Chapter 6: Chapter Six

The alarm reached deep into Micah’s subconscious with grating persistence.

Sluggishly, he roused himself from his deep sleep, immediately feeling the effects of waking prematurely. Disorientation made his movements delayed as he stood from his bed and nearly collided with Kai.

“Watch it, Egan,” the boy snapped, just as disorientated by the blaring alarm.

Since enrolling at the academy, he’d never heard the alarm sound. He’d heard of it from overenthusiastic cadets, he just hadn’t expected he’d ever hear it go off. Something important must have transpired in the kingdom and the academy staff wanted all the students to assemble in the training arena.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Talia strip boldly down to her undergarments. Either she was getting far too comfortable with the male-dominated team or she was just as tired as the rest of them to feel any sort of modesty.

Micah stuffed his feet into his combat boots and laced them quickly.

“Shut the ruddy thing off!” Viktor screamed shrilly as he struggled to get into his military jacket. His hair was askew, his eyes wide and frenzied as he accused the alarm.

“Your screaming just makes things worse, Viktor,” Aiden snipped.

“Let’s get along, children,” Micah mocked as he stood from his mattress. He sighed, his attention falling on the large lump in the other bed. “Someone wake Cain up.”

“I’m up,” the man mumbled into his pillow.

Viktor sprinted over and abruptly grabbed the edge of Cain’s mattress. Unceremoniously, he yanked the mattress at an awkward angle, causing the larger male to tumble to the ground with a painful thud.

Turning his shoulder on the pair with another sigh of exasperation, Micah fastened his jacket. As he bent down to grab his sword holster, his attention landed on the pentagram pendant he’d stuffed under his pillow last night.

Reaching for the familiar weight, he paused as his fingers traced over a nick.

Gathering the pendant, he studied it up close, squinting at the scratched metal. He tilted it in the bath of light, confused when he saw the golden gleam.

Using his fingernail, he scratched relentlessly at the gouge, startled when silver residue sprinkled down upon his bedsheets. Underneath the silver, more gold appeared.

Micah’s eyes widened comically.

But… but that was impossible!

Micah clutched the pendant, his pulse racing furiously as he brought the pendant as close to his eyes as possible. It was not a trick of the light. Fake silver veiled real gold. When dealing with daemons, Magi worked with elements like nickel, sterling silver, and charcoal. Not gold.

Micah never read about a ritual using gold as a conductor. In fact, his textbooks often claimed to use anything but gold.

But then…

The implications…

No, no, no! No!

His stomach dropped to his feet.

“Micah!”

Struggling to regain his senses, Micah breathed shakily. Looking over his shoulder, he noticed his team lingering near the doorway, waiting for him as they hastily finished fastening the last button on their uniforms or hooking their holsters across their shoulders and backs.

Stuffing the pendant into his pocket, Micah joined his team, his mind heavy, his emotions haywire.

Could it really be…?

It couldn’t.

But…

Focus, he reprimanded himself. It was an extremely unnerving revelation, but he had to focus on the task at hand. His assumptions could be wrong, after all. They’d been wrong before. He needed evidence before he could get too excited or too frightened.

Fortunately, the blaring alarm silenced as they made their way to the arena. Other students, appearing bleary-eyed, soon accompanied them in the corridors. There was a sense of silent tension in the air as everyone pondered on the emergency.

As they entered the arena, Micah immediately spied Josiah. The man stood in the center of the arena with several instructors at his back.

Though Councilman Sachiel was the acting academy Chairman during Josiah’s palace arrest, it appeared as if the situation required a more authoritative voice.

Micah led his team to an area with enough seating. As they sat on the stands amongst the sea of other cadets, they acquired sharp observation. Politely ignoring the stares, and the intensity of all the glowing, Micah focused resolutely on Sachiel.

The man appeared rather grim.

“A good morning to all of you.” Josiah’s sardonic greeting resonated across the silent arena with startling clarity. Above his head, the clock indicated it hadn’t been morning for very long. “You’re all here, not for an assignment or a graded evaluation, but rather for an actual mission. There was a…” the man trailed off, intentionally stoking the tension in the room. “Revolt in Region 0 late last night.”

