As the group approached the outskirts of Nyridia, the city’s opulence set it apart from anywhere they had been before. Even Bjarnholl’s strength and majesty felt tempered by purpose, while Nyridia’s splendor seemed crafted to dazzle and captivate. The roads leading into the city were paved with smooth, gleaming stones, and the towering spires of the city’s buildings rose like elegant monuments to magic and power. Even from a distance, the city exuded a strange kind of beauty, its walls adorned with crimson banners that fluttered in the soft breeze.

  “This place is... fancy,” Rika said. “I take it this isn’t one of those ‘everyone’s gonna try to kill us’ cities?”

  “Depends on who you ask,” Liliana said.

  “So, this is your home?” Kale asked. “It’s… not what I expected. Seems a little too... polished.”

  Liliana took in the the skyline, her gaze lingering on the tallest structure in the distance, an imposing castle that dominated the view. “That’s the Bastion of the Scarlet Veil,” she said quietly. “My parents’ home. And mine, I suppose.”

  “Looks like they’ve got a lot of money,” Rika said. “Fancy blood mage nobles living in a big castle—let me guess, your family doesn’t do things halfway.”

  Liliana gave a small nod. “Nyridia is a center of blood magic. It’s... different from the other places we’ve been. It’s not all chaos and ruin, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. Blood magic has a cost, even in a city that thrives on it.”

  “Are we talking secret blood mage parties with rituals and sacrifices, or is it more like... everyone just lives in luxury?” Kale asked,.

  “It’s both,” Liliana said. “The nobles live in luxury because of the magic they wield. Power here isn’t just about wealth, it’s about control over blood. The more power a family holds, the more influence they have over Nyridia.”

  “So, your family, how much power are we talking?” Kale asked.

  “The Scarlet Veil family has ruled here for generations. My father is one of the most powerful blood mages in Ilvaria. My mother, too. They’ve spent hundreds of years building alliances and... maintaining their position. But it’s not as simple as that. Power here is... complicated. You don’t keep it without sacrifices.”

  Rika leaned forward on her borhound, her eyes filled with intrigue. “So what’s your role in all of this? Are you the heir to the blood mage throne or something?”

  Liliana hesitated for a moment before answering. “I was supposed to be. But I left. In my father’s eyes, that makes me a failure.”

  “That’s a little harsh, don’t you think?” Kale said.

  Liliana’s eyes remained fixed on the distant castle. “Calling him harsh is an understatement. My father didn’t hold onto power this long, or reach the level of strength he has, by showing kindness or mercy. He’s cold. Calculated. To him, weakness isn’t just a flaw—it’s a threat. If he sees it in others, he removes them. If he sees it in himself, he carves it out. Staying in control means never letting anyone have leverage over you.”

  “His legacy, the Scarlet Veil’s legacy, means everything to him. Nyridia isn’t just his kingdom; it’s his throne, his proof of absolute control. Strength alone isn’t enough. He rules through dominance, through fear, ensuring no one ever dares to question him.”

  “And you walking away…?” Kale asked.

  “Me walking away to pursue my own path, even if it was to become stronger, was unacceptable to him. It didn’t matter that I was doing it to gain power, he only cared that I didn’t do it on his terms, under his control.”

  Her eyes drifted toward the road. “But I had to do it. Not just for myself, but maybe for him too. I needed to prove that I could be just as strong, if not stronger, without him telling me what to do.”

  There was a brief pause. “Maybe I needed to show him that I didn’t need him to become who I was meant to be.”

  Rika glanced between Liliana and the towering castle in the distance, her expression thoughtful. “So, let me get this straight. We’re walking into a city where your father basically rules everything, he’s not exactly a fan of you right now, and we’re supposed to play nice with the coldest, most powerful blood mage around?”

  Liliana gave a small nod. “That’s how it is.”

  Kale sighed. “Somehow I get the feeling this is not going to be quick and easy.”

