Chapter 9: Weak Point, Turning Point

Night was turning into dawn, and the atmosphere outside the carriage was heavy with sorrow and anxiety. Ardyn, Kael, Nolan, and Rian sat in suffocating silence, each lost in their thoughts. The soft drizzle of rain added to the somber mood, as if nature itself shared in the sadness weighing on Ardyn's heart.

Staring out the window with hollow eyes, Ardyn's mind was consumed by memories of his uncle, who had not survived the attack. The guilt pressed down on him with each recollection. "If only I were stronger…" he murmured, his voice barely audible over the clatter of the horses' hooves.

Kael, sitting beside him, felt the waves of grief radiating from his friend. "Ardyn," he said gently, trying to offer some comfort. "We're all here with you. Please, don't despair."

Rian, despite his severe injuries, mustered his strength to encourage Ardyn. "Don't dwell on sadness, Ardyn! There's still hope! We're alive, and we can train harder to become stronger!" His spirit was unshaken, even in the direst circumstances.

Nolan added, "You need to remember, this wasn't your fault. We each have our burdens to bear. What matters now is that we survived."

Hearing their words, Ardyn felt a faint glimmer of hope, though the weight of regret and pain still clung to him. "Thank you, everyone. I don't know what I'd do without you," he said, his voice trembling.

As the carriage finally entered the gates of Capitalis Lux, the sight before them shook Ardyn to his core. There, many survivors from Bria were being treated, their faces etched with sorrow and faint hope. Injured soldiers of the Nightshade family lay scattered, a grim reminder of the harsh reality of what had occurred.

When the carriage came to a halt, Ardyn, Kael, Nolan, and Rian disembarked with heavy hearts. The air was filled with the noise of survivors' cries and conversations. For a moment, they stood in silence, trying to process the scene before them.

Kael helped the weakened Rian to his feet. "Take it slow, Rian. Does it hurt a lot?" he asked worriedly. Rian nodded weakly, his face pale and his eyes reflecting deep pain.

"We need to find a place for treatment," Ardyn said firmly, though his voice was tinged with grief. He scanned the area, searching for signs of assistance.

Ahead of them, emergency tents had been set up hastily, surrounded by medics and soldiers working tirelessly to tend to the injured. Ardyn's heart pounded as he recognized many familiar faces—neighbors, friends—all caught in the same wave of suffering.

"There!" Nolan pointed toward a tent marked with the Nightshade family emblem. "They'll help us!"

Quickly, they made their way to the tent. Ardyn helped Kael support Rian, though exhaustion weighed heavily on him. Upon reaching the tent, they were greeted by an older medic named Dr. Elric, a man with white hair and deft hands.

"Young master, thank the heavens you're safe. Are you injured?" Dr. Elric asked in a calm yet caring tone.

"I'm fine, but Rian!" Nolan cried, rushing forward. "He's badly hurt! Please help him!"

Dr. Elric immediately examined Rian, his experienced eyes assessing the severe wounds. "Stay calm. We'll do everything we can," he reassured them, retrieving medical supplies. "You just need to hold on a little longer."

Ardyn stood beside Kael, feeling helpless as he watched his friend lie weakly on the stretcher. "This is my fault. If only I hadn't hurt you during training, maybe you could've escaped more easily," he said, his voice breaking.

Kael looked at Ardyn seriously. "Listen, Ardyn. This isn't the time to blame yourself. We fought together, and what matters is that we're alive and can support each other."

After stabilizing Rian, Dr. Elric turned his attention to Ardyn and Kael. He examined a deep wound on Ardyn's arm. "Your injury is serious, but treatable," he said while tending to it.

Sensing Ardyn's lingering despair, Dr. Elric offered some wisdom. "Think about the people still here. Anything can happen, but never lose hope," he said firmly, looking straight into Ardyn's eyes. "You're not alone. Your uncle often spoke of your potential to the guards and trainers. You're remarkable for mastering so many elements at your age."

Once treated, Ardyn and Kael stepped out of the medical tent, leaving Nolan inside to watch over Rian. They stood silently, observing the survivors receiving care. While some seemed to recover, many bore the weight of deep sorrow.

