Prince Eldan:
Everyone gasped in awe.
The glow of the purple light from the Globe had never been seen before in the history of Arcadia. Whispers and murmurs rippled through the palace courtyard, spreading like wildfire. Eyes widened, hands clutched robes, and even the older mages exchanged uneasy glances.
The younger prince, who had closed his eyes during the ritual, opened them slowly and stared at the Globe, equally stunned by the sight.
"Purple… what does it mean?" a servant whispered to another.
"It… it's impossible," muttered a mage near the sidelines. "I've never seen such a thing."
The crowd's chatter grew louder, murmuring speculations and theories. The air was thick with confusion and curiosity, and there was tension. Mage Zhalik stood suddenly.
"Silence!" His voice cut through the noise like a blade. The crowd fell instantly quiet, their attention snapping to him. "And with this, we conclude the ceremony. Congratulations to all who have passed."
A polite applause swept through the courtyard, though many eyes remained fixed on the young prince whose fate had broken tradition.
**********
King Darius:
"What does the color purple mean?" the king asked, his voice calm but edged with curiosity.
Lysander, the kingdom's most skilled Alchemist, bowed deeply before responding. "My lord… I am… baffled as well. This is the first time anything like this has happened. The other Alchemists and I can only form a theory, though we are not certain."
The king's sharp eyes narrowed. "A theory, Lysander? Speak clearly. What are your thoughts?"
Lysander swallowed nervously. "We… we believe… that he may possess the ability to wield both Arcanist energy and Alchemy, my lord."
The king stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Are you suggesting that Prince Eldan is both an Arcanist and an Alchemist?"
"We are merely speculating, my lord," Lysander corrected carefully, bowing again.
"Hmh. I see." The king leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the armrest. "You may go."
"Thank you, my lord," Lysander said quickly, bowing once more before retreating.
The king turned to his trusted bodyguard Dax,who had been standing silently beside him throughout the discussion. "Do you think it's possible?" he asked, his voice low.
Dax hesitated, then nodded slightly. "He might be, my lord."
The king's lips curled into a slow, almost manic chuckle. "My dear boy… he can barely kill a fly. And yet… if what Lysander says is true, he may become the perfect vessel." He paused, then added, coughing lightly into a handkerchief. When he removed it, streaks of blood were visible. His face paled slightly, but his eyes remained sharp.
"Has the witch arrived yet?" he asked, his tone impatient.
"No, my lord," the bodyguard replied. "But she will be here soon."
"There isn't much time left, you know," the king muttered, standing slowly with the aid of his cane. "Summon the princes. There is something that needs to be done first."
The bodyguard bowed and hurried off.
************
Prince Eldan:
Inside the candlelit warmth of the Queen's chambers, the mood was softer but tense.
Prince Dalen sat hunched over near the fire, his shoulders drooping, hands clenched tight around his knees. He hadn't spoken a word since returning from the ceremony.
Queen Yara watched him quietly, her fingers gently toying with the edge of her silk shawl. "You've been staring at the same spot for hours," she said softly, her voice smooth and low. "My son, tell me what troubles you."
Dalen's head jerked up, "What troubles me? Everyone saw it, Mother. Everyone." His voice cracked. "They all got blue or red. Even Zah. Even Ryn. But me" He swallowed, the memory still burning. "The orb didn't even glow properly. It flickered… then Purple."
Queen Yara rose from her seat,She knelt before him and cupped his face gently. "Your worth isn't decided by the color of a globe, Dahlen. That orb doesn't know your heart."
From across the room, a scoff cut through her comfort like a blade.
"Heart doesn't win battles, Mother."
They both turned.
Prince Rian,lounged carelessly on a chair, one leg crossed over the other, his expression unreadable. "Power does. And the orb knows who has it."
"Rian," Yara warned softly.
He raised an eyebrow. "I'm only saying the truth. Dahlen is weak."
Dalen shot to his feet. "Shut up, Rian!"
Rian smiled faintly, his voice low and taunting. "Temper won't help your chi flow either."
"Enough!" Queen Yara's voice cut through the tension.
Silence followed. Only the crackling of the fire was heard.
Then, softer, Yara said, "You two are brothers. Do not let rivalry poison what the world will already try to destroy."
Dalen sat again, chest heaving, guilt washing over his anger. "I'm sorry, Mother."
She brushed a thumb over his cheek and smiled faintly. "I know."
Rian exhaled through his nose, looking away.
Before the moment could settle, a knock echoed at the door.
"Enter," Yara said, her tone returned to calm.
The doors opened, revealing Prince Aziel, the eldest, the crown prince. He stepped inside with his usual quiet poise.
"Forgive the interruption," he said with a polite bow toward his mother. "I wanted to check on them."
"Always thoughtful," Yara said warmly. "Come, your brothers could use your calm spirit."
Aziel walked in, still dressed in his ceremonial robe. He looked at Dalen for a long moment, then smiled faintly. "I heard my little brother's been hiding in here."
Dalen frowned. "I'm not hiding."
Aziel chuckled. "You look like you are." He came closer, crouching beside him. "You know, when I placed my hands on that globe, I was terrified too."
"You? Terrified?" Dalen looked at him in disbelief.
Aziel nodded. "Of course. Every mage is. But courage isn't about not being afraid,it's about standing there even when you are."
Dalen looked down. "Everyone says that color has never appeared before. What if it means I don't belong anywhere?"
Aziel reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Then maybe it means you belong everywhere. Maybe the world just hasn't caught up to you yet."
Queen Yara smiled faintly, her eyes soft. "You hear that, my son? Sometimes destiny comes in strange colors."
For the first time that night, Dalen let out a small laugh. "You always know what to say, brother."
Aziel stood up and ruffled his hair. "That's what big brothers are for. Now, stop worrying. You'll see,the purple glow will make sense one day."
At that moment, another knock came. It was Dax. "Your Majesty, forgive me,but His Highness, the King, requests his sons' presence immediately."
Queen Yara's expression dimmed. "At this hour?"
"Yes, Your Majesty".
Dax nodded. "He awaits them in the training yard."
Dalen's chest tightened. The training yard not the throne room. That was never a good sign.
Queen Yara frowned.
She turned to her sons, worry flickering briefly in her eyes. "Go, then. Do not keep your father waiting."