Calm Before The Storm

The moonlight spilled softly across the floor of Emeney's room, tracing long silver lines that led to her bed, where she lay twisted in her sheets. Eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling. Restless. The silence of the palace should have been peaceful, but instead, it echoed, too loud, too empty.

She shifted again, pulling her blanket higher, then lowering it with a frustrated sigh. Sleep wouldn't come. Not tonight.Her mind churned, thoughts piling on each other like bricks on her chest. Her father. The kingdom. The war. And beneath all that, clawing back into the light, Leo.

His name still carried weight in her heart, still shaped her grief like a second wound that never fully closed. The pain of her father's death had unearthed that buried sorrow, had cracked the seal on a grief she had hidden away for seven years. She turned her face into the pillow and exhaled sharply.

"I couldn't save him either…" She whispered to herself.

With that thought, she gave up. Throwing the blanket off, she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood, her white tank top and shorts clinging loosely to her frame. She padded barefoot across the cool floor, not bothering to grab a robe or slippers. Her feet knew where they were going before her mind did.

Down the hallway. Past the guards. Past her own thoughts.She only stopped when she realized where she was, standing in front of Rayne's door. She blinked, confused by herself. Her heart beat a little faster, unsure of what she was doing.Before she could turn away, her hand moved on its own, curling into a fist and knocking softly.

A beat passed. Then the door clicked open. Rayne stood there, shirtless, awake. His dark hair slightly tousled like he'd run a hand through it too many times, his loose night pants hanging just above his bare feet. His muscular torso, smooth and firm, caught the soft light from his room.

Emeney's breath hitched, eyes catching on the lines of his chest, the faint scars that hinted at battles fought. She quickly looked away, heat rushing to her cheeks. "I…I couldn't sleep" She murmured. "I just…needed someone to talk to"

She didn't know why she came here. It should have been Xander. That would've made sense. He was her fiancé. He would've welcomed her in a heartbeat. But it wasn't Xander she needed tonight.

Rayne said nothing at first, just studied her with those calm, calculating eyes. Then he stepped aside and gestured her in.

"Come in"

She slipped past him, careful not to brush against his bare arm. The room smelled faintly of pine and something warmer, like smoke or leather. He grabbed a tank top from a nearby chair and slipped it over his head as she moved to the wooden chair near his bed.

He joined her, folding his legs beneath him as he sat cross-legged on the mattress, his elbows resting casually on his knees. Silence hovered between them. She didn't know where to begin.

"Tell me about your father" Rayne said, his voice low but steady. "You looked like you wanted to say something back there…but didn't"

Emeney blinked. Her heart pulled in two directions, one heavy with sorrow, the other warmed by the invitation to speak. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips. faint, but real.

"He was…everything"

And so she began.

She spoke of King Snow, the man behind the crown. How he would braid her hair himself after her mother passed. How he read her bedtime stories even when she was too old for them. How he made her laugh by tripping over his own words in diplomatic meetings just to see her smile. How he trained her to be strong, but kind. Firm, but fair. A Queen not of fear, but of fierce love.

"He played both mother and father so well, sometimes I forgot what it felt like to have two parents" She laughed softly. "He'd say, 'I'm wearing both crowns today, my princess.' And then make me breakfast with burnt toast just to prove it"

Rayne chuckled. "Burnt toast is a father's rite of passage. Legendary skill"

That earned a laugh from her, light, short, but real. It surprised her how easy he made it feel.

"He always believed in me" She said. "Even when I didn't. When I was scared, or doubting myself…he saw something more. He said I was destined to lead. And I wanted to prove him right"

Her voice cracked slightly.

Rayne watched her closely. "You already have"

Their eyes met.

For a moment, there was no kingdom. No war. No grief. Just two souls sitting in the quiet, sharing pain, healing cracks with laughter and memory.

Emeney leaned back in the chair, the tension easing from her shoulders. For the first time in days, maybe longer. She felt a little lighter.

***

The silence between them wasn't awkward. It was warmlike the space between heartbeats after a good laugh. They had talked all night. Hours passed unnoticed. Emeney had lost count of the times she had laughed, really laughed, her stomach aching, her cheeks flushed. Rayne had a dry, clever wit, sharp and subtle in a way that reminded her so much of Leo that, for a moment, she had to look away and remind herself they were not the same person.

Still, her heart kept fluttering at the edges of memory. And warmth. Now, they both sat quietly, Emeney still in the chair, one leg curled beneath her, Rayne on the edge of the bed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.

