"Elio… hmph. As I expected from him. I have to handle him myself." Her voice carried a quiet finality that left no room for debate. "You will not meet him, Atlas—not during this mission."
The Slayer's Guild bustled with hushed negotiations and sharpened steel, but she stood apart, anchored in quiet dominance. Near the counter, where Atlas and his team conspired over parchment and whispered strategies, she remained regal, yet battle-worn.
Midnight-black hair spilled down her back, bound by a dark clasp that gleamed dully under the flickering oil lamps. Her piercing blue eyes, sharp and unwavering, bore into Atlas, a silent challenge—one not easily dismissed. They contrasted the golden glow of her ornate armor, polished yet scarred, the history of countless battles etched into each layer.
Gold-layered pauldrons curved over her shoulders, seamless with the fitted white tunic beneath—pristine despite the weight it carried. Crimson spilled from her coat, pooling behind her like royal insignia, a silent omen that demanded reverence. White leggings clung to her form, reinforced with intricate thigh plates, each engraving whispering of past victories. Beneath, armored boots glinted coldly, the steel well-worn but unyielding, much like the woman herself.
"Captain—behind you!"
Blazej's voice cut through the low murmur of the guild, edged with urgency. "A woman in armor… she's observing our conversation. She doesn't look like she's from this city."
Atlas turned sharply, his grip tightening around the parchment in his hand. At the sight of her, his breath hitched—a brief lapse of composure before his voice steadied. "Ella... you. What are you doing in the City of Shadows?"
Blazej blinked, still shaken. "Captain, did you just say Ella? Is she from Esforia?"
"Yes." Atlas exhaled, long and measured. "She is not just a mere soldier. She is the elite commander of all knights in Esforia, second only to their ruler. Her authority is absolute. And…" He hesitated. "She is strong. Stronger than me."
Atlas pushed himself to his feet, his gaze locking onto hers, unyielding. "Why are you here?"
Ella raised the glass in her hand—a crimson liquid swirling within, rich yet oddly opaque, neither wine nor the famed purple liquor of Shadow City. "For this," she said coolly, taking a sip. "I happen to like it. Got a problem?"
Atlas narrowed his eyes. "Stay away from Elio. I'll handle him myself. And stay out of Shadow City's affairs, Esforian knights have no place meddling here."
He strode to the counter, poured himself a glass, then leaned in, voice barely above a whisper.
Ella tilted her head back slightly, her expression unreadable. Then, softly, "That boy—Eryx. Protect him at all costs. He is my brother's son. If anything happens to him...You will pay for it. Remember that."
Atlas stilled. "So I was right. He is Ellis's son." His grip tightened around the stem of his glass. "Then it doesn't change anything. He is my team member now. More than that—he is my student."
Ella's lips curled slightly. "Hnff. And what exactly will he learn from you? To remain calm no matter the circumstances? To give orders to men unfit to meet the mission's demands?"
"You don't have the authority to insult my captain." Blazej took a step forward, voice heated. "If you want a fight, then so be it—but I won't let you say another word—"
"Blazej." Atlas lifted a hand, his voice steady. "Calm down. You don't stand a chance against her."
Blazej clenched his fists, his jaw tight. "That may be true. But still, I won't let her."
"She is not an enemy," Atlas said, quiet yet firm. "She is a good friend. She is not a threat."
Ella exhaled, shaking her head slightly. "I'll handle Elio. You take care of the forest matter."
"I'll handle both." Atlas's tone was absolute. "Do what you need to do. Don't concern yourself."
A flicker of something unreadable passed through Ella's gaze. "Ascendant rank… I detected it in that part of the Shadow Forest where you're heading." She swirled the remaining liquid in her glass absentmindedly. "Still think you can handle both?"
Atlas frowned. "Eryx is my priority. You know that."
Ella's stare remained fixed. "Because he is capable of fighting gods. That's why you fear losing him."
Atlas's expression hardened. "How do you know the rank of that area?"
"Because I was the one who submitted the request for the mission to the guild."
A sharp pause.
Atlas exhaled slowly. "Then tell me—why did you write 'Seeker rank' instead of 'Ascendant'? We lost three guild members."
Ella's voice barely dropped above a whisper. "Hnff. I wouldn't have trusted that man. He was suspicious."
Atlas's eyes narrowed. "What man?"
"Wagner. Yes… that was his name."
Atlas stiffened. "That madman. Has he truly gone that far just because he was denied entry to the Slayers Guild? If so, he is a danger to the city now."
He turned fully to her, eyes sharp. "You'll handle Elio. If you find Wagner, can you handle him too? I suspect he is under Elio's command."
Ella hummed thoughtfully. "I doubt that. He carries a dark mana core—his aura is different. It's not Elio's influence."
Blazej's voice cut in from behind. "But Captain—wasn't Wagner's mana core originally lightning? How could he now possess dark mana?"
Ella set her glass down with a soft clink. "The forest holds massive amounts of dark mana—every beast, every devil within it is soaked in it. Be careful."
Atlas nodded. "Thanks for the information. I'll keep it in mind. When do you leave for Elio?"
Ella turned to the door, adjusting her gloves. "I should be on my way." Her voice softened, just slightly. "Keep Eryx safe. No matter what. He is the world's only hope. And..." A knowing look passed between them. "He is my beloved. You understand what that means?"
Atlas exhaled. "I understand."
Ella lingered for only a moment longer before slipping into the shadows of the city, vanishing like a ghost.
Blazej muttered under his breath, then turned as Navia approached. "You two idiots—are you going to take forever? We're ready to go."
Blazej scoffed. "Alright, alright, don't be rude."
As the team made their way out, across the guild hall, two cloaked figures at a table exchanged whispers.
"We should inform the captain. That girl… she seems dangerous."
They stood, merged with the ebb and flow of the crowd, then vanished.
This should give it that refined, ominous weight—each exchange carrying meaning, each revelation pressing deeper into the intrigue. Let me know if you'd like any adjustments!
—Chapter 10 ends—