Ori stood between two guards, their armored hands digging into his arms like iron clamps. The weight of their grip kept his shoulders locked, forcing him to stand rigid. Alric lingered off to the side, hands clasped behind his back, a quiet satisfaction etched into the lines of his face.
The chamber doors creaked open. Vaelen entered without hurry, each step deliberate, the faint thud of his boots echoing in the still air. His head was bowed, eyes fixed on the grimoire resting in his hands. Long, straight hair the color of blue-green ocean glass spilled over his shoulders, hiding most of his face—most, but not all. Through the curtain of hair, the edge of a smile cut like a blade.
He turned the book over to the front, gaze tracing the runes in quiet reverence, before letting out a slow breath. Only then did his eyes, dark and knowing, rise to meet Ori's.
"Your Highness?" Vaelen's voice was smooth, almost polite. "When we spoke earlier…I could've sworn we understood each other." His fingers lingered over the grimoire's cover, stroking it as one might a beloved relic. "Oh… how foolish I was."
Ori's jaw tightened. "All this—for the Mantle's blessing? Surely men of the cloth know how blessings work. One cannot simply seize its power."
Alric's lips curled into a thin smile. "You know little about the Mantle or its blessings, boy. Do you think I haven't noticed the state of yours? The inefficiency? Even now, you grope in the dark for something you barely comprehend."
"You parade around like men of faith and purpose…" Ori's voice carried a low heat. "But you're just children pining for the shinier toy."
Vaelen's grin deepened, his hair slipping away from his face. "Power that can bend a nation to its will is hardly a toy. It is a tool—one that will place us rightfully above all who are unworthy of the scepter's light."
Ori spat onto the marble between them. "That's what I think about your rightful place."
Small golden glyphs shimmered into being around Ori's wrists, snapping shut like hungry jaws. The bands hissed against his skin, the magic biting deep. The Mantle's voice stirred in his mind, calm yet insistent.
"If we don't do something now, this won't end well for us."
Ori drew a slow breath, muscles tensing as the Mantle's strength surged through him. The shackles groaned, fractured, then shattered in a burst of golden shards. Before the guards could react, Ori swung his leg high, kicking the grimoire from one man's hands. The book spun away across the floor. The guard dove after it—only to meet the crack of Ori's boot against his jaw, sending him tumbling.
Ori bolted for the door.
A low chuckle stopped him cold. A vertical glyph pulsed into existence ahead, its edges lined with crackling purple lightning. The air warped around it, heat and static raising the hairs on his arms.
Vaelen stepped forward, savoring each step. "Oh, but you can't leave yet, Your Highness. Not before we demonstrate what our shiny toys can do."
With a flick of his hand, the glyph swelled with light. The crack of thunder tore through the chamber, and from the rift crawled a Chimera—a lion's body, thick with roped sinew, a goat's snarling head jutting from its back, and a serpent's tail coiled and barbed like a spear. Purple arcs of energy danced across its limbs, searing the stone beneath its claws.
It landed heavily, all four limbs braced, and roared—a deep, bone-vibrating sound that rattled the windows in their frames.
The Mantle's voice returned, utterly composed. "After evaluating all factors at play, I have reached one logical conclusion."
Ori's teeth clenched. "And that is?"
"You should run."
Of course it would say that. A jolt ran through his body. His eyes cut like blades. Then he spun toward the nearest window, glass shattering as he hurled himself into the open air. He hit the courtyard hard, boots skidding in the dirt, the shouts of alarm already rising from the ramparts.
He hadn't pulled a stunt like that since the day of the attack on Loc. The rush he felt was exhilarating, but also tinged with the pain of old wounds. As he ran down the bridge, the front gates were closing. It was his only way out. The castle walls were the height of mountains. Much too tall to jump—at least at his current power. Inside his vision, the Mantle had already measured the calculated distance and jump force required. At 13% power output, he just didn't have the means.
A fireball crashed into the bridge in front of him. He dodged, stumbling back to a full stride after. He looked up while running. Soldiers of the king's guard were hovering high above in pursuit, floating atop spinning glyphs that seemed to keep them airborne. Each one accompanied by a floating, glowing grimoire that they used to manifest their attacks.
"If you want, I can divert all 13% of my power usage to speed. That might give us the advantage here." The Mantle suggested calmly.