That fueled the flames for excited and nervous chatter.

Micah knew Region 0 was the capital’s prison that housed all sorts of criminals. From what others said, the prison was a gated community that put the prisoners to work with a semblance of freedom.

It was also close to the capital, which unnerved many citizens.  

For a good reason.

“There were several casualties last night,” Josiah continued.

Though he stood before the students on ground level, he had an air of someone possessing significantly higher ground. With his hands clasped firmly behind his back, and with a haughty lift of both his chin and shoulders, Josiah harnessed control with image alone.

Eyes across the arena focused intently upon Josiah, unable to look away from the man’s charisma. Even Unda nobles, who were not shy in their dislike of the Igni king, always seemed to give the man their full attention and respect.

Micah observed the students, unnerved with their obsession given the current situation. They seemed to yearn for Josiah’s attention, no matter how brief. Subconsciously, their feet and torsos would turn toward Josiah with anticipation, hoping to catch the man’s eyes.

It was almost… supernatural, one could say.

Micah’s attention lingered on the glow around the students. He’d become accustomed to the illumination the last couple of days when classes began. However, it still perplexed him of why he was seeing it and what, exactly, he was seeing.

Turning back to the Igni king, Micah noticed he’d garnered the man’s keen attention. He was suddenly very aware of the pendant weighing in his pocket.

His fingers trembled before he curled them into a fist.

It couldn’t be true. He refused to believe it.

“Several of our men were lost,” Josiah said, looking away. “Unfortunately, as you can imagine, many prisoners escaped. We will be working with the military to incarcerate and capture as many prisoners as we can.”

The man seemed to make a point of gazing at each student.

“Those who resist capture will face an informal death penalty.”

Someone cheered in the crowd.

“The top two teams from each year will travel to Region 5. Others will stay back at the capital and be our second line of defense.” Josiah turned to Sachiel. “Those who are staying behind need to see Councilman Sachiel for your stations. Those who are going to Region 5 need to board the train.”

Josiah raised his hands and clapped once, startling everyone to rise.

“Now.”

Micah led his team down the observation bleachers and across the arena. He caught Sachiel’s eyes and the councilman beckoned him over.

“You’ve been requested to stay behind,” Sachiel explained. “By your father.”

Just over Sachiel’s shoulder, Micah watched as another instructor approached Ladon and delivered similar news. The boy appeared generally unaffected as he heeded the request to stay behind, almost as if it happened frequently.

“A request,” Micah repeated, turning back to Sachiel. “Is not an order.”

Sachiel’s lips twitched and he feigned exasperation. “Very well.”

“Typical,” Kai muttered as he walked directly at Micah’s shoulder. “He caves into you all the time. It’s ridiculous.”

“It sounds as if you want me to stay behind, Edlen.”

“Are my intentions not clear enough for you?” Kai asked dryly. “Evidently, I’m being too subtle if you’re questioning them.”

“You’ll never get your position back as co-captain.”

Kai laughed once. “Co-captain? I will be our sole captain within the term's end.”  

Just as they reached the corridor, Micah nearly collided with Josiah, who’d emerged in front of them undetected. “You’re to stay behind,” he informed unsympathetically. “It is not a request, but an order.”

At the directive, Micah faltered. Josiah never coddled him.

That trait was actually something he liked about the man.

“I don’t understand.”

Cadets from other teams passed them on their way to the train, looking between him and Josiah and then talking quietly amongst each other. Micah could have sworn he heard the term ‘Chosen’ and he recoiled.

Members of the court knew about Josiah’s claim on Ezra since he was a child. Micah just hadn’t known how far that knowledge spread. He hadn’t known how much it would feel like a hot, oppressive brand of ownership.

Josiah, unaware of Micah’s growing ire, leaned closer to the younger man.

“You are to stay behind,” he repeated firmly. “That is an order.” A hand suddenly curled around the nape of his neck. Possessive. Controlling. “I will stay in tune with you,” Josiah whispered. “If I so much sense your presence on the train to Region 5, I will make a scene and drag you out by your ear. Do you understand?”

Micah didn’t know it was possible to despise the man more than he already did. He forgot about the pendant in his pocket, and he no longer cared about what—no—who this man may be.

