CHAPTER 33: GOOD MORNING

"Aurelius is first among equals, but barely. Each chosen one has their own sphere of influence." Finn’s expression grew grim. "Jack is walking into a nest of vipers."

Depending on how a chosen one is brought up, determines their influence. Someone like Aurelius who was seized by the crown at the age of six, would be completely loyal to the crown.

Lady Genevieve absorbed this information with the cold calculation of a general planning a campaign. "Any weaknesses we should know about?"

"Lyra is obsessively honorable. She won’t break her word once given, but getting that word is the trick. Sera..." Finn shrugged. "Sera does whatever amuses her most at any given moment. She might help Jack just to see what happens."

"And Aurelius?"

"Aurelius has no weaknesses I ever discovered. He’s smart, powerful, and completely devoted to what he sees as the greater good of the kingdom. He’ll do terrible things without hesitation if he believes they serve the realm’s interests." Finn met Alaric’s gaze. "He genuinely thinks he’s saving Jack from you."

"There’s something else," Finn continued reluctantly. "Chosen ones don’t just serve the crown, we’re expected to breed. The royal bloodline wants to ensure that divine blessings can be passed down to future generations. Jack won’t just be a weapon; he’ll be treated like a prized stallion."

Celeste made a sound of disgust. "They want to use him to create more chosen ones?"

"It’s how the system perpetuates itself. Most chosen ones are either born into it or recruited young enough to be molded. Jack didn’t awaken until he was sixteen instead of six. They’ll try to break him down and rebuild him in their image."

Alaric’s dark mana flared so violently that frost began to form on the balcony railing. "Like hell they will."

"That’s why we need to move carefully," Finn emphasized.

"What do you suggest?" Lady Genevieve asked.

"We play their game. Present yourselves as concerned nobles seeking an audience with your son. Accept whatever restrictions they place on the meeting. And then we find a way to get Jack alone long enough to give him a choice, stay and serve, or come home and face whatever consequences follow."

"He’ll choose family," Celeste said with quiet confidence.

"Let’s hope so," Finn replied. "Because if he decides to stay, if he embraces what they’re offering him, then we’ve lost him forever. Chosen ones who fully accept their role become different. Still human, but not in any way that matters."

The conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Cassius Sunblade, his crimson wyvern landing in the courtyard below with a thunder of wings.

The lord looked haggard, his normally immaculate appearance showing signs of sleepless nights and hard travel.

"Alaric!" he called up from the courtyard. "We need to talk. Now."

The group descended to meet him, finding Cassius pacing in front of his exhausted mount. His wyvern’s scales were not as shiny as they should be., and her breathing was labored.

They had been flying hard for days.

"What news?" Alaric demanded.

"The worst kind." Cassius ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I’ve been to three neighboring kingdoms in the past two days, calling in every favor and debt I’m owed. The response has been... unpleasant."

He pulled out a scroll and unrolled it with shaking hands. "Official statement from King of Draconia: ’The Kingdom of Draconia recognizes King Eric’s sovereign right to manage chosen ones within his realm and will not interfere in internal Elysium affairs.’"

Lady Genevieve’s expression could have killed flowers. "And the others?"

"Cordelia sent basically the same message, wrapped in more diplomatic language. Sanctorium’s response was even worse... They want Jack for themselves."

"So we’re alone," Octavia said quietly.

He pulled out another scroll, this one sealed with black wax. "I promise that House Sunblade stands with House Kaiser, regardless of the political consequences."

For the first time in two days, Alaric smiled, but it wasn’t a pleasant expression.

"Then it seems we have work to do."

As the sun began to set, painting the crater in shades of gold and crimson, a small convoy formed in the courtyard. Two armored carriages flanked by mounted guards.

It was a delicate balance, projecting strength while avoiding provocation.

Lady Genevieve supervised the loading of their luggage, while her daughters made final checks of their traveling gear.

Alaric stood apart, his attention focused inward as he prepared for what might be the most important political negotiation of his life.

Finn’s knowledge of the royal court would be invaluable, and his former status as a chosen one might open doors that would otherwise remain closed.

"Second thoughts?" Alaric asked as the former prophet joined him.

"Constantly," Finn replied. "But I know the struggle Jack will face. Plus, I don’t want your wife to flay me.

As the convoy prepared to depart, Adrian approached with a final report. "The dragon harvest will continue in our absence. I’ve left instructions for the scales of lower tier dragons and meat to be distributed among the citizens, The valuable materials will be secured in the treasury."

"Good." Alaric mounted his horse, a massive black destrier. "If we don’t return..."

"You will," Adrian interrupted firmly. "Bring the young master home, my lord. Sorne isn’t the same without him."

The journey to the capital would take five days of hard travel through mountains and farmland.

None of them spoke as they left Sorne behind. There would be time for words later. For now, there was only the road ahead and the grim determination that had carried House Kaiser through centuries of challenge and change

--

In a tower, above Elysium’s most well-defended town, a young man started to wake up. The first thing he noticed was the absence of pain.

The crushing agony that had accompanied his use of divine power was gone, replaced by a bone-deep weariness that made even breathing an effort.

The second thing he noticed was that everything was wrong.

The ceiling above him was made of polished marble inlaid with gold. The bed beneath him was too soft, too large, covered in silk sheets that probably cost more than most people earned in a lifetime.

Sunlight streamed through windows of perfect crystal, casting rainbow patterns across walls hung with tapestries.

This wasn’t his room. This wasn’t his home.

When Jack tried to sit up, the world tilted sideways like a ship in a storm. His inner ear screamed protests as vertigo crashed over him in nauseating waves.

His body felt strange, lighter somehow, as if some fundamental part of himself had been burned away in that final moment of divine fury.

His hands trembled as he raised them into the rainbow-scattered light, and what he saw made his breath catch. His skin held a faint luminescence,

System, status report.

[Good morning, Jack. You have been unconscious for 2 days, 14 hours, and 23 minutes.]

[Warning: Your body has undergone significant trauma from divine power channeling. Full recovery will require additional rest and nutrition.]

[Current location: Royal Palace of Elysium, Tower of Chosen Ones.]

Royal Palace. Tower of Chosen Ones. Everything came flooding back like a surging tidal wave.

He was a prisoner. A valuable, carefully maintained prisoner, but a prisoner nonetheless.

Jack swung his legs over the side of the bed, fighting another wave of dizziness as his bare feet touched the cold marble floor. He was wearing a simple white robe that he definitely hadn’t put on himself.

Someone had undressed him, bathed him, and tended to his injuries while he was unconscious.

The thought made his skin crawl.

Across the room, a door opened with the soft whisper of perfectly balanced hinges.

A young woman entered, carrying a tray of food and moving with the fluid grace of someone trained in combat.

Her hair cascaded down her shoulders like liquid moonlight, each strand catching the crystal window’s light.

When she saw that Jack was awake, she paused and offered a slight bow.

"Lord Kaiser," she said, her voice was soft and gentle. "I am Lyra Moonwhisper. Welcome to your new home."