Nightfall in the Palace...
The torches lining the palace corridors flickered, casting long shadows against the walls as Magus Ben made his way to Princess Ella's chambers. His footsteps were swift yet silent, his robes swaying slightly as he reached the door and pushed it open.
Inside, Princess Ella sat on her bed, propped against an embroidered pillow. Her normally bright blue eyes were dull, her face pale from exhaustion. A thin sheen of sweat covered her forehead. She was strong, always had been, but something inside her was weakening.
Magus Ben frowned. The energy surrounding her felt… fractured. The magic infused within her body was losing its ability to sustain her. And that was a problem.
Ella's lips curled into a weak smile when she saw him. "Magus Ben, you came."
"I always do," he replied, stepping forward. His gaze swept over her. "How are you feeling?"
She exhaled softly, brushing her damp hair from her face. "A little better, I think. But… every once in a while, I feel this sharp sting in my stomach. Like something is clawing at me from the inside."
Magus Ben's jaw tightened. That was worse than he thought. "I'm afraid you need immediate healing," he said carefully.
Ella's eyebrows knitted together. "Why? What's happening to me?"
"There's more harm within you than what the available magic can handle," he admitted.
Ella's fingers clenched the sheets beneath her. "What do you mean? What's going on?"
Magus Ben hesitated for only a second before deciding she deserved the truth. "The Aerithians are back."
Her breath hitched. "Aerithians!?"
He said nothing more. Instead, he raised his hands, golden streaks of magic forming around his fingers like liquid light. The soft glow illuminated the dimly lit room, the magic spiraling above her like tiny celestial bodies.
Ella's expression hardened. "Then heal me, Magus Ben. Make me strong again."
Magus Ben nodded. With one swift motion, he pressed his palms toward her stomach, releasing the golden energy.
The moment the healing magic rushed into her, she screamed.
It felt as if something was being burned away from inside her, torn apart forcefully, unwillingly. Her back arched, fingers clawing at the air as the light consumed her pain.
And then—she collapsed, unconscious.
Magus Ben sighed, retreating slightly. "Wake up soon, Princess," he murmured before stepping back into the shadows.
---
A King's Burden...
In the throne room, the grand hall was eerily silent, save for the crackling of torches mounted on the stone walls. King Morphine sat upon his throne, fingers steepled as he stared at the ground in deep thought.
He did not even notice Billy enter.
"Father?" Billy's voice echoed slightly.
King Morphine flinched before looking up, his face lined with exhaustion. "Billy…"
Billy stepped closer, noticing the way his father's hands trembled ever so slightly. "What's wrong, Dad?"
King Morphine let out a heavy breath before meeting his son's gaze. "The Aerithians have returned."
Billy stiffened. "The Aerithians? But we drove them out years ago!"
"They never truly left," his father admitted grimly. "And that's not the worst of it."
Billy's stomach turned. "There's more?"
King Morphine nodded. "The Shadow at the border is growing restless. The Dark Orb is now in the hands of the worst possible people—your stepmother Elara and your stepbrother Kai." His voice was filled with regret. "Our enemies are closing in, Billy. I fear for this kingdom."
Billy clenched his fists. "We can't just sit and wait for them to attack. We need to act."
His father gave him a tired smile. "You sound like a true leader."
Billy squared his shoulders. "Then we should summon the tribal leaders. We need to unite the kingdom."
King Morphine exhaled, shaking his head. "I already contacted them in a group video call earlier. They blame me for everything that's happening."
Billy frowned. "That's not fair."
"It doesn't matter if it's fair, son." His father's voice was quiet. "What matters is that the kingdom is on the brink of war, and I must act before it's too late."
At that moment, the doors swung open, and two figures entered—Agent Buckler and Agent Smith.
"Your Majesty," Buckler began, bowing briefly. "We bring urgent news."
King Morphine straightened. "What is it?"
Agent Smith stepped forward. "The queen has issued orders. At dawn, the royal forces will march to the Northern border to face the Aerithians before they breach the barrier. The defense is weakening."
King Morphine rose from his throne. "Then there is no time to waste."
Billy grabbed his father's arm. "You're not going alone."
King Morphine turned to him, placing a firm hand on Billy's shoulder. "No, Billy. You are not ready for this battle."
"I can fight," Billy argued. "I'm stronger than I was before."
King Morphine's eyes softened. "I know. And your time will come. But not yet. For now, train. Grow. You must be prepared to stand against Kai one day."
Billy's throat tightened.
King Morphine nodded to Buckler and Smith. "Let's go."
As they turned to leave, Agent Buckler glanced back at Billy and tossed something toward him.
Billy caught it—a sword. Its hilt was wrapped in worn leather, the golden blade glinting under the torchlight.
"Take that, kid," Buckler said with a small smirk. "You'll make a fine king someday."
Billy watched them disappear through the door, his fingers tightening around the sword's hilt. He then turned to face the throne.
---
A New Path...
A soft voice echoed behind him.
"You will have to be stronger than your stepbrother if you ever hope to claim that throne."
Billy turned sharply, his grip on the sword tightening.
Catherine, the maidservant, stood in the dim light, a gentle smile on her face.
Billy exhaled, relaxing slightly. "Hi, Kate."
"Hi," she responded, stepping forward. "Your mother wants to see you before the battle tomorrow."
Billy hesitated. "My mom?"
Catherine nodded. "She has something important to tell you."
Billy glanced back at the throne—the seat of power that had been his father's for years. Would it one day be his? Could he stand against Kai when the time came?
He turned back to Catherine. "Let's go."
With the golden sword in hand, he followed her into the unknown.
---
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