KESM: Terra Quatuor Chronicles

The world felt different in the heat of battle.

The first move in any game of strategy is rarely the most exciting, but it sets the stage for everything to come. Under a restless sky smeared with the faint glow of the setting sun, five figures faced off against a groaning beast.

"Emaila, now!" 

A deafening explosion split the air as the beast's final moments of clarity dissolved into regret, its massive form collapsing with earth-shaking force. Thick smoke rose, obscuring the aftermath. 

"I told you not to be so careless." Jon chides, his calm yet sharp voice cutting through the noise. 

"Cough, cough — that was sickkk." Hayz exclaims, his carefree grin visible even as he waves past the dust cloud. 

"Would you quit whining!" Angelie and Emaila snap in unison, their tones dripping with exhaustion, though tinged with familiar warmth. 

Dropping his two-handed war hammer to the ground, a gust of wind rushed forth from its impact, clearing the smoke. Hayz emerged where the fallen creature laid defeated.

Sprawled across the clearing, its monstrous body a broken monument to their combined might. At twelve meters tall, it had been a force of nature — a hulking creature of muscle and armor, brimming with raw power. Now, it was nothing but a grotesque, lifeless husk. Blood seeped into the scorched earth, mingling with the remnants of shattered rocks and steel.

"Tell them, Sabby." Emaila said, pouting as she turned to their silent leader. "I totally deserve the biggest cut since I landed the finishing blow!" 

Angelie nodded in silent agreement. Not saying anything just yet.

"Excuse you." Jon interjected, brushing dust off his crimson cloak with exaggerated flair. "If anyone deserves that, it's me." 

Their bickering escalated, lighthearted but relentless, witty jabs flying back and forth. Yet, at the edge of the clearing, Sabbath watched it all in silence. Seated on a narrow ledge, his expression filled with mirth. His otherwise jet-black eyes, flecked with ghostly green lights, flickering like flames in a glass prism — swept across them.

He let them go on for a while before his voice, calm and steady, cut through the noise: "You all do this every time."

Sabby said with a soft chuckle. His voice carried effortless authority, equal parts amused and calm. "Let's not rewrite what happened." He continued, leaning back on the ledge. His dreadlocked hair, streaked with white and tied in a characteristic ponytail — caught the faint light of dusk. "Hayz broke its defenses. Emaila kept it distracted. Jon made sure it was pinned. Angelie's traps further weakened its stance. Everyone played a part. No one gets extra credit."

He paused, letting his words settle. Then, with a smirk, he delivered his verdict.

"Profits will be split equally. End of discussion."

A chorus of reluctant agreement followed, punctuated by hearty laughter as they began sorting through the spoils of their hunt.

Sabbath, however, stayed apart. His gaze drifted to the horizon, a distant look in his eyes. His svelte frame appeared relaxed as he rested his elbows on his knees, yet his mind was anything but. Blending use and elegance, he sported brown fitted pants and a loosely buttoned white shirt, which revealed his bare chest. Around his neck rested a silver necklace, the pendant — shaped like a chess piece — shimmered faintly, if one could see it in enough detail, at this time, they would say it looked like a Rook piece.

Though the battle was over, and laughter filled the air, Sabbath remained distant. Calculating. Preparing for the final adventure on this long journey of his.

***

Bearing the remains of the slain creature, the group moved toward a weathered wooden shack; they had spent roughly four days getting here, for it never had a single resting place. Its unassuming exterior nearly lost among the dense foliage. At first glance, it seemed like a forgotten relic, barely held together by time and chance. 

To an outsider, it looked like nothing more than an abandoned hunter's cabin. But as Sabbath pushed open the creaking door, the interior unfolded into an impossibly vast space, far larger than the modest shack should have allowed, an architectural paradox that none of them seemed to question — not anymore.

Polished wooden walls curved into high, vaulted ceilings, illuminated by the warm glow of glass fixtures. The air carried a faint scent of aged parchment and fresh ink, mingled with the subtle hum of gizmos, whispered conversations and distant footsteps. 

This was the Nexus, a hub of activity for adventurers, informants, and mercenaries alike. Its tables were arranged in semi-private clusters, where figures cloaked in anonymity traded secrets and strategies undisturbed, or shared hearty conversations over a meal after another successful hunt.

The group drew little attention as they hauled their trophy past the center of the room. The Nexus thrived on discretion, and its patrons knew better than to pry into someone else's business.

"Well," Jon said, deactivating a Spell upon releasing his spoils onto a proofing stone platform. "I'd say that earns us at least a week's worth of drinks, food, and counts towards our release."

"Repairs too," Angelie added, inspecting the torn edge of her armor. "Pretty sure that Ogre dented part of my plating."

Hayz clapped her on the shoulder, his grin as wide as ever. "Worth it, though. Did you see its face when I brought the hammer down? Absolutely priceless."

Sabbath tuned out their chatter, his attention drawn to the towering board dominating one wall. Notices, bounties, and mission updates covered its surface, pinned with meticulous precision. Tabs from the Esper Kingdom flickered and updated in real time, offering a constant stream of intelligence from across the Four Kingdoms, not just about Fiend's but news and everything in-between.

Today, however, the group had no time to marvel at the mystery of it all. They were here for a reason, a purpose rooted in a promise made long ago — one which weighed heavier on some, than even the remains of the Fiend had.

Preparations…. For their final mission as Bound.