The morning sun in Lazavis did more than merely illuminate the rooftops; it seemed to ignite life throughout the entire city. At the heart of this prosperity, the Altavis Family Mansion stood in grandeur—not only as a symbol of power but as the beating heart of the region's strategy, diplomacy, and military strength.
The bustle around the mansion was not the chaotic noise of a marketplace, but a symphony of disciplined order. Servants moved with high efficiency, carrying important messages from one wing of the building to another. However, the true center of attention lay not in the main mansion, but in the vast complex located nearby—the Altavis Military Base.
Strong winds roared every time the massive wings flapped. In a special complex designed to resemble wild cliffs, the griffons—majestic creatures, half-lion and half-eagle—were going through their morning routines. Their feathers glistened in the sunlight, reflecting stunning shades of gold and copper-brown.
In the center of the white sand training ground, Kazien stood tall. His figure was calm, a stark contrast to the ferocity of the creatures before him. He did not shout; a single hand gesture or a sharp gaze from him was enough for the griffons to understand his commands.
"Hold formation!" Kazien called out, his voice not loud, but possessing an authority that permeated to the bone.
Three griffons shot into the air, creating a perfect triangular pattern before diving sharply as if to snatch prey, then stopping abruptly just meters above the ground with a flap of wings that sent dust flying. The riders on their backs seemed to merge with their griffon mounts, a testament to harsh, unforgiving training.
Citizens of Lazavis watching from afar often held their breath at this sight. The Altavis Griffon Squadron was no longer just a myth; they were a reality guarding the skies. Whispers of admiration could be heard in the taverns and town squares.
"Look at that," an old merchant pointed out to his grandson. "They aren't just wild beasts. In Young Master Kazien's hands, they are protectors. Intelligent, strong, and loyal."
Meanwhile, on a separate side of the military grounds, the clatter of wood striking wood broke the concentration of the wind. Selena and Sarias, the couple now the talk of both nobility and commoners, were in a world of their own.
Sarias moved with the characteristic grace of the elven race. His footsteps were nearly soundless, flowing like water between stones. His wooden sword deflected Selena's attacks with deadly yet elegant efficiency. Facing him, Selena was the embodiment of burning determination. Sweat soaked her temples, but her eyes blazed with sharp focus.
"Left, Selena. Don't leave your shoulder open!" Sarias admonished gently, though his attacks did not slow in the slightest.
Selena growled softly, twisting her body to avoid Sarias's leg sweep and launching a counterattack. "I know!"
They were not fighting to defeat each other, but to harmonize their breathing.
To Lazavis, they were a symbol of the union between two different worlds. Sarias brought ancient calm and wisdom, while Selena brought the unyielding fire of the human spirit. Their bond was forged not just through sweet words under the moonlight, but through sweat, the pain of training, and the trust that their backs were safe as long as their partner was there.
Kazien, glancing over occasionally from the griffon training, smiled faintly. He didn't need to intervene. He knew that the strongest foundation in a relationship is built when two people struggle together to overcome their own physical and mental limits.
In the afternoon, as the sky over Lazavis began to wash with hues of orange and purple, the atmosphere inside the mansion shifted to something more intimate and warm. After a long day of dust and strategy, Kazien withdrew to his private space, a vast library with large windows overlooking the garden.
However, he was not alone.
Alvin, the golden-haired High Elf who was always the source of brightness in Kazien's monotonous days, was already there.
Without needing an invitation, Alvin approached Kazien, who had just sat down on the maroon velvet sofa. With natural, practiced movement, Alvin settled himself onto Kazien's lap, leaning his head against the silvery-white-haired man's broad chest.
"Ah... sitting on your lap really is the best! Hehehe," said Alvin. His eyes were closed, his lips curving into a genuine smile of satisfaction. He could feel Kazien's calm heartbeat against his head, a rhythm that always succeeded in lulling his anxieties to sleep.
Kazien chuckled softly, the vibration traveling to Alvin's body. He wrapped his arms around Alvin's slender waist, locking him in a position that was protective yet gentle. "My lap is indeed for you, Alvin. Enjoy it as much as you like. After all, who else would dare sit here if not you?"
Alvin hugged Kazien's waist tightly, as if unwilling to let go. "In that case... I will enjoy your lap and the warmth of your embrace without hesitation! Don't expect me to get down until dinner arrives."
Kazien rested his head back against the sofa, his fingers gently stroking that soft, golden-yellow hair. In moments like this, the burdens of managing the territory, training the troops, and maintaining political balance seemed to evaporate. Anxiety, loneliness, and physical exhaustion simply vanished.