"Do it!" Ori yelled, waving smoke away as he dashed past another fireball. He wasn't going argue, or try to make sense of it now. Anything was better than dodging hellfire. He heard the roar of the chimera. He couldn't turn around to look at it—not with it raining death, but he could feel the power gathering behind him. The beast was mounting an attack. A swirl of lighting and fire twisted before its snout. The wider its jaw, the bigger the mass of energy became.
"Full energy reroute engaged—priority: velocity enhancement."
The Mantle's glow grew brighter, humming as it completed the power transfer. Screens popped into Ori's vision, indicating the process had been initiated. Suddenly, Ori felt lighter, the burden of movement effortless now. The chimera launched its attack the very next moment. The swarming ball of energy crashed into the bridge directly in Ori's path. It caused a massive explosion, sending stone and smoke high in the air. More soldiers appeared toward the bridge's end. The main gate was still closing, but they had him. As the four soldiers landed, eyeing the destruction caused the by the blast, one of them shouted.
"Wait! Look there!"
He pointed at the smoke cloud as a golden light began to emerge. Then, something pierced through the veil, pushing aside the cloud of debris with a burst of wind. A golden beam shot through, moving faster than the eye could track, and headed straight for them.
Vaelen watched from a tower above, gritting his teeth as Ori made a mad dash toward the gate. "Do not let him pass!" He commanded.
Ori was now moving at incredible speed. The floating soldiers cast more spells, each one raining down on the bridge but missing their target. Ori dashed like lightning through the onslaught. The soldiers in front of the gate readied their grimoires in an attempt to block his path, but he was unstoppable. They quickly threw up magic barricades—shield walls made of glowing hexagons. Ori took two large steps, then with all his strength, he thrusted forward. Before the soldiers could react, Ori burst through the barricades like a shining bullet. The magic barriers shattered like glass as he burst past. The force of the break sent them all rolling.
Ori shot through, just barely crossing the gate's threshold before it slammed shut behind him. He hit the ground in a rolling tumble, dirt and gravel biting into his arms. The landing left him winded, but adrenaline burned the ache away.
He pushed himself up, turning to see the massive gates sealed tight — no way Vaelen's soldiers would follow quickly. That's when a small, defiant smirk tugged at his lips.
"We actually did it. We didn't get killed," he said, chuckling between breaths.
As he dusted himself off; he noticed a small window in his vision bearing numbers.
Curious.
"Tell me—what does the term '100 MPH' mean?"
"For now… let's just say it means you were moving very fast," the Mantle replied. "But we're not out of the fire yet."
A low rumble shuddered through the ground beneath his boots. Then another. The dust around his feet danced.
The Mantle's tone sharpened. "And here comes the fire."
A shadow swept over the courtyard. Ori looked up just in time to see the chimera vault from the castle wall, wings of raw magic flaring from its sides as it cleared the gate in a single, monstrous leap. It landed in the street with bone-jarring force, claws gouging deep furrows into the stone, eyes locked on him with murderous intent.
Ori's smirk vanished. "Right. Definitely don't want to be cat food."
He spun on his heel and sprinted into the city. Behind him, the chimera roared — a sound that rattled windows and sent the few late-night citizens scrambling into their homes. The hunt was back on.
[Meanwhile—Inside the castle]
Moonlight poured through the crystal dome above the royal cemetery, casting pale beams across rows of ornate tombs. The air was still, the only sound the faint rustle of flowers swaying in the night breeze. At the heart of the garden stood an extravagant monument—stone carved in the likeness of the late king. Everything seemed frozen in place save fluttering moths that danced between the light. It was solitude, and often a refuge for the young king.
Rylan knelt before it, head bowed, silver hair catching the moonlight.
"I'm home, Father. Did you miss me?" A faint, bitter smirk crossed his lips. "I know I've been gone for a while. Things have gotten… complicated. But nothing to worry about—Alric's keeping everyone safe while we deal with this mysterious menace."
His hand came to rest on the statue's base, eyes glistening. He slowly moved it across the engraved nameplate. "I wish… I wish you were here. Every day, I find myself needing your guidance. I remember how much I used to hate the scoldings you gave me as a child. What I wouldn't give for a single word right now."
He tilted his head, trying to find a smile. His gaze softened for a moment. "I made new friends too. One of them—Ori…he recently lost his father as well. I know it isn't right, but I take comfort knowing I'm not alone in feeling this kind of loss. He's certainly handling it better than I am though."
He paused, the hand gracing the tomb turning into a gentle fist. "I want to be like that—like him. Strong. Unyielding even in pain. I want to keep moving…even though I'm not sure where to go without you."
