A voice— deep, commanding, and heavy enough to press against my chest— rolled through the chamber.
"Eimira... you're late."
This was the King of Terraka. King Zyron. An Holder of Terra.
"H-He's huge…" I whispered.
"Meh.." Eimira whispered back.
He filled the space before he even moved.
Broad shoulders like fortress walls. His skin bearing the weathered tone of an ancient stone. Upon his flowy brown hair rested a crown studded with gemstones, each one catching the light. His armor gleamed, etched with Terraka's sigil— the flaming spear and the golden shield.
At his side stood a Colossal Hammer and Shield inlaid with crystals.
He rose.
The hall shifted.
Each step struck the marbled floor with weight.
He stopped in front of Eimira.
I swallowed.
For a moment I thought he was about to crush her.
Then—
"Mimiii, I thought you were not gonna come see me"
He pinched her cheeks, softly.
"I wouldn't disobey His Majesty's order." Eimira's voice came out muffled.
He pinched harder.
"Ow." Eimira yelped. "Sorry… Uncle."
"There we go."
He smiled then turned to me.
My throat went dry.
"So." He stepped closer. "You must be him."
I shrinked.
"Y-yes… Your Majesty."
His hand dropped onto my shoulder.
Heavy.
Then he leaned in slightly.
"Thanks for protecting Eimira when I couldn't." He smiled. "Hopefully I get the chance to speak with you."
He patted my back and moved on like nothing happened.
The pressure in my chest eased.
"Your father's letter came in, from Nymirel." Zyron said, taking Eimira's hand as he walked back to his throne. "He says that Laeon misses you."
Eimira smiled faintly. "I hope he's not causing too much trouble for him."
Zyron smiled.
"We'll talk after the meeting."
He let her hand go when they reached an empty space.
He turned. "So, Zandren. I hope you don't mind waiting outside a bit."
Two guards stepped forward.
I nodded. "Not at all…"
He waved. "Don't worry. They'll join you soon."
The guards escorted me out.
The heavy doors shut behind me.
Silence.
"What am I supposed to do now…"
I scratched my head.
"They couldn't even give me a map… not like I can read one but still."
Then.
A flicker of movement caught my eye.
A small figure slipped behind a pillar.
I turned slowly.
She perked again, then stepped out.
Careful steps. Measured.
She wore a simple tunic stitched with gold threads. Her reddish-brown hair was braided neatly, crowned with a polish stone circlet.
She was no older than ten, but I felt two distinct energies pulsing from her.
Her gaze lowered.
"Gorerth Aurivelle. tar vren thar kai.."
My brows furrowed. "What?"
"Tor dem nom?"
"S-Sorry… I don't understand."
She paused, thinking about something.
Then—
"I'm… Aurivelle. Nice to meet you."
I smiled. "Well, I'm Zandren. Nice to meet you too, Aurivelle."
"So… what's up?" I asked.
She fidgeted her fingers. "I saw you were lost. S-So I wanted to help."
"Was it that obvious?"
She smiled. "A little."
"Then yeah… I need help." I replied.
Her face brightened instantly.
She ran to me, then grabbed my arm. "Let's go."
****
The throne fell into absolute silence.
Not a whisper. Not a single breath.
Even the faint shift of armor or body adjustment sounded loud.
All Ten Vanguards Captains knelt in rank, their subordinates lined behind them like shadows.
"All hail the King of Terraka— King Zyron, Family of Elruka!"
Every head bowed.
A low growl rolled through the hall.
Heavy. Deep.
A massive black furred beast with golden stripes stepped forward, its paws silent against the marble. Its eyes glowed faintly as it passed between the rows, brushing close enough for some to stiffen.
It stopped at the throne.
Lowered itself.
Still.
This was Zyron's familiar.
"Let's begin." Zyron said.
Thud.
He slammed the but of his hammer on the ground.
No wasted words.
The first captain stood
He drove his left fist to his chest, then extended his right arm towards the throne.
"I am Yunok, of the Family of Elruka. Crown prince of Terraka. Captain of the Shields. First Captain.
He dropped back to his knees.
Next,
"I am Aurelle, of the Family of Saeon. Captain of the War Mages. Second Captain."
Grace in her words.
"I am Eimira, of the Family of Aevorah. Captain of the Void Markers. Third Captain"
Calm. Controlled.
One after another, they rose and spoke.
"I am Thorel, of the Family of Zorah. Captain of the Saints. Fourth Captain."
