Six months had passed since the Battle of the North, but for Neil, it felt like only yesterday. The memory of that fateful clash still lingered in his mind—the roar of the Titan Crius, the shattering ice, the screams of the dying. He often found himself lost in thought, his mind drifting back to the frozen tundra and the desperate struggle to seal away the ancient Titan.

Today was one of those rare northern days when the sun shone high, bringing an unusual warmth to Edalyn. Normally frozen in biting cold, the academy grounds had softened under the sun’s touch. Neil sat on a bench beneath an old oak tree, its branches barren but with faint signs of life stirring at their tips. Snow on the ground had begun to melt, revealing patches of earth and even sparse greenery—a sight the north hadn’t seen in centuries.

He closed his eyes, breathing in the surprisingly warm air, hoping to find some solace in the quiet. But even on this rare, temperate day, the past lingered like a shadow, and the echoes of war were hard to silence.

A sudden flutter of wings broke the stillness. Neil opened his eyes to see a golden peregrine bearing the royal crest of Elysion, descending toward him. The bird landed gracefully on the arm of the bench, its beady eyes fixed on him as if urging him to take notice.

Curiosity piqued, Neil gently reached out and untied the rolled parchment from the bird’s leg. The peregrine cooed softly before taking flight, disappearing into the sky.

Unfurling the letter, Neil’s heart skipped a beat as he read the elegant, flowing script:

"To Neil of Edalyn,

By the will of the Crown, you are hereby summoned to the Royal Capital of Aurelia. Your presence is required at the Grand Hall on the first day of Aquarius. Your contributions to the defense of Elysion have not gone unnoticed, and your wisdom and courage are needed for a matter of great importance. May the light of the Celestial Rings guide you.

Signed, King Chris Elysionsonn”

Neil’s hands trembled as he read the letter. King Chris himself had summoned him? In his shock, Neil stood up too quickly, the bench tipping over behind him. He stumbled, nearly falling, much to the amusement of the students passing by. Their giggles filled the air, and Neil’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“Looks like the great scholar is in a hurry!” one of them teased as they walked by.

He managed a small smile in return, though his thoughts were elsewhere. The summons was clear—he had been called to the capital for a reason. Whatever awaited him there, it would be far more than just a meeting. Neil could sense the winds of change blowing again, just as they had before the Battle of the North.

He tucked the letter into his coat, feeling the weight of the message settle. Neil knew he would have to leave soon. He wasn’t the same scholar he once was—he was someone the kingdom now relied upon, someone with power and responsibility.

——

As Neil stood outside the academy gates, adjusting his cloak against the crisp northern wind, he was met by a small crowd of Edalyn’s citizens. Friends, neighbors, and fellow students had gathered to see him off, their faces a blend of pride and excitement. Among them were his closest friends, Peter and Donald, as well as Master Gordon, his mentor, who watched him with a quiet, approving smile.

Peter gave him a playful nudge. "You look like a kid about to visit the city fair for the first time.”

Neil grinned, unable to contain his excitement. "I mean, this is the capital we’re talking about! Do you know how long I’ve wanted to see it?”

Donald chuckled, slapping Neil’s back. "Yeah, yeah. You’re going to the capital, meeting the king… It’s hard not to get swept up in it all. But try not to let your head explode when you see those spires.”

Master Gordon stepped forward, clasping Neil’s shoulder. “Stay focused on why you’re going. You’ve worked hard, and you’re more than ready for this.”

Three guards in gleaming silver armor approached with practiced precision, their expressions as stoic as their armor was polished. The crest of Elysion was emblazoned on their breastplates, catching the sun in a way that seemed almost deliberate.

One of the guards, a tall man with piercing green eyes and a well-trimmed beard, stepped forward and offered Neil a respectful bow.

“Master Neil of Edalyn?” he asked, his voice deep and steady.

Neil nodded, his initial surprise giving way to a mix of awe and excitement. “Yes, that’s me. You’ve come all the way from Aurelia?”

