The Reapers : Sons of the Void

The sun was just beginning to rise over the jagged edges of the eastern cliffs. A pale golden light spilled across the vast royal grounds, and the thin morning chill carried the metallic scent of old stones and sword oil into the air.

Felix stood alone at the edge of the training grounds. His hands were clasped behind his back, his gaze locked on the horizon—but his mind was far beyond it.

Miller's dream echoed in his thoughts: a forest of shadow, a voice from beneath the earth, and flames stretching toward the stars... These were not ordinary dreams. When Miller described the eye of fire, Felix had felt a chill inside. He had seen that symbol before—long ago, in a forbidden scroll.

This wasn't just a dream. It was an echo of an ancient current.

"Hybrid..." Felix whispered.

The word clung to his lips like ash.

He had known Miller was different the moment he touched the crystal. But this wasn't just about being a Reaper. The orange-black ring, the dual light in his eyes, the way the world seemed to hold its breath around him... These things couldn't come from an ordinary warrior.

Miller wasn't just a Reaper. He was something older.

"Why didn't Pendragon say anything?" Felix muttered. "Why hide it?"

Was it fear? Protection? Or guilt?

Pendragon had chosen not to tell Miller the truth—for now.

But Felix was the one training them. He had to know.

So he stood, caught in the morning wind, trying to understand the fire that had awakened within that boy.

Leonhardt Palace – Southern Garden

Miller spun the wooden sword in his hand, though his mind was elsewhere.

Brien stood beside him, tapping his shoulder with his own practice blade.

"Wake up, dream boy… is lava-eye still breathing?" he grinned.

Miller shook his head, snapping back to the present.

"Just thinking."

Brien turned dramatically. "Let me guess. More of those mysterious flames and ancient voices?"

Miller's silence was answer enough.

Just as Brien was about to crack another joke, a familiar voice echoed through the garden.

"Line up!"

Felix approached, clad in dark gray training armor. The crest of the royal guard gleamed on his shoulder. His face was unreadable.

"Your day in the kingdom is over. Now, it's time to awaken on the soil of warriors. Today…" he said firmly, "...we begin learning control over your rings."

He stopped in front of Miller.

"You. You won't train like the others. Because you're not like the others."

Brien winked. "So... I'm different too, right? Eh?"

Felix didn't answer.

"You've touched the crystal. Awakened your first ring. But power without understanding is like a hiltless blade—it cuts the one who holds it."

He drew a circle on the ground with his boot.

"The Ring System," he said, "is more than colorful glows and symbols. It's the resonance of your body, soul, and mind. Each ring is another layer of harmony. From one to ten... your potential reveals itself piece by piece."

Brien raised his hand. "What happens if I reach the tenth ring? Do I become a god, or just get a cool cape?"

Felix didn't laugh.

"The world won't bless you. It will fear you. And sometimes... it will bury you."

Brien decided to stay quiet.

Felix continued. "The first ring grants you 10% of your potential. The second gives 20%... and so on. But each step requires balance. Without it, the ring turns against you."

He turned to Miller.

"You… were born outside this system. Your ring doesn't follow this world's cycle. You must learn faster. Deeper. And in silence."

Miller nodded slowly. He felt the weight of that responsibility.

Brien sighed. "Great. I'm training alongside a lava spirit and a walking mystery box. No pressure."

Felix clapped his hands.

"Enough. Now… show me what you've learned."

Training had begun. And the day was just starting.

Leonhardt Palace – Training Grounds, Mid-Morning Continued

Felix knelt and drew three interlocking circles into the dirt.

Then he looked up at Miller and Brien.

Felix:

"I'll now show you what internal resonance means. Rings are not just numbers… they're frequencies."

He stood and faced Miller.

Felix:

"Miller. Close your eyes. Slow your breath. Reach for your inner ring. Just observe it. Do not force it awake."

Miller took a deep breath. Closed his eyes.

The sound of the wind faded. The birds stopped singing.

In his mind—a darkness... and then a voice.

"Who are you, Miller?"

It echoed from deep within his heart. It wasn't his voice.

But it was familiar.

Like Noctur Veyne… but softer. More intimate.

Suddenly, Miller's body trembled.

A faint orange glow seeped from the corners of his eyes.

