(Thorjen POV) - The Headmaster

Thorjen POV

Family? Whenever Thorjen contemplated the true meaning of that word, he was flooded with a series of distinct memories and connections. For instance, his two closest friends, Threyja and Julien, whom he cherished so deeply that he couldn't fathom a world without them. One of his greatest fears was reuniting with them after such a long separation, grappling with the undeniable reality that things would undeniably be different. Despite sensing some subtle shifts in Threyja, her warm smile remained a comforting constant. For Thorjen, that alone was reassuring. However, there was perhaps one person who held his heart unconditionally, and that was his mother.

His earliest memories revolved around plummeting into a deep chasm. Amidst the thoughts of impending doom, his primary concern was the sorrow his absence would bring to his mother. This was one of the primary reasons he embraced the Dao of chaos willingly, knowing the repercussions for choosing to cultivate an unorthodox cultivation. He relentlessly pursued strength through any available means - in hopes of one day being reunited with her once again. And now, she stood before him, leaving Thorjen overwhelmed with a whirlwind of emotions and uncertainty about how to navigate this strange reunion.

Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the expression on his mother's face right now. Her eyes radiated fear as she retreated towards the wall, clutching the quilt tightly in trembling hands.

Thorjen couldn't contain his bewilderment; something was amiss. He cautiously reached out to her, but she recoiled immediately.

"Mom, it's me... it's Thorj... Thorjen," he stammered, struggling to find the familiar warmth and recognition within his mother's gaze.

"Who are you? And why are you calling me that? I don't... I don't know who you are."

"Mom, this isn't a joke anymore. Look, it's me, I'm your son... What's happened to you?" His voice trembled, breaking into short hiccups. Thorjen fought to keep his emotions in check, but the overwhelming feelings were too much. A tear escaped his eye as he attempted a fractured smile, filled with pain, attempting to reach out once more.

"It's alright... I won't hurt you. Something has happened to you, and I promise I'll do everything in my power to bring you back to normal." Her eyes flickered with confusion, still clouded, but a hint of curiosity began to emerge.

"I... don't know you... I'm...sorry."

"I know, but I know you. I've always known you, and I'll make sure you remember that."

Eleanor wore a downcast look, her eyes betraying the inner turmoil of her thoughts.

"I just... want to see... my husband."

Her words pierced Thorjen's heart, leaving him uncertain about his next steps. He sat in silence for a brief moment, staring at his hands resting on the bed. He felt utterly lost. Then, a gentle hand rested on his shoulder, and Arya's voice brought him back from his thoughts.

"Thorjen... come on, that's enough."

Thorjen stood up and wiped his tears away. He felt powerless, overwhelmed with anger, guilt, and helplessness. "If I were stronger, if I had been here... maybe this wouldn't have happened," he thought.

"Tell me again, what happened to her? What caused her to become like this?" His voice was demanding this time. Arya's gaze shifted away for a moment before she spoke.

"I... we, rather, were all engaged in battle against a swarm of beasts that had breached the western parts of the citadel. The Queen summoned all her knights to defend the breach in the walls while ensuring the high-ranking beasts were dealt with before they could cause more damage. I saw them shortly after the dust settled and the beasts moved eastward, but..."

"But what? Tell me what happened next."

"Your mother was severely injured at that point. They said she was trapped under rubble for a while, but fortunately, she was with a Golden Ranked knight, an Elf who somehow managed to create a small tunnel to keep them safe until rescue arrived. I don't remember much after that, but I do recall him carrying your mother to safety. Afterward, the Queen sent word to all the remaining company leaders, and her Golden Ranked knights were dispatched to rescue the parties trapped between the Lucien kingdom and the Rode Empire. That's when I finally met you again."

Thorjen couldn't believe what he was hearing. He had been trapped for just 14 days, and yet so much had transpired?

"Wait... this Elf who was with her, did he have green hair?" he asked nervously.

Arya nodded in response, and Thorjen's mind went blank. She kept calling for her husband, her memories were clearly affected, and only one Elf seemed to be with her throughout this ordeal. Too many strange pieces of this puzzle were coming together. Moreover, Thorjen couldn't shake the vivid images he had witnessed while trapped within the fate stone. His mother and... Marco.

Anger surged within Thorjen. "Marco... Marco, what did you do to my Mom?" He didn't want to believe those visions he was shown within the fate stone were true, but first, he needed to address this problem. Marco had suddenly become the person he needed to find at any cost.

