The sound of waves crashing against the shore greeted us as we stood on the edge of the seashore, gazing out at the endless expanse of blue. In my hand was a magic scroll, its shimmering ink glinting faintly in the morning sun.

  "Alright, everyone, grab your scrolls," I said, holding mine up as the others followed suit. "Remember, these are imbued with Myrdian magic, so don’t lose them. They’re our ticket in and out of Hydrothys."

  Sylas inspected her scroll curiously. “I still can’t believe you came up with this idea, Duke. It’s so convenient. Wasn’t the old way just diving in and hoping for the best?”

  I chuckled. “More or less. During our training, I suggested making the magic transferable to scrolls so we could use it when needed without relying on someone else to cast it. Turns out, the king had considered it before, but…”

  “They didn’t have paper underwater,” Kael finished, tucking his scroll into his belt. “Makes sense. Still, it’s wild that you based this off of Arthur’s experiments.”

  At his words, my grip on the scroll tightened slightly. Arthur. His name always left a bitter taste in my mouth. I took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah, I won’t lie—using his ideas felt… unsettling at first. But it’s not the tools that are bad; it’s how they’re used. Arthur’s methods were twisted, but his theories had potential for good. We’re proof of that.”

  Kael raised an eyebrow. “Deep as usual, Duke.”

  “Alright, enough talk. Let’s go,” Sylas said, rolling her eyes but grinning. She activated her scroll, and a faint blue aura surrounded her before she leapt into the water.

  One by one, we followed, the scrolls activating in our hands and enveloping us in protective auras of Myrdian magic. The sensation was strange yet familiar—the feeling of water around us without ever getting wet.

  It didn’t take long before the sprawling underwater city of Hydrothys came into view. Towers of coral and stone rose majestically, glowing softly with bioluminescent light. As we approached, a crowd of Myrdians had already gathered, their smiles bright as they waved at us.

  “Looks like we’re getting a hero’s welcome,” Kaldor said, his deep voice rumbling with amusement.

  “Well, we did save them from a sea serpent last time,” I pointed out.

  We exchanged greetings and pleasantries with the Myrdians before making our way to the royal chambers. The corridors were just as I remembered—grand and echoing with the quiet hum of magic. When we reached the king’s throne room, the guards pushed the massive doors open for us.

  No sooner had we stepped inside than three knives whizzed through the air toward us.

  Reflex kicked in. I caught one mid-flight and hurled it back toward its source without hesitation. Kaldor sidestepped another, while Kael, as expected, ducked smoothly under the third.

  The knives clattered harmlessly to the ground as a familiar voice rang out. “Well, well. Impressive reflexes. You’ve all come a long way.”

  Standing behind the king’s throne were two figures: Caelum, our former instructor, and his younger brother, Lyren. Both wore identical smirks, though Caelum’s was sharper, more teasing.

  “Is this how you greet all your guests, Caelum?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as I crossed my arms.

  He shrugged, the smirk never leaving his face. “Just testing you. Wouldn’t want you getting rusty now, would we?”

  “You’re lucky I didn’t throw it harder,” I muttered, shaking my head.

  Meanwhile, Sylas and Lyren had already started talking. Or rather, debating.

  “I’ve been working on stabilizing long-range teleportation spells,” Lyren said, his tone animated. “It’s tricky, but I’ve developed a rune system that—”

  “Wait, does it use mana stabilizers or raw energy?” Sylas interrupted, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.

  “Mana stabilizers, of course. Raw energy is too volatile. You’d risk—”

  “Exactly! That’s what I told Duke the other day when—”

  “Alright, alright,” I cut in, waving a hand between them. “Save the magic theory for later, you two.”

  The king chuckled from his throne, his regal voice cutting through the chatter. “Settle down, everyone. We have matters to discuss.”

  We all straightened as he stood. “As I said before, Mira may join your adventures under certain conditions. Let us review them.”

  He began listing off the conditions one by one, and I couldn’t help but feel a surge of relief as he ticked each one off.

  “First, Mira must grow stronger,” the king declared, his deep voice resonating throughout the chamber. “And so must her companions, if they are to face the challenges ahead together. I believe you have all done so during your time training with Caelum and Lyren.”

  Caelum, standing tall and imposing, gave a satisfied nod. “They’ve proven themselves capable. Even you, Duke. Though I’ll admit, I didn’t expect much progress from you this quickly.”

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I said dryly, though I couldn’t suppress the small grin tugging at my lips.

  “Second,” the king continued, “all of you needed to gain the approval of the elite guards. That condition is also fulfilled. Lyren?”

  Lyren, the quieter of the two brothers, gave a rare smile. “They’ve exceeded expectations. Even Kael managed to stop underestimating himself. A rare sight, I must say.”

  Kael crossed his arms and shrugged, though a faint blush crept up his neck. “Well, someone had to keep things interesting.”

  “Third,” the king said, his expression softening slightly, “Mira needed to spend at least three months with her family before venturing out. That time has passed, and I trust the bonds you’ve reforged will guide you on your journey.”

