Chapter 428: The Grandmaster's Vision

As he heard Galina's report of the arrival of not just Sara's but even the awakened Naybeah, who though still struggled to piece back together her scrambled mind and regain her memories, she could vividly remember the young man that owned her heart and soul. 

While still in discussion with the Mistress, the unbelievable news of Aiden's feat in capturing an officer of the enemy hidden below grounds, reached their ears. With such an event in play, the Mistress immediately began moving several of her little pieces on the giant chessboard that was this entire land, sending her most trusted and loyal man, Sir Sebas to sit in the meeting. At the same time, she summoned her daughter and made sure that Naybeah would get back to the rest of Aiden's group who was already escorted back to their inn and were now anxiously waiting for news.

Although she couldn't confirm it yet, the Masked Mistress was fairly certain that Aiden had some means of communication with his friends, or at the very least that strange new girl at his fold, and maybe with her sister as well, they would be at good hands there.

Once they both left and she was left alone, the Mistress immediately went to her study and contacted several of her men. The catalyst has finally been found, she had to be ready for the events that she had already seen coming soon. There were several powers at play, both inside and outside the lands of this kingdom…

—

Atop some building near the Central region of the city, the Marketplace, a trio of peculiar figures stared at the direction of the City Guards barracks. Each of them wore dark hoods and fitting, tight garments. 

One of them that held a mature, womanly hourglass shape spoke first.

"It is starting, just as the Grandmaster has told. The Great Shift is starting and with it, it will bring great changes to this land. Still, will everything be like how he saw it?" She sighed, her eyes revealed a complex, emotion-filled look. Feelings of sadness, sorrow, grief were also there. 

Her words questioned not just her fate, but her past, present, and presumably, her future as well. The mission she was assigned years ago seemed weird at first and while she was quite reluctant at the start, grew quite fond of it after a short while. 

Still, knowing more about what destiny had in store for this world, she couldn't help but worry as her gaze fixated upon a peculiar young man. Although she would never admit this, that boy… over the years he grew way too close to her… She no longer looked at her as just her student but as if…

Her reverie was broken with the masculine-looking one of the trio. Hidden under the cover of his shawl the figure scoffed.

"Do you question the Grandmaster, Number 3?!" He asked, following her gaze and adding a moment later. "That boy… did you perhaps forget the mission?" He teased her.

Suddenly a slap to the back of his head caused the rest of the words to get stuck in him. The other woman of their trio turned to him with a cold look in her bright green eyes.

"Have some manners, Number 5! Many of the current issues the city is facing are because of your negligence in controlling your recruit! That unfit candidate should never have been given such authority and power. His failure is also your failure." Her words were cold and heartless, causing the man to frown, and turn his attention away, refusing to acknowledge this obvious and clear truth.

"Number 3, don't be so bothered, you also know the Grandmaster's vision. His ultimate goal." The third woman offered some words of consolation to the distraught partner of hers.

Number 3 didn't respond, she kept her gaze sternly fixated on the boy. Her thoughts wreaking havoc in a chaotic, tumultuous storm inside her mind, she wasn't sure how to proceed.

Suddenly, before they could continue their chatter, the skull-faced rings on their fingers suddenly lit up, the same ominous vibrant green light shone through the skull's miniature gemstone eyes. A dreadful, hoarse voice echoed inside their minds in the next moments.

As the voice began to speak, all of them immediately went on their knees and bowed towards the empty air in front of them.

"Get ready Executors, the beginning of the end is upon us. Take your places and complete your assignments."

"Yes, Number 0!" They all spoke with a respectful tone, acknowledging their tasks. After the two other executors flashed away only Number 3 remained atop the building for a bit longer.

Suddenly, as she was about to jump away, the voice of the first, Number 0 reached out to her once again.

"Number 3, the Grandmaster has listened to your concerns. You have received new orders. Return to the Grandmaster and receive them immediately."

Number 3 froze on the spot after listening to the words of her senior, looking in front of her with clear disbelief. The Grandmaster changed his mind and gave her new orders? Could it be?

Taking a large gulp, slowly she came back from her trance-like stun. Raising her finger in front of her chest, she gently rubbed the skull with her other hand, before drawing a sloped dome in front of her in the air. 

As the dark portal slowly appeared, she sighed once more before stepping through its eerie darkness, only to be taken to the underground chambers of that enigmatic entity…

—

Aiden didn't react for a while but slowly scanned each of the present members sitting opposite of him before finally resting his gaze at the annoyed-looking captive at his side.

His calm, collected smile slowly curved as the events of the day slowly came back to him. Taking only a few seconds, his mind quickly processed all the memories, as he turned towards Sir Arthur. 

Understanding the look and readiness in the young man's eyes, Sir Arthur nodded and pulled out a small mirror-looking object from his pocket and placed it on the table. With a warm, friendly smile he pushed it towards the boy as he spoke.

"Take this Memory Inhibitor in your hands and focus on your memories, deep and hard. This item will then project it to us, so we can see and relive everything you have witnessed. This way there are no mistakes and misunderstandings. You do not mind, do you?" 

Aiden nodded, already expecting such an artifact to be presented. On their way back to the ground Drake had already warned him that most likely this precious tool would be brought forward, and used not just on the captive but on him as well. After a brief explanation, he understood how this strange mirror-like object operated, and after a brief discussion with Enya, he was sure that by using the unique traits of his own mind and together with the system, they could make sure to alter what the others watching from the outside would be able to see.

Using his own mind, the System's processing power, and the aid of Enya and even Rygintarth, they created the alternative memories that they planned to let be shown….