38

Against the World

Gwyn wasn’t sure how long she’d sat there, reeling at what Amari had said. At one point, she recalled Amari holding her while she sobbed. The door had opened and closed several times. When Gwyn looked up, she realized only Amari was there.

A fierce determination ignited within her. Gwyn had  to do something.  She wiped her eyes, steeling herself. “We have to find her,” she said, her voice resolute despite the tremor of emotion.

Amari nodded. “We will. Khalan’s out with the Academy Guard looking for anything that can help us figure out who took her. Rollo rushed to the estate.”

Gwyn shook her head, her brows knitting together in frustration. She knew .  “It’s House Racine. It has to be. I’m ready. How long until reinforcements arrive?”

“Not long now,” Amari tried reassuring her. But it didn’t help. They had to do something . Standing around wasn’t going to help Roz.

Gwyn’s gaze hardened. She knew the paladin was trying to help, but right now she wasn’t. “We can’t just stand here and do nothing , Amari,” she snapped. “Let’s go to where she was taken . I need to see it for myself,” she demanded.

She was scared. Fear threatened to overwhelm her, and standing there twiddling her damn thumbs was only going to make it worse. She had to do this. Gwyn would find Roz.

Amari inhaled sharply . “Follow me.”

The paladin led the way with a sense of urgency through the cold, silent academy grounds and the snow underfoot crunched as they moved towards the site of the attack.  

Upon arriving, the scene was chaotic yet controlled. The area bore the scars of the fight with clear signs of Roslyn’s magic evident in the upturned earth and shattered surroundings. Academy Guards were meticulously examining the scene, but their grim faces did nothing to help her nerves.

Instead, Gwyn was engulfed by a storm of emotions. Hopelessness gnawed at her, a deep, unsettling void that threatened to swallow her whole. Alongside it, a fierce rage bubbled, a fiery tempest that urged her to action. She felt it coursing through her veins, an energy both dangerous and vital. It kept her from collapsing. She had to harness that anger, let it keep her on task. She wouldn’t resort to using [Frozen Heart] , not now.

She needed that anger.

But deep within, Gwyn knew she couldn’t let these feelings overwhelm her. With a conscious effort, she [Focused] , channeling those emotions into a more productive force. The very act was a battle within itself, wrestling her despair and rage into submission.

Gwyn reminded herself that every passing minute was precious. She couldn’t afford to be paralyzed into inaction, not when her Roslyn’s safety hung in the balance. Time was of the essence, and her feelings, however justified, would not help in the search for her friend.

Determination replaced desolation. The rage was still there, simmering under the surface, but now it was a controlled blaze, fueling her resolve rather than consuming her. Her mind was clear. She would find Roz and bring her home.

Gwyn steeled herself, looking around the area in a new light. Lined up were the bodies of the attackers that had died, each being looked over by a pair of guards. A solitary blanket covered body lay separate—Mathias, she assumed. Khalan was in deep conversation with an older man who Gwyn recognized as the Guard Captain of the Academy.

As they surveyed the scene, the weight of what had happened hit Gwyn. Roslyn had fought, fought hard, but she was now missing. Despite her determination to remain strong, the sight of where Roslyn had tried to fight and the still bodies was too much. She fell to her knees amidst the snow, the cold seeping through her clothing unnoticed.

She had to be strong.

She had to be…

Tears streamed down her face, her body shaking with sobs. She tried to stifle them, to gather her composure, but the floodgates had opened. The fear, worry, and helplessness she had been holding back came crashing down on her.

She had to be strong…

Around her, the world seemed to pause, the guards and others casting sympathetic glances her way. She hated it, why couldn’t they just focus? Amari knelt beside her and put an arm around her shoulder. There were no words needed; her being there was enough. Gwyn leaned into her.

“They're here,” Amari announced, gently pulling away.

Gwyn, hastily wiping her tear-streaked face, pushed herself to her feet. As she braced herself, Sabina's voice echoed in her mind, a beacon of familiarity. ‘ Gwyn?’  came the mental query, o ne  tinged with worry.

The group appeared hurriedly, led by Gwyn's knights with Rollo followed by both of Roz's knights, and surprisingly, Calista—now nearly the size of a horse. And just like that, their arrival infused the scene with a renewed sense of urgency.

Each knight exuded a sense of determined purpose, their faces etched with concern. Gwyn's eyes briefly met Calista's, her curiosity about the dragon's presence momentarily surfacing amid the crisis.

“Here,” Gwyn called out, her voice steady.

Calista, with a graceful leap aided by her wings, closed the distance and nestled close to Gwyn. The dragon's telepathic assurance was comforting.  'I'm here, sister. We'll find her.'

Gwyn nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “Yes. Now, we have to move quickly. I need to speak with Sabina,” she whispered. “Be ready, I’ll need you after.”

Calista gave Gwyn a gentle nudge of encouragement before stepping back. Gwyn's gaze shifted to the guards, who were openly staring at the dragon. Annoyance flared within her. “Focus on your damn jobs, not my sister! Roslyn needs us,” she snapped, her hands igniting with fire in her agitation. Gwyn scoffed at their reactions and flicked her wrists to extinguish the flames.

The guards promptly turned their attention back to their duties, visibly startled by Gwyn's display of power.

