Leon swung his training sword, muscles straining as he clashed once more with Captain Loren. The wooden blades cracked against each other with a satisfying thud, but Leon knew he was still off-balance. He shifted his feet, trying to centre himself the way Loren had been drilling into him, but the movement was clunky. His heart pounded, sweat dripping down his brow, yet every time he corrected one mistake, another seemed to take its place.

“Balance, Leon,” Loren’s voice cut through the air. “You’re favouring your right leg. Even stance.”

Leon gritted his teeth, readjusting his footing, though he could feel the tremor in his legs from the strain of constant practice. Captain Loren’s strikes were swift, controlled, each one designed to test his stance and precision. Leon blocked another hit, but his movements were laboured.

His eyes flicked briefly to the side, just in time to see his mother, Mira, standing at the edge of the training yard. Next to her was Lord Roderic, watching silently as Leon sparred. His posture stiffened instinctively, trying to maintain focus, but knowing they were watching distracted him more than he wanted to admit.

“Eyes here, Leon!” Loren barked, swinging his sword at Leon’s side.

Leon barely managed to block, the force of the strike rattling through his arms. He stumbled slightly, biting back a groan as he steadied himself.

“Better,” Loren said, stepping back and lowering his weapon. “But you’re still easily distracted. Focus.”

Leon nodded, panting, but there was a small flicker of pride in him at the rare approval in Loren’s voice. He wiped the sweat from his brow, the sting of soreness heavy in his muscles, but at least he was improving.

“Thank you, Captain,” Leon said breathlessly, trying to mask the ache in his arms as he handed back the training sword.

Captain Loren studied him for a moment, his sharp gaze assessing. “You’re getting there, but strength without purpose is wasted. Keep working.”

As Loren turned away, Leon glanced back toward his mother and Lord Roderic. His heart lifted slightly at the sight of them. It wasn’t often that Mira came to watch him train. He jogged over, trying not to let his fatigue show.

“Mum,” he said softly as he approached, giving her a brief smile. “Is everything alright?”

Mira returned the smile, though for just a split second, there was a flicker of something—unease, perhaps—before her usual calm composure slid back into place. “Yes, everything’s fine. Lord Roderic offered to escort me to see how your training’s been going.”

Leon gave a respectful nod to Roderic, who inclined his head in return. “Thank you, my Lord. It’s good to see you.”

Roderic’s gaze was cool but not unfriendly. “You’re progressing well, Leon. Captain Loren speaks highly of your determination.”

Leon wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so he just nodded again, swallowing down the sudden nerves that rose in his throat. He glanced back toward the training yard, unsure of what to say next, when something strange tugged at his senses.

It was subtle at first, a faint ripple of pressure in the air, like the hum of distant thunder. Leon blinked, his hand instinctively brushing the back of his neck as the sensation deepened. He felt it before he saw anything—a strange tension that made the hairs on his arms stand on end.

Captain Loren, who had been moving toward the training dummies, froze. His gaze snapped toward the sky, his expression sharpening.

Lord Roderic’s voice was calm, but there was a subtle edge to it as he spoke. “Captain. We’re about to have company.”

Leon’s eyes followed theirs, scanning the sky, and just as he opened his mouth to ask what was happening, he saw it.

A figure plummeted from the sky with precision, their landing solid but controlled. The ground barely shuddered beneath them as they straightened, the hem of their long black coat fluttering in the sudden stillness. There was no wind, no dramatic display of power—just the quiet, commanding presence that seemed to ripple outward from the newcomer.

Leon’s breath caught in his throat. He had heard about Evokers—the legendary figures with powers blessed by the Goddess—but he’d never seen one before. The way the figure carried themselves, the weight of authority in their stance, made him wonder if this was a Chosen. He didn’t know for sure, but... who else could appear so effortlessly, so... powerful?

Beside him, Mira’s breath caught. Leon turned just in time to see her pale, her hand gripping the edges of her cloak tightly. Her eyes were wide, fixed on the figure, and for a moment, Leon wasn’t sure what to make of her reaction.

“Mum?” he asked quietly, frowning. “Are you alright?”

Mira forced herself to exhale, her knuckles white against the fabric. “I’m fine, Leon,” she said, her voice shaky. “It’s just... nothing. Don’t worry.”

Before Leon could press further, Roderic’s eyes flicked toward her with subtle concern. His voice was quiet, meant only for her. “Mira, are you sure?”

Mira straightened, offering a small, reassuring smile. “Yes, my Lord. I’m fine. It was just... unexpected, that’s all.”

Roderic studied her for a moment longer before giving a brief nod. “If you’re certain.”

She nodded, her grip on her cloak loosening slightly. “I am. Thank you.”

