Calixtus's - Discovery

“Our light, our hope. The blood of rulers runs through your veins. Only you are born to lead, to reign."

All his life, Calixtus had been told that he would become king.

He descended from a noble lineage that had stood close to the throne since the country’s founding. The current ruler was his grandfather, and the former his great-great-grandfather. His family’s name wielded power and influence that could be felt throughout the kingdom. So often were these ingrained in him that they became part of his identity —

‘That I’d believed I had it in me.’

It had always been presented to him as a certainty rather than a possibility. So, he'd thought greatness was inherited. Perhaps, his ancestors had given him a natural potential. Everyone else said he’s special, and he’d trusted that.

When he was young, he was praised by adults and compared to other children. Nobles spoke highly of him. Servants treated him especially well. Even his friends would playfully bow to him and say, “Your Majesty.” Just like that, he’d genuinely thought that the crown was destined for him.

So, he trained under Gallahan. 

He studied politics, swordsmanship, diplomacy, magecraft, and anything else that would make him exceptional, make him worthy of all the admiration. If there’s a skill he could use, he learned it. If there’s a weakness he could eliminate, he removed it. At that time, the throne was something he worked towards, not something he feared losing.

Then, the Primer Beacon came around.

Every single child in the kingdom had to take part in the ceremony. To participate was to affirm one's position among prospective successors, and to be absent was unthinkable. He had known that from the beginning. His friend had known it too.

“Aiden is…sick?”

“Yes, my lord. He would not be able to-”

“No, we will go together. I promise to look after him.”

Aiden was one of the few people he could be himself with. They shared a bond that existed long before either of them understood what their titles meant. He refused to leave him alone in his time of need.

The consequences would be severe if he failed to appear. Whatever chance he had would be gone before he could even prove himself. Calixtus knew he should’ve been thinking about himself, but instead, all he thought about was helping his friend. Every second he spent doing so was a second he was not performing his own part in the ritual.

And it cost him his own chance.

Aiden had been chosen as the new Divine Vessel of Wind.

Calixtus, on the other hand, had remained the king’s grandson.

“Do you have any idea what you have done?! You sacrificed your place so that another can have theirs!”

It was the first time his family had ever looked at him with such disappointment. He’d thought he’d done something honorable. He hadn’t expected he’d be condemned. Others blamed his friend and continued supporting him, though even they began looking elsewhere. Nobody cared enough to know why he failed.

‘I failed, and that’s all that mattered. If that’s enough to make them reconsider, then… What would happen when I really failed?’

He got tired of it.

What should’ve been an achievement for others was an expectation for him all along. Eventually, he'd started questioning if he really knew himself. The more people told him who he’s supposed to be, the less certain he felt. Where they saw a soon-to-be ruler, he only saw someone who’s still trying to figure things out.

He no longer knew whether he wanted the crown. He did not even know what kind of person he wanted to become.

He was afraid.

It’s not because of the possibility that he wouldn’t become king. Someone could always be chosen. Someone else could be what the kingdom needed. Rather, it’s because if the throne were taken away, everyone would leave with it.

‘What would remain, then? My entire life depends on what they believe I can be, but I… I wish to have value beyond that.’

He continued to train so that he would never again be vulnerable to being discarded, so that even if he failed once, twice, or a hundred times, there would still be some reason to keep him.

Yet, he hid all of it. He let others shine. He cheered for his friends. He encouraged those around him. He made himself appear less capable than he was.

He became mediocre—ordinary.

After all, the world could forgive a king for being imperfect, but not someone who was no longer certain to become king, and if the crown eventually went to another person, he wanted to be able to look them in the eye and say he had warned them —

To say, “I told you so.”

“YOU TOLD US NOTHING!”

A shout ripped through the air, and Calixtus's eyes flew wide open.

Around him was vast darkness, and somewhere came a distant roar. He remembered falling unconscious at some point. This was still the hypogeum. He forced himself to sit upright. That’s when he saw three figures caught in the middle of an argument.

