Nox woke up to a pounding headache.
"I've been passing out a lot and waking up in strange places, haven't I?" he muttered with a smirk. "So, where am I this time?"
A gentle warmth kept him cozy. He shifted, and his head throbbed with every movement. The forest's insects chirped as usual, but the sound seemed distant and muffled.
Across the fire, someone was speaking, but Nox couldn't make out the words. His body felt strange, unbalanced, his head spinning.
It was the self-proclaimed prince from earlier.
A calm wave of Iora radiated from him, pure and nothing like the twisted energy of the Dreknar. Nox recalled Raizen's warning about staying away from Iora wielders, though he still didn't understand it. Instinct told him he was safe.
The boy rubbed mud on his hands and pressed them against his ears. Instantly, the ringing and pounding eased.
"I think the mud helps. When that monster screeches, this calms it," Nox realized.
He cleared the mud, focused Iora into his hands, and touched his ears. The pain and ringing faded significantly.
"It's Iora, and he probably doesn't even know it," Nox thought, though doubt lingered.
"Are you hungry, warrior?" the boy asked. Nox froze. He hadn't meant to speak his thoughts aloud.
His stomach answered for him. The boy smiled and handed him a thick piece of bread.
"Bread? Out here?" Nox thought. He took a bite. It was heavenly. His diet of rabbits and squirrels made it even taste better.
He choked, predictably. The boy handed him a container. Nox chugged it down. Warm milk.
"He really is a prince," Nox concluded silently.
After eating, he finally felt ready to talk.
"So, you're a prince?" Nox asked, half statement, half question. The boy's serious gaze met his.
"No. I'm a serial killer," he said, playful but sharp. "And you're about to be my latest victim."
Nox arched an eyebrow. "What kind of serial killer feeds his victims?"
"The kind that doesn't kill with force," the boy replied confidently.
Nox had a comeback ready, then remembered the bread and the milk he just devoured without question. His stomach flipped. He shoved two fingers down his throat.
The boy burst into laughter, rolling on the ground. Nox realized he'd been played and let a small laugh escape.
"Are you messing with me?" Nox asked, confused.
"Of course," the boy said, wiping tears from his eyes.
Another round of laughter followed. Nox cracked his fingers. "Okay, that's it. I'm going to beat you up."
"No ,are you messing with me?You just accepted food from a stranger in the middle of nowhere. You must be crazy."
Nox paused. "Man, I must be dumb."
"So, your name, prince?" Nox asked, playful.
"Soren," the boy said sternly. "And does the warrior have a name?"
"Nox," he smiled.
"Where are you coming from?" Soren asked.
"Well, way back there," Nox said, pointing. "Something happened to my village, so I've been traveling."
"Wow. That's vague," Soren replied.
Nox kept his secrets.
"So, if you're a prince, why are you in the middle of nowhere?" Nox probed.
Soren's face darkened, but his voice stayed playful. "My father changed. He gave my mother to some freak. My brothers changed too. They all tried to kill me. So I escaped with the help of some loyalists into this forest. I've been here ever since."
Nox's eyes widened at the words handed my mother to some freak.
"What did this freak look like?" he asked, voice sharp.
"I didn't see clearly, but the one thing I remember about him was his bright red hair," Soren replied.
Nox shot to his feet, ready to run to the city. His growth under Raizen's training calmed him. "When did this happen?"
"A little over three weeks ago," Soren said.
Nox sank back down, drained. Soren wisely avoided pushing further.
"So why are you still here, so close to the capital?" Nox asked, regaining composure.
"The guards sent to find me bring food. They know the king isn't really the king. Any drastic move could cause chaos, a civil war. Other nations might intervene. And the citizens would suffer. So everyone grits their teeth and carries on. Including me," Soren explained.
"When my mother was taken, she pointed towards a room where an artifact was kept,the orb room. Only the royal family knows about it. I've seen it many times. It's just a black round orb, nothing special, but to her in that moment it looked like it meant the world. So before leaving the territory of this kingdom. I'm going to steal it," Soren added, determination in his eyes.
"I don't get it. The guards are on your side. Why haven't you stolen it yet?" Nox asked.
"Because of Ten Thousand," Soren said, standing with a clenched fist.
"Ten Thousand?" Nox asked, puzzled.
"A small elite unit of five warriors who protect the royal family," Soren explained.
"So why are five people called Ten Thousand?"
"Each is worth two thousand soldiers. They aren't normal warriors. They wield a power they call Iora, making them thousands of times stronger and faster than normal people. They have abilities that shouldn't even exist.
