Yander’s hand moved to her sword. Small flames formed around her.

But before they could attack, an unfamiliar voice called out from the trees.

"Wait, wait. I’d rather not get killed before introductions."

A young male dark elf stepped out from the forest with his hands slightly raised. He was tall, the same height as Atheline. Despite the environment around him, he was extremely well-dressed. It bordered on almost comical due to the place they were in.

Red hair fell carelessly over sharp golden eyes while a relaxed smile rested naturally across his face, almost too easy to be genuine. Yet, his presence was strong not overwhelming but the kind you can’t ignore if they were near you.

He seemed to be the type that attracted attention wherever he went because of his disposition. He also really looked like a true noble.

Atheline recognised him immediately.

Cassian Renault. Son of councillor Renault.

Councillor Renault was one of the least influential members of the imperial council, the least outspoken. If it were in terms of wealth, he matched well with the other councillors since his family’s roots just ran as deep as the beginning of the kingdom.

From the reports Lilith gave him, they were one of the oldest and were even related to the imperial family. Their great-grandfather had married the first king’s daughter so they had royal blood running through them but that wasn’t it.

Councillor Renault was a quiet man, he rarely spoke during the meetings and spent most of his time lost in thought or staring at Lilith.

Lilith had told him that one of his daughters was supposed to wed her brother but she had slain him before the wedding. She was supposed to be queen. Councillor Renault had been forced to kill his own daughter as a show of loyalty since the woman had been obsessed with her older brother and attacked her.

Lilith had let them live after that and they had never done anything to go against the throne. They had retreated into themselves and only held seats in the palace that were assigned to them because of their bloodline.

Atheline wasn’t really sure if that had been a good move on her part, leaving them alive and still in power. He had even brought that up to her but she had dismissed it saying they were too weak to even think about rebellion.

The last rebellion had been the one Lilith started and how she had taken her throne had left a lasting trauma on most of the dark elves. Those were the dark days of purging.

Atheline was extremely wary of the man. How coincidental that he also happens to be around the swamp hiding behind trees.

Cassian smiled easily as he approached the swamp.

"Well this is unexpected," his gaze moved between them," His highness and the saintess gathered in one place."

Yander lowered her hand from her sword lightly, though not completely.

"How did you end up here? Did you follow any of us?"

"Not intentionally," Cassian replied smoothly," the giant explosions last night made navigation rather easy."

Atheline remained silent.

Cassian’s eyes lingered on him briefly before narrowing almost invisibly.

’Interesting’

The rumours truly had undersold him. The man standing before him didn’t feel like some sheltered consort protected by the queen’s obsession.

No.

Even standing casually beside the black swamp, he carried the presence of someone dangerous. The kind that becomes worse the longer you underestimate them.

Cassian smiled wider.

"I should probably thank you actually. "

Yander frowned slightly.

"For what?"

"High-class beasts moving around this morning," he shrugged lightly," everyone near the outer region is panicking now. Which means fewer competitors interfering with me."

Yander looked unimpressed.

"You came to the centre alone because of the rankings?"

"Of course," Cassian grinned," I enjoy winning."

Atheline finally spoke.

"You’re injured."

Caius blinked once before laughing softly. He commended Atheline. He had hidden it well but blood had indeed stained the side beneath his coat.

"Minor problem," Cassian replied," a young armoured serpent nearly removed my left arm earlier."

Yander’s gaze briefly drifted towards the wound.

"You should leave the centre then."

Cassian looked genuinely horrified at her suggestion.

"And miss whatever is hidden in there?" He shook his head immediately," absolutely not"

At that moment, the wind shifted briefly. It was almost freezing cold despite the rays of the sun peaking through the canopy.

All three went silent immediately.

The forest around the black swamp darkened immediately despite the filtered daylight.

Pressure rolled from the centre. It felt heavy and almost ancient. Something deep within the centre moved again.

Cassian’s smile faded this time.

"... That feels unpleasant."

Yander’s eyes narrowed towards the deeper forest.

"The true centre is close."

Atheline studied the movement in the aether. The pressure was different from the night before. This one was different he couldn’t place his hand on it but it just was.

Cassian eventually exhaled and then glanced between the two strongest fighters present.

"Well," he smiled again, " since dying alone sounds inconvenient..."

His golden eyes settled briefly on Atheline.

"How about we travel together?"

Yander frowned immediately.

"You trust people too easily."

"No," Cassian corrected lightly," I just know when cooperation is more profitable than pride."

His gaze flickered once more towards Atheline specifically.

"I imagine the centre won’t be forgiving enough for unnecessary fighting."

Silence followed briefly. Atheline watched him calmly, he didn’t trust the man even a little. Cassian maintained the smile perfectly.

He looked relaxed, friendly, and approachable. A carefully crafted image but his Aether control revealed discipline beneath the surface. Atheline remembered Cassian staring at him during the introduction banquet where he had poisoned himself. He couldn’t forget it since he was so blatant about it too.

Still, for now, there was no reason to refuse. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

The centre had truly become dangerous enough that numbers did matter. While he had planned to go by himself, it doesn’t hurt to be a bit more cautious.

Finally, Atheline turned towards the deeper forest.

"Move carefully."

Yander blinked once.

Cassian smiled immediately.

"So that means yes?"

Neither answered, yet both started walking forward. Cassian laughed softly before following after them.

With this, the three entered the true centre of the Spitting harrows.