The Princess Sends Her Regards

   The maids led the remaining siblings through the palace grounds and into a separate, massive stone building. The moment they stepped inside, the ringing of clashing steel made it clear this was a proper training facility. Dozens of knights were sparring, swinging practice swords, and running drills. Standing near the center was Sir Boran, observing the knights and shouting pointers.

   Boran’s broad grin widened the moment he spotted them. As the group reached him, the maids offered a polite bow.

   “Knight Commander, the Royal Strategist and the Princess have issued an order for you,” one of the maids said, handing over a sealed letter.

   Boran broke the seal and scanned the contents. His grin transformed into a booming laugh that echoed off the high stone ceiling.

   “This scrawny brat has the Law of Kinetics?!” Boran roared, looking down at Kael. Kael visibly shrank as the imposing, bear-like man bellowed with laughter. Nearby knights paused their drills and began whispering among themselves.

   “I can't believe he has that Law... he looks so frail, can he even handle it?” “Still... if the Captain were here, we'd probably be planning a funeral for the kid right now...” the knights started whispering among themselves.

   Boran reached out, grabbed Kael by the shoulder, and pulled him upright. “Listen here, hero! You can’t afford to look this weak when you hold a Law even I’m jealous of. Since the Captain of the Lorica Knight Order is away, they sent you to me—the one who knows the second most about it.”

   His expression turned stern as he leaned in. “If you aren’t ready to give this everything you’ve got, quit right now! My regime will make even these battle-hardened knights cower! Are you certain you can handle what’s coming?!” He gestured toward the surrounding knights, who suddenly looked very sympathetic toward Kael.

   “Y-yes, sir!” Kael shouted with his eyes squeezed shut.

   Boran clicked his tongue. “Looks like I'll be having a rough time with this one...” He gave a brisk nod to the rest of them before grabbing Kael by the collar and forcing him to start running laps around the field.

   The maids motioned for Varek and Cecilia to follow them, leading them out to the backside of the palace toward a sweeping field covered in vibrant wildflowers. Waiting there was the Princess, dressed in practical trousers and a long coat, her hair bound in a neat ponytail. She waved warmly as they approached, acknowledging the maids' polite bows.

   “Welcome,” she grinned, looking them over. “Your hair actually turned out quite nice.”

   “Is this where we’ll be training?” Cecilia asked, gazing across the colorful sea of flowers.

   “Yes, this is the perfect place to practice our Laws,” the Princess replied. She then turned to Varek with an apologetic smile. “Sorry, but you’ll have to walk a bit further.”

   “No problem,” Varek sighed.

   The maids escorted him through the rest of the field to a modest, one-story stone cottage. Before they could even knock, a rough voice boomed from within: “Enter!”

   Stepping inside, Varek found Duke Damian lounging in an armchair, still puffing away on his pipe.

   “You're here, kiddo. Come, come...” The Duke blew a cloud of pale smoke into the air before inspecting Varek. “The hair suits you.”

   “Uh, thanks?” Varek replied, still convinced he looked like a low-budget cosplayer.

   The maids bowed and quietly took their leave. Varek looked around the cramped, messy room. Yep, they’re definitely father and son. The walls were lined with towering bookshelves, and a small iron pot sat bubbling on a table, emitting a strange vapor. Scribbles, diagrams, and formulas covered every inch of plaster, while the floor was littered with scattered scrolls and books.

   The Duke cleared a stack of papers off two floor cushions and gestured for Varek to take a seat. They sat cross-legged opposite each other. The Duke finally put out his pipe, set it aside, and stroked his gray beard as he scrutinized Varek.

   He clicked his tongue, his eyes suddenly igniting with a sharp, glowing blue aura. Once again, Varek felt an uncomfortable sensation, as if his entire body was being disassembled and scanned.

   “I don't understand...” the Duke muttered to himself. He stood up, rummaged through a nearby pile, and dragged out a heavy, dust-caked book.

   He blew across the cover, kicking up a cloud of dust that sent Varek into a coughing fit. The Duke flipped rapidly through the yellowed pages before stopping near the middle. He laid the book between them and hummed in thought as he scanned the text. Varek waited patiently, taking in the Duke’s worn, heavily lined face. He really is getting up there in years, Varek thought.

   With a frustrated grunt, the Duke slammed the book shut and stood up. “Argh! I can’t find a single historical record of a case like yours. It seems you're a first, kid,” he grumbled. “Every living creature possesses Eidon—even if they cannot manipulate it. But you... you don't have a single drop.”

   He marched over to his workbench, rummaged through a rack of tools, and retrieved an alarmingly large brass syringe. After drawing up a measure of the smoking liquid from the bubbling pot, he gave it a quick shake and turned back toward Varek.

