[Basement Area: University of Foranea, Monoceros Keep 6:30 PM, 10th of Before Witching, Year 426]

" Oh, Great Umbral Nobles Charybis, Damocles, Xiven, and Polyphemus! Hear these people who dared to challenge everyone and hoped for a better future in Foranea and the rest of Iliad! Here out our prayers to you! "

A man in a dark cloak stood at the center of the circular room and held a flask containing human blood which he had obtained from those victims of those towns which he and the Chergarian Leanan Sidhe had slain. Then, he turned to the students and the professors who worshipped with the minister. He opened the flask and whisked them with blood.

" Our Great Umbral Nobles, please bless us with knowledge and wisdom! We are your children who deserve to be part of this dark..."

" Monsieur Darkvile, " a young man called out and removed his hood, revealing his shaved head. " We have a problem. "

" What is it?! " Darkvile angrily asked and turned to him. " Who dares to interrupt our worship this evening?! "

" My apologies if I interrupt, the Blue Knight and his Ouranist allies may find our plans in the university and our brothers from Ordrè de Damokles. "

" How is that possible?! They cannot hinder our actions! "

" But monsieur, we had heard of their success in fighting against our brothers! " a woman's voice echoed. " We should do something! "

" No! " Darkvile firmly answered and clenched his fists. " We cannot let that happen! I must prove to the Great Charybdis that I am worthy to be your minister! We must show them how we are capable of! "

[Neforie's Mansion: 9:30 PM, 10th of Before Witching, Year 426]

Hans entered the office as the female skaven maid opened the door. She gestured him to come to the stateman's office. Senator Valfor Neforie was puffing with a thick brown Rogacian cigar. The smoke went all over the room when he saw him sitting on a chair next to his desk.

" Bonsoir, monsieur Malter. How's your work with Darkvile so far? " he asked nonchalantly and kept puffing his cigar and waited for the Chergarian Leanan Sidhe's response.

“ Ja, it went quite well. Most of the towns have been produced to rumble or burning as we speak, ” Hans answered.

" I see, " Neforie smirked and nodded, placing his cigar down. " Very well, you have done a great job on this one. You have understood that your people will come anytime soon when I get into office. "

Hans gave a grateful smile at Nerforie before speaking and responded, “ I was only following orders, Senator. Not to mention, I’ll always assist in making my country an even stronger empire as it is now. ”

" Of course, monsieur Malter. It will be under fruition," he replied and clasped his hands. " There's one thing that Darkvile has mentioned to me, it has something to do with your fellow one along with the other three. "

Neforie showed Hans some monochromatic pictures of the four men which Cheshire La Violette took a couple of days ago: a bespectacled and moustached man in his thirties with neatly slick short locks, a long haired elven man with silver eyes around more than 200 years, a short haired Chergarian man in his late thirties, and lastly, an armored man with a crimson cape.

“ I recognized the man with the moustache and his wife at the previous evening party.  More of our adversaries? ” Hans curiously asked.

" And this one with the orange hair, I have recruited him way back nine years ago. He was a Chergarian Army Deserter. I have understood that you met him a long time ago. He was used to be a spy, but then Grilda and her minions killed him. Yet, I wonder how he returned to life and acquired geomancy, " he seriously replied and puffed another cigar. " I understood your species have a tendency to drain a life energy through the opposite sex and make yourselves younger. I wonder if you could drain everyone and take his life force including his other colleagues. "

“ Ja, you’ll be correct. But I'd rather trap these people first in rumble before draining them all! ” Hans sighed angrily and clenched his fists. " Another geomancer! I’m the master controller of the earth! Not that damn bastard disgrace of a Chergarian! He's nothing, but a dummkopf! ” The earth began to shake violently as he became even more frustrated than some minutes ago.

" Monsieur Malter, oh for Milo's sakes! Calm down..." Neforie glared at him as his eyes turned black, intimidating him.

The Leanan Sidhe nervously gulped in seeing the future Foranean president and Chergarian sympathiser with his Umbral energy.

“ Entschuldigung (My apologies)." Hans nervously said as he calmed down.

" Let me explain first, before you act, oui? "  he exasperatedly sighed. " Darkvile has mentioned to me about these three men, except the armored man. The three belonged to the Dread Wolves Tribe. We have no further information about the Blue Knight. Now, this geomancer and the doctor descended from the Robanian twins in a span of centuries ago. The elven one is a light bearer. Now, I have a plan in how to meet these three. I am thinking that President Pasteur and Vice President Macreau will be hosting the annual Candlemas festival. I'm thinking you and the Eseran terrorist, monsieur Vonku will be making an umbrage for this event. It will be perfect if you could start the fire before I take charge of the entire nation. Or you could continue your next exploit with Darkvile in terrorizing University of Foranea as your next one before the Candlemas terror? "

“ Starting a fire at a festival is right up my alley. When should I meet up with this Vonku? ” Hans asked with interest.

" Simple, " he snapped his fingers in calling out a tall muscular bodyguard.

The bodyguard shapeshifted into a tall slim phooka with pointy ears. He had reddish brown locks and grinned at the Chergarian Leanan Sidhe and the politician. He was waiting for his superior's orders for his next mission.

" You call me, Boss? " the Umbral phooka asked with a hard Eseran accent.

" Oui, of course, monsieur Vonku, " Neforie smiled.

" A Chergarian again, you sure are going to make Foranea into the ashes, Da?! "

" Well, you don't need to tell me twice, monsieur Vonku. "

" Idealʹno! (Perfect!) " the Eseran phooka cheerfully exclaimed and loudly laughed.

“ The senator here said I’ll be working with you on creating chaos at the Candlemas festival, ” Hans said to Vonku.

" Sabotazh - tse moye druhe im'ya, druzhe! (Sabotage is my middle name, friend!) " Vonku evilly smirked. " My name's Riki Vonku. Everyone calls me ' Akula ' or Shark. " Then, he continued, " Twenty years ago, my naval ship got destroyed and sunk at the middle of the Kartasian Sea attacks. My crew drowned except for me who shapeshifted into a shark. I survived and continued my own schemes. Sabotaging, stealing, and murdering people are my favorite things. That is why I am the most wanted criminal on the lose. Now, what's your story, Leanan Sidhe? "

Hans also smirked and answered, “ I’m an powerful geomancer who had been recruited by the Odré de Damocles for my skills. I focus more on the destructive side of Geomancy to get the job done.”

