“Today marks the start of a new warfront as troops set down on the shores of Durinveii. In response to the attack on our cities and their people, the Emperor issued a statement regarding a retaliation, and today he has made good on his promises. Many mixed responses were generated from the people, as the residents of V?r and Esh make their support well known in interviews and surveys. The citizens of D’Vnora, Shustur, and even Laviport, however, protest against the war efforts, claiming that inequalities and climbing homelessness and unemployment statistics need the money more than the military institutions. What do you think, Koz-”

  Kamille turned off the television and tossed the remote onto the table. They made it to Shamol safe and sound. The residents that they left behind promised to take their spark of rebellion and foster its growth. Emotions were still heavy, and though they’d only known each other for such a short period of time, Kacyn managed to sneak her way into Ayela’s heart so powerfully, she hadn’t realized how so until the farseer was no longer with them. They were going to forge a return for the Uri’Kai in a new way, and make a positive return and impact for the nation and the world. She was a beacon of mistreated light, stolen by the very people who wished to use her powers for destructive ends, and extinguish her when her uses were done…

  …Like Tallie, in many ways.

  “This isn’t the way to honor her memory,” Asher said with a firm tone of voice. He took another sip of his whiskey and set the glass down. The setting sun gave its last light through the blinders on the window. “So we failed to stop the war from happening, and we failed to stop an aethril. Kacyn gave her life for the very thing we risked ours for – and so much more. She wanted to bring the divine logicians back to the public in a powerful way. For us to just… To just sit here and mope around like we’re failures is not how we honor her memory and death.”

  Ayela’s ears perked, and she looked up at their leader. They’d heard the names she and Kacyn called each other, and on their journey back to Shamol, she explained their plans to them. She explained that they were going to see a return of the Uri’Kaii in a new form.

  “Look at what her company helped us accomplish; breaking into one of the most secure vaults in the nation, discovering the truth behind a rotten war, and even helping us take down a god. Ayela, she helped you beat a god… A woman like her deserves our very best efforts in honor of her memory…”

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Asher set the devices with all the downloaded secrets onto the table. They were still there, still preserved through everything. All of her memories of their adventures, all of them happening so quickly, filling their days with such excitement; they all raced through her mind like a film. How could she just give up? How could they sit and act like nothing ever happened, or sulk in their grieving misery like they all didn’t go through Hell to get that information? Their plan wasn’t a failure; it was just altered. And now there was one of their own who paid for those secrets with blood. They needed to continue their mission.

  “So how do we get into the capital? I mean, that’s a massive mesa it sits atop of, and it seems like the only way in our out of the city is through airship,” Ayela asked.

  Thillan nodded. Kamille chugged the rest of her ale before dropping her mug onto the table. “We spent three days here sulking while the empire is getting away with a war on Durinveii. Them and Songriveii need all the help they can get. So I agree; let’s find a way into the capital. You asked how, love? It’s simple; we need to climb the mesa and enter through the sewer tunnels that dump their waters into the air. If we use airships, we’ll have to register. The moment they see the leaks, they’ll go straight for us among any others that just flew in,” she said.

  “Climbing is going to be dangerous. We have to watch out for the hawks, and we need to make sure we have a plan for when we get into the city. Also, we can’t spend too much time in the sewers. Kol’Ghouls and the Kikirat disease are still an issue,” Asher explained.

  Thillan cleared his throat before he began to speak. “There’s a lot that needs to go into this, and we’re gonna need to take a few weeks before actually releasing the leaks if we want to throw their scent off of us. One or two of you should live in the city, and someone needs to stay here to be a point of contact… We’ll be setting up a cell in the Capital…”

  “Agreed. Ayela and I can stay in the city. We’ve both been through enough together, and she’s my best friend, so I think I get the most say in the decision.”

  “As I stated at the beginning of this mission, I’ll travel to the other holds and their cells, dispersing the leaks as best I can.”

  “And that leaves me,” Thillan said, folding his arms across his chest and leaning back in his chair. “Well, I hate the Capital above all else, but I don’t want to be far from my girl here. And since you’re off on a grand adventure being our acting leader and all, I’ll be the one to stay here as our cell’s point of contact.” Kamille smiled and nuzzled up against him.

  “I’ll be down to visit often, babe,” she said.

  “Then it’s settled. Tomorrow, we’ll get whatever gear we can manage and set out for the climb… Let’s give the empire some Hell,” Asher said with a clenched fist. Ayela smiled, feeling the spirit of their comradery, but eventually stared out the window through the blinders. Her thoughts drifted to Kacyn, Rhaja, Gean, and all those she lost…

  …How many more would have to die before the empire finally falls?