Seven woke up to the sound of silence, but as he sat up and looked around, he noticed a familiar figure still standing guard outside his door. Vorx's eyes met his, and he gave a slight nod.
Seven's heart swelled with gratitude and affection. He threw off the covers and walked towards Vorx, a smile spreading across his face.
"Good morning, Uncle Vorx," he said, his voice filled with warmth.
Vorx's expression softened, and he smiled back. "Good morning, young master."
Seven chuckled. "I think I'll stick with 'Uncle Vorx' from now on."
Vorx's eyes crinkled at the corners. "As you wish, young master." He cleared his throat, his gaze steady and loyal.
As Seven and Vorx stepped out into the courtyard, Seven's eyes widened in surprise. The guards who usually lounged against the walls, looking bored and disinterested, were now actively sharpening their weapons and practicing their combat skills. The sound of clashing steel and the smell of sweat and oil filled the air.
Seven's gaze turned to Vorx, who nodded in approval. "I took the liberty of ordering them to step up their training, young master. We cannot be too prepared when it comes to your safety."
Seven's eyes scanned the courtyard, taking in the newfound sense of purpose and urgency among the guards. He felt a surge of gratitude towards Vorx, who had taken his protection so seriously. "Thank you, Uncle Vorx," he said, his voice sincere.
Vorx's expression remained stern, but his eyes softened slightly. "It is my duty, young master. Let us hope that their efforts will not be needed, but if they are, we will be ready."
Seven leaned against the cold stone wall, his eyes wide with wonder as he watched the guards train with a intensity that seemed almost ferocious. Their movements were fluid and precise, their weapons slicing through the air with deadly grace. He had seen them practice before, but never like this. Today, they seemed more focused, more intense, as if they were preparing for a battle that only they knew was coming.
"Uncle Vorx?" Seven asked, his voice barely above a whisper, not wanting to break the spell that seemed to have been cast over the training grounds. "Can I stay and watch for a bit?"
Vorx, standing nearby, nodded curtly, his eyes never leaving the guards as they clashed in a flurry of steel and shadow. "Very well, young master. But stay out of the way. These guards are not to be trifled with. They are the nightmares that haunt the dreams of our enemies."
Seven nodded, his eyes fixed on the guards as they continued their training. He watched in awe as they demonstrated their skills: Shadowstride, Dreamsnare, Nightmare's Embrace, and Darkness Descend. One guard seemed to disappear into the shadows, only to reappear behind his opponent with a deadly strike. Another guard summoned a swirling vortex of darkness, pulling her opponents in with an otherworldly force.
As Seven watched the guards training, he heard a commotion coming from the gate. Vorx's grip on his arm tightened, and he pulled Seven towards the entrance of the compound.
"What's going on?" Seven asked, his heart racing with excitement and a hint of fear.
"I don't know," Vorx replied, his eyes scanning the scene ahead. "But let's go find out."
As they approached the gate, the noise grew louder. Seven could hear the sound of Shadow, growling and struggling as she limped into the compound, her wing twisted at an awkward angle. Kael himself looked battered and bruised, his armor dented and his face covered in cuts and scratches.
"Master Kael!" Vorx exclaimed, his voice filled with concern. "What happened? You look like you've been through a war!"
Kael's face was grim and weary, his eyes sunken with exhaustion. "I've had a... difficult journey," he said, his voice strained. "Shadow and I ran into some unexpected trouble on the road."
Seven's eyes were fixed on his father, his heart pounding with worry. "Father, are you okay?" he asked, running towards Kael.
Kael's face softened as he saw Seven, and he reached out a hand to ruffle his son's hair. "I'm fine, son," he said, his voice a little stronger. "Just a few scratches. But Shadow... I'm not sure if she's going to be okay."
As they hugged, Kael's gaze met Vorx's, and he gave a subtle nod. Vorx understood the unspoken command and stepped forward, his eyes scanning the surrounding area.
"My lord," Vorx said, his voice low and discreet. "Perhaps it would be best if you retired to your chambers. You look like you could use some rest."
Kael nodded, his grip on Seven still tight. "Yes, Vorx. See to it that no one disturbs me. Except for you and Seven, of course."
Vorx nodded, his eyes gleaming with understanding. "As you wish, my lord. I'll make sure that your chambers are sealed off. No one will dare to disturb you."