Wrenching his head away from Josiah, Micah turned and locked eyes with him. “Don’t touch me again, or I will be the one making the scene,” he whispered icily. “Do you understand me?”

Moving away from the tightening hand, Micah motioned for Kai and the others to follow. He retreated from the Igni king, feeling the beginnings of his Element lick at the tips of his cold fingers.

He wouldn’t give Josiah the satisfaction of losing control.

“Trouble in paradise?” Viktor inquired innocently. “You both are just fascinating.”

“Viktor!”

“Not now, Viktor.”

“You never know when to shut up, do you, Viktor?”

A chorus of voices reprimanded at once, immediately quieting the boy. However, Micah took one look at the boy, noticing the wide, amused smirk on his face. Evidently, he was unaffected by all the protests.

“Varuna has granted your wish today, Edlen. You’ll be the sole captain,” Micah started, turning a blind eye to Viktor’s grin. “Take advantage of it, because there will not be a next time.” He smirked at the others who assembled loyally behind him. “Just like practice.”

“Only you’re not at my side,” Kai pointed out unnecessarily.

“This will be good practice. I won’t always be by your side. You synchronize well with Cain and Talia. If you don’t feel prepared to fight solo, join them. Viktor and Aiden will pair up together.”

It was slightly amusing seeing their stubbornly impassive faces. They wanted to remain unaffected, but Micah could see. Their glow—their auras— were rather dim and dark. Far less radiant than they usually were. They were worried. Unconfident.

They’d lost too many team members to experience the glow of undefeated glory.

“Maybe we can stay behind as well,” Aiden suggested.

Micah offered a small smile upon the proposition. “The prisoners will have to travel through Region 5 before they reach the capital. You’re the first line of defense and that’s how it should be.”

He looked at their expressions, recognizing the ill-tasting hesitancy of a compliment sitting on his tongue. Several evenings ago, when he praised Cain in front of his parents, he considered the possibility of giving his team more encouragement.

Micah supposed, given their apprehensive mind frames, a compliment couldn’t hurt. “You’re all very impressive warriors,” he said tensely. “I’m proud of all of you.”

Amid their surprised features, Viktor was the first to react. “Ah,” the man gushed with a surprising amount of emotion. “Did our… prince just… did he really just praise us?”

Micah rotated his body and inclined his head towards the exit.

“Go. Don’t disappoint me.”

Viktor offered a coy smile as he and the rest of the team walked past Micah.

As he watched them leave, he tried to suppress his overprotectiveness. He tried and failed to comprehend Josiah’s insistence he stay behind. Was it politically motivated? Or was it meant as punishment for the other day? He hoped it was the former reason. If anyone should be upset about the day he conjured the entity, it should be Micah.

The object of his ire breezed by, following the cadets down the corridor. Micah turned away before they could make eye contact. He schemed up ways to get even with the man, coming up short, but trusting he’d find a way.

“Despite what you undoubtedly feel about Lord Josiah’s decision, I consider this a step in the right direction when it comes to your relationship with him,” Sachiel said as soon as he noticed Micah returning to the arena. “The man is taking your safety seriously as opposed to throwing you into the fire.”

“If there is one thing Josiah is not, it’s protective.”

“But he is particularly possessive,” Sachiel countered smartly. “Essentially, it is the same thing as being protective, only far more selfish and stifling.”

“Don’t forget the ill intentions.”

Micah watched as the cadets all exited the arena, hurrying to their stations or to the train. He envied the ones who departed to the left, the same path that would lead them to the train, and eventually, the front lines. He wanted adrenaline. He wanted to fight.

“What is the point of attending the military academy if I cannot go on missions?”

“For most nobles, it is for show,” Sachiel replied. He motioned Micah forward at his side as they departed from the empty arena. “Ladon has never been on a mission. Calder found it pointless to risk his life on assignments. After all, you and I both know assignments are just as deadly as the real thing.”

Wayde.

Micah dutifully followed Sachiel as the man led him across the academy grounds and towards one of several carriages.

