Darius stood in the shadowed corners of the library within the Alchemy Tower, his gaze fixed on the fox perched atop one of the high bookshelves.

At first glance, the two tailed fox seemed nothing more than a dozing animal. However, as Darius watched, two disciples approached the shelf, their faces etched with curiosity and reverence. They whispered a question to the fox, who, without opening its eyes, flicked one of its tails and a delicate wisp of fire danced into the air, swirling through the maze of books before halting at one particular tome. The disciples followed eagerly, retrieving the book before hurrying back to thank the fox.

Darius observed the scene, his thoughts drifting. He couldn't help but wonder how much of Kadia still lived within that fox.

That fox, which was all that remained of the young girl he had once known.

Eternia had always been home to the lost and the broken. The guild had a tendency to pick up strays and among its members were those who had nowhere else to turn, their pasts varied, but no less tragic. Darius himself had been one such stray.

Now, as he watched the fox, a silent guardian of Alchemical knowledge and a remnant of a girl he once knew, he was reminded of the guild's unspoken mission: to mend the fragmented, to give purpose to the aimless, and to build strength from the ruins of shattered lives. A mission which he feared had failed in the case of Kadia, but still held true for many others within the guild. And that broke him just a little more each time he thought of it.

It would break Markion too, he knew. He still didn't know how to tell his friend that the sister they both loved was gone, that she had deteriorated to this point. But he couldn't hide it forever, not when Markion would soon be arriving in the temple.

He could still remember when he first met Markion, or rather Marcus. He'd taken a liking to the kid, with his fiery spirit and mischievous sense of humor. Darius had taken him under his wing, feeling a sense of responsibility for the younger boy who'd all but been screaming for someone to guide him. And now, years later, Markion had not only become his friend but also a brother. They had been through so much together, but Darius feared that this would be the one thing that could tear them apart.

When they’d first met, Markion would often talk of his half-sister, a girl who he'd heralded as a genius and a prodigy of science and chemistry.

Darius had been intrigued by her from the start, but it wasn't until she arrived in Avalon after months of Markion's stories that he truly understood the depth of her brilliance and saw that she was more broken than any of them. She had been almost catatonic, a brilliant mind trapped within an emotionless shell that barely registered anyone's presence. It took months to break through her walls, to gain her trust and see a glimmer of the true Kadia. But even then, it was only fleeting moments before she retreated back into herself.

It took the combined efforts of Darius, Markion, and the rest of their friends to slowly bring Kadia back to life. She was still a quiet and reserved person, but she was no longer the hollow shell who first came to Avalon.

Darius remembered the day she had finally opened up to him, telling him about her mother's passing and how it had shattered her world. How she had thrown herself into her studies and shut out everything else in an attempt to numb the pain. He'd thought that day was the turning point for Kadia, but then she disappeared without a word. He didn't know what happened to cause her to stop visiting Avalon, but he knew it must have been something big, because Markion had disappeared along with her.

When Markion had returned weeks later, it was with news that Kadia would not be coming back, that her access to Avalon, and other such virtual worlds which were used for entertainment means, had been revoked. Markion claimed their father said it was because her grades had been slipping, but Darius suspected there was more to it. That there was something more going on, something that Markion wouldn't tell him. Part of him suspected there might be some kind of physical abuse involved, but he couldn't be sure. Markion assured him that their father had never laid a hand on Kadia or himself, but Darius couldn't shake off the feeling of unease and he'd always felt like he'd failed her.

He knew something was not right with their family, that much was obvious and it became even clearer after Kadia's sudden arrival in Kaledon.

He'd been taken aback at how blasé she was about the situation, how she acted as if her family's betrayal was just another inconvenience in her life. But he could see the pain behind her eyes, the hurt and betrayal that she refused to acknowledge.

In the weeks following her digitalization, it became distressingly clear to Darius that Kadia was battling with more than just the emotional aftermath of her family's betrayal. The once sharp and focused girl struggled with tasks that should have been second nature to her, her decisions often impulsive and lacking in the foresight she was known for.

It was when she told him about her experiments with licking poisonous berries that he realized something was seriously wrong. The Kadia he'd known would never have taken such an unnecessary risk. Markion's return and the subsequent revelations only confirmed Darius' suspicions. He'd done what he could, tried to be there for her and for Markion.

He'd brought Noctus and Yuki into the fold, hoping that they could help Kadia and when that didn't work, he had taken her and Markion to Corvus, as he knew Corvus could often coax Kadia out of her shell and get her to open up in a way that no one else could. Markion and Corvus were an almost inseparable pair. They were his chaotic little brothers, while Kadia was the more sensible sister who the pair would drag into their antics.

But Kadia's behavior towards Corvus had been distant and while it seemed she did recall some of their memories together, there was a clear disconnect. She seemingly only recalled the more prominent moments and even then, her recollection of them was vague at best.

