"The Solarian Edge: Blade of the Astral Realm"

The Blackwood family had long been the kingdom's sword and shield, known for forging warriors of unparalleled strength. Those who trained under them became monsters on the battlefield, ultimate swords in service of the kingdom. The best of them were promoted to the rank of Shadow Knights, silent protectors whose existence was unknown to the common folk but whose presence ensured the kingdom's safety. Their pride lay in their unshakable loyalty.

The Valreth family, however, thrived in a different domain. Their strength came not from the blade but from the arcane, their mages playing a vital role in the kingdom's wars. Healers, in particular, were indispensable in maintaining the kingdom's military supremacy. Their influence in the royal court was undeniable, their presence in the king's chambers a constant reminder of their power. Yet, despite their historical distance from the Blackwoods, they now sought an alliance. Why? That was the question that loomed over everyone's minds, unanswered and unsettling.

It had been two days since the announcement, and the training grounds had become a place of relentless intensity. The soldiers pushed themselves harder, the clang of swords and the crackle of magic filling the air with an almost desperate energy. No one dared to slack off. Discipline had always been strict, but this was different. As if they were trying to prove something—to themselves, to Eira, to the kingdom.

But she was barely there.

Eira, who never missed a single detail of her soldiers' progress, who always watched over them with sharp eyes, now only cast the briefest of glances before leaving early. The only trace of her presence was the sight of her turned head, her long black hair flowing in the air as she walked away. No one saw the weight on her face. No one could read the turmoil in her heart.

Even those closest to her felt the shift. Her soldiers, her comrades—those who had fought by her side for years—tried to lift her spirits. But their words met a hollow silence. Even Rael, the one who had known her the longest, found his old tricks ineffective. Aldric had quietly reached out to his informants, trying to dig into what was happening behind the palace doors. But there was nothing. No whispers of plots, no signs of coercion. Nothing seemed problematic, and yet, the air was heavy with something none of them could grasp.

Kaius felt it more than anyone.

The morning air was crisp as he ran, but his mind was far from clear. The motion of his legs, the steady rhythm of his breath—none of it helped. His sword training was just as hollow. Swing after swing, block after block, but nothing settled in him. He had always trained to survive, to prove himself, to grow stronger. But now, for the first time, he trained with something to lose.

The realization struck him hard, leaving a hollow ache in his chest. This place, these people—they had given him something he had never dared to want. A space where effort meant something, where he wasn't just another street rat trying to scrape by. Here, when he worked, he was seen. Appreciated. He had people who made him feel safe to be himself.

And now, it was all slipping away.

That night, the unease simmering beneath the surface finally broke.

Theo grumbled as he kicked at the dirt, his usual sharp tongue dulled by frustration. Vaelen, ever perceptive, clapped him on the back and let out a sigh. "Come on, buddy. Let's drink. Who knows how long we'll be together like this?"

The three of them—Kaius, Theo, and Vaelen—found themselves at the tavern, the dim candlelight casting flickering shadows as they drank. The ale was bitter, the laughter forced, but they drank anyway. They talked about nothing and everything, about fights won and lost, about the best meals they'd ever had, about the absurdity of life in a kingdom that never truly rested.

By the time they left, their steps were unsteady, their voices lighter than they had been in days. The streets stretched out before them, empty and quiet, the only witness to their meandering thoughts.

Above them, the moon shone brilliantly, a silent guardian over a kingdom on the brink of change.