Legacy of Darkness
Departure

Atlas was stood inside the great hall of Glacial Academy, with Syl stood behind him, they were both dressed smartly, in suit and tie. Atlas took a deep breath, before opening the doors.

Outside was a podium in front of a crowd of journalists. Atlas slowly took to the podium and cleared his throat, before looking up at the spires of Disceath.

"I'd like to begin today, by remembering the woman who gave her life to save this city. Glinda Frost. Glinda gave her life to ensure that we could stand here today" Atlas said, as he looked across the crowd. "I would also like to assure you, that both me and the interim CEO of Crystech. Chrys Iryn, are doing our best to track down the man responsible" He continued.

"Didn't Chrys Iryn work alongside Bryan Fyre?" A journalist raised their hand and asked.

"He did" Atlas nodded. "Sadly, it is not in my jurisdiction to have him removed and arrested, so I have to work with him" He added.

"It is common knowledge that you have been associated with the former Empress of the Araneian Empire. Is that really appropriate for the Headmaster of Glacial Academy? Furthermore, it has been said that you currently are housing the Headmaster of the Imperial Academy right here in Disceath. Given their attempted invasion of Ishtall, why are you trusting them this time?" Another journalist asked.

Atlas paused for a second to think of how to respond, before adjusting his tie and sorting his papers.

"I know better than most, of Amanda's cruelty. She was responsible for the death of my sister. But, I made an alliance with her, and I don't regret it. Thanks to her I was able to get here to Disceath, and she fought alongside me and General Summers against Bryan's droids."

"Regarding the second half of your question. Yes, the Headmaster of the Imperial Academy is currently here, on official Academy business. Which brings me to the main point of this meeting" Atlas explained. Helios stepped out from the Academy, and stood beside Syl.

"In the weeks following the battle against the Droids, I have been discussing an important matter with Helios. We have decided that we will be reforming the Council of the Academies" Atlas announced, the crowd erupted with questions, but Atlas silenced them all by raising his hands.

"We are living in unprecedented times. Two cities have fallen to dust, another has been destroyed by an erupted volcano. We cannot sit idly by any longer, we need to reunite. So, Glacial Academy will be run in the interim by General Summers, who I will keep in regular contact with. Myself and Helios will be on a mission across Crystalla to reunite the Academies once more" Atlas finished his speech. A journalist raised their hand, and Atlas pointed to them.

"If I may, Headmaster. You mentioned the events of Raryst" The journalist began.

"Yes, what about it?" Atlas shrugged.

"Bryan told us that your daughter was the one who took the power of the Fire Crystal for herself, and destroyed the city in the process. Obviously, this story no longer holds water. Can you enlighten us on the true events of the final days of Raryst?" The journalist asked.

"I cannot, I wasn't there. However, Roisin is innocent. When we found Bryan Fyre, he was in some kind of machine, that was taking the aether from the Crystal and infusing it into himself" Atlas began. "Bryan was cunning, but he was not clever. This technology was invented by Rychard Pyre. I would put forward the idea that it was instead him who took my niece and infused her with the power of the Crystal" He continued.

"Hmm, interesting speculation, Mr Luna. I do hope that you will inform us, if anymore information comes to light?" The journalist asked.

"Of course" Atlas nodded. "Thank you all for coming today, and stay safe out there" Atlas turned around and headed back into the Academy, Syl and Helios followed him inside, and closed the doors behind them.

Atlas turned to Helios and frowned.

"I have just put everything on the line for you, so you best not be backstab me" Atlas growled.

"I will not, just because I'm an Imperial, it doesn't mean I can't be trusted" Helios shrugged. Syl sat down on a nearby bench and sighed.

"Speaking of Imperials, there is still no news of either Seb or Amanda. It's looking likely that they have left Disceath" Syl explained. Atlas sighed and nodded.

"So, when do we head out?" Syl asked.

"We will be leaving tomorrow morning, shortly before 7am. Chrys has lent us one of Crystech's fastest ships; 'The Blue Falcon'" Atlas explained, Syl sighed and shook his head.

"I don't trust Chrys. Hell, I don't think I trust anyone from Crystech or Pyre any more" Syl frowned. "They seem to love stabbing others in the back" He added.

"While that may be true, it would be best to keep opinions of other nations to yourself on this journey. Lest we offend them" Helios suggested.

"Of course" Syl nodded. The three of them finished talking and went their separate ways for the remainder of the day.

In the early hours of the next morning, Helios, Atlas and Syl were at the Crystech Spire's launch bay, boarding The Blue Falcon. They made their way aboard, as Chrys watched from the flight operations centre.

The ship slowly left the bay and flew away into the clouds above Disceath.