For hours, Iliya waited for Rhydian to leave her room, her mind bleeding in and out of sleep, imagining footsteps as he slipped away.

Finally, a soft voice notified him that the trial was about to begin, and he left her, assuming she was asleep.

She hadn't been able to recover after the mention of a Ritual. The longer she mulled it over, the more Iliya realized Chiori Faire had never performed one.

She was more sure than ever of her plan. She would sneak into the Grand Archive as soon as the trial began.

If the entire High Court had eyes on Sorein, none of them would suspect he was behind the failing wards.

Her rings had burned irreparably, leaving the runes on her arm exposed for anyone to see. She couldn't bear explaining them to anyone else, not when she didn't understand them herself.

Iliya snuck out of bed and tiptoed over to the medicine cabinet. Halavesta had taught her the combination of runes to enter when she was tending to the Solstice victims.

Iliya reached in and snatched a vial from the top left. Deep blue liquid wobbled inside, protected by a cap and a cork.

Her body tingled with nerves as she twisted the cap off first, then popped out the cork. Inside was a concoction of herbs, distilled adrenaline, and healing mana which would make her fit enough to escape the Estate.

Rhydian once told her that soldiers referred to the potion as a fate tonic. He'd said the medicine might appear to grant luck to the drinker, but oftentimes it only allowed one to jeopardize themselves.

Fitting, she mused.

Iliya pressed the glass to her lips and took two big swallows before wincing at the acidic taste. The soupy elixir clogged her throat.

Her aches and pains soon began to fade.

After checking the room, Iliya only found the shredded pieces of fabric she'd worn to Azuris. The thought of putting them back on was less than ideal, so she started for her room.

Passing the Laundry Suite, Iliya took a few steps back and smirked.

More ideal and much closer. Iliya ducked inside, dodging past an overwhelmed Priestess who didn't seem to notice her.

A fresh stack of women's garments sat folded on a table, along with two pairs of men's trousers.

Quickly changing into the black cargo pants and a loose fitting green blouse, Iliya knew she looked every bit the commoner that she always prayed to be. She combed her fingers through her hair and tied it into a loose bun that hung against the back of her neck.

Ducking her head into a closet, she found a black overcoat waiting to be steamed. She pulled it from the hanger and over her arms.

A pair of training boots had been placed on a lower shelf. Caked in dirt and slightly big, Iliya crammed her feet into them anyway.

Her movements were restricted by bandages and she knew the summer heat would cook her thoroughly, but blending in was paramount.

After years of praising her stealth, Iliya knew her family would soon regret those skills. She navigated the back rooms until she was in one of the hallways behind Ezre's office, which opened behind the dais of the ballroom.

She knew she would be able to hear people funneling into the Courtroom for the trial.

She recognized Queen Elive's voice first, then Ezre and her mother. Indistinct chatter soon filled the corridor, then silence as the door closed behind them. She hadn't heard Sorein's voice, but she was certain he wouldn't be speaking unless spoken to today.

Taking a deep breath, Iliya stalked through the stairwell and down into the swirling hallway of the Grand Archive.

She was not anticipating Noah, who stood at the doorway. He looked different today, his mind and eyes clearer. Not to mention the sleek black militia uniform and overcoat.

RIM was embroidered into the patch on both shoulders.

Iliya could do nothing but gawk as he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed and brow raised.

"You like it?"

"They accepted you?"

Noah nodded, but the severity never left his face. "We must decide if you wish to use a witness."

She couldn't get over the short sword now hilted to his belt, sheathed in leather, or how his unruly blond hair seemed tamer, combed down over his eyes. He'd matured, edging closer to a strong, thirty year old man.

She blinked again when his stare turned into a glare.

"Right," she said, clearing her throat. "I suppose you could be the witness."

Noah shook his head, keeping a watchful eye beyond her.

"If I were the witness, they would retain me in Chiori to help the inevitable investigation. I won't be of much use to either of you if I'm stuck here."

"Either of us?"

He chuckled. "Sorein. I care for him."

Iliya knew who he'd meant, but not how joining the Guild would unite them. Noah had been so thorough in planning, she was certain he had an idea. Still, she accepted the answer purely for the sake of time.

"I don't need a witness," she said, reaching for the door. "Head for the kitchens. You'll be far enough away from ground zero but within running distance if something goes wrong."

Noah nodded, a sad smile on his face. "And you need to head for the docks. Look for the vessel with a green flag at half-mast."

"Tell Sorein I did it for him. Tell Ezre I'm sorry..." she started, tears welling up. "Rhydian... Gods Rhydian is going to hate me..."

Noah squeezed her shoulder. "He loves you."

