The morning sun cast a golden glow over the spires of Nytherra's royal palace. Kai stood in the training yard, sweat dripping down his brow, sword gripped tight in his hands. Across from him, Prince Valen, tall and arrogant, twirled a flaming blade with one hand, smirking.
"Come on, outsider," Valen sneered. "Try not to die so fast today."
Kai lunged. Their blades clashed, sparks flying. For once, Kai held his ground. Elenaria watched from the archway, arms folded.
"Valen," she called, "stop tormenting him. He's your ally, not your prey."
Valen sheathed his sword and bowed to his mother. "Apologies. Just having fun."
Kai muttered under his breath. "Royal pain in the ass."
Elenaria stifled a laugh. "I heard that."
Kael emerged from the shadows, his cloak billowing. "Enough play. Kai, walk with me."
They passed through quiet halls, lined with ancient tapestries. Kael's tone darkened.
"There is rot in the palace. Not all lords welcome your presence. And not all support your training."
Kai frowned. "Why?"
"Because you're not one of them. You're human. From another world. They see you as a threat to tradition... and to power."
Kael paused beside a window overlooking the capital. "This kingdom survived rebellion, war, and my fury. But politics... that is a deadlier battlefield."
---
In the Council Hall, twelve seats lined the circular chamber. Lords and ladies, demons and elves, murmured like vipers in silk. At the center stood Kai, shoulders square.
"He's unproven," growled Lord Varenth, his horns curved like blades. "This boy has no noble blood, no ties to our world. Why invest in him?"
"He defeated a gang of street killers alone," Elenaria countered. "And he learns faster than any I've seen."
"He is Kael's student," added Lady Sirel, an ancient elf with silver eyes. "That alone is merit."
Varenth slammed his staff. "Favoritism weakens empires."
Kael's voice cut like frost. "And doubt poisons them. He remains under my protection."
After the meeting, Kai sat with Nyla and Aris in the gardens.
Aris flicked a berry into her sister's mouth. "You looked like you wanted to punch Lord Varenth."
Kai exhaled. "Badly. What's his deal?"
"He's old money. Lost power when Father took the throne," Nyla explained. "Now he wants it back. And he sees you as an excuse to stir unrest."
Aris leaned closer. "You'll need allies, Kai. People you can trust."
Kai nodded. "Starting with you two?"
"Maybe," Nyla teased. "Depends on how charming you are."
---
Later that week, a mysterious letter arrived in Kai's chambers.
"Midnight. North Tower. Come alone."
Suspicious but curious, Kai climbed the dark stairwell. There, cloaked in shadow, waited a figure in a sapphire robe.
"You don't belong here," the voice hissed. "And they will use you until you break."
Kai raised his blade. "Who are you?"
"A friend. For now. Ask yourself—why did Kael really spare you? Why now?"
Before Kai could reply, the figure vanished into mist, leaving only a strange coin behind—etched with a broken crown.
Kai brought it to Kael the next morning.
"Recognize this?" he asked.
Kael's expression darkened. "Yes. The symbol of the Silent Circle."
"Who?"
"A cabal of exiled nobles and radicals. Thought destroyed during the war. If they're back... it means rebellion."
Kai stiffened. "I want to help stop them."
"You will. But not yet. First, you must learn to see behind words. Behind masks."
---
Kai began attending royal court sessions, escorted by Aris and Nyla. He watched nobles debate trade and war, taxes and treaties. But behind every word, he saw something deeper: alliances, lies, vendettas.
One evening, Valen confronted him in the corridor.
"You're getting too close to Father," he said coldly. "He never trained me like this."
"Maybe because you already had everything," Kai replied.
Valen shoved him. "Don't confuse charity for destiny, outsider."
Kael arrived, interrupting them. "Enough. Valen, you will respect my choice. Kai, you will earn that respect."
---
That night, the palace was attacked.
Explosions rocked the east wing. Shadows poured in—masked assassins wielding cursed blades.
Kai fought beside Aris, back to back. "This your idea of palace life?"
"Better than tea parties!" she shouted, slicing a rogue across the throat.
Kael roared across the battlefield, sword ablaze. Elenaria shielded wounded maids with divine light.
At the heart of the chaos stood Lord Varenth—hooded, eyes glowing red.
"You should have let the past die, Kael," he spat. "Now you die with it."
Kael charged. "You mistake silence for weakness!"
They clashed, blades shattering stone. Kai joined the fray, protecting the Queen.
In the end, Varenth fell—impaled by Kael's burning sword.
The attackers scattered. The castle burned, but the kingdom endured.
---
At dawn, Kael stood in the courtyard, blood on his cloak.
"The Silent Circle is real. And they are here," he declared. "We will root them out. Together."
He turned to Kai. "You have proven yourself not just as a fighter... but as a son of this house."
Kai bowed. "Then I will protect it. Until my last breath."
The Queen approached, placing a crown-shaped pendant around his neck.
"A symbol of trust," she whispered. "And a target. Be ready."
Kai held it close. "Let them come."