“Despite reassurances of your abilities from several sources, Calder still wants to be extra careful with you, I’m afraid,” Sachiel informed. He opened the door for Micah and motioned inside. “You’re with me and the other leftovers.”  

Micah sat in the carriage. Leftovers was a term that had been foreign to him until he arrived at the capital. After all, the outskirt regions never had such a luxury as leftovers.

“You’re comparing us to uneaten food?”

“It’s a fitting analogy.” Sachiel settled himself in the seat across from Micah and the carriage jerked into motion “Once part of the whole, but now separated from the group. Set aside and used only when needed. If needed. An extra.”

“That is a rather tasteless analogy,” Micah drawled. “Considering most inhabitants of the capital discard leftovers without consideration.”

The man chuckled softly, pleased. His eyes roved across Micah with seductive slowness. “You are hardly disposable.”

“There he is,” Micah murmured silkily. “I’d thought you’d lost interest.”

Indeed, Sachiel’s rather forward comments had lessened considerably since they started training together. Though Micah wasn’t too bothered with the man’s sudden professionalism when they’d begun working together, he was pleased to see the old Sachiel return.

“Never,” the older man avowed. He sighed and picked at a piece of imaginary flint on his sleeve. “It is extremely inappropriate to make such overtures towards my student, especially a student I train intimately with the staff and sword.”

“Bad for your reputation, I’m sure,” Micah murmured dryly, no doubt conveying his irony on the subject.  

“My reputation is already soiled.” Sachiel looked up slowly. “I’m sure you’ve heard of several accounts by now.”

“Only a few.”

Something akin to dark humor danced behind the man’s eyes. “No, aside from my own warped principles, Lord Josiah watched me very closely when I was with you.”

Micah scoffed and looked away to control his initial response.

“I’m assuming, with your actions the other evening, we are no longer student and master?” He looked back at Sachiel with a raised eyebrow. “Have I truly exhausted you to the point of an early termination?” 

“You always try my patience, but such an occurrence would not be enough to terminate our lessons,” Sachiel said fondly. “I’ve taught you all you need to know with the Unda form. As I said before, you are a natural.”

Sachiel only emphasized that particular belief at least once during every training session. It did not come to a surprise to Micah that Sachiel was forcing him to move on. The man thought he was ready for the next step. And apparently, that next step was Josiah. Even the thought of having to train with the man set Micah’s teeth on edge.

No matter, Josiah claimed he was not ready for such a step yet. For a brief moment, it suddenly did not seem like an absurd decision on Josiah’s part. Considering…

Micah’s pulse skipped a beat.

Considering how ignorant Micah had been all this time to Josiah’s true powers…

No, he reprimanded himself. He couldn’t get ahead of himself. He needed to find proof. He refused to acknowledge his assumptions. It just couldn’t be true.

“Besides, I prefer the view from over here far better than the professionalism of being your master.” Sachiel smirked as he regarded Micah with warm fixation.

“You’re all talk,” Micah whispered as he called the man’s bluff. “You’d never touch.”

The man’s shoulders stiffened and his hands curled on his lap. “Only if you initiated, Ezra.”

“Oh?” Micah inquired with intrigue.

Watching the man steadily, he deliberated.

He was attracted to the blond councilman, even more so now with his sour relationship with Josiah. Who wouldn’t be attracted to Sachiel? The man was handsome, impressively skilled, and he emitted a natural and tantalizing air of seduction.

There was something entirely primitive about Sachiel. It was similar to what Micah felt for Josiah, only, with Sachiel, it was less complicated, less hateful, less eternal, less passionate…

Upon the thought of Josiah, Micah immediately lost the magnetic pull to Sachiel.

He deflated. He hated that man…

He couldn’t even summon libido for others.

“You seem surprised at my attraction, and that does not sit well with me,” Sachiel said. “You are, without a doubt, one of the most attractive men I’ve encountered. I’d imagine you’d have far more suitors if you did not have the fire lord breathing down your neck.”

“He is my Chosen,” Micah nearly spat the word. “But he is not my consort.”

Sachiel raised his eyebrows, appearing very interested. “That is not the general impression in court. Quite the opposite.”

“The court always seems to have the wrong impression.”

