A few days after returning from Ebonveil Woods, Zephyr and Aidan stood once again atop the abandoned clock tower, their usual place of retreat. The wind whispered around them, carrying the weight of silence.
Deep in thought, Aidan finally broke it.
"So… what's your decision about what Nocturne told us before he left?"
Zephyr's eyes narrowed, his mind flashing back to that moment.
---
"Now that you're both part of Silent Requiem," Nocturne's calm but commanding voice echoed in his memory, "it's time for your first mission. You are to enter Aurelius Academy—the most prestigious academy in the Empire, named after the first emperor himself."
Zephyr had frowned. "What does that have to do with creating balance and equality?"
"Yeah, I was wondering the same," Aidan had added, suspicion lacing his tone.
Nocturne gave a small chuckle, almost as if he had anticipated their doubts.
"We'll need more people for our cause. And what better place to find them than Aurelius Academy?"
Aidan crossed his arms. "But why there? Aren't we supposed to be strong enough on our own?"
Nocturne sighed and shook his head.
"You're still thinking too small. Silent Requiem is strong, yes—but our numbers are limited, and many of our members are already… old. We need the next generation to carry on the fight. The academy gathers the Empire's most talented youths—warriors, mages, strategists. If we want lasting change, that's where we'll find it."
His eyes glinted behind the mask.
"Besides, I believe in the younger generation. Just look at the two of you—you've already proven that the future rests in your hands."
---
Back in the present, Zephyr let out a quiet breath. "I think I'll join Aurelius Academy." He turned to Aidan, searching his friend's face. "What about you?"
Aidan replied almost immediately, his tone light yet firm.
"Yes, of course I'll go with you—even if it means walking into the depths of the abyss itself. But we need to prepare for that. Some training, at least, so we can stay ahead of the curve."
Zephyr gave him a small smile.
"I agree with you there. But where do you think we should go to train?"
Just as they were debating, a sudden chill passed through the air. A shadowy figure emerged from behind them, silent as the night.
A girl in a black hood and mask spoke with a calm, almost detached tone.
"You don't need to worry about that anymore. I was sent with a message from Sir Nocturne."
She extended a sealed letter toward them. "Inside are the details of your training—the venue and the timing."
Both Zephyr and Aidan stiffened instinctively.
Aidan, ever the one to break tension, leaned forward with a disarming grin.
"By the looks of you, I'd say you're with Silent Requiem as well. And since we all seem about the same age… may I at least know your name?"
The girl's reply was short, her voice lacking any warmth.
"Just call me Eris."
Her eyes flickered briefly toward them, then she turned as if the conversation was already over.
"We'll meet here again when it's time to leave for training."
Before either of them could say more, she slipped back into the shadows and disappeared as swiftly as she had arrived.
Aidan exhaled loudly and glanced at Zephyr.
"Well… that wasn't awkward at all. Friendly bunch, these Silent Requiem people."
Zephyr chuckled, shaking his head. Together, they broke the seal of the letter and unfolded the parchment.
The words made their eyes widen.
"The Forsaken Wilds…" Zephyr read aloud, his voice low.
"Of all places, why there?"
Aidan groaned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Great. Not just training, but training in the most ferocious forest in the whole empire. I was hoping for, you know, a scenic meadow… maybe a waterfall… not man-eating trees and death around every corner."
Despite his tone, his grin slowly returned, and Zephyr could see the spark of excitement in his friend's eyes.
Once Zephyr and Aidan learned the location and duration of their training, Zephyr returned home to speak with his father. He found Theron seated in his usual place, polishing his blade with an expression as sharp as the steel itself.
Zephyr stood tall, masking his true intentions.
"Father, I've decided. I want to set out for the Forsaken Wilds. Rumors say the fiercest beasts roam there, and to hunt one is a matter of glory. I don't want to stay sheltered here—I want to prove myself."
Theron's eyes narrowed, his voice cold.
"Nonsense. You're too young to throw your life away chasing glory. The Forsaken Wilds are no playground. You'll remain here."
Zephyr clenched his fists but did not waver.
"I won't grow stronger sitting idly in the safety of these walls. I need this, Father. I'll go—whether you approve or not."
For a long, tense moment, silence hung between them, broken only by the faint scrape of Theron's whetstone. Finally, the old swordsman let out a sharp breath and set the blade aside.
"Hmph. Stubborn brat. You carry the Stromriven blood—of course you'd defy me."
His voice grew colder still, though a flicker of pride passed in his eyes.
"Fine then. Go, if your heart is set on it. But don't expect me to weep if the Wilds devour you whole. Live or die—it's your burden now."
Zephyr bowed his head slightly, concealing the storm of emotions swirling within him.
"Thank you, Father."
As he left, he could feel his father's piercing gaze on his back, as if Theron already knew there was more to this decision than his son was revealing.
That night, beneath the looming shadow of the clock tower, Zephyr and Aidan stood ready, the letter from Silent Requiem tucked safely away. The Forsaken Wilds awaited them—dark, merciless, and alive with danger.
Aidan broke the silence with a half-grin.
"Well… here begins the first step of the rest of our lives."
Zephyr looked toward the southern horizon, his hand brushing the hilt of his sword.
"Yes. And no matter what waits for us in those cursed woods… we'll carve our own path."