From the balcony of the palace, Xu Yang looked over the city, drawn to the afternoon sunlight reflecting off the buildings below. Children were playing in the streets, covered in mud, chatting with their friends. It was such an endearing sight, he couldn’t help but smile, recalling a time when Zhen Xue, Ming Yi, and he would do the same. 

“You are worth protecting,” he whispered as the wind swept across his face. The song that followed felt like a gentle reminder of his trials ahead, a song praying for his safe return.

“Oh, crown of gold, do you remember?” a woman sang, strumming a lyre before the children. “We were once not so lost under your rule. Swords held high, an empire shining brightly, not fractured in two. Oh, crown of gold, do you notice the making of a hero’s brew? Eyes set ablaze, words resolute. He reminds us so much of you in your youth. Oh, crown of gold, with your embers that have gone cold, let us fall no longer. May this young hero restore our once proud nation.”

Xu Yang’s hands tightened on the railing before him when she finished. “Soon,” he whispered back, like a promise, as though the city below could hear him. He lingered for a moment before heading back inside. 

Xu Yang didn’t consider himself a sentimental person, but hearing those words spoken from the weight of time, he could not deny the tremble in his soul.

Ever since the gods left the mortal realm, the power hierarchy had become complex. 

Few people realized that while the Alistairs maintained authority, the actual strength of Cassanova came from the Unruly, who would protect the peace behind the scenes. If not for Li Wei and his group, the dark creatures that roam Lemuria would have consumed them long ago. 

However, a problem occurred over the last century, after his generation began. A problem so scarcely known that not even his clever brother knew about.

The Unruly were slowly losing their powers, just like the gods once did. It was hard not to take notice of how the victim cases had grown, mounting by the dozens. Only those with access to the royal library archive would know this, though. The Unruly kept this secret hidden very well, and unfortunately, Li Wei gave no indication that his theory was correct, but that didn’t matter. 

Xu Yang was determined to find answers, a way to restore their power, and a way to force the gods to return. With their combined efforts, Cassanova would be unstoppable. Nothing, not even Caelestis, could tear this kingdom apart.

He had twelve days to figure this out before Caelestis arrived.

With a sigh buried in his chest, he made his way towards the private library. He’d have to speed up his work. Of course he hadn’t forgotten his brother’s vision about Calisaya, how she was the chosen one, destined to protect Cassanova from Caelestis and future calamity, but on the chance that plan didn’t work out, at least there were other options. 

There must be a reason the gods lost their powers. He was certain that by finding that answer, he’d