I know for a fact that I didn't just hear what Eimira said.
'No — there's no way that name came from her lips'.
Then I remembered what Nyseria said to me before I left the Soul Tree.
'It all makes sense now.'
Thump!
"—Ow!" I rubbed my forehead.
Eimira folded her arms."You zoned out. Thought you were gonna pass out again—"
A pause.
"Princess…" she muttered.
"Princess?" I snapped.
She turned away. "Yes… I've lost count of how many times you've collapsed. Always a damsel in distress"
I dropped to my knees.
"M-My heart."
She stepped closer. Lifted my chin.
"You have to stop that… I get worried.
I looked up at her
Her hands held my face.
That expression…
Soft.
Concerned.
'Are they the same people?'
I stood slowly, placed my hands over hers, and guided them down.
"I'm sorry… I guess I'm just that weak."
Our fingers locked.
"No you're not." She said, "...I'm sure of that."
The air grew colder, now that the moon was high in the sky, so we moved back toward the room.
As we reached the doorway, I stopped.
A figure stood inside.
Leaning against the wall.
Still.
Like they had been there the whole time.
Something felt wrong.
Not just the presence,
But—
The intent.
My senses snapped awake.
Like prey noticing a predator.
Strong. Deadly.
Then—
A flash.
The figure vanished
Fast.
Too fast.
A blade—
The world flipped.
I felt light headed.
"Zandren!"
Eimira nudged me.
I blinked.
Everything was normal again.
"What got into you?" Eimira asked. "You just froze…"
"Tsk."
The figures turned and left.
"W-Who was that?" I asked.
Eimira paused.
She hesitated.
"An old close friend…"
My body remained tense.
"Maybe you're just hungry, after all you haven't eaten today." she said.
She grabbed my arm.
"Zyron would've had the chefs prepare a feast."
"How do you know that? And you're calling by name?"
"Of course, he's my uncle." She chuckled. "He also has a feast for basically anything.
"Anything?"
She nodded.
"Even after a satisfying shit." She whispered. I laughed. "What? No way."
"It happened when I was young." She said, "Came to the palace and saw the table filled with food. Thought it was some sort of celebration."
I smiled. "But—"
"When I asked. He just said "oh yeah, had a really good shit,"
We both laughed.
"Good," she said, "you're back to normal now."
She grabbed my hand.
"Come on. Let's go."
****
Eimira and I stepped into the palace dining hall.
The others had already started eating.
The table overflowed with food. Dishes I didn't even recognise. Meat, fruits, sauces. Everything laid out without care for cost.
Chichi stuffed her face so fast she started choking.
Tabbi rushed over, helping her.
The moment Chichi recovered—
She went right back to eating.
Laughter broke out across the table.
That's when they noticed us.
"Oh my, The newlyweds finally came." Feona said, grinning.
"Shut it Feona." Eimira smiled. "Not here…"
Feona giggled, turning to Chichi.
"She smiled, Did you see it?"
No reply.
Chichi kept on eating.
"Next time she chokes." Feona faced Tabbi. "Just let her die…"
Tabbi giggled softly.
"N-Newly weds?"
Yunok shot up, suddenly. Brows furrowed.
Feona laughed. "Yeah, you rarely see Eimira without Zandren by her side these days."
"Yub, they're alwaysh shogether…" Chichi added, words muffled.
"Chichi, swallow first," Tabbi warned.
"Newlyweds?" Yunok slammed his cutlery onto the table. "When did that happen."
Silence.
Everyone looked at him.
"R-Relax," Feona said. "It's a joke…"
Eimira stepped forward.
Cold.
"Even if it isn't… what does it have to do with you?"
Yunok's expression hardened.
"You are meant to be mine. Not some random peasant's"
The room froze.
"The fuck did you just say?" Eimira's voice dropped.
"You heard me." Yunok said. "Ever since you came back from the Dark Forest, you've changed."
He turned to me.
"So, he's the reas—."
Eimira turned fully towards Yunok.
"I was never promised to you. And that "promise" you're clinging to?"
She smirked.
"Just a childhood joke I was never really a part of."
Yunok rose.
Fast.
"How dare you call our love a joke? I lov—"
"Love?" Eimira snapped. "You assaulted me because you thought you could get away with anything…"
"Why do you think I feigned being sick just to get my father to return?"
"It was because of your narcissistic ass."
Silence.
She turned to leave.
"I've lost my appetite… Goodnight."
Before she could take another step—
Stone rose from the ground
Blocking her path.
"Uncle. Let me go." Eimira said, her voice trembling.
"Sit down." Zyron's voice, low."
"Uncl—"
"I said. Sit. Down."
Zyron's voice cut through the room.
"Don't let me repeat myself, Eimira." He said, "You too Zandren."
He turned to Yunok.
"Leave."
Yunok stiffened. "But I—"
"Did I stutter?"
