Colleöne walked towards Ateia and Taog. Ateia noticed her and waved with a big grin on her face. Colleöne’s resolve wavered but she was not the Lady of Courage and Victory for nothing, so she continued on. She nodded at the girl.

“You have done well, Ateia. By my reckoning, you have developed a solid foundation, and a firm grasp upon your abilities. They are unlikely to run amok again, and you have what you need to find a way forward.”

Ateia’s smile grew.

“All thanks to you, Mighty Victoria!”

Colleöne took a deep breath.

“Which means…it is time for our final lesson.”

Ateia froze in place.

“…final?”

Colleöne made a sad smile.

“Yes. Upon conclusion of your training, I must return to the Blessed Land.”

Ateia’s smile dropped.

“…why? Couldn’t you help us against the Heralds? They want to destroy the world!”

Colleöne frowned and heaved a sigh.

“I wish I could. But it is not the place of the Aesdes to command the inhabitants of Aelea how to live. We only prepare the land, and grant to you the tools necessary to thrive, it is upon you all to decide what you will do with it. Even if that means you will oppose us. We have learned that our great power and vast sight does not mean we are perfect, the last time we intervened directly an entire continent was lost. So we will only do so again under the gravest of circumstances, and instead believe in the heroes of Aelea to rise to the challenge.”

Colleöne placed her hand on Ateia’s shoulder and gently rubbed it.

“It is only due to your unique circumstances that I was given leave to come to you, and I am ever grateful for the chance. But I do not believe this is our final goodbye, while you will be the sole Aesdes walking the world, I will still be watching over you. And as an Aesdes, the gates of the Blessed Land are open to you, once you find your way there.”

Ateia bit her lip. Colleöne patted her shoulder and then glanced at Taog with a smile.

“And take heart, Ateia. I may need to leave, but you will not be left alone. Your friends will be with you every step of the way.”

Ateia glanced over at Taog, while her cybernetic components reviewed the status of NSLICE-00P and her monsters. She slowly nodded and took a deep breath.

“…what’s the lesson?”

Colleöne let go of Ateia’s shoulder and took a step back.

“You have enough of a foundation to make your own way from now on. So the only thing left you need to learn from me is how to conceal your power, and appear as fully human. This will also teach you how to focus your current form upon a given record, which one day may allow you to adjust your form should you wish to. Are you ready to begin?”

Ateia looked up at Colleöne and nodded.

“Yes, let’s do it.”

Colleöne spent some time teaching Ateia how to conceal her powers. In Ateia’s case, this was actually easier than it was for the other Aesdes. As she had lived most of her life as a human, it was not hard for her to act like one and focus upon that record. She managed to pull off the concealment in record time.

Which meant that Colleöne’s final lesson had come to a close, and she reached the end of her mandate.

Colleöne now stood on the beach with Ateia, Taog, and NSLICE-00P standing before her. Colleöne faced them and nodded.

“You have learned to channel your power as an Aesdes. You have adjusted to your new form as a cyborg. Your stature and might grows by the day, and you have a quest laid out before you. You have joined together with your companions, who each have grown as well.”

She took a deep breath, and then made a smile.

“I am proud of your efforts, and what you have managed to achieve, even in the midst of troubling and chaotic circumstances. You are ready now, and no longer require my guidance.”

Ateia bit her lip and looked down. But she took a deep breath and saluted.

“…thanks for the help, Mighty Victoria.”

Colleöne’s expression wavered. A moment later, she flung herself forward and embraced Ateia in a hug.

“I am sorry, Ateia, for all I have put you through. I am sorry for all that you have gone through because of my blood. And I am sorry that I must depart from you now.”

Ateia’s eyes widened, and then started to moisten.

“I…I don’t care about that. Just, do you really have to go?”

Colleöne’s eyes moistened and she tightened her grip.

“I would stay if I could. But I know that even though I must leave now, this will not be the last time we see one another. Know that I will always be watching over you, and praying for your success and happiness. If you would permit it, I would love to consider you as my family, and me yours.”

Ateia didn’t respond, as tears began to drip from her eyes. But she slowly returned Colleöne’s embrace. Colleöne smiled softly and rubbed her back.

“Please, come to visit someday. I do not know when next I will be permitted to walk the surface of Aelea, but should I gain leave I will come to you right away.”

Eventually, Colleöne separated from Ateia. She glanced at NSLICE-00P and Taog.

“Please, take care of Ateia for me.”

“Acknowledgement: Defense of NSLICE-Ateia is a major directive for this unit, on top of protocols detailing the defense of network assets.”

Taog nodded his head and saluted.

“I will.”

Colleöne nodded back and then took a deep breath.

“May you find the courage to seize victory, wherever you shall go. May you find happiness and joy in all your days.”

And then she winked before frowning.

“And may you deal those Herald jerks a heavy blow on behalf of the Lady of Courage and Victory!”

And then she vanished in a flash of light. Ateia watched as the flash broke apart into sparkling motes of light that lingered for a bit. She held out her hand to one of them.

