Prince Kael and Selena spent the whole day in the training hall, and nobody dared to disturb them. Only after the youth thought it was time for dinner did he stop.
"It was a long day... well, more than three days long..." The boy fell onto the red bedsheets.
He dismissed Aisha, Hisha, and Selena. Kael was mentally exhausted and didn't want to do anything. Even talking was too tiring for him at the moment.
However, his wishes didn't come true. The entrance doors slowly opened, and an imposing woman entered. The young prince raised his head and saw Vespera Velrath, his mother. She wore a flowing robe made of the finest dark silk with high, stiff collars and wide sleeves. It was adorned with intricate ancient demonic symbols woven with threads of silver and gold.
"Good evening, Kael," she gently greeted him with an elegant smile on her face.
"Your Majesty!" The boy jumped up.
"We are alone here; you don't need to call me that."
"I'm sorry, Moth... Mom," Kael quickly changed how he addressed her.
Hearing him, the Empress's smile grew wider.
"I missed you. For three whole days, you were stuck in the Royal Library," she complained. "It was too torturous for me!"
"I'm sorry, if I knew..."
"Don't be; it's just my empty complaints."
Vespera sat on the corner of Kael's bed.
"I wanted to spend some time with you, alone without anyone interrupting us. I asked Selena to leave us for a while."
"What did you have in mind, Mom?"
"I wanted to read you a fairy tale. I know human mothers read or tell their children stories. There are even a lot of famous writers and bards who have hundreds of such tales memorized. Would you like one?"
"Yes, of course."
Inside his head, Kael's mind was flaring, more energy coming out of nowhere. He knew one thing about stories: each culture had its own. They may not be true, but they were influenced by real-life events or characters. Such stories can tell a lot about the history of cultures.
Vespera began, her voice soothing yet filled with an ancient power. "Once upon a time, in the Old Demon World, there was a Heavenly Demon with long shining silver hair and eyes as black as the darkest night. He ruled with unmatched strength, cruelty and wisdom, and under him served three apostles, each a master of their own domain. Together, they maintained the balance and control of our world."
Kael's eyes widened, captivated by his mother's tale. It was the second time he heard about the Old Demon World.
"I need to read some history books, I need to know what happened during the previous Eras and to the Old Demon World," The youth thought to himself.
During his three-day seclusion in the Royal Library he was stuck in the Martial Arts section, there were no books about history or common knowledge. Although, the boy was expecting to see some fantastical alchemical scriptures.
"Heavenly Demon was of an ancient demon species, a Chaos Demon. Chaos Demons are born from chaos and are able to use it for their own cultivation. He was the strongest demon during his reign as the Emperor of all demons."
Chaos was one of the elements Prince Kael considered adding to his own talents. However, at the final moment, decided to merge it with his sibling instead. He was still anticipating the moment one of his new brothers or sisters come to this new world.
"One day, the sky broke apart, and invaders from the outer world descended upon our lands, plundering resources and spreading chaos. The Heavenly Demon, along with his three apostles, fought bravely against these Outworlders. They waged fierce battles, their powers shaking the very foundations of the world. With each strike continents shook, mountains crumbled and oceans evaporated."
Vespera's voice grew more intense as she continued. "For several thousand years the battles continued until one day, in the final confrontation, the Heavenly Demon and his apostles managed to kill almost all the invaders' leaders. Only their one last God remained, a being of immense power and cunning. Unable to destroy him, they decided to do the last thing possible - sealing the Outworlders' God within five sacred treasures. Heavenly Demon sacrificed his three apostles and with it, he hid these treasures across the realms, ensuring he could never rise again."
Kael was silent, absorbing every word. The story was not just a tale; it was a fragment of their history, a glimpse into the past of the Demon World.
"Is this story true, Mon?"
"Who knows, it is a legend from long ago, even before the Myriad Demon Empire appeared. Heavenly Demon is a character from myths, no legacy of his was ever found."
"Why would there be a legacy of his? Why do experts even leave their inheritance?"
"I'm not sure, some say it is our simple wish to prove that we existed... Others, that leaving blessing for descendants will bless their next life."
"Who was the most powerful member of our Demon Clan? Whose inheritance was found?" Kael couldn't help but ask.
The Empress fell into thought and after a few seconds replied, "The Impure One, during the past Era our ancestor obtained his Inheritance. He fought countless prodigies during the battle of ascension, blood turning into rivers and coloring the world red."
"Battle of ascension, where did he go after that?"
"To the world beyond the sky, True World, where Immortals live."
Kael started imagining the True World, where countless unimaginable beings reside.
"Rest well tonight, Kael," Vespera whispered, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead, "I will see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Mom."
"Good night, Kael. A week from now all court members will arrive, and we will have your official ceremony."
"I will be waiting."
The doors closed.
---
For the next few days young Prince Kael was immersed in his training. Commander Selena wasn't able to sense his progress anymore, the Eternal Darkness talent was too overbearing.
"Argh!" a boy's voice resounded in the training hall.
Kael lunged forward, his blade slicing through the air with precision. Selena parried effortlessly, their swords clashing with a sharp ring that echoed through the hall. Kael followed with a swift series of strikes, each one faster and more aggressive than the last. Selena met every blow with practiced ease, her movements a dance of fluid grace and calculated defense.
Selena smiled, impressed by Kael's rapid improvement. "Your form is excellent, My Prince, but you must anticipate your opponent's moves."
Kael nodded, his brow furrowing in concentration. He circled her, seeking an opening. With a sudden burst of speed, he feinted left and struck from the right. Selena blocked him again, her sword a blur of motion.
"Good try, but not quite," she said, stepping back to reset her stance, "Your swordsmanship is getting better and better with each passing day."
"I am still can't land a hit on you."
"It would destroy my confidence if you did, Your Highness," Selena laughed, "My swordsmanship talent is considered to be one of the best in the Empire."
"Then let me try one more time, be careful, this time it might be dangerous," the boy warned her.
"I am ready, My Prince."
He nodded and adjusted his grip on his sword, taking a deep breath to center himself. Selena watched him closely, her eyes sharp and focused. Kael's expression hardened with determination, and he lunged forward once more.
To Selena, it seemed like his single strike split into two, then three, then a sea of slashes. Each one was executed with increasing speed and precision, creating an almost impenetrable barrage. Selena's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly adapted, her sword moving in a blur to meet each strike.
The sound of their clashing swords filled the hall, creating a rhythmic symphony of battle. Selena's face remained calm and composed, but deep inside, she was shocked by Kael's sudden prowess. His movements were no longer just swift and aggressive; they were calculated, and each strike was imbued with an intensity she hadn't seen before.
"Amazing!" Selena thought, parrying another blow. "His growth cannot be explained with just talent... This is... This is monstrous."
Kael's strikes continued to rain down upon her, relentless and unwavering. Selena blocked and parried ever single one of his attacks. But then, she noticed something that made her heart skip a beat—a faint glimmer of sword Qi at the tip of Kael's sword.
The appearance of sword Qi, even in such a small amount, was a proof of Kael's deep understanding of the sword. Awakening Sword Qi is one of the steps on the path of Sword. Every practitioner who wants to master sword must awaken the sword Qi.
Selena's eyes relaxed, and she eased her grip on the sword.
"I think we can stop here, My Prince."
"Ok," Kael breathed out.