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Kaelus tilted his head, a mocking smile creeping across his face as he repeated Queen Nia’s words. "‘What powers I wield?’ It seems you all are unaware of the forgotten art of the Essence Manifest.”
Queen Nia’s face remained impassive. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
A glint of revelation crossed Kaelus’s dark eyes as he replied, “Then explain the power he just displayed.” His tone dripped with insinuation, hinting directly at Doran’s unexpected surge of strength.
A flicker of realization dawned in Queen Nia’s gaze as memories surged forward, pulling her back to a moment ten years earlier when she had first taught Doran about the Essence Manifest in a private lesson.
The two stood alone in a quiet chamber, the air thick with unspoken responsibility. Queen Nia had looked at Doran, her expression both solemn and proud. “Doran,” she began, her tone unwavering, “you’re about to learn something rare, a power even the most skilled mages would never be able to reach fully.”
Doran’s eyes widened, the glint of curiosity unmistakable. “You’re telling me… no one else has learned this before?”
Queen Nia nodded slowly. “Only one has ever mastered the Essence Manifest at its full potential—my brother, Kaipo himself. He was able to wield it at 100% of its true power.”
Doran’s jaw dropped, admiration and awe written plainly on his face. “One hundred percent? That’s… beyond anything I imagined.”
“Yes,” Queen Nia confirmed, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “And even the High Mages who fought alongside him in the Second Jewel War only reached around 75%. No one has ever touched the level my brother achieved. It was as if he alone could unlock every hidden layer of power within it.” She took a breath, then continued, “When we were revived fifty years ago, I inherited this power, but only at a fraction of its strength.”
Doran tilted his head, interest gleaming in his eyes. “How much are we talking?”
“Only 25%,” she replied. “A mere quarter of what my brother commanded. That’s the limit of what I can use—and pass on to you.”
Doran’s face lit up with uncontained excitement. “Twenty-five percent? Then I’ll just train until I break past that cap. I’ll figure out how to tap into more!” His hands clenched with enthusiasm as he paced, already envisioning himself mastering what lay ahead.
Queen Nia’s smile softened, but her tone grew sharper. “You mustn’t be so eager, Doran. This power isn’t something to flaunt, nor to push beyond its intended boundaries. Even with Kaipo’s skill, there was a reason no one else could reach his level. There are costs, consequences, far greater than you or I can imagine.”
Doran stopped, looking back at her. “But what if we’re in a life-or-death situation? Wouldn’t it be worth it then?”
She stepped closer, her gaze piercing. “Even then, 25% is the absolute limit. This is a last resort, Doran, to be used only when no other options remain. Kaipo’s limit of 25% may well have been set to prevent anyone from abusing or succumbing to this power’s effects.”
Doran nodded, though the glint in his eye showed he wasn’t entirely convinced. “Alright, but you can’t blame me if I aim higher. If I manage to push through somehow, you can’t say you didn’t see it coming.”
Queen Nia gave a quiet, knowing smile. “Perhaps. But remember what I’ve said today. This isn’t just about power—it’s about responsibility. Promise me you won’t abuse this.”
Doran’s expression softened, his gaze meeting hers with sincerity. “You have my word, Queen Nia. Only when it’s absolutely necessary.”
She nodded, the weight of their exchange hanging in the air as she silently hoped he would remember her warning when the time came.
The memory faded, and as Queen Nia’s focus returned to the present, she met Kaelus’s gaze, her face betraying nothing. “Yes, it was Essence Manifest,” she admitted, “but that’s all you’re getting from me.”
Kaelus’s smile twisted into something darker. “You know, we’ve been searching for that very information. You’re certain you don’t want to say more?” His voice was calm, menacing, as if he already knew her answer.
Then, without warning, Kaelus’s eyes widened, his Obsidian Revelation activating, granting him insight just a split second before a colossal Water Dragon erupted from the earth beneath him. With a swift movement, he vanished, reappearing in mid-air, just beyond the dragon’s reach.
Queen Nia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Kaelus looked down at her, suspended in the air. “It’s no use, Queen Nia,” he called, his voice dripping with superiority. “I know your moves before you even think of them.”
Just as the words left his mouth, an unexpected pulse shook his body. His heart thudded heavily, and suddenly, Kaelus felt his control slipping. His knees buckled, and he tumbled to the ground, gasping in confusion as ghostly images of Captain Doran appeared around him, flickering and haunting his vision.
Queen Nia walked toward him, her steps slow and deliberate, a look of understanding in her eyes. “It seems Doran’s strike carried an aftereffect you didn’t account for. You may have a form of omniscience, Kaelus, but it seems your power only adjusts to the strongest threat in the area. By the time Doran’s last punch landed, I was already here. And so, your focus shifted to me, leaving you blind to the residual effects of his strike.”
Kaelus gritted his teeth, struggling to lift himself. “How… how do you know so much about my power?” he demanded, a mix of fear and anger twisting his features.
Queen Nia’s calm gaze didn’t falter. “I’m simply smarter than you,” she replied with quiet confidence.
Panic overtook Kaelus as his Obsidian Revelation showed him a chilling vision. Desperate, he attempted to slip into the shadows, his form flickering as he tried to escape. But just as his vision had predicted, Queen Nia moved with calculated precision, summoning her Celestial Water Dragon. The massive, ethereal beast surged forth, enveloping him in a torrent of celestial water, its touch eroding his strength as if cleansing the darkness from him. The dragon’s mere presence was enough to stagger Kaelus, draining his remaining power.
Stumbling, Kaelus tried to regain his footing, but Queen Nia was already several steps ahead. She lifted her hand, summoning a shimmering portal—her Celestial Water Gate. The gate opened around them, connecting their location to Fort Vigilance.
In a single, fluid movement, Queen Nia transported both herself and Kaelus through the gate. They reappeared at Fort Vigilance, the stronghold buzzing with activity as its occupants took notice of their arrival. Kaelus slumped to the ground, defeated and restrained, the weight of his capture settling over him.
Queen Nia straightened, casting a final, unyielding gaze over Kaelus, knowing they had finally captured a member of The Eclipse Sovereignty. The chapter closed on this image, as Fort Vigilance prepared for what was to come.32Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPH6v8Rdxe