The guard straightened, his armor clinking softly. “Indeed, sir. By royal decree, we’re here to escort you to the capital. I am Captain Feran, and these are my men, Guard Edric and Guard Tovis.” He gestured to the two guards behind him, who each gave Neil a respectful nod.

Neil managed a slightly nervous smile. “It’s, uh… it’s an honor,” he said, his voice catching just slightly. “I didn’t expect a royal escort.”

“His Majesty, King Chris, wanted to ensure you traveled in safety and comfort,” Captain Feran replied. “You’ve been granted a carriage to the nearest station, and from there, a train will take you the rest of the way.”

Neil’s eyes lit up. “A train… I’ve only read about them. This will be my first time traveling outside the north.”

Captain Feran’s mouth twitched in a faint smile. “The first journey beyond one’s homeland is always memorable. And with your… accomplishments, sir, you’ve more than earned this honor.”

Neil rubbed the back of his neck, still not quite used to the formal address. “Thank you, Captain Feran. And please, just ‘Neil’ is fine.”

Feran’s mouth twitched, though he gave a respectful nod. “As you wish, Neil. But, make no mistake, you have our full respect.” He gestured toward the waiting carriage. “Shall we?”

With heartfelt goodbyes and cheers of encouragement from the crowd, Neil gave a last, slightly self-conscious wave to the gathered students and friends before following the guards to the carriage. Edric, a broad-shouldered guard with a gentle expression, stepped forward and opened the door for him. Peter and Donald stayed behind, giving him an encouraging nod as he climbed inside.

The carriage set off, the rhythm of the horses’ hooves steady and strong as they began the journey to the station. Neil sat back, his initial shyness giving way to curiosity as he looked out the window at the familiar, snow-dusted landscape.

“Captain Feran,” Neil called through the carriage window, “what’s Aurelia like?”

Feran, riding beside the carriage on his horse, glanced over and chuckled. “Aurelia is a city of contrasts, Neil. Majestic spires, bustling markets… and always a bit warmer than our home in the north.”

“Though not warm enough for swimming in the rivers, if that’s what you’re wondering!” Tovis added with a laugh.

Neil laughed along, more at ease. “Good to know. And what about King Chris? Is he really as… inspiring as they say?”

Edric looked thoughtful, leaning closer to the carriage window. “His Majesty is young, yes, but he has a way of bringing people together. You’ll see it when you meet him.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Captain Feran nodded. “In many ways, King Chris is still finding his place. But he has the respect of his people—and the loyalty of those who follow him. That alone speaks volumes.”

A gentle silence settled over the group as Neil took in their words. The young king he’d only seen briefly during the chaos of battle seemed to have a quiet strength he hadn’t noticed before. He felt a mix of nervousness and excitement about meeting the king again.

After a short journey, the carriage came to a stop near the station, and Captain Feran opened the door, offering Neil a hand as he stepped out.

“The train will be here shortly,” Feran said, gesturing to the nearby platform. “We’ll see you safely aboard.”

As Neil waited on the platform, the guards gathered nearby, keeping a respectful distance but still watchful. The towering engine of the train soon appeared in the distance, its whistle piercing the air as it slowed to a stop. Neil felt his heart race—this was it, the first step on his journey to the capital.

“Ready, Neil?” Edric asked, his tone friendly but sincere.

Neil took a deep breath, nodding. “More than ready. Thank you, all of you, for bringing me this far.”

“It was an honor,” Captain Feran replied, offering a final bow. “May your journey be swift and your purpose clear. Elysion needs heroes like you, Neil.”

With a parting wave to Captain Feran, Neil stepped onto the train, Edric and Tovis following him as the engine hissed and roared, ready to carry him forward into the unknown.

