The ancient Dwarven Kingdom of Khazadcoher had once seemed as unshakable as the mountains surrounding it.
Its walls were carved from stone.
Its towers were reinforced with shimmering mithril.
Its royal palace had survived wars, rebellions, and generations of political conflict.
Yet now, the kingdom faced an enemy more dangerous than an invading army.
An enemy that didn't need to break through the walls.
It simply needed to become someone already inside them.
King Borin Stonehead had departed for the Human Kingdom at the worst possible time. The recent assassination attempt, the destruction of part of the palace, and Vystan's infiltration had already proven one terrifying truth:
The enemy had agents inside Khazadcoher.
And Jai now had a name for the organization behind them.
The Faceless Pact.
Far above the city, inside one of the highest towers of the Stonehead estate, three young men gathered around a polished golden table.
Jai Chenwongo sat at its head.
To most of the kingdom, he was still Arthur Barne, the young instructor recently appointed to a ministerial position.
Beside him sat James, hidden beneath the identity of Clement.
Across from them sat Zayn Stonehead.
No servants were present.
No guards stood inside the room.
The doors were locked.
For the first time since the palace attack, the three could speak openly.
Jai leaned forward.
"The situation is becoming clearer."
James folded his arms.
Zayn listened silently.
"The Faceless Pact doesn't rely mainly on brute force."
Jai tapped one finger against the table.
"Their strength is deception."
"Substitution."
"Identity theft."
James frowned.
"We don't even know how many of them there are."
"Exactly."
Jai nodded.
"Ten."
"A hundred."
"A thousand."
"We have no way of knowing."
He looked toward Zayn.
"But we know how they operate."
Zayn leaned forward.
"Disguises."
"More than that."
Jai's expression hardened.
"They replace trust."
The room fell quiet.
"Vystan became Abinay."
Jai continued.
"He didn't enter the kingdom as an obvious enemy."
"He became someone respectable."
"A principal."
"A person surrounded by children, teachers, and officials."
James slowly nodded.
Jai looked between them.
"If we publicly announce that infiltrators are hiding among the population, what happens?"
Zayn answered first.
"Panic."
"And?"
"The infiltrators disappear."
"Exactly."
Jai sat back.
"They change identities."
"They destroy evidence."
"They leave the kingdom."
"Or they kill the people whose faces they're using."
James's expression darkened.
"So we stay silent."
"We have to."
Jai looked toward Zayn.
"No public alert."
"No mass arrests."
"No announcement."
"Nothing that tells the Faceless Pact we're hunting them."
Zayn rubbed his chin.
"Then how do we find them?"
For several seconds, Jai said nothing.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Missing people."
James raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"The Investigation Hall."
Jai straightened.
"Every person reported missing over the last several months."
Zayn immediately understood part of the idea.
"You think the Pact abducts people before replacing them."
"Yes."
Jai nodded.
"They can't simply walk into someone's life wearing that person's face."
"They need information."
"Habits."
"Relationships."
"Work routines."
"Personal memories."
"The easiest way to get those things..."
James finished the sentence.
"...is to take the real person."
Jai pointed toward him.
"Exactly."
He stood and began pacing slowly around the table.
"Now think about what happens afterward."
"The real person disappears."
"The Pact interrogates them."
"Studies them."
"Copies them."
"Then one day..."
Jai stopped.
"...that person mysteriously returns."
Zayn's eyes narrowed.
"With no explanation."
"Precisely."
Jai looked toward him.
"If investigators find a missing person themselves, that's one thing."
"But if someone disappears..."
He raised one finger.
"...and then returns alone..."
A second finger.
"...claims they don't remember what happened..."
A third.
"...and immediately returns to their old position..."
James's face changed.
"That's suspicious."
"Very."
Jai nodded.
"Especially if they work somewhere important."
Zayn stood.
"The Investigation Hall keeps those records."
"Then get them."
Jai's tone became firm.
"Quietly."
"Every person reported missing in the last few months."
"Every person who returned without being rescued."
"Every person who claimed memory loss."
"Every one of them."
Zayn immediately moved toward the door.
"I'll retrieve the records personally."
Jai stopped him.
"And Zayn."
He turned.
"Don't tell the Chief Investigator why."
