POV: Kael Ryuu
Kael woke as pale dawn light filtered through high arched windows of his private suite. His body ached from yesterday's Memory Vault trial—muscles stiff, skin tingling where Aetherflare had branded him. He sat up on the silk-sheeted bed, running a fingertip across the rune-scar on his wrist, now pulsing faintly violet.
His uniform lay on a side table, sleeves singed and gloves cracked. He dressed slowly, each piece a reminder of the power he'd wielded—and the cost. At his desk, a single candle burned beside a sealed ivory envelope stamped with the Queen's crest.
Heart pounding, Kael broke the seal.
> "By order of Her Majesty Queen Elira Vael, Kael Ryuu is hereby commended for extraordinary valor and mastery of forbidden magics in the Royal Exhibition. You are summoned to an imperial duty beyond the arena. Report to the Obsidian Tower at first light three days hence. Further instructions enclosed."
He paused, reading the final lines:
> "The Empire's need surpasses ceremony. Be at peace in purpose, but wary in action."
Cold resolve settled in his chest. A new journey began—one that would test more than skill.
----
POV: Headmaster Erion Virellian
In the hidden council chamber below the Academy, Headmaster Erion and Senn Valeris studied a levitating holo-map of the Empire's edge. Kael's recent Exhibition victories blinked on the map.
Erion sighed. "He's become both a beacon and a blade. The Queen sees a hero. I fear she sees a weapon."
Senn ran a hand through his long silver hair. "A weapon always needs a wielder. The question is—does he know who wields him?"
Erion's eyes darkened. "Tell Master Illovar and the instructors to prepare. Kael's departure must be covered. I want every rune chart sealed, every record aligned. If they question his pedigree or Crest… they must get nothing."
Senn nodded. "Understood."
As Erion extinguished the council's flame, he added softly, "We must trust him... but temper his trust with caution."
---
POV: Arien
Arien slipped into the Academy's records vault—rows of glyph-bound scrolls glimmering in torchlight. He retrieved Kael's Exhibition transcript and Kael's student files, cross-referencing every entry.
Something caught his eye: a footnote in Kael's runic progress indicating "Void resonance calibration" during the Memory Vault trial. No instructor had authorization to record such.
He frowned. Why hide it?
A rustle behind him. He spun—no one there. Only a folded slip of black parchment lay on the desk, inscribed with three runes he recognized from the Obsidian Tower.
"Silence preserves life."
He crumpled the note in his fist. Someone was watching him.
---
POV: Veyna Mor'Kash
Veyna Mor'Kash stood in the imperial armory, sword in hand, when Captain Rennar approached with a sealed dispatch. Her heart clenched at seeing the Queen's wax—this was no routine order.
She opened it:
> "By command of Her Majesty, Lieutenant Veyna Mor'Kash is to accompany Kael Ryuu as liaison and observer. Any deviation from protocol will be reported directly to the Inner Court."
Duty burned in her veins, but so did loyalty to Kael. She lowered the letter and met Rennar's gaze. "Understood."
That night, she confided in her quarters: "I won't betray him… but I must follow orders."
Her reflection stared back—both protector and potential informant.
---
POV: Kael Ryuu
That night, sleep came unbidden. He dreamed of the sunken city glimpsed in the Memory Vault: obsidian spires beneath churning waves, stars reflecting on silent canals. A Wraithborn agent—a gaunt, winged silhouette—whispered in a voice that rattled bone:
> "You are not the first to bear the Void… but you may be the last."
Kael's hand shot to his chest, waking him with a gasp. The rune on his wrist glowed hot. A single phrase burned in his mind:
"Crest of the First Wraith."
He bolted upright, drenched in cold sweat.
---
POV: Kael Ryuu
Morning light was weak through leaden clouds. Kael descended to the Imperial Dock, flanked by Arien and Veyna. A small skyship, the Starbreaker, awaited—its hull etched with Obsidian Tower sigils.
He held the Queen's directive: his mission to investigate a disturbance at the Tower under the guise of post-Exhibition honors.
Arien frowned. "I saw your note… they know more than they told you."
Veyna placed a hand on Kael's shoulder. "I'm here. Whatever comes, you won't face it alone."
Kael looked out at the tower—its black spire piercing lead skies.
"Then let's bring some light to its shadows," he said.
The skyship's engines thrummed. As they boarded, the Void Crest pulsed—an echo of destiny and dread.
Above them, the Empire's future hung in balance.