The council chamber was a hollow skeleton of what it had once been-papers scattered, maps torn, candle wax spilled like melted time. Outside the fractured windows, dawn crept in hesitantly, as if unsure whether it should shine on them.
The remaining members of Stray Dawn were huddled, scattered, wounded-not just in body, but in soul.
At the center, Rica stood.
Still. Trembling.
Her fingers were locked together behind her back, but her nails had dug red crescents into her palms.
Everyone waited. Watching. Hoping she would speak.
But she couldn't.
She had stood before kings. She had stared down monsters. She had defied nobles with words sharp as blades.
But now?
She felt... hollow.
Rica (barely a whisper):
"I should've seen it."
Silence.
She stepped forward slowly, toward the remnants of the map table.
Now only dust and broken wax remained.
Rica (shaking):
"They played us. Every move we made... they were ahead."
She ran her hand across the cracked wood, eyes fixed down.
Rica:
"I told you we could hold the ballroom. That if we stood strong, we could protect everything we love."
Her voice grew tighter, rising with each word.
Rica:
"But they took Jonax. They took the Forbidden Grimoire. Ren..." (her voice broke) "Ren is shattered. Iver... Iver almost..... Josh nearly lost himself."
She turned to face them then-eyes red, lips trembling, but standing tall.
Rica (choking):
"I failed you."
The words landed like knives.
Her voice echoed slightly in the chamber, magnified by the quiet grief clinging to every wall.
Rica:
"I thought I could carry this. That as long as I was the one making the calls, we'd have a chance. But I was wrong. And now-"
Marian:
"-You were wrong to think you had to carry it alone."
Rica blinked.
Marian was already stepping forward, wiping sweat from her brow, blood crusted at her collar. Scruffler padded quietly behind her.
Marian (firm):
"You didn't fail us, Rica. You led us through hell. You kept us standing when everything wanted to break us."
Rica:
"But Jonax-"
Rej (stepping in):
"-Would've decked you by now for saying something that stupid."
Rej forced a grin through her bruised cheek. Her voice wasn't gentle-but it was grounding.
Rej:
"She chose this path. We all did. You didn't drag us here. We followed because we believed in you."
Marian:
"And we still do."
Rica stared at them.
The others behind them didn't move-but you could feel it. The silent affirmations in their eyes. The unsaid words: We're still here.
Rica (softly):
"I thought being a leader meant having all the answers."
Rej (shaking her head):
"No. It means knowing when to ask for help."
Marian (placing a hand over Rica's heart):
"And it means keeping this beating even when the world wants to break it."
Rica let out a shaky breath. Her lips parted, but nothing came out.
Then, finally-her knees gave.
But before she could fall, Marian caught her.
Held her.
No more commands. No more titles.
Just Rica-the girl who had tried to protect everyone and now needed someone to remind her she mattered too.
She cried into Marian's shoulder, quietly. Just for a moment.
Then... she stood.
Straightened her torn cloak.
Looked to the others.
And her voice returned-lower now, quieter, but firm.
Rica:
"We're still here. We still have each other. Let's move.
...
Meanwhile, near a shattered window, Josh stared out at dawn.
He spoke to no one, but aloud enough to echo.
Josh:
"She used to laugh... She'd scold me, for real, when I was trying to be a big idiot knight."
He paused.
Josh (voice choked):
"Jonax said I drank too much cider at the festival, made a fool. I pretended... I pretended I didn't care."
He swallowed.
Josh:
"I wanted to look cool for her. Now... she's gone."
A tear slid free. He clenched his fist, steadying himself.
Josh (quietly):
"I'm sorry, Jonax."
...
Across the hall, Iver sat alone at a battered table. He held quill and parchment-words scrawled: "Lyra...", "The betrayal...", "I shouldn't have trusted her..."
He crumpled the paper.
Iver (under his breath):
"You're broken too, Ren."
He shoved the scrap into the fire pit. Flames curled.
Iver:
"Not now, I can't be like this yet."
...
In a smaller alcove, Cedy and Kristie crouched beside Seri, who clutched her doll.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
Kristie:
"Hey Seri... we're Stray Dawn, okay? We fight. We fall. But never alone."
Seri sniffled, nodding.
Cedy:
"We will fix this. We will find Jonax and Ren will come back."
Seri gave a small half-smile.
...
Near the foyer, Elly was still pressed against Ren-leaning into him under the weight of the night's confessions.
They held each other quietly, breathing in unison.
Then suddenly-
Lily (bursting in):
"So, are you guys done-or do you want to continue this lovey?dovey moment?"
Elly jumped, blushed deeply, pulling half away. Ren steadied him, but his cheeks warmed.
Lily:
"Good. I hate hugs that last too long."
Lily (playful):
"So... are you back now, lover boy?"
Ren straightened, voice steady with purpose:
Ren:
"Where's Rica?"
The room shifted. Regret turned to resolve.
...
Their little acts-comfort, confession, regret-had snapped them awake. Now, one by one, they gathered at the Council Room:
King Aldric, sitting tall and worn.
Queen Seraphine, silver hair glinting like steel.