" Tell me, you got yourself into wars against the South including the Lost Robania, Da? I have read stories about your exploits. "

“ Correct, mein freund. I wish for my country to be even powerful and fierce as it is now, ” Hans answered.

" Chergaria has gained more power these days. I don't care about my country or the Lusivakian Commonwealth. They are too weak to my taste, " the phooka remarked and shrugged. " Besides, those people want to arrest me for my committed crimes. Why would I return and surrender? "

" I like your ideology, monsieur Vonku, " Neforie grinned.

" Well, Lusivakians, Sovereigns, and Neutrals, they will all fall down in the end under Great Milo himself! Now, I am willing to oblige, monsieur Neforie. "

" Très bien. (Very well.) "

" By the way, Leanan Sidhe. What's your name? " the phooka turned to Hans and asked.

“ Hans Malter, "  the Chergarian Leanan Sidhe answered.

" Hans...I can sense you have a rumbling, reckless, and exploding nature. Very violent, " Vonku replied. " The Great Damocles, Polyphemus, and Charybdis will surely honor people like you. "

“ Danke, mein freund,”  Hans gratefully said.

" Laskavo prosymo. (You're welcome.) " the phooka smiled.

[University of Foranea Campus Grounds, 3:00 PM, 11th of Before Witching, Year 426]

Ivo and Jesse were on the bulletin board spot for the admission test passers for the next school year and semester which they restlessly kept tracing your names along with the new students in alphabetical order. They got stuck in a sea of crowd. Suddenly, they keenly spotted their names and squinted your eyes. Remembering that they took admission tests for Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering last week, it was challenging which they took their half-day shift at work.

FISCHER, IVO MATTHIAS, A.

THORNWOOD, JESSE NATHANIEL, R.

“ Wunderbar! I did it! ” Ivo happily said and saw his name on the bulletin board.

" Me dad's gonna be so proud of us, Ivo! " Jesse loudly laughed, exclaimed, and made a friendly fistbump with his co-worker and friend. " See, we'll get through it! Then, this is the first time of our tribe to have blacksmiths to future engineers! "

“ Ja, we should celebrate this successful,” Ivo said to Jesse.

" Oh, wait. We can announce it into the tribe. What do you think? "

“ Excellent idea. What should head back to the tribe to announce the good news, ” Ivo happily answered with agreement.

" Did Doc Amnon and Doc Glenda know about this? They seem to encourage you for getting one. "

The two of you got into the admissions office which you brought documents and other paperworks. For Ivo, you filled out forms for Foreign Students and Army Veteran scholarships before the clerk noticed the both of you.

" Next..." the stern middle aged looking lady dwarven clerk called the both of you.

" Oh, I think it's our turn now, Ivo. " Jesse reminded.

“ Amnon and Glenda doesn’t know, perhaps we should give them the good news as well, ” Ivo said as forward to get his degree from the dwarven clerk.

" Right, " Jesse smiled at his friend and gave out the forms and paperworks to the clerk.

" Messieurs Fischer and Thornwood. The both of you will take the Mechanical Engineering course, oui? "

" Yes, madam, " the elven blacksmith nodded.

“ Ja, " Ivo smiled at the dwarven clerk.

" I see, " she nodded and studied the documents from the newly passed Engineering students.

The dwarven clerk started encoding in her noisy typewriter keyboard with some information from the new students. Jesse and Ivo waited for their enrollment slips to be signed and approved. The clerk finished typing and sent it to the college dean. As he started to signed and approve the paperworks. There was a discussion between the dean and the clerk which the two waited. Then, she received the paperworks from the dean and the typewritten ones and gave them to the new students.

" It's been approved, messieurs. We categorized you as working students since we require you to pay half of the tuition fees for each semester and school year, " she emotionlessly spoke. " As for you monsieur Fischer, your military records and veteran scholarships were also approved. Make sure you won't fail and maintain the grade of 1.75 and above, so you can gain the free scholarship grant. Or else you will pay the regular tuition fee. Your classes starts on the 10th of Brewing Time, Year 427 as the first year and first semester. You still have more time for some advance studies to prepare. "

“ You have no idea how such great news this is! ” Ivo happily said.

" Félicitations, monsieur Fischer. Bienvenue dans la vie universitaire avec votre ami. Étudiez dur et suivez les règles, vous vous y habituerez. (Congratulations, monsieur Fischer. Welcome to the University Life along with your friend. Study hard and follow the rules, you will get used to it.) " she emotionlessly reminded.

" Thank you, madam, " Jesse smiled at her.

“ Danke, "  Ivo cheefully chimed in.

" You may get your class schedules and subjects on the right side, class information office. "

" We will, madame. Thank you. " Jesse nodded.

After finishing their enrollment and admission, Jesse and Ivo kept walking around the campus hallway and kept discussing.

" Fluid Mechanics 1, Dynamics 1, Statistics, Physics, Basic Electrical Engineering, Engineering Drawing, Mathematics 1. Engineering Mechanic, Workshop Practice, and Numerical Analysis.  There are a lot of subjects to learn while waiting for the first semester, " the young ruddy elven blacksmith got flabbergasted and checked the course syllabus. " Have you been doing the bloody maths while you were in the Chergarian Army back then? "

“ Ja, a decent amount. I’m continuing to study back home. What about you? I hope math is not your weakness! ” Ivo joked and laughed.

" I guess, it is! " he wryly chuckled and made a sweatbead. " But eventually, I will get there and focus more. If I got meself to Odyssea Academy, I will be dead by now! "

Suddenly, a blonde curly woman in her senior year at law school recognized him. She was wearing a long green formal  dress and a pair of high heeled pumps. She smiled and happily cheered. Ivo recognized his sister who approached him.

