After breakfast the following morning, Sebastian and the others were escorted out of the mess hall by Catherine, Ajax, and a trio of huge, bearded men-Wallace, Hannibal, and Ulysses Washington, Ajax's older brothers.

They traveled down a path leading away from the main village and out into the dense woods surrounding Hodvekt. Pine trees jutted out the coarse soil like skyscrapers, their leafy canopies stretching out like a dragon's spindly wing. Birds flocked overhead, their cries echoing through the early afternoon air. The smell of pine needles met Sebastian's nose as he followed behind the battlemages.

Achilles was waiting for them in a windowless structure staring down at them from the top of the hill up ahead.

Like every other building in Hodvekt, the meeting hall was constructed out of dark wood topped with a slanted, triangular roof curved into sharp points at the ends. Support beams held up the ends of the roof, runes growing with verdant light carved into the wood. A set of iron statues were huddled together outside the doors, each one pointing a sword in the air.

Sebastian pulled at the loose threads inside the pockets of his pants. Unlike the others, he opted to wash his original outfit and re-wear it. House Brynjir's Nordic-like fashion wasn't his style.

He took a shaky breath.

So many thoughts bogged down his clouded mind. What if Achilles turned them away after he told them about the Order? What if House Brynjir refused to fight back? He wouldn't have been surprised; even the fiercest warriors couldn't measure up to the Black Lotus.

No, they had to help them. They had to.

Their world was doomed if they didn't.

A hand slipped into his own, pulling out of his thoughts. Makaela was at his side, dressed in a green shirt and shorts that showed off her smooth legs. Her unruly hair had been tamed for the time being; about a dozen plaited braids intertwined with golden twine fell down her back. A pair of young girls spent the entire morning braiding it for her.

She looked amazing. Then again, she always did.

"It'll be alright." She smiled at him.

He nodded. "I hope so."

Despite his doubt doing its best to weigh him down, the memory of last night was more than enough to keep his spirits up. It felt like a dream. But when he looked into Makaela's eyes, he knew it wasn't.

Their kiss happened. It was real.

He ran a hand through his hair in an attempt to ground himself. Since last night, he felt like he was walking on a cloud. He hoped that feeling never went away.

For once, things were starting to look up.

Behind them, he spotted Imogen staring at their intertwined hands. Scowling, she looked away.

After a couple more minutes of traveling through the forest, the trees gave way to the large clearing at the top of the hill holding the meeting hall. As they got closer, Sebastian spotted the flagpoles boasting House Brynjir's famous insignia. A rocking chair was placed near the entrance of the building. An aging, silver-haired man sat on it with a cane laid across his lap. Despite his age, Sebastian could see the muscles beneath his green flannel. A stoic expression covered his rugged features like a shadow from the trees above.

He rose from his seat gingerly as the group approached him.

"You didn't have to get up dear, dear," Catherine told him as she rushed over to help her husband up.

"I'm fine, Cat," he said with a grunt. He was about Ajax's height of six-foot-four, but his hunched shoulders and slightly curved back suggested he might've been taller in his youth. When his vermillion eyes landed on Makaela, he sucked in a breath. "Well, I'll be damned."

Smiling, she waved at him. "Hello, Chief Washington."

"Oh, enough of that. I'm Achilles to you." He waddled over to her, using his cane for support. A wrinkled hand settled on her shoulder. "It is good to see you, Makaela."

"Likewise."

The old man's gaze shifted to Sebastian. He frowned deeply. "Sebastian."

His mouth twitched. "Sir."

Achilles huffed. "Two Lumaian magicians and a Tedorof at my front door? This must be important." Turning, he entered the building behind him. "Follow me."

The group walked behind him as he led them into the meeting hall.

More support beams rose toward the ceiling. Ornamental shields adorned the upper walls, along with framed weapons and similar banners to the ones placed all over the village. Achilles led them down a hall that emptied into another room. A bear's pelt-transformed into a huge rug-laid on the ground beneath the long table on the center of the hardwood floor. Paintings of warriors in bloody battlefields hung on the walls. Multiple sets of armor, equipped with shields and weapons, stood tall in the corners. Sebastian had a feeling they weren't there solely for decoration.

After taking up a seat at the fur-covered throne at the end of the table, Achilles gestured for everyone else to sit as well.

"I take it this is about your father," the chief of the Brynjirs said, his attention firmly fixed on Sebastian.

He nodded.

