Alone, witness to the dark, saved only by a flickering lamp, Diana looked at the pages in boredom. This book, the stack before it, and the mountain awaiting afterward had all been penned by one known as ‘Herald the VIII’. She still hadn’t quite grasped who that was, and how he was different from the last several Heralds, only able to groan out the words, another binge of archaic textbooks and transcripts taking a thorough toll. And her reward? Another chapter.

“I’ve just realized something!” She recited the text out loud verbatim, hoping to garner some level of understanding. “The Old Arts have not failed me. They’ve never failed me. For failure is the purpose. The goal! Too often are we concerned with the beginning and the end, that we’ve never stopped and considered the middle. …” She finally cut the act, and gave up. “What does that mean!?”

“It means you’re winning. If you’re not enjoying it, you’re doing it right.” Eleanor entered her chambers.

“So the destination is only worth it if the journey sucks? Is that why ‘Herald the VIII’ made this book insufferable to read?”

“Exactly!” There was a pause, and they both broke out laughing. “Good morning, Sister Diana. I brought breakfast. Take a break.” She handed over a bowl of soup and, to Diana’s embarrassment, briskly scooped up a nearby miniature wolf occupying an entire seat despite its small size. “How’s Mister Wiggles doing? Aren’t you a little old for stuffed animals?”

“…I’m not a thousand years old, yet. Remember? Time doesn’t fly for me like it does you. I’d like to enjoy my youth while I still can.”

“Are you calling me old? And it’s a little more than a thousand, actually.”

“I’ll get there, eventually.” Diana yawned. “Just eight more years. I mean, it can’t be as long as the last seventeen, right?”

“Here’s hoping. I’m more impressed that you remember the date of the Soulcess. That’s the mark of a good student, and even better teachers. Heh! And you’re right, that’ll come closer than you think. And then, you get a drink of the-”

“The Forgotten Tears, I know. You’ve all told me, like ten-thousand times.” She yawned again. “When’s the new moon?”

From the darkness, past the ornate shelves of this cramped cabin deep within the Heart of the Coven, a figure leapt from the ceiling. “Not for another half-month. I know you’re tired- but that’ll be solved by the Tears, too.”

“Oh! Y-You scared me…”

Eleanor set a hand on Styx’s back. “Any Grimm sightings?”

“No. Well, besides the ones I already stabbed for pleasure. They never even saw me. Their muted screams were breathtaking.”

“…I think you’ve been spending a bit too much time with Sister Mania.”

“Well, you should’ve seen her! She’s been edging onto my territory.” Styx twirled an ornate knife in one hand. “The other day, I saw her backstab a Beowolf. So to show her, the next Grimm we killed together, instead of the usual, I tramped her style. No sneaking to speak of, I just rushed the thing. And when it was down, I stomped it repeatedly!”

“Congratulations?”

“It was pretty fun, to be honest. Now I see why Sister Mania prefers such brutality over the grace of stealth. That said, I think I’ll just stick to the shadows. But don’t worry, I’m not going soft on you-”

“Nobody thought you had.” Eleanor joked.

“-I still hate the Grimm the most. That title stays right here, where it belongs.”

Somebody knocked on the door, then entered without any response. Eos had to slouch just to keep from hitting the doorframe. “I heard the words ‘kill’ and ‘Grimm’ in the same sentence and came here as fast as I could.”

Diana sat up and stretched, her bowl now empty. “…Did everyone just decide to invite themselves into my room, or what?”

“Just dropping by to see how you’re all doing. Oh, and to tell you that this little birdie had a message for Sister Artemis.” She held forward her hand, a bird balanced on her finger. “But since she’s out on a morning hunt, the task falls to us.”

“Well?” Eleanor said. “What did the vulture tell you?”

“Sister Mania is in trouble. Don’t panic, it’s not the Grimm. She and one other are pinned down in a village many roads from here, under fire from a bandit tribe.”

“She’ll be okay, right?” Diana looked away.

“Certainly. The bad pack of humans will fail in their pursuit, as they always have. But that malice could bring Grimm, eventually.”

“Who was with her?” Eleanor asked.

