THE CHOSEN ONE (Reunion)

TRAINING

Morning light spilled into the room, catching the edges of the two royal princes as they slept, oblivious to the world.

Zussorender burst in. “Get up, boys! Training starts today!” His voice cracked like thunder across the silent room.

The princes didn’t stir.

Zussorender’s eyes narrowed. With a swift motion, the air around the sleeping boys shimmered. They lifted off the bed, suspended as if pulled by invisible hands. In one smooth motion, he shifted the bed aside and dropped them onto the floor.

The impact echoed sharply. The princes groaned, clutching their shoulders, wincing in pain.

“Meet me outside now,” Zussorender commanded, his tone sharp and final, before he turned and left.

Noah rubbed his sore shoulder and shot a wary glance at Ramsay as he said to him, “This man will kill us if we’re not careful.”

Ramsay ran a hand through his hair. He replied, “Why don’t we just tell him we’re no longer interested in learning and return to the palace?”.

“And you think he’ll allow that?” Noah’s eyes flicked toward the doorway. “Everything about him is weird… he gets angry easily.”

Ramsay hesitated before saying, “Then… what should we do?”.

Noah’s jaw tightened after saying, “We go now, before he comes back.”

Ramsay nodded as he said, “You’re right.”

Outside, Zussorender sat on a chair, a magical book resting on his lap. The princes stood before him, tense, waiting. They said together, “Good morning, master".

“Morning,” he replied, closing the book. His gaze swept the clearing and rested on three enormous stones nearby. With a flick of his wrist, one stone hovered briefly before settling beside him.

“This shall be your first training,” Zussorender said.

“Lifting stone!” Ramsay exclaimed, surprise etched across his face.

“Yes. You see those two stones over there. You shall lift them with your magic", Zussorender instructed.

“I don’t think we can do that. Though we were told we have magic, we don’t know if we truly do because we’ve never felt it,” Ramsay admitted.

“Then go to the stone and go find out,” Zussorender said.

“Okay, master,” Noah said, determination in his eyes.

“But—” Ramsay began, only to have Noah clamp a hand over his mouth, dragging him toward the stones.

The air was heavy with anticipation as the first test awaited them.

---

AXRAX

The letter from King James arrived in Axrax two days after it was sent. King Raynold broke the seal, scanned the message, and without wasting a second, ordered messengers to ride to every kingdom. A meeting was to be held in Axrax. Every king was required to attend.

---

Three days passed.

Ramsay and Noah stood before the same two stones… still unable to lift them. Day and night, sweat and frustration — nothing worked.

Early morning mist hung low over the ground as the two princes once again faced the stones.

Zussorender sat at his usual spot, legs crossed, calmly eating fruits. His staff rested beside him like a silent guardian.

The boys strained. Tried again. And again.

Still nothing.

Ramsay’s face tightened with anger. He stormed toward Zussorender. He said sharply, “Master, we’ve been repeating the same thing for the past few days — morning and night — and we still haven’t been able to lift the stone. All you do is nothing but sit here, eating, reading, sleeping. Who do you take us for?" 

Ramsay paused for a moment before saying, “I don’t care anymore. I’m quitting. I’m no longer interested in learning magic. I’m returning to the palace.”

Ramsay turned and began walking away, but his legs suddenly froze.

An invisible force gripped his ankles, rooting him to the ground. Ramsay stiffened, fury burning in his eyes as he looked back. 

He snapped at his master, “I know it’s you! Let go of my legs now!”.

“You are not leaving this place until you finish your training” Zussorender said calmly.

“I don’t care about any training anymore! I’m done!” Ramsay shouted.

“Then go, if you can,” Zussorender replied.

Ramsay tried to move his legs again, but they didn’t budge. He wondered what to do at that moment.

Then he turned back and said to his master, “Let’s make a deal. You and I fight — hand combat, no magic. If I win, I’m allowed to leave. If I lose, I continue learning and do whatever you tell me.”

Zussorender smirked and said, “And what makes you so sure you can win? Do you really think you being trained by your father makes you greater than anyone?".

“Will you fight me or not?” Ramsay demanded.

“Okay, let’s see what you’ve got", Zussorender said as he rose to his feet, 

Zussorender released Ramsay’s legs. Ramsay stepped forward and the fight began.

Ramsay swung. Zussorender dodged every strike without effort, then delivered a sharp slap across Ramsay’s face.

Ramsay growled and attacked again. Zussorender sidestepped, moved behind him, and kicked the back of both knees — dropping Ramsay hard to the ground.

Then Zussorender said calmly to him, “I won. So you must always obey my instructions. Now get back to your training.”

Zussorender turned to walk away, but then Ramsay shot to his feet, rage blinding him. He lunged to strike Zussorender from behind, but then Zussorender vanished.

Ramsay’s arm sliced through empty air. Zussorender reappeared behind him and kicked him across the ground. Ramsay crashed, landing painfully.

“I thought you said no magic… you cheated, old man,” Ramsay groaned from the dirt.

Zussorender replied, “You also tried to cheat by attacking me from behind. “Lessons two and three: do not judge humans by their appearance, and always be on alert — even with those you trust.

“Lesson four: never trust a stranger. Now get back to your training.”

Zussorender returned to his chair. Noah approached him. When Noah got to him, he said, “Master… when are you going to teach me that trick you used to defeat Ramsay?”.

“It is not a trick. That is magic. And you will learn it when it is time. Now get back to your training before I turn you both into rats,” he said loudly.

“Yes, master,” Noah replied, hurrying back.

He tried to help Ramsay up. Ramsay refused, pushing himself to his feet.

Ramsay said through clenched teeth, “One day, I shall beat you. I promise you that.”

The two princes returned to the stones.

---

NIGHT

The warm glow of a single lamp lit the small dining area. Noah, Ramsay, Lythia, Gabriel, and Zussorender sat close together around the wooden table, the quiet sounds of utensils and plates filling the space.

Gabriel looked at the two princes, and said to them, “My mother said you both are from Axrax… that you are princes of Axrax, and that you’re here to learn magic.”

Noah smiled and said, “Yes, we are. We were told we were born with magic, just like you, so we have to learn about it.”

Gabriel frowned as he said, “But Dad said I wasn’t born with magic.”

Ramsay and Noah exchanged surprised glances, then glanced at Zussorender. The master didn’t react—he merely ate, focused on his food.

“Okay,” Ramsay muttered quietly.

Gabriel’s eyes brightened as he said, “Dad told me that it is his homeland. He also told me about the beauty of the city, and how big and large it is.”

Ramsay’s smile grew. He replied, “Yes, Axrax is a very beautiful kingdom among others. It is also the only kingdom that has four entrances into its city because it is very large, while the other kingdoms have only one.”

“You mean there are other kingdoms too?” Gabriel asked, curiosity shining in his eyes.

Noah nodded, and then said, “Yes. They are called Lythridite, Samuzia, Micapus, and Domitrus.”

Gabriel opened his mouth to say more, but Zussorender’s voice cut through instantly, “That’s enough, everyone! Eat… or go to sleep.”

The room fell into silence instantly. Only the soft clatter of utensils against plates and the occasional bite filled the intimate space as everyone continued their meal.