   “Don't worry, kid. This won’t hurt a bit.”

   Before Varek could react or even open his mouth, the Duke slammed the needle into his upper arm.

   A blinding surge of agony shot through Varek's veins, tearing through his entire nervous system. He gasped, collapsing onto all fours as his body convulsed from the pain.

   “Damn... crazy... old man...” Varek choked out, clutching his chest.

   “Hahaha! Don't worry, it’ll settle down in a second!” Just as the Duke spoke, the agonizing burning vanished as quickly as it had arrived.

   Varek slowly pushed himself up, still feeling somewhat numb. “What the hell was that, you geezer?!” he seethed, glaring up at him.

   “A custom potion I concocted after deciding to take you in,” the Duke replied smoothly. He reached down, grabbed Varek’s chin, and peeled back his eyelid to check his pupil. “And it looks like it worked.”

   “Worked to do what?” Varek snapped, shaking himself free of the Duke's grip.

   “It temporarily heightens your body's sensitivity to Eidon. It only hurt because your body doesn’t even have a drop of it before,” the Duke explained, stepping past him and rolling up his heavy sleeves. “Now, I’m going to channel some of my own Eidon into you. I want you to try and get a feel for it. Got it?”

   Varek nodded begrudgingly, still glaring. The Duke placed both palms firmly against Varek’s chest. Almost instantly, a radiant blue energy coalesced around his hands.

   “Alright, close your eyes and focus. You should feel something.”

   The blue light slowly seeped into Varek's chest. But as it entered, a shock passed through the Duke's face.

   What is this? Duke Damian thought, his brow furrowing in disbelief. It feels like I'm pouring water into a bottomless abyss... Wait, wait, wait, what the hell?! My Eidon... It's... It’s just vanishing! I can't feel it at all!

   Startled, the Duke tore his hands away, taking a sharp step back.

   The moment the Duke’s hands had touched his chest, Varek felt a soothing, icy sensation spread from his sternum down to his fingertips and toes. Beyond that, however, he couldn't sense anything unusual.

   Following instructions, he closed his eyes, expecting the usual pitch-black darkness. Instead, the void around him suddenly tore open.

   He found himself standing amidst the broken, silent ruins of what seemed like a castle. Overhead, two massive, pale moons hung in a starless, cloudy sky, casting a spectral gray glow over the desolate landscape.

   Directly in front of him, plunged deep into the shattered stone floor, was a colossal greatsword. Its broad blade was pitch-black and widened toward a flared, jagged tip. The hilt was encrusted with obsidian gems, and intricate, glowing white runes pulsed along the metal—written in a language Varek couldn't read. Heavy, pitch-black chains wrapped tightly around the blade, binding it to the earth.

   Mesmerized, Varek stepped forward and reached out his hand toward the hilt.

   The moment his fingers neared the sword, Varek gasped, instantly pulled back into the dusty cottage. A sudden, crushing weight settled over his shoulders, forcing him to sink heavily onto his cushion.

   Across from him, Duke Damian stood clutching his own trembling hands, breath coming in ragged gasps as he stared at the boy in complete shock.

   “The moment my hands touched his chest, my Eidon just... vanished,” the Duke murmured, staring at his hands in disbelief. He could always feel his Eidon no matter where he directed it, but this time it had snuffed out completely.

   “What happened, old man?” Varek gulped, forcing himself back onto his trembling feet.

   “When I poured it into you, it simply disappeared. I couldn't feel a trace of it, so I pulled back instinctively.” The Duke straightened up, inspecting Varek closely. “So, did it work? Did you feel anything?”

   “I don't know how to explain it,” Varek replied, rubbing his temples as a dull ache throbbed behind his eyes. “It’s not so much that I felt something... I saw something.”

   “What did you see?” The Duke looked genuinely taken aback.

   “I was standing in some kind of ruined castle,” Varek said, slowly sinking back onto his cushion as his legs gave out. “There was a massive sword chained to the ground. When I tried to reach for it, I woke back up here. And... I don't know why, but I feel utterly exhausted.”

   “I see...” The Duke pondered the information, stroking his gray beard. “Can you give me any more details?”

   “There were two strange gray moons overhead,” Varek explained, crossing his legs. “And there were glowing white runes carved into the blade.” He went on to describe the broken landscape in detail.

   “Fascinating,” the Duke murmured thoughtfully. “Well, at least we got a reaction.” He let out a long sigh before standing up and walking over to the corner cupboard. “Do you want tea?”

   Varek blinked at the sudden shift in mood. “Uh... yes, please.”

   They attempted to channel Eidon into Varek three more times over the course of the afternoon and evening, but the result was always the same—except Varek didn't experience the vision of the ruins again. By the time they finished their final attempt, the sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving both of them panting from exhaustion.

