refused to sit on his ass like I am. There must be some way I can help them…

“Album, your father and brother are approaching the room.”

As The Angel sent her that telepathic announcement, she sat up straighter and frowned, the sound of knocking following soon after. Calling out to permit them entry, Album watched as Acostav stepped inside, followed by Eko, the former taking a minute to scan who was present.

“Are you two the only ones here?” Acostav asked, to which Album nodded. “Good. Miss Mackia, would you mind stepping out for a moment? I’d like some privacy with my children.”

Iris nervously bowed, clearly intimidated by the Master of Light, as she got to her feet. “Of course, Master Luz,” she mumbled before shuffling past Acostav and Eko to depart the quarters.

Album couldn’t help feeling a bit worried, for if her father wanted privacy then it meant something important had come up that he didn’t want anybody outside of the Luz family hearing. The young woman was about to get to her own feet, but Acostav silently motioned for her to stay as he made his way to the table and sat down across from her. A brief glance at Eko told her that he was just as confused as she was, but at Acostav’s beckoning, he sat right beside his sister and folded his hands expectantly on the table.

The Master of Light cleared his throat, but despite opening his mouth to begin, no words came out and he coughed a second time. He appeared uncertain of himself, something she had never once seen in her typically self-confident father. His eyes were looking everywhere but at Album and Eko, and his lips seemed quite dry as he constantly licked them.

Oh no… What’s happened now? By the way he’s behaving, it’s like he’s gonna give us some bad news. Could they have found Neah, and could she be…?

Album didn’t even want to humor that train of thought, so she refused to put the rest of it to words as she anxiously awaited her father’s words.

“L-look, Eko, Album… I…” Acostav finally began, but he was stuttering, unsure of what he was supposed to say. “I just…wanted to start with an apology.”

An apology? Having no idea what it was he thought he had done wrong, Album glanced at Eko only to find her brother’s brow furrowed in confusion as well. What’s he talking about?

“I’ve been distant these last few days,” the Master of Light went on. “Naturally, there’s been a lot on my mind, but… I feel I…well, I should have spoken to you sooner anyway. I know that. Your mother is dead, after all, and I’ve not properly sat down with you…to ask you what I can do… We all mourn in our ways, but a father is supposed to be there for his children…especially in times like these… I’m sorry…”

As Acostav fell silent, Album could only stare at the man with disbelief. Her father wasn’t an emotional man, and had never really been an affectionate or loving person. His duty and his expectations were the priorities in his life, and that had never once wavered. To him, worth was gained by one’s abilities and potential, and that was why he and Album had never been close. She lacked potential for a long time, and it was only in the recent years that fact started to change. When something went wrong, he ordered them to stand back up and walk it off, and from what she knew, that’s what he had done since Clara’s death.

Eko told her he had cried for their mother when he discovered her body, but he had only allowed himself that one moment to mourn. Within hours, he was back in professional mode as he continued prepping for Stellareid. Album had done her best to take a similar approach. She told herself to mourn her mother once Miyon was safely in the Citadel dungeons.

For now, she had to play her role.

She had to be composed.

She had to be ready to fight and do her duty as was expected of the Luz eraser.

Just as Acostav allowed himself one moment to cry for her, Album had only mourned her mom on the day she died—having cried in her brother’s arms as they comforted each other in such a tragic moment.

So why is Father saying this now? I don’t understand… This isn’t like him at all…

“I-it’s okay, Father,” Eko stammered, collecting himself faster than his sister did. “You’re right, there’s been a lot you’ve had to deal with. You’re the Master of Light, so Album and I understand. We know that when this is over, Mother will have her funeral and we will all mourn then. You need not apologize for anything.”

Album quickly nodded her agreement. “Eko’s right. Finding Neah is the priority right now. Everything else can wait until she’s back with us.”

“Ha…” Letting out one weak, bitter chuckle, Acostav hung his head, a pained expression coming over him. “Clara always hated that part of me… She said I was heartless, that I could overlook any and all tragedies for the sake of my duty. She detested that I was trying to instill such a mindset in the two of you, so I’m sure she’s looking down on this moment and cursing my name. Your mother is dead…and you should be allowed to mourn.” With a trembling hand, Acostav reached up and rubbed his eyes, trying to wipe away tears he didn’t want them to see. “Listen, this whole ordeal with Neah has made me ponder some things…and I’ve realized I don’t want to be like Viiro.”

“Father—”

“Eko, please… Just let me get this out before I try to run from it.” Acostav swallowed, weakly raising his head to gaze at his surprised and worried children. “I can confirm that Viiro fully intended to abandon Neah to her fate. He has admitted as much to me when complaining about the events of the other night. If Nigreos and the rest of the royal team hadn’t stood up, she would have been left here to the mercy of the Kosah-Rei. His own daughter…” The man then turned to gaze at Album, his lips shaking. “I wouldn’t do that. If either of you were in Neah’s position, I’d raze this whole city to the ground to find you. I want you to know that. I want you to be the best that you can be. I want you to thrive. I…understand that I may be harsh, and perhaps my actions have not been regarded positively by most…but everything I have ever done has been for the two of you… To protect you and make sure you were not destroyed in this dangerous and cruel world of ours. I may not say it often, but I do love you…and I want you to live long after I’m gone.”

