Chapter 3: The Reunion

The King pondered deeply, his brow furrowed in thought, until he finally broke the silence with a measured tone. "When they were together," he began, his voice carrying the weight of his deliberation, "they never displayed any remarkable traits. They even brought out the worst in each other. What would lead you to such a preposterous idea?"

Eldritch paused, choosing his words carefully before responding. "Well, it might not be confirmed," he began, his gaze steady and earnest, "but I believe that magic is rooted in genuine emotions. Since these young girls' emotions have been slowly fading since the day you separated them, their magic has also been dwindling as a result."

The King absorbed this information, his expression unreadable as he considered the implications. "I see," he murmured after a moment, his voice tinged with resolve. "I will bring them together again, but on one condition."

Eldritch leaned in, attentive to the King's words. "And what might that be, Your Highness?" he inquired, his tone respectful yet curious.

"They shall train together only," the King declared, his voice firm and commanding, "and stay apart outside of training. As you said, their magic is stronger when they are together. This may ensure that the young seer begins to receive visions that benefit the Kingdom."

Eldritch nodded in understanding, acknowledging the King's decree with a solemn bow. "As you wish, Your Highness," he replied, his tone conveying both deference and determination. "I shall see to it that your instructions are carried out with the utmost care and diligence."

 _____________________________________________________________________________________________

"Must I really do all this?" inquired young Aurora with a furrowed brow, her voice tinged with skepticism.

"Well, since you no longer possess any magic, Your Highness, it would be prudent to train you in combat in the meantime," replied the instructor as she meticulously adjusted the staff in Aurora's hand while the princess maintained her battle stance.

Aurora groaned audibly, a hint of frustration evident in her weary sigh. Just then, her father strode into the courtyard accompanied by a retinue of guards. The instructor, recognizing the King's presence, bowed respectfully and excused herself, allowing the monarch and his daughter a moment of privacy.

"I've come to share some news that may pique your interest," the King announced, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes.

Aurora, accustomed to her father's cryptic pronouncements, regarded him with a mixture of curiosity and wariness.

"Starting today, you shall have a new training partner," the King continued, his tone conveying both authority and expectation. "I emphasize, a training partner and nothing more. Should I discover any defiance, I will not hesitate to confine you to the palace grounds to prevent any further unauthorized meetings. Do I make myself clear?" His voice rang with conviction, leaving no room for doubt or argument.

As she looked up, Aurora found Celeste running towards her, arms outstretched and tears on the brink of falling from her eyes. It was a momentous occasion in the lives of these two girls. Aurora, eager to reciprocate the embrace, began to spread her arms wide when she was suddenly toppled over by Celeste's momentum. They both collapsed in a tangle of limbs, shedding tears of joy as they embraced each other tightly.

In the midst of their embrace, a brilliant beam of light appeared from where the two girls where seated on the ground, engulfing the entire courtyard in its radiant glow. Despite the brightness of the midday sun, the light seemed to shine even more intensely, casting dazzling reflections off the palace walls and bathing everything in its ethereal brilliance.