Not anymore

As we moved through the dim corridors of the castle, my father's presence weighed heavy beside me, making the silence even thicker. He hadn't said much since we started walking, which wasn't like him at all. Normally, he'd be loud with laughter or telling stories from his battle days. But today, his bloodshot eyes were locked straight ahead, as if his mind was miles away.

"Father?" I asked, breaking the quiet. "Is something wrong?"

He stopped, placing a hand on my shoulder. His grip was strong, but the air between us felt heavier than usual. "Aiden, do you remember when I last told you about Nefaria?"

I nodded slowly, memories surfacing. We had only discussed Nefaria once. I still remembered the tension in his voice. "You said they were dangerous and didn't like us."

His face darkened, and he let out a deep sigh. "Yes, but now it's more than that. They've made alliances—dangerous ones. Things are worse than I thought."

I tensed. "Are they coming here?"

"They're preparing," he said, his voice low but steady. "And they're not alone. This isn't a battle we can easily win. It's going to be a full-scale war, and it's headed our way."

I stared at him, trying to process what he was saying. "What does that mean for us? For the kingdom?"

His red eyes softened slightly as he looked down at me. "It means I have to make sure you're safe, Aiden. I'm sending you away, far from the danger."

"Sending me away?" I echoed, the words sticking in my throat. "But why? I've been training, Father. I can help!"

He smiled, but there was sadness behind it. "I know you have. You've done well. But you're only eleven, Aiden. I can't risk your life, not now."

Frustration bubbled up, and I clenched my fists. "But Aurora's staying, isn't she?"

"Yes," he admitted, "Aurora will stay. She's been preparing for this for years, and her duties are different. But you, Aiden, you're not ready for this kind of battle yet."

"I want to help," I insisted, my voice rising. "I don't want to be sent away like a child!"

"Aiden," he said softly, kneeling so his face was level with mine. "You are my son. My only son. The time will come when you'll protect this kingdom, but not yet. Nefaria is not an enemy you can face."

I opened my mouth to argue, but his words sank in. Deep down, I knew he was right. I wasn't ready. Not yet.

"Where are you sending me?" I asked, quieter now.

"To the forests in the north," he replied. "It's safe there, far from the front lines. You'll continue your training and be protected."

My chest tightened. "How long will I be gone?"

"A month from now, you'll leave," he explained. "But how long you'll stay depends on how the situation develops. I promise, it won't be forever. But for now, I need you to be somewhere safe."

I looked down, torn between anger, sadness, and fear. "What if I don't want to go?"

He gently lifted my chin, making me meet his eyes. "Aiden, the kingdom will need you one day. When that day comes, you'll be ready. But for now, trust me. This is for your own good."

I swallowed hard, pushing down the sting of defeat. "I understand."

...

..

.

Mazuka stood at the bow of the ship, eyes scanning the horizon as the water shimmered under the midday sun. The crisp air carried the scent of salt, but the ocean's vastness made the journey feel endless. He sighed, fingers tapping on the hilt of his sword, before turning to the ship's captain—a grizzled man with a face worn by years at sea.

"Captain," Mazuka said, his tone neutral but with a hint of impatience, "how much longer until we reach Nefaria?"

The captain, peering at the stars, glanced at Mazuka and exhaled. "At least three months, lad. Maybe more if the winds aren't kind."

"Three months?!" came an exasperated voice from behind him. Mazuka turned to see Mayra, her arms crossed, eyes wide. "We can't stay at sea for three months! How far is this place?"

The captain chuckled at her outburst. "Pretty far, lass. Nefaria's no quick hop. And the waters aren't exactly friendly."

Mayra groaned, throwing her hands up. "Great. Stuck on this boat forever."

Mazuka, usually calm, shared her frustration. Three months felt too long when their mission was so urgent. He needed to find the Demon King before Nefaria fully mobilized. Time wasn't a luxury they had.

"There must be a way to speed this up," he muttered, thinking aloud.

The captain raised an eyebrow. "And how do you suggest we do that? We can't control the wind, and the waves are unpredictable."

Mazuka's eyes lit up. "Actually... we can."

The captain squinted, confused. "What do you mean?"

"I'm strong with water and wind magic," Mazuka explained, excitement creeping into his voice. "I could manipulate the waves and summon stronger winds to push the ship. We could cut the travel time, maybe by half."

Mayra blinked, her surprise quickly turning to doubt. "You're serious? That would take a ridiculous amount of magic. You'd have to maintain it the entire time. Can you handle that?"

Mazuka grinned. "I was blessed by the goddess, remember? My magic's stronger than most. We don't need it constantly—just enough to keep us moving faster."

The captain rubbed his chin. "I've heard of mages using magic to speed up ships, but it's taxing. You sure you can handle it?"

"I've been through worse," Mazuka said confidently. "I'm not asking for miracles—just a little push."

The captain hesitated before nodding. "Alright. But if you burn out, you'll be useless when we reach Nefaria."

"I won't burn out that easily," Mazuka replied with a smirk.

Mayra still looked skeptical, arms crossed. "Just don't overdo it, Mazuka. We don't need a hero collapsing halfway."

"I'll be fine," he assured her. "Trust me."

Mazuka stepped to the edge of the deck and closed his eyes, focusing. The sea around them stirred as he called upon his water magic. The waves swelled, gently pushing the ship forward with greater force. He raised his hand to the sky, summoning wind to fill the sails. The sails billowed, and the ship surged ahead.

The captain watched in awe, a smile spreading across his face. "By the gods... it's working!"

Mazuka smirked, controlling the elements with ease. "Told you."

Mayra, watching with reluctant admiration, muttered, "Show-off."

The ship sped forward, the horizon pulling closer with every minute. Mazuka couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. Three months at sea?

Not anymore.