The moment they passed through Auldhyl's gates, Torgal's fur stood on end. He started to growl, his sharp teeth on full display.

Clive looked down at the canine. "Find something, boy?" He only took a few steps forward until his nose was assaulted by the foul stench of decaying flesh. He immediately winced at how overwhelming the odor was. "Death..."

Jill was covering her mouth and nose. Being all too familiar with the stench of death, Lyra proceeded ahead of them. However, her body froze mid-stride at the sight that laid before her. The corpses of Bearers were strung up on wooden poles. Horrified expressions were forever frozen on their faces.

"Oh, Founder..." Jill gaped in horror.

Clive stumbled past the women, his horrified eyes glancing around at the corpses. He couldn't believe someone would do this, but he knew one person who didn't seem to harbor a kind bone in her body. "This was my mother's doing..."

Jill lowered her hands from her face. "But why? Why would anyone...?"

Clive shook his head. "I don't know. I never truly understood her...but this..."

"Clive..."

"This is no mere slaughter of innocence," Lyra spoke up. "This level of massacre...the gravest of sins, one that can only be repaid with the suffering of the one who committed it. If she truly wishes to send a message, she best be prepared to pay the price for her actions." She lowered her head, clenching her fists tightly out of anger.

Being the goddess of life, Lyra abhorred those who would easily take the lives of innocent people simply because they had the power to do so when things didn't go their way. Her hatred for Anabella was strong, but now it was overwhelming. No one deserved to snuff out the lives of others as if it were a game, and no one deserved to enjoy life if they saw no issue with taking it.

Feeling a hand gently grab her fist, Lyra lifted her head and found Clive holding her now opened hand. Her anger was pushed aside when she saw his determined gaze.

"I will learn what madness drives her, and I will end it," he declared, squeezing her hand.

She looked back at the corpses. "In the meantime, they deserve a peaceful passing." Before she could slide her hand out of his, he gripped her hand tighter and prevented her from letting go. She gazed confusingly at him. "Clive?"

"Your intentions are honorable, but I cannot permit it. I loathe to prevent you from praying for them out of fear of that man returning."

Lyra remembered Indra's appearance in Sorrowise. It was only after her prayer did he appear. Frightened of the corrupted god, she understood a prayer could possibly bring them avoidable trouble. Sorrowfully, she sighed. "If Indra can locate my presence because of my prayer, then I will...refrain from it."

Clive could tell just how sad and angered she was at the situation. He was too, but she seemed to be more affected. "Forgive me, Lyra."

She shook her head and smiled faintly at him. "There is nothing to apologize for. I was being careless and almost put us in a dangerous situation. I couldn't bear it if you, Jill, or Torgal were injured because of my recklessness."

"Your prayers are not careless," Jill remarked. "They are wonderful and compassionate. They reflect who you truly are. Even I regret not allowing you to pray."

"It...would be impossible to pray for everyone," she said, looking at the corpses. "Forgive me. I hope you will know peace soon whether it be by my hands or another's..."

Clive reluctantly released her hand and turned away from the bodies. "We should go."

Jill sighed melancholically. "Yes."

"Once we are done with our business in Isolde, we should properly lay them to rest," Lyra said.

"Agreed," Clive said. "We can't leave them here like this."

"We won't. But if the Black Shields have made it this far south..." Jill began. "They may already be in Port Isolde."

"I hope they have not," Lyra confessed.

Leaving Auldhyl, they proceed further south toward the Bewit Bridge. They came across various folks who seemed to be traveling or escaping. Passing the bridge and leaving the people behind, Jill spoke to the goddess. "The magic you used against those Black Shields... I have never felt such a powerful concentration of aether outside of an Eikon. It was the same sensation Clive and I felt while we were heading to the abbey."

"The dark vortex we saw," Clive chimed in. "It was you."

"Yes," Lyra said. "With the shards of the Mothercrystal I absorbed at Drake's Head, I have noticed a change in the aether that courses through my body. It is a good change, though. However, spells such as the one I used at the abbey and outside Auldhyl cannot be used in quick succession. They require a vast amount of aether. If I am careless, it will take a toll on my body."