Eos paused. “…Abigor.”

“Are you kidding? We’ll have to move fast.” She began a sprint out of the Heart of the Coven, only to be abruptly stopped by the bearer of bad news.

“Try not to let your attachment with him cloud your judgment, Sister. Whatever happens to his kind, if it doesn’t concern Grimm, is to be met with zero action on our part.”

“…I understand.” She resumed her hasty departure while the rest prepared together.

“You know she’d save Abigor even if there weren’t Grimm.” Styx nudged Eos’ shoulder.

“You’re right. But there might be, and that’s her saving grace. And when it’s all said and done, there’s a valuable difference between fighting, and negotiating. Eleanor would never harm a human soul. At the most, she’d whisk Abigor away to safety, diffusing the conflict. And that doesn’t violate our creed.”

“Still, she’s interfering, and she’d do it regardless of the Grimm.”

“I trust her, though. She’s never given me any inclination otherwise, and this wouldn’t be the first, or hundredth time she’s put others above herself.”

Styx chuckled. “Not that Abigor nor Mania need it. It’s always cute, how she breaks into a panic whenever the ‘High Officer of the Seventh Brigade’ might be in trouble.” With the way she spoke, it was clear she was mocking the title.

Through the complex, under the vivid gaze of stained-glass windows, all but Diana rushed outside. “I-I guess I’ll stay here?” She called out, watching them tear past the rippling barrier, entry-shrine, and bridge without a response. Not that it mattered. She knew the answer, and with a sigh, she returned to her studies.

“Aha! So, this is it, huh?” Troy patted himself on the back, having witnessed everything.

“You?” This was enough to make Eleanor pause. “You followed us? How long have you been standing in the bushes?”

“Not long, if we’re being honest. Tricks of the trade, as it would seem! I set up my store here, and waited. Aha. I guess you expected something grander, huh? I can’t carry this shop on my back, and believe me, if I could phase it in and out of existence, I would. Not everyone’s got magic.”

“Only six of us. Well, seven, if you count Herald.”

“Who?”

Styx finally broke the distance, though she wasn’t alone. “How about you introduce yourself, first?”

“Name’s Troy! Always a pleasure to garner new customers. And let me say, it’s an honor to meet another patron of that temple over there.”

“What? You saw us leave the Shrine? Then, you must be silenced.”

“B-But I thought I’d be safe from you ladies, of all people!”

“We can’t hurt you.” Styx laughed. “We just have to silence you. Take away some memories. We’d need Tormentyst, but… There’s no time. C’mon, we’ll have to keep a silver eye on you until we return. Try to keep yourself hidden, like me.”

“S-Sure! Another adventure. But first, where are we going?”

“There.” In an indiscriminately unhelpful display, she held forth a finger to the fog’s base, past the mountains.

“Ah, then you came to the right place!” Troy said.

Eos interrupted this time. “You came to our house.”

“…Then I came to the right place. Oh, the stories I’ll tell! I’ll be famous, as the ferryman for the Coven! Come, quick!” He hopped back onto his carriage and prepped the ropes, his horses pattering the ground in anticipation. “I can take you where you need to be… For a fee, of course.”

“What? You want payment? Lives are at stake.”

“Fine, fine. Last time was on the house. This time, I’ll give you a discount. How’s that?” Troy’s resolution brought pause, but Eos was right. Their duties surpassed the impulse of greed.

“It’ll have to do. Move quickly.” Eleanor rushed into the cart with the others, giving Troy the signal to proceed. Yet, they did not ride in silence.

“So, what’s the deal? You seem upset about something. This is just business as usual, right?”

“Agreed.” Eleanor spoke for Eos, laying out the details of their newest mission in as brisk a matter as possible. “But there’s only one problem. These are human enemies. That changes everything.”

“How so?”

“The directive of our master is older than tradition, and the stipulations are plentiful- though, they can be summed up with a simple rule. Deal with Grimm. Witness everything else. You may think it’s enough to just do our job, but here, going beyond violates law. Though it may sadden us to witness humanity destroy themselves, if Grimm aren’t the cause, it’s none of our concern.”

