The Divine Castle, a monumental testament to the empire's might, loomed before them. Its spires pierced the sky, a silent reminder of the bloody history etched into its very foundations. Here, generations ago, Regulus Darkus, the first emperor, had vanquished the Northern tribe's ruler in a cataclysmic battle that claimed both their lives.
Whispers of arcane power clung to the castle like morning mist. Legend spoke of mana so potent it saturated the very earth, capable of resurrecting an entire kingdom from ruin—or unleashing devastation beyond imagining.
As they traversed the grand hallways, Lloyd's voice cut through the reverent silence. "Where are we headed?"
The Emperor, Curtis, turned to his cousin with a mischievous glint in his eye. "To dinner, of course!" His grin widened. "You never visit, and now that you're finally here, you want me to be all official?"
Curtis's jovial facade cracked for a moment, a flicker of genuine hurt crossing his features. "Ah..."
Lloyd opened his mouth to respond, but words failed him. With a resigned sigh, he acquiesced to the Emperor's wishes.
At the far end of the expansive hall stood a door of breathtaking opulence, encrusted with precious gems that caught and reflected the light like captured stars. Two guards flanked it, their posture rigid with duty. As the family approached, they bowed deeply and swung the massive doors open.
The dining chamber beyond was a feast for the eyes even before the meal began. A table long enough to seat three families groaned under the weight of delicacies from across the empire. Near another ornate door stood a woman of such ethereal beauty and regal bearing that she could only be the Queen. Her features bore a striking resemblance to Prince Leonhardt's.
Lloyd stepped forward, dropping to one knee with practiced grace. He took the Queen's hand, brushing his lips against it in a gesture of deep respect. "I greet Her Imperial Majesty," he intoned.
The Queen's laughter was like silver bells. "Oh, you've always been such a fine man. I wonder, why do you never visit?"
Lloyd's lips quirked in a wry smirk as he muttered under his breath, "Not you too."
As they settled around the table, the Emperor rose, goblet in hand. His voice rang out, filled with warmth and a hint of vulnerability. "It's been far too long since my cousin and I have seen each other. I feared this day might never come. To Lloyd and his children, Zen and Theresa!"
"Cheers!" The room echoed with the sound of clinking glasses and heartfelt toasts.
After the sumptuous meal, the children were dismissed, leaving Lloyd, the Emperor, and the Queen to retire to the King's Garden for more private discourse.
Meanwhile, in the corridor leading to their chambers, Prince Leonhardt's voice cut through the air like a whip. "Are you mute?"
Zen's silence only seemed to fuel the prince's ire. "Why don't you speak? The son of a Duke is expected to be as eloquent as his father. You can't be a daddy's boy forever."
"That's quite enough, Prince Leonhardt." Tess's voice was sharp, her eyes flashing with indignation.
Leonhardt's laughter held a note of surprise and intrigue. "Ooh, the lady speaks! And with such fire. We'll get along splendidly, I think."
Zen maintained his composure, his face an impassive mask as he continued down the hall. Tess quickened her pace to match her brother's, shooting a final glare at the prince before they came to a stop before an ornate door.
A maid bowed low. "This will be your room, Lord Zen."
As Zen entered, Tess followed close behind. "I will share the room with my brother," she declared, her tone brooking no argument. "I don't feel entirely comfortable here."
The maid accepted this with another bow and retreated. In the corridor, Leonhardt's bravado faltered for a moment. "Hmm... I may have overstepped. I should apologize tomorrow," he mused before continuing on his way.
Inside their room, Tess rounded on her brother. "Zen! Just because he's a prince doesn't mean we have to tolerate his behavior. I know you prefer restraint, but sometimes you need to stand up for yourself, like Arthur would!"
Zen's stoic facade cracked, a gentle smile spreading across his face as he reached out to tug playfully at Tess's cheeks. "You're as hot-headed as ever, dear sister. But I'm not Arthur, and you'll see—things will smooth over by tomorrow. We passed his test."
He sat on the bed, gazing out the window with barely contained excitement dancing in his eyes. The Imperial City sprawled before them, a tapestry of lights and shadows, promises and secrets.
