Lucas and Elias stepped out of the throne room together, the heavy door closing behind them as they began making their way back through Veylith. Lucas walked beside Elias, his body still weak from his injuries, while his thoughts kept circling back to Vivian. The discovery of the werewolves had left him restless, and every step reminded him that she was still somewhere out there. He tried to keep his breathing steady and push those thoughts aside, knowing there was little he could do in his current state.
As they continued through the kingdom, Lucas took in more of Veylith. The underground land stretched far beyond what he had imagined, with houses and buildings scattered naturally across the wide open area rather than being connected by streets or roads. Strange lights illuminated the surroundings, while anomalies moved freely between the buildings, using their abilities as naturally as ordinary people used their hands. Earth was shaped into walls and foundations, wood grew into beams and structures, and different elemental powers were used throughout the open land for everything from construction to ordinary daily tasks. Despite being hidden beneath the ground, Veylith felt alive, established, and peaceful.
Elias eventually glanced toward Lucas, noticing the distant look in his eyes. "So… do you remember anything that happened before you passed out?" he asked, his voice calm but cautious.
Lucas continued looking around for a moment before his gaze slowly dropped. "I was in a fight," he answered quietly.
Elias looked at him for a moment before turning his attention forward again. "Yeah. We sensed a huge amount of energy coming from that direction, and the team rushed over."
He walked a few more steps in silence before glancing back at Lucas. "Did you know who you were fighting?"
Lucas's eye twitched slightly. The question brought the memory back with a sharpness he wasn't prepared for, and beneath the exhaustion in his face, anger began to surface. He clenched his hand slightly as he looked down.
"Yes…" His voice was quiet, but there was no hesitation in it. "I knew them very well."
Elias noticed the change in Lucas's expression and gave him a moment before speaking again. "If you recognize them, maybe you should tell us who they are. We might be able to help track them down."
Lucas's steps slowed for a brief moment. His expression hardened as he looked ahead, the anger in his voice becoming more apparent.
"They…" He paused, his jaw tightening as the memory of Leo returned to him. "They were from the Phoenix Tribe."
His hand curled into a fist.
"And I don't need your help," Lucas continued, his voice firm despite the weakness still weighing down his body. "I'll take him down myself."
Elias's expression changed the moment Lucas mentioned the Phoenix Tribe. The calmness he had carried throughout their walk disappeared, replaced by genuine concern. "Don't be reckless, Lucas. You have no idea what the Phoenix are capable of," he warned, his voice noticeably more serious than before.
Lucas stopped and turned to face him. His eyes carried a mixture of determination and rage, the memories of Leo and the battle still burning in his mind. He clenched his fist and stared directly at Elias. "I know exactly…" His voice dropped, firm and unwavering. "What I'm up against."
Elias stared at him, clearly caught off guard by the certainty in Lucas's voice. For a moment, it seemed like he wanted to question him further, but he held back. Whatever Lucas had experienced with the Phoenix Tribe, Elias could tell that the boy wasn't going to speak about it yet. Without pressing him any further, they continued walking.
They eventually reached a more open part of Veylith, where Lucas slowed to a stop. His attention drifted away from Elias and toward the vast ceiling above the kingdom. The artificial sun was beginning to set, bathing the open land in a warm evening glow. Its light stretched across the scattered houses and buildings, while anomalies continued moving through the area, going about their daily lives as if nothing in the world outside Veylith mattered.
Lucas watched the sunset for a moment before looking down at himself. His expression became thoughtful as his hand rested near his chest. "My… 'energy chain.' When will it be fixed?" he asked, a trace of impatience slipping into his voice.
Elias stopped beside him and glanced over. "It may take a few days," he said honestly. "But the medics here know what they're doing. Give them some time, and you might even be able to train again in just a few days."
Lucas looked back toward the setting sun. Despite everything that had happened, a faint smirk appeared on his face.
"Good…" he murmured.
Elias led Lucas away from the open fields and toward the medical district of Veylith. Unlike the larger buildings surrounding the throne room, this part of the kingdom was quieter, with several modest structures scattered across the open land. A faint medicinal scent lingered in the air as they approached a large building marked with a simple symbol resembling a hand surrounded by energy.
"This is Veylith's own Mending Hall," Elias said, slowing down as they reached the entrance. "You should get some proper rest now."
Lucas nodded and stepped inside.
The moment he entered, a young woman in a medic's uniform approached him. She looked him over carefully, immediately noticing how exhausted he appeared.
"You look like you're about to fall over," she said, her tone calm but slightly concerned. "Come on. Get to your room."
Lucas followed her without arguing. By the time he reached the bed, the exhaustion had become impossible to ignore. He sat down heavily, his eyelids already beginning to droop.
The medic, Mira, pulled the blanket back and gestured toward the bed. "Lie down. You need to sleep."
