Beep. Beep. Be–
SMASH!
A hand emerged from under the blanket and silenced the alarm clock with one final act of violence. After years of loyal service and equal abuse it was free.
SLAM!
The door burst open like a dramatic soap opera entrance.
"LUCAS! LAST SHUTTLE TO ATHERION LEAVES IN 30 MINUTES!"
Lucas groaned from beneath his blanket fortress.
"Five more minutes, Mom… ten if Atherion can chill."
THWACK!
A flying slipper smacked his forehead with pinpoint maternal precision.
"Okay! I'm up!" he yelped.
Elina crossed her arms. "Lucas, you now have 15 minutes."
Lucas blinked. "Wha...?"
"Fourteen," she said, deadpan.
Lucas leapt out of bed, tripped over his blanket, and nearly knocked himself out while trying to brush his teeth and pull on pants at the same time. It was chaos.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Lyra munched on toast like a queen watching peasants.
"MOM! What's going on in Lucas's room?"
Elina shrugged. "Battle of… no, battle with sanity itself."
Marcus chuckled. "He'll manage. He always does."
Elina sighed. "Yeah... he's always like this."
15 minutes later...
Lucas sat at the table. Messy hair. Sleepy eyes. Half-burnt toast clutched like survival food.
Marcus frowned. "You really want to go to Atherion? Most students there are awakened, you know."
Lucas nodded, no hesitation. "Yup. I've made up my mind."
Lyra snorted. "You're out of your mind."
Lucas gave her a lazy side-eye. "You don't get to talk, shortstack."
"I'm older!" she growled.
"I'm taller," he replied with a smirk, biting his toast like it was a mic drop.
"MOM! He's bullying me again!"
Marcus raised a hand. "Alright, alright if you've decided to go, I won't stop you."
Lucas smiled. "Thanks, Dad. You always understand."
Marcus grinned. "And for what it's worth, I think the messy hair works for you."
Elina's voice echoed from the kitchen: "Don't boost his ego!"
But despite the lightness in his words, Marcus's eyes betrayed him. After the death of his own father in the war, letting Lucas go wasn't easy. He had already lost too much.
With a quiet breath, he pulled a long black case from under the table.
"Take this with you."
Lucas blinked. "Huh? What's this?"
Marcus opened the case. Inside lay a sword elegant, timeless, and impossibly pristine.
"A sword…?" Lucas looked confused.
"It belonged to your grandfather," Marcus said softly. "He always said it never breaks. Never dulls. Never chips. I figured it might help you."
Lucas lifted it slowly. It felt… right. Like it belonged in his hand.
He gave it a gentle swing. "Whoa. It's perfectly balanced. Like it's made for me."
Marcus leaned back. "Use it wisely."
Lucas nodded. "I will."
He checked the time. "Guess I should go."
The family stepped outside. The Atherion transport shuttle descended like a silent beast from the sky.
Marcus's smile wavered.
He didn't want his son to leave. Not because he doubted him. But because he knew deep in his soul what it could cost.
Elina wrapped Lucas in a hug. "Eat properly. Don't get injured. Try to stay alive during the trial. "And… don't feel like you failed, if it doesn't work out."
Lucas chuckled. "Relax, Mom. I'll be fine. It's just one week."
Marcus placed a firm hand on Lucas's shoulder. "Stay strong."
Lucas nodded, slipping on a brave smile.
He stepped into the shuttle.
It rose from the ground, slowly drifting toward the stars.
Marcus stood silently, watching the sky, his heart torn between pride and fear.
Elina gently took his hand.
"It's just a trial week. He'll be back."
Marcus nodded... but in the corner of his heart, one thought echoed louder than all others
What if... he doesn't?