Astra and Vesper stepped out of the showers, both tall, lithe, and strikingly beautiful. Astra, with his feminine grace, looked almost delicate in contrast to Vesper's rugged handsomeness. His long, dark curls cascaded down his back, framing his pretty face in a way that screamed elegance and charm. As he looked at Vesper's muscular build, a mixture of admiration and frustration twisted inside him.
"Dammit, why am I so pretty?" Astra muttered under his breath, glaring at Vesper, particularly at the stark contrast between their physiques.
Vesper, however, was in his usual teasing mood. "Hey, no offense, Astra, but I like girls…" His voice trailed off as his eyes caught Astra's striking features, lingering on his face for a moment too long. "Your damn near a princess yourself." He chuckled, running away just in time to dodge the water projectile Astra had summoned, hurling straight toward his face.
Astra, fuming, shouted, "Shut the hell up, you idiot! I've had more experience with women than you can ever have!"
Vesper glanced over his shoulder and smirked. "Yeah? How many of them were actually pretty, you gross princess?"
The words hit hard, and for a moment, Astra was silenced, the biting remark cutting deeper than he wanted to admit. Vesper laughed, clearly enjoying his victory, and disappeared into another room to change, leaving Astra standing there, fighting back the urge to throw something at him.
Astra and Vesper made their way down the stone corridors of the estate, both clad in light, dark tunics that subtly clung to their frames. Astra's tunic, a deep, rich shade of black, highlighted the ethereal elegance of his features, the fabric flowing just enough to hint at his lithe form. His long, dark curls rested gracefully against his shoulders, completing the picture of someone out of a dream. Vesper, on the other hand, wore a dark blue tunic that accentuated his broad shoulders and muscular build, his natural handsomeness and rugged strength impossible to ignore.
As they walked side by side, the echo of their footsteps seemed to carry through the halls, drawing eyes from every corner. The youths sent to train and compete in the upcoming tournament could not help but stare as the pair passed by. There were hundreds of them, all gathered in various stages of readiness, their focus momentarily shattered by the arrival of the two striking figures.
For Astra, it was nerve-wracking. He could feel the weight of their gazes, the way they sized him up and whispered amongst themselves. The scrutiny felt overwhelming, even though he was used to attention. He adjusted his tunic, the nerves gnawing at him as he kept his gaze focused ahead.
Vesper, on the other hand, was at ease. His posture was relaxed, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips as he glanced around, taking in the attention like it was second nature. He had the air of someone who had grown up in the midst of this world, thriving under the constant gazes and expectations.
"Damned scions like him and Seraphine are born for this," Astra muttered under his breath, watching Vesper casually nod and wave at some of the other competitors who greeted him.
Vesper grinned, clearly unbothered by the attention, and glanced at Astra with a raised brow. "What, you think this is stressful? You'll get used to it, princess." He said it with a teasing tone, but the underlying confidence in his words was clear. Astra shot him a glare, but Vesper simply chuckled as they approached the dining hall.
When they entered, the chatter and movement in the room seemed to still for a moment. Every pair of eyes that had previously been on the sparring youths now turned to the duo, as if they were the center of the universe for that fleeting moment. Astra felt a tightening in his chest, but Vesper just nudged him lightly with his elbow, a knowing smirk on his face.
As Astra and Vesper settled into their seats at the long, polished dining table, the aroma of the spread before them filled the air, but Astra's attention was elsewhere. While Vesper dug into his food with his usual appetite, Astra subtly reached for his coin—his enchanted token that connected him to the mana network. With a slight motion, he activated it beneath the table, his fingers grazing over the surface as he opened up the messages and requests that had piled up.
Scrolling through the long list, Astra noted the sheer number of notifications, most of them from females. Some were admirers, others general greetings, but the majority were playful messages or inquiries about his well-being. It made him feel a little uncomfortable, honestly, but he was used to it by now. What struck him most, though, was the fact that there was nothing from Seraphine.
Astra's heart dropped slightly as he scanned the list again, hoping he might have missed her message, but there was nothing. No reply, no update, not even a single word from her.
"Nothing from Seraphine... wow." His voice was barely a whisper, almost lost beneath the chatter around them, but he couldn't help the small pang of disappointment that tugged at him. The last time they'd crossed paths, there had been an undeniable pull. Seraphine's terrifying beauty, her icy demeanor, and most of all—her power. Astra had suspected her to be a Rank two or perhaps even a Rank three though she concealed it well, keeping her strength hidden from everyone but those who mattered.
"Maybe she's hiding it for a reason..."