Gwyn walked toward her allies as they approached, not content waiting a second longer. Roderick and Janine joined Khalan, while Taenya and the rest came to Gwyn's side.

“We're here. What can we do?” Taenya asked Amari. “We've got personnel from both Houses scouting every exit from the island. We haven't informed the City Guards yet, in case they're involved. But if the Academy Guard knows, then it’ll be out soon.”

Gwyn tuned them out and started pacing the area, her mind racing with a frantic energy as she tried to piece together what she could do. She knew  it was House Racine. It was the only option that made any damn sense.

Where is she. Eona, please help me.  

Every ticking second heightened her desperation; time was everything when Roslyn’s safety was on the line. Why was it so hard to [Focus] ?

She banged her fist against her head. Think! The city was large. No shit, Gwyn. House Racine seemed to be everywhere .

The kidnappers could be holed up anywhere at this point. Her thoughts jumped from one possibility to the next, each more unsettling. The idea that the kidnappers might not wait until morning was all but a wishful dream. What sent a panic through her was that they might move Roslyn under the cover of darkness.

She needed to act, and she needed to act fast. Relying on others would take too long.

Time that Roslyn might not have.

She needed to trust her own abilities, she was the strongest of them all. She could use her [Blink] to navigate the city swiftly and independently. She needed to rely on her own instincts and strength to find Roslyn before it was too late.

Wait.  Her mind mage had  been gathering information on House Racine. All she needed was somewhere to start.

Gwyn focused her attention on Sabina, reaching out to her. 'Sabina,'  she thought, her mental voice urgent. 'You've tracked House Racine for over a year. What do you know about their properties in the city?'

'Of course,'  Sabina replied telepathically, her thoughts clear and concise. 'There are several locations, but...'  She paused, considering before going down a list of places, starting with the manor that Gwyn burned down.

‘What about places that would give access to getting out of the city? Maybe by one of the canals, the river, or even the gates?’

'There were some warehouses that have been long abandoned. They're run down, seemingly unused.'

Gwyn's intuition flared. Abandoned warehouses—the perfect places to hide someone or smuggle them out of the city unnoticed. 'Those warehouses... they might be exactly what we're looking for,' Gwyn thought, a new sense of purpose igniting within her.

‘I’ll tell the others and we can go.’

Gwyn quickly shook her head, even though Sabina was over talking with the others while she stood alone with Calista.  Luckily, it appeared the mind mage was watching her.

‘Why not?’

‘I’m going. I’ll take Calista with me, but we’ll be faster.’

‘Gwyn…’

‘You all can catch up. You know I’m ready.’

‘Fuck. Just scout, Gwyn. If you see Roslyn and can get her safely with your [Blink], go for it, otherwise just scope it out so we have information when we get there.’

Gwyn frowned, but didn’t bother argu ing. She’d get Roz no matter what.

With the mind mage seemingly satisfied after giving her directions and a mental image of what the warehouse looked like, Gwyn updated Calista on the plan. The dragon would fly above, following Gwyn as she [Blinked]  through the city.

Sabina's information was a crucial piece of the puzzle. Gwyn now had a lead, a direction to channel her efforts. The run-down warehouses, neglected and overlooked, could be the key to finding Roslyn.

Gwyn prepared to act. She needed to check these warehouses as soon as possible. Every moment counted, and Gwyn was ready to delve into the shadows of the city to uncover the truth. First she needed to get ready. Unfortunately, everything she needed was at the estate. Which was on the complete opposite side of the city in the Sterling Heights.

‘Calista and I are going to the estate. I need to get ready. Just in case.’

‘Understood. Be careful, Gwyn,’ came the supportive response.

Gwyn quickly updated Calista on the change in plans. Her sister, understanding the urgency, suggested, 'Get on my back. We need to save your mental stamina for the warehouse.'

Gwyn complied, climbing onto Calista's sturdy back. 'This is our first time doing this, but I think I can get us to the estate,' Calista conveyed confidently.

As Calista took off, soaring into the sky, Gwyn's eyes widened in awe. The flight was slightly unsteady at first as Calista adjusted to the new experience of flying with Gwyn on her back. Gwyn, standing at a solid one-eighty centimeters and well-muscled, was no light passenger, but Calista managed admirably.

The city below them became a tapestry of lights and shadows as they flew, the freezing night air rushing past them. Gwyn circulated some heat over her skin with her [Pyromancy] as she held on tightly, the excitement of the flight mingling with her determination to find Roslyn. The sensation was exhilarating yet daunting. It was everything she wished it could be, but she couldn’t even enjoy it.

And it was all House Racine’s fault.

Roslyn should have been here to laugh and enjoy it with them. Cheering them on then taking her own turn right after.

Upon arriv al at the bustling estate, Gwyn immediately found their resident drak’valan and asked him to help her get ready. Calista waited patiently outside as Gwyn and Rhion hurried through the estate towards her room. Once there, Rhion assisted Gwyn in donning her armor.

Gwyn rushed as she equipped herself with various magical items, barely ensuring each piece was in its proper place before moving to the next. Her dagger was secured, and Raafe's Legacy was hastily strapped to her waist. Finally, grabbed the strap attached to her staff and slung it onto her back .

