We return to the students, Vita, Naomi, and Thalga in their prison cells after the chaotic events at the Temple of the Undecided. The night had ended grimly: arrested for trespassing after accidentally awakening a Subjurforged, which nearly killed Tayleon. Rose had managed to save him, but he now remained in the House of Healing, physically fine yet mysteriously turning gray and resisting conventional healing.

The group had received a disturbing visit from Kaedlin, who warned them about Einar's dangerous secrecy and the threat of mind-wiping. She urged them to "Find The Mirror" before it was too late, though she remained bound to silence. The three were left in their cells knowing the truth was likely more dangerous than the creature they were forced to slay.

What happened... When Vita disappeared....?

Vita sits in her cell, trying to process everything that happened. As she attempts to understand the moments when she disappeared during the battle... She finds herself pulled into a realm bathed in an eerie purple glow, disoriented and entirely alone.

Movement catches her eye, four shimmering shapes slowly growing larger and closer through the haze. She recognizes the creatures from the painting in the museum... Swarmers, terrifying creatures... Vita tries to distance herself but discovers she's trapped on a floating island with cliffs dropping into an endless void.

The Swarmers don't respond to her pleas to stop. When Vita attempts to use her magic, but nothing happens. Her spells don't work in this place. Desperate, she leaps to another floating island, discovering that gravity itself behaves strangely here, allowing her to almost float across the gap. The Swarmers follow. Vita backs up, drawing her dagger despite knowing she lacks proper training with it. She tries to warn them off, but they surround her anyway. Her wild strike misses completely, and all four creatures strike her with devastating force.

In that moment of being engulfed, Vita feels utter desperation and terror. She's trapped in a nightmare with no magic, no allies, and no preparation. Her friends are in danger somewhere beyond her reach. She screams.

As her scream echoes through the void, a small blue spark of light crosses past her, piercing through all four Swarmers' heads like an arrow. They vanish into smoke, though one manages to scratch her arm before disappearing.

From the fog emerges a feminine lionfolk with long hair, a striped coat, and a massive bow. At the center of her chest glows a small blue light—the same light Vita had seen moments before. The stranger introduces herself as Yssara.

When Vita asks where she is, Yssara explains she's at "The Edge"—the edge of existence itself. Vita doesn't understand how she got there, and Yssara doesn't know either. Yssara wonders if Vita came from "the other side."

Vita
"Who are you?"

Yssara
"Yssara..."

Vita
"What did you do?"

Yssara
"What do you mean what did I do?"

Vita
"With the blue light?

Yssara
"You were in danger, I saved you."

Vita
"Thank you."

Yssara
"So, who are you?

Thalga, Vita and Naomi | 3th of Rottings, Evening

But before Vita can learn more, she's pulled back... And only now, in the quiet of the prison cell... Vita finally processed everything. Looking at her arm, Vita discovers a large purple scar running up to her elbow—a mark she hadn't noticed during the entire situation.

The scar doesn't hurt and appears like a purple vein, reminding her of Einar's purple hair streaks. She traces it with her finger, thinking about the lionfolk who saved her and wondering where she'd seen that distinctive blue light before. She whispers "The edge of existence?" and her cellmates finally hear her voice.

Thalga calls out, relieved to finally hear Vita respond. The three prisoners begin talking, and Vita explains vaguely what happened when she disappeared during the battle at the temple...

It felt like far more than the blink of an eye. She describes it as confusing, terrifying, and profoundly strange, but worries about discussing it openly in case the guards are listening.

Naomi suggests they should focus on how to get out of their cells. They discuss that they were told to wait for either a trial or for a steward to collect them. Kaedlin had arrived earlier... but just left them there, shouting that she needed to "clean up this mess" before Einar discovers the truth. The irony strikes them that prison might actually be the safest place for them right now.

As they talk, the lights extinguish unexpectedly. It seems odd since it's only twilight, and they haven't been given dinner. Vita tries the cell door, but it's firmly locked.

