The footsteps were rapidly approaching as though the owner was running, fast. Listening to the frequency and sound the footsteps made they all concluded that it was human but it didn’t mean they could let their guard down.

Cassian’s shadow spread outwards cautiously. Yander’s hand tightened around her sword.

Then, a figure emerged through the trees.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and with familiar golden hair partially covered by the hood of the cloak he was wearing.

’Caius? What a coincidence this is’

His clock was torn heavily in several places while dried blood stained the sleeves near one arm. A massive great sword rested across his back.

The moment Yander saw him, her calm expression cracked slightly for the first time.

"Caius?"

He stopped walking. His eyes lifted towards her quietly and for the first time since meeting Atheline, Yander seemed to visibly relax.

They stared at each other for a few moments as though forgetting the other two who were suffocating in the awkwardness of the moment.

Cassian blinked between them immediately.

"And who might this young elf be?" He asked breaking the moment and continued without waiting for an answer," Do you know him?"

He pointedly looked at Yander who nodded once but her worried gaze was still on Caius.

Caius looked exhausted but alive and judging from the sheer amount of Aether surrounding him, he seemed to have advanced.

Atheline studied him carefully. The last time he had seen Caius was at the Islands and he had been an A rank but right now he had skipped to an S rank.

Atheline could only curse inwardly. The world didn’t even let him celebrate his small win when the protagonist had to come in with his ridiculous luck and talent then slap him on the face with it.

He could already imagine what the future would be like, whenever he increased in rank, Caius and Yander would be right behind him climbing up the ladder. It seems the world was determined to maintain balance and push the narrative.

He could only sigh in exhaustion. There was never going to be a day when it would only be for himself unless he became a sovereign since the element would only belong to him.

A small sniff brought him out of his trance. His gaze shifted to Yander.

She stepped forward first.

"You’re injured."

Caius gave a faint smile.

"So are you."

Yander was quiet for a moment then a small exhale left her.

"Do not do something so foolish ever again, okay?"

Caius seemed not to want to answer but her gaze made him nod.

"I fought a ridgeback," he calmly said but his eyes were saying otherwise," and advanced again."

Yander stared at him for a moment, then lowered her gaze." You did well but do not do something so stupid ever again... I was worried."

Cassian stood up at that moment.

"Well, this is emotional and all but can we continue the reunion somewhere else, you seem to have brought more trouble with you."

As if to respond to his words, a distant roar suddenly echoed through the forest.

The four exchanged glances silently then Caius spoke quietly.

"Young Lord, I never imagined I would see you here," he said his face brightening slightly before going back to being serious.

Atheline smiled.

"Good evening, Caius," Atheline responded.

Though light still filtered into the clearing, the sun was almost setting and darkness was about to take over the forest in a few hours.

"You’re heading there too?"

Atheline looked towards the distant darkness beyond the trees, then nodded slightly.

"Yes."

Caius studied him for a moment then his face broke into a smile. The former serious expression vanishing like it never existed.

"Then let’s prepare and move soon," he said," I’m not really sure how strong the monsters will become as we move to the inner centre but I’ve passed a few fighting against each other."

Cassian glanced between the two of them. Atheline was strapping his bow while Caius was helping Yander in collecting some herbs and plants in the clearing.

"You two know each other?" He asked.

The dynamic and understanding between the two showed that they were extremely familiar.

Atheline gave him a deadpan look.

"Of course, I’ve known the young lord for quite some time. He’s helped me a lot.," Caius jumped to answer before Atheline could respond.

Cassian looked between the two, eyes narrowed. Just from their signature he already knew the young man was strong. He looked even younger than Atheline and he had already reached so far in power.

It all seemed so illogical. How had they not known of such a person’s existence? He tried to search his memories for anyone who looked familiar.

Then it came. The saint, high elves. He understood now why he wasn’t famous was because he was still new. He glanced at Yander who seemed worried about him.

From where he was standing, Yander, Caius, and his highness were all powerhouses, and all seemed to gravitate almost unconsciously towards Atheline.

A disturbing fact none of them had considered. He had just accepted that Atheline was growing too fast and now another had joined the fray.

Atheline seemed to have more connections than Cassian wanted to admit. The fact that almost all his precognitions were being decimated right in front of him didn’t make it any better.

But still, his easy-going expression and carefree smile never left his face.

’I’m surrounded by lunatics’

Caius exhaled softly before speaking again.

"The inner region changed yesterday around midnight. "

Atheline nodded slightly.

"The strange wave of Aether and the awakening."

"You felt it too?"

"Yes."

Caius’ expression darkened faintly afterwards.

"There’s something beneath the centre." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

’Isn’t there always something ’

Atheline almost rolled his eyes but he remained impassive. Caius continued carefully.

"I reached the inner edge of the main centre this morning but I couldn’t in."

Yander immediately focused on him.

"What did you see?"

"Ruins."

Cassian frowned slightly.

"Ruins?"

Caius nodded once.

"Ancient ones, " his gaze shifted towards the deeper forest," Buried beneath the Inner region."