Jade

  The King led me deeper into the palace, his steps steady but his silence oppressive. The pendant in my hand seemed to hum faintly, as if sensing the gravity of what was to come.

  He stopped before a set of heavy wooden doors, their surfaces carved with intricate designs depicting Belfour's history. With a low creak, he pushed them open, revealing a private study bathed in the golden light of a flickering hearth.

  "Sit," he said, gesturing to a chair near the fireplace.

  I hesitated but obeyed, my gaze never leaving his.

  The King took a seat across from me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the only sound was the crackling of the fire. Then he spoke.

  "The man who attacked Hue on the first day of the PURE was not acting alone," he began, his voice low. "He is a member of the Edu Clan."

  I stiffened. The name was not unfamiliar, though it was one spoken of in whispers.

  "The Edu Clan was exiled from Belfour years ago," he continued. "Their practices—dark magic and mana manipulation—threatened the very fabric of our kingdom. They delved into powers that corrupted them, twisting their minds and their intentions."

  "Then why were they allowed to participate in the PURE?" I asked, my tone sharp.

  The King met my gaze evenly. "The PURE is a chance for redemption, not just for individuals but for entire clans. The Edu were granted permission to compete under strict conditions: no dark magic, no forbidden practices. Their participation is their only chance to earn their way back into the kingdom's graces."

  I mulled over his words, unease prickling at the edges of my mind. "And yet, one of them tried to kill Hue."

  "Yes," the King admitted, his expression darkening. "And he has paid the price for it. But the actions of one do not condemn the whole clan—at least, not yet."

  I leaned back in my chair, the pendant resting heavy in my palm. "You expect me to trust that they're not still practicing dark magic?"

  "I expect you to remain vigilant," he said. "Trust is earned, Jade, not given freely. But condemning without proof is a path I cannot allow this kingdom to take again."

  His words carried weight, but they did little to quell my doubts.

  "And what about Hue and Thornton?" I asked, changing the subject. "Will they recover?"

  The King's expression softened, and for a moment, I saw not the ruler but a man carrying the weight of his responsibilities.

  "They will recover fully," he said. "Their injuries were severe, but the healers assure me that time and rest will restore them. They are strong, Jade. Stronger than even they realize."

  Relief washed over me, though it was tempered by the lingering tension in my chest.

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  As silence stretched between us, another question surfaced—one I hadn't dared to ask until now.

  "Your brother," I said quietly. "What happened to him?"

  The King's face fell, a shadow passing over his features. He rose from his chair and moved to the hearth, his hands clasped behind his back.

  "My brother was a good man," he said after a long pause. "But his ideals often clashed with my own. He believed in a unity that I thought naive, a dream of a kingdom where even the most dangerous could find a place. It was that belief that led to his death."

  I stood, my heart pounding. "You're saying he was killed because of his ideals?"

  He turned to face me, his eyes heavy with sorrow. "Yes. But his death and the massacre of the Liche Clan are not connected, no matter how it may appear. The Liche Clan's loss was a tragedy born of greed and betrayal, not a calculated strike against my brother's vision."

  His words carried a weight of sincerity, but doubt lingered in my mind. Too many pieces still didn't fit.

  "I want to believe you," I said finally. "But there are too many unanswered questions. Too many shadows."

  The King nodded, his expression solemn. "I don't expect you to trust me, Jade. I only ask that you do what you believe is right—for Hue, for your friends, and for this kingdom."

  I met his gaze, the firelight casting flickering shadows across his face. For all his power, he seemed more human in that moment than I'd ever seen him.

  "I will," I said.

  As I left the study, the pendant's warmth against my skin felt like a silent reminder of the truths I still needed to uncover. The King's words had given me some answers, but they had also raised more questions.

  And I wouldn't stop until I found them all.

  The King's stern expression softened as he leaned back in his chair. He was silent for a moment, his gaze distant, as though pulling memories from a faraway time.

  "Jade," he began, his voice quieter now, "I knew your parents well. They were extraordinary people—warriors, yes, but so much more than that. Your father, Kael, was the man who helped me train the Guar Knights. He was instrumental in shaping them into the force they are today. His strategies, his discipline—they became the foundation of our kingdom's defenses."

  Hearing my father's name made my chest tighten. I only had hazy glimpses of him—a deep, rumbling laugh, strong arms lifting me high into the air. Little more than fleeting impressions, like pieces of a dream that faded as soon as I tried to hold onto them.

  "And your mother, Seraya," the King continued, a faint smile tugging at his lips, "she was kind, compassionate. The sort of woman who could calm a raging storm with just a word. But don't mistake her kindness for weakness—she was just as fierce as your father. Her skill with a blade was unparalleled, yet she always sought to resolve conflict without drawing it first. They were a perfect balance, your parents."

  I blinked rapidly, willing away the sting of tears. I didn't have as much of a sense of her—just the echo of a soft hum and the warmth of her embrace. My memories of them both were little more than fragments, but his words gave them a shape I'd never known.

  "You carry their legacy, Jade," the King said, his gaze meeting mine. "In the way you fight, the way you lead. Kael and Seraya would be proud of you. I hope you know that."

  I swallowed hard, unsure how to respond. The weight of his words was almost too much to bear.

  Before I could speak, the sound of flapping wings broke the moment. A blur of vibrant feathers darted into the room, landing on the edge of the King's desk with a dramatic flourish.

  "Flance," the King said, raising an eyebrow. "What's the urgency?"

  The bird puffed out its chest, its voice sharp and clear. "Your Majesty! The boys—Hue and Thornton—they're waking up!"

  Relief flooded me, and I nearly collapsed into the nearest chair. The tension that had weighed on me since the arena felt as though it was finally beginning to lift.

  The King stood, his composure unwavering, but I caught the flicker of relief in his eyes as well. "Thank you, Flance. Jade and I will go to them immediately."

  The bird tilted its head, eyeing me curiously before spreading its wings and flying off as quickly as it had arrived.

  The King turned to me, his expression steady. "Come. I think it's time you see them."

  I nodded, following him out of the study. Despite the uncertainty still swirling in my mind, one thing was clear: I needed to be there when they woke. Together, we might finally start finding the answers we so desperately needed.