As Lyria and Elysian settled into their new life in the Capital City, Elder Tree, Lyria couldn't help but reminisce about the old beauty of the city. The memories of her walks with Sirius through the bustling streets and grand avenues filled her heart as she looked out the carriage window.
The King accompanied them to their old home, a magnificent mansion just a few kilometers from the King's Palace. Elysian was filled with awe as he took in the grandeur of the mansion. "Wow, this is a huge house, Mother!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide with wonder.
Lyria smiled warmly at her son's excitement. "Oh yes, your father and I used to live here, dear child," she replied, her voice tinged with nostalgia.
Upon arrival, the mansion's duwende attendants greeted them with the utmost respect and warmth. One of the old duwende, Nuno, welcomed Elysian with a kind greeting. "Good day, young master," he said, his presence bringing a sense of comfort and familiarity to both Elysian and Lyria.
The warm reception and the familiarity of their old home were a source of solace as they began this new chapter of their lives in the capital.
As the King's arrival was announced, he stepped out of the carriage and entered the Halls of Sirius and Lyria's home. The warm welcome from the family's maidservants reassured King Thorian that his decision to bring Lyria and Elysian to the capital had been right.
"Lyria," King Thorian called, addressing Elysian's mother. "The second semester of Tala Academy is starting next week. I think the young boy should receive a proper education. It would be safer for him to be in school and to blend in with the other children."
Lyria considered the King's suggestion, recognizing the value of education and the need for Elysian to adapt to life in the capital. "Yes, that might be a good idea," she agreed.
Turning to Elysian, she posed the question. "Would you be interested in joining school, dear child?"
Elysian responded surprisingly maturely, showing his willingness to embrace this new opportunity. "I assume it would be a good start for me here in the capital to learn their ways," he replied.
The King nodded with approval. "I understand that you are well-versed in magic and swordsmanship, but I can assure you that we have the best teachers at the Academy. It will be an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and skills."
A week has passed, and Elysian has been well familiar with Capital. Elysian was quite excited to visit the Academy. "Oh, mother, I hope I can find friends in the Academy. It would be very nice to meet someone my age as well." Elysian excitedly said. "Yes, I am quite excited as well."
The family carriage arrived at the Academy gate, and Lyria could still vividly remember her first day at Tala Academy. They proceeded straight ahead to the headmistress's office. As they entered, a warm smile graced Headmistress Elowen Nightstar's face.
"Lady Lyria!" greeted Headmistress Elowen. "It has been 17 years, I presume? How have you been? I am sorry for your loss, my dear friend."
"Thank you so much," Lyria replied, her voice tinged with gratitude. "I would like to introduce you to my son, Elysian."
Headmistress Elowen's keen eyes fell upon the young boy, and her smile widened. "What a wonderful young man! Before officially accepting him into the academy, it would be good to have him take the entrance test to determine the boy's aptitude. Would you be willing, young man?" she asked, her gaze kind and encouraging.
Elysian's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, where should we start?" he asked.
The headmistress handed Elysian a crystal, and everyone watched in fascination as it began to blink mysteriously in his hand. Headmistress Elowen's surprise was evident as she remarked, "Interesting. I have never seen the crystal blink like this before. Usually, in a few seconds, it glows to indicate the type of magic one possesses."
Elysian, Lyria, and the headmistress exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what this unusual occurrence meant. Headmistress Elowen continued to observe the crystal with a thoughtful expression. "I have never known someone this young who could control all the elements. The last person to ever wield this kind of ability was the late King Aelus, but even he could only control all elements when he reached the age of thirty. Young Elysian, you are truly talented!" she exclaimed, her tone filled with admiration. "Who knows, you could be the next greatest wizard!" she added.
Lyria's heart raced as she heard these words, her concern growing that Elysian's true identity might be inadvertently revealed. The weight of his potential and the legacy he carried became a heavy burden at that moment.
"It would be best if I take the skill that he wants to learn; after all, he has an excellent teacher such as you, Lady Lyria," the headmistress suggested, her admiration for Elysian's potential evident.
Elysian couldn't help but smile at the prospect of learning a new skill. He replied confidently when asked about his choice, "I choose the sword. It reminds me of my father, and I want to be just like him."
Headmistress Elowen nodded with a warm smile. "Very well, young one. See you next week," she said, confirming Elysian's enrollment at Tala Academy.
With a sense of excitement and anticipation for the future, Elysian, Lyria, and the headmistress concluded their meeting, and the young boy looked forward to beginning his education and mastering the art of the sword, just as his father had.
