The Waterfall

  The steady sound of water echoed between the mountain stones. Hidden among the slopes, a small waterfall poured into a crystal-clear lake where sunlight shimmered across the surface.

  At the edge of the water, Zeryon slept wrapped in a blanket. His breathing was calm, the fabric rising and falling slowly.

  Vane and Kira watched over him.

  Vane leaned against a rock with his arms crossed, a faint smile on his face.

  “You sleep too much, little prince,” he murmured. “The sun is already high.”

  Zeryon mumbled something unintelligible and turned to the other side.

  Kira let out a quiet laugh.

  “Let him,” she said softly, though there was a trace of concern in her voice. “This is the only place where he gets to be just a child.”

  Vane stepped closer and knelt beside the boy. He touched Zeryon’s shoulder carefully, as if afraid to startle him.

  “Zeryon… time to wake up. We need to return to the palace.”

  The boy’s eyes slowly opened. Golden irises reflected the sunlight.

  “Already, Vane?” he murmured sleepily. “Just a little longer…”

  Kira crossed her arms, trying to sound firm, though a smile escaped her.

  “Your grandfather will complain if you miss breakfast. And you know how he gets when he starts complaining.”

  Zeryon chuckled quietly.

  He sat up, stretched, and for a few seconds simply stared at the waterfall in silence.

  Then he stood.

  Vane sighed softly.

  “Come on. It’s going to be a long day.”

  The three of them followed the trail that led back toward the kingdom.

  ?

  As they passed through the city gates, the atmosphere changed.

  Conversations faded.

  Eyes turned away.

  Some people stepped aside.

  A mother quickly pulled her child closer when Zeryon passed.

  “That’s him…” a man whispered quietly. “The boy who carries the terror.”

  “They say the seal could fail at any moment…” a woman murmured, clutching her child.

  Another man stepped out of the way.

  “Better not get close.”

  Zeryon heard them.

  The faint smile on his face disappeared.

  He lowered his head and stared at the ground while walking.

  Vane and Kira exchanged a quick glance.

  Kira placed a hand on the boy’s shoulder.

  “Come on, little one… it’s nothing.”

  Zeryon didn’t answer.

  He simply kept walking in silence, his fingers gripping the fabric of his tunic.

  ?

  Training Yard

  In the palace’s main courtyard, the sound of metal echoed between the stone columns.

  Lyra moved forward.

  Light flowed around his body like living reflections as he dodged the metal spears erupting from the ground.

  Valerius stepped back, blocking one strike before retreating.

  A tired smile appeared on his face.

  “Faster. More precise.”

  He exhaled.

  “You’ve improved a lot, Prince.”

  Lyra rested his hands on his knees for a moment, catching his breath.

  Then he wiped the sweat from his forehead.

  “I still have a great teacher, Captain.”

  Valerius chuckled quietly.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  “Teacher?” he shook his head. “You already surpass me in speed.”

  He paused briefly.

  “You just lack my experience.”

  The captain looked toward the horizon.

  “It’s been five years… since Xerathis last attacked.”

  Lyra followed his gaze.

  “Maybe peace has finally reached the kingdom.”

  Valerius stayed silent for a moment.

  Then he slowly shook his head.

  “Peace?”

  He crossed his arms.

  “No, Prince. This isn’t peace.”

  His expression hardened.

  “It’s silence.”

  A brief pause.

  “And silence… before war… is only the prelude to the storm.”

  Lyra frowned.

  “What do you think they’re planning?”

  Valerius looked at the horizon again.

  “I don’t know.”

  Then he spoke quietly.

  “But when a beast grows quiet… it’s not because it gave up.”

  He turned.

  “It’s because it’s preparing to strike.”

  Lyra said nothing.

  Valerius placed a hand on his shoulder for a moment.

  “Keep training.”

  He walked away.

  “The time may come sooner than we expect.”

  Lyra remained there alone, staring at the sky.

  Lost in thought.

  ?

  Xerathis

  Inside the obsidian throne hall, black fire torches cast flickering shadows across the walls.

  Malakor watched the Soul Blade resting upon its pedestal.

  The weapon pulsed slowly.

  Korrath and Dravon stood beside the throne.

  A sage approached and bowed.

  “My king… the tests are complete.”

  Malakor didn’t take his eyes off the blade.

  “And?”

  “We achieved significant progress in amplification. The warriors who survived the process now carry far greater power.”

  Malakor remained silent.

  “And our stock of cores?”

  Korrath consulted a parchment.

  “We have enough for an offensive, my king. But with the new multiplier… consumption is higher.”

  He raised his eyes.

  “We will need more.”

  Malakor finally turned.

  “Then we will obtain more.”

  He walked slowly across the hall.

  “The Green Vale district… to the south.”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “What do we know?”

  Dravon smiled.

  “Light defenses, my king. Only a local commander with an advanced core.”

  He shrugged.

  “The rest are civilians.”

  Malakor’s smile was slow and cold.

  “An advanced commander.”

  “Perfect.”

  He leaned forward slightly.

  “I want to test our new power against a worthy opponent.”

  At that moment, Nyxia entered the hall.

  Korrath’s daughter.

  Her posture straight.

  Her eyes sharp.

  Malakor studied her briefly.

  “Nyxia.”

  She stopped before the throne.

