Episode 19 – Whispers in the Shadows
The night sky above the isolated valley sparkled with unfamiliar stars. Aeron sat beneath a glowing tree, his eyes closed as he tried to sense the flow of power within him. Energy crackled faintly on his skin—he was getting closer to the next level.
Suddenly, Azrakel appeared, now in full physical form, wearing oversized glasses and a detective coat.
> Azrakel: "Hey, future destroyer of worlds, can you guess what happens when someone important from your mother's side starts snooping around royal business?"
He paused dramatically.
"Drama. Sweet, sweet drama."
> Aeron: "They're here?"
> Azrakel: "Someone from your mother's clan is trying to confirm your identity. And trust me—they're persistent."
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In the Hidden Clan Territory…
A secret meeting was held in the silent temple of Aeron's maternal clan.
> "The King wants to speak with us?" one elder asked, frowning.
> "Yes," said the clan leader, Aeron's grandfather. "And I believe... it's about her."
Whispers echoed across the room. Some were furious, others hopeful. A few elders remembered the girl who vanished long ago—Aeron's mother. And now, with the ring appearing again, it was clear: her bloodline had returned.
> "Prepare for a royal meeting. But until we are certain, do not let word spread. There are enemies hiding in plain sight."
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Back in the Kingdom…
The king sat alone, staring into the flames. The memory of her still burned in his heart. He had learned the truth too late—that the child she carried wasn't his by blood. But the boy… was still hers.
And that made him family.
> King: "If he truly carries her blood… I must protect him from all."
Just then, Ryden entered.
> "Your Majesty," Ryden said, kneeling. "I've sent a message to her clan. They will arrive in three days."
> "Good," the king said. "But until Aeron is ready, his identity remains hidden."
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Aeron's Training – The Storm Before the Rise
As Aeron pushed himself in the valley, something shifted inside him.
> Azrakel: "Oh-ho! That's the spark I've been waiting for."
Suddenly, energy burst from Aeron's body. A seal on his chest glowed bright red, and the air trembled.
> Azrakel: "Level 5—UNLOCKED."
And with it, a mystical object appeared in the sky—a floating black sword with ancient runes.
> Azrakel (to readers): "Hey readers! Big lore drop incoming! At Level 5, people awaken their Guardian Relic. Some get mythical beasts, others get swords, staffs, or even sentient cloaks. It's random, magical, and often… deadly."
> "Guess what Aeron got? A sword forged from stars and screams. How poetic."
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Meanwhile…
That same night, the man who saw Aeron's ring stood at a cliff's edge, facing the ocean.
> "He has the ring… and he's protected by someone even I can't cross," he murmured. "But I will find the truth. For my King. For her."
Behind him, a shadow whispered,
> "What will you do when you find out the boy's identity?"
> "Whatever must be done."
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To Be Continued…