Auren was still riding the afterglow of his birthday morning. The sun's light slipped through the Eternal Glass Garden's dome, breaking against the crystalline leaves and scattering like a thousand tiny suns. The world smelled faintly of fading lilies, a sweet trace of the gift that had filled Auren's sanctuary just a day ago. The petals hadn't withered yet, Zevaros' enchantments were holding on.
Auren sat cross-legged in the center, silver hair loose around his shoulders, his terminal balanced on his knee. His eyes traced the faint glimmer of the Death Pride insignia engraved into the token he now wore around his waist.
He hadn't stopped smiling since yesterday.
The silence between him and Zevaros no longer stung; instead, it warmed him. He finally understood why the Alpha hadn't responded to his messages since the time he solved the puzzle in Mortal's Heaven.
It seems solving that puzzle had been the signal Zevaros needed to start his acquiring his gift. The man had probably spent the entire month hunting flowers that didn't even grow in the nearby Dominions, weaving runes and sealing them in his own Primis putting them in a stasis state, just so Auren could have a living birthday in a dead land.
The thought made his chest ache. Not painfully, but with the kind of quiet fullness that felt almost too heavy to contain. All the flowers had a trace of Zevaros' primis meaning, he didn't send his subordinates but hunted these flowers himself.
"Of course you'd go this far," he murmured, brushing a finger over the token. "You ridiculous, overbearing lion."
He stood, tying his hair back into a neat half-tail before glancing at the clock. Morning lectures were starting soon. As he left the garden, the scent of Zevaros' presence that dark, thunderous energy threaded with something warm and smoky, seemed to linger in the air, refusing to fade completely.
He went to class and just before the instructor could begin his lesson for the day, on the essence of combat to a Therion, a knock came on the door,
"Student Auren. The principal requests your presence."
The class stilled. Even Eiran's ears twitched with curiosity. Auren rose smoothly, ignoring the murmurs, his cold gaze silencing them as he followed the messenger out. Even when glowing with happiness, Auren never lost his biting edge.
The principal.
For most students, being summoned to the principal's office was reason enough to tremble. But Auren? His steps were steady, his expression unreadable.He knew he had done nothing wrong and and the night before was with Eiran's points so it's still within the school rule. The only thing she could call him for is the garden. When he entered the tall arched doors of the principal's wing, he felt no rush of panic.
Because he knew power. He had grown up measuring it, living under its weight. As a prince of the Blest Dominion, power has been his companion since young yet it never ceased to amaze him. Aure arrived before the principal's door and the student sent to call him walked away. Auren knocked and only entered when he heard a soft voice beckoning.
Lauren walked in and stood in the middle of her vast chamber. Behind a desk carved from living vines sat Oriana, the Queen of Bloom Dominion. Her hair, a waterfall of green threaded with blossoms, shimmered faintly in the sunlight that streamed through the glass walls. Her presence was regal, her aura equally as commanding, she is a sovereign just like his father. But, Auren had already begun his calculations.
He gauged her strength instinctively, like a wolf sizing another predator. She was very powerful, yes. Her Primis was refined, her aura heavy as summer rain. But she was weaker than his father, Fenvaros. [Perhaps closer to my mother's level.] The realization made his shoulders relax.
Oriana noticed. Her lips curved, amused. She leaned back in her chair, emerald eyes catching the cerulean in Auren's. [He looks just like his brothers when they were here. He must be assessing if I will question about the garden and how had he will fight for it. How amusing ~]
"You really are his son," she murmured. "Fenvaros' shadow walks in you. And not just his shadow, I see Vorren, and Caelith, your brothers who came before you and studied within this very academy. You wear their echoes like a cloak."
Auren didn't flinch. He simply lowered his head in the shallowest of nods. [Why is she talking about the now? Did something happen at home?]
"Sit," Oriana said, gesturing to the chair across from her. Even as she internally smiled at Auren's mental fluctuations.
Auren pulled the chair back a bit and sat, his back straight, hands rested casually in the seat.
"You must be wondering why I've called you here." Her voice carried the practiced warmth of someone who had ruled for centuries, yet beneath it lay steel. "It is not for punishment because of your little garden incident... In fact, it is your mother who made the request."
