Chapter 24: The First & The last

The quiet after Leonis's intense sparring session with his uncle was soon interrupted by the soft shuffle of footsteps. As he wiped the sweat from his brow, he turned to see his eldest sister, Amalthea Perdium, approaching. She had always carried a grace about her, a serene poise that made her both approachable and formidable in her own right.

Alistair, sensing the moment, gave Leonis a nod. "I'll leave you two to talk," he said, sheathing his sword. He patted Leonis on the shoulder, then turned and left the training grounds without another word.

Amalthea, in her elegant gown, sat next to Leonis, her delicate features creased with something other than her usual serenity. She sighed softly, her eyes reflecting the weight of unspoken thoughts.

"You've been training hard," she began, her voice soft but laced with concern.

"I have to," Leonis replied, trying to keep his tone light. "There's no time to waste."

She gave him a small smile but it didn't reach her eyes. After a moment of silence, she spoke again, this time her voice hesitant. "Leonis... I need to talk to you about something."

He turned to face her fully, noticing the slight tremble in her hands. "What's on your mind, Amalthea?"

She sighed deeply. "I didn't want to be married."

Leonis blinked in surprise. It wasn't what he expected to hear. Amalthea's marriage had been arranged not too long ago to a nobleman from a good family. From what he had heard, the man was decent, respectful, and held in high regard. But seeing the pain in his sister's eyes now, he realized there was more beneath the surface.

"I know he's a good man," Amalthea continued, her voice cracking slightly. "But I... I just don't feel ready. I don't know if I ever will be."

Leonis felt a pang in his chest. His sister, always the strong one, always the perfect noblewoman, was now showing vulnerability he had never seen before. He didn't know what to say at first, but he shifted closer to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Amalthea," he began softly, "you don't have to feel ashamed for not being ready. No one can decide that for you but yourself."

She looked at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I just... I feel like I'm trapped in a role I didn't choose."

He nodded, understanding more than she knew. "I get it. We all have expectations placed on us that we never asked for. But... you're strong. Stronger than anyone I know. If you ever need anything, you know I'm here, right?"

She gave him a watery smile, her hand covering his. "Thank you, Leonis. You always know how to make me feel better."

They sat there in companionable silence for a few moments before a knight entered the courtyard, bowing respectfully before them.

"Prince Leonis, Princess Amalthea," the knight greeted. "The Emperor requests your presence in his office, Your Highness."

Leonis felt a jolt of confusion. His father? Why would he want to see him now?

"Alright," Leonis said, standing. He glanced at Amalthea, who gave him an encouraging nod before he followed the knight.

As Leonis entered his father's office, he found both his father and mother already there. Emperor Valerian stood by the large window, staring out over the empire, while Empress Isolde sat on one of the chairs, her face somber. The air was thick with tension.

"You wanted to see me, Father?" Leonis asked cautiously.

The Emperor didn't turn at first, his gaze fixed on something far off in the distance. After a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice low and steady. "It's time."

Leonis's brows furrowed in confusion. "Time for what?"

Valerian turned, his emerald eyes locking onto his son's. "Your solo training mission. You will leave the empire and go on your own journey, as all heirs before you have done."

Leonis's heart skipped a beat. A solo training mission? He had heard of this ritual, the one that every soon-to-be emperor underwent, but he hadn't expected it to come so soon.

"You will be gone for two years," Valerian continued, his voice firm. "By the time you return, you will be twenty years old. This is a must for any heir. You need to gain a reputation, build fear and respect, and most importantly, find your own strength. This journey will test you in ways you cannot imagine."

Leonis nodded slowly, understanding the gravity of the situation. He glanced at his mother, who looked down, clearly struggling with the thought of her son leaving.

"You leave at sunrise," the Emperor concluded. "Prepare yourself."

Leonis stood there for a moment, taking it all in. This was it. The journey that would shape him, that would make or break him as the future ruler of the empire.

"I understand, Father," Leonis said, his voice steady. He turned to leave the room, but his face had hardened. This was no small task. He had to prove himself now more than ever.

The next morning, as the sun began to rise, Leonis stood outside the gates of the empire. His belongings were strapped to his horse, and he was dressed in light armor suited for travel. His family gathered to see him off. His mother hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face as she kissed his cheek.

"Stay safe, my son," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Promise me you'll return."

"I will, Mother," Leonis reassured her, though the weight of the journey ahead made his chest feel tight.

His youngest brother, Caelum, hugged him fiercely. "Come back stronger, okay?"

Leonis chuckled softly, ruffling Caelum's hair. "I will."

His third brother, Eonis, gave him a firm handshake. "You better not disappoint me, Leonis. I wasted my time to see you off, so you better come back stronger than ever."

"I'll do my best," Leonis replied with a smirk, though the seriousness in Eonis's eyes gave him a sense of determination.

His eldest sister, Amalthea, hugged him for what felt like an eternity, whispering, "Take care of yourself out there, little brother."

His second brother, Caius, was nowhere to be seen. Leonis wasn't surprised. Their relationship had always been strained, and Caius likely didn't want to acknowledge his brother's departure.

Leonis mounted his horse, giving one last glance at his family. With a final wave, he turned and rode away, the weight of the empire now on his shoulders. The wind whispered through his hair as the empire's gates slowly disappeared behind him.

Far above, Emperor Valerian stood at the window, watching his son ride off into the horizon. Behind him, Alistair stood with his arms crossed, his expression thoughtful.

"He'll be alright," a cloaked figure behind them said, stepping into the light.

Valerian didn't turn, his eyes still focused on the shrinking figure of his son. "He has to be."

In the dark, shadowy halls of the Demonic Empire, the Demon King sat upon his throne, his form shrouded in shadows. His glowing eyes pierced through the darkness as one of his generals knelt before him.

"The prince has left the empire," the general reported, his voice filled with respect. "What are your orders, my lord?"

The Demon King chuckled, a sinister sound that echoed through the throne room. "Nothing... Let's keep an eye on the boy for now. This will be... fun."

His eyes glowed even brighter, as if already plotting the future of Leonis Perdium.