Clive stopped out of fear and turned to her. "You don't mean..."

She smiled reassuringly at him. "I am not affected by the crystal's curse. By toll, I mean exhaustion."

"Even though you absorbed the Mothercrystal's shards?" Jill asked.

"My body has already converted the shards into pure aether. There is no cause for concern, I assure you."

Clive visibly relaxed. "Knowing you are spared of the curse is a relief."

Jill started to smile at hearing his words. She leaned over and whispered to Lyra, "He truly does care about you. I never see him so worried about anyone else."

"Some of his worrying is unnecessary, but..." Lyra smirked a little. "It's adorable."

"He reminds me of a pup—never too far from your side."

Both women began laughing, catching the attention of Clive. "What has you two amused?"

"Oh, nothing," Lyra replied with a fake tone of innocence. "Simply an idle conversation between girls."

He huffed out an amused chuckle. "I don't believe it for a second."

Lyra couldn't stop smiling. It was lighthearted moments like this she cherished in such a dark and unforgiving world. However, the small joy brought by their conversation faded as they arrived at the Silken Strand just outside of the Lazarus. It was too quiet and too lifeless to be the town of nobles she remembered.

"The Lazarus... What happened to this place?" Jill asked.

"My mother happened," Clive answered. "The nobles who lived here didn't stand a chance. Let's hope my uncle fared better."

Lyra gazed at the desolate town before following Clive and Jill to the main gate of Port Isolde. To their dismay, a large crowd was gathered and the guards weren't letting anyone in. The people were causing an uproar as they demanded to pass. However, the guards continued to refuse and tried to shoo them away.

Seeing no way through, Clive told Lyra and Jill about the secret tunnels that connected the Lazarus District to Port Isolde. They would use them to enter the port and speak to Lord Byron. Heading back the way they came, they were able to locate a gate that was unlocked and opened it. They entered the Lazarus District and couldn't believe how quiet and dull it was.

"This is nothing like I remember it," Clive muttered sadly.

"It feels as if all life has been sapped from it," Lyra said.

"How quickly a crown can lose its luster," Jill commented.

The party started to explore the Lazarus District in search of the tunnels leading to Port Isolde. They proceeded further into the town, only to discover a man.

"Not abandoned, then," Clive said as the man took notice of them.

The man shouted out, "Oi! Visitors!"

More men appeared.

"Oh, heavens..." Lyra mumbled.

Clive wasn't looking for a fight with the men. "Apologies. We'll show ourselves out."

As the men approached, Clive, Jill, and Lyra quickly turned to leave. To their dismay, the man whistled and more of his friends showed up. On all sides, they were surrounded.

Clive reached for his sword after seeing they would not be able to leave peacefully. "Or not." He unsheathed his blade and the battle started.

Lyra threw out her talismans and they scattered around her before exploding and blowing away the enemies. Her talismans returned to her and she knocked back more men that tried to attack her from behind. Making sure not to kill them, she knocked them unconscious. Clive, Jill, and Torgal did the same. They ensured the men weren't killed but knocked unconscious.

Eventually, the men who had attacked were all unconscious on the ground. Clive was looking around, breathing heavily when his attention was drawn to the leader of the group when he said, "I've only ever seen one man fight like that... And he's long dead."

"Then perhaps it's time you joined him," Clive rebuttals. Using the blessing of the Phoenix, he conjured a fireball and threw it at the leader.

The man and his fellow allies dodged the fireball. He was completely in shock when he recognized the power. "The Blessing of the Phoenix...?" He immediately looked down at Clive. "It can't be—I was there when you died!"

The leader and his men jumped down. To the party's surprise, they saluted to Clive in a familiar fashion.

"Forgive me, my lord. I knew not whom I addressed. You have naught to fear from us." The leader sheathed his axe and gazed at Clive in shock. "Founder... It really is you."

