Everyone whispered and glared as I arrived near the training grounds. It was uncomfortable; once again, I'd caused a commotion among the higher class.
Henry ran up to me. "I thought I'd be attending your funeral by now," he said, eyeing me with exaggerated relief. I shook my head. "Eager to watch me die, aren't you?" He laughed it off and then left to speak with Freya, the knightess trailing behind me.
"The sun is setting—I need to return to my room," I said, my head hanging low. My life was on the line; one more reckless move, and I'd waste the chance given by the Duke and Chief Shveins. Then Ivy came to me checking out my disheveled form.
"It's still early; we can talk about, you—" Ivy began, but I cut her off.
"I'm going back. Continue without me, I'm here to let you know Im fine." I said, my voice rising slightly. Her eyes widened, surprised at my reaction, but I pretended not to notice and turned away—only to find Bailee standing behind me.
"At least thank her for healing you, if you're going to ditch us," Ivy called after me, sounding upset as she disappeared from sight. I could sense her anger just from her aura suddenly flowing, I looked at Bailee, her gaze fixed on Ivy's retreating form. "It's fine, don't worry about her," I said, trying to dismiss the tension.
"She was worried sick, Vesper," Bailee murmured.
"I—" Words failed me. "I'm just tired."
She held out my shifting gem. "Freya asked me to return this to you," she said, her eyes meeting mine. I smiled to her then I remembered the promise I kept with Chief Shveins.
"Thank you for healing me," I said as I took the gem from her hand.
"The pleasure is mine. If you need anything, don't hesitate to find me." I nodded, then left the training grounds.
"Henry, I'm heading back to our room. Don't bring your friends—I need to rest," I told him. He looked at me skeptically but muttered, "Alright," without giving it much thought. I headed toward the dormitory, but as I walked, I noticed several knights leaving the castle, more heavily armored than usual. I paused, watching them carefully.
"They're heading to Whitestone," a soft voice said beside me. I turned to see a girl with bright red hair, strikingly similar to Felix's. She wore a small tiara and a gold-and-white dress.
"Felix," I murmured, almost without thinking.
"Oh, yes." she said, a smile tugging at her lips. "I'm Princess Ignis."
I was at a loss for words.
"Cat got your tongue?" she teased, a smirk playing at the corners of her mouth.
"Your Majesty," I stammered, immediately kneeling on the ground. I was shirtless, wearing only trousers and boots. "Forgive my appearance," I added, my voice trembling.
She tilted her head slightly which made my heart skipped, her eyes glinting with amusement as she studied me. "Rise," she said, her tone softening, though there was still a regal weight to it. "I'm not offended by your appearance, though it's a bit… unrefined for someone in your position."
I hesitated for a moment before standing, feeling the awkwardness of my half-clad form in the presence of royalty. She didn't seem bothered, though. Her gaze remained steady, as if she had seen much worse in her time despite her young appearance.
"I didn't mean to startle you," Princess Ignis continued, her voice a little warmer now. "But it's not often I see someone so… unaware of their surroundings. Most would've already knelt upon seeing me."
I swallowed, unsure whether to feel embarrassed or impressed by her directness. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I didn't notice you until—" I paused, realizing how I sounded. "I mean I was lost in thoughts and, I wasn't expecting to run into a princess out here."
She chuckled lightly, a sound that was unexpected coming from someone so poised. "Most people never do. Felix has his own way of keeping things under wraps, and he's always been a bit of a… curious and I'm not." She studied me for a long moment, as if weighing something in her mind. "I've heard of you. Vesper, isn't it? The boy who caused a huge commotion last night."
I nodded, my throat dry. "Yes, Your highness."
"I'm curious," she continued, her voice shifting slightly, "what brings you here? among knights and royalty. Not many from your background make it this far."
I shifted uncomfortably, unsure of how to answer. "I'm… just here to learn. To prove myself," I said quietly, not wanting to go into more detail about my true purpose.
Princess Ignis studied me for a few more seconds before nodding thoughtfully. "Well, then, you must have more determination than most. Just remember, Vesper, the world you're about to step in is full of games, and not all of them are as straightforward as they seem."
I frowned, unsure of how to interpret her words. "What do you mean?"
She smiled. "You'll figure it out soon enough."
Another question to ponder, I thought to myself. Before I could respond, she turned away, her royal dress swishing around her as she started to walk toward the castle. "Take care, Vesper," she called over her shoulder. "Prepare yourself for you've raise your stakes."
I stood there for a moment, processing her words, the weight of her gaze still lingering. As I watched her disappear into the distance, I couldn't shake the feeling that my path was about to become far more complicated than I had ever imagined.
The sky began to darken as I made my way back to the dorm. I took a quick shower, the cool water doing little to shake the heaviness in my chest. I skipped dinner—my appetite had vanished, replaced by a gnawing unease I couldn't place.