"Let's find Aunt Eladra, Elysia, and my siblings," Ardyn said, a faint glimmer of hope flickering within him. "I need to make sure they're safe."

"Don't worry; we'll find them," Kael replied, trying to encourage him. "We'll look together."

As they ventured into the bustling relief camp, Nolan suddenly shouted, "Look over there!" His eyes widened as he spotted something in the distance.

"Let's go!" Ardyn rushed in the direction Nolan indicated, his heart pounding with hope of finding someone they were searching for.

In the crowd, Kael reunited with his parents, Lucian and Selene, who looked exhausted but relieved.

Selene immediately embraced Kael, tears streaming down her face. "You're safe! I was so worried!" She turned and hugged Ardyn as well, sensing the deep sadness surrounding him.

Noticing Ardyn's somber expression, Lucian asked softly, "Why does Ardyn look so down? Isn't Aunt Eladra and the kids safe?"

Ardyn replied quietly, "It's because of my uncle…"

After the emotional reunion, Ardyn felt increasingly detached. He excused himself to continue his search. "I need to find Aunt Eladra, Elysia, and my siblings," he said, trying to hold back tears.

With a heavy heart, Ardyn wandered the city, but the longer his search continued, the more fruitless it seemed. He felt hollow and despondent, muttering to himself that it was all his fault for being weak.

Eventually, he drifted away from the crowd and found a small hill. There, away from the noise, he let out all his pain and grief, whispering, "It's all my fault. I should've been able to protect them…"

Suddenly, a young man approached him. It was Aiden Fireforge, a native of Capitalis Lux who commanded the element of fire. Though reserved, there was a sharpness in his tone.

"Don't wallow in weakness," Aiden said bluntly, cutting straight to the point. "It was inevitable they'd attack that village because its people were defenseless."

Ardyn's emotions flared at the harsh words. "What are you implying?" he asked, his voice laced with anger and confusion.

"I mean, if you stay weak like this, you'll only keep blaming yourself. Train if you don't want to feel this guilt anymore," Aiden asserted, introducing himself firmly. "My name is Aiden. What's yours?"

"Ardyn," he replied softly.

Their conversation stretched until evening, and the tense atmosphere gradually eased. Despite their initial cold demeanor, they began sharing more personal stories. As the sun dipped below the hills, painting the sky with hues of orange and red, Ardyn found himself lost in thought.

Aiden spoke, his voice calm yet resolute. "You know," he began, gazing at the horizon, "I once thought life was just about surviving. No matter how hard you fight, the world always finds a way to knock you down."

Ardyn turned to him, surprised by the statement. "And you feel that way?"

Aiden shrugged. "No matter what you do, some things are beyond your control. The people you care about can be taken away at any moment. Sometimes, for no reason at all. All you can do is watch them go."

Ardyn remained silent, thinking of his lost family, his missing aunt, and his injured friends. Aiden's words resonated deeply with him. "So, what did you do?"

Aiden gave a faint smile, barely visible under the setting sun. "I stopped obsessing over what I couldn't control. I focused on what I could do—on the people who are still here."

Ardyn nodded slowly, realizing the truth in those words. He had been so consumed by guilt that he forgot to cherish those who were still by his side.

"And how do you stay so calm?" Ardyn asked after a long pause, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Aiden's smile widened slightly. "I'm not always calm. I just don't show it. There are times I'm angry, frustrated, but I know that won't change anything. So, I choose to stay composed so I can think clearly."

Ardyn remained quiet. He began to understand that Aiden's calmness wasn't indifference but a conscious choice to avoid being consumed by destructive emotions.

As night fell, Ardyn felt lighter. The conversation, though brief, made him reconsider many things. "You're right," he muttered to himself.

When night fully descended, they bid each other farewell. Aiden stood first, yawning slightly before speaking. "See you around, Ardyn. I don't plan on staying in Capitalis Lux long, but if fate allows, we'll cross paths again."

With those parting words, Aiden left. His figure slowly disappeared into the darkness of the city streets, leaving Ardyn alone under the starry sky. For the first time in days, he felt a strange sense of hope—a desire to grow stronger, not just for himself but for everyone he cared about.