Alexia walked briskly through the castle halls.She pushed open a large door — the throne room. Inside were the royal family, several soldiers, Captain Edward, and Vice-Captain Doran.
"Daughter, this is an emergency. What have you been doing so far?" asked the Queen.
"I know, Mother. I was coordinating the soldiers to calm the city."
"Well done," said the King. "But now we must discuss something far more serious — the summoned one who unlocked the power granted by the Lord."
"And what is there to discuss, Father? Isn't that what you wanted?"
"Of course," the King replied, "but the boy lost control. We nearly lost Vice-Captain Felix."
"I can confirm that," added Edward. "It's too dangerous to let him fight again for now."
"So what are you suggesting? That we lock him up for something that isn't even his fault!?" snapped Alexia.
"Lower your tone, Alexia!" the King scolded. "You're getting too attached to those boys. You must think of the kingdom's safety, not your emotions."
"A kingdom isn't protected by isolating those who wish to defend it," she retorted — her voice calm, but firm.
Silence fell over the room, sharp and heavy.
At that moment, the doors burst open again."Wow, I didn't expect to come back and have to work twice as hard right away," said a familiar, ironical voice — General Howard — as he stepped into the center of the hall.
"General Howard! Welcome back!" said Alexia with a smile, saluting him formally.
"General, it's good to see you again," added Edward.
"Likewise," nodded Doran.
"General, you couldn't have arrived at a better time," said the King.
Howard bowed his head slightly. "Your Majesty, I'm aware of the situation… and with all due respect, I agree with the princess."
Alexia held back a relieved smile.
"But," Howard continued, "I also agree that it would be risky to let him act freely."
"I assume you already have a solution," said the King, narrowing his eyes.
"Exactly. His name is Dave Ironbrook. Come in!"
The doors opened once more, and a soldier with dark, curly hair stepped inside.
"I've brought back from the frontlines the formidable Captain of the Second Unit — Dave Ironbrook."
Captain Dave scratched his head. "General, could you not introduce me like some kind of champion?"
"Captain Dave, you've returned," said the King.
Dave bowed. "Your Majesty, I've returned from the front following General Howard's orders."
"General," said Edward, "I think I understand your idea… but isn't this a bit risky?"
"Maybe," replied Howard. "But it's also the most effective way to help him improve. Enea needs to learn how to control his magic — and fast."
The King remained silent for a few seconds.
"Captain Dave," he finally asked, "would you be willing to take on such an important responsibility?"
Dave looked confused. "With all due respect, Your Majesty… I don't even know what we're talking about. The general brought me here saying I had a few days off."
Everyone turned to Howard, who looked away innocently. "Come on, Dave. Anything's better than the frontlines. Think of it as… a mini vacation."
Dave sighed. "Yeah, sure. A vacation. So who exactly am I supposed to babysit?"
...
Meanwhile, the boys were heading toward the infirmary, tension written all over their faces.Two soldiers stood guard at the door.
Leon tried to push past them, but one soldier stepped in front of him.
"No one's allowed in. Direct order from the King."
"What!? Our friends are in there!" protested Leon.
"Exactly. But you can't see them."
Leon clenched his fists, anger boiling inside. He tried to force his way through again, but the guards blocked him.
"One more step and you'll spend a month in the cells," warned one of them.
Leon slammed his fist against the wall. "Damn it!"
"How long will we have to wait?" asked Alexandre.
"No idea. But as soon as possible, you'll be informed first."
"And Daniel?"
"He can't receive visitors either."
Alexandre sighed. "Let's go, guys. There's nothing we can do here."
They walked away in silence.
"What a shitty situation," muttered Leon.
"What's going to happen now?" asked Michael.
"I don't know," said Alexandre. "But from today on, Enea will be treated differently."
"What if it happens to us too?" asked Hector, uneasy.
"It could," admitted Andrea. "I just hope I never lose control like that."
"Enea almost killed someone today," whispered Alexandre.
"Might as well not think about it," Michael said flatly.
Silence returned among them.
"At least there's one good thing — the test's been canceled," Michael said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah," nodded Hector.
"Let's keep training — not just for us, but for Daniel and Enea too," said Andrea.
"Yeah!" they all answered together.
...
Enea lay in the infirmary bed. He looked asleep, but his body twitched restlessly.
In his dream — or maybe in another realm — he walked through darkness.
Where am I?
A sharp pain shot through his head.
"What… what is this pain?"
"Ohh, so it's happened," said a deep, rumbling voice.
Enea turned, but saw no one.
"So the Lord has finally moved his pawn… how interesting."
"Who are you!?"
"You… servant blessed by the Lord…"
The space around him warped, and from a rift emerged a gigantic purple hand surrounded by an aura of death.
"Poor soul… you and your companions will suffer the worst torments imaginable."
The hand grabbed him tightly. A black claw rested against his neck.
"For now, I'll leave you only a warning. Next time, I won't be so merciful."
The claw cut into Enea's skin before the hand vanished.
"We will meet again, poor soul. I'll be watching you — and your friends."
In the real world, Enea stirred violently. A wound appeared on his neck, just where the claw had touched.For an instant, his hands glowed with dark gold light… then everything went dark again.
Silence filled the room once more.