The training grounds stretched wide and empty beneath the morning sun.

  I didn't wait for Arthur to settle into stance.

  I moved first.

  My boots kicked off gravel as I closed the distance, blade cutting upward in a clean arc. Arthur's eyes widened - just slightly - surprise flickering across his face before his sword came up to meet mine.

  Steel rang against steel.

  But I wasn't there anymore.

  The world folded. Reality bent. I blinked behind him, shadows curling as I reappeared mid-swing, blade already descending toward his exposed back.

  A wall of golden fire erupted between us.

  The flames roared to life with a sound like tearing canvas, heat slamming into me as I staggered back. I blinked again - distance snapping shut as I reappeared ten meters away, boots skidding on gravel.

  The fire wall collapsed, flames dissolving into embers that drifted lazily to the ground.

  Arthur turned to face me, sword still raised. But it wasn't the blade that held my attention.

  The air around him shimmered.

  Not heat distortion - something else. The atmosphere itself looked slick, almost wet, like invisible gasoline coating the space in a three-meter radius. Waiting. Ready to ignite at the slightest spark.

  I couldn't help it - I smiled.

  "That's not fair."

  Arthur lowered his sword slightly, looking genuinely surprised.

  "A gift like that," he said slowly, "from your shadow pathway... it's impressive. Especially this early in its development."

  I rolled my shoulder, feeling the drain already settling into my muscles. "It's incredibly taxing to use. And depending on distance, it's not instantaneous either."

  Arthur's expression softened. He smiled - warm, genuine, proud.

  "You've really grown up, Damian."

  Then his grin widened, taking on a dangerous edge.

  "But if you're going to show off..."

  Golden flames erupted along his blade, spiraling upward in a brilliant helix. The fire twisted, condensed, and shaped itself - swords, spears, axes - each weapon forged from solid flame, gleaming like molten glass.

  They floated around Arthur in a perfect circle, hovering weightlessly, edges flickering with divine heat.

  Arthur's smile turned sharp.

  "...then I might as well join you."

  The weapons oriented toward me, points gleaming.

  "Remember," Arthur said cheerfully, "don't let them touch you."

  They launched.

  I blinked.

  The world folded as a spear pierced the space where I'd been standing. I reappeared three meters left - a sword whistled past my ear. Blinked again - an axe slammed into gravel, spraying stone.

  Again. Again. Again.

  Each fold of space cost more than the last. My lungs burned. My vision swam. But I kept moving, kept blinking, reality tearing and reforming around me as flaming weapons carved through the air.

  Arthur watched, arms crossed, expression thoughtful.

  "I'm getting nostalgic, unfortunately," he murmured, almost to himself. "Reminds me of fighting that heretic. You really got an annoying gift, you know?"

  I ignored the last two weapons - a sword and a spear converging from opposite angles - and blinked upward.

  Arthur's eyes widened, head snapping up.

  I materialized directly above him, blade raised, descending in a perfect piercing strike.

  For one heartbeat, his guard was open.

  Arthur laughed - bright, delighted, genuine.

  "Good job! Unpredictable as always!"

  The fire shield ignited.

  A sphere of golden flame exploded around him, roaring to life with enough force to shake the air. I didn't stop - pressed down with all my weight, shadows writhing along my blade as I drove it toward the barrier.

  The steel sank in.

  One inch. Two.

  Heat seared my hands, my face, my coat catching fire at the cuffs.

  Then I blinked.

  I reappeared ten meters away, stumbling, immediately swatting at my sleeves as flames licked up the fabric.

  "Dammit!" I hissed, beating the fire out. "I don't have the money for a new coat!"

  Arthur's laughter echoed across the grounds. "We both know you're lying. But I'll buy you a new one anyway."

  I opened my mouth to respond -

  Heat flared behind me.

  "Shit-!"

  I blinked.

  The world folded just as golden weapons erupted from the ground where I'd been standing, spears of solid flame punching through gravel like spikes.

  Arthur's voice cut through the air, calm and sharp.

  "Don't get distracted."

  I reappeared on one knee, gasping, chest heaving. Sweat dripped down my temple. My muscles screamed. The world tilted faintly at the edges.

  "Is this... good enough?" I managed between breaths.

  Arthur sighed, pulling his pocket watch from his coat. He flipped it open, glanced at the time, then snapped it shut.

  "If we had more time..." He shook his head, walking toward me. "But we're cutting it close."

  He stopped in front of me, offering a hand.

