Chapter - 9 Winds of Change

Rey glanced at her, his expression neutral, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps nostalgia or regret—in his eyes. He didn't answer immediately, as if considering his words carefully.

"She's fine," he replied, his tone steady but tinged with an undercurrent of something deeper. "She's always been fine, I suppose... but I haven't seen her in years." He paused, and his gaze drifted to the distant horizon visible through the window. "Ever since I started my training with my teacher, we've been traveling non-stop. I haven't had the chance to visit her, and she doesn't often leave her kingdom. We've both been... busy."

Flavia nodded slowly, understanding the weight of his words. She had known Rey's mother well—Ariea, the Dragon Queen, had been one of her closest friends. Their bond had been forged long before Rey and Iris were even born, during a time when the world felt less fractured. Flavia remembered how Ariea had often spoken of her desire for peace, her dreams of seeing her son grow into a wise ruler. But the years had passed, and the distance between them had only grown wider.

"You must miss her," Flavia said gently, her voice full of empathy. "I know how close you two were when you were young. Your mothers were inseparable."

Rey's lips twitched slightly, a shadow of a smile crossing his face. "We were inseparable, too. Iris and I, that is. Before... before everything changed." His gaze turned inward, a faraway look clouding his features. "But yes, I miss her. I miss those simpler days, when everything felt like it was... possible. I don't even remember the last time I saw her. I don't even know how she's been holding up, with all the unrest in the world."

Flavia's eyes softened. She remembered those days, too—when Ariea and Flavia had been the best of friends, and Rey and Iris were inseparable children, unaware of the burdens that would one day fall upon them.

"Perhaps," Flavia ventured, "when all this turmoil settles, you'll be able to reunite with her. I'm sure she misses you, Rey. She always spoke of you fondly."

Rey chuckled softly, but there was a quiet sadness in the sound. "I hope so. She deserves so much more than what I've been able to give her. But right now... I have to focus on what's ahead. There's no time for anything else."

Flavia studied him for a moment, her mind tracing the similarities between Rey's quiet resolve and his mother's unyielding strength. Ariea, the Dragon Queen, had always carried herself with a sense of duty that could never be ignored, even by those closest to her. And Rey, it seemed, had inherited that same burden, even at such a young age.

"I know you'll do your best, Rey," Flavia said softly. "You've always been capable of more than you realize."

Rey nodded slowly, then turned his gaze back toward the palace gardens. For a moment, the world felt still, as though time had paused just long enough for both of them to reflect on the connections that bound them, the ties that stretched across years and kingdoms.

"I'll keep fighting," Rey said, his voice resolute. "For her. For all of us."

Flavia smiled, her heart heavy with a quiet understanding. "I know you will."

As they continued walking, the weight of the conversation lingered between them, a shared sense of longing for lost days and a hope that, one day, Rey would find his way back to the one person he had longed for most: his mother, the Dragon Queen.

Midnight draped the Phoenix Palace in an ethereal glow, the silver light of the moon filtering through the towering spires and cascading over the sprawling gardens. The night was cool, the gentle hum of rustling leaves blending with the faint whisper of the evening breeze. But despite the tranquility of her surroundings, Iris could not sleep.

She lay awake, staring at the high ceiling of her chamber, her mind restless. Thoughts swirled like an unrelenting storm—fragments of the day's events flashing before her eyes. The mocking whispers of the academy students, the weight of expectations pressing down on her shoulders, and worst of all, the gnawing question that haunted her every waking moment.

Why had she not awakened her powers yet?

Iris let out a frustrated sigh and threw aside her blankets. The stillness of her room felt suffocating. Slipping into a silvery nightgown, she stepped outside onto the balcony. The vast garden stretched before her, bathed in moonlight, with the delicate scent of peach blossoms perfuming the cool night air. She ran a hand through her deep blue hair, letting the wind play with its strands before deciding to take a walk.

As she wandered along the stone pathways of the garden, the rhythmic clang of metal against metal broke through the silence. The sound was sharp, precise, and unwavering. Curious, she followed the noise, her bare feet making no sound against the soft grass.