I didn't believe until I unexpectedly gained this power myself," he said clenching his fist, "and also saw that monster," Soren said.
Nox's jaw dropped. "I shouldn't get involved, but I know too much to ignore this now."
He smiled. "I'll help you steal the orb. After that, you'll come with me. I'll take you somewhere you can become stronger than all of Ten Thousand combine," not sure if what he was saying though, "and find the red haired man who took your mother. So show me what you can do, Prince."
Soren walked to a tree, smiling. "I appreciate the offer, but I won't risk innocent lives. I'll go alone tomorrow, when four members of Ten Thousand are away and half the city is empty." He punched a tree, splintering it.
Nox grinned, looking for the biggest tree. He went for it with all the strength he had recovered.
"Not that one!" Soren shouted.
But Nox had already launched. The tree toppled, not as effortlessly as Soren's, but it fell.
"Quick, cover your ears!" Soren yelled, smearing mud over his own.
Nox understood. This was the Dreknar tree.
The Dreknar emerged from the shadows, hands on its head, screeching. Nox blocked his ears with Iora, but some sound still slipped through. Five seconds of unbearable screeching, then silence.
Soren laughed nearby, unaffected. Nox collapsed, facing the crescent moon. Soren rolled on the ground, laughing.
"Why build a fire next to something so dangerous?" Nox cried.
Soren just laughed.
The heavy conversation from earlier faded into a lighthearted moment. They laughed together until sleep claimed them, the Dreknar standing still like a loyal guard.
Soren felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. It almost felt like his mother waking him at the castle.
The tap escalated into a kick, and he shot upright. He glared at Nox. "What the hell is wrong with you? It's just first light. Let me sleep a little longer," he grumbled, trying to cozy back down.
"Well, Your Majesty," Nox said in a cold, sarcastic tone, "if you've changed your mind about stealing the orb, that's fine too."
Soren snapped awake, as if a spark had reignited. This was it, the day he had been waiting for, nearly a month in the making.
With the dreknar nowhere in sight anymore.
They set off, moving like two streaks of lightning through the forest, Soren in front, guiding the way. Nox followed, thinking, how is he keeping up? He hasn't had special training in Iora. He must be a genius like Juro. Nox muttered it out loud.
"What?" Soren asked, a slight grin tugging at his lips.
"Nothing," Nox replied, shaking off the thought. "Anyway, how do we get inside the castle?"
"There's a secret way," Soren said, running with effortless speed. "From outside the forest to the secret room where the orb is kept."
"What? That's unbelievable. Then why haven't you gone for it yet? And why a secret passage like that?" Nox fired off, curiosity buzzing through him.
"It's for emergencies, if the castle ever got breached. A way for the royal family to escape safely," Soren explained.
"So since it's a secret room, shouldn't you be able to sneak in and out unnoticed?" Nox pressed.
Soren slowed to a walk. "Let's rest for a bit." He reached into his bag and handed Nox a piece of that delicious bread.
Nox didn't want to stop, but the sight of the bread forced him to.
"The secret passage can only be opened once a day," Soren said, handing over the bread. "I don't know how the engineers did it, but once both doors open for the day, that's it."
"Why make the doors like that?" Nox asked.
"So anyone who breaches the castle can't follow," Soren said proudly. "Though this kingdom is so strong, the doors have never actually been used for an escape."
"Ironic," Nox laughed. "The very mechanism meant to escape will now be how the castle is breached." He glanced at Soren, admiration creeping in.
For the first time, Nox really noticed him. Though the dawn was still dim, he could make out details. His sandals matched Nox's, but everything else screamed nobility: ash colored trousers, fitted but unassuming, layered garments that radiated elegance; dark brown hair tied in a sleek ponytail with a glinting gold pin; smooth, flawless skin; a delicate, almost feminine face; and a tall, commanding presence. Majestic. In comparison, Nox felt like, well, Nox.
Embarrassed, he looked away.
Soren's voice cut through his thoughts. "Wake up." He gave Nox a light knock on his head.
"Ouch. What the hell?" Nox yelped.
Soren exhaled, shaking his head. "Let's go."
And they were off again, racing toward the castle as the first light of day broke over the forest.
After nearly two hours of running, they reached the side of the wall. Nox stood in awe. It was even bigger than he had imagined.
What would have taken almost a full day to traverse, desperation and stamina had compressed into hours.
