Scene 1 – Keela's Castle
As Evan's footsteps faded into the distance, a louder-than-expected sigh from Kalan broke the silence. We all instinctively glanced over with guarded eyes, as if any wrong move now might escalate things. The atmosphere was just that tense.
Kalan turned to us with a sheepish smile and half-lidded eyes.
"Was just about to take you all to get some rest, too. Ah well, don't mind it. Let's keep moving."
But even as he tried to brush it off, the tension somehow thickened. No one dared to speak. Attempting to shift the mood, Kalan clapped his hands lightly.
"Hey, hey, how about we play a little guessing game? Try to picture what Keela's castle looks like!" He turned to her with a playful gesture.
"No spoilers, Keela."
Keela gave a gentle smile—that was the first genuine one among us in a while.
The others started to relax. Yue and Mirelle took the lead, taking turns guessing different styles and features, slowly bringing lightness back into the group.
Draco chimed in. Akira and Osiris, sensing the opening, joined in too. Elina, whose mood had lifted slightly, rounded it off.
We walked along, guessing and joking as we went—more for the fun of it than actually getting things right. Some guesses were way off, others oddly close. But then, as we passed a small hill and stepped through the cluster of tall trees…
The answer revealed itself, quiet yet absolute—what stood before us made every guess fall silent without anyone needing to say a word.
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Keela's castle—though technically under Kalisa's name now—stood in all its serene elegance. Kalisa no longer lived here, and Keela herself only visited from time to time. Yet even so, the castle was immaculately kept, a clear sign that someone had cared for it deeply.
It was a pristine, three-story structure painted in white with sapphire-blue rooftops, designed in the style of ancient Greek architecture—a sharp contrast to the futuristic, Tibetan-inspired designs of the surrounding city. The garden was lush and verdant, with flower pots arranged in the shape of a lightning bolt—a bold and unmistakable homage to Thunderwill Castle.
Before we could even set foot inside, the guards greeted us warmly, recognizing the castle's mistress had returned. Inside, a composed and professional-looking butler stood waiting.
"Welcome home, Lady Keela," he said with a respectful bow. "And welcome to all of your companions. Should you require anything at all, please feel free to speak with the maids or any of the attendants."
Keela turned to Kalan and smiled.
"I'm home now, big brother. Thanks for walking me back."
Kalan smiled back with familiar warmth.
"Think nothing of it. It was nothing. But… are you alright with the day after tomorrow? Want me to help with anything?"
"No need, really," Keela replied, still smiling. "That'll only stir things up more than necessary. After all, Evan is my brother. He won't actually hurt me."
Then she turned toward us with her signature giggle and gave Kalan a playful glance.
"Kik-kik. I mean, don't I have the strongest bodyguards ever? This team already defeated two of the Chaos Sins and outsmarted the brilliant and skilled Zekhtau."
The sudden praise made us all blush a little. Mirelle twirled her hair, Akira scratched his head, Draco rubbed his nose, and Yue covered her smile with a hand—before being poked in the cheek by Osiris and Elina in a teasing little tag team.
Kalan lowered his head, chuckling softly.
"Haha, you're right. What was I even worried about? Even an army wouldn't stand a chance against your 'bodyguards'."
But then… his eyes darkened slightly.
"But… wouldn't that make them a third force in Skyperion's politics, Keela? If Evan sees it that way, you might be in danger. He wouldn't hesitate."
Keela faltered for just a moment. The rest of us, who were still sheepishly playing around, froze like a paused video.
"I don't think so, brother. The succession war only includes men, doesn't it? I'm a woman. I'm not even eligible."
Kalan's voice turned unnaturally calm.
"If I say it, it may not carry enough weight. Kaelum, would you explain?"
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Kaelum—the man who always seemed warm and well-meaning—suddenly spoke in a voice colder and more serious than we'd ever heard before.
"It's not impossible, Your Highness. If King Alteon were to officially declare that you're eligible to compete for the throne, then it would immediately become lawful. The reason it's never happened before… is simply because no other princess has ever held the level of influence that you do."
Keela furrowed her brows and waved her hand dismissively.
"Me? Influential? That's ridiculous, Lord Kaelum. I'm just a small girl who keeps wandering around. That's all."
Kalan stepped forward and placed a firm hand on her shoulder, his tone unusually stern.
"Keela. Anything can happen. It all depends on Father's declaration. I'm asking you—please, be prepared."
Keela's voice trembled.
"Prepared for what… a succession test?"
Kalan shook his head.
"I'm not worried about your ability to pass it—you're brilliant. What I am worried about is the dirty game outside of the trial. Especially those power-hungry nobles. And even worse…"
We all froze as Kalan trailed off mid-sentence. He looked around cautiously, then silently cast a sound barrier spell. The chirping of insects and rustling of the wind vanished, leaving only a low hum in our ears, as if the world had gone mute.
He turned back to us, his voice grave.
"There are spies everywhere now. It's getting harder and harder to know who to trust. Some of them don't even seem to be from Skyperion. They might be outsiders, trying to exploit the rift in our kingdom. That puts your safety at risk. My little sister's safety."
Then, placing both hands on the shoulders of Akira and Draco, he added with quiet intensity:
"I'm entrusting her to you. This isn't a command from a crown prince—just a heartfelt plea from a simple brother. Please… take care of her, Brave Ones."
Draco thumped his fist against his chest.
"Hmph. You can count on me. I swear, I won't let anyone lay a finger on her."
Akira nodded, his expression serious.
"If our team stays together, I'm not worried about direct fights. What concerns me are the dirty tricks outside the arena. But we'll be on guard. I promise."
Kalan gave them both a grateful smile, then dispelled the barrier. His voice grew louder and more cheerful, like he was trying to mask the seriousness of what had just been said—as if someone might be listening.
"Well then! Be sure to get plenty of rest tonight. If you need anything, don't hesitate to call. I'll be going now."
He waved goodbye and walked away, his steps silent. Then, without a single flap of his wings, he glided forward, as if being carried away by the wind itself.
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Akira thought to himself,
"He usually flies everywhere… So the only reason he walked today must be because he didn't want to make us feel awkward. Even though we can fly, too… Kalan, you really are considerate to a fault. You're like Arcadia's Liu Bei. Come to think of it, Evan gives off that intense Cao Cao vibe—he didn't say anything overtly threatening, yet I felt completely cornered. We're meeting again the day after tomorrow, huh? Guess I'll find out then… if he really is like Cao Cao. If he is—yikes. That's bad news."
Though he walked behind the group with a smile on his face, Akira's eyes clouded with unease. Osiris was the only one who noticed. She prayed silently in her mind,
"Akira… You're sensing something again, aren't you? Sometimes… your instincts are scarier than the highest-caliber calculations I could ever make. Please… let this be one of the wrong ones. Just this once."
Amid the laughter and cheerful chatter over choosing rooms—like stardust falling from the castle ceiling—
there remained a shadow in someone's heart.
Even if he were to lie down and close his eyes tonight, true rest might still elude him.
For his mind was tethered to unanswered questions… and a silent foreboding no one else could hear.
Because even when we walk forward with steady steps,
we never truly know if those steps will collide with someone else's unwavering path.
As if we're walking on an invisible bridge stretched taut between the cliffs of clashing faith.
Because everyone walks forward powered by their own convictions.
And sometimes… when those convictions collide,
they shake the very future itself.
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