After gearing up, Gwyn expressed her gratitude to Rhion.  He stood nearby, occasionally flexing his wings, as she prepared to leave. “You'll be too heavy for her with all that gear,” Rhion cautioned, eyeing Calista.

Gwyn frowned at the thought, but Calista reassured her. 'I'll manage for one trip. I'm stronger than I look, Sister,'  Calista conveyed confidently.

Gwyn echoed Calista's assurance to Rhion. “She's confident she can carry me. We'll take it slow.”

Rhion flexed his wings again. “I should accompany you,” he suggested, protective instincts kicking in.

Gwyn, however, was firm in her decision. “No, this is my hunt. Stay here and keep the estate safe, especially with everyone away. We can't risk anything happening here.”

Rhion's frown deepened, but he nodded in agreement. “Alright. But be safe, Princess. Neira would never forgive me if anything happened to you on my watch.”

“Don't worry,” Gwyn replied with a terrifying  smile  as she climbed onto Calista's back. “We'll be fine.”

She didn’t even look back as Calista rocketed into the sky once more, the estate shrinking below them as they headed towards their destination.

Gwyn and Calista's flight towards the warehouse district of Riverport was a silent journey, punctuated only by the rhythmic beating of Calista's wings. The city, a sprawling expanse of artificial islands interconnected by canals, lay beneath them, blanketed in winter's embrace. The waterways, mostly deserted, reflected the muted lights from the riverboats docked along the port.

As they approached the district, which lay beyond the Royal Academy island, Gwyn's heart raced with anticipation and anxiety. The winter air was crisp, biting at her skin as she surveyed the landscape below.

Calista, feeling the strain of the flight, communicated her fatigue. Gwyn offered to land if necessary, but Calista insisted she could complete the journey, though they couldn't linger in the air for long.

They zeroed in on a rundown area in the south-central part of Riverport. Amidst a cluster of abandoned and some burnt-out structures, Gwyn recognized their target from Sabina's mental images. But there was a problem—the warehouse wasn't as deserted as they had hoped. Three guards stood watch at one entrance, and several rough-looking individuals loitered nearby.

Gwyn's pulse quickened as she took in the scene. The presence of guards and thugs indicated that this place was indeed significant—perhaps the very location where Roslyn was being held. Calista landed discreetly nearby, allowing Gwyn to disembark and prepare for a covert investigation of the warehouse.

Stealthily, Gwyn moved closer, keeping to the shadows, her senses heightened. Every sound, from the distant murmur of the city to the soft crunch of snow underfoot, seemed amplified in the stillness of the night. She needed to find a way in, gather information, and hopefully find a clue to Roslyn's whereabouts without alerting the guards to her presence.

Then she frowned. As something dawned on her.

Why am I even bothering with stealth?

She drew on her mana. Stealth would take too long.

‘Gwyn…’

‘Roz needs me. I can’t wait or go slow. I have to go   now.’

Luckily, her sister didn’t argue.

‘I’ll get the three walking around the building.’

‘Let me get the ones at the door first.’

Gwyn, stepping out of the shadows, approached the front door with a newfound confidence. The three men stationed there were engrossed in conversation, only turning as they heard her determined footsteps crunching on the snow.

The closest guard, surprised by her sudden appearance, placed a hand on the pommel of his sword. “And who the fuck are you?”

At that moment, Gwyn's fury, fueled by the attack on Roslyn and her own pent-up anger towards those responsible, reached its peak. She wasn't just anyone; she was a force to be reckoned with, especially when it came to protecting those she cared about. Her response was not in words but in action.

“Where is she?” Gwyn demanded, her voice a mix of anger and urgency.

As the man drew his sword, Gwyn's reaction was swift and decisive. She raised her hand and unleashed a powerful [Sunbeam] . The plasma surged forward, striking the man through the chest. He collapsed, leaving the other two guards in shock.

Without hesitation, Gwyn turned to the remaining men. “Where is she?” she repeated, her demand echoing in the cold night air.

In the distance Gwyn heard a roar, then a scream that abruptly cut off. Their response was a mix of fear and confusion. “What the fuck?!” one exclaimed, unable to comprehend the situation.

Gwyn, seeing no value in their lives given their connection to the Racines, acted without mercy. The last man, trembling with a sword in hand, was unable to provide the answers Gwyn sought. After two more casts of [Sunbeam] , she faced the door.

She mixed her [Draco-pyromancy]  with her spell and unleashed a barrage of [Elemental Bolts]  at the door. The explosion blew the door inward, and Gwyn stepped through before the smoke even cleared . The dim, flickering light cast by the still-smoldering doorway barely illuminated the cavernous space ahead, but with the lamps already sparsely placed around the area, it was enough for her to make out the shapes of the guards scrambling to react.

The first man approached warily, which gave her a chance. “Where is she?”

“Do you know who you’re fucking with?”

“Yes, House Racine.” Gwyn raised a hand and cut down the man approaching from the left with a [Sunbeam] . “Now, where is she?”

She felt more than heard movement coming from behind her. In a fluid motion, she used [Blink]  to dodge two meters to the left and simultaneously launched a [Cryomancy] -infused [Elemental Bolt] . The spell found its target, hitting the side of the would-be assassin's head with deadly precision.