  Sylas, standing beside me, looked down for a moment, her fingers gripping the edge of her tunic. “I think she won’t forget everything you have done for her. But this is where her belong, with you.” She glanced at us, her resolve shining through her eyes.

  “And finally,” the king declared, “a teleportation circle had to be placed in a convenient location to allow you all to return swiftly if needed. Has this been arranged?”

  “About that,” I said, stepping forward. “We set it up on the cliffside near the village. Travelers won’t have to deal with, uh, getting soaked or, you know, losing their clothes like the first time I came here.”

  Sylas snickered, barely containing her laughter. “That was entirely your fault for not asking how Myrdian transport worked. Honestly, who just dives in without a plan?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Let’s not revisit that, please.”

  The king’s laughter rumbled warmly. “I see. A thoughtful choice. With all conditions met, I hereby grant Mira permission to join you on your adventures.”

  Before I could even process the declaration, Mira burst out from behind a curtain, her face alight with joy.

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  “YES!” she screamed, sprinting toward us. She threw herself into my arms, nearly knocking me over. “You’re all stuck with me again!”

  Sylas caught Mira in a tight hug next, grinning from ear to ear. “We missed you too, Mira. The team wasn’t the same without you.”

  Kael smirked, leaning casually against the wall. “Just don’t slow us down, okay? We’ve gotten a lot better since last time.” Despite the teasing, his eyes shone with genuine happiness.

  Kaldor, ever calm and composed, placed a hand on Mira’s shoulder and gave her a small nod. “Welcome back, Mira. The journey ahead will be better with you here.”

  Mira’s laughter rang through the chamber, clear and unrestrained. “I can’t wait! We’re going to do so much together. It’s like everything’s finally falling into place.”

  As her excitement filled the room, I found myself grinning despite myself. Watching her hug everyone, seeing the genuine happiness on all their faces—it reminded me why we were here, why we kept moving forward.

  “Alright,” Caelum said, breaking the moment with a clap of his hands. “Celebration’s over. You may be reunited, but don’t let your guard down. The world isn’t going to wait for you to catch up. Stay sharp.”

  Lyren chimed in, his voice softer but no less serious. “And remember, your strength isn’t just your own anymore. You’re a team. Don’t forget that.”

  Mira turned to them, her smile unwavering. “We won’t. Thank you, both of you.”

  As we left the throne room together, the weight of what lay ahead didn’t feel as heavy anymore. With Mira by our side again, it felt like we could face anything.

  Right when we took a few steps out of the grand room, we encountered Mira’s parents, Meryd and Serina, were waiting for us outside. Their expressions were a mix of pride and sorrow as their daughter approached them hesitantly. Mira stopped a few steps short, her hands clenched into fists, as if unsure whether she could bear to say goodbye.

  But then, as if a dam broke, she dashed toward them, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Mother… Father…” she choked out, throwing herself into their embrace.

  Serina knelt down, her long, flowing, silver hair swaying like waves. She cupped Mira’s face gently, wiping her tears. “Oh, my dear Mira. We will miss you so much.”

  Eryndor placed a strong but comforting hand on her shoulder. “You’ve grown into such a brave young woman. We’re so proud of you, Mira. Always remember, no matter where you go, you’ll always have a home here.”

  Mira sniffled, her voice trembling. “I’ll come back. I promise. I’ll visit as much as I can.”

  “We’ll be waiting,” Serina said softly, her voice tinged with sadness but also encouragement.

  After a moment, Mira stepped back, wiping her tears with her sleeve. She glanced at us and smiled through her lingering sobs.

  Then, Eryndor’s gaze turned to me. “Duke, may I speak with you for a moment? Alone.”

  I blinked in surprise but nodded. “Of course.”

  He led me to a nearby balcony that overlooked the city. The view was breathtaking—Hydrothys was alive with shimmering light, Myrdians bustling about, and the vast ocean glimmering just beyond the city’s protective barriers.

  “First,” Eryndor began, his tone serious, “I want to thank you and your friends for saving Mira. As her father, I owe you a debt I can never repay.”

  “You don’t owe us anything, sir,” I replied earnestly. “She’s one of us. We’d do it again without hesitation.”

  Eryndor smiled faintly, leaning on the balcony railing. “Still, I am grateful. And as a father, I must speak to you about something important—the role of being a leader.”

  I straightened, feeling the weight of his words.

  “I wasn’t born into leadership,” he said. “I wasn’t gifted with overwhelming strength or vast magical power. I was the son of humble sailors, and I became a general through sheer determination.”

  He turned to me, his expression hard but kind. “You remind me of myself when I was young. I see the way your friends look to you, Duke. Whether you realize it or not, you’ve taken on the role of their leader.”

  I nodded slowly. “I… I guess I’ve always just tried to do what’s right. But sometimes, it feels like I don’t know if I’m making the right choices.”

  Eryndor chuckled. “That doubt is what makes a good leader. It keeps you grounded. But never let it paralyze you. Trust in your friends and your own instincts.”

  He paused, then began sharing his story. “I wasn’t always here, you know. I was born human, just like you. My parents were sailors, and we lived happily by the sea. But when I was ten, the lake that sustained us was closed off, and we decided to set sail in search of a new life. Those days on the ocean were rough, but they were also some of the happiest of my life.”