Darius could see the pain that this caused Corvus, who had always been close to Kadia, almost more so than Markion. And he couldn't blame Corvus for distancing himself in turn. Kadia's actions, although not entirely her fault, had hurt many people, including those who cared for her and had stood by her.

Placing her on Victoria's team had been a strategic move on his part. Victoria and Rainy both had experience dealing with neurodivergent individuals and he believed they would be able to help Kadia. He also hoped that being placed in a team with other diverse individuals would help Kadia feel less alone and isolated.

However, that had only been a short-term fix. For a while, it seemed like Kadia was making progress, but perhaps that had been wishful thinking on his part as according to Noctus, Kadia had been drifting away more frequently and with greater intensity in the recent weeks.

Noctus claimed she would spend hours in her lab, working away at experiments that seemed to have no purpose or end goal. She would also disappear for days without explanation, only to return as if nothing had happened with almost no concept of time passing.

Darius knew that this behavior was not normal, even for Kadia who had always been a bit eccentric and prone to becoming hyper-fixated on things of interest to her.

Then came her spiral into a deep depression, which seemed to have been triggered by a dream her patron god had given her about taking over one of the four major cities. She had stopped eating, barely slept and refused to leave her tower, even when her physical health began to suffer.

And now, she wouldn't even take human form anymore. She stayed in her fox form at all times, refusing to speak or shift. At times, she acted as if she truly was a fox, not recognizing her own name or the people around her.

It was heartbreaking to see Kadia like this, and Darius couldn't help but feel responsible. He should have done more, perhaps forced her to take a break or seek help from Celeste. He had tried calling upon the goddess of mental health and well-being himself, but she had not responded. Even when he'd sent messengers to her temple, asking for someone to come and help Kadia, there had been no response.

Darius sighed and ran a hand through his hair, feeling helpless and lost. As he watched Kadia curled up on the top of that bookshelf, her purple eyes watching the disciples below with a melancholic gaze, he couldn't help but wonder if she would ever truly return to them. He feared that her mental state had deteriorated too much, and that she may never fully recover. He didn't want to think of that possibility, of losing his friend and sister to her own mind.

He was no doctor, he did not know how traumatic brain injuries worked, but he knew enough to know that Kadia's condition was dire. Hopefully, when Markion arrived, he would be able to seek out the answers on Earth from the doctors and Kadia's lawyer, because clearly the gods were not willing to provide them here.

Darius glanced back at Kadia, watching as she shifted slightly, her tails twitching in agitation then she stood up and walked across the bookshelf, leaping down gracefully to the ground. She made her way over to him, pausing in front of him before turning to walk towards the exit of the tower.

He did not move at first, but when she stopped and looked back at him with a clear expression of expectation on her vulpine features, he followed her. They walked in silence through the corridors of the temple, with Kadia leading the way towards the stairs that would take them to her private tower.

As they reached the top of the stairs he saw the door to her office swing open, despite there being no one else around. It was something he had long since become accustomed to, as Kadia seemingly possessed the ability to control her temple and its surroundings with magic.

Following the fox into the office, he watched as she jumped up onto the desk and sat down, her tails swishing back and forth. She looked at him expectantly, a little yip escaping her throat.

Darius couldn't help but smile at her, despite the heavy weight in his heart.

"What is it, Kads?" he asked softly.

The fox looked at him for a moment before tilting her head to the side, as if contemplating her response, but the voice that replied was not her own. "What you see, is not that which you believe it to be, wolf. It is but a mere reflection of my priestess."

Darius froze, before he sprang into action, drawing his sword and turning to face the voice. Only to freeze when he saw the figure standing in front of him.

Trismegistus stood there, an elderly man clad in a robe of purple and gold. His eyes, sharp and piercing yet holding a depth of wisdom and kindness, locked onto Darius with an intensity that seemed to see right through him. A long, white beard cascaded down his chest, moving slightly with each word he spoke, and in his hand, he held a staff that shimmered with an otherworldly light, symbols engraved upon its surface pulsating softly. The aura surrounding him was one of immense power, yet it carried a sense of peace and benevolence.

After a moment of stunned silence Darius lowered his sword and bowed deeply. "My apologies, Great Trismegistus," he said, silently cursing himself and praying the god wasn't as easily offended as Kadia claimed him to be.

Trismegistus chuckled, moving away from where he'd been standing beside the windows. His robes swirled around him as he made his way towards the desk, setting his staff against it before sitting down in the chair behind it.

As the god sat, he extended a hand, beckoning for Darius to join him. "Come closer, wolf. There is much we must discuss."

Darius obeyed, moving closer to the desk with a sense of trepidation mixed with awe. He had not met any of the gods in person before, and was wholly unprepared for this encounter.

"I am honored to be in your presence, Great Trismegistus," Darius said, trying to keep his voice steady.

