Chapter 59

(Zaire POV)

It has been some time since Ezra, Cyrus, and I parted ways in Arthenos. Ezra wanted time to train Cyrus and protect him while they searched for the whereabouts of the ancient relic of the Solaris Clan. I was tasked with negotiating with countries on other continents for a chance to escape Zarathia and find some form of sanctuary.

Over the years, I have traveled far and wide, pleading Ezra's case and defending what remains of our family's honor against the allegations set against him. Whoever orchestrated this farce has gone to extreme lengths to ensure that no one would aid him. Some countries were bought off, while others simply did not want to be involved in an affair that led to the destruction of the strongest clan in our world. I understood their reservations, but I had hoped for better, especially after receiving a message from Ezra stating that my grandson had completed his Starbirth Trial—though something had gone wrong. I needed to resolve this matter quickly. Ezra, a seasoned and hardened warrior, could handle any adversity, but I worried about how time spent on the run might change Cyrus's outlook on life at such a young age. That was not something I wanted for my dear grandchild.

Now, sitting in the waiting room of the Prime Minister of Xhatal, I hoped to return to Ezra with good news. I needed this meeting to go well—Xhatal was one of the last countries left to approach, and it had maintained strong relations with Arthenos during both my rule and Ezra's.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door swung open, and a cool breeze from the force gently swept across my face. "Zaire! Long time no see. Come, come, my old friend," the minister greeted me with a broad smile.

As we made our way into his office, I could not help but admire the ornaments and trophies of dead astral behemoths displayed in dignified glory. I had almost forgotten that the minister had been a great warrior and hunter in his prime before his wife forced him to retire from battle. He came from a prominent family, one that had surprisingly allowed him to live freely rather than keeping their heir safe. That was something I admired about him and his lineage—despite their power and influence, they understood that it was not the sole purpose of life.

"So, what can I do for you, my dear old friend?" the minister asked as he gently seated himself.

"Well, I am sure you have heard the news by now, but I have come to plead for your country to grant my son and grandson sanctuary from the false charges placed upon them."

"Yes, I am aware of the situation. I must say, I found the accusations quite shocking. I have known Lord Ezra since he was a baby—watched him grow into an upstanding citizen of the world and a just leader. The claims forced upon him do not align with his character whatsoever. But for my own records and peace of mind, I must ask—what exactly was Ezra trying to accomplish?"

"Ezra was working to create a sustainable source of energy for our continent. He wanted to level the playing field for all and sought a way to harness cosmic energy in a manner similar to solar panels."

"I see… That sounds like the Ezra I know. I want to help, Zaire, and I believe in what Ezra is trying to do. I have also been hearing quite a bit of noise in my back channels regarding the state of Arthenos. Things have changed significantly since that fateful day, and the rise of a new and very prosperous guild has led the charge. I suspect foul play was involved in creating this situation."

"I believe that to be the case. What is the name of this guild that has risen so suddenly?"

"The guild is called Eclipsing Dawn, and their leader goes by the name Lord Enzo. Not much is known about him—he seemingly appeared out of nowhere. However, when he emerged, he introduced a cosmic battery, which he began selling." The minister slid a picture of the product toward me. "Does this look familiar to you, Zaire?"

As I examined the image, my heart sank. "This… This was one of Ezra's prototypes. He created this but scrapped the idea due to its severe drawbacks."

"Does this confirm your suspicions?"

"It does. This was an inside job. We need to uncover more about this Lord Enzo—where he obtained these schematics and how he gained knowledge of these batteries. This technology was top secret, classified, and known only to a handful of people—all of whom are either dead or presumed dead. But that is a matter we must attend to later. For now, I must ensure the safety of my family. Something has gone wrong with my grandson's Starbirth Trial."

"What has happened to the young prince?"

"I am not sure. Ezra was vague in his message, which leads me to believe the situation is urgent. He is currently making his way to Gavelon, the seaport city of Zarathia, and requested help before I even confirmed anything."

"Well, I suggest you make your way there immediately. I can arrange passage for you on one of my export ships. You will not be disturbed during your travels. However, I do have one request in return."

"Of course, anything. You have already helped me more than you can imagine."

"I would like to unite our families. I have a granddaughter the same age as Cyrus. You will need help rebuilding your clan, and our families have always been close. Please, allow Cyrus to attend Xhatal Academy so they can get familiar with each other."

Nearly choking on my water, I coughed before regaining composure. "You are a funny man, you know that? But it is the least I can do. I will speak to Ezra regarding the matter."

"Thank you. Now, let's get you on your way," the minister said as he helped me out of the office.

Just as we were about to part ways, my communicator buzzed with an alert. It was a message from Ezra.

Father, since my last message, we have encountered significant trouble. We have identified those responsible for framing us and orchestrating our clan's downfall. Their name is Lux Tenebris, and they are deeply connected worldwide. They hide in plain sight, and their generals are formidable. We are currently in Adam's old hometown in the Valadar region, where we have access to an astral gate. I intend to continue our journey to Gavelon through the astral realm. We have acquired a map guiding us to the astral gate in the port city. Because of this, I will not be able to contact you for the next two months until we meet in person. I understand this may be dangerous due to the immense cosmic energy consumption required to maintain fused astral forms, but it is the safest course of action. I fear there is no one left to trust on this continent—something we have learned the hard way recently.

"Is everything alright, Zaire?" the minister asked, noticing my sudden silence.

"When does the ship depart?"