Step two!

Most of the first step has been completed, but it looks like it's time to expedite things and careen straight through into the second step of the plan. Your eyes widen at Fang's words. Not needing to hear more, you hurry ahead of the group and make a beeline straight to the front gates. Your feet carry you swiftly, and it isn't long at all before a group of six individuals are seen marching inside. They pose a powerful aura when together, so you're glad they're on your side. You come to a screeching halt and look to them expecting an explanation. Eva's father, Rada Beela, steps forth first, and seems the most flustered. The oddness of the Circle's top chairmen are that they seem rather ambivalent about things such as this--as if they care less than they should about anything that isn't their own business. Rada, however, appears panicked.

He hurries towards you with his quarterstaff digging into the soil along beside him. He clutches his dark red robes. When up close, you can tell the resemblance, especially in his eyes, and of course the pale lavender colour of his hair. It's long, moreso than his daughter's, though his beard is short. "Kyle!" he calls out. "It only just begun. An army marches on Avana. The city is under siege. Tivera guards are fighting back as best they can, but nobody can enter or leave. Goblins, hobgoblins, ogres, and also humanoids, likely all manner of criminals or perhaps even cultists united under the same banner of Elok Daven the Demon King."

So now they show up, right when things are finally about as bad as they could be. Oh well. There's no time for that. "Damn it! David is already making a move. Now we can't march anything additional into Front B. Let me think. Hold on." You clench your teeth and put a hand to your temple. Inside your mind you think... Allies in Avana. Please be okay. Allies in Avana.

Your mind stretches and snaps like an elastic band directly down into the city of Avana--where you first began your adventure. You definitely have a connection there. The image of Dragonhide Manor's rooftop swings by, and your scrying stops directly on the back of Lady Nyllia Tesgella.

She isn't alone. As a hero would, she's directing people to safe houses, and fighting off any creatures that may have gotten inside. But next to her is a familiar face you haven't seen in quite some time. Sir Elyndar Imaeris, knight of Tivera, and famous adventurer in his own right, is doing the same. Many other adventurers are present in the area. While Avana may not be the capital, it's still the second largest city in the empire, and it also has a bustling Adventurer's Guild location. Whether they're doing it for fame, fortune, or because they want to save people's lives, those of all races and classes are fighting.

"Nyllia! It's me," you send through your mind. "There's no time to explain how I'm reaching you, but I can see what's happening. I need a status update."

She looks around briefly before accepting it must be magic. Before responding, she swings her might two-hander straight through a gremlin darting from the nearby rooftop. "Kyle," she speaks under her breath. "It is good to hear from you. Avana is being attacked. We must make our move immediately, whatever it may be."

"Who else is there?"

"Many adventurers. Sir Imaeris is present. Zazra as well as Bill and Phil I sent to fight the invaders on the other side of town. Is Castle Phoenix fine?"

"Yes. Nobody is attacking us. Snow and Lynx are in Tolis, though. They were sent out not long ago to make connections with Shadow Garden among other things. Thank god you went to Avana. Of all places, of course they'd attack there. They want to cut off one of our entrances, as well as split our forces."

"What are your orders, my king?"

"I need you to take control of the adventurers. Bring the amount you think you'll need, and take them to the hidden entrance in Dragonhide Manor. Stay hidden until I give the word. When Shadow Garden begins their charge, that's when you'll make your move. We'll split their forces too."

"Understood." She nods.

You break the connection and snap your attention back. With a hard blink, you place both hands on the sides of your head and nurse a fading ache. You're using this ability so much so quickly, and on top of that, a lot of stress has hit you at once. You turn around and shout as loud as you can, "Everyone! Come to me immediately! Grab everybody in Castle Phoenix. This is an emergency. We're at war!"