The grand gates of the capital palace welcomed Ivan with an imposing yet open embrace. Dusk had settled, and exhaustion weighed heavily on both Ivan and Aron.
"Ivan will be staying in your room tonight, Aron," Athena announced.
Aron's face twisted in anger. "Why? I won't have some beggar in my room!" he snapped.
Athena's expression hardened in shock. "What kind of behavior is this, Aron? I am preparing you to become the next Great Five Elementer, yet you speak this way about common people? A true king does not insult his subjects—he shows kindness. Besides, Ivan's room will be ready by tomorrow. It's just for one night. Now, apologize to him."
Aron clenched his fists. "Why should I apologize?" he argued.
"Aron of House Gorgon," Athena's voice turned sharp, "will you apologize, or shall I stop teaching you magic?"
"But, Grandma—" Aron started, only to be cut off by Ivan's calm voice.
"Your Grace, it's fine," Ivan said softly. "I don't need anyone's apologies. He only spoke the truth. Who am I, after all? Just an orphan, begging to survive—seeking shelter from Ents, food from humans. It's all the same."
Athena's stern gaze softened. "Ivan, you don't have to live like that anymore. I may be training Aron to be the next Great Five Elementer, but I need my rightful heir, too. And you… you are the one who will inherit my legacy."
A chill ran down Aron's spine. His breath hitched. "Grandma! How can you say that? He doesn't deserve to stand where you stand!"
"You have no right to speak on this matter, Aron," Athena said firmly. "I am the only Five Elementer in this realm. It is my right to choose my successor. Ivan is sleeping in your room tonight—whether you like it or not. That is my command."
Aron swallowed his fury, his fists trembling at his sides. Without another word, he turned and stormed to his room.
Athena sighed, turning to Ivan. "I'm sorry for anything Aron said that may have hurt you. Since he was three, I've been the only family he has. His parents are gone. I spoiled him, thinking it would keep him from feeling alone, but perhaps I made a mistake. He still has lessons to learn."
"Your Grace, you don't need to apologize," Ivan replied quietly before following the same path Aron had taken.
Inside the room, Aron sat on the edge of his bed, arms crossed in frustration. As soon as Ivan entered, Aron shot him a glare.
"Happy now?" he hissed. "You turned my grandma against me. But listen carefully—I don't care what she said. You're sleeping on the floor. And if you dare utter a single word to her about this, you'll regret it."
Ivan opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say a word, Aron threw himself onto the bed and yanked the blanket over his head.
A heavy silence settled in the room. Ivan said nothing. With a quiet sigh, he lay down on the floor.
At the break of dawn, precisely at four o'clock, Ivan was jolted awake by a sudden splash of cold water. He gasped, sitting up in shock, only to find Aron standing over him with an empty jar in hand.
"How long do you think you'll sleep?" Aron scoffed. "It's already morning, lazy bear. Get up!" Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heels and left for training.
Still drenched and shivering, Ivan barely had time to collect himself before a soldier entered the room. "Her Grace has summoned you. Be ready in five minutes."
Ivan quickly rushed to the bathroom, changed into fresh clothes, and was escorted to a room far from Aron's quarters.
Athena greeted him with a warm smile. "Welcome, Ivan. From today, this is your room. Do you like it?"
Ivan nodded. "Yes, Your Grace."
"Good. Now, go have your breakfast and then meet me on the training grounds," she instructed. "And make sure to wear the clothes I've chosen for you."
Ivan nodded again and hurried off. After changing and eating, he made his way to the training grounds, where he saw Athena guiding Aron through a spell.
"It's a healing spell, Aron," Athena said patiently. "You must concentrate. Try again. iáōmai!"
Aron repeated the incantation, and for a fleeting moment, a leaf on the tree flourished—only to wither again.
Ivan stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on the tree's bark. "Aron, if you want to heal something—or someone—you must first understand their pain. Only then will your spell truly work."
Closing his eyes, he whispered, "iáōmai."
A golden glow enveloped the tree. Its wilted branches straightened, and new blossoms unfurled before everyone's astonished eyes.
"Well done, Ivan!" Athena praised. "That was beautifully demonstrated. See, Aron? You must do the same. Ivan, how did you manage that?"
"When I lived in the forest, I once healed an injured Ent. An elder Ent then taught me that true healing requires understanding the suffering of others. Since then, I've been using this knowledge to heal them," Ivan explained.
Aron clenched his jaw and swallowed his anger. He tried again, but his spell failed to work.
"It's fine," Athena reassured him. "You'll get there with time. Now, Ser Robert is waiting for you both. Your physical training is just as important."
