Dawn was breaking over Selenopolis, bathing the city in a silver light. Caelum, already awake, watched the first rays of the sun play on the crystal towers of the capital. The long-awaited day had finally arrived: the beginning of official training for the tournament of nations.
Rowan joined him on the balcony, his face marked by a grave expression. "Ready, kid?" he asked, his gruff voice betraying a sleepless night.
Caelum nodded, feeling a mixture of anticipation and apprehension rise within him. "As ready as I can be," he replied, clenching his fist around the pendant Elyndra had entrusted to him what seemed like an eternity ago.
Lunaris's training arenas were a spectacle in themselves. Vast circular courtyards surrounded by gleaming stands, they seemed to have been carved from a single block of crystal. When Caelum and Rowan entered, the atmosphere was already electric. Participants from all nations were warming up, their powers creating a kaleidoscope of lights and energies.
Lady Aria Moonwhisper greeted them at the entrance, her piercing gaze scrutinizing Caelum. "I hope you're prepared," she said, a slight smile on her lips. "The other nations are eager to see what Myralis can offer after so many years of absence."
Hardly had she finished her sentence when a fireball whistled past, missing Caelum's face by inches. He spun around to see Kaela Solarius, the representative of Solara, staring at him with a smirk.
"Oops," she said, feigning innocence. "My hand slipped. I hope our friend from Myralis isn't afraid of a little heat?"
Caelum felt anger rising within him, but Rowan's firm hand on his shoulder held him back. "Don't play into her game," the old knight whispered. "Show them what you're worth on the field."
The training began with basic exercises, allowing the organizers to assess each participant's abilities. Caelum focused, drawing on the teachings of Elyndra and Rowan. To his great surprise, he realized he was far from being the weakest. His mastery of the sword, honed by years of solitary practice, impressed even some of the other competitors.
Dorian Ventaris, the representative of Aquila, observed Caelum with undisguised interest. His calculating eyes followed each of the young man's movements. "Interesting," he murmured to his training companion. "There might be more to fear from Myralis than we thought."
As the morning progressed, the exercises became more intense. Participants were divided into groups for training fights. Caelum found himself facing Kaela Solarius, her provocative smile still in place.
"Let's see if the lamb from Myralis can dance with fire," she taunted, her hands igniting with a scarlet glow.
The ensuing fight was brutal. Kaela launched waves of flames that Caelum barely dodged, the heat singeing his hair. But with each attack, he learned, adapted. Elyndra's words echoed in his mind: "The strength of Myralis lies in its ability to endure, to adapt, to sacrifice for a greater good."
In a fluid motion, Caelum dove under a barrage of fire, rolling on the ground to rise just in front of Kaela. His sword stopped a hair's breadth from the Solarian warrior's throat, who widened her eyes in surprise.
A stunned silence fell over the arena. Then, slowly, applause began to resound. Caelum lowered his weapon, breathless, barely realizing what he had just accomplished.
Kaela stared at him for a long moment before slightly inclining her head. "Not bad... for a beginner," she conceded, but her tone had lost some of its bite.
As Caelum left the combat area, he met Sir Alden Moonshade's gaze. The Lunaris knight was observing him with a mixture of curiosity and mistrust. Caelum understood that his performance had just changed the game. Myralis was no longer simply tolerated; it was now perceived as a potential threat.
The afternoon was devoted to study sessions on the history and protocols of the tournament. Caelum, exhausted but determined, absorbed every piece of information. It was during one of these sessions that he first noticed Lyanna Sylvaris, the representative of Terra Nova. The young woman with green hair seemed more interested in the ancient tapestries adorning the walls than in the lessons themselves.
Intrigued, Caelum approached her during a break. "These tapestries tell a story, don't they?" he asked softly.
Lyanna turned to him, her emerald eyes shining with ancient wisdom. "Every thread tells a fragment of the past," she replied. "Including stories that some would prefer to forget."
Her finger delicately traced a pattern on the tapestry, revealing a hidden symbol that Caelum hadn't noticed before. His heart skipped a beat when he recognized the symbol: it was the same as the one engraved on his pendant.
"The Seal of Abnegation," Lyanna murmured. "An artifact lost long ago, binding Myralis and Lunaris in a forgotten alliance."
Before Caelum could ask more, a movement caught his attention. In an adjacent corridor, he glimpsed a familiar silhouette. Princess Velyria was passing by, escorted by guards. Their gazes met briefly, and Caelum thought he saw a flash of recognition in her eyes.
Without thinking, he excused himself to Lyanna and followed the princess. The palace corridors were a labyrinth of marble and crystal, but something seemed to guide Caelum. He emerged into an inner garden, a haven of peace at the heart of the palace's bustle.
Velyria stood there, alone, as if she had been waiting for him. "I was wondering when our paths would finally cross," she said, her voice soft yet imbued with authority.
Caelum bowed awkwardly, suddenly aware of his disheveled appearance after training. "Princess, I..."
She raised a hand, interrupting him. "No formalities here, Caelum of Myralis. I've heard much about you... and your quest."
The young man looked at her in surprise. "My quest?"
An enigmatic smile formed on Velyria's lips. "To restore Myralis to its place among the nations. It's noble... and dangerous."
She approached a fountain at the center of the garden, her fingers brushing the water's surface. "History has a way of repeating itself, Caelum. The secrets of the past come at a price, and some would be willing to do anything to keep them buried."
Caelum felt the weight of her words. "What do you know about the Seal of Abnegation?" he dared to ask.
Velyria's eyes darkened. "Enough to know that its rediscovery could change the balance of powers. Be careful in your quest, Caelum. Not all who smile are your friends, and not all who frown are your enemies."
The sound of footsteps interrupted their conversation. Sir Alden appeared at the garden's entrance, his face hardening at the sight of Caelum. "Princess," he said, bowing. "Your father requests your presence."
Velyria nodded, then turned to Caelum one last time. "Don't forget, young disciple. In the game of nations, every move counts."
As she walked away, escorted by Sir Alden who cast suspicious glances at Caelum, the young man remained motionless, his mind swirling with questions.
That evening, as Caelum recounted the day's events to Rowan, a messenger arrived at their quarters. He carried an official summons: tomorrow would see a preliminary trial of the tournament, an unexpected challenge to test the participants' abilities.
Rowan stared at the parchment, his face grave. "It begins, kid. Are you ready to show the world what Myralis is capable of?"
Caelum clutched Elyndra's pendant, feeling the weight of history and expectations on his shoulders. "I have to be," he replied. "For Myralis, for Elyndra... and to discover the truth about our past."
As night fell over Selenopolis, Caelum couldn't help but think of Velyria's words. The game of nations had begun, and every move now counted. Tomorrow would be the first real test, not only of his abilities but also of his determination to restore Myralis's honor.
In the darkness of his room, the pendant seemed to glow faintly, as if to remind him that the fate of an entire nation now rested in his hands.