Roderic turned his attention back to the Chosen, his posture shifting as he addressed the newcomer. “Caelus,” he said, his tone steady, though there was a subtle tension in his voice. “It’s been a long time.”

The Chosen—Caelus—inclined his head slightly, his expression unreadable. “Lord Roderic. It has indeed. I trust things are in order here?”

Roderic gave a small nod. “They are. Though, I hadn’t expected you so soon. I was just about to inform the captain of your arrival.”

Caelus offered the faintest of smiles, though his eyes remained sharp and focused. “The Emperor prefers we work efficiently. I’ve come to document the progress of the young Evoker.” His gaze shifted to Leon, and for a moment, Leon felt as though he were being measured, weighed down by the force of Caelus’ attention. “You must be the boy.”

Leon swallowed, his throat dry. “Yes, Chosen,” he managed, his voice sounding far more nervous than he’d intended.

Caelus’ gaze lingered on him, cool and assessing. “Your awakening has reached the Emperor’s ears. I am here to ensure it is recorded correctly and to offer guidance if needed. Your training is still early, yes?”

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Leon nodded quickly, his palms suddenly sweaty. “Yes, I’m still... learning. I haven’t figured out what my power is yet.”

The admission felt heavy, and Leon’s chest tightened with the weight of it. He had no idea what he was supposed to be doing, and every day that passed without him understanding his ability felt like a failure.

Caelus studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he gave a slight nod. “That’s expected. Early control is crucial. The nature of your ability will reveal itself in time, but only if you maintain control.”

Leon frowned slightly, his thoughts swirling with confusion. “How will I know when I’ve... controlled it?”

Caelus’ gaze softened ever so slightly, and for a moment, his tone was almost... understanding. “You’ll know. Control means the power will respond to you, not the other way around. Until then, patience.”

Leon nodded, though the tightness in his chest remained. He still had no idea how to figure any of that out.

Caelus glanced back at Leon, and for a moment, the weight of his gaze was almost suffocating. His next words, however, were addressed to Roderic.

“I’ll need a few moments alone with the boy. It’s important we discuss his situation privately.”

Roderic nodded once more. “I’ll make the necessary arrangements.” He motioned to Captain Loren, who had been silently observing, and the two men stepped aside to discuss matters further.

Caelus gestured for Leon to follow. “Come,” he said, his voice steady and calm. “We have much to talk about.”

Leon hesitated for just a second, glancing back toward his mother. Mira met his eyes, her face still pale but managing a reassuring smile. She gave him a small nod, urging him forward.

With a final deep breath, Leon followed the Chosen into the manor, his heart thudding loudly in his chest as he braced himself for what was to come.

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

The door to the lounge clicked softly behind them as Caelus led Leon into a warmly lit room. A pair of plush armchairs sat facing each other, separated by a shallow wooden table. The air in the room had a sense of stillness to it, as if this space was meant for quiet, private conversation. The weight of what was about to happen pressed down on Leon’s shoulders.

Caelus gestured toward one of the chairs. “Take a seat, Leon,” he said, his voice noticeably softer now, the formal edge gone.

Leon obeyed, lowering himself into the soft chair. He glanced around the room, feeling a faint but growing sense of anticipation. Across from him, Caelus remained standing for a moment longer. With two swift gestures of his right hand, something shifted in the air around them.

The door behind Leon clicked shut on its own. With a second gesture, a faint shimmer filled the air—a magical barrier now sealed the room. Caelus sat across from Leon, the shallow table separating them.

“Don’t worry, the wards are just for privacy,” Caelus said with an almost friendly smile. “Figured we could use a little peace from the outside world for this chat.”

Leon’s tension eased slightly. This wasn’t the same commanding presence that had landed in the training yard. Caelus seemed more... approachable now.

“Before we get into it,” Caelus continued, his tone now conversational but still focused, “let me explain something.”

He reached into a pouch at his side, pulling out a thick, metal-bound book and placing it on the table between them with a soft thud. The book looked ancient, with intricate etchings along its cover and a thick lock sealing it shut. “This is a record of every known Aspect and Mote throughout history. Whenever a new Evoker awakens, we try to match their abilities with what’s documented here.”

Leon stared at the book, feeling the weight of its history. The idea that his power might be written down somewhere in its pages was overwhelming.

Caelus smiled slightly, noticing Leon’s awe. “It’s not always a perfect science,” he said, his voice now more casual. “Each ability is unique, and sometimes new powers don’t fit neatly into what we already know.” He gave the book a light tap with his fingers. “But it’s a starting point.”

With a wave of his hand, Caelus unlocked the book, and Leon sensed something—the same kind of magic he’d felt when Caelus had sealed the door. It felt like they shared a similar flavour, as if both spells were rooted in the same type of magic.