As she turned to the first man, his demeanor changed from aggression to hesitation. “Wait, wait. We can talk this over,” he stammered.

“Where is she?” Gwyn demanded coldly.

“Who?”

“Roslyn.”

“Who?” he asked with a bit more confusion. His confusion seemed genuine, but Gwyn knew he was useless to her. Another [Sunbeam]  ended his potential threat.

At that moment, three assailants rushed from a room to her left, while two emerged from the right. Gwyn braced herself for the next wave of attackers.

“Where is she?”

The three on the left were led by a rough looking woman who narrowed her eyes, but before anyone could do anything Gwyn felt mana being drawn from the right. She turned her head as green and yellow swirled in front of one of the two men.

But before he could unleash his spell, the window behind him shattered. Calista, her form a massive, terrifying silhouette against the night sky, burst through the glass. The mage's spell was forgotten as he tried to defend himself, but it was futile. Calista's claws struck with the force of a battering ram, then as he fell, his screaming was ended by the fire she breathed in his face.

The mage’s companion raised his sword against the dragon, but Gwyn's [Sunbeam] struck him down first.

Turning her attention to the three on the left, Gwyn repeated her question, “Where is she?”

The leader, a rough-looking woman, eyed her warily. One of the men, however, sneered, “You’ll be killed slowly for this.”

Without hesitation, Gwyn eliminated him with another swift [Sunbeam] . The woman, now realizing the gravity of the situation, raised her hands in surrender. “I don’t want to die,” she pleaded.

The other man immediately turned on the woman, but Gwyn was quicker. Her [Sunbeam] ended his life.

Calista strode forward with smoke leaking from her snarling mouth. The woman’s eyes darted between Gwyn and the dragon. “Talk,” Gwyn commanded, her voice ice-cold. “Where is Roslyn?”

The woman, trembling slightly, tilted her head at Gwyn's question. “The blonde girl?”

Gwyn nods.

“Y-Yes, She's here. In the labyrinth.”

Gwyn's heart skipped a beat.  She's really here.  “Take me to her. And if you even think of trying anything…” Her gaze swept over the fallen bodies, and Calista let out a puff of smoke, stepping closer for emphasis.

The woman shook her head quickly. “D-Don't worry.”

As Gwyn followed her through the maze of the warehouse, they finally reached a heavy, reinforced door. Two guards, unaware of the carnage that had preceded them, stood in front. They didn't have a chance. Gwyn's spell hit them with the force of a hammer, knocking them aside like rag dolls.

“I was going to try talking to them…” the woman muttered, clearly unsettled by Gwyn's aggressive approach.

“Move,” Gwyn commanded.

The woman hurriedly tried the door, but it was locked. She turned back to Gwyn, eyes wide with fear and hands raised in a placating gesture. “I didn't know. Please…”

“Step back,” Gwyn ordered, and the woman quickly obliged, retreating from the door.

Gwyn pulled her staff free from her back and focused on the door, channeling her mana through the red core. A series of fire-based [Elemental Bolts]  struck the door one after another, the explosive impacts echoing through the warehouse. The door burst inward, splintering under the force of her assault, revealing the room beyond.

Gwyn stepped cautiously into the room beyond the broken door, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of Roslyn. The space was dimly lit, the air stale and heavy. It was just a room. And nothing in it. She almost growled as she turned to the woman, a spell already forming in her hand, but the woman, sensing Gwyn's suspicion, jumped back frantically.

"W-Wait! There!" she exclaimed, pointing behind Gwyn.

Gwyn's hand lowered slightly. "Show me.”

The woman nodded quickly and scurried forward. With trembling hands, she yanked aside a worn rug on the floor, revealing a hidden door. "This leads to the catacombs," she explained, her voice shaky. "It's where everything is smuggled."

Gwyn's gaze hardened. "You lead. And if anything—"

"I-I know, I'm dead," the woman interjected, her fear evident.

"We understand each other," Gwyn confirmed curtly.

The woman moved to open the hidden door, revealing a set of descending steps into darkness.

Calista was peering through the door but she was a bit big to fit at this point. “Will you be alright up here, Nyx?”

‘Yes, sister. Will you, down there?’

Gwyn nodded. “I will be fine. The others should be here soon. Update them?”

Her sister had heard everything the woman had said, so she would know what to tell Sabina. With her nod and a mental whisper of good luck, Gwyn followed behind the woman, her senses alert for any treachery or ambush. She kept her staff at the ready, her other hand prepared to cast her [Ice Blade]  at any moment.

Descending into the catacombs, Gwyn and the woman entered what she imagined a sewer system was supposed to look like if TV was anything to go by. The air was thick and damp . Plus it smelled fricking rancid. The sound of dripping water sounded in the distance, and the occasional scurrying of rats was the only sign of life.

The path ahead was dimly lit by sporadic torches, casting elongated shadows that danced across the wet stone walls. Gwyn followed the woman closely, her senses alert. Every splash of their steps in the shallow water and  every shift in the shadows was a potential threat.

The visibly shaken woman led the way. Her steps were hurried, driven by fear and the knowledge of what Gwyn was capable of. Gwyn, meanwhile, moved with deliberate caution, her eyes constantly scanning the darkness ahead and behind them.