“Then I suggest that you make it very clear to the public, and to Lord Josiah, that you are not committed to anyone as of yet. I will certainly spread the word myself. He will need to court you properly and publicly, no?”

Micah considered the words very carefully.

Make Josiah work. Watch the man trip over his own feet only for Micah to reject him. He rather liked the idea.

“Now that I know you did not promise yourself to him, I confess myself a bit affronted,” Sachiel lamented.

Micah’s lips twitched. “Why is that?”

“Most others cannot resist my charms.”

The carriage came to an abrupt stop.

Micah peered out the window, seeing nothing but darkness and tall buildings. It was still far too early for the sun to shed light on their surroundings.

“I am not most others, Councilman Sachiel,” Micah responded cheerfully as he opened the door to their carriage. “Just as you’ve informed me about my swordsmanship skills, perhaps it’s time you took your seduction skills to the next level.”

Exiting the carriage proved eventful, for Sachiel laughed merrily behind him.

There was another carriage stopped along the same curb, though it was empty. Micah adjusted his sight, observing the tall buildings.

While they were still in the thick of the capital, Micah knew they were towards the outskirts, just touching Region 5. He imagined the low-ranking cadets and the remaining military members stationed themselves at all corners of the capital.

For the last defense, Josiah said.

As if it were an honor.

Micah knew better. Those inmates would not step foot within the walls of the capital. They’d have to fight their way through Josiah’s royal guard, a good portion of the military, and the highest-ranked cadets at the academy. If they were smart, they would head towards the outskirt regions.

“An alarm sounded for the citizens of the capital and for Region 5.” Sachiel approached a tower and Micah followed at his heels. “They know to stay indoors until informed otherwise.” 

He led Micah through an entryway door and ushered him up a set of winding stairs. The tower’s entry was tiny and dark, lit only by old sconces hung on the cobblestone walls. As he walked up the stairs, he ran a hand against the stone, marveling at the raw build.

It didn’t take long to reach the top.

Sachiel opened the door at the top of the stairs, and as they walked across the threshold, Micah found himself upon the wall that stretched alongside the capital’s borders. It wasn’t a secured wall. Not anymore.

On the south side, a wide opening permitted unsolicited visitors. From Micah’s understanding, before the war with the Igni Empire, the wall was a complete and closed structure. The Unda capital had facilitated warriors to stand watch and defend the gates into the capital, screening every visitor and manually opening the gates for their passageway.

“Is this some sort of consolation for being forced to stay behind? We get to revisit Unda’s historic war sites?” Micah asked. “Make us feel important?”

“Do you feel important standing where hundreds have died?”

Naturally, Sachiel put a sobering spin on Micah’s cynicism. The man had fought in the war, after all. He’d have a sense of honor standing on the partition and revisiting old ghosts.

“Not particularly. I’d rather be on the front lines with my team.”

Micah scrutinized a trio of cadets huddled near the edge of the wall. They turned upon his advancement and Micah quickly identified Ladon as one of the cadets. Upon Micah’s advance, Calder’s son remained rather deadpan before turning his cheek and looking out across the kingdom.

Two other cadet students stood with each other, and a distance away, stood three military members. There was a large fire pit on top of the wall, allowing Micah to study his temporary comrades.

One of the cadets was biracial, an occurrence that wasn’t common, but not entirely uncommon either. The other cadet was of Igni descent.

As the Igni boy turned to look at him, Micah noticed the orange eyes that signified very high nobility. Josiah’s eyes. Throughout his childhood, Micah recognized his mother’s envy of the trait she had not inherited from her royal father.

“I see Lord Josiah had enough sway to force you to stay behind,” the boy started with wry amusement.

As Micah remained silent and unimpressed, the boy stiffened and looked away to hide his embarrassment for his over-familiarity. He then looked back at Micah sheepishly.

“We haven’t met, but my name is Aedus. Lord Josiah is my cousin.”

Cousin.

Micah hadn’t known there were many survivors of the Igni royal family other than his mother and Josiah, least of all a cousin. That would mean that Josiah had an uncle or aunt. He wondered how many of his family remained.