Before I even realized it, exhaustion overtook me. I collapsed onto the bed, and the world slipped away, leaving nothing but the quiet embrace of sleep.
Once again, I found myself standing beneath the skylight of my old house. "Where are you? Both of you?" I called out, my voice echoing in the empty silence. Suddenly, an icy embrace wrapped around me from behind—a shadowy figure pressing close. I had no choice but to go along to get answers even if it drives me insane.
"I'm here," the eerie woman whispered, her tone chilling, "but Nine isn't. You've awakened him, and now he waits… patiently for his moment."
"What am I?" I asked, my voice barely steady.
She released me, circling around with a laugh that was both hollow and haunting. "If you truly wish to know, then you must journey to the Abyssal Land," she replied. "But in your current state, you won't survive without me."
"Then where are you?" I asked, my skin prickling with unease.
"You must call to me, and I will come for you," she answered, her voice sending a shiver down my spine.
"My mother's death," I pressed, unable to hold back. "Was it planned? The white dragon—where did it come from? Why did it kill her?"
She paused, her expression unreadable. "I can only answer one question. Your mother was no ordinary person—she was a cunning wizard who kept you hidden, even from me. I never sought you because I could not find you. After her death, you've awakened… a mere 10% but that's enough for me to connect with you through the passage of dreams."
I swallowed, the weight of her words settling over me. "But she never told me anything, what exactly are you?" I asked, the question barely a whisper.
A faint smile playing at her lips. "Don't deny it. You know very well I'm not lying. Me? I've told you before, haven't I?".
"If not from my mother, then where did we come from? Why am I like this? Why did she have to die!" I demanded, frustration mounting.
"That is for you to discover," she replied coolly. "You chose this path. But one thing is certain—I am you." Her voice echoed loudly, resonating through me.
Then, a powerful force yanked me from the dream, dragging me back to reality. A brilliant light flooded over me. "So bright," I muttered, shielding my eyes.
"Get up, peasant. We need to assemble. Today, we meet with the Crown Prince and the Duke." Henry's voice cut through my haze, his shiny hair practically blinding me.
"Oh, alright," I mumbled, pushing myself upright.
"You were mumbling in your sleep," he remarked as he adjusted his clothes.
I looked at him, startled. Sitting up straighter, I asked, "What did you hear?"
"Hmm? Something about your mother, or something like that," he replied casually.
Anxiety began to creep in. "What else?" I pressed, my expression serious.
He met my eyes through the mirror, his face impassive. "That's pretty much all. I'm heading out first." With that, he turned and left the room.
As soon as he was gone, I collapsed back onto the bed, dread washing over me. How much could I really trust those around me? Shaking the thought, I got up and headed for a shower. Only one tunic remained in my closet—I'd have to ask a senior knight for an extra one.
Today felt strange. As I headed downstairs, ready to start my day, a faint pulse thrummed through my body, unexplainable and unnerving. The sensation was familiar—a warning, like when a demon had once been poised to strike. But how could a demon possibly lurk here, in a place fortified by knights?
I shook off the feeling, trying to ignore the prickling tension under my skin, and made my way to the Dragon Hall.
The grand doors of the Dragon Hall loomed ahead, and with each step closer, the pulse within me seemed to intensify, matching the rhythm of my heartbeat. Shadows clung to the corners of the hall, where columns stretched to the high ceiling adorned with ancient carvings of dragons, demons and warriors. Despite the majestic surroundings, a chill settled over me.
Knights had already begun to gather, their voices hushed in conversation, yet I could feel eyes on me—a watchful presence lingering at the edges of my awareness. I took a steadying breath and joined the assembly, trying to dismiss the unsettling sensation gnawing at me.
"Vesper," a familiar voice called out. I turned to see Ivy approaching, her usual smile replaced with a serious expression.
"You good?" She murmured, keeping her voice low.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Just then, the doors at the far end of the hall opened, and all conversation ceased. The Crown Prince entered, flanked by guards, his gaze sharp and commanding as it swept over the crowd. Behind him was the Duke, his expression unreadable.
The Prince's eyes landed on me for a brief moment. He gave a slight nod before addressing the hall. "Today, we gather not only to celebrate your achievements for this month but also for caution. There have been… disturbances. I must remind you to be prepared for the inevitable." As his eyes turned to me.
A ripple of unease passed through the room. My pulse quickened, the strange sensation intensifying. It was as if the very air had thickened, charged with an ominous energy.
"Stay vigilant," the Duke added, his gaze hard.
The weight of his words settled heavily. As the assembly dispersed to continue their duties, I couldn't shake the feeling that something dark had already slipped past the defenses. And somehow, it was waiting for me.
Then a loud screeching sound echoed from outside the hall.