Wielder Of Time

A/N: I'm moving to one chapter a week, every monday at 2:00 pm. It's hard to keep up with classes and WoT at the same time.

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Khione and Bella made their way through the grand halls of the palace, their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. The ornate decorations and towering pillars bore the history of the Isles of Azeroth. Yet, despite the regal atmosphere, Khione could feel the weight of silent gazes pressing upon her.

As they walked, a small group of nobles stood gathered near an open balcony, their hushed conversation halting the moment Khione and Bella passed by. Their expressions were carefully composed, but their eyes carried an unmistakable air of hostility. Some barely concealed their disdain, while others openly scowled, as if the mere presence of the two imperial representatives offended them.

Khione cast a quick glance in their direction, meeting one of their eyes for a fleeting moment before turning away. Bella, on the other hand, didn't spare them even the slightest acknowledgment.

"They don't even attempt to hide it," Khione murmured, her voice carrying just enough weight for Bella to hear.

Bella sighed, shaking her head. "Of course, they don't. They're simple-minded, incapable of seeing beyond their own narrow perspective. In their eyes, an alliance with the Asterios Empire is an admission of weakness." She scoffed, folding her arms. "They cling to pride, thinking that if they act as if they are strong, others will believe it."

Khione remained silent, allowing Bella to continue. She could tell that her companion had more to say on the matter.

"The truth is," Bella continued, her voice carrying a trace of arrogance, "these nobles are already weak. They just refuse to acknowledge it. They're so afraid of being seen as lesser that they lash out at those who are undeniably superior. But do they do anything to change their situation? No. They remain complacent, basking in their comfortable lives, content with their stagnant power. Pathetic."

Khione considered Bella's words carefully. There was no doubt that the nobles of the Isles, save for a select few, lacked the sheer martial prowess that many nobles of the Asterios Empire possessed. Duke Everard and Queen Nereia were exceptions, but the majority of the Isles' ruling class were politicians, not warriors. 

Bella continued her rant, "I as a vice-captain of the Imperial Sentinels could defeat them with ease. Knowing that, then what chance would they stand against the true powerhouses of the Empire? Against the Captain of the Sentinels? Against the Imperial Knights? Against the Heads of the High Nobles?"

Bella took a breath, as if realizing that she had let herself get carried away. "Apologies," she muttered, her tone softening. "I let my irritation get the better of me."

Khione shook her head. "It's fine," she said. "I can't exactly disagree with your opinion."

The two finally reached the palace entrance, where a carriage awaited them at the bottom of the grand staircase. As they stepped outside, the warm sea breeze carried the scent of salt and distant rain, a reminder that the Isles were a land shaped by the ocean.

Bella turned to Khione as they descended the steps. "We'll be visiting the Guild next," she announced.

"The Guild?" Khione asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's an organization that manages various dungeons, ruins, and quests," Bella explained. "I figured since you're already here, you might as well gain some experience."

Khione sighed. "So this is because of what you told the Queen earlier?"

Bella smirked. "Naturally."

Khione couldn't deny that the idea intrigued her. Exploring the Isles was an exciting prospect, but she wasn't exactly fond of being nudged into it rather than deciding for herself. Still, it wasn't worth arguing over.

The two climbed into the carriage, and the driver set off towards the heart of the city. The streets of the capital were alive with movement, merchants calling out their wares, sailors unloading goods from distant lands, and travelers from various nations passing through. The cultural diversity of the Isles was on full display, with people of all backgrounds blending together in the bustling cityscape.

Within ten minutes, they arrived at a large, fortress-like building adorned with banners bearing the emblem of the Guild. The structure was sturdy, built to withstand both time and battle, its stone walls covered in various notices and parchment detailing available quests and bounties.

Stepping inside, Khione took in the sight of the grand hall. Long tables were scattered throughout the room, occupied by mercenaries, adventurers, and scholars alike. Some were drinking and boasting of past victories, while others were engaged in quiet discussions over maps and contracts. The air carried the scent of parchment, leather, and the faint trace of metal.

As they walked toward the reception desk, a few wandering gazes landed on them, but none held for long. The presence of two well-dressed young women in such a rugged place was unusual, but not unheard of.

Behind the desk sat a middle-aged man with graying hair, dressed in a simple uniform. His expression was blank as he looked up at them. "What do you need?" he asked, his tone devoid of unnecessary politeness.

Bella leaned forward slightly. "I need information on a few dungeons," she said. "My partner here—" she gestured toward Khione, "—needs some experience."

The man studied them for a moment before nodding. He pulled out a thick, worn ledger and flipped through its pages, scanning the contents before selecting a few entries. Taking out a piece of parchment, he scribbled down details before handing it to Bella.

"There are three dungeons suitable for those with less experience," he began. "First is the Verdant Cavern, a relatively simple dungeon filled with plant-type monsters and low-threat creatures. Good for beginners, but be wary of the terrain—some of the flora is poisonous."

Bella nodded.

"The second is the Echoing Ruins," he continued. "An abandoned structure from centuries ago. It's filled with lesser undead, but nothing too dangerous. The real challenge there is the layout—it's easy to get lost."

"Undead, huh?" Bella murmured.

The man moved on to the last entry. "The third is the Serpent's Hollow. It's a cave system occupied by lesser serpentine beasts. They're fast and can be tricky to deal with if you aren't prepared. But compared to real monsters, they're nothing."

Bella examined the parchment, scanning over the descriptions carefully. "These will do," she said. She then turned to Khione, a smirk playing at her lips. "Time for your first dungeon."

Khione exhaled, feeling the thrill of anticipation settle in her chest. She wasn't one to back down from a challenge, and this would be her first true test outside the controlled environment of training grounds.

She met Bella's gaze and gave a small nod. "Let's do it."