As soon as training ended, Zara signaled Vane. He grew large enough for her to sit comfortably on his silky back. As Zara took off, all the students bowed their heads in respect. Zara nodded slightly, acknowledging them. Just then, Callem and Alexis called out, "Are you leaving?"
"Yes, why?" Zara asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nothing, we just wanted to spend some time together," Alexis said. "It's been so long since the three of us hung out."
"Alright then," Zara smiled. "Okay, today we will meet at our place in two hours, then later all three of us will go out for dinner, is that okay now Alexis!!"
Alexis nodded happily. Callem followed closely behind as Zara soared through the air toward the palace. As the palace spires came into view, Zara's eyes lit up with excitement. Along with the blue flags of Abyssonia, the white and gold flags of 'Glacierum' were flying proudly.
"Callem, look!" Zara pointed. "I can't believe Uncle Valerian and Queen Xylia are actually here!"
"Oh yes," Callem said. "I've only heard stories about them. Meeting them is a huge honor for me, Princess."
"Oh Callem, how many times do I have to tell you—don't call me Princess! Just call me Zara. I haven't officially named you my guardian yet, understand?" She joked. Callem smiled softly, looking at her with affection. He was starting to develop feelings for her, though he wasn't yet fully aware of them himself.
Seeing Zara's excitement, Vane did a playful flip and landed gracefully in the royal courtyard. Zara stepped off, smoothing her gown. Her parents, King Oceanus and Queen Elara, were there welcoming their guests. As Zara saw King Valerian and Queen Xylia, she ran toward them.
"Uncle! Aunt!" Zara tried to bow, but Queen Xylia pulled her into a warm hug.
"Oh Zara! I can't believe this is the same little princess," Xylia said, caressing her face. "You've grown up to be so wise. The future of Abyssonia is in safe hands."
King Valerian laughed, looking at Oceanus. "Oceanus, your daughter is ready to rule the kingdom. And this..." He looked at Vane, who was sitting proudly on Zara's shoulder with his shimmering, transparent skin. "So, this is the legendary dragon?"
Vane, hearing the praise, curled into a ball and began rolling in the air, circling Zara playfully. Everyone laughed at his mischievous antics.
In a quiet corner of the training ground, Callem encountered a warrior whose legends he had heard since childhood—Kadaf, the Chief Protector of Queen Xylia. Standing over seven feet tall with battle scars covering his body, Kadaf's presence was so intense that the air around him seemed to freeze. Compared to him, Callem felt like a small pup.
Taking a deep breath, Callem knelt and bowed respectfully. "Kadaf Sir... I am your biggest fan. I have read how you protected the borders of Glacierum alone. You are the greatest warrior in the world. Could... could you teach me something? If you think I'm worthy!"
Kadaf looked at him with grave, warrior-like seriousness. "Listen, boy. You have fire in your eyes, but you are still very young. The battlefield is not watered with book knowledge, but with blood and sweat. You have much to learn. When you have forged yourself, come back to me. I will teach you so that one day you can be a shield for Princess Zara."
Callem didn't lose heart. He looked straight into Kadaf's eyes with a spark of determination. "I know I am young," he said, clenching his fist. "But one lesson from you could change my life. Just one."
A faint, almost invisible smile touched Kadaf's lips. He saw his own youth reflected in Callem's stubbornness. "Very well," Kadaf said. "Stand up."
He taught Callem a special footwork and a vital lesson: "Strength is not in the arms; it is in the intent. Do not consider your shield a piece of wood and iron; make it a part of your body. When the enemy strikes, do not just block—absorb the impact."
Callem felt a new surge of confidence. He knew what he had learned today would put him miles ahead of the other students.
Later, Zara asked for permission to rest. But as soon as she was out of sight, she stopped. She had sensed tension on Uncle Valerian's face. Quietly, she snuck back toward the gallery overlooking the, The Royal Council Hall.
Vane tried to stop her, but Zara put a finger to her lips. "Shh... Vane, we need to know the truth."
Inside, the atmosphere was heavy. King Valerian leaned over the map-covered table, his voice breaking. "Oceanus... our Glacierum... it is melting. The ice that never melted in the sun is turning into water. If this continues, my kingdom will be destroyed."
Queen Elara looked worried. "The melting of your kingdom is not normal. I have a feeling this is linked to your son!"
