The Solution
Chains rattled as Atta was dragged before the council. His eyes, hollow and broken, lifted to meet King Rauf's. For the briefest moment, the boy's gaze pleaded for mercy.
King Rauf leaned forward, his voice tight with frustration.
"Are we truly going to hold a trial for a child, when all here know it was not his will?"
The chamber stirred with unease.
King Ethos of the Dwarves leaned back with a smirk.
"And would you say the same if it had been a dwarf or elf who killed a human?"
The insult hung heavy in the air—until Princess Fiza's voice cut through, low and cold.
"King Ethos… choose your words carefully." Her tone alone was a threat.
Before sparks could ignite, King Daimon of the Angels spoke, calm but firm.
"My subject was slain, yes. And though I know it was not entirely the boy's fault, we cannot ignore the matter of both Atta… and Azeon."
The room grew quiet.
Then King Hidalgo of the Elves tapped his fingers lightly on the marble table, his expression thoughtful.
"We all know killing Azeon is impossible. He is a near-immortal demon. So killing the boy is out of the question."
King Ethos scoffed, his voice rising.
"Then why not seal him elsewhere? Why must humans always bear this curse? Place him in an elf, or an angel, or a dwarf. Perhaps the boy is too weak—that is why Azeon stirs!"
Princess Izza finally spoke, her voice calm but sharp as steel.
"That is folly, King Ethos. None can guarantee another vessel could hold him. For centuries, it has been our family's duty—and we do not abandon tradition."
The dwarven king grumbled, silenced by her poise.
It was then that Prince Cassius spoke, folding his arms. His tone was emotionless, his presence commanding.
"Then the solution is simple. King Rauf—you are a time mage. Erase the memories of all who witnessed Azeon at Siant Athepia. Spare the royal families, of course."
The rulers turned toward him, intrigued.
King Rauf narrowed his eyes.
"Prince Cassius… what exactly is your plan?"
Cassius smiled faintly, a calm predator.
"We cannot allow the people to know of Azeon. His history is forbidden. If you erase the witnesses, your son may continue at Siant Athepia unburdened. And if Azeon should rise again…" He leaned back, confidence radiating. "I will deal with him. After all—I am the strongest mage alive."
The chamber held its breath.
And then—
A sound.
A laugh. Low. Creeping. Wrong.
All eyes turned to Atta. His head hung low, but his shoulders shook. When he lifted his face, his eyes glowed crimson. The chains snapped like twigs as he rose, swaggering toward the table. He dropped into a chair and casually threw his feet atop the polished marble.
Azeon had arrived.
With a wicked grin, he looked straight at Cassius.
"Strongest mage alive, you say? It's still a thousand years too soon for you to stop me."
Princess Fiza and Princess Izza stiffened, mana flaring. Fiza raised her hand to cast a spell, but Azeon's voice cut her down.
"You'll strike me? Your little brother's flesh is my shield. Do you have the guts to spill his blood?"
Both sisters froze, torn by love and horror.
Princess Izza's voice cracked, her eyes brimming.
"Why him? He's so young… why Atta?"
Azeon's smile widened, cruel and cold.
"I did not choose him. He chose me. His grief, his rage, his weakness—they called to me. His mother's death, his hatred of being born the weakest… all of it fed me. I am here because he begged me, even without knowing it."
Fiza's fists clenched so hard her nails pierced her palm. Izza clung to their father's arm, trembling.
The chamber fell into suffocating silence—until a blue aura erupted across the hall, flooding it with unbearable pressure.
Even Cassius raised a brow, smirking faintly.
"Oh… the calmest ruler has finally snapped. Rare indeed."
King Rauf's eyes blazed with sapphire light as windows shattered under the weight of his fury.
"Evacuate the building!" shouted King Hidalgo, rising to his feet. Guards scrambled to obey.
Princess Fiza whispered desperately, "Father… calm down."
But the pressure only grew heavier. Across the table, Princess Isha collapsed, gasping for air. Her mother fell beside her in panic.
"Isha! What is it?"
The girl wheezed, clutching her chest.
"The air… I can't breathe… it's too heavy…"
At the center of it all, King Rauf rose from his chair, his aura shaking the marble beneath his feet. His gaze locked on Azeon.
"You are fortunate you wear my son's skin," he growled, voice trembling with rage. "Were it not so… I would make you eat your own flesh."
Azeon smirked, eyes glowing brighter.
"Time magic… rare indeed. But you cannot use it against me. Pathetic."
The hall quaked as Rauf's fury surged.
"If I must," he declared, his voice echoing like thunder, "I will kill my own son."
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To Be Continued.....