Evalesc and Mitos prepared for the impending war between them. Urus and seven others recruited most of the city. The others refused to participate in war. Meanwhile, in Mitos, Faustus scouted for potential magic users. The citizens were in lockdown and were unable to leave. The fear and oppression wavered their loyalty to Mitos.

Three months quickly passed. Mitos attacked.

Evalesc used their newfound Rune magic to deflect the attacks and scare off the attackers. Their goal was to win the war with little casualties. It was a difficult task. Rune magic was slower and required spoken words. Its powers were on par with natural magic users. Fortunately, their attacks took Mitos by surprise. Mitos retreated that battle.

Another month passed.

Mitos sent fewer people. Their goal was to investigate the powers Evalesc had. Also, to know why their deity did not show up in the battle. The original goal was answered. The people inscribed something on any surface they could find before citing a word or two. Then, their magic manifested. Mitos also tested this. Unfortunately, it did not work.

Mitos stopped their assault for half a year. During this time, Mitos trained their army. They practiced magic its applications to swordplay.

Nohl participated, knowing full well she wouldn't be able to join the actual battle. As she trained, she overheard the nobles talk. The conversations were mostly about the power struggle of the king and the citizens. Some wanted the battle to continue. It was refuted in the belief that the king was too soft and rather conceded than to fight. This was simply slander and provocation.

It worked.

The king was already on edge, thinking about how to claim Evalesc. There were many variables that he had no answers.

One day, Nohl met the king. She requested to be a representative to negotiate with Evalesc. Her plan was to see if the people would cooperate with Mitos. The king was reluctant since it went against his plans of eliminating the outcasts. However, her proposition was deemed useful for infiltration. If Evalesc could bring down their guards, Mitos could take them from the inside.

With an entourage, she went to Evalesc. Upon her arrival, she was met with cautious animosity. Urus stepped forward to halt the attacks. Eva, Lionel, and Urus went to talk to her.

"He doesn't seem like the type to do that," Urus responded to the notion of alliance.

"I agree," Lionel added. "At first, he did since I and Eve were freed when he came into power."

"But the assaults he sent at us recently say otherwise," Eva concluded.

"There must be a misunderstanding somewhere," Nohl said. Her eyes were confused. She knew this agreement was not going to end in her favour. From what she gathered, there was a possibility that her loyalty was being toyed by her king. "Are you sure he hasn't taken these measures by mistake?"

"Once can be taken as a mistake, but a years worth is intentional," Eva replied.

"This is going nowhere," Lionel said. "If you have more questions, then go to your king. We are doing our best to live and prepare for the attacks being sent to us."

Nohl returned with more questions and skepticism. Was the king actually that violent? And why? She pondered on those questions, yet she had no will to ask them. If she were to inquire, then it was obvious her loyalty had shaken.

"How was your visit?" The king asked her one day while she was practicing in the courtyard. "Were they willing to join us?"

Nohl used her exhaustion as an excuse to keep silence. But only for so long. "No," she started. "They are too cautious... but, I can see that they are not totally against it." She bowed down towards him. "Once more. One more visit, and I can bring them to our side."

The king smirked. "Very well, you may do as you please."

The visit took place a couple of days later. The conversation essentially went the same.

"Listen," Lionel spoke. "I understand your intentions, but you are just a kid with blinded loyalty. Your king can easily throw you aside at any moment."

"He would never do that!" Nohl snapped at the remark. "I suppose he can be violent, but that is like anyone else when driven to."

"Then what drove him to attack us?" Eva asked.

"I don't know. A threat, perhaps... He spoke of a deity. Maybe that's-"

Eva raised her hand to stop Nohl. "Let us show you the diety that stopped his attacks."

They led Nohl to Provertus, who was with Ethas.

Instinctively, Nohl gasped and tried to undo the pillory. "What is this? You've even restrained him? A deity that saved you?" When a hinge broke off, it reattached itself within seconds. Nohl's eyes opened with shock and confusion.

"He came like that," Ethas said. "It's symbolic to his being."

"Why would he take such a form?"

"Injustice? The discrepancy between the commoners and nobles? Who knows?" Urus said with a shrug.

"We do know that he desires fairness and justice," Lionel said.

"As you may know, he can nullify natural magic within humans and has an ability of cause and effect," Eva said.