“Ateia…”

Taog made a frown. This…was yet another mentor figure who had left their lives. And Ateia never knew her mother, either…

Ateia turned back around. She still had moist eyes, but a calm expression on her face.

“It…is not the end. This is not like the time with my father. We know where she is, and that she is still looking out for us. And she’s right about one thing.”The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Ateia clenched her fist and made a dark smile.

“We owe that cult a debt we’re going to repay with interest. Mighty Victoria has even asked us to hit them on her behalf, and I also owe them hits for myself, my father, my mother, Agedia, Seero, and everyone in this world they’re trying to kill. We’ve got a lot of beatings to do.”

“Caveat: This unit must state that she will prioritize efficient termination of the hostiles. Multiple strikes may not occur as this unit will endeavor to terminate hostiles with the first blow if at all possible.”

Ateia blinked for a second, and then burst out laughing, Taog joining her.

“T-That’s fine, Seero. If that happens, we’ll just say that hit counts for everyone!”

“Affirmative.”

Back in the Blessed Land, Colleöne and Shialnor once again stood before Anualë, waiting for him to review their latest work. Anualë raised an eyebrow.

“So this Taog has become a hero, huh?”

Colleöne nodded calmly, with only a drip of sweat down the side of her neck betraying her current emotions.

“Yes, he destroyed a damaged core destabilizing the region after defeating its powerful guardian at great risk to himself.”

Anualë kept his gaze on Colleöne.

“Yes, I agree his deeds qualify. They were a bit on the lower end but still within reason, and he is challenging those who threaten the world, so I have nothing to say on him receiving the title for his deeds. What I do question is the process by which he arrived in that situation to begin with.”

Colleöne started and averted her gaze.

“Colleöne, Lady of Courage and Victory, She Who Guides the Champions of the World. Do you have something you need to tell me? You do know I could and did just watch over your mission, right?”

Colleöne looked away and gulped. But then, she took a deep breath, and turned to face Anualë.

“I…sent Taog in that direction, knowing that a core was there that was just damaged enough to qualify as corrupted, but not actually displaying the powers and defenses a truly corrupted core might. And…I knew that my presence and Ateia’s training would stimulate the flows of Holy Mana in the region, suppressing the monsters in the area to make his journey easier.”

Anualë crossed his arms.

“And what would you have done should he have failed?”

Colleöne took a deep breath, but she resolved herself and looked Anualë in the eye.

“I would have intervened directly to save his life, should it have proved necessary. I chose to believe he would emerge victorious, but I would not have withheld my power if he did not.”

Anualë heaved a sigh. Well, he couldn’t say he was completely surprised at this turn of events. Colleöne had the mandate to assist Ateia, and also felt responsible for the girl’s suffering, given that it was Colleöne’s blood that attracted the cult to Ateia’s family in the first place. It was only natural that Colleöne would feel compassion for Ateia’s companions as well, and would refuse to allow Ateia to suffer further loss.

“As you well know, we grant assistance to ‘heroes’ when the inhabitants of Aelea face challenges they cannot reasonably be accepted to handle alone, especially challenges that come from external sources, or from our own mistakes. And we do not choose or raise heroes ourselves, but simply acknowledge those who have risen to the challenge on their own.”

Colleöne straightened herself as Anualë gazed at her.

“What you have done goes against this spirit, if not the letter of the conditions we have agreed to regarding heroes. I will state that in this case, I find it somewhat justifiable, as the Heralds of the New Dawn do seem to have lore and power beyond what they should and Taog now seeks to confront them. But a coincidentally appropriate circumstance does not excuse your intent, nor your willingness to have broken your mandate should the outcome have defied your hopes. Nor does it excuse your intent to hide your actions. I trust you understand what you have done?”

Colleöne took a deep breath and nodded.

“Yes, and I will accept your judgment.”

Anualë nodded. Colleöne had her moments, but she worked tirelessly to protect the world as the Lady of Courage and Victory, as well as to atone for the situation with Velus. Even in this circumstance he could see she held back a bit, she had guided Taog to a place where he could accomplish the necessary feats, rather than simply gifting him with extra assistance as she had with Velus.

“We will accept Taog as a hero, given the situation he finds himself in and that he was not aware you would assist him should he have failed. But as for yourself, you will work on the newest continent, and take over Shialnor’s dungeon creation duties there. You shall lay down your duties as She Who Guides the Champions of the World until the new continent has fully stabilized. I shall assume your duties in the meantime.”

Colleöne grit her teeth but bowed her head. It seemed she would not be able to watch over Ateia and company after all, at least for a time, but she would accept the consequences of her decisions. Shialnor perked up at the mention of her duties.

“As you say, First of the Aesdes.”

Shialnor began to grin, and was about to poke Colleöne’s side when Anualë turned his gaze to her.

“This will give Shialnor an opportunity to complete her duties regarding the New Material Plane, which I consider of the utmost importance. In fact, I will expect regular updates on this, Shialnor, particularly as I am assuming Colleöne’s role and specifically turning my gaze to NSLICE-00P. Blackmail is not becoming of the Aesdes, and we shall discuss your behavior towards Colleöne further.”