  Rika smiled. “Oh, come on, what’s the worst that could happen? Maybe they’ll love us. I’m very lovable, you know.”

  “My father doesn’t ‘love.’ He values. And only those who prove their worth.”

  “I’m valuable too!” Rika said.

  “And what about you, Liliana? You said you had to leave to prove yourself... do you think he’ll see that now?” Kale asked.

  “I don’t know,” she said. “But we’re about to find out.”

  As they passed through the gates of Nyridia, its streets radiated such grandeur that every place they had visited before seemed simple and humble by comparison. The roads were clean and well-maintained, lined with vibrant banners of crimson and gold. The buildings were elegant, each adorned with symbols of blood magic, sigils and marks that represented the city’s power. People moved about in finely tailored robes, their conversations hushed as they noticed the trio passing through.

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  It didn’t take long for whispers to ripple through the crowd.

  “Is that...?”

  “No, it can’t be—Liliana of the Scarlet Veil?”

  “She’s returned?”

  Kale and Rika exchanged glances, picking up on the sudden change in atmosphere.

  “Seems like word travels fast here,” Kale said.

  Liliana remained silent, she could feel the weight of the city’s gaze on her, as though every step she took was being judged.

  Rika leaned over toward Kale. “So, how long do you think it’ll take before someone tries to kill us?”

  Kale studied the crowd, noticing more and more eyes fixed on them. “Yeah… I give it a day. Less, maybe.”

  “Stay close, Liliana said. “Don’t get separated, and don’t let the attention get to you. Nyridia may look refined, but it’s still dangerous.”

  As they moved further into the heart of Nyridia, the polished streets and carefully tended buildings only seemed to sharpen the tension in the air. Rika nudged Kale, nodding toward a group standing in the shadow of a tall building.

  “Hey, Kale... over there.”

  Across the street, a small cluster of figures stood watching them. They were dressed in fine, dark robes. But it wasn’t the robes that caught Rika’s attention, it was the symbol stitched onto their cloaks: a crimson rose entangled with thorns.

  “House Bloodthorn,” Liliana said, without even looking their way. “They’ve always had an interest in my family. Watch them.”

  “Friends of yours?” Kale asked.

  “Hardly. They’re... rivals, in a way. Ambitious, but patient. They’ve been waiting for years to see my family fall. They’d love nothing more than to tear down everything the Scarlet Veil has built.”

  “And now they’re just staring at you like that’s gonna make it happen?” Rika muttered, eyes narrowing at the group.

  The Bloodthorn members made no move to approach but continued to observe Liliana closely. Were they searching for a weakness? Trying to unravel why she had returned after all this time? Did they see her as a rightful heir, or an obstacle in their path? Some looked wary, others speculative, as if already plotting what her presence might mean for their own ambitions. Were they waiting for an opening, a moment to strike? Or simply trying to gauge whether she had come back as a challenger, or a corpse-in-waiting?

  “One of them is Alistair Bloodthorn,” Liliana said, glancing at the tallest of the group. “He’s not the head of House Bloodthorn, but he’s one of their most dangerous. Skilled in blood magic. Cold, ruthless. The kind who waits for the perfect moment to strike.”

  “Great,” Kale said, his eyes flicking to Alistair. “So we just have to wait for that moment, huh?”

  “Don’t worry,” Liliana said. “They won’t strike in the open. House Bloodthorn prefers to play the long game. They manipulate, sabotage, poison... always from the shadows. If they make a move, it’ll be when we least expect it.”

  Rika shrugged. “Well, if they try anything, we’ll just smash them, right?”

  “Be careful. They’re not to be underestimated.”

  Kale couldn’t help but shake his head. Everywhere we go…

  He glanced over his shoulder at Alistair of House Bloodthorn, his cold eyes still fixed on Liliana as they walked away. That look was all too familiar, sending a ripple of unease through him. In a place like Nyridia, where every gesture apparently carried hidden intent and every smile masked a blade, there was no room for mistakes. And these guys were not even smiling. That meant they weren’t bothering to hide the danger. He had to stay vigilant.