Zayn stared at him.
"Not even him?"
"Not yet."
Jai shook his head.
"We don't know who we can trust."
Zayn's expression became grim.
Then he nodded.
"Understood."
He left.
Morning light slowly entered through the carved tower windows.
Jai and James prepared for another day at Alverian Academy.
James watched Jai fastening the more formal clothes expected of someone who was about to become a Minister.
Then he frowned.
"Bro."
Jai looked toward him.
"Why are you still going to the academy?"
Jai continued adjusting his sleeve.
"Because I work there."
"You know what I mean."
James leaned against the wall.
"You're about to become a Minister."
"The kingdom was attacked."
"The King left."
"We're hunting an organization capable of replacing identities."
He shook his head.
"And you're still worried about teaching children."
Jai smiled faintly.
"That's exactly why I'm going."
James stared.
Jai turned toward him.
"The academy gives me cover."
"Everyone expects Arthur Barne to be there."
"A young teacher continuing his normal duties."
He shrugged.
"If I suddenly abandon the academy the moment the investigation begins, that draws attention."
James couldn't argue with that.
"But there's another reason."
Jai's expression became more serious.
"The students."
James waited.
"They are the future strength of this kingdom."
Jai walked toward the window.
"Future Elemental Masters."
"Future guards."
"Future ministers."
"Future commanders."
"If the Faceless Pact wants to destroy Khazadcoher..."
He looked back.
"...the royal family isn't their only target."
James slowly understood.
"The academy."
"Exactly."
Jai continued.
"Vystan was placed there for a reason."
"We still don't know what that reason was."
He walked closer to James.
"So we watch."
"Everyone."
"Teachers."
"Administrators."
"New staff."
"People who suddenly change their behavior."
James sighed.
"You're becoming paranoid."
Jai rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Maybe."
Then his voice softened.
"But right now, you're the only family I have beside me."
James's expression changed.
Jai tightened his grip slightly.
"I need you there."
"Watching."
"Helping me."
"And staying alive."
James frowned.
"Bro—"
"I'm serious."
Jai's voice dropped.
"Do not rush into fights."
"Do not chase anyone alone."
"Do not try to prove how strong you are."
James looked offended.
"You make me sound useless."
"That's not what I said."
"You keep talking like I'm some fragile child."
Jai almost smiled.
James straightened.
"I awakened Air and Space."
"I've trained my whole life."
"My parents didn't raise me to hide behind you."
His expression became determined.
"I'm a Chenwongo too."
Jai studied him.
Then nodded.
"I know."
James relaxed slightly.
"Good."
"But you're still not allowed to do anything stupid."
James sighed.
"There it is."
Alverian Academy was already busy when they arrived.
Students crossed the courtyards.
Teachers carried books and artifacts between buildings.
Construction crews continued expanding the Earth Arts Wing.
Everything looked normal.
That was what worried Jai most.
Near the academy entrance stood the new principal.
Harley.
The man looked almost painfully ordinary.
His clothes were clean.
His posture perfect.
His smile polite.
Nothing about him seemed threatening.
And that itself made Jai cautious.
Harley approached.
"Minister Arthur."
Jai smiled politely.
"Principal Harley."
The principal bowed slightly.
"It's admirable that you continue teaching despite your new responsibilities."
Jai maintained Arthur's humble expression.
"The ceremony hasn't even happened yet."
"Still."
Harley smiled.
"Most people would already be sitting in the palace giving orders."
"I prefer useful work."
Harley's smile widened.
"Excellent."
He gestured toward the academy buildings.
"The children will benefit greatly from having someone of your experience."
Jai returned the smile.
"I'm honored to help."
But internally, he memorized everything.
Harley's tone.
His movements.
His eyes.
His breathing.
Nothing obviously suspicious.
That didn't mean anything.
Vystan had looked respectable too.
Jai walked toward his assigned classroom.
When he arrived, another instructor was already teaching.
A woman stood near the front, explaining elemental theory to the students.
Jai waited outside until she noticed him.
She paused.
"Mr. Arthur?"
Jai nodded.
"I'm scheduled to take over this period."
"Oh."
She glanced toward the students.
"Of course."
Jai smiled politely.
"Thank you."
The woman gathered her materials.
Before leaving, she introduced herself.
