The one of the cities of the Northern Kingdom of Mystra lay under cold starlight. Snow-dusted towers glistened against an ink‑black sky. Inside the obsidian walls of Collen's fortress, the atmosphere was tense as a drawn blade.
Collen Koran sat in his high chamber. Behind him, tall windows framed frost-laced pines and distant peaks. Before him lay reports, maps
Outside the chamber, the doors opened. Kira entered, accompanied by her two elite sentinels. Her green hair caught the torchlight. Her eyes were steel—resolute but concerned.
"My lord," she greeted, bowing.
Collen nodded, not looking up. "You're wise to come swiftly. I have questions — not orders."
Kira stiffened, but remained silent.
He began: "The destruction of Noctera was catastrophic — beyond in which any body at Peak Soldier level can cause. The city's Gate core collapsed, walls melted, wards shattered. The magnitude suggests something… new. Something unforeseen." He paused, voice low. "I want to know how he did it."
Kira's lips parted. "You suspect it's not just brute force?"
Collen turned, his eyes alight with a cold curiosity. "Yes." His fingers tapped the table.
Kira's guard behind her shifted.
Collen leaned forward. "Tell me, Kira: have your spies ever seen something like this?"
She swallowed. "Rumors. In remote border villages, people report flickers in darkness — shadows moving against the wind. But no proof. No witness strong enough to survive."
A sudden knock rattled the doors. A messenger entered, hooded and panting. He bowed low.
Then the messenger said "Sir he his here sir"
"Fuck" has Collen face changed into anger.
*WETON*
The grand hall of the Weton Royal Palace was silent save for the soft tap of polished boots against marble. Flickering torchlight danced over towering pillars and crimson drapes, casting long shadows like living things stretching into the dusk.
Kev stood beneath the vaulted ceiling, his posture rigid but controlled. His hair, once black as night, now gleamed white – a mask forged by a dead Magnus' silent spell. A thin black veil partially obscured his face, guarding his identity from prying eyes with a black suit and a black tie. He was a stranger here – an unknown presence in the heart of Weton's royal power.
Before him, seated with regal poise, was Zackline Zel Zeheir, the Zeheir royal clan's fierce general. Her hair was the dark-white of storm clouds laced with moonlight, cascading like liquid shadow and snow. Her piercing eyes surveyed Keal coolly.
"You appear without introduction, without reference," she said softly, her voice sharp yet smooth. "Why should I allow you into this palace, keal?"
Kev inclined his head respectfully. "I seek only temporary employment, my lady. I am between places." Has he remebered that he changed his name to keal to escape the Koran clan.
Zackline's gaze intensified. With a subtle flick of her fingers, she invoked her Eyes of All, a magic of high rank that pierced the surface to reveal truths hidden deep within. Time seemed to slow as her eyes glowed golden, peering into Keal's very soul.
Then darkness erupted. An endless whirlpool of shadows – alive and swirling – rose from his aura, twining like spectral serpents hungry to consume.
Zackline gasped and drew back, startled. "What was that." she whispered, almost to herself.
Inside Keal's mind, the oldest shadow stirred, a cold voice warning.
She sees the darkness within.
Be cautious.
Keal felt a faint flush creep up his neck. For the first time since arriving, he felt the warmth of embarrassment. His eyes, the right glowing fierce red, the left shimmering purple from the shadow's influence, flickered in hesitation.
That blush wasn't lost on Zackline. Something about the usually unreadable figure intrigued her deeply. "I find your presence... useful," she said, voice steady but laced with curiosity. "You will serve as personal butler to the royal prince."
Later, in the grand quarters of the second prince, Keal found himself standing awkwardly while a young man lounged on silken cushions, a lazy grin playing on his lips.
Zack was nineteen – handsome, charming, and a little roguish, with unruly brown hair curling over mischievous eyes. "So, this is the famous new butler," Zack teased, narrowing his eyes playfully. "You look like you could use some fun, huh?"