"You know, you look just like him, boy."

Sebastian blew a hair out his gaunt face in reply. He was well aware.

Achilles offered Makaela and Remy a sympathetic look. "I truly apologize for not coming to your House Lumai's aid during the purge. Believe me, if I had known sooner Thorian was behind the murderers, I would've gone after him myself."

Makaela flinched. "Wait, you knew?"

Sebastian felt the hurt and genuine shock in her words.

How long had he known the truth? Why hadn't he done anything about it? All eyes were on the grey-haired chief now. He stared down at his hands, his green eyes dark with shame.

There wasn't much he could've done about it, though.

Thorian was still the leader of the council. With no one able to bring forth any substantial evidence that the dark magician was the leader of the Order, nothing could be done. If Achilles acted, the tensions between House Brynjir and House Tenebris would only worsen. The two houses had been at odds for centuries. Any reckless actions would surely spark a war between them. Though, with the Prophecy of Eight looming over their heads like a thundercloud, a war between magicians was unavoidable.

Achilles hung his head in shame. "I had a niggling theory," he explained. "Pierre suspected Thorian was becoming engulfed by his desire to crack the prophecy. But by the time I realize he was behind the attacks, it was too late. House Lumai was already gone."

"You could've fought him," Makaela said, her voice small. Her fists were clenched on top of the table, her jaw taut. "You could've done something."

"Child, things are much more complicated than you think."

"What's more complicated than stopping a genocide?"

Achilles tensed. "I understand you're upset-"

"Upset?" The girl laughed. "My entire house was decimated. My parents were murdered while I had to watch." She pointed at him. "Your people stood by and let that happen."

Catherine glared at her. "Makaela, that's enough."

Her husband lifted his hand. "No, let her speak."

Anger flared across Makaela's face as she continued her tirade. Sebastian couldn't do anything but stare at the ring on his finger as she ranted next to him.

His father had caused so much pain. So much suffering.

So much death.

No one was brave enough to do anything about it then. Would things be any different this time around?

"My people needed you." Makaela's voice cracked. "I needed you." Her bottom lip quiver as she wiped tears from her eyes.

It felt like all the life had been sucked out of the room as Sebastian helplessly watched her tremble in her seat. He wanted to comfort her, to soothe her pain. But there was nothing he could do. Nothing he ever did would ease the anguish that plagued her heart.

The room went silent. Wind outside howled against the walls of the meeting hall.

"You're right," Achilles finally said. "I failed your people. I failed House Lumai. I was a coward."

Sniffling, Makaela looked away from him.

"If I could change the past, I would've done it already. But such spells don't exist. The only thing I can do now is try and make things right."

She stayed quiet.

Before another awkward silence could befall the room, Remy cleared his throat.

"This probably isn't the right time but..." He beamed at the old man at the end of the table. "I'm just a huge fan of yours. We've got all your books back home...er, well, it's not really our home anymore but, you know. Anyways, your adventures out in Greenland with the ice dragons? Incredible. I've read every story they wrote about you."

Sebastian exhaled quietly, grateful for the change of subject.

Imogen, who was sat beside Remy, snickered. "Someone's got a crush."

Achilles smiled brightly at the boy. "Why thank you." He trailed off, his scruffy brow creased. "Er, who are you again?"

"Remy Blair Moreau, sir." Remy grinned proudly.

Achilles leaned back into his seat. "Ah, you're Olivier's boy." His forehead creased as he looked around the room. "Speaking of your father, where is he? Did he not come with you all?"

Sebastian immediately glanced at Makaela. He noticed her staring deeply at her hands following the mention of her uncle.

He had been left behind after the attack on the chateau. Knowing Thorian, he likely took him captive instead of murdering him. The opportunity of bargaining with Makaela for the Illumio with the life of her uncle would've been too great to pass up on.

"He was hurt during the attack on our house," she explained. "We're not sure what happened to him after that."

"I'm sorry to hear that," Achilles told her. He looked around the table. "What do you need from me? I'm willing to help in any way I can."

Sebastian removed the Obscurio from his hand and set it on the table. A chill rippled through the room. He could've sworn he felt the temperature around them drop a few degrees.

Achilles bristled. "You must have a death wish, boy."

"Something like that." He gestured at Makaela. "She has the Illumio as well."

On cue, she retrieved the golden container holding the ring and placed it in front of her.