  "Good job," he said, smiling. "You nearly had me there."

  I took his hand, letting him pull me upright. "You could've eviscerated me in seconds if you wanted."

  Arthur rolled his eyes. "Maybe. But where's the fun in that?"

  I grumbled something under my breath, brushing dust off my coat.

  Arthur clapped me on the shoulder. "I've already had servants grab your luggage from your apartment and load the carriage. The ride to the train station west of Morren should take about an hour." He glanced at the sky, gauging the sun's position. "We'll leave now."

  I nodded, still catching my breath.

  ---

  The carriage stood waiting at the courtyard's edge.

  Twelve foot soldiers flanked it in formation, rifles gleaming in the sunlight. Two officers sat mounted on horseback, reins loose, postures rigid. All of them saluted the moment Arthur and I approached.

  I grimaced internally.

  A bit over the top.

  My eyes drifted to the luggage carrier strapped to the carriage's rear. It was packed - trunks, cases, boxes stacked high and tied down with leather straps.

  I frowned, glancing at Arthur. "Didn't you only have two briefcases worth of stuff?"

  Arthur smiled - a little too innocently. "I got you some extra things."

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "What kind of things?"

  "Just items I think you'll need in the capital. Oh, and also a new coat."

  I stared at him.

  His smile widened.

  I sighed. "Thanks. But I don't like the way you're smiling."

  Arthur just laughed, gesturing for me to climb in.

  ---

  The carriage rolled smoothly through the Inner Rim, wheels clattering over cobblestones as the convoy moved in formation. I leaned against the window frame, chin resting on my hand, watching the city pass by.

  The Nobility District fell away behind us as we descended into the Inner Rim proper. The streets grew busier - merchants shouting, carriages weaving between pedestrians, the hum of the city's heart.

  Then the Valga River came into view.

  Massive. Dark. Ancient.

  The water stretched wide before us, cutting through Morren from north to south like a scar. Barges drifted downstream, laden with grain from the Southern territories and timber from the Northern territories. Smaller vessels dotted the surface - fishing boats, ferry skiffs, cargo haulers with steam engines chugging black smoke into the sky.

  Our convoy slowed as we approached the bridge.

  It was one of the old drawbridges - iron and wood, reinforced with steel girders that groaned faintly as the mechanism lowered it into place. The counterweights rose on the opposite side, chains rattling, gears turning with mechanical precision.

  A steam-powered barge passed beneath just before the bridge settled, its horn blaring once in acknowledgment.

  We crossed slowly, the structure creaking under the weight of the convoy. I watched the water below - dark and swift, reflecting the gray sky.

  On the far side, the Outer Rim opened up before us.

  The streets widened, buildings growing sparser, more utilitarian. Workers hauled crates from warehouses. Children played in dirt courtyards. The crowds thinned as we moved toward the western gate.

  The massive iron gate loomed ahead - twenty meters tall, reinforced with steel plating and etched with the Empire's crest. Both sides stood open, soldiers stationed at intervals along the wall, rifles shouldered.

  As our convoy approached, the guards snapped to attention, saluting sharply. Carriages and pedestrians alike cleared the path, pressing against the walls to let us through.

  We passed beneath the gate's shadow and out into open air.

  Arthur's voice broke the silence. "The train ride will be about three hours. Where you will reach a small city called Veylen - it's where the airships dock." He settled back in his seat, adjusting his coat. "The airship journey to the capital takes about a week."

  I nodded absently, barely listening.

  "Veylen's primarily a vacation spot," Arthur continued. "Nobles, wealthy merchants. A hub of entertainment."

  My attention drifted back to the window.

  Soldiers marched in columns along the wall's exterior, entering and exiting through side gates. I watched them for a moment, wondering idly if this side of the wall had ever been attacked.

  Then the fields opened up before us.

  Endless green stretched to the horizon - rolling plains of tall grass swaying in the breeze, dotted with wildflowers and clusters of trees. The sky above was vast and blue, unmarred by smoke or cloud that blew east with the wind.

  I blinked, leaning closer to the window.

  Arthur smiled. "You've never been west of Morren, have you?"

  I shook my head slowly, eyes still fixed on the plains.

  Arthur gazed out as well, expression softening. "They say the further inward you go toward the Empire's heart, the more peaceful it becomes. Away from the turmoil of the border cities." He glanced at me. "After everything you've been through... you deserve to enjoy it. You're youthful. Explore the world. There's plenty to see."

  I smiled faintly.

  He's copying my lines now.