At the training grounds, Ivan struggled to keep up, while Aron, fully in his element, outperformed him with ease. Smirking, he turned to Ivan.
"If you're going to be the next Five Elementer, why not have a friendly sword fight with me?" Aron challenged.
Ivan hesitated. "No. I'm new here—I don't know how to fight."
Aron sneered. "Oh? But you were new to magic too, and that didn't stop you from showing off with the tree. Or maybe… you're just an imposter who's been secretly practicing magic to destroy me and my grandmother?"
Ivan's eyes darkened. "How dare you accuse me of something so vile?"
Before the tension could escalate further, Ser Robert stepped in. "Ivan, he's not accusing you—just presenting a possibility," he said evenly. "Besides, I'm here to ensure it remains a friendly match. Why are you hesitating?"
Ivan couldn't find the words to refuse again. With a deep breath, he nodded. "Alright. I'll fight."
In the court, Athena sat alone in her wooden chair, her posture stiff, and a sense of distance surrounding her. To her left, Ser Arthur stood, ever vigilant but sensing the unease radiating from his liege. After a moment of silence, Arthur spoke cautiously, his voice laced with concern. "Your Grace, you seem troubled. What weighs on your mind?" Athena's gaze remained distant as she turned to face him, her voice trembling with a hint of anxiety. "I'm thinking about the boy, Ivan," she replied, her tone carrying a mix of unease and fear. "During the training today, while I was teaching spells, he—he did something extraordinary. The boy, not even five, brought a tree back to life. He healed it, Ser Arthur. This is not mere magic—it's a miracle. I'm afraid we've made a grave mistake by bringing him in. His magical ability surpasses anything I've ever seen, and if it continues to grow unchecked, he could surpass me. And if that happens, Ser Arthur... he could take everything from Aron—the throne, the power... all of it." Ser Arthur's brow furrowed, his mind racing as he processed the gravity of her words. "Your Grace, why don't we place a spell on him—bind his magic in a way that prevents him from threatening the throne?" Athena's eyes darkened, and she shook her head. "No, we can't do that. If we bind him, I'll have no one left to inherit my title. He is... special. Too special to lose, but I cannot let him become a threat. If Aron doesn't ascend the Stellar Throne, everything I've worked for will be in vain." Arthur fell silent, watching his liege's troubled face. "What do you think we should do then, Your Grace?" After a pause, Athena spoke, her voice firm yet troubled. "After today's training, tell Ivan I wish to speak with him privately. Make sure Aron knows nothing of this meeting. It is... necessary that I handle this alone." Arthur nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "As you wish, Your Grace." But before he could leave, the doors to the court swung open abruptly. A soldier entered, his face pale and his breathing quick as he bowed deeply to Athena. "Your Grace!" he exclaimed, voice strained. Athena's gaze sharpened, her patience thinning. "How dare you interrupt me during such important discussions?" she snapped. The soldier, unflinching, continued, "I beg your pardon, Your Grace, but what I have to report cannot wait. It's of the utmost importance." Athena's brow furrowed, her tone less harsh but still commanding. "What news could be so pressing? Speak." The soldier hesitated, then lowered his voice, careful not to speak too loudly. "Our spies from the North have brought word. The King of the North has discovered the descendants of House Pendragon." A chill ran down Athena's spine as the words sank in. Anger and disbelief flashed across her face. "What are you talking about? House Pendragon fell centuries ago—there are no descendants! How can you be certain of this?" The soldier's voice grew more urgent. "Your Grace, they have proof. They possess the sword—Lartharon." Athena's shock was palpable, and she whispered, almost to herself, "Impossible... Lartharon was lost with the fall of House Pendragon. It cannot be. Are you sure?" The soldier met her gaze without hesitation. "Yes, Your Grace. The King of the North, Theoden of House Barron, has confirmed it. They've cleared all tests and proven their lineage. They are the true heirs of House Pendragon." Athena's breath hitched as the weight of the news settled over her. "The sword... Lartharon... This cannot be happening." Before she could process the implications, another soldier entered the room, bowing quickly before speaking. "Your Grace, a royal messenger from the North requests an audience." Athena motioned for the messenger to enter, her thoughts still clouded by the revelation of House Pendragon's return. The messenger stepped forward, his expression serious. "Queen Athena of House Gorgon, I come with word from the King in the North, Theoden of House Barron," the messenger began. "The King has confirmed that the descendants of House Pendragon have been found. The authenticity of their lineage has been verified, and he requests that you and the other houses attend the ceremony to witness their return." With a quick bow, the messenger turned and departed, leaving Athena to absorb the shock of the news. Ser Arthur stood silently, his gaze flickering between Athena and the soldier who had first spoken, sensing the unease in the room. Athena, however, was lost in thought, her face a mask of confusion, worry, and something far darker. House Pendragon's return meant a shift in power—and possibly the very destruction of everything she had worked to build.