Now having gotten a better look at the man, Clive recognized him. "It is...Sir Wade." He walked up to the man and greeted him properly with a forearm shake. Both men smiled at seeing each other again.

Wade cast his smile toward Jill and nodded. She smiled back. His eyes then fell onto Lyra. Seeing her features and the familiar talismans during the battle, he recognized her. "Oh, Lady Edelweiss..." He approached the woman and grabbed her hands. "We heard the imperials talking about the miracle healer, but we thought they were chasing a ghost. It is good to see you alive and well, my lady. I should have known it was you the moment I saw those talismans."

"It is wonderful to see you, Sir Wade," Lyra smiled at him.

"We can speak inside."

Clive, Jill, and Lyra followed Wade into one of the many buildings in the Lazarus District. He explained to them the current state of Rosaria and how they have been combatting it.

"And those who wouldn't bend the knee?" Jill asked.

"We left before the empire could make examples of us though we didn't go far...and we banded together to form the Guardians of the Flame soon after. Alas...there is only so much a handful of aging Shields can do against the might of an empire," Wade walked over to the window and peered up at the gray sky, "but we've seen to it that their stay has been anything but pleasant. Of late, though, we've had our hands full just trying to keep the duchy's few remaining Bearers out of the imperials' clutches."

"The cullings. We saw what happened in Auldhyl," Clive said.

Wade angrily slammed his fists down on the windowsill. "Aye. The foul work of the Black Shields and their mistress."

"You mean my mother. But it doesn't make sense...even knowing what I know about her. Her hatred for Bearers was no secret, but she wouldn't have been ignorant of their value to the realm."

Wade turned to the man. "No offense, my lord—but in case you haven't noticed, the Lady Anabella couldn't care less about the realm. She barely even cares for her own home—that much has been plain since the slaughter at Eastpool."

Hearing about her home, Lyra cast her gaze down and hugged herself. She couldn't stand to think about what happened to her mother and so many more innocent people.

Wade saw and apologized. "Forgive me, my lady. My condolences to Lady Hanna and the other people of Eastpool."

"Thank you, Sir Wade," she said. "What else can you tell us about the former duchess?"

"Since granting the Holy Emperor a new heir, her obsession with Bearers only seems to have grown. As to why, I don't know. Maybe she can't bear the thought of anyone having the power to challenge her beloved son."

Clive lowered his head and murmured, "Her son..."

"There have also been whispers among the Black Shields regarding you, Lady Edelweiss," Wade said. "During their hunt for Bearers, they have been searching for you in hopes of delivering you to their mistress."

Clive crossed his arms in thought. "What would my mother possibly gain from capturing Lyra?"

"I'm afraid we haven't discovered her motive in regard to Lady Edelweiss," Wade sighed dejectedly.

Jill glanced worriedly at Clive. "Could it be—?"

Suddenly, the door flew open and men ran into the house. "Sir Wade! The Black Shields have broken camp! They march in full force for Bewit Bridge."

"Then so do we," Wade replied. "Make ready!"

The three men saluted before running out of the house.

"This is their main host. If we remove the head, perhaps... Perhaps we can prevent what happened at the docks from happening somewhere else," Wade explained. "If I do nothing, then the blood of their next victims will be on my hands."

Clive looked over at Jill and Lyra. He received nods from both of them. "Yours...and ours. We, too, have witnessed the crimes these men who dare call themselves Shields have committed in my mother's name. It cannot be allowed to continue. We must put a stop to this madness."

"We must. So let us go with you. For the good of Rosaria," Jill said.

"I was hoping you'd say that," Wade replied. "If that is your wish, I would be honored to serve at your side. However..." He looked over at Lyra.

The golden-haired woman understood Wade's concern and decided to respect his silent wish. "I understand. I shall stay here."

Wade sighed in relief. "Thank you, Lady Edelweiss. I know you are capable in battle, but I fear what the Black Shields will do if they find you amongst us."

"I shall do what I can here," she replied.

"Your aid is most valuable, my lady."

