Emisarry Of Time And Space-Chapter 213 - 214: Done.

(A/N Big thanks to everyone for the Power stones and Golden tickets, they mean a lot. As usual, please don't hesitate to comment or drop a review. ENJOY)

Power stones people, Gimme it.

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"Let's get to work," Seris said, her gaze hardening as the door closed behind Falad.

"Yeah—before that," Arlen cut in. "We have a problem."

The shift in the room was immediate. Jalen straightened. Selene's posture sharpened. Erevan's eyes narrowed.

"A problem?" Erevan asked calmly, but there was steel beneath the question. At a time like this, there was no room for ambiguity.

"Jak's a snitch," Arlen said flatly.

Seris' eyes widened a fraction. "How?"

"He sent a child the moment we left," Arlen replied. "Didn't even wait. Chalk paper. Whistle. Clean handoff."

The implication landed heavily.

Seris moved toward the window without hesitation. "Then we go after him."

"Jak or the child?" Arlen asked.

"The child," Erevan answered immediately. "Jak's already played his hand."

Seris nodded, eyes still fixed outward. "You remember the signature?"

"Of course," Arlen replied.

She turned. "Thaddeus."

"Finally," Thaddeus said, a grin breaking across his face as he cracked his knuckles lightly.

"When you find him," Seris said, voice firm, "no engagement. No capture. Just trail."

She turned to Erevan. "You're with them. Whatever comes up, I trust your judgment."

Erevan inclined his head once.

"And remember," Seris added, her tone sharpening, "if it looks too dangerous, you disengage and return. No heroics."

The three of them nodded.

Then they vanished.

A few seconds passed. Even with spatial senses pushed outward, Seris could no longer feel them.

Thaddeus had activated his veil.

"What do we do now?" Selene asked quietly.

Seris turned to Jalen. "We map the stage."

They reappeared several streets away, already wrapped in silence.

Thaddeus moved at the center of the formation, his presence barely registering even to Erevan's trained senses. Over the years, his Spatial Veil had evolved from concealment into something far more complete. It didn't just hide them—it erased them from relevance. Mana flow bent away. Spatial ripples collapsed inward. To the world, there was simply nothing there.

Veil Weave extended outward, enveloping Arlen and Erevan seamlessly.

Arlen expanded his spatial awareness carefully, mapping layers rather than distance. The Sylgrid capital was vast—far larger than it had appeared from the outside. Roads spiraled outward in concentric patterns. Elevated walkways connected clay-and-mold structures shaped like domes and terraces. Trade stalls overflowed with goods: jade fragments, powders, carved talismans, living plants twisted into tools and ornaments.

Thousands of Sylgrid moved through the streets.

The air was thick with noise, barter, and motion.

"Got him," Arlen murmured after a few seconds. "Child. Moving fast. Northeast."

They followed.

Teleportation was used sparingly—short folds, perfectly timed. Thaddeus anchored the veil continuously, adjusting for density and motion. Even as they passed within arm's reach of Sylgrid, no one reacted. No glances. No hesitation.

The child wove through the crowd with practiced ease, slipping between stalls and down narrower paths. He avoided main roads, favoring alleys half-hidden by hanging vines and root structures.

After several minutes, the environment changed.

The noise dulled.

Buildings grew denser, older. Less ornamental. The child stopped before a wooden structure partially concealed by overgrown roots. He glanced around once before slipping inside.

They followed.

The interior opened into a narrow tunnel system, crude but reinforced. The walls were scratched with old runes and jade dust stained the stone. The air smelled metallic and stale.

They moved deeper.

The child slowed near a small door guarded by two burly Sylgrid. Their bodies were thick with muscle, jade-like weapons resting casually in their hands. They noticed the boy immediately.

"Well, if it isn't Jak's little runner," one of them chuckled.

The child shrank slightly. "I—I have something," he said, extending the paper with trembling fingers.

The guards exchanged a look.

"Always trouble," the other guard muttered, snatching the paper. "Get lost."

The child didn't wait to be told twice. He bolted.

One guard turned and knocked on the door behind him before entering. The other remained outside.

The trio stayed still, unseen, barely a few steps away.

Then they followed the guard inside.

The space beyond was expansive—and disturbing.

This wasn't a simple hideout.

Sylgrid moved everywhere, engaged in grim work. Some packed green powder into sealed containers. Others dragged shackled Sylgrid across the floor—slaves, by the look of it. A crude fight ring occupied one corner, blood staining the stone. In another section, humans were locked behind bars, fear and despair etched into their faces as Sylgrid moved among them with no restraint.

Arlen's jaw tightened.

Erevan's eyes hardened, but he didn't slow.

They followed the guard through it all.

Finally, the guard stopped before a reinforced door and knocked.

"Enter," a gruff voice called.

The guard stepped inside.

So did they.

The room was smaller, but it radiated authority. A large Sylgrid sat behind a heavy table, scars crisscrossing his green skin. A brown beard framed his jaw, and his eyes were sharp with predatory intelligence.

The guard handed over the paper.

The boss read it once.

Then he snorted.

"Hmmm… humans."

A slow grin spread across his face.

"Jak's done well."

"Falad's done it now," he said, amusement clear in his voice. "Smuggling humans at a time like this?"

He laughed, deep and ugly.

"He's already on the Emperor's radar. This just seals it."

The boss leaned back, clearly pleased. "Another thorn removed from our business."

The laughter echoed through the room.

"We have to get this to the emperor." The boss said.

"And the humans?" The guard asked with a grin.

"We can't touch them. If we want to report this to the emperor, he'll have to see the humans for himself. If we take them, it'll draw attention. I hate attention." The boss said, his voice hardening at the end.

"That said, we have to confirm. We can't trust anyone, not even Jak. If we give wrong information, then we'll be the ones done." The boss said with a thoughtful expression.

"Tell Gaf to see me."