I don't know what I did to deserve this. Maybe it was all my brothers' sins — those tall, muscular, merciless creatures, each one must have been worse than the last. Karma took one look at their auras and ran. But karma, being karma, still had to balance the scales. So he chose me — the smallest, youngest, most immature of them all — and decided that torturing me might finally get their attention. Well, the joke is on you, Karma. My brothers cared more for a rusted pin on a deserted road than they ever did for me. But as always, I swallowed it — like I was born to accept being forgotten.
My brother was not wrong when he called me weak and lonely — because it was true. I'm the black sheep of the family, in case you missed the memo. And the universe? It wasn't exactly subtle about it.
I've read the stories. You know, the ones with the powerless outcast, shunned by all, who turns out to be the chosen one. Saves the world. Gets the girl.
But here's the twist: I. Do not. Care.
Not about the power. Not about the girl. Not about the people and their stupid, whispered comments.
My brothers' words cut deep sometimes, sure. But at the end of the day? It's just me.
Me, my thoughts… and my diary.
…
Queen Nyara had left the palace for the first time since the war, and no one was allowed to witness it. Not the citizens of Solara, not the students of The Soulborne Academy, just the intimidating principal, then He was tall, quirky, arms crossed like some nerd king in glasses — but don't let the specs fool you. There was danger in his stance, the kind that reminded you of Lucen's brother… and the entourage that refused to smile. Lucen stood behind his mother, not knowing what to expect or how to prepare for it. He just knew that he had to be ready.
Just like the queen, this was the first time the King of Loxmere left his fortress and the first after the war since he set foot on Solara soil. The same was true for the princess. Loxmere kept her a secret while her brothers executed the King's will, which included supervision, taxes, slave trade, and the like. The Sons of the Noxmere Royalty did it all, yet none were ever seen. Only two of the brothers entered Solara to oversee the tasks — and even then, behind closed doors. No citizen was permitted to see the face of Loxmere Royalty. The penalty was absolute.
Not death.
Something worse.
A punishment so cruel, even death dared not offer itself.
As they waited, Queen Nyara could see the uncertainty in her son's eyes.
"What troubles you, my son?" She asked, the headmaster and the followers turning to give them privacy.
"I have a bad feeling about all this, Mother. The thought that this may be a ploy for Noxmere to conquer Solara completely." Lucen said, his eyes narrowing.
Queen Nyara nods. "True. The possibility of that is extremely high, but it is unlikely."
"Mother, why do you trust Noxmere this much? After everything they have put your people through, why do you remain silent and optimistic about all this?" Lucen asked, rage burning deep within him.
Queen Nyara smiled warmly and placed a reassuring hand on her son's shoulder. "My dear boy, if Noxmere wanted to destroy us, they would have done that years ago. I am not saying this because I side with Noxmere, but it is because I choose to believe. My son, everything happens for a reason, a design we can not obstruct or redirect. That only deepens your anxiety and weakens your focus, making it harder to see the beauty in everything around you. Time destroys, but it can also heal, heal all the pain caused. My baby, give in to destiny. Do not fight it, embrace it."
"So all this, all this pain, all these afflictions, all this suffering and tears, they were all destined to befall on Solara? Solara was destined to be enslaved by Noxmere?" Lucen asked, his stance unwavering.
Queen Nyara chuckled, a sight Lucen longed to see for years. "You only see the negative because that is what you have chosen to see, my child. Destiny is a gift given by the gods themselves. It is primal, sacred, and unwavering. It knows no status, pain, or suffering; a rolling stone that can not be stopped till it reaches the edge. It cares not about your tears, your happiness, or your sacrifices, but rewards patience greatly. My son, why does a mother bring forth prey, only to watch it devoured by the predator? If birth was meant for suffering, she would have chosen silence over life. But tell me — what becomes of the predator, who too was born into this world? My baby, everything under this son has a role to play, distributed by destiny. Play your part, worry not about the others, for they will not worry about you. You entered this world alone, and alone you shall depart. Only worry for others when you finally meet destiny." Queen Nyara caressed her child's cheek tenderly, her smile maternal and sweet.
"So your choice of me being enrolled… was it destiny?" Lucen asked, his eyes looked up into his mother's.
"Destiny is a funny thing, a puzzle mortals can only dream of understanding, but the few who get close to it only realize the gist in their graves. Destiny's job is to show the end product, not the route to getting there. That is left for the mortal's free will. The route can either lead you astray or to the destination, but with that, the route can either be long or short, full of obstacles or smooth, known or unknown, intentional or not." Queen Nyara answered.
Lucen blinked. A simple question, simple words, and yet Queen Nyara responded like a prophet mid-ritual. "Mother, do you really think I am the best choice? I have no ability or guardian… How am I supposed to learn in the Academy with the others? I will just be tarnishing the image of the bloodline."
Queen Nyara's eyebrows perked up in surprise. "Lucen, The Light that Blinds, are you accepting what your brothers have been feeding you all these years. I reckoned your stubbornness surpassed that of The Son of Lyra."
Lucen sighed. "Mother, no matter the intensity of stubbornness, one must face reality sooner or later. Her Majesty knows that I do not care about not having abilities or about what others think, but this is not personal anymore. I would have to live with these people for a year, and this is the first time in years that a Royal would be joining the Academy after Tirien, Son of Hercules."
