Location: Royal Academy – Eastern Gate
The day of departure had arrived.
Kael stood tall, dressed in sleek obsidian-black armor forged from enchanted mythril and veiled in a silver cloak. His crest — once forgotten — now shone with divine energy.
His companions flanked him:
Velcia, her crimson hair tied, her greatsword glowing with fire runes.
Zara, armored like a knight-goddess, her spear strapped to her back.
Selene, quiet but radiant, holding a tome that pulsed with golden light.
Mira, veiled in shadows, already scouting ahead invisibly.
Evelyne, adjusting magical lenses, her robes inscribed with floating symbols.
Rayna, whistling with blades swirling in orbit.
Ishira, her wings cloaked in black mist, eyes distant and watchful.
Their carriage wasn't just a carriage.
It was a moving fortress, gifted by the Headmaster, enchanted with barrier magic, aerial capabilities, and cloaking — a traveling base for a prince preparing for war.
The Road to Velanor
They rode for three days, cutting through the Sablepine Forest and across Celestian Bridges where divine beasts once walked.
But on the fourth night…
The winds changed.
Evelyne stood on the roof of the moving fortress.
"Something's wrong," she whispered.
At that exact moment—
Boom!
An explosive arrow struck the barrier.
Dozens of shadowy figures surged from the woods — assassins in obsidian armor, their auras corrupted.
The Chainblades.
Ambush: Kill the Crown Prince
"KAEL ELARION VEYR — YOUR HEAD IS WORTH A KINGDOM!" the lead assassin roared.
Kael stepped out calmly, one hand behind his back.
His companions prepared to unleash devastation, but Kael raised a hand.
"Let me handle this."
The assassins laughed.
"You think we fear a powerless prince?"
Kael smiled coldly.
"You should fear a god who's playing mortal."
His shadow expanded — swallowing moonlight — and when he moved, he vanished from sight.
In a heartbeat, three assassins dropped dead.
Velcia muttered, grinning.
"He's getting faster."
Zara yawned.Selene didn't look up from her book.
The leader tried to retreat.
Too late.
Kael caught his throat mid-air, lifting him effortlessly.
"Who sent you?" Kael asked.
"We… we were paid… by the Eastern Coalition… to delay your arrival…"
Kael's eyes narrowed.
"Delay?"
Then realization hit him. He turned back to the carriage.
Boom—!!
A magic bomb detonated inside — not to destroy… but to teleport.
Rayna was gone.
The Kidnapping Twist
"She's been taken," Mira growled from the shadows.
Kael's heart turned cold.
Rayna — his spark of laughter — kidnapped right before his eyes.
Evelyne scanned the magic trace.
"Dimensional jump. Whoever cast it was skilled… ancient."
Ishira hovered above the blast zone.
"This wasn't about killing you. They want to use her… as leverage."
Kael's golden eyes glowed like a newborn sun.
"Then we make them regret it."
Arrival at Velanor
Two days later, they arrived at the gates of Velanor, the kingdom hosting the Grand Tournament.
A floating city of glass and towers, wrapped in enchantments and flying beasts.
Trumpets sounded. Nobles gathered.
But the announcer hesitated when he read Kael's name.
"A-ah… W-welcome, Crown Prince Kael Elarion Veyr… and… consorts."
Kael stepped forward, not smiling.
Behind him, his harem walked like queens of war.
"Your tournament begins in five days," the announcer stammered. "Please enjoy the… festivities…"
Kael didn't answer.
His mind was already somewhere else.
They took one of mine. And they think I'll let that go?
Meanwhile… Rayna
In a black tower far away, Rayna awoke in chains.
A masked figure loomed above her — part human, part fallen god.
"You… are Kael's weakness," it whispered."And through you… we will break him."
Rayna grinned, even chained.
"He's going to burn you alive for this."