" Ivo, Congratulations! " Marie cheered joyfully. " I just got to hear the news of the highest admission test passer in University of Foranea's undergraduate Mechanical Engineering course! I heard some rumours of a Chergarian-Foranean blacksmith and mechanic who was one of them. "

" My, who could that be..." Jesse smirked, teased his coworker and friend, and joked, pretending to be oblivious. " I don't who that person is, but I hope he is jumping for joy right now! Definitely, he comes from a very rocky and metallic nation in Altirus. Then, he quakes and rolls himself into this country! No one knows why he has been so addicted to math, rocks, metals, cables, switches, and circuits. Only the Heavens know how he has exceeded himself which he originally came from ashes. "

Marie chuckled at the elven blacksmith's joke. The orange haired Chergarian understood it and also joined the laughter.  Then, they stopped laughing.

“ Danke. It’s good to see you again, Marie. How you’ve been? ” Ivo happily asked.

" I'm just finishing my second chapter thesis and doing internship at DuQuesne, Batroc, and Poroshenko Law Office, " she smiled. " So, Amnon and Glenda know you got yourself here? "

" So, Doc Amnon's sister is a soon-to-be lawyer? " Jesse asked Ivo.

Ivo nodded at the question, “ She's also my adoptive sister. "

" Oh cool! A pleasure to meet you, lass. My name's Jesse Nathaniel Thornwood. I'm your brother's co-worker and friend. " Jesse shook hands with her.

" Marie Svetlana Danilovskaya-Montmartre, nice to meet you, " she responded with the same gesture to the elven blacksmith and turned to Ivo." I guess, we're all to celebrate, later? Amnon and Glen have a baby and you became a highest admission test passer. "

“ Ja, we’ll announcing the good news to the Dread Wolves Tribe and Amnon and Glenda soon, ” Ivo answered Marie.

" Oh, that's cool! C'est magnifique! "

Suddenly, the trio saw and heard some riot happening in the law and medicine college. There were 3rd year and 4th year students who got involved into a loud argument and then an unexpected fight. Ivo, Jesse, and Marie slowly stepped backwards since they couldn't tolerate to seeing the scenario.

" Oh, my goodness..." Marie muttered and paused in shock. " What's happening?! "

" Oh Heavens, really?! " Jesse exclaimed and got confused.

“ Perhaps it’s someone who didn’t made into a class? We should try to break up the fighting, ” Ivo said with a concern.

" Wait, I saw someone from the medical faculty, " she replied. " It's one of their professors and even Professor Tessier from our college of law. "

From a distance, Marie, Ivo, and Jesse saw a fat brunette middle-aged medical professor blocking his students. The other was a balding moustached man named Tessier who also reminded the law students to stop fighting. Just then, another medical student knocked down the two professors by throwing his pair of shoes to them.

Then, the rest of the students and other professors tried to break up the fighting, but they ended up being involved in an umbrage. The others students from different courses just dropped by, but they ended up smacking and punching at each other.

" Bloody hell, " Jesse muttered anxiously and used his super sensitive hearing which he had focusedly tuned into the riot.

" What did you hear? " Marie asked with a concern.

" I heard they mentioned the name 'Polyphemus.' I don't know what that means. "

Marie recalled her days back in Odyssea Academy which she learned about the Umbral gods. Then, she snapped her fingers and answered, " Polyphemus, First Prince of Wrath, Umbral God of War and Murder. Oh, Heavens! How on Iliad did they mention that name in this riot?! "

“ It’s the Umbral Cult. Probably some kind of ritual to force innocent people to battle each other, ” Ivo said to Marie.

" Exactly, I wonder if who could start this riot, " she muttered and crossed her arms.

" Tout les mondes! " the fat medical professor named Doctor Smolder Ryliea walked over and held his icepack on his head. " I'm warning you! Don't you get further into the riot! It's not gonna help you! You will ended up injured or being expelled if you do so! "

" Mes Dieux! " Marie anxiously gasped.

" Who did it sir? " Jesse asked curiously. " What happened? "

" It all started from a fraternity dispute between a 4th year medical student and 3rd year law student. The fraternity is linked to the Umbral Cults, Sons of Robania and Ordrè de Damokles. I just heard this from Professeur Tessier before one of them threw a pair of shoe on us. "

“ It’s possible these fraternity are undercover members of the Umbral Cult and Ordrè de Damokles, ” Ivo said.

" Exactly, you're a newly admitted student, I take it? If so, don't join the fraternity and do the right thing to survive the University life, " the medical professor warned. " You're seeing it right now."

" Oh, Gods, No. " Jesse muttered anxiously and saw more students and faculty members were attacking each other which seemed to be like a domino effect.

“ We need to call for further assistance before the riots get even more worse, ” Ivo warned.

" Let's see what we can do here, " Marie replied and looked at the medical professor. " Professor Ryliea, may I borrow a mirror if you have one? "

" Wait, what?! Magic mirror?! Look, I don't have one like from Odyssea Academy, my apologies, " Smolder heavily sighed. " I guess you should ask help from the security. I can't use anything related to mage right now. They might think I start the trouble. "

Suddenly, they saw some chairs and tables falling and crashing towards them. Jesse loudly yelled at them, " Everyone, watch out! "

Ivo quickly took cover from the chairs and tables, “ Verdammt! We need to hurry before people get severely injured. Any ideas? ”

" Clinic, " Marie answered and gestured the four to leave the riot.

Avoiding getting hurt in the midst of the riot, the four headed to the clinic and saw the assistant student nurse Bella Witwickens who was aiding the injured students admitted. The nurses looked at them with concern when they entered.

" Comment pouvons-nous vous aider? (How can we help you?) " the head nurse asked.

" Le docteur Perriot est toujours en permission, n'est-ce pas?
(Docteur Perriot is still on leave, oui?) " Smolder responded.

" Oui, nous avons besoin de votre aide, Docteur Ryliea. (Oui, We need your assistance, Docteur Ryliea.), " she nodded and looked at Ivo and the other two. " Et eux, sont-ils blessés? (How about them, are they injured?) "

" Oui, je m'en occupe pour l'instant. (Yes, I'll take in-charge for now.), " he sighed in relief. " Non, ils doivent rester ici jusqu'à ce que la situation soit résolue. Avez-vous un miroir magique pour qu'ils doivent parler à quelqu'un? (No, They need to remain here until the situation is cleared. Do you have a magic mirror so they have to talk to someone?) "

The head nurse nodded and pointed at the cubicle, gesturing Ivo, Marie, and Jesse to follow her. They sighed in relief and saw the large elongated mirror with a golden frame attached onto the wall.

