Response

-Sacer-

The Valtarian throne room was decorated with portraits of past kings and heroes, each one sporting snow-white hair and piercing golden eyes. 

"Two survivors?" King Calor asked, chin in hand as he pondered what he was hearing. His expression was stoic, but his eyes showed his disbelief. "How is that even possible?"

"They weren't in Draemoor at the time," I responded, glancing back at the duo behind me, an older man beyond his years, and the woman who had lied to me about Luca's whereabouts. She stared at me, her eye's practically burning with contempt. "they were in a neighboring village. Oppi."

His Majesty's fingers drummed a slow rhythm against the armrest of the throne, his sharp gaze narrowing as he processed my words. "Oppi," He repeated, the name dripping with skepticism. "How fortunate the boy's carnage only stopped at Draemoor."

Before I could respond, the woman behind me took a step forward. Her eyes locked onto the king's, full of defiance. "It's not Luca's fault."

"Luca?" He said, leaning forward slightly, his voice carrying an edge. "The boy you lied about? The one you swore was nowhere to be found? That he just passed through?"

She flinched, but her attitude remained unyielding. "Yes, because if I hadn't, your Hero here would have dragged him back in chains- or worse." She said, jutting a thumb in my direction.

I glanced back at her, caught off guard by the amount of conviction in her voice. She had lied to me, misled me about my brother, and now she was standing here defending the man who burned her village to the ground. 

"You think you understand him, Your Majesty?" She continued, voice rising. "You think you know what he is, what he's capable of. But you don't. None of you do. He didn't ask for this- he's not some monster you can pin your failures on. He's just a kid."

Calor's expression darkened, his fingers tightening on the throne. "You dare question my understanding of the threat that boy brings?"

"I'm questioning your understanding of humanity," she snapped. "You sit here, safe in your castle, painting Luca as the villain because it's easier than admitting the truth. That you're scared of him."

The room fell into stunned silence, the guards exchanging nervous looks. My stomach churned as I watched the tension rise.

Calor rose from his throne, his imposing figure towering above us. "You speak boldly for someone who lied to protect this demon," he said, his voice low. "be very careful with your next words, woman."

But she didn't falter. She stepped closer, her gaze unrelenting. "You call him a demon because you fear him. But Luca is more than whatever's inside of him. He's more than the Demon King's shadow. He's more human than any of you."

I stared at her, my thoughts spinning. Her words ringing in my ears. "Enough," I said, my voice cutting through the tense air. I stepped forward, placing myself between her and the king. "You don't know him."

She turned her burning gaze to me, her contempt now directed fully at my interruption. "And you do? You? The one hunting him down like an animal? The brother who dreams of nothing but ending his twins life?"

My chest tightened, her words striking deep at the memories of my battle against Luca. Letting him go. "I'm doing what I have to," I said, my voice low. "You think I want this? To..." I stopped, my fists tightening. "To kill him?"

Her defiance wavered for the first time, speaking quietly, "If you know him, hero, then you know he's not the monster you're all making him out to be. You'd know he's still your brother."

I opened my mouth to respond, but King Calor's voice thundered through the room, stopping me in my tracks.

"Enough of this!" He descended the dais, his eyes blazing with authority. "You speak as though the boy is blameless, as though he is not Damon's vessel. Do you forget what that means? What he did to your home?!"

She stood her ground as she spoke, her voice laced with venom, "I forget nothing, Your Majesty. But I can't believe you've forgotten who's responsible for Damon. Who made him into the monster he was."

The tension in the room was suffocating, the weight of her accusation hanging heavy. King Calor stopped a mere pace from her, mana crackling in his hands.

"You are bold," he said, his voice a low growl. "But you tread on dangerous territory. Defending a demon is treason. Perhaps I should end this farce and have you executed alongside your precious Luca."

"Try it." she countered.

Calor's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his sides. For a moment, I thought he might strike her. Instead, he turned to me, his golden eyes boring into mine. 

"Sacer," He commanded. "You say you do what must be done. Then do it. Find your brother. Bring him here. Alive, if possible. But if not..." He let the words hang, their meaning clear.

I nodded stiffly, my throat dry. "Yes, Your Majesty."

—

The heavy doors of the throne room groaned shut behind me, leaving an oppressive silence. My boots echoed against the marble floors as I made my way down the corridor, my thoughts swirling in the wake of her accusations. 

Her voice clung to me like a bug. I hated how the words struck so deep, how they stirred the doubts I worked so hard to ignore. 

"Wow, you look like someone just slapped you."

I glanced up to see Edric leaning lazily against the wall, arms crossed and a smirk plastered on his face. His auburn hair was slightly tousled, and his jacket hung open in a way that gave off the idea he cared more about appearance than his title.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice sharper than intended.

He pushed off the pillar and made his way over, offering me a drink like he hadn't just insulted me. "What, a guy can't check on his favorite knight in shining armor?" He paused, looking me up and down. "Though, that 'shining' part is a bit too generous."

I rolled my eyes but took the drink from him anyway. "What do you want, Edric?"

Edric grinned, unfazed by my tone. "Oh, you know, just making sure you didn't get turned into a Calor-shaped punching bag. You just got that look, you know? The one that just screams, 'Someone just said something I didn't want to hear, and now I'm questioning all my life choices.'"

I glared at him, but this only made his smile widen. "Am I wrong?"

Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose. "She defended him," I muttered. 

Edric blinked. 'Who? That girl from Draemoor? What'd she do, throw a shoe at Calor or something?"

"No," I replied, but I couldn't help a small smirk at the mental image. "She... she called us cowards, basically. Said Luca was more human than Calor. More human than me."

He let out a whistle, then clapped me on the shoulder. "Yowch, that's definitely gotta sting."

I shrugged him off, but he wasn't done. "Honestly though? She's got guts. Calling out King Golden Eyes in his own throne room? I like her already. She's got spunk."

"She doesn't know what she's talking about,"

"Doesn't she?" Edric countered, his tone annoyingly playful. "I mean, I get it- Luca's the big bad Demon King or whatever. But you two grew up together didn't you? You can't tell me the kid who used to steal snacks from the pantry and blame it on you is some big irredeemable monster."

"That's not the point!" I snapped, stopping in my tracks to face him. "Luca's dangerous. Whether it's his fault or not, he's the sole reason Draemoor burned. People are dead because of him."

His grin faded, and for a moment I thought he was going to say something serious. But then he shrugged, his usual levity returning. "Well, if he's that dangerous, you'd better find him before Alden or Lysara do. That way, you can do that 'big brother thing' where you knock some sense into him. Y'know, preferably without the sword."

I shook my head, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling due to his optimism. "You make it sound so simple."

"Life's not simple," Edric said, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "But hey, ya got me, and I'm basically the definition of 'lucky charm.' Between my brains, your 'chosen one'-ness, and I don't know, sheer dumb luck, we'll figure it out."

I sighed, but I didn't shrug him off. "His Majesty is letting those two stay in the palace," I said, changing the subject.

"Oh, that's good." He said. "I mean, it's definitely just to keep an eye on them, but still- nice digs. Think they'll let me crash with them if I say I'm part of the royal 'find Luca' squad?"

"Not a chance," I responded flatly.

"Worth a shot."

As we made our way into the courtyard, Edric's teasing words stayed with me. I didn't know if his optimism was naive or exactly what I needed, but at least I didn't have to face this alone.