The wooden stairs creaked under his weight as he ascended to the second floor, Dawnbringer still gleaming with fresh blood. The corridor stretched before him, lined with ancient tapestries that seemed to whisper forgotten secrets. As he rounded the corner, he came face to face with Taldris. There were more vampires, holding the squad hostage. Ilyas could see them bound on their knees, their wrists locked in metallic chains of blackness.

The general sat perfectly still, his vibrant red hair a stark contrast against the muted stone walls. His eyes, sharp and calculating, locked onto Ilyas with an intensity that made the young captain feel like he was being dissected.

"You're alive," Taldris said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the stone floor.

Ilyas straightened, wiping a streak of blood from his cheek. "Did you expect anything less?"

A ghost of a smile played across Taldris's lips. "Not from an Al-Bey," he replied cryptically. Before Ilyas could respond, Taldris's attention shifted. The chains snapped from his wrist with ease. His hand moved with impossible speed, drawing a blade that seemed to materialize from the shadows.

The remaining vampires in the corridor never stood a chance. Taldris moved like lightning, each strike precise and fatal. Heads rolled, bodies dropped, and within moments, the hallway was a scene of absolute carnage. Blood splattered the walls, creating macabre patterns that seemed to dance in the dim light. The other three watched on, smiles tugging at their own lips

Ilyas watched, both horrified and mesmerized by the display of ruthless efficiency. He had never seen anyone move the way he did. He couldn’t help but stare in fear, wondering what he did to get to that level. 

"Well," Taldris said casually, wiping his blade clean on a fallen vampire's cloak, "that takes care of that." He moved to snap the others chains off.

Jehan emerged from the shadows, his bow already strung. "Impressive as always," he muttered, scanning the carnage with professional detachment.

Heroona stepped forward, her medical kit already open. “Where are the others? Do they need healing?" she asked, her eyes quickly assessing the scene. 

 “Just Callaia, she’s a bit…roughed up.” He looked back at the general's ease when snapping the metal. 

Jabar chuckled, a rare sound from the typically stoic warrior. "The general handled everything before we could even blink."

 “How did you guys get captured?” Ilyas asked with his lips curling.

Taldris turned to Ilyas, his gaze suddenly intense. "Those vampires weren't just random scouts. They were a specific unit sent to track you." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "We were flanked, when we were overpowering them, they said they had you and the rest of my men captive. So we went along with it, but it seems it was all deceit. I couldn't take the chance however.."

Ilyas raised an eyebrow. "Track me?"

"They threatened to execute you if we made any moves," Jabar interjected. "Said they had you and the others at blade point, and they’d transfer us to one cell."

Heroona's hands tensed around her medical kit. "But that's clearly not true," she said, gesturing to Ilyas standing very much alive before them.

Taldris's eyes narrowed. "It was a trap. They wanted to draw us into a specific response, to gauge our reactions." He turned to Ilyas. "And you walking right into their outpost was exactly what they expected."

"Well, I'm not one to hide," Ilyas retorted, though a hint of uncertainty crept into his voice.

Jehan stepped forward, his analytical mind already working. "It’s all so strange. What could they want with you? Tracking is a bit much."

"Precisely," Taldris nodded. "Someone wanted our mercenary, and they didn't mind making that clear." A heavy silence fell over the blood-soaked corridor. Taldris's fingers traced the edge of his blade, a contemplative gesture that seemed both casual and menacing.

"We should discuss this somewhere less... exposed. We’re too close to their gates, we’ll be swarmed in no time," Taldris said, his eyes scanning the shadowy corners of the outpost. "Are the targets alive?"

Ilyas straightened. "Aeon and Callaia are fine. They're waiting just outside the perimeter."

Jabar stepped forward, his keen eyes already assessing potential escape routes. "We need to move quickly."

Taldris nodded, then turned to Ilyas with a piercing gaze. "Spoiler, but I’m assuming whatever they wanted with you is related to that sword." He looked at Dawnbringer.

"They mentioned Erebus," Heroona recalled, her voice low. "But that's all I caught before we got captured."

Jehan's bow remained half-drawn, his eyes constantly sweeping the room. "Erebus Al-Bey," he muttered. "The hero?"

The mention of the name made Ilyas tense. He pulled at his collar.

"We need to move," Taldris interrupted, cutting through the tension. "We’ll teleport from below."

As they descended the stairs, Heroona whispered to Jabar, her eyes on Ilyas. "Did you see how many he got?"

