Raviel stood in his father's office, the air between them heavy with unspoken words. Zareth, ever the composed and calculating figure, held a pendant in his hand—a symbol of their bloodline, their power, and something far older than either of them.
"Take it," Zareth said, extending the pendant toward him. His voice was steady, but Raviel knew better. There was a weight behind those words, something deeper than duty.
Raviel took the pendant, the cool metal pressing into his palm. He glanced up at his father. "You're suddenly sentimental?" he asked, attempting to break the silence with dry humor.
Zareth exhaled slowly, his sharp gaze fixed on his son. "No. I'm cautious. The Queen has summoned you, and you know as well as I do that nothing she does is without reason."
Raviel turned the pendant over in his hand, studying the intricate carvings—a soaring eagle with outstretched wings, encircled by symbols that felt both familiar and unknowable. He finally looked back at his father, sensing the unspoken words behind his carefully measured expression.
Zareth sighed, rubbing his temples before leaning forward slightly. "There's something you need to know," he said, his tone lowering. "This pendant… it's not just a symbol of authority." He hesitated for a brief moment before continuing, "It carries the weight of our prophecy."
Raviel frowned. "The prophecy?"
Zareth's gaze darkened. "One that has been whispered through generations. The meaning is still unclear, but…" He straightened, voice firm. "The eagle will rise, but the serpent will fall. The tiger will fight, and the wolf will howl for justice. Only when the moon shines with the blood of stars will the path be clear."
The words settled heavily between them.
Raviel, for once, said nothing. The weight of the prophecy pressed against his chest, its meaning just out of reach. He had heard fragments before—ancient words spoken in hushed voices among the elders—but never in full.
Zareth met his gaze, something rare flickering behind his usually unreadable eyes. "This is what the pendant means. And with it… comes authority. Responsibility." His voice dropped lower. "We don't know the full truth yet. But something big is coming. Do not let anyone know I told you this."
Silence stretched between them, heavy with understanding.
Raviel closed his fingers around the pendant, its edges biting into his palm. He nodded once. "Understood."
Zareth gave him one last look before turning away, signaling the conversation was over.
Raviel exhaled, slipping the pendant around his neck. The prophecy rang in his ears, the weight of fate pressing against his shoulders.
With one last glance toward his father, he stepped out of the office.
Something was coming.
And he had just been pulled into the center of it.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the Tiger Tribe, the air was thick with tension. Renjir, the stoic leader, called for his next in line, Vaelen. The tall, handsome warrior strode into the chamber, his expression fierce and unyielding, his body covered in the blood of a wild bear he had just battled. The creature had been over eight feet tall, a fearsome beast, but Vaelen had emerged victorious, holding its massive claws as trophies.
Renjir's eyes narrowed as he looked his son over. "You're covered in blood again, Vaelen. You'll never learn to clean yourself up after these fights, will you?"
Vaelen shrugged, wiping the blood from his face with the back of his hand. "It's just the mark of a good fight. Besides, I'm not interested in politics, Renjir. I've got no time for formalities when there are battles to be won."
Renjir sighed heavily. "You're next in line, Vaelen. One day, you'll have to take this role seriously. You can't just run from everything."
Before Vaelen could respond, Tyron, his close friend, entered the room, looking flustered and breathless. "Good news, Vaelen!" Tyron exclaimed. "We've got a message from the Queen!"
Vaelen's eyes brightened at the mention of the Queen. He had known her for years—she was a strong and intelligent woman, someone he had grown up with. He admired her, even if he didn't particularly care for the political games that surrounded her. He was more concerned with strength, power, and the warrior's life.
"From the Queen?" Vaelen asked, his voice softening. "Is she alright?"
Tyron nodded, but his enthusiasm faltered. "Well, the message came yesterday... but there was no messenger. It's odd. Maybe they're just trying to keep it low-key."
Renjir's gaze sharpened, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "I know why you came so fast, Vaelen. You just want to be near her, don't you?"
Vaelen looked away, uncomfortable. "It's not like that. I just... I want to make sure she's safe."
Renjir didn't push the matter further, but the tension between them was palpable. He turned to Vaelen and sighed. "Go to the Queen. But remember, don't do anything impulsive. The city's not a place for rash decisions. And Veyra will be there. We don't know what she's up to, so be prepared."
Vaelen nodded, still determined but understanding the weight of his stepfather's words. "I'll be careful. I know what's at stake."
Before Vaelen could leave, Renjir gave him one last piece of advice. "The Queen's message could change everything. Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment. You're more than just a warrior. You're part of something bigger now."
---
Back in the Eagle Tribe, Raviel was preparing to leave for the Queen's summons. His thoughts were still on the prophecy, the pendant around his neck, and what Zareth had said. But before he left, he turned to Kaelis, his younger sibling, with a sharp warning. "Kaelis," Raviel said, his tone firm. "You need to be careful. Your actions have given us a bad reputation. At least in my absence, try to keep a low profile. Don't be stupid."
Kaelis, ever the defiant one, gave a half-smirk, clearly unfazed. "I'll do what I want, Raviel. Don't worry about me."
Raviel didn't let Kaelis's flippant response bother him. He turned and left, his thoughts fixed on the journey ahead, the Queen's message, and what the future would hold.
As he crossed into the city's outskirts, the wind was sharp, carrying with it the sense of change that everyone was beginning to feel.