“Then why join the fight at all? If you’re not within bounds to play referee, watching from the stands could be a breeze.”

“A coven member is still in danger. And the discourse may bring something worse.”

“Oh, lovely. So, then, what do you plan to do when we get there?” Troy wrangled the reins, making good ground.

Styx, Eos, and Eleanor all looked at each other. “Last time we met, didn’t you mention something about fighting yourself?”

“We’re talking bandits? Sure! It might cost extra, though. Just make sure you hop off the chariot ahead of time, lest you find yourself an accomplice. Wouldn’t want to anger Clotho, right?”

“Lady Clotho.”

In short order, if things continued in this manner, they’d find their destination before the hands of death intervened. But that window was closing quickly. Through the volley of arrows, the clanking of swords, and the perimeter set by bucklers, those in need of rescue had no choice but to ride out the disarray for as long as it took. Mania could thank her lucky stars she held powerful friends later.

“This is treason. I serve the Coven!” She raised a hand, only to quickly lower it and cover her skull mask at the sound of arrows, not so much trembling as she was controlling herself, back against a barricade of spiked walls. And to her side, the equally suited Abigor didn’t fare any better.

“We’ll need reinforcements! If only the Brigade made haste.” His confidence flared.

“What do we need them for? Aren’t you the ringleader? Get out there and teach the infidels the meaning of hubris. Silver eyes and combat expertise aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“Ah, the one-woman army needs a lesson in warfare. Didn’t Eleanor ever mention my teachings? For us pesky mortals, relying on ferocity as you have isn’t enough. Numbers are everything. I’d rather not defend a horde thirty-to-one. Not saying I can’t, I’d just prefer better odds.”

One of the barbarians encircling them threw another threat. “Give us the silver eyes, and we’ll let the soldier go!”

“You aren’t running things.” Abigor sighed under his breath. “Okay. I take it you’ll stay here?”

“What do you think?”

Abigor, for the sake of the innocent trapped in the carcass of this mostly barren town, left his protection to meet the bandits on the field of battle. The encroachers were deceived by his simple equipment and weaponry, but learned quickly the victories training and discipline offered over brutality alone. The question of whether his skill was fit to finish what had only just started couldn’t be determined, now. He was joined by the worst of all.

An Ursa shattered through the cobblestone road, injuring enough bandits to bring Mania despair then and there. She had to act quickly to save more, and so she whisked past Abigor to put herself between the beast, and the men who sought her death. He never even saw her move.

Mania was the most ruthless of them all. Every slice from her scythe was executed as though it would be her last, despite the absence of any real threat. At least, no visible one. As long as the Ursa still hung onto life, it would spread fear among everyone else, and bring more. It appeared such a pox couldn’t be prevented.

“That’s enough.” Abigor pulled her away, halting further mutilation of the already lifeless Grimm. “The bandit’s cowardice has shown through. One less faction to consider. No use torturing what will fade with the clock’s ticking. The best move for us now is to-” Another Ursa, reinforced with allies this time, arrived from beneath.

Mania began a sprint, but froze at a whistle. Behind her, Troy’s freight sailed over the gates and impaled each and every fiend. “Sisters! About time we got some help!” She cheered. The rest of the villagers joined.

Upon a peak in the distance, a watcher studied, diligently hoping for a sign of Tormentyst. No such luck. Even so, a good show was hard to come by. “Haha! I swear, Kalthus. If Clotho’s slaves weren’t so fun to watch, this would’ve been torture.”

“It is strictly a business matter.” The words rang forth, unmistakably a result of an Oathkeeper, clad in bloody rags. “Do try and stay on task. I know you feel it’s been awhile since I issued this assignment, but persistence is a greatly sought after skill. If Clotho ever bestowed on her children knowledge of the Rhinestone, they’ll slip up. Time is on our side.”

“I know, I know. They’re just so fascinating! Who’s your favorite? Is it the ditz with fifty pounds of armor? Or, let me guess! It’s that prissy miss with the gorgeous sword, who can’t even use it.”