  As they ventured further into the city, the architecture transformed, somehow growing even more majestic. Towering spires reached skyward, while graceful bridges arched over canals, connecting districts like strands of a delicate web. The grandeur was undeniable.

  “So, what’s the plan, exactly?” Kale asked, trying to keep his voice casual as he admired the city’s grand buildings while simultaneously keeping an eye on the people who seemed to watch them with careful curiosity. “We just walk up to the front door and hope for the best?”

  “We go to the Bastion,” Liliana said. “My parents will want to see me. They won’t be pleased, but they won’t turn me away either. There’s too much at stake.”

  “Sounds like fun. Meeting the in-laws and all,” Rika said.

  Liliana shot her a look, but Rika just smiled at her and winked.

  “I’m just saying, I’m sure they’ll love me. Might even like Kale.”

  Kale laughed. “We’re all charming in our own way, right?”

  “Just remember—this city runs on blood,” Liliana said. “The Scarlet Veil, House Bloodthorn, all of them. Power is everything here, and everyone wants more of it.”

  Kale nodded. He’d seen enough by now to know that she wasn’t exaggerating. Every city they’d passed through had its share of problems, but there was something about Nyridia, a coldness that went beyond its pristine appearance.

  After some time, they reached the Bastion of the Scarlet Veil—a towering, imposing structure that claimed the skyline. Stone walls, adorned with blood sigils, stretched high, and the heavy iron gates gleamed under the afternoon sun. Guards in white and crimson armor stood at attention.

  Rika gave a low whistle. “Impressive. Though I was expecting a bit more fanfare. Maybe some ominous chanting.”

  Liliana ignored her. “Stay close. Once we’re inside, things might get... complicated.”

  “Complicated how?” Kale asked.

  Liliana sighed. “My father doesn’t take surprises well. And my return will be... unexpected.”

  “Maybe we should have sent them a letter to let them know we were coming,” Rika said.

  “Bit late now,” Kale said.

  As they approached the gates of the Bastion, the guards straightened, recognizing Liliana immediately. No one spoke as they passed through, the guards stepping aside without question. There was no need for an announcement—Liliana was a daughter of the house, and even after all this time, her authority was unquestioned.

  The gates swung open, revealing a sprawling courtyard beyond. Banners bearing the crest of the Scarlet Veil hung from every surface—a golden chalice overflowing with blood, draped in a flowing red veil.

  Kale looked around, taking in the opulence of the place. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  Liliana’s face remained unreadable. “Welcome to the Bastion of the Scarlet Veil.”

  Servants moved quickly and quietly in the distance, their eyes averted, their movements careful. It wasn’t just respect—it was fear. As if even a fleeting glance at Liliana and her companions might be seen, noted, and remembered. A misstep here could have consequences, and in the Bastion of the Scarlet Veil, no one wanted to be noticed for the wrong reasons.

  “So…” Rika said. “how long do you think we’ve got before your father finds out you’re here?”

  “He already knows,” Liliana said.

  “What, he’s got spies everywhere?” Kale asked.

  Liliana shook her head. “No. The castle itself… it’s part of him. He senses everything that happens within these walls. The blood magic that binds this place—he controls it.”

  Rika raised an eyebrow. “Great, so he’s basically everywhere. That’s not creepy at all.”

  As they approached the grand entrance to the main hall, Liliana slowed for a moment, her eyes lingering on the symbols on the doors, as if they held a deeper meaning for her.

  Kale noticed her hesitation. “You good?”

  Liliana didn’t answer right away. She hovered before the door, the weight of her past, her family, and everything that had brought her back here resting on her shoulders. Finally, she took a breath and nodded. “Let’s get this over with.”

  Without another word, she pushed the doors open, leading them inside.