"I believed you cared least about the crown and its matters, Lucen." The queen smiled warmly. "You have a heart of gold, my boy. Do not mask it with pain and resentment."
"Wise words from the radiant and wise, Nyara. Queen of Solara, Daughter of The House of The Flame of Dawn, Aureon."
The voice was dark, yet laced with charm, a blend of power, seduction, and quiet terror.
Queen Nyara turned, standing face to face with the Veiled Sovereign, a man whose footsteps did more than echo.
They spoke.
Each step, an incantation. Each sound, a spell that painted fear across the heart.
The glare was silent, but in those two minutes, a full conversation passed — wordless, but loud. Princess Nyreal tapped King Noctorian from behind before he slowly pulled away.
Queen Nyara, Prince Lucen, and everyone present bowed to the Noxmere Royalty.
"Welcome to Solara, My Lord." Queen Nyara greeted, her head still low.
"Everything is in place… isn't it, Queen Nyara?" King Noctorian asked, though it sounded more like a warning than a question.
"Yes, My Lord." Queen Nyara answered.
"You must be wondering why the sudden decision." King Noctorian said as everyone rose.
"Yes, My Lord." Queen Nyara nodded gracefully.
"Well then, you have nothing to worry about if your subjects are as loyal as you, Queen Nyara." King Noctorian said, narrowing his eyes.
"I do not worry, My Lord. King Noctorian is welcome to do all that he deems fit." Queen Nyara answered, her stance unwavering and her spirit unbothered.
King Noctorian grunted as he gave a slight nod. "Oh, forgive me. This is Princess Nyreal, The Duskflower Unmarked, Daughter of the House of The Sovereign of Silence — Tharion, Daughter of the Null-light."
They all bow in respect.
"She is here to represent Noxmere in The Soulborne Academy, so such due respect is required." King Noctorian said with warning in his tone.
"Yes, My Lord." Queen Nyara said with a bow.
King Noctorian nodded. His empty gaze moved from the principal, across the students, and settled on Lucen "And who might you be?"
Queen Nyara turned to see the person King Noctorian's question was directed to. "Pardon me, My Lord. This is a child from The House of The Flame of Dawn."
King Noctorian narrowed his eyes. "Another? I thought I was accustomed to them all," he said, suspicion curling in his voice.
"That is because he is adopted, My Lord." Queen Nyara explained, which surprised Lucen and the other four present for different reasons.
"Adopted?" King Noctorian asked, unconvinced
"Yes, My Lord. The House of The Flame of Dawn adopted another son, for all His sons were absent from the kingdom." Queen Nyara explained further.
"Ah, now it makes sense," King Noctorian said with a mocking tilt of his head. "A peasant in the House of the Flame of Dawn… Tell me, is that how far the mighty have fallen?"
Queen Nyara grew uncomfortable, but she refused to let it show. Not even in the slightest, and one could tell King Noctorian enjoyed the scene, but just kept the stern look to keep his intimidating aura.
"Queen Nyara, why then do you enroll a peasant into The Soulborne Academy? Is it not a rule that no peasants are allowed to enroll, for they are without any supernatural abilities?" King Noctorian asked, his suspicion resurfacing.
"To ensure that the princess is safe and comfortable in the academy grounds. As much as security is provided by the principal and the students' representatives, it would be best to have one person who would attend to the princess's needs if necessary." As Queen Nyara spoke, Lucen tried his absolute best to keep up, though he had no idea what she was plotting.
"Then why not a female so she attends to her needs at all times?" King Noctorian narrowed his eyes inquisitively.
"A male is preferable in most cases. Though the female has capabilities, when it comes to The Academy, the male can, and I assure you, Lucen may not have any abilities, but he has trained well." Queen Nyara assured.
King Noctorian assessed Lucen thoroughly. His eyes travelled to every part of his body, unravelling all secrets. "Hmmm… So be it. If he can protect Noxmere's Treasure during her stay, then I shall not push further, but know this: if any harm befalls The Princess, Solara shall be held responsible."
The Queen fell to the ground, her head low, and no one dared to remain standing. "May all harm befall on my head, My Lord!" Queen Nyara declared.
King Noctorian flinched — barely. The reaction caught him off guard, but his demeanor remained cold, distant.
"Rise," he commanded.
Queen Nyara and the others obeyed, rising to their feet.
"You have given me your word. That is more than enough." King Noctorian said, Queen Nyara bowing her head to it.
At Queen Nyara's signal, the principal and three students hurried to her side, then bowed before King Noctorian.
"Thank you for gracing us with your presence, My King. I am Headmaster Virell. I will be taking care of The Daughter of The Null-light, Noxmere's Treasure." The principal bowed.
King Noctorian observed the man keenly, then nodded. "So you are the one who has kept The Soulborne Academy intact and in check all these years?" King Noctorian asked.
Headmaster Virell bowed. "Yes, My King."
King Noctorian nods approvingly. "I see. Princess Nyreal is in your care now."
"Thank you, My King." Headmaster Virell and the students bowed.
King Noctorian turned to His precious gem for the last time, then nodded. Princess Nyreal nodded in response.
King Noctorian turned back to Queen Nyara. "I shall take my leave then, I believe you should as well."
She bowed. He nodded once, then turned — shadow clinging to him, death blooming in his footsteps.
Queen Nyara walked the other way, her glow moving before her like prophecy, every step a hymn of grace.
Two worlds in the same land, unspoken tension, unspoken fears, and an unspoken future.