“For the last time,” he said patiently, “I am not a spy.” Elara raised one eyebrow with her hands folded across her chest. “You saying it doesn't prove you aren't,” she replied calmly. Ryan stared at her for a moment. “If my goal was to harm you, I wouldn’t have gone through all that trouble just

“You think I wouldn’t recognize that ring?” she demanded sharply, stepping closer to him. “Do you take me for a fool?”Ryan frowned, by her reaction. He lifted his hand slightly and glanced at the ring himself before looking back at her.“I don't?” he said calmly.But Elara was no longer calm.“You

Robert Chase remembered the blinding energy that had engulfed him and Ryan Walker at the same time. And then… nothing. Now he was walking in the middle of a forest that looked nothing like any place he had ever seen before. Tall trees surrounded him on every side, and the sky above had begun turn

The forest had grown darker as Ryan and Elara continued walking along the narrow trail that cut through the thick trees. Ryan walked slightly ahead while Elara followed beside him, both of them alert to every movement around them. For a while, neither of them spoke.Ryan finally broke the silence.

The system continued in its calm, mechanical tone. [Task description will now be explained.] Ryan sighed quietly. “Alright,” he muttered in his mind. “Go ahead.” The system began outlining the task carefully. [Host must accompany the individual known as Elara to the king’s palace.] Ryan glanced