The warning message still hovered before Zen's eyes, its ominous glow a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding around him:
[ Warning! ]
Strange energy detected. Countermeasures being prepared... Skill analysis: S-rank Precognition (Six Divine Eyes). Absorption will increase potential as user grows. Absorb skill?
Yes/No
But Zen's attention was fixated solely on Tess, her pale face etched with an expression of abject terror.
"Tess! Are you alright?" Zen's voice cracked with concern as he cradled his sister's trembling form. Lloyd and Carac hovered anxiously nearby, their faces mirroring the worry in Zen's eyes.
The room's doors burst open as a flurry of footsteps announced the arrival of Leonhardt, Emperor Curtis, and a royal healer. The Emperor's eyes narrowed as he took in the scene. "What in the name of the Empire is going on here?"
As Lloyd quickly briefed Curtis on the situation, Tess began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, unfocused and distant, as if still caught in the throes of her vision.
"I... I saw something," she whispered, her voice hoarse. "A premonition. It's going to happen, and we... we can't do anything to stop it!" Tears began to stream down her face as she clutched at Zen's sleeve.
The healer stepped forward, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the room. "Your Majesty, My Lords, if I may... I need to examine the young lady. Some privacy would be appreciated."
As the others filed out into the hallway, Zen's mind raced. With a mental command, he selected 'Yes' to the floating message. Immediately, new text appeared before his eyes:
[ Note! ]
Attempt to copy skill. [Six Divine Eyes: First Eyes (FATE) (S Rank)]. As the user grows, so will the skill enhance.
[ Note! ]
Congratulations! New skill acquired: [Six Divine Eyes: First Eyes (FATE) (S Rank)...more]. Skill now available. Refer to status for more details.
Zen's brow furrowed as he contemplated the implications of this new ability. What could Tess have seen that had affected her so deeply?
His thoughts were interrupted by another message:
[ Warning! ]
Skill Six Divine Eyes detects a thread. Do you want to activate skill?
With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, Zen activated the skill. The world around him blurred, as if viewed through a warped lens. Suddenly, he found himself in a different place entirely.
"What is this? Where am I? Who...?" His questions trailed off as the vision solidified.
Five figures came into focus: his eldest brother Arthur, Leonhardt, Theo, Mia, and a girl he didn't recognize. But what drew his attention was the prone form lying in the dirt – himself. Leonhardt knelt beside Zen's body, tears streaming down his face. Theo stood nearby, his expression unreadable, while Mia seemed to be siding with Zen's group.
The scene widened, revealing a Empire in chaos. Flags burned, buildings crumbled, and the streets ran red with blood. Zen's eyes darted around, searching for any clue to pinpoint when this catastrophe would occur. A decorated tree caught his attention – unmistakably part of the elven Yggdrasil celebrations.
As the vision faded, Zen muttered under his breath, "This is going to be more than just a drag..."
The door to Tess's room swung open, jolting Zen back to the present. The healer emerged, his face grave but composed. "She's stable, physically at least. It seems to be a reaction to her body using her skill for the first time. You should go in and speak with her."
As the group filed back into the room, Zen hung back, his mind still reeling from his own vision. Tess's eyes found his, and fresh tears welled up. "Zen is going to die!" she cried out, her voice raw with anguish.
The room fell silent, all eyes darting between Zen and Tess. Lloyd stepped forward, his voice gentle but firm. "What do you mean, sweetheart? Can you be more clear?"
Tess took a shuddering breath, wiping at her eyes. "F-Father, I had a premonition. I saw Zen... dead. Killed by Theo!"
Curtis's face hardened. "Tess, when will this happen?"
"I... I'm not sure," Tess replied, her voice trembling. "But I saw a decorated tree. And... and the Empire's flag was burning."
Curtis exchanged a loaded glance with Lloyd, his face a mask of shock and concern. Zen, fighting to maintain his composure, approached his sister's bedside. He placed a comforting hand on her head, forcing a smile. "Why all these tears, dear sister? I'm still here, aren't I? Very much alive."
Tess threw her arms around Zen, holding him tightly as her sobs subsided. Leonhardt moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on Tess's back.
Curtis and Lloyd excused themselves, Carac in tow. A few moments later, Carac returned. "Young master, my lady... Lord Briar has requested that I escort you back to the Briar estate. We'll leave immediately."
As they made their way to the waiting coach, Leonhardt accompanied them. "I'll visit your estate before you depart for your domain," he promised, his usual bravado tempered by concern. "You both should rest."
Zen managed a weak smile as the coach pulled away. As the castle gates closed behind them, Leonhardt's parting words drifted on the breeze: "Warming up already, are we?"
The journey passed in tense silence, broken only by the rhythmic clop of hooves. As they approached the Briar estate – a grand structure rivaling the Imperial Castle in its opulence, if not its size – a familiar figure came into view.
"Well, well, well... look who's come to visit their big brother!" A young man, built like Lloyd but with Carac's height, strode towards them. His features bore a striking resemblance to Zen's, marking him unmistakably as Arthur Briar.
Tess, her earlier distress momentarily forgotten, leapt from the coach into Arthur's waiting arms. Zen, more reserved, remained rooted to the spot. Arthur, undeterred, reached out to ruffle Zen's hair affectionately.
Zen, clearly embarrassed by his brother's display, muttered under his breath, "This is becoming more of a hassle than I bargained for."
As they made their way into the estate, the weight of Tess's premonition – and Zen's own vision – hung heavy in the air. The future, it seemed, held challenges far beyond anything they had imagined. But for now, surrounded by family, they could pretend, if only for a moment, that the world wasn't poised on the brink of chaos.