P55 - The Upbringers of Unda

Location: Unda City:

The morning tide was calm. Not a ripple out of place, as if the ocean itself waited in silence for three steps to echo across the Undan marble.

Kallis Mire, Tara Cryosea, and Corin Tydal--now wielders of divine relics gifted by an ancient god's familiar--walked side by side through the polished pearl-stone corridors of their old manors. Each carried with them a sword... their old swords. The ones they once desperately trained with. The ones that never let them awaken magic.

And now, each sword was to be returned.

-

Kallis stepped into the courtyard of House Mire, greeted by silence. His older brothers eyed him with sharp disdain.

"No longer playing warrior?" one sneered.

"No," Kallis replied, gently laying the whip-shaped blade onto the table before their father. "I've stopped pretending."

Before any words could slice back, he turned and walked away--straight-backed, eyes set forward.

-

Tara walked through velvet halls and found her mother mid-discussion with court musicians. Without pause, Tara placed her blunted ceremonial sword on the ledge behind her.

Her mother didn't even turn around.

"I never wanted a daughter with dreams," she said coldly.

"I never needed a mother without them," Tara whispered, her chakram gently humming behind her back as if echoing her release.

-

Corin's return was the quietest. He handed the trident to his father--a nobleman who never once acknowledged him.

"It was always too heavy for you," his father muttered.

Corin didn't speak. He simply walked away. And though he said nothing... the ice that froze the floor beneath his steps said more than enough.

-

By late afternoon, the trio stood before the Royal Undan Palace, summoned at the request of the King and Queen of Unda.

Inside the aquamarine throne room, magic danced across the walls like living water. Noble guards flanked the royal dais as the two sat regally upon it.

The Queen rose first. Her voice flowed like melody but held the weight of history.

"You were born as shadows of your families. But you walk before us as something new. Not heirs... not rebels... but Upbringers. The beginning of Unda's next wave."

The King followed, his tone deep and commanding.
"And with that title, we extend not just honor... but purpose."

With a clap, two more figures were escorted into the throne room. One was a girl with striking eyes, raven-black hair tied into a ponytail, and a silver cloak made of scales. She gave a confident nod.
"This is Mesha," the Queen announced. "A roamer... and survivor. She bears the mark of prophecy."

Mesha tilted her head and smiled.
"Nice weapons. I'm guessing you three finally got picked by the ocean, huh~?"

Behind her stood a taller figure, fully cloaked in navy and obsidian garments. His face was veiled, and the only visible feature was a strange, glowing blue rune on the back of his hand. The way he stood--rigid, yet calm--spoke of endless discipline.
"And this," said the King, "is her silent guardian. We don't really know his name, but- the gods permitted him passage through their seals."

Corin, Kallis, and Tara exchanged glances, as it felt like the winds of fate were swirling faster now.

After a ceremonial bow and the Queen's blessing, a scroll was unraveled before them. The seal of Unda Bastion adorned its top, alongside a wax-pressed mark: The Arena Games - 781st Tournament.

"You five have been selected to represent the Undan Bloodline and Spirit in the Arena," the King declared.
"Prepare yourselves. Gods will be watching. And they do not watch in silence."

The chapter closed with the five standing in a half-circle, the reflection of their bodies seen in the floor's polished sheen like echoes of who they used to be.

No longer heirs and no longer forgotten.
Once having dreams of becoming warriors, now with the fate of becoming Upbringers.