Clive was more than supportive of the idea of leaving behind Lyra in the Lazarus District to keep her safe. He was more than ready to wipe out the Black Shields in her honor and to avenge the slaughtered Bearers. "Sir Wade. Let us do our duty."

Wade smiled gratefully. "With pleasure, my lord!"

Lyra followed Clive, Jill, and Wade out of the house. Before offering a helping hand to the Guardian of the Flames, she wanted to see them off.

"Tell us then, Sir Wade—what is your plan?" Clive asked once they gathered outside.

"Nothing fancy. You, Lady Jill, and I make for Bewit Bridge and provoke the main host at their encampment. Sensing an opportunity to end the Guardians, the Black Shields will call for reinforcements who will be met from the rear by parties of my brothers hidden throughout the surrounding hills. This will allow us to wage battle on the bridge without fear of being overwhelmed," Wade explained. "While the Black Shields have an advantage in numbers, you see, they prefer to fight in small units—which we can use to our advantage."

"How small, exactly?"

"Small enough, now that I have you and Lady Jill for company I doubt I could've done this on my own."

"But until we arrived that was your plan," Clive chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit."

"Sir Wade," a man spoke as he walked over. "The Bearers from Auldhyl have been laid to rest."

Lyra felt an overwhelming sense of joy at the news. Although she didn't get to pray for the poor Bearers at Auldhyl, she was overjoyed to know they had been laid to rest.

"Very good. Now make ready for battle," Wade commanded.

The man saluted. "As you command." He left.

"Thank you, Sir Wade. Perhaps now they will find peace," Clive said.

"There is but one thing which will grant them peace," Wade replied. "Putting an end to the Black Shields."

"And so we shall."

"Please, be safe on this endeavor," Lyra chimed in.

Wade nodded and bowed. "Of course, my lady. We shall return with good news."

"Yes," Jill replied. "Do not worry yourself, Lyra."

Clive cast a gentle smile toward her. "Take this time to rest."

Lyra snickered. "You know I won't." She nudged him forward. "Go, before I decide to sneak away and join you."

"We'll be back soon."

Lyra waved to them as they left the Lazarus District. Once they were gone, she approached one of the men who had stayed behind. "Is there anything I can do to aid you?"

"You..." The man admired her features. "Yes, you are the miracle healer of Rosaria. If I remember correctly, you are the adoptive daughter of our late Lord Commander. I believe you would often aid the soldiers in training when they required healing. If it is not too much trouble, could you provide our wounded with some much-needed healing?"

She nodded with a smile. "Show me the way to the injured."

"Right this way, my lady."

She followed the man into a house deeper into the Lazarus District. Inside, she saw men lying on the floor. All of them were bandaged up in some way, shape, or form. Her work was cut out for her. She started with the man closest to her and made her way to all the men. She gave them smiles and joked with them as she healed their injuries.

"Thank you, my lady," Thomas, who was the last man she reached, said to her after she healed his broken arm. "It is not e'erday a beautiful lady comes to visit us in this desolate town. You 'ave not only graced us with your beauty but also your miraculous healing."

"I am always happy to help those who protect the innocent," she smiled at him. "You and the rest of the Guardians have been doing the gods' work."

Thomas' smile faltered. "At times, I feel like the gods 'ave abandoned us."

Lyra couldn't blame the man. The gods, minus her and Indra, were dead. It was a feeling she felt was justified. "I understand how you feel, Sir Thomas."

"But..." Thomas' smile grew. "I feel as though at least one god still cares. If one still does, then there is still hope for this world."

Her smile returned. "Even if the gods have abandoned this world, it is men like you who keep the hope alive. That hope is necessary to heal this world."

"Then I'll keep hoping even when others have given up. Thank you again, Lady Edelweiss."

"Get some rest, Sir Thomas."

Lyra stood to leave, only to stop when a man barged into the house in a panic. "My lady!"

"What's wrong?" she asked, concerned.

"A man has appeared and he demands to see you."

Her eyes widened when only one man came to mind. She ran past the man, but he grabbed her arm to stop her. "I cannot allow you to approach such a person. He could be dangerous."