"I am Nor'ran, of the Family of Ashbourne. Captain of the Underveils. Fifth Captain."
"I am Xhask, of the Family of Duskmere. Captain of the spears. Sixth Captain."
"I am Daeona, of the Family of Calindra. Captain of the Citadel Watchers. Seventh Captain."
"I am Qevros, of the Family of Duskmere. Captain of the Second Wall. Eight Captain."
"I am Ronanoa, of the Family of Velthorne. Captain of The Artilleries. Ninth Captain."
"I am Erin, of the Family of Wisteria. Captain of the Poison Vines. Tenth Captain."
Zyron leaned back slightly.
"Sheesh. That was clean."
He glanced sideways. "Duke… Can I do mine too?"
Duke didn't even look at him. "No, your Majesty."
"Aww. You're no fun."
Zyron raised his hand.
Then—
He slammed it down.
A dull shock rang through the hall.
A thin mist spread across the floor, curling around boots and knees. Cold. Silent.
Lurking.
"This meeting concerns the attack that happened on the night of Elruka."
His voice dropped.
"Ten Nobles dead. Most being from other nations."
"Hmm mm."
Someone cleared their throat.
The beast brushed against Zyron's leg. He absently ran a hand over its head.
"Fifty servants and twenty knights… gone."
A cough.
Small.
Zyron's eyes flicked. But he kept speaking.
"One of the Veil Leaders appeared."
His gaze shifted.
Eimira.
"Nearly killed the Third captain."
Another cough.
Sharper. Slightly louder.
"Luckily. She was saved by someone she… had saved." He chuckled. "Funny how life works."
He leaned forward on his throne. The wood of the throne making a soft creak as he shifted his weight.
"Do you know the worst part of it all?"
His face went blank.
"I was ushered in like a coward and couldn't join the battle that was brought to my own fucking house."
Cough.
Zyron stood.
Stepped down and walked.
Each footsteps echoed.
"Do you have any idea how humiliating that must have been?"
Silence.
"All thanks to this illness that makes it impossible to use my Blessings."
He moved slowly.
He exhaled. "But what we know now… is worse."
The beast followed, silent.
"There are corrupted people amongst us now."
Another cough.
Closer now.
"It's happened before in the past…"
Another.
"And as a result we lost the bloodlines that carried Emberia."
Zyron stopped.
Right in front of the sixth Captain's line.
His voice lowered.
"Terraka won't fall easily."
The silence tightened.
"But I know this…"
He looked around.
"The enemy…"
Pause.
"...Is already in our midst."
A body jerked upright, behind Zyron.
From the Fifth Captain's line.
Then—
A screech.
High. Piercing.
Broken.
The man's back arched. Bones malformed. His arms twisted, joints snapping with wet pops. His mouth stretched too wide, sound tearing out in layered voices.
Guards flinched.
Some staggered backwards.
The captains didn't move.
The thing bolted.
"Lunon."
The beast moved.
A blur of muscle. It crossed the distance in a single bound.
Jaws locked onto the creature's leg.
Frost exploded outward.
The ice climbed fast. Up the limb. Across the torso. Over the face.
Locked. Frozen mid-screech.
Zyron raised his hand.
His hammer tore through the air and landed in his grip.
He tilted his head slightly.
"Rest in peace to the soul you took from us."
Zyron looked into the eyes of the veil.
The pupils moved.
"We won't fall like Ardor did."
He raised his Hammer.
"Nor will any other Nation."
His left eye glowed a bright yellow, as the hammer smashed into the frozen body.
Boom!
The body shattered.
Chunks of ice and flesh burst across the marble.
Silence crashed back down in the throne hall.
Zyron coughed. He cleaned his mouth and saw traces of blood on his hand.
"I really can't use my blessing…" He whispered.
He turned.
Slowly making his way back to his throne.
He placed his other hand on the Fifth Captain's shoulder.
Firm.
"We begin internal checks." He continued walking. "Every Vanguard should provide reports on all members."
Zyron sat on his throne. His familiar returned, dragging the hammer back before dropping it at his feet.
"Good girl." Zyron said, resting his hand on its head.
"How long is this war going to last for…"
He paused.
"How long will I last?"
He took a deep breath.
"Dismissed."
"All hail the King of Terraka— King Zyron."
Everyone bowed before rising and taking their leave.
"Not you, Mimi"
Zyron stopped Eimira.
