The day seemed to fly by in a whirlwind of sounds, the afternoon slipping away in a blur. Loden and Wulfric, acting as gracious companions and warriors, escorted Kaiden back to his chambers, providing him with a much-needed reprieve from the noisy and joyous celebration taking place both within and outside the palace grounds.

Upon retreating from the courtyard, Kaiden felt a wave of relief wash over him. The weight of the citizens' gaze, their eyes following him every move as he conversed with the Empress and Emperor and then made his way toward the palace doors, had left his skin feeling distinctly prickled with goosebumps. Kaiden exhaled softly, the quiet and relative tranquility of the palace halls offering a welcome refuge from the commotion outside.

Kaiden, as he walked beside Loden and Wulfric, found himself replaying the events of the ritual in his mind. The memory of the messenger wolf behaving strangely and the revelation that Rhoesida was actually Carwyn in disguise flashed through his thoughts. One surprise after another had taken place during the ritual, leaving Kaiden feeling somewhat overwhelmed. At least that part is over, he thought to himself, taking a moment to exhale softly.

Loden and Wulfric walked alongside Kaiden in contemplative silence. Perhaps they were also recalling back on the recent events during the ritual. The weight of the atmosphere hung between them.

Kaiden's gaze happened to fall upon Loden's belt, where the sword was strapped. The sight of the weapon brought him back to the earlier conversation between the two before the rituals beginning, the memory of it floating to the forefront of his mind.

Kaiden gently cleared his throat in a soft manner, his voice breaking the silence that had settled between them. "Loden," he inquired, pitching his voice to a low volume that nonetheless carried in the quiet surroundings. "Before the ritual, you mentioned wanting to discuss something with me, right?"

Loden, who had been in his own silent contemplation, seemed to suddenly snap back into focus at Kaiden's question. His expression turned serious as he prepared to delve into the topic that had been weighing on his mind.

After taking a moment to collect his thoughts, Loden began to speak, his voice deliberate and measured. "Kaiden," he repeated, his tone betraying some sense of seriousness. "There is a something that I've been wanting to share with you, something that has been on my mind recently."

Kaiden, noticing Loden's concentrated focus, couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity stirring within him. "I'm listening," he responded, his voice tinged with genuine interest. He could sense that Loden intended to discuss a serious matter, and Kaiden wanted to make sure he was fully present and attentive to his friend in any way he could. "I'm all ears."

Loden nodded, grateful for Kaiden's attentive listening. He could see the curiosity in his friend's eyes, a sign that Kaiden was invested in what he had to say; a small reassurance, in a way. "Thank you," Loden said, his voice soft but firm. "What I'm about to tell you... It might be a lot to take in, so please bear with me."

Loden, coming to an unexpected halt in the hallway, caused Kaiden and Wulfric to immediately cease their own pace as well. Kaiden, baffled by the abrupt stop, shot a look of confusion towards Loden, his eyes filled with curiosity. What on earth could be so important that he had to stop here?he thought to himself.

Loden's words were firm and resolute, his voice filled with a mix of determination and emotion. He locked eyes with Kaiden, his gaze intense.

“Kaiden, the information that I am about to share must stay within our group. Wulfric and you must never disclose it to anyone else, for I was sworn to keep it from you until the right time. But I cannot bear the weight of keeping secrets from you as one of your protectors. It is not right for me to hid the truth any longer."

Loden's gaze shifted from Wulfric to Kaiden, his expression conveying a mixture of worry and trepidation. "The night the empress spoke to you about the previous priestess," he began. "She did not share the entire story. There was information that she left out, purposely omitting certain details so as not to provoke you into delving deeper into the past."

Kaiden's gaze widened, his face betraying a mixture of shock and astonishment. "Do you mean," he spoke, his voice tinged with surprise. "The Empress and the Emperor know more about my aunt Molly? Do they know where she is?"

Loden gently interjected, his voice firm yet sympathetic. "Kaiden," he began, his tone carrying an air of gravity. "This information has been privy to only the Elder Council and a few members who have been closely tied to the Celestial Warriors of the past and the Royal family. It is a well-guarded secret, shared only among a select few."