Ember never spoke much about her family, seeming rather sour about her relatives. She had mentioned her father had conceived several bastards, as his wife, the queen, died after giving birth to Josiah. The king was rather infamous for spending time with his harem of women.

“Micah,” he introduced himself with an extended hand. At the boy’s faltering expression, Micah relented. “Though most call me Ezra.”

Aedus considered the hand doubtfully, clearly torn between bowing down low and taking the offered hand. After agonizing deliberation, he decided on a mix of the two. He shook his hand and inclined at the waist, throwing a cautionary look in Ladon’s general direction.

“A pleasure to finally meet your acquaintance, Your Highness. You know Ladon, I’m sure.” Micah specifically noticed the boy dropped the prince title. “And this is…” With the hand that he’d used to shake Micah’s hand, he motioned toward the biracial student at his side. “This is E—”

“Names aren’t important.” Intentionally interrupting Aedus, the biracial cadet turned away from the edge of the wall and bowed low at the waist. “It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Your Highness.”

“On the contrary,” Micah started deliberately, surveying the boy strangely. What an odd sentiment. “I’d very much like to know your name.”

The boy possessed blond hair, tanned skin, and yellow eyes. A unique blend of both races, something Micah hadn’t seen yet. Then again, Micah hadn’t seen much, if any, biracial children aside from the third-year cadet in his classes.

Josiah’s cousin scoffed, appearing far too entertained for Micah’s liking. “His name is Ezra,” Aedus informed pleasantly.

Micah raised his eyebrow. “Ezra,” he repeated skeptically.

“My parents,” the boy—Ezra—supplied awkwardly. “Well, my mother, actually, was obsessed with the royal wedding and the royal heir.” Here, he looked at Micah pointedly. “She wanted a part of that fantasy. It’s quite embarrassing for me.”

“He never thought he’d meet the real Ezra, I’m sure,” Aedus said.

Not only did it feel surreal for Micah, but he could also imagine how uncomfortable the other man felt. He then wondered if there were more like him. More people like his mother who’d conceived a biracial child just because it was the current trend. Most of the biracial citizens had to be young. Micah was probably one of the oldest—save for any oddities that may have transpired beforehand with the two races.

“No,” Ezra agreed quickly, “I never thought I’d meet you in person.” He looked at Aedus. “Never had much worry over my name quite like I do now.”

“Except for the constant ridicule growing up,” Aedus replied wickedly.

“Fortunately, names are not unique to just one person,” Micah soothed.

His attention fell on Sachiel, who’d moved to engage the three military members in hushed conversation.

Micah found the female warrior most interesting. A tight, confining bun wrapped at the nape of her neck, bringing attention to her square jawline.

She was the spitting image of Talia Bay. Older, of course, yet her relation was unquestionable. The woman met eyes with Micah and offered a small, barely there smile and inclined her head. Sachiel then snagged her attention once again.

“That’s Mira,” Aedus informed upon noticing Micah’s lingering attention. “She’s Talia Bay’s mother and a wickedly good warrior. I imagine she can keep up with Councilman Sachiel in combat if he doesn’t use his Element. She was renowned during the war.”

Talia never mentioned her mother was in the military or even a warrior during the Unda and Igni war. The only thing Micah knew of her mother was that she’d taught Talia how to fight with the sword. He also knew Talia’s parents were no longer together, but separated and remarried.

Or, at least her father remarried.

“She’s not part of Calder’s royal guard?” Micah inquired.

Usually, Josiah and Calder snatched up warriors who were especially talented.

“She’s a woman and a commoner,” Ezra whispered, as if it were a scandal. Therefore, the gossip began. “Apparently, she wants nothing to do with the aristocratic society where she could chance upon her ex-husband. The only reason she stays stationed at the capital is to be close to her daughter.”

Micah was curious. Intrigued, actually. He would not press for answers, however. Gossip was below him, especially if it involved a member of his team. If he wanted to know more about Talia and her mother, he would approach Talia for information.

“You are both third years?” he inquired, effectively changing the subject.

“How did you know?” Ezra inquired.

Micah looked at him through hooded eyes before pointing to the three bars on his collar. The boy flushed an ugly dark crimson, chuckling awkwardly.

