Shadows in the Aftermath

Pain.

It was the first thing I felt, a dull, throbbing ache spreading through my body like molten iron. My limbs were heavy, my mind sluggish, as if I had been submerged in deep water. Voices flickered at the edge of my consciousness—distant, muffled.

Then, a sharp gasp.

"Aric!"

A hand grasped my wrist, firm yet trembling. I knew that voice. Elara.

I forced my eyes open. The world was a blur of shifting shapes and warm light, but as my vision adjusted, I saw her leaning over me, concern etched deep into her features.

"You're awake," she breathed in relief.

I tried to sit up, only for a fresh wave of dizziness to crash over me. Someone steadied my shoulder before I collapsed. I glanced up and found Valtor standing there, arms crossed, watching me with that same unreadable expression.

"You nearly killed yourself," he said flatly.

That sounded about right.

The memories surged back all at once—the wraiths, Elara falling, the power surging out of me in an uncontrollable wave. My throat felt dry. "The others?" I rasped.

"Alive," Lucian said, his voice sharp. He was seated nearby, arms folded. "Though not thanks to you."

I flinched at his tone. He wasn't the only one looking at me like that. Several of the heirs stood at a distance, murmuring among themselves, glancing my way with clear unease.

Except for Seraph, who grinned at me like I'd pulled off the best prank in the world. "That was insane," he laughed. "You practically turned into a living explosion!"

Herold snickered beside him. "Impressive, really. A bit dramatic, but I approve."

I let out a weak breath. Of course, they'd be amused.

But the others? I could feel the weight of their scrutiny, the tension thick in the air. They weren't impressed. They were wary.

And I couldn't blame them.

Before I could say anything else, a new voice rang out.

"We're retreating."

It was Rhea, her tone as sharp as her blade. She stood at the front, her injured leg now bandaged, but her stance was still strong. "This trial is over. We're returning to the Queen."

_____

The journey back to the palace was heavy with silence.

None of us spoke much, the weight of what had happened pressing down on us like a storm cloud. Even Seraph and Herold, who usually never shut up, kept their voices lower than usual.

The Queen was waiting when we arrived.

She stood at the entrance, poised as ever, but the moment she saw the state of our group—bloodied, bruised, and carrying an unconscious Dairus—her regal composure faltered.

"This was not the trial," she said, her voice uncharacteristically sharp. "What happened?"

Valtor stepped forward. "We were ambushed. The wraiths weren't part of the test."

A ripple of shock passed through the gathered nobles and knights. The Queen's eyes narrowed. "Are you certain?"

"Dead certain," Lucian answered grimly.

The Queen turned to one of the royal mages at her side. "Alert the High Council. I want the forest investigated immediately." Then, her gaze flickered toward me.

I straightened, bracing for the inevitable questions about my magic, about how I lost control.

But instead, she exhaled, her expression unreadable. "The trials are postponed until further notice."

Murmurs erupted around us, but she raised a hand, silencing them. "Until we determine who—or what—interfered, no heir will set foot in that forest again."

Relief washed over me—until I noticed how some of the heirs were still looking at me.

Suspicious. Untrusting.

_____

Later that evening, I sat alone in my chambers, exhaustion pressing down on me like a heavy cloak.

A soft knock at the door made me look up.

Elara peeked inside, hesitating. "Can I come in?"

I nodded, and she stepped forward, closing the door behind her. She looked better than before—still a little pale, but steady on her feet.

"I never got to thank you," she said, offering me a small smile. "For saving me."

I shook my head. "You don't need to—"

"I do," she interrupted gently. "I saw what it cost you, Aric. You didn't have to push yourself that far. But you did. For me."

I had no response to that.

She hesitated, then reached out, squeezing my hand. "Whatever happens next... just know I don't regret putting my trust in you."

Something in my chest tightened.

But before I could say anything, another knock came at the door.

Elara stepped back as Seraph and Herold strolled in like they owned the place.

"Well, if it isn't the walking disaster himself!" Seraph grinned. "How's it feel to be unconscious for half a day?"

Herold smirked. "Better than being dead, I assume."

I sighed. "I don't need a reminder."

"Oh, but you do," Seraph shot back, flopping onto a chair. "I mean, that was the coolest thing I've seen in years, and I once watched Herold convince a man he was a chicken for three days straight."

Herold gave a dramatic bow. "A masterpiece of illusion, if I do say so myself."

Despite myself, I chuckled.

At least not everyone was treating me like I was a monster.

And Valtor?

I glanced toward my open door that wasn't fully closed by Seraph and Herold, where I swore I had seen him standing outside earlier, deep in thought.

But by the time I looked again, he was gone.

_____

Pain throbbed through my body before I even opened my eyes.

