The morning air was crisp as Magnus prepared to leave for the prestigious Arcanos Imperial Academy. But before the carriage arrived, two familiar figures were already at the gates — Rowan and Orion, stepping lightly across the courtyard, their eyes bright with excitement.
"We couldn't leave without saying goodbye to Meliora first," Rowan said, his calm smile softening as he bent to ruffle her hair.
Orion nodded, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "We wanted to see you safe and smiling before the journey begins. You're our little shadow — we can't forget you."
Meliora beamed at them, her small fists clenching with pride and relief. "You came all this way… just for me?"
"Of course," Rowan said, kneeling to meet her gaze. "You're part of our family, Mel. Always."
Magnus, already waiting near the carriage, grinned. "See? You've got fans even before leaving. Now get ready — the academy won't wait for us."
The carriage rattled to a stop, and one by one, the boys climbed aboard. Meliora waved furiously.
"You'll write to me, won't you?" she called, her voice barely carrying over the wheels and hooves.
"Every week!" Magnus promised. "And don't worry — we'll send stories of our victories."
Rowan leaned over the edge of the carriage, teasing gently, "Try not to get into too much trouble without us, Meliora."
Orion's eyes scanned the city streets one last time before he nodded to her. "Stay clever. You know what to do if danger comes."
The carriage rattled away, leaving the courtyard quiet but for Meliora's soft sigh, the echo of promises and laughter lingering in the morning air.
Magnus returned to House Carvane first. The gates opened to reveal the young man he had become — tall, broad-shouldered, and carrying the quiet confidence of years spent at the academy. Meliora, now fourteen, ran forward, her arms wrapping around him in a hug that was equal parts joy and relief.
"You came back!" she exclaimed, her laughter mingling with a few nervous tears.
"I promised I would," Magnus replied, ruffling her hair gently. "And now… we're all grown up enough to face whatever comes next."
The house felt alive with his presence, though the quiet reminder lingered: Rowan and Orion, also seventeen, were still away, attending to their own families before the grand reunion at the imperial palace.
Weeks later, Rowan and Orion arrived at their respective family estates, greeting their parents and fulfilling obligations before the awaited reunion. Though they were surrounded by their own households, their thoughts kept drifting back to House Carvane and Meliora.
Finally, the three of them met again at the imperial palace for a grand banquet, marking their official debut into noble society. The hall gleamed with crystal chandeliers and polished marble floors, while courtiers whispered in admiration of the young men who had completed their academy years with distinction.
Meliora, now fourteen, stood near the edge of the hall, her eyes wide as she watched the three young men enter together. They were no longer the boys who had played in her garden — each carried the air of adulthood, honed skill, and quiet authority.
Magnus' gaze found hers instantly, a reassuring smile that said, I'm here. Nothing will hurt you.
Rowan's calm eyes swept over the crowd before landing on Meliora. His smirk softened as he whispered, "She's grown cleverer than ever."
Orion's hand brushed briefly against hers, a subtle, silent promise: I'll always watch over you.
The evening was filled with music, dancing, and congratulations. Nobles murmured about dueling victories, strategic brilliance, and academic mastery. Yet beneath the grandeur, the bond between the four remained unshakable. Meliora laughed and teased, and the three young men matched her wit with playful rivalry, their interactions carrying the warmth of years spent together.
Even as the chandeliers cast golden light across the hall, a shadow lingered at the edge of the empire. Rumors of unrest, tensions between noble houses, and the distant threat of Velthoria whispered through the corridors — a silent prelude to the storm that would soon engulf them all.
By the end of the night, as the banquet drew to a close, the four walked together through the palace gardens. The moonlight traced their silhouettes, and though laughter still echoed softly, the sense of impending change pressed gently at the edges of their world.
Magnus looked at Meliora and said, "No matter what happens next, we stand together. Always."
Rowan and Orion nodded, silent promises reflected in their eyes. And for a moment, the world felt safe again, even as the distant drums of war began to echo across the empire.
A few days after the banquet, the young men and their families were summoned to the imperial palace. The grand hall was filled with nobles, advisors, and generals, all tense with the weight of long-standing rumors finally coming to fruition. The emperor himself stood at the head of the room, his expression grave.
"Magnus Carvane, Rowan Velthar, Orion Drevan," he began, his voice echoing off the high ceilings. "Your skills, your training, and your accomplishments at the academy have not gone unnoticed. The war with Velthoria — which has been simmering for years — can no longer be delayed. You will join the reinforcements leaving at dawn."
Magnus stepped forward, his posture straight and unyielding. "Your Majesty, we will do our duty."
Rowan and Orion mirrored him, their calm confidence masking the tension in the room.
The emperor's gaze shifted to the assembled forces. "The Marquess Carvane, the Duke of Velthoria, these young men, and one hundred of the most skilled soldiers trained over these years will march together. You represent the future of Arcanos. You will lead, fight, and protect this empire."
Meliora, standing close to her parents, felt a chill despite the warmth of the marble halls. She looked at her brother and his friends — the same boys who had chased her through gardens, fought beside her against pickpockets, and laughed at her clever tricks — now standing as young men, warriors ready to face an empire's enemy.
Azrael's jaw tightened. "They are ready," he said quietly, his eyes scanning the assembled soldiers. "And they will not fail."
Isolde clutched Meliora's hand. "Remember, my darling," she whispered, "they carry not only skill but love for those they protect. They will come back."
Magnus, Rowan, and Orion spent the next hours inspecting their troops, training together with precision and discipline. The one hundred soldiers, each having trained at the academy or under noble instruction, moved like a single unit under their command. Swords clashed, arrows flew, and strategies were rehearsed again and again until dusk fell over the camp.
By nightfall, the young men returned to the palace gardens, the moon casting silver light over their tired but determined faces.
Magnus looked at Rowan and Orion. "Tomorrow, we march. We fight not just for Arcanos… but for everyone we love. For Meliora, for our families, for the empire."
Rowan's smirk was faint but firm. "Then let the enemy see what we've become."
Orion's calm gaze swept the horizon. "And may they know they are facing more than just soldiers — they are facing a united force trained to endure, to strategize, and to protect."
Meliora pressed her hands to her chest, tears threatening, yet pride overwhelming. The world outside their home had grown darker, and danger loomed, but the bond between them — unbroken since her earliest days — gave her hope that they could face even the darkest of days together.
Dawn would bring the march. The war would bring fire, blood, and sacrifice. And the young heroes, now fully grown, would step into the storm, swords in hand, hearts steeled, and loyalty unshakable.