POV: KAELIS
Timeline: One hour later
Location: The Neutral Ground
The four of us stand in the clearing where we first met.
But this time, there's no awkwardness. No rivalry. No tension. Just urgency.
"The eclipse is in three days," Nyx says without preamble. "At midnight. That's when she'll strike."
"How do you know?" I ask.
"Because that's when I'm weakest. When the moon covers the sun, my connection to water falters. For about two hours, I'm—" He stops. "—vulnerable."
"And my shadows strengthen during eclipses," Ravion adds. "But if she's bringing a Storm Goddess—"
"Wait, what?" Kieran interrupts. "Storm Goddess?"
"Asteria." Nyx's expression darkens. "My old rival. If Isolde's recruited her—" He looks at Ravion. "We're in trouble."
"Asteria controls storms. Weather. Lightning. She can neutralize both our powers if we're not careful." Ravion starts pacing. "If she attacks the Tidelands during the eclipse while Nyx is weak—"
"And Daemon attacks Nocterra while you're distracted—" Nyx continues.
"They could take both princes before we can react."
"So what do we do?" I ask. "Just... wait for them to attack?"
"No." Kieran steps forward. "We set a trap."
Everyone looks at him.
"Think about it," he continues. "They're expecting us to be separated. Me in Nocterra, Kaelis in the Tidelands. Easy targets." He looks at me. "What if we're not?"
Understanding dawns.
"What if we're together," I say slowly. "Both of us. In one place."
"With both of you protecting us," Kieran adds, looking at Ravion and Nyx.
"They're expecting to fight us separately," Ravion says, catching on. "But if we're together—"
"We can defend better," Nyx finishes.
"And the boys are safer if they're together," Ravion adds.
"Where?" I ask. "Where do we make our stand?"
They all look at each other.
Then Nyx says: "Here. The neutral ground. It's protected by ancient magic. Neither fully my realm nor Ravion's. Perfect defensive position."
"We fortify it," Ravion agrees. "Wards. Guards. Traps. Make it a fortress."
"And when Isolde comes—" Nyx's smile is vicious. "—we're ready."
"All four of us," I say.
"Together," Kieran adds.
Nyx and Ravion look at each other.
"Truce?" Ravion offers.
"Alliance," Nyx counters. "Temporary. Until the threat is gone."
"Okayy."
They shake hands.
This time, it's not stiff. Not awkward.
It's the grip of warriors preparing for battle.
"Three days," Ravion says.
"Three days to prepare," Nyx agrees.
"Three days to make this place impenetrable."
"Three days until Isolde learns what happens when you threaten our family."
The word hangs in the air.
Family. That's what we are now.
Two princes. Two powerful beings. Four people who shouldn't work together but do.
Four people who will fight for each other.
"Let's get to work," Kieran says.
And we do.