Kirin regretted accepting the offer the second he stepped out of the main hall, not because he was scared, but because of the look Dunn gave him.It wasn’t satisfaction, neither was it wasn’t relief.It was ownership.As if Kirin had just agreed to let a leash slip around his neck.Seth walked beside him in silence as the two were guided down a marble corridor by a quiet servant in silver robes. The halls of the Arcanus estate hadn’t changed, the same walls, same eerie quiet, same cold air that clung to your skin like smoke.Eventually, they were led to a guest courtyard where there were stone benches, a pond with crystal koi fish, and enough open space for eavesdropping servants to hide and pick on little secrets.“You shouldn’t have accepted that trial,” Seth said plainly.“I know.”“Then why did you?”Kirin sat on one of the benches, the air heavy on his shoulders. “Because they know something I don’t. About my parents, about what they sealed inside me.”Seth crossed his arms. “And

Kirin’s eyes fluttered open.The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, it was dark marble with etchings of drawings carved into the stone. A soft white light glowed from a crystal embedded in the corner of the room. The scent of burning herbs and fresh linen filled the air.He blinked slowly, his body aching in a way that told him he had overstrained his very body.He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his ribs. He winced and dropped back into the silken pillows beneath his head.A voice beside him coughed and took a breath. “You're awake. Thought you'd stay out for another week, dramatic as that Rite of passage thingy was.”“Seth...?”“Who else would sit here like a concerned wife while you drool on yourself?”Kirin coughed. “How long?”“Two days. You blew up a huge wyrm lizard and half the elder council with that little tantrum of yours. Say I think you have a thing for blowing up councils.”Kirin rubbed his temples. “The beast…”“Fried, you really fried it extra crispy. I’d

The massive stone doors of the Vault slid open with a grinding sound that echoed through the courtyard. A soft burst of wind followed, carrying dust and crackles of lingering energy.Kirin stepped out.His body ached, his clothes were scorched in places, and his eyes were sharper than they had been before. He didn’t say a word as he crossed the courtyard.Waiting for him was Dunn, along with several elders. Seth stood at the back, eyes wide, mouth slightly open. No one said anything at first.Dunn stepped forward. “You survived...”Kirin nodded once.“You touched the Tempest Stone, didn’t you?” one of the elders asked, his voice sharp with suspicion.Kirin didn’t answer knowing that he did more than just touch the tempest stone.Dunn raised a hand to silence the elder. “It doesn’t matter. He passed the test.”“I wasn’t told survival meant destroying the Vault’s inner chamber,” muttered another elder.“I did what I had to,” Kirin said quietly. His voice was hoarse and dry“The stone rea

The banquet was lavish, unnecessarily so. Golden plates stacked with fruits no one would eat, crystal goblets filled with wine older than most of the guests, and music that flowed softly in the background like a ripple in a pond. Kirin sat at the edge of it all, detached and uninterested. He knew this wasn’t a celebration, no matter how many rose petals they scattered across the marble floor. This was business, covered in tradition. A council decision wrapped in flowers and meat.He didn’t speak unless spoken to, he didn’t laugh at the nobles carefully made jokes, he didn’t toast when the rest of the room raised their glasses.At the center of the long table, Dunn stood. He didn’t raise his voice, didn’t slam his palm on the table for attention. He just stood, and the room went still. Every servant stopped and looked at him, every noble turned their gaze toward the family head, their expressions calm and respectful, but in their eyes held known curiosity.“Kirin Arcanus has returned,”

The rain had turned the night into a quiet storm, not loud or wild, but something gentler. It fell like whispers over the forest leaves as Kirin moved silently through the winding paths of the lower valley, guided only by the half faded ink map from the letter and the soft glow of fire lanterns hung too deliberately across ancient trees. The Silent Grove wasn't marked on any formal chart and no one ever admitted to knowing its location, but somehow, everyone knew it existed.It was the place where secrets were made and buried. The place where oaths meant more than laws. Kirin walked with his cloak soaked and his hands hidden beneath his sleeves, the Tempest Stone pulsing faintly under his ribs. The storm above hadn’t broken into a full shower yet, but he could feel the tension building in the clouds just like the one building in his chest. He didn’t know who had sent the message or why now, but the name scratched into the edge of the letter, Silent Grove was enough to drag him from t