The warm light of Thaecia cast a golden glow across the courtyard as Indra and Gabriella made their way toward the sanctuary's main entrance. The towering spires stretched into the sky, gilded and gleaming, casting long, elegant shadows across the marble-paved streets.
Near the gates, a familiar figure stood speaking with a tall, composed woman clad in sleek black and gold armor—Captain Gloria, one of the highest-ranking Valkyries. Her long, dark hair flowed with the breeze, catching the light with a steel-blue shimmer. Even standing still, she radiated a quiet intensity. Her violet eyes were sharp, constantly assessing the world around her.
Gabriella raised a hand in greeting. "Hey, Captain."
Gloria turned with smooth precision, her expression softening into a warm, confident smile. "Ah, hello Gabriella. And you must be Lord Indra." Her voice was calm and deliberate. "It's very nice to meet you. I am Captain Gloria."
Indra bowed respectfully. "Nice to meet you too, ma'am."
Gloria returned the gesture with a slight nod. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I must go. Feel free to visit us anytime. Farewell."
With that, she turned and strode away, her steps graceful and soundless as she disappeared into the heart of the sanctuary.
Before Indra could comment, Iris appeared beside them, watching Gloria's retreating form with wistful admiration. "Isn't she beautiful?"
"Yeah, she is," Indra admitted without hesitation.
"And she's so cool," Iris added, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "What happened to Fyla and Araya?"
"Something important came up, so they had to leave," Gabriella answered, adjusting her robe with a shrug.
"Must be the same reason Gloria had to leave," Iris muttered under her breath.
"So… what now?" Indra asked, glancing between them.
"We're stopping by the Iodem," Gabriella said casually.
"Iodem? Ugh, why there?" Iris immediately wrinkled her nose in protest.
"Indra should meet them," Gabriella replied firmly as they walked out the sanctuary door.
"You don't like them?" Indra asked curiously.
"No I don't like HIM," Iris huffed. "This was fun and all, but I'll just wait for you two back at Headquarters."
Before either of them could respond, Iris took off down the marble street and launched herself skyward. In a flash of light, she vanished beyond the horizon.
"She hates them that much?" Indra asked, watching her disappear.
"Don't be surprised. She never comes with me when I visit," Gabriella replied with a shrug.
"Why not? And who's him?" Indra asked.
"Oh, you'll find out when we get there," Gabriella said with a mysterious smile.
Wasting no more time, they both ascended into the sky, leaving the golden towers of Thaecia behind as they soared toward the Iodem Compound—the fortress where the Core trained its elite.
The vast battlefield stretched out along the kingdom's outer edge, bordered by massive stone walls that stood like eternal sentinels. Their feet touched down near the main gate.
Suddenly, one of the white-armored knights stationed nearby raised his head sharply. His eyes fixed on a twisted figure darting through the shadows near the perimeter. Without hesitation, he drew his blade and struck the towering silver bell beside him.
The sound rang across the compound like a thunderclap.
"Indra, stay behind me—" Gabriella began, instinctively reaching for her power.
But Indra was already gone.
Sword drawn, he moved in a golden blur, charging the creeping demon with lethal precision. In one clean motion, he raised his blade and called out, "Light Piercer!"
A brilliant streak of energy exploded from the edge of his sword, cutting clean through the demon's core. The creature dissolved into golden dust before it even had time to scream.
Gabriella lowered her hand slowly. Her eyes widened with genuine surprise as she looked at him.
"Whoa… you're better than I thought," she said, a playful smile tugging at the edge of her lips.
"I'm sure that was just a weaker demon," Indra replied modestly, sheathing his blade.
"Not really, you—" Gabriella began, but she was cut off by a loud, unmistakable voice.
"Gabriella!"
They turned as a young man came bounding across the courtyard with reckless energy—Tristan, the ever-clueless Core member. His mismatched armor clanked as he ran, arms flailing and a wide grin plastered across his face.
Gabriella grinned knowingly. "Hey, Tristan. I figured I'd run into you if you weren't at the sanctuary."
"Yeah! They requested me for something! I'm not sure what though!" Tristan answered, breathing hard as he skidded to a stop. His eyes bounced between them with childlike excitement. "Hey! Where's Iris?!"
"She went back to Headquarters," Indra replied.
"She went where?!" Tristan asked, aghast.
"She went home," Gabriella added, barely suppressing her laughter.
Tristan clutched his chest as if mortally wounded. "Oh no… she wouldn't be avoiding me, right?"
Gabriella's voice dripped with sarcasm. "Of course not, Tristan."
"Right?! Not my baby! If she knew I was here, she would've come running!" Tristan declared with complete, delusional confidence.
"You two are dating?" Indra asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow.
"No—"
"Yes!" Tristan and Gabriella said simultaneously.
Tristan quickly corrected himself. "Okay, no. But she loves me! She just hasn't admitted it yet!"
