Deren was sitting at the edge of his window, holding a small coin with the Darkon family crest in his hands, watching the sunset that bathed the sky in warm colors. But he wasn’t seeing the sky; he was lost in his thoughts about the past, the things he didn’t know about his family. He heard heavy footsteps approaching the door and turned to see Adrian, his older brother, standing at the entrance, staring at him with his piercing eyes.

“What are you doing here?” Deren asked calmly, returning his gaze to the sunset.

Adrian smiled faintly and said, “Can’t I see my brother in his private moments?”

Deren smiled slightly and said, “Are you just here to watch me?”

Adrian approached and sat beside him on the window ledge, then placed his hand on Deren’s head. “Really, tell me... what were you thinking about?”

Deren answered in a low voice, “I’m thinking about things I don’t understand.”

He asked Adrian, “Do you remember Dad?”

Adrian paused for a moment before answering quietly, “I was nine when he disappeared... I remember a little about him. He was kind.”

Deren asked curiously, “Can you tell me more?”

Adrian answered in a soft voice, sadness evident on his face, “I don’t know. He left us... but don’t be sad. You’ll become a great person in this family.”

Deren looked at him skeptically and said, “You’re stronger than me.”

Adrian smiled and said, “But I’m not as smart as you.”

Deren laughed and said, “For sure! I’m the smarter one!”

Adrian leaned in a little closer and began to tickle him for a few moments. Suddenly, their mother, Eliana, the family leader, entered with her usual commanding presence. The brothers looked at her in silence, and she smiled before saying in a firm voice, “Enough joking around. You need to get ready. The Council of the Ten Families will be convening soon, and we must be there.”

Deren asked, “But am I not too young to go?”

Eliana replied steadily, “No, once you turn eleven, you have the right to participate.”

Deren looked at her and said, “But my brother is the heir to the family. He won’t need me.”

Eliana responded with a meaningful look, “Yes, but he will need you. He’s strong, but you’re smarter.”

Adrian looked at Deren with an angry gaze, though there was something humorous about it, and Deren smiled, saying sarcastically, “You’re strong, but not like me!”

As Adrian approached the door to leave, Deren looked back out the window and whispered to himself.

"Hey, Adrian, don’t forget that we are one family."

At dawn, the Darkon family gathered at the edge of the magical bridge. The bridge pulsed with glowing blue energy, shimmering like luminous waves in the darkness. Deren stood next to Adrian, staring in awe at the light flowing from the bridge to the sea. How can something this beautiful be full of conflict? he thought to himself.

Eliana approached with confident steps and said in her calm voice, "Remember, this bridge is not just a means of crossing. It is a symbol of the unity of the Elisria families, even if that unity is fragile."

As the families began to cross, Deren felt a strange energy beneath his feet, as though the bridge was alive, carrying them through time and space. The sea stretched endlessly beneath them, and when they arrived at the island, the sight was mesmerizing: a dense forest surrounded a vast complex, with towering stone halls rising as though defying the sky.

Amidst the noise, Deren spotted members of the Zavor family, led by their patriarch, Maurice Zavor. The old animosity between them was clear in their glares, but Adrian didn’t acknowledge them. He grabbed Deren’s hand and said, "Don’t get distracted by them. We’re here to prove our place."

The Elisria families finally reached the continent of Arthan, where the green lands and mist-covered hills greeted them in silence. The atmosphere was not as welcoming as it seemed; the tension between the Darkon and Zavor families was palpable with every step. Deren walked beside Adrian, but he couldn’t ignore the sharp glances from the Zavor members. He recalled Adrian’s words: We need to prove ourselves. So, he tried to push those thoughts away. Still, a question lingered in his mind: Why was their relationship with Zavor so strained while things seemed fine with Vahier?

He turned to Adrian and hesitantly asked, "Why are we constantly in conflict with Zavor, while our relationship with Vahier is stable?"

Adrian smiled lightly, as if he had anticipated the question. Before answering, he placed his hand on Deren’s shoulder and leaned in, saying, "You think too much, as expected from you. Come, I’ll show you something about Arthan and teach you a few important things."

Deren followed Adrian as the latter began pointing out the notable landmarks of Arthan: its towering spires that touched the clouds, and the rivers flowing like the continent’s veins. With each step, Deren felt his curiosity grow, eager to learn more about this place that hid so many secrets.