At the center of the training grounds, Rey stood alone, his sword flashing under the moonlight. He moved with effortless precision—his every motion a perfect balance of power and control. Strands of his dark hair clung to his face, damp with sweat despite the chilled night air. His sharp golden eyes remained fixed on an invisible opponent, his blade cutting through the silence with each practiced strike.

Iris hesitated at the edge of the grounds, watching him. She had seen Rey train before, but there was something different about him tonight. There was a quiet intensity in the way he moved, an almost desperate determination.

Finally, she stepped forward. "Hey, why are you out here in the cold? You should be asleep by now. The whole palace is resting—what if you disturb someone?"

Rey didn't pause. Without looking at her, he replied, "If I sleep too much, I fear I might become as useless as you."

Iris's eyes widened. "Hey! What's your problem? Just a few hours ago, you were acting all nice, and now you're suddenly being rude!"

Rey smirked, finally lowering his sword. "Weird? Me? I think it's you."

His tone was casual, but there was an edge to it, like he was deliberately provoking her. Iris clenched her fists, ready to argue back, when a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Well, well, what do we have here? A little midnight quarrel between my dear disciple and the princess?"

Iris turned sharply to see Irathion approaching, his emerald-green hair still immaculate despite the late hour. There was an unmistakable amusement in his bright eyes as he strolled toward them. Dressed in his usual flowing robes, he looked as if he had just stepped out of a meeting rather than preparing to rest.

Iris quickly straightened her posture. "Greetings, God Irathion."

Rey sighed, running a hand through his damp hair. "Teacher."

Irathion took a seat on a stone bench near the training grounds, crossing his legs in a relaxed manner. The moonlight glowed softly around him, and the peach blossoms above swayed as if leaning in to listen. The night remained eerily quiet, save for the distant sound of the Phoenix Guards patrolling the palace grounds.

He gestured for them to sit beside him. "Come now, no need to stand around like statues."

Iris hesitated before sitting down, while Rey leaned against a nearby tree, still gripping his sword.

Irathion studied them both for a moment before turning his attention to Iris. "Child, is something bothering you?"

Iris looked down, suddenly feeling the weight of the question. She bit her lip before finally gathering the courage to speak. "God Irathion… can you tell me what's wrong with me?"

A brief silence followed before Irathion responded, his voice gentle. "Wrong with you? Why do you think something is wrong?"

Iris exhaled, her fingers tightening in her lap. "I'm already 500 years old, yet I can't sense even a trace of my powers. The entire academy mocks me for it, and today… I almost lost my life. Why is everything so unfair?"

Rey shifted slightly at her words, his usual smugness fading.

Irathion, however, remained calm. "So what?" he said simply. "I don't see anything wrong with you. You are the child of a god. Your powers will come, in time."

Iris frowned. "But when?"

"Patience, little one." He smiled. "You must not lose hope. How about this? When the day comes that you awaken your abilities, I will personally take you out for training, just like I did with Rey."

Rey scoffed. "I don't want to have a junior like her."

Iris shot him a glare. "Who are you calling junior? I'm one day older than you!"

Irathion chuckled, watching the two bicker with clear amusement. The heavy tension in the air seemed to lighten, but Iris wasn't done just yet.

She looked at him seriously. "But… is it really necessary to leave the Phoenix Palace?"

Irathion's expression grew thoughtful. "Locking yourself in one place will never let you reach your true potential," he said. "You need to experience the world. When the God Realm fell, your father and I were just immortals, facing countless challenges to become demi-gods. The world may have forgotten the gods, but we have seen them."

His eyes darkened slightly, lost in memory. "It took us years of wandering, fighting, and learning to get to where we are today. Growth comes from struggle, Iris. You must venture beyond these walls to truly understand your strength."

Iris listened intently, his words stirring something deep inside her. The fear of leaving the Phoenix Palace still clung to her heart, but at the same time… there was a spark of excitement.

She had always been waiting—waiting for something to change, for something to finally happen.

Perhaps, just perhaps, her time was coming soon.