Whispers of the Embervale Luna(Breeder#11)

Chapter 2 : A Familiar Warmth

*Kryzen*

I watched my breath create a white puff as Roy and I stepped out of our vehicle to continue border patrol. Although it was the middle of spring, Winter Forest didn't seem to abide by timely seasonal changes. Thick blankets of snow still covered the ground, and the air was frigid from the cold.

“I highly doubt we'll have enemies to worry about in this kind of weather," I quipped as Roy came up to my side and scanned our surroundings.

Roy gave me a sidelong look, one of his green eyes staring me down with amusement. “Are the sons of top generals normally this impatient?" he wondered aloud.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. “Not usually," I said, grinning, not at all bothered by the jab. “It's more likely that the sons of kings are just patient to a fault."

Roy just laughed, and I shook my head in wonder.

Being third in line for the throne put Roy in a position where he could choose his area of duty. When I told Roy I was going to join the military and defense forces, he decided to join me. It was the reason that Roy and I became even closer friends.

Roy and I looked up when we heard someone approaching and saw one of the younger guards hurrying toward us.

“Is something wrong?" Roy asked the guy, who stopped in front of us, his face full of urgency.

“Nothing wrong, Prince Roy," he said. He then glanced at me. “You have been summoned to the palace by General Stormfall."

My eyebrows rose at the mention of my father, and I nodded seriously.

I didn't miss Roy's concerned glance as we made our way back to the car to head to the new palace in Winter Forest. “I'm coming with you," he said decisively.

“There's no need for that," I told him. I kept my tone casual, even though my mind was reeling as we drove back to the palace.

It wasn't unheard of for my father to call upon me. I sometimes wondered if he did so just to keep me on my toes and prepare me for the challenging life of a top general. However, I could tell that this time was different. He knew I was out patrolling with Roy and wouldn't have interrupted us unless it was something urgent.

I quickened my pace as we got to the palace and strode up to the throne room where we were told to meet my father. I burst through the large double doors. Roy was just a step behind me.

I glanced around, but the king wasn't present, which put me at ease a little bit. If there was something truly dire, King Rhys would likely be there as well. I found my father, standing beside the throne, his expression actually light. He gave us a nod as we entered.

“I apologize for disrupting your patrolling, Son," my father said. He looked to Roy. “And to you, Prince Roy."

“We were nearly done for the day," I lied smoothly, blinking at the expression on my father's face. I couldn't tell if it was expectancy or concern. “May I ask why you have summoned us, Father?"

“It was actually me who summoned you, Kryzen."

I whirled at the familiar voice, blinking in shock at my grandmother, Eva Stormfall. She had always been my role model, a powerful magic wielder who saved her young sons from a demon dictator. She was feared by her enemies and beloved by her people.

“Grandma," I murmured, stepping forward and bowing. “It's so good to see you, but what are you doing here?"

My grandparents had settled in Celestial City. My grandmother really wasn't strong enough to be traveling any longer, and we had been planning to see her when things settled down.

I gazed at my grandmother in concern. Her snowy white hair was wispy, and the wrinkles on her face were deeper than the year before when I had seen her last.

She chuckled, her deep gray eyes trained on me. “I'm aware that I'm getting on in age," she said before coughing slightly. “That's why the king offered me a room here. Your father insists that an old bat like me needs royal medics around to keep an eye on me."

Grandma eyed her eldest son playfully. My father just shrugged, unabashed. “Tarik and I both felt it would be best, Mother," he said.

Grandma's eyes softened at the mention of her youngest son before she pinned her gaze back on me. “Kryzen, I've agreed to your father's terms for the time being because I need your help."

I straightened, intuitively knowing that something like this was coming.

“I've left Celestial City because of a dark plague that has befallen there," she said.

Roy and I glanced at each other with wide eyes.

“You're alright though?" I asked her in concern. “You didn't fall ill?"

Grandma shook her head. “Believe me, I wouldn't be standing here if I had," she told me gently. “I was able to use my abilities to protect myself."

“This is no ordinary blight, Kryzen," she continued. “I sensed a dark magic flowing through the city, and I had no choice but to leave so I could get this information to Egoren forces."

Roy and I shared a dark but determined look. “What do you need me to do?"

Grandma smiled at my determination. “I'm sure you remember Briella Black, daughter of Alpha Noah of Drogomor?"

My determined look twisted into a hateful scowl at the name. Briella Black was a spoiled princess as far as I was concerned. Unfortunately, our families were close, so we were often brought together as children. She believed herself stronger than me, claiming she would be a better general than I ever could be.

I wasn't threatened by her. I couldn't be threatened by a little girl like her, but she seemed to annoy me on purpose by constantly trying to prove that she could be stronger than any boy.

