Return of the Legendary Runesmith

"Daaaarling, is this really necessary?" Annabelle whined as they stepped out of the academy building.

It was already ten o'clock. Most students had returned to their dorms, the campus quiet. The security guards didn't question them leaving—Ariana's presence alone was enough to silence doubts.

Adrian let out a tired sigh. "It's happening tonight, isn't it?" Not like they had any option.

Annabelle puffed her cheeks. "But it's your birthday. Shouldn't we be celebrating instead of sneaking off?" There were things in her mind she wanted to do tonight.

They had celebrated. The cake, the feast—everything Ariana had arranged specially for him was more than enough. Once Elana and Sylvie retired to their rooms, though, duty called.

Annabelle's followers had set up a meeting. Adrian wanted answers. And Ariana… she wanted to see with her own eyes if the woman Annabelle saved two years ago was really her old mentor.

That was why they had to go.

"Bella," Adrian said gently, "I'm grateful for everything you planned tonight. Truly. But there's no better time to meet your people than now, when they're all gathered in one place."

Annabelle pouted. "Darling is such a workaholic."

Ariana laughed softly. "You're only figuring that out now? I've known for ages that this man loves work more than anything."

Adrian offered a sheepish smile. "Well then… shall we get going?"

Annabelle gave a dramatic hmph and stopped in her tracks.

Adrian turned to her, a little worried. "What is it? Do you really not want to go? Maybe I'm pushing too hard."

But she only leaned in with a sly grin. "You could just teleport us there, you know."

Adrian blinked. "Teleport? Do I even know the place?"

Her grin widened. "Of course you do. It's home."

….

Beneath the earth lay the old shelter where Avirin and Bella had once lived.

It was the same hideout the Towers nearly uncovered just weeks ago. They hadn't managed to break into it, but they had gotten dangerously close.

Later, when Annabelle learned of the discovery, she struck a deal with two Towers, handing over the shelter in exchange for fulfilling one request they may have in the future.

Of course, the Towers never fully pulled back their surveillance. But knowing whose name now stood over the site, they dared not linger too close.

"Wow… you really handed this place over to them?" Adrian asked as they approached the hidden bunker.

Annabelle's steps slowed. "I… couldn't keep watch here all the time, Darling. I didn't want it to fall into the wrong hands, so I gave them the duty to guard it."

Her wide eyes lifted to his. "Did I do the wrong thing?"

Adrian chuckled softly. "No, you didn't. Don't worry." There was nothing inside worth fretting over—except for one room, his old workshop. That, he could live with.

They soon reached the ladder. After lifting the panel above, they climbed down into the tunnel.

Adrian paused halfway, his eyes widening. "Woah… they really fixed this place up."

The once dark, forgotten gallery now glowed with torchlight. The walls looked cleaner, the air carried the faint scent of fresh paint.

It was clear—the place had been repaired and renewed.

"...!!"

A sudden chill ran down Adrian's spine. The shadows seemed to stir.

Instinctively, he drew his revolver and aimed at the shifting figure.

"Huh?" His eyes narrowed—nothing was there. It felt as if whatever he sensed had simply vanished.

But he was wrong.

"I greet the Lady Supreme."

A voice rang out, steady and calm. Someone had indeed appeared, but not with hostile intent.

Even Ariana's eyes widened—she hadn't noticed the approach either.

Kneeling before Annabelle was a woman with short, dark-grey hair dressed in a black uniform. Her head remained bowed, her face hidden even from the one she was addressing.

"Eh? Who are you?" Annabelle asked, tilting her head curiously.

Ariana resisted the urge to palm her forehead. At least remember the names of the people serving under you…

"My name is Eros, Lady Supreme," the woman replied, voice firm. "I have been sent to guide you to the main hall."

Annabelle gave a small hum. "Are they all gathered?"

"Yes, Lady Supreme."

"Then let's go."

At that, the woman rose smoothly to her feet.

Her golden eyes flicked first to Ariana, then to Adrian. Her expression remained unreadable as she turned and began leading the way.

Annabelle glanced over her shoulder with a small smile. "You can ask her anything you like, Darling."

Adrian gave a thoughtful hum before voicing the question that had been on his mind. "Has the Tower ever tried to breach this place?"

Eros's reply came quick. "Officially, no. But they did send a few undesirables—criminals—to scout the facility. We took care of them."

She continued, her tone steady and cold. "Given the importance of this site to our Queen, four elites are always stationed inside to guard it."

Her voice was almost mechanical, stripped of warmth. Yet whenever Annabelle was mentioned, a faint softness crept in—subtle, but telling.

It was clear where her loyalty lay.

Ariana spoke up this time. "Is Janet here?"

The woman answered without pause, her voice as even as before. "She goes by the name Jean now. And yes—Jean is here."

Ariana let out a long sigh. So it was true. Janet survived.

Annabelle broke into a grin. "See? You owe me one now. Next time, I'm sleeping with Darling."

Adrian caught the smallest twitch in Eros's step—a momentary flinch before she resumed her silent, measured pace.

A wry smile tugged at his lips. Devotees, I suppose.

They walked on, passing through two checkpoints. At each, soldiers straightened and gave Annabelle a respectful salute before allowing them through.

Adrian had assumed they'd be meeting in his old workshop, but when they stopped before the door, he frowned.

"It's locked?" He muttered, stepping closer. The door wasn't just barred with a heavy mechanical lock—an artifact pulsed faintly against its surface, coating it in a thin frost that sealed it shut.

Eros's voice echoed softly behind him. "The Lady Supreme ordered that no one enter this room."

Adrian chuckled, turning to glance at Annabelle.

She met his eyes with a mischievous grin. "I remember how much you hated people messing with your room."

He ruffled her hair, "Thanks,"

After they walked for a few more minutes, they stopped before two large doors.

Eros turned toward them and said, "They are waiting inside,"

Annabelle held Ariana and Adrian's hands as she said, "Let's go."

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Through them, we will get to know more about Annabelle's past and her life as a Warden.

Drop a comment.