The ladies settle in, discussing whether they'll be expelled from the academy. Naomi points out that at least they didn't steal the priceless tablet that disappeared—though they worry they might be blamed for that too, or at least accused of being a distraction for the real thief.

Vita expresses feeling that everything is her fault since she touched the Subjurforged. She feels overwhelming guilt about nearly killing Tayleon, her step-cousin and wonders if she belongs in prison. The thought reminds her painfully of Viða trapped in that ice crystal—what difference would there be between that imprisonment and hers?

The thought triggers something. The purple mark on her arm suddenly hurts, and she hears it again—that hissing sound, the same snake-like noise they'd encountered before but had mysteriously forgotten about, until Rose told them about it again...

When Vita mentions the purple scar and the hissing, Thalga and Naomi try to reassure her. They point out that while she did touch the Subjurforged, they all chose to stay and fight rather than flee. Thalga reminds her they technically saved everyone from a catastrophe that could have devastated so much more. After some encouragement, Vita thanks them for standing by her, and they all settle down to sleep.

Rose | 4th of Rottings, Early Morning

Rose wakes in her dormitory, her writing interrupted by hearing odd scratching at her door. She opens it to find Duke Slippington, Aiden's penguin familiar, looking up at her expectantly. She brings him inside and offers him biscuits, using Prestidigitation to make them taste like fish.

Duke seems to be searching for Naomi, which strikes Rose as peculiar. Rose casts Dancing Lights, and Duke chases the magical orbs around her room with delighted waddles. It's a welcome moment of levity after the previous day's trauma, a brief respite where Rose can simply play and forget.

When Duke's stomach growls, Rose decides to take him to the Academy Cafeteria. She examines herself in the mirror first, noticing her hair has been scorched by yesterday's fire. She carefully cuts off the burnt tips herself, then studies her reflection. Despite the weariness visible in her eyes, she sees something else—a defiance, an independence, a harder edge she didn't possess before.

...
...
...

In the dining hall, Rose sits alone for breakfast—mushroom soup, some bread with cheese, apple juice, and a cherry muffin—with Duke beside her eating fish. The absence of her friends feels heavy. For the past month, they'd always sat across from her at this table.

A young woman named Esme approaches and asks if she made Rose upset the previous day in the library. Rose assures her she didn't; Rose was simply having a difficult day. Esme sits with Rose, attempting to eat a... single fish but struggling oddly with her cutlery, as if the concept of using a knife and fork is somehow foreign to her.

Their conversation continues, but something feels off about Esme. She speaks strangely, and when asked where she's from, she answers "The Sevenfold Commonwealth"—naming the entire continent rather than a specific location, as if she doesn't quite understand how people normally describe their origins.

Rose shares one of her poems with Esme, who genuinely appreciates it. But when Rose mentions that everyone knows her name because of where she's from—from Kall-Carie—Esme's eyes widen. For a brief moment, Rose feels something brush against her thoughts, like a breeze passing through her mind. Her thoughts flash involuntarily to traumatic memories: her name spoken with pity, sympathetic looks from strangers, and the image of her town disappearing into purple sand.

The conversation grows increasingly awkward, When Esme introduces herself again, she mentions she "chose her name herself," which confuses Rose... Curious and and bit suspicious, Rose subtly casts Detect Magic, blinking three times to activate the Arcane Sight.

What she sees takes her breath away. A beautiful spirit dressed in flowing silk and white robes floats behind Esme, with twin pigtails and an intricate headpiece. The spirit holds a delicate cup in her hand. When the spirit realizes Rose can see her, she meets Rose's gaze directly.

Rose quickly lies about being distracted, her heart racing. But... When the spirit announces to Esme that Rose can see her, Esme quickly excuses herself, mentioning that she was merely waiting for Aiden to return.

As Esme leaves, Rose notices something crucial: The spirit glows with the exact same blue light as Legend Gilgamesh. The spirit turns back to look at Rose one more time before following Esme out. Rose sensed an aura of profound serenity emanating from the being, like a noble lady surrounded by the gentle rhythm of falling water.

