Chapter 9 – Sayosia

Moonga, beloved land. Your hymn runs through my veins. Blood for blood.
I am Sadi the Wolf Lady, Sadi Weaver of the Ages. As my ancestors did, I will sing the melody of time to tell you what happened to Sayosia's ruthless empire and those who tried to overthrow it.
After a heated argument, it was decided by Marnordir Lanna and Declan that the latter would capture Duke Daphnis Nerii on behalf of Queen Circa of Abethia. As the leader of the Knight of Shadows, he had important arguments at his disposal.
Meanwhile, Marnordir had agreed to accompany Lanna to Kel-Nazir, the empire's capital, on condition that they scouted ahead and did nothing until reinforcements join them. Indeed, the magician had one last card to play, a secret trump card that could, if played skillfully, change the desperate course of events.
Kel-Nazir, the capital of the Empire of Sayosia, was as majestic as it was decadent. Here sat the imperial palace where was living Maximilien of the Mar Saya dynasty, Grand Emperor of Sayosia.
As soon as you entered Kel-Nazir, you were struck by its imperial power. The city gates were sumptuously carved in rich materials, depicting illustrious emperors, including Mar Saya himself, as well as lions. The blood of the lion has always flowed in the veins of Mar Saya's descendants, which is why it was the emblem of their lineage. While the Emperor Maximilien was a man and had little or nothing of the feline about him, some of his cousins and inhabitants of Kel-Nazir hadn't changed much since ancient times...
Behind the gates, the city itself, was extremely vibrant. All these colorful constructions made Kel-Nazir a city full of joy. The capital's inhabitants were also in the habit of adorning themselves in bright colors, in tribute to the lion's joie de vivre. They were particularly fond of rich fabrics and colorful masks.
Once they had safely entered the capital, it became clear to Lanna and Marnordir that they had to change clothes. The masks would help them conceal their identities, which was just as well. Kel-Nazir's inhabitants wore masks for aesthetic and social reasons. Certain social classes stood out precisely because of the color of their masks and outfits. For example, soldiers and guards were wearing red and gold, the official colors of Sayosia, as well as gold masks. The emperor's advisors, on the other hand, were used to wear exclusively black clothing and masks. They were instantly recognizable. Senators, on the other hand, were dressing only in white. Many wore masks in Kel-Nazir, but the poorest didn't necessarily have the means or the desire to look like noblemen, so they preferred another form of mask: tattoos.
Lanna and Marnordir had found a small inn to hide in, where no questions were asked. There were now four days left before Emperor Maximilien carried out his threat and resume slaughtering children chosen randomly from the population.

As they paced the cobbled streets of Kel-Nazir, observing the armed guard and listening to the rumors going around town, Lanna couldn't help thinking that they had to act immediately, before Maximilien start killing again. Unfortunately, when evening came, they realized they had gathered no information. The emperor was holed up in his palace, doing the gods know what. The soldiers were mute as tombs, and the aristocrats seemed interested only in frivolities. “We must infiltrate the palace, between your powers and mine, we can do it, I'm sure,” said Lanna as they ate their meal in a corner of the common room of the inn where they were staying. “We have to wait,” said Marnordir. “Reinforcements will arrive, Declan will arrive. Going to the palace alone would be suicide.” Lanna didn't insist and gnawed at his brakes. Perhaps tomorrow would bring hope?
After a sleepless night, Lanna awoke at dawn and waited for Marnordir to join her so that they could go to the great market that took place every three days on Red Square, the large square in front of the palace. The market was nothing out of the ordinary; it looked like any other, except that it was very large and orderly. Imperial guards stood at the end of each row of stalls. Shopkeepers put on falsely cheerful airs, customers didn't linger or loiter, they bought what they needed and left. The tension was palpable, but our two magicians didn't immediately understand where it was coming from. Then they spotted the stage in the middle of the market. A large stage framed by soldiers in red and gold breastplates.
“This doesn't bode well,” said Marnordir as they approached and mingled with a small, curious crowd that was beginning to gather. Small cries were heard. Then louder and louder. Soon a chorus of groans reached the stage. Some fifteen children were dragged by the guard to the center of the stage. Without waiting, a soldier approached the first little boy: “Thief, the Empire of Sayosia condemns you to leave this life. Good luck in the next.” Then he slit the boy's throat with his sword, to the howls of the other children and the hiccups of the audience.
Perhaps it was the lack of sleep or perhaps the vague resemblance between the little boy and his little brother, but Lanna's mind reeled. Without waiting, she charged forward, faster than the wind, and snatched a sword from a soldier's scabbard at the edge of the platform. Enraged, she slaughtered three soldiers before stepping onto the stage, covered in blood. Marnordir, in a panic, ran after her and was already preparing a Retreat Spell he knew would never be enough to help them. They were in the heart of the empire, the enemy was everywhere.
“Release the children or I'll kill you too,” said Lanna, threatening the imperial guards on the dais. An army of guards was already heading towards them from the palace. Marnordir cast a Spell to keep them at bay, but it wouldn't be enough. “I won't repeat myself!” shouted Lanna. A soldier stepped forward and grabbed a little girl by the hair. Without waiting, Lanna pulled a small card, a Spell, from her pocket, threw it onto the stage and chanted three words. Three little magic words: Not the children. All the soldiers on stage froze. Blood beaded through the holes in their golden masks. After two seconds, they all collapsed, freeing the children. “Run,” intimated Lanna. “Hurry, run!” “Lanna, they're coming!” cried Marnordir. “We've got to leave right away; I can't hold out much longer.”
Lanna, still stunned by what she had just done, finally saw the hundreds of guards who had been kept at bay by Marnordir's fragile magic. She jumped off the stage and ran after Marnordir. They ran as fast as they could, but they didn't know this place very well, and the stalls didn't help them find their way. Marnordir's spell gave way, and the soldiers were immediately set off after them. The two mages finally reached the end of Red Square, relieved to be able to hide in the maze of winding alleys. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two thugs fell on them and tackled them to the ground. Before they knew what was happening, they were being dragged towards Maximilien's impressive palace.
At the same time, the Twelve docked at Kel-Nazir harbor. One by one, they slipped into the hustle and bustle that still reigned in the port at this early hour. Discreetly, they made their way towards the center of the capital, hidden beneath the enchanted veil Magician had woven to protect them. “Let's make haste,” breathed Scout, who was running ahead, scouting. “I feel something strange.”

More than strange, in fact. Something wasn't right. Everyone realized it, but they couldn't sense where the danger was coming from. “Let's make haste,” repeated the old Sage. A flapping of wings was heard over the din. The Twelve were now running to fulfill their mission. The deeper they ran into the city, the darker the sky became. A curious shadow seemed to follow them. Then, suddenly, night fell. A black, starless night.
“What's this...?” asked Alchemist as they gathered in a deserted alleyway and looked up at the sky. “Darkness...” replied Creator in a deep voice.
A tall and dark creature appeared before the Twelve, shrouded in an aura of mist and doom. “Good, good, good, my sweet godchildren. I've been looking for you for a long time now. From which of you shall I snatch the Heart of Galyeon?”