Shialnor froze, and then crumpled down into a ball. She whispered in a tiny voice.

“As you say, First of the Aesdes.”

Shialnor then departed, but Colleöne lingered a while longer. Anualë took a deep breath.

“You may speak, Colleöne.”

Colleöne looked up at him.

“Anualë, I know I have no right to ask this, but…will you look after Ateia on my behalf, while I am gone?”

Anualë crossed his arms.

“I will watch and support them as I would any champion of the world, Colleöne. You know this.”

Colleöne’s head dropped. Anualë watched for a moment before heaving a sigh.

“But…I suppose I will be paying a bit more attention to that group, considering events thus far. If only because of this situation with the Heralds of the New Dawn.”

Colleöne perked up. Her eyes moistened slightly as she bowed her head.

“Thank you, Anualë.”

Anualë sighed and shook his head, then waved his hand.

“Go on, then.”

He shook his head again as Colleöne left. He…might be a bit too soft for his role. But Colleöne did strive her best to live to the standards he set forth, and worked diligently and fairly 99.99% of the time, so perhaps he was predispositioned to cut her some slack on her indiscretions. Unlike a certain someone. But, well, try as she might to teach them, no one was as good at weaving together cores and creating autonomous systems as Shialnor. Good enough for him to put up with her…less than stellar motivation, and all of her attempts to defer her responsibilities. Even Colleöne’s work was based on the foundation that Shialnor had created, after all.

And so Anualë began to turn his attention to that very work, linking to one of the massive magic cores at the heart of the Blessed Land. Shialnor had done a very good job trying to lighten her own workload and Colleöne's mirror work benefited as well. Both systems now largely ran themselves. Anualë just needed to pay attention to problem cases and approve certain boons such as the granting of the hero feat, as well as make note of any major problems that would need to be addressed.

He furrowed his brow. As it turned out, there was another reason why he was going to pay special attention to NSLICE-00P and her companions.

He had not shared this with Colleöne or Shialnor, or anyone for that matter, but the investigation of the Heralds of the New Dawn had returned a grim conclusion. There was no lore among the intelligent species of Aelea, nor within the Personal System that might have enabled the Heralds of the New Dawn to achieve what they had, especially regarding the intentional creation and corruption of dungeon cores. Even the Lords of Mana would not have been able to provide such knowledge, seeing as dungeon cores were the direct work of the Aesdes themselves…a certain cyborg with some sort of machine that could apparently make itself into a core aside.

Which implied one of two possibilities.

First, was that the Lords of Mana had come to understand the dungeon cores on a deep level. That idea was deeply troubling. It also defied everything the Aesdes knew about them. The Lords of Mana were powerful and intelligent…but they, like everything else in the Realms of Mana, were restricted by the nature of their existence. At the end of the day, the Realms of Mana were a reflection of the Material Plane, and the Lords that ruled them were no exception. The Lord of Fire, for example, knew all there was to know about Fire and all its aspects…but he did not know anything about any topic besides Fire, save for its interactions with his Realm. He couldn’t know, for his entire existence was defined by Fire. For him to grow beyond Fire would be for him to change his fundamental nature, and for the ‘Lord of Fire’ to cease to exist.

He could burn a dungeon core. He could grant Fire to a dungeon core as an affinity. He could learn how a dungeon core utilized fire in new ways and replicate them, or combine them with other aspects of fire to create novel combinations.

But he could not learn what a dungeon core was, not at a fundamental level, for it was not fire. He could not understand it to the extent that he could corrupt its core function like these cultists had.

So either the Lords of Mana had grown into a new class of being entirely…

Or it was the second possibility that was responsible for the cult’s achievements. A possibility far more simple, yet perhaps even more terrifying.

And that was that the cult had help from someone who truly understood the nature of dungeons. And since they could find no lore among the intelligent species of Aelea that indicated that level of understanding…there was only one possibility.

That it was someone from the Blessed Land who had aided the Heralds of the New Dawn.

A chilling thought. Which was why Anualë now turned his gaze to the individuals at the heart of it all. NSLICE-00P had put a stop to the cult’s plans. So whoever their benefactor was would now turn their gaze to her. They had to, if they wanted to succeed. And Anualë would be watching for if or when they made a move on her.

Which was why he had sent Colleöne in the first place, and said nothing when she skirted the rules with Taog. He did not have enough information to change the rules just yet, but since all evidence and speculation pointed to the cult having assistance that they shouldn’t…then a bit of extra help might be justified for the individuals dealing with it. He likely would have approved of Colleöne’s little scheme…had she not intentionally and knowingly tried to hide it.

But well, it would be cruel of him to send her away and then let her kin fall when he knew they were likely to be targeted. So Anualë prepared to watch over Ateia much as Colleöne had promised, to provide the group as much assistance as justified within his own rules for the Aesdes…

And possibly even to intervene himself, should the unthinkable turn out to be true.