Kael stumbled towards the bed, his legs giving out beneath him. Seven and Vorx rushed to his side, catching him before he hit the floor.
"Father!" Seven exclaimed, alarm etched on his face.
"I'm fine, son," Kael whispered, his voice strained. "Just...just need a moment."
Vorx helped Kael onto the bed, and Seven pulled the covers over him.
"Seven, go to your room," Kael said, his voice firm but urgent. "I have something important to attend to. Now."
"Vorx, leave me for a while," Kael added, his eyes flicking to the warrior. "I need some time alone."
Seven and Vorx exchanged a brief glance, then nodded in unison. "As you wish, Father," Seven said, turning to leave.
Vorx followed suit, his eyes lingering on Kael for a moment before he departed. The door closed behind them, leaving Kael alone in the dimly lit chamber.
After Seven and Vorx departed, Kael was left alone in the room. He took a deep breath, his mind focused on the task at hand. With a swift gesture, he conjured a dark hole, its edges pulsing with an otherworldly energy.
"Time to gather the ingredients," he whispered to himself.
Kael reached into the hole and pulled out a plant with leaves that shimmered like silver. "Moon's Delight," he whispered, its name echoing through the room. Next, he extracted a plant with stems that seemed to shift and writhe like living serpents. "Shadow Stem," he named it, his eyes gleaming with intensity.
He continued to pull out plants, each with unique physical characteristics and medicinal properties. There was "Dusk's Embrace," with leaves that radiated a gentle, soothing energy; "Fiery Core," with stems that pulsed with a fierce, intense power; "Midnight's Kiss," with flowers that bloomed with a dark, mysterious beauty; "Starlight Bloom," with petals that shone like diamonds; "Raven's Wing," with leaves that seemed to absorb the light around them; "Ember's Glow," with stems that burned with a soft, fiery light; "Luminous Dream," with flowers that glowed with an ethereal energy; "Nightshade's Caress," with leaves that seemed to whisper secrets in the wind; "Aurora's Breath," with petals that shimmered like the dawn; and "Cosmos' Gift," with stems that seemed to hold the very essence of the stars.
As he pulled out the last plant, the dark hole closed with a soft whoosh, its energy dissipating into the air. Kael's grin grew wider as he gazed at the collection of plants at his feet. He had everything he needed to create the cure for Shadow's wound and Seven's tempering liquid.
"Now to prepare the Mist dispelling elixir for Shadow," Kael said to himself, his eyes scanning the collection of plants at his feet. He reached out and picked up Cosmos' Gift, Aurora's Breath, Ember's Glow, and Moon's Delight, his fingers closing around the stems with precision.
With a flick of his wrist, he conjured a ball of darkness, its surface rippling like water. He dropped the ingredients into the ball, his focus never wavering. The plants seemed to dissolve into the darkness, their essence merging into a single, potent entity.
Next, Kael conjured a small, delicate potion bottle, its glass glinting in the dim light. With a subtle gesture, he directed the darkness into the bottle. As the energy flowed into the container, it transformed into a liquid form, its surface glinting like the stars on a clear night.
Kael's smile grew wider as he gazed at the elixir, his eyes shining with satisfaction. "My night blending technique is as effective as always," he whispered, his voice filled with pride. The Mist dispelling elixir was ready, and Shadow's recovery was all but assured.
"Now for Seven's tempering liquid," Kael said, his expression turning more serious. He reached out and picked up the remaining plants - Fiery Core, Luminous Dream, Nightshade's Caress, Raven's Wing, and Starlight Bloom - his fingers closing around them with a gentle, precise touch.
His focus intensified, his eyes narrowing as he conjured a larger bottle, its glass thicker and more robust than the previous one. With a careful gesture, he poured the darkness into the bottle, the energy churning and roiling within.
For a few minutes, the darkness seemed unstable, its surface rippling and bulging like a living thing. Kael's eyes remained fixed on the bottle, his face set in a tense mask. Then, slowly, the darkness began to transform, its turbulent surface smoothing out into a pure, glistening liquid that seemed almost solid.
Kael's breath released in a slow sigh, his shoulders relaxing as he wiped a cold sweat from his brow. The tempering liquid was ready, its potency evident in its very appearance. He gazed at it with a mix of respect and wariness, aware of the power it held.