"Arya... how do I get to the Rode Empire?"

****

Thorjen sensed an eerie stillness in the outdoor air, a desolation he had never before encountered around the citadel. The disheartening truth was the pervasive sight of destroyed homes along his path. He couldn't fathom how a group of beasts had wrought such devastation upon a city as well-built as this.

Arya did her best to provide some insight, but even she seemed fatigued and anxious.

Thorjen was beginning to grasp that Arya herself was weary and concerned, and he knew they needed help. His feet led him towards the narrow alleyways that led to the Moonjin Tea House. If he could contact Geary and the others, they would be the perfect allies for his mission. Lost in his thoughts, he walked absentmindedly along the cobblestone ground when Arya's voice penetrated his fractured thoughts.

"Thorjen... who... who is that?" she asked, her tone tinged with curiosity. Thorjen found the question unusual but followed her gaze. There, in the middle of the narrow road, stood a figure. At first, Thorjen thought he might be seeing a ghost. But after a closer look, a wave of euphoria washed over him. If there was someone he wished to see when his heart felt cold and lost, it was the Elf miraculously standing before him at this moment. The slightly chubby-faced Elf appeared to have grown a bit taller in the months gone by, his features less jovial and somewhat more mature but still gentle. Although he still carried his familiar, what remained was that familiar absentminded look. Suddenly, Thorjen's previous woes seemed insignificant.

"Ju... Julien, is that you?"

"Th-th-th...thorjen... it can't be," muttered the stunned Julien.

Thorjen couldn't control his emotions any longer. Warm tears filled his eyes and after a brief pause he rushed toward his brother. Julien, utterly taken aback, wore a look of shock that bordered on horror until Thorjen forcefully embraced him. The two of them broke into hearty laughter, tears of joy streaming down their cheeks. Thorjen couldn't quite believe it, his brother...he was here. Alive and well.

*****

In no time at all, the two Elven youths were deeply engrossed in a lengthy conversation, eagerly sharing and discussing their experiences and physical changes. To Thorjen, the endless swirl of sorrow he had felt until this point had suddenly been pierced by a beacon of happiness. He began recounting his journey through the jungles, deliberately leaving out the details about Mastramundus, the guardian of chaos, for now anyway. However, he did explain his brief encounter with the mage named Geary and her band, the Moonjin Troupe.

When he vaguely described her, he noticed a flicker of shock in Julien's expression Arya too seemed annoyed but turned her nose away at him pretending as though she was paying attention. But Juliens reaction seemed weird, It was the kind of reaction that made Thorjen suspect Julien found something familiar in his words about Geary. Julien's eyes darted uncomfortably before settling into a puzzled look.

"Oh, this is my... friend, Arya. And this is Julien, my brother," he awkwardly introduced. Thorjen couldn't help but glance at Arya to ensure she wasn't offended by how he introduced her, but her response was cordial and friendly. While the two shook hands, disturbing images invaded Thorjen's thoughts—Arya and Julien passionately embracing each other while soft moans escaped her lips within a forest. He forcefully shook his head to dispel these unsettling visions. It seemed that the visions he witnessed within the fate stone were still taunting him.

"Thorjen, what's wrong?" Arya asked, concerned noticing a slight coldness in his empty stare.

"Uh, nothing, sorry. I just...," he trailed off, unable to share the visions with them, especially when he wasn't certain himself what the Fate Stone had revealed. Instead, he pushed those thoughts aside and continued his story for Julien.

After Thorjen finished recounting his tale, including his second encounter with a relic that fractured time, the Fate Stone, he deliberately omitted the explicit details. He did reveal the glimpses he had seen of the people he knew and his uncertainty about what lay ahead.

A stillness hung in the air between the three. Arya appeared lost in thought, and Julien wore a deeply concerned expression. Their minds seemed to be wandering to the same troubling question.

"So, the Fate Stone can predict the future? Does that mean... all your visions will come true?" Arya inquired, her voice laced with worry. Julien wore a saddened expression, indicating that they both shared this concern.

"Honestly, I don't know anything anymore. Right now, I need to focus on finding Marco. I need to find out what happened to my mother."

"Wait! What happened to Eleanor? Thorjen, what happened? Is she okay? Where is she?" Julien's voice was filled with agitation, drawing concerned looks from both Thorjen and Arya.