In the castle's garden, far from prying eyes, the Emperor settled across from Lloyd. Guards patrolled the perimeter, their footsteps a rhythmic counterpoint to the night's whispers.
"We're alone now," Curtis said, his jovial mask slipping away to reveal the weight of his crown. "What troubles you, cousin? This is as much your home as it is mine."
Lloyd exhaled heavily, the burden of his knowledge visible in the set of his shoulders. "They have awakened. Both my twins."
The Emperor's laughter burst forth, startling nearby birds into flight. "Ha! I knew it!"
While Lloyd's expression remained conflicted, Curtis's face shone with unbridled excitement. "Fear not, my dear cousin. My son, Leonhardt, has also awakened."
"Not surprising," Lloyd replied, his tone dry as desert sand.
The Emperor scoffed good-naturedly. "Yes, I might come from a family of talent, but you and I both know you were better suited to be Emperor. If only you had a skill, if only we didn't have this cursed law..." His voice trailed off, heavy with old regrets. "But now, with both our children awakened, the path ahead grows treacherous. I've received word that *he'll* be here by daybreak, at the temple. If my instincts are correct, it's for the very same reason we'll both be going."
Lloyd's fist came down hard on the stone bench. "I refuse to let our children suffer Lasec's fate. The battles between Briar and Darkus have always left a sibling dead. I must guide both my twins and your son's path."
Curtis's laughter rang out once more, tinged with relief. "So my guess was right—you do still care for your relatives!"
Lloyd's hand shot out, delivering a playful blow to the Emperor's head. "Curtis! This is no laughing matter. We know now that *he* stands with the North, and that's what truly terrifies me. The powers they wield are beyond imagination. My time at the border and during the war made that painfully clear. I may look like a war hero, but no hero loses as much as we did in that conflict."
The Emperor's mirth faded, replaced by grim determination. "That is the nature of war, Lloyd. Outcomes can never be truly measured. We lost our men, yes, but so did the enemy. Listen well: you be their guide, and I'll be their shield. Together, we can end this family conflict once and for all."
Lloyd's expression softened, a glimmer of hope kindling in his eyes. "It's been seven years since the war. We have three more before the non-aggression pact with the North expires. The Sovereigns claim neutrality in this continental struggle. In these three years, we must teach our children everything about this war and their place in it. Losing the Divine Castle means death not just for Darkus, but for the Eastern and Western folk as well."
Curtis nodded solemnly, the weight of their shared burden palpable in the night air. As the two men turned back toward the castle, a shadow detached itself from the darkness, leaping silently over the garden wall and vanishing into the night.
Dawn broke, painting the sky in hues of amber and rose. As the royal party prepared to depart for the temple, coaches lined up in a grand procession. Prince Leonhardt approached Zen, his usual bravado tempered by a hint of contrition.
"Look, about yesterday," he began, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
Zen's response was calm, but carried an undercurrent of strength. "It's fine. But should a prince really be apologizing?"
As they moved to board their respective coaches, Leonhardt called out once more. "Let's talk after the temple visit."
Two magnificent coaches stood ready: one bearing the Emperor's crest, carrying Curtis and Leonhardt, the other adorned with the Duke's insignia, holding Lloyd and his twins. With a crack of whips and a spray of gravel, they surged forward, racing toward destiny.
The Imperial Temple rose before them, a gleaming edifice of white stone that dwarfed all surrounding structures. At its pinnacle hung a massive golden bell, its deep, resonant tones echoing across the city as it swung to and fro. Children of noble houses gathered in its shadow, their excited whispers creating a buzz of anticipation.
As they disembarked, Zen and Tess's eyes shone with barely contained excitement. Lloyd's voice cut through their awe, filled with a mixture of pride and trepidation.
"Welcome to the Imperial Temple," he announced, his gaze fixed on the towering spire. "Let's go."
With those words, the family stepped forward, ready to embrace their destiny and the challenges that lay ahead. The temple's massive doors swung open, revealing a world of ancient power and untold secrets, waiting to be unlocked.