The grand corridor stretched endlessly, its marble walls gleaming under the soft glow of enchanted lanterns. The office doors, tall and imposing, barely contained the heated voices reverberating through the hall.
Inside, the air was thick with tension. A girl's firm voice clashed against the deep, weary tone of an elder, their debate filling every corner of the lavish chamber. Amidst the argument, a soft sound of sipping punctuated the conversation—a steady, deliberate noise, almost mocking in its calmness.
Tessia sat rigidly before the grand wooden desk, her hands clenched into fists against the polished surface. The fire in her eyes refused to dim as she stared at her grandfather. "Grandpa, I am ready," she declared, her voice unwavering.
King Alduin Eralith, draped in his usual flowing white robes, exhaled heavily. His once-proud posture seemed burdened by unseen weights. His beard had grown longer, unruly with time, and his face bore the unmistakable lines of exhaustion. This past year had drained him. More than anyone, Tessia could see how much it had cost him.
"For an entire year, I've been locked inside this castle!" she pressed. "I want to fight for my people—our people!"
"You are not ready."
The finality in his voice stung more than she wanted to admit. His violet eyes, the same as hers, held firm.
Tessia bit her lip and turned sharply toward the third figure in the room. Across from them, reclining effortlessly in a chair, was Master Aldir. The armored Asura sat with an air of complete indifference, his black crystalline armor glinting under the golden light. In his hands rested a small porcelain teacup, which he brought to his lips with maddening patience. His twin eyes remained shut, but the third—the luminous violet gem embedded in his forehead—watched her with unreadable curiosity.
"Master Aldir," she said, her voice tinged with urgency. "You told me yourself that I've improved. You said I was getting stronger."
Aldir finally set his teacup down on the silver tray beside him. His head tilted slightly, considering her words before he spoke.
"You have improved." His voice was measured, calm. "But you are not fully prepared yet."
Tessia's heart sank.
Her grandfather took the opportunity to reinforce his stance. "That settles it," he said, his voice firm. "The decision has been made."
Tessia's hands trembled. Frustration boiled beneath her skin, her nails digging into her palms as she swallowed her anger. They were dismissing her. They still saw her as a child.
Without another word, she spun on her heel, her long silver hair whipping behind her as she stormed toward the door. She pushed it open with unnecessary force, the wood groaning under her frustration.
The sound of tea being sipped followed her out.
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The moment we entered Etistine, I couldn't help but marvel at the transformation. Once an ordinary city, it now stood as humanity's last bastion—a fortress against the looming war. Soldiers patrolled the streets with sharp discipline, their armor gleaming under the midday sun. Siege weapons lined the outer walls, and supply caravans moved in an organized rhythm, their urgency undeniable.
A quiet sense of pride swelled within me. This city was prepared.
Lance Varay walked ahead, her usual stoic expression unchanged. Clad in a gray cloak like mine, she moved with effortless precision, her hood pulled low to keep our identities hidden.
"Varay, thank you for allowing me to tag along," I said, quickening my pace to match hers.
She didn't glance my way, her reply as composed as ever. "No problem, Princess."
As we moved through the bustling streets, a small shop caught my eye. Displayed in its glass window was a delicate blue necklace, the gem at its center shimmering like frozen water. My feet halted before I could stop myself. That shade of blue… it reminded me of someone. Someone important.
Before I knew it, I had purchased the necklace, running my fingers lightly over its smooth surface.
Varay's voice cut through my thoughts. "Always keep your weapon at hand."
I turned to her, puzzled. "But this isn't a battlefield."
She met my gaze, her expression unwavering. "It's a precaution. In war, nowhere is safe."
With a resigned sigh, I summoned my rapier from my dimension ring, letting the weight of it settle against my waist. I wasn't about to argue with her experience.
We continued walking, weaving through the crowd when, suddenly, someone crashed into me.
Instincts flared before my mind could catch up. My body moved on its own—gripping my rapier, I twisted my stance and pinned the person to the ground, my blade resting just above their throat.
I finally got a good look at my 'attacker.'
Green hair. Green eyes. Oversized glasses that had nearly fallen off her face.
A familiar gasp left her lips.
Recognition struck me like a lightning bolt. My grip loosened, and a wide grin spread across my face.
"Emma!"
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With half of Emma's papers in my arms, we walked side by side, our chatter weaving seamlessly into the vibrant streets of Etistine. The city bustled with activity—vendors calling out their wares, soldiers marching in tight formations, and civilians going about their day with a sense of duty.
Trailing behind Lance Varay like two little girls, Emma and I exchanged stories, catching up after so long apart.
"So, got any info about Arthur?" Emma asked, her voice laced with teasing amusement.
I let out a small sigh, already knowing where this was going. "No. Every time I ask Master Aldir, he just says—"
At the exact same time, we both mimicked his deep, unbothered tone:
*"He is training. That is all you need to know."*
Laughter bubbled out of us, the weight of the past year momentarily lifting. I hadn't realized how much I missed this—just being with a friend, talking about anything and everything.
Emma nudged me playfully. "And what about Elijah?"
The question hit like a dagger to the spine. A cold prickle of regret ran through me, but I forced myself to answer. "No news. It's been so long, and I still don't understand why they took him alive." My grip tightened around the papers. "All I know is that he helped me when I was captured."
The question hit like a dagger to the spine. A cold prickle of regret ran through me, but I forced myself to answer. "No news. It's been so long, and I still don't understand why they took him alive." My grip tightened around the papers. "All I know is that he helped me when I was captured."
Emma opened her mouth, probably to reassure me, but before she could speak, Lance Varay's calm, authoritative voice cut through the air.
"We've arrived."
Straightening, I lifted my gaze and took in the structure before us—a two-story building, standing at least twenty feet tall. Its exterior was made of smooth, dark metal, its black doors adorned with intricate golden handles shaped like twisting vines.
Emma stepped forward, placing her hands against the gilded handles. A faint hum resonated as mana pulsed from her fingertips, flowing into the enchanted metal. The moment the spell activated, the doors groaned open, revealing the unknown that awaited us inside.
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Powerstonessss!!!
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