They should be around here somewhere…

There!

Halt!

State your name and purpose.

I am Gen-rai, a Peacekeeper from Norsen.

I was sent here with a message for the Cornerstone.

It's about the situation in Traseq.

Ah yes.

I was informed about your arrival.

Right this way.

Oh… Wow...

Why if it isn't little ol' Gen-rai!

Romul!

That's right.

I forgot you were promoted to being a part of Cornerstone Lusef's personal guard!

Yeah, while you were lazing around in Norsen, I've been working hard…

climbing the ranks…

Oh yeah?

As if!

He's nothing but a lazy oaf who would rather sleep all day

than contribute to anything that takes more than a couple minutes of his time!

Now come along, errand boy.

My apologies.

*sigh*

Oh, Jhayli?

You're still awake?

I can't sleep.

I don't trust this place.

You're not the only one.

Figured I'd offer some help to keep watch.

Why are we even doing this?

What do you mean?

Helping them.

That fya has been nothing but hostile since we joined up with them.

And for Fulfillment's sake, they took us straight to the Ruins of Kaylun!

I think they were just desperate.

I grew up with them in O-jhenbel, Jhayli.

Even if he's a brat, Nabu was never evil.

And was he always this hostile?

Nuraiah, this isn't safe.

We can't stick with their group until someone arrests us

or worse, the Nameless God turns on us!

We need… to turn… them in…

The next chance we get.

Enough.

I know that family.

They are not evil.

Nabu?

You were awake?

Did you…?

Jhayli is in shock for how things have changed so quickly,

but I don't think she would actually do anything…

Then you're either stupid or willfully ignorant.

You know, this is why nobody likes you!

If you would just try to act more pleasant, then maybe-

I hope you're not even thinking of going inside.

Of course not What do you think is inside of there anyway?”

Probably every reason why this place is cursed and reduced to ruins..

Nabu?

It's that guy again…

This place gives me a headache…

But aren't you a little far from your group?

We were just taking a walk…

This late at night?

This is not the best place for a leisurely stroll.

And… why is that?

Wait.

You there.

When we first ran into you when we entered the ruins

Rajhu was acting strangely.

What was that all about?

Oh, that?

He just wasn't expecting to see someone he met from his days in Norsen.

So you did know him!

Yeah, I know your sister too.

My sister?

I don't have a sister…

Actually never mind.

Wake up your friends and get out of here.

Now.

Leave now?

It's the middle of the night!

Fine, stay if you want to end up like those guards from before!

Norsen has answered my challenge and are on their way right now.

How can you even tell that?

The same way I knew when your group arrived.

If you don't believe me, just climb up those ruins!

I don't see any- oh!

How did you-?!

That doesn't matter.

Just wake your friends and-…!

Hey now…

Stop!

You fool!

Do you have any idea what you just did?!

You just tried to kill Jhayli!

I was trying to trap her!

And you used lava for that?!

Lava is the only element I can control!

I'll find Jhayli.

The rest of you can deal with him!

Jhayli… what are you doing?

Hey, you there!

Soldiers!

What do you want?

I need help!

Take me to your leader.

Cornerstone Lusef, we just spotted a lone fya approaching us

from out of the Kaylun ruins.

She stopped some of our scouts.

Really?

Now why would she do that?

It was a lioness.

She appears to be looking for us.

Is that so?

Then let her come, but stay on your guard.

That was a bad move.

She got away and now all of you are in danger.

I think I know danger when I see it.

But he is right.

There was a large group of people following us from beyond the hill.

I saw them.

What?

We were being followed?

They weren't following you.

Norsen sent their soldiers after me

but that lioness went to turn the whole lot of you in

Jhayli would not betray us!

Then why else did she run out of the ruins the moment I warned you of their presence?

You are the one who bears the Emblem of Norsen.

You are the one who called them on us!

I did not!

Returning to Norsen has never been my goal!

And what is it then?

What could you possibly want if it wasn't the fame and glory

from being the one responsible for turning in the Incarnation of the Nameless God

and saving the entire country?!

That prophecy of the Nameless God is nothing but a lie!