"Marlin."
Jai paused for half a second.
Then smiled.
"Pleasure to meet you."
She left.
Jai watched her walk down the corridor.
Something about the name lingered in his mind.
But he pushed it aside.
For now.
He entered the classroom.
Morisa immediately smiled.
"Big Brother Arthur!"
Several students greeted him as well.
"Good morning, Teacher Arthur!"
Jai walked toward the front.
"Good morning."
He placed his materials on the desk.
"Today we're discussing a concept used frequently in Human elemental philosophy."
He turned toward the board.
"The Theory of Five Elements."
Several students leaned forward.
Jai began explaining.
Wood.
Fire.
Earth.
Metal.
Water.
Creation.
Control.
Balance.
While his voice remained focused on the lesson, his eyes moved continuously across the classroom.
Students.
Doors.
Windows.
Teachers passing outside.
He watched everything.
But he saw nothing alarming.
Only children.
Curious.
Energetic.
Eager to learn.
Jai almost wished the entire investigation was nothing more than paranoia.
Almost.
The final bell rang hours later.
Jai left the classroom and met James near the academy's main portico.
Morisa came running toward them.
Little Arthur followed close behind.
The boy had recently begun attending lessons suited to his age.
The moment he saw Jai, he raised both arms.
"Big Brother!"
Jai smiled and lifted him.
James did the same with Morisa.
"Hey!"
She laughed.
"I'm not a baby!"
James deliberately lifted her higher.
"Definitely a baby."
"Put me down!"
"No."
Jai shook his head.
For a brief moment, the darkness surrounding their mission felt distant.
The four began making their way back toward the Stonehead estate.
Then hurried footsteps approached from behind.
Fast.
Uneven.
Desperate.
Jai turned.
Zayn emerged from a side street.
His normally composed appearance was gone.
His clothes were slightly disordered.
His breathing heavy.
And in his hand—
papers.
Official papers.
Jai's heartbeat quickened.
Zayn stopped in front of them.
"I found them."
Jai lowered Arthur gently.
"The records?"
Zayn nodded.
His face had gone pale.
"They're worse than we thought."
James's smile disappeared.
Zayn looked around.
"Not here."
He lowered his voice.
"We need somewhere secure."
Jai immediately nodded.
"Your room."
"Come."
Minutes later, the three sat inside one of Zayn's most secure consultation chambers.
Arthur and Morisa had been left with trusted palace attendants.
The doors were sealed.
Suppression wards prevented sound from leaving the room.
Zayn spread the documents across the golden table.
"These records cover the last three months."
Jai leaned forward.
"Missing people?"
"Yes."
Zayn separated several pages.
"But I filtered them the way you asked."
"Only the ones who returned?"
"Exactly."
James moved closer.
Zayn pointed toward the files.
"Every person here disappeared."
"No investigator found them."
"No rescue team recovered them."
"They simply..."
He paused.
"...came back."
Jai picked up the first sheet.
A name.
Age.
Occupation.
Date reported missing.
Date returned.
Then the note.
Subject returned home independently. Reports partial memory loss and severe disorientation.
Jai's eyes narrowed.
He picked up another.
Nearly identical.
Another.
Another.
James's expression grew darker.
"How many?"
Zayn didn't answer immediately.
"Too many."
Silence.
Jai continued reading.
Merchants.
Clerks.
A guard.
Two craftsmen.
An assistant archivist.
An academy employee.
Then—
Jai stopped.
His eyes locked onto one name.
Marlin.
For several seconds, he didn't move.
James noticed.
"What?"
Jai slowly lowered the paper.
"Marlin."
Zayn's expression told him everything.
"You recognize her?"
Jai looked up.
"She was in my classroom today."
James's face changed.
"What?"
"She's a teacher."
Zayn nodded grimly.
Jai continued.
"She was teaching the class before I arrived."
James snatched the document.
His eyes raced across the page.
Then widened.
"Morisa's teacher?"
Jai nodded.
The room became unbearably quiet.
Marlin had disappeared.
Then returned.
No rescue.
No explanation.
Memory loss.
And now she worked directly around children.
Including Morisa.
Jai slowly sat back.
The pieces connected too neatly.
Vystan had become Abinay.