   “Oh my, look at the time—it’s already night!” the Duke exclaimed, clearing away his instruments. “Let’s call it a day. We’ll resume tomorrow morning. Come, I’ll walk you back to your quarters.”

   They stepped outside beneath the pale glow of the night sky. Varek glanced up, noticing the single solitary moon hanging above. I guess I expected two moons, he thought to himself. I haven't actually looked up at the sky since we got summoned.

   Turning a corner, they stepped into the sweeping wildflower field behind the main palace. Resting in the moonlight were the Queen and the Princess, taking a stroll accompanied by three royal guards. The Queen wore a flowing pink gown, while the Princess remained in her practical riding attire from earlier.

   As the two women approached, the Duke offered a polite bow. “Greetings, Your Majesty. Princess.”

   “Oh—um, greetings, Your Majesty,” Varek added, giving a hasty, awkward bow of his own.

   “Good evening, brother-in-law,” the Queen greeted with a gentle smile. “How goes the hero’s training?”

   Ah, so that’s why she looks like Lucian, Varek realized, observing her features. She’s his aunt.

   “We have yet to produce satisfactory results,” the Duke admitted with a tired sigh. “And how is the King?”

   “He is well. An envoy from Sanguis arrived yesterday bearing good news, so he is in high spirits,” the Queen replied smoothly. She stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with warmth. “Why are you standing so far away, brother-in-law? You’ve grown so distant since my elder sister passed. We are family, aren't we?”

   Damn, is there history there? Varek wondered silently.

   “Well...” The Duke shifted uncomfortably, his back turned to Varek. “Sister-in-law, what do you—”

   Splat.

   Something warm and wet sprayed across Varek’s face.

   A dark purple blade, dripping with crimson, violently burst through the front of the Duke’s chest. The Duke’s white coat rapidly stained dark red as blood pooled outward.

   “What...?” the Duke croaked, choking on his own blood.

   The Queen gave a soft, chilling laugh as she shoved his collapsing body backward. Blood spattered across her face, contrasting horrifyingly with her twisted, blissful smile.

   Instinct made Varek scramble backward. He tripped over his own feet, narrowly dodging a thin, silent rapier thrust from behind. The steel grazed his abdomen, slicing through his shirt and skin.

   “Oh dear, looks like I missed,” the Princess hummed lightly.

   When the hell did she get behind me?! Varek stared in sheer horror as the Queen casually wiped her bloodied blade on the Duke’s coat, giggling softly to herself.

   “Wh-what are you doing?!” Varek gasped, his voice cracking with panic.

  “A dead man has no need for answers, now does he?” the Queen purred, stepping over the Duke toward him. “Come now, daughter, finish it. You’ve grown soft.”

  “Please, Mother, I’m sharper than ever,” the Princess replied playfully. With a flick of her wrist, she threw a slender dagger, pinning Varek’s left hand directly to the earth. Varek shrieked in agony as the blade bit deep through the back of his hand.

   “Tsk, tsk. Screaming won't help you,” the Princess mocked, wagging a slender finger at him. “No one outside this barrier can hear a sound. Those guards aren't just for show, you know.”

   Gritting his teeth through the blinding shock, Varek ripped the dagger free from his hand and rolled onto his back, facing his executioners.

   Without a word of warning, the Queen swung her sword in a wide arc. The blade carved across Varek's chest, sending a spray of red into the night air. Varek collapsed back onto the grass, screaming as burning agony consumed his upper body.

   “Hmm. Let’s just send him and the Duke elsewhere, we cannot have bodies in our backyard,” the Princess suggested casually, handing her rapier to a nearby guard.

   Another guard stepped forward, dragged Duke Damian’s lifeless body by the collar, and tossed it callously beside Varek. Through blurred, tear-filled vision, Varek stared into the Duke’s unseeing, glossy eyes. He was truly dead.

   “Wh-why...?” Varek choked out, struggling to stay conscious as warm blood drenched his clothes and soaked into the flower garden beneath him.

   The Princess stepped forward, swirling a dense, shimmering blue Eidon between her palms. “Why? Because we don't need dead weight dragging us down? Isn't it obvious? We have something we are getting out of this.”

   She smiled sweetly down at him as the blue aura expanded, enveloping him and the Duke’s corpse. “Don’t worry, I’ll take excellent care of your siblings—especially sweet little CC. I'm really starting to like her.”

   “Damn... you...” Varek spat, coughing up blood as his vision began to fade.

   “Bye-bye,” the Princess cooed, waving a cheerful hand.

   A sudden, violent pull yanked at Varek's gut. Just as space warped around him and darkness swallowed his senses, he caught a blinding flash of bright blonde hair cutting through the night—and then, everything went black.