…Sound of hurried footsteps echoing through the halls…
— Edgar — Keltherion began, with a voice filled with frustration
— Is she still behaving like this? Even after hearing the explanation about being locked in her room?
— Yes, my lord — Edgar replied, maintaining a respectful tone while matching his master's brisk pace.
— She refuses to accept the explanation you ordered me to give and insists on leaving immediately… or at least speaking with you in person.
— Tsk… another problem — Keltherion muttered, irritated.
After a few minutes, they reached the hallway that led to Aurëalis's room.
There, several maids waited, whispering among themselves, with apprehensive faces.
Noticing Keltherion's imposing presence, they quickly organized themselves and bowed in respect.
Wasting no time on formalities, Keltherion walked past them, heading toward Aurëalis's door.
However, before he could reach it, a violent explosion shook the floor, accompanied by a muffled tremor coming from the other side of the door.
— As I said, sir — Edgar commented, with a serious expression.
— She didn't buy that story. And now, she says she's been locked up long enough. She demands to leave or at least speak with you directly.
They both looked at the door, which miraculously was still standing, protected by a powerful magical rune — the only reason Aurëalis's attacks hadn't destroyed it yet.
— Tsk… this is unbelievable… — Keltherion muttered through gritted teeth.
— I understand the situation, Edgar. Thank you for your efforts so far. Now, stand behind me. This might get dangerous.
With a nod, Edgar stepped back and ordered everyone to stay alert. Those present, apprehensive, obeyed without hesitation, forming a semicircle behind Keltherion.
The air grew heavier as he neared the door. Without hesitation, he cast a spell to unlock it, then swung it open — only to be met by a blinding flash of light and a surge of heat. A powerful explosion erupted from within, shaking the hallway and sending a thick cloud of smoke and soot billowing in all directions.
Those standing behind Keltherion barely managed to resist the impact. Some suffered minor injuries; others fell to their knees, exhausted from the effort of withstanding the escaping energy.
Only Keltherion remained steady — unmoving, untouched, without a single scratch.
— AURËALIS! — he bellowed, with a voice that cut through the smoke like a blade.
From within the thick haze, two eyes emerged — red as burning rubies, glowing with intense, restrained fury.
— FATHER! YOU FINALLY DECIDED TO SHOW UP! — Aurëalis roared, emerging from the smoke like a living storm.
— What is the meaning of this? — Keltherion asked, with a stern expression.
— What is the meaning of this? — she repeated indignantly, with a voice filled with frustration.
— YOU TOOK ME OUT OF SCHOOL SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY EXPLANATION, AND SENT ME BACK HERE CLAIMING I HAD AN IMPORTANT MISSION TO FULFILL AS A PRINCESS! BUT AS SOON AS I ARRIVED, I WAS LOCKED IN MY ROOM AND MET ONLY WITH EDGAR, WHO GAVE ME A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT STORY THAN YOURS! ACCORDING TO HIM — BY YOUR ORDER — I WAS PLACED IN CONFINEMENT BECAUSE YOU DISCOVERED A GROUP THAT WANTED TO HURT ME! SO TELL ME, FATHER… WHAT'S THE TRUTH HERE?! WHY AM I REALLY BEING KEPT PRISONER?!
Aurëalis took a few steps forward.
The aura around her flickered like living embers.
— TELL ME THE TRUTH, FATHER. WHAT'S REALLY GOING ON? — she continued.
Her voice, once only indignant, now carried something more: a growing suspicion.
Aurëalis had already considered the possibility that her father had found out about what was going on between her and me. It was a hypothesis that had lingered in her mind since the day her father ordered her return to the kingdom, under the pretense of having an important mission to fulfill as a Princess. However, she had full confidence in her own caution. In all their meetings, she had been meticulous — always aware of her surroundings, always careful with timing, footsteps, glances. No witnesses. No shadows nearby. Nothing that could ever indicate we were together.
That's why, when she asked Lyrielle to send a message to me a few days ago, she did so calmly, almost like a routine gesture. She simply asked her to tell me that she would be away for a few days, without explanation. But between the lines, with carefully chosen words and tone, she tried to make it clear that I should be careful — that perhaps something was happening, even if she herself wasn't yet convinced of it.
Deep down, Aurëalis didn't believe that I was truly in danger. There were no reasons. No signs. Only a haze of uncertainty. But something inside her — a quiet instinct — made her act.
And now, with the way her father was behaving, those earlier doubts began to give way to a desperate certainty.
This couldn't be a coincidence.
Maybe… maybe all of this — every suspicious action, every prolonged silence — was exactly what she had begun to fear days ago. And even though, like me, she had considered that hypothesis extremely unlikely until now… now, everything was starting to make sense. Maybe this was, in fact, the answer to all those strange things that had been happening, and maybe it was already too late.
