Kal realized that two warriors who had gone with Suzannah were killed by the shadows, and that she and the remaining warriors were injured and low on mana. Immediately when Kal appeared, the shadows ignored everything and everyone, going straight for him. It was clear that they saw him as the main threat. A golden aura erupted from Kal when he faced the shadows. With quick movements, he dismantled their defenses in an instant. The shadows disappeared amid a great light.
After defeating the shadows, Kal asked Suzannah if she was alright. She, still in her childlike state, got up and thanked him, but then scolded Kal, saying he needs to prepare more to face enemies so powerful. Suzannah explained that those shadows were the work of Salacia, the avatar of Witchcraft, the same one who sent the shadow into Suzannah's sanctuary. She said that Salacia will not rest until she destroys Kal and will continue sending attacks to the capital as long as he remains there.
Kal affirmed that they will have to face Salacia directly. However, Suzannah retorted that he is still not ready for that, since Salacia's power is comparable to a god's. She then proposed prioritizing the protection of citizens and reinforcing the capital's defenses, as more attacks should come.
At that moment, Katara approached and proposed that Kal go with her to the Fox People Mountains, where he could strengthen himself more by learning the secrets of his powers. Suzannah seemed divided, fearing for the Fox People's safety. Katara then assured her that there he could develop all of his light legacy and become strong enough to defeat any enemy.
Kal was willing to go to better protect the Empire's people. However, Suzannah could not let him go so far, as the Emperor had his eye on him. That's when Clara offered to accompany him. Faced with the wisdom in her words, Suzannah decided the best choice was to return to the capital, where they could reorganize.
Still holding the hilt given by Katara without showing deeper emotions, Kal once again used the same glow as before to instantly transport everyone back to Alnuum, the capital of the empire. Suzannah was stunned by this once more:
"You never stop scaring me, boy! We were 5 miles from the capital, and you brought us here in the blink of an eye!"
While the others were dizzy from the sudden trip, Clara couldn't hold back and vomited again, irritated with Kal:
"Could you warn us before doing that? I can't take feeling sick from these transports anymore..."
Katara smiled, impressed with Kal's gift:
"It is truly impressive what he can do. All that's left is to help him explore all his potential."
Suzannah took a deep breath to calm down. The urgency of the situation had been resolved, but new challenges were preparing on everyone's horizon. Kal observed the scene in silence, just with the attentive and serene gaze of someone who knew greater battles still awaited him.
Suzannah noted that Kal seemed quieter and less emotional than usual. She asked Katara if this was the effect of that strange hilt he was holding. Clara was quick to respond before Katara:
"Yes, that thing is affecting him somehow."
Katara continued the explanation:
"This hilt was given to one of my ancestors by a guardian of the Primeval Light. Now it has returned to its rightful owner."
Suzannah carefully took the artifact from Kal's hand, and he immediately lost the divine and majestic aura, looking like a normal young man again.
"He must rest," said Suzannah.
She then turned to Katara: "I would like to talk, if you can accompany me."
Katara's brother decided to join them. Suzannah asked Clara to stay with Kal until they returned. There was still much to understand about the boy's destiny and how it could affect everyone in the empire.
In the Palace of Aquarion, Emperor Mordret was having his meal. His wife Shiera also ate with their second daughter, Aster. At that moment, Mordret addressed one of the servants:
"Where are the twins Lilla and Relon?"
"They have already finished eating and gone to their quarters, my lord," the servant promptly replied.
Mordret then turned coldly to Shiera: "And how fares Morfrey, my heir? Does his recovery progress?"
Shiera showed fear in responding: "He is almost healed, my lord."
"Take good care of him, Shiera. Morfrey will be the next Emperor and the crown's most valuable jewel," Mordret said with severity.
Shiera merely nodded in agreement, daring not to question her husband. The mood at the imperial table was tense and apprehensive. Aster tried talking about her training to be a good wife when some guards arrived interrupting with news from the warfront. The girl shrank back, falling silent. Shiera noticed her daughter's discomfort and reprimanded the guard:
"This is the Emperor's meal hour. What you have to say can wait."
However, Mordret coldly ordered: "Be silent, Shiera. Speak, guard, what is the report?"
The warrior continued: "My lord, withdrawing General Marcus from the front was not wise. Volkaron's most powerful warrior, Luck the Bloody Blade, remains fighting. We have already lost some forts and smaller villages had to be evacuated hastily."
Mordret's face twisted in anger at the bad news, still more with his wife reprimanding him in front of the others. A storm seemed to be forming in the emperor's heart. He abruptly rose from the table without eating half his meal...
Mordret called an emergency war council for that night. Alone with her mother, Aster timidly whispered: "Why doesn't he like me?"
Shiera heard her daughter's question and hugged her caringly. "The hardships of being Emperor have made your father harder, my love. But know that you are loved. Be strong and fulfill honorably the role the crown has given you."
That night, only some of the most experienced generals were summoned to the council, including Marcus the Dragon's Blood. Before them, Mordret questioned severely: "I demand to understand why we have been losing lands to Luck the Bloody Blade, when Nannu has always resisted Volkaron's disorderly offenses!"
A heavy silence hung in the air. Until Marcus spoke up: "My lord, Luck himself is a formidable adversary. His troops have learned discipline from him and now act in a coordinated way. He also knows how to exploit our vulnerabilities."
"And why was he withdrawn from the front?" Mordret rebutted in an accusatory tone.
"It was by your order, Emperor," Marcus cautiously responded.
"Allow me to return to fighting. No one knows Luck's style like I do. I could contain him."