"It's Marco... something happened, and now all her memories are messed up. Julien, she didn't even recognize me. It's been so long, and she didn't know her own son," Thorjen gritted his teeth, his fists clenched in anger. He was growing increasingly anxious about the future, especially after what the Fate Stone had shown him. But he understood he had to address the immediate issues in front of him first.

I didn't know you were close with Thorjen's mother?" Arya asked Julien, whose initial irritation quickly shifted to unease. He struggled to maintain focus on a single point.

"I... well... we've, ahem, I've been part of her group for a while. When Thorj died—I mean, was lost—I helped her through the deep grief she felt. She also trained me and took care of me. I was a mess, Thorj. I... I lost my brother. This mainland was strange, and I felt nothing but helplessness without you... But Lady Eleanor was there... she was like a..."

"A mother! I know. I can only imagine the pain I've put you all through," Thorjen sighed, massaging his temple in an attempt to calm himself. There was no use in being angry; it wasn't anyone's fault but his own. Could he even blame Marco without knowing the truth? From the sound of it, "it sounds like he actually saved her." Thorjen grappled with memories of the green-haired Elf who had tormented him alongside the feint images of this supposed Golden-ranked knight who had saved those dear to him. "Even Threyja said he's changed... sigh, I need... I need to talk to him."

"We should go see her at once, Thorj! I... I might know some healers at the guild... b-but..." Julien hesitated, glancing around at the oppressive atmosphere hanging in the air. Thorjen understood it too; there was no telling how dire the situation had become in the citadel after the attack.

"Marco is my best bet to discovering the truth, Julien, so I plan on going to the Rode Empire. Threyja should also be out there somewhere, and I need to make sure she's safe too, her and a few others I promised to protect."

"Th-th-threyja, yo-you say?" stammered Julien, and once again, a look of inner turmoil surfaced in Julien's gaze. Thorjen noticed this with a warm feeling,

'he hasn't changed, he still can't hide anything.'

"Julien, what's troubling you? I know it's been so long, and I can only imagine the things you've suffered through, but I'm here now, and we're brothers. You can tell me anything. I will always stand with you I promise."

A fleeting expression of shock crossed Julien's face before he lowered his gaze and took a deep, calming breath.

"Thorj... where do I even start..."

Before Julien could continue, a shift in the air signaled the arrival of something moving at an unnatural speed. The wind stirred beneath their feet, and before Thorjen could utter a single word, he heard a somewhat familiar voice behind him.

"Why are young fellows concerning themselves with such heavy burdens of the world? Fufufu, my-my, you three seem to be in a terrible muddle."

Thorjen spun around and was left speechless at the sight before him.

The individual was dressed in long robes, a tall and handsome Elf with smooth, tanned skin, cascading golden curls, and, most notably, an intense and unmistakable aura. Since Thorjen's powers had begun to grow, he had become more attuned to sensing and feeling things. Beads of sweat formed on his skin as he struggled to form a coherent sentence. Both Arya and Julien took a few steps back, unable to gauge the overwhelming aura emanating from the stranger. The question on their lips was whether this being was friend or foe.

But to Thorjen, strangely, there was something familiar about this Elf. They had never crossed paths, at least not to his knowledge, but something about that voice... He couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity. His eyes widened as a single thought finally pierced through his confusion.

"You! Y-you're... the headmaster?"

Thorjen unconsciously glanced at the underside of his hand, recalling the time he had been summoned to the hidden hills behind the floating island when a strange symbol had glowed in the same place. The girl with two round glasses, who had called herself his big sister, mentioned the leader of their company, someone who went by the name Headmaster.

The serene glow that radiated from the Headmaster was both captivating and chilling. Thorjen had met many strong individuals in his life, but he struggled to recall anyone who had felt as overwhelmingly powerful as this figure.

_ "Strong... s-so strong," _he uttered unconsciously, drawing hearty laughter from the Headmaster.

"HAHAHA, you are quite bold, aren't you? I suppose that's to be expected from the one who managed to cause mass panic by interacting with the Fate Stone. Since you're clever enough to recognize me, introductions are unnecessary. Now then, we have some things to discuss, and very little time. Please pardon my rudeness, you two, but I'll be borrowing Thorjen for a short while."

Both Julien and Arya exchanged disbelieving glances, as if to ask what they could do to stop him even if they protested. Despite the overwhelming presence exuded by the Headmaster, Thorjen didn't sense any immediate danger. Consequently, he didn't react when the Headmaster appeared beside him and placed a gentle palm on his shoulder. Thorjen felt a cold sensation invading his body. His eyes rose to meet the imposing Elven figure, and suddenly, his vision blurred, along with his surroundings.