Prince Luther, blade at his side, fierce-eyed.
Princess Arienne, small but steady.
Kael, silent sentinel.
Naeva, watchful and composed.
Ella, bow at her back, Flarecakes by her side.
Each face reflected the night's toll: grief, worry, but also something else... hope.
The Clique of Fighters stepped in silence-Rica at the front, Ren and Elly together, Josh fighting tears, Iver stoic, Lily cool, Marian and Rej firm, and Cedy, Kristie, Seri holding hands.
Rica (voice low, steady):
"Your Majesties. We've lost much-but we still stand."
Silence. The throne flickered in the dawn light.
Queen Seraphine cleared her throat.
Queen Seraphine (gravely):
"Then we shall stand with you."
A nod from the King.
...
The council chamber was brighter now. Not with light, but with presence. The air had settled, not in peace, but in purpose.
The tension no longer screamed-it breathed. Controlled. Measured.
The royal family sat in solemn silence.
King Aldric leaned on the table, his proud eyes veiling grief beneath wisdom.
Queen Seraphine held little Princess Arienne in her arms, her other hand tightly wrapped around Luther's shoulder.
The Three Vahlcrest-Kael, Naeva, and Ella-stood on either side, steel and loyalty in their posture.
Rica stepped forward.
Cloak tattered. Face still bearing tear marks. But her voice was clear now, no longer shaking.
Rica:
"We've gone through the Royal Archives. Cross-referenced everything we gathered from the Aequinox attack, the battlefield, and Lyra's last message."
She placed a faded map across the table.
Two points were circled.
One in the misty north.
One in the crumbled east.
Marian (pointing to the east):
"This is where Lyra marked something. A faint 'J.' We believe it's where they're keeping Jonax."
Iver glared at the mark on the map with disgust.
Rej (arms crossed):
"Feels like bait. But it's bait we can't ignore."
Rica (nods, then gestures north):
"And here-the Veiled Vale. Old records suggest it's where one of the last two Keys might be hidden."
She turned to Elly, then Seri.
Rica:
"There's also a chance the third Starbeast is there. Something ancient. Linked to the Marked."
Queen Seraphine raised her brow, looking down at Seri-her face pale but determined as she stood beside Kristie and Cedy.
Queen Seraphine:
"Another one like Koirin and the one lying dormant within Ren?"
Elly (softly):
"It might be Seri's."
A pause swept the room. One beat. Then two.
Until Ren finally stepped forward. Head low, but eyes forward.
Ren (quiet):
"Then we split."
Everyone turned to him. His voice was worn, but no longer lifeless.
Ren:
"Two fronts. One to rescue Jonax. One to retrieve the fourth Key."
Rica (nodding):
"I'll lead the Vale team. Ren, you'll come with us. So will Elly, Kristie..."
She turned to Seri, her voice more tender now.
Rica:
"...And you, kiddo."
Seri squeezed Kristie's hand tighter, but her chin lifted with the kind of quiet resolve only seen in those who have already suffered too much for their age.
Seri:
"Okay. I'll be brave."
Princess Arienne approached, her tiny slippers barely making a sound on the stone floor. She wrapped her arms around Seri in a gentle hug.
Arienne:
"That's my girl, come back safe, okay?"
She pulled back just enough to meet Seri's eyes, then held out a small, beaded charm from her pocket-a star-shaped trinket on a red thread.
Arienne (softly):
"Take this. Mama says it keeps nightmares away."
Seri took it with trembling fingers and clutched it to her chest.
Seri (whispering):
"Thank you... I'll keep it close."
Marian (with a grin):
"That's our girl."
Rej:
"As for the east-we'll need speed, muscle, and a bit of madness."
She clapped Josh's shoulder hard, who smirked.
Rej:
"You're in."
Josh (grinning tiredly):
"Wouldn't miss it."
Iver:
"I'm going too."
His voice was resolute, steady now. He looked toward the circled 'J'-eyes flickering with unspoken feelings.
Iver:
"Lyra might've left that mark. If it's her clue... I'll follow it."
Lily (leaning casually by the pillar):
"I'll tag along too. I'm good with ruins, better with trouble."
Cedy (adjusting her gloves):
"Just say when."
Kael (sternly):
"We'll stay behind. The kingdom's defenses are spread thin after the attack."
Ella (nodding):
"If the Aequinox circles back, we'll be ready."
Naeva:
"And if the Shepherd comes... we protect the throne. No matter what."
King Aldric rose finally.
His voice deep and calm, weathered by war and fatherhood both.
King Aldric:
"The fate of our lands now rests with Stray Dawn. Not because you are perfect, or unbreakable-but because even in defeat, you stood. And still stand."
He placed a hand on Rica's shoulder.
King Aldric:
"Lead them well, Lady Dawn."
Rica didn't flinch from the weight.
She bowed once, eyes shining, then turned to her people.
...
Castle Lithrium - Dawn Before Departure
The sun hadn't yet broken over the horizon, but the halls of the royal courtyard buzzed with a soft, almost reverent tension. Final preparations were being made. Weapons checked. Packs secured. Armor clasped. Bonds stood quietly beside their companions-alert, sensing something solemn in the air.