“Of course," I said curtly. I had a bad feeling about this. “But may I ask what she has to do with this?"

“Briella has been training in Embervale, learning of their ancient magic," Grandma explained. “Go to her, Kryzen. She will know how to combat this blight."

I gritted my teeth hard at the thought of working with that spoiled Alpha's daughter. “Grandma, you are the most powerful magic wielder to ever live," I said. “And you have taught me much. I swear we will get to the bottom of this horrible darkness that has threatened Celestial City." I glanced at my best friend. “Prince Roy, will you be willing to accompany me?"

Roy hesitated briefly and opened his mouth to answer when King Rhys entered the room, flanked by guards on either side of him.

King Rhys had a presence that demanded attention. I was sure that was true of most kings, but it was especially true with regard to Roy's father. I was told he had been sickly as a child, but there was no sign of that now as he glanced around the room.

“Thank you all for coming," he said. His eyes settled on his son. “Prince Roy, I am pleased to see you. I trust that you have been informed of recent events."

Roy straightened and nodded. “Yes, Father. I understand that I am to accompany Kryzen on his journey."

“That is correct," King Rhys said and turned to me. “The two of you are to travel into the Embervale Realm and seek out Briella Black. She will be prepared to help."

Roy and I both squared our shoulders and bowed to the king. “Yes, Your Majesty."

I thought I noticed just a hint of pride in the king's eyes, but it was gone before I could be sure. He then held out what looked like rolled-up parchment. He handed one to me and one to Roy.

“These scrolls will allow you to communicate between realms," King Rhys explained. “All you have to do is write down the name of the person you wish to communicate with, followed by your message."

“We can write down anyone's name?" Roy asked.

His father shook his head. “No, only those who have one of these enchanted scrolls can do so," he explained. “General Stormfall has one, as well as myself and Eva Stormfall. If anything happens, report to one of us through the scrolls."

“Thank you," Roy and I said as one, bowing to the king.

My father stepped up next to my grandmother, and I could see pride shining in his eyes. “We will have the elders ready the portal for your departure," he told us both. He put a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Be careful, Son."

A few hours later, Roy and I headed out, stepping out of the palace.

“Remind me why I go along with your schemes?" my friend quipped as he followed me closely down the steps.

“We don't need to go all the way to another realm just to find some girl," I told him firmly. “I don't know why my grandmother thinks she'll be able to help us. We should first go to Celestial City ourselves and see what we can do on our own."

“If that's so true, why didn't you just inform your father and grandmother that's what we'd be doing?" Roy demanded.

He was arguing with me, but he was still coming along. I smirked at him, knowing that deep down, he trusted my judgment even if he was questioning it. “It wouldn't have done any good," I told him. “My grandmother is something of a matriarch. My father would only order me to do as she said. While I respect her, this isn't the way to go about this."

Roy just stared at me. “And what are you hoping to do to defeat this plague?" he asked finally.

I stopped walking so I could face my friend fully. “If it truly takes magic to stop it, then I should be just as capable if not more so of curing the city than Briella Black."

I gritted my teeth as Roy and I strode through the streets of Celestial City. Perhaps I was being stubborn because I didn't want Briella Black involved. This was a mission that my grandmother gave to me. I could see no reason why the Drogomor Alpha's daughter needed to be involved.

“Kryzen, something is definitely wrong."

I followed Roy's gaze to the street in front of us. It was eerily empty, with no person in sight, a strange contrast to the vibrant buildings and gold fixtures. The city was normally full of life and cheerful noises.

Celestial City was a vacation spot that my family frequented often growing up. I could almost smell the sweet pastries from the bakery and hear the music from the street performers.

Now there was just silence, the slight breeze ruffling trees. Shop windows were shut tightly, and booths were covered by thick tarps.

I looked around before gesturing for Roy to follow me. “Let's go to the Celestial City Temple," I told him. “It's in the heart of the city. We should seek out the elders. Maybe they will have answers for us."

Roy nodded seriously, and we made our way there. I was growing more concerned as we wandered through the still, lifeless streets. It was the middle of the day, which made the emptiness even more odd.

I couldn't help but smile a little as we got to the gates leading to the temple. My older sister and I often ran through the gardens as children, laughing and chasing one another while our parents visited the elders.

The Celestial City Temple was a grand structure with gold spires and a sleek facade with stained-glass windows covered in star and moon patterns.

“Kryzen, do you hear that?"

I gave my friend an odd look before I turned my head toward the strange whirring sound. A tiny orb appeared in front of us, glowing an ominous light blue color. We stepped forward curiously.

“Wait, get back!" I gasped, realizing a little too late what it was.

The light flashed before growing into a door-sized portal. We tried to run, but the familiar warmth quickly enveloped our bodies, sucking us inside.