"We will be moving to Crescentis."
Aric turned.
Lara and Elvis stepped out from the library together.
Crescentis.
Aric knew that name. Crescentis was one of the few port cities in the world connected to the great expanse.
Elvis smiled, his gaze shifting toward Elara.
"We discovered that our Elara has… extraordinary talent," he said warmly.
Then his eyes moved to Elian.
"And since she has awakened her conduit, it's only a matter of time before Elian follows."
Finally, his attention settled on Aric and Tristan.
"We plan to enroll both of them in Pendleton Academy in Crescentis."
He turned slightly, looking out the window at Durvarn stretching beyond the estate walls.
His expression grew distant.
"…This place is too small for them."
Aric's chest tightened.
"Then what about the farms, Gramps?" he asked quickly. "You produce almost all the grain in Durvarn—what happens to that?"
Lara chuckled softly.
"Isn't it obvious?" she said. "We have already sold them. To the chief."
Aric bit his lip.
This really wasn't a good day.
But Elvis stepped forward and placed a hand on both Aric and Tristan's shoulders.
"Neither of you need to worry," he said slowly, walking back toward the library. "Well? What are you waiting for? Come."
The two boys hesitated before following.
Elvis opened the door as Aric and Tristan looked around.
The shelves had been emptied, multiple wooden crates littered all over.
Unlike Nessa, who had little interest in books, the two of them had spent countless hours here. Tristan devoured stories and novels, while Aric buried himself in history, magic, and anything that could explain this world.
This room… this place—had been theirs.
Elvis crouched beside one of the crates and lifted it with surprising ease, placing it on the round wooden table in front of them.
Aric's eyes fell to the label.
Black ink.
Neat handwriting.
"Aric and Tristan."
Tristan read it aloud, his voice cracking slightly.
"…You're giving us the books?"
He looked up, eyes wide.
"All of them?"
Elvis simply smiled.
"Is it enough?" he asked softly. "I believe the two of you will be just fine… even after we leave."
Something in Aric snapped.
"I don't need these stupid books!" The words were sharp. "I've already learned everything I could from this library!"
The room fell silent.
"Do you really think I—" he stopped himself, jaw tightening, "—that we were coming here just to read paper?"
Tristan flinched, stepping closer as if to calm him down.
But Aric couldn't stop. This stupid geezer didn't understand.
Home was never 'home' for the three of them. How could a place where one is constantly in fear of being hurt be called home? This mansion was their home. The people in front of them were like family.
It was being taken away.
Aric clenched his fists. He knew he was being selfish. But how was he supposed to just… let go? He took a slow breath.
"…Sorry, Gramps," he said finally. "I got a bit ahead of myself."
The sudden shift made everyone pause.
Aric snorted lightly. "What? Did I say something weird?"
Elvis blinked once, before he burst out laughing.
"That," he said between chuckles, "is the first time I've seen you act like a child."
Before Aric could react—
Elara lunged.
She wrapped her arms around him in a crushing hug.
"Finally!" she laughed. "I can hug you like the kid you actually are!"
A vein popped on Aric's forehead as his ribs protested violently.
"H—help… I'm dying…"
Tristan smirked.
Instant mistake.
Elara dropped Aric and immediately grabbed Tristan instead, pulling him into the same suffocating embrace.
"Will you miss my hugs kiddo?!"
"HELP—! SHE'S KILLING ME—!"
Aric stepped back, sticking his tongue out. Serves him right.
***
"Ethan! Wake up!"
The voice tore through the haze.
Ethan's eyes snapped open, light flooding his vision as everything slowly came into focus.
'Finally…' Aric's thoughts echoed faintly beneath it. After 2 years… He was back. Back in the dream.
SMACK.
Ethan's head jerked slightly to the side.
"Wake up faster!" Reyna snapped, raising her hand again.
Ethan frowned, grabbing her wrist mid-swing. "I'm awake. Stop hitting me."
