They hadn't even made it far.
"Wait—"
A voice called from behind.
They turned.
A GSSA officer approached quickly.
"You're being reassigned. Immediate mission."
Moments later—
They stood fully geared.
Black uniforms. Insignia glowing faintly under the light.
The Order of Light.
And in front of them—
Draven Ashford.
"I'll be joining you," Draven said calmly.
A faint smile followed.
"Just in case."
They moved.
The area was already compromised.
Seven figures emerged from the shadows.
Wretches.
"Stay sharp," Draven said.
The squad moved first.
Nervous… but determined.
Jane and Daisy worked together, coordinating attacks carefully.
Dani followed up with support.
Bill held his ground, steady under pressure.
One fell.
Then another.
Then a third.
They were breathing heavily now.
But standing.
Then—
"Step back."
Draven moved forward.
They didn't argue.
They couldn't.
He drew his sword.
Light.
It began to gather.
Soft at first.
Then—
Blinding.
In a single motion—
He vanished.
A flash.
Silence.
The remaining four Wretches—
Gone.
Erased.
The light faded.
Draven stood there.
Calm.
Unshaken.
"…Wow."
Jane's voice was barely above a whisper.
He's strong… no wonder he's the youngest Warden in history.
Even Alfred—
Paused.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
…Show off.
Draven turned immediately.
Concern replacing everything else.
"Are you guys alright?"
"Yes, sir!" they responded almost at once.
Relief crossed his face.
A genuine one.
"Good."
He exhaled lightly.
Then—
A small smile appeared.
"You've completed your first mission."
A pause.
"That calls for something, doesn't it?"
They blinked.
"How about dinner?" he said. "My treat."
Silence.
Then—
"…Really?"
Draven nodded, slightly excited now.
"Yeah. Let's get to know each other properly."
They exchanged glances.
Then—
"Alright!"
And just like that—
The tension faded.
Later That Night
A table.
Food spread across it.
Laughter filling the air.
Draven sat among them.
Not above.
Not distant.
Just… there.
"So you trained at the palace?" Daisy asked.
Draven nodded. "Yeah."
"That must've been intense," Bill added.
"It was," Draven replied with a small smile. "But not as exciting as this."
They laughed.
Jane leaned forward slightly. "What's it like… being a Warden already?"
Draven thought for a second.
"…Heavy," he said simply.
The conversation continued.
Light.
Easy.
Natural.
Except—
One person.
Alfred.
Silent.
Draven noticed.
Of course he did.
He turned slightly.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "You've been quiet."
The table went still.
All eyes shifted.
Alfred looked up.
Calm.
Direct.
"…Do you think you deserve this?"
Silence.
"…All of this," he continued. "A position you didn't work for."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
"Alfred—" Jane whispered.
"Don't—" Dani added quickly.
But it was too late.
Draven didn't speak immediately.
He just looked at him.
Then—
"…It doesn't matter."
The room stilled.
"Whether I deserve it or not," Draven continued calmly.
"As long as I'm protecting people… saving lives…"
A pause.
"…then I'll do what I have to."
Silence.
Their eyes locked.
Neither looked away.
And for the first time—
Something shifted between them.
Later
The palace stood tall under the night sky.
Draven walked through its halls quietly.
The energy from earlier… gone.
Replaced with something heavier.
"Draven."
He stopped.
Turned.
His mother stood there.
Queen Evellyn Ashford.
"How was it?" she asked gently.
"…Fine," he replied.
She studied him for a moment.
But said nothing more.
He walked on.
Into his room.
Silence.
He sat down slowly.
Alone.
"…Do I actually deserve this…?"
His gaze lowered.
"Born into royalty…"
"Given power…"
"Made a Warden…"
A quiet breath.
"…Did I earn any of it?"
Silence answered him.
And for the first time—
The Prince of Light…
Doubted himself.