Chapter 07: Meeting and Movement

While Aiden drifted into a deep sleep after his exhausting yet exhilarating day, his parents sat together in their modest living room.

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls.

Orin leaned back in his chair, his strong arms resting on the armrests, while Ayleen sat across from him, her hands gently clasped around a steaming cup of herbal tea.

The tranquility of the night seemed to amplify the significance of their earlier conversations.

Ayleen broke the silence, her voice soft but tinged with concern. "Orin… do you think it's time we told him about us? About our family? He's growing so quickly, and… he has a right to know."

Orin let out a heavy sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've thought about it, Ayleen. Believe me, I have. But he's not ready yet. He's only four, for heaven's sake! What would he even do with that kind of knowledge?"

Ayleen frowned, her emerald eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. "But he's not like other children, Orin. He awakened his mana core at four. Four! That's not normal, not even among prodigies. And it's not just his core. You've seen the way he observes the world, how quickly he learns. There's something… extraordinary about him."

Orin chuckled, his deep voice resonating warmly. "Extraordinary doesn't even begin to describe it. Genius? Prodigy? Those words feel too small. Let's be honest, Ayleen. What were we doing when we were his age? We were just a pair of snotty little brats, running around without a care in the world."

Ayleen raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips. "Speak for yourself, Orin. You may have been a snotty brat, but I was nothing of the sort."

Orin grinned mischievously, leaning forward in his chair. "Oh, really? Then why did you fall in love with this snotty brat?" Before Ayleen could retort, he stood up, walked over to her, and effortlessly lifted her into his arms.

"Orin!" she protested, her cheeks flushing red as she tried to maintain her composure. "Put me down this instant!"

He carried her toward their bedroom, a playful smirk on his face. "Not until you admit it. You fell for me, didn't you? This snotty brat of yours swept you off your feet."

Ayleen crossed her arms, feigning indignation. "I'll admit nothing. And don't even dare calling our son a snotty brat. He's far more amazing than anyone could ever be."

Orin laughed heartily, his voice echoing through the house. "I won't argue with that. But maybe we should have another snotty brat, just to keep things interesting."

Before she could respond, he silenced her protests with a kiss, stealing her words and leaving her speechless. The playful banter faded into the quiet intimacy of their shared love as they disappeared into their room.

The Capital City of Caelithar, Valedoria Kingdom

Far away from the peaceful village of Brishelm, in the heart of the Valedoria Kingdom, the capital city of Caelithar stood as a beacon of power and grandeur. The sprawling metropolis was alive with activity, its streets lit by enchanted lanterns that glowed softly in the night. At the center of the city, the royal palace loomed, its towering spires piercing the starry sky.

Within the palace, the Council of Arcana had convened in the grand chamber. The room was vast and imposing, with intricate carvings of magical symbols adorning its walls. A circular table sat at its center, where the kingdom's most powerful mages and scholars gathered.

King Aldemar Valedor of kingdom of Valedoria, a man in his early forties with sharp features and a commanding presence, sat at the head of the table. His piercing gray eyes scanned the room as he addressed the council.

"Have there been any developments regarding the shard?" he asked, his voice steady but heavy with expectation.

The head of the council, an elderly mage with a long, flowing beard, bowed his head respectfully. "Your Majesty, the shard remains hidden. It is veiled from all known methods of detection."

Aldemar's brow furrowed. "Then what are we doing here if it cannot be found?"

The mage raised a hand, signaling for patience. "While the shard itself cannot be located, its awakening will not go unnoticed for long. The holder of the shard will manifest as a genius unlike any the world has ever seen. They will be a beacon, drawing attention from forces far and wide."

The king's expression darkened. "So you're telling me we must wait for this 'beacon' to emerge before we act? By then, it may be too late. Outside forces will undoubtedly sense the mana disturbance caused by the awakening."

The mage nodded solemnly. "That is a risk, Your Majesty. But it is also an opportunity. If we act with vigilance and preparation, we can secure the shard before others do."

Aldemar leaned back in his chair, his gaze distant. "Then ensure that we are prepared. Double the watch on our borders. Strengthen our magical defenses. I will not allow outside powers to take advantage of this situation."

The council murmured their agreement before bowing and dispersing.

After the meeting, Aldemar retired to the royal gardens, where his wife, Queen Lira, awaited him with their three children. The queen was a vision of elegance, her long golden hair cascading down her back, and her sapphire-blue gown shimmering under the moonlight.

Their youngest child, a bright-eyed girl of five, Elara Valdor ran toward him with uncontainable excitement. "Father! Father! Guess what I learned today!"

Aldemar knelt to her level, a gentle smile softening his otherwise stern features. "What did you learn, my little star?"

As she began recounting her lessons with animated gestures, Aldemar's eyes drifted to his two sons. The elder, Kieran, stood tall and composed at fifteen, while the younger, Aric, was a lively twelve-year-old with an eager expression.

"How are your studies at the academy?" Aldemar asked, his tone paternal but firm.

"Challenging, but rewarding, Father," Kieran replied respectfully.

Aric grinned. "I beat everyone in the combat trials today!"

Aldemar chuckled softly, ruffling Aric's hair. "Good. But remember, strength without discipline is meaningless."

After spending some time with his family, Aldemar turned to Lira and walked with her through the gardens. Their conversation turned to the council's deliberations.

"The shard…" Lira murmured, her expression troubled. "Do you truly believe it could destabilize the peace we've worked so hard to maintain?"

Aldemar sighed, his hand tightening around hers. "The shard's awakening has already caused a ripple. It's only a matter of time before it becomes a wave. And when that happens, every power in the world will move to claim it. We must be ready."

Later that night, Aldemar retired to his private chambers. As he stepped onto the balcony, the cool night air brushing against his skin, he sensed a presence.

"Report," he commanded, his voice calm but authoritative.

A shadow materialized from the darkness, revealing a hooded figure clad in black. "Your Majesty, there has been movement from the Kingdom of Norelith. Their spies have been spotted near our borders."

Aldemar's jaw tightened. "Norelith… of course, they would make the first move. Double the surveillance. Deploy more men if necessary. I want eyes everywhere."

The shadow bowed. "It will be done."

As the figure vanished into the night, king Aldemar turned his gaze toward the horizon. The weight of his responsibilities pressed heavily on his shoulders.

"After decades of peace…" he murmured to himself, "another upheaval is on the horizon."

He stood there for a long time, the flickering lights of the capital below a reminder of what was at stake.

In the quiet village of Brishelm and the grand halls of Caelithar, the world was beginning to shift. And though they were unaware of each other, the lives of Aiden and King Aldemar were destined to intertwine, their fates bound by the mysterious shard that would shape the future of the world.