  “My king.”

  “You have distinguished yourself during training.”

  He rested his arm on the throne.

  “It is time to prove your worth in real battle.”

  A fierce gleam lit her eyes.

  “I’ve been waiting for this, my king.”

  She smiled.

  “I’m eager to test this new power.”

  Malakor leaned forward slightly.

  “Not only you.”

  He lifted his gaze.

  “All of us have long awaited the day Xerathis claims its rightful place.”

  His expression hardened.

  “But be cautious.”

  “You know the consequences of amplification.”

  Korrath placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.

  “She knows, my king.”

  He spoke proudly.

  “I know my daughter. She will not fail.”

  Nyxia lifted her chin.

  “I will bring back the cores we need.”

  Her eyes burned with determination.

  “And I will show Therion Vales the power they themselves awakened.”

  Malakor nodded.

  “Then go.”

  “Use amplification as you wish.”

  “Take the cores… and return victorious.”

  Nyxia bowed and left the hall.

  Her footsteps echoed down the corridor.

  Dravon watched the door close.

  “Korrath’s daughter…”

  He smiled.

  “She has fire in her eyes.”

  Malakor replied without emotion.

  “Hatred and ambition are the finest weapons, Dravon.”

  His gaze returned to the Soul Blade.

  “And she possesses both.”

  ?

  Kael’s Mission

  Inside the throne room of Therion Vales, maps and scrolls covered the central table.

  Afternoon light poured through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the stone floor.

  Kael entered.

  “You called for me, Father?”

  Thalric looked up.

  A tired smile appeared on his face.

  “Yes, Kael.”

  He pushed a sealed parchment across the table.

  “I have an important mission for you.”

  The royal seal glinted in the sunlight.

  “An agreement with Vaeltheris.”

  Kael picked up the parchment.

  “I need you to deliver it personally to King Zephyros.”

  Kael studied the seal briefly.

  “Why me?”

  “Couldn’t you send a messenger?”

  Thalric stood.

  “Because this agreement is vital to the kingdom.”

  He walked around the table.

  “And you are my son.”

  Their eyes met.

  “Who better to represent Therion Vales than a prince?”

  Thalric placed a hand on Kael’s shoulder.

  “Besides…”

  He hesitated for a moment.

  “I trust you.”

  Kael slipped the parchment inside his jacket.

  “When do I leave?”

  “Tomorrow at dawn.”

  Thalric released his shoulder.

  “Follow the Valley Road.”

  His expression grew serious.

  “And if you sense anything unusual…”

  “Return immediately.”

  Kael nodded.

  “You can trust me, Father.”

  He walked toward the door.

  Paused for a moment.

  As if wanting to say something.

  But instead he simply left.

  Thalric watched the door quietly.

  Pride and worry mixed in his eyes.

  ?

  Green Vale

  The Green Vale district was peaceful.

  Green fields stretched toward the horizon.

  Simple houses lined the roads.

  Children ran between the trees.

  The scent of damp soil and wildflowers filled the air.

  Lhian walked through the village with a calm smile.

  A child tripped nearby and fell.

  She began to cry.

  Lhian quickly knelt beside her.

  “Hey… easy there.”

  He helped her stand.

  Carefully brushed dirt from her knee.

  Then he extended his hand.

  A small flower sprouted from the ground.

  “A gift.”

  He smiled.

  “No more tears.”

  The child wiped her eyes.

  “Thank you, Commander Lhian!”

  She ran off to show the flower to her friends.

  An elderly woman approached carrying a heavy basket.

  Lhian hurried forward.

  “Dona Marcia, let me help.”

  He carried the basket to her door.

  “You’re a good boy, Lhian,” the old woman said.

  She smiled warmly.

  “And that young lady? Have you found yourself a bride yet?”

  Lhian laughed, slightly embarrassed.

  “I have.”

  “Her name is Liana.”

  “We’re engaged.”

  The woman placed a hand over her chest.

  “Engaged?”

  “May the Current bless you both!”

  She tilted her head.

  “When’s the wedding?”

  Lhian hesitated.

  “We haven’t set a date yet…”

  He lowered his voice slightly.

  “But soon.”

  A warm smile spread across his face.

  “Liana is pregnant.”

  “I’m going to be a father.”

  The old woman’s eyes filled with tears.

  “What a blessing, my boy.”

  Lhian nodded.

  “I want to build my family here.”

  Later, in the village square, his friend Teo approached.

  “Lhian!”

  He gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder.

  “More beloved than the baker around here.”

  Lhian laughed.

  “Oh, come on… I’m just doing my job.”

  Teo sat on a stone bench.

  “I heard about the agreement with Vaeltheris.”

  “You think it’ll work?”

  Lhian looked toward the horizon.

  “I hope so.”

  He took a deep breath.

  “Less worry about borders…”

  “More time to live in peace.”

  Teo nodded.

  “That’s what we all want.”

  They watched the sunset together.

  The sky turned shades of orange and pink.

  A gentle breeze carried the scent of the fields.

  Lhian sighed contentedly.

  “It’s good to live here, isn’t it?”

  Teo smiled.

  “The best place in the world.”

  Lhian smiled.

  Thinking about Liana.

  About the child who was coming.

  About the future he would build there.

  He didn’t know…

  That it would be the last time he ever watched the sun.