The pressure in the room shifted.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
"...Y-Yess father."
Yunok made his leave slowly.
As he passed me—
He looked at me.
Not anger.
Not jealousy.
Pure killing intent.
'It's just like the one I felt earlier…'
Then he left.
Silence followed.
Zyron exhaled.
"Sorry you had to see that, Zandren." He said.
"I-It's fine." I replied, still shaken.
"No, no. Please take a seat." He gestured to two empty seats.
"I've already been embarrassed enough…" He shook his head. "Assaulted?"
Eimira and I sat.
"E-Eimira…" Zyron tapped her gently.
"It's fine, Uncle…"
No one touched their food.
Not until—
Aurivelle looked down.
"... Why's no one eating?"
That broke it.
We all picked up our cutlery again.
Slowly.
The conversation returned.
We talked about Aurivelle. Her trainings,
Her future.
Where she would go next.
Zyron leaned back in his chair.
"I think she should stay under you, Eimira."
Eimira blinked. "Really?"
"She'll be safer with you. I was considering her second brother, Yunok." He shook his head. "But not anymore."
Eimira glanced at me.
"Well, I was planning on training Zandren since he's a wuss."
"Hey— I'm not a wuss."
She placed her hand on my shoulder, gently.
"Taking Aurivelle as well won't be a problem."
Aurivelle lit up instantly.
She ran over and hugged Eimira.
"Cousin Ei is my mentor! And I also get to train with Zandren."
Eimira smiled, resting a hand on her head.
"I'll do my best."
Zyron stood.
"Then it's settled. Goodnight." He said, his voice, tired.
He paused.
"When are you leaving for the Academy?"
"In two days." Feona answered.
"Though, we've been invited to the Wisterian County." Ryona added. "So, we'll be stopping there first."
"The Wisterian County? Why?" Zyron asked.
"Well—"
Feona stalled.
"The foolish fat count had his soldiers attack Zandren." Eimira said bluntly.
"Count Tharn? Hmm." Zyron stroked his beards. "I'll have a word with him."
Eimira shook her head.
"Don't bother."
"Ok then—" Zyron turned to leave. "Goodnight. I'll have Aurivelle's things prepared by tomorrow."
"W-Wait."
Eimira stopped him.
"What about Arcis?"
Zyron's expression changed.
"He's… fine."
A pause.
"He'd really appreciate it if you visited him before you left."
Eimira nodded. "Hmm. I will."
Zyron smiled, then he left.
'Arcis.'
Felt like something I shouldn't ask about in public.
"So," Feona leaned forward. "Rooms arrangements?"
Eimira adjusted Aurivelle, who had already dozed off, on her lap.
"You three can take the first room and I'll stay with Zandren—"
"You three can take the first room and I'll stay with Zandren"
Feona grinned.
They spoke at the same time.
Perfect sync.
The table burst into laughter.
Eimira glared. "You—"
Then,she laughed too.
"Funny how I had a related thought in mind, haha." Ryona said.
I shook my head.
The laughter slowly died down.
"So uh, where's the Queen?" I asked. "I haven't seen her."
"Queen Ovelia's away," Tabbi replied.
"Yeah. On a trip to Sylphaeris." Feona added.
"Ah, that explains it." I said.
Eimira stood, carrying the now-sleeping Aurivelle.
"I'll take her to her room. You guys show Zandren where we'd be staying." She said.
"I'll go see Arcis on my way back, and it might take a while."
"Got it." Ryona said, dragging a barely-walking Chichi.
"She's so heavy, jeez." Ryona panted. "Did she have to eat so much?"
Eimira giggled.
"Goodnight."
****
Our footsteps echoed through the polished palace corridor. The portrait of the royal family lined the walls each framed in gold.
I took a long hard stay at a particular portrait of the old king and his children.
The king, his Queen, and their five children. The youngest being a baby.
We passed a glass chamber. Inside stood two graves, surrounded by flowers. An opening in the ceiling let sunlight fall directly onto it.
"That was the first King of the Elruka Lineage." Feona said, Yawning. "Also the reason we celebrate the Elrukan festival."
"King Bertholdt and Queen Ariossa." Ryona added. "Father of Zyron, and Aurivelle's grandfather."
"Oh…"
I turned, taking another look at the family portrait.
"He was a great King."
Feona stepped forward.
"When the Old king failed to protect the nations after the fall of Ardor." She said, "His Half-brother, Bertholdt, took over and since then."
"Terraka flourished."
"Then what about the Old King?" I asked.
"He took his family and broke away from Royalty." She replied.
"He changed his family name to hide their trace up until his death." Feona added. "And it never changed again."
"Hmm…"
"The family with the most wealth of all three nations."
"The Saeons."
Ryona handed Chichi to Tabbi.
"Hey…"
She quickened her approach.
"Can you both stop the yap session, and let's go? I want to sleep."