——

The journey from Edalyn to Aurelia was nothing short of an awakening for Neil. As the train chugged along, the world outside transformed with each passing mile, and he couldn’t pull his eyes away from the window. Snow-blanketed forests, as familiar as his own reflection, slowly yielded to emerald valleys stretching far and wide. Fields rolled out in golden waves, glinting in the sunlight, and viaducts arched gracefully across rivers, their waters glistening as they rushed toward distant horizons.

“Oh, look at that!” Neil gasped, eyes wide, as a pair of deer bounded through a meadow, their coats as tawny as the fields they leaped across.

He fumbled to pull out his notepad, his fingers already itching to capture the scene. “I didn’t know it could be so… alive,” he murmured, sketching furiously as if he could trap the colors in ink and pencil.

Edric, one of the royal guards escorting him, smirked and nudged Tovis with his elbow. “We might just need to pry him away from that window by the time we get there,” he whispered, barely containing his amusement.

Tovis chuckled, shaking his head. “Haven’t you ever seen a deer, Neil?”

“Of course I have,” Neil replied without looking up, his pencil scratching away. “But they’re different in Edalyn, you know? Smaller, paler. And the trees too—they’re so green here. Back home, everything’s blanketed in white.”

Edric raised a brow, genuinely curious. “Never missed the warmth, then?”

Neil shrugged, though his smile was wistful. “I didn’t know warmth like this existed. Everything here feels... brighter somehow.” He continued to scrawl notes, his gaze darting between the scenery and his notebook, his childlike awe drawing quiet smiles from his escorts.

As the train rounded a bend, a cascade of waterfalls came into view, tumbling down a series of rocky ledges. Neil leaned forward, his breath catching. “Incredible,” he whispered, his hand moving almost on its own to sketch the rushing water as it splashed into the lake below.

His companions exchanged another look, both touched by his enthusiasm. But soon, the train’s course changed, and as they neared the borders of Aurelia, the idyllic countryside took a darker turn.

Smoke hung heavy in the distance, and before long, they passed through a charred wasteland that had once been a village. Houses lay in ruin, blackened skeletons against the bleak landscape, and broken walls leaned precariously, a stark reminder of the devastation left in a titan’s wake. Soldiers moved about the ruins, sifting through debris, their faces grim with exhaustion and sorrow.

Neil stilled, his pencil frozen mid-stroke as his eyes took in the wreckage.

“Was this... the work of titans?” His voice was barely a whisper, laden with disbelief.

Edric nodded solemnly. “Only days ago. They Came through like a wildfire—no time to evacuate everyone.”

Tovis leaned forward, his face grim. “This is what we’re up against, Neil. It’s not just Crius or one titan here or there; it’s all of them, wreaking havoc whenever they break free.”

Neil swallowed, his gaze fixed on the charred ruins. “And the people? Did... did anyone survive?”

Edric looked away, jaw tight. “Some did. Most were too slow. It all happened too quickly.”

A heavy silence settled in the carriage, broken only by the rhythmic clatter of the wheels against the tracks. Neil stared down at his notepad, where he’d just captured the cheerful landscapes they’d passed earlier. Now, those sketches felt distant and surreal against the grim sight of the ruined village. Closing the notepad slowly, his fingers lingered on the cover.

“So… this is why I have to keep going, isn’t it?” he murmured, almost to himself. “To put an end to this… to stop them from doing this to anyone else.”

Edric’s gaze softened as he nodded. “Exactly. People need hope, Neil. They need to believe someone’s out there fighting for them.”

Neil tightened his grip on the notepad, his knuckles white. “I’d seen my share of hardships in Edalyn but never… never anything like this.”

Tovis placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “No one’s ever truly ready for it. But that’s why we’re here—to do what we can, because lives depend on it.”

The sight of the burned village lingered in Neil’s mind, solidifying his resolve. He promised himself, right then and there, that he would do everything in his power to prevent this from happening again.

