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In the far reaches of Alphia, Codd’s agency investigation stumped on a hardened wall. Codd’s had been following the trail of a potential slavery operation. Sadly, as he got closer, a phone call disrupted the investigation.

“Boss,” the phone rang, “-it’s me, Camilia, got a few things that might be of interest.” Then on, the inquiry led to a mundane gathering at the mansion. Door sealed; a previously cleanroom turned dump for files and pictures, a whiteboard on which scribbles were bare to see. On the timidly lit table sat the other members. The topic of discussion, mysterious deaths of the starlets.

“I’ll go first,” said Tensy in a friendly accent, “-I’ve scoured the underground works for a few weeks now. Made contact with an ex-companion, the assassinations were carried out by the mafia. The two bodies found at Carter lake were the handy work of a man named Muol, a hitman. He’s the picture-perfect resemblance of the mythical Carter Forest’s stick-man.”

“That ol’ tale?” interjected Aki, “-isn’t it one to scare away the kids from straying too far?”

“No, it’s actually true. The stick-man is a common sighting. I have my doubts about it being a work of fiction. There could be someone out there in the forest dumping bodies. None be the wiser,” clear and concise, Odgar’s evaluation settled the table.

“I’ll continue,” said Tensy, “-they’re still unknown to the public. It’s been judged as a double suicide. Someone’s covering the mess. That’s enough for me.”

.....

“Let me follow suit,” voiced Aki confidently, “-I made contact with a few reporters. They’ve been on the trail of murder for long before we arrived. Found out, the casting couch incident is very commonplace. The case of the starlets revolves around the snobs of the entertainment industry. Ladies are treated like shit whilst men are held up as being noble and graceful. The extent of the sexist bastards doesn’t stop at the director. Producers, models, and even movie stars are often needed to be pleased before a chance at success. Makes my stomach turn. Anyway, there’s something else. A director was killed a few years ago, the story’s pretty much done and gone. The body was never found. The man’s truck was found on a highway not too long after the disappearance. The leads pointed to one thing; the man foolishly tried to ensnare a mistress of Gyo Tune into playing ‘doctor’. The rest speaks for itself.”

“I see,” said they in thought.

“My turn,” coughed Camilia, “-sorry, caught a cold. Boss, after I’m done, I need a favor.”

“Sure, go on.”

“I’ve been following Laven Enda. I had quite the adventure. The man’s a lusty dog for a supposed famed director. He gawks on women every day and brings others to his room at night and often skips out to head into a mysterious cave in the reaches the mountains. Security is tight; I did overhear the mention of ‘-Menha’s fire grotto’ or Fire-grotto for short. It’s the typical secluded organization. Idiotic as he seems, the man’s very smart. He rarely slips up, and rarely speaks of anything unrelated. He’s part of a cult.”

“Is that all?” wondered Odgar.

“Yeah.”

“What about the favor?” he asked rather affectionately.

“Call Igna,” said she, “-he needs to know. Laven’s set his eye on a Nona Isabelle of Vorn. She’s cast to be in an upcoming film directed by him. She’s very outspoken on the whole casting couch situation. Some people might not enjoy her frankness. Laven’s one of them.”

“Can I asked why we need to contact him?” wondered Aki.

“Because it’s the life of a friend that’s at risk. We’re up and about thanks to his generosity. Logic be damned, he needs to know what’s happening, else, it might be too late.”

“So be it,” said Odgar, “-we’re at a standstill. The investigation is muddied as is, the harder we fight, the harder it will be later on. That’s it for today’s meeting. Continue with the same tasks.”

“Alright boss.”

Later the same day, at around 14:00, Odgar phoned to inform of the current situation. Having done nothing of much importance in the last month, Igna sparked in envy. The council of nobles was to be handled by Courtney and Elvira.

“Quite late to have lunch,” said Serene dressed casually.

“Lunch at a café,” said Igna, “-sorry about before. I put off our dinner, things were very hectic.”

“Don’t worry,” said she sipping a cold drink, “-I’m busy as well. Now’s a good time to discuss the standing of the Blood-King faction. Igna,” she inched closer to the table, “-things aren’t so clear-cut. The Empire’s invasion has us trembling. Many nobles, lady Haru, and the other representatives have fled to Noctic’s Hallow. We’ve erected a barrier, the forest’s murderous as always. There are border skirmishes. By my counts, we have the 75% of the nobility and the faith of the populous in our hands. It’s quite selfish since most of them alienated us. Regardless, as nightwalkers, there are a few things we need to abide by. We could easily lead a revolution if we had the Queen or the Princess’s aid.”

“We do,” said Igna, “-they’re currently in hiding. No need to fret. There will be a need to reclaim Arda sooner or later. I get that time isn’t a luxury for the people. My hands are tied, the most I can offer is an aid in a battle. With the treaty in place, the Empire’s got free reign to do as they please. The Federation cannot interfere. If civil war breaks out, there might be a chance for an audience. The land of the Blood-King faction has always been its separate kingdom. From Noctic’s hallow upward, the nightwalkers rule over 35% of the land, including the border between Dorchester and Arda. Understand now?” he smiled, “-the solutions to potential invasion and battle were already made clear. There’s no way the Blood-king would be so careless, especially after the revolt of the Kreston’s Holy Invasion.”