He rose slowly, fingers brushing over the worn leather of the grimoire at his side—a gift passed down from his father. "But I can't mourn you forever. You'd probably hate that. And I won't let Alric bear this kingdom's weight forever. Once this crisis is over… I'll be a proper king. And Alric can finally rest his old bones."
Leaning his forehead against the cold stone, he sighed. "I don't know what I'd do without him. The man's a king in his own right, honestly. But he won't have to be for long. I promise, Father… Im going to live up to your legacy. Just give me time. You'll see."
He stepped back, casting one last glance at the statue.
That's when he heard it—a beast's roar, distant yet close enough to rattle the air. Shouts erupted from the castle walls, and magical alarms flared to life. Rylan looked once more at his father's resting place before turning and striding toward the disturbance.
Outside in the sleeping city, destruction played its tune. Ori sprinted down the narrow streets of the city, lungs burning with every breath as his heartbeat drummed in his ears. His mantle hummed, boosting his speed enough to stay out of reach. Behind him, the chimera crashed through merchant stalls and shattered market crates, roaring fiercely as it chased its prey. The beast was terrifying—with one singular objective...to kill the intruder.
Ori leapt over a fruit cart, rolling smoothly into a run without breaking stride. The chimera slammed through the cart moments later, sending wooden splinters and crushed produce scattering through the air. The streets were quiet save the carnage caused by the raging monster chasing a golden man through town.
Ori vaulted onto a balcony railing, balancing precariously before bounding onto the rooftop opposite. Tiles slid beneath his boots, clattering down into the street below. The chimera leapt upward, massive claws digging into the stone as it scrambled after him, its roar shaking the buildings around them.
"Damn it all," Ori muttered under his breath, darting across the rooftops. "This is exactly what Elira warned me not to do."
"Yet here we are," The Mantle chimed in smugly. "I assume you have a plan."
The Chimera was closing in, pouncing over several rooftops with each leap. The townspeople screamed in terror as buildings were destroyed in its wake.
"Something like that." He said, jumping to a slanted roof and sliding down to a flatter surface right as the beast took a swipe at him. "Not much of one if I'm being honest."
"Well I suggest you enact it quickly. Predators are fond of the chase, but the kill is never too far behind."
Captain Vaelen raced along the street below, barking orders to his soldiers as they tried to flank Ori, but the chimera's rampage had created chaos, blocking their path. Vaelen cursed loudly, his frustration evident as he desperately tried to keep pace.
It was clear that even though he could summon a beast of such strength, controlling it was another matter. Unleashing a monster like this was a sign of how unhinged Alric and his men had become. It wasn't about preserving peace. It was about power—power that they had no idea how to control.
Ori slipped through an open window and ran swiftly through a startled family's kitchen, offering a breathless "sorry" as he raced past and out the back door, back onto the winding streets. The chimera slammed into the house's wall, its enormous head peering through the open window with wild, glowing eyes before roaring again and resuming its relentless pursuit.
Finally the beast caught up with him, flanking him as he rounded a corner. Before Ori knew it, a large paw the size his torso, smacked him clear across the street. Ori bounced, slamming into the wall of a small store and completely destroying that side of it. The Mantle protected him from most of the impact, but his senses were scramble. He looked up, seeing multiple chimeras prowling toward him. The snake head at the end of its tail hissed, then lashed out with a whip-crack that split the air. Ori rolled just in time, the strike splintering the cobblestones where he'd been a heartbeat ago."Dammit…this thing is strong. Fast too," He said, finally standing and looking the beast in its face. "All you need is a better mug and you'd be a hit with the ladies."
"No time for jokes. At your current power level, you are no match for it. KEEP MOVING!"
"Yeah yeah." He responded, turning and running once more.
Ori's chest ached, but adrenaline kept him moving, guiding him down an unfamiliar street that twisted sharply toward the city's outer wall. Just a little further, he thought, breathing deeply as the street opened to a wide terrace overlooking the endless blue of the ocean.
Skidding to a halt at the terrace's edge, Ori spun to face the chimera as it burst from the narrow street behind him, stones cracking beneath its hooves and claws. Captain Vaelen followed closely, breathing heavily as he drew his sword.
"You've nowhere left to run," Vaelen shouted, eyes triumphant. The chimera growled, stalking forward menacingly.
Ori took a steadying breath, meeting the captain's gaze with surprising calmness. "Who said anything about running?" He tilted his head toward the vast ocean. "Tell me...How's the view of the ocean this time of night, Captain?"