"Woah," Ajax said. He hadn't spoken for the entire meeting. "I've never seen the other Eldenarian Artifacts before. Not in person, anyways."

"My father is trying to collect all seven of them. He claims he's trying to take this world back for all magicians. The thing is no one knows what exactly he's planning on doing should he get them all." Sebastian turned to Achilles. "I need you to tell me everything you know about the Prophecy of Eight."

"Are you sure this is what he's planning?" Catherine asked.

Achilles nodded solemnly. "He mentioned it in the past. I never thought he'd truly embark on this asinine quest. It's forbidden to steal another house's artifact."

"I don't think he cares about the rules right now," Sebastian said.

The old man grunted. Stroking his beard, he stared down at the cane in his lap. "So, he wants to take our stuff, eh? I'd like to see him try." He stood up and placed the walking stick on the table. "When I assumed my role as head of this house, the previous chief taught me everything she knew about the prophecy. Every artifact holds clues about the oracle." He gestured at the two other artifacts on the table. "Makaela, Sebastian. Put your rings on and repeat after me."

Makaela blanched. "I have to wear it?"

"If you want to uncover its secrets, yes."

"I don't think I can do that."

The girl stared down at the ornate box before her. An apprehensive look filled her face.

Sebastian nodded reassuringly at her. "You can do this." There might've been a lot of weight tied to the Illumio, but she wouldn't let it drag her down. She was the ring's master. It served her now.

She exhaled. Then she unlocked the box. She carefully retrieved the Illumio before slipping the white band onto her finger. The gold jewel pulsated with a hidden light as it settled perfectly onto her hand. Everyone watched on in awe.

It was made for her.

"Woah," Remy said. "It looks so much better in person."

"It feels..." Makaela scrunched her face at the artifact. "I don't know how to explain it. There's a bright light in the back of my head. It's warm and calming, yet I can feel still feel its power. It's kind of like the sun." She paused. "I hear a voice, but I can't understand what it's saying."

Crowfeet crinkled around Achilles' eyes as he smiled knowingly at her. "You'll get used to it."

Sebastian was no stranger to weird voices speaking to him. The Obscurio had played plenty of tricks on him during their short time together. Ever since he fought his father, though, it refused to speak to him again.

He placed the ring back on his hand and waited for Achilles.

The old man curled his hand around his cane. Closing his eyes, he used his casting hand to perform a quick transfiguration charm. The emerald brand in his palm glowed brightly for a split second. Bright cracks ran through the wood of his cane, pieces chipping off and disintegrating into mist. Soon, the cane was gone, replaced by a magnificent broadsword crafted out of solid steel. Pieces of gold were encrusted into the two-handed hilt while a green jewel had been built into the base. Symbols were etched into the metal of the sword. The air around the blade hummed with magic.

"It's the sword!" Remy's eyes nearly bulged out his head. "House Brynjir's Eldenarian artifact. Krigersverd is its name, right?

Achilles nodded. "Quite the scholar, I see."

"I literally grew up in a library."

"Now that was cool," Imogen said while gesturing at the Krigersverd. "You magic people never cease to blow my mind."

Everyone in the room cut their eyes to the ordinaire.

Sebastian resisted the urge to facepalm.

Achilles squinted at the girl. "I suspected you were an ordinaire, but I wasn't sure." He glanced at Sebastian. "Care to explain?"

"It's a long story."

The man grunted. "We'll erase her memories later."

"Woah, woah, woah." Imogen rose from the table. "That's not happening. I almost died helping them get here. As far as I'm concerned, I'm a part of the team now. Ordinaire or not."

"Ordinaires have no place in our world."

"I'm no ordinary ordinaire."

Sebastian could tell she was proud of herself for that one. He rolled his eyes.

Grinning, Ajax wagged a finger at her. "I like her."

Achilles eyed the ordinaire for a few tense seconds. She glared back, hands folded tightly across her chest. The man simply shrugged at her. "Eh, as long as Jorgen doesn't find out, she'll be fine."

"I've got no clue who that is," Imogen replied.

"He was my second-in-command here," the battlemage explained. "He's now the general of the Eldai at the Eldenarian Palace. If he finds out you've been exposed to the existence of magic, he won't erase your memory. He'll eliminate you."

She paled. "Oh."

"He won't find out," Sebastian promised her.

Nodding at him, she sat back down.

Achilles lifted his sword to the sky with his gaze fixed on Makaela and Sebastian. "Now," he began, "repeat after me."