The Queen raised her hands. Light flared around Damon — brilliant, merciless. Hexagonal patterns spun into reality, locking into a glowing dome around him.
"Stay back!" she commanded. Her voice cut through Damon's groans like a war commander.
The dog barked once, skidding behind Hazel. Even she — usually fearless — looked shaken, her wings flickering erratically.
The Queen ordered Hazel to fetch Dr. Tolrex.
"Mom—what's happening to me!?" Damon groaned, clutching his chest. His skin pulsed with radiant cracks, each one shining gold.
"This is my fault," the Queen whispered. "All of it."
"What do you—aghhh—" Damon's voice broke.
Before he could finish, a blur shot through the doors. Dr. Tolrex stormed into the throne room, Hazel trailing behind him.
He placed a strange disc on the floor, pressing glowing runes along its edge. A second dome unfolded, shimmering with dark energy.
"That should hold the release," he said through gritted teeth.
Inside the twin domes, Damon screamed. The golden light inside him didn't want to be contained — it pulsed, twisted, begged for freedom. He fell to his knees, fingers digging into the ground as his bones lit up like glass.
Then—silence. The light dimmed. He breathed again, shallow but alive.
Tolrex exhaled. "The containment is stable. He should—"
The words died in his throat.
A sharp boom echoed from inside the dome. Light exploded outward, brighter than before.
"Step back, Your Majesty!" Tolrex shouted.
Too late.
The domes shattered — fragments scattering like shards of raw light, falling slow as rain.
The Queen stood still — unwavering as she flicked away a fast pieces of the dome that hurled to her eyes.
Hazel was thrown backward into the throne, the impact echoing through the chamber. Tolrex slammed into the steps, the dog tumbling beside them with a startled yelp.
The light faded. Dust settled.
In the center, Damon knelt — shirt burnt, skin steaming, eyes dull, golden energy still humming beneath his skin.
He lifted his head slowly, vision hazy. Then he stood — shaky, determined.
A golden star shaped mark glowed on his chest, pulsing in rhythm with his heartbeat. Then its light dimmed.
"I'm done," he said, voice low and steady. Breathing heavy. "No more waiting. I've heard your stories. Now you're answering my questions."
He looked around, saw Hazel's broken chair, then sighed and sat on the floor. "Feels… better," he muttered. "My bones feel free."
Tolrex approached cautiously. "My prince, you might want to stay still—"
"What do you m—" Damon's body jerked violently.
Light surged through his veins, tracing every bone. He tried to grip his other arm, but pain forced him to swing — his fist connected with his own face.
Lights out.
Later...
When he opened his eyes again, the world was quiet.
Soft light flickered beside him, painting the ceiling gold. The sheets beneath him were impossibly smooth, the air faintly scented with wax and polished wood. There was also glowing devices on the walls for light.
He sat up slowly. The room felt vast. A slightly gothic chamber — elegant and heavy with mystery. A chandelier, bronze and navy walls glowed with subtle light; arched windows filtered silver moonlight through patterned glass. There seemed to be a balcony after the window.
It was too beautiful to be real. The tiny stuff seemed to have etchings of gold. The edges of his table for example, and the chair too.
He glanced toward the window, then the long mirror at the side of his bed. A reflection stared back — him, but not quite. His eyes carried a golden tint now.
I look like the guys in the God's of Egypt movie. He thought.
The door creaked open. His mother peeked in, Hazel floating above her shoulder.
"You're awake." The Queen said. "How are you feeling?" She asked with motherly concern.
"I'm fine. I feel normal, except for my eyes that look a bit different."
The dog darted in first, tail wagging, leaping straight onto the bed.
"He didn't want to leave your side," Hazel said, perching on the dog's head with her arms crossed. "What's his name anyway?"
"I… don't know," Damon said. "Natsuki was supposed to name him, but… I don't think she did."
The dog barked proudly. "She just called me 'Good boy.' It didn't bother me because she had smooth paws."
Damon almost smiled. "Guess she forgot to choose, huh?"
Hazel fluttered down onto his head.
"How is she?" the Queen asked softly.
Damon's smile faded. "She's fine," he said quietly. "But that's the last question I'm answering."
The Queen sat on the edge of the bed.
"You said Eterna can be powered by emotions to an extent, yes?" Damon asked.
She nodded slowly.
"Then… does all this," he gestured to the gold in his blue eyes, "have anything to do with you faking your death?"
Her lips tightened. "Yes."
He turned his head, silent.
