Lloyd's face reflected the turmoil brewing within as he replayed the conversation with his father. His brow furrowed, and his eyes narrowed, mirroring the grim expression that had settled on King Zarius' face during their discussion. The memory of his father's words hung in the air like a challenge, and Lloyd couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had taken hold of him.
As he pondered the secrecy surrounding Cyra's existence, Lloyd's gaze drifted around his room, as if searching for answers in the shadows. The truth was, only a select few knew about the little Nephalem's presence within the palace walls - he, his father, and the guards and servants sworn to silence. The outside world remained oblivious, and Lloyd sensed his father's deliberate intent to maintain this secrecy. King Zarius' calculation was clear: revealing Cyra's existence would plunge the world into chaos, and he aimed to control the timing of that revelation.
The weight of this secret pressed down on Lloyd, making his shoulders feel heavy with responsibility. He felt like a pawn in his father's game of power and deception, and the realization left a bitter taste in his mouth. The silence in his room seemed oppressive, punctuated only by the soft crackle of candles and the distant hum of demonic energy. Lloyd's heart felt trapped, caught in a web of intrigue spun by his father's ambition.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Five years had passed since Lloyd's mother vanished, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a deep sense of loss. Now, at the age of 10, Lloyd had grown accustomed to the ache in his heart, but it still lingered, a constant reminder of what he had lost. His father's attempts to explain her disappearance only added to the confusion - had the Angels discovered their secret and eliminated her, or had she simply chosen not to return? Lloyd's mind wrestled with the uncertainty, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something more sinister was at play.
Despite the doubts, Lloyd focused on caring for Cyra, ensuring she received the love and attention she deserved. Yet, he knew that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't replace the motherly care she needed. The guilt he tried to feel never quite materialized, replaced by a growing conviction that his mother's disappearance wasn't her choice. He remembered her promise to protect Cyra, and he knew she wouldn't abandon them without a fight. Someone must have taken her, but who and how remained a mystery.
Lloyd's determination to uncover the truth simmered, waiting for the right moment to surface. For now, he prioritized Cyra's safety and well-being, aware that her rare existence as a Nephalem made her a target. He had heard stories of Xeris, the first Nephalem, and knew that Cyra's presence was a secret worth keeping. His father seemed to share this concern, but Lloyd sensed a hidden motive behind his protectiveness. Still, he chose to trust his father, believing they shared a common goal - to keep Cyra safe from those who would seek to harm her. Little did Lloyd know, his father's true intentions were far more complex...
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
In a majestic space filled with radiant light and adorned with intricate golden accents. The walls lined with towering marble pillars, and the floor made of polished silver stone that reflected the light like a mirror. At the far end of the room, Queen Zoya sat on her throne, her worried expression a stark contrast to the serene atmosphere. Her piercing yellow eyes seemed to bore into the souls of her advisors and guards as they gathered before her.
"My friends, we are gathered here today because we are confused," Queen Zoya began, her voice laced with concern. "We have been searching for Nadia for five years, and yet, she is nowhere to be found." She paused, scanning the room, observing the reactions of her trusted advisors and guards. Some looked perplexed, while others seemed neutral, their faces masks of calm.
"We have searched every nook and corner of Heaven," Queen Zoya continued, "and yet, she remains elusive." She raised her hand, signaling for them to share their thoughts. One of the guards, a seasoned veteran with a rugged face, spoke up.
"Your Majesty, it's possible that she crossed the Bridge of the AfterLife," he suggested, his voice laced with trepidation.
Queen Zoya's expression turned grim, her eyes clouding over with fear. The Bridge of the AfterLife, the connector between Heaven and Hell, was a place few dared to venture. The risk of getting caught and killed was too high, and the thought of Nadia willingly crossing into the realm of the damned was unbearable.
"Thank you, Guard," Queen Zoya said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The opposite realm is indeed a possibility, but the risks are too great. I will not send any of you to your deaths."
With a heavy heart, Queen Zoya dismissed her advisors and guards, leaving her alone to ponder the mystery of Nadia's disappearance. She knew that her friend's suspicious attitude five years ago was connected to her vanishing, but the truth remained elusive. "Where could you be, Nadia?" Queen Zoya whispered to herself, her eyes welling up with tears.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
King Zarius' eyes gleamed with intensity as he gazed at Cyra, his mind set on unlocking her Devilish potential. He would personally oversee her training, molding her into a formidable force to be reckoned with. But for her Angelic side, he had already arranged for a specialized instructor - someone who could harness her heavenly abilities and teach her to wield them with precision.