He threw his arms out dramatically, striking a ridiculous pose.
Indra looked him over. "Right…"
Suddenly, Tristan turned on him with narrowed eyes. "You killed the demon, didn't you? Who are you?!"
"My name is Indra."
Tristan pointed a shaking finger at him like he'd uncovered a conspiracy. "You better not be trying to steal my woman! If you get too close, I'll end you!"
"Trust me, I'm not," Indra said flatly, unimpressed.
"Don't lie to me!" Tristan shouted, stepping uncomfortably close. "Iris is the most beautiful girl in the world, and I know you want her! So back off, pretty boy!"
"Pretty boy?!" Indra echoed, incredulous, taking a step back.
"Tristan, they barely know each other," Gabriella sighed, shaking her head in amused exhaustion.
"Doesn't matter! I see it in his eyes!" Tristan jabbed a finger an inch from Indra's nose. "She's taken, so forget it!"
Indra exhaled sharply. "Now I understand why she didn't want to come."
Before Tristan could reply, a sharp voice cracked across the courtyard like a whip. "You still lack respect, boy!"
"Who, me?" Tristan said, spinning around in confusion.
Two figures approached, commanding immediate attention—Mr. Silva and his gruff second-in-command, Komodo. Silva moved with silent authority, cloaked in a dark silver coat over his traditional armor. Komodo, by contrast, stomped like a war machine, each footstep cracking stone beneath his immense frame.
Komodo marched straight up to Tristan, grabbed him by the collar, and growled in his face.
"You do, you idiot! You didn't even stop to think who you were talking to?!"
Tristan flailed his arms. "I'm sorry! I wasn't being disrespectful to you or Mr. Silva!"
Komodo roared, "Not us, you jackass!" and slammed a heavy fist into the back of Tristan's head.
With a yelp, Tristan dropped to his knees, clutching his skull.
Mr. Silva stepped forward with calm precision and offered Indra and Gabriella a respectful bow. "I apologize on his behalf. Disrespect toward Velari will not be tolerated."
"Wait… he's a Velari too?" Tristan blurted out, his eyes darting between Indra and Silva in disbelief.
"Why else would he be here?!" Komodo bellowed and struck him again, harder this time.
"Ow! I'm sorry! I didn't know!" Tristan whined, curling up as if it would protect him from further punishment.
Indra gave a faint, amused smile. "Honestly, it's fine. Mr. Komodo, right?"
Komodo straightened up. "Yes. I am Komodo, section leader and second-in-command here."
"And this is Mr. Silva, leader of the Core," Gabriella added.
Silva nodded. "Welcome to the Iodem Compound, Madam Gabriella. Lord Indra. Your arrival is perfectly timed."
"We're sending a group out to the Varis Mountain Region, just outside the kingdom wall. I've received troubling reports about demon activity there. It would be helpful to have Velari support on the mission."
"I'd love to help!" Indra said immediately, a spark lighting up in his chest.
"Perfect," Silva said with a nod.
Gabriella's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "You must suspect a Zehirah member's involved if you're requesting support?"
"You are correct," Silva admitted, his voice growing serious. "I normally prefer to handle issues within the Core… but based on the reports, we can't afford to go in alone."
Komodo stepped forward, his arms crossed and stance firm. "Will you join us as well, Madam Gabriella?"
"I'd love to," Gabriella said, offering a confident smile.
"I'll fight too!" Tristan blurted, suddenly raising his hand with unearned enthusiasm.
"The hell you will!" Komodo barked, grabbing Tristan by the collar in one fluid motion. "You're going back to the sanctuary."
"Aww come on!" Tristan whined, legs kicking as he struggled uselessly.
"Komodo. Please escort him back," Silva said with a sigh.
"With pleasure!" Komodo grinned, dragging Tristan away like an unruly child despite his flailing protests and exaggerated cries of betrayal.
Indra watched the scene unfold, his voice deadpan. "Is he going to be okay?"
"Oh, he'll be fine," Gabriella said, laughing lightly. "This happens all the time."
Silva smiled faintly and returned to business. "I'll organize a group for this mission. People who can move quickly and are strong enough to actually support you. Please wait by the front gate—they'll meet you there shortly."
"Sounds good," Indra said, his excitement growing.
"Thank you again," Silva said with a respectful bow. "Until next time."
He turned and strode back toward the compound, cloak fluttering behind him like a trailing shadow.
Gabriella and Indra made their way back toward the towering front gate, the air thick with anticipation. The sky was now painted in soft gold and orange, the sun dipping lower across the horizon. Long shadows crawled over the training grounds.
Indra glanced up at the sky. "Looks like we have a battle coming up," he said, a thrill running through him.
"You're not nervous, are you?" Gabriella asked teasingly.
"No," Indra said, flashing a grin. "Actually, I'm getting really excited about this.
My first real battle…
I can't wait."