Confused, Vaelen turned, squinting out to sea. His eyes widened. Far in the distance, atop a ship gently rocking on the waves, stood Elira, her mantle blazing brightly around her. Her sniper revolver gleamed in the moonlight, the scopes snapping upward into perfect alignment as the barrel spun rapidly, gathering a storm of energy and wind.
Before Vaelen could utter another word, Elira fired. The explosive shot streaked toward them, leaving a dazzling purple trail as it wove impossibly through the city streets, over rooftops, beneath archways, and around corners with impossible precision.
Ori braced himself, watching the chimera rear back in confusion moments before the high-energy bullet struck it squarely between the eyes. Brilliant magic erupted on impact. The creature toppled with a ground-shaking thud, its head reduced to nothing. Vaelen stumbled back, momentarily speechless, turning his furious gaze on Ori, who stood straighter, strength surging through him as the mantle hummed within his chest.
"Just you and me now, Captain," Ori said, axes sliding confidently into his grasp. "Let's see how well you fare without your monster."
Vaelen said nothing at first. He paused, moving his long hair from in front of his face. He took a breath before holding his hands outward. "I must say…well done. I clearly underestimated you, King Ori."
Ori smirked. "Yes well…I'm getting a lot of that these days."
"Is that so?" He said, stepping calmly toward Ori as his men began to appear behind him. "Fret not. I shan't be one of the many who make that mistake again."
He held out his hand, and with a glowing pulse, his grimoire lifted off of his hip. It then placed itself at Vaelen's feet, hovering just above the cobblestone. It opened, pages turning rapidly before stopping on a particular page. Vaelen then held his hand out over the book as a green glyph appeared, rotating right above it. Winds kicked up around him as his arm was engulfed in a greenish glow.
"I had hoped…that the Chimera would show you just how outmatched you are," He said, a serious expression taking over his features. "But now I see that you'll need a bit more in the way of convincing. Allow me the pleasure."
Suddenly Vaelen raised his hand higher, and with it came glowing green spear—seemingly rising out of the book. Soon the spear was completely materialized. It floated to Vaelen's hand as the grimoire's light faded. The spear looked otherworldly, like it shouldn't exist in this realm. The staff had twisting engravings running all the way to blade, like a swirling trail of smoke frozen in place. The blade was a crystalline green metal, pulsing with magic energy that felt wrong, the air around it shimmering like heat over desert sand. He flourished it, then set it by his side, his grimoire returning to the latch on his hip.
Ori stared at the weapon, symbols in his vision highlighting it with red warnings. The Mantle spoke out. "That weapon isn't normal. It's ancient."
Ori tensed a bit at the warning. "Meaning?"
"It means no living mortal should have it. We don't know what kind of forces are at play here, but the magic that they're wielding isn't just coming from those grimoires."
"A patron then, is it?" Ori responded, readying himself for a fight.
"Precisely," The Mantle answered. "Someone or something has been generous with their gifts. And I'll bet that this is what Alric intends to use to seize a Mantle of his own. We're in treacherous waters here. BE CAREFUL."
[Meanwhile—Queen Elira's Ship]
The salt-heavy night air clung to Elira's skin as she descended the narrow ladder from the crow's nest, the faint glow of her still-smoking rifle casting ghostly light along the rigging. The low hum of the Mantle's lingering energy still thrummed faintly through the weapon.
Kirin was waiting at the bottom, her stance rigid, arms crossed. The look on her face told Elira she already knew the answer to the question she was about to ask.
"So it's true, then?" Kirin's voice was quiet but sharp. "Ori stumbled onto something."
"Stumbled into it is more like it." Elira replied, slinging the rifle over her shoulder in one smooth motion, her expression cool but edged with certainty. "If I was unsure before… the ravenous chimera tearing through half the city was most—clarifying."
Kirin's jaw tightened. "Then it's settled. We're at war with Marival."
"It would seem so." Elira glanced toward the distant city lights, her eyes narrowing. "We need to dock and find Rylan immediately."
Kirin shook her head. "How do you suggest we do that after Ori's little stunt? Getting into the castle will surely be impossible now."
"For us, maybe." Elira's mouth curved in the faintest smirk. "But for my best infiltrator? It shouldn't be too difficult."
Kirin let out a long, resigned breath before bowing her head in silent acknowledgment. Without another word, she turned and began preparing the ship for docking, leaving Elira staring out over the dark waters toward the city — the faint echoes of a distant battle carried on the wind. She knew this was only the beginning of the madness to come.
Chapter End—