Arcos's body lay still, his skin pale, his breath shallow. For hours, healers had worked tirelessly, weaving advanced magic through his shattered form, mending torn flesh and soothing his fractured mind. It had taken everything they had to stabilize him, but at last, he stirred.
A faint groan escaped his lips as his eyelids fluttered, struggling to adjust to the harsh light overhead. His head throbbed—no, more than that. It was as if something had flooded his mind, something vast and unknowable, pressing against the edges of his consciousness. Confused, his eyes darted around the unfamiliar room.
"He's awake!" A nurse gasped, rushing to his side.
Arcos turned to her, his vision still unfocused. "Where… am I?" His voice was hoarse, disoriented. "What happened?"
The nurse met his gaze with quiet intensity. Even after countless examinations, no one had been able to explain what had happened to him or how he had ended up in such a state. "Tell me—what do you remember?"
Arcos pressed a trembling hand to his forehead, trying to gather his thoughts. The memories were fragmented, disjointed. He could recall the combat instructor—his grip tightening around his throat, squeezing the air from his lungs. Then, a torrent of emotions had surged through him, emotions that weren't entirely his own.
"I remember… being choked by the head combat instructor," Arcos murmured, his voice laced with uncertainty. "Then—I felt something. A flood of emotions. So many at once…"
The nurse leaned in, her eyes sharp with curiosity. "And then? What happened next?"
Arcos swallowed hard. He searched his mind, but there was nothing. Just a void.
"Everything went black."
Far from the medical ward, high above the sprawling kingdom, Valion soared through the sky. The wind whipped against his face, but his thoughts were heavier than the air beneath him. The council meeting had been nothing short of humiliating. The mission—the one to eliminate John—had not gone as planned. If anything, John had played him for a fool.
Valion descended, his destination clear. A small house stood nestled among the city's countless structures, but to him, it was the only one that mattered. It was home—the place where his mother and younger sister waited. The only two people he had left in this world. The only ones he would give everything to protect.
As he drew closer, his sharp eyes caught sight of his mother struggling with a heavy basket of food. Without hesitation, he swooped down, landing gracefully beside her.
"Let me take that, Mother," he said, his voice gentle as he lifted the basket from her hands. A small smile played on his lips, despite the weight in his heart.
His mother exhaled, relieved. "Thank you, Valion." Her warm gaze studied him for a moment before she continued, "How did the mission go? The one to eliminate John?"
Valion followed her inside, placing the basket on the wooden counter. He let out a heavy sigh, leaning back against the surface. "I think I was played." The admission tasted bitter. "And the council meeting? Humiliating."
His mother moved beside him, unpacking the basket, her hands steady even as her voice hardened. "I just hope they finally get rid of that monster." There was venom in her tone, a deep-seated hatred that had been brewing for years. "The world would be better off without something like him."
Valion tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling, his jaw tight with frustration. John had toyed with him, made a fool of him. The thought alone made his blood burn.
"I'll bring him to justice, Mother," he vowed, his voice low, filled with quiet rage. "I will avenge everyone and everything he has destroyed."
Valion's mother stared at him, her eyes wide with shock. His words echoed in her mind — they were the exact same ones his father had spoken before he disappeared. Her voice trembled as she reached up, gently cupping his cheek.
"Valion," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "You sound just like your father." A soft sigh escaped her lips, and for a moment, she seemed lost in the tide of old memories.
Valion held her gaze, his heart aching with unspoken questions. He had never met his father — his mother never spoke about him, no matter how many times he asked. This was the first time she'd even mentioned him in years.
"Mom…" Valion started, his voice low, unsure. He wanted to ask, Who was he? Why did he leave? But before he could finish, a whirlwind of energy burst into the room.
"Big brother! You're back!"
His little sister barrelled into him, nearly knocking him over as she threw her arms around him. Her laughter rang out, bright and unrestrained.
Valion let out a chuckle, his questions momentarily forgotten. He caught her easily, wrapping his arms around her small frame. "Well, someone's happy to see me," he teased, his hand ruffling her hair affectionately. "Have you been good for Mom?"
His sister nodded enthusiastically, her grin so wide it was contagious. "I helped Mom clean the whole house!" she declared proudly.
Valion laughed again, his heart lighter for the first time in days. He glanced at his mother, who watched them with a soft, bittersweet smile — a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
The weight of his unanswered questions lingered, but for now, he pushed them aside. There would be time for that later. Right now, he was home.
"She's been waiting for you to come back so she can show you her new magic moves," their mother said gently, her hands busy unpacking the last of the food from the basket.
Valion glanced up from where he sat, his little sister perched on his lap. Both siblings looked toward their mother, then back at each other.
"Is that right?" Valion asked, a warm smile tugging at his lips as he met his sister's bright, eager eyes.
Her face practically lit up with excitement, her voice tumbling out in a rush. "Yeah! I've been waiting forever to show you. But you're always busy with school and training…" she pouted, though the joy never left her voice.
"Well," Valion said, shifting so he could kneel to her level, "I'm here now. Show me what you've got." His grin widened, playful and encouraging.
His sister's eyes sparkled as she nodded enthusiastically.
Valion glanced toward their mother. "We'll be outside if you need us."
Their mother gave a small, knowing smile and nodded, her attention returning to the meal she was preparing.
The siblings stepped outside into the sunlight, the breeze tugging lightly at their clothes. Valion crossed his arms, watching as his little sister took a deep breath, her face growing serious and focused. The playful child from moments ago was gone — replaced by someone determined to impress her big brother.
"Alright," Valion said, tilting his head with a smirk. "Let's see what you've got."
She nodded again, more firmly this time.
Her eyes fluttered shut as she inhaled slow, steady breaths. Valion watched, curious, as her small hand stretched forward, palm open. A faint shimmer danced in the air around her fingertips.
Then, like the flicker of a flame, particles of light began to swirl, gathering and pulsing brighter with each second.
Valion's smirk faltered. His eyes widened, stunned.
This… this isn't basic magic. I only showed her the simplest spells. How is she—?
"Light Bullet!" his sister declared, her voice steady and sure.
The light condensed into a brilliant orb, then shot forward like an arrow — a burst of energy moving faster than his eyes could track. It zipped past him with a sharp hum, leaving a trail of glittering light before fading into the distance.
For a moment, Valion could only stare, speechless. His mind raced. It had taken him years to reach that level. And yet, his little sister — who he'd only taught the basics — had just pulled it off effortlessly.
She turned to him, cheeks flushed with pride. "Did I do good, Valion? Was it cool?"
He blinked, his stunned expression melting into something softer. He chuckled, ruffling her hair.
"You didn't do good," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "You did amazing."
Her grin stretched from ear to ear, and she practically bounced on the spot.
Valion couldn't stop the swell of pride rising in his chest. His little sister wasn't just talented — she was extraordinary. And he couldn't wait to see what else she could do.
Valion approached his little sister slowly, his steps quiet and deliberate. He knelt down so they were eye level, his expression softening.
"I think you're ready to go to Elarindor, the magic academy," he said gently, his voice filled with quiet pride. He knew — deep down — that she wasn't just ready. She was a prodigy. And the world was about to find out.