Every so often, they passed small alcoves and side passages, each one a potential hiding place or a trap. Gwyn was ready. Her [Mana Sense]  spread wide, and nothing would sneak up on her.

The woman hesitantly led Gwyn through the damp, winding catacombs until they reached a steel door. She glanced nervously at Gwyn, then back at the door. “It's through here,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the dripping water.

Gwyn frowned. “What should I expect?” she asked.

Her forced-escort seemed to weigh her words carefully. “At least ten people, including the boss's contact. Then there's your girl, unless they've already moved her.”

“When were they planning on taking her?”

The woman shrugged. “Wasn't told.”

Gwyn's frown deepened. “Get us in there,” she demanded.

The woman hesitated, her eyes flickering between Gwyn and the door. “I don't want to die,” she murmured. “I swear, I will serve you. I’ll do whatever—”

“If you continue helping me, it's your best chance of living. Everyone else dies.”

Resigned, the woman nodded and stepped up to the door. She took a deep breath, raising her hand to knock frantically. “Hey! Open up! There's a monster upstairs killing everyone!” she yelled through the door, her voice laced with feigned panic.

There was a brief moment of silence before a small hatch on the door slid open. Suspicious eyes peered out. The woman continued her desperate plea, convincing the person behind the door of the danger above.

As the door slowly creaked open, Gwyn readied herself. The woman’s eyes widened and she put her hands up. Gwyn cast a [Sunbeam] that dispatched the man that had opened the door and saw several crossbows aimed directly at the entrance. A quick pulse of her [Mana Sense]  assured that Roz wasn’t in the room. The moment the bolts flew, Gwyn used her [Telekinesis]  to shove the woman out of harm's way at the same time she summoned her [Spell Tome] . The thick tome opened by itself to where she wanted it and with a pull of mana, a rune leaped  from the pages and in front of her staff. The rune flared red and a [Pillar of Flame]  exploded in the room.

The inferno erupted with a deafening roar, consuming the space in a maelstrom of fire.  Screams of pain and surprise echoed as the flames engulfed the attackers. The intense heat singed the edges of the door, the air thick with the smell of burning… everything.

She quickly yanked the woman back to her feet and gestured with her head toward the door. The woman hesitated at the doorway and Gwyn shoved her forward, her eyes quickly taking in the aftermath. The charred bodies of three men with crossbows lay scattered, the door guard among them. The woman, her face a mask of panic, hesitated but moved on under Gwyn's stern gaze.

The room was large, its high ceilings lost in shadow. Sporadic torches flickered along the walls, casting a dim, unsettling light. Gwyn's ears picked up the faintest sounds: the distant drip of water, the crackle of smoldering wood, and the surpris ed shouting of voices further within.

She knew at least six more of the enemy remained, and she considered her next move. There had been a mage upstairs, so she should expect at least one down here. Moving silently, Gwyn advanced, her [Mana Sense] pulsing like a radar, alert to any presence.

In the shadows, a figure moved. Gwyn reacted instantly, sending a chilly [Elemental Bolt]  speeding towards the silhouette. It struck with a sharp crack, and a stifled groan followed. One more down.

As she ventured deeper, the air grew thicker, the smell of blood and burnt fabric permeating the space. Two more figures appeared, swords drawn, lunging towards her. Gwyn’s reaction was swift; a wave of her hand with her [Pyromancy]  sent a rush of fire, forcing them off balance as they attempted to avoid it. She dispatched them with quick, precise [Sunbeams] . Their bodies fell with heavy thuds on the stone floor.

Gwyn's heart pounded in her chest, a steady drum driving her forward. The remaining enemies were close, she could feel it. Her eyes darted around, searching for any sign of Roslyn.

Suddenly, a shout echoed from a nearby corridor. Gwyn turned, just in time to see two men charging at her. One swung a heavy axe, the other brandishing a spiked mace. Gwyn ducked under the axe swing, countering with a fiery [Elemental Bolt]  that engulfed the attacker. The mace-wielder swung wildly, but Gwyn's agility saved her, allowing her to step back and unleash another  [Sunbeam] , which struck him squarely in the chest.

Only two more left.

Gwyn’s breathing was heavy, her focus unwavering. She pressed on, every sense alert. The last two must be guarding Roslyn , she thought.

She approached a closed door, behind which she could hear muffled voices.

Gwyn glanced at the woman, who stood trembling, eyes wide with fear. “Stay here,” Gwyn ordered. “If you run, either I will find you or my fire breathing sister upstairs will.”

The woman nodded, clearly eager to avoid further conflict.

“What’s behind here?”

“The dock. It leads into the river.”

Shit. Shit, shit. I need to hurry.

Gwyn readied herself, gathering her mana. This was it. She could be moments away from finding Roslyn. Focusing her [Cryomancy] , she unleashed it through her staff, and the door began to frost over like a creeping cold that spread across its surface. Once it was sufficiently frozen, Gwyn switched to [Elemental Bolts]  of fire, bombarding the door until it exploded inward, shards of ice and splintered wood flying.

As she stepped through the destroyed doorway, Gwyn was met with the sight of an internal dock that led out through an open gate to the river. A boat with its single sail was being loaded by not two, but five bad guys. Two women appeared to be mages while two men brandished shields and maces.

