Rhythmic tap of our own footsteps echoed off the stone. The air was still. The faint scent of ozone I remembered from the Armory mixed with the dry dust.

  *Something... is not right.*

  A shiver shook me that had nothing to do with the temperature. Shadows pooled behind the thick pillars.

  "Althea," my voice surprisingly shaky, "are there any guards here?"

  Evadne recognized the Guide's name and gazed at me.

  "Yes, Leonard, I… sense three," she replied eagerly.

  "Do you know where?" I asked.

  *Please just not right behind me.*

  "Evadne, can we please wait a moment? I'd like to check something with my Guide."

  She nodded. Her long hair danced for a moment. Her expression sharpened, and I saw her growing curiosity.

  "Not yet, slowly look around," Althea said.

  I turned my head patiently from left to right.

  Large carved stones formed a wall, I skimmed over it.

  Pillar, thick and engraved with moon-sun mark.

  Althea interrupted. "Stop, tilt your head slightly." I did. "There's one."

  "I don't see anything," I whispered. The sound unnaturally loud in the silence around us.

  "Yes you do," Althea insisted. "You just don't recognize it."

  I squinted, frustrated.

  The light from the orbs on the ceiling was dimmer here, just as I'd thought. It cast a sickly, warm glow that didn't seem to penetrate the shadows, making the bases of the pillars look unnaturally dark.

  *I'd give anything for a simple, honest flashlight.*

  "That's it," Althea said, guiding my focus. "There's a shadow that partially covers the pillar... but there's an anomaly..."

  She was right.

  I would miss it completely, but when she pointed it like this, it was indeed strange - like a shadow's hand defying light. It had to be a guard's hand. His camouflage was almost perfect.

  "Evadne, there is a guard behind the pillar on the right," I whispered to Evadne, pointing to the shadow, and it... twitched.

  "Do you mean a Shadow Knight? I expected there would be, but where?" Evadne whispered back, "Micheal says he can only help me if I use my Cursed Eyes."

  "Cursed Eyes?" I asked.

  "Yes, it's... There's a cost, so I, uhm, use them in time of need."

  Althea interrupted. "There's another one on the other side of the hallway, standing near the doorframe. Can you see him, Leonard?"

  My eyes shifted there, I focused on the shadow but it seemed normal. Althea continued: "It looks like there's a gentle movement in the air, like above the fire in front of the left part of the door."

  "And the third?" I asked Althea, and she said a simple sentence that made my heart race even more: "We don't see him."

  *These are dangerous people, two in my sight, one hidden. Is he in the room already?*

  Logic said I'm safe, I'm their Wild Seed from the prophecy, I'm their Saint. But emotions defied logic. Regrettably, I had to admit they were as strong as the logic argument. Last time there were two guards, now there's one more.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  *Probably enhanced security after attack.*

  I raised my hand and dragged my palm slowly down my face, physically smoothing my features into a neutral mask. The fear was still there, but it was hidden now.

  "Let's go," I said, and walked toward the door.

  We passed the first hidden guard. My skin prickled, and the hair on the back of my neck stood on end. It was the primal feeling of being watched. A cold dread that seeped into my bones, making me feel chilled despite the warmth of the hallway.

  I kept my eyes fixed on the door, fighting the urge to look at the shadow I now knew was watching me.

  We came close to the doorframe.

  The shimmering distortion Althea had pointed out seemed to crackle, like faint static. Then collapsed. The air snapped back to normal, and the form of the Shadow Knight resolved itself from nothing.

  It was like he was stepping out from behind a curtain of warped glass. He bowed slightly, but kept his head locked on us.

  Rasp voice came from the armor itself, his face hidden. "High Priestess, forgive this humble servant of Pandora, but I need to verify your seal."

  "But of course," Evadne said lightly. Quick confirmation of both of us followed. A split second of imbalance when our seals touched.

  "What brings you here, High Priestess, Otherworlder?" guard asked politely.

  "We're here to speak with Centurion Pylades," I said.

