Nyxis raised an eyebrow but the Grand Royal was already trudging out of the garden, into the outer patio of the Palace. He looked back at his basket of noprary and shrugged. He followed the Grand Royal who passed the glass windows by and stepped outside, weaving through the rows of potted plants Nyxis had yet to study.

The roar of the waterfall as Nyxis tailed the Grand Royal into a grand patio overlooking half of the huge chasm that surrounded Acosa. Nyxis had never felt so small in the face of something far, far greater. He had a fear of heights not because it's high but because he'd be ingloriously splattered at the bottom. That would be a shameful way to die.

A sharp whistle speared through Nyxis's ears and he turned to see the Grand Royal having two fingers propped against his lips. A caw tore through the clouds as a huge bird descended from the sky. Nyxis blinked at the mass of orange and yellow feathers and shielded his eyes against the sun behind the bird. Was that a manwari? It's a long way from Alkara, though.

The Grand Royal spread an arm east and turned to Nyxis. "You might want to step aside," he said. "Ixy does not take well to strangers."

Nyxis nodded and fell a few paces behind the Grand Royal. A bird with bright orange, red, and yellow landed on an empty spot in the patio exactly where the Grand Royal's arm pointed.

It's not a manwari. The bird inclined its head at Nyxis, its dark, beady eyes trained at his whole being. The crown of red feathers on its head rose from its curl. Its tail feathers swept across the floor with the sun's rays making them look like they were on fire. Talons as sharp as swords clacked against the patio's stone floor. They looked like they could tear a man's head off with one clench.

A shiver passed through Nyxis's arms as the Grand Royal strode towards the bird and stroked its feathery chest. Must everything be so large here in Dwanzeig? With a grunt, the Grand Royal reached for a set of reins attached at the bird's curved beak and led towards a saddle buckled at its back.

The Grand Royal flicked the reins and the bird approached Nyxis. He extended his hand out. "Ixy memorized your scent. It is all good," the Grand Royal said. Oh.

Nyxis took the Grand Royal's hand and hauled himself into the bird's back. The bird shook its head, puffed its neck feathers, and cawed at the empty air. Hold on...Ixy? It sounded so much like Nyxis's name it's uncomfortable.

The Grand Royal whistled sharply again and that thought flew out of Nyxis's head as the Ixy launched towards the sky. After riding Sahili while escaping a murderous heir, the ascent felt like an everyday occurrence. The wind stung Nyxis's face; the bird's shriek rang in his ears loud enough to rattle in his brain long after it had faded.

The bird steadied its flight into a lazy glide and Nyxis mussed his hair back into his desired style. He blew out a breath. Don't look over.

Through the thin haze of clouds zipping by Nyxis's feet, Dwanzeig sprawled like a woven rug he routinely saw in the Commons. When he flew with Sahili, he didn't really have enough time to ogle but now...

Varying patterns of color dotted the expanse of the forest. The Palace's red-tiled roof faded behind them, replaced with a lush of greens, pinks, yellows, oranges, and occasional blues and purples. Low-lying clouds tickled Nyxis's scalp when they went through them

Ixy flew across marshes, mountains, and even rivers. From above, Nyxis saw the wonder of nature and of life. Occasional pointed structures dotted the forest. "Houses," the Grand Royal said without being prodded.

After a few minutes, Ixy tucked her wings and dived, breaking through the clouds they flew above not long ago. Nyxis covered his face as they tore through the foliage with branches smacking his head and arms. The Grand Royal simply willed them away with a dismissive flick of his hand.

The bird cawed as it slammed its talons into the forest floor, unearthing a few mosses in the process. The Grand Royal slid off the bird with enough agility Nyxis didn't expect from a modest fairy. Nyxis's boots slapped compact, forest soil after a short while.

Ixy cawed again before spreading her wings and took to the sky, stirring fallen leaves and dirt with wind generated by her powerful flaps. Nyxis stared after the bird until she was nothing but a dot of orange against the white sheet of clouds.

"Stay close," came the Grand Royal's warning as he began walking deeper into the forest.

