The clouds over the Mercier estate rolled with a weight far heavier than rain. Thunder rumbled in the distance, a low, persistent growl, like the sky itself was bracing for something inevitable. Jason stood in the grand foyer, the envelope in his hand shaking slightly, though his expression remained unreadable. The letter was sealed in dark wax, the sigil of Halberd University pressed deep and sharp. He had broken the seal minutes ago, but the words still hung in the back of his mind like a noose:
"You are hereby summoned..."
Lisa stood across from him, already dressed in a black coat and travel boots. Her suitcase stood neatly at her side, and her expression was calm, as if she had known all along this would come.
"You're awfully quiet," she said.
Jason looked up at her, his jaw tight. "I'm thinking."
She smirked faintly. "You're brooding. There's a difference."
Before he could respond, the heavy doors at the end of the hall creaked open. His mother stepped in, her long silken robe trailing behind her, her face pale, not from surprise, but from memory. Behind her, his father walked with slow, deliberate steps, every inch of him the legacy of their name squared shoulders, piercing eyes, the bearing of a man forged in storms.
His mother spoke first, her voice soft but tense. "You got the letter."
Jason nodded. "Yeah."
His father moved beside him, glancing briefly at the seal, then at his son. "I thought this day would come. I just hoped it would come later."
"What is this about?" Jason asked, voice low. "What kind of mission requires this?"
His mother hesitated. "One that asks more of you than just skill. It asks your name."
His father stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Jason's shoulder. "You are a Mercier, Jason. Our family line was not born of peace. It was born of burden. We are not chosen for ease. We are chosen because when everything else breaks, we do not."
Jason looked between them. "You want me to go."
"No," his father said. "I want you to stand."
Lisa moved beside Jason without a word. The soft click of her boots echoed in the foyer. "We leave by nightfall."
Jason's fingers curled around the letter once more. The storm outside intensified.
Far from the looming halls of the Mercier estate, Andrew Whitmore stood in the pale morning light of the East Courtyard. Birds chirped in the distance, the scent of ivy and wet leaves clinging to the stone. He was dressed simply black pants, a navy coat, and a dark satchel slung over his shoulder. A small note tucked in his breast pocket felt heavier than any sword.
He had already said goodbye to his parents. Already packed. Already steeled himself.
But there were two faces he couldn't leave without seeing.
He found Emma first. She was outside the old literature wing, standing beneath the sycamore tree where they used to sit during breaks. Her paperback was tucked under one arm, and her coffee was already half-drunk.
She looked up when he approached.
"Hey stranger," she smiled. "Didn't see you at breakfast."
Andrew tried to smile. "I've been... preparing."
She narrowed her eyes slightly. "Preparing for what?"
He hesitated, then let out a soft sigh. "I'm leaving, Emma."
The air between them stilled.
"What?"
"I was summoned back to Halberd. Something... important. I'm not sure when I'll be back."
Emma blinked, the words sinking in like stones tossed into water. "Oh."
She shifted slightly, her lips parting, as though trying to say something. But the words didn't come. Not right away.
"You'll be okay, right?" she finally asked.
Andrew's eyes softened. "I'll try to be."
She gave him a quiet, bittersweet smile. "Then... come back. Eventually. Even if it's just to say hi."
Andrew nodded. "I will."
A familiar voice behind them interrupted. "You're telling people without me?"
They turned. Kate stood a few feet away, arms crossed, one eyebrow raised, her expression unreadable. But her eyes gave her away.
Andrew smiled. "Was just getting to you."
Kate walked up, her steps steady. She looked at him, really looked.
"You're leaving."
"Yeah. Today."
A pause.
"You'll be gone for long?"
He gave a small shrug. "Probably."
"And you didn't think to tell us sooner?"
"It happened fast," he said. "I wasn't sure how."
Kate stared at him a moment longer, then stepped forward and threw her arms around him. It wasn't graceful. It wasn't cautious. It was real.
Andrew froze, then gently wrapped his arms around her.
She held him for a while, her cheek resting against his shoulder.
"You idiot," she whispered. "You could've told me."
"I didn't want it to sound like goodbye."
She pulled back just enough to look up at him. Her eyes shimmered slightly.
"Then don't make it goodbye."
He placed a hand on her cheek, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I'll do my best."
Emma watched the two quietly, a thousand emotions flickering in her eyes. She didn't speak. She didn't have to.
Andrew turned to them both. "Stay safe. And look after each other."
Kate nodded. "We always do."
Emma managed a small smile. "You better come back with stories."
Andrew chuckled. "Only the good kind."
He turned to leave, steps quiet, but heavy with meaning. Behind him, Kate wiped at her cheek, and Emma looked down at her book.
As he disappeared down the hallway, neither spoke.
But both knew
Everything was about to change.
At the Halberd circle chamber, candles flared.
Six names.
Six chosen.
The storm was rising.
And the gifted were on their way.