"Hey Nox, look for any symbol with a lightning bolt on the wall. It should be around here somewhere," Soren instructed as they began searching.
Thirty minutes later, Nox spotted it and pointed it out.
Soren produced a golden necklace he wore, engraved with a thunderbolt that matched the wall's symbol. He placed it carefully, and a small section of the wall, just large enough for a well built man to enter, slid open.
Retrieving the necklace, Soren watched as the wall slowly began closing behind him and stepped into the cave within.
Nox froze, awestruck, forgetting that the door could only be opened once a day.
Noticing Nox lagging behind, Soren spun around and grabbed him before the wall closed.
"What, are you stupid?" Soren scolded.
Nox could only mutter, "Sorry."
"Whatever. Let's go," Soren said, moving forward.
Inside, the cave stretched twenty feet high and ten feet wide, making it easy to walk. Luminescent crystals clung to the walls, casting a soft glow along the passage.
"It'll take us about two or three hours to reach the secret room. By then, it should be midday, the sun will be at its peak. That's when the festival starts. The castle and part of the capital should be almost empty," Soren explained confidently.
"I hope you're sure about what you're saying," Nox said.
"The festival is held once every two years, celebrating when Blitz became the strongest and most advanced of the fourteen nations. Envoys and ministers arrive from all kingdoms. Four members of Ten Thousand lead the army escorting these dignitaries," Soren continued.
"Huh. Seems your kingdom really is the most important," Nox commented, not fully grasping the significance.
"Only the leader of Ten Thousand stays behind to protect the royal family," Soren added. "The festival is in the city center. After we swipe the orb and take out a few guards, we'll move along the empty side of the capital and exit through a gate."
"Wow, you've really thought this through, haven't you?" Nox asked as they walked.
"Of course. Been planning it for three weeks," Soren said, rubbing his nose.
"But why do we have to knock out guards? I thought they supported you and disliked the king," Nox probed.
"Loyalists," Soren corrected. "People who want me on the throne. They'd die and kill to make it happen. Others would do the same for the king, even after he eliminated almost his entire cabinet, including his right hand man, and also betrayed his wife." His voice went cold. "You really don't know much about politics, do you?"
"I really don't," Nox admitted.
As they approached, the sounds of stomping feet, drums, and cheering reached them.
"Let's hurry. Seems it's already started," Soren urged.
After nearly three hours, Soren used his necklace as before, opening the secret room.
A wave of Iora crashed over them the moment the door swung open.
It was pure. Too pure. Nox couldn't explain it. He had never sensed Iora this natural, not even from Raizen.
And it emanated from the orb resting on a pedestal in the center of the room.
Soren stepped forward as if called. Nox stayed back, careful not to interfere.
The aura wasn't just coming from the black orb. It was radiating from Soren as well.
As he drew near, Soren's chest glowed with golden light.
The orb lifted, shining gold, hovering before him.
Soren's feet left the ground as if he were flying. In an instant, he and the orb collided, pulling toward each other in a blinding golden flash.
And Soren fell with his eyes closed.
Nox could barely comprehend it. The Iora he felt dimmed slightly but still pulsed from Soren.
Holding him steady, Soren heard Nox's teasing voice. "I think you got the orb." He smiled, regaining his composure. "Let's go."
The plan remained the same, to leave the capital swiftly before attracting unwanted attention.
They knocked out guards outside the throne room. The castle was nearly empty. They descended two floors and passed more guards, knights in gold armor, silver spears adorned with red feathers. Their eyes met the prince's, but they carried on as if he weren't there.
"Those your loyalists?" Nox asked, playful.
"Shut up," Soren replied in kind.
The rest of the guards offered no resistance, acting as if they hadn't seen them. Soren allowed a grateful smile to cross his face. Everything was going according to plan, so far even better than expected.
They ran through the right section of the capital, nearly empty except for a few scattered people. The gate was in sight, freedom almost within reach.
Until a man appeared.
A long sword strapped to his waist, clad in blue. His attire split at the chest, revealing a pale torso, with loose white shorts and boots designed for agility. Slightly taller than Nox and Soren, his long hair tied in a ponytail, he had a slim, muscular build, and a pale, sharp face.
Soren stopped dead, his expression twisted in fear and anger.
Nox halted ahead of him, noticing the look.
"What? Come on, we're almost there," Nox urged.
"This man," Soren said, pointing, "is Rios, the leader of the elite guard group Ten Thousand."
Nox glanced back, seeing Rios's face. It mirrored the opposite of Soren's expression: a long, chilling smile.