“Sly genius,” she smirked, “-but, Igna, there’s just one thing.”

“The border, they can invade and we’ll be left in the dust. They have quantity and we have quality. How about this,” few gestures later, “-let’s show the Empire the strength of the House of Haggard.”

“How?” asked she with much interest.

“Like this,” a holographic display showed the boldest strategy since forever. The sheer scale of the operation, the manpower required, it all felt so unattainable. Yet, as she pondered over the impossible idea, a spark of confidence burnt in Igna’s eyes.

“Can you pull it off?” she wondered, “-I’m sure it’s plain to see. If this plan happens, we’ll be safe for the next century, a monumental task. By the sheer scale, it’ll take a decade to complete. We can’t spare much time.”

“Give me a week,” said he.

“A WEEK?” the table slammed to crack, heads turned in confusion, “-ARE YOU CRAZY?”

“Listen,” said he in confidence, “-I formulated this crazy idea, and I’ll make it work. It’s a show of strength and power. If they have their faith in God, I’ll just have to call onto another to do my bidding.” The lunch finished, Serene stepped away with a headache.

‘About Nola,’ stood facing the mall’s yard, ‘-a phone call should do.’

*Dring,*

“-Hello?” she answered.

“Hello, Nola, it’s me, Igna.”

“Hello, quite rare for you to call. Anything the matter?”

“About the movie,” said he, “-there’s something I’d like to discuss.”

“I know,” she sighed, “-about the casting couch, right?”

“Yes, the director isn’t much of a gentleman. At this rate, the whole of Vorn could be at risk. Can you afford it?”

“We have to,” said she, “-Ansoft has us chained by the contract. We’re slaves to them. They don’t care about us, there’s nothing we can do. It’s hopeless.”

“Tell me one thing. How much is the compensation to break off the agreement.”

“It’s expensive,” said she, “-500,000 per member.”

“Damn,” he paused, “-Nola, pass the phone to Enna.”

“Sure,” said she. The changing room gazed in silence.

“Hello, Enna here.”

“Hey, about Ansoft. Tell me, do you have an attachment to the organization or?”

“What will it do?” asked she reluctantly, “-what can a mere guitarist do?”

“Put in on the speaker,” he ordered.

“There, it’s done,” said she, they stood around a large table, the phone flickered.

“I’m going off speculation. Ansoft isn’t a great place for idols. Girls are treated like livestock, worked till past their prime, and then sent off to rot. If one isn’t popular, one cannot survive. They’d rather sell those to the lustful movie industry and make a living as such. Am I wrong?”

“...”

“Good, some of you have experienced it before. The silence says it all. Here’s the deal,” he paused. éclair brought up a few figures and details about their contracts, “-I’m willing to invest in Vorn.”

“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nola.

“It’s as I said. I’m to take responsibility for Vorn. Ansoft is the better agency, that much is clear. I can offer this, contract with Apexi. You’ll make music you like, work on your terms, and do as you wish. The only condition is to make the people happy. Hidros isn’t the entertainment behemoth as Alphia is. We might be small, but we have an appreciation for our idols, we care about them and we worry too. The Pride of Hidros, Aceline, is a prime example. She became a global phenome whilst working in Hidros, was the first person to perform in Iqeavea. Speaking of stars, we have Xius, a band that’s slowly gaining fame. The last world tour ended in success.”

“Why are you doing this?” asked Enna, “-words are sweet and all, what if the situation is worst than in Ansoft, what then, we’ll be screwed either way.”

“Let me ask this, why did you become idols. Was it for the money or was it to share the joys of music, was it for fame, or was it to make something of your lives?” No response, they watched one another, thinking and shaking their heads. “-I apologize if I assumed wrong. Here I thought Vorn to be a well-ordered group of friends who wished for their friend’s happiness. As it stands now, Nola’s about to become food. I say this with every intent, she’ll be ruined. The frankness has invited unwelcomed attention. In a way, I’m saying to run away. Run and come to Hidros, come to Apexi. We’re small but we’re friendly.”

“I wish we could,” said Sheiwai, “-tis complicated.”

“Here I figured you to know the importance of being strong, Sheiwai. What happened to the bravado of facing the world. I’m offering a chance to do the same. I’ll be straight to the point. I’m only offering this because of Nola, she’s in danger and I want to help. She’s a friend, not that we’re that close. It’s both private and professional. Henceforth, I’ve made my mind clear, the decision is yours. Remain in Ansoft till the day the current of expectations sweeps thee or join us and make a better place for future idols. The industry is still making baby steps, to make a change, one must change himself.”

“We understand,” said they.

“Still,” interjected Enna, “-what can a lonesome guitarist do?”

Then and there, “Just say yes,” those few words sent shivers, “-and I’ll show what a guitarist can do.”