The Darkon family continued their path to the Second Families’ complex, where Eliana aimed to improve the relationship with the Zavor family. She stood between the leaders of the two families, speaking with wisdom and determination: "We are here for the council, not to dwell on past conflicts. Let’s leave..."

"Setting our conflicts aside." The atmosphere was tense, but her words began to break the ice. "Meanwhile, Deren noticed his brother Adrian talking to a girl with long brown hair and bright eyes from the Faheer family. It was Liana, the daughter of Kyle Faheer, the leader of the Faheer family, smiling while Adrian exchanged smiles with her. At first, the scene seemed normal, but Deren felt something odd in the air, as if there was something unclear at that moment.

With a mischievous smile, Deren approached them and said, "Hey, my dear brother, are you busy?" Adrian sighed and replied, "Go away, Deren, this is not your time." But Deren, with a wide smile, turned to Liana and said, "Hello, I hope you both enjoy your time!" before walking away, laughing lightly. Liana looked at Adrian and laughed, saying, "Your brother is so curious, but he seems nice." Adrian replied with a proud smile, "He annoys me, but he always makes me proud."

Deren returned to his mother Eliana, who had finished talking to the Zavor family. With admiration, he said to himself, "Of course, it's my mom... she solves everything."

The families arrived at the Second Families’ Gathering, where representatives from the Loravell and Hasir families were present. At first glance, Deren noticed that the members of the Loravell family appeared to be arrogant, as if they thought they were above everyone else, with their leader Eldar Loravell. Deren, eyeing them, said, "Why are they so arrogant?" Adrian replied with a light smile, "Because they're the second wealthiest family in the Arthan continent, and they have huge armies... wealth and power give them a sense of superiority." Deren nodded and thought, "Hmm..." Then, he looked at his brother and saw him looking uneasy as he observed the Hasir family. Deren asked cautiously, "What about them? What do you know about them?"

Adrian replied after a moment of thought, "Honestly, I don’t know much about them, but I do know their leader's name, Ravel Hasir. There's something strange about this family... maybe we'll find out soon."

Deren continued thinking as he watched the gathering, then asked curiously, "When will the Moran family arrive? I want to meet Liam Moran." Adrian smiled and said, "They'll arrive soon, don’t worry."

Several hours later, the Nithar family arrived, along with their leaders Oron Nithar and Toran Nithar. Adrian approached Deren before asking, "Did you know, Deren, that this family is the only one among the ten families with two leaders?" Deren looked astonished and said, "Is that possible?" Adrian replied, "They’ve always had internal wars about who should rule, until the twins came and changed things. They established a new law in their family stating that there should always be two leaders ruling together."

deren joked, "You're not that stupid!" Adrian looked at him with a frown and asked, "What did you say?" Meanwhile, Eliana, Deren's mother, was busy strengthening the relationships between her family and the other families. She knew that the Darkon family was disliked by some families, except for the Moran and Faheer families.

Deren noticed there were obvious tensions between the Nithar and Loravell families due to their spheres of influence, and things were getting more complicated between their soldiers. The quarrels intensified noticeably, until Oron Nithar and Toran Nithar arrived at the scene of the dispute. They approached the Loravell family leader, Eldar, and firmly told him, "Your soldiers need to control themselves." Eldar replied, "My soldiers do as they please." Adrian stood next to Deren and thought to himself, "I hope things will settle down."

Suddenly, as the sky painted with the colors of dawn and sunrise, everyone witnessed a strange sight. The giant birds flying in the sky were none other than the Drafvor, dragon-like creatures that accompanied the Moran family. The family was famous for taming these creatures, and everyone in the gathering watched in awe. However, the soldiers from various families were more focused on the majestic Drafvor birds. Suddenly, the Moran family stopped, drawing the attention of the crowd. The Moran family was one of the most powerful families in the Arthan continent, and their authority was tied to their grand presence. Their ability to control these powerful creatures made everyone reconsider their positions.

Kalen Moran, the leader of the Moran family, dismounted from the back of a Drafvor, followed by his eldest son Liam Moran, his sister Tara Moran walking beside him, and his younger brother Valen Moran behind them. When Liam noticed Deren, he smiled and waved at him. Deren returned the smile and quickly jumped down from the Drafvor to approach him.