Gwyn's eyes locked onto a sight that sent a jolt through her heart. Being forced to the boat, and struggling against her captors, was Roslyn. Her friend's eyes, wide with fear and shock, met Gwyn's for a fleeting moment. Roslyn's attempt to scream out was brutally cut short by a harsh backhand from the woman next to her—a face she recognized with a surge of anger.

Gwyn's hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms. The room around her faded into a blur, her focus narrowing to Roslyn and the woman who had struck her. She had to stop them from getting away. Stop them from harming Roz.

“Amanda Levings,” she sneered. “I don’t care if we’ve met before, but if you do not let her go, I will kill all of you.”

Why would she do this? She wanted to go home…

The Canadian woman stood, watching Gwyn with a calculating gaze. “Delay the girl for us,” Amanda snapped as she gestured to the others. Mana swirled inside the two mages. Roslyn lifted her hand and a surge of mana rushed to her call, but before she could cast, Amanda punched her then shoved her back . Roslyn fell with a cry of shock, and Gwyn could hear the thud of her landing inside of the small boat.

Before she could focus more on Roz, the fight began with a flurry of spells from the two mages. The first woman launched an orb of arcane magic, a seemingly weak but potentially deceptive attack that crackled with purple energy. The other mage sent sparks of lightning arcing towards Gwyn. She reacted instantly, using [Blink]  to evade the incoming spells, appearing between the two spellcasters.

In that instant, Gwyn summoned her [Ice Blade] , the weapon forming swiftly in her left hand. Both women turned on her, but as it solidified, she quickly pulsed her [Antimagic Field] spell, a shimmering spell that enveloped the area and interrupted the cast of both mages’ spells for a moment.

One of the mace wielders swung at her aggressively, but Gwyn’s quick reflexes and the use of [Blink]  allowed her to reposition herself behind the nearest mage. As she reappeared, she was already thrusting her  [Ice Blade] forward, its sharp tip piercing through her target. The woman crumpled to the ground, dead.

A lift of her hand allowed her [Spell Tome]  to form and snap open, pages flipping until it reached what she wanted. A quick pull  of mana from the tome using her staff and she cast [Arcane Chains]  on the second mace wielder. The entire process took maybe a second and she was already moving to the next target.

Gwyn [Blinked] again, moving fluidly across the dock. The second mage turned to face her, but she was too late. Another swift strike, and she too fell, silenced by her blade.

Gwyn barely had time to register her success when the first mace wielder attacked again. She raised her [Ice Blade]  to block the blow, but the force was too great; the blade shattered upon impact. Gwyn swiftly rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a crushing blow. Mid-roll, she used [Blink]  to stop from falling off of the dock into the cold water and repositioning herself at a safe distance. The move had the benefit of letting her evade the second mace wielder's strike who had managed to escape the chains holding him down—which she had failed to notice.

[Focus] , Gwyn.

Seeing an opening, she quickly cast  [Sunbeam]  towards the first mace wielder. He was caught off guard, unable to dodge in time. The beam hit its mark, and he fell to his knees and tumbled into the water with a splash.

The second mace wielder, enraged by the fall of his comrades, charged at Gwyn. Reacting swiftly, Gwyn summoned her [Spell Tome] , flipping it open to the page for [Gout of Flame] . Drawing on her mana, she traced the rune with her staff, focusing her energy through the magical focus. Pointing her staff forward, she unleashed a torrent of flames, a fiery stream that engulfed the charging man.

The heat was intense, the light from the flames casting eerie shadows across the catacombs. The man was consumed by the fire, his screams echoing off the stone walls before falling silent.

Gwyn stood amidst the aftermath, her chest heaving with exertion as she turned to Amanda. The woman stood there silently, but now she held two daggers in her hands and her eyes flashed with black mana.

“Gwyn!” Roslyn cried out. Amanda rounded on her but Gwyn was quicker as she cast her [Arcane Chains] . The woman attempted to avoid them, but they caught her forearm and yanked her backward with a jolt.

Amanda recovered quickly, her body dissolving into a cloud of smoke, slipping from the chains' grasp. She reappeared behind Gwyn, daggers flashing. Gwyn spun, reforming her [Ice Blade]  to block a vicious strike with her still growing sword, the sound of ice cracking echoing in the room.

Gwyn retaliated with a [Sunbeam] , but Amanda vanished again in a swirl of shadows, reappearing to Gwyn’s left. Each attack was a dance of shadow and light, Amanda using her smoke and shadow magic to disorient and Gwyn countering with bursts of elemental magic.

Amanda’s daggers were a constant threat, their sharp edges seeking weaknesses in Gwyn’s defense. Gwyn, however, used her [Mana Sense]  to anticipate Amanda's shadow steps, countering with precisely timed [Blinks]  and [Elemental Bolts] .

Amanda was relentless. Gwyn had no idea who had trained the woman, but they’d done their job well. She wasn’t as tall as Gwyn, but she was constantly  moving, using her magic to hit Gwyn from all sorts of angles. She now understood what it was like to fight someone who could teleport around, and it was frustrating.

Gwyn was deflecting most of the attacks, but then Amanda kicked instead of trying to swipe with a blade  and it caught her off guard, sending her crashing into a crate with a force that knocked the breath from her lungs. She could feel the impact reverberate through her body, a sharp pain that promised a deep bruise.

