Around the heavy wooden table in the tavern's dining room, silence reigned. The fire in the hearth crackled softly, casting flickering shadows on the walls. Seated there, faces dark and minds troubled, Canon, Helydia, Dante, and Kai were still processing the revelations from the day before.
Canon took a long drag from his cigarette, elbows resting on the table.
"Let's just bust down the castle's prison door, beat the crap out of the guards, and free Samuel. It's not that complicated."
Dante raised an eyebrow, crossed his arms, and replied sharply:
"Are you serious? There's an entire guard division in that wing of the castle. Patrols everywhere, mages, holy knights… You think we'll just 'bust in' and walk out with him like it's some country tavern?"
Canon frowned and slowly turned his head toward him.
"You think I'm an idiot, is that it?"
"I'm just saying your plan's suicide. We need to think before running into a wall."
"Oh yeah? And what've you done since you got here? All you've done is talk. You haven't done a damn thing to help him."
"I'm trying to find a real plan!" Dante snapped. "If you'd stop playing tough guy for five seconds—"
"You hear yourself, blondie? With your armchair strategist act—"
"Cut the crap, Canon! Maybe if you hadn't been napping through everything, he wouldn't be chained in a damn cell!"
"Say that again…" Canon growled, slowly rising to his feet.
Kai and Helydia exchanged a worried glance. One clutched his bowl, the other her sleeves. Both knew this was about to go bad.
"I'll say it again," Dante stood up too, fists clenched. "Maybe if you'd been actually useful, Samuel would still be with us."
Canon shoved his chair back violently, sending it clattering to the floor. A vein throbbed at his temple.
"Say one more word, blondie. Just one. I'll knock your damn teeth out."
Dante raised his guard, a flash of fire in his eyes.
"You'd better hit hard then, because I won't give you a second shot."
Kai quickly stood.
"Enough! Stop this, dammit!"
But the two men were already face to face, tension so thick it could be cut with a blade.
Then, the tavern door creaked open.
A breath of cool air drifted into the room—and with it, Kazan.
With steady, deliberate steps, he walked in without a word. He wore his black tunic, a thick leather belt, and the usual heavy calm in his eyes.
Dante and Canon froze. The air still buzzed with the almost-fight.
Kazan walked forward, pulled out a chair, and sat down at the table, folding his hands in front of him.
"If you want to save your friend… you have to be ready to pay the price," he said without raising his eyes.
Silence fell instantly. Canon placed his fists back on the table. Dante crossed his arms and took a step back.
"There might be a way," Kazan continued. "A chance to free him. But it'll take caution, coordination… and courage. A lot of courage."
The four sat down again, still shaken.
"We'll split into two groups. You three…" he pointed at Helydia, Dante, and Canon, "…you're the strongest ones after me. You'll move during the trial—tomorrow at 3 PM. Infiltrate the castle prison, reach Samuel… and get him out."
He pulled out a small, white, faintly glowing item.
"This is a Phantom Mist Shard. Once thrown on the ground, it releases a thick magical smoke—short-lived but enough to create a distraction."
Canon took it and examined it in his hand.
"And me?" asked Kai, a bit uncertain.
Kazan locked eyes with him.
"You're coming with me. We're going to where they keep the Heart of Aethril."
Everyone looked up at once.
"But… it was stolen, wasn't it?" asked Kai.
"I hope not," Kazan replied. "But if it has, we'll search for clues—anything to tell us who took it. That way, after you've rescued Samuel, you won't waste time chasing shadows."
Helydia nodded slowly, placing a hand on the table.
"And if we fail?"
Kazan rose calmly.
"Then… you'll all die. Or worse. But I believe in you."
And with those final words… the plan was set in motion.