Artur had been examining the small diamond-sized portal into the Shadowlands in total silence for near an hour. He mightve expected that behavior from Raven, or a cat, but not him. Argrave had attempted several calls to pull him out of the trance, and even considered removing him physically. Every time, Artur insisted that he remained silent. Raven assured Argrave that there was nothing ailing his mind, but he wasnt so sure.

Then, after that hour-long period, he floated up above the altar and leaned up to one of the daggers looming above the altar. He tapped the side of it. Cut this off. Remove it immediately.

What? Argrave looked at Raven. Are you sure thats

Do it! He shouted ferociously. Im returning to Blackgard. I need it to be back there as soon as possible. Youll also need to bring me that jade staff that Ive sometimes seen you carrying around. Bring me a few samples of the obsidian here, each about the size of my fist. Gold, silver I can get those at my shops. I may need gemstones in short notice.

Argrave looked at Raven intensely, trying his best to question with his eyes if he was certain nothing had permeated Arturs mind. But the Alchemist remained steady, and he made no attempts to stop Artur from what he was doing. Before they could do anything more, Artur started to do as he saidreturn to Blackgard.

Well Argrave examined the altar. Give me a hand, Raven.

#####

It had been incredibly strenuous work to remove the dagger made of Shadowlander bone from the altar that it hung over. Despite Raven working alongside him, Argrave had needed to call upon blood magic to create something sufficiently powerful enough to remove it from the pillar. With it at hand, they returned to the Hall of Enchantment. The mood was strange.

Every bit of production in the Hall of Enchantment had come to a stopfor the capitalist overlord that was Artur, this was unusual indeed. Instead, they were all hovering around the room where Artur resided, heeding his every whim as he made his people fetch him various materials. He allowed no one to work on the project besides himself. Though Argrave had some intense reservations about surrendering a weapon that had saved his life on multiple occasions, he did eventually bring both dagger and the Resonant Pillar to Artur.

You know what this does, dont you? he asked the craftsman as he handed it over. It can absorb attacks and

And deliver them back. I know. Go. Get out of my space. He waved Argrave away, floating around the forge with several different utensils on hand. No project has ever called to me like this. I wont have your unwanted lingering ruin my masterpiece. He turned to one of the people and pointed. YOU! Fetch the electrum!

Though the people nearby gave Argrave pleading eyes to stay and make sure they werent abused by their boss, ultimately he felt a strange sense of hope that whatever Artur was doing would turn out to be worth their time.

Ill send for you with further requests, he dictated. There will be plenty. This nothing will surpass this. I can see it in my head, so clearly

#####

Argrave returned to the parliamentary hall, and presently stood in front of Elenores desk.

I will do what I can to meet his whims, his sister promised. Was there anything else you needed?

I want to be sure youre alright, he told her. That were alright.

Wants are not needs. She smiled icily. If theres nothing else, I have work to do.

Argrave chewed on his lip, greatly disliking the distance she was placing between them. You know weve managed to convince Garm to bring back those wholl be useful to the cause.

She held her writing implement at both ends. Im aware. Llewellen has already returned. Durran claimed that the act lessened the burden that hes feeling. That means that Garms influence over him is subsiding.

Are you interested in speaking to Vasquer once last time?

Elenore went quiet, staring ahead without saying much for a long stretch. Then, she shook her head. In a new body, she wouldnt be useful to the cause.

Even Argrave couldnt help but double-take at her cold words. But wouldnt it be worth it? For you, for Orion

Every imprint that Garm brings back whittles away a little more of the limited time he has, Elenore reminded him. We have to pick and choose very carefully. As such, we cannot waste it on someone who is neither a combatant nor a useful person like Llewellen.

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

Argrave closed his eyes. Garm could still experience her last thoughts and convey them. Not just him, eitherfor Orion, he could speak to our other siblings, or Felipe III, even. And for you, theres he paused, realizing he might be overstepping in his attempt to connect.

Elenore would not be pleased to be reminded of Therese, the maid that had served her loyally and died as a consequence. He was trying to buy back Elenores affection because he couldnt stand being disliked. It was why he ended up in this mess in the first place.

For me? Elenore prompted, perhaps knowing what he was about to say.

