Go home.

As she did once for you previously, back when she took you straight to Tolis, the lovely Lady Sulta happily opens a portal for you and your allies to walk straight through. Though it doesn't lead straight to Castle Phoenix, she's able to teleport you relatively close, minus a short hike up the mountain path. There she stands--unphased by the chill in the air despite her garb--but she places a hand softly to her bust and offers a polite bow. It seems she isn't here to stay.

"Thanks for that," you say. "I hope that went all right. It didn't really feel like we accomplished a whole lot with how short the meeting was."

"It isn't that way at all," she replies. "The fact that a meeting was called for this in the first place means a lot, as well as how many showed up. Not only that, but you've united many powerful people against a common enemy. If I were Elok Daven, I would be terrified right now. I can't promise the Circle will ally with you in the sense of a war, but this will certainly swing the pendulum in your favour. Do you have other allies as well?"

"I would be surprised if Lady Vex did not help us," Amara speaks up.

"I bet William would," you add. I'm sure he'd be eager to get back at him. Or if he's feeling even more selfish than that, gain more power. Whatever he's up to, we definitely have a common foe.

"And perhaps at the proper moment, many more," Catherine says. "I believe in the strength of Tivera, even after everything."

Lady Sulta takes a step back through her portal. "For now, I must depart. We will certainly meet again, Demon King."

"I hope so," you reply. "Be safe."

With a nod and a smile, the portal closes and the woman disappears from view. You've made yourself known to the Circle, and now the dangerous Elok Daven has been placed on the target board. At least you're no longer the only one. With the allies you've made, or at least relatively friendly acquaintances, it doesn't even feel as much like you're a wanted man anymore. King Thadius does rule over Tivera, so that makes things complicated, but at least so far, nobody has dared to attack. You even have one of the most famous adventurers around living up here with you.

It's only a short walk up the path before you see something.

Near the gates, a shadowy figure stands. In the darkness of the great walls cast upon the land, it appears as nothing more than a billowing black cloak. It waits expectantly. As you approach with caution, you wrap your fingers around the handle of your sword in case it's needed. And where you were just thinking about how nobody dared to come here and challenge you.

From it comes a gravelly voice. "The scent of your blood has--"

"Magic Bolt!" Eva throws her wand tip forwards, and from it manifests a sparkling ball of magical energy. It fires like a bullet towards the mysterious figure, slamming the shadow in the chest, causing it to fumble backwards into a bush. "Okay, I think I got it," she says, panting.

"Good job!" Niki exclaims as she smacks her hand down upon her shoulder proudly.

"Not good job," you reply. "Can we at least see who it is first? It could be somebody important. And if they wanted us dead that badly, I don't think they'd stand in the open as we approached."

"Son of a--" The figure groans as it stands up again. Then as the hood is pulled back, you can make out pale skin and long black hair. An exhausted, vacant stare peers out from above dark bags beneath his eyes. "What kind of person just shoots someone like that?!"

It's The Edge.

"On second thought, go ahead and fire away," you say.

"Wait, wait!" He raises his hands defensively. Then with a deep breath, he places a hand over his eyes and sighs. "I have not come here to fight, though I know you seek such a thing as my bitter rival. No, I've come here with peace in mind."

"You have a rival?" asks the queen.

"... No. At least, it isn't him," you reply.

The Edge takes a step forwards. "I trust you know, given the message I left you."

You freeze up and dig through your pockets to find nothing of the sort. "Oh! Uh. About that." You crack your neck as you avoid eye contact for a moment. "You see, the Sports Festival got so chaotic, and then when I got home, Yin did a huge load of laundry."

"You lost it?!" he snaps back.

I think my subconscious repressed the memory since it came from him. And so much happened. That was such a tiny note too. Wait, should I really feel bad about this? Every time I run into this guy, it's a headache. Of course I wouldn't assume he had something actually important to say.

"Maybe I didn't lose it. Maybe I just cast it into a fire, banishing your cursed words to the depth of Hell," you say in an attempt to mimic his pattern of speech.

He pauses. "That's... so cool! Of course. That makes perfect sense."

"No, I was just joking--"

"Naturally you'd react to a note from The Edge in that exact way. I should have predicted that! Then let me tell you now, Kyle Warren, something you may wish to hear. It has to do with my partnership with Elok Daven, and not only mine."

"All right." You roll your eyes. "Let's do it. Come inside and we can speak. But no going off about your backstory."

"Impossible! It's important to my message."

"It better be."