The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

"Alright! Now I see the difference between you at half strength and full strength!"

Aeric slumped onto the weathered wooden bench that sat under the shade of a tall old tree, sweat pouring down his brow and soaking the sleeveless shirt he was wearing.

His chest rose and fell with deep, labored breaths as the exhaustion from the spar finally caught up to him. Aeric leaned back, his head tilting to the sky, eyes half-lidded against the golden sun.

From the corner of his eye, he saw a maiden approach, carrying a pewter jug of water and a small cup. She curtsied shyly before offering him the drink.

Aeric ignored the cup and took the full jug, saying "Thank you" after. He placed the jug on his lips and tilted over, gulping down as the cool liquid slid down and soothed his dry throat.

After a moment, he handed the jug to Alzera, who had taken a seat beside him, her breathing also heavy from their sparring.

"Here," Aeric said, holding the jug out to her with a smirk. "You've earned it too."

Alzera took the jug, her fingers brushing his briefly. "Earned it? It's water not tapeberry wine."

She raised it in a mock toast before draining the rest of it in one go. "Not bad for your first day of real training," she admitted. "You had me at a few times throughout that spar. I'm truly impressed. Some of the things you did, not many could do it on your level. And you're a fast learner too."

Aeric leaned back. "Thank you for the compliment. But I think I had you more than a few times back there."
Your next journey awaits at empire

Alzera choked on the last sip of water, coughing as she shot him a sharp look. "Careful, Prince," she warned, though the faintest hint of a smirk tugged at her lips. "You wouldn't want to lose another spar on your very first day. It's bad luck."

They both laughed, a friendly sound that echoed softly in the quiet training grounds, but the moment quickly gave way to an awkward silence.

Their laughter ended with a hum from both of them and then just the silence, with neither not knowing what to say after. Alzera cleared her throat, setting the empty jug aside.

Aeric glanced at her, remembering just few days ago when he leaped through falling rocks to save her.

"How are the others?" he asked her. "Kael, Ryn, and Bel? Especially Kael — he was good to me back then."

"They're fine," Alzera said, folding her arms and leaning back. "We're already planning another Dungeon Challenge soon. You know how they are — always restless."

Aeric's brow furrowed in thought. "Hey... have you told them yet?" he asked quietly. "About me, I mean. That I'm the Prince."

She hesitated, unfolding her arms and looking over to the horizon. "No," she finally admitted. "I guess I will eventually. But… I don't even believe it myself sometimes. And it also hasn't come up that much, I don't think."

Aeric chuckled, shaking his head. "Don't really what to say about that."

Alzera laughed slightly. "I'll tell them soon."

Aeric sat back, quiet for a while as he pondered. Now was the best time to bring forward his idea.

He leaned forward now, drying the rest of the sweat on his forehead as he rested his elbows on his knees.

He began to speak, keeping his face on the ground but his eyes narrowed. "I have a proposal for you," he said with the sudden serious tone.

Alzera looked at him with one brow raised, noticing his change in character. "A proposal? Well, what do you have in mind?"

Aeric took a silent deep breath. Well, here goes...

"Rather than preparing for another dungeon, why don't you and your team come train with me? I'm building a team for a battle. A battle against beasts something the size of three Multi Dungeons combined."

Alzera's head bent to the side and she narrowed her eyes "Mursbridge?" she said with realization. You want to battle that Beast Glade?"

A Beast Glade was the term for a place completely overrun by monstrous beast.

Aeric nodded. "Yes."

Alzera shook her head slowly. "Prince Aeric, you've only begun training. The beasts there are endless and dangerous. They roam in hordes, and their numbers seem endless. It's suicide to go in prepared or unprepared."

"I know," Aeric said, his voice steady. "But it has to be done. The beasts there and their relentless attacks are hurting the people of Starlight.

"Mursbridge, Gulydurk, and the other towns nearby — they've suffered enough. The beasts have caused famines and droughts. And since food, money, and men are being withheld for the coming Wave War, I can't send any to help them. I have to do it myself. But if I don't act, more will die. This is the only way I can help my people."

Alzera stared at him, the weight of his words sinking in.

For a moment, she didn't see him as the courier turned prince she'd been training but as a leader, someone burdened with responsibility far beyond his years. She found herself unexpectedly moved — and undeniably impressed.

"You know, you're… not what I expected," she said softly. "You care deeply for them, don't you? For the people."

Aeric looked away. "It's not just about caring for them. It's about responsibility. It's my responsibility as Prince to protect them. If I don't do it, then they suffer and die. It makes me and the royal family look incompetent."

'Hmm. Intelligent.' Alzera studied him for a moment longer, a hint of admiration glinting in her eyes. "You're more than meets the eye, Prince."

Aeric looked at her and lifted his brow. "You've complimented me a dozen more times than you did back in the Dungeon."

They laughed. Then looked at each other. "Best not to bring up the Dungeon for now."

"That's fair."

Alzera chuckled, but her expression quickly grew serious again. "But you know as well as I do that you can't take on Mursbridge alone. Not even with my team. We'll be overwhelmed."

"I'm not planning to," Aeric assured her. "I've already gathered some Daughters, including Faeryn of Elysium, to join us. And I'm meeting with the Branching Families soon to see if they'll lend men and Awakened Players to the cause."

Alzera frowned, her brows knitting together. "The Branching Families, huh? That's no small task, Prince Aeric. Even Mother Guinevere usually prepares in depth before meeting them. Those people are cunning and stubborn, and they don't give their support unless there's a clear profit for them."

"I know," Aeric replied, his voice resolute. "But I'll find a way to convince them. I have to."

Alzera studied him, her expression a mix of concern and respect. She could see the determination burning in his eyes — the kind of resolve that made leaders out of ordinary men.

Slowly, she got up to her feet, stood in front of him and extended her hand toward him. "Alright, Prince Aeric. If you can get the support of the Branching Families and bring enough men to even the odds, my team and I will stand with you. Mursbridge or wherever else you need us."

Hope filled Aeric and so was a sense of fulfillment as he looked up at her. Then, he got on his feet and grasped her hand firmly. "It's a deal."

They shook on it, sealing their pact with a shared look of mutual trust. Then, the tension broke as Aeric leaned back with a mischievous grin. "How about another spar to celebrate? A friendly one, of course."

Alzera laughed."Friendly? I don't believe that for a second."

Aeric smiled. "Alright, fine. A little wager then. Whoever loses has to give the other the beast core of their biggest kill during the Mursbridge battle."

Alzera threw her head back and laughed again — a genuine, hearty sound that echoed across the training grounds. "You're on, Prince Aeric. Just don't cry when I take your prize."