Austaire’s gaze lingered on Auren for a mont.
Her expression unreadable yet thoughtful.
The tone of his voice, the unwavering look in his eyes, the quiet certainty in his stance- she knew he wasn’t speaking lightly.
’There was conviction there, the kind that only ca from pain and purpose. Ovan, what do you think of his words?’
She asked in the stillness of her mind, her voice reaching the hidden phoenix spirit that resided in her ntal space.
’I can sense no deceit, Princess,’ the phoenix respectfully replied, his deep, rumbling voice edged with careful observation. ’His intent feels... genuine.’
Her lips pressed into a thin line.
’Do you think I can trust him? Pull him to our side? He bears the Phoenix bloodline, and with a higher purity than mine. That kind of strength could tip the balance in our favor on conquering Austerra.’
Ovan’s reply carried both approval and caution.
’He would be a powerful ally, yes. But the bigger obstacle is not him- it is the elves. From what I see, he has truly been accepted by their people. Pulling him on our side might be easily said than done, unless you both co into an agreent.’
’Rember, the elves do not deal with humans willingly.’ Ovan added.
’Yet he is a human.’ she said pointing out a chance for hope.
Ovan continued.
’Then only one way to know for sure. Just invite him on your side and be honest. If he refuses, perhaps you should just move on, pass through Runewood, and start anew in the Khodian Territory-’
’No.’
Her voice hardened, almost cutting the phoenix off.
’That would be betrayal, Ovan. Betrayal to my people, to my family, to my followers who paid for my safety with their lives. I cannot rest in comfort while the kingdom suffers.
She took a deep breath to calm her nerves,
’I have already made my choice. I will take back Austerra and restore peace, even if it ans allying with this man... and the elves who protect him.
’Princess...’
Ovan’s voice softened, a faint trace of pride woven into his words.
Her decision was made. Though the exchange with her phoenix spirit had felt long and weighty, only a heartbeat or two had passed in the real world.
Noticing the slight shift in her expression, Auren guessed to himself,
’There’s a good chance her bloodline is awakened too. Maybe she’s speaking with her own spirit phoenix right now.’
Austaire took in a slow breath, steeling herself.
"How can I trust you?" she asked aloud, her eyes narrowed in wary appraisal.
"You don’t need to."
Auren’s voice was steady, almost cold.
"Even without your trust, I intend to go to Austerra and bring down that mad King- or whoever is ruling in his place. This is my revenge, for every innocent he’s slaughtered from the day I was born until now and to pay back what he has done to personally."
’And I need to find clues about Robert’, he added thinking to himself, his jaw tightening. ’Sothing tells the people behind his disappearance are there.’
Sensing that her hostility had lessened, Auren eased his grip and drew his blade away from her neck. It was a gesture, not of surrender, but of sincerity.
"But if you want to join , I won’t refuse," he added.
"Truth is, I have no knowledge of that kingdom. And you as a princess as my guide would help."
Austaire pushed herself to her feet.
Now that his weapon was lowered, there was no point in continuing the fight. If he had truly wanted her dead, he wouldn’t have hesitated earlier.
’Maybe it’s pity, since we share blood’, she considered.
’Or,’ Ovan suggested,’ maybe he simply wants a sharp tool, like you.’
Her answer was simple. ’Doesnt matter. I will take my chances.’
She locked eyes with him, her tone turning grave.
"Again, let remind you, from the day you were born, not only newborn children, but every soul who dared oppose the King, was rcilessly slaughtered..."
Her voice faltered, but only for a heartbeat. "Including the entire Katana household- my mother’s family."
Pain shone in her eyes as she turned slightly, her voice carrying toward the elves who had been watching from a distance.
"That is why, as a princess, it is my life’s mission to avenge those unjustly slain, and to restore peace and prosperity to the Austerra Kingdom."
Her words carried like a wind through the trees, echoing across the quiet forest.
The elves exchanged curious glances, their attention now shifting between her and Auren.
Gondar, who had been standing a short distance away, stepped forward.
"What’s your decision, Auren?"
Jaira, ever quick to speak, followed.
"You’ve fought hard to earn the trust of the elven tribes. Are you going to abandon all that for a collapsing human kingdom? "
Her tone sharpened. "Honestly, I think you’d be better off here in Runewood than ddling in human chaos and politics. Even Robert would probably want you to stay instead of chasing after him."
