Location: Imperial Academy — Medical Wing
The smell of antiseptic herbs filled the quiet room.
Soft golden light after sunset filtered through the tall crystal windows.
Kael lay unconscious on the bed.
Bandages wrapped his torso where the dagger had pierced him, faint silver light occasionally glowing beneath the cloth — the Mooncore Seed still stabilizing his internal damage.
Aria sat beside him, unmoving.
Her hand rested lightly over his.
She hadn't left since the healers finished their work.
Not once.
The door opened quietly.
Professor Valen stepped inside, followed by two royal physicians.
"He will live," the professor said gently.
Aria didn't respond immediately.
"…When will he wake?" she asked.
"We don't know," one physician admitted."His body is undergoing… something we cannot fully understand."
Valen hesitated before adding:
"That power he released… was not mortal magic."
Aria's fingers tightened slightly around Kael's hand.
"I know."
Silence lingered.
Then—
Footsteps echoed in the hallway outside.
Heavy.
Disciplined.
Armored.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
Professor Valen's expression darkened.
"…They're here already."
The door opened again.
This time—
Imperial Royal Guards entered first, forming two lines.
Behind them walked a tall man in dark ceremonial armor, a crimson cloak flowing behind him like liquid fire.
General Raethon.
The Emperor's personal commander.
Every person in the room stood immediately.
Except Aria.
She didn't move.
Raethon's sharp gaze swept across the room before landing on Kael.
For a brief moment…
Surprise flickered in his eyes.
Then it vanished behind military composure.
"So," he said quietly.
"It's true."
Aria finally looked up.
Her silver eyes were cold.
"He nearly died today," she said."If you're here to interrogate him, leave."
The guards shifted nervously.
Speaking to the Emperor's general that way bordered on treason.
But Raethon only studied her calmly.
"…Lady Aria Lunaris," he said."The Emperor expected you would be here."
Her expression hardened further.
"What does he want?"
Raethon stepped closer to the bed.
For a long moment, he simply watched Kael.
Then he spoke words that froze the room.
"His Majesty requests the immediate presence of the First Prince."
A royal summons.
Not a request.
An order.
Professor Valen stepped forward cautiously.
"General… with respect, His Highness is unconscious."
Raethon didn't look at him.
"The Emperor is aware."
The implication was clear.
He doesn't care.
Aria's aura flared faintly.
"No," she said.
The single word carried absolute refusal.
Several guards instinctively reached for their weapons.
Raethon raised one hand, stopping them.
His gaze remained on Aria.
"…You misunderstand," he said quietly.
"This is not punishment."
A pause.
Then—
"The Emperor wishes to see his son."
Those words landed differently.
Because everyone in the Empire knew one truth:
The Emperor had never shown interest in Kael before.
Not once.
Which meant only one thing.
Everything had changed.
Location: Unknown — Underground Chamber
Far beneath the capital…
A black mirror pulsed with dark energy.
Several cloaked figures knelt before it.
Inside the mirror, golden eyes opened.
"The awakening has begun," a voice said.
"Earlier than predicted… but acceptable."
One of the kneeling figures spoke nervously.
"Lord… Raven failed. The prince survived."
A soft chuckle echoed through the chamber.
"Of course he survived."
A pause.
"He is the one who fell from the heavens."
The golden eyes narrowed.
"Prepare the next phase."
"From this moment forward… we hunt a god."
Location: Imperial Academy — Medical Wing
Kael's fingers twitched.
Aria noticed instantly.
"Kael?"
His breathing changed.
Slow.
Heavy.
Then his eyes opened.
Silver light shimmered faintly within them before fading back to normal.
For a moment, he looked disoriented.
Then his gaze focused.
"…Aria."
Relief flooded her face.
"You're awake."
He nodded weakly.
Memories returned quickly.
Arena.
Chains.
Rowan.
Power.
His expression darkened slightly.
"…How long?"
"A few hours," she said softly.
Before he could speak again—
General Raethon stepped forward.
"Your Highness," he said, bowing slightly.
"The Emperor summons you."
Kael stared at him.
No surprise.
No confusion.
Only quiet understanding.
"…I see," he murmured.
Of course.
The moment he revealed power…
The game would change.
Because in the Imperial Palace—
A throne had begun to stir.
And the ruler sitting upon it…
Was not a man easily defied.