chapter 21: the royal invitation

Weeks had passed since we left Daren behind, and in that time, the world had not been kind enough to let us fade into obscurity.

I had earned a title now—The Voidbane Seraph. A name that spread like wildfire throughout Myra and beyond, whispered in taverns, spoken in hushed tones by adventurers, and written on guild boards. Some said it with reverence, others with unease.

It didn't feel real.

None of it did.

I wasn't some mythic warrior or celestial figure. I was just Noctis—a boy who had been dragged into something far greater than himself. But the moment I killed the Vampire King, I had stopped being just a boy in the eyes of the world. Now, I was a symbol. A legend.

And legends never got to rest.

The offers started soon after. Adventurers came to us daily, eager to join our ranks. Some were seasoned fighters who wanted to fight beside the infamous Voidbane Seraph. Others were fresh recruits, drawn in by the glory of our so-called heroism.

And then there were the women. Elaris had taken it upon herself to handle them.

Every time a noblewoman, merchant's daughter, or even a fellow adventurer approached me with hopeful eyes, she would step in, placing herself at my side and making it clear that there was no vacancy. Alaria, of course, found the whole thing hilarious. "You're like some tragic prince," she'd tease. "Girls throwing themselves at you, and yet here you are, stuck between saintly Elaris and dangerously possessive me."

Elaris ignored her jabs, though I could see the flicker of annoyance in her lavender eyes. But despite the endless offers, I only approved a small handful of recruits—a group of four young men, eager and determined, but untainted by arrogance.

• Lucian Varrow – A swordsman with an easygoing nature and a knack for strategy.

• Gareth Faelan – A mage with a sharp mind and a talent for elemental magic.

• Rowan Drayke – A quiet but deadly rogue, skilled in the art of assassination.

• Callen Voss – A shield-bearer, fiercely loyal, and willing to throw himself into danger for his comrades.

They weren't bad. They worked well together, and they respected the way we operated. But no matter how well they fought or how much they tried to integrate into our group, there was a distance between us.

Because we had already lost someone.

And whether we admitted it or not, we weren't ready to let anyone else in. The weight of Kaivya's death and Daren's departure still lingered like an open wound. So even as we traveled together, even as we accepted them into our ranks, there was an invisible barrier between them and us.

A reminder that we weren't the same as we used to be.

That we never would be again.

The morning started like any other. The city of Myra was alive, its streets bustling with merchants, adventurers, and nobles moving through the cobbled roads. The air carried the scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery, mixing with the salt of the distant sea breeze.

But this day was different.

Because in my hands, I held a letter. A letter sealed with a golden wax crest—the royal emblem of Myra's ruling family. The moment I pulled it from my bag, the atmosphere shifted."What's that?" Lucian asked, leaning in over my shoulder."A letter," I murmured, my brows furrowing as I ran my fingers over the seal. "A royal letter," Elaris corrected, sitting beside me at the guild's main hall table. "And not just any. That's an invitation."

That got everyone's attention.

Even Alaria, who had been stretching lazily in her chair, perked up. "Royalty, huh?" she mused, twirling a strand of crimson hair around her finger. "Guess they finally realized how important you are, Noct." I rolled my eyes but didn't respond. Before I could break the seal, Gareth let out a low chuckle from across the table. "Bet they want you to marry a princess," he teased, smirking. Alaria shot him a glare before he could continue. "Shut up and let him read the damn letter." The room fell into an anticipatory silence as I broke the wax seal and unfolded the crisp parchment. The handwriting was elegant and flowing, each word perfectly spaced and deliberate.

To Noctis Grevant, the Voidbane Seraph, and his esteemed companions,

"By decree of the Royal Family of Myra, we extend our invitation for you and your company to present yourselves at the palace in one week's time.

Your recent actions have not gone unnoticed. The defeat of the Vampire King and the subsequent events have stirred great interest within the royal court. The kingdom finds itself at a turning point, and individuals of your caliber are invaluable in these uncertain times.

You are invited to a private audience with His Majesty, King Aldric Myraven, and the Crown Princess Lysara Myraven. This meeting is of the highest importance, and we ask that you come prepared to discuss the nature of your abilities and the growing disturbances in our land.

Should you accept this invitation, accommodations will be provided at the palace for the duration of your stay.

We eagerly await your arrival.

Signed,

Lord Gavriel Rhenford

Royal Advisor to His Majesty"

The room remained silent as I finished reading.

Then—

"Holy shit," Callen breathed. Rowan let out a low whistle. "The King himself, huh? And the Crown Princess." Gareth, who had been smirking moments ago, now looked genuinely intrigued. "Looks like they see you as more than just some adventurer now." Alaria leaned back in her chair, arms crossed, but there was a flicker of interest in her emerald eyes. "Royalty never sends an invitation unless they want something," she pointed out. "What do you think they're after?"

I exhaled slowly, running a hand through my hair. "I don't know." Elaris, who had been eerily quiet, finally spoke. "They mentioned 'growing disturbances' in the land," she murmured, her lavender eyes dark with thought. "That means something's happening. Something big."

That made my stomach twist. Veylara's words from before echoed in my mind.

"You broke something, Noctis."

She had warned me that my actions in the shrine would have consequences.

Was this part of that?

"Either way," Lucian said, breaking the silence, "we'd be stupid to decline an invitation from the King. This is huge." I nodded, though my thoughts were elsewhere. This wasn't just a meeting.

This was a summons.

And somehow, I knew—whatever awaited us in the palace, it was only the beginning.