As they approached Aurelia, Neil leaned forward, peering out of the carriage with wide-eyed wonder. The city unfurled below like a tapestry of green hills, its grandeur so unlike anything he’d seen in Edalyn . When the train finally pulled to a stop at the station, he took a breath, feeling the warmth of the temperate air as he shed his heavy coat, letting the scent of greenery and flowers wash over him.

"Welcome to Aurelia, Neil," Tovis said with a grin. "Quite a difference from Edalyn, huh?”

Neil nodded, taking in the towering stone walls adorned with banners in blue and gold, which fluttered in the breeze like something out of a dream. "It’s… beautiful," he murmured, almost at a loss for words. "And the air—it feels like I can breathe again after so long in the cold.”

As he stepped onto the platform, the murmur of the crowd around him grew louder. People craned their necks, children hopped on tiptoes, waving tiny flags and whispering with barely-contained excitement. Fragments of their chatter reached him:

"That’s him! The hero from Edalyn! They say he sealed Crius by himself!”

"I can’t believe someone so young could face a monster like that!”

Neil’s cheeks reddened as he overheard their words, a shy smile tugging at his lips. “I didn’t expect so many people,” he admitted, glancing back at Edric and Tovis, who exchanged knowing smiles.

"Well, it’s not every day we get a hero from the north here," Edric replied, clapping Neil on the back as they helped him into the waiting carriage.

As the procession began, Edric leaned over, speaking quietly, “We thought we’d give you a bit of a tour before heading to the palace. You’ve come all this way; you should see a bit of Aurelia in all its glory.”

Neil’s face lit up, his gaze darting from one sight to the next. Every turn offered something new, each sight more vibrant than the last. As they entered the merchant’s quarter, the streets filled with stalls draped in silks and spices, filling the air with a mix of scents that made his stomach rumble.

"Is that… saffron?" Neil asked, recognizing the rich aroma as they passed a stall. "It’s so expensive back home.”

Tovis laughed. “Yes, and it’s much cheaper here. We have traders from every corner of the realm bringing in things you might have only read about. Keep your eyes open; there’s more.”

The carriage rolled past a group of street performers playing lively tunes on lutes and drums. Children danced around them, their laughter mingling with the music, and Neil couldn’t help but watch in fascination.

“This city is so… alive,” he said, a note of awe in his voice. “In Edalyn, life feels so small, so… closed off compared to this.”

Edric nodded. “Aurelia is a crossroads. There’s no place quite like it in the realm.”

They entered the residential district next, where elegant houses lined the streets, their balconies adorned with blooming flowers and ivy cascading down like waterfalls. Neil leaned out slightly, watching as a woman tended to her garden, humming softly.

Eventually, they reached the central plaza, where statues of past rulers stood guard over a grand fountain. Neil’s eyes fixed on one of the statues, a knight in full armor with a sword raised high.

"That’s King Athelstan," Edric said, noticing Neil’s gaze. "The founding father of Elysionsonn family, the very first Elysian that fought along the Sky Father himself.”

Neil nodded, eyes lingering on the statue. "It’s strange… I’ve read about these names, these people, all my life, but seeing them here, carved in stone, it feels so… real.”

Finally, the gleaming towers of the royal palace came into view, rising like majestic spires against the azure sky. Neil’s breath caught, the sheer scale and beauty of it taking him by surprise. “I’ve read about it in books, but seeing it… it feels like I’ve stepped into a legend,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

As the carriage passed through the palace gates, royal guards lined the courtyard, their armor polished to a mirror shine. The carriage rolled to a stop, and Edric and Tovis climbed out first, then turned to Neil.

"This is where we leave you, Neil," Edric said, offering him a slight bow. “It’s been an honor.”

Neil looked between them, his expression earnest. “Thank you, both of you. I don’t think I could have made it this far without your support.”

Tovis clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. “It was our pleasure to bring you here, Aurelia is lucky to have you.”

As Neil stepped out, the towering gates of the palace opened before him, and he took a deep breath, steadying himself for the next chapter.