After moving forward, with my vision, we were able to locate a nearby structure not far from the battle site. It was an isolated, unearthly gold-and-red building sitting in the middle of nowhere. Despite the surroundings, the building looked perfectly polished and well-kept. That had to be the zasshu, Aeric's, home. My heart beat anxiously in anticipation as we got closer. We were really about to do this.... We were about to meet the strongest being on the planet. Why was I starting to get nervous, though? I'd already met plenty of people who were much stronger than I was. Why was this different? It was pretty much the same, right? Sure, he was going to be a little stronger than the others, but it wouldn't feel that different, would it? I was psyching myself up too much.

  I slapped my hands on both cheeks to focus.

  "Okay," I whispered as we approached the front door. That was when I quickly noticed that I couldn't sense anyone inside.

  "No one's home," Za'Fia pointed out, stating the obvious.

  "Guess we'll have to wait to meet him," I said, turning and lifting off the ground when I suddenly heard the door open. When I turned around, I saw Avarice was no longer standing where he was and had entered uninvited, causing me to look at Za'Fia in disbelief.

  "Avarice! What are you doing!? Get back out here!" I yelled out loud and telepathically.

  No response.

  I looked to Za'Fia, who shrugged at me.

  "At this point, whether we stand out here or go in, our presence won't go unnoticed. Might as well learn what we can before he kills us for trespassing."

  "That's not funny," I said as I walked past her and into the home.

  "I wasn't joking," Za'Fia said matter-of-factly as she followed behind me and the door shut.

  ****

  Somewhere within Aeric's manor...

  Like the Crest Heads of Pneuma City, Aeric elected to have two particularly powerful klevonians under his command at all times. After all, every king needs his royal guards.

  In the event that he left his home, he always left one behind to guard it and tend to his affairs for him while he was away. Today, that klevonian happened to be his right-hand man, whom he left behind to continue his sensitive tasks. The day had been going accordingly until the klevonian detected a few hilariously quaint power sources nearing the home.

  The klevonian had to admit that his curiosity was piqued. He'd never met cindarians that weak, even without a mark. Was it a birth defect? Perhaps a curse? Being the most brilliant mind on the planet, surely he could isolate the source of such a curious inadequacy in cindariankind. Alas, he'd have to postpone any attempts to solve that mystery, though. Aeric would be displeased if he were to invite...

  Stolen story; please report.

  The klevonian's eyes widened in utter disbelief as he sensed one of them enter Aeric's home unauthorized. He moved swiftly and ensured he continued to suppress his power as he moved within the walls, thanks to his power.

  My Lord, he reached out telepathically.

  What is it? Have you completed your task?

  Of course, my Lord, it was child's play, that made the klevonian smirk. But that isn't why I've disrupted you. You have three trespassers, my Lord. Shall I dispose of them?

  ...no, Aeric responded, annoyed by their insolence. Who are they?

  It is rare to hear me say this, but I don't know, my Lord. However, they appear to be klevonians.

  Hm...I heard there's a new group of klevonians who moved to Pneuma City. Not surprising you wouldn't know about it, I've had you focused on where I need you...Do nothing. Remain hidden and follow them, but if they discover the chamber, kill them immediately. My grandfather and I are finalizing the plans. I'll deal with them personally later.

  Of course, the klevonian responded obediently as he disconnected the telepathic pathway.

  ****

  Aeric's home was spacious and would've been disorienting if I hadn't already gotten used to being in large, ancient castles. As we caught up with Avarice, I noticed that many of the lower rooms were full of high-quality artifacts from various planets.

  In one room was a library where Aeric had maps of various other solar systems marked with whose territories they belonged to. It looked like he kept track of the Celestials' and the Neutral Corps' spaces of influence across the quadrant. However, it wasn't clear what for.

  More creepily, though, was the sprawl of mirrors on nearly every wall in the halls. Now and then, I would find myself getting trapped in one of the many infinity mirror loops if I looked to the left or right.

  "This guy must be full of himself," my voice echoed as I turned to see Za'Fia and Avarice adjusting their hair and tie, respectively.

  "Too insecure to look in the mirror?" Avarice teased as he moved on.

  "No. I'm just not a narcissist who needs a million mirrors so that I can look at myself," I spat back.

  "Narcissist...such an inane human concept. How is loving oneself a bad thing?" Avarice pondered as we walked, then switched to a mocking tone. "Am I expected to use my talents to help another? How does that benefit me?"

  "Not everything is about getting something in return," I pushed past him as we continued to stumble through the manor, finding various rooms. We were standing inside what I presumed was a personal lounge. I was about to make the call to leave when Avarice said, "Ah, here we are."

  Somehow, he located a hidden door that opened to a room that seemed to be dedicated to Cindar. There were books on shelves along the walls, digital maps displayed, documents scattered, and figurines representing the different groups and key figures of Cindar posted on a large desk.

  "Whoa. What is this place? Some kind of office?" I marveled.

  "Apparently so," Avarice traced a finger across several books on shelves before we all focused on the desk area in the center.

  "How'd you know this was back here?" I asked him, raising an eyebrow.

  "I could hear the air moving through hollowed space behind the wall," he answered.

  "Why keep a room about Cindar hidden?" Za'Fia asked as we approached the desk. Apart from a map layout that marked every influential figure on the planet, there was a grey crystal that lay on the desk.

  Avarice grinned mischievously at us.

  "Let's find out," he grabbed the crystal, bringing it to life.

  The crystal turned out to be a recording device. When it played, we heard a voice we assumed was Aeric. Avarice rewound it as far back as we could.