She staggered back to her feet, wincing at the pain that shot through her.

Amanda's voice, filled with anger and scorn, echoed off of the stone walls. “This is all your fault,” she snapped, her words laced with venom. “We wouldn’t be here if you’d just come with us, Gwyneth, but you just have to keep interfering with the mistress!”

In a sudden surge of defiance, Roslyn stood up and aimed her hand at Amanda. With fierce determination, she summoned a powerful gust of wind, pulling water from the river and sending it crashing towards Amanda. As the water struck   her with startling force, she cried out in surprise. However, Amanda's agility was not to be underestimated. Before she could be knocked off the dock, she shadow-stepped back onto it, retaliating with a blade formed of shadow magic hurled directly at Roslyn.

Roslyn  reacted  quickly. With a dive to the side, she narrowly avoided the shadow blade, but her escape was far from graceful. As if time had slowed down, Gwyn watched in horror as Roslyn stumbled, her movements clumsy in her frantic attempt to evade the attack. As Roslyn's foot caught on an unseen obstacle, she fell backward. Gwyn’s heart sank as Roz toppled over the side of the boat and into the water.

“Roz!” Gwyn's cry was a mix of fear and desperation. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her mind racing with panic.

Before she could do anything about her best friend, Gwyn sensed a surge of mana building in front of her. Instinctively, she tried to leap backward, but Amanda was already there, a black mana covered dagger in hand, plunging it into Gwyn's breast. Pain erupted through Gwyn's body, a sharp, searing agony that stole her breath away. With a cry of pain and defiance, Gwyn raised her hand, summoning a [Sunbeam] and directing it towards Amanda. The beam of searing flame shot toward Amanda, but the assassin was quick, disappearing into a cloud of smoke and reappearing moments later from a different angle.

This needs to end!

Gwyn ignored the pain and pushed harder. Fear, rage, and spite fueled her.

She lunged at the woman with her [Ice Blade] . As soon as the woman dodged, Gwyn lashed out with her staff, catching her shin. Amanda went down, and Gwyn fired a series of [Elemental Bolts]  at her, but she still  somehow avoided them before shadow-stepping  behind Gwyn.

Gwyn [Blinked]  and cast again. Amanda used her shadow magic to vanish, then reappeared above Gwyn, attempting a downward strike. Gwyn rolled away, narrowly avoiding the blade, and retaliated with a quick [Sunbeam] . The light seared the air where Amanda had just been, but the assassin had already vanished into the shadows again.

She looked over, and heard some splashing, hoping Roslyn was fine even if she couldn’t see her.

Gwyn's frustration grew. She was tired of this cat-and-mouse game. Channeling her mana, she prepared the rune for a [Gout of Flame] , unleashing a roaring stream of fire towards Amanda. But the assassin was quick to react, her shadow and smoke forming a temporary barrier that allowed her to avoid it.

Damn it!

Focus, focus, focus!

“Screw this,” she snarled as she [Blinked]  away to avoid another attack.

I need to try something different, damn it.

She cast [Frozen Heart] .

Instantly her frustration, her fear, anxiety, and anger all fell away. All that was left was logical detachment. She calmed her breathing and [Focused] her [Mana Sense] , trying to predict Amanda’s next move. As Amanda reappeared, Gwyn was ready. She cast her [Arcane Chains] , the glowing bindings snaking toward the Canadian-turned-magical-assassin with unerring accuracy. Amanda, caught off guard, struggled against the magical restraints but Gwyn was already casting the finishing blow.

A [Sunbeam]  launched from her staff, the intense plasma of light and heat shot toward Amanda. The woman still somehow managed to avoid most of the strike, but the spell did hit its target, the searing energy burning off one of Amanda’s hands.

The smell of cauterized flesh filled the air, and Amanda’s scream of pain echoed off the walls.

However, Amanda, driven by desperation and pain, conjured one last spell. With a swift motion, despite her injury, she created a massive smokescreen. The room instantly filled with dense, choking fog. Gwyn coughed, trying to wave the smoke away, but her visibility was reduced to almost nothing.

Gwyn used her [Flame Shield]  to protect herself from a sneak attack, then used her [Mana Sight]  to look around the room. The only source of mana other than her was Roslyn—who was still in the water.

The fog gradually dissipated, but Amanda was nowhere to be seen. But that didn’t matter. Her focus shifted back to the girl that mattered most; to Roslyn, her friend still in need of rescue.

Without a second thought, Gwyn dropped her staff and plunged into the water to save Roslyn. Her friend was struggling to stay afloat, her movements frantic and uncoordinated. Gwyn struggled to swim in her armor, but powered through the chilling water with strong, determined strokes, reaching Roslyn just as her strength seemed to be failing.

Gwyn grabbed hold of Roslyn, feeling her friend's exhaustion and fear. In that critical moment, Gwyn focused her magic, summoning the mana for a [Blink] . With Roslyn securely in her grasp, she activated the spell, and in a flash of light, they both appeared back on the dock, safely out of the treacherous water.

Roslyn coughed and gasped for air, her body shaking from the cold and shock. Gwyn, relieved but still on high alert, quickly scanned their surroundings for any further threats. They were safe, for now.