As if finally running out of words to say, Acostav lowered his head and fell silent. As he did, an image returned to Album’s mind, one she had occasionally pondered since she first saw it within the pocket realm of The Angel. It was the expression of pure love on the face of her father as he gazed down at Album weeks after she was born—the earliest memory The Angel had shown to her. At the time, it had made her happy to know that Acostav Luz had looked at her like that at some point in her life, and that she hadn’t always been a disappointment in his eyes. Ever since fixing her mana production, Album had been trying her best to elicit that expression from him again in the modern day, to prove that she could be the daughter he needed.

She got to her feet and walked around the side of the table before bending forwards and wrapping her arms around her father, giving him what she knew to be the first hug between them since she was a young child.

“I love you, too, Father,” she said with a soft smile. “Our relationship may have been strained, but I never doubted that your harshness came from a place of concern for my safety. We are Luz. We are the bearers of the erased realm, and as such, we are the most feared people in this empire. These are your words, and they are true.”

“A-Album…?” Whispering her name, Acostav weakly raised his hands and gently embraced her, startling her slightly, for she hadn’t expected him to do so. “I’m sorry…I couldn’t protect your mother. I’m sorry I was too late.”

Tears formed in Album’s eyes, the dam put up to protect her from her mother’s death finally starting to crumble. All this time, she had forced herself to grit her teeth and be strong, but now, she allowed it all to fall down and unleash the waves of emotions behind it. In her father’s arms, Album cried, her head lowering to rest against his shoulder. Moments later, she felt Eko’s hand against her back, and though she didn’t look up at him, she could still sense his comforting expression.

“We know who killed her,” Eko whispered, “and we know they’re here in Stellareid. In the name of Mother, and the Noctis they have taken from us, let’s finally crush the Kosah-Rei into dust. Let’s lure out Rotana Vesh…and make them pay the price for what they’ve done.”

Through her sobs, Album couldn’t make a response, but in the privacy of her mind, she gathered her resolve to do exactly as Eko said.

Vesh, Sartella, Kristoff…and all the other leaders of that cult… Let’s make sure they never leave Stellareid…and let’s bring Neah back to her family—back to Nigreos.

***

“You know, Sis, I love you and your kindness, but do you not think you’re a tad too forgiving?”

Walking down a corridor of Castle Saientia on their way to the dining hall, Eko asked her that question, and she couldn’t help furrowing her brow in confusion as she glanced at him. “Too forgiving? What do you mean?”

“Er, well…” Her brother let out a sigh, slumping his shoulders as if already regretting broaching the topic. “Look, I appreciate the fact that Father’s making an effort here, and I do think he was speaking from the heart. I, too, believe that everything he’s said and done has been for us, but does that really excuse the way he treated you all those years? To so swiftly accept his excuses and brush them aside…”

“Ah, I see.” Album turned back to face forward, fully understanding what Eko was getting at. “Perhaps you’re right, Brother, or perhaps not, but does it really matter? What is there to gain from pushing back against him? After everything that happened, I feel that the three of us need to be as united as we can be. Right now…is not the time to be petty or stubborn.”

Eko grimaced. “I do not disagree, but I’m not sure I would classify such a response to him as either of those things. You see—” The young man then cut himself off as he and Album noticed somebody heading towards them, walking quickly and with purpose, her features twisting with relief upon recognizing them. “Lady Ella? Is everything alright?”

“That is to be seen,” Ella Cartigan replied, coming to an impatient stop just in front of them, the two guards behind her following suit. “Where is your father? I was told Master Acostav was on his way to your quarters, Album?”

Album frowned, sparing a worried glance at her brother before answering. “He headed off to the eastern courtyard to get some fresh air. Why? What’s happened?”

Before answering, Ella gave a sharp order to the guards to go retrieve Acostav, her anxiety growing more and more apparent. “Well, for one, a mass protest has erupted down in the Third Ring, mostly consisting of employees of the Operon Company. There has yet to be a sighting of Keskivaara, but many of them are known associates of the People’s Mind. As of now, Princess Ilirianna and Mr. Caeli have rushed down there to get a grasp of what’s unfolding.”

“Shall we join them?” Eko instantly inquired, but Ella was already shaking her head.

“As it happens, I was on my way to request just that, but mere minutes after the princess departed, we were informed that a visitor had arrived at the gates, frantically demanding to be let in. We were skeptical at first because she introduced herself as somebody that should not have been here in Stellareid, but Master Viiro has confirmed without a doubt that she is who she claims to be.”

“Lady Ella, please… Who’s here?” Eko pressed anxiously.

Ella’s lips then drew tight with what might have been a mix of frustration, confusion, and fear before she finally composed herself enough to give them the answer they sought.

“Lunara Noctis.”