He couldn't quite put his finger on why he was so fascinated with her. There was just something about Seraphine—her effortless grace, her sharp intellect, and the way she carried herself with an authority that made it impossible to not be drawn in. But as he thought about it more, Astra reminded himself to not pry. He knew better than anyone the secrets people kept, especially someone like Seraphine, who carried the weight of being a royal steward.
"Ugh, who cares? I know better than to pry into royal princess's secrets," he muttered to himself, scrolling past more messages. He didn't need to get entangled in Seraphine's world—not yet, anyway. There was still too much to figure out.
He shook the thought from his mind and went back to scrolling through the rest of the messages. It wasn't long before his attention returned to Vesper, who was already on his third plate, grinning at Astra's distracted state.
"Not gonna reply to any of them, princess?" Vesper teased, glancing at the screen over Astra's shoulder.
Astra rolled his eyes, giving him a half-hearted glare. "Not in the mood," he said, but his mind wasn't fully on the food or the tournament. Something about Seraphine still lingered, gnawing at him.
As the meal drew to a close, Astra felt the weight of exhaustion pressing on him. His body was still sore from the earlier sparring match, and he could feel the lingering fatigue in his muscles. He offered a weary smile to Vesper as the pair parted ways, the sounds of the bustling dining hall fading behind him as he made his way through the corridors of House Shadow's estate.
The hallway was grand, with towering pillars and ornate tapestries depicting the house's history and victories. As he passed by a few of the other youth—mostly Rank Ones and even some Rank Twos—Astra couldn't help but feel a bit out of place. The grandeur of the estate, the impressive rooms, and the focused energy of the other young warriors made him feel like an outsider, though he'd grown used to the feeling.
"Wow, they must really like me," he scoffed sarcastically to himself as he glanced at the other youths around him. Most of them were either training or studying in small groups, their eyes occasionally flicking toward him with curiosity. He wasn't blind to their gaze, and it made him uncomfortable, but he tried to shake it off as he made his way to his quarters.
As he stepped inside his room, Astra let out a long breath of relief. The space was larger than he expected—definitely more luxurious than his humble upbringing ever allowed. Soft moonlight filtered in through the large windows, casting a serene glow over the room. The bed was large, covered in dark, plush linens, and a few personal touches, like the faint scent of incense, helped make the room feel more like a sanctuary than just another place to sleep.
But even with all the comforts around him, Astra didn't feel at home. His mind was elsewhere. He flopped onto the bed, still in his tunic, and immediately pulled out his mana coin. He opened up the network again, searching for anything of interest, any updates, or news about the tournament and the people involved.
The mana network buzzed with activity, messages pinging from all directions, but Astra wasn't paying much attention to the chatter. He scrolled through the latest updates, scanning through brief news snippets about the various houses and their upcoming events. There were some mentions of House Shadow's high-ranking youths, and though his name came up a few times, it was more about his association with Vesper and the other prominent figures than anything personal.
"Nothing interesting," Astra muttered, idly flicking through the messages. Most were just updates from various sources—nothing that really grabbed his attention. He could feel the exhaustion creeping in, though he was too restless to sleep just yet.
He let out a sigh, staring at the ceiling as his thoughts drifted back to the tournament. A small part of him couldn't help but feel the weight of the pressure. After all, this wasn't just any competition—it was a chance to prove himself. To show that he wasn't just another pretty face or another son of a fallen house. He had to win. He had to be something more than what everyone expected.
"I'll just focus on training tomorrow," he thought, rolling onto his side. He tried to shut out the noise of the network, his mind still running with thoughts of the tournament, the other competitors, and the strange unease that had settled in his chest.
After a while, the weight of the day began to drag him under, and his eyelids fluttered shut, his mana coin still resting loosely in his hand. The exhaustion of the spar and the emotional strain of the day finally took its toll.
For now, Astra let himself fall into a much-needed sleep, though his mind remained restless, spinning with thoughts of Seraphine, the tournament, and the looming challenges ahead.
He dreamt of Cold and Darkness.
........
Astra woke up to the soft twilight creeping through the windows, the city of Duskfall already alive in the darkness. The cool, gentle glow of the dimming light mixed with the lingering warmth of his bed as he stretched and groggily rubbed his eyes. He could hear the faint sounds of the city below, the night's activities just beginning to peak.
