Kyren quickly tried to compose himself. How does she know about me if she's from another country? He finally spoke, his voice measured.
"He was the general of the military last time I saw him… but I guess that is my father."
Runa shook her head, her expression a mix of disbelief and curiosity.
"How do you not know that your own father is the leader of the city you live in?"
Kyren let out a dry chuckle, though there was no humor in it. "When you get kicked out at thirteen and banished to the outskirts, you stop caring about the inner city and its troubles." His voice tensed, a hint of anger creeping in. Maybe even sadness. "The only time I ever thought about Epsilon after that was when I imagined turning it upside down."
Runa hesitated, her voice softer now. "Why were you kicked out?"
Kyren sighed, her calm tone easing some of the tension in his chest. "I'll tell you, but you have to answer something first." His gaze sharpened. "How do you know who I am? And how do you know about my father?"
She met his eyes without hesitation. "Everyone in Erulion knows about Epsilon—it's always been a big topic back home. But more than that…" Runa paused before continuing, "Your mother saved our city once. We tried to learn as much as we could about her… and that included you."
There was something in the way she said it that made Kyren suspicious. It felt too rehearsed, too convenient. But right now, he needed her help. He'd let it slide—for now.
"I didn't develop a power until I was seventeen. My father couldn't stand having a powerless son in his family," Kyren said, shrugging as if it didn't matter.
Runa watched him closely before responding. "I've always been strong," she admitted, "but back in Erulion, strength didn't mean anything. My parents were poor, so I was going to be poor. No matter how powerful I was, it wouldn't change my status." Her voice hardened. "So I left. I wanted to go somewhere my strength would actually mean something."
Kyren nodded, understanding all too well. But then, a small grin crept onto his lips.
"If I have anything to say about it, being strong won't be the only way to succeed in Epsilon for much longer." His voice brimmed with confidence.
Runa blinked, then—to his surprise—she blushed slightly before glancing away. "Kyren, I really enjoyed this talk." She let out a small breath. "Let's continue it in the morning. I'm going to sleep."
Kyren stood up as she left. "I enjoyed it too, Runa. See you in the morning."
Kyren fell into bed, exhausted from the day's events. Sleep took him quickly.
Then, the dream came.
The battlefield from before, but this time the fight was over. Lyel's robes were shredded, his body mangled, blood pooling from deep wounds. Yet, somehow, he was still breathing.
Vireon stood with his back turned to a man in a flowing purple cloak. In front of them, Kyanna stood, her clothes stained with blood.
"Is he dead, Vireon?" Kyanna asked.
Vireon's voice was cold. "I shouldn't have, but I spared him. If he's truly that strong-willed, he'll survive."
The vision shifted.
Kyanna, now older, sat on a throne, cradling an infant girl in her arms. She gazed down at the child with warmth.
"My beautiful granddaughter, Selara," she murmured. "You will do great things for this city. You might even be mayor one day."
Beside her, Vireon sat slumped in his throne, muttering under his breath.
"Why didn't he just disappear…? He's still young, but I've grown old. And the cult—it festers again."
Kyanna sighed. "Vireon, hush. The military will handle the cult. You must not worry."
Vireon shook his head, rising from his seat unsteadily. "We need to be stronger. Strength rules all." His voice grew darker. "I'll make sure the academies stop wasting time on the useless."
Kyanna only smiled at the infant in her arms. "Don't worry, little one. You will be strong."
For once, Kyren woke from his dreams feeling calm. The name Selara brought a strange sense of joy to him.
My mother was such a cute baby… he thought, stretching before the scent of sizzling meat caught his attention.
He stepped out of his room to see Baldwin and Lydel sitting near a small grill, cooking thick cuts of meat over an open flame.
"Aye, Kyren, me and Baldwin saved you a piece," Lydel said, handing him a wooden plate.
Kyren ate quickly, then looked around. "Have y'all seen Runa? She wasn't in her room."
Lydel laughed. "Bro, she's been pacing around, mumbling about finding a blade of grass. She's checked the whole damn floor like five times."
Baldwin simply pointed upward. "There."
Kyren followed his gaze and spotted Runa moving aimlessly, scanning the stone floor and walls with a frustrated expression. He walked over.
"You need some help, Runa?"
She barely glanced at him. "Unless you've got grass or rocks I can use, then no."
Kyren smirked. "What if I said I could get you some plains grass? The kind from outside?"
Runa's eyes flicked to him, intrigued. "If you're so sure, get me three pieces. That's all I need."
Kyren thought for a moment. Summon Liora.
A golden wisp of mana shimmered into existence. Liora, his light sprite, appeared beside him, her tiny body glowing.
"What's up, Kyren? Who's this beautiful woman? She doesn't want Lydel, does she?" Liora chattered excitedly.
Kyren rolled his eyes. No, Liora. Just hush and go grab me three pieces of plains grass from the realm.
Liora pouted but vanished instantly.
Runa, who had only seen the sprite's appearance and Kyren's silent reaction, narrowed her eyes. "What was that?"
Kyren grinned. "Just wait."
A few minutes later, Liora returned, dragging three tall blades of grass—each four times her size. She struggled to carry them over before finally dropping them in front of Runa.
Runa stared, then knelt down, pressing her hands to the stalks. The grass shimmered before dissolving into her palms. She slowly spread her hands apart, and in their place, three curved swords materialized—light brown, like the grass they had been formed from.
The middle sword settled into her right hand. The other two hovered just above her shoulders, like sentries ready to strike.
Runa turned to Kyren, a wide grin on her face.
"Since we've got a moment…" She spun the blade in her hand. "Let's spar."