In a dream-like trance, Thorjen blinked and found himself in new surroundings. He stood on a high, grassy hill, the ground beneath him covered in lush, green grass. The wind blew forcefully, tousling his hair. He took a moment to appreciate the scenery, noticing two wooden stools placed facing each other, with a small table in between, bearing teacups.

He turned around and a deep shock met his gaze. He was on top of a rising hill, overlooking the citadel. He couldn't believe just how much destruction had taken place. The entire western walls had collapsed as though a God had smashed its fists down on just one side of the citadel.

It didn't take long for Thorjen to understand that this was the Headmaster's doing.

The Headmaster didn't offer much explanation but casually walked toward the table and chairs. The Headmaster's aura was remarkable up close, and Thorjen found himself torn between feelings of wonder, deep fear, and a strange sense of comforting peace.

"Don't just stand around; take a seat. We have some things to discuss. The most important being... how on earth did you manage to awaken the Fate Stone boy?"

The question startled Thorjen, even though he had been pondering it himself for a while now. In truth, he had no idea how he had done it, just as he had no idea how he had accomplished most of the things he could do.

His gaze dropped dejectedly, and sensing this, the Headmaster spoke again.

"Forgive me; I forget that these circumstances must be as new to you as they are to me. Sigh... sit down, and I'll tell you what I know about the Fate Stones and the mysterious fates that bend to their will."

Thorjen complied, allowing his chaotic thoughts to subside. Now, he was engaged in a one-sided conversation with a figure who seemed extraordinary, someone he couldn't tear his eyes away from.

Thorjen opened up about the visions he had experienced while trapped in that gray realm of nothingness, the visions of despair involving his loved ones, and the feeling of chaos encroaching upon his inner being. His days had been filled with wading through the waters of deep despair and brief moments of reflective happiness.

The Headmaster listened to Thorjen's plight with a thoughtful gaze.

"I... I just don't understand. Why do the fates hate me so much? What... have I done to them?" Thorjen's voice held a bitter tone.

The Headmaster studied him in silence for a few moments before exhaling deeply.

"Do you know what the fates are? They existed even before the cosmos and the stars were formed. The fates have no concern for feelings, for hatred, or for anything we waste our time worrying about. They simply carry out their will. And once you understand their purpose, it's quite a simple rule to grasp. Thorjen, what do you think Karma is?"

"Karma?" Thorjen thought to himself.

"Hm, exactly. The fates themselves imply the existence of other forces. 'Karma,' as we call it, is its very own entity. It serves no master but moves according to its own will. Take, for example, the Elven blessings that I imagine you encountered during your early stages of cultivation. They are the ancestral spirits that hover around us of our kin, offering those with great talent the opportunity to be bound to them, whether it be in cultivation, or understanding the world, or merely as a ward to keep safe, these fates choose which youths to grace a portion of their powers too. This is the will of the fates but in a unique way.

On the other hand, consider your distant cousins, the Dark Elves. Their cultivation and practices exist within a different realm—the realm of Karma."

Thorjen's understanding began to blossom as he absorbed the Headmaster's words. Yet, his mood darkened as he wondered why the fates seemed intent on making him suffer. "When I was young, everyone called me a genius. The elders made me study numerous cultivation manuals to prepare me for what was said to come. Only... the fates turned me into a cripple. I only wanted to make everyone proud, so then... why must I suffer because of that?"

"Dear boy, it is through hardships that we truly discover who we are. In the end, none of this is real; they are only fleeting dreams we strive to grasp." Thorjen noticed a distant look in the Headmaster's eyes, one that spoke of great hardships, wisdom, and a tinge of regret.

"Thorjen, whatever it is that the fates sought to show you, let your heart remain still. Nothing is set in stone, not even the will of the fates. So, I leave you with this: be courageous, be cautious, and resist the descent into the realms of rage and chaos. The cosmos are life-giving, dear boy, and life is filled with an abundance of possibilities. Now then," the Headmaster announced, clapping his hands gently.

“Now, onto more pressing matters," the headmaster began, his previous jovial manner replaced by a serious tone. "Two things we need to address. The first matter: while you were trapped within the Fate stone, Lucien Kingdom, as you know it, was attacked."

Thorjen felt a chill run down his spine. "A beast horde of such magnitude would never simply arrive upon our shores. Something, yes, something or someone triggered it."