Nyxis had been in Dwanzeig long enough to not be surprised at the abundance of color, shapes, and sizes of the wildlife but he still couldn't get over the fact that all of this was possible and here around him. The Grand Royal led him up a steep incline, the line of trees, if possible, turning thicker as they went closer to something.

A shadow loomed over Nyxis after a few minutes of walking. He craned his neck up to gaze at a wall of jutting rocks pointing to the sky. He knitted his eyebrows. What was this? Where was the Grand Royal bringing him?

Nature fairies dressed in bark fashioned into armor stood in front of a gate made from wooden poles linked together using twine made from vines. Spear tips glinted against the faint sunlight shining through the canopies. Were those...animal teeth?

Ew.

"State your business," the left one said. Nyxis swallowed as the spears crossed at the gate's center.

"Jonadrin Lidivar accessing the throne," the Grand Royal laid a hand on his chest.

The guards nodded before easing the spears back to their sides. "The intruder?"

"He is with me," the Grand Royal said.

"Understood."

The gates creaked when the guards pushed them open. Nyxis clenched his fists as he followed the Grand Royal inside whatever this place was. A stringent creak rang behind him and he looked back just to see the gates closing on him. He's trapped here, then. Great.

Nyxis craned his neck at the foliage from trees with violet and blue leaves and pink flowers completely shadowing this place. The pointed rocks forming the walls gave the indication that this place was just a hole in the middle of a mountain. Beyond the canopies, the sky had begun to turn dark just as the moons began to rise. That's when the magrora and other algae that covered the rocks began to glow in their faint, colorful sheen.

The Grand Royal's unique boots clacked against the single path that seared through the mass of grass, shrubs, and tree roots that carpeted the forest floor. Nyxis did his best to remain behind the Grand Royal. He couldn't make it out of this place on his own anyway.

Then, the path cleared into a grove where a single flower grew. Nyxis's breath hitched just as the Grand Royal stopped a few paces away from it and stepped aside to give him a view of the only living throne in Umazure.

Petals that were transparent like glass shone pink and yellow, depending on where the rising moonslight hit it. A black stem anchored its bud the size of Nyxis's head into the soft soil before giving way to a pool for light blue leaves near its roots.

The Life Rewarder. Now that Nyxis had seen it for his own, that moniker made sense.

Then, his eyes swept towards a patch of the leaves that seemed to be melting. Was that the wilt? Instead of turning brown and brittle like most flowers do, the glass petals simply drooped towards the soil with its edges bleeding off to drop-like shapes. Why was it melting?

The Grand Royal circled the flower once with his eyes trained on the wilting petals and his mouth set in a thin, hard line.

"Are you sure I should be here?" Nyxis's head swiveled from the flower to the Grand Royal. "I should head back."

"Jonadrin," the Grand Royal said, which was enough to stop Nyxis on his tracks. "Call me Jonadrin."

"Okay," Nyxis's shoulders slumped. "What is this for?"

Jonadrin's purple irises flashed darker. "I feel like in this time of war and tragedy, we will be allies."

Not this again. "How can you decide that easily?" Nyxis crossed his arms. "You do not even know me."

"Do you know why I brought you here, Nyxis Helgase?" Jonadrin leveled his gaze at Nyxis, meeting his eyes.

Nyxis's facade failed as he gaped at the Grand Royal. How did he know Nyxis's name?

The Grand Royal grinned as if he sensed that he won. "I brought you here because only I can access this place," he ran a hand against the nearest trunk to the flower. "Here, I can tell you anything without worrying about unwanted ears listening in."

"What do you mean to tell me?"

"The real state of the island," Jonadrin circled the flower once again and came to a spot beside Nyxis. "The throne senses it. Magic is being drained for unknown reasons and from unknown sources. Nature is threatened. A war fought with magic and weapons alike is soon to happen."

Nyxis frowned. "You mean someone was lying to our faces the entire time?" he said. "I have knowledge on current events. They are bad."

"It is far worse," Jonadrin shook his head. "Dwanzeig needs your help, badly."