Keal's lips twitched at the remark, and then said "I am 14 I am to young to have this type of fun" he replied .
Zack chuckled and leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "And so come on, loosen up. I'm not gonna bite."
Despite his usual calm, Keal felt his cheeks warm again – a small crack in his steely composure. "I keep to my duties," Keal said quietly, voice steady.
Zack smirked, amused. "Well, duty's boring. I'll make sure you see the bright side of palace life."
That night, as Keal lay in his modest guest room, shadows shifted beneath his skin, whispering ancient secrets.
Zackline is dangerous
More than just a general.
Her sight nearly unraveled our pact.
Maintain the veil.
We have much to learn here.
Keal's fingers brushed the faint glowing symbol on his hand – the mark of the system, faint beneath his glove. He gazed out his window toward the sprawling city of Weton, silent beneath the starlight.
Meanwhile, Zack paced his chambers, amused by the new arrival. "He's stiff, serious... but there's something about him," Zack muttered, swirling wine in his glass. "I'll get him to smile yet."
A sly grin crossed his face as he planned how to pry open the enigma that was Keal.
The next day
The sun hung low over Weton Palace, casting a mellow golden hue across its ivory stone walls. The vast courtyards brimmed with life – guards patrolled, servants hustled, and noble-blooded figures moved with calculated grace.
Yet, none noticed that boy in white silently walking beside the Second Prince's flamboyant laughter, was kev the one who destroyed a city since the destruction of Soroon the southern territory of the law side.
Zack, meanwhile, remained blissfully ignorant. "Come on, Keal! You walk like you're preparing to stab someone," Zack said, laughing as he tossed a grape into his mouth. "Lighten up! You're my personal butler now – you've gotta match my vibe!"
Keal ignored the prince's antics, prompting another chuckle.
Zack leaned closer, nudging his shoulder. "You know," he grinned, "you're weird.
Zack blinked. Then burst into laughter. "See? You do talk!"
Shadow Eyes activated subtly, analyzing Zack's presence. Emotion: amusement. Hidden: relief, caution there was more he saw the same thing on dorrell through his eye his level was the same has him although it was faint but he saw it.
Keal's gaze narrowed. "You're hiding something."
Zack's smile faltered for a second before returning with a shrug. "Aren't we all?"
He turned and waved toward a tall figure approaching from the garden archways. "Oh hey, that's my big brother. You'll love him."
Keal turned slowly, sensing a colder presence.
First Prince Zehron Zeheir. He was taller, sharply dressed in black and silver, with ocean-blue eyes and an expression carved from frost. His hair was swept back, neat, his stride calculated. Every step screamed control. Power. Expectation.
Keal's instincts flared.
Zack's voice dropped slightly. "Ignore the constant scowl. He's not chosen by the system. People talk, call us 'Zellene's Mistake'. He hears it. All of it."
Keal didn't respond.
Zehron's gaze landed on him with the weight of an avalanche. "This is the new butler?" Zehron asked dryly. "You're hiring strangers again, Zack?"
"He's not just a stranger," Zack smirked. "He's Keal. Coolest guy I've met this week."
Zehron's eyes narrowed. "We'll see how long he lasts."
Keal met his gaze unflinchingly. "I don't break."
Zehron's expression shifted – barely. Just a flicker. Then he walked past them without another word.
Zack leaned in. "He's just jealous of my luck. You're strong, right?"
"Strong enough."
They returned to the prince's tower. As they left the garden, Zack turned toward him. "You saw it, didn't you?"
Keal didn't respond.
Zack grinned. "Don't worry. I trust you. By the way my mom birthday is coming up so we have a royal ball soon be ready to enjoy yourselve on that day"
Keal was silent. But something in Zack's tone... it wasn't all play. Behind the smiles and teasing, there was thought. Cunning.
Keal didn't dislike it. Even if it annoyed him.