Cadell’s heart was thundering in his chest as he rounded the corner of Agrona’s gaudy castle. A tumultuous wave of emotions nearly overtaking him. Happiness at the boy’s apparent survival, false bargaining and hope that he will take himself far away from this game of the Asura, and fear at what Agrona will most likely ask of him.

The sound of voices down the hall stopped him in his tracks.

“-You owe me Grey”

“You are owed nothing. But-”

“- return to the Legacy and… Cecilia is the future..”

The faint patting of Agrona’s weightless steps echoed closer to Cadell so he waited, knowing Agrona was already well aware of his return to the castle.

Cadell bowed deeply as soon as the High Sovereign was in view.

“High Sovereign, I return with news from Dicathen. The Lances have-” Cadell started, but was interrupted by a single look from Agrona.

“I know that is not why you are here, Cadell,” Agrona mused with a smirk, “Ask.”

The mask Cadell had been so careful to wear around Agrona faltered for a moment as he brought the dreaded question to his lips. “Is it true? Does the boy, Arthur Leywin, live?”

Agrona’s smirk deepened into an actual grin, which would have been warm on anyone else’s face but his own.

"He is, and he has found his way to Alacrya, as an ascender and professor no less. " Agrona's chuckle for once matching the amused look in his eyes.

Cadell was confused by his reaction, but didn't have to wait long for the High Sovereign he was used to to surface.

"Fear not, Cadell, I do not see this as a failure on your part. Even I was surprised. My daughter most likely used a high level aether art to save the boy." Agrona sighed. "It seems that being raised by lessers left her as weak as one. Had she survived, she could have grown to challenge me, but the boy? She was shortsighted."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

For once, Cadell had hope that the boy could be left alone. If Agrona didn't care about the boy anymore-

"So, I'll give you one more chance. Seris has something planned for him. The Victoriad might be interesting this year."

Cadell bowed as his heart sank. His mind was racing for a plan, a chance, anything he could do.

"Oh," Agrona said, as if he didn't have it in his mind the entire time. "How is little Bella feeling these days?"

Burying the rising anger laced with fear, Cadell took a knee. "She is as healthy as ever, High Sovereign, I can't express my gratitude enough."

The smile never leaving Agrona's lips. "Good, I hope she stays that way."

Cadell didn't even notice that Agrona had left by the time he calmed down. Resisting the urge to burn this entire castle, entire mountain, to the ground, he walked to the nearest balcony.

He took flight and didn't stop climbing until he was struggling to stay conscious from lack of oxygen. His promise with Lady Sylvia played in his mind, followed by Isabelle, and finally Bella's healthy smiling face.

A scream tore out of his throat as he engulfed the sky in soulfire.

~~~~~~

Hours later, Cadell finally landed outside his quaint little home. His wife had returned from her bakery a few hours ago and walked outside to greet him. One look at his face was all it took for her to realize that something was wrong.

The crushing weight of everything finally brought Cadell to his knees with tears streaming down his cheeks. Wordlessly, Isabelle embraced him, holding him as tightly as possible, as if to draw his pain into her.

"Why's daddy crying?" a small voice asked from the doorway.

Cadell gently loosened Isabelle's embrace and scooted her to the side so he could look at his daughter. She was still small for her age because of the illness she had been born with, but was growing quickly. The blonde braids she wore on the front of her hair to mimic his horns always brought a smile to his lips.

"It's because of how much I missed you, little sovereign." Caddell said with a smile, giving his wife a look to let her know that they would talk later.

~~~~~~

Sitting on the edge of their bed, Isabelle was going over what Cadell had just told her.

"So, Arthur not only lived but he is somehow here in Alacrya?" It was hard to believe based on the last time Cadell had told her about.

"Agrona thinks Lady Sylvie used a high level aether art to save him."

"Is lady Sylvie…" she couldn't even finish the question.

Cadell smiled sadly, "I don't know for sure, but most likely."

Isabelle started to twirl her hair along her finger, causing Cadell to smile, a clear sign that she was thinking intently.

"What is he even doing here?" she half asked.

"Apparently he's an ascender and just became a professor of all things. Oh and he's going by 'Grey' now." Cadell chuckled at how ludicrous that was but was cut short by the shocked look his wife was giving him.

"What's-"

"Grey? Ascender Grey?" She asked, trying to make sense of this.

"Cadell.. I saw an ascender named Grey in my last trip to Maerin town for the bestowment bakery."

His jaw dropped but she continued.

"He had an exhibition match against two noteworthy students about to graduate."

Looking straight into Cadell's eyes she continued, "He was strong, overpoweringly so. The way he fought, the ease at which he handled those students and the presence leaking off of him… it reminded me of you."