“Ezra and I started on a team of eight during our first year,” Aedus informed. “Our members gradually withdrew from the academy. Missions are unpleasant. We typically get assigned to a team we know nothing about.” 

“There can’t be many third-year teams remaining,” Micah surmised. “You must know some things about the teams you are assigned.”

“We know them, just not well enough to trust them fully in battle.”

As most high nobles chose to enter court at a young age, they voluntarily left behind the academy. Micah was actually surprised Aedus was still enrolled. Older students who remained at the academy generally wanted to graduate in their chosen field, or they desired status amongst the capital elite because they were born without the necessary connections that would allow them to advance further.

Micah found Concordia Academy silly for that very reason.

It was prestigious and it employed highly versed instructors, yet they wasted resources on noble children who wanted to decorate themselves with a bit more prestige. Their kingdom could be far better off if they inducted unknown students and groomed them to make an impact on society.

He just couldn’t fathom the amount of raw talent and undiscovered men and women just waiting to get the chance to prove themselves.

Just imagining the missed opportunities made him forlorn.

“Standing watch does not consist of chit chatting like ladies of the court.” A hand fell on Micah’s shoulder. “Spread out. Watch the horizon.” 

Ladon snickered as Sachiel forced Micah and the others to disperse.

Micah followed the directive readily, having already grown bored of the conversation. Pressing himself against the wall next to his half-brother, he stared out into the south horizon. At his back, the white mountaintops gradually peeked out from the darkness, reflecting majestically against the rising sun.    

In front of him, Region 5 stretched.

His team was out there, most likely already at their destination.

He couldn’t see much of anything besides buildings and the wide, gleaming lake that stretched far into the distance. Above, despite the sun’s eager arrival, the moon remained high in the sky. He admired the silvery pale hue, comparing it to the glow that now encompassed every single man and woman in his proximity.

Everyone but Josiah.

Josiah and his bright, red-gold aura.

Like the setting sun on a scorching desert. Crimson, but laced with a very noticeable golden hue.

Micah exhaled levelly, touching the silver-plated gold pendant in his pocket

Kai claimed he knew a Noir User, or more accurately, someone who knew a great deal about Noir Users and their powers. Fortunately, Kai readily agreed to bring Micah to the man without requiring any sort of explanation.

They’d planned the expedition for this morning, though he imagined they wouldn’t be able to make their appointment even if Region 5 was only an hour or so away. 

No matter.

They would show up late and Micah truly did not care for the tardiness. He needed answers now more than ever.  

He didn’t know how long he stood against the wall next to Ladon, contemplating absolutely nothing. It felt good to forget the weight on his mind, to overlook his suspicions, his questions, and his feelings. All he did was stare into the distance of something much larger than his problems.

The kingdom was so large. So many nooks and crannies. So many unknowns.

As the sky bled an orange-pink hue from the rising sun, and as the moon gradually disappeared, Micah noticed the wind beginning to pick up strength. He squinted into the advancing wind, feeling the breeze cut through his hair and massage his scalp.

Hesitant at first, the gentle caress soon grew into a sharp and relentless onslaught. 

He spluttered, turning his cheek to brace himself.

What?

“Varuna!” someone swore on the wall, their voice distant and broken against the wind. “Do you see that? Out there!”

Sand and wind prevented Micah from locating the source of fear straight away. Raising his arm, he shielded his face, peering out into the distance where the hand gestured.

The ground moved and tunneled its way towards them.

In the distance, a loud explosion sounded.

Micah flinched horribly in surprise, crouching down and whipping his head towards the north. Near the palace, fire and smoke blossomed high into the air in an ugly cloud of grey, black, and wisps of fiery orange.

Another explosion sounded.

This one to the east.

Grabbing the edge of the wall, Micah stood up and squinted into the wind. The earth continued to move towards them at breakneck speed. The impact would be disastrous.

“Get off the wall!” Micah screamed over the howling wind.

He and the others ran towards the tower’s entrance.

Someone in front of him threw open the door and Micah quickly followed suit. As he hit the first step down, an explosion sounded and the entire structure trembled violently under his feet. Someone grabbed him around the arm and flung him away from the crumbling structure before everything turned black.