For the first time since being summoned into Varnak...
They were separating.
Not as one force, but as two.
And the weight of that truth sat heavy on every shoulder.
Rica stood near the marble steps of the courtyard, adjusting her cloak. Queen, her Aether Dragon, hovered silently above her, casting a gentle shimmer over the stone. Marian approached, rolling her shoulders, her twin blades sheathed across her back.
Marian (grinning faintly):
"Try not to lecture the winds too hard, boss."
Rica (smirking):
"Only if you promise not to swing those blades at anything that breathes funny."
They exchanged a firm clasp of forearms.
Rica (quieter):
"Watch Iver for me, okay?"
Marian:
"Always."
Nearby, Rej tightened the strap on her gauntlet as Elly approached, holding out a small pack of healing salves.
Elly:
"I added a few extra for you and Cedy. You know, just in case."
Rej (snorting):
"Trying to tell me I'm the reckless one?"
Elly (smiling softly):
"You're the brave one. Just... come back."
Rej nodded, her smirk faltering just a little.
Kristie leaned against a pillar, arms crossed-Snarl curled at her feet. Iver stood a few paces from her, arms folded, gaze distant. There was a silence between them that said more than most words ever could.
Kristie (awkwardly):
"Hey, try not to be a broody gremlin while I'm not around. That's my thing."
Iver glanced at her, the corner of his mouth twitching into a rare, almost-smile.
Iver (lowly):
"No promises."
She kicked a pebble toward him.
Kristie:
"Good. I'd be worried if you started smiling too much."
Josh stood with his back to the courtyard wall, arms behind his head, trying his best to look nonchalant. But his eyes kept drifting to where Ren sat-quiet, thoughtful-just watching everyone.
Josh made his way over.
Josh (gruffly):
"You sure you're ready, man?"
Ren blinked slowly. He nodded, but said nothing.
Josh hesitated, then ruffled his hair.
Josh:
"Alright. Save some hero points for the rest of us, will ya?"
Ren gave a faint huff of breath that might have been a laugh, the corners of his lips twitching ever so slightly. Then, without lifting his gaze-
He raised his fist.
Ren (quietly):
"Then save Jonax for us..."
Josh blinked-then smirked.
Their fists met with a solid thud.
Josh (firmly):
"Will do, Captain."
The moment lingered, brief but grounded-like an old promise rekindled in silence.
Lily was checking her bowstring when Cedy jogged up beside her, holding out a silver charm.
Cedy:
"Here. It's stupid, but... it's a tradition. For luck."
Lily stared at it, then took it, slipping it into her pouch without looking.
Lily (softly):
"Thanks. I'll bring it back."
They bumped shoulders lightly before parting.
Ella approached Elly with Flarecakes in tow, her fingers gently brushing the edge of her scrolls.
Ella (serene):
"Bring Ren back whole."
Elly nodded.
Elly:
"I will. And protect the Kingdom while we're gone."
Ella smiled with quiet mischief.
Ella:
" We already made that Oath a long time ago."
Seri stood in the middle of it all, eyes darting between everyone, trying to memorize their faces. Her small hands trembled, but she held Princess Arienne's charm close to her chest.
Then she ran to Josh, hugging him tight around the waist.
Seri:
"You be careful too, okay?"
Josh patted her head, managing a half-grin.
Josh:
"Don't worry. I'll punch the bad guys first."
She pulled back, looking up.
Seri:
"...Then come back."
He nodded.
Then she ran to Marian. Then to Iver. One by one.
Until finally, she stood with Ren.
Seri (quietly):
"You ready?"
Ren placed a hand on her shoulder.
Ren:
"Let's go find your bond."
But just as he turned to leave, Ren called out again—his voice low, but steady.
Ren:
"Iver."
Iver paused. Ren held his fist up once more.
Ren:
"You too. Don't get lost out there."
Iver stared for a beat—then stepped forward, bumping it without a word.
The look they shared said the rest.
The courtyard bell rang.
Time.
Two groups formed at the gate-one headed east, the other north.
Kael, Ella, and Naeva stood near the Royals, staying behind to defend the heart of Lithrium. Princess Arienne waved both hands furiously at Seri, who waved back with all her might.
Rica turned back for one last look at everyone-her eyes locking briefly with Marian's, Rej's, Iver's, Josh's.
Her voice was steady. Sure.
Rica:
"Stray Dawn... move out."
And just like that-
They parted.
The wind carried their footsteps in different directions.
The bonds followed.
And Varnak, vast and unforgiving, opened its arms to both paths.
“I got your back,” or “You’re not alone in this.” Boys, especially the emotionally constipated ones (like Ren and Josh), use it as a shortcut to trust—no big speeches, no awkward heart-to-heart, just a simple thud that carries everything unsaid.
so much.
Also—if you’re enjoying the story so far, don’t forget to leave a rating, drop a comment, or toss a follow. Your support keeps the forge burning hot ??
— Rein Silvers
Who's your favorite character?