He had positioned himself as principal.
Close to the academy.
Close to the royal family.
Now Marlin.
Another person who had mysteriously disappeared and returned.
Another person inside the academy.
Jai closed his eyes.
They don't choose people randomly.
They chose access.
Power.
Information.
Children.
The royal family.
He opened his eyes.
"This isn't coincidence."
Zayn frowned.
"We still don't have proof."
"No."
Jai agreed.
"But she's now our strongest lead."
James's expression hardened.
"Then we isolate her."
Jai looked toward him.
"Get her alone after school."
"Lure her somewhere."
"We grab her."
"Interrogate her."
"No."
James frowned.
"Why?"
"Because if she's truly an agent, she'll expect something like that."
Jai stood.
"The Faceless Pact has already proven they're willing to sacrifice their own people."
"Abinay exploded."
James went silent.
"If Marlin realizes we've discovered her..."
Jai continued.
"...she could kill herself."
"Destroy evidence."
"Attack the children."
"Or warn every other infiltrator."
Zayn leaned forward.
"So what do we do?"
Jai began pacing.
"We test her."
James raised an eyebrow.
"Test her how?"
Jai stopped.
"Knowledge."
Silence.
Zayn looked intrigued.
Jai continued.
"The true Marlin was a teacher."
"Correct?"
Zayn nodded.
"According to the file, yes."
"Then she had years of training."
Jai pointed toward the document.
"A disguised infiltrator might know her basic memories."
"Her name."
"Family."
"Routine."
"Work."
"But deep professional knowledge?"
Jai shook his head.
"That's harder."
James slowly smiled.
"You want to ask her something only the real Marlin should know."
"Exactly."
Jai returned to the table.
"Tomorrow I'll introduce an advanced concept into class."
"Something related to the Earth Qi Matrix."
Zayn frowned.
"Why that?"
"Because it's technical enough to require real training."
Jai explained.
"If the true Marlin specialized in elemental education, she should understand it."
"And if the imposter only memorized surface information..."
James finished.
"...she'll struggle."
Jai nodded.
"It won't prove everything."
"But it gives us another indicator."
Zayn looked toward him.
"And if she fails?"
"We don't attack immediately."
Jai's voice became firm.
"We invite her to a private instructional discussion."
"A professional conversation."
"Somewhere controlled."
James grinned.
"And that's where the guards wait."
"Exactly."
Zayn nodded slowly.
"I can prepare a suppression team."
"Only people you trust completely."
"I'll choose them personally."
Jai then turned toward James.
"And you."
James looked at him.
"You watch Harley."
The smile disappeared.
"The principal?"
"Yes."
Jai folded his arms.
"I don't trust him."
James frowned.
"Because he hired Marlin?"
"Partly."
Jai nodded.
"If Marlin truly belongs to the Faceless Pact, we need to know who allowed her into the academy."
"Harley may be innocent."
"Or..."
Zayn's eyes narrowed.
"...he may be another infiltrator."
Jai nodded.
"Exactly."
James leaned back.
"So I watch him."
"Every movement."
Jai's voice sharpened.
"Who he meets."
"How he reacts when Marlin is questioned."
"Whether the academy routine suddenly changes."
"And James..."
James sighed.
"I know."
"No reckless fighting."
"I know."
"Don't chase him alone."
"I know."
"If anything looks wrong—"
"Bro."
James glared at him.
"I understand."
Jai finally stopped.
The three fell silent.
Outside the tower, Khazadcoher continued as though nothing had changed.
Merchants opened their shops.
Children returned home from lessons.
Guards changed shifts.
Families prepared dinner.
The kingdom remained unaware that enemies might already be living behind familiar faces.
Jai looked down at Marlin's name.
Tomorrow, she would walk into the academy believing she was merely another teacher.
Tomorrow, Jai would stand before the students and deliver an ordinary lesson.
And hidden inside that lesson would be a trap.
Not a blade.
Not a spell.
Not an artifact.
A question.
A piece of knowledge.
Something only the real Marlin should understand.
Jai's fingers slowly tightened around the paper.
The Faceless Pact had survived by stealing identities.
Now Jai intended to discover whether knowledge itself could expose the face beneath the mask.
And if Marlin failed his test...
the hunt would truly begin.