It was almost morning now. A pale golden glow crept through the curtains, soft and slow, brushing against their faces like a quiet promise. Emeney drew a slow breath, her voice softer this time, gentler. "I didn't tell anyone else this…" She began, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her tank top. "During the last meeting…when they all insisted on a coronation…I told them I wouldn't take the throne. Not yet. Not while war is brewing. Not while enemies still linger outside our gates"

Rayne didn't interrupt. His expression didn't shift. He waited.

She looked up at him, vulnerability exposed in her eyes. "Everyone was shocked. Angry, even. Advisor Gray, General Iron…They said it would destabilize the kingdom. But…I just couldn't do it. I couldn't sit on that throne while blood is still being spilled"

"Did I make the right choice?" She asked. The words weren't just for confirmation, they were a plea. Honest. Raw.

Rayne met her eyes with a steadiness that made her feel grounded. No hesitation. No judgment. "Right or wrong doesn't matter anymore…" He said. "You made the call. And whether you wear a crown or not, you're the Queen now, Queen"

Her breath caught a little. That word, Queen. From him, it didn't sound political. It sounded true.

"Your choices shape the future. Not theirs. And anyone who doesn't like it…will learn to live with it"

She felt her heart swell, but he wasn't finished.

"Your father trusted you with this kingdom. I trust you too" His voice dipped, almost a whisper. "You'll always make the right choice"

A silence fell between them again, but this one was different. Emeney smiled softly, then with growing relief. Her shoulders dropped, as though someone had lifted a burden she hadn't realized she was still carrying.

The first light of dawn spilled fully through the window now, illuminating them both in soft gold. She blinked, realizing the night had passed. "It's morning…" She murmured, a little in disbelief. "We've been talking all night"

Rayne gave a faint smile. "Seems so"

She stood up slowly, brushing her hair back from her face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to keep you awake this long. I didn't even think…"

Rayne rose to his feet, waving it off. "You didn't impose. It was… good. I'm glad you came. I was unable to fall asleep also. We both needed the company"

Their eyes lingered for a moment longer than they should have. Then, with a quiet nod, Emeney made her way to the door. Rayne followed, opening it for her. She stepped out, turning to face him one last time before leaving. "Thank you…Rayne"

"Anytime, Princess, or, Queen" 

The door clicked softly shut behind her, but the memory of the night, of shared grief, laughter, and unexpected comfort, lingered long after.

***

Almost a full minute had passed since the door had clicked shut behind Princess Emeney. Rayne had only just thrown himself back onto the bed with a soft grunt, eyes closing as he finally let his mind relax. The faintest smile still lingered on his lips, something about the night felt right. He felt like himself for the first time in years. Not him acting on his persona but his actual self, as Leo. 

Knock knock.

A groan slipped from his mouth. Seriously? He dragged himself up, trudging toward the door with half-closed eyes. His voice was still tinged with the smile he'd worn earlier."Forget something?" He asked lazily as he swung the door open.

But it wasn't Emeney.

Standing there, with a wide grin and far too much energy for this hour of the morning, was Miles. Rayne blinked, his face falling flat. "…Oh"

"Good morning, neighbor" Miles chirped, strolling right past him like he owned the place. "Hope I'm not interrupting anything? Though if I am, feel free to pretend I'm not here"

Rayne turned slowly, watching him sprawl across the bed he had just risen from. "What are you doing here, Miles?"

Miles patted the sheets beside him. "Thought I'd stop by. Y'know, bond. Hang out. Spend some quality time. You and me? We've got chemistry, bro"

Rayne gave him a look. "Chemistry"

"Exactly!" Miles beamed, throwing his arms behind his head. "You're the only one in the King's Guard that doesn't make my skin itch. I figured we should lean into that. I mean, I like Bria and The commander's cool or whatever, but you? You're different. There's something about you…" He trailed off dreamily.

Rayne slumped into the wooden chair Emeney had used hours earlier, resting his elbow on the armrest and rubbing his forehead. "It's too early for this"

"Technically, it's not early anymore. It's just morning. And I saw the princess leaving a few minutes ago, so you've been up anyway, haven't you?"

Rayne's brow twitched, but he said nothing. Miles smirked knowingly, then shifted, folding his hands behind his head. "She looked good in those shorts, didn't she?"

Rayne gave him a glare.

Miles held up both hands innocently. "Relax. Just saying. She looked… comfortable"

Rayne groaned, his head thudding back against the chair. "Do you ever stop talking?"

"Nope"

A beat of silence passed. Then Miles' voice dropped slightly, more curious than teasing.

"Hey…why were you holding back during sparring the other day?"