“…Hm. These warriors have served the lands dutifully for many, many eras. A small amount of respect is due, Herald the XXI. The gods have a hard time forgetting hubris. Forgiveness? That’s a whole other matter.”

“Aw, c’mon! You gotta admit, they’re entertaining…” Herald was first privy to the return of an essentially omnipotent force, just one of a small army, idly passing through the village. “But it’s about to get a lot more entertaining. Look at that!”

“An Eidolon. Though the Coven is pertinent to our cause, their death is something I cannot risk. Quick, before we’re seen. They’ll need to focus, now.”

With Herald’s leave, the celebration ended.

“D-Do you hear that?” Styx turned slowly, dreading she wasn’t alone in catching the sound of clops.

“No. I-I mean, yes. But this cannot be. Arm yourselves.” Eos stood in front of the rest without hesitation, fully expecting what she received: a horse, directed by a blackened corpse. All the townspeople ran screaming.

“A-Again!?” Troy nearly fell backwards. “How many of these things are there?”

Short lived was their celebration, in the presence of an Eidolon. This was not either of the two that had transgressed last time, as made clear by the weapon choice: an anchor. This horseman must’ve been responsible for that instrument on the fabled ship Falsus Heredis. In regards to whether or not it held a higher position, none knew, for now.

“There’s six. Maybe.” Eleanor clarified as it casually approached, having spotted them.

“Listen up.” Abigor scooped Troy back to his feet and led him, along with the rest of his squad, away. “We can’t be here. Clotho’s Coven performs better when we pesky humans aren’t drawing their attention… Eleanor? You won’t let me help, will you?”

“As always, you are smart. ”

Verbally, Troy resisted the control of Abigor. “I thought they were supposed to be rare! Why are they just now plaguing the lands?”

“It’s been awhile since I had to give someone the rundown. Let’s see if my memory’s still sharp. What you must realize is that they’re old. Oldest I’ve ever seen, at least. But they’re not regular Grimm. They care nothing of human life, neither interested enough to take nor dismiss them. The Eidolons long for the death of Descendants. Think Silver-Eyed Warriors.”

He flinched, someone having inadvertently chucked a boulder in his direction, Mania currently forced to endure the meteoric impact as long as she gripped the scythe lodged into the rock. He continued nonetheless. “The longer they go without quenching that thirst for blood, the worse they get. The years were docile without them, till a few months ago, where I saw one myself for the first time. To have three attacks in so short a time… Until an Eidolon fulfills their purpose, they’ll never stop. And even then, they won’t stay dormant for long. So, as you can imagine, they bring with them some… Cause for concern. And death.” Abigor settled himself in the seat parallel to Troy, at the head of the merchant’s wagon.

“Good- Great! I love death.” Troy shuddered. “I didn’t sign up for this.”

“You did the moment you met us.” He stopped, spotting one of his allies skid across the road into a building. Even if the other members were granted similar hospitality, he couldn’t let her fate follow. “Eleanor! Are you hurt?”

“D-Don’t worry about me! You have to get out of here. You’ve never fought one of these, because you’re still here. I can’t lose you. Watch out!”

“There is no lapse in my defense!” He hid behind a bulky shield that cast a wide shadow. At worst, it would break but still protect, if it was to indeed be used at all. The enemy charged, but fell for a distraction.

“Hey! Yeah, I’m talking to you!” Troy threw stone after stone, to little effect. A huge mistake.

“Oh, you’re just asking for it, now.” Eos sighed, taking every incoming attack without uttering a sound. No matter what they tried, this Eidolon could not be approached. At the slightest movement, a violent reaction secured an untouchable dome. The options were clear. Someone needed to eliminate the cavalry, or sneak past the perimeter, unannounced. Styx could do both.

Through her treachery, the horse’s hooves were sliced at the base. Though the Grimm would regenerate, in time, this was serviceable for the moment at hand.

Each member circled, vigilant but eager to press this advantage. With its back to the sheer brink of a gulley, the Eidolon had no choice but to stay and fight. That would have happened either way.

“All this, and for what? It’s not like we’re killing it today.” Abigor said.

