The Ferat star of glory hung high in the evening sky, its piercing light a beacon against the dark, outshining every star around it. They seemed to orbit it, like loyal subjects bowing to their king. My eyes were drawn to it, as they had been countless times before. This secluded spot by the lake had always been our retreat—a place where we could reflect in silence. I remembered my father’s voice telling me the legend of Ferat, who conquered the world with his prestige so absolute that even the heavens had no choice but to acknowledge him.

Beside me, a soft chuckle broke the stillness. Delrick was skipping stones, his hand flicking each rock with practiced ease. The stones skittered across the water before vanishing into the depths. It was one of the small rituals we had developed over time, comforting in its familiarity.

"You don’t have to look so grim, you know," Delrick said, a playful gleam in his eyes. "We’ve been preparing for this our whole lives."

I smirked, half-heartedly entertained by his casual dismissal of what was ahead. "I still remember when you first joined the training six years ago. You were a brat."

Delrick laughed, catching himself before he could stumble from my playful shove. "And you savages never knew how to treat someone of noble blood. My father was one of the king’s men, you know. We lived in the northern castle—civilized folk, unlike the lot of you."

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I snorted. "He was probably one of the chambermaids. I’m sure of it."

Delrick’s mock glare could’ve burned a hole through the lake, but we both broke into laughter again. Our laughter felt loud in the stillness, like a fleeting echo of the past. I found myself suddenly grateful for his friendship—for all the bickering, the rivalry, and the trust we had forged over time. We had been through so much together, and now, on the edge of our greatest trial, it felt more real than ever. The thought of facing what was to come without him seemed unimaginable.

"Aye, we should head back," I said after a pause, casting one last look at the glowing Ferat star. "Before Mariya comes screeching for you again."

Delrick groaned. "Don’t remind me. That girl’s screech could outmatch a dying bird." He eyed me suspiciously. "Are you calling me part bird?"

I dodged as he lunged at me in mock offense, laughing as we raced through the woods. The narrow, familiar path wound between the trees, the worn ground bearing the imprint of our years spent here.

But even as we laughed and ran, the reality of what lay ahead remained. Tomorrow, we would begin our journey—the ritual that would test our very souls. The path of prestige, the legacy our fathers had passed down to us, would soon be ours to follow. Despite the banter and the fleeting moments of lightness, we both knew this: no man escaped his fate in this world.