As for Lloyd, King Zarius' expression turned sour, his thoughts laced with disappointment. He had begun training Lloyd at the tender age of 5, hoping to groom him into a worthy successor. However, Lloyd's lack of progress and natural talent had proven to be a constant frustration. Despite this, King Zarius maintained a facade of paternal interest, hiding his true feelings behind a mask of encouragement. To aid Lloyd's development, he had hired Draco, a powerful and experienced trainer with a formidable reputation.
Draco's appearance was as intimidating as his skills - dark blue hair fell to his shoulders, framing his chiseled features and piercing red eyes. Black horns protruded from his forehead, and his wings, a deep black with crimson streaks, stretched wide enough to cast a ominous shadow. His attire, always black, seemed to absorb the light around him, making him almost invisible in the shadows. Despite his fearsome demeanor, Draco was a master of his craft, and King Zarius had no doubt that he would push Lloyd to his limits.
The training hall was a vast, cavernous space deep within the palace, its walls lined with dark stone and its floor covered in a thick, black mat. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and smoke, and the sound of clashing steel echoed off the walls. Lloyd and Draco stood at the center of the hall, their bodies locked in a fierce battle. Lloyd, his eyes fixed intently on Draco, attempted a kick, but the powerful trainer was too quick, dodging the attack with ease.
Cyra watched, her eyes wide with excitement, as Lloyd and Draco exchanged blows. "Wow, Lloyd is so cool!" she exclaimed, her voice full of admiration. King Zarius smiled, trying to match her tone, and turned to her. "What if you could be even better?" he asked, his eyes glinting with challenge.
Cyra's eyes widened in shock, and she jumped up, clapping her hands. "Really?!" she squealed, her face alight with excitement. King Zarius nodded, gesturing to the ongoing battle. "Just observe their moves, how they stand their ground, keeping their guards up." Cyra gave a thumbs up, pointing to herself. "I can do it! You can count on me!"
King Zarius nodded, his expression serious. "I expect you to try your best, Cyra. Do not disappoint me." His voice was low, but the warning was clear. Cyra nodded sincerely, her eyes locked on his. "I won't, father. I promise."
Under his breath, King Zarius muttered, "You better not." His eyes seemed to bore into Cyra's soul, as if daring her to fail. But Cyra, oblivious to the intensity of his gaze, simply grinned, eager to begin her training.
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
Hand-to-teleport combat was a unique fighting style mastered by Devils, allowing them to teleport short distances and strike from unexpected angles. It required immense concentration, precision, and control, making it a challenging art to learn. Lloyd and Draco were engaged in a intense session, their bodies blurring as they teleported around the training hall, exchanging blows and counterattacks. Cyra watched, fascinated, as they seemed to dance across the room, their movements a testament to their skill and training.
After the session, King Zarius approached Lloyd, his expression serious. "Lloyd, I need you to teach Cyra the basics of combat. She needs to learn how to defend herself before moving on to more advanced training." Lloyd nodded, his face calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of excitement at the prospect of teaching his little sister.
King Zarius' gaze narrowed. "Don't go easy on her, Lloyd. I want to see her pushed to her limits." Lloyd replied with a curt "Alright," but internally, he wanted to defy his father's warning, to go easy on Cyra and protect her from the harsh realities of their world.
King Zarius sensed Lloyd's hesitation and his expression turned stern. "I'm serious, Lloyd. I want to see a change in her fighting style, and I expect you to be the one to bring it out." Lloyd stared back, his eyes locked on his father's, but he knew better than to disobey. He nodded, and King Zarius turned to leave, his silence a clear warning: disobey, and suffer the consequences.
»»—————- ♔ —————-««
Cyra: "Yay! Combat training! Can I use my tail to swat people?"
Lloyd, sweat dropping: "Uh, no Cyra. That's not exactly how it works."
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Also...
King Zarius: "I expect to see improvement in Cyra's fighting skills, Lloyd. No more slacking off."
Lloyd: "Yes, father. Because nothing says 'quality time' like beating up on my little sister."
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[A/N]: I believe it's safe to say that things get more exciting from here! XD
Thanks for reading! ^^
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