Aya Felicity was so distracted she barely noticed the hundreds of knights bustling around her. Kaden had been missing for four days. Her closest friend had a tendency to go off on his own but this was different. The Darkness controlled the surface and was hunting for him. He was alone up there and she wasn't there to keep him out of trouble. She started to think the worst when Kariah-Belle placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Yo." She said. The younger woman looked nervous.

Beside her stood Akio looking as cool as ever but Aya could see the uneasiness in her eyes.

"How was training," Aya asked.

"Painful," responded Kariah-Belle. "Queen Ahmeal is merciless."

Aya tried for a smile. "Ditto." She herself spent her time training with Iris. She had yet to forgive her mentor for keeping her in the dark about her plans but she could understand her motives.

She looked over to Akio who shrugged. "Just a brain teaser and some dancing. Think I'm better than you now, Ri."

The Nadire huffed, all her nervous energy temporarily evaporated. "Not even in your dreams."

"Ladies." Said Lax-Rim Col. He was accompanied by Mae Lu, Monty, Kyanè.

Himoria's and Vade's squad were there too.

"So you're the Emerald Flower." Said Himoria, observing Akio. "The hype around you rivals Aya when she made her debut."

"That's my little rookie." Said Kyanè. She pretended to wipe a tear. "They grow up so fast."

"So it's true? Kaden's gone?" Vade asked.

Tori dug an elbow in his side. "Shut up, idiot."

Aya's heart sank. Everyone had heard of the Lightning Flame's disappearance. Not everyone knew he was of Nadire blood. Few Master knights knew his relationship with Kariah-Belle. It was still to be kept from the public.

The Felicity half expected Kariah to burst into tears. Instead, she took a deep breath. "My brother always had a tendency to run off on his own. He'll come back when he's ready. If it turns out he's dead, I'll kill him again."

"Ha!" Spoke Vade. "That muscle head wouldn't die out there. He's too stubborn."

Aya agreed. She had seen Kaden beat the odds plenty of times. Still, from the report on the Darkness, she was worried Kariah-Belle would have to kill him a second time.

A silence befell the group before her mentor's voice echoed throughout the massive space that acted as the barracks. Around her stood big names, Divine and Holy Knights.

"Listen up, knights of lore!" Her voice was authoritative. Like any time she spoke before a big assignment her words would force one to listen closely. However, Aya knew her master well enough to see through the facade. She was on edge. "You are our chosen champions for the tasks ahead! The challenges before you will be brutal and some of you will not come back alive! If you fear death then here is your chance to flee!"

Aya heard some knights snort. She heard someone ask who would abandon humanity at a time like this.

Iris took in the crowd. "Very well champions of Lore! Find your platoon leader! You head out immediately! May Kul guide you!"

"Well, that's our cue." Said Himoria. "Don't die out there."

"Didn't plan on it." Said Venton.

Kariah, Akio and Mae hugged each other tightly. Aya watched as the Stoneheart shared a deep kiss with Lax-Rim. She smiled inwardly at the display of passion.

"Whenever you two are done eating each other." Joked Kariah.

Kyanè shook Aya's hand. "Too bad we don't get to work together. Last time was fun."

"We have very different ideas of fun." The Felicity responded. "Stay safe out there."

"Same to you."

"Try not to get kidnapped this time around," said Monty. "Akio may lose her shit."

"I'll try," Riah answered.

Akio looked to Aya and the Felicity knew what her junior wanted to say.

"I'll do my best to keep them safe."

Akio nodded.

The group of master Knights parted ways, leaving Aya, Kariah-Belle, and Lax-Rim to search for the remainder of their squad. It wasn't long before they found Svett Laviel along with several others standing at their designated airship.

"Aya!" Said Maxion Felicity when he spotted her. The two Felicity's hugged. "Long time no see cousin."

He then pulled away slightly to search her face. Aya could still count the freckles on his brown skin. "Is it true? Kaden is...?" He trailed off, waiting for an answer.

Aya nodded.

"Aya Felicity." A woman said. "Heard you aided in the assault on Dracula's crystal city."

Aya recognized the other woman. Svett Laviel was a divine knight who was most known for her campaign against a Vympiri stronghold.

"Lady Svett." Aya bowed. "That is true."

"Was Dracula as terrifying as rumors say?"

"The rumors didn't do him justice. He was a monster indeed."

The older woman put a hand on her shoulder. "Good to see you were able to come back alive. Maxion here would've been bawling for days."

Aya raised an eyebrow and gave a smirk to her cousin. "Oh really."

Maxion smirked back. "Well, I did change your diapers a few times. Of course, I'd be sad."

Svett then turned her attention to the three rookies behind her. "Ah, Nadire. I look forward to seeing how well you hold your own."

"Yeah. Don't disappoint us." Added Maxion

"Don't plan on it." The Nadire replied.

"Come. our squad leader is waiting inside the craft."

Aya saw a few master knights she didn't recognize but was shocked to see Holy knight: Bloody Princess. Tamra Bloodmoon was said to mostly partake in solo missions and rarely interacted with others.

Tamra watched the rookies with mild interest. After what seemed to be an assessment she nodded her acknowledgment. "You three don't seem totally useless."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment?" Lax-Rim whispered to Kariah.

"I think so," Kariah-Belle answered confused.

"Great!" Exclaimed Maxion. "Now that introductions are out of the way, let's get this show on the road!"

He hit against the wall leading to the cockpit and the pilot made the engine roar to life.

Aya looked out the window as the thought of Kaden. Please stay alive until we can find you.