The castle awoke in alarm long before the city opened its eyes.
The sound of bells echoed sharply, followed by the thundering of boots running through the corridors.
Ângelo jumped out of bed, startled. Beside him, Tocre was already dressed, moving with the speed of someone who sensed danger.
— This isn't normal… — he muttered.
Doors slammed, guards shouted; everything seemed out of order.
Seraphina hurried out, clutching her dress, clearly frightened.
Asher appeared right behind her, casting Angelo a look so deadly it seemed capable of setting the corridor on fire.
— In the morning, already like this? Couldn't you take it easy… — Angelo rolled his eyes.
Asher just growled.
Two guards quickly approached.
— Young ones! Hurry, please. Gather in the Hall of Announcements. The queen has an urgent message.
Angelo's heart raced.
— Finally! I'll see her face today.
— Don't get excited — said Tocre. — Something feels off.
When they entered the great hall, all the young participants were already assembled. But what froze the air was the figure atop the platform: the queen, completely covered by a white veil.
— Children of the dawn… Within these walls, we guard everything we have sworn to protect. I was chosen to maintain peace among the four kingdoms… but today we face something greater than ourselves.
A tense silence fell over the hall.
— An ancient force is awakening. A name forgotten by the ages… AETERNIS.
The word fell like a silent thunderbolt. The young stepped back instinctively.
— An ancestral organization… so old it predates the kingdoms. Its existence has always been linked to the rebirth of the world — but at what cost? And now… they have begun to move again.
— For this reason, the exams of the Academy of Military Magic and Sciences will be brought forward. Not in five months… but in two days.
Voices erupted immediately.
Ângelo looked around, lost. Tocre remained motionless, absorbing everything.
Asher clenched his fist until his fingers turned white. Seraphina covered her mouth, startled.
The queen raised her hand, calling for silence, and began calling names:
— Angelo, son of Esmond Orson. Within you flows an impetuous power… and we believe that one day you will be a prodigy who will move these kingdoms.
— Tocre Orson. You are already a prodigy. May your wisdom guide others to stand firm when the world falters.
— Asher Venus. You are the blazing flame of the Fire Empire — and we will need that flame to face what is coming.
— Seraphina. Your light is gentle, yet powerful. May it be the voice that guides those who are lost in the darkness.
— Kyle Serin. Within you runs the electricity of the new dawn. The energy that inspires those who follow you… and that ignites courage in those who are afraid.
The hall looked at Kyle in surprise.
— You are all dismissed. The journey to Luna Lume begins today. Prepare yourselves… the world is changing. Chaos has returned.
— Two days?! Dude, what kind of madness is this? And who are these Aeternis? — Ângelo turned to Tocre.
— They say they want to redefine the world by force… to rebirth what they believe should exist — Tocre swallowed hard.
Before they could continue, Esmond appeared:
— Boys! You need to prepare. The journey will not be easy…
— Father? You're coming with us? — Ângelo's eyes shone with hope.
— No. I… will stay at the castle — Esmond said firmly.
At that moment, the ground seemed to shift beneath Angelo's feet. A shiver ran down his spine. The city he knew, his home… everything he called his own would be transformed in just a few hours.
The hall was still buzzing when Esmond appeared before the two boys, panting, clearly with no time to spare.
— Boys, listen — he said, stepping closer. — I can't stay long… but don't worry. Once all this chaos settles, I'll find a way to go to Luna Lume. Maybe even make a few visits during the exams.
Angelo broke into a wide, almost childlike smile.
— Father… really?
Tocre didn't waste a moment:
— He's a crybaby, really. Don't worry about him, uncle. I'll take care of him.
Esmond gave his nephew a friendly pat on the shoulder.
— That's right. Take care of your cousin.
Angelo crossed his arms, indignant.
— Could you, I don't know, stop talking as if I were a baby and Tocre a mini-adult?
— Well — Esmond sighed — …though he is a mini-adult.
Tocre rolled his eyes but didn't argue.