“Do I have to?! They’re gonna throw them into the pit!”

“At least, give a signal! Don’t just reveal us all of a sudden!”

“Why are you complaining?! You dealt with that guy fast!”

“And now, we’re trapped here with a beast waiting outside!”

The other boy spoke almost nonchalantly. “You shouldn't distract her like that, or else her shield of darkness will give out, then both that beast and that guy’s companions will get in.”

“Why are you so calm?!”

“Why don’t you be calm?”

Calixtus trembled, nearly buckling once more from the weight of the shock. “Y-Your Highnesses?!”

All three spun to him. “CALIX!”

He could not believe it. They were here. Aiden, Drystan, and even Aya were really here. 

They should not have been here.

“W-Why are you…?”

“Stop talking. Save your energy.” Aiden kneeled beside him while Aya and Drystan remained at the gate with the two children from Anonas, whose names he recalled to be Irvin and Eunice. “We’ve got it handled.”

“Yes! Just stay there!”

“Thank goodness you woke up.”

“We have to move soon. What’s the plan?”

‘No… No… You’re not supposed to be here! How did you even…?! No, that doesn’t matter right now. I have to get them out.’

Yet at that moment, Calixtus couldn’t even say a word. His throat closed up. He struggled to breathe. Panic, confusion, and anger warred within him—anger that they were putting themselves in danger.

Outside, the wild beast prowled back and forth, strands of saliva hanging from its jaws.

The only thing separating them was the thick, solid mass of darkness that sealed the open gate leading into the arena. Aya held firmly onto her Divine Insignia, exhaustion visible on her face. The staff looked as magnificent as always. It would’ve been quite a sight to behold if it weren’t for the circumstances. Calixtus looked at her with worry, then turned warily to Irvin and Eunice.

‘Will she recognize them?’

That was another problem.

Surely, Aya had questions. She wasn’t aware of the connection between them. The investigation into the assassination attempt from five months ago had progressed considerably, and it showed signs of being related to the fire and poisoning incident that her stepfather had fallen victim to. He’d been hiding everything from her the whole time. 

Getting in contact with Irvin and Eunice was what ultimately led to this predicament. Chrysander, the mastermind, happened to be tracing the same trail as Calixtus.

‘Those kids had seen that man with Aya’s stepfather moments before the crime. They kept it a secret out of fear, but… I’d been much too careless. As soon as I learned there were witnesses, I sought them out. I didn’t realize I was being followed.’ With great effort, he pushed himself to stand. ‘There’s nothing I can do about it now, though. What’s important is to make it out.’

“Careful.” Aiden helped him up. “I have an idea, but first… Calix, are we still in the royal capital?”

His eyes rounded. “You knew…?”

“We’re underground, right?”

“Yes, we’re…at that group’s secret lair. ”

“The Pureblood Covenant?” Drystan piped.

He blinked, then his brow furrowed. “What exactly were you up to all this time?”

“I should be asking you that!”

“You’re risking your lives by being here!”

Aiden sighed, “I’m with Drystan this time, Calix. ”

“...You, too?”

“We’ve been searching for you. That is all I’ll say. We’ll explain everything later. Now, listen.” His gaze combed through the room. “We’re underground. Perhaps, there’s no point finding a way out after all, so we’ll make one instead.”

After a tense discussion, they finally had a plan.

There was no time left. They put it into motion at once.

Earth magic surged through the ground as Drystan chanted, tearing a path upward. Stone groaned and cracked overhead until the ceiling caved in. Meanwhile, Aiden cast a wind spell. Air currents gathered around them to form a protective barrier as chunks of rock crashed down. The falling debris was then swept aside, clearing the way.

At last, moonlight broke through the opening above.

“[O Void that Veils, woven by shadows… Raise thy hands from the deepest hollow…]”

Calixtus watched Aya wield that same magic from before, yet the feelings he had towards her now couldn't have been any more different. 'Aya... I have so much to tell you...' 

Darkness took over, and the shadows carried everyone back to the surface.