Aelric nodded curtly. He ignored their curious stares and hurried off. The corridors grew busier as he neared the War Chamber—soldiers, scribes, and messengers froze mid-step as he passed. Whispers followed him, spreading like wildfire: The king has returned.
He caught his reflection in a polished shield mounted on a wall: blood-crusted hair, torn clothing, grime smudging his face. He looked nothing like a king. More like a ragged mercenary who'd crawled in from the battlefield. He set his jaw. That would have to wait. Selene—his sister, the one he had worried about so many nights—was here. He had to see her.
At the chamber's doors, two guards stepped forward, lowering their halberds. Their eyes swept over his battered form, suspicion tightening their features.
"State your business!" one barked, his grip tightening on his weapon.
Aelric's voice cut through the tense air, clear and firm. "I am Aelric Draythar, your king."
The guards exchanged glances, their disbelief plain. "The king—"
"Stands before you," Aelric interrupted sharply. "Now stand aside."
For a moment, they hesitated, their hands inching toward their weapons. Then one guard's gaze lingered on Aelric's face, recognition dawning. "Your Majesty…?" he stammered, his grip faltering.
"Yes," Aelric said, his tone brooking no argument. The guards exchanged stunned glances before stepping aside, their halberds rattling against the stone floor. Aelric pushed past them without another word.
Inside, the War Chamber was lit by dozens of lanterns. A large wooden table dominated the center, laden with maps, ledgers, and hastily scrawled notes.
Officers and advisors stood around it, engaged in low discussions. Selene stood at the far side, hunched over a pile of missives. Her raven hair was pulled back tightly, and exhaustion lined her face, though her posture remained proud and unyielding.
One of the officers turned, saw the filthy intruder, and reached for his weapon. Others followed suit, steel rasping against scabbards.
"Who dares enter—"
But Selene turned her head sharply, eyes narrowing. Her stern gaze fell on Aelric. For a heartbeat, confusion warred with disbelief in her emerald eyes. Then recognition flashed like lightning across her face.
"Out!" she barked, her voice cutting through the clamor like a blade. Every officer froze at the command, then hurried from the room, casting baffled looks as they passed Aelric. In seconds, the chamber emptied, leaving brother and sister alone.
Selene stood silent, her shoulders stiff, her gaze fixed on him. Aelric's heart hammered. He took a step forward, but she crossed the distance in a swift stride, stopping inches away. Her eyes, fierce and piercing, roamed over his face, taking in every smudge of dirt, every cut and bruise.
For a moment, she said nothing. Aelric couldn't read her expression—was it anger? Relief? Her mouth pressed into a thin line, but her emerald eyes glimmered faintly in the lamplight.
"You look like hell," she said, her voice firm but soft at the edges.
Aelric blinked. The words were so utterly Selene—practical, observant, and unflinching—that he almost laughed. "I've been gone for two months, and that's what you say?"
She raised a single brow. "Would you prefer I cry and faint?"
The corner of her mouth twitched, as if suppressing a smile, and she reached out, placing her hand on his shoulder. Her fingers curled tightly, her grip firm and grounding.
"You did good, Aelric," she said quietly, her voice breaking slightly on the words.
Aelric felt his throat tighten unexpectedly. The memories of battle, fear, and loss crashed over him, and for a moment, he struggled to breathe. But Selene's hand remained steady on his shoulder, her presence anchoring him.
He managed a faint nod, swallowing the lump in his throat. "I'm back."
Selene let her hand drop, stepping back slightly. "What happened?"
For a moment, silence stretched. Aelric's chest rose and fell, and he closed his eyes, recalling distant horizons, monstrous beasts, cunning foes, and impossible magic.
Then, slowly at first, he began to speak. The words felt heavy but once started, they came tumbling out. He told her about the strange land—about the realm and, the trials and battles, the Alpha Howlfang, the strange messages he kept seeing, and the Crown of Conquest that set it all in motion.
He described the people he'd saved, the lives he'd lost, and the powers he had discovered. Through it all, Selene listened intently, her face unreadable but her focus unwavering.