Ji Mengs urgings came back to himbe patient, be cautious. Wait for a moment to show your sincerity. For now, he would leave her with only this.

Theres nothing else except this last thing. He dipped his head to her. Id like to apologize for the way I handled the matter with the fruits. You were right in every word you said, all the way down to my motive. Thank you for continuing to put up with me.

Elenore turned her gaze away, staring at the corner of the room. you should go join Anneliese, she said quietly. I believe she has much to say about Llewellen.

Clearly, forgiveness didnt come so easily. But he felt, just maybe her words were a little softer.

#####

Guess whos speaking with Llewellen? Anneliese whispered to Argrave excitedly.

Rowe? I dont know, he shrugged, though he was curious about her excitement.

Onychinusa, she said with joy. I told her about him hoping it might help her come out. I had some plans to get them talking. But she approached him, first!

Ooh. Argrave raised his brows in surprise.

Ever since Onychinusa had been taken from Erlebnis realm, shed been incredibly reclusive. Her aversion to people was even greater than that of the Alchemists. She lived somewhere in the mountainsonly Vasquer had known precisely whereand the only time that she spoke to people was when Anneliese occasionally came to visit, or when they had a task that they needed her to perform.

Im very proud of her, Anneliese said of the woman centuries her senior. I think that Llewellen will be able to handle her without causing harm. He reminds me of Castro, in many ways yet hes quite sharp, and hes oft inclined to share his opinion. Many times, I would get halfway through a story before he finished it for me, having predicted the outcome. He was seldom wrong, too. I have so much Id like to talk to him about but for now, Im letting him come to terms with whats happened.

And can his form cast magic, as Raven specified?

Im unsure, Anneliese confessed. We hadnt the time to do any testing, and

Someone knocked on the door. Your Majesty, Your Highness. A visitor from the Hall of Enchantment.

Argrave came to attention. Send him in.

The door opened, and a distraught-looking attendant entered. Master Artur said that he needed your presence immediately.

Argrave stood. Alright. Ill be there.

Em The man lowered his head. Both of your royal presences were requested in well, in Arturs way. And he insisted that Her Highness bring along the staff she often bears for combat.

Argrave looked at her. First the Resonant Pillar, now Veids heart? He swallowed, considering how much had already been invested into this project. But Anneliese retrieved her staff, which was leaning up against the wall just by her, and stood.

Lets not keep him waiting, she said passively.

#####

When they entered, Artur floated past them aback his cape and slammed the door shut. He turned to look at them with his eyes gleaming.

Give me the staff, then take off your clothes, both of you, Artur insisted, holding his hand out and gesturing at Anneliese to surrender Rowes former staff.

Argrave instinctively shielded Anneliese with his arm. Youre going to need a little bit more than goodwill to make a request like that while keeping all your limbs.

Dont make threats like that. Were it that giant, I might actually be scared. You, however, have more finesse than to recklessly remove my limbs. He shook his head. Im not making a single artifact. Im making a pair, using the Resonant Pillar and Annelieses staff as a base. You two are going to serve as the chain that binds them. Though conduit, or pipe, might be better suited.

Argrave looked at Annelieseand indeed, she gave no indication Artur was lying. He looked back at the short man.

How would you know how to do something like that?

Artur tapped his eyes, and as if at will, they sparkled myriad colors. Youve seen my eyes flash as so, right?

Argrave nodded. Its your A-rank ascension, yes.

They saw something in the Shadowlands that Ive never before experienced, he told them. It was as though it was as though they finally showed a new purposea new reaction, to that foreign realm beyond this world. I dont make a habit of staring into abysses for hours if I dont see the value in it. And I saw value unimaginable. He waved between them. You two must be linked. Im somewhat confident it would interest no one else. And Im even more confident no one else could make as good a use of the pair.

Assuming youre capable of this Anneliese looked at him curiously. How might this help with the Shadowlands? How are they related?

Dark, light. Life, death. This realm, that realm. Artur clapped his hands together. Theyre dualisms. I intend to take ample advantage of that dualism using you two. Argrave shall be the darkdeath. Anneliese shall be the lightlife. Man and woman. Husband and wife. Together, creating the full function of my masterpiece.