" Ivo, do you have someone in mind to talk to? " Marie curiously asked.

“ The Dread Wolves, " Ivo anxiously answered her.

" Right, and Amnon as well? "

“ Ja, I need to talk to them and quickly. ”

" One person is required to the Eluvian or Magic Mirror, " Jesse reminded him. " Just focus on who will you be calling first. "

“ Okay. I’ll talk to the Dread Wolves, first. Make sure no one get into the clinic, ” Ivo said to Jesse and Marie.

Ivo focused harder and got to see an elven elder dressed in red. It was Merrill Anaedaere who appeared on the Eluvian.
Jesse and Marie greeted the elven woman in the mirror and let Ivo talk to her when they left.

" Mister Fischer, you seemed to be anxious. Tell me does your current situation bother you? " she curiously asked.

“ Ja. We have an dire situation at the university. There's a series of riots and everyone is fighting each other. We believe the Umbral Cult and Ordrè de Damokles is behind this, ” Ivo explained to Merrill.

" I understand, but it seems like someone has stirred up the minds of these students. You need to find out who's responsible for this. I shall send my stepson Christopher to look after you. Doctor Montmartre might be worried on what has transpired. He will come as himself or as the Blue Knight, " she said.

“ I was hoping the Blue Knight would assist in stopping these riots. But I guess it’ll just be us, ” he responded with concern.

" He will come as well. You need to talk to your younger brother. Be careful and brace yourself for this chaos. "

“ Danke for the warning. We’ll contact you again once the situation have been resolved.” Ivo said to Merrill.

" I shall see you soon, I need to talk to my step son. "

The imagery of Merrill had disappeared when you focused on seeing a mother and her newborn daughter at room 2019 of Monoceros Keep General Hospital. Dr. Glenda Montmartre got surprised to see him and carried Little Emie in her arms. She instantly covered herself and finished breastfeeding.

" Oh, Goodness, Ivo! What's going on?!  What are you doing at University of Foranea's clinic?! " she gasped and startled. " Amnon will be here any minute. He's just finishing his outpatient shift. Are you feeling ill at the moment? Do you need to ask for meds? "

“ Nein, Glenda. Riots are breaking out everywhere at the university and people fighting each other. The Umbral Cult and Ordrè de Damokles might be behind all of this. We need the assistance of the Blue Knight, ” Ivo explained.

" Heavens..." Glenda muttered in shock. " Have you tried looking out who's responsible for this? " Suddenly, someone knocked on the door. She called out, "Come in, it's open! "

The door was instantly opened when Dr. Amnon Montmartre entered and kissed his wife and his daughter's forehead.

" Glen, are you talking at the mirror? " he asked.

" Yeah, it's Ivo. There's a riot in our postgraduate Alma Mater. The Blue Knight needs to be there, " she replied.

" But he comes every evening and...nevermind..." Amnon relentedly sighed and asked. " Ivo, is everything okay? How did you get there in the first place?  "

“ I got accepted into engineering class. Me and Jesse were celebrating until fighting broke out between students. Then, the rest of the people started to do the same thing, ” Ivo explained the situation to Amnon.

" What?! " the general practitioner loudly exclaimed. " Is this why you got a half day work last week and fighting within the campus?! This is strange really. We're supposed to celebrate your admission, but those Umbral Cult Idiots have ruined it. Did you find out who did it? "

“ We think the fraternity are undercover members of the Umbral Cult and Ordrè de Damokles, ” Ivo answered.

" Still, that could be one, I'm having a yearnìng there's another one, " Amnon deduced seriously. " Okay, I'll just need to get the Blue Knight. Just hang in there. " Then, he reminded his sister and asked, " Anyway, how's Marie? Is she still okay? "

" We’re safe in the clinic for now, ” Ivo said to his brother.

" Thank goodness, you'd better thank Docteur Ryliea and the others. I'm going to call the Blue Knight. He'll be there. D'accord, mon frère?  "

Ivo nodded at Amnon, “ Oui. I’ll hold off the rioters if they tried break into the clinic. Tell the Blue Knight where we at. ”

" Oui, " he nodded. " A-bientòt! "

" Stay safe there, Ivo! " Glenda greeted.

“ Merci, we will, ” Ivo said.

The imagery of Amnon, Glenda, and Emie had disappeared, but he heard more noises outside the clinic when Doctor Ryliea and the others kept persuading the rioters to stop intruding the patients. Marie and Jesse were nervously contemplating to use their spells. Ivo rushed towards them.

“ What’s going on? ” he asked with concern.

" PRÉSENTEZ-VOUS, MAUDITS MAGES OURANISTES! (SHOW UP, YOU DAMNED OURANIST MAGES!) " a male voice angrily echoed.

" NOUS SAVONS, VOUS ÊTES LÀ! (WE KNOW, YOU'RE IN THERE!) " a female voice chimed in.

" VOUS N'OSEZ JAMAIS LE FUTUR ! NOUS SOMMES LE FUTUR!' (YOU WILL NEVER DARE THE FUTURE! WE ARE 'THE FUTURE!') " the third one yelled.

" ARRÊTEZ DE NOUS PRÊCHER AVEC VOS IDÉOLOGIES! NOUS CHANGERONS L'HISTOIRE D'ILIADE! (STOP PREACHING US WITH YOUR IDEOLOGIES! WE WILL CHANGE ILIAD'S HISTORY!) " an angry high-pitched female voice retorted.

" Ivo, sounds like they are being mind controlled, " Jesse lowly whispered at his friend. " I'm thinking there's another Umbral who stirred the fraternity. "

" SORTEZ, VERMINE OURANISTE! (COME OUT, YOU OURANIST VERMIN!) "

“ If they’re being mind controlled by the Umbral Cuit, then we need to find a way to free them. But first the people in the clinic need to be brought to a safer place until Christopher and the Blue Knight arrives, ” Ivo said to Jesse.

Just then, they all heard Dr. Ryliea talking to the medical staff and reminding them for any worst case scenario. Then, he ordered one of the nurses to call the security and the adminstrators. A elven male nurse dialled the phone and waited. The other line kept on ringing as it was still no response and got disconnected. He heavily sighed and gestured in negation. Smolder frowned and exasperatedly sighed.