  The guard just nodded and entered the room behind him. For a moment the fragment of the sentence reached us with bright light from inside of the room: "-get was likely High Priestess and Otherworlder, if they wai-" but the door shut completely and I didn't hear the rest.

  *Get... Get... target?*

  I exchanged a look with Evadne. Mine was nervous, but hers calm, and seeing her like that helped me keep the growing panic inside me in check.

  *Did I become cursed with a new phobia, besides the glaring eyes?*

  We waited for a longer moment in barely lit hall. I brushed the rough surface of the door. Sensation calmed me a little.

  "You got this, Leonard, we spotted them and they simply follow the stricter rules after attack, don't worry." Althea reassured me.

  Finally the door opened again.

  I heard the Legatus' irritated voice for a brief moment. "-fuses the Armor's spirit, Hermes".

  After the guard three more... mountains walked out.

  At first I thought Pylades was in front. It was actually someone similar. Pylades walked out last. Their silhouettes cast, of course, an intimidating shadow on me until the door completely closed.

  The hallway was quite wide, yet the three knights occupied it completely. My eyes began to adjust to sudden brightness change.

  The mountains exchanged curious looks between me and Evadne. Their faces were grim, or neutral at most. But Pylades broke silence with slightly forced, but still positive welcome.

  "High Priestess, Otherworlder, it's good to see you in good health."

  His eyes were lacking the previous mischievous shimmer, replaced by something heavier.

  Something darker and familiar, something I could easily relate with.

  *He's grieving. Maybe now's not the best time.*

  "Hello Centurion Pylades, thank you, I recently woke up from..." I paused, looking for words, "from recent, sudden events."

  His comrades shifted focus from me to Pylades.

  "I know a lot happened during my," another pause, "uhm, my absence." The word stung and I lost focus for a heartbeat. "I met with Hector and he shared the tragic news."

  The last traces of forced smile vanished from Pylades's face. I continued regardless.

  "Diomedes was one of a very few people I had a chance to meet in this world, please accept my condolences."

  His lips thinned. Jaw tight. He looked away saying, "That's very considerate of you, I know you have your own weight to carry, thank you."

  The bearded mountain's large hand landed on Pylades's shoulder. A loud thud echoed in the hallway.

  "See?" beardie said, "I told you he got spine. Our Dio always had keen eye for people, he told me you marched toward their table and made them speechless." He laughed loudly, shaking the grip on Pylades's shoulder gently. "I'm Centurion Leonidas, by the way."

  The knight's effort reflected on Pylades's face. Jaw muscles relaxed. His eyes lighted up.

  The other knight jumped in, "Dio was rather blunt. 'Street cat,' that's how he called you, Otherworlder?" He skimmed me from head to toe. "A fitting nickname, I would say. You've got the spine, but not the build."

  My pride was a little hurt. I felt suddenly smaller and weaker hearing this from someone, who represented my very goal - get strong, confident, secure.

  I managed to spit out hesitantly, "That's s-something," I grunted, strengthening my resolve, "that I intend to work on." I dared a quick glance at Pylades.

  *Will he remember his own words?*

  Pylades's eyes sharpened, assessing my declaration. He gave a single, quick nod.

  "Good."

  He paused, his gaze moved to the door behind, then back to me.

  "My offer stands, we can help you train your strength. The Temple has ways to support your vessel," Evadne took a deep breath, but restrained herself and said nothing, "and we have ways to make the most of it, but it's not my call."

  "Then who's?" I asked.

  Pylades jerked a thumb toward the closed door of the Command Center. "The Legatus. You'll need his approval."

  He gave me a long, hard look. "He's in there." He shrugged. "And he's expecting you anyway, he asked me to relay the invitation."

  With final farewells and a respectful nod to me and a bow to Evadne, Pylades and the other Centurions turned and marched down the corridor. Their heavy footsteps a fading, rhythmic echo.

  The sound vanished with them. Evadne and me stood in the silent hallway. I stared at the door.

  "Leonard," Evadne's eyes pierced me. "You promised. The Highest Priestess is waiting for you."

  *Crap, she's right. But I want to see Legatus. Think, Leonard! How to handle this?*