As the sun set behind the Aetherian Mountains, the Arcturian Citadel shook in the shadow of red and pale light. The sky was covered with dark clouds, and a storm was coming. This was a sign of nature and of coming disaster. The wind howled in the ravines surrounding the castle, and every echo inside the stone walls made it hard to stand still. Even the silence sounded like war bells tonight.
Magnus Arcturian walked alone in the throne room. He didn't carry his sword in his belt, but each step made it clear that he was a commander who was tired from a long battle. There was no fire in the room, only a few flickering torches on the walls that made shadows dance. The Arcturian Gold Mine... The family's most valuable inheritance, which they had kept secret for many years, was now a fight for control. Prestige, wealth, or tradition. The mine was now a reason for war. The Nyx Family was a very dangerous group.
When the doors opened quietly, Magnus didn't even look around. Elira Arcturian stepped in, her long, straight, snow-white hair flowing like a ghost from the shadows. Her eyes, silver in color, were lifeless and dull, like the rest of the room. Kael was next. He had short blue hair and looked serious and cautious. But his eyes showed a change. Something fragile but hidden.
"Father," Elira said, stepping directly in front of Magnus. "Lion Silvarin has returned. He brought Carol's message."
Magnus looked worried. Elira spoke calmly, but she sounded worried. The man shook his head slightly. "Let him in."
The door opened again, and an elf walked in. His long green hair fell over the back of his neck. Lion Silvairn had been Magnus' squire and Elira's mentor for years. He didn't wear fancy clothes, but he looked like a king. No one but Elira would dare question him.
"Your Majesty," Lion said, bowing his head. "Carol Nyx's message is clearly threatening."
Magnus's eyes turned dark. "Read it."
Lion took out the parchment. The rustling sound made the room even more tense.
"Magnus Arcturian, you are sitting in your fortress, thinking the gold belongs to you. But now the mine is not yours. My soldiers are there. The will I have placed within you will destroy it with a spark. Remember what happened in the past and understand why the Nyx family is angry. Otherwise, I will compare this to the land.
Gold or honor?
Make your choice.
Carol Nyx"
Magnus's face became serious in the dim light of the torches. Elira's hands became fists.
"This isn't blackmail," Elira said. "This is a challenge."
Kael stepped forward. "This isn't just about the economy; it's a direct political attack. Carol wants to hurt more than just the mine. It's the balance of Aetheria."
Lion nodded seriously. "The mine has structural weaknesses. Some of the tunnels are very old and are close to collapsing. If they blow it up, it won't just destroy the mine; it will destroy the surrounding villages, too. Thousands of people would die."
"And Nyx knows that," Magnus said. "So it's not a threat, it's a declaration of war."
Elira stepped forward. "But we can't fight this war the same way she does. She's nudging us. If we fight him openly, the public will hold us responsible."
Kael spoke without looking away from Elira. "But someone on the inside may have helped. The person in charge of the mine is new. We should talk to him."
"I'll take care of it," Lion said. "If it's treason, I'll find out."
Magnus was sitting heavily on his throne. He looked like a king and a tired dad. "This is like a chessboard. Every move matters. Our real strength lies in our intelligence."
Elira lowered her head. "What are your orders?"
"Lion, check on the commander. Elira, please calm the people. Don't think of this as a war, but be ready for it. Kael, check inside for Carol's contact information. If we don't have information, we lose everything."
All three lowered their heads and quietly left the room. But that night, no one in the castle slept.
The next morning... Elira was alone in the castle's inner courtyard. She was on her knees, quietly thinking. When she put her hand on the cold ground, her eyes were closed. Behind her silver eyelids was another world. Spirits. He listened to their whispers.
I hear footsteps... It's fast. That's too much. Familiar.
Kael was coming up.
"Not again!" he yelled. "You're talking to spirits again?! Not again, Lorian!"
Elira opened her eyes but didn't move.
"We don't know why Lorian died. The spirits say he was not alone. He didn't die alone, Kael."
"DEAD!" Kael's voice echoed off the castle's stone walls. "While I'm here, you're still crying for him. When will you return to me, Elira? When?!"
Elira stood up slowly. Her voice was calm. "This has nothing to do with you. This is about doing the right thing."
Kael took a step. "You're just chasing a ghost. And I die for you every day!"
Kael's hand glowed with water energy. He looked furious.
Elira's eyes flashed. She said a word quietly. The spirits heard the call.
The air suddenly got cold. The mist rose. Unseen hands appeared around Elira. Kael suddenly stopped attacking. The water froze in her hands. His bones crackled.
"I warned you," Elira's voice echoed.
Kael fell to the ground. His eyes filled with tears. "Elira, please. STOP FOR ME."
But Elira was not the same person. The spirits were all around her, and her voice sounded empty. "You didn't understand me... now you will feel the pain."
Kael's mind went blank. Images collided. The pain was more than just physical.
The doors to the throne room opened. Magnus walked in. He looked at his daughter. Everyone was quiet for a moment, and then someone gave a command that was hard to understand:
"Elira! ENOUGH!"
Elira's body shook. The spirits were shocked. The glow started to fade. Elira fell to her knees. Her eyes went back to normal.
Kael was squirming on the floor. Magnus went to his daughter. "Don't let the spirits control you. Remember who you are. Let your heart's voice guide you."
Elira lowered her head. "I'm sorry... I lost my temper."
"This family depends on your will, not your strength," Magnus said. "And you... you will find your will. Or the spirits will possess you."
Outside, the wind howled. The storm was all around the mansion. Now they had to face nature and the storm within themselves.
Magnus looked at the two guards behind him. "Take Kael to the healing room right away. He will no longer be Elira's subordinate." As Magnus finished, the guards nodded slightly and went to Kael, who was still in pain on the floor. After he finished talking to the guards, Magnus turned back to Elira. "Elira, you will be kept in your room for five days. You will not be allowed to talk to anyone during this time. Your food will be sent to your room." After Magnus finished talking, he put his hands on Elira's shoulders.
"Get some rest and recover. Lorian was not a normal man. I thought he would be dangerous, but I didn't know he would be so mysterious. I'll give you this when your sentence is over. From now on, Lion will protect you. Your personal bodyguard. You need one. He will protect you and teach you to control the spirits."
Elira didn't say anything. She just nodded her head to show that she agreed. Magnus took his hands off Elira's shoulders and turned to walk away. Elira stood where she was for a while longer and then started to walk towards her room.
Outside her room, she saw a man with long green hair and golden eyes. It was Lion Silvarin: Lion Silvarin. He was an elf who had been Magnus's squire, but now he was his own personal bodyguard and teacher.
Elira looked at Lion and said, "I am your trustee, Lion. Let's get along well. I hope you don't turn out like Kael." Without waiting for Lion to speak, she opened the door to her room, walked in, and closed it. Lion understood this. He had worked hard to understand spirits, and he knew how frustrating it was to be under their control. Lion knelt in front of the door and said, "Yes, Princess." He said. He stayed in that position for a while, then got up and walked away.