With a soft click, the lock unlatched, and Caelus opened the book to its yellowed pages, filled with ancient writing.

Caelus leaned back slightly in his chair and fixed Leon with a curious look. “Now, tell me. What exactly have you experienced so far?”

Leon shifted in his seat, unsure how to put everything into words. “Well... during my awakening, it wasn’t just visions. It was like I was living through someone else’s life. I wasn’t just watching it—I was there.”

Caelus nodded, listening intently as Leon continued.

“And then... during the past week, sometimes I can remember things perfectly, like... like when Madam Aldwin tested me. I wasn’t sure about some answers, but then they just came to me, all at once. Like I knew it all along.”

Caelus turned his gaze to the open book, flipping through its pages with careful, deliberate motions. He was quiet for a few moments, his eyes scanning the ancient entries, stopping occasionally as though trying to match Leon’s description with something in the records.

After a minute of searching, Caelus paused, his eyes narrowing slightly in thought. Then, with a small sigh, he closed the book and relocked it with a simple gesture, the latch clicking shut.

“Well,” he said slowly, “there’s nothing here that exactly matches what you’ve described. But that’s not uncommon for someone who’s just awakened.”

Leon blinked. “So... what does that mean?”

Caelus leaned back in his chair, his fingers resting lightly on the closed book. “It means your power is something new—something we don’t yet understand.”

The Chosen’s tone was calm but carried a weight to it that made Leon’s heart beat faster. He wasn’t sure whether to feel relieved or even more anxious.

“All Evokers have a unique ability, Leon,” Caelus continued, “but there’s a difference between what’s called an Aspect and what’s known as a Mote.”

Leon’s brow furrowed. “A... Mote?”

Caelus nodded. “An Aspect is a gift bestowed by the demigods. It grants an Evoker a specific ability, like reading minds, seeing emotions, or something more subtle like sensing lies. It’s usually straightforward.”

Leon nodded slowly, trying to process the information. “And a Mote?”

Caelus’ expression shifted, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “A Mote is something far greater. While Aspects are abilities granted by the demigods, a Mote is a direct gift from the Goddess herself. It grants the Evoker control over a domain—an entire concept or word. A Mote isn’t just an ability, Leon. It’s power over a fundamental aspect of the world.”

Leon felt a chill run down his spine. The idea of having control over something that vast—it was hard to comprehend.

Caelus leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering. “A Mote is dominion over a concept—memory, shadows, death, things like that. How far you can stretch that power depends entirely on your own insight and understanding of what your Mote truly is.”

Leon swallowed, his heart racing. “So... how do I know if I have a Mote?”

“That’s the question, isn’t it?” Caelus leaned forward, his gaze intense but not unfriendly. “Only time will tell. You’re still young, and your power is only just beginning to manifest. But whether it’s an Aspect or a Mote, you’ll need to learn how to control it.”

Leon’s mind raced. The idea of having control over something so vast, so... powerful—it was overwhelming. But also... exciting?

After a pause, Leon asked, “What about you? Do you have a Mote?”

Caelus’ smile widened slightly, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “Yes. I do.”

Leon waited, half expecting the Chosen to elaborate, but Caelus remained silent for a moment, letting the tension build.

Caelus made a quick, subtle gesture with his hand. The shimmer over the door vanished as the magical wards were dismissed. His eyes locked onto Leon’s, and the Chosen’s smile widened just slightly.

“I have dominion over a concept that can be summed up in a single word.”

Leon frowned, leaning forward in his seat. “What word?”

Caelus’ smile widened as he finished his sentence.

“Return.”

And with that, Caelus vanished.

For a moment, Leon just sat there, staring at the empty chair in front of him. His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of everything he’d just learned pressing down on him. The silence in the room felt heavier now, the crackle of the fire the only sound breaking through the stillness.

He swallowed hard, his mind racing to catch up with what had just happened. Caelus had disappeared—just returned—as though he’d never been there at all. Leon leaned back in his chair, feeling a strange mix of awe and confusion settle in his chest.

A Mote. Caelus had control over an entire concept—over the idea of returning. Something that simple, yet so incredibly powerful. And Leon... didn’t even know what his own power was yet.

The weight of it all hung heavy on his shoulders. He had so much to figure out, so much to learn.

But one thing was clear: whatever his ability was, it wasn’t going to be easy. He had a long road ahead of him.

Leon took a deep breath, letting the tension ease from his shoulders. He didn’t know what the future held, but he couldn’t afford to be afraid of it.

He stood up from the chair, casting one last glance at the spot where Caelus had vanished, before turning toward the door. There was no going back now.