“Come on in.”


    Aria opened the large door and paced the length of the chamber, her gaze flicking between the arched windows that overlooked the shimmering expanse of Aetherum and the elegant figure of Lysandra seated before her. The high councilor sat with perfect poise, her long, iridescent hair catching the soft light that filtered into the room. Lysandra’s expression was calm but expectant, as though she were giving Aria the time to collect her thoughts before speaking.


    Finally, Lysandra broke the silence, her voice even and measured. “You’ve been here for some time, Aria. Sitting by your mother’s side.”


    Aria nodded, her heart tightening at the mention of Elara. “She still hasn’t woken up. I’m worried.”


    “I know,” Lysandra said, her eyes softening for a moment. “But she is in the care of the most skilled healers Aetherum has to offer. You mustn’t let worry cloud your focus. Your mother wouldn’t want that.”


    Aria let out a slow breath, knowing Lysandra was right. “It’s hard not to think about it, though. She’s always been so strong. Now… she’s so still.”


    Lysandra leaned forward slightly, her voice gentle but firm. “Elara is strong, but she has faced a great challenge. Time and rest are what she needs. And in the meantime, Aetherum cannot stand still. There is work to be done.”


    Aria tilted her head, sensing the shift in the conversation. “That’s why I’m here, isn’t it? You’re sending me on a mission.”


    Lysandra’s lips curled into a faint smile, pleased at Aria’s quick intuition. “Yes. You and your team are needed in Velanthris. The disturbance here in Aetherum may not be isolated. We’ve received word that the waterways in Velanthris have begun behaving erratically. Tides are rising and falling unpredictably, and the city is at risk.”


    Aria’s brows furrowed. “Velanthris… It’s one of the most stable cities in the western reaches. What could be causing this?”


    Lysandra’s gaze turned contemplative. “We aren’t certain, but given the events here, it’s possible the disruption is spreading. The connection between Aetherum and the surrounding regions may be more fragile than we believed. That’s where you come in. You’ll need to investigate the source of the disturbance and offer aid.”


    “The Aquorians can’t manage this themselves?” Aria asked, recalling the proud water-dwellers who inhabited the city of canals and underwater caverns.


    “They’ve tried,” Lysandra responded. “But this isn’t a natural fluctuation in their environment. Their own arcanists have struggled to keep the waters under control. It may be linked to the same forces that corrupted the crystal.”


    Aria frowned, her mind racing with the possibilities. “Do you think… it could be connected to the entity?”


    Lysandra’s eyes darkened slightly, though her tone remained composed. “That is something we must find out. But tread carefully, Aria. There are undercurrents in play that we do not yet fully understand.”


    Aria nodded, understanding the weight of the mission. “I’ll take my team and head out at once.”


    Lysandra stood, her tall form commanding attention even without effort. “Good. Velanthris is vital to the stability of this region. If the waters continue to destabilize, it could endanger more than just their city.”


    Aria took a step forward, but Lysandra’s hand caught her arm gently. “And Aria… remain focused. Your mother will need you when the time comes, but right now, Aether needs you more.”


    Aria’s expression softened. “Thank you, Councilor. I’ll do what I must.”


    With a final nod, Lysandra released her arm, and Aria turned to leave, her mind already forming a plan for the mission ahead.


    Aria stepped out of the council chamber, her mind still whirling from the thought of leaving her mother behind. The quiet halls of Aetherum offered little solace, the echo of Lysandra''s words lingering in her ears.


    “And? What did Lysandra say?”


    Aria flinched slightly at the sudden sound. "Leira... I didn’t hear you coming."


    Leira grinned, her crimson eyes gleaming with mischief. “Good. You need to stay sharp if we’re heading into another mission. So, what’s the story?”


    Aria sighed, gathering her thoughts. “We’ve been assigned to Velanthris. There’s trouble with the waterways, and it might be linked to what happened here.”This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Leira’s expression didn’t lose its edge, though a flicker of seriousness crossed her features. “Velanthris? The water city? If their waterways are out of control, that’s not good… especially with the Aquorians relying on them.”


    Aria nodded. “Exactly. I’m gathering the rest of the team now. We need to be ready to move as soon as possible.”


    Leira crossed her arms, her gaze sharpening. “What’s the real reason, Aria? You think Lysandra’s just sending us away because of… everything with your mother?”


    Aria paused, her expression tightening briefly. “Maybe. But that doesn’t change what’s at stake. We’ll handle this, like we always do.”


    Leira watched her friend for a moment longer, then nodded. “Alright. Let’s get the others.”


    Together, they set off to assemble the team, heir footsteps echoing through the corridors as the significance of their mission loomed large between them.


    As they rounded a corner, they spotted Skarath and Morrigan in the training hall, engaged in what looked like a sparring session. Skarath, with his lizardfolk agility, moved swiftly, deflecting Morrigan’s calculated attacks. The Grimalkin arcanist’s eyes gleamed with focus as he countered with swift, precise movements, the air around his crackling with latent energy.