Elysian stepped through the gates of Tala Academy, his heart filled with excitement and anticipation. His neatly pressed uniform, a symbol of his new journey, reflected his eagerness to learn. However, as he entered the academy grounds, a sense of exclusion and unease washed over him.
"Is that the boy who killed the Pantianac during the last incident?" he overheard one student whisper to another.
"Yes, and I heard he disabled three soldiers with fire!" the second student replied.
Elysian couldn't help but feel the weight of the stares and murmurs that followed him. "I feel like they hate me," he mumbled to himself, his anxiety growing.
Suddenly, a friendly voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hey, I'm Thailos," said a Tikbalang student who approached Elysian. "I'm Elysian."
"I know," Thailos responded with a warm smile. "Welcome to Tala Academy."
Elysian's heart lightened at the friendly gesture, and he felt a glimmer of hope amid the sea of curious and judgmental gazes.
They continued their conversation as Elysian and Thailos went to the long banquet hall known as Tala Halls. Elysian was curious about Thailos' class.
"What class are you in, by the way?" Elysian inquired.
"I'm a swordsman, and I heard you are, too," Thailos replied with a friendly grin.
Elysian couldn't help but tease him, "Are you stalking me or something?"
Thailos laughed, shaking his head. "No, nothing like that. I just saw your name on my dad's class list. My father is the teacher, by the way. He used to be a King's guard."
Elysian was surprised by the revelation. "Your father was a King's guard? That's impressive."
"Yeah," Thailos replied with pride. "He's a skilled swordsman and looking forward to teaching the class. You'll like him."
As they entered Tala Halls and took their seats among the other students, Elysian felt more at ease, knowing he had made a friendly connection on his first day at Tala Academy.
The King's council meeting was tense as the reports of Manangal and Pantianac forts in several villages were discussed. King Thorian called for order as the counselors voiced their concerns.
"Silence!" the King commanded. "Dear counselors, please let us respect one another's opinions. Counselor Sagebark of Giant's Reach, do you wish to speak?"
Counselor Sagebark, a representative of Giant's Reach, stood and addressed the assembly. "Your Majesty, I wish to inform everyone that Giant's Reach has been compromised. Pantianacs have been seen on the outskirts of town, and we have not resolved the Aswang interference in the Land. This issue must be addressed," he stated firmly.
A voice of dissent arose from Counselor Silva of Sirenhave. "Why blame the Aswangs?" she questioned. "This kind of prejudice has always had us Aswangs blamed for interference. Are we to be held responsible simply because we can shapeshift?"
"Order in the court!" declared Wisefoot, a wise Duwende. "Please, fellow esteemed counselors, let us avoid arguing about internal affairs. Bakunawa's forces grow stronger by the day, and it is up to us, the High Council, to resolve this matter," he urged, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The council deliberated further on the growing threat of Bakunawa and the need for unity in addressing the external menace. The realm's fate hung in the balance, and the council's decisions would play a crucial role in its defense.
As the heated debate continued, suddenly, there was an intense light in the room.
"Head to my wisdom," said Balikwas, an old Babaylan.
"In Biringan's realm, a hero shall arise, To wield the 'Malakas Blade' 'neath endless skies, A lineage unknown, destiny untamed, With power dormant, in their name proclaimed.
Three as one, with courage as their guide, In unity, they shall triumph or be led astray by darkened souls.
Choose the path, king or rogue, the hero must decide, For the 'Malakas Blade' seeks power to divide, In its ebony embrace, their legacy unfolds, A hero's choice, a destiny foretold."
The final lines of the prophecy left the council with many questions. The hero would face a crucial decision—whether to follow the path of a king or that of a rogue. The 'Malakas Blade' held immense power but could also be a source of division. The hero's choices would shape their legacy and fulfill the destiny foretold by the prophecy.
The sudden appearance of the stone tablet and the mysterious vanishing of Balikwas had left the High Council members in bewilderment. They exchanged puzzled glances and whispered among themselves, trying to make sense of the extraordinary events unfolding before them.
The confusion was further heightened when the King's guards entered the room and swiftly removed King Thorian to safety. The situation's urgency was palpable, and the council members felt a growing sense of unease.
"What does this mean?" one councilor asked, voicing the collective uncertainty.
Another wise and composed councilor said, "It means that the prophecy is not to be taken lightly. It appears that forces beyond our comprehension are at play here. We must heed the words of the prophecy and prepare for whatever challenges lie ahead."
The councilors nodded in agreement, recognizing that they were faced with a situation that transcended the ordinary affairs of their realm. They knew that they had to act with caution and vigilance, for the fate of Biringan rested on their shoulders, and the enigmatic prophecy had set them on an uncertain path.