"I did it so that your grief — your emotion — could awaken the seal within you," she continued. "The ring your father gave you acted as a channel. I'm… sorry."
Damon stared at his hand, where the ring once sat. "I knew there was something up with that ring." He clenched his fist. "Why did you seal my Eterna in the first place?"
Her gaze fell as her expression softened and saddened. "Because the day you were born, Gamishi tried to kill you. He learned I was with child, perhaps from a spy. Your father died protecting us — protecting Woewyn. But before he fell, he passed everything into you through his core. His power. His fighting experience. His soul's weight. Though it was dangerous."
Damon blinked, stunned. "Why would that be dangerous?"
Dr. Tolrex, standing quietly near the door, stepped forward. "Because transferring one's core requires mutual love. A bond both ways. So not only was it dangerous, it was risky."
"But I wasn't even born."
The Queen's voice softened. "The only explanation is that you develop consciousness earlier, even in the womb, perhaps because you are the Chosen One. You must have loved him, Damon. He always spoke to you, you know."
Damon exhaled through a quiet laugh. "He must've been a playful guy."
Queen Thessa smiled faintly. "He was. I ruled from the throne, but he… he ruled the hearts of our people."
Tolrex cleared his throat, handing a blue glass sheet of data to her. "His readings are stable, Your Majesty. The resonance between his core and released seal has aligned. Your powers are still dormant Damon but you have them, unlocking them properly will take some time."
Damon looked away. "Hey, Tolrex… sorry. For threatening you before."
The doctor gave a weary smile. "I've experienced worse, my prince."
"Still..." Damon murmured, scratching the back of his neck.
The Queen stood, holding the glass. "Your father's power wasn't the only risk, Damon."
The dog groaned. "Here we go again."
She continued, "When he transferred his energy, it overflowed. Your body began absorbing Eterna before you were born. You grew too fast in my womb. To save you — and me — they called a Sealer to contain your power during labour. When you were born, she had to reinforce the seal. So many layers that even I lost count."
Damon looked at her for a long moment, eyes unreadable.
"I hated you," he said finally. "And loved you at the same time. For those months you were 'dead'... all I wanted was to wake up and see you cooking while I wished you'd take it all back."
Her voice wavered. "Damon—"
"No," he said softly as his face cloned his tone. "I get it now. The fate of two planes of existence depended on it. So you made your son live a nightmare every guy dreads."
The room went silent.
He rose from the bed, faint gold light tracing his skin again and then go completely silent as if the last time he would see it. In the mirror's reflection, the star‑shaped mark on his chest glowed faintly.
He ran his fingers over it — feeling the warmth, the pulse of his heartbeat.
"Is it normal to feel stronger now?" he asked quietly.
Tolrex nodded. "Based on your readings… yes. Before, we estimated your combat instinct matched your father's at age seven. Now, after the resonance — you've unlocked his hand to hand skill at twelve."
Damon froze. "Twelve…" he whispered.
His mind flashed with Gamishi's face. His father's last stand. Imagine his full strength. If even that strength hadn't been enough…
He clenched his fists. "I need to get stronger."
Hazel grinned from his head. "That's the spirit."
The dog barked. "And I need food."
Hazel tossed him a biscuit, then poked his nose playfully. "I don't feel like eating you for some reason," the dog muttered. Hazel squeaked and hugged his snout instead.
The Queen smiled faintly at the sight.
"Mom, what's this mark on my chest?" Damon asking placing a finger on the unknown icon.
The Queen seemed hesitant in her reply— subtle shyness of a mother. "Well... its a mark for people who can only love one person in their lifetime. It's quite rare."
"One person...?" Damon asked in shock though his remained calm. That explains why I couldn't get over Natsuki. But still... Its not like I want to get over her... What am I thinking? He facepalmed as the thought ran through his mind.
"Don't think about it too much Damon. Its best not to." His mom reassured.
Then Damon turned to her. "I have to see Natsuki."
Her expression faltered. "You can't leave Eternum yet."
"I have to." His tone was quiet, but firm.
She studied his eyes — noticing its new tiny touch of gold, full of determination and love that almost hurt to look at.
Finally, she sighed. "Very well. But Hazel goes with you."
He frowned in confusion. "How am I supposed to walk around with a fairy floating next to me?"
The Queen turned, her robes trailing softly as she left.
"Then I suggest you go at night," she said over her shoulder. "And eat something first. We still have much to discuss."
Damon exhaled, watching the candlelight flicker.
The dog licked his hand. Hazel yawned.
Somewhere deep inside, the mark on his chest pulsed again — faint, warm, alive.