Aiden stood with Regis on the Castle wall, looking out across the vast landscape of Astralis. The evening light bathed everything in a soft, golden glow, casting long shadows over the rolling hills and forests. Despite the beauty, Aiden couldn’t help but feel a nervous anticipation gnawing at him. Regis had sensed something—or someone—approaching the Castle, and now they stood waiting.

“What are we looking for?” Aiden asked, his eyes scanning the horizon.

Regis’s expression, usually calm and measured, brightened slightly as he spotted movement in the distance. “Ah,” he said with a smile, “it appears we have nothing to fear. I recognize them. Seren and Garrick.”

Aiden furrowed his brow, glancing at Regis. “Seren and Garrick?”

“Indeed,” Regis said, his voice carrying a rare note of excitement. “They were two of Arthur’s most trusted subordinates. I had wondered when they might return.”

Aiden followed Regis’s gaze and soon spotted the figures approaching the Castle gates. Two adults, one tall and broad, the other smaller and more graceful, were walking up the path hand-in-hand. Beside them, a small child, no more than six or seven years old, skipped happily between them.

“Subordinates?” Aiden echoed, watching as they came closer. “What did they do?”

Regis glanced at Aiden but didn’t elaborate much. “All in good time, Master Aiden. They will explain themselves.”

Aiden frowned, but he trusted Regis’s judgment. As the trio approached, the Castle gates opened with a gentle creak, and Seren and Garrick stepped inside. Both adults moved with a quiet grace, their heads held high, but their posture remained respectful and poised. Seren was the first to come into view, her form slender yet strong. She had long, flowing silver hair that cascaded down her back like moonlight, catching the fading sunlight with a faint shimmer. Her skin was pale, almost luminous, giving her an ethereal quality, and her eyes—an unusual shade of violet—were sharp but kind, reflecting the wisdom of someone who had seen much of Astralis.

She wore a simple yet elegant robe, woven with intricate patterns that seemed to shift subtly as she moved, hinting at the magic she carried. Her movements were graceful, her presence calm but commanding, as if she belonged to the Castle itself.

Beside her, Garrick stood tall, his figure imposing in contrast to his wife’s more delicate build. His broad shoulders and muscular frame spoke of his role as a protector, and the slight scars on his hands and arms suggested years of battle and dedication to his craft. His dark brown hair, cut short, framed a face that was both rugged and stern, with a strong jawline and deep-set, amber eyes that held a quiet intensity. His skin was a warm bronze, weathered by the elements, and though he looked formidable, there was a calmness in his expression, a sense of control and assurance.

He wore practical, dark armor—well-maintained but worn in certain places, as if it had seen countless years of use. The armor was etched with runes that faintly glowed.

Together, Seren and Garrick moved as a unit, their bond evident in the way they carried themselves. Their daughter, Lyla, skipped happily between them, holding their hands. The girl had her mother’s silver hair, which curled around her small face in a playful manner, and her father’s amber eyes, gleaming with curiosity.

They stopped before Aiden and Regis, and both adults bowed deeply.

“Master Aiden,” the woman said, her voice soft and melodic. “It is an honor to meet you. I am Seren, and this is my husband, Garrick.”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Garrick, a tall man with a solid build and an air of quiet strength, gave a respectful nod. “It’s good to see the Castle alive again,” he said in a low, gruff voice.

Aiden blinked, unsure how to respond at first. The formality took him by surprise. He cleared his throat. “Um, it’s nice to meet you both.”

Seren smiled warmly. “Before your grandfather closed the Castle of Wisdom, we served here—Garrick as a guard and protector of the grounds, and I as a maid, helping with its upkeep. When your grandfather closed the portal, we chose to stay in Astralis. We married and have lived here ever since.”

Garrick placed a hand on the shoulder of the small girl standing between them, who had been staring up at Aiden with wide, curious eyes. “This is our daughter, Lyla.”

The little girl smiled, stepping forward. “Hi! I’m Lyla!” she said brightly, her voice filled with an innocent enthusiasm. “I’m six! Almost seven!”

Aiden couldn’t help but smile. “Nice to meet you, Lyla. Almost seven is a big deal.”

She nodded proudly, and Seren and Garrick exchanged amused glances. It was clear the family was close, and despite the formal introductions, there was an ease between them that made Aiden feel more comfortable.

Seren turned her gaze back to Aiden. “We wished to ask, Master Aiden, if we might return to the Castle to work once again. This place has always been our home, and we would like to serve it and you, as we once served your grandfather.”

Aiden hesitated, the weight of their request settling on him. He glanced at Regis, who stood silently beside him, watching the interaction with a careful, neutral expression.

“I... appreciate the offer,” Aiden said slowly, trying to find the right words. “But my grandfather set you free when he closed the Castle. You don’t have to come back if you don’t want to. You’re not bound to it.”

Seren’s smile softened. “We know. But this is where we belong. The Castle is more than just a place of work for us—it’s our home. And we want Lyla to grow up here, surrounded by its magic and the life it holds.”

Garrick nodded in agreement. “We choose to return, Master Aiden. The choice is ours, and we would be honored to serve again.”

Aiden studied their faces. There was no hesitation, no reluctance. They genuinely wanted to return, to be a part of the Castle once more. He exhaled, nodding. “If that’s what you want, then I don’t mind at all.”

Seren and Garrick both bowed again, but this time, it felt less formal, more like a gesture of gratitude than duty.

Aiden scratched the back of his neck, feeling slightly awkward. “I’m not really sure how to pay you, though. I don’t think my grandfather set up any kind of currency system here.”

Regis chuckled softly, stepping forward to address the question. “Indeed, Master Aiden. There is no currency in Astralis. Your grandfather never saw the need for it. Everything we desire or need is provided by the Castle itself. It sustains those who live within its boundaries.”

Aiden blinked, taking that in. “Wait... the Castle just... gives you what you need? Like food and stuff?”

“Precisely,” Regis confirmed with a nod. “The Castle provides. You needn’t concern yourself with wages or compensation. Life here is more about the magic of creation and community than material needs.”

“That’s... wild,” Aiden muttered. He looked back at Seren and Garrick. “Alright then. If you’re sure, you’re welcome back to the Castle.”

Seren beamed, and Garrick gave a satisfied nod. Lyla, meanwhile, bounced on her heels, clearly thrilled by the idea of living in the Castle. “Can I help too?” she asked eagerly, her wide eyes looking up at Aiden.

Aiden chuckled. “Maybe when you’re a little older.”

The girl pouted, but her parents smiled at the exchange. Seren stepped forward, her voice warm. “Thank you, Master Aiden. We are grateful for your kindness.”

Aiden waved off the formality. “Just Aiden is fine.”

Seren inclined her head slightly. “As you wish, Master Aiden.”

Aiden blinked, realizing that his request wouldn’t change their formality. Garrick extended his hand to Aiden, and after a brief moment of surprise, Aiden took it. The handshake was firm but not overbearing. “It’s good to have you here,” Garrick said quietly. “Your grandfather built something special. I think you’ll do the same.”

Aiden felt a strange warmth at those words, a feeling of belonging slowly settling over him. He had inherited a world full of magic, but more than that, it seemed he had inherited a community as well.