"Samael!"
A voice rang out, filled with excitent and urgency.
Before Nathan could react, a stunningly beautiful girl threw herself into his arms.
Nathan caught her before she could stumble, his hands steady against her shoulders. As he took a closer look, a realization struck him—she hadn't been present lately. He had heard whispers about her departure, that she had left on a trip to another city. But now, knowing she had been in Breistan all along, he felt he should have suspected it earlier.
"You're here again?" Nathan asked, his voice carrying a note of exasperation.
"It's so dull in the capital," Ariah responded, pouting slightly. "My sister is always too busy, and you are as well… I had no one to talk to."
"You should leave imdiately," Nathan said, his tone firm and uncompromising.
Ariah's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of hurt flashing across her expression. "W…why?" she stamred, visibly taken aback.
"There's a dangerous man out there," Nathan explained, his silver gaze sharpening. "He could arrive at any mont. It's too dangerous for you to stay here."
Ariah, however, did not seem convinced. Instead of fear, amusent tugged at the corners of her lips. "You really think I'd be safer returning to the capital with just a handful of guards?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Wouldn't I be much safer here with Samael, by your side?" Her voice was teasing, but there was undeniable logic behind her words.
Nathan had no imdiate response. She wasn't wrong.
If it had been any ordinary enemy, he wouldn't have hesitated to send her away. But they were dealing with a Hero—an opponent whose power and unpredictability made Nathan wary. Keeping Ariah close, under his direct protection, might indeed be the better choice.
Before he could form a rebuttal, Ariah latched onto his arm with a bright smile. "Co, let introduce you to a friend of mine," she said, tugging him forward without waiting for his consent.
Nathan allowed himself to be led, though he felt the weight of another's gaze on him.
Scylla's expression darkened as she watched Ariah's hand wrap around Nathan's arm. She remained silent, but a quiet tension settled around her. She had grown accustod to Ariah's presence, yet that did little to lessen her displeasure. To her, no woman had the right to touch Nathan so casually—save for dea and Charybdis.
Nathan ignored the tension and let Ariah guide him further until they reached a new presence.
Standing before them was a striking young woman with golden hair cascading down her back, her posture poised with the effortless grace of nobility.
"Auria, you changed?" Ariah asked, blinking in surprise.
Auria had indeed altered her appearance. She now wore an elegant gown that far surpassed the beauty of her previous attire. The fabric shimred subtly under the light, complenting her fair complexion. Even her face seed different—more refined, as if she had carefully applied makeup to enhance her already delicate features.
With a practiced movent, she lowered herself into a noble curtsy.
"It is an imnse honor to et the Lord Commander of Tenebria," she said, her voice smooth and composed. "You are as magnificent as the rumors have described, Lord Samael. I am Auria Breistan."
At the ntion of her surna, Nathan's eyes flickered toward Nakon, who stood nearby.
"She is my daughter, Lord Commander," Nakon confird with a nod.
Nathan shifted his gaze back to Auria, stepping closer.
Auria's heart pounded violently within her chest as Nathan's imposing presence enveloped her. His white hair, his sharp gaze, and the sheer weight of his aura made it impossible for her to remain unaffected. She swallowed, willing herself to remain composed, but the closer he ca, the more overwhelming his presence beca.
Nathan's gaze lingered on Auria, his sharp gold eyes scrutinizing her with an intensity that made her breath hitch. There was sothing about her—sothing that drew his attention in a way he couldn't quite place. It wasn't just her noble bearing or the way she carried herself. No, there was sothing deeper, sothing subtle yet undeniably present.
Auria felt her cheeks heat up, a flush of deep red spreading across her face as she struggled to control her breathing. The weight of his attention was almost suffocating, yet she couldn't bring herself to look away. She hadn't expected this much focus from the Lord Commander of Tenebria, and yet, knowing that he was looking at her—truly looking at her—filled her with an unexpected sense of exhilaration.
Standing beside them, Ariah let out an exaggerated pout, tugging on Nathan's arm in protest.
"Samael?" she huffed, her jealousy barely concealed.
Nathan turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "You need to leave," he stated, his voice firm. "Azariah will be expecting your return once she learns what happened here."
Ariah opened her mouth to argue, but before she could utter another word, a sudden cough wracked her body. She pressed a hand against her lips, wincing as a wave of weakness overtook her.
Nathan's eyes darkened.
Her condition was worsening. He had known it for so ti now, had seen the slow deterioration day by day, but witnessing it firsthand once again stirred sothing in him—a quiet but growing urgency. He needed to find a solution before it beca too late.