Felix (thinking):

"This... it shouldn't have reappeared this fast. He only touched the crystal once. But… the essence inside him is calling."

Felix (aloud):

"Enough! Pull back, Miller. Now!"

Miller opened his eyes. His pupils were not fully orange—they spiraled with black and orange. He was panting.

Miller:

"I… heard that voice again. It's calling me."

Brien (in the background, grinning with his sword lowered):

"My inner voice just asks for cookies. Guess my essence is a baker."

Felix turned sharply to Brien.

Felix:

"No jokes. The inner call is the gateway to a warrior's transformation. Yours hasn't awakened yet, but… it will. Soon."

Brien's expression turned serious.

His eyes flicked to his right hand—as if something had cracked inside.

Isolated Training – Ring Resonance TestFelix moved Brien into the center, just like Miller.

Now, both of them stood within the interlocking circles drawn into the dirt.

Felix:

"This space is a resonance zone. If it synchronizes with you… it will reveal the frequency of your inner ring."

He struck the ground with a wooden staff.

Suddenly, faint vibrations rose from beneath the earth. The rings began to glow.

The ring beneath Brien shimmered faintly white—his eyes twitched but did not glow.

Felix:

"Brien… your first ring hasn't fully opened. It's like the edge has cracked. You're nearing the second ring, but haven't crossed the threshold."

Brien:

"So… I'm a delayed ring? Bit offensive, don't you think?"

Felix:

"No. It means you're building up power. And when it bursts… it'll be much louder."

Miller's ring, on the other hand, vibrated with clear intensity.

But its glow was unstable—sometimes orange, sometimes black, sometimes flickering gray.

Felix (to himself):

"If this… becomes uncontrollable, it could lead to disaster. I must not only train him… but contain him."

Advanced Training – Energy TransmissionBy noon, the sun hung directly overhead.

Felix stood before the two boys, walking slowly with heavy steps.

They were sweating. Exhausted. But their eyes still burned with the hunger to learn.

Felix:

"Now we move to the next level.

'Active ring usage.'

This means calling upon your energy in real combat."

He pointed to several stone pillars that had risen from the earth.

Felix:

"Before touching these pillars, you will summon your ring.

If the pillar responds… you're in sync.

If not, you'll be rejected."

Brien:

"So… if the stone ghost me, I've got weak sauce powers?"

Felix (nodding):

"Exactly. And when stone rejects… it sometimes attacks like an enemy."

First Attempt – Brien and the StoneBrien took a deep breath. Closed his eyes.

He tried to feel some warmth inside… but all he got was hunger.

Brien:

"Felix… this 'essence' thing's hard on an empty stomach."

Felix:

"Focus."

Brien stepped forward. Reached out his hand…

The stone trembled slightly. Then suddenly imploded—crumbled into sand.

Felix:

"You're still unbalanced. But this… is normal.

Once you sense the second ring, this stone… will kneel before you."

Brien raised an eyebrow.

Brien:

"Hopefully it brings me cookies too."

Second Attempt – Miller and the StoneMiller stepped forward without a word.

His hand slowly rose.

His eyes began to change.

Felix took a step back.

Because the aura in the air… had shifted.

The stone… trembled.

Then from within, black-orange light began to seep.

Cracks formed on the surface—but it didn't explode.

Instead, light drew a ring symbol in the center of the stone.

But this ring… had two layers.

Felix (in shock):

"This… this is impossible. Two rings at once? Two powers resonating together?"

End of Training – Tension and SilenceThe energy dissipated.

The drawn rings faded. The stones broke.

Brien collapsed to the ground, breathless.

Miller stood silently. His hands trembled, but his gaze was calm.

Felix watched them. Finally, he spoke aloud:

Felix:

"Today… was different.

Miller. Your power… doesn't follow any system I know.

Tomorrow, you'll begin special training with Pendragon."

Brien (raising his hand half-heartedly):

"And me?"

Felix:

"You… will face the ring.

And hopefully this time, the stone embraces you."

Leonhardt Palace – Royal Tower, EveningThe day had long since faded behind the mountains.

The sky turned violet-blue, and long shadows stretched through the palace windows.

Behind wooden doors, a quiet conversation stirred.

Pendragon stood in his private study atop the tower. His eyes scanned the scrolls before him, but his mind was elsewhere.