Nyxis pursed his lips. "I am but one person."

"I am talking about your other friends," Jonadrin inclined his head to one side, shifting his long, green hair towards his chest. "You have made quite powerful allies."

Nyxis opened his mouth but Jonadrin plunged ahead. "Rikavien Torlin, the disgraced heir to the Narfalk throne," the Grand Royal nodded with approval. "Now that is a real warrior. Along with her brother, they gathered enough forces in the west. After their endeavors in Alkara and Carleon, they secured another asset in their army."

Nyxis's blood cooled. Reeca had gathered that many? He heard about their quest in Carleon but he never imagined they're able to sway the High Priestess to send out her soldiers.

"Elred Valkalin, the disowned Rose of Abshire," Jonadrin continued and folded his hands together. "She is reportedly a member of Synketros until her recent activity proved otherwise. She, along with Reeca, raided the Cardovian base and got the thrones out. Our spies still had to confirm where they had taken it."

Nyxis's chest tightened. This was crazy.

Jonadrin smiled at Nyxis's shock. "To mention the Virtakios is a waste of our time. Where is she anyway? No, do not answer that," he laid a finger in the air before turning to the Palace's vague direction . "Now, you have the Falkirtan heir too."

"How do you know all these?" Nyxis shook his head.

Jonadrin chuckled. "Eldan is a wonderful spy," he said. "He, Marthiaq, and Sahili all bring interesting news."

"Eldan? Spies?" Nyxis scoffed. "This is absurd."

"But I was right," Jonadrin played with the hilt of a sword sheathed by his belt. Nyxis blinked. Why hadn't he noticed that before? "You know how powerful you and your friends are. You know about the war, about Cardovia and Synketros, your family is touched by the Heiress herself."

"Do not drag my family into this," Nyxis narrowed his eyes. "Or any of the Humans."

"Too late," Jonadrin inclined his head. "Tobin Canraren signed a decree relaying all of Cardina's resources to an unknown representative earlier this week. We are still uncertain if it is with Cardovia or Synketros."

Nyxis's stomach sank. Tobin... "That could not be," he stepped back with a shake of his head. "Tobin is a good king."

"Apparently, he is the type to bail under pressure," the Grand Royal said with a shrug. "Either organizations have the Humans' support now."

Nyxis clenched his fists. This was outrageous. Tobin would never—

Jonadrin steadied him with a pat on the shoulder. Nyxis didn't even know he's shaking. "Do you want me to stop?" the Grand Royal's forehead creased. Was that worry? "You have gone pale."

Nyxis sighed and pushed his hair off his forehead. He should shear it since it stings his eyes more than before. "No, I am fine."

"Cardovia got the Sprites' support as it is proven that the Heiress controls the High Queen," Jonadrin extended his foot and leaned his weight on the heel jutting from his boots. "They got most of the half-bloods too."

Nyxis lowered his hands from his face. "Half-bloods?"

"They are scattered all over the island because they have no real territory, not even a small town. Cardovia dedicated itself some years in finding these people and promising them a better life after the war."

"That's dagrine crap," Nyxis said.

"Have you heard of the purges in Cardina?" Jonadrin turned to him. This was getting more and more personal. "That is what your mother contributed to the Cardovian army hunt. The half-bloods taken from there are sent directly to Cardovia. At least, that was as much as Marthiaq could tell me."

Blood drained from Nyxis's face. His mother told him that the purges were Cardina's way of purifying the territory for it to be just for the humans. Memories of the purges and the executions flashed in Nyxis's mind. After being hauled in the cells underneath the Palace, they were always gone the next day, like they're never even there.

Cardovia has been raising an army of half-bloods from under their noses the entire time?

Jonadrin nodded as if reading Nyxis's thoughts. "The Synketros got their fair share too," he said. "Their army is a mismatch across races but they have conquered Alkara and Penleth."

"Brownies?" Nyxis shook his head. "They hate war. They would not fight."

"Their King is weak," Jonadrin tucked his hair behind his pointed ear again. Wasn't he getting annoyed by his long hair? Nyxis couldn't even keep his at its current length. "He is young and inexperienced. Synketros raided their castle and instead of fighting until the last man, the young king ran, along with his lover and some other brownie."

