Chapter 59: Alaric Joins Phantom Assembly

Alaric stood over the three Phantom Assembly members, his breath misting slightly in the cool autumn air. The clearing was quiet, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of a bird. He looked down at the trio, their expressions a mix of pain and defeat. He had to move quickly; they wouldn’t stay down for long, even with their magical cores severed.

“Alright, let’s get you out of here,” Alaric muttered, more to himself than to them. He glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, then softly uttered, “Strength of the Ox.”

A warm, tingling sensation spread through his muscles, enhancing his strength. The spell was one of his favorites, simple yet effective, and he had mastered it to the point where a mere whisper was enough to activate it. He felt his limbs grow heavier, more powerful, as the magic coursed through him.

First, he picked up the leader, hoisting the man over his shoulder with ease. The leader groaned softly but offered no resistance. Alaric carried him to a secluded spot deeper in the woods, far from any prying eyes. He dumped the man unceremoniously on the ground, then returned for the others.

The woman was next. She glared at him as he approached, but her struggles were weak, her body still wracked with pain from the severing of her magical core. Alaric scooped her up, carrying her to the same spot and setting her down beside her leader.

Finally, he retrieved the stocky man, who grunted in pain as Alaric lifted him. The journey to the secluded location was quick, and soon all three were lying on the forest floor, their breaths coming in ragged gasps.

Alaric stood over them, his expression cold. “Alright, let’s talk. Tell me everything you know about the Phantom Assembly.”

The leader looked up at him, a bitter smile on his lips. “You think we’re just going to spill our guts to you?”

Alaric raised an eyebrow. “You’re in no position to play games. Talk.”

The woman sighed, her voice weak. “We can’t tell you much. Ever since Lord Vortan’s defeat, he’s been more cautious. He cursed us—all of us. Our souls are bound to the black magic within us. If we reveal anything about the Assembly, our souls will be torn apart.”

Alaric frowned, crossing his arms. “Convenient. So, you’re saying you can’t tell me anything?”

The stocky man shook his head. “Not without killing ourselves. The curse is real, and it’s brutal.”

Alaric paced a few steps, his mind racing. “Fine. Then tell me how you recognized me so easily.”

The woman looked up at him, her eyes narrowing. “You’re famous, Alaric Steele. Everyone knows who you are. The top prodigy of the Kingdom of Eloriath, studying at Verdant Dawn Academy. Your reputation precedes you.”

Alaric paused, his expression thoughtful. After a moment of silence, he asked, “Would the Phantom Assembly accept me as a member?”

The question stunned the three mages. The leader blinked, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. “You… want to join the Phantom Assembly?”

Alaric nodded, his expression serious. “Would they accept me?”

The stocky man snorted. “Normally, no. The Assembly prefers members who are… less conspicuous. People who have a grudge against the kingdom, who feel wronged or unprivileged. Not someone like you.”

The woman nodded in agreement. “But… for a prodigy like you, they might make an exception.”

Alaric thought for a moment, then nodded. “I want to join the Phantom Assembly.”

The leader stared at him, disbelief written all over his face. “Why? You have everything—wealth, talent, a future. Why would you want to join us?”

Alaric met his gaze steadily. “I don’t want to join for the black magic or anything like that. I want your support. I don’t accept the current state of things in this kingdom. I want to reinstate my family’s noble status and enhance our prestige.”

The three mages exchanged glances, a mix of relief and surprise in their eyes. The leader nodded slowly. “That… makes sense. But I can’t just let you join. I need to contact my superior, explain your reasons. It’s not a decision I can make.”

Alaric shrugged. “Fine. Do what you need to do. But I’m letting you go now. Will you hold a grudge against me for breaking your magical cores?”

The woman shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. “No. Our superior has a way to recover our cores with his black magic. It’s not a big deal.”

The stocky man grinned. “In fact, enlisting you will probably earn us a reward.”

The leader nodded in agreement. “We’ll contact you after we inform our superior. You’ll hear from us soon.”

Alaric nodded, then waved a hand, releasing the bindings that held them. The three mages stood slowly, their movements still stiff with pain. They gave Alaric a final nod before disappearing into the woods, leaving him alone in the clearing.

As the sun began to set, Alaric made his way back to the inn where he had agreed to meet his friends. The streets were bustling with evening activity, merchants closing their shops, and families heading home for dinner. Alaric blended into the crowd, his mind a whirl of thoughts and plans.

The inn was alive with warmth and activity. The glow of flickering lanterns gave the wooden beams and walls a cozy hue, while the tantalizing aroma of roasting meat and fresh bread wafted through the air. Alaric stepped inside, shaking off the lingering chill of the autumn evening. His eyes scanned the room until he spotted his friends tucked into a corner table near the hearth, their heads close together in hushed conversation.

Natasha was the first to notice him. Her hazel eyes lit up as she straightened, tossing her auburn curls over her shoulder. “Alaric!” she called, gesturing for him to join them. Her voice had a lilting warmth that always seemed to ease tension.

He offered a small, tired smile as he made his way over, sliding into the empty chair beside her. “Hey,” he said, leaning back to get comfortable.

Natasha tilted her head, studying him. “How’d it go?” she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.

“Dead end on my side.” Alaric shrugged, forcing a nonchalant expression. “The guy I was following? Turns out he wasn’t the Phantom Assembly’s target after all.”