" Je suppose que nous n'avons pas d'autre choix que de rester en sécurité. (I guess we have no choice, but keep ourselves safe.) " he sternly spoke.

“ Verdammt. I guess we’re fighting our way out of here, ” Ivo frustratedly said.

" Just be careful out there, Ivo. You know Amnon will get too worried when he finds anyone in danger, " Marie reminded.

" Just return to us safely, understand? " Jesse added. " I still have your things with me. I'll take them for a while and return to them to you. "

“ Danke, ” Ivo gratefully said to Jesse. He then placed a chair, and stood on top of it, and went to open the airduct to sneak out of the room.

" Sacrè Bleu! " Smolder gasped in shock." What is he doing?! "

Marie and Jesse shushed the fat attending physician and medical professor. Smolder became embarrassed and remained silent. Going to the airduct, Ivo clearly remembered the story from the elven ranger, yesterday which he knew how his maman Arielle determinedly sneaked out to save Alina from Darkvile. This time, he had to do this in order to ask for help and save the rest of the campus from the Umbral Cult riot. Then, Ivo made his way through the airduct, eventually exiting to the other side of the clinic.

“ Now, I just need to incapacitate the rioters outside of the clinic, ”  he thought and observed.

Sneaking and peeking around, he saw some incapacitated students and professors at the far left. They were trapped in the dark void bubble which they seemed to be inaudible and kept pounding to break it. They were crying without any sound and being heavily guarded by the rogue students.

" Assurez-vous de garder un œil sur eux. Darkvile les offrira à Charybde. (Make sure you keep an eye on them. Darkvile will offer them to Charybdis.) " the male upperclass student ordered them.

Ivo quietly casted a spell to encase the rogue students in harden rocks. The Umbral Cultists remained trapped and stuck in the harden rocks. They were struggling to break them.

" Sacrè Bleu! " the first student yelled.

" Zut A-lors! " his partner exclaimingly chimed in.

Ivo then casted another spell to throw rock projectiles at the Umbral Cultists to put them unconscious. The remaining cultists fell down as the others scurried away from the Chergarian geomancer. Ivo turned his attention to the students and faculty who were trapped inside the impenetrable bubble. He deeply thought in how to burst it and set them free. The others kept crying at him as he couldn't hear them.

" You are just like Arielle, child. You really remind me of her, " the deep male voice echoed in his mind. " Come on quake them to set them free from their living and pitiful existence. "

Ivo heard the voice and uttered an Ouranist prayer in Chergarian. He focusedly prayed to Lady Photis and Lord Areti for guidance and continued to ignore the suspicious voice in his head. He then casted another spell to turn his fist into harden rock before striking toward the bubble to safely shatter it. The rest of the people inside the bubble got freed and cheered at him.

" Merci beaucoup, monsieur, " a female freshman student smiled at him.

“ Vous n’avez pas besoin de me remercier, je voulais juste vous aider. La clinique est sûre, nous devrions y aller maintenant avant que d'autres cultistes de l'Umbral n'apparaissent. Ja?  (You don’t need to thank me, I just wanted to help. The clinic is safe, we should head there now before more Umbral Cultists show up. Ja?) ” Ivo said to the freed people.

" Attendez, vous êtes un étudiant étranger de Chergaria (Wait, you're a foreign exchange student from Chergaria?) " a middle aged female professor asked.

" Madame Benoit, il pourrait s'agir d'un ancien élève mage de l'Académie Odyssea! (Madame Benoit, he might be a former student mage from Odyssea Academy!) " her second student remarked.

" Non, c'est un monstre rocheux des Terres Abandonnées déguisé! (Non, he's a boulder monster from the Forsaken Lands in disguise!) " the third one humourously chimed in.

" Un Golem, tu veux dire?! Comment se fait-il qu'il soit avec nous?! Bref, oublie ça...(A Golem, you mean?! How come he's with us?! Well, nevermind...) " the fourth one sighed and shrugged.

" Merci beaucoup, monsieur, " Madame Benoit smiled sincerely and ignored her students' remarks at Ivo.

“ De rien (You’re welcome). " Ivo smiled at Madame Benoit before speaking again in Franken. “ Suivez-moi à la clinique, vous y serez tous en sécurité (Follow me to the clinic, all of you will be safe there). ”

" You have outwitted your ancestor, child! Really?! They should have been my offerings to the Great Charybdis! You'll just see what will happen next, descendant of Arielle! Polyphemus and Charybdis are watching on these mortals from the outside! "  the voice furiously spat in Ivo's mind.

Ivo ignored the mysterious man's voice and brought the people to the hallway. Suddenly, a female rogue student appeared to them. She snapped her fingers and summoned her fellows to surround Ivo and the survivors.

" Vous devez donc être le meilleur réussi à l'examen d'admission, monsieur Fischer. Vous essayez de devenir un héros, espèce d'idiot de mage ouraniste! (So, you must be the highest admission exam passer, monsieur Fischer. You're trying to be a hero, you foolish Ouranist mage!) " she playfully smirked and darkly chuckled. " Vous étiez l'un des nôtres, mais je suppose que Darkvile vient de nous parler de vos racines en tant que Robanian. (You used to be one of us, but I guess Darkvile just told us about your roots as a Robanian.) "

" Il aurait dû rejoindre les Fils de Robania pour détruire Chergaria en morceaux! (He should have joined the Sons of Robania, so he would destroy Chergaria into pieces!) " the male rogue student maniacally laughed and retorted.

" Non, nous le ferons exécuter avec ce groupe! (Non, we will have him executed along with this group!) " a young male student snapped his fingers and cornered his fellows to attack them.

Infront of their eyes, they transformed into hungry werewolves who were ready to attack and eat their prey. Ivo started to pray in Franken, asking Ladies Photis and Efseveia and Lord Areti for safety and mercy. This time, his voice became louder than ever as everyone could hear and understand him. The rogue students loudly laughed and mocked at him since Ivo was secretly an Ouranist believer back in his most confused and darkest years of his life. The werewolves were ready to attack them into their demise while the Chergarian geomancer was still praying in Franken.