Rose asks Duke to lead her to Aiden, and the penguin waddles through the academy to the dormitories, eventually reaching Aiden's door. A woman in an expensive red dress with black hair exits Aiden's room. Duke Slippington decides to hide behind Rose's leg when he sees the lady, he recognizes her.

She has striking sparkly blue eyes and introduces herself as Cinnamon, though she adds that friends call her Maria. When Rose asks what she's doing here, she mentions casually that she "spent the night," wearing a devious smirk. Rose blushes, uncertain how to respond, but when Aiden emerges shirtless and flustered!

"Brother... Could you at least put on a shirt?"

Rose notices immediately—they share the same distinctive blue eyes. Maria is his sister. After Maria leaves with a knowing smile at the awkwardness she's caused, Rose enters Aiden's room and sees the makeshift bed. Aiden apologizes for any wrong impression and explains that Sentinels were active all over town the previous night, which is why Maria stayed with him.

Rose becomes emotional as she wants to tell him about what happened, but hesitates.

Aiden realizes that whatever she's going to tell him, needs to remain between them. He makes the room magically secure using a spell, activating it with a ruby gemstone that creates an invisible barrier around them, preventing anyone from eavesdropping.

In this protected space, something in Rose breaks. A tear escapes as she looks at Aiden, and she begins to speak about everything, the events at the Temple of the Undecided, how her friends accidentally awakened the Subjurforged, how she nearly died again, how Tayleon is now in the Temple of Healing because of her failure to stop the others from going into the Hall of Historics.

She expresses her exhaustion with searching for her sister Snow while being involuntarily pulled into increasingly dangerous events. She admits she sometimes doesn't even think warmly of her mother anymore, who seems to wish Rose didn't exist—who sees only Snow and wants only Snow. Aiden moves closer, kneeling before her, and simply holds her hands. He tells her she doesn't need to have all the answers, that she's allowed to be uncertain. When Rose breaks down completely, admitting she sometimes wonders if her mother is right about her not deserving to exist, Aiden pulls her into an embrace and lets her cry.

...
...
...

After Rose calms, Aiden shares his own secrets. The sentinels were active last night, and it seems that the high priestess Anvari and her husband Naqshgar were arrested, but for what reason? He suspects the stewards or someone else is covering something up... Possibly covering up what Rose's friends did at the temple, which means they might be protecting them rather than punishing them...

Aiden explains that he's part of a group called The Covenant, and members of the group must stay thirty feet away from Einar Giedensera at all times because of the Luminary's ability to read minds within that range. Some Stewards of Solaris know about the Covenant's motives and move carefully around Einar. Others don't know or don't agree, which is causing conflict.

Aiden gives Rose his Sanctarubis, he admits this puts him in a vulnerable position without it, but he believes it is more important for Rose to have for now. He mentions he must report what he's learned to The Covenant but has to take a step back from being their eyes without his protective gemstone. Although his work at the Howling Heart Reserve will certainly keep him occupied regardless.

Aiden offers to introduce Rose to the faction. He explains they want to help but must tiptoe carefully around the truth, because... otherwise the memories disappear, and if memories aren't wiped, then the people themselves disappear. Rose agrees to meet them.

The conversation shifts to Esme, and Rose describes her odd behavior. Aiden explains that Esme is strange but helpful, particularly with Meddoh, the Merrow. He's noticed she seems able to communicate with Meddoh in ways he can't comprehend, focusing specifically on helping him while notably avoiding the fire salamanders...

Their conversation is interrupted by a knock at the door. Aiden quickly stands and opens it to find Professor Askdyrnir standing in the hallway, his cold gaze sweeping over the room before settling on Rose. "Hope I was not interrupting something?" he states simply, his voice carrying neither anger nor disappointment—merely fact.