Kael's breath released in a slow sigh, his shoulders relaxing as he wiped a cold sweat from his brow. He carefully placed the bottle in a hidden compartment, his eyes never straying far from the container.
"Vorx," he called out, his voice low and even.
The air seemed to vibrate with anticipation as Kael waited for the other's arrival. His eyes remained fixed on the spot where the bottle had disappeared from view.
The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps, echoing through the room with a rhythmic intensity. Vorx appeared in the doorway, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene before him.
Kael turned to face him, his expression unreadable. "Vorx, I have prepared the cure for Shadow's wound. See that he receives it immediately."
Vorx nodded, his eyes never straying to the hidden compartment. "As you wish, Lord Kael."
Kael's gaze locked onto Vorx's. "And, Vorx?"
"Yes, Lord Kael?"
"Prepare a tempering bath for Seven."
Vorx's eyes widened in confusion, his brow furrowing. "A tempering bath, Lord Kael? But Seven has already—"
Kael's expression remained impassive. "I am aware of this, Vorx. See that it is done."
Vorx's confusion lingered for a few moments before he nodded. "As you wish, Kael." He departed, his footsteps echoing through the room in a slightly slower cadence, as if his mind was still grappling with the unexpected request.
Vorx departed, his footsteps echoing through the room. Kael's gaze never wavered, his eyes fixed on some distant point beyond the walls.
Minutes ticked by, the silence broken only by the soft hum of the darkness in the room.
Then, Vorx returned, his footsteps announcing his arrival. "Lord Kael, the cure has been administered to Shadow. He should recover swiftly."
Kael's gaze flickered, his eyes acknowledging Vorx's presence. "Good."
Vorx continued, "And the tempering bath for Seven is prepared, as you requested. It is ready in the adjacent chamber."
Kael's expression remained impassive, but a hint of tension seemed to ease from his shoulders. "Very well. See that Seven is brought to the bath immediately."
Vorx nodded, his eyes locked on Kael's face. "As you wish, Lord Kael." He turned to depart, his movements swift and precise.
Vorx made his way to Seven's quarters, his pace swift and purposeful. He entered the room, but Seven was not there. He turned to leave, his eyes scanning the space until he spotted a familiar figure in the courtyard.
Seven stood in the center of the courtyard, his sword flashing in the sunlight as he practiced his forms. Vorx approached him, his eyes fixed on the younger man's movements.
"Seven," Vorx called out, his voice firm but controlled. "Lord Kael has requested your presence. A tempering bath has been prepared for you."
Seven's eyes locked onto Vorx's, his face set in a mask of obedience. Without a word, he followed Vorx, his movements fluid and compliant.
Vorx led him to the adjacent chamber, the sound of steaming water growing louder with each step. Seven's gaze never wavered, his eyes fixed on Vorx's back.
As they entered the chamber, Kael stood waiting, his eyes fixed intently on Seven.
"Leave us, Vorx," Kael commanded, his voice low and even.
Vorx nodded, his eyes never straying from Seven's face. "As you wish, Lord Kael." He turned to depart, his movements swift and precise.
The door closed behind Vorx, leaving Kael and Seven alone in the chamber.
Kael reached into his cloak and retrieved the small bottle he had hidden earlier. He poured the tempering liquid into the bath, and the water began to shimmer and glow with a soft, ethereal light.
The bath's surface rippled and transformed, its appearance changing from a simple bath to a radiant, otherworldly pool. The air around it seemed to vibrate with an intense energy, as if the liquid was alive and pulsing with power.
Seven's eyes widened slightly, his gaze fixed on the transformed bath. Kael smiled encouragingly, his eyes shining with warmth and approval. "Come, Seven," he said, his voice low and gentle. "Let the tempering bath do its work."
Seven's gaze never left the bath as he slowly began to disrobe, his movements hesitant and uncertain. Kael's smile never wavered, his eyes filled with a warm encouragement.
With a quiet sigh, Seven stepped into the bath, his body sinking into the shimmering liquid. The water seemed to envelop him in a gentle embrace, its soft glow illuminating his pale skin.
As the liquid closed over his head, Kael's smile faded, his eyes fixed intently on the bath. The room fell silent, the only sound the soft hum of the tempering liquid as it began its work.