A month had passed when the matriarchs of the Guisharam Region finally reached a unanimous decision: They would join the battle ahead. It didn't take long for them to raise an army, as many were willing to fight; men and women alike.

While it took longer than what he had liked, Ordephus was thankful for it. For one, Argent learned much about his home, as many of the matriarchs were more than willing to teach him what they knew. They also taught him what it meant to be a dragonkind; to hold their head in pride, yet be humble enough to understand that none of them were perfect. It meant Argent was often out of sight and sometimes even on the other side of the compound, but as long as he stayed within the walls, he didn't worry too much. He still had the trace on the spellbook, after all.

Matriarch Hviak, the oldest and most respected matriarch in the Guisharam Region, had taken a liking to him, much to his surprise. When not in meetings and in those moments when Argent was whisked away from him, he found himself in the company of her. She would ask about the past, his achievements in magic, and most of all, his reasoning for turning on them. Under normal circumstances, he would've politely redirected the situation. He knew there was nothing to redeem him for becoming so blinded by power. But he found that he told her anyway, and she offered no judgment as he told his story. Only thoughtful nods and fair questions. He wished he had met her earlier, then perhaps they would have had more opportunities to speak.

The array was nearly complete, ready to be activated, as they all gathered to pass through the portal. It was the day they moved to the tower; where the chosen leaders could all talk at last.

"Take pride, my brothers and sisters, for we shall fight for those who cannot," Hviak said with a smile as gnarled hands that once grasped a sword held a staff. She wouldn't be joining them in battle, of course, but it was just as important to keep a form of authority in Nortempress. She would watch over those who stayed in Guisharam.

"Do not worry for us, Matriarch." Ein'roth bowed her head as she held onto Hviak's hand gently. "We will fight until we bring the rest of the dragonkind home."

Hviak chuckled, pulling her hand away to pat Ein'roth's shoulder. "I never doubted, Ein'roth." She turned and gave Ordephus a teasing look. "And may Ordephus save us all."

Ordephus smiled at that and inclined his head. "Your wish has been heard, and I will make sure to deliver."

"Ah, and one more thing before you go, Forefather." She hobbled forward to stand in front of him, her staff balancing on its own as she let go to reach up, laying her hands on his cheeks. "We are not the same, as you are human and we are fae, but the blood of dragons flow deep within our veins. That is enough for me to consider you one of us." She continued to smile gently as she looked into his eyes, and he couldn't make himself look away. "You still hold a single illusion. One formed by shame, as what you hide was a gift of acceptance by the man you called brother. He still had not retracted that gift. I cannot force you, but as a request, friend, will you release your illusion? Just so I can see you for who you truly are in case we never meet again."

He wasn't aware that there were still those who remembered. There were times where he had forgotten himself, after all, and he huffed out a laugh. Her face became blurry to him for a few seconds as the illusion was lifted.

"There you are." She patted his cheek before grasping her staff once again. "Now, go and free our people."

"Thank you, Hviak."

He bowed before stepping away to join Argent and Ein'roth near the array. Argent held his spellbook open to make sure everything was correct while Ein'roth looked over his shoulder. She didn't look too sure about the idea but let the boy do what he was told. Both looked up as he approached, and Argent lit up when he saw the change.

"So you do have eyes like ours!"

Ordephus chuckled at that. "I do." He shook his head when Argent began to ask a question. "Later. For now, we should start settling at the tower."

Argent reluctantly nodded. "Alright. I checked it three times, and I think it's ready now."

"It's perfect," he said with a smile. "Thank you for your help."

A Symbol of Ordephus was set into the ground with stones. Other symbols and lines surrounded it, ones that simulated the array that contained the larger mana reservoirs. While he had tested small scaled versions of the array, this was the first of a larger size, and he would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous. Nonetheless, he stepped forward, motioning for the rest to stand back. He didn't want anyone caught in the potential backlash. It was when he stood just at the edge when he began pulling at his lifeforce.

"What is he doing?" Ein'roth hissed, stepping back at the foul energy. "What is this?"

"It's his lifeforce," Argent explained. He wrinkled his nose slightly, but he had since gotten used to it. "The waypoint is connected to him and anyone else close to him. Like Tarkana since she's his daughter. Doing this is just easier and convenient instead of connecting everyone else to it."

"But his lifeforce? Doesn't that—how is he—" She was spared of her momentary loss of words as Ordephus piped up. A curtain of red-tinted light now surrounded the symbol.

"You'd be surprised how much a lifeforce can do and how little it matters when you're immortal."

His voice was too cheerful to her liking, but she nodded along, anyway. "I've never felt a lifeforce so . . . foul."

"Neither have I, but I theorize it's because I was never made to live this long." He shrugged. "So I guess you could view it as spoiled or rotten. A bit like milk left out in the sun for a few centuries, but it doesn't curdle."

"That's an awful analogy."

"But an accurate one," he grinned over his shoulder. "We're ready to proceed."

"How do you know it will work?" she asked.

"I can go through first if you'd like," he offered with another shrug.

"Please do."

"Fair enough. I'll be back in a few seconds."

He vanished as soon as he passed through the curtain, causing it to ripple slightly. Many held their breaths as they waited. One second. Five seconds. Twenty seconds. Ein'roth worried something had gone wrong but was proven otherwise when Ordephus stepped out of the light, perfectly unharmed.

"See? It's fine." He smirked, and Ein'roth wanted to wipe that cocky grin off his face. "I wouldn't put you all in danger if I wasn't certain it would work."