Esmond laughed, though the sound lacked joy; it was more nervous than usual.
— Before I go… Angelo, when you enter your room, you'll find a suitcase. There's some money inside. Use it to buy everything you'll need for the exams.
Tocre raised an eyebrow.
— Uncle… seriously? I already have money, you know.
— I know — Esmond said. — But your money is to be used wisely. I didn't give it to you to spend recklessly.
He smiled. — But you're responsible. You know how to manage what you have.
Angelo huffed.
— Look at that, again! I should be the responsible one! Why does everyone treat Tocre like he's an adult and me like a baby?
Tocre gave his cousin a pat on the shoulder.
— Because you are.
— Shut up.
Esmond was already stepping back, hurriedly, before anyone noticed his absence.
— Well, that's it. I have to go. Goodbye, boys!
And he disappeared among the guards.
The silence lasted exactly three seconds.
Asher approached with a slow, arrogant stride.
— So… this is it. The exams are about to begin.
He tilted his head, with that smile only he could wear.
— Finally, the chance to settle scores, Ângelo.
Angelo shrugged.
— Oh, it's up to you, then. Let's see.
Seraphina appeared shortly after, soft as ever.
— Good luck, Angelo. We'll meet in Luna Lume.
The group dispersed… but Tocre didn't take his eyes off someone in the corner of the hall.
Kyle Serin. Quiet. Perfect posture. Eyes too deep for his age.
— Ângelo — murmured Tocre, leaning toward him. — Have you seen that boy over there?
Angelo followed his gaze.
— Hm… no. It's the first time I've seen him.
Tocre narrowed his eyes.
— There's… something about him. I can't explain it.
Ângelo watched for a few seconds and smirked.
— Yeah. There's something familiar.
He turned to his cousin.
— By the way… he looks like you. Are you jealous?
— Another mini-adult in the area, huh?
Tocre didn't react.
— Cut the childish stuff.
Then Kyle looked up…
… and smiled at them. A calm, respectful, almost enigmatic smile.
The two froze for half a second.
— He's greeting us — Ângelo whispered. — Respond, respond!
— Hi! — they said at the same time, slightly awkward.
Kyle just nodded and returned to his group.
Ângelo shivered, inexplicably.
The Rush of the Journey
A little later, the two ran through the castle corridors.
Ângelo almost slipped twice, tripped over guards, apologized to three maids, slammed open his room door, and grabbed everything he needed.
Tocre did everything calmly, with precision and efficiency.
When they were done, they left the castle behind and set off toward Luna Lume.
The journey took about three hours.
And when they arrived…
The city was PACKED.
Young people from every corner — north, south, distant kingdoms, isolated clans — filled the streets.
Some carried unusual weapons. Others had family members. Some came alone, overly confident.
And all of them were talking about the same thing:
— The exams started too early!
— They say it's because of that organization… Aeternis…
— I want to join the military elite!
— It's going to be epic!
— I'm going to pass!
— I'll crush everyone!
Angelo was amazed.
— Man… our city has turned into something else.
— An organized chaos — Tocre corrected. — And full of egos.
— The exams start in two days — Angelo said, wiping sweat from his brow. — Shall we go home?
Tocre nodded.
He had his own house there — built especially for him when he decided to live alone. Comfortable, spacious, silent.
Esmond approved of the move, proud of his nephew's independence.
The two went inside, prepared food, stored their luggage, and sat at the dining table, still trying to process what lay ahead.
— We need a strategy — Tocre said. — The exams won't be simple.
— Especially now, with this new name in the air… Aeternis.
Angelo leaned back in his chair, heart still racing.
— I'll be honest… I've got butterflies.
Tocre gave a faint smile.
— That's good. It means you're alive.
At that moment, Angelo felt something deep: his heart seemed to stop for a moment.
Even so, he had no idea what awaited him in Luna Lume. The city, vibrant, chaotic, and full of opportunities, hid dangers, secrets, and challenges that would test every inch of his courage.
And no matter how much he tried to prepare, he knew the real adventure was only just beginning.