" Mères Photis et Efsevia, et Père Areti, Aidez nous s'il vous plaît. Je ne peux pas faire ça sans toi. Nos ennemis sont tout simplement confus et ne savent pas ce qu’ils font. S'il vous plaît, pardonnez-leur ! Je ne veux mettre la main sur personne, comme je l'ai fait auparavant à Robania. Aidez-moi, ô hôtes célestes ! Envoyez quelqu'un pour m'aider à défendre ces gens! (Mothers Photis and Efsevia, and Father Areti,
Please help us. I can't do this without you. Our enemies are just confused and they don't know what they're doing. Please forgive them! I don't want to lay hands on anyone just like I did before in Robania. Help me, Oh Heavenly Hosts! Send someone to help me defend these people!) "

" Quelle faiblesse, en priant ces Dieux arrogants du Ciel ! Vont-ils même vous écouter?! Désormais, la mort sera la clé pour les rencontrer! (How weak, praying to those arrogant Gods of Heaven! Will they even listen to you?! Now, death will be the key to meet them!) " the werewolf yelled.

The pack of hungry Umbral Werewolves readied to take down their prey when a sudden strike of bluish white lightning instantly flashed and zapped them in 700 kilowatts. The attackers loudly yelled in excruciating pain. The students and the professors were stunned to see where it came from. The rest of the attackers were fallen down and became unconscious.

" Vos prières ont été entendues, monsieur Fischer. Les Armées Célestes m'avaient envoyé pour vous soutenir. (Your prayers were heard, monsieur Fischer. The Heavenly Hosts had sent me to support you.) " a deep male voice echoed as everyone could hear him.

" Qui est-ce? (Who is that?) " an elderly male professor asked and turned his head around, wondering where that voice and lightning had come from.

" D'où vient cette voix? (Where does that voice come from?) " a younger female professor added.

“ C’est le chevalier bleu. (It’s the Blue Knight.) ” Ivo told the professors in Franken.

A tall and stoic armored man stepped from the shadows and walked over to them. He gestured everyone and guided them to the clinic. Ivo sighed in relief in seeing him.

“ Suivez le Chevalier Bleu, ” the Chergarian man said to the group of people.

" Oui..." a middle aged male professor nodded and followed the armored man.

Doctor Smolder Ryliea opened the door and let the survivors enter the clinic. He looked at Ivo and the Blue Knight.

" Thank Heavens, I thought you just got and..." he paused and gasped to see the mysterious Blue Knight in his very own eyes. " Et Iliade ?! Je rêve ou quoi ?! Je n'arrive pas à croire que je vois ce héros énigmatique en personne! (What on Iliad?! Am I dreaming or what?! I can't believe I am seeing this cryptic hero in person!) "

The Blue Knight said nothing and emotionlessly looked at Ivo and the others who remained in the clinic.

“ I’m glad that you’re here Blue Knight. We think the students are being mind control by someone in the Umbral Cult or Ordrè de Damokles, " Ivo explained.

" Have you heard someone aside from them? " the Blue Knight asked. " I can sense a tinge of darkness around this place. "

“ Ja, a strange voice in my head. It tired to influence twice now, " Ivo answered the Blue Knight.

" Darkvile, he's out there..."

Ivo sadly sighed before speaking to the Blue Knight again and asked,  “ What should we do now? ”

" We'll hunt him. Regardless. " he had his pistol ready.

" Finishing what should've been finished before will be silencing his madness, " Christopher said once entering the scene." For Kintor's sake, it'll be the final battle."

" And we are doing this right now. " the Blue Knight sternly spoke. " This is for Eliah and Alina."

" And for màman Arielle upto me as well, " Ivo determined spoke. " Darkvile almost tried to influence me. "

The three looked at the on-going riot from the window as one of the Umbral cult rioters was a student chemist who had a bottle of nitroglycerine and smirking at the three.

" Everyone, look out! " the Chergarian geomancer yelled.

The student was about to throw the bottle into the window, but Ivo intercepted it by casting the late Kintor Graveheart's spell, Earth Spike. It was a long rocky spike aiming to the window, shattering it, and closely pointing at the student chemist bomber in a few centimeters. He was sweating in fear and running away from the Chergarian geomancer and his companions.

" Very well, you three, you amused me, but you cannot stop this current disaster..." a deep male voice darkly chuckled. Then, he revealed to be a cloaked being. Christopher, Ivo, and the Blue Knight confronted him which they were in defensive stances.

" Skorge, you've demolished any semblance of yourself, for only wanting power..." Christopher wielded his twin short blades." We'll start with taking you down first."

" Verdammt, Scheiße! " Ivo angrily cussed in his language. " You're trying to deceive me! I won't forgive for what you have done to màman Arielle! You succumbed her into fear which she carried for many generations until reaching my time! "

" Doctor Montmartre has told me everything, Darkvile. Your days are numbered! "  the Blue Knight added.

He summoned a teleporting spell where they could feel like they were being warped into time and space. For the trio, they couldn't escape from a created wormwhole. They ended up in a dark forest. For the three, they seemed to be very lost which they ended up in a land very unknown to them. It was a very cold and dark evening which the northern sea breeze hovered around the place. Surveying from where they ended up, the flashes of past memories flooded his mind.

" No...we're back on where it all started..." Christopher sadly said.

" Verdammt! We are back in the past?! " Ivo exclaimed in shock.

" We travelled into time, " the Blue Knight seriously spoke.

Looking at the left, the trio saw at the victims. Arielle was seen weeping and shuddering in fear. Alina on the other hand looked downtrodden as Eliah was trying to comfort her. Kintor remained speechless as the young Christopher stood beside him.

" This is the aftermath of what you have done to me, Christopher..." the Darkvile harshly spoke. " You and the other two shall never change the history!  "

" Time isn't your playground, there's no course in time that'll change your fate, " Christopher charged his swords from the power of his inner light." The keepers of time would agree."

" Well, then. How about if I can strike your two companions like I did to them! " Darkvile angrily exclaimed and summoned an illusionary spell to both Ivo and the Blue Knight seeing their fears and sadness.

" This is getting nowhere! " the Blue Knight angrily spoke." I had enough of this damned nonsense! "

" Genug ist genug, Darkvile! Es ist aus! (Enough is enough, Darkvile! It's over!) " Ivo heatedly spat.