Aiden immediately straightens, producing a document marked with a white dagger on a black scroll and handing it to Askdyrnir. The professor thanks Aiden, though his attention drifts to the state of Aiden's shirt, which leads—oddly—into a complaint about the Academy’s abandonment of uniforms. Professor Askdyrnir then turns his attention back to Rose.

Askdyrnir
"Ms. White, I am expecting you in the training hall at nine."

Rose
"At nine, I did not forget."

His eyes linger on her for a moment, and Rose feels something brush against her mind—a cold breeze passing through her thoughts. Then she hears something odd...

???
"Come on! I want to tell him!"

The sensation ends as quickly as it began.

Askdyrnir then leaves, closing the door behind him. Rose realizes with growing unease that Aiden addressed him as "master" rather than "professor"—a subtle distinction that speaks volumes... But what for...?

Ask Rose leaves, Aiden awkwardly asks—stumbling over his words—if she'd like to go out sometime after things calm down. Rose, blushing but hopeful, smiles shyly and agrees. Aiden awkwardly closes the door, and Rose stands in the hallway for a moment, processing that even amid all this chaos, something good might be growing.

...

Thalga, Vita and Naomi | 4th of Rottings, Morning

Meanwhile in the prison, morning arrives. Thalga wakes first, feeling surprisingly well-rested despite everything. The jail cells mysteriously open, and the lights turn on. A small prisoner named Loras complains loudly about being locked in darkness all night! The correctional officer, the silver dragonfolk Argent, apologizes for an "arcane mishap" with the security system and promises a more luxurious breakfast to compensate. However, Naomi, Thalga and Vita know better, it was because of Kaedlin's visit the night before.

At breakfast, the three women meet their fellow prisoners properly. Gilliam is the large wolffolk missing one hand, gruff but not unkind. Loras is a small man who plays snake charmer music on his flute with surprising skill. He explains he can talk to snakes, which Naomi, Thalga and Vita find curious yet perhaps a bit odd as well.

When Thalga asks what the snakes have been saying lately, Loris mentions they've been excited about the upcoming Luminary Day. When pressed about his obvious disdain for Einar Giedensera, Loras reveals that the city banned snakes in the city, even as pets and familiars. He finds this deeply unfair and petty, especially since large predators like lions and wolves walk freely through the city, so it seems more like a stupid vendetta than something else.

Loras also mentions that "lizardfolk" from the desert haven't been allowed in Costa Del Rugido for many years, however Thalga, Naomi and Vita find this... odd. As one of their 'rivals' at the academy is a lizardfolk priestess, is this an unusual exception...? Thalga brings this up, but doesn't seem that Loras knows anything about the priestess...

After Gilliam returns from his shower, Thalga heads out to take one next, leaving Naomi and Vita with Gilliam and Loras. While Loras and Gilliam play a card game, the topic turns to the Howling Reserve when Vita mentions they'd visited it recently. Gilliam's behavior shifts, and he confirms that he technically own the place. There's a heaviness in his voice as he speaks, and when Vita tries to thank him for his work there—mentioning how Aiden is doing a great job taking care of the creatures—Gilliam cuts her off sharply.

Gilliam
"Oh, you are the three that Aiden talked about... I guess... I should thank you?"

Vita
"You are welcome, I guess... It's quite flourishing now. All the creatures are doing fine and Aiden is doing a great job of taking care of them."

Gilliam
"I don't know why he even bothers with it anymore."

Vita
"Why? What do you mean?"

Gilliam
"I said what I said. I don't know why he bothers with it."

Vita
"Well, I think it's a great thing to have a space... to give sanctuary to these creatures and take care of them and help them in any way that you can..."

Vita
"I think it's a very noble thing to do!"

Gilliam
"Nobility doesn't get you anywhere in this life!"

Naomi
"I sense some... irritation. How come?"

Gilliam
"If you have spoken to Aiden, then you probably already know!"

Vita
"Know what...?"