Kaiden's hands trembled with heat, his face growing flushed with anger. "Secret!" he exclaimed, his voice tinged with bitterness and frustration. "My aunt is no secret! She is a person, a living, breathing being. How dare you keep information about her from me."

Kaiden clenched his hands into tight fists, the pendant around his neck suddenly emitting a brief burst of coldness against his skin, as if reminding him to remain calm. The pendant's unexpected chill served as a fleeting anchor, a brief moment of clarity amidst his rising anger.

Wulfric, noticing Kaiden's rising anger, cautiously stepped towards him, a look of concern etched on his face. "Kaiden," he implored, his voice measured yet reassuring. "Please, calm down. Loden didn't mean to keep this from you. He's going against his loyalty to the empress just to share this information with you. Please, listen before jumping to conclusions."

Kaiden quickly composed himself, his anger subsiding after Wulfric's reassurance. He turned back to Loden, his expression remorseful. "I'm sorry," he spoke, his voice sincere. "I shouldn't have snapped at you like that. I apologize. Please, go on. I'm all ears."

Loden nods, his eyes holding a slight glimmer of understanding. "It's alright," Loden replies, his tone softer now. "It's understandable given the circumstances."

He takes a breath, steeling himself to continue. "The reason why the information regarding your Aunt Molly was held back from you is because of sensitive matters related to her disappearance. The Elder Council and select few who have knowledge of it were not sure how you would react if you knew the truth."

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As Loden prepared to continue, another voice suddenly broke in, speaking with a familiar feminine tone. Kaiden turned to see who it was and was shocked to hear a statement that sent a chill down his spine.

“The truth is," the voice said, "that your aunt is still alive in this world, but she is being held hostage, unable to be rescued due to the limitations of our empire."

The trio's eyes widened in surprise as they turned to face the speaker. There, standing behind Loden, was the unmistakable figure of the Empress Caecilia herself. Her expression revealed a hint of annoyance, and a slight smirk tugged at the corners of her lips. Surprised and quickly composing themselves, Kaiden, Loden, and Wulfric instantly bowed respectfully in her presence.

The Empress, with a dismissive wave of her hand, instructed them not to bow any longer. She let out a sound of slight reproach, "Tsk tsk, Loden," she chided. "You were not supposed to reveal anything to the priestess. This could disrupt the chain of events that need to unfold."

There was a mix of annoyance and mild frustration in her voice, as she shook her head side to side. "Warriors and their ethics," she muttered, clearly referring to Loden's actions.

The trio rose at the Empress' gesture, a mixture of relief and uncertainty on their faces. Loden, a hint of guilt in his eyes, spoke up. "Apologies, Empress," he said, his voice carrying a tinge of regret. "It's just... Kaiden has a right to know. Keeping him in the dark, it didn't feel... right."

The Empress' tone was firm, a hint of censure in her words. "What is right is not for you to decide," she firmly reminded Loden. "Your role is to protect Kaiden. Revealing this information could potentially disrupt the course of events that have been foretold.”

Loden's expression hardened slightly as the Empress dismissed his actions. "With all due respect, Empress," he countered, struggling to keep his irritation in check. "What I consider right is based on my own values and loyalty. My duty is to protect, but it's also to guide and support in the best way I can."

He took a deep breath, trying to reign in his frustration. "I understand your perspective, but I couldn't bear the thought of keeping the truth from Kaiden. He deserves to know."

Kaiden's frustration reached a boiling point as he listened to the constant back-and-forth between Loden and the Empress, his anger building at being disregarded and treated like an object instead of a person in the room.

“Stop speaking about me when I am right here," he snapped, his voice filled with a mix of anger and hurt. Immediately, Wulfric, Loden, and the Empress all felt as if a jolt had ran through the air around them, an unmistakable charge of emotions lingering.

The tension in the air dissipates slightly as the Empress and Loden apologize to Kaiden, acknowledging their disregard for his presence in the conversation. Loden glances at the Empress, a silent question in his eyes.

"Are you going to tell him what you told me?" Loden asked the Empress, his voice now softer, respectful. "Or do you want me to do it?"

Loden's question prompted a brief silence as the Empress considered her response. After a moment, she responded, "I will tell him myself."