    Leira whistled, catching their attention. “Break it up, you two. We’ve got work to do.”


    Skarath straightened, his reptilian eyes narrowing with curiosity. “What’s this about?” he asked, grabbing a towel and wiping off the sweat.


    Aria stepped forward, her expression firm. “We’ve been assigned to Velanthris. The waterways are destabilizing, and it’s affecting the entire city. We leave shortly.”


    Morrigan, his tail twitching slightly, tilted his head. “Velanthris? That’s Aquorian territory. What could cause their systems to fail so drastically?”


    Aria shook her head. “That’s what we’re going to find out. We suspect it might be related to the events here in Aetherum.”


    Skarath crossed his arms, his scales catching the dim light of the hall. “Sounds like we’re diving into uncharted waters, literally. Are we expecting resistance?”


    Leira smirked, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her blade. “Always expect resistance. But we’re ready for anything, right?”


    Morrigan shot her a wry grin. “If things get wet and wild, I’ll be sure to keep you dry, Leira.”


    Leira shot a smirk right back at Morrigan, not missing a beat. “Keep me dry? Please, Morrigan, I’m more worried about you. Cats aren’t exactly known for their love of water.”


    Morrigan''s eyes narrowed playfully, his tail flicking with mock irritation. “That’s because we have the sense to avoid unnecessary discomfort, unlike some.”


    Leira laughed, crossing her arms. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you don’t drown out there.”


    Aria couldn’t help but smile at the exchange, but her thoughts quickly returned to the weight of the mission. “Let’s gather Elyndra and prepare. We’ll meet at the gates in an hour.”


    As they disbanded, heading in different directions to finish their preparations, Aria took a moment to steady herself. Her thoughts drifted back to her mother, lying in the Astral Sanctum, still and silent. She had to focus, for now at least.


    Before heading to the gates, she made her way to the Sanctum once more. The corridors leading there were quieter than usual, the atmosphere heavy with the aftermath of the recent upheaval. When she reached her mother’s room, the soft hum of healing wards surrounded the space.


    Elara lay in the center of the room, her form bathed in the soft glow of celestial light. A healer was standing nearby, adjusting the flow of energy surrounding her. The room felt serene, despite the storm raging outside its walls.


    Aria knelt beside her mother’s bed, brushing a hand gently against Elara’s cool skin. “I’ll be back soon,” she whispered. “But you need to wake up. Aetherum needs you. I need you.”


    She lingered for a few moments longer, lost in her thoughts, before rising to leave. Just as she turned, she saw the healer approaching quietly.


    “She’s stable, but the recovery is slow,” the healer said, his tone respectful. “There’s still hope.”


    Aria offered him a small, grateful nod. “Thank you. Take care of her.”


    With one last glance at her mother, she exited the room. Outside the Sanctum, her team was already assembled and waiting. Skarath, Leira, Morrigan, and Elyndra stood ready, their expressions a mixture of determination and anticipation.


    Elyndra, her Lunaris features sharp and graceful, stepped forward. “We’re with you, Aria. No matter what we find in Velanthris.”


    Aria felt a surge of pride for her team. “I know. Let’s move out.”


    As they started toward the city gates, a flicker of movement caught Aria’s attention. Her steps slowed, her gaze locking on a familiar figure striding with purpose toward the outer perimeter of Aetherum. The figure moved swiftly, his cloak billowing in the soft breeze, and even from this distance, Aria recognized him instantly.


    He moved with determination, his expression unreadable, though there was a tension in his posture that made Aria pause. She watched him carefully, her mind racing. What could he be up to?


    Her hesitation didn’t go unnoticed. Leira, always quick to pick up on such things, turned her head and followed Aria’s gaze. “Isn’t that Thorian?” she asked, curiosity lacing her voice.


    Morrigan''s ears twitched, his sharp eyes narrowing as he too spotted Thorian. “Seems in a hurry,” he commented dryly. “Wonder where he’s off to.”


    Skarath grunted, his lizard-like eyes narrowing in suspicion. “Probably Council business. He’s always sneaking off for something.”


    Leira tilted her head, her brows knitting together in thought. “Or it could be personal. I’ve heard rumors, but nothing confirmed. Either way, he’s got that look.”


    Aria nodded absentmindedly, her eyes still following Thorian’s form as he disappeared through the city’s main exit. The air around them felt thick with unspoken questions, the weight of uncertainty settling over her team.


    “You think he’s working against us?” Elyndra asked.


    Aria hesitated, then shook her head. “I don’t know yet. But we can’t worry about that now. We have our own mission to focus on.”


    Skarath let out a low hiss, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble. “Something tells me we’ll be hearing more about this sooner rather than later.”


    "That makes two of us."