Xaessia knelt beside a suitcase, folding Verdamona's outfits one by one in her guest room. Verdamona sat on the bed, her legs crossed. She watched Xaessia for a while until she began to help her.
"You don't have to pack for me, you know. I can do it myself."
Xaessia didn't look up. "You'd fold everything wrong."
"You say that as if I've never traveled before."
"You haven't traveled here before. This isn't one of your little vacations. The Aicrev Estate is different."
That caught Verdamona's attention. Her amusement softened into curiosity.
"So that's where your mother's sending you?"
Xaessia hesitated, her hands stilling over the fabric.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Xaessia exhaled through her nose, sitting back on her heels.
"Because that's how the House of Argemenes works."
"Meaning?"
"The House isn't one single branch. It's divided into two main bloodlines namely Vecria and Aicrev. My family, the direct one under my father and mother, belongs to the Vecria Bloodline. The others, the branches led by my uncles, belong to the Aicrev Bloodline."
"And what's the difference?"
"It's the Concept Flux. In our case, it's hereditary. The Vecria Bloodline holds the full power of the Argemenes Concept Flux at one hundred percent purity. It's our blessing and our curse because it only manifests under life-threatening situations. For us Vecrias, our Concept Flux doesn't answer unless we're at the brink of death. We can't just call on it at will. It's dormant, waiting for the moment when everything's collapsing."
"I know that because you and Phaser told me. What about the other one?"
"The Aicrevs have it easier. Their bloodline only carries half the purity of the Concept Flux but they can use it freely, whenever they wish. They say the Vecrias burn brighter but shorter. The Aicrevs, on the other hand, endure."
"So your siblings are all Vecria?"
"Yes. Phaser and I are Vecria by birthright. Normally, only the firstborn inherits the Vecria concentration. The rest become Aicrev. The Concept Flux consolidates in the first child. It's nature's way of ensuring that the Argemenes always has a dominant heir to carry the full essence of our lineage."
Verdamona was confused now. Then how did the two become Vecrias?
"But you and Phaser are twins."
"Exactly. We were born together. The Flux split itself evenly between us. We became what the scholars would call 'Dual Vecrias,' something that hasn't happened in centuries. And because of that, the line of succession became complicated. The blood couldn't choose between us."
"And September?"
Xaessia paused for a long moment before answering. "She shouldn't have been like us. She was born later by the laws of the bloodline, she should've been Aicrev. But…"
She hesitated, her hand hovering mid-air over the suitcase.
"She was born with a complete Concept Flux. She's a full Vecria but it makes no sense. It defies the bloodline's inheritance structure. Mother called it an anomaly. Some say the Flux is fracturing. Others think it's evolving."
Verdamona let out a low whistle.
"That's… a lot to live up to."
Xaessia gave a soft laugh that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"You have no idea."
"Then why did Lady Anastelle tell you to go to the Aicrev Estate? I don't imagine she would send you just for pleasantries."
"It's politics and obligation. The Aicrev branch handles all external affairs, including continental expeditions. If I'm to search Antarctica for the Aurelic Resin and the Shardmoss, I need their approval. They control the expeditions. No one sets foot on foreign soil without their sanction."
"And the heir issue?"
Xaessia gave a half-smile. It reminded her of the grueling training her mother put her through in order to be an heir.
"That too. Ever since Phaser's achievements became known to the House, the family's balance shifted again. The Aicrevs will want clarification. They'll question the heir title and confirm whether it belongs to me, as the firstborn, or to him, as the one who now carries the family's name."
"And your mother?"
"She doesn't want it to become a political war. If I go to the Aicrev Estate myself, it'll be seen as a gesture of unity. But we both know what it really is."
Verdamona tilted her head. "A test."
"Exactly."
The room fell silent again, save for the faint rustling of leaves outside and the soft hum of the wind. Verdamona stood, walked to her friend, and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"You really carry too much, you know that?"
Xaessia's lips curved into a faint smirk. "You say that as if I have a choice."
"Maybe you don't. But at least you're not alone."
Xaessia looked up at her.
"I know. That's the only reason I'm still standing. Phaser really helped me."
Verdamona laughed gently and brushed a strand of Xaessia's hair behind her ear.
"Then let's finish packing before your mother changes her mind again."
°°°°°°
Xaessia typed the coordinates of their destination. Verdamona stood beside her, clutching the handle of her massive suitcase. The room folded in on itself before the light consumed them both. A breath later, they reappeared.
The new Fast Travel Room was larger than the one they were previously in and... colder?
