—Ah, is this the artifact?
“Isn't this just a fancy mirror?” Stella remarked, inspecting the object with her hands.
A day had passed after the talk of sending Urie home. Stella, Urie, and Luca were at the house looking at a small circular mirror that Ashur had placed on the table. It was about the size of a plate, a foot long in diameter, and was encased in an ornate frame.
“You know what it is, child?” Ashur noticed that Urie was looking at the item with familiarity.
“I don’t know what it is, but I did see another mirror like it. It was in the room inside the tower, placed in between the five pedestals.”
Ashur nodded and drew imaginary lines on the dining table, “Just like that! That's what we need to do, place this mirror in exactly the same position as the one you saw. Between the five pedestals!”
Luca asked, “That's all we need to do? What will happen next?”
Ashur rubbed his chin as he tried to recall more information about the mirror. Nothing seemed to come to mind. “I’m sure that that is the method of restoring the tower’s connection, but I don’t know of the exact details that would occur.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there! Worst is that we’ll probably have to handle a few Nifyr. Let's go!” Stella strapped her blade’s adorned sheath and at her signal, Luca also stood up and wore the Flame Brigade's uniform coat.
“I hope you find success, child. Remember this old man when you get back.” Ashur handed the mirror to Urie as he planned to stay behind.
“You aren't coming with us, grandpa Ashur?" Urie asked. He called himself an old man, but Urie didn't think of Ashur as too elderly. Just middle-aged. The image he had in his head of old men were unlike the elf's smooth skin, rather, they were based off of his grandfather and the headmaster. Bearded and wrinkly.
“Elves can't see the Nifyr, child. They become visible only through the use of mana roots, of which magic creatures don’t possess.”
“Best leave that old man behind,” Stella spoke, “He’ll only hold us back.” The unconcealed bad blood between the father and daughter pair left Urie curious, but felt it wasn’t his place to ask. He could only forget this itch for the time being.
“Little Urie, take this,” Stella slung a leather bag around his shoulder. She took the mirror from his hands and placed it inside, along with a few other random supplies. “I'd like to gift you a weapon but as you are now, it’ll only slow you down if you bring it along,” she continued.
Urie remembered how he could barely lift her blade. Understanding what she meant, he grinned, “Then, I’ll have to come back for that gift someday!”
“I'll be waiting! Be sure to bring my Celeste along with you, alright?” Stella smiled warmly.
Simone entered from the front door, asking if everyone was prepared. Behind him, a rowdy group of people wearing clothing of similar design to Luca's uniform coat filled the wide street. Urie took a peek and saw humans and elves mixed together. He tilted his head, “I thought the elves couldn't see the Nifyr?”
“They are half-elves, child. Half elf, half human,” Ashur patted his shoulder. Hearing that, Urie wondered if that meant that half-elves possessed mana roots. Most likely.
—When I do find a way to return, I’d like to know more! Grandpa Ashur looks like he’s a knowledgeable elder, I’ll look for him then!
How hard could it be to come back? He almost thought, and flung himself a wry chuckle. After today it would seem, he would find out.
Gathered at the house’s tiny entrance, the last person needed finally arrived. Luca Varethe stood before the crowd shrugging his coat, before taking a deep breath.
“Bah! Listen up you noisy bunch!” He suddenly yelled, surprising Urie. “There will be activity from the Nifyr tonight so I want all of you to stay on your toes!!!”
“Yes sir!!!” The people loitering about like thugs immediately stood straight and responded. With the presence of the brigade’s respected captain, ranks were quickly organized in front of the residence.
Luca split the command of the Flame Brigade between himself and Simone, the vice-captain. He ordered, “Half of you lot accompany me to form a perimeter around Erden's Tower! The other half will continue the city patrol! Same standard procedures. We’re spread thin so keep an eye out for flares!”
“See you later kid!” Simone bid farewell and dispersed with half of the brigade throughout the lamp-lit streets of Daerin. After he was out of sight, Urie lowered the hand he used to return a wave and turned to Stella.
“Come on little Urie, you'll be with me,” she said, and pulled him to her side. She was to guard him on their way to the tower and help him set the mirror artifact in its place.
Urie clenched his fists as they set off, no longer feeling overwhelmed. Everyone was kind enough to help him, and he wasn't going to waste their determination. He was going to get home.
—Ah, I should pay attention to how Uncle Luca talks.
On another note, a small seed of aspiration began to sprout within him. Glancing towards Luca taking charge of the brigade, he was in awe; a man capable of commanding a great number of people, he’d imagine the commander of the Erden Wall—his father—to be like this.
Urie listened intently to how Luca addressed the brigade.
“Bah, you dimwitted lot! Do I have to beat the idea of ranks into your heads every day!? You slackers are partly why those old termites chew me out on a daily basis!” He shouted, scolding a few younger looking members straying carelessly from the group.