Mordret seemed deeply reflective of the general's words. He remembered permitting Marcus' withdrawal from the front so he could see his son fighting in the Water Festival tournament...
Mordret would have to make the right decision to protect the empire or blindly follow his pride. Everything could turn on this move.
In the midst of the heated discussion, a scout hastily entered the council chambers and reported:
"My lord, I saw Suzannah, the Red Queen, facing black shadows northwest of Alnuum. She only succeeded because a strange golden light emerged and extinguished the shadows!"
Mordret queried sternly:
"Could these shadows be connected to the necromancer who attacked the capital weeks ago?"
The scout seemed confused:
"I cannot say for certain, Emperor. It all happened very quickly."
Irritated by the lack of answers, Mordret decreed:
"Dispatch men to immediately summon Suzannah to provide clarification! And double surveillance in the area!"
The servant returned without Suzannah.
"My lord, we did not find the Red Queen."
Before Mordret's irritation grew, the door burst open loudly. Tiberius entered breathlessly, startling all present.
"Tiberius, what are you doing here? You should still be resting," said Mordret harshly.
Catching his breath, Tiberius replied:
"I am better now, your majesty. And while recuperating, I devoted myself to studying some ancient scrolls in our archives. I discovered information that could shed light on the mysteries now afflicting us."
"Speak at once!" ordered the impatient emperor.
Tiberius explained with wisdom:
"The ancient Elven scrolls speak of a Great Explosion that created all things. From it emerged the Primeval Font, from which the First Gods arose and generated the earth. This font is capable of raising any being to something superior, even gods."
"It was for this font that some gods sought to enter a war against others, the victors sealing the defeated. However, the primeval font was lost in our world. Since then, the sealed gods create avatars in the shadows to find it."
"I believe the Font rests beneath the boy Kal. And the necromancer who attacked the palace was a servant of one of those avatars. They will continue attacking to seize it, destroying the Empire if necessary. I fear that if they take possession of this font, another war between gods may occur, shaking our entire world."
"We are all involved in this, whether you keep Kal here or send him away."
A heavy silence settled in. For the first time, a coherent theory explained the mysteries. But it also revealed an even greater threat on Nannu's horizon. Tiberius' revelation left them all aghast. That was when Marcus questioned:
"Could we use Kal's powers to defend the empire?"
Tiberius, cautiously, responded:
"I fear no one would be capable of controlling him. I ask wisdom from the emperor, for trying to dominate the font could backfire against us and our people."
At that moment, the wise elder recalled:
"Moreover, we cannot forget Volkaron's constant attacks. Our forces are spread across two fronts."
A long silence followed. Mordret pondered all the implications, looking at each person present. His decision would be crucial for Nannu's fate.
"Find Suzannah and prepare the boy. We will resume this council tomorrow with everyone's presence!" - he finally declared, with a firm voice. But internally, he doubted being able to control the mysterious font apparently resting beneath the young man.
It was wise of Mordret to proceed with caution:
"Send men to look for Suzannah, we need her accounts."
"Prepare lodgings for Kal here in the palace, we will continue tomorrow when spirits are calmer."
The emperor wisely concluded the meeting, seeing that it was very late:
"The tension of the day has drained us all. Retire now and rest. Tomorrow, with clear minds, we will resume this extremely important conversation for Nannu's future."
Many mysteries still lingered in the air. But they trusted the answers would come in due time, under Mordret's judicious leadership. So each retired then to their chambers, awaiting what the new approaching day would bring. History would pursue its course.
While all rested, Suzannah and Katara conversed in her academy room.
"What do you know about Kal's powers? I need to understand him better."
Katara began thoughtfully:
"I am a priestess of the Primeval Light. It was she who guided me to Kal."
"When I first saw him in the arena, I felt he was the one my people had been awaiting."
"And now, as the Artifact of Light recognized him as its master, my doubts have dissipated."
"I have not yet witnessed the full extent of his gifts, but I sensed an immense power within him, able to lead the era ahead."
"We are this special boy's guides. We must unite our strengths to help him in this mission, before the enemies seek him out first."
The wise priestess' words brought Suzannah certainty. Kal was truly the key to the challenges to come.
Clara listened attentively, intrigued by such abilities. If someone could decipher such an enigma, her sharp intellect would be useful. But for now only time would bring answers. Silence fell between them again. Lost in thought, Clara broke it after a few moments:
"When you use these abilities, do you feel your own essence changing in any way? Your personality, what do you feel?"
Kal reflected, trying to find the words.
"It's strange to explain... When I'm in that state, it seems there is no room for emotions. I don't feel love or hate, joy or sadness."
"I just know what I need to do and I do it, as if my body and mind were driven by another will," he continued.
"It's as if only a consciousness directed to fulfill an objective remains, without feelings or doubts."
Clara listened attentively to his description. "Certainly it is something beyond common. Could it be that in these moments another entity takes possession of you?"
Kal didn't know how to respond. He also couldn't understand the mysteries of his own being. They remained reflective, engulfed in the darkness and silence of the night.
"You promised we would get strong and then have fun together too, don't forget," said Clara.
"Don't let these 'powers from another world' of yours dominate who you are."
Kal, who was slowly sinking into sleep, answered in a weak voice:
"Don't worry, I will never forget my promises. I will not rest until I create a world where you can freely be whoever you want, without the pain of losing loved ones."
Clara's face flushed slightly with Kal's words. With her back to him, she muttered under her breath:
"Idiot..."
And she gave in to rest, as did Kal, who fell into a deep sleep after the comforting words to his friend. A night of uncertainties was ending for both in the silent chambers of the palace.