Rayne's gaze snapped toward him instantly, jaw tightening. "What?"

Miles sat up, serious now. "You're strong. But that's not the part that's weird. I've got a good sense for aura. And mana. Yours is…dense. Wild. It stretches far, and deep. But when we sparred? You barely let any of it out. Like you were hiding something"

Rayne leaned forward, tone casual. "Maybe I was just tired. Or maybe I'm just not that strong"

"You're a terrible liar" Miles replied with a chuckle. "But fine. Keep your secrets. Just know I see you, Rayne. And I'm watching. And I'll figure it out"

Rayne stared at him flatly. "Great" Though he was surprised at Miles' keen senses, and it made him a little worried. He didn't want anything or anyone to blow his cover. Not when he hadn't achieved his mission yet. 

With the heavy topic brushed aside, Miles suddenly bounced back into his usual self. "Anyway! Did you hear what Commander Dion said to General Iron yesterday? Hilarious. And get this, Zane from guard Unit Three? Totally got rejected by the healer he's been simping for all month. Brutal"

Rayne rubbed his temples.

"Miles"

"Yeah?"

"Get out"

Miles grinned, completely ignoring him. "You know what I think? I think this kingdom might just survive the war…if we don't all kill each other first"

Rayne exhaled a long, tired sigh, staring up at the ceiling as Miles launched into another string of gossip, his words blending into a hum of chaos. And so began Rayne's morning, with suspicion, exhaustion, and Miles lying across his bed like he belonged there.

***

The main border of Arcania was quiet beneath the gray-blue hue of a predawn sky. The air was still, thick with a silence that didn't feel natural. Four patrol guards, two from each side of the trail, passed each other with practiced discipline, exchanging nods as they resumed their watch. Their boots crunched softly over the dirt path, eyes scanning the dense, looming woods.

Then, they froze. A ripple of dark magic rolled over them like a breath of cold wind. It raised the hairs on their necks, tightening the grip around their weapons even before they moved. The guards turned at once, forming a defensive square, back-to-back, weapons drawn from thin air with shimmering bursts of arcane light. Their blades glinted under the pale light, their eyes sharp.

"You feel that?" One of them muttered.

Before anyone could reply, the air warped in front of them, two figures materializing out of thin shadows. A man and a woman, draped in black cloaks. Their hoods were still drawn, but their aura bled danger. In their hands, black-bladed swords pulsed with a glowing, red mist, like corrupted fire eating away at the edges of the steel.

Neo and Phoenix.

The guards raised their weapons, voices stern but rattled."Identify yourselves! What is your business in Arcania?"

No answer.

Neo tilted his head slightly. Phoenix cracked her neck. Then they moved. It was over in a blink. A blur of motion. Two guards' heads hit the ground before their eyes could catch up. Splat. Blood sprayed against the trees.

The remaining two flinched, stepping back, but too late.

Neo was already on the third, severing both arms at once in one clean sweep. The guard screamed, stumbling back as Neo impaled him through the gut. His sword stayed buried in the man's stomach, until dark magic surged from the blade.

The guard convulsed, his eyes bulging as his torso began to bloat grotesquely. His scream turned into a gurgling roar, then a thunderous POP, spraying blood and bone into the clearing.

The last guard stumbled backward, wide-eyed, trembling so hard he could barely keep his blade raised. He knew. He wasn't just outmatched, he was facing monsters. He was just a B-Class mage and these two seemed like they were A-Class or even S-Class. 

They both simultaneously took off the hood of their cloaks. Phoenix stepped forward, her boots crunching over bone and mud. She stopped in front of him, lifting a single hand, laying it gently on his trembling shoulder. She leaned close, voice calm but carrying weight.

"Go back into your kingdom. Tell them what happened here"

The guard's mouth opened but no words came out.

"Tell them…" She continued, "They're under attack" She smiled coldly. "Tell them…the Dark Knight and the White Sparrow are here"

Tears streamed down his cheeks as he nodded rapidly, thankful beyond words he wasn't going to be killed brutally, like his peers. 

"Go!"

He turned and ran, faster than his legs had ever carried him, bolting through the trees toward the heart of Arcania.

Silence returned to the border, save for the wind rustling the trees and the drip of blood onto the earth. Phoenix turned to Neo, who still wore his obsidian mask, hiding everything but his blue eyes.

She studied him for a moment, then nodded.

He returned the gesture.

"Do you think they'll take the bait?" She asked, voice low.

Neo's voice, deep and smooth, carried with eerie calm."They will…get ready. We can't fail him" He replied, his sword disappearing into thin air.