"One for all," Provertus simplified. "That is fairness.

"I think that's enough for you," Ethas spoke with a tone of repressed annoyance. His eyes spotted the blue air around Provertus's mouth as he said his words: "You need to leave now."

"Ethas, that is rude," Lionel said. "She is our guest."

"And a possible spy."

Suddenly, there was an alarm for an attack.

"Like I said," Etha concurred. "This was a setup."

"What?" Nohl said in panic. "This is a misunderstanding. I truly only came to talk!"

"Then your king has betrayed you." Urus said.

"I suggest you escape while you and make peace with your king. We are safe within these walls. You are welcome to stay, but I can not guarantee anything else," spoke Lionel.

A fight occurred. Nohl was able to escape amidst the chaos. She returned to the king and feigned ignorance. She lied that Evalesc was much more sinister than they seemed. The unexpected attack helped her slip through their defenses. The king was surprised but was overall glad the event allowed Nohl to trust him more. She gave him false information about Evalesc, and he took every word into consideration.

A few days passed as Nohl was unable to sit still. She spent her energy attacking the air. She familiarized herself with the air magic and her needle. Both complemented each other very well. The air magic danced with her swordplay as if she were the air and blade themselves.

As she swung her blade for the last time of the practice, the weapon was met with another. Nohl's eyes traced its length to the owner. A woman with a purple body-tight dress and black hair in a braided bun stood before her.

Nohl hopped back in alarm. She readied her weapon. "Who are you?" She inquired aggressively.

"I am called Tantetra," the woman introduced herself. "I am here because I can tell you seem to be in turmoil with yourself." Tantetra spiraled her sword with a flick of a wrist. The sword then morphed into a fan. Nohl's eyebrows twitched with fascination. "Which is a sign of disciplinary absence."

Nohl lowered her guard. "Who exactly are you? Where did you come from? I definitely know you are not from here."

Tantetra took a smoking pipe out from behind her. It morphed into a wand. She pointed it at Nohl, and then a small fireball shot out.

Nohl parried the attack. "Guards!" She shouted, deeming the woman to be dangerous. "There's an intruder!"

Tantetra shot another ball. Nohl parried again. This time, the ball curved and chased Nohl. So, Nohl met the attack with her needle. The residual flames singed her cheeks. She then lunged and jabbed her weapon at Tantetra, who stopped it with her fan.

"You have Oraseis and Vectus at your disposal. Use them whenever possible," suggested Tantetra.

Their spar halted just before the guards finally arrived. Tantetra had already disappeared, leaving Nohl and guards confused. Nohl dismissed them, telling them she was confused from her exhaustion.

"We will have another session soon," Tantetra told Nohl through the wind.

~~~

In Evalesc, Ethas conversed with Provertus.

"Can't you make a law that punishes people who use magic?" Ethas asked.

"Then that gives advantages to people don't use magic," Provertus reasoned.

"Aren't you trying to protect us? Magic is obviously the problem to all this mess. It simply isn't fair."

"Giving one side an advantage is unfair. If there is a rule, then it becomes fair. Punishment is also fair when that rule is not followed."

Lionel and Eve walked in, hoping to find their son.

"There you are, Ethas," Eve said with relief. "You are spending quite some time with Provertus. Why don't you go play with others?"

Lionel gave a pat on Ethas's back and guffawed. "He simply idolize his savior. Let him have his time of adoration."

Ethas stayed quiet. He was still mad about the fact that his parents took part in being the founders of Rune Magic. His father bound himself to Demaldiva, the Tyrant of Fire. His mother bound herself to Tel'win, the Empress of Water. The thought that he would one day take on the role of keeping the Rune Magic alive was repulsive. He felt his insides shriveled.

Blue air formed as Provertus inhaled.

"Leave me alone," Ethas said. His eyes glued themselves to the floor. "I just need to be alone for a moment."

"Come on now," Lionel spoke. "Are you still angry that we didn't allow you to use Rune Magic?

"You know we did it so you don't have to put yourself in danger," Eve added. She bent down to see her son at eye level. He refused to meet them.

"It's not that," Ethas replied. He turned towards Provertus. He contemplated leaving Evalesc in the hope of finding a new place, a place without magic. The though was in his mind for a while. He just didn't want his parents to know. He thought it wouldn't make a difference... especially now. "Please, just not now."