Eliana, Deren's mother, welcomed the Moran family warmly, as the relationship between the two families was very strong. The Moran family greatly benefited from the stones and jewels exported by the Darkon family, and they would often visit each other to discuss their mutual business ventures. Thanks to these collaborations, the bond between the two families had grown even stronger, and the relationship between Liam and Deren had noticeably developed. They had become very close, adding a personal and influential layer to the alliance between the families.

Deren grabbed Liam firmly and said, "You stubborn one! Your father told you not to ride the Drafvor, how did you convince him?" Liam replied with a smile, "I have persuasive magic." Then Tara and Valen approached, greeting Deren.

Tara said, "Didn't we tell you that our father would convince him?" Valen then asked, "What was happening here before we arrived?" Deren replied, "The situation was tense between Nithar and Loravelle, but when you arrived, things calmed down." From a distance, Adrian came over, saying, "Hey troublemakers, don't cause trouble!" Deren responded with a sarcastic smile, "It seems like you're the one who will cause trouble."

Adrian sighed, "Oh, my gloomy brother! Excuse me, excuse me." Then Adrian continued on his way and passed by Liana, thinking to himself, "This is my chance."

Deren, busy with his friends, then asked Liam, "What do you think of Arthan?" Deren answered coldly, "You guys are arrogant." Liam looked at him and said, "Your brother is right, you are gloomy indeed!"

Valen said, "Look, they’re gathering to open the bridge leading to the council." While they were talking, they were on their way to the gathering. Deren asked Liam, "Where are the First Families?" Liam laughed and said, "The First Families have their own bridge in their continent, Serentha. Usually, they don’t come to the meetings unless it’s something very important. They mostly send their deputies or a family member."

Deren was surprised and asked, "But why are we separated from them even in gatherings and meetings?" Liam answered calmly, "Because they are the strongest of the Ten Families, and they have more important matters to attend to. They don’t care about the power struggles between families, which sometimes leads them to isolate themselves." Then Deren asked, "Do you mean the Forbidden Continent?" Liam answered after a pause, "Maybe... I don’t know. But they definitely hide many secrets. I don’t know if they will come to the council today."

Everyone headed toward the bridge leading to the council, and the atmosphere was a bit tense, but everyone knew that this meeting would be crucial in determining the future. As they walked across the bridge, Deren stared at it with wide eyes, taking in the atmosphere. Liam was beside him, so Deren asked, "How many times have you been here?" Liam replied with a smile, "This is the third time, and I still marvel at the grandeur and beauty of the council."

Deren looked at the council with excitement and wonder, then asked, "Who built this place?" Liam answered, "The First Families, with a little help from my family. But all the credit goes to them."

Then Adrian addressed his mother, saying, "So, the First Families didn't come?" Eliyana replied calmly, "Lower your voice, there are many loyalists to them here."

Adrian looked around, then lowered his voice saying, "Sorry, Mom." Eliyana calmly replied, "I want you to help me improve our reputation, not ruin it." The tension between the Nithar and Loravelle families was palpable, and Kalin Moran and his wife Astria were watching their son Liam as he met with his best friend, Deren. Kalin smiled and said, "I'm happy for him. Most of the children of the families are either older or younger than him." Astria replied, "Me too, he finally found a friend his own age."

All the families gathered in the council hall to start the meeting, and Deren was looking around curiously at the design of the hall, marveling at its luxurious and orderly appearance. The walls were decorated, and the large windows allowed natural light to pour in, while the carefully crafted seats indicated the importance of the place. From afar, Liam watched Deren with a sarcastic smile, though there was a hint of respect in his eyes.

Each family entered their designated hall to gather their thoughts and present their demands. Eliyana said calmly, "Deren, Adrian, come here and close the door." The expressions on Adrian and Deren’s faces were a mix of surprise, but they quickly exchanged understanding looks and joined their mother.

Eliyana stood firm, her face reflecting an unshakable resolve, and then said in a quiet but firm voice: "Things are more complicated than you think. Alliances change quickly, and friends can become enemies in an instant. That’s why we must always be ready."

Adrian, trying to hide his anxiety, said, "But Mom, we can't trust anyone, even in the other families. Can we?"

