It was “tum time”.

A faint smile drew on Camilla’s face as she gazed at the snack present.

With practiced ease, she raised a hand and enjoyed another spoonful. The clear yellow blob bore with it a soft, buttery texture that soothed the soul. It was sweet to the tongue, almost distressingly so, but enjoyable nonetheless.

“You better get eating lest you tempt me to gobble up your shares?” (C)

The cube-shaped blobs were laid on plates untouched by two children.

Shaid and Aila sat mutely, observing the snacks. They both were dressed finely, more so than usual, in white, golden-laced clothing that matched their hair. Shaid’s light blue eyes, a trait inherit of their mother, seemed to contain within them a repressed question. One Camilla sincerely hoped he wouldn’t ask.

‘Oh, no’

Suddenly, Aila, the braver of the two, spoke. Her vibrant, bright green eye’s flashing.

“Ahmmm, older sister Camilla… I—I was going to ask—" (A)

It was then that the door to the dining room opened. A new guest was welcomed. Camilla refrained from letting a sigh of relief escape. She didn’t desire to answer such a question, even if her dear little sister had used such a formal tone.

The boy—man entering bore a composed face. He was dressed in a style similar to the two twins. Formal white wear accented with gold that could only be fit in some grand ceremony. Camilla absent-mindedly stared down at her own dress. It would seem that despite their awareness, they all still held a hope for today.

Leif, the eldest, walked up to the chair beside Camilla, opposite the twins, and sat down. He raised his hands in prayer before proceeding to start on the snack present in front of him. The atmosphere of the room fell silent. The only noise present being the soft accidental cluttering of spoons.

It felt wrong.

It felt really wrong.

This wasn’t how it was meant to be.

It wasn’t that long ago; Camilla still remembered. She still remembered the time this place was full of life. The time it was filled with roaring laughter and smiles. The time it felt as if the Gods of joy and happiness blessed this scared room.

The time before Zuian’s trial.

Truly, only a dim shadow remained.

This time, “tum time” created by her zealous little sister after their parents overworked once and didn’t see the siblings for two days, had been reduced to such a sorry state. It was supposed to be a time the whole family gathered to share and enjoy each other’s company. A time to love and cherish. Instead, it had become a gathering of three siblings. The youngest two and the second oldest. A mostly silent, empty, sad affair. The creator, and consequently the enforcer of attendance, had disappeared.

No one could blame them.

The silence continued.

And continued.

And continued.

The earlier question about to be asked apparently forgotten. Though, as time went on, its answer became clearer and clearer. It was already evening. Just like all the other times before.

A frantic knock suddenly sounded, destroying the silence.

In a precise, calm, and controlled manner, Leif answered,

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“You may come inside.” (L)

The dining hall door opened to reveal an out-of-breath Ruth.

“G-Great a-apologies—I—I have an urgent report!” (R)

Even when shouting, her maid, Ruth, always sounded quite quiet.

“Understood, please report.” (L)

But, even worse was Leif’s response. Frigid and emotionless.

“Princess, Princess Zuian has departed to the Church!” (R)

A pause entered the room. Zuian had gone to the Church, to the ceremony. All… All without informing them.

“Are you certain of this information?” (L)

“Yes! I-I happened to pass them while tending to my duties and later confirmed with the guards.” (R)

It was a possibility. The worst one Camilla foresaw, though she planned for it. After all, what duties does a housemaid have hanging around stables? Ruth should have already informed the guards to prepare transport.

It was greatly painful.

Zuian had really left without them.

“Inform the guards to prepare the carriage.” (L)

Leif finished the last bite of his snack, then turned to the twins, urging them with a look.

Ruth remained fixed at the door.

“Is something of the matter?” (L)

“I-I informed the guards right before I left in case. I was perhaps wondering if I should instead inform His Highness and Her Highness…?” (R)

Leif paused.

“Very well.” (L)

He stood up, promoting Camilla in return. The twins rapidly devoured their snacks before standing ready.

“Let us head.” (L)

----------------------------------------

Untouchable.

Standing in the centre of the cathedral, she was untouchable.

A deceptively simple blue cloth covered part of her face, shielding her eyes. She donned a simple but finely made white dress that was lightly accented with gold, matching her hair. Many of the gathered crowd awed at the girl standing alone. She bore an expressionless face, as if indifferent to the current happenings.

It was an odd feeling.

The aura surrounding the girl. She was in her own world.

Sitting in a comfortable, cushioned chair behind the podium of the priest, Leif stared down at his sister, his little sister. They had made quite the mad dash to get here on time. Going as far as to take the direct route and push the horses to their limits. It was all worth it, though. Leif still remembered the promise he made. He refused to break it; he would be here today. He wouldn’t let Zuian down, not again.

The sound of heavy steps rang in the silent cathedral as the High priest, Lucian, made his way to the podium. Reaching it, he took a pause, turned his face back and gave a fatherly smile. One that would have some forget the kind of individual he was.

“O ancient powers that dwell beyond the veil,” (L)

“Hear my call, my voice, my earnest wail!” (L)

A lot was expected of Leif. A natural consequence of being the firstborn poised to take over. Since the day he could remember, he had been preparing for that very role. Training ever intensely while studying just as hard. It was beyond hard work and what most would consider reasonable, but Leif nevertheless welcomed it. It was a great honour and high privilege only suitable for the very best to be the future leader of this great kingdom. It was perhaps why, no, it was exactly why he became so resentful.

Resentful of his unusual little sister.

“From realms unseen, where shadows dance,” (L)

“Bring forth a beast of might and chance.” (L)

Gifted. The only apt word to describe his little sister. Zuian was different, unlike the rest of his younger siblings. She was innately talented to a degree many would find absurd. From weapon mastery to internal mana control, there was nothing she didn’t pick up. Zuian blazed through rank after rank, accomplishing things Leif himself struggled with for years. By the time she had turned eight, she was already qualified to undergo the trial. The trial which allowed a person to manifest their internal mana into a real world phenomenon. The funny thing was, she did this all without applying herself. Never once did Leif see Zuian train or struggle like he had. More often than not, she dodging classes and skipping training to play instruments or something of the like.

All this was a sign. A very clear sign.

Leif was not fit to be the next ruler.

“By the light of the moon and the fire's glow,” (L)

“Through winds that whisper and waters that flow!” (L)

Though, it seemed to everyone he was, especially Zuian. She was his biggest and loudest cheerleader. She looked up to him in a way he couldn’t describe. When faced with troubles she didn’t understand or fully comprehend, she would always come to him. Be it about training or studying, It was only after he finally understood that he acted the proper part of a brother.

A shame. A great shame he was guilty of.

And still, sat here. He patiently waited and greedily yearned to form a connection once more. To be the proper older brother she deserved. Despite his many failings to protect her, the desire was overwhelming.

“I summon thee from lands unknown,” (L)

“To be my companion, flesh, and bone.” (L)

The chant was over.

The room descended into a stilled silence.

‘Something is wrong.

Ten minutes passed before a familiar noise of shattering glass sounded. A thundering boom sounded shortly after.

A massive beast suddenly appeared. An ear-piercing noise rang as it skidded across the marble floor. Its snow-white feather danced in the wind as it rapidly came to a halt. A halt in front of Zuian.

Leif stood up.

“Leif!?!” (C)

A short turn of the head revealed a panicked Camilla protecting the twins. With a quick meeting of the eyes, a decision was made.

Tendrils of lightening spark around the four-legged beast.

Leif made a move.

It took Leif a mere single glance to identify the creature.

Impundulu, the lightening beast, had arrived.