Lucas frowned, clearly confused. "But… I just woke up." He rubbed his eyes, still struggling to understand why his body felt so heavy. "Why do I feel this tired?"
Mira looked at him for a moment before answering. "Because your body hasn't recovered yet. You're still carrying the damage from that fight, and your energy chain hasn't properly repaired itself." She placed her hand near his chest, concentrating as a faint glow gathered around her fingers. "Your body is already struggling to regulate your energy. Being awake around this much powerful energy is only making it work harder."
Lucas looked at her with tired eyes as the medical energy began flowing through his body. The sensation was strangely calming, easing the heaviness in his limbs.
"Your chain needs time," Mira continued. "So don't force yourself. Let your body do what it needs to do."
Lucas's eyelids grew heavier as the medical energy settled into him. Mira gently withdrew her hand and pulled the blanket over him.
"Now sleep," she said.
Lucas didn't have the strength to argue anymore. His eyes closed, and within moments, he slipped into sleep....
------
Lucas suddenly woke in the middle of the night.
His eyes opened wide as he immediately sat up, taking several sharp breaths. For a moment, he had no idea where he was. The room was dark and quiet, illuminated only by the faint light coming from outside.
Then the memories returned—Leo, the battle, his broken sword, and the moment Leo had effortlessly stopped his attack.
Lucas's breathing grew heavier as the humiliation came rushing back. He lowered his head, his hands tightening around the blanket as fragments of the fight replayed through his mind.
He had gone after Leo believing he was ready.
And Leo had made him feel completely powerless....
Lucas remained lost in his thoughts for a while before noticing that his body felt different
The overwhelming exhaustion from earlier had almost completely disappeared. His muscles were still sore, and his energy chain hadn't fully recovered, but he no longer felt as though simply standing would drain what little strength he had left. After spending a few moments sitting on the edge of the bed, Lucas quietly got up and left the Mending Hall.
Veylith looked completely different at night.
Most of the scattered houses and buildings were dark, their inhabitants already asleep. Only a few lights remained scattered throughout the open land, illuminating paths between buildings and the occasional guard post. Lucas walked quietly through the kingdom, watching the guards who remained awake as they patrolled their assigned areas.
With almost everyone asleep, the presence of energy around him felt far less overwhelming than it had during the day. Lucas continued strolling through Veylith, taking in the quiet atmosphere he'd barely had a chance to appreciate earlier.
Then he noticed a light in the distance.
It was faint, but unlike the lights around the houses, this one seemed to be moving. Lucas narrowed his eyes as it disappeared behind one of the scattered buildings before appearing again farther away.
Lucas hesitated, wondering who would be wandering around Veylith at this hour. After a moment, curiosity won out, and he changed direction.
He kept his distance as he moved through the open land, occasionally slipping behind buildings whenever the light came into view. Whoever was carrying it seemed to be heading toward the central part of Veylith, and with every step, the number of people around Lucas grew smaller. Eventually, the familiar sounds of the kingdom faded behind him.
The light finally stopped near the throne room.
Lucas slowed down and approached carefully. He stayed outside instead of entering, pressing himself against the wall beside the entrance as voices reached him from inside.
It was Bargon.
"Queen Sinan… the search team has returned with a report from the castle."
"So? What did they find?" Sinan asked.
"We found no sign of the woman the boy is looking for."
Lucas's eyes widened, and his expression immediately fell. His chest tightened as a wave of disappointment hit him.
No sign of Vivian…
Bargon continued before Lucas could sink any further into his thoughts. "But a few of them sensed something strange inside the castle. Something… dark."
Sinan's voice carried a hint of curiosity. "Hmm… And what exactly did they find?"
"They believe the castle is hiding something. Something alive." Bargon paused briefly. "They couldn't determine what it was, but whatever is inside… it was deliberately hiding from them."
"Interesting…" Sinan murmured. "Then perhaps we should look into that castle ourselves."
"I doubt that's a good idea," Bargon replied, his tone becoming noticeably more serious. "Two members of my team sensed an overwhelming presence inside. They said it was… strong. Frighteningly strong."
He paused.
"Neither of them has returned."
Lucas's expression changed. He stared toward the throne room, his concern for Vivian mixing with a growing uneasiness.
Sinan remained silent for a moment.
"Interesting… So that's all?"
"Yes, Queen Sinan. That's everything we know."
"Then you may leave."
Lucas immediately stepped away from the entrance and hid behind a nearby building. He held his breath as Bargon stepped out of the throne room and walked past, completely unaware that Lucas had been listening.
Lucas remained there for several moments, waiting until Bargon's footsteps had disappeared into the distance.
Only then did he slowly look back toward the throne room.
Silence.
Then a voice came from inside.
"Eavesdropping isn't a good habit, Lucas."