  But I didn't mind.

  The fields were beautiful.

  "Where's Adrian?" I asked after a moment.

  Arthur leaned back, folding his arms. "Already in Veylen, most likely. He stayed the night there." A faint smirk tugged at his lips. "Since he's still a commoner, the only way I could get him on the airship was as a servant."

  I smiled. "I should feel bad. But I think it'll be fun ordering him around once we're aboard."

  Arthur laughed. "You would do something like that, wouldn't you?"

  I shrugged, still smiling, and turned back to the window.

  The plains rolled by, peaceful and endless.

  ---

  I woke to Arthur's voice.

  "We're almost there. You can see the town. It was built specifically around the train hub as a supply depot for Morren. Some civilians live there as well."

  I blinked groggily, rubbing my eyes as I sat up. Through the window, rooftops came into view - red tile and white stone, smoke curling from chimney. Distant train lines could be seen being fed into the town, steam funneling into the air.

  I yawned. "Why couldn't we just take a train from Morren to here?"

  Arthur raised an eyebrow. "The rail lines into Morren are military only. Supply depots, troop transport. Not for passengers."

  I sighed. "At least I can grab something to eat. I'm starving."

  Arthur smiled. "Then it's on me. A parting gift."

  The small town was beautiful.

  The town sprawled across gently sloping hills, buildings constructed from pale stone and dark wood, their rooftops gleaming under the afternoon sun. Cobblestone streets wound between shops and cafes, lined with flowering trees that filled the air with a faint, sweet scent.

  But what caught my attention immediately was the soldiers.

  There were as many uniformed men as civilians - patrols marching in formation, officers on horseback, guards stationed at every corner. All of them saluted as our carriage passed, fists over hearts, eyes forward.

  Arthur and I stepped out near the town square, the convoy halting to let us stretch our legs.

  A vendor's stall caught my eye - skewers of grilled meat rotating over a charcoal brazier, the smell rich and savory.

  Arthur followed my gaze and smiled. "Ah. You'll like those."

  We approached the stall. The vendor - a weathered man with a thick mustache - bowed quickly when he saw Arthur's insignia.

  "Two, please," Arthur said, gesturing to the skewers.

  The man handed them over, wrapped in thin parchment. Arthur paid, then passed one to me.

  "Shashlik," Arthur said. "Originated from the northern tribes of Khazdar."

  I stared at the skewer.

  It's just a kebab.

  I took a bite.

  The flavors hit immediately - smoky, spiced, perfectly charred. I chewed slowly, savoring it.

  Yeah. I'm calling it a kebab.

  Arthur glanced at his pocket watch. "Her Highness and the Regent should arrive in about twenty minutes. The Regent never likes to be late... but never early either." He snapped the watch shut. "And the train won't leave without Her Highness anyway. The Church has undoubtedly sent a protection detail."

  I nodded, still eating. "Does the capital have all of this?"

  Arthur nodded. "This and so much more."

  I smiled faintly. "I'm almost getting excited."

  "You should be."

  Arthur checked his watch again. "Five minutes. We should go."

  I drained the last of my drink and stood.

  ---

  The train station was massive.

  Multiple platforms stretched in parallel lines, each one hosting a different locomotive - hulking machines of black iron and brass, steam hissing from joints, copper piping snaking along the chassis like veins.

  The Regent's carriage had just arrived.

  Cassian stepped down first, then turned to offer Mary a hand. She descended gracefully, her white dress catching the light, golden hair pinned elegantly beneath a small hat.

  Servants were already loading the our luggage into the train, and guards flanked the entrances, awaiting our departure.

  I climbed out of our carriage. Arthur glanced at me, smirking. "Sure you don't need a hand?"

  "Shut it."

  Mary waved lightly, smiling. I raised a hand in return.

  We met just in front of the train - a sleek, black locomotive with silver trim, the Imperial crest emblazoned on its side.

  "Your Highness," Arthur said, bowing slightly. "Regent."

  Cassian nodded. "Arthur. Damian."

  Mary smiled at me. "Good to see you."

  "You too."

  Arthur was quiet for a moment, then reached into his coat. When he withdrew his hand, he held something wrapped in cloth.

  He looked at me, and for the first time since I'd known him, something uncertain flickered in his expression.

  "Before you go," Arthur said quietly, "there's something I've been meaning to give you."

  He held out the wrapped object.

  I took it slowly, unwrapping the cloth. A medallion gleamed in my palm - gold, polished to a mirror shine and attached to a black metal chain. On one side, the Solmere family crest of a lion surrounded by nine thin knives. On the other:

  Damian Solmere.

