Emisarry Of Time And Space-Chapter 214 - 215: What a pain.

(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

Power stones people, Gimme it.

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"Tell Gaf to see me." The boss said, his gaze fixed on the guard.

The guard nodded immediately and stepped out without another word.

Hidden within the folds of space, Thaddeus and Arlen turned their attention to Erevan almost at the same time. Neither spoke, but the question was clear in their eyes. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

What now?

Erevan didn't answer right away. His gaze remained on the boss, his expression unreadable, but his mind was already running through branching possibilities. Reporting to the emperor. Internal power struggles. Falad's position. The elevation. Too many threads intersected here, and pulling the wrong one could unravel everything.

He raised a hand slightly and made a subtle gesture.

Wait.

They stayed still.

A few minutes passed.

The door opened again, and this time the guard returned with another Sylgrid in tow. The difference between him and the others was immediate. This one moved with a loose, unrestrained swagger. The stench of alcohol clung to him heavily, his green skin flushed, a wide grin plastered across his face as he held a bottle by the neck.

"This better be important, boss," the Sylgrid said, flopping down onto a chair opposite the desk. "I was in the middle of something interesting."

"Shut up and read," the boss snapped, shoving the paper across the table.

The Sylgrid—Gaf, apparently—caught the paper lazily and scanned it. His grin slowly faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown. Then, just as quickly, it twisted back into a smirk.

"Falad's always been one for fire," Gaf said with a low chuckle. "But jeopardizing the prince's elevation, that's—"

"Foolish," the boss cut in sharply.

Gaf shook his head, amusement still dancing in his eyes.

"I was gonna say suspicious."

That earned him a look.

"You think he's deceiving us?" the boss asked.

"Deceit?" Gaf took another sip from his bottle. "Not sure. But he's definitely up to something."

The boss leaned back, fingers tapping against the table.

"Hmmm…"

"You shouldn't think too much, boss," Gaf added lightly. "Makes your head look big."

A scowl formed instantly.

"You—"

"I mean," Gaf continued, unfazed, "whatever Falad's planning, I doubt it's aimed at us. And even if it isn't, all we have to do is ruin it. One way or another."

"So we report him," the boss said slowly.

"Definitely," Gaf replied. "Plan or not, the emperor will never tolerate anything that jeopardizes his vision of freedom."

"And if this is part of Falad's plan?" the boss pressed.

"Then I don't see the goal," Gaf shrugged. "Either way, you can abstain if you're hesitant. Watch it all play out."

He took another swig.

"One way or another, the truth will surface."

The boss exhaled, conflicted.

"But this is a chance to earn favor with the emperor," he muttered.

"It's your call," Gaf said.

Silence stretched for a moment.

"Fine," the boss said at last. "For now, check on the humans. Confirm their presence. Don't engage."

"And if they're there?" Gaf asked.

"Report back. Observe for a few days. After today, there are five days until the elevation. Something interesting may happen."

Gaf grinned.

"How lucky the prince is," he said dramatically. "Years of Sylgrid labor served on a platter. My envy knows no bounds."

"Don't do anything stupid," the boss warned.

"Oh, relax," Gaf replied with a laugh. "I know better."

"Good. Get moving."

Gaf stood, took another drink, waved casually, and left.

The boss gestured for the guard to return to his post.

That was the trio's cue.

They slipped out silently, following the guard back through the hideout until he resumed his position beside the other guard. Once clear, space folded around them, and they reappeared on a shadowed rooftop far from the hideout.

"Plan?" Arlen asked quietly.

"Back first," Erevan replied. "We need everyone aligned."

They moved fast.

When they returned to their temporary hideout, they found Jalen sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed, a large sheet of paper spread before him. A pen moved steadily in his hand, sketching complex lines and notations.

Seris and Selene stood beside him, both focused on the diagram taking shape.

The moment Thaddeus dropped the veil, all three snapped their heads toward them.

Thaddeus chuckled.

"One would think you'd be used to that by now."

They stared at him, unimpressed.

"Considering where we are," Seris said dryly, "I think being startled is justified."

She shifted her attention.

"You're early. Did you lose the boy?"

"On the contrary," Erevan said.

He confirmed the room was secure, then recounted everything—Jak's betrayal, the hideout, the boss, Gaf, the emperor, Falad's exposure, the decision to observe rather than act.

By the time he finished, no one spoke.

The implications settled heavily over the room.

The silence lingered.

"So we'll be under surveillance from now on?" Selene asked with a small frown.

"That complicates things," Seris said.

"If we don't have the freedom to move, we can't investigate the jade properly," Arlen said with a sigh, flopping down on one of the chairs.

"That aside, Falad is definitely more than he lets on." Erevan said.

"You think they're right that he's up to something," Seris asked.

"I was there, the way they spoke about him, I doubt he's as innocent as he seems," Thaddeus replied.

"He's smuggling another race into his own capital; innocent isn't exactly the word for him." Arlen said with a raised brow.

"That's not what I mean," Thaddeus said, staring out the window. "He's claiming that he owes Tala a favour, and he's willing to risk his safety to fulfil this favour."

"Sounds honourable," Seris said.

"Exactly, he sounds honourable, but what we heard about him wasn't exactly honorable," Thaddeus said.

"You think he's up to something with us." Selene said.

Thaddeus shrugged.

Seris sighed, pinching her nose.

"What an absolute pain."