Inside Hestia's Hall, the leader of Aurora Bluff, Horlan Larry, had called for a full assembly of the faction's members. The meeting was to be held in the main hall, the largest structure in the hostel.
The hall was more spacious than the dorms, designed to accommodate not just students but also visitors from other Halls, friends both inside and outside the school, family members, and staffs. Its tinted glass entrance slid open automatically when approached, giving the hall a modern yet imposing feel. To the right of the entrance, a staff counter stood with an ultra-slim monitor, its wireless mouse beside it. On the left, a drinks counter was stocked with beverages, soft drinks, cocktails, and non-alcoholic wines, its edges lined with ambient lights that created a soft, welcoming glow.
In the center of the hall, plush white sofas were arranged in sets around polished marble tables, each adding an air of sophistication to the space. Above them, an elegant chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a gentle, golden light across the room. The far wall boasted a long, curved sofa, wrapping around the room's edges. The cream-colored walls, accented with gold, paired with the sleek, white ceiling and ambient lighting, created a balance of grandeur and warmth. Small yet powerful air conditioners were nestled in the octagonal recesses of the ceiling, keeping the air crisp and cool.
Every hostel in the boarding world had its own unique reception hall, but Hestia's was among the most distinguished.
Now, gathered within the hall, Aurora Bluff's members—all clad in their gray hoodies, black combat trousers, and boots—waited. Some sat on the sofas, others leaned against the walls, while a few lounged on the long sofa or stood in clusters, quietly chatting. Many were absorbed in their jest, others picking at their fingernails, or simply closing their eyes in silent reflection.
Five minutes passed, and then the automatic door slid open. Horlan entered, accompanied by a shorter fellow.
Standing at exactly 6 feet, his chocolate cherry-colored hair was styled in a wavy quiff, and his light brown eyes gleamed with calmness and patience. His jacket, while lighter than his members', had a more tactical design, and though it remained unzipped, revealing a black vest beneath, it was clearly well-suited for combat. A small, black tactical bag was strapped across his chest, and his black fingerless gloves added to his militaristic air. Like his faction members, he wore black combat trousers, though his boots were a matching gray, complementing his jacket's color.
Beside him stood Ryon Rivellet, 5'9" with straight black hair tied back into a neat bun. A few loose strands framed his face, and his deep gray eyes were accentuated by thin, arched eyebrows. His chin was sharp and pointed, lending him a refined appearance. The thin-framed spectacles perched on his nose gave him an air of intellect. His attire mirrored that of the other members, though he carried a certain class that distinguished him.
Upon entering, Horlan strode across the room, grabbing a high chair from the staff counter and spinning it to back his faction. He sat down, resting his arms attentively on the backrest.
"Good morning, everyone," he began, his clear voice filling the room. "I hope you're all in high spirits. I know some of you have questions about today's raid, and I'm here to address them."
Some members shifted, sitting up straighter or uncrossing their arms, while others remained as they were, unwilling to betray any signs of nervousness or excitement.
"Our main goal today is to claim that incomplete hostel near Athena's," Horlan continued.
"What happens if we don't find enough resources there?" One of the members asked.
"We move straight to Athena's Hall and return by the end of the day," Horlan replied.
This caused murmurs to spread through the group, worry seeping into the voices of some.
Horlan remained unfazed, closing his eyes for a moment, running his tongue over his teeth as he waited for the chatter to subside. "Any more questions?" he asked, his tone indicating he was expecting more.
Another member, fidgeting with his sleeves, raised a concern. "Shouldn't we go earlier then? We've got two targets now."
Horlan shook his head. "No. We stick to the plan. We move after six. By the time we reach Athena's, night will have fallen, and that's when their senses are weakest. They won't expect us."
The murmurs died down briefly, only to pick up again with more intensity.
"What if they do expect us?" another member asked, his brow furrowed. "What if they've already formed their faction and put up a fight? Or worse, what if a third party joins in, like the Seraphic Summit? They're not so far away."
"First off," Horlan began, raising a hand to quiet the crowd, "if they've managed to form a faction, they don't have any strong fighters. Gyle, our spy, confirmed it. And if a third party does get involved, we'll send a second wave."
"But that'd make it a war," a voice from the back argued.
Horlan smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Not a war. Just a large-scale battle."
The murmuring resumed, though it was clear some doubts were cleared.
Another voice broke through the crowd, folding his arms tightly. "What if the Wolf-bat shows up? He could take down the majority of us and fly away with the resources."
"That won't happen," Horlan said, confidence lacing his words. "Shadowmere Groove and Starfall Reach are fighting over Dionysus' Hall as we speak. If the Wolf-bat leaves his base, it'll be vulnerable to siege. He won't risk that."
His certainty quieted most of the murmuring, though one persistent member pressed on. "Why don't you come with us? Let Ryon guard this place. We could make use of your black shard."
Horlan's eyes darkened. "And what would you have Ryon do if Seraphic Summit attacked while I'm gone?"
Ryon swallowed, inwardly dreading the answer he'd already come to terms with.
"Ryon's our tactical advisor," Horlan added. "Not a combatant."
With that, the room fell silent. Aurora Bluff had their orders, and reluctant as they were, there was no turning back.
After a moment of contemplation, Horlan spoke again, his tone softer. "Alright, I'd be joining the first wave, but my black shard is a last resort. I must use it wisely as I can only use it once a day."
The room fell into stunned silence. Even Ryon, normally calm, reacted with surprise.
"Are you sure?" Ryon adjusted his glasses nervously. "What if Seraphic Summit attacks us while you're away?"
"The chances of an ambush today are slim to none," Horlan replied without hesitation. "Seraphic Summit has bigger problems, and the other nearby factions are nothing but fodder."
A few members nodded, relieved. Some smiled while others remained stoic.
Ryon said nothing, though inwardly he sighed in resignation.
…
Luna, Aeron and Corsair had returned to Hephaestus' after about fifteen minutes. On getting to where they had left the others, they shone their eyes in confusion as to what was before them.