The corridor opened up into a T-junction. Across from us stood a massive map of Caramien.
Most of it was— darkness? I don't know, I couldn't tell.
The nations appeared as patches within that darkness. Paths connected them, all leading to a central point labeled The Soul Tree.
Terraka was the largest of all four nations. Sylphaeris sat the farthest away. Ardor and Nymirel were closest, though still distant.
Nymirel was surrounded by water, and even on land, lakes were plentiful. The rivers branched out disappearing into the darkness, and reappearing on other nations, flowing across the entire map.
'The blood of Caramien'
I remembered something.
Something the Higher Authority mentioned…
Then—
"Zandren."
I turned.
"Did you call me?"
"No.." Feona said.
"Hmm, I could've sworn I heard my name."
Ryona scoffed. "You heading voices now, princess?"
"Don't call me that…"
"Princess"
She stuck out her tongue.
I hissed at her.
She feinted forward. "Fight me."
"Jeez."
Then I heard it again
"Zandren."
This time I followed the sound.
To my right.
A massive tree stood in an open chamber. Its trunk pierced through the ceiling, endless.
"No way…" Ryona said. "Are the souls of the dead calling you?"
"Is It your time?" She joked.
I stared at the tree.
"The soul tree planted itself in all four nations, no one knows why." Tabbi said.
"Hmm…"
Feona stepped beside me, smiling. "Maybe a soul recognised you?"
'Could it be her?'
I forced a shrug.
"Doubt it." I muttered. "Let's go."
But I looked back once more before leaving.
****
I reached our room. It sat not too far from the Soul Tree.
Candles lit the corners. Eimira's things rested on a table near the wall.
Simple room. Few banners here and there. Nothing more.
I dropped on the bed.
Soft. Springy.
"Ah… what a long and weird day."
I raised my hand, staring at my wrist.
'The woman Eimira met when she awakened, has to be Her right?'
"Come to think of it. They do look alike…"
The door creaked open.
Eimira walked in, already in her night gown.
I tilted my head.
"This is also sort of my home you know…" she said.
She moved toward the bed, fidgeting.
"I can take the floor," I said.
"Oh ok— no, no… wait"
She buried her face in the bed, then peeked up,
"L-let's sleep t-together."
I froze.
Everytime we shared a bed, it always had to be as a result of something happening.
But now—
I'm conscious, and she's asking me that.
I smiled.
"Do you want to make Feona's wish come true?" I asked.
Her brows furrowed.
"Feona's wis—"
Her cheeks flushed.
"No!"
She slammed a pillow into my face.
Hard.
"Bleuugh"
Fell on my chest, chuckling.
I felt movement on the bed.
Then.
Her head rested on my back, and her arms wrapped around me.
"You're. Warm."
I turned.
We locked eyes.
Silence.
Then we leaned in.
Slow.
Careful.
Her hands cupped my face.
I closed my eyes…
Soft.
Cold.
Then warmth.
I opened my eyes.
Her lips were on mine.
'wha…'
My heart spiked.
I pushed her gently onto the bed. Hovering above her.
She turned her face away, flustered.
I turned it back.
She didn't resist.
Her arms wrapped around my neck.
Pulling my closer.
I slid off her night gown from her shoulder.
'Is this really happening?'
Crash.
Rustle.
We froze.
'Spoke too soon…'
The window.
Someone was there.
They saw everything.
"Let's sleep."
Eimira nudged me off her.
"Y-yes" I stuttered.
I grabbed a pillow and blanket and moved to the floor.
****
Midnight.
Sleep wouldn't come.
I stared blankly at the ceiling.
Eimira slept peacefully, light snores escaping her.
Then—
The room turned cold.
"Zandren!"
I sat up.
"Who keeps calling me?"
"Zan Zan Zandren, tehehe"
"Is this the voice from the Soul Tree?
Silence.
Then—
"Yes Yes."
"ahh"
Eimira groaned.
She shivered. I stood and covered her.
A giggle echoed.
"Down here…"
A small blue orb floated near my feet.
"I waited for this hour." It said, "Now I can appear as something at least, hehe."
"Who are you?"
No answer.
It drifted away.
"Follow me."
"Wha?"
"Hurry, hurry!"
"Ok."
I followed the orb.
Through the hallway.
To the Tree.
This time, it felt alive.
Orbs danced in the air. Mist drifted in colors— red, blue, gold.
The orb spoke.
"Kneel. Clear your mind and close your eyes."
I obeyed.
The moment
I did—
My body became light.
Fatigue vanished.
The air I breathed this time felt pure.
"You can open them…"
I did.
The world had changed.
The tree.
The same one.
The place I first woke.
"The soul tree..."
"Wait… if I'm here, does that mean?"
I turned sharply.
There she was.
Nyseria.
Tears on her face. A smile through them.
"I told you…" she said softly, "we would meet again, Zandren."