"What took so long if you were only going to go there and back?" she snapped.

"Well, the short explanation is that there's a transit time along with other things that involve the different planes of existence between realms and a very complicated road from point a to b that has been largely simplified by me for your convenience." He motioned for them to form lines. "Now, let's go."

Tarkana jumped back in surprise when Ordephus emerged from the portal once again.

"Father! I thought that was you from before." She stepped to the side with him as more people made it through the light. "I didn't realize it would connect to this area."

"I decided it would've been easier to use the same transport area rather than setting up individual portals for each location," he said. "I'm assuming there were enough mana beads to activate the other portals? You set one up in Iver's hometown, correct?"

"Yes, we did, and everything worked out fine. Same as one in Rokor." She sighed and waved her hand back to the main clearing where numerous tents were erected. "The high elves barely heard what we had to say, proclaiming it was impossible for you to be alive—"

Ordephus snorted at that.

"—so most of the elven ranks here are actually half-elves. They were more sympathetic to our cause. And the dwarves mostly stayed in Téchivar but agreed to provide armor and weapons. For a price." She sighed. "Fair enough, but I hope they'll remain reasonable. We have a few representatives here to discuss the terms, but some are here to help develop the settlement."

"You would think we're building a whole new village," he muttered sarcastically. There was a slight pause before he gave her a soft smile and opened his arms. She gladly stepped forward into his embrace. "So, how have you been?"

"A little bit stressed," she admitted, "but Iver has been a great help throughout all this. He's certainly more diplomatic than I am."

"It probably has to do with all that time spent with Noctifer. Only the gods know how many times he had to smooth out a situation." His eyes caught something blue as she pulled away, and he pushed back her hair to get a better look at the cerulean earrings. "These are new."

"Oh, Iver gave them to me," she said, and she looked to the side as a blush began to stain her cheeks before murmuring, "He said they matched my eyes."

. . . What? Ordephus was momentarily torn between being impressed or to go on a hunt for the elf to make sure he treated his daughter right. Luckily for Iver, he settled on being amused. Very amused.

"Really now," he teased before beginning to roll up his sleeves. "Where is he, by the way? I need to talk to him."

She grabbed his arm to keep him in place. "Don't you dare."

"I wasn't going to do anything to him," he said with a laugh.

"You better not." It looked as if she were going to say something more until she leaned back slightly, taken aback by what she saw. "So it's true . . . Mother did always say there was something you kept hidden."

"And I regret not having the courage to show her while she was still here with us." He heard her whisper a small prayer under her breath as Ein'roth stepped through the barrier, and he acknowledged the matriarch with a nod. Argent passed through not far after her and wordlessly stood next to Ordephus. "Is that nearly all of them?"

"All that's left are a few carts." She looked after those being led away by a group of elves and dwarves—albeit a bit awkwardly—before looking between the two of them. Her gaze eventually settled on Tarkana. "Are you two related?"

"Oh, yes, Ordephus is my father," Tarkana said, bowing her head politely. "My name is Tarkana."

"Then I have heard of you. Ordephus speaks fondly of you and is very proud of your achievements." She bowed her head in return. "I am Ein'roth, matriarch of Kursham. I will be representing the dragonkind during our discussions, as well as a few of my other sisters."

"And we're happy you're here," she smiled kindly. "But first, let's get you all settled. I'm sure the discussions can begin once you've rested."

A few more pleasantries were exchanged—both Ordephus and Argent had zoned out, having a short conversation about how well the portal was working instead—before Tarkana began to lead Ein'roth away towards the camp.

"Oh, and Iver and Noctifer are in the main tent, I believe. The large red one. I think they're about to wrap up a meeting." She gave Ordephus a pointed glare. "So don't do anything threatening or embarrassing."

"Me?" he said, pretending to be affronted. "Why would I do that?"

Her eyes narrowed dangerously at that, but she didn't say another word to him as she and Ein'roth walked away.

"What did she mean by that?" Argent asked, giving Ordephus a suspicious look.

"Nothing to be concerned about," he replied with a vague smile.

It didn't take long for them to locate the tent, and Ordephus didn't hesitate to throw back the flap and waltz in. There were several other people in the tent, some of whom jumped upon him entering, and it looked as if they were finishing up with refreshments. Perfect. But he had an agenda at that moment. It didn't matter if others were there to witness it.

Ordephus took advantage of the fact that Iver was sitting down.

"So," he began, slinging his arm over the elf's shoulders, only for it to quickly become a loose chokehold. "You and Tarkana, huh?"

Noctifer choked into his drink while Iver began to fidget nervously. The others either stared wide-eyed or looked away, deciding it was none of their business.

"Um—I have always admired her, and she is the kindest woman I have ever met—She just . . . We just—"

Ordephus snorted at his stammering and released him. "I'm just kidding." He threw a sharp grin over his shoulder as he walked away. "Maybe. But first thing's first," he settled at the head of the table, which had conveniently been empty, "I want a decent report on all that's been happening thus far, and by tomorrow, the dragonkind will be joining us as well for these discussions."

The mix of elves, half-elves, dwarves, and humans all glanced between him and Iver and Noctifer. It almost made Ordephus laugh, as he could practically hear the unspoken question: Is he really who we think it is?

"I suppose it would be polite to start with introductions," he said amiably with a small smirk. "My name's Ordephus, and yes, as in that Ordephus. Feel free to challenge me outside if you have any doubts."

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