Chapter 13: Growth in Harmony
The days stretched on, a steady rhythm of training, studying, and now, music. Argus had grown accustomed to the structure of his life—it felt like a carefully composed melody, each note falling in line with the one before it. Though his life was full of lessons and rigor, music had introduced an unexpected form of expression, one that quietly seeped into the rest of his world.
Sitting at the piano, Argus let his fingers glide across the keys, the notes flowing effortlessly. Calista had been right. It wasn't about control, at least not in the way he was used to. Music required a different kind of mastery—expression, emotion, and letting go. And as much as he'd initially resisted the idea, he had come to appreciate the peace music brought him.
The soft notes of the piano resonated through the room, calming his thoughts. His powers—the void swirling within—had always been difficult to manage, a constant undercurrent that required focus to contain. The act of playing music, however, allowed him to focus on something else, easing his mind and in turn, helping him control the chaos within himself.
As Argus played, Calista stood nearby, nodding with approval. "You're improving," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "It's not just your skill on the piano. You're learning to express yourself through the music."
Argus paused, his fingers still resting on the keys. He nodded, but more thoughtfully than usual. "It helps me think," he admitted. "When I play, everything else seems to fall into place."
Calista smiled, clearly pleased with his progress. "That's the magic of music," she said, her tone light but sincere. "It has a way of helping us find balance, even when we don't realize we need it."
Though she didn't know the full extent of what Argus was dealing with, her words struck a chord. The balance she spoke of was something he had been working toward for weeks—finding a way to manage the power inside him without letting it overwhelm him. Music wasn't a solution, but it was certainly helping him maintain that balance.
Later that day, after his music lesson had ended, Argus made his way through the mansion. His mind lingered on the idea of balance, of how the music helped him focus. He could feel the shift within himself—not just in his powers, but in his overall approach to things. It was as though the walls that once confined him were beginning to dissolve, allowing him to move more freely with less restraint.
In the courtyard, he spotted Lily sitting on a bench, her face lit up with a mischievous grin. She held a small bouquet of flowers in her hands, and the moment she saw Argus, she jumped up, running toward him.
"Argus!" she called, her voice full of excitement. "Look what I made!"
He raised an eyebrow, glancing down at the bundle of flowers she held out to him. "A flower crown?"
Lily beamed proudly. "I made it for you! Rhea showed me how."
Argus couldn't help but chuckle, taking the crown from her. "You want me to wear this?"
"Of course!" Lily insisted, her grin widening. "It's a crown, and you're the best! So it's perfect!"
With a resigned smile, Argus placed the crown on his head, the flowers resting awkwardly on his dark hair. Lily's laughter was infectious, and despite himself, he found the whole situation oddly amusing.
"There," she said, stepping back to admire her handiwork. "Now you look like a real king."
"I don't think kings wear flower crowns," Argus pointed out, but his voice was light, playful.
"They should," Lily declared confidently. "It suits you."
Argus shook his head, still smiling, and handed the crown back to her. "Thanks, Lily. Maybe I'll save this for later."
Lily pouted a little but quickly brightened up. "Fine. But you should wear it sometime!"
They spent more time together in the courtyard, talking and laughing. It was a welcome break from his usual routine, and Argus found himself enjoying the simplicity of it. After everything he had learned about balance, moments like these felt more important now than they ever had before.
As the evening approached, Argus returned to his room, his mind still drifting between thoughts of music, void training, and the quiet moments with Lily. He sat down at his desk, his gaze falling on the piano in the corner of the room.
Without really thinking about it, he stood up and walked over to the instrument. His fingers rested on the keys, and he began to play again, the melody from earlier still fresh in his mind. But this time, something felt different. As the notes filled the room, Argus closed his eyes, allowing himself to fully immerse in the music.
The void stirred within him, but it was easier to manage now. As the melody flowed, so did his control. The music wasn't calming his powers directly, but it was helping him calm himself, and that made all the difference. His mind was clearer, his control sharper.
This was the balance he had been searching for—finding harmony between his power and his own sense of self. Music wasn't the solution, but it was part of the answer. It allowed him to step back, to breathe, and to find focus when he needed it most.
Later that night, Argus found himself in the training hall, standing in the center of the room with his hands outstretched. He had spent weeks honing his control over the void, but tonight felt different. Tonight, he wasn't trying to control it—he was letting it flow naturally, just as he had with the music.
Slowly, the void began to materialize around him, dark tendrils swirling at his fingertips. But this time, there was no struggle, no resistance. The power moved as smoothly as the melody he had played earlier, responding to his will without the need for force.
Argus smiled to himself, the realization settling in. This was the breakthrough he had been waiting for.
By the time Argus returned to his room, exhaustion had settled over him, but it was a good kind of tired. The kind that came from progress, from understanding something he hadn't before. He glanced at the piano one last time before turning toward his bed, a wry smile tugging at his lips. He had rarely, if ever, slept in it. The idea was tempting—just for one night—but he knew his mother was waiting for him.
With a quiet sigh, Argus made his way toward Evangeline's chambers. When he slipped into bed beside her, her arms instinctively wrapped around him, possessive yet comforting, as always.
For the first time in a long while, Argus felt at peace with where he was. The road ahead was still long, and there was much more to learn, but tonight, he was content. The balance he had found—both in music and in his powers—was enough to carry him forward.
And for now, wrapped in his mother's protective hold, that was all he needed.