"Ugh, another day to get my ass handed to me," Astra muttered, rubbing his temples. The quiet of the morning was quickly interrupted by the sound of the mana network buzzing in his pocket, signaling that the day was about to get just a little bit more chaotic. But first, he needed a shower.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up, feeling the cool air of the room against his skin. His feet carried him to the bathroom, where the steamy warmth of the shower awaited. As the hot water cascaded over him, Astra let out a sigh of relief, the water soothing his muscles and easing the tension from his body. But as he stood there, his thoughts drifted to something that had been bothering him the entire night.
The smell of starflowers.
He had bought a handful of them with his own money a few days ago, drawn to the delicate, sweet scent that had always reminded him of something… better, something more peaceful. He'd placed them in a small vase by the window of his room, but for some reason, the fragrance now felt strangely out of place—like a reminder of everything he wasn't, everything he couldn't escape.
"Why the hell did I buy those anyway?" Astra grumbled under his breath, splashing his face with cold water to shake off the strange feeling. His mind tried to push the thought away, but it lingered, as if the flowers themselves were mocking him, reminding him of his softer side—something he rarely allowed to show.
He quickly finished his shower, the steam curling around him as he grabbed a towel and dried off. His hands brushed through his wet hair, shaking the water free before he grabbed his dark clothes. A sleek, stylish tunic with intricate silver detailing, black pants, and boots that were just fashionable enough to make a statement without being too over the top. His reflection in the mirror made him pause for a moment, his long, dark curls framing his face.
"Damn," he muttered, flicking a strand of hair out of his eyes. He looked good, but it only made him feel more out of place.
His coin buzzed again, pulling him from his thoughts. A message from Vesper.
"Hey, princess. Get out of bed and go explore the festivities before I beat your ass again in the training ring. You're too pretty to spend all day hiding in your room."
Astra rolled his eyes, a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips. "Vesper...," he muttered, shaking his head. It was just like him to tease, and yet, there was an edge of genuine amusement in his words. Vesper was always pulling him into action, pushing him out of his comfort zone. He hated it, but he knew it was probably for the best.
"Fine," Astra grumbled, slipping into his boots and making his way out of his quarters. The heavy doors of his room creaked as he pushed them open, revealing the grand hall that stretched before him. The estate was still quiet, the air fresh with the morning, and the faint hum of activity could be heard as servants and other youth began their day.
Astra made his way down the stairs, his footsteps echoing through the marble hall as he headed for the main exit. His mind was already racing with the thought of what Vesper had in store—probably another chance to embarrass him in front of the others, but something about it felt different today. There was a strange pull to the idea of exploring, of stepping out of his self-imposed isolation for a moment.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt to take a look around," Astra muttered to himself, his hand brushing against the cool stone walls of the grand estate as he descended toward the festivities. He wasn't entirely sure what he expected, but with Vesper around, it was sure to be an eventful day.
And, no doubt, another round of teasing and sparring was right around the corner. But for now, Astra would try to enjoy the moment.
Astra descended the grand staircase, the stone steps cool beneath his boots. The estate seemed quieter in the early morning, the lingering silence of the night slowly giving way to the bustle of activity. His mind wandered as he moved, each step echoing through the expansive hall. His thoughts swirled around the message from Vesper and his own internal struggles with the day ahead. The familiar weight of his past seemed to settle over him like a shadow, a constant companion, but he shoved it aside for now.
The din of the festivities outside grew louder the closer he got to the exit. Astra could already hear the faint sounds of music and laughter, voices calling to each other, and the rhythmic pulse of the city's heartbeat just beyond the estate walls. It was a stark contrast to the stillness within the grand house, a reminder that life moved forward, even when he preferred to remain in the shadows.
He pushed open the large wooden doors, stepping into the early twilight. The air was cool but not unpleasant, a refreshing contrast to the steamy warmth of the shower he had just left. The market and the city beyond were alive with energy, and Astra found himself momentarily distracted by the chaos of it all. Stalls were lined with colorful goods, some familiar, others strange and foreign, the scents of various foods drifting through the air, blending with the sharp scent of fresh flowers. It was as if the whole world was awake, all at once.
Despite the pull of the festivity, Astra felt that gnawing discomfort deep inside. The attention he got wherever he went felt like a weight on his shoulders. It wasn't just the fact that he was from House Shadow, or that he was a high-ranking youth. It was the way people looked at him—the way Vesper looked at him. He couldn't help but feel that sense of being out of place, caught somewhere between being a beautiful, delicate thing and the harshness of the world he'd grown up in.
He was pulled from his reverie as he spotted Vesper across the courtyard, surrounded by a group of young men, all from different houses. Vesper's laughter rang through the air, infectious and confident, drawing attention as always. His tall, muscular frame was a striking contrast to Astra's more slender, graceful appearance. Even in the distance, it was impossible not to notice how Vesper seemed to fit in so naturally with everyone around him, the life of the gathering, while Astra had always been more of an observer.
