The morning sun spilled golden light over the castle courtyard, glinting off polished armor as Prince Ravender stood before Isaac. His stern expression softened as he motioned for attendants to bring forth a chest.
With a heavy clang, the lid opened to reveal heaps of glittering coins, shimmering jewels, and rare precious stones.
"This," Ravender declared, his lion aura flickering faintly behind him, "is a token of gratitude from the royal family. For risking your life to protect my sister, and for fighting with valor beyond your years."
Gasps echoed from the crowd of soldiers. Isaac blinked in shock, his eyes wide.
"I—I don't deserve this…" he stammered, stepping back.
But Ravender raised a hand, silencing him. "You do. Gold and gems are nothing compared to a life. You risked yours for ours. Take this, Isaac. Not as a reward, but as a sign of respect."
For the first time, the prince's lips curved into something rare—a small smile. "And from this day forward, consider me not only a prince… but a friend."
The words struck Isaac's heart harder than any treasure. He bowed deeply. "Then… I accept, Prince Ravender. Thank you."
Beside him, Vaela grinned warmly. "Looks like the royal lion finally acknowledged the white tiger."
Even Diya, still shaken from the night before, let out a soft laugh.
---
Later that day, Ravender and Diya accompanied Vaela as she escorted Isaac home. The humble wooden house stood at the forest's edge, smoke rising gently from its chimney.
Isaac's mother rushed out first, her face pale at the sight of her son walking with bandages still across his chest. "Isaac!"
She pulled him into a trembling embrace, eyes brimming with tears. "I heard you were hurt—are you truly alright?"
Isaac winced at her tight grip but smiled gently. "I'm fine, Mother. The doctors healed me."
His father followed, his gaze stern yet shaken as it lingered on his son. "What happened out there?"
Isaac opened his mouth to explain, but Vaela, excited and careless, stepped in.
"You should've seen him! He stood against Prince Ravender's elite soldiers, and then against the hyena-spirited ones when they merged! He unleashed the White Tiger spirit and—"
She froze mid-sentence, realizing too late what she had revealed.
Isaac's parents stiffened. His mother's face drained of color. His father's eyes widened, his jaw tightening.
"… The White Tiger?" His voice trembled.
Isaac's chest tightened. "Father… I didn't mean for you to find out like this—"
His father grabbed his shoulders, searching his son's eyes. "Isaac… Do you understand what that means? That power… it's no ordinary spirit. It will draw eyes—dangerous eyes. You cannot let it run wild again!"
The boy lowered his gaze. He remembered the battlefield, the moment the tiger's aura wrapped around him, his speed and strength exploding beyond control. It hadn't felt entirely like his own power—it felt… borrowed.
"I know," Isaac whispered. "But in that moment, I couldn't think. Vaela was in danger. The princess too. I had to move."
His father's stern expression faltered. He pulled Isaac into a sudden embrace, his rough voice heavy with fear. "You're my son. I won't lose you to that power—or to the kingdom's schemes."
Isaac's chest ached at his father's trembling grip. For the first time, he realized how terrified his family truly was.
---
Meanwhile, within the towering marble halls of the royal palace, King Eryndor listened intently as Prince Ravender knelt before him.
"You say this boy wielded a White Tiger spirit?" the king asked, his deep voice echoing off the gilded walls.
"Yes, Father," Ravender replied, bowing his head. "I saw it with my own eyes. In the heat of battle, when the hyena spirits threatened Vaela and my sister, Isaac fused with the tiger. His speed turned to lightning. His strength rivaled soldiers thrice his experience. And… he protected Diya with his very life."
The king's eyes narrowed, his fingers drumming the arm of his throne.
"Hmm… A rare spirit. Dangerous, yet promising. If left unchecked, it may grow uncontrollable. But in the right hands…"
He leaned forward, his golden crown gleaming in the sunlight. "Order him to come to the palace at once. At dawn tomorrow, he will stand before me."
"Yes, Father." Ravender bowed low.
---
That night, as the stars stretched across the velvet sky, Isaac lay awake on his bed. His body still ached, but his mind refused rest.
The clash with the hyena soldiers replayed again and again in his head—the blinding speed, the surge of strength, the white glow enveloping him.
That wasn't me… was it?
His hands trembled as he clenched the sheets. If that power isn't mine… then whose is it?
A knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. His father opened it to find a soldier dressed in royal colors.
"This message is from His Majesty, the King."
He handed over a sealed letter, stamped with the royal crest.
Isaac's father broke the seal, his eyes scanning quickly. His expression darkened.
"The King… has summoned you to the palace. Tomorrow morning."
Isaac sat up sharply. "The King? Why?"
"To… to meet him," his father muttered, but his tone carried unease.
Isaac looked down at his hands, then at the faint glow of moonlight spilling through the window. His heart beat faster.
Tomorrow, his fate would change.
---