“Roz, are you okay? Talk to me,” Gwyn pleaded.

 “I tried... I'm so sorry... They killed Mathias…” Roslyn's voice trembled as her teeth chattered. “They hit me, and carried me away. I was so s-s-scared. I didn't think I'd see you again. I… I…”

Gently, Gwyn enveloped her best friend in an embrace trying to offer her warmth and safety as she threaded her fingers through her friend's blonde hair. “You're safe now. I'm here. Let's get you warm,” she whispered softly. As they clung to each other, Gwyn carefully channeled her [Pyromancy] , letting a gentle warmth radiate from her body. The heat was soothing and steady, drying both of their clothes and warming their chilled skin. It was a delicate balance, providing comfort without overwhelming her Roz with heat.

She let go of her [Frozen Heart]  and cried as she held her friend. Tears streamed down Roslyn's cheeks as she nestled closer to her. “Please, Gwyn... don't leave me.”

Gwyn's embrace tightened. “I'm not going anywhere. I'm here with you,” she promised, pressing a tender kiss to Roslyn's forehead. “Side by side, Roz. Remember our promise. I swore it.”

She pulled back and looked over her friend, taking care to find everywhere she was hurt. Roz had a small gash on the side of her head and her lip was busted, but she was safe. She was going to be okay. “You're okay. Oh goddesses, I thought I had lost you, Roz.” Gwyn choked up. “I was so scared. I'm so sorry I took so long. I shouldn't have let you go. Oh Roz, I'm supposed to keep you safe. I —”

Roslyn put a hand over Gwyn's lips and pulled her back into her arms. “You’re here now. You saved me.”

“You're safe. You're okay?”

She sniffled.

Roz nodded. “I'm safe. But Gwyn?”

“Hmm?”

Roslyn nestled closer. She took a deep breath and Gwyn felt her lightly shudder. Then Roz whispered, so quiet that Gwyn had to strain to hear it. “Gwyn... I really like you. More than just a friend. Down here… all I could think about was that I didn't want to go without telling you.”

Gwyn's heart skipped a beat. “You do? Like...?”

Roslyn, with a faint smile and tears in her eyes, met Gwyn's gaze. “Yes, silly. I like like you. A lot.”

“Really?”

The most beautiful girl in the world locked her violet eyes onto Gwyn's blues with a seriousness that said that there was nowhere else she'd rather be. “Yes, really.”

Gwyn nodded mutely, her eyes tearing up as warm feelings filled her. She had to tell Roz how she felt. The attempt to stand up delayed the opportunity as a sharp pain-filled reminder of her injury made her stumble. Roslyn's eyes, filled with concern, widened as she noticed the wound. “Gwyn, you're hurt!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with worry. “Why didn’t you—”

Gwyn, trying to maintain composure, managed a weak smile. “I'll be okay,” she reassured, though the effort to speak was starting to become taxing. “We need to get out of here, now.” She extended her hand to Roslyn, a silent plea for her friend to trust her, despite the pain that clouded her expression.

She kept Roz close all the way out of the sewers and the warehouse where the rest of their Houses’ people were just arriving with Calista. They were immediately fussed over, and Gwyn thanked every god and goddess that Amari had the foresight to bring a priest that had healing magic. There was mention of what would become a gnarly scar.

Gwyn’s foggy mind recalled Aunt Katie saying chicks dig scars. She hoped Roz felt the same.

But, even through all of that, Gwyn wouldn’t let Roz go until they were settled into a carriage with a blazing block of warehouses at their back; nor could she let Roslyn out of arm’s reach.

They held hands all the way back to the estate. When they finally arrived and Roz leaned against her arm, Gwyn realized that there was no one else she ever wanted by her side.

She knew what she had to say. A feeling she’d hidden even from herself  for so lon g. Now, it was all she could think about as they both cleaned up and finally crawled into bed.

Gwyn had been too scared that she’d lose the greatest thing to happen to her on Eona so she had lied to herself and shoved down those feelings. She’d locked them away as if they were something to be ashamed of, or as if she were protecting Roslyn from heartache. In the end, it took the girl she cared about most in the world making the first move to get her to realize just how she really felt.

“Roz?”

She shifted onto her side and locked her gaze onto Roslyn’s. Those deep amethyst eyes drew her in and held her in a moment suspended in time. “Yes, Firebug?”

Gwyn almost melted right there, a feeling more intense than any flame she’d ever conjured. But she didn’t. She was fireproof.

“I really like you, too. I have for as long as I’ve known you.”

Roslyn exhaled a sigh as if she'd been holding her breath for an eternity, a sound that conveyed a world of happiness and relief, making Gwyn realize she'd do anything to hear it again.

“Side by side?” Roz asked quietly.

Gwyn reached out, intertwining their fingers in a gesture that felt as natural as breathing. Leaning in, she gently kissed Roslyn, a kiss that was tender, soft, and utterly amazing. In that kiss, Gwyn felt a whirlwind of feelings, like a brilliant supernova bursting in her heart and an indescribable joy and excitement. It was a moment where everything felt right, perfect even. She never, ever wanted to stop feeling this way.

As they parted, Gwyn whispered, “Against the world.”