She stepped closer to Kaiden and looked him directly in the eyes, her expression both serious and compassionate. Then she continued, "Kaiden," her voice gentle yet firm. "I didn’t want to tell you this information due to the fact that this will lead you to act recklessly but I have no choice now. "

The Empress spoke, her voice filled with a heavy gravity that made Kaiden's heart sink. "We have known the truth about your Aunt for many years now," she began, her words careful and measured. "She is alive and in a deep sleep, held hostage in Aroupazia. It was the warriors of Vespera who stole her away during the last summoning ritual."

Kaiden's eyes widened as if the pieces of a puzzle were falling into place, a mix of surprise and realization. He recalled his dream, vividly remembering the sight of his Aunt being kidnapped during the ritual. "I knew it," he murmured, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness mixed with determination.

The Empress continued her explanation, not noticing Kaiden's soft murmur of realization. "The Celestial Warriors assigned to protect your aunt searched for her and located her, but mounting a rescue was deemed too risky as it would likely lead to conflict with the other empire and their deity. We have stood by and waited for the next priestess to come and save the empire, and ultimately, your aunt as well."

The Empress concluded her explanation, emphasizing the crucial role that Kaiden would play. "With the power gained from summoning Astryaln, you would be able to accomplish two critical objectives: rescue your Aunt Molly and restore the empire to its original state, safeguarding it from the dangers looming on the horizon within the next few months," she said, her voice filled with conviction.

Kaiden, processing the information, nods his head slightly but then counters with a question. "Why can't we go save her now?" he asked, his voice carrying a mixture of impatience and determination. "We could approach the situation with stealth and secrecy, ensuring that the other empires remain oblivious to our actions."

Wulfric cuts in before the Empress responds, offering an explanation. "The celestial warriors of Vespera would sense our celestial presence within their empire," he says. "That's why no one has tried to infiltrate since the previous warriors. We don't want to spark a war over a rescue mission."

Kaiden clenched his fists, frustration and helplessness swirling inside him like a tempest. "I know you're right," he murmured, his voice filled with resignation. But a nagging thought tugged at his mind as the Empress' words echoed in his head. "Wait," he said, his eyes refocusing. "You spoke of a danger that is looming. What is it? Astryaln hasn't specified what it is. Can you please elaborate?"

The Empress looked down, her eyes reflecting a deep sense of sadness and uncertainty. She met Kaiden's gaze, her voice carrying a heavy weight. "I must admit, I do not have complete knowledge of the specific threat that looms," she admitted, her tone laced with a hint of despair. "All I know is that our empire is in grave danger if we do not successfully complete the summoning of Astryaln, both by all the warriors and the priestess this time."

Loden interjects with a gentle cough, seeking to clarify something. "Kaiden," he begins, "the empress and the empire were concerned that if you knew about your aunt, you might recklessly venture into enemy territory to rescue her, potentially endangering yourself as well. That is the primary reason why this information was deliberately held back from you."

The Empress spoke softly, her eyes filled with remorse and guilt as she pleaded for forgiveness. "Please forgive me, Kaiden," she said, her voice laced with regret. "My actions have caused you hardship, and I humbly ask for your forgiveness. We could not bear the loss of another priestess, and I pray that Astryaln can find it within his divine grace to forgive me as well."

Kaiden responded with a reassuring smile, his heart feeling a glimmer of relief. "It's alright, Your Majesty," he said sincerely. "You were simply protecting your people. Astryaln and I forgive you. Knowing that my aunt is okay brings me comfort, and with the warriors' help and Astryaln's power, we will definitely rescue her when the time is right."

Loden and Wulfric echoed their support in unison, their voices filled with determination. "Count on us, we are at your side," they assured Kaiden. "We will ensure your aunt is rescued and the empire saved, no matter the obstacles that stand in our way."

Kaiden couldn't help but burst into laughter. Loden and Wulfric's simultaneous declaration reminded him of animated characters, their synchronized speech striking a humorous chord. The empress, Loden, and Wulfric all observed his outburst with a mixture of confusion and amusement, wondering what had prompted such unexpected mirth.

Kaiden struggled to compose himself, his thoughts rushing to realize how fortunate he was to have such supportive friends and allies by his side. His smile widened, and he couldn't help but look forward to meeting the next warrior, hoping to forge yet another strong friendship.