He nodded subtly. "Seems he was worth the coin."

Outside, Callaia and Aeon waited. Suika, perched on Callaia's shoulder, its colorful wings flickering with an almost nervous energy.

Taldris was the first to emerge from the outpost, his red hair catching the last remnants of evening light. His eyes swept across the terrain, calculating and precise. Behind him, Jehan and Heroona followed, their movements synchronized and cautious.

"You're alive," Taldris said, his voice a mixture of relief and professional assessment. His gaze first landed on Aeon, then shifted to Callaia as she ran down the hill.

Aeon stepped forward, a thin smile crossing his face. "We managed to stay out of trouble for the most part. Unlike some," he added, casting a pointed look at Ilyas. “The twins…weren't as fortunate.”

Callaia's amber eyes flickered between them.  "Thank goodness, you’re alright."

Jabar chuckled, a rare sound from the usually stoic warrior. "The general and the merc handled everything before we could even draw our weapons."

Heroona approached Callaia, her medical training instantly assessing her condition. "How are you feeling? You look pale."

Callaia's hand unconsciously touched the golden marking beneath her left eye - a reminder of her recent transformation. "I'm ok," she said curtly, her tone suggesting she didn't want to discuss it further. Ilyas glanced at her, his brows raised. Her words played over and over in his mind. I’d rather have died. 

Suika, sensing the tension, fluttered her wings and chirped softly, landing on Ilyas's shoulder. Jehan moved to him, pointing at her. “Ooo what’s that?” 

 “Suika.” He said, rubbing her head. “I found her in Darkthorn.” 

 “Lucky, she’s cute.” He began to poke at her fluff. 

 Jabar went to Aeon and Taldris, ruffling the hair of the blonde. “You idiots, you had us worried.” 

 He began to laugh. “Sorry sorry, I’ll try not to do that again. It was strange. We were doing fine until we scouted darkthorn… Then we got ambushed. I was driven to the outskirts, Callaia went hunting vampires… and the twins…I’m guessing they got caught then and there.” 

Taldris's eyes narrowed, his gaze sweeping across the group with an intensity that made the air feel heavy. "Before you were ambushed," he said, his voice low and measured, "did anyone notice anything unusual?"

Silence hung between them like a thick fog. Aeon shifted his weight. His eyes flickered momentarily - a quick dance of hesitation that spoke volumes. His lips parted, then closed. The wind rustled through the nearby trees, carrying the scent of dried blood and desert dust.

"Nothing," Aeon finally said, his voice flat and unconvincing.

"Nothing? Really?"

 “Yep. Just came out of nowhere, and then we were split.” 

 Taldris rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Damn it. Seems this mission was a failure.” 

  “Oh I wouldn’t say that.” 

 “We lost two men for nothing, what do you mean?” Taldris’s tone shifted to anger for the first time, it took Ilyas aback.

"The dragon cult," Aeon muttered, more to himself than anyone else. The words hung in the air like a curse, causing everyone else to tense. “They’re involved, and they are very much active. They’re working closely with the Darkdwellers.”

Heroona stepped forward, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Dragon cult? You mean those vessels seeking psychos are actually in on this?"

Taldris nodded, a grim smile playing at the edges of his mouth. He seemed more intrigued by the information than worried. "And it seems they're getting bolder..."

Ilyas felt Suika shift on his shoulder, the small creature's wings brushing against his neck. "What vessels?" he asked, feeling suddenly like he was missing crucial information.

Before anyone could answer, a distant howl echoed across the desert landscape - something between a monster's cry and a human's scream. Everyone froze.

Jabar's hand instinctively moved to his weapon. "That's not natural," he whispered.

Taldris's hand swept through the air, magical symbols swirling around his fingers. Crimson and obsidian threads of energy began weaving together, forming the beginnings of a portal. "We’ll discuss this at the fort. Let’s stop wasting time."

The magical energies twisted and coalesced, forming a shimmering doorway that pulsed with an otherworldly light. Geometric patterns of red and black danced along its edges, revealing glimpses of stone corridors and flickering torchlight.

"Everyone, on me," Taldris commanded.

Heroona checked her medical kit, ensuring everything was secure. Jabar stood ready, body tense and alert. Suika nestled deeper into Ilyas's collar. One by one, they touched the portal's edge. Suddenly, they were out of the cold clutches of Umbratara, and back in the Ashen Sancti’s fort. The eye.