"How is that even possible?" Thorjen asked, his voice trembling with concern.

The headmaster sighed. "There are things you still don't understand, Thorjen. But I'm afraid to say that in time... you will witness truly unlawful disasters showing their faces. The earthquakes across the Rode Empire and the appearance of the secret realm. These things are not mere coincidences, I fear. And so, as the official head and mentor of your company, I will have to entrust you with this heavy burden, dear boy."

Thorjen's heart sank, and he felt a cold shiver run through his body. The seriousness in the headmaster's gaze was chilling.

"As per all new recruits, as decreed by the Queen herself, you must complete a single mission of my choice to be considered a full member of our company," the headmaster continued. "I know the circumstances aren't exactly favorable right now, but I must enforce this upon you, as the weakest among your brothers and sisters. I need you to cross the great seas and venture into the Rode Empire."

Thorjen was taken aback. "The Rode Empire?"

His mind went blank for a moment as he remembered Princess Lana's plan to reach there. "She must already be there, with Threyja... and Ness," he thought with growing concern. "Because of me, she wanted to do this... for my sake?"

As his thoughts raced, the headmaster's soothing voice cut through his turmoil. "You are not alone. Understand that whatever you may think of yourself, there are people who truly care about you. The Rode Empire, as I imagine you've already realized, is where your friends have also traveled. I need you to investigate the secret realm and secure the safety of your friends at the same time."

Thorjen was shocked by the headmaster's declaration. "My friends? Wh-why would you want me to..."

"Isn't it obvious, dear boy? Because... it's what heroes do. They save their loved ones." His smile was infectious, and set a warmth within Thorjen. He quickly understood what the headmaster was doing. For his sake, he was forcing him to face his fears.

" Now then, the journey would take you up to 5 days, but time is of the essence. Therefore, I'll be breaking one of my few rules and help you cross the treacherous seas. That should place you on the Gorn borders, a day and a half away from the secret realm. But... I can only send two people with this method of mine. So... you have a decision to make."

Thorjen felt a sense of relief knowing that he could travel with Julien, his trusted friend, on this dangerous mission. However, the thought of leaving his mother behind without anyone she knew weighed heavily on him.

After pondering on the best options, with determination, he made up his mind.

"I... I'll do it..."

A soft smile creased the headmaster's face.

"But I... I need your help. My mother. Something's wrong with her."

As the heavy gust of wind slowly subsided, Thorjen found himself back at the cobbled narrow square. A chorus of voices assaulted his ears, and he quickly discerned a vocal conversation between Arya and someone else.

"I'm old enough to make my own decisions. Stop trying to control me," Arya asserted.

"Listen, you just don't get it. There was a beast horde for goodness sake! There's no reason for you to be outside here. Just listen to me for once in your life, child."

"Th-that's your problem. I'm not a child! So just... Ah... Thorjen," Arya's gaze noticeably softened as she noticed his arrival.

Julien, who looked uncertain about his place in the situation, swiftly ran to Thorjen's side. "Thorj, are you okay? What happened? I thought you went missing again. Gulp And who is he?" Julien whispered, pointing toward the headmaster in a not-so-secretive manner.

"Wait, Thorjen? Y-you... you're Eleanor's boy?" a voice came from a new face Thorjen couldn't remember ever meeting.

However, he was dutifully surprised to find a very tall and rather curvaceous woman approaching him. She had strawberry-blonde hair, and the moment he laid eyes upon her, he instantly recognized her relation to Arya.

The approaching woman's face seemed slightly strange to him, her eyes filled with a mixture of wonder and slight apprehension.

"I... I... forgive me, but... you look just like him. Shit! Where are my manners? My name is Skaldi. I used to be in the same party as your mother and your..."

Thorjen raised his brow.

"And my father? So you were part of the..."

"Y-yes, the hero party. I always said I'd love to meet him... Az's son." Thorjen noticed her cheeks turning pink slightly, and she looked like she couldn't look him in the eyes. 'What's wrong with her?' he wondered. Before he could continue this strange conversation, the headmaster cleared his throat.

"Ahem, dear child. Time is of the essence," the headmaster spoke, his voice rousing uneasiness among everyone present. However, Skaldi seemed indifferent as she eyed the slender elf before sighing deeply in defeat. She turned towards Arya.

"I just came to make sure Eleanor was okay. I heard what happened. But if you insist on doing things your own way, then..." Thorjen felt her shaking eyes fall upon him again.

