After a long journey back from the Kingdom of Oz, Elu finally returned to the estate, eager to see her brothers. She had spent her time away honing her skills and learning from the masters in Oz, hoping it would allow her to reconnect with her siblings and perhaps bridge the growing gaps between them. But as she stepped into the grand hall of the estate, something felt off.
The first of her brothers she encountered was Amon. The moment she saw him, she noticed the change immediately. His aura felt sharper, more intense, almost volatile. His posture was different, as if he carried the weight of new power—but also of a hardened resolve. There was a distant, almost detached look in his eyes that Elu hadn't seen before. He greeted her briefly, but there was a coolness in his voice that made her heart sink.
"What happened to you, Amon?" she asked gently, her eyes searching his face for any trace of the brother she remembered.
Amon shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I've been training. Father's been helping me unlock my potential," he replied, his tone dismissive.
Before she could press further, Amon turned and left, heading back to the training quarters without another word. Elu watched him go, feeling a pang of sadness. He seemed so different now—so distant. She wanted to reach out to him, to reconnect, but Amon had built walls she feared she couldn't break.
In the days that followed, Elu tried to spend time with him, yet every attempt felt strained. Amon was entirely focused on his training, often absorbed in practicing his new skills, such as the Noctelion Wind God Sword Arts he'd developed on his own. She could see the fierce determination in his eyes, but there was also a darkness there, a hunger for strength that left little room for anything else. He was a brother she barely recognized.
Meanwhile, her thoughts drifted to Adam, who was still inside the Chained God's dungeon. She wondered if he had changed as much as Amon had during his time away. She missed him dearly, feeling a strange emptiness knowing both her brothers were transforming in ways she didn't fully understand.
Little did Elu know, Adam was preparing to face the final trial within the dungeon—one that would test his very essence. He had conquered each trial with unwavering resilience, emerging stronger after every battle and more disciplined in the art of combat. His appearance had shifted, his once softer features now hardened by endurance, his hair longer and darker, his eyes piercing with a mysterious blue light.
Adam had mastered all eight forms of the Noctelion Draconic Martial Arts through the trials, and he stood at the threshold of the final trial—the Trial of Power. He knew this last test would be unlike any he had faced before. It was rumored to be the ultimate challenge, a battle designed to push him to his absolute limits, to see if he was worthy of bearing the Chained God's Scepters.
Back at the estate, Elu was left with a sense of unease, torn between the changes in Amon and the anticipation of Adam's return. She feared what lay ahead, for the family she had once known was slipping further away with every passing day.
The days after her return were harder for Elu than she had anticipated. Amon's cold demeanor and relentless pursuit of strength had left her feeling like a stranger in her own home, while Adam's prolonged absence weighed heavily on her heart. She couldn't shake the sense that her family was drifting apart, and despite her efforts, she found herself feeling increasingly isolated within the walls of the estate.
Determined to escape the stifling loneliness, Elu made a decision. She would leave the estate and carve out a new path for herself, somewhere she could grow and find her own place in the world. Her destination: the Floating City of Evergarden, a mystical city renowned for its beauty and vibrant culture. It was a place where people from across realms gathered—a city floating high above the clouds, sustained by ancient magic and filled with promise.
Evergarden was also a gateway to the Mystical Cathedral of Bedivair, one of the most prestigious schools in the Upper Mystic Lights. The Cathedral was famed for producing some of the realm's finest mystics, scholars, and warriors, and she had long dreamed of studying there. The school was known for its rigorous training and its teachings in ancient and powerful arts, drawing only the most dedicated students from all realms. Her father had mentioned Bedivair before, and Elu knew this was her chance to prepare herself for that challenge.
Leaving the estate was not an easy decision. Elu was hesitant to bring it up with her father, knowing he would be disappointed, perhaps even angry. But after gathering her courage, she approached him one evening, explaining her intentions with a steady voice.
"Father, I want to go to Evergarden," she said, her heart racing as she spoke. "I need to find my own way—to learn and grow outside these walls."
Jaguar looked at her in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a reluctant nod, he finally agreed, seeing the determination in her eyes. "If this is truly what you want, then go, Elu. But know that your place here will always be waiting."
With his blessing, she prepared to set out for Evergarden. She packed her belongings, carefully choosing the essentials and a few reminders of home. On the morning of her departure, she cast one last look at the estate, a mixture of sadness and anticipation filling her chest. This place had been her home, and though it felt empty now, it would always be a part of her.
As she rode toward the mystical city, Elu felt a sense of freedom she hadn't known before. In Evergarden, she hoped to make new friends, to surround herself with people who would understand her, perhaps even help her to heal. She had three years until she could enroll in Bedivair, and she was determined to make the most of every moment, to grow stronger and find her purpose. She would face the unknown and learn who she truly was, beyond the shadows of her family.
And so, with the wind in her hair and the floating city rising ahead, Elu began her journey—one that would reshape her heart and prepare her for the future awaiting her at the Mystical Cathedral of Bedivair.