Gilliam ignores them, turning his attention to the cards Loras is dealing between them. He clearly doesn't want to talk about it further. The ladies exchange glances, remembering what Aiden had told them—about Gilliam's wife dying three years ago, about him losing his hand and custody of their child, about how grief drove him to abandon everything while Loric and Lizz struggled to maintain the Reserve alone. About how he's been drinking himself into oblivion ever since, refusing all help, entirely unreachable in his pain.

The ladies sense deep pain beneath his words. Three years ago, Gileiam's wife died during a blood bath up north. He lost his hand in the same incident and subsequently lost custody of their child to the state. Consumed by grief and not knowing what else to do, he returned to the city but completely neglected his duties to the Howling Reserve, leaving his son Loric and daughter Liz to tend to it alone.

Then Loric was turned to stone, and Lizz—still with her own responsibilities. Through all of it, Gilliam was somewhere in the city, drinking himself into oblivion. It is why Aiden is so frustrated with him; he wants to help, wants to reach out, but Gilliam refuses all assistance, drowning in his grief and self-destruction.

Thalga returns from her shower, and Vita tries to step away from the awkward conversation.
While the others talk, Naomi quietly moves to the water barrel and fills a cup. Curious about the prison's arcane restrictions, she attempts to use her Shape Water technique. At first, she feels resistance, the anti-magic wards pushing back against her spell. But then something shifts. The water responds to her will, moving in the direction she intends, though not without effort.

She remembers that the prison's arcane wards are designed to make magic backfire, her connection to water—her own element—gives her enough control to overcome that interference. It's difficult, but not impossible. She keeps her discovery to herself for now.

Tulga browses the prison's small collection of books, looking for something to pass the time. Her hand falls on an older volume covered in a thin layer of dust—"The Lady of the Lake." Intrigued, she settles down at the table and begins to read. The story opens with a knight making his way toward an ancient lake. The writing draws her in. She continues reading, curious where the tale will lead...

Naomi heads to the showers, seeing Vita drying her hair, they talk in the steamy bathroom. Naomi remembers that Vita mentioned something about having a purple vein on her arm earlier, and when she shows it to Naomi, Naomi can't see it—only Vita can perceive it.

Naomi wonders if this reflects how they previously each saw different creatures attached to Liz. Vita explains that in the other place she visited—The Edge—the creatures that looked like more fully formed versions of those same entities had attacked her.

Suddenly both women suddenly feel an unpleasant sensation. They look up and notice something wrong: through the steam, there's a round shape where no steam exists, as if something invisible is actively repelling the steam. The Void in the steam has a distinct boundary, clearly revealing the outline of something they cannot see.

Naomi throws a bar of soap at it. The invisible thing moves, then disappears through the wall, away from the jail... They discuss telling someone but decide against it—what would they say? That they saw a hole in steam? With no proof of an invisible presence, they'd sound paranoid or mad.

Thalga checks up on the other ladies, Vita asks if Thalga sees the purple scar on her arm, but she also cannot see anything. Naomi and Vita inform Thalga about what they saw in the showers.

The ladies overhear Gilliam having an emotional outburst, throwing things in his cell. Looking at him, all three women immediately notice the same thing: his eyes have turned purple, glowing with the same unsettling color they've encountered before. Vita asks if he's alright, but Gilliam shouts at her to leave him alone, Vita's scar hurts in this moment...

Argent arrives and asks if Gilliam if he wants to be "bound again." suggesting this has happened before. Gilliam insists he has it under control, angrily blaming "these damn girls" for making him think about painful memories. Argent tries to ease Gilliam by telling him that they'll turn on the glowing stars in the roof of his prison. Gilliam wants to be left alone, Argent waves his claw causing Gilliam's cell to block off from the rest.

The ladies try to mention to Argent that Gilliam's eyes were glowing purple, but Argent insists they're blue, not purple. He cannot see what they see. Naomi attempts to explain about something similar they've encountered before, Vita interjects by saying that its caused by 'some creatures' that cause aggression and loss of control—but Vita realizes that she's about to break a promise and decides to back-peddle on telling any more. Thalga suggests that he just tries to sleep it off, but that they should keep an eye on him.