Reyna didn't even argue. She yanked her hand free and turned, already moving toward the door.
"Come on—something's wrong with Samantha!"
Ethan's expression shifted instantly.
He was on his feet in a second.
The two of them rushed down the corridor, the distant sound of shouting growing louder with every step. Reyna didn't bother knocking—she threw the door open.
The scene inside froze Ethan in place.
Samantha was on the bed. Her hands clutched onto her head, fingers digging into her hair as if trying to tear something out. Her screams filled the room as Reyna rushed to her side immediately, sitting beside her and pulling her into a shaky embrace.
"Sam—hey—hey, it's okay—!"
The room was crowded.
Nearly every hero had gathered, standing around helplessly, their faces pale, uncertain, shaken.
No one knew what to do.
"We brought Ethan," Reyna said quickly, voice softer now.
Samantha froze, her breathing hitching.
Then her head snapped up, her eyes scanning the room.
"Ethan… Ethan… Ethan…"
Her gaze darted frantically across the room, then locked onto him.
"ETHAN!"
She scrambled off the bed.
Her legs gave out the moment she hit the floor, but she didn't stop. She dragged herself forward, hands clawing against the ground as she forced her way toward him.
Ethan moved instantly, catching her before she could collapse completely.
"Hey—don't push yourself," he said, steadying her.
She didn't listen.
Her hands trembled as they reached for him—touching his arms, his chest, his shoulders—as if confirming he was real.
Then she grabbed his face tight as her fingers shook.
Tears spilled freely down her cheeks.
"Please…" she whispered, voice breaking. "Please don't die."
The room went still.
Ethan's grip on her shoulders tightened slightly.
"What are you talking about, Sam?"
But something in his chest tightened.
Because the fear in her eyes… wasn't confusion. No, no… It was certainty.
Samantha's pupils flickered as she panicked, crying loudly, "I saw it Ethan! You are going to die!"
"It's them," she whispered hoarsely. "Those two from the Heia Duchy—Lucas… Lucas will kill you!"
She buried her face against his chest, shaking.
Ethan froze.
Lucas?
His mind flashed back at the strange boy. Samantha's grip tightened.
"Whatever happens—if anything involves them—" Her voice cracked again as she looked up at him, tears streaming freely. "Promise me!"
Her fingers dug into his arms.
"Promise me you won't do anything reckless!"
Ethan hesitated.
His thoughts clashed violently.
She was terrified—genuinely terrified—but she wasn't giving him anything concrete. Just fragments.
"Samantha… I need to know more before I—"
—BOOM!
The entire castle shook.
A deafening explosion tore through the air, rattling the walls as a shockwave rippled through the room. Several heroes staggered as the windows trembled violently.
Everyone rushed toward the nearest opening.
Ethan turned.
In the distance—the right wing of the elven castle had erupted, stone and debris raining downward as the fire illuminated the night.
"Woah! Look at the scale of that explosion!"
"What the fuck…"
"Who could have caused such a–"
"Everyone!" Donald shouted. All the heroes turned, "The king is calling all to assemble!"
Chairs scraped, footsteps thundered, voices overlapped as everyone rushed toward the exit as Ethan hurriedly followed. That was when someone gripped his arm. Samantha looked at him, tears still flowing, "Ethan… promise me… please." For a moment—
He looked at her hand.
Then at her face.
His jaw tightened as he freed himself, crossing the door to the hallway.
He couldn't promise her in the end.
"It begins…"
The voice came from beside him.
Ethan glanced sideways.
Adrian walked alongside him, his expression… different.
Gone was the usual smug ease.
Gone was the polished confidence.
For the first time— his face looked empty. Completely and utterly lifeless.
"You have an idea about this?" Ethan asked, narrowing his eyes.
Adrian didn't look at him immediately.
"I suppose…" he said quietly. "Yes."
Then he turned, a smile forming. But there was no warmth in it.
"You'll understand soon enough."
______
[A/N: Thoughts on the story so far?]