"As you should be," he said, his tone serious yet filled with a hint of amusement. "But let us dispense with formalities, wolf. My time is short and we have much to discuss."

Darius nodded, feeling a knot of worry form in his stomach. He knew that the gods were not ones to intervene directly in mortal affairs unless something serious was at stake. "What brings you here, Great Trismegistus?" he asked, trying to keep his tone respectful yet direct.

Trismegistus stroked a hand over the fox, who'd moved from the desk to sit on the gods lap. "My high priestess, Kadia, was given a task. One I am sure you are aware of." His gaze dropped to the fox curled up in his lap, a sense of sadness crossing his features. "And she has failed..."

Darius' heart clenched in his chest. "I am deeply sorry for her failure, Great Trismegistus," he said, bowing his head, "if there is anything I, or my guild, can do to rectify the situation, we will do so without hesitation."

"Her failure is not entirely her own doing, wolf," Trismegistus said with a sigh. "She was betrayed by one of her own, a member of your guild."

Darius' eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He couldn't imagine any of his fellow guild members betraying Kadia, because that was tantamount to betraying him and the guild as a whole.

"Who?" he asked, hoping it wasn't someone he considered a friend.

"I cannot reveal that information," Trismegistus said, his tone grave. "But you must understand the gravity of this situation. Kadia was tasked with restoring balance to the realm, and her failure has set chaos in motion. The gods are not pleased, and war is brewing between the factions of the divine."

Darius felt a cold sweat break out on his skin. "Kadia mentioned something about Rivera," he said, recalling the conversation he'd had with Noctus. "Is this related to that?"

Trismegistus nodded solemnly. "Rivera, was once a city underneath my protection, but it has since fallen into the grasp of those who seek to disrupt the balance. And now, they have been given forewarning that I seek to reclaim it."

"What can we do to help, Great Trismegistus?"

"You must find the traitor within your guild and bring them to justice," Trismegistus said, his eyes flickering with anger. "And you must help Kadia complete her task," the god's gaze turned towards the fox curled up in his lap, "she will be most saddened if she should return to find all she has worked for turned to ruin."

Darius felt a heavy weight settle in his chest as he looked at the sleeping fox. "I-" he swallowed, "sir, can you tell me... Kadia, is she... will she be okay?"

Trismegistus' expression softened. "She is strong and resilient, but she has been through a great ordeal. My high priestess is well in body and greatly improved in mind, but her spirit is not so easily mended. Whether she will return, I cannot say for certain." He paused, glancing down at the fox, his voice lowering to a whisper, "and with each day that passes, the likelihood of return grows slimmer."

No... Darius squeezed his eyes closed, feeling a wave of pain wash over him. Opening his eyes, he swallowed back the lump in his throat, trying to remain composed. "Is there... Anything that can be done? To help her?"

Trismegistus' eyes hardened. "Yes, there is. Find the traitor and reclaim Rivera in my name. That will be the greatest aid you can provide for her. There is little you can do for her directly, but ensuring she has a safe and stable home to return to will go a long way in aiding her recovery." The god waved a hand around the temple, "this temple, it is a mere stepping stone. Rivera, but a bridge. The true destination, the true sanctuary, will be revealed in time, but for now, these safe havens are all I have to offer. Not just for her, but for all of my followers who seek refuge and guidance." Golden eyes flicked up to meet Darius', "this is the task I entrust to you, Darius of Eternia, to protect and defend my followers, to bring justice to those who seek to harm them."

Darius nodded, his determination renewed. He would find the traitor in his guild and bring Rivera back to Trismegistus' fold. For Kadia, for this temple, for the promise of a greater sanctuary beyond.

"I will carry out this task with all my being, to protect and defend your followers, to bring justice to those who harm them," Darius declared, his voice strong and resolute. He bowed deeply to Trismegistus, "I vow this, in your name, Trismegistus, God of Alchemy, Astrology, and Transmutation, Patron of Eternia and protector of all who seek refuge in your name."

The air shimmered with a golden hue as Trismegistus stood, the fox still held cradled in his arms.

"Let it be known," Trismegistus proclaimed, his voice echoing with otherworldly authority, "I hereby anoint thee, Darius of Eternia, as Grand Prior. May your path be guided by the alchemical principles of transformation and enlightenment. Protect my followers, uphold justice, and seek out the wisdom hidden in the cosmos." A radiant energy suffused Darius, a tangible sign of his newfound responsibility and divine favor.

As the light faded, Darius found himself standing alone in the room, the memories of his encounter with Trismegistus burning brightly in his mind. Is this what Kadia felt when she received her divine calling? He wondered, a sense of awe and purpose filling him.

Grand Prior. He had no clue what it entailed, but he knew that this was his path now. He would protect and defend Trismegistus' followers, seek out the truth of the traitor in his guild, and continue to learn and grow in the ways of alchemy, astrology, and transmutation. For Kadia, for this temple, for Eternia.