Natasha tilted her head, her hazel eyes narrowing slightly as if she didn’t quite believe him, but she let it go. “Huh. That’s disappointing.”

“Same here,” Tess chimed in from across the table. She ran a hand through her soft brown hair, her expression tinged with frustration. “I thought we were onto something, but it was just another wild goose chase.”

Lea, her raven-black hair gleaming in the firelight, nodded in agreement. “We’ve got nothing to show for today. Either we’re looking in the wrong places, or they’re better at hiding than we thought.”

Irene leaned back in her chair, her emerald eyes flicking over the room as she absentmindedly toyed with the edge of her cloak. “It’s probably both. The Assembly isn’t exactly a bunch of amateurs. They’ve been operating in the shadows for years. We can’t expect to unravel them overnight.”

Alaric nodded along, but his mind wandered as the conversation flowed around him. His friends’ voices blended with the ambient noise of the inn—clinking mugs, bursts of laughter, the crackle of the fire. He let his gaze drift, taking in the familiar faces around the table.

Natasha’s auburn curls framed her striking features, her confidence radiating even when she was frustrated.

The curve of her figure was impossible to ignore, and Alaric’s eyes lingered briefly on the way her blouse hugged her chest before he caught himself and looked away.

Tess, always the quiet comfort of the group, was absentmindedly tracing patterns on the table with her finger. Her soft brown hair fell in gentle waves, and her full lips pursed as she listened.

Beside her, Lea sat with her arms crossed, her sharp features and piercing blue eyes making her seem almost unapproachable—until her lips quirked in a rare, amused smile. Irene exuded a fierce determination that matched her athletic figure.

She caught his gaze for a moment and raised an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on her lips.

“Something on your mind, Alaric?” Irene asked, her voice cutting through his thoughts.

He blinked, caught off guard. “Uh, just tired,” he said quickly. “Long day.”

Natasha nudged him with her elbow, grinning. “Join the club. I swear, if we don’t get a lead soon, I’m going to start questioning if the Assembly even exists anymore.”

“Don’t jinx it,” Tess said softly. “If they’re laying low, it’s probably for a reason. I’d rather not find out the hard way just how active they still are.”

Dinner carried on with lively conversation and the occasional burst of laughter as they swapped stories of their search. Alaric listened, only half-engaged, his thoughts straying to the encounter he hadn’t shared. The Phantom Assembly’s offer still weighed heavily on his mind, and he wrestled with whether he had made the right call.

As plates were cleared and mugs refilled, the atmosphere began to shift. One by one, his friends excused themselves for the night, each heading upstairs to their rooms.

“Night, Alaric,” Natasha said, lingering by the table for a moment. Her hazel eyes searched his face. “Get some rest, okay? You look like you need it.”

He nodded, offering her a small smile. “You too.”

She hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, but eventually turned and headed up the stairs. Alaric watched her go, his gaze lingering on the soft sway of her hips before he shook his head and stood.

The inn was quieter now, the din of the evening replaced by the muted hum of a few late-night patrons.

Alaric made his way to his room, his boots clicking softly against the wooden floor.

Once inside, he closed the door behind him and let out a long breath, leaning against the frame.

The weight of the day pressed down on him, and he kicked off his boots before flopping onto the bed.

He stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. He replayed the encounter in the woods, the Phantom Assembly members’ cautious words, the cryptic promise of contact.

Was he making the right choice?

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft rustling sound near the window. Alaric sat up, his senses immediately on alert. The room was still, save for the faint rustle of fabric against wood. He turned his gaze toward the window and froze.

Perched on the windowsill was an owl unlike any he had ever seen. Its feathers were a deep, inky black, and its glowing golden eyes seemed almost otherworldly. The bird tilted its head, regarding him with a piercing stare.

Tied to its leg was a small scroll, sealed with dark wax bearing an unfamiliar sigil.

Alaric approached cautiously, his heart pounding. He reached out slowly, his fingers brushing against the owl’s feathers as he untied the scroll.

The bird remained perfectly still, its gaze never leaving him.

Unrolling the parchment, Alaric’s eyes scanned the elegant, looping script. The message was brief but clear: his request to join the Phantom Assembly had been accepted.

The letter contained instructions on how to make contact with his superior, a location for their first meeting, and a warning to speak of this to no one.

As he read, the parchment began to smolder, black flames licking at the edges.

Within seconds, it was reduced to ashes, leaving no trace behind.

Alaric watched the ashes scatter, his lips curving into a slow, deliberate smile. The first step had been taken. Now, the real work would begin.

He turned back to the owl, which blinked slowly, its gaze almost… knowing. “Thanks for the delivery,” he murmured, reaching out to stroke its feathers. The bird ruffled its wings, gave a low hoot, and took flight, disappearing into the night.

Alaric stood at the window for a moment, watching the darkness swallow the owl’s silhouette. The weight of the letter’s words settled on him, both thrilling and daunting. He was walking a razor’s edge, and one misstep could destroy him.

With a deep breath, he closed the window and climbed back into bed. As his head hit the pillow, a sense of quiet determination filled him. Whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it.

For now, though, sleep called. He let his eyes drift shut, his mind already spinning with plans for the days to come.