At the sound of that na, a spark lit in Austaire’s eyes, her gaze sharpening with sudden interest.
’Robert? Could it be... that man? So it’s true- he really did hide in Runewood?’
Auren t Jaira’s stare, his tone steady and resolute.
"I understand your point, Jaira. But my decision was made long ago."
Jaira’s eyes narrowed, a mix of bitterness and sadness swelling in her heart. After all, Auren grew up with her.
"We’re talking about King Aurelus- the mad tyrant king. Do you even realize how powerful he is?"
"I do," Auren said simply. "Why do you think I’ve been preparing and training for years?"
Then he turned to the elves around him.
"Runewood is my ho. It has shaped , taught , and given more than I can ever repay. No human kingdom could replace that, and its people will always hold a place in my heart."
The words carried the weight of his sincerity; and the elves felt it. Every one of them. Including the elven queen who had been watching quietly from the shadows of the trees.
Auren placed a hand over his chest, closing his eyes for a mont, letting the truth of his feelings settle in the air.
In the stillness, the echoes returned- those haunting cries of children that often slipped into his dreams. Soft, trembling voices, fragile yet desperate.
"Please, big brother... avenge us..."
"It hurts... it hurts..."
"Avenge ..."
The sound of their agony and sorrow clung to him like chains, each word a wound that never healed no matter how long it has been.
It was a constant reminder of his purpose, a vow carved deep into his soul, one he could never turn away from.
’Don’t worry, I will.’ he promised them.
Then, in his ntal space, his hand rested on the smooth, warm shell of the giant golden egg.
’Looks like our intro arc is over, Bigbird. Ti to leave the nest.’
The phoenix’s silent presence pulsed faintly beneath his palm.
’Get strong, partner. We have a kingdom to shake.’
Opening his eyes, Auren’s resolve was set.
His plans were beginning to align, piece by piece. His eyes opened while looking intently at the princess.
’And if she’s a princess, she might have the connections I need to find Robert.’
Austaire’s voice broke his thoughts and as if granting his wish, she said,
"By the way," she said, gesturing toward Jaira,
"The Robert she ntioned- does she an Robert the Herbalist?"
The question hit Auren like a lightning strike.
"H-how do you know about him?"
"Why shouldn’t I?" Austaire asked, as though it were obvious.
"Robert was a hero in Austerra!"
"A hero?" Auren prompted, leaning forward, almost impatient.
"I understand you do not know since you have been isolated here for a long ti. But Robert was one of the leading figures who fought against the Dark Fate three years ago. It was thanks to him that the deeply seated corruption of the current kingdom has been exposed and hundreds of slaves have been freed!"
The na dropped into the air like a stone into a still pond. The elves stiffened.
Even Auren felt his stomach twist.
’What have you been doing all this ti old man....’
The Dark Fate- those two words alone dredged up bitter mories.
The Catastrophe of the Two King Beasts still haunted every elven survivors.
"Tell everything you know about him!" Auren stepped forward, his hands gripping her shoulders, his voice edged with urgency.
"Please..." His eyes glistened- not with tears, but with desperate hope.
Austaire held her gaze, searching for a mont.
Then she drew a slow breath.
"Three years ago, while I was in hiding, Robert returned to Austerra. He exposed the Dark Fate’s connection to the current King Auborn and the previous King Aurelus."
Auren’s heartbeat quickened.
"But his revelation did not go unanswered. My brother, Auborn, quickly sent his n to silence him. And not long after, Robert disappeared. With his power, no one dared to speak against the King. The nobles still loyal to him... they were easily bought. A few chests of gold, and their silence was ensured."
Auren’s fists tightened at his sides. "What about Robert? Any idea?"
Her voice lowered. "The last word from my spies was that Robert is imprisoned in the dungeons beneath Austerra Castle. They say it’s heavily guarded."
’Damn you, Dark Fate and damn this Kingdom... You better wait for .’
Auren thought, his teeth gritting.
But Austaire wasn’t done. "I also heard he was trying to reach soone- soone who now stands as one of the strongest pillars of the Dark Fate."
Auren’s eyes darkened. "Who?"
She t his gaze evenly. "Her na is Marissa, the Dark Mage."
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