unexpected orders

Duncan pulled away, walking at a fast pace, his footsteps heavy with purpose. Erie felt a sudden pulse from the pendant around his neck. The warmth spread briefly before fading, and in an instant, a knight appeared before Duncan. His eyes glowed an eerie yellow, piercing the shadows as he stared in Erie's direction.

But he couldn't see Erie.

The knight's voice was low and steady, laced with authority. "Young master, your father gave us orders to take you the moment we saw you. However, consider this a warning. Because you are using Light Veil, I cannot see you. Therefore, I cannot act on his orders."

The knight's glowing eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, his tone colder. "There is a conflicting command from Her Majesty. She has ordered that you are not to be touched. And if I cannot… 'see' you," he said, his gaze lingering on the empty space around Erie, "then her orders take precedence."

He shifted his attention to Duncan, his glowing eyes still unblinking. "Human, we will ensure the boy has everything he needs. Because you are the highest-ranking traveler in this city, your loyalty will be honored. Go home to Rose Sunflower and prepare your belongings. We leave at dawn."

Duncan stared into the knight's eyes. "Then honor our request and build an orphanage for the children, in case their parents don't return. Use the government to create apartments for the teenagers and separate housing for the children."

The knight nodded. "Your request will be granted, Duncan. We will send men to create orphanages, a school on the beach, and we will call it Beachside Academy. We'll also build homes for the teenagers and instruct the humans to establish military schools so everyone can train."

Duncan nodded in agreement. He reached out for Erie's hand and felt a gentle tug. He gripped it tightly, and they walked back in silence to their home.

Once home, Duncan handed over the meat and the crystals to Rose, then began explaining what had happened and what they needed to do.

"Well, Duncan, we knew this day would come… just not so suddenly," Rose said, pausing for a moment. "I will give my life to protect this home and our little one."

Duncan shook his head, his voice quiet. "Me too. I was just starting to enjoy having the little guy around."

Erie listened closely as Duncan and Rose spoke, their words sinking in, but the full weight of their meaning escaped him. He understood they had to leave—but why? Where would he go? Would he have to live alone, or would someone else take him in? The questions swirled in his mind, unanswered and unsettling.

Then, warmth spread across his chest. The pendant pulsed gently, wrapping him in an invisible embrace, as if reassuring him that everything would be okay. The sensation calmed him, steadying his thoughts.

He clutched the pendant tightly, his small fingers curling around it. "My dad made this pendant, and this is my mom's fawm… so I will be otay."

Taking a deep breath, Erie stepped forward, determination flickering in his eyes as he looked up at Duncan and Rose. "Mistaw Duncan and Misses Wose, I will be otay. I will keep up with the fawm until you guys awe back."

Duncan smiled at Erie. "Luckily for you, Rose will be staying here."

He pulled out a flyer from his pocket, smoothing it out as he began to read aloud. "Households with guardians of children aged 16 years or younger are required to maintain residency in order to ensure proper care for adolescents and youth. All selected soldiers are to report immediately to Beachside City to be transported to the training facility known as the Army Brigade."

Duncan folded the flyer and glanced at Rose and Erie with a reassuring grin. "So, we're not going straight to war. We'll start with training instead. And… there's a little secret I've been keeping from everyone."

He turned toward the table behind Erie, raising his hand. Erie watched in awe as the table suddenly lifted into the air, floating effortlessly. Duncan twirled his fingers, and the table began to spin in place, defying gravity.

Rose raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting between Duncan and the levitating table. "You can move the table without using wind? Have you finally mastered your wind control?"

Duncan shook his head, a hint of excitement flickering in his eyes. "No. This isn't wind control. It's something I discovered I could do not too long ago. It feels like I've unlocked an entirely new side of myself."

He raised his other hand, and Erie noticed the strain on Duncan's face as he focused intensely. A sharp blade of wind materialized out of thin air, humming with energy. With a flick of Duncan's wrist, the blade sliced cleanly through the spinning table, splitting it in half.

The halves of the table crashed to the ground with a loud thud, and Duncan collapsed to his knees, gasping for air and clutching his chest. He stayed there, breathing heavily, unable to move for several minutes.

Rose rushed to his side, concern etched across her face. "Did you just use two abilities, Duncan?"

Duncan shook his head, waving her off weakly. "Don't… don't touch me. I need to get used to this, especially if I'm going to rely on it in a fight." He paused, struggling to catch his breath. "And yes, it's two abilities. I don't even know what this second one is yet. All I know is… I can do this now."

Rose knelt beside him, her expression softening. "If using both abilities together takes this much out of you, you need to be careful, Duncan. Don't push yourself too hard."

Duncan smirked faintly, his breathing slowly evening out. "I'll be fine. I just need time to figure it out. If this can help me protect you and Erie, then it's worth it."

Erie's pendant began to glow faintly, and the shimmering veil that had cloaked him earlier began to form again, enveloping him in its protective light. This time, Duncan noticed a subtle flicker, like a glimmer of sunlight reflecting off glass. He frowned. "One of the knights must be nearby."

Before anyone could respond, a loud knock reverberated through the door.

Duncan and Rose exchanged uneasy glances before looking toward the spot where Erie was standing, invisible beneath the veil. Rose's voice was low and concerned. "What's happening to Erie?"

Duncan let out a slow breath, his tone measured. "Just remember everything Sarah told us about that pendant of his. This is exactly what she warned us about."

The knock came again, louder this time, almost a forceful bang.

"Already?" Duncan muttered under his breath. He sighed heavily, standing and steadying himself before heading to the door. As he opened it, a tightly clenched fist was raised, prepared to knock again, stopping just inches from his face.

Before him stood a man flanked by two knights, each clad in imposing armor. The man held a scroll in his hand, clearing his throat before speaking in a rehearsed tone.

"Ahem. On this day and at this hour, Duncan Rain Sunflower has been summoned by the Hidden Army of Elites. You are to report immediately to the Light Path to begin fusion training. You have been hand-selected by the Golden Army and Sir Knight Robuk to undergo a ten-year training program in preparation for the front lines against the rising army of the Semion race. Duncan Rain Sunflower, you are to comply without delay.

"Furthermore, your family is not to worry about provisions, as food, clothing, crystals, and coins will be provided for the household of Duncan Rain Sunflower."

The man bowed sharply before stepping aside, leaving the knights standing silently. Their glowing eyes shifted toward Erie, lingering for a moment. Then, in unison, the two knights bowed deeply, their voices resonating with reverence.

"By Her Majesty's direct order, young majesty, we are humbled to be in your presence."

Duncan turned to glance at Erie's general direction, his expression tense but composed. He managed a faint smile before turning back to Rose. "I'll call you as soon as I arrive, baby."

He stepped forward, pulling Rose into a tight hug. As he kissed her forehead, she felt an unexpected warmth spreading from the touch, a soothing energy that seemed to radiate through her.

Duncan's voice entered her mind, calm and steady, but unmistakably telepathic. "Sarah taught me this. We'll be able to talk every day now—until I disconnect the link… or until one of us…" His voice trailed off, but the unspoken words lingered between them.

As the door closed behind him, Rose stood still for a moment, her fingers brushing against her forehead where his kiss had left its mark. A small, bittersweet smile crossed her lips as she whispered, "You're so clever, Duncan."

Erie remained silent, hidden beneath the veil, his pendant still faintly glowing.