  I ran my thumb over the engraving. A faint hum of divine energy pulsed beneath the metal - warm, steady, protective.

  Arthur's voice was soft. "I know it's taken far too long. And I know the timing isn't perfect." He paused. "But it would be an honor - truly - if you would join my family. Officially."

  I looked up at him.

  His eyes were genuine and steady. Sincere.

  For a moment, I didn't know what to say.

  Then I smiled. "Took you long enough."

  Relief broke across Arthur's face. He laughed - short, genuine - and pulled me into an embrace.

  I returned it, gripping his shoulder tightly.

  Over Arthur's shoulder, I caught Mary's expression - her eyes sharp, almost venomous, fixed on Arthur's back. The moment she noticed my gaze, the look vanished, replaced by her usual mask of royal politeness.

  I furrowed my eyebrows, smiling awkwardly while she pretended like nothing happened.

  I'll have to ask her about that later.

  "You've grown into someone I'm proud to call family," Arthur said quietly, voice rough. "Uphold the name. Honor it. But more than that..." He pulled back slightly, meeting my eyes. "Be the man you want to be. The man who follows his ideals, and lives his life for those ideals."

  I nodded, throat tight.

  Arthur smiled. "Now go. Before I start sounding like a sentimental old fool."

  I smirked. "Too late. You should focus on actually making a family first. You're already an old man, you know?"

  Arthur laughed, shaking his head. "Get out of here."

  I turned to the Regent, bowing formally. "I will protect Her Highness with my life and serve the Empire faithfully."

  Cassian stepped forward, extending his hand. I took it.

  Something slipped into my palm - a small, thin package. I recognized the feeling as I smiled.

  More cigarettes? Maybe even you can be nice sometimes, Cassian.

  He leaned in slightly, voice dropping to a whisper. "It seems Mary has taught you some noble manners after all. More will come. But this should last you until the capital."

  Then, louder now. "The youth of the Empire prospers. You and my niece are proof of that." His gaze swept across the assembled soldiers. "The Empire's future is bright."

  He raised his voice, clear and commanding.

  "Gloria Aeterna Imperii!"

  Every soldier snapped to attention, fists over hearts, voices rising in unison.

  "Gloria Aeterna Imperii!"

  "Glory to the Eternal Empire", huh. Definitely fits, doesn't it?

  Mary bowed to the Regent, bidding farewell to her Uncle, glancing at me.

  I nodded towards Arthur and the Regent - both reciprocating. Arthur smiled affectionately, as if I were his little brother leaving the home for the first time.

  Cassian merely looked listless, nodding in mutual respect.

  I accompanied Mary, as we walked towards the carriage of the train.

  ---

  The moment the door closed behind us, I realized this wasn't a normal passenger car.

  Guards lined the corridor - imperial soldiers in full dress uniform, standing at perfect attention every three meters. Their rifles gleamed under the gaslight, faces forward, expressions unreadable.

  The entire car had been cordoned off.

  Just for us.

  I felt a flicker of awkwardness as we walked past them. Mary, however, seemed utterly unbothered - her posture relaxed, expression serene, as though this level of security was simply expected.

  Mary moved past them like furniture. I caught one guard's eye - he stared straight ahead, unblinking. A human statue.

  I suppose for her, this is quite normal.

  We entered a private compartment near the center of the car. Polished wood paneling lined the walls. Velvet seats faced each other across a small table. Brass fixtures gleamed.

  A small crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, swaying gently with the train's motion. Gaslight reflected through the facets, casting prismatic patterns across the walls.

  Mary settled into a seat by the window, adjusting her dress with practiced ease.

  I sat across from her, still aware of the guards stationed just outside the door.

  "I'm surprised, you and the Regent barely shared a farewell." I asked quietly.

  Her expression dimmed. "It's... unbecoming. Now that I'm of age and royalty, I need to maintain appropriate distance. I'm not a child anymore."

  I nodded slowly. "I see."

  The train shuddered, steam hissing as the faint hum of aetheris stones seemed to intensify. Gears turned. The platform slid past the window, picking up speed.

  I leaned back in my seat, watching the town fade into the distance.

  "Well," I said quietly. "This is it. You ready?"

  Mary turned to me, her golden eyes meeting mine - her irises reflecting the dark brown in my own.

  She smiled sweetly.

  "I am."

  The train roared forward, carrying us toward the capital.