Power

Condensing a core of wings that hovered her head, a beastal roar resounded, parting the clouds with its power. Stirring the skies, a beast with the body of a wolf, the thickness of a bear, and the flesh of a dragon rose above Sionn.

Thundering with the crackles of laughter. Sionn's eyes shot open, "Kneel before my greatness. What do you think of my Sigil of Power? It's a bear, a dragon, and a wolf combined, badass, isn't it?"

The young lord sighed, unsure what to say before the azure eyes of the beast glaring down upon him. Watching Sionns eyes turn a deep shade of azure, Zariel chuckled, knowing he had succeeded but said no words of praise.

Turning to Ella, a silver glow covered his eyes. Peering past her mask presented to all, Duke Blackwater focused in on her core, within her heart.

Standing tall rooted into the ground, a towering tree so profound, a chill ran through his heart, appeared within his sights. Around the bark, various inscriptions written in foreign runes were branding the tree.

'What the hell is that? Why is everyone Sigil so strange? I thought Aurelia would have the only unique core, but it seems like everyone surpassed my expectation.' He thought with a bit of curiosity.

"How is Ella?" Flaye hesitantly begged. The worry within her tone was all but apparent. Holding onto Kest's hand, she bit her tender lips.

"Fine, she succeeded; she just isn't a show-off like these two." The Duke mocked, shooting Aurelia and Sionn a mischievous smirk.

Slowly opening her eyes to the darkened skies, Ella's pale cheeks grow a light shade of rose. "I did it." She sweetly muttered, staring at Zariel, hoping for a bit of recognition.

"Ella, what does your core look like?" Kest hastily asked, wishing with all his heart for her's to be powerful like the others.

"Secret," Said Ella. Flashing her grandfather a smile.

Glancing at the ground that was covered in plants and flowers blossoming on the eve of night, Kest could not help but point. "Is it related to nature?"

Blushing at the little mistake as to be a bit mysterious, Ella hung her head low.

"Ignore them; you are at least smart not to reveal what your core is. Even to your allies, such things should always remain a secret. Just based on a man's core, someone could potentially know what type of Practioner you are."

Turning to face Zariel, Aurelia, Sionn, and Ella nodded almost simultaneously. The three were not like most children believing nothing bad would happen to them. They had seen the darkness in humanity, as Zariel was their master.

He had shown that age was but a naive mentality. Everyone dies. That was the lesson he had engraved in the hearts of those who thought otherwise.

"Good. I hope you understand then." He added, a bit proud, that his lessons were sticking.

Clapping her hands together, Flaye was all smiles, "All of you head-on in, I have instructed the cooks to prepare a meal for everyone. You can continue training more tomorrow."

Hearing the prospect of food, Aurelia bolted off, gripping Ella's shoulder to be steered in the right direction.

"Hey, don't leave me! I'm hungry too!" Shouted Sionn, following behind.

"It's funny, you know. Just the other day, Ella was a little doll without much personality, but here she is now, showing more emotions and grace. The cute little innocent girl we helped raise is growing." Flaye tearfully whispered, leaning her head onto Kest's mighty shoulders.

"She has indeed grown; it will not be long before she is a woman. My God, I might just blink, and she could be a full-grown woman." Added Kest, wrapping his hands around Flaye's waist.

Listening to their conversation, Zariel pondered over their words. To him, there was nothing that different. Aside from height, he had not noticed anything.

"I am heading to the palace grounds, do not let the children leave," Zariel commanded, leaping into the air; he kicked off empty space propelling him towards the ivory castle in the distance.

Casting a levitation spell with a single thought, Zariel zoomed like a bullet racing through the winds towards the castle. Placing his hands upon the cold owl shape pommel of his sword, he muttered, "Time to find out who the hell is hunting Aurelia."

Warming his body that was beginning to chill, a warm Arcana skimmed through his flesh. Cracking a smile, a bit of bloodlust traced over his lips.

It did not take more than a few seconds to reach his goal. Hovering over the ivory castle, standing tall and powerful with all its majesty, Zariel fell from the skies; with a bit of arcana covering his body, he crashed landed at the gates where two guards were positioned.

Pulling their blade form out of their sheaths, the two knights held their ground with grim faces, "I will stay. Informed the King's Guard." Said the first Knight staring at the small child stepping out of the cloud of snow.

"No need, tell Cyrus, your King. That Zireael Blackwater wishes a word."

Glancing at the sword upon the young Duke's back, the first Knight waved towards his comrade, not allowing his gaze to waver; he didn't dare lower his guard. With his head covered in a frigid sweat, the man fearfully gulped as his comrade raced off to inform the others.

"D-D-Duke Blackwater," The Lonesome Knight muttered, "It's late. The King has retired for the night."

"So you know who I am, good. Then all you need to do is wake the King up." Zariel countered menacingly, drawing closer, a natural predatorial pressure he kept in check began to leak.

Pulling back unconsciously til his back crashed into the gate at his back. The Knight gulped, "My Lord, I-I-"

"Let him pass." A powerful voice shaking the snow declared.

Glancing up towards a man hovering in the skies, Zariel chuckled, "Now that is a familiar face. It has been a while, has it not Vincent?"

Landing at the head of the Young Duke, Vincent lowered his head and cuffed his hands, "It's been a while, Duke Blackwater."

Zariel nodded but did not speak. He did not have to, as his presence said everything that was needed.

"Allow me to show you in." He said, glancing towards the Knight, who bowed and backed away.

They stepped through the gate and into the Ivory Castle, the atmosphere became warm, and a sense of comfort tugged at Zariels flesh from within the castle.

Observing his surroundings filled with sculptures of Kings, various Artifacts of Valor, and so on, Vincent did not try to make small talk towards the young Duke.

"So, care to tell me what group is after my Knight?" Zariel uttered, pausing his step in the middle of the hall.