  He clenched the railing as his voice grew quieter. “Until the storm came. A lightning strike split our ship in two. My father vanished into the waves, and my mother tried to save me, dragging me toward the lifeboat. But another strike hit, and I was thrown into the ocean’s depths.”

  I swallowed hard, my throat tightening. “You thought you were going to die.”

  He nodded. “I did. But instead, I woke up here, in Hydrothys. The Myrdians found me, cared for me, and raised me as one of their own. It was here that I met Serina, the king’s daughter. It was love at first sight for me, but I knew I was just a boy with nothing to offer her.”

  Eryndor’s voice grew firmer. “So I joined the army. I trained day and night, pushed myself beyond my limits. Even without magic, I became strong enough to protect this city. When I finally confessed my love to the king, he rejected me outright. But I didn’t give up. I kept trying, failing, and trying again. Eventually, I earned his respect and Serina’s hand.”

  I stared at him, unsure of what to say. His story was heavy, but his resolve was inspiring.

  “Duke,” Eryndor said, breaking the silence, “you remind me of myself. And it seems you and Mira share a bond. Perhaps one day—”

  I cut him off, my face burning. “W-Wait! It’s not like that! I mean, Mira’s great, but I’m not… It’s too soon for me to even think about relationships! A-and it is better if you tell this to Mira, not m–”

  Eryndor laughed heartily, clapping me on the shoulder. “Relax, boy. I’m just teasing you. But it’s good to see you’re honest. If that day ever comes, remember this talk.”

  As Eryndor’s laughter subsided, I took a deep breath and decided it was the right time to bring up something important.

  “Eryndor,” I began, “there’s something I need to ask for your help with.”

  He raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of curiosity. “Go on.”

  I hesitated for a moment, then continued, “It’s about the Drakonians. We’ve recently met someone—a Drakonian named Eregor. He’s trying to reconcile with other races, but… it’s been difficult for him. There’s a lot of fear and mistrust surrounding his people.”

  Eryndor’s eyes widened slightly, and he folded his arms. “Eregor, you say? That name sounds familiar.”

  I nodded. “He’s genuinely kind and determined to prove that his people mean no harm. But he’s up against a wall. I was hoping that maybe, with your influence here in Hydrothys, you could help us build a bridge of understanding.”

  For a moment, Eryndor was silent, his gaze thoughtful. Then he sighed. “You’re not the first to bring up Eregor. A few years ago, he came here. He claimed to be a messenger of peace and sought an audience with us.”

  “What happened?” I asked, leaning forward.

  “He arrived at the city’s outskirts, but before we could arrange any sort of discussion, chaos broke out. The citizens panicked. They feared him, and many of them—particularly the younger ones—started attacking him with water magic, thinking they were defending the city.” Eryndor shook his head, his tone heavy with regret. “He didn’t even fight back. He tried to explain himself, but the attacks kept coming, and eventually, he fled.”

  I frowned. “That’s awful… Did anyone try to stop them?”

  “The royal family was divided,” Eryndor admitted. “Some, like me, wanted to give him a chance, but others shared the citizens’ fear and mistrust. To this day, I don’t understand why they detest him so much. From the brief moments I saw him, he struck me as funny, friendly, and determined. Not the monster so many believe him to be.”

  “Then why…?” I trailed off, the question lingering in the air.

  Eryndor sighed again. “Fear is a powerful force, Duke. And for some, it’s easier to cling to their misconceptions than to challenge them.”

  I nodded slowly, the weight of his words settling over me. “So… will you help him? Help us?”

  A small smile tugged at Eryndor’s lips. “I’ve been trying to help him ever since that day. I’ve reached out to the royal family and the council, trying to convince them to reconsider their stance. But it’s a slow process, and the scars of fear don’t heal easily.”

  Hearing that gave me a flicker of hope. “Thank you, Eryndor. I’ll let Eregor know that he has allies here.”

  Eryndor placed a hand on my shoulder. “And you can tell him that he’s not alone. Change takes time, but with persistence and understanding, it’s possible.”

  I smiled, feeling a newfound respect for Mira’s father. Though his past was marked with hardship, his determination to do what was right shone through.

  I nodded as we shook hands.

  When we returned, Mira immediately noticed my red face. “What happened? What did my dad say to you?”

  “N-Nothing!” I stammered, looking anywhere but at her.

  Her eyes narrowed. “Duke…?”

  “It’s nothing important!” I insisted, walking ahead to avoid her probing questions.

  As we made our way toward the surface, the streets were lined with Myrdians clapping and cheering. From windows and doorways, they waved and called out their goodbyes. The warmth of their support was overwhelming. This feels like when a party just killed a demon king and returns in happiness in some sort of fantasy movie.

  Mira, still pestering me about the conversation with her father, skipped beside me, her curiosity relentless. Meanwhile, the rest of our group chuckled at my predicament.

  Despite the teasing, I couldn’t help but smile. With the Myrdians’ blessing and our group reunited, the journey ahead felt brighter than ever.