After the court emptied, Ser Arthur lingered for a moment, watching Athena, who remained seated in contemplation. He hesitated before speaking, choosing his words carefully.
"Your Grace, even if the descendants of House Pendragon have resurfaced, you still hold the true power. It has been ages since their disappearance, and the people's faith has long shifted from them to House Gorgon. Besides, we know nothing of their current state. They have lost everything—their land, their magic, their legacy."
Athena sighed, her fingers tapping lightly against the wooden armrest of her chair. "Perhaps you are right, Ser Arthur. The people may believe in us now, and House Pendragon may be but a shadow of what it once was. But according to the Order, House Pendragon stands second, and I fear Theoden and Lucille will demand that seat for them."
Ser Arthur's expression hardened. "Your Grace, even if House Gorgon ranks third in the Order, you are the Five Elementer—the only being in Stellaraether capable of wielding the raw forces of nature itself. No one, not even House Pendragon, can challenge that."
Athena's lips curled into a small smirk, a flicker of confidence reigniting within her. "Perhaps you are right, Ser Arthur. They will not dare confront me. They know all too well that I could bring Stellaraether to ruin with a mere flick of my power."
With that, Ser Arthur bowed and departed to summon Ivan. Within moments, the young boy entered the court, his small frame moving with quiet composure. He bowed deeply before Athena.
"Your Grace, how may I serve you?"
Athena's gaze studied him carefully. "Ivan, what you did today was... remarkable, especially for a child of your age. I want the truth—how did you learn such magic? Have you had a teacher?"
Ivan hesitated, his fingers twitching slightly at his sides. "Your Grace, last year in the forest, an old man came to me. I do not know who he was, but the Ents seemed to recognize him. He spoke to them, though I could not understand their words. After that, the Elder Ent took me under his guidance, teaching me about my magic and telling me to use it for good."
Athena's eyes narrowed. "And do I have the pleasure of knowing the identity of this mysterious old man? Speak the truth, boy."
Ivan's gaze flickered with fear. "I swear, Your Grace, I do not know who he was. I have not seen him since that day. Only the Elder Ent knows his true identity."
Athena leaned forward slightly, her piercing gaze locking onto his. "You are not lying to me, are you?"
Ivan swallowed hard but met her gaze with determination. "No, Your Grace. I swear on my life—I am telling the truth."
Athena leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Very well. Tomorrow, we leave for the North. Go and rest."
Ivan bowed once more before quietly exiting the court.
As soon as he was gone, Athena summoned Ser Arthur again. The knight entered swiftly, his stance expectant.
"Ser Arthur, keep a watchful eye on the boy. Do not let him out of your sight. Also, make the necessary arrangements—we depart for the North at dawn."
Ser Arthur inclined his head. "As you command, Your Grace." With that, he turned and left.
Athena then summoned another knight—Ser Robert. The man arrived within moments, bowing deeply before his queen.
"Ser Robert, I want you to swear your loyalty to Aron and protect him at all costs—even with your life."
Without hesitation, Ser Robert knelt, drawing a dagger and slicing his left thumb. Blood dripped onto the cold stone floor as he spoke with unwavering conviction.
"Your Grace, I, Robert Tally, swear upon my life to protect Aron of House Gorgon. My loyalty belongs to him alone."
A small, satisfied smile played on Athena's lips. "Good. Now, I have another task for you. Send my word to the King of the South—I want the Elder Ent in his custody. I shall be visiting the South soon."
Ser Robert bowed low. "As you wish, Your Grace."
With that, he turned and left, leaving Athena alone once more in the dimly lit court. But this time, a new resolve settled over her. The game had begun.
Author's Note
Lartharon is a sword of my own creation, inspired by the Etruscan god of war and protection, Larth. In my story, it is deeply tied to House Pendragon, an ancient lineage known for its powerful warriors and mastery over magic.
Lartharon is no ordinary weapon—it is said to be so sharp that it can sever the soul itself. Only those of Pendragon blood can retrieve and wield it, for the sword recognizes no master beyond its destined heir. Its edge is merciless, cutting not just flesh but the very essence of its victims, leaving behind wounds that may never heal.