It has been around a week since the Whispering Woods incident. They had a funeral for Kaito. Lyra was taken to emergency care, where she currently resides. Selene was given some land in a nearby forest where she now lives. Selene has become the first-ever vassal of King Valerian. Now, it was time for his second vassal, Blake. King Valerian summons Selene and a person by the name of Sara Thorne. Sarah has deep pink hair in a ponytail, green eyes, and a slim, muscular build complimenting her military uniform.

  [Valerian: I am entrusting both of you with a crucial mission. We are to recruit Blake, the next vassal on the list.]

  Selene talked with Elysia after the assignment. Elysia is on break right now to sort herself out after the incident. Elysia told Selene more about the figure of Sarah.

  Apparently, Sarah Thorne is Aranthia’s current top military strategist. She is a renowned military strategist with an unyielding commitment to the kingdom of Aranthia. Born into a family with a long history of military service, she displayed exceptional strategic understanding from a young age. Sarah graduated with top honors from the Royal Military Academy and quickly rose through the ranks due to her innovative tactics and leadership skills.

  A few hours later, letters stating Blake’s location were passed out. Selene and Sarah met up and started the journey to Midtown.

  On the way, Sarah strikes up a conversation.

  [Sarah: Hello. My name is Sarah, and my maiden name is Thorne. It is truly a pleasure to meet you.]

  She spoke calmly and composedly like Elysia; however, unlike Elysia, her tone was more friendly than cold, like she genuinely wanted to get to know the other person. Selene responds with a simple [Hello.] With that, the conversation starts.

  [Sarah: Sorry for what happened in the Whispering Woods. Lyra was a great person, and seeing her in this state is sad. Kaito was a fantastic fighter, and I offer my condolences. It was indeed a sad day.]

  The Incident was something other than what Selene wanted to discuss so soon after it happened. Selene immediately defects the topic.

  [Selene: Don’t apologize; you did nothing wrong. What’s our plan to get this guy on our side?]

  Sarah thinks for a second.

  [Sarah: I’m going to have to see what he is like. I’ll return with a new plan if I can’t convince him the first time. This first meeting is more experimental for me.]

  *Selene: Interesting plan. I hope we get him on the first try, though. King Valerian won’t tell me anything about what an “Aspect” is until we get the rest of these vassals.*

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  Another few hours pass. The silence was sometimes broken by Sarah trying to make small talk. They finally make it to midtown—a calm upper-middle-class neighborhood. The streets were lined with cobble. They pass the houses, and Selene marvels at the ingenuity. Still railing from being stuck in the woods for five years. After a while, they get to the home they are looking for. It is a high house that resembles the “Rook” chess piece. A man is watering his garden outside.

  He looked over at the carriage that arrived at the house, his baby blue eyes and pitch-black hair contracting each other intensely. He reached into his dark pants and pulled out a pocket watch. The man checked the time as Selene and Sarah disembarked. They walked up to the man.

  [Sarah: Hello, I am Sarah from Thorne’s house. On order of King Valerian, we are to search for an individual named “Blake Everhart.” Have you seen him?]

  The man chuckles.

  [Blake: Seen him? I am him. King Valerian? What does he want with someone like me?]

  Sarah replies.

  [Sarah: You have been invited to the royal castle in order for talks to be established. These talks will discuss your potential to join the Kingdom as a vassal.]

  Blake is taken by surprise. [Vassal? I-] His speech is cut short by Selene. She is aiming a water blast at him.

  [Selene: Explain. Now!]

  Sarah looks back in surprise and asks what’s going on.

  [Selene: You don’t see it. It is right behind him. Some creature!]

  Normally, people can’t see this entity standing beside Blake. However, Selene is half dryad. This grants her vision that can see all creatures. Then-

  Clank

  Selene looks to the side and sees a black claw aiming for her head. Sarah has made an invisible barrier that stops it. Sarah looks over at Blake with a more serious face and tone.

  [Sarah: What is the meaning of this?]

  Blake sighs.

  [Blake: Bracken! Get back here and show yourself!]

  Suddenly, a nearly 10-foot bipedal pitch-black entity appears beside Blake. It has a blue headband and also extremely sharp claws. It looks down at Blake.

  [Bracken: Yo my brotha. I was about to put these hoes to sleep. You feel me. I dum slump them mfs. Why didya stop meh. That bitch in green was gon shoot ya ass.]

  The brash talk of this creature stunned the two females standing mere feet away,

  [Blake: Calm down, man. This is a meaningful conversation. As for the dryad, please don’t aggravate him. This is a monster known as Bracken. Bracken was given to me by my father before his disappearance. Bracken thinks he is in an imaginary criminal gang called the “Crips” I believe. No record of such a gang exist.

  Bracken pipes up.

  [Bracken: Ayyo the crips real af. They just like me, real as hell. You know I keep it one hunded. I say you dont follow no weak bitches.]

  Bracken smiles contently, snowing his sharp fangs. The two girls look at Bracken with anger and disgust. Blake apologizes for his behavior again.

  [Blake: What he says is true, though. I won’t follow someone I can’t respect. Including you.]

  Blake points at Sarah.

  [Blake: How about this. You get the dryad to fight Bracken; make him respect your strength. You fight me in an intellectual battle. Make me respect your intelligence.]

  Sarah realizes why Valerian sent her on this mission. As the kingdom’s number one strategist, she is the most qualified to earn this respect.

  [Sarah: I accept, but how will we determine this intellectual battle?]

  Blake looks over at Bracken. Sarah looks at Selene. Bracken and Selene go into the backyard to start their match. Blake looks back at Sarah.

  [Blake: How about chess?]