Astra sighed, trying to ignore the slight irritation that tugged at his chest. He hated being compared to Vesper, hated the way he made everything look effortless. He pushed through the crowd, doing his best to ignore the whispers and glances that followed him.
When he finally reached Vesper, the other youth shot him a teasing grin.
"Finally decided to grace us with your presence, princess?" Vesper chuckled, clearly amused by Astra's grumpy expression.
Astra crossed his arms, rolling his eyes. "Just keep talking, Vesper. You'll get your ass handed to you soon enough."
Vesper raised an eyebrow, clearly not bothered by Astra's teasing. "Sure, princess. You'll find out who's really handing who their ass when we get back to the training grounds."
Astra didn't respond, though a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. As annoying as Vesper's teasing was, it felt oddly familiar, comfortable even. And in this sea of strangers, maybe that was all Astra needed for now. The pull to the festivities, the chaos around him, would have to wait a little longer.
The others, standing in a semi-circle around Vesper, now turned their attention to Astra. The men were formidable, each from a different house, each one a leader in their own right.
First, there was Khalid of House Mirage. His skin was a deep bronze, with sharp features and a calculated look in his dark eyes. His black hair was short and windswept, as if the desert winds themselves had styled it. House Mirage was known for its mastery over illusions, manipulating the heat and the shifting sands to create false images and mirages that deceived and disoriented enemies. Khalid's piercing gaze reflected the power of his house, and there was something about him that seemed to constantly watch and assess, like the shifting sands themselves.
Beside him stood Azraq of House Oasis. Tall and lean, his pale golden skin seemed to shimmer under the sun's rays, his white hair tied back in a loose knot. His green eyes, the color of rare desert plants, were intense and watchful, calculating every move in the space around him. House Oasis was revered for its control over water, able to draw life from the driest of deserts. Azraq's power lay in his connection to the desert's life-giving waters, able to summon wells and hidden springs from beneath the earth's surface. His cool demeanor and soft-spoken nature masked a deadly focus.
Finally, there was Samir of House Sand. He was shorter than the others, but his presence was no less commanding. His sandy blonde hair fell to his shoulders in waves, and his sharp blue eyes—striking against his desert-tan skin—sparkled with mischief and challenge. House Sand was known for its affinity with the shifting dunes, able to control and command the very sands beneath their feet. Samir had a natural connection to the ever-changing desert terrain, able to manipulate the dunes to form barriers or create devastating sandstorms. His smile was playful, but the glint in his eyes made it clear he was never far from danger.
As Vesper introduced them, the young men greeted Astra with varying degrees of respect, amusement, and challenge.
"Finally, the prince himself," Khalid said, his voice smooth and deep like the desert winds. His eyes met Astra's with an appraising gaze. "It's an honor to meet you, Astra of House Shadow."
Azraq nodded his head in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable. "We've heard much of you. House Shadow's reputation is one of power and mystery."
Samir, ever the playful one, flashed Astra a grin. "I'll be honest—I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the infamous House Shadow youth. You don't disappoint," he teased, winking at Astra with a light chuckle.
Astra regarded each of them coolly, but he couldn't help but feel the weight of their gazes. Khalid, Azraq, and Samir were all scions of powerful houses, but Astra knew that they were nothing compared to the forces at play within House Shadow.
"You guys are just full of compliments," Astra replied, his voice laced with sarcasm. "But I'm more interested in seeing if you can back up all this talk."
Khalid smirked, a slight chuckle escaping him. "We shall see, Astra. We all have our strengths."
Azraq's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Indeed. And I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."
Samir stepped forward, his smile never fading. "The tournament's coming up, and I'm eager to see if your actions match the reputation of House Shadow."
Astra raised an eyebrow. "You'll see soon enough."
Vesper, watching the interaction with a smirk, threw his arm over Astra's shoulders, pulling him back toward the crowd. "These guys aren't so bad once you get used to their desert charm. Don't let them get under your skin, Astra."
Astra glanced back at the three men, feeling the eyes of House Mirage, House Oasis, and House Sand on him. His mind raced with the thoughts of what was to come, the tournament looming large in his thoughts.
"Yeah," Astra muttered, "I'll handle them."
And with that, he joined Vesper in the growing chaos of the city's festivities, knowing that soon, he'd be proving just how far he could push himself—against the scions of the desert and against the shadows of his own past.