Dawn painted Valestria's crystal spires in shades of amber and gold, light fracturing through ancient structures like scattered gems. In the royal training grounds, the sharp clash of steel and controlled breathing of sparring partners created a familiar symphony that echoed through stone corridors steeped in history.

Eren paused at the courtyard's edge, watching Azar, the legendary Twilight Blade, demonstrate advanced sword forms to a cluster of junior guards. Each of Azar's movements flowed like water, precise yet seemingly effortless.

"And this," Azar announced, pausing his demonstration as a guard offered him a drinking flask, "is how not to handle your refreshments." Right on cue, he managed to fumble the flask, water splashing across the courtyard stones. The junior guards tried to suppress their amusement, failing miserably. "Behold! My mortal enemy strikes again!" Azar declared, gesturing dramatically at the puddle. "The liquid assassin returns for another attempt on my dignity!"

"He never changes, does he?" Eren murmured, a fond smile playing at his lips.

"Not in the slightest," came a familiar voice, soft and tinged with affection. "Though perhaps that's what we need most these days."

Eren turned to find his sister Iris beside him, her Eight Star practitioner robes catching the morning light. Despite her youth, responsibility had carved elegant lines into her face, making her seem older than her twenty years.

Azar noticed them and strode over, his usual grin softening into something more genuine. "Well, if it isn't the Valestrian royalty," he teased, though his eyes held a deeper warmth. "What brings you both here this fine morning?"

"We wanted to see the training grounds before Eren goes into the tower," Iris replied, her voice carrying a slight tremor that only those who knew her well would notice.

Surprise flickered across Azar's features. "Today? I thought you were planning to wait a few more weeks, maybe get some additional preparation time under your belt before facing... well, whatever waits inside." He glanced back at his students. "Ah, duty calls - these youngsters need to learn the proper way to drop their water flasks. We'll catch up after your trial, Eren. Show them what a Valestrix can do!"

As Azar returned to his students, Iris touched Eren's arm. "Walk with me for a moment?"

The morning air held a crisp bite as they walked the outer paths of the training grounds, frost crunching softly beneath their feet. Iris pulled a worn leather journal from her robes. "I found Kael's old training notebook yesterday. It was tucked away in the library archives." Her fingers traced the worn edges. "His handwriting..." Her voice caught. "Just seeing it again..."

"What did he write about?" Eren asked quietly, watching his sister's profile in the golden morning light.

"Combat forms mostly. Notes about his progress." Iris smiled faintly. "And complaints about how you were always trying to copy his advanced techniques before you were ready."

A laugh escaped Eren, though it carried an edge of pain. "I was terrible at listening to warnings back then."

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Do you miss him?" Iris asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Eren stopped walking, his hands clenching at his sides. The question hung in the air between them, heavy with unspoken grief. "Sometimes..." he started, then shook his head. "No. Not sometimes. Every day. Every single day, Iris. I keep thinking I'll turn a corner and he'll be there, laughing about some ridiculous prank or showing off a new sword technique. And when he's not..." His voice roughened. "Nothing about his disappearance makes sense. None of it."

Iris reached for his hand, squeezing it gently. "I know. No matter how much power I gain, I can't find a single clue." She paused, meeting his eyes. "His birthday is next week."

They resumed walking, their steps slower now, weighted with memory. "You remember Selena Moonshadow, don't you?"

Eren's gaze drifted back to where Azar trained his students. "How could I forget?" His voice softened with memory. "She was like another sister to us both."

The memory surfaced clearly—her silvery hair catching the sunlight as she knelt beside him in the palace gardens, her laughter mingling with his as they played. He'd been around nine or ten then, and she'd treated him like a cherished little brother, ruffling his hair and indulging his endless questions about magic and combat.

image [https://i.imgur.com/mUXbbSn.jpeg]

"Does he still try to contact her?" Eren asked quietly, watching Azar demonstrate another form.

"Every day," came a new voice. They turned to find Valeria from the Intelligence Division approaching, her calculated grace a stark contrast to the training ground's martial energy. She acknowledged them with a measured nod, her sharp gaze lingering on Eren. "He sends messages to the tower daily, though she rarely responds anymore."

They glanced back at Azar, who caught their look and gave them a quick thumbs up before returning to his students.

"Is it true that she's still in there?" Eren asked Valeria. "On the Tower's floors?"

Emotion cracked her composed facade. "Yes. Last seen on the fifth floor, though she's kept to herself since Kael disappeared. It was like losing him broke something essential in her."

The memory of his brother's engagement announcement surfaced—Kael's proud smile, Valestria's streets erupting in celebration. He remembered how Azar's usual playfulness had transformed into pure joy, his sister's happiness reflecting in his own.

"Once your system completes registration," Valeria continued, "the tower will generate your trial portal. We'll meet you on the first floor after you pass."

Eren nodded as his system interface materialized in familiar blue light. The registration process activated, ancient mechanisms humming in response.

"Registration complete," the system announced as his portal shimmered into existence.

Valeria's expression softened. "Whatever you find in there, remember you're not alone."

Before Eren could step forward, Azar returned, gripping his shoulder. The usual mirth in his mentor's eyes gave way to vulnerability. "Show them what Eren Valestrix can do." He paused, voice roughening. "And if you see her... tell her we haven't forgotten. Any of us."

A silent promise passed between them. This journey carried the weight of all their lost connections—mentor and student, brother and sister, lovers torn apart by mystery.

As Eren stepped into the portal, shadows swirled around him like old friends. The familiar world faded away, replaced by the tower's ancient energy. In those mysterious heights waited not just trials, but perhaps answers to the questions that had haunted them all—and maybe, somewhere above, he would find Selena, whose laughter once filled their halls before silence claimed its place.