Just as the legend of Fulfillment sealing her brother away in the Abyss

was a lie to justify destroying everything this city stood for!

You want to know what I want?

I want to rebuild everything that Norsen tore down.

I am going to restore the Kaylun Dynasty and I will stand at its head!

So the rumors about these ruins being cursed are true after all.

You really are insane…

Rebuild the Kaylun Dynasty?

That empire fell into ruin for a reason.

But was it for the reason you think it was?

You say Kaylun became corrupted and was destroyed.

I say that the corruption is what Norsen was built upon.

You say Fulfillment sealed the Nameless God away in the fires of the Abyss.

I say…

that Fulfillment and her brother never fought to begin with.

Blasphemy…

That is all I hear from you.

We are leaving.

But I have a warning for you.

I don't know what game you think you're playing

but we're not having any part of it.

Nabu's been through enough.

If you touch him or any of the rest of us

I will personally see to it that your blood lines the streets of your sacred ruins

Advent of Kaylun…

You won't escape from Norsen that way!

There's only one way to leave these ruins without being spotted

and you'll need me to navigate it!

You stay away from us!

For someone with a Heijhan Trak your powers are surprisingly weak.

That's because I was specifically trying to not actually hurt any of you!

Thank you for your information, Jhayli.

When the Incarnation and the one who unlocked that Heijhan Trak are captured

I will see to it that your name reaches the Emperor's ears.

I am sure he will be most pleased with your loyalty.

Sir!

There's someone over there!

Zjhiben?

Oh?

Do you know this fya?

He… yes.

He was one of the ones who… accidentally…

helped the Nameless God to escape from Daruk in Traseq.

Jhayli!

Think about what you're doing!

Do you really think they'll let us go just like that?

Bind him.

And find the rest…

Athyir, stay still!

I can gather the ingredients for the antidote and-

We don't have time for that!

I have to go now before they attack!

But you can't fight like this!

I can heal you.

I just need to find a few more herbs and then-

I said there isn't time for that!

I will be fine.

Just…

have the antidote ready for when I get back!

Athyir!

S-Sarken…?

Did you use malig venom when you shot that guy back there?

He's going to die!

I-I know…

I just saw him try to burn Jhayli and I wasn't thinking clearly.

I-…

Well it's too late to go back now.

Besides, people like that have an uncanny ability to stay alive.

Even if… it might be better if he didn't make it.

Perhaps so

but at least this way we already know he's out there

Hey, Rajhu…

Take another step and we'll have you all dead where you stand.

Our soldiers have you surrounded.

Do not resist and you may be shown mercy.

We are merely a small group of travelers crossing the desert.

We pose no threat to anyone and request that you let us on our way.

Then would you like to explain what you are doing

with the Incarnation of the Nameless God among you?

We received word from a contact that you have been sheltering him

and even went as far as to seek refuge in Kaylun.

Where is Zjhiben?

If you mean the albino we have him bound at our camp.

He's still alive though

for now at least.

And if you hand over the Incarnation peacefully the rest of you may receive a lighter sentence.

We will not let you have Nabu!

He isn't a threat to you anyway!

Oh really?

Yet Jhayli here tells me that he was talking with the criminal who unlocked a Heijhan Trak.

Perhaps planning something…?

Like we would!

We left the ruins because of that lunatic.

He was absolutely insane.

He speaks of rebuilding the Kaylun Dynasty!

Those are heavy accusations!

It would make him have to be the fabled Advent of Kaylun if that was the case.

And maybe he is.

He called himself by the name Athyir.

And who would name their child after a star sign, knowing of that legend?

I see…

However, don't think that will give you a free pass…

That fya

has been condemned to death by the Emperor's orders

Hand him over and I will let the rest of you go.

Cornerstone Lusef, what are you saying?

These people have been sheltering a fugitive.

They are just as guilty!

The rest of you will be allowed to escape unharmed.

The border with Zarnak lies across that river

and I will permit you to cross on the condition

that you hand over the red-eyed fya.

These people are criminals

harboring the Nameless God!

They should all be captured at the very least!

I am the Cornerstone here.

I am the one with authority and have stated my demands…

Then we'll see what the Emperor has to say about that...

Very well…