Keltherion took a deep breath.
— Aurëalis, my daughter — he began, trying to keep his voice calm.
— as Edgar already explained, we discovered a real conspiracy. They were getting dangerously close to you… so, seeing all this, we decided to bring you back to the kingdom, where you'd be safe, until we could neutralize those bastards — said Keltherion, approaching and gently running his hand through his daughter's hair.
Aurëalis subtly pulled away, avoiding the touch.
— Then why did you call me back with a different excuse? Why did you say I was coming to fulfill a mission as the Princess of Lumina? — she questioned, trying to stay calm, though her voice still carried anger and disappointment.
Keltherion sighed.
— Ah… yes… well… — he began, scratching the back of his neck, as if choosing his words carefully.
— Your mother and I… even without being there, we saw how happy you were at school. Every time we spoke to you through the projector, it was clear in your eyes how joyful you were, and knowing you as we do, we knew that if we told you the truth, you wouldn't come willingly.
He gave a half nostalgic smile, but his gaze remained cold, precise.
— You'd probably say that no matter who tried to attack you, no one would be a match for you… — he said, letting out a restrained chuckle.
— And honestly, I don't think they would. But still, as parents, we did what we thought necessary to protect you.
Aurëalis crossed her arms, listening in silence.
— If you want to be angry, to yell at us, I'll understand. We lied. But… everything we've done has always been thinking of your safety, my little one, — he finished more softly, caressing her once again.
This time, Aurëalis didn't pull away. She allowed the gesture with hesitant acceptance — still wary, but calmer.
— …I understand. But… if you know someone's trying to attack me, then you must at least know who are those people, right? ... And if so, I should know too, so I could stay more alert to my surroundings, — she said, in a controlled tone.
— Yes, of course… We know exactly who they are, — Keltherion answered firmly.
— It's a small group of extremist Void Dragons.
Aurëalis blinked, keeping her gaze fixed on her father's face.
— Void Dragons…?
— Exactly, — Keltherion nodded.
— Vile, arrogant beings who can't stand the existence of others more powerful than themselves. Scum the universe should've never harbored. But we'll take care of it. Soon, not one will be left.
Aurëalis continued to stare into his eyes for a long moment… as if trying to see through to the truth behind his words.
Then, suddenly, her expression relaxed. She averted her gaze and turned, walking back toward her room.
— I understand, Father… — she said in a calm tone.
— If that's the problem, and if you believe it's best for me to stay here, then fine. I'll stay one more week. But no more than that, understood?
Keltherion smiled, satisfied.
— Of course. In a week, everything will be settled, and you can return to your normal life at school.
Aurëalis stopped at the door and looked at him from the corner of her eye.
— Great. But if everything isn't resolved within this week, I want — at the very least — to be allowed to leave my room and walk around the castle. Being locked up all the time is starting to drive me crazy.
— Fair enough, — Keltherion nodded.
— I'll do everything I can to make sure it's resolved as quickly as possible.
She nodded her head.
— Understood, Father…
Before leaving, however, Keltherion spoke again.
— Right... And one more thing. As for this door, I'll send someone trustworthy to fix it, — he said, already stepping back.
— Fine. But this time… no containment runes. Or I won't be able to uphold this agreement of ours, — she retorted, casting a firm look in Keltherion's direction.
Keltherion cleared his throat, embarrassed.
— Ahem… alright. No runes. I promise, — he said reluctantly.
— Okay… — Aurëalis finished, with a quiet sigh, as she stepped deeper into her room.
— Ah… and one more thing, — said, this time, Aurëalis, stopping at the doorway before entering completely.
— I don't want anyone entering my room for the next few minutes. You are only allowed in once I give permission. Until then, please wait at the end of the hallway. As soon as I'm done with what I need to do, I'll call you. Understood?
— Yes, miss! — all the maids replied in unison, bowing respectfully right after.
With the order given, everyone — including Keltherion and Edgar — walked toward the end of the hallway, respecting Aurëalis's space.
Keltherion adjusted his robes and let out a soft sigh before speaking:
— Well, now that everything's been resolved and clarified, I'll return to my duties, alright?
— Edgar, please, as soon as Aurëalis allows it, summon our head craftsman. Ask him to fix her door and provide all the necessary support.
— Gladly, sir! — Edgar replied promptly.
— Alright, I leave that in your hands. And if anything else happens, don't hesitate to call me. I'll be in the same place as before, — said Keltherion, walking away with firm steps, returning to the chamber where I was imprisoned.
— Understood, sir! — Edgar replied, bowing respectfully as he watched his master disappear down the castle halls.