Argent assures the ladies that they have "eyes in all the cells," he adds that they do not have eyes in the showers—that would be inappropriate. The comment triggers something in Naomi. "Well, something was in there earlier," she says before she can stop herself.

Argent turns to her. "Excuse me?"

Naomi feels Thalga & Vita's eyes on her—they had just agreed not to mention it.

"Excuse me?" Argent repeats.

Naomi realizing her mistake. "It's nothing. Sorry. I just—I'm tired."

But the damage is done. Argent's expression shifts, becoming more intent. He snaps his fingers and Naomi's cell door opens. "Please follow me." his tone leaving no room for argument. As Naomi is escorted away, Vita and Thalga exchange worried glances, knowing they've just made their situation way more complicated.

Rose | 4th of Rottings, Morning

Rose, meanwhile, faces a decision. She's expected at a training session with Professor Askdynir in fifteen minutes, but after everything that's happened, the thought of attending feels wrong. She's worried for Tayleon... Instead, she walks outs the Academy's main entrance, sits by the fountain, and runs her hand through the water, thinking... She makes her choice.

She leaves the academy grounds, and goes to the drake taxi signpost and requests transport to the House of Healing. The journey takes about an hour. At the House of Healing, Rose finds Prince Solaris II tending to Tayleon.

The prince has his eyes closed, channeling magic through his staff. An orb of light detaches and floats above Tayleon, dripping what looks like droplets of sunlight onto the young man's body. When the spell ends and the prince opens his eyes, a pulse of radiance washes over Rose as well, warm and comforting.

Prince Solaris II greets Rose, knowing who she is. Rose asks how Tayleon's condition is. The prince explains that physically Tayleon is perfectly healthy, but spiritually something is deeply wrong. His spark has weakened, dimming like a candle running out of wick.

The prince speaks of how different cultures have different names for it—spirit, soul, spark—but in the legends of the Idol Solaris, they believe each person carries a spark within them, the essence of what makes them alive beyond mere flesh and blood.

The prince admits he's trying everything he can, but even we cannot stop death itself. He doesn't know how long Tayleon has left. If his own magic proves insufficient, there's still one person who might help: someone with ancient knowledge that surpasses even a prince's abilities. The Luminary, Einar Giedensera. He'll bring Tayleon to the royal palace if necessary, though the unspoken truth hangs between them: time is running out.

When Rose expresses skepticism about Einar being helpful, Prince Solaris II gently points out that appearances can be deceiving. He knows Einar in a different way than Rose does, having known The Luminary his entire life as Einar spends time at the palace tending to King Anwar Orpaz.

Their conversation turns philosophical. The prince asks Rose what she believes is stronger than faith. Rose answers that love is stronger, if it's allowed to last. The prince agrees but challenges her to think deeper about what love means—to truly love is to make choices.

Rose
"Harmonia should be stronger than this if you stay faithful to her."

Prince Solaris II
Do you believe it's only just faith?

Rose
Faith...?

Prince Solaris II
What is stronger than faith, Miss White?"

Rose
Love, I suppose, if it's allowed to last...

Prince Solaris II
You are correct. But when you think of love, what does that mean? What does it mean to love someone?"

Rose
To know them, to care for them, to do whatever it takes.

Prince Solaris II
And what's the difference between them and someone?—is to love to choose someone over someone else?"

Rose
"I don't know. I'm a bit conflicted lately, if I'm honest."

Prince Solaris II
"To love is to make choices."

Rose
"Choices can hurt."

Prince Solaris II
"And choices can heal."

Rose
...

Prince Solaris II
Which makes it stronger than faith. Solaris teaches us to have faith, but to never permit a wrong to grow into something worse. Meaning that you must choose to act. It's the same with Harmonia. Harmonia's lessons are about passage. Do you know the final right of Harmonia?"

Rose
I know them by heart.

Prince Solaris II
If you know them by heart, then you know that they always lead to a choice. And for him, it might be a final choice for who loves him... To stay with him in this difficult time.