She pulled away from him. "If it is the man I am thinking of, only I can face him. You are at the command of Sir Wade, but I beg of you—tell your men to not approach him."

Running out of the house, she was followed by the man. She dashed to the front of the Lazarus District and found some men surrounding Indra. The god was calm and level-headed as usual.

"Stand down!" Lyra shouted to the Guardians. "You know naught of whom you face. This man is not to be trifled with."

"But, my lady—!" a man tried to protest.

She calmly walked up to Indra while waving aside the guardians. She stoically met his crimson gaze. "It seems the prayer is not necessary to draw your attention, Indra."

"No matter where you are, I will find you, Gaia," the god replied cooly.

Lyra kept herself from showing her emotions. "I believe you told me you wouldn't come for me until I become stronger."

Indra folded his arms behind his back. "I did, but now that Mythos is gone, we may have a proper conversation." His eyes scanned the tense faces of the guardians. "Let us speak in private."

The moment Lyra blinked, her surroundings changed. She was no longer in the Lazarus District but in the heavens, more specifically the Luminous Garden.

In the blue sky, she could see Valisthea.

Indra paced around the central blooming fountain. He gazed at the flowers. "You brought the beauty of life to the heavens and spread such brilliance to the world we created. And now, that beautiful world we forged is plagued by humans. They no naught the pestilence they bring."

Lyra glared at the god. "The world was created to birth new life. No form of life is perfect, not even us gods. You do not get to accuse humanity of their imperfection when you yourself have become corrupted."

"Those humans have tainted you," Indra replied stoically. "Ally yourself with Ultima. Allow the world we birthed to be reborn and be the epicenter of the universe's perfect lifeform, one that will never crumble."

Lyra didn't need to think. "I refuse." She turned her back to him and gazed at Valisthea. "Whether you chose this path or Ultima forced you, I will not sacrifice billions of lives to create an ideal world."

Indra chuckled darkly. "You truly are blinded by those humans, especially the one called Mythos."

Her eyes narrowed at hearing the name again. She knew he was referring to Clive, but she didn't understand the name. "Mythos?"

"The one you lay with, the one who has tainted you the most," Indra replied. "Though Ultima requires him, if he fails...I will not hesitate to cut him down to get to you."

She cast a glare over her shoulder at him. "Do you truly believe I will let you lay a hand on him?"

Indra smirked. "If I cannot have you, no one can." He walked toward the entrance of the garden. "I shall see you again at Drake's Breath. Until then, Gaia."

She looked away from him as she was transported back to Valisthea. She reappeared in the middle of the Lazarus District and noticed it was nighttime. Feeling overwhelmed, she fell to her knees with a shaky sigh. Having felt like she failed to save Indra, she cursed herself for allowing him to fall to evil.

"My lady!"

Hearing running footsteps, she lifted her head to see Wade approaching her. He sank to a single knee and grabbed her upper arms. "My men told me what happened. Are you injured?"

She managed to shake her head. "No."

He sighed in relief. "That is excellent news. If you are well enough, you must depart for Port Isolde. Clive and Jill are worried sick about you. I'm afraid his lordship might raise hell if he doesn't see you are safe soon."

"Believe it or not, Clive has patience as I have never seen," she weakly laughed. "But yes, you are correct. I shall leave for Port Isolde immediately."

"Shall one of my men assist you through the tunnels?" he offered kindly.

"No. I have an alternate method of infiltration."

"Ah, yes," Wade laughed. "The shapeshifting."

With his help, she got to her feet. "Thank you, Sir Wade. I hope to see you again. Take care."

"You as well, my lady. Farewell for now."

The moment Wade stepped back, Lyra transformed into a hawk. She flew all the way to Port Isolde and landed in an alleyway not too far from Lord Byron's home. Reverting back, she approached his front door and knocked.

A female servant opened the door. "May I help you, my lady?"

Lyra met the woman's gaze. "My name is Lyra Edelweiss. I am the adoptive daughter of Lord and Lady Murdoch. May I speak with Lord Byron?"