For an immortal being like Kazien, time often felt like a slow curse. But with Alvin, every second felt precious. Alvin was the anchor that kept him from drifting away in the boring current of eternity.
"My dear," Alvin murmured suddenly, his voice dimming slightly, implying a seriousness behind his cheerful nature. "Do you ever think about the future? I mean... the very distant future?"
Kazien fell silent for a moment, his eyes staring blankly at the dimly lit fireplace. "Every moment, Alvin," he admitted honestly. "Responsibilities, those who depend on us, the legacy we leave behind... Immortality can feel very lonely. I will lose the people I love, starting from my parents, my siblings, even the people I know." He tightened his embrace. "But, you are always there to calm me and make me forget that burden."
Hearing that, Alvin looked up. His mint-green eyes sparkled, reflecting a very soft light. "In that case, My Dear, I will always try to make you feel calm and comfortable! No matter how long, or how difficult, I will stay by your side and ensure that you will not be burdened or feel lonely again."
It was a vow. A promise spoken not by a warrior to his king, but by a soulmate to his partner.
The serene moment was interrupted when the room door opened. Sarias and Selena walked in, still wearing their training clothes, which were slightly dusty. However, the aura they projected was different from that morning. Sarias looked more authoritative, while Selena radiated a mature determination.
"Kazien," Selena said, her voice firm without hesitation. She wasn't awkward seeing Alvin on Kazien's lap—it had become a common sight for this family. "Sarias and I need to continue our training, even after sunset. We feel... our bond hasn't reached its peak yet. We both must be unbreakable!"
Kazien looked at his older sister and future brother-in-law. He saw the burning spirit in both their eyes. "Sis Selena, physical strength means nothing without absolute trust," Kazien advised. "Move as a single unit. Don't just watch your opponent's movements, but feel your partner's intent. Anticipate one another, and you will overcome any challenge together."
Sarias and Selena understood and returned to continue their training as if they felt no fatigue at all.
The following days in Lazavis passed in a productive cycle. Training, strategy discussions in the map room, griffon inspections, and warm nights full of laughter in the family room. Kazien watched from afar, letting Selena and Sarias grow independent, confident that they were ready to lead in the future. Within the walls of the Altavis mansion, the bonds of love, friendship, and loyalty crystallized, becoming a fortress stronger than any stone wall.
Meanwhile, hundreds of kilometers away from Lazavis city, the night wind in Joltam city blew colder.
In a mansion that was grand yet felt slightly quieter, Victor and Virena sat in their family room. Spread across the table were regional maps and tax reports showing Joltam's prosperity under their leadership. They had performed their duties perfectly—upholding the Altavis name, ensuring the people's safety, and keeping the economy turning.
However, there was an emptiness in Virena's eyes.
The beautiful woman with silvery-white hair stared out the window. She let out a long sigh, a sound implying a deep longing that could not be cured by wealth or power.
"I miss him..." Virena complained softly. Her fingers tapped on the surface of the sofa she was sitting on.
Victor, who was reading a report, set his papers down and looked at his future wife gently. He knew exactly who she meant.
Not the luxury of her childhood mansion, but the figure of her younger brother who was often the victim of her teasing.
Virena missed Kazien's annoyed expression. She missed how her brother's face would turn bright red when she teased him, or how Kazien would sigh in resignation when Virena hugged him too tightly in public. That "annoyed but affectionate" cute expression was something she hadn't seen in a long time.
"Just be patient, Virena," Victor said soothingly. He stood up and moved behind Virena's chair, massaging his future wife's shoulders slowly. "Before long, our wedding ceremony will begin. We will return to Lazavis, and we can meet him again."
Virena turned, looking at her husband with eyes that were slightly tearing up. "You're right, Victor. In two weeks... our wedding, Sister Selena's wedding, Brother William's wedding, and Davin's wedding. As well as Kazien's engagement to Alvin, which will be held simultaneously with our wedding day."
A smile slowly bloomed on Virena's face, imagining the chaos and happiness that would ensue. "Ah, I can't wait," she murmured, this time with a more cheerful tone, though a hint of mischievous intent slipped in. "I really want to pinch his cheeks again. I want to see if he can still sulk at his sister."
The longing was so real. To the outside world, Kazien was a 13-year-old boy considered a genius prodigy. But to Virena, he remained her little brother with silvery-white hair and sapphire blue eyes.
And in Joltam, under the same moonlight that shone upon Lazavis, Virena counted the days, waiting for the moment when the Altavis family would gather again in full, completing the pieces of the heart that had been separated by distance.
That night, in a different city, a silent prayer was whispered: for time to move faster, uniting them in a celebration of love and eternal brotherhood.