When he finished, the silence in the chamber was deafening. Aelric's breath came hard and fast, as though speaking of those events had dragged him back to the battlefield. He searched her expression, hoping for some glimmer of understanding, of answers.
"Well?" he prompted.
Selene's brow furrowed. "I don't have answers for you," she admitted. "I've never heard of this strange land or this… system you described. As for the Crown of Conquest, there's more myth surrounding it than truth."
Aelric's shoulders sagged a fraction. He'd held a faint hope that Selene, brilliant and resourceful, might have a clue. But it seemed they were both adrift in this strange saga.
She noticed his disappointment and lifted her hand slightly, a placating gesture. "For the time being, stay away from the crown," she said. "We need time to understand its nature. There's too much to unpack now. You need rest, Aelric, and a proper meal. You must be exhausted."
Aelric hesitated. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest, and the thought of clean clothes and a soft bed was almost too tempting to resist. But there was one more thing he needed to do.
"There's something else," he said quietly. "Something I need to show you."
Selene tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "More surprises?"
He smiled faintly. "You could say that."
After a moment's hesitation, she nodded. "Lead the way."
Selene followed Aelric down the dimly lit corridors, her booted steps echoing softly against the stone. Behind them, soldiers and courtiers tried to linger, their curiosity too strong to suppress. But Selene didn't slow. Without so much as a glance over her shoulder, she issued a single, sharp command:
"Stay."
The murmurs rose behind them—a mix of protests and whispered speculation—but no one dared to press her further. Her authority was a blade honed over years, and her silence cut deeper than words.
Aelric glanced at her, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You've gotten scarier."
Selene arched a brow. "Only because you've been gone long enough to forget."
He chuckled softly but said nothing more, his pace quickening. The air grew cooler as they descended a spiral staircase, the faint sound of wind whistling through the stone walls.
"Where are we going?" Selene asked, her tone calm but curious.
"To meet my followers," Aelric replied. His voice was steady, but there was an edge of nervousness to it. "Just… don't be surprised."
Selene's sharp gaze flicked to him. "Surprised?" she echoed, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "You dragged me out of the War Chamber in the middle of a siege. Surprises are the least of my concerns."
Aelric didn't respond, though his hand brushed the hilt of his sword as if for reassurance.
They reached a heavy wooden door at the base of the staircase. Aelric hesitated, glancing back at her. "Just… try to keep an open mind," he said.
Selene crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "I'm always open-minded."
With a nod, Aelric pushed the door open.
The room was dimly lit, the only illumination coming from a few flickering lanterns set against the walls. The air was thick with tension, the kind that prickled at the back of Selene's neck. Her sharp gaze swept the room, taking in every detail.
Four humans stood on one side, their posture stiff, their hands hovering near weapons and unease clear as day. Their eyes darting warily toward the opposite side of the room.
Selene's attention shifted—and froze.
Looming in the shadows, half-hidden by the dim light, were massive forms unlike anything she had ever seen. Their obsidian-black fur glimmered faintly, their molten-gold eyes burning with an almost eerie intelligence. They were monsters—each one towering over the tallest human, their muscular bodies rippling with restrained power.
The humans on the other side of the room reacted instantly. Weapons were drawn, their tension snapping like a bowstring. "Stay back!" one of them barked, his voice trembling despite his bravado.
The Howlfangs didn't flinch. Their attention remained solely on Aelric, who raised a hand—half a command, half a reassurance. "Easy," he said softly, his tone carrying a quiet authority that made even Selene glance at him.
The monsters stilled, their growls fading into silence. The humans hesitated, their weapons still raised but their movements less aggressive.
Selene's gaze flicked between the two groups.
And then, to Aelric's surprise, a grin broke across her face.
"Well, well, well," she drawled, her tone dripping with amusement. "Color me surprised. And what a pleasant surprise it is."
*****
A/N:
Now we have Selene - authoritative, strong, and dependable. With her taking an interest in things, you can expect some intense moments ahead. She has a lot to teach, but let's just say it won't be easy for anyone involved.
As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the direction the story is taking. Your comments, reviews, and support mean so much. Stick around - things are only getting more interesting from here!