The Blue Knight's eyes flashed in bluish white light and summoned Bio-Shock to stun the mad cultist down. Suddenly, the illusions had disappeared when the cloaked man felt trembling in fury.

" YOU FOOLS! "  Darkvile furiously growled. " YOU CAN NEVER GET AWAY WITH THIS! "

" Christopher, Ivo, it looks like we have no choice. This man has lost his sanity, " he armored warrior looked at the elven ranger and Chergarian geomancer.

" Sparing him was never an option, " Christopher strongly replied." Only eliminating the insane shadow of himself will correct this..."

" Nor ordinary medication can treat him. Do not resuscitate, then. "

" I didn't know Eliah and Alina's surviving warrior is a well-educated man, " the madman spoke and revealed to be a living grey skeleton. " Yet, I will never get influenced from you! "

Darkvile readied to attack the Blue Knight as the three shared glances and began the fight. Christopher sent a wave of shards created by his light, and swung his blades forward, sending out bolts towards the Dark Mage. The Dark mage evilly laughed and dodged from the attacks from the elven ranger.

" Do you even think you can stop me?! The power of Charybdis has blessed me to surpass all of you! " he retorted.

Gesturing his finger's back, the Ranger secretly recalled his shards, and watched them retort back to the Dark mage. Darkvile felt a slight strike and angrily gritted his teeth.

" You've may have grown in strength...I'll give you that. However I've honed my skills in magic when spending my time with my wife, " Christopher said.

" Really, how weak! "  he retorted.

The Blue Knight casted Amp-Up to recharge his body and planned to take the monstrous one down, later. The madman used his femur blade in pinning down Ivo. The Chergarian geomancer casted a powerful shockwave and pushed him away.

" Nein! You'll never get away with it! " he furiously remarked at the dark mage. " I had enough of your mindgames! "

Darkvile scoffed and instantly stood up, holding his sword and looking at the three, " Well, then. Which of you three shall meet your fate and become the eternal prisoner of Charybdis? Ah, I would like to take all of you, then. Let's start from this mysterious knight then! "

Darkvile aimed to charge the Blue Knight and laughed maniacally. Ivo casted a spell to encase Darkvile’s legs in hardened rock to prevent him from attacking the Blue Knight. He then casted another spell to throw it at the dark mage. Darkvile yelled in fury and got trapped into the created slab of earth.

" You have done very well, descendant of Arielle! But I shall not be subdued with your tricks of geomancy! "

The mad Umbral mage casted a spell to break the rocks and slab of earth away from him. He readied himself to attack both Ivo and Christopher with his sword, but the Blue Knight intercepted by casting Pulse Slam at him in 1,000 kilowatts. Skorge loudly yelled in pain and felt being zapped.

" Ivo, Christopher, it's time! " the armored man called them out.

“ Enough of reign of terror, dark mage!” Ivo yelled before casting an very powerful shockwave toward Darkvile.

The dark mage was pushed again and being struck down on the tree. He was coughing harder and becoming weakened.

" That riot at the University is really a set-up to cross the three of you. I used and manipulated those cannonfodders within the fraternity as a diversion. For them, it's a 'revolution of their desired change'. For me, I just played their minds and made them believe its for their benefit, " he weakingly said at them. " You just focused with the raven claws and the other madman at the circus and the ripper and his goons. There are others who await for the downfall of Foranea just like this forgotten country of Robania. You will just fail to defend your people. " He looked again at the three, " I'm about to take an opportunity to destroy all of you for good...."

" Salem, Agatha the two sister's were spared, because they were able to return...back to the light," Christopher pointed towards him with an intent glare." You on the other-hand, are far beyond redemptions, I'll keep true to my words, you haven't surpassed us."

" You have foiled Eliah and Alina's marriage and killed their unborn child! You have done so much troubles until now! Let justice deal with you..." the Blue Knight added.

" I did it, because Alina should have been mine in the first place! I should be more powerful than anyone else in the family! " he yelled and turned to Ivo. " And you, Arielle's descendant, how was it like to carry the burdens and fears from her and your entire maternal family?! You joined the senseless war and deserted, but the cult took advantage of you as you almost died! My curse for Arielle has been greatly affected you for many centuries! "

“ Nein! That’s where you’re wrong, Darkvile! I lack any fear or burden of my ancestor! The curse doesn’t live in me! I’m am free of it! You’re nothing but an deceiving monstrosity! Arielle’s legacy will be of happiness and peace! Not chaos and suffering! ” Ivo angrily yelled before casting a extremely powerful spell that released multiple earth spikes to strike at the dark mage. He then casted another spell to release a wave of harden rocks at his foe.

" You...just...surpassed yourself even to be more powerful than her and Kintor combined! " Darkvile chuckled and coughed harder as his bones got pinned and struck down by the rocks.

" You have done so much maladies, Darkvile. We are no longer resuscitating you! " the Blue Knight sternly spoke and casted Storm Grasp as the bluish white bioelectric radiance charged in his entire body.

" Do you even think I will end this?! "

" I have no second opinion to take you down, Skorge! " the armored man said and turned to elven ranger." Christopher, it's time! Let's do this together! "

" Darkvile, your ambitions lead you here. And from the shining light of the moon, you'll realize your faults." Christopher felt a surge of power, circulating into his person, and with his eyes shining ever so brightly of silver." Pride is your mistake, and here's my judgement!." He unleashed two vertical swipes at Darkvile's arms, and would go for his head next, once Amnon dealt his blow.

" It's over now! "  the Blue Knight chanelled his powerful sparks from his finger tips, surging and electrocuting the dying dark mage.

" Forseeing your fate, Skorge, this was ending your suffering! " Christopher pulled his swords back, then with one lunge each was drive into Darkvile's skull.

The intense radiances from the combined silver moon light and surging bluish-white bioelectricity had made the dark mage into ashes.

" You may be victorious, but there is more to come...." he spoke his last words and faded.

The Blue Knight ceased his bioelectric spells and looked at his companions.

" We can't stay here in this timeline. We'll end up as anomalies, " he sternly reminded.

" You three are lost, aren't you? " a green haired woman with silver eyes politely spoke in an Aldernian accent and warmly smiled at them. Ivo, Christopher, and the Blue Knight recognized the woman who approached them. She continued," I've watched you three in defeating Skorge. I was supposed to take him down, but I guess it was his fate in confronting all of you. " 

“ Who are you? ” Ivo curiously asked.