Rose sits down beside Tayleon, the weight of those words settling over her.

Rose
"That's a good one."

Rose, moved by his words, sits beside Tayleon. She decides to be brave. She makes a request to the prince: she wants Tayleon's family brought to his side immediately, in accordance with the Last Law of Harmonia. Prince Solaris agrees readily, saying he'll speak to the stewards to arrange it.

But the moment he mentions stewards, Rose feels a chill of unease, remembering Aiden's warning. She realizes the Stewards might be compromised, might be the very people covering up dangerous secrets.

She speaks up, asking if there's a faster way—pointing out that Tayleon might not survive the time it would take for letters and bureaucratic arrangements.The prince studies her, then nods.

He asks if she's willing to travel with him immediately, using a sundial to transport them.

He tells Rose he's willing to accompany her through the sundial, to help fetch Tayleon's family. But he makes clear this isn't only for Rose—it's also for her mother. His family used to have good ties with Kari, and the loss of that connection still weighs on him. He mentions that he was never satisfied with not knowing what happened when Kall-Carie disappeared, and that he used to have a caretaker, that he lost when the city disappeared.

Her name was Yssara. The name hangs in the air, the same name as the lionfolk who saved Vita at The Edge of existence, though Rose doesn't know this. The prince says he feels even worse for someone else, but stops himself, admitting he's already said too much.

Prince Solaris II requests Rose to accompany him to the royal palace. While on the carriage, Rose's eyes widen at the intricate details surrounding her. Carved lions adorn the interior, each one positioned beneath a radiating sun etched into the ceiling. Small stars are scattered across the upper portions, forming constellations that shift and glimmer as the carriage moves. But what captures her attention most are the lions themselves—each one has a small blue crystal embedded in the center of its chest, like a tiny spark of life.

As sunlight filters through the carriage windows, these gemstones catch the light and shimmer with an inner glow, as if each carved lion possesses its own little spark. The craftsmanship is extraordinary, perhaps a bit overdesigned, but deeply symbolic. Prince Solaris II notices her fascination and comments that while it may be a bit... much, he must maintain certain appearances in the city.

Rose finds it lovely despite—or perhaps because of—its grandeur, seeing in the design a reflection of Concordian beliefs about the spark that brings life to all living things.

The prince reveals that his first name is actually Vulcaron, he prefers that name, because Solaris is merely a royal title he doesn't feel he's earned yet. Rose finds the name beautiful, complimentary to who he seems to be.

He explains he was named after someone who saved his life when he was not even born yet. Despite the honor, he confesses he cannot help but feel responsible for what happened to his father, the king. It was his celebration, after all, that drew a cult's attack's on the king.

Two diplomats from Sevenfold rescued the king during that assault, and the prince was given that diplomat's name in gratitude. Though he's uncertain whether he himself was ever in direct danger during the attack, he knows the cult specifically targeted his father. Rose observes that there seems to be a lot of darkness in the world lately, and the prince responds with quiet conviction that this is precisely why the sun must shine bright every day.

A philosophy that seems to carry both hope and the weight of responsibility.

Prince Solaris II takes Rose to The Sundial Chamber in the royal palace. In the center stands an small ornate sundial, its surface gleaming. Heavy curtains block the window, keeping the room in shadow. The prince explains the ritual: they must cut their hands on the sundial's sharp edge, let their blood fall upon it, and when sunlight hits the blood, they can travel to another aligned sundial.

Prince Solaris II warns Rose that she'll need to go first. The prince explains his reasoning carefully: If he makes the sacrifice for the journey now, then on the return trip he would be forcing others to bleed while he stands aside, and that would be unacceptable.

It would be improper for him to let others make the sacrifice while he remains safe. However. You can only make a sacrifice once per day. So when they bring Tayleon's family back through the sundial, it would be deeply inappropriate—even shameful—for the prince himself to avoid the blood sacrifice.

He holds her hand gently, guiding it to the blade, and tells her to act when she's ready.