A knock at the door.

Pendragon:

"Enter."

The door opened. General Felix stepped in. His posture was, as always, upright—but this time, his expression was a mix of respect and insistence.

Felix:

"Your High Majesty."

Pendragon (looking up):

"What is it, Felix? You worked with the boys today. What did you learn?"

Felix (serious tone):

"Not enough. But one thing is clear…

These boys cannot be kept within these walls."

Pendragon frowned.

Pendragon:

"Speak clearly."

Felix (stepping forward):

"They're not mere soldiers.

They will either become legends in history…

Or the mistake that ends it."

A brief silence filled the room.

Felix pulled out a scroll, sealed in golden ink:

An Admission Permit to Lamora Royal Academy.

Felix:

"The Academy.

We must send them there.

Not just to fight, but to study ancient magic, the history of the rings…

and the darkness in their bloodlines."

Pendragon:

"They're not ready."

Felix:

"They never will be… if we wait for them to be.

Majesty, everything I can teach them here is limited.

The Academy… is not just knowledge. It's a trial.

And without passing that trial, they will never control their true rings."

Pendragon slowly stood, gazing out the window at the stars.

A long silence followed.

Pendragon (quietly):

"I cannot lose them, Felix."

Felix:

"That's exactly why they must go.

Chaos isn't controlled where it's hidden—

It's tamed where it's faced."

Another pause.

Pendragon (turning):

"Will Brien go too?"

Felix:

"We don't know what's inside him.

But we do know this: If Miller goes alone, he will lose balance.

Brien is like his anchor ring.

They must learn together.

And grow together."

Pendragon nodded slowly. His eyes gleamed with determination.

Pendragon:

"Very well. Prepare them.

But Felix…

If the Academy rejects them, this kingdom may lose them."

Felix:

"I know.

But sometimes… the path to victory can only begin by risking loss."

Leonhardt Palace – Training Grounds, At SunsetThe day slowly faded. Silence settled over the training grounds.

No one remained—only Miller and Brien, sitting on the ground, their backs resting against each other.

The ring symbols drawn in the dirt were beginning to fade with the last light.

Brien (pressing his hands into the soil):

"You know...

This whole ring system kinda feels like leveling up in a video game.

But here, you actually feel stronger."

Miller (distracted, spinning his wooden sword):

"Here… leveling up doesn't just mean hitting harder.

It means carrying heavier things.

It's like every ring… digs a little deeper into you."

Brien turned his head toward him.

His eyes were serious—an unusual seriousness for him.

Brien:

"Your ring… it was different.

Not just the color.

Even the air around you... buzzed differently."

Miller (smiling faintly):

"It scared me.

Because… that power isn't fully me.

But now it's part of me."

Brien (lowering his head):

"Why do you think I only got a white ring?

Plain… simple…"

Miller (turning to him):

"A plain ring doesn't shine that brightly for a plain person.

That ring… something woke up inside it.

Maybe your voice."

Brien (grinning):

"My inner voice mostly just screams 'Eat that pastry.'"

They both chuckled softly.

Miller (growing serious):

"I really want to understand, Brien.

Myself… my ring…

Not just to fight.

To control it.

You can't win a war if you don't know what you're fighting inside."

Brien (nodding):

"Me too.

Before, everything was a game. A way out.

But now…

This feels like it matters.

Maybe for the first time… I feel like I belong somewhere."

A short silence followed. The sun disappeared beneath the horizon.

The chill of night crept onto their shoulders as Miller spoke softly:

Miller:

"We're going to the Academy."

Brien (startled):

"Seriously?

How do you know?"

Miller (shrugging):

"Felix's face.

When he makes a decision, his eyes squint and his eyebrows twitch a little."

Brien (mockingly):

"So you read your trainer through… eyebrow analysis?"

Miller (laughing):

"Hey, it counts as a ring too, maybe."

Brien (pausing, then quietly):

"The Academy…

Sounds terrifying.

But also…

Like the right place."

Miller nodded.

Miller:

"What keeps us alive isn't just muscle, Brien.

If we don't understand our rings…

One day we'll lose to ourselves."

Brien stood up, offering his hand to Miller:

"Then…

Let's go.

And find out what we're really in."

Miller took his hand and stood.

There was determination in both their eyes.

Miller:

"Together."