"Kantara knew these regressors. That much was obvious. But the real question was, why does it feel like this is personal?" Atenyos said to himself as the mission approaches.
As the team gathered, gearing up for the mission.
Ipsum stood beside Atenyos, arms behind his head, exhaling sharply. "Two regressors, huh? It's one thing fighting the Witnesses, but going up against other Ring Bearers? It just feels… off," he muttered, glancing at Atenyos. "I mean, you heard Kantara. Those guys aren't just random criminals. They were part of us once."
Atenyos didn't respond immediately. He kept his gaze locked on Kantara, watching as the Emperor Candidate started to gear up wearing a long black coat with the guilds crest on the back of it, black boots and long heavy sword that shimmered to the light of rising sun.
"Kantara's strong," Ipsum continued. "If he's worried about them, then maybe we should be, too."
Atenyos exhaled through his nose. "Worrying is useless. We'll see their strength firsthand soon enough." His voice was steady, but his mind raced. He wasn't just concerned about the regressors.
He was concerned about Kantara.
Dawn Approaches
The morning sun cast a golden glow over the grounds as the team prepared to depart. Their cloaks, lined with the insignia of the Guild, billowed slightly in the crisp morning air. Boots pressed against stone, weapons secured, minds sharpened.
Kantara stood before them, his presence commanding yet distant. The weight of the mission sat heavy on his shoulders.
Atenyos stood at the front of the group, his arms crossed. "No last-minute changes to the plan?"
Kantara shook his head. "No. We move as intended. Observe first, strike only when necessary."
Mendr adjusted the straps on her gauntlets, eyes sharp with focus. She had been quiet since joining, but Atenyos could see it—the unwavering determination in her stance, in her every movement.
Cassian checked his blade, his expression unreadable. Ipsum yawned exaggeratedly, though the sharpness in his gaze betrayed his relaxed demeanor.
"One last thing," Kantara said, his voice slightly lower than before. His eyes scanned the team, his gaze lingering on Atenyos. "This mission is straightforward. But that doesn't mean it will be easy. Do not underestimate them. Even if we outmatch them in power, experience can bridge the gap."
He turned toward the rising sun. "We leave now."
With that, they set off—heading toward the unknown.
Hours Later – Near the Outskirts of Cagus
The capital of Terram loomed in the distance, its towering structures blending into the rocky terrain surrounding it. Dust swirled in the air as the group moved swiftly through a narrow path leading toward the city's outskirts.
Atenyos walked beside Kantara, keeping his pace measured. "You fought them before," he said, breaking the silence.
Kantara's eyes didn't shift from the road ahead. "Yes."
Atenyos narrowed his eyes. "You knew them well."
A pause.
"Yes."
Atenyos exhaled, his patience thin. "You're not giving much."
Kantara finally turned his head, meeting his gaze. "That's because it's not relevant to the mission." His voice was calm, but firm.
Atenyos' jaw tensed. "Not relevant? Then why did your voice change when you said their names? Why did your power leak when you talked about them? If there's something that will hinder this mission we ought to know it"
Silence stretched between them, the others keeping their distance—though Atenyos knew they were listening.
Finally, Kantara sighed. "Atus and Veticus were once my comrades," he admitted. His fingers curled slightly, as if recalling something painful. "We fought together. Laughed together....Bled together."
Atenyos remained quiet, sensing there was more.
Kantara's gaze darkened. "And then, one day, they chose to walk away. Not because they were weak. Not because they were cast out. But because they believed they were right."
Atenyos processed the words carefully. "Believed?"
Kantara nodded. "They see the Guild as flawed. As corrupted. Their ideals led them down a path that could not coexist with ours." His expression was unreadable. "And now, they must be stopped."
Atenyos looked ahead, the weight of the situation settling in. This wasn't just about two rogue Ring Bearers. This was about beliefs. About trust that had been shattered.
Ipsum, who had been silent, finally spoke. "So, what do we do if they try to reason with us?"
Kantara's steps stopped for a moment. "There. is. no. reasoning, I said they're a threat....we take them down. Hesitation might be the cause of death for one of us" he said with authority in his voice screaming, as to let them know that they're not allowed to think for themselves not for a second throughout this mission, just listen and do as they're told. and that they will do.
But...Atenyos was never one to take orders.
The city pulsed with life even as the sky darkened. Lanterns flickered along the streets, casting long shadows across the stone pathways. The scent of roasted meat and fresh bread wafted through the air as merchants packed their stalls.
But amidst the city's liveliness, the team moved with precision, their eyes scanning every alley, every rooftop.
"We go insight that they were seen in this area on multiple occasions, now we wait and observe." Kantara said as his eyes scans the terrain.