Nyxis stepped back. Synketros raided Alkara? He swallowed against the dryness in his mouth. "What does the Synketros aim to gain from them? They cannot fight."

"They can make weapons," Jonadrin tapped his chin and took a deep breath. "Synketros is known for its notorious weapon-trading in the black markets and underground trading sites in the whole island. It is not that impossible that they are capable to do these kinds of things."

"Black markets? Are there such things?" Nyxis scratched his head. Black markets. Illegal trading sites. This was getting crazier and crazier. A scoff built up in his throat but before he could let it out, Jonadrin's words clicked. The young king...

Nyxis met Jonadrin's gaze. "Wait, by the young brownie king, you mean Cyrdel Sonasson?"

Jonadrin nodded, making Nyxis's gut twist harder. "They are missing ever since the invasion," he said. "Eldan still has not gotten over it. He spent the past week demanding more spies be put into wider coverage. He wants them found."

"Of course," Nyxis rubbed his chin. "Ravalee is his daughter too."

Jonadrin blinked. Then, a smile spread from his lips. It's full of intrigue. "A story for another time, I presume," he brought his hands together once more. "It is hard to find brownies especially if they do not want to be found."

Of course. Brownies were experts at vanishing which was a handy ability during these times.

"So you have seen the peril the island is in. Helinfirth has no standing army and after their destruction, they are not fit to join the war. They will be trampled underfoot should this continue," Jonadrin glanced at the melting flower. "Citizens in Peltra are either missing or dead. Its Royal family refuses to come out of hiding. The Renagener is nowhere to be found. Desara is too poor to support anything, its citizens famished to even think of the war. Its Royal family is incapable to leading its territory out of poverty, much less to war."

Nyxis followed the Grand Royal's gaze. "And Dwanzeig?" he said with his tongue heavy inside his mouth. "What will become of it?"

Jonadrin's face darkened. "I am afraid that this battle will decide which side we are going to be on," he played with the ends of his hair. "That is why I am now asking for your help. Help us defend our territory, keep Nature unharmed, and we will aid you in this coming war."

Nyxis shook his head. "I cannot do it on my own."

"Call your allies," Jonadrin's tone shifted. Was that a plea? "I am sure the varichria will send some aid."

Nyxis crossed his arms. "Do you not have your own army or something?"

Jonadrin dipped his head. "We have enough forces to overrun two cities to the ground," he faced Nyxis. "But I do not want this to end up in blood. I do not want nature to be harmed. I swore on my life that I will protect it and I will not break that promise."

Nyxis's heartbeat drummed in his ears. Imperfections. Imperfections all over. He couldn't do anything and he had no way to contact Reeca or Elred or Cyrdel. Jonadrin...

He leveled his gaze at the Grand Royal. "You chose your territory over the whole island," he said. "I hope you are ready for the consequences you are about to face."

Jonadrin met his stare with a dangerous glint in his eyes. "I intend to," his fists clenched beside him. "Not one leaf in this forest is going to fall as long as I am alive."

"Bad news then," Nyxis said. "Leaves fall all the time because they are too weak to hold on or they are too far gone."

"Are you implying something?" Jonadrin narrowed his eyes.

Nyxis smirked. "Who knows?"

Jonadrin huffed. "I understand your position," he straightened his back. "Enjoy your service in the Palace and I do hope you are able to heal the Falkirtan heir. We need him alive."

With that, the Grand Royal turned away and walked out of the sanctuary in brisk steps. Nyxis had to jog to catch up. The ride back to Acosa was quiet with the both of them lost within their own thoughts.

Nyxis chewed on his lip. What happened today was proof of how powerless he was, how powerless any of them were. That's surely going to cost him in the future.

As Ixy tore through the dark sky, past the moons that offered their weak light, a single thought ran in Nyxis's head—this war and the ones behind it were the deadliest imperfection.

It was Nyxis's duty to remove it if he wanted to save anyone.