“You’re right. But we haven’t silenced their spell capable of reflecting our eyes. Can anyone think of any way to subdue it? Now would be a good time.” Styx backed away as the foe swung about, its mare caught in a berserk tantrum.

“Oh, come on. You think too much. Just brute force the problem.” Mania stomped on the ground, recognizing how loose the dusty roadway settled. In the glint of orange sunlight, the Black Horseman tumbled out of view, lost to a deep, foggy trench.

From the depths, the anchor that so cruelly doubled as a weapon returned, clasping onto a nearby lamp post. The fixture was almost torn from its foundations, but persisted. Each of the guardians stared, almost afraid to touch it.

Troy coughed. “It’s not coming back, right?” In response, Eos left.

“The beast is far below us. This was just the first step of its return, but there are many more ahead. For now, we are safe. Evacuate this town.”

“We cannot continue like this.” Eleanor sat cross-legged, exhausted.

“We’ll figure something out.” Abigor joined her. “Just like last time. When these Grimm grow too agitated, their captain’s hand will be forced. Funny to think that instead of controlling them, Aku must appease them. Either the Eidolons aren’t worth the trouble to fight, or they’re just too strong.”

“Waiting as we did then is exactly what allowed Herald the XVI to fall at their hand, though. I… I still miss him.”

“Except this time, we’re prepared. And hey, I’m here now. I’d like to see what this so-called Aku is like, and get even just for you. That is, if Lady Clotho would allow me to, of course.”

“Don’t be so foolish.” Mania stepped in-between, towering over both of them. “Nobody’s ever beaten Aku. Nary has a soul has ever seen them. At least, no living soul. A human could never break that streak.”

“No. That’s why when the time comes, I’ll need you.” He and Eleanor shared a smile.

In silence, another black vulture eyed them all, using the cover of clouds to keep its existence unknown, this instinct trained acutely by Artemis just in case. The animal melded with the mingle of clouds. And when it retired back in her cellar within the Heart of the Coven, it spied how she intently read a pile of bronze sheets inscribed with a message.

“No… No. No! Impossible!” Artemis shouted, slamming her hands on the desk and leaping to her feet. She had only spotted the bird after this outburst, still terrified at the content of the tablets.

“You… Vulture! Return whence you came! Bring each coven member here at once! Urgently!” It paused, then spoke to her. The events of the last few hours were discussed with every detail accounted for. “No!” She gasped, clinging onto the vulture’s cawed whispers. “They survived? Thank the gods.”

“Is something the matter, Sister Artemis?” Diana crept through the doors.

“…Yes. While we’ve been here, everyone else waged warfare with another Eidolon- but, they survived. That’s not what worries me. We’ve got a much, much bigger problem here.”

“How so?”

“It’s… These bronze tablets. I was told it was one of the last means to test knowledge of Kingdom Lore. This is intended as the final hurdle of research we are meant to undergo. The plan was that in time, you’ll be in the same position I’m in now. All of us will. And yet, while there is much to learn from these writings, the conclusions are dire… There is nothing here to suggest it’s to be saved for the highest members of the Coven. Rather, the information held within is wicked.”

“It can’t be that bad. What does it say?”

“It is an ordination of the future. One of us will renounce the will of the gods, and betray the Coven. This person goes by the second name Xiasma, when alone. They will forsake everything we stand for, and play a key role in Trajan’s return.”

“ Y-You mean, this is serious?”

“Absolutely. Vulture! I told you to move! Tell everyone to reconvene in the cathedral, now!”

“Someone among us is going to betray the cause? Do we know who? Everything’s going to be okay, right?” Diana had to run just to keep up with Artemis, who scooped the tablets into a burlap satchel and charged deeper into the parish. Soon, ornate chandeliers and golden windows were replaced with mossy stone that, if bestial, had at least been carved to the edge of perfection. The sound of dripping water persisted through everything.

“I will reveal everything in full once we’re all together.” Artemis said.

“But… It can’t be true, right? Maybe it’s a lie, from someone we can’t trust. Who wrote the tablets?” Diana gasped at the response.

“Lady Clotho.”

Entry No. 2 complete.

This entry may be finished, but the Archive is not.