The air in the clearing was still and heavy.
Rosaly, Xaryus and Zadius felt as if they weren't allowed to make any sounds at that moment.
With a glance, Zadius could see various emotions rush through Andrew's body. There were traces of anxiety, but it had vanished when he announced the presence of the individual they were supposed to meet.
Then there was another emotion mixed in with his anxiety, excitement.
After a few moments, they could hear faint footsteps and rustling of bushes at the edge of the clearing. The bushes at the northern edge of the clearing shook ever so slightly, giving way to a cloaked, masculine figure.
As he stepped away from the tree line, the figure pulled back his hood and revealed his hardened face.
Illuminated by the moonlight, the man had fair skin, dark brown eyes and a bald head. His battle-hardened face was adorned with a deep scar that stretched from the edge of his bottom lip to the base of his chin.
He was adorned in black clothes and dark metal armour. To his hip was a long, sheathed broadsword.
"Those are aspects…" Xaryus thought for a moment, glancing at the figure's armour and weapon.
***
Aspects were weapons, armour and trinkets that had been modified by artificers to withstand the power generated by an awakened's animus.
Artificers use the runic language to imbue various abilities into these items, turning them into aspects. The grade of an aspect is determined by the quality of their inscribed runes. The grades are as follows; Basic, Advanced, Fabled, Legendary and Divine
***
"Hello, Valon." The figure spoke as he continued to step into the clearing, "I assume these are the two young awakened you mentioned?" He continued, briefly looking towards Xaryus and Zadius.
There was an intense moment of silence where one could only hear the flickering flame of the campfire and the rustle of the canopy surrounding them.
"Who gave you permission to use that name, Balki?" Andrew responded, his gaze filled with annoyance.
Now that the young Lionheart has heard his name, there was really no point in keeping his mask on. Especially now that Balki had arrived, there was no turning back.
With a sigh, Valon removed his mask, his annoyed gaze growing even sharper.
Balki returned an amused smile before performing an exaggerated bow, "My apologies… Smiling Blade."
At the base of his exaggerated bow however, the faint amused expression on his face contorted with glee and excitement for a brief moment.
After Balki straightened his back, Valon continued to speak.
"To answer your question, yes. These are the boys I spoke of and another young one to sweeten our arrangement."
Balki's gaze shifted to the young girl with crimson hair.
For a moment there was a flash of intrigue in his eyes. To satiate his curiosity, he walked past Valon and the two young boys sharing a quick glance with Xaryus.
"I've brought you a young Lionheart." Valon explained, walking behind Balki.
Balki smiled as he stooped down in front of Rosaly and stared at her red hair for a moment before clutching her soft face in his rugged hand.
He took a moment to stare deep into her red eyes, savouring the fear and uncertainty across her face.
Yet still there was a sort of resilience, she was scared but it wasn't consuming her.
"She really has those damned eyes of a Lionheart." Balki said with a sliver of joy, "You have outdone yourself, Smiling Blade. The concord will be pleased with your gifts…"
"That is good to hear…" Valon responded, feeling a sense of relief.
Balki's words had washed over Valon like a calming wave. The fruits of his labour over the past few years were quickly bearing fruit. He would finally be able to rejoin his clan…
But that feeling quickly subsided.
Balki had suddenly released an unwarranted amount of killing intent mixed in with the animus stored within his core. The pressure was so strong that Rosaly began to gasp for air.
Xaryus and Zadius weren't terribly affected by Balki's intent but it was still strong.
"...However, they are not pleased by your actions."
Balki released Rosaly, the strength of his killing intent weakening her greatly in such close proximity.
Slowly, he turned to Valon, his face flushed with rage and contempt.
"What are you talking about?" Valon replied in confusion.
What had he done wrong?
He thought for a moment, but that didn't matter because the moment Balki exuded his killing intent he knew one of them was going to die that night.
"You became too ambitious, Valon. All you were ordered to do was survey Rosa and report back all notable developments. The Concord acknowledged your prior achievements and decided to give you purpose, but what did you do?
You decided that you wanted to act on your own!
You garnered the attention of the Lionhearts by advancing the slums' development, you killed without a contract and worst yet… You actually thought that you of all people could strike a deal with the elders! The arrogance you have shown berates the concord!"
As Balki exclaimed in the clearing, Valon's demeanour shifted.
Now, a demented smile spread across his face betraying the utter rage that swelled in his eyes.
He slowly drew his blade and activated his spite ability.
[Empowering Mist]
As his animus was consumed, a thick white mist began to seep from beneath his skin and flow around his body like a protective spirit. The mist shifted his clothes and hair like a strong breeze.
His body surged with power, boosted by the strength gained by basic enhancement.
Following suit, Xaryus and Zadius drew their weapons and activated their abilities.
"I will take those two gems you have found, Valon. But sadly, you will not be able to accompany them, alive at least."
Balki slowly drew his aspect from its sheath and another that was well hidden beneath his cloak. The hidden aspect was a long dagger with a serrated edge.
Just from a glance Valon could tell that they were both advanced aspects; the same quality as his longsword.
In the next moment, Balki activated his ability and with a sudden surge of power his blades were engulfed in roiling flames. Those flames were then further empowered by his aspect.
Valon knew Balki well and knew what his spite was capable of.
Balki had two abilities, [Ignite] and [Reaching Flame] that allowed him to encase his weapons in blazing flames as well as releasing those flames towards a target.
Additionally, his aspects were catered to him. Both having the simple, yet effective ability of empowering flames channeled through them.
"Do you actually think that can still beat me, Valon? With your core in that state, you're no better than an Expert rank awakened!"
Balki laughed out in surprise.
He was at the early stages of master rank, so he held a clear power advantage. Although he knew Valon would put up a fight, it was still amusing to see.
"Even without my core at full strength, I can still handle you. Have you forgotten already… How you used to look up to me?
Valon responded calmly, his last words left Balki speechless.
Using that moment, he gripped his aspect tighter and reached into his coat. Slowly, he removed a dark cylinder from under his coat and crushed it within his hand.
Before they could process what happened, they felt it.
Andrew had destroyed the anchor for their mark of bondage.
Just like that they were free.