"Just don't... don't make the same mistakes I made. Tsk! All men are liars." Thorjen felt a sudden chill running down his spine as Skaldi walked past him without saying another word but stopped momentarily beside the slender elf. She mouthed something which sparked a strange reaction within the headmaster.

"Where is your mother?" the headmaster asked next.

Once the group entered the small cottage, they found Eleanor tucked soundly beneath the quilts. Her eyelashes fluttered open upon hearing the arrival of the visitors. She held a strange calmness as she wiped the sleep away from her gaze. However, a look of terror flashed across her eyes.

"Why-why are you tormenting me? Wh-where is my husband... where is he! BRING ME MY HUSBAND!" Out of sheer anger, Eleanor tossed her palm forwards, and a surge of Qi burst forth. Thorjen and Julien, leading the way, felt the full **** of her attack, barely able to remain standing before they both keeled over.

"M-mother... please stop," Thorjen pleaded.

But the enraged Eleanor didn't let up. Suddenly, a cloak of gold and white appeared, and the headmaster materialized between them. With a simple wave of his arm, he effortlessly cast aside the heavy Qi. He took a single step forward and appeared right beside Eleanor. Thorjen watched in astonishment as the headmaster moved as if the very fabric of the world held no control over him. Gently touching Eleanor's forehead, he brought a swift calm to her rage, and her eyelids fell shut as she went limp. The headmaster caught her lifeless body.

Thorjen found himself at a loss for words, his emotions in turmoil. Beside him, Julien rushed hurriedly toward his mother, his gaze filled with deep anguish as he tenderly held her hand, a slow whimper escaping his lips. Thorjen couldn't help but feel somewhat odd watching Julien's display of emotion, but he understood that Julien must see Eleanor just like he saw his own mother at this point.

Just as Thorjen's thoughts began to coalesce into questions, the headmaster's voice resounded again.

"Hmm, I see. I don't sense anything resembling poison, but her mana channels are reacting in an unusual manner. It reminds me of something I once came across long ago, a particular and rather deadly art."

"And what's that?"

"Mind control. Something is disturbing her Qi and likely distorting her views of reality. It's quite troublesome, but not impossible to deal with. I should be able to restore her memories once you return."

"Return? Where are you going?" Arya stepped in front of Thorjen.

"I'm...I'm going to the Rode Empire. I have to...I want to save them," Thorjen replied, his voice barely audible, but Arya heard every word.

Thorjen couldn't bear to look at her for some reason; he half-expected her to scold him or call him crazy. However, much to his surprise, she stood there in silence for a few moments before gently parting her lips.

"Alright, I'm coming with you then. I already suspected you'd want to do that. We made a pact, remember, to form a party. So I guess this would be our first quest. Good, I'm in." Her willingness to join him positively surprised Thorjen, leaving him momentarily speechless. He didn't know what to say at this point. But he also wasn't sure what to tell Julien. As if sensing his unease, Julien quickly spoke out before Thorjen had a chance to voice his concerns.

"Go, Thorjen. I'll...I'll stay here and wait for you. It's okay. At least this way, you can focus and not worry about your mother. Trust me, she's in safe hands."

A blossom of warmth bloomed within Thorjen's chest, and he felt warm tears welling up in his eyes. As he looked at his brother, a small sense of happiness began to form, reminiscent of the days he had spent with Julien and Threyja, days that had felt like the best of his life.

"Okay, okay, you can both hug and kiss later," Arya remarked, breaking the heartfelt moment. "But how are we supposed to get there? You do know the Rode Empire is across a vast sea, and we don't have any carriages or horses?"

Thorjen didn't immediately respond to her question. Instead, he turned toward the headmaster, who stood calmly behind him. With a warm smile, the headmaster extended one of his hands, and a swirling mixture of white and golden particles began to form. A gentle gust of wind picked up, followed by a buzzing hum and a constellation of dazzling starry lights that materialized around the headmaster's palm. It was as if he was controlling the very stars themselves. With a casual motion, he tossed the lights to the side, and a glaring portal tore through the air.

The trio could only stare in dumbfounded amazement. Thorjen realized then that the headmaster was perhaps the strongest elf he had ever encountered.

"Ah, before I forget, Thorjen," the headmaster said, his tone casual yet firm.

"You brought something back from the Fate Stone, didn't you? A little brooch... care to leave it with me in the meantime?"