She remained bowed, along with her subordinates.
"Stay for a bit."
****
Aurivelle took me around the palace, showing me various things commoners don't get to see easily.
I also found out that she was the crown princess of Terraka.
Just great.
"First the supreme commander's daughter, and now the crown princess of Terraka." I thought, as I imagined my head being chopped off if I was ever accused of trying to kidnap the princess.
I shuddered at the thought of it.
"What are you thinking about?" She asked
Snapping back to my senses.
"Oh uhh... It's nothing. Just some trauma"
"Oh… Ok."
She paused. Hesitating to say something.
Then she spoke.
"Y-You don't speak the Tongue of Terra." She fidgeted. "So I take it you are not from Terraka."
"Yeah." I replied.
"So… where are you from?" She asked.
"Oh uh."
"How do I say no without breaking her heart?"
"It's fine if you don't wanna tell me." She smiled. "I'm even happy that you're talking to me now."
Something about that left me questioning why a child would be thankful someone talked to her.
"I actually can't remember where I'm from." I said. "I lost my memory recently. So yeah."
She giggled. "Thank you."
—
We walked the upper halls overlooking the courtyard.
There were a group of people in uniforms below. Their colors, setting them apart.
"They're some of the members of the Ten Vanguards." Aurivelle said. "Some Captains bring more members to flaunt their Vanguards reputation."
"Eimira didn't." I blurted.
Aurivelle lit up. "You're with Eimira? She's my favourite, hehe."
"Figured you'd like her. Haha" I replied.
"Let's have a closer look at the vanguard members." Aurivelle said, with a bit of hesitation
We headed down, chatting about Eimira.
The moment we stepped into view, the murmuring started.
Eyes locked onto me.
Mostly Aurivelle.
Then me.
"Who's that?"
"Never seen him before."
"Maybe a servant?"
"Or a slave."
"He'll probably quit when he realises how much of a failure she is." A blonde guy said.
"Shh, she's gonna hear you."
He laughed. "What's she gonna do? Throw a rock at me?"
They made sure Aurivelle heard everything.
Then.
The laughter.
Loud. Mocking.
Auriville's grip around my hand tightened.
"I have no blessings." She whispered, hiding her face. "Just like my mother."
The joy in her face had left.
Now only sadness and fear remained.
"Failure princess."
The blonde pointed at her.
More laughter.
That was enough.
"Watch your mouth dude." I said.
He stepped forward.
"Oh? What's a slave gonna do?"
"I'd rather be a slave than bully a child." I answered mockingly. "Grow up man.. oh wait.."
A ripple went through the crowd.
His expression snapped. He turned to Aurivelle.
"Imagine needing a slave to defend your weak self."
Aurivelle stepped behind me.
And I heard her sobs.
"Tsk…"
My fist moved.
Thud.
He flew. Crashing into his group.
Silence broke into shock.
He stood, furious.
"How dare you? You mere slave—"
They attacked.
Two from the front. Two from behind.
They pulled out their blades.
"Now you've done it." The blonde chuckled. "We'll just tell people you became a veil and was instantly taken care of."
Two from the front. Two from behind.
"Really?"
They charged.
I pushed Aurivelle aside.
Steel whizzed past my ear.
One cut slipped through. My forearm burned.
Blood dripped out.
"Ah, they aren't joking…"
Then—
Boom.
The blonde struck with his mace.
I felt a jolt all across my body. Didn't see him coming.
He didn't stop.
Blow after blow. Each hit weakened my defense. Forcing me back.
The final strike hit—
Thud.
My body struck a pillar.
Dropped to one knee.
"Pathetic."
They laughed.
He spat at me, and raised his mace.
"Let's get rid of this devil."
"Please stop…"
Aurivelle's voice.
Soft.
He turned.
"Oh? The failure speaks…"
"Please stop."
She said.
Colder now.
The atmosphere changed.
"Make me."
He swung.
"You bastard…"
"I said… STOP!"
Boom!
A blast of flame tore through the courtyard.
The ground cracked.
Heat surged.
The crowd who mocked her, fell back.
I raised my head.
She was right in front of me.
Aurivelle stood with her hands by her side, clenched tightly.
Her right eye glowed gold. Her left eye burned orange.
Fire climbed through her hair like it had been waiting.
The air trembled around her.
The flowers caught fire.
The grass became scorched.
Heated.
The "failure princess" stood there.
Burning.
I had just witnessed the awakening of—
A bearer.