A dull ache in my head. Sore limbs. My magic felt drained, as if I had poured everything out and had nothing left. The remnants of light and darkness still flickered faintly within me, though they were weak.

I was awake.

The air smelled different—no longer thick with the dampness of the forest but cleaner, colder. The scent of stone and incense.

The castle.

I blinked against the dim glow of candlelight, my vision slowly adjusting. I was lying in a massive four-poster bed, draped with rich silks embroidered with the royal crest of Valerya. The heavy curtains were partially drawn, allowing only slivers of golden light to spill into the room.

I shifted, and a quiet rustle from the other side of the room caught my attention.

Elara.

Wait—I thought—

She was seated in a wooden chair near the bedside, a book in hand, though her eyes weren't on the pages. They were on me.

The moment I groaned, she snapped upright. "Aric!"

Her ice-blue eyes scanned my face with concern before relief softened her features.

"Why are you here? I thought you had left?" My voice was hoarse.

Her smile faded.

"I couldn't sleep... thinking about what happened." Her voice was quiet as if the memory still lingered.

I understood—it had been a nightmare.

"And I couldn't thank you enough," she continued. "I thought maybe you couldn't sleep either, so I stayed for a while after Seraph and Herold left. But the moment you closed your eyes, you were out like a light."

She chuckled softly.

I sat up too quickly and regretted it instantly. My head spun.

"The Queen was shocked," Elara continued. "None of that was supposed to happen. The wraiths, the attack... it wasn't part of the trial."

I frowned. "Then what were they?"

She shook her head. "No one knows. The Queen has the game masters investigating, but they've never seen creatures like that before."

I exhaled, leaning back against the pillows.

The room fell into silence until Elara spoke again, quieter this time.

"You saved us, Aric."

I turned to her.

She smiled with a soft, genuine expression. "I never got to say thank you."

Well, she said that a lot of times today. I lost count.

I opened my mouth to protest, but she shook her head. "You could've run. You didn't."

I swallowed. "I couldn't."

Her eyes warmed.

While not all the heirs were pleased by my display of magic, their reactions varied—some were wary, others outright disapproving. Yet, whether they liked it or not, I now had a responsibility to protect them.

If I hoped to become their ruler, this would be the first step.

_____

The next day, the Queen had called for a gathering. And whatever she had to say next would change everything.

The grand hall of Valerya Castle was illuminated by golden chandeliers, the light reflecting off the towering marble pillars and stained-glass windows depicting the kingdom's past rulers.

The twelve heirs—plus me, the unwanted thirteenth—stood in a semi-circle before the Queen.

Her expression was grave, the usual warmth in her gaze subdued.

"I have gathered you here because our kingdom is facing an unknown threat," she began. "The creatures in the forest were not a test. They were real. And they were not the only ones."

Murmurs spread through the room.

"The game masters have reported disturbances outside the kingdom. Strange disappearances, unnatural shadows moving in the night. It is connected to what happened in the forest."

My stomach twisted.

The Queen's voice rang with authority. "I am sending you beyond our borders."

Silence.

Some of the heirs stiffened. Others glanced at each other in unease.

"This will be a reconnaissance mission," she continued. "You are not to engage in battle unless absolutely necessary. Your safety is paramount. You are the future of Valerya."

She paused, letting her words sink in before continuing.

"I am dividing you into three teams. One will travel north to the mountain villages. Another will investigate the eastern trading routes. The final group will head south to the borderlands, where the disturbances are strongest."

She gestured to a court scribe, who unrolled a scroll.

The assignments were read aloud.

I wasn't paying attention to the others—I was too busy silently praying not to be grouped with—

"Aric. You will be assigned to the southern mission."

I exhaled.

Then, she listed the names.

"Elara. Seraph. Herold. And Valtor."

I stopped breathing.

The universe clearly hated me.

The next morning, we gathered at the castle gates, preparing for our departure.

The roads leading out of Valerya were bustling with merchants and travelers.

The kingdom was vast, stretching from the golden plains of the east to the misty peaks of the north. Stone-paved roads twisted through valleys, and rivers snaked through the land like silver veins.

Our destination lay beyond the forests, past the rolling hills that bordered the kingdom's southernmost edges.

We would be riding on horseback for most of the journey.

Seraph, as usual, was overly enthusiastic. "This is exciting, isn't it? An actual mission!"

Herold sighed. "It's a scouting mission. No unnecessary risks."

Valtor said nothing, already mounted, gazing at the horizon with that unreadable look.

Elara glanced at me. "Ready?"

No.

But I swung onto my horse anyway.

We rode out as the sun rose, the castle fading behind us.

And in the depths of my mind, a single thought echoed.

Something was waiting for us out there.

And I wasn't sure we were ready to face it.