Sword Of Dawn

Though having interacted with his nominal great-great-great(...)granddaughter for less than a day, Gawain had already formed a profound impression of Rebecca - and repeatedly wondered if her head had been squeezed by something during childhood...

Logically, this shouldn't be possible. Even disregarding aristocratic education standards, her status as a spellcaster should indicate basic intelligence. After all, casually conjuring fireballs wasn't common talent...

Others, however, had no energy to dwell on Rebecca's lack of filter. Even strict Hetti now wore deep concern: "You mean... the creatures attacking Cecile territory are the same ones from seven centuries ago?"

Gawain sighed: "Given your unfamiliarity, these monstrosities must've been absent for ages."

"The demonic wars post-Expansion Era are ancient history," Hetti shook her head. "Though recorded, the latest accounts are six hundred years old... After elves helped construct the Sentinel Towers, those creatures became mere legends."

Gawain frowned: "The Sentinel Towers... Elven craftsmanship shouldn't fail easily."

"This must reach the King!" Rebecca clenched her fist solemnly. "Monsters reappearing after centuries demands attention! And Cecile territory's devastating losses... we need royal aid..."

Gawain smiled confidently, recalling his legacy: "Fear not. With Cecile's status in Ansu and my influence, St. Sunil will spare no effort rebuilding your lands."

Instead of reassurance, Hetti and Rebecca exchanged awkward glances.

Gawain blinked: "...What's wrong?"

Had seven centuries erased the legendary Gawain Cecile's prestige?

"Ancestor..." Hetti bit her lip painfully. "I meant to explain earlier but... The Cecile family's glory has faded. Though you remain revered, Rebecca only holds a viscount title now... This is our last territory."

Gawain gaped: "...What?! I died a hereditary duke with lands stretching to the Holy Plains! Did my descendants attempt regicide?!"

Hetti hung her head: "Seven centuries changed much. Ansu now has its Second Dynasty. We... are disgraced exiles."

Rebecca continued: "A century ago, King Darian III died heirless. The 'Fog Moon Turmoil' erupted when royals fought over succession. The Ceciles were dragged in..."

"Grumman Marquis." Hetti's voice turned bitter. "The then Duke's estranged eldest son. He imprisoned his father, stole your sacred shield - the Ansu Kingdom's Aegis - and backed Prince Torx. When Torx was assassinated, he switched to Prince Phidek. When Phidek fell..."

Gawain clutched his forehead: "Let me guess - then he supported the king's uncle?"

"Before he could," Hetti's lips twisted, "Duke Verdel of the North produced a bastard claimant to end the war. When Grumman tried switching sides again... both factions killed him."

Amber interjected drily: "The whole continent knows this farce as the Bastard War."

Hetti nodded: "Most houses survived the purge... except those overzealous."

"Like Grumman the Magnificent," Gawain's eye twitched. Even his celestial observations hadn't prepared him for this level of family incompetence. "At least he lost my shield too."

Hetti & Rebecca: "..."

When ancestors curse ancestors, silence is golden.

Gawain shook his head, adapting faster than expected (which Hetti interpreted as magnanimity): "Past mistakes won't help our crisis. The King must heed these monsters' return, regardless of our standing."

"Agreed," Hetti nodded vigorously.

Conversation dwindled in the oppressive tunnels until Gawain's memory guided them to an exit. Earth-element blessings preserved the ancient stairs, and clearing roots revealed blessed night air.

Daylight.

Byron's soldiers secured the area before others emerged. Rebecca inhaled deeply upon surfacing: "We made it!"

Gawain followed, equally thrilled. His first free act? Gaze skyward.

Night still reigned.

But this granted him his first view of alien stars - faint specks veiled in pre-dawn haze, utterly unfamiliar.

As eastern light grew, survivors basked in relief. Gawain spread arms toward the coming dawn... only to freeze.

The rising "sun" wasn't solar.

An immense luminous arc breached the horizon, glowing mist cascading across the world.