" Catherine Knightfall, my dear young man, " she calmly answered.

The Blue Knight was contemplated to remove his helmet in seeing his ancestor in this timeline. He knelt and bowed at her as Catherine tightly hugged him.

" I know you are very hesistant to reveal yourself. It's alright. "

" Thank you, my dear lady. "

" Mother, " Christopher said and looked to the youthful self of his birth mother.

Catherine hugged the Blue Knight, Ivo, and Christopher like her own children and said, " I feel like Eliah, Arielle, and Christopher had come to see me. "

Hugging his mother back, the Elven Ranger smiled happily, " You've witnessed much to expect for the future, mother."

" Indeed, it is. I feel like I have seen you all, " she smiled back at the three.

" I just...I want you to know...that I have met you, Mama Catherine..."  the armored warrior removed his helmet and revealed himself. " I'm sorry I have to do this for you. I'm not supposed to do this..."

" My, you just looked like Eliah himself! " she said to Amnon and gently kissed his forehead. " You may be a brave one, but yet living the double life has been challenging, hasn't it? "

" Yes, I got used to it, Mama Catherine. I really need to do this. "

" Understandable. This is to protect yourself and your loved ones."

Then, she looked at Ivo and said, " You have seen and done so much, my child. You are no longer trapped in the darkness, but you deserve a brighter future ahead. You have your two companions and anyone who truly loves you. You need to pay them back for their kindness and help them in times of need. "

“ Danke. I only wish to protect Arielle’s legacy, to keep her memory alive, ” Ivo gratefully said to Catherine Knightfall.

" You have done and continued my daughter's works and life, but you will enhance it even more. Keep it up, my dear, " Catherine smiled at her other descendant. " You have harnessed the power of the earth, but soon you will be discovering and manipulating metals for your and everyone's benefit. "

" Fair enough as a geomancer and a future mechanical engineer, " Amnon smiled at his older brother.

“ How shall I harness metal? ” Ivo asked with curiosity.

Glancing back to his mother, Christopher joined in the conversation and queried, " There's the lingering question in my end, of the moon's effects and it's odd occurence of increasing my power. "

" It seems you have been working on it and will be studying it very soon as you have gained interest with it, " Catherine smiled at Ivo and then turned to Christopher. " Your leyline and radiance are both connected to the moonlight. It seems you have drawn your fascination with the moon when you were a child. I have answered your questions, my children. Is there anything else before I set you home? "

“ Before Darkvile died, he said there will be more to come. Do you know what he means by this? What other threat will be coming our way? ” Ivo asked with concern.

" It seems like The Ordrè de Damokles and Sheeva's Umbral Cult have joined forces, " Amnon theorised and recalled." Monsieur Friedrich has once told us back in prison if Neforie takes in position as the president. The Chergarians will invade our country anytime soon. The supporters and even the cultist criminals will play along with them. "

“ I warned the Akrovian ambassador of this conspiracy. I’m surprised they’re not assisting Foranea in stopping the Ordrè de Damokles and Umbral Cult, ” Ivo added.

" It might be a repeated scenario of what happened to Robania, " the armored physician sighed. " The Lusivakian Commonwealth has their focus on other things aside from the war against the Sovereigns. "

" I may not know about the future, my children. You may brace yourselves for those unforseen events, but you still have a chance to spark a revolution against your enemies, " Catherine suggested.

" Mama Catherine, I'm a medical doctor with an alter-ego as a warrior mage. I'm not sure if I could..." Amnon replied hesitantly and paused.

" You are still bothered from your previous exploits, my dear child? "

" Yes. Both from the military and the contractor guild experiences, " he admitted and bowed his head. " Someone once said, 'I can't save anyone neither myself.' As the Blue Knight, I pretend to be strong and fearless, being a terror to those evildoers. As myself, I continue my career and family life, making me to forgetting those days as a warrior and letting the authorities catch them. The clinic terror, discovering the past, and these recent crimes made me to push the Blue Knight. I may be living the double life, but I'm not so sure if I can be the right person to start a revolution. It's too difficult to take another responsibility. There are so many people in Foranea who can deserve to lead. "

Ivo and Christopher heard the armored physician's statement and understood him. Catherine sincerely smiled at him.

" I know it will be another burden to you, my child. You have to consider the possibility of becoming one, " she empathised him and gently placed her hand on his shoulder.

" Leadership has always weighted on my shoulders, Mother, " Christopher replied." My rangers and myself are up for the challenge, from what threatens our home."

" Well, I don't want to push all of you to be one, " Catherine answered. " It's upto you to step-up. "

" Ja. I guess that answers it, " Ivo looked at his companions. "  We can still continue our lives, but we still need to prepare for anything will happen. "

" Well then, anything to share and ask? " she asked.

" There's no spoilers of mentioning about grandchildren, coming from special loves in my life, Mother, " Christopher smirked.

" Oh, I won't even mention anything about your medical condition, either, " Amnon added and chuckled. " Or even what has transpired between Papa Eliah and Mama Alina as well! "

" Are you going to spill the beans about the future as well? " she asked Ivo and chuckled. " Humour me, young one. "

“ Nein, Màman Catherine. You’ll find out when we meet again in two to three centuries from your time, ” Ivo answered and grinned.

Catherine sighed, " Too bad, you gentlemen will make me discover what it is for myself. I shall see you soon. "

She held her staff and summoned a spell of light intertwining time and space. The armored physician donned his helmet, returning to his persona. Ivo and Christopher saw the silvery-white radiance which surrounded the three.

" I shall see you soon, my three great warriors. Go forth and continue your exploits against the darkness, " she said.

The three men felt being warped into the speed of light and ended up at the University of Foranea campus. They saw the police and the other authorities coming and going. The rioters were arrested. For them, they would anticipate the next events.

(RP with BjornGamR27 and Knightfall077)

(Smolder Ryliea, Darkvile, Christopher and Catherine Knightfall belongs  to Knightfall077)

(Hans Malter and Ivo Fischer belongs to BjornGamR27)

(Riki Vonku and Valfor Neforie belongs to BrandonToy)