While all of this was being resolved outside, Aurëalis, now back in her room, felt the weight of tension growing heavier on her shoulders. Despite seeming to accept her father's words, her insides burned with unrest.
— Damn it… what's really going on here? — she muttered, restless.
— What he said… was clearly a lie made up on the spot. And it shows. The way he gestured, the tone of his voice, his eyes… I know each of those signs. I've lived with him long enough to recognize when he's bluffing or hiding something. — Her thoughts raced as she paced from one side of the room to the other.
— He lied to bring me here… and now he's lying again, trying to justify the first lie with another one. How could he do that?
— And more than that… the way he spoke about the Void Dragons… it wasn't like all the other times. There was something different in his tone. He wasn't just repeating what he always said. It was as if he were attacking all Void Dragons because of one individual… like he had something personal against one of them in particular…
She stopped for a moment. The memory of a specific face flooded her mind.
— Tsk… and the more I think about it, the tighter my chest gets because of Kyrion…
A feeling of anguish and despair began to rise within her.
— I-I need to know how he's doing. I need to see if he's okay… only then will I be able to calm down and think clearly about what to do next. But… how?
She resumed pacing around the room, letting her thoughts run wild.
— If my father really brought me here with the intention of separating me from Kyrion, then he surely assigned people to watch over me. Any attempt to contact the outside will be intercepted. I can't even talk to Lyrielle without them finding out… and worse, if they try something against her because of me…
She clenched her fists, frustrated.
— Tsk… what should I do…?
That's when, as if a light bulb went off in her mind, an old memory surfaced from the depths of her thoughts.
— Wait… that's it… the old communication crystal…
Then she turned abruptly, with her eyes glowing with a mix of hope and tension as the memory returned to her.
In Lumina, it was customary for all Light Dragons to learn how to craft rudimentary crystals called Ecohearts during childhood, as part of their basic magic lessons. It was a simple, almost archaic artifact — but it might be exactly what she needed at that moment.
This communication crystal was forged from a magical gem, imbued with arcane properties and extremely sensitive to mental energy. Its function relied on mystic circuits carefully engraved by hand onto its surface, allowing thoughts to be transmitted and received over a distance — but with one fundamental limitation: the connection was only possible between fragments that once belonged to the same intact crystal. In other words, only "sibling" crystals could communicate with one another.
Because they were naturally small and fragile, these crystals were rarely split into more than two or three pieces, making them inefficient for modern communication systems.
After the circuits were inscribed, each student would offer one half to someone special: a dear friend, a confidant, someone with whom they shared a true bond. It was more than just an artifact — it was a silent promise, a symbol of trust, affection, and loyalty.
Fortunately, in Aurëalis' case, she still had her half… And she had given the other to the one she had always considered her best friend: Lyrielle. She knew her friend had kept her fragment safe until now, which made it the perfect means of communication in that moment — discreet, outdated, and outside the surveillance systems her father likely used.
— If I still have my half stored away… and if Lyrielle still has hers… then we can communicate. That way, I'll know what's going on in Aeternal…
— If I remember correctly, I kept it in one of these drawers…
Without wasting time, she began opening drawer after drawer, rummaging with trembling hands and anxious eyes, as if that small relic were her only chance to break through the isolation in which she'd been placed.
Meanwhile, Keltherion was returning to the chamber where I was still imprisoned.
— Damn… They really went all out to make sure I wouldn't escape, huh?
— Tsk… But I can't give in that easily… Come on, Kyrion… one more time…
I whispered to myself, gathering what little energy I had left, ready to try channeling it into a single point once again.
But before I could begin, the metallic sound of the door echoed through the silent room.
CLANK…
Immediately, I froze and turned my gaze toward the entrance. It was Keltherion.
— Tsk… Back already?
He entered without a word, with his cold, merciless eyes fixed on me. Then he stopped in front of me, staring into my eyes with a contempt so strong it was almost tangible.
— You… your entire race disgusts me.
He said, before striking me with a punch straight to the stomach.
— UGH…! C-cough… cough… Y-you… bastard…
I groaned, tasting the metallic tang of blood rise in my throat.
— Ah… that's invigorating…
He said with a twisted smile, his eyes gleaming with sadistic pleasure.
— I could do this forever…
He said, just before another, even stronger punch slammed into my stomach.
The impact made me double over involuntarily, forcing the air from my lungs.
But that wasn't the end of his fury. That day, he kept hitting me for several minutes, blow after blow. The pain was constant, and time lost all meaning. There were no more words — only violence and heavy breathing.
Eventually, Keltherion stepped back. He was panting, with his body slick in sweat, but a deranged smile still twisted his face.
— Hah… Huff… Hahaha… THAT WAS MARVELOUS!
He shouted, laughing like a madman, as if each punch had awakened something within him that had long lain dormant.