"Mother made a request?" Auren repeated.
Oriana's smile sharpened. "More like… a demand. She insisted you be excused from your duties for two days, in honor of your birthday."
Auren blinked. Of all the explanations he had anticipated, this was not one of them. He had just spoken with his mother the night before in their long hour family video call and she didn't mention any of this, [Is this a surprise? But why call me out of school today?]
His past birthday had passed without notice, drowned in the academy's grind. No requests, no demands, no threats sent on his behalf. But now, at seventeen? And without notice?
[Why now?] Auren masked his confusion, offering only a calm nod. "I see."
But Oriana's gaze lingered. She saw the questions flicker across his mind. She saw the confusion and almost wanted to ruin the surprise. Even when Vorren studied here at Nexus 20 years ago, he was called in this same way by his mother on his 17th year. [I guess it really is a Fenrir thing ~]
"You may go," she said finally, dismissing him with a flick of her fingers.
Auren rose, bowed slightly, and exited. The moment he was free of her gaze, he pulled out his terminal and sent a short message to Eiran. From the way the principal spoke, his mother threatened her to give him 2 days off and that means his family carriage must be waiting.
['I'm leaving for home. Don't wait for me.']
The reply came almost instantly.
[' Have fun I guess? Oh! Bring me a gift, wolf.']
Auren's lips twitched faintly. He tucked the device away and continued. He loved the fact that Eiran never asked questions relentlessly even though he is burning with curiosity. He trusted Auren to tell him when he is ready.
At the school gates, his family's butler awaited him with a carriage gleaming in the sunlight. The old man bowed low, opening the door with polished grace. Auren stepped inside without a word. [Han isn't here?They sent Gorman instead.]
The carriage rolled smoothly, wheels humming softly over the polished stone road. For a while, Auren watched the scenery blur past. He expected the familiar path toward the town so they can take the teleportation waypoint to Blest Dominion, toward the towering spires of his home.
But halfway through the journey, his eyes narrowed. This was not the westward road towards the town. This was east road that led to a different city a bit far from Nexus Academy.
"Gorman, Where are we going?" he asked.
The butler's voice was calm, steady as ever. "You will see, young master."
"That isn't an answer. Where are you taking me?"
"No it is not an answer," the butler admitted. "But it is the only one I can give you Young Master."
Auren studied him for a moment longer, then leaned back. He did not press for more. He trusted his family enough, at least, to wait. Hours passed along the road and they arrived at the Blaze city. The carriage slowed as they approached a teleportation waypoint. The air shimmered as the carriage passed through, and in an instant, the landscape changed.
The smell of salt hit him first. Then the cry of seabirds. The sound of waves crashing against rocks.
Auren's eyes widened faintly as he looked out the carriage.
They had arrived at the seaside of Verion Dominion.
Before him stretched glittering turquoise waters, white sands gleaming like scattered pearls. Beyond, many island resorts rose from the sea, its villas elegant, its beaches pristine. The entire area shimmered with enchantments, a paradise cut off from the world.
His butler guided the carriage down a private causeway, leading to the heart of the resort. A single island tucked away from the bustling people. When Auren stepped out, attendants bowed low, welcoming him. He was escorted through arched gates draped with flowers, past lanterns that floated like stars even under daylight. The air was heavy with perfume, sweet and intoxicating.
And everywhere, banners and ribbons marked the occasion. It was a celebration, his celebration. The entire island had been rented for him. Guests already mingled along the shore, nobles in bright garments, merchants seeking favor, allies of his family. Laughter carried on the breeze, mingling with the scent of the sea.
Auren stood still, expression unreadable. Inside, confusion twisted in his mind. [Why this? Why now? I'm not even 18 yet.] Before he could sort his thoughts, attendants guided him into a villa where garments awaited.They were silks tailored to his form, jeweled bands meant to accent his lineage.
He let them dress him, though his mind was elsewhere. Even as the laughter and music outside swelled, even as the sea shimmered like glass, Auren's thoughts circled one truth:
[This was not simply a party. It is a statement.]
Auren sighed looking outside,
[And I'm at the center of it.]