Rose closes her eyes, sensing the radiant light even before the curtains open. A powerful weave of conjuration magic mixed with something darker, something that demands payment. She takes a breath and draws her hand across the blade.

Pain lances through her palm as blood wells up and spatters onto the sundial. The hurt is sharp and immediate, yet beneath it Rose feels something else—a warmth, a recognition from the magic itself, as if her celestial nature resonates with this divine light. The window opens, flooding the room with light, and Rose feels herself beginning to fade.

It's not unpleasant, exactly. She feels herself dissolving into pure radiance, floating weightless as if her golden wings had manifested and carried her upward into the light itself. For a moment she's nowhere and everywhere, suspended in brilliance.

Then she reappears atop a mountain, standing on a massive sundial. The surface is covered in old, dried blood—evidence of countless previous sacrifices. The sight turns her stomach, and true to the prince's warning, Rose immediately vomits over the edge of the platform.

Prince Solaris admits that his first time was worse, having eaten a large dinner beforehand. He shows her a map, explaining they've traveled many miles in an instant—a journey that would have taken days by conventional means.

They descend from the mountain and walk for about an hour to reach Leónopolis. But Rose realizes with growing concern that she doesn't actually know where Talon's family lives. Prince Solaris II doesn't know either—he agreed to help fetch them, but where they live was never discussed.

Prince Solaris II wanders towards one of the Drake Taxi's outposts and attaches a small golden note to one of the birds, which flies off to the Sentinel outposts. Within minutes, a sentinel arrives on a drake, immediately recognizing Prince Solaris II and asking nervously how he can help. The prince's presence here is clearly unexpected and potentially problematic. The Sentinel asks if the Ambassador must be informed about his arrival, but Prince Solaris II asks for secrecy.

Rose asks to travel to the Southern District, and about a tavern run by Leander and Ameena. The sentinel knows it well. The Gilded Hoplite Hearth, recently reopened. He gives them directions, then reluctantly agrees to keep the prince's impromptu visit a secret.

They arrive at the newly renovated tavern. The building looks brand new, completely rebuilt. Prince Solaris grows quiet and somewhat distant as they approach, and when Rose asks if he knows this place, he deflects uncomfortably.

Inside, they find Ameena behind the counter, Tayleon's sister-in-law. She bears a striking resemblance to Vita—the same features, the same expressions—and she immediately recognizes Prince Solaris II. Her face fills with concern the moment she sees him, her instincts clearly telling her something is wrong. Prince Solaris II then says: "Nice to see you again, Ameena..."

Despite being midday, the space is unusually quiet. A few patrons sit scattered at tables, but there's none of the bustling energy one might expect from a recently reopened establishment.

The silence feels heavy...

Rose introduces herself as a friend of Vita's. Before Rose can say more, a cheerful voice calls out from the back room. "I'm back from shopping!" Leander emerges carrying several bags, his face bright with the contentment of someone who's had a productive morning. "I know you were feeling ill this morning, but I got everything we needed. It's all going to be fine..."

...
...
...

His voice cuts off abruptly as he takes in the scene before him: his wife's stricken expression, a young woman he doesn't recognize, and Prince Solaris II standing in the middle of their tavern. The shopping bags slip slightly in his grip. Whatever mundane concerns had occupied his thoughts moments ago evaporate instantly.

Rose explains as gently as she can: there's been an incident in the city. Leander first worries if something happened to Vita, but Rose tells him they are here for Tayleon. Rose tells that he was hit by a spell, and that he's at the House of Healing in Costa Del Rugido, in rough shape. The healers are doing what they can, but his condition is bad.

When Leander asks directly if Tayleon is dying, Rose admits there's still hope, but they need to come immediately. Prince Solaris explains they'll be traveling by sundial, which will get them to Costa Del Rugido in moments rather than days.

Leander protests that Tayleon was fine just weeks ago when he visited—this doesn't make sense. But Ameena, hand clutching her husband's arm, immediately agrees to come.

Nothing else matters.