"I know him..." she whispered. "He'll either get angry and shut down, or he'll become obsessed with–"

"Hey," Noah shushed her. "No more of that."

She knew he was stopping her before she backed out. Wise. Her heart was already shuddering with regret. Iliya swallowed roughly and sighed.

"If the latter does happen, I need you to show him Damien's journal."

"Iliya, I don't know if–"

"Noah. I'm not asking."

He nodded. "Okay."

She opened the door and stepped inside the archive before peeking backward. Her friend watched carefully.

"Thank you for everything."

Noah's smile warmed. "We'll see this through."

Iliya chanted those words in her head as she moved forward, leaving life as she knew it with each step. Her legs trembled beneath her as commitment ebbed and flowed.

The archive was empty, a glistening barrier protecting the Aphyre.

People – her people – could die.

Her family.

But this witch hunt needed to end.

Iliya lifted her hand and concentrated on the mana winding through her veins. No longer her Raesa. No. Her Ionsia.

Her curse.

One final steadying breath and she latched onto the barrier with golden threads of light, concentrating on the pulsing wall of magic. She'd never done this on purpose.

She didn't know what to expect.

Iliya's body constricted with nerves, eyes widening. She'd never felt so powerful.

Electricity flowed into her, supercharging her soul.

Then the barrier cracked and a deep abyss spread across the room until it burst like a geyser. Air swirled like a tornado, tossing books, tables, and shattered glass.

Shocked, she flinched as a pulse shook the room.

Her eyes scanned the room one final time, grateful no one managed to slip in. Timing was everything.

A cavern spread through the floor, veins splitting off in all directions and swallowing chairs as the air throbbed around her.

Iliya pushed forward, several tethers of gold binding to the Aphyre itself. Mana poured into her body until she was forced onto her knees.

Sorein was going to kill her.

He might never forgive her.

The thought sent her arm trembling.

With fingers still outstretched, she drew as much magic into her weakened body as she could. Thick sap morphed into liquid electricity in her veins until an implosion leveled the room.

She flew into a bookshelf, smashing through the hard oak and into the wall beyond it.

Smoke veiled the room, flames left in her wake.

The powerful mana flowing through her quickly healed much of her superficial wounds.

Iliya shoved to her feet and staggered into the hallway, those grandiose doors she once loved now warped and bulging out of the wall.

No time.

She had no time.

Sprinting through the Estate, Iliya ducked and maneuvered passed beams as the ground shook and the ceiling cracked.

Now.

She needed to escape now!

As she ran for the main entrance, she heard footsteps behind her. Quick, well-paced strides threatening to close the distance.

No.

Iliya grimaced and threw herself into the courtyard, dodging into the gardens.

Her coat whipped against the lavender brush and stirred a violet whirlwind in her wake, the stone pathway tugging at her oversized boots.

Heavy breathing threatened to catch up as she neared one of the higher gates, and she decided to climb it. Guards barked orders, while others called for medics.

Injuries.

She knew there would be injuries.

Iliya's heart thrummed, beating like a snare drum as she heaved her legs over the barbed gate. Each cut and scrape would be a penance for her actions, she knew it.

As her feet hit the pavement, the metal clanged behind her, fists gripping the bars.

"Iliya!" Sorein hissed. "What have you done?"

She blinked. "Go back to the estate!"

"Iliya!"

She sprinted into the streets of Chiori Faire, committing every street and shop to memory. Her arms pumped as she evaded street vendors and children, heading for the river.

Iliya whispered her goodbyes to this country, these people.

She'd spent so many years trying to escape the role she was given, only to realize how important it was as she said her goodbyes.

Her duty would be this.

The bridge came into sight just as the taste of mana slashed into her.

Iliya gritted her teeth as she twisted to face her attacker.

Sorein Chakrine panted, cold rage freezing those silver eyes.

She took a step back.

"Iliya..."

His voice was a warning she never wanted to hear.

"Don't," she pleaded softly. "Don't do this."

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Turn around, go back to the Estate."

"No," he growled. "What in Heilos name do you think you're doing?"

"I'm sorry..."'

Sorein advanced another step and she backed away again.

"Irie," he sighed, ignoring the onlookers. "Why..."

"I'm sorry, Rein," Iliya murmured again.

She was.

For everything.

Including the blast of golden light she summoned from within and whipped between them. Cords of mana trapped his arms to his waist, her fingers splaying as she tied him to the ground.

Sorein thrashed back and forth. She knew the cordage wouldn't hold for long.

"Iliya!"

"I'm so sorry..." she said, shaking. "We'll make it out the otherside."

The words had him stunned, eyes wide, and he relaxed long enough for Iliya to turn and run, escaping into Torchkye.