Verdamona blinked as her vision adjusted.
"That was… faster than I expected."
"It's the Aicrev teleportation. They've had their Fast Travels upgraded three times since the last decade. Precision within 0.0004 seconds."
Verdamona exhaled softly, looking around. "It feels… colder."
"It's supposed to."
Before Verdamona could ask why, the sound of heels clicked against the glass. A figure was standing by the far door, waiting. She was beautiful from the first glance.
Short, layered crimson hair framed her face in sharp, confident angles. Honestly, her wolf cut design was amazing. Her icy blue eyes studied the two of them with scrutiny. Her winter outfit was dark gray and black. A faint shimmer of thermal mist curled around her body from the temperature difference.
"Xaessia Vecria Argemenes."
Xaessia turned, meeting the woman's gaze calmly. "Seraphyne."
"You're here. Again."
Verdamona froze at the iciness in her voice. There was no warmth or pretense. It was plain irritation laced with superiority.
"Mother sent me here for something."
"Excuses. The Vecrias always have them."
Xaessia tilted her head slightly. "And the Aicrevs always expect them."
Verdamona stood there, completely still, watching the exchange unfold. But what surprised Verdamona wasn't the tension. It was how breathtaking Seraphyne was. Even her disdain seemed elegant. She had the beauty of someone forged in battle and silence. Seraphyne's cold eyes finally shifted toward Verdamona.
"And who's this?"
Xaessia stepped slightly to the side. "Verdamona Regenis. She's a friend and my companion for this stay."
Seraphyne's gaze narrowed a fraction. "Verdamona Regenis? Why does that sound familiar? And you're different."
Verdamona tilted her head. "Different how?"
"Its as if your Flux is divided."
Verdamona gave an awkward little smile. "I get that a lot."
Seraphyne's stare lingered for a second longer before she turned away.
"Hmph. We'll see."
Xaessia let out a small, weary sigh. "She's always like this. Don't take it personally."
"I wasn't planning to."
Verdamona murmured under her breath, watching as the crimson-haired woman strode toward the Fast Travel Room. Two Aicrev maids entered quietly from a side passage. Without a word, they collected Xaessia and Verdamona's luggage, bowed, and gestured for them to follow.
As they began walking through the corridor, Verdamona glanced around. Everything here was… cold. Not just in temperature, but in atmosphere. The walls were a pale metallic white with hints of blue, lined with glass panels that glowed faintly from beneath.
Verdamona leaned toward Xaessia and whispered:
"Does she always talk to you like that?"
"Always. Seraphyne Aicrev Argemenes is the second-born child of the Aicrev Highlord, Alneon Aicrev Argemenes. She's technically my cousin, but she doesn't think of me that way."
Verdamona frowned. "Why not?"
"Because I'm Vecria and she's Aicrev. To her, we're the side that hoards power but rarely uses it. To us, they're the side that envies it but never earns it. It's a quiet rivalry that's lasted for generations."
Verdamona hummed thoughtfully, watching the way the frost gathered near the ceiling vents.
"I see. And your uncle, Alneon? He's the current ruler here?"
"Yes. The Aicrev Estate belongs to him. He governs this entire domain. We're just guests."
Verdamona sighed. "Sounds… tense."
"Welcome to family politics."
They reached a wide corridor that opened into a magnificent hall. Pillars of clear ice rose from the ground like spears. The ceiling was domed glass and through it, Verdamona could see something that made her stop dead in her tracks. The sky was not blue. It was an endless, crystalline white stretching across the horizon. Wind howled softly outside and snow drifted endlessly in the distance.
"Xaessia, where are we exactly?"
Xaessia blinked at her, confused.
"Didn't you see me type the coordinates?"
"No. I assumed this was somewhere... wait. If I remember correctly, your ancestor brought all the humans to a hidden place after the First Great War. I'm assuming we're there but still..."
Xaessia looked at her for a moment, as if she were joking, then frowned.
"Wait. You don't know? You seriously didn't know where the Vecria Estate is ever since you came there five days ago?"
Verdamona turned to her, puzzled.
"Know what?"
Xaessia stopped walking. The maids ahead turned silently, waiting.
"Verdamona, this is Antarctica."
"..."
"You didn't know? All Fluxers and Hybrids live across the six other continents. Antarctica is where the Humans live."
Verdamona froze.
"You mean—"
"We're standing in the one place left that belongs entirely to humanity. The First Argemenes with the Concept Flux brought all the humans to Antarctica after the First Great War. You seriously didn't think Fluxers built all this, did you?"