In the Thalorein Mansion – The Day Zhavrik Disappeared
"Where is Zhavrik? I haven't seen him since morning. Is he still sleeping?"
A mature woman, likely in her mid-forties, with long lustrous hair and a cold aura that made her difficult to approach, sat gracefully on a velvet sofa. Her sharp eyes glanced at the maid serving her tea as she asked the question. This was Lystriel Thalorein, wife of the previous Duke of Thalorein and grandmother of Zhavrik.
"Lady Lystriel," the maid bowed respectfully, "the young master is not in the mansion. Nobody has seen him since morning. We have already informed the Duke. According to him, the young master might have gone out… adventuring."
Hearing this, Lady Lystriel nodded faintly before taking a sip of her tea, her expression unreadable.
---
Ten days passed in the same manner. Every day, Lady Lystriel inquired about Zhavrik's whereabouts. At first, she had brushed it off as the boy's mischievous nature. But as the days stretched on, unease began to gnaw at her.
On the tenth day, unable to contain her worry any longer, she made her way to her daughter-in-law's chambers.
"Aelira, are you inside, dear?" she called softly, knocking on the door.
"Yes, Mother. I'm inside. The door is open," came the gentle reply.
Lystriel entered. Inside, Aelira Thalorein, a woman in her mid-thirties with an elegant bearing, sat at her desk, a frown etched on her face as she studied a stack of reports.
"What's the matter, Mother? You look troubled," Aelira asked, setting the papers aside.
Lystriel sighed as she approached. "Aelira, you know it has been almost two weeks since Zhavrik went missing, don't you? Nobody knows where he is or what he's doing. I've been asking every day, but the answers never change. I'm worried. His birthday is drawing near… and with his bloodline awakened, it is dangerous for him to wander outside. If word gets out, people will come after him."
Her voice trembled slightly, betraying her composure. The bloodline Zhavrik awakened was unique—one of a kind. If others discovered that he had awakened it at the mere age of eight, enemies would come for him. Some might even dare infiltrate their mansion. Even within the household, danger lurked. And yet the boy had vanished outside, unprotected. The thought made Lystriel's heart ache with fear.
"I know, Mother. I am just as worried," Aelira admitted, her face heavy with concern. "I even spoke with Zavrok yesterday. He has already ordered The Ravens to search for Zhavrik's whereabouts. These reports I'm reading are from their scouts. It seems… he isn't within the dukedom. We expanded the search outside our borders this morning. I'm worried too, Mother."
She stood and walked over to Lystriel, her worry spilling out. "He has never gone out on his own before. Even Zavrok is restless. If we don't find him in the next couple of days, Zavrok and I will search for him ourselves."
Hearing that her son, Zavrok Thalorein—the current Duke and father of Zhavrik—was personally involved, Lystriel exhaled in relief, though her unease lingered.
---
On the 40th Day of Zhavrik's Disappearance – Inside the Throne Room
"What do you mean you cannot find him?!"
An authoritative voice thundered across the hall. A tall man with the sharp gaze of a warrior sat upon the throne, his presence radiating dominance. He was Zavrok Thalorein, Duke of the Thalorein Dukedom and father of Zhavrik.
"It has been 40 days since my son vanished! A nine-year-old child, who was last seen sleeping in his bed, somehow slipped out of this mansion and beyond the dukedom—without a single soul noticing? Do you think that is possible?"
His glare bore down on the kneeling figures before him.
"My lord," one of them spoke carefully, "we have expanded our search into the nearby dukedoms. We've scoured every corner of the empire, but the young master remains untraceable. Our only option now is to search the neighboring empires. But… there is a complication. Due to diplomatic issues, the empire has denied us permission to cross the borders. The elves, too, have increased their border patrols after noticing our movements. Since we have not made the young master's disappearance public, they may suspect we are conducting covert operations in their lands."
The speaker was Kale Gord, head of The Ravens, the elite squad specializing in information gathering, assassination, and covert missions.
Zarvok's brows furrowed deeply. "The elves, huh? I understand. I will speak with Father and have him negotiate with their emperor. Their domain is in turmoil, so it is no surprise they want no outsiders meddling. But the royal family…" His voice grew cold. "That old fox is interfering again. Is he afraid we'll discover whatever is happening in the elven lands? Tsk. If it weren't for our ancestor's promise to the royal family, I would have dealt with that cunning old man decades ago."
He waved his hand. "You may go. Once I speak with Father, The Ravens may enter the elven domain. As for the other empires, do not bother with permission—they are stable enough and won't care, as long as we don't stir trouble. But… be careful of the winged zealots in the Holy Lands. If word of Zhavrik leaks out, they will be the first to act against him. Move carefully. Do not let a single outsider catch wind of this."
Kale bowed low. "Understood, my lord."
As the men left, Zavrok clenched his fists. The elves were in crisis, and though his father had offered them help, they had stubbornly refused. With matters growing worse on their side, barging in recklessly could ruin their relations. He would need his father's intervention.
The other empires did not concern him. If push came to shove, he was confident he could handle them.
But the angels… they were different. Ever since the establishment of the Pentagon and the Arcaneum Academy, they had held grudges against the Thaloreins. It was expected—after all, it was the Thaloreins who had first opposed them, obstructing their plans. Their hatred had been simmering for centuries, waiting for a chance to erupt.
If they learned of Zhavrik, they would strike without hesitation.
---
Later that day, Zavrok arrived at his father's chambers.
He knocked.
"Enter," came the deep voice from inside.
Opening the door, Zavrok walked in. His father, Varadon Thalorein, sat in meditation, his body glowing faintly with magical energy. Slowly, he opened his eyes, meeting his son's worried gaze.
"Father," Zavrok began, "would it be possible for you to negotiate entry into the elven empire? The elves have strengthened their borders, and if our men intrude carelessly, it could lead to dangerous misunderstandings."
Varadon's sharp eyes softened slightly. He had been restless these past days as well, unable to shake his concern for his grandson.
"Very well," he said firmly. "I will go myself. I'll search the elven domain and see how they are handling their troubles. If they require aid, I'll lend it. Do not worry. Nothing will happen to my grandson."
Zavrok exhaled, grateful. "Thank you, Father. But there is more. That cunning old man from the royal family has already begun obstructing us. He blocked our knights' entry into the elven lands. I suspect he fears we may interfere in their affairs. I wouldn't be surprised if he has already sent spies into our domain to sniff out our movements."
Varadon's expression darkened. "You're right. He probably has. We cannot hide the mobilization of The Ravens forever. He'll be scrambling to figure out why we're moving so many knights across the empire. Before he learns the truth, we must locate Zhavrik. Otherwise, who knows what schemes that snake will concoct."
He rose from his seat, his aura pressing heavily in the room. "Spread false rumors. Distract him. Buy us time. I'll prepare for my journey into the elven domain."
Zavrok bowed, relief flickering across his face. "Yes, Father."