Zara's eyebrows furrowed. 'My brother? I have a brother?' she thought, listening intently.
King Oceanus turned away, his body language tense. Valerian grabbed his shoulder. "Oceanus, you have powers none of us possess. You see what we cannot. You are hiding something. What is the truth?"
Queen Elara grabbed her husband's shaking hands. "My King... is there something you are hiding even from your wife?"
Oceanus let out a painful sigh. "Your son is alive in that other world, Valerian... and he is likely searching for a way into this one!"
The room fell into stunned silence. Valerian staggered back, his face turning pale. Queen Xylia let out a muffled scream, tears streaming down her face at the news of the son they had cast away years ago.
"Yes," Oceanus whispered, his knuckles white from gripping the table. "He is there. But he is no longer the child we knew. He has become the master of that other world."
Behind the curtain, Zara stood frozen, her body trembling. Her breath hitched. 'I have a brother... and he is a master of another world!'
Vane felt her shaking and tightened his tail around her wrist, trying to comfort her. Zara couldn't take any more. Seeing her father's slumped shoulders, she turned and ran, tears blurring her vision. She finally knew the source of her father's sadness—a secret that threatened to change everything.
Zara was pacing back and forth in her room, her heart restless. She still couldn't believe that another world existed. Unable to stay still, she climbed onto Vane and flew off.
Behind the palace of Abyssonia lay an old, desolate garden. Large stone pillars lay broken here, and the sound of the crashing ocean waves was loud and clear. This was the trio's 'secret spot.'
Callem and Alexis had been waiting for Zara for a long time. Callem stood with his shield resting on the ground, while Alexis paced anxiously. As soon as Zara arrived, they were both shocked to see her condition; her face was pale, and her eyes were red from crying.
"Zara! What happened? Is everything alright?" Alexis rushed forward, grabbing Zara's shoulders. Callem dropped his shield and stepped closer. "Yes, Zara, why are you panting like this?"
Zara took a deep breath, wiped her tears, and looked into their eyes. "Nothing is alright, Callem. Alexis... our world is in danger."
The two friends went silent, stunned. Callem frowned. "What do you mean? Tell us clearly, Zara."
"I just overheard a secret conversation between Father, Mother, and Uncle Valerian," Zara said, her voice trembling. "The ice in Glacierum is melting. Melting ice means something terrible is coming. It won't just affect their kingdom; it could bring destruction upon our entire world."
"Yes, you're right," Alexis said, thinking hard. "Our entire source of magic comes from the ice of Glacierum and its people."
Zara spoke with more urgency. "And the biggest truth is... Uncle Valerian's son, whom everyone thought was dead... he is alive in that other world!"
A silence fell over them, heavy enough that only the sound of the waves remained. Callem's jaw dropped, and Alexis looked as though she might faint.
"The Prince... is alive? And in another world? What other world, Zara?"
"My guess is that there is something beyond the blue sky above us," Zara replied.
"Why do you think so?" Callem asked, his eyes filled with doubt.
"Because for years, our soldiers have been stationed at the borders, as if they are guarding something or watching that realm. And Father has been so distant and sad for years, as if his mind is lost somewhere else!"
"We have always been taught that there is only the sky above us! Are the books lying?" Alexis asked, narrowing her eyes.
"We haven't read all the books yet," Zara replied.
Callem clenched his fists, his face etched with tension. "Alexis is right. This matter is much bigger than our training. Whatever the King does, he will do it for the best. We shouldn't get involved."
"No, Callem!" Zara stepped forward sharply. There were no tears in her eyes now, only resolve. Her posture showed she wouldn't back down. "I cannot let my family and Abyssonia be destroyed like this."
"So, what will you do?" Alexis asked, her breath catching.
Zara thought for a moment, looked at Vane who had landed on her hand, and spoke in a calm but firm voice: "We... we have to find the way to that 'other world' ourselves. We must cross over to that side and stop whatever is waiting there."
Callem and Alexis looked at each other. Alexis swallowed hard and said, "The path could be dangerous, Zara. We won't have any allies in that world. Who knows what we might face?"
Callem looked at her with a steady gaze. "If the Princess wants to do this, then so be it. She will be our Queen in a few years, so her decision is our command. And as long as I am here, no one can even touch a hair on your heads."