Nakon, who had been observing the exchange, finally intervened. "Auria, take the princess back to your quarters."
"Yes, Father," Auria responded obediently, stepping forward to support Ariah.
Though reluctant, Ariah allowed herself to be led away, casting one last glance at Nathan before disappearing beyond the corridor.
With the two won gone, Nakon turned back to Nathan. His gaze was steady, but there was a weight behind his words when he spoke. "If I may ask, Lord Commander—how long do you intend to stay?"
He hoped Nathan's presence would last long enough to ensure the threat was dealt with.
"A day or two," Nathan answered plainly. "It depends."
He wasn't in a hurry to leave, but he was certain that within that tifra, the Hero would either reveal himself or be drawn to him.
"I see," Nakon murmured. There was a trace of disappointnt in his voice, but he quickly masked it with diplomacy. "Then we will prepare your accommodations. See to it that Lord Commander Samael is given our finest quarters," he ordered, prompting a flurry of movent from the nearby maids, who bowed before scurrying off to make arrangents.
Nakon clasped his hands behind his back. "Let us et at dinner, Lord Commander. I look forward to discussing matters further." With that, he offered a respectful nod before retreating, leaving Nathan to follow the maids toward his assigned quarters.
As he walked through the hall, his thoughts remained calculated, his mind already moving several steps ahead. But he wasn't alone for long.
"Scylla," Nathan called, his tone neutral yet expectant.
Beside him, the ever-watchful Scylla turned her head. "Yes, Nate?"
"Scout the city and the surrounding forests," he instructed. "If you find anything of interest—anything at all—report back to imdiately."
Scylla frowned, her lips pressing into a small pout. "Shouldn't I stay with you?"
"Scylla," he repeated, his voice firr this ti. "Do it."
She huffed, crossing her arms before finally relenting. "Fine, fine…" With a resigned sigh, she vanished into the shadows, leaving Nathan alone with his thoughts once more.
Once Nathan was led to his room, he waited for the maids to step out before closing the door behind them with a soft click. The chamber was lavish, adorned with elegant furnishings and a grand canopy bed draped in silken sheets. A cool breeze drifted in through the open window, carrying the scent of the distant forest.
Ignoring the comfort of his surroundings, Nathan sat on the edge of the bed, elbows resting on his knees as he laced his fingers together. His mind was already deep in contemplation.
"A Hero from the Second Summoning of the Light Empire…" he muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible over the whispering wind.
He never thought he'd witness it in his lifeti. The first summoning had been disastrous enough—an event that had tipped the balance of the world, shaping nations and igniting wars. And now, the cycle was repeating itself.
"Khione."
The mont he spoke her na, a brilliant white light illuminated the dimly lit room, casting fleeting shadows against the stone walls. A cold yet soothing presence filled the space, and when the glow faded, Khione stood before him—ethereal, resplendent, and as breathtaking as ever.
Her cascading white hair shimred like freshly fallen snow, and her icy blue eyes held an otherworldly glow, filled with quiet wisdom and an unshakable devotion. She was a goddess in every sense of the word, both in beauty and in presence.
Nathan's gaze softened as he looked at her. "How is Nivea?"
It was the first thing he asked, his priority above all else.
Their daughter—technically his firstborn, and the child he had with Khione—ant the world to him. Though their ti together was limited, he cared for her deeply, more than he could ever put into words.
"She's sleeping," Khione answered, her voice gentle, like the whisper of a snowflake drifting through the wind.
Nathan exhaled slowly, relief washing over him.
Ever since her birth, they had chosen to keep Nivea in a hidden dinsion—one that was protected from the chaos of the mortal realm. It was a precaution, one he hated but knew was necessary. Letting Khione and Nivea remain in the world of gods was far too dangerous, yet allowing them to freely roam the mortal plane invited even greater threats. This separate sanctuary was the best he could do for now.
"I know she calls for you often," Khione murmured, watching him with an unreadable expression. "You didn't visit her today."
Nathan closed his eyes for a mont, guilt weighing heavily on his shoulders. "I know," he admitted with a sigh. "The journey here was longer than expected. But I'll see her tomorrow—without fail."
Khione studied him for a mont before nodding in quiet acceptance. "Good. She misses you."
A pang of regret flickered across Nathan's heart, but he pushed it aside. There were more pressing matters to address.
Khione knew it too. She tilted her head slightly, her white strands cascading over her shoulder. "You didn't call just to ask about Nivea," she said, her tone cool but knowing. "There's sothing else."
Nathan t her gaze. "Yeah," he admitted. "Tell everything you know about the Second Summoning."
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