The morning sun filtered through the tall trees surrounding the royal castle, casting a soft golden hue across the kingdom. Arlen sat on a stone bench in the garden, his hands resting on his lap as he watched the people in the distance go about their daily routines. His father, King Helios, was in a meeting with the royal council, so the day was free for the family and friends to enjoy.
Arlen was content for the moment, but his thoughts kept drifting to the conversation he had had with his father the day before. He couldn't help but feel the weight of what his father had said about controlling his flame. It felt like a daunting task, but it also filled him with a sense of purpose. A responsibility. It was a lot to bear, especially for someone his age, but his father believed in him—and that was enough to make him push forward.
"Arlen!"
He turned at the sound of his name, and there, running toward him with a bright smile, was Kael. The boy was one of Arlen's closest friends, and also his oldest. They had known each other since they were both small children, and Kael had always been by his side. Kael's sandy brown hair, usually tousled from his energetic nature, flopped over his brow as he reached the bench, leaning forward to catch his breath.
"You've got to see this," Kael said excitedly, his bright green eyes sparkling with mischief. "Rayen is showing us some new moves!"
Arlen raised an eyebrow. "Rayen? New moves?"
Kael grinned widely. "Well, you know Sir Rayen. He's always got some new trick up his sleeve. Come on! You don't want to miss it."
The two of them hurried toward the training grounds, where the royal knights were preparing for their daily drills. A few of Arlen's friends were already there, including Asha, a strong-willed girl who always pushed herself to the limit. She was a little older than Arlen, but she had always treated him as an equal in their sparring matches.
As they approached, Rayen stood in the center of the training yard, his earth magic causing the ground to shift and rise beneath his feet. His dark hair was pulled back into a tight knot, his muscles rippling as he effortlessly controlled the terrain.
"I'm telling you," Kael said as he nudged Arlen, "this is going to be good."
Rayen turned to them and gave them a curt nod. "Arlen. Kael. You're just in time. I'm going to show you a new technique I've been working on." His eyes gleamed with excitement, and though he tried to remain composed, it was clear he enjoyed showing off his skills to the younger generation.
"What is it this time?" Asha asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. She was always a little skeptical of Rayen's tricks, but she couldn't help but be impressed by his earth magic.
"You'll see," Rayen replied with a grin, flicking his wrist. Immediately, the earth beneath his feet rose in a massive pillar, and he leaped into the air, twisting and turning as he formed the rocks into a barrier that spun around him. "It's all about harnessing the earth's natural flow. Watch closely."
The group watched in awe as Rayen continued to manipulate the earth, creating shapes and shields in the air with ease. Arlen marveled at the fluidity of his movements—Rayen's control over the earth was nearly flawless, and it was a beautiful thing to witness.
As the demonstration ended, Arlen's attention shifted to something that had been bothering him all morning. He hadn't seen his brother, Ina, since breakfast. The younger boy had been particularly quiet lately, and Arlen couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
"Where's Ina?" Arlen asked, scanning the area for any sign of his younger brother.
Asha, ever observant, glanced over at the castle. "He's probably playing in the garden again. You know how he likes to watch the birds."
Arlen nodded, though something about his brother's behavior seemed different lately. Ina had always been the cheerful one, but lately, there had been a certain sadness in his eyes. Arlen wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but he decided to check on him later.
The group spent the rest of the afternoon training and laughing, enjoying the freedom of the moment. It was easy to forget that beyond the castle walls, there were other kingdoms, other kings who wielded unimaginable power. The peace of the kingdom seemed unbreakable, and the sound of the children's laughter echoed through the courtyard.
As dusk began to fall, the royal family gathered in the grand dining hall, where the evening meal was being prepared. Arlen sat beside his father, King Helios, feeling the weight of the day's events.
"You seem pensive tonight, Arlen," his father said, his voice calm but observant. "What's on your mind?"
Arlen hesitated, glancing at his mother, Queen Alessa, who sat across from them. She was busy talking to Ina, who had finally joined them for dinner. But Arlen's gaze shifted back to his father.
"It's just… I've been thinking a lot about what you said to me the other day," Arlen admitted. "About controlling my flame."
King Helios' expression softened, and he placed a hand on Arlen's shoulder. "It will come in time. But you must understand, power like that is not something to take lightly. It is a gift and a burden."
Arlen nodded. The weight of his father's words carried more meaning than ever.
Before they could speak further, the doors to the dining hall suddenly slammed open with a loud crash, sending a jolt of tension through the room. The knights who had been on guard rushed in, their faces pale with fear.
"The walls… the gates… they're under attack!" one of them shouted. "The enemy is here!"
The world seemed to freeze for a moment, the reality of the situation settling in. Arlen's heart raced, and his eyes darted to his father, who immediately stood, his expression hardening into that of the king he was. Without a word, King Helios turned to Arlen.
"Stay close to your mother. Do not leave this hall, no matter what happens."
Arlen nodded, but his mind was already racing. This wasn't just an attack—it was something more. Something he couldn't fully understand yet. But the fear in his father's eyes told him one thing: this was not an ordinary assault.
And then, the first explosion rang out from outside the castle walls.