Eliyana shook her head with a small nod and responded, "Trust is not an option right now. What’s more important is that we maintain our reputation and move cautiously. This meeting is an opportunity for us to reshape the alliances and present ourselves as strong in front of everyone."

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But what if they try to harm us? What if they're planning something?" Eliyana smiled lightly and said: "That's why we're here, Deren. We won't leave any room for anyone to manipulate us." At that moment, a knock on the door was heard, causing everyone to pause for a moment. Adrian carefully poked his head through the door, finding one of the servants saying: "The council will begin in a few minutes, Madam." Eliyana replied formally: "We'll be there." She then turned to her sons and said: "Remember, nothing said publicly can reveal our true intentions. Words are a weapon, and we must use them cautiously." The three left the room, each carrying a new burden in their hearts, while elsewhere in the council, Morris Zavor was mocking Darcon and said that they thought they would be beloved. Without Moran and Hasir, they would have been separated from everyone, and Liam, being close to them, this man was sly and treacherous. Kalin Moran was with the Nyther family and the Loravelle family, and he told them to try to reconcile at the council. They replied, "We'll see." Everyone prepared to sit in their seats. Eliyana told her sons to sit next to her, and the council session began.

Everyone took their seats, and the atmosphere was tense and anxious. Morris Zavor, who was used to being at the center of events, sat confidently in one of the main seats, watching everyone around him with sharp eyes. He smiled wickedly as he noticed how tense the faces were, especially Liam's face, which seemed to show some confusion and curiosity. Morris held a glass of red wine and took a slow sip, then said sarcastically, directing his words to Darcon:

"They really thought they could control this situation..."

Morris laughed lightly, as if something in his mind gave him comfort amidst the chaos. Then he looked at Liam and said:

"You, Liam, you're close to them, aren't you? That family is not as it seems. How many times have I told you not to trust them... Do your friends really deserve all these risks?"

Liam responded with a steady gaze, despite the pressure he felt, and said:

"We've all been part of this conflict. And I don’t have many options. But I don’t think I’ll take your advice on this matter."

Eliyana was closely observing the situation while directing her sons to sit beside her. Everything seemed as though the conflict had just begun, with each side watching the other carefully. Eyes met in silence, as if every word could open the door to something worse.

Then the council leader announced the start of the session, and everyone was ready to face whatever was coming. Time was pushing everyone into a tight corner, and the signs of tension were clear on the faces of those present.

The session began with a charged atmosphere, as the Loravelle family spoke in a sharp tone. Their leader was facing a difficult challenge, especially when he pointed out that the Nyther family had given them part of the land to extract resources. However, things developed in an unexpected direction.

The Loravelle leader said:

"First of all, we know that you gave us the land to extract resources, and we thanked you for that. But what we cannot accept is that you started expanding and taking more of our land. This is absolutely unacceptable! Our agreement was clear, and we now demand the return of the land you gave us."

The Nyther leader responded in a sharp and direct tone:

"We gave you the land for mutual cooperation, not for you to expand your ambitions."

"We have upheld this agreement for a long time, but you have crossed the line. If you intend to reclaim the land, we will have to seek other solutions to protect our rights."

At this point, the leader of Loravell showed clear concern, knowing that the Nithar family was not only strong but also considered one of the most influential families in Arthan. Despite this, he tried to remain calm as he faced the challenge.

Then, the leader of the Vahier family intervened, well aware of the situation:

"You must come to your senses, Loravell family. We appreciate your cooperation, but you must realize that the Nithar family is not an easy opponent. Reclaiming the land at this time could lead to a dangerous escalation, which we do not want."

The leader of Loravell looked at the Nithar leaders with his sharp eyes and then said confidently, though with some underlying tension:

"If this is your stance, then yes, we will reconsider what has happened. But do not forget, the Loravell family does not back down easily. We will continue to demand our rights."

All eyes turned to Moran, who was observing the situation closely. He said in a serious tone:

"Are there any other claims? If there is something else to discuss, we are here to listen. Let’s end this session fairly."

A brief silence filled the room as everyone watched the reactions on each face, and the tension in the air was palpable.

Eiliana, the leader of the Darcon family, then spoke up in front of everyone, and Deren felt proud of his mother as he listened to her. Eiliana said firmly:

"I know our relations are tense with some of the families here, but we are only here to improve the situation. We want to increase our share in the Dorvinis continent because our workers there are facing harassment. I hope no one interferes with the Darcon affairs in Dorvinis."

Moran asked, puzzled:

"Which family is harassing you?"

Eiliana confidently replied:

"The Zavor family."

Morris, the leader of the Zavor family, sarcastically intervened:

"You want more, and you're of less importance than us? What a joke!"

Zavor smiled mockingly, then looked at Deren. Adrian and Eiliana remained composed, showing no signs of anger, but when Zavor looked at Deren, he noticed something strange in his eyes. Deren’s eyes were faintly glowing with a yellow hue, which made him feel a sense of unease, but he tried to hide it.

"Alright, we’ll stop bothering you," Zavor said, though he was feeling uneasy inside.

"What is this? Why are this child's eyes like that?" Zavor thought to himself, but smiled again to hide his concern.

Eiliana smiled and said:

"Thank you for your understanding."

Moran then replied, changing the subject:

"Is there anyone else?"

Next, the leader of the Vahier family spoke and explained:

"Some hybrid humans in the Ornor continent are facing harassment. The Vahier family is the closest to this continent, and we are nearly responsible for protecting these hybrid humans."

After the Vahier leader finished speaking, silence fell for a moment in the council hall, and the faces looked tense, as everyone stared at each other. Everyone was waiting for a response from Kalin Moran, who took his time to weigh his words carefully before speaking.

Moran said in a calm but firm voice:

"What the Vahier family has brought up must be discussed seriously. Protecting the hybrid humans in the Ornor continent is not your responsibility alone. We, the families of Arthan, must all bear this responsibility."

Then he turned to the other families, saying:

"But I suggest forming a joint committee from the families here, including representatives from Vahier, including representatives from Vahier, Nithar, and Loravelle, to study and resolve this issue."

, and Loravelle, to study and resolve this issue."

The leader of Loravelle interrupted with a sly smile:

"Moran, you always lean toward joint solutions. But let’s not forget that Vahier considers Ornor its sphere of influence. If they are facing difficulties, they should handle it themselves."

The leader of Vahier responded sharply:

"If you think that, then tell us why your family hasn’t moved to help us before? We didn’t ask for intervention until the situation became unbearable."

As the debate grew more intense, Eiliana noticed that Deren was still staring at Zavor with unnatural looks. It wasn’t just anger; he seemed to be observing something beyond what was apparent to everyone. She gently tried to get his attention.

"Deren?" she whispered softly, but received no response.

Then, Adrian broke the silence between them and asked:

"Is everything alright, Mother?"

Eiliana looked at him with worried eyes and said:

"Watch your brother... there’s something unnatural."

At that moment, Zavor raised his hand as if to speak again, but suddenly, all the magical lamps that lit the hall went out, plunging everyone into darkness. The whispers of the families and their questions about what was happening rose, before a faint yellow glow illuminated the center of the hall. It was coming from Deren, who was unaware of what was happening around him.

Zavor stepped back in shock and looked at him in amazement. One of the attendees screamed: "What's going on?!"

Elena rushed to her son, placed her hand on his shoulder, and said in a distressed voice:

"Deren, stop!!"

But Deren didn’t hear her. His body remained frozen in place, and the yellow glow grew stronger. Adrian intervened.

Then, silence fell once more, and the glow stopped. Deren slowly opened his eyes, looking exhausted and unaware of what had just happened. Elena looked at him with concern and said:

"We need to leave now."

She turned to Adrian and ordered him sternly:

"Take your brother out of the council immediately."

As Adrian left with Deren, the eyes of the families were fixed on them in shock. It was clear that what had happened would not be easily forgotten, and it might change a lot in the relationships between the families.

As Adrian hurriedly pulled Deren out of the hall, Deren couldn’t suppress his curiosity and concern. He looked at his brother and asked in a confused voice:

"Adrian, what happened? Why is everyone looking at me like that?"

Adrian didn’t answer immediately, but his steps grew faster. Deren noticed the tension in his brother’s features, so he grabbed his arm firmly and insisted:

"Adrian, tell me! I saw you worried… don’t hide anything from me."

Adrian paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and then turned his face toward Deren. There was a mixture of confusion and worry in his eyes. He thought to himself:

"I know our family’s magic is strong, but… not to this degree. What just happened wasn’t normal. Deren’s eyes? They were both yellow and black at once. That’s unusual… Our family’s magic doesn’t glow this way unless something extraordinary is happening."

Adrian fell silent for a few moments, then spoke quietly:

"I don’t know, Deren. We’ll figure it out later. But right now, we need to leave."

Deren felt that his brother was hiding something, but he decided not to press. There were many questions swirling in his mind, but he couldn’t find any answers. He continued walking in silence next to Adrian, but an inner feeling told him that something significant had changed inside him, and that he might be facing a different path than he had expected.

In the council hall, Elena spoke steadily but concealed the worry creeping into her voice:

"Deren is still young, and he doesn’t yet know how to control his power. That’s normal at his age."

Morris Zavor interrupted her with a sarcastic tone:

"Elena, you need to control your son before he causes bigger problems."

Loravelle turned, looking puzzled, and spoke in a neutral tone, but with doubt:

"But, Elena… The magic of the Darkon family isn’t like this. What happened was truly strange."

At that moment, Elena thought silently, trying to maintain her composure:

"I know this isn’t our family’s usual magic. What I saw today… was not normal. But I can’t let anyone know that now."

She smiled stiffly and tried to steer the conversation in a different direction, saying:

"That’s true, but he’s still in the beginning stages. Controlling magic takes time, especially at this age."

Some families, who sympathized with her, responded kindly:

"We understand what you’re going through, Elena. Children and magic are always a dilemma."

Other families exchanged smiles as if the matter didn’t concern them, but Liam, who was sitting nearby, felt a deep unease. He knew Deren well, and he also knew the magic of the Darkon family. He whispered to himself:

"This isn’t Darkon magic… This is something completely different."

On the other side of the table, the Hasir family watched the scene in eerie silence. They showed no visible reaction, just fixed gazes on Elena. These stares made Elena feel... She wondered to herself:

"Hasir... Why aren’t they saying anything? I feel like they know something about this, but why are they staying silent?"

Moran broke the prevailing silence in the hall by raising his wine glass, saying cheerfully:

"Well, are we done for today? I think everyone could use a bit of rest after such an exciting meeting."

Some families responded with smiles or words of agreement, while the atmosphere in the hall remained slightly tense, especially around Elena, who was struggling to hide her concern. She was thinking about the next step she needed to take to protect her son... and the secret that seemed to be beginning to emerge.

After the council meeting ended, the families returned to their rooms or went to their private places to reflect on what had transpired. Elena, however, walked anxiously through the quiet halls of the palace, trying to conceal her worry from everyone. But she knew she needed answers, and quickly.

In his room, Deren sat silently, staring at his hands. What had happened in the council had confused him just as much as it had his mother. He didn’t know what the strange glow in his eyes meant, but he felt something inside him, something he had never felt before.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, and Adrian entered. He looked at his brother with eyes full of seriousness and concern. He sat beside him on the bed and spoke in a calm voice:

"Deren, tell me. What did you feel when your eyes were glowing?"

Deren slowly lifted his gaze and spoke hesitantly:

"I don’t know... but... it was as if something inside me wanted to get out. I felt a great anger when Zavor mocked us, but it wasn’t me... It was like something else was controlling me."

Adrian frowned and took a moment to think. Then, he placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder and said:

"We need to be careful, Deren. This is not Darkon magic as usual, and I don’t know what’s happening... but we need to figure it out soon."

Adrian spoke firmly to Deren, his voice filled with concern:

"It’s happening to you too, but even our mother is worried. You need to learn to control yourself so that no one can exploit this against you."

Meanwhile, Elena stood on the balcony of her room, staring into the distant horizon. Her thoughts were at war inside her head. She knew something dangerous was happening with her younger son, and it might be linked to the secrets of the Darkon family that had not been revealed yet.

She whispered to herself:

"What’s happening to you, Deren? Could this be connected to your father’s disappearance?"

As the final words were spoken in the council, the guards at the main gate stood tense. While everyone prepared to leave, the door slowly opened to reveal the arrival of a small delegation. It was the Faymir family, led by Lydia Faymir, the family’s matriarch. She walked with confident steps and an imposing silence that made everyone feel an unprecedented sense of awe.

Adrian whispered to Deren as they observed the scene:

"I didn’t know they were coming today... the presence of the Faymir family always means that something big is about to happen."

Lydia stood in the center of the hall and cast a sweeping glance over the gathered individuals. She said nothing at first but raised her hand and gestured to Kalin Moran, the leader of the council for the day, speaking directly:

"Kalin, we are here due to an urgent matter. The Nova Mortic continent has shown unnatural signs. Were you planning to ignore that?"

A murmur rose in the hall, and everyone began questioning the meaning of her words. The Nova Mortic continent was a taboo subject, and no one discussed it unless it was absolutely necessary.

Kalin spoke in a steady voice, attempting to regain control of the room:

"It wasn’t an intentional oversight, Lydia. We just didn’t want to cause panic before understanding the details. What have you discovered?"

Lydia responded in a serious tone:

"The borders between Nova Mortic and our world are no longer as they were. There is energy leaking from the continent, and it has started to affect the balance in nearby areas. This is no longer just a legend. We’ve seen clear signs... and people have returned with things that do not belong to this world."

A heavy silence fell over the hall. No one had expected to hear something like this. One of the representatives of the Nithar family spoke quietly:

"Are you saying that Nova Mortic... is awakening?"

Lydia looked at the speaker with a stern gaze and replied:

"I don’t use such terms lightly. But what’s happening now could mean that."

Deren whispered to Adrian in a soft voice:

"What’s happening in Nova Mortic, and why is everyone so afraid of it?"

Adrian answered with concern, his eyes still fixed on Lydia:

"It’s the place the legends speak of, full of darkness and danger. No one has returned from there alive in centuries... If it starts to stir, it means something worse than wars between us all."

Lydia finished speaking, her gaze fixed directly on Elena:

"We must be prepared. Because this won’t stop at the borders of Nova Mortic. This is only the beginning."

Elena maintained her outward calm, but a great sense of worry crept inside her.

Kalin Moran stood up, trying to close the meeting on a decisive note:

"We will discuss this matter among the first families. But I assure everyone that any changes in Nova Mortic will not go unnoticed."

After the meeting ended, Elena and her sons returned to their room. Her steps were quick, her movements tense, but her face remained hidden behind a mask of calm.

She then turned to her sons and said: "Prepare to leave..."

Deren surprised his mother by saying, "I want to search the council a little. There's something unclear to me."

Elena looked at him with tight eyes. "Go, but don't be late. I don’t want anything unexpected to happen."

She gestured for Adrian to follow him, fearing that something might occur. "Alright, Mom," Adrian replied calmly, then followed Deren toward the council.

Moments later, a knock sounded at the door. Liam stood there, his face serious and thoughtful. He entered quietly and said, "Elena, there's something we need to discuss."

Her eyes widened slightly, but before she could speak, Liam continued, "I’ll go to Lynia Island first. There’s a library there that might contain ancient manuscripts about a legend from a distant past... it might be linked to what Deren is experiencing now. After that, I’ll go to Elisria with my family and explain everything to Deren."

Elena took a deep breath and then spoke carefully, "If what you're saying is true, if there are answers, let us know them as quickly as possible. I can't bear this tension any longer."

Liam smiled faintly, despite the seriousness of the situation, then said, "I’ll return to you soon. We need to understand this matter before it blows up in our faces."

A few minutes later, Deren and Adrian returned to the room where Elena was waiting for them. Everything seemed normal, but when she looked at Deren’s face, she noticed something strange. His features were a bit mysterious, and his eyes carried something unusual.

"Are you okay, Deren?" Elena asked, watching every move he made.

Deren looked at her in surprise and said, "Yes, why do you ask?"

But Elena felt something uncomfortable. She knew her son well, and she could tell when something wasn’t right. Maybe it was the glow in his eyes she had noticed earlier, or perhaps it was something else in his behavior.

But she didn’t want to worry him further. She said gently, trying to hide what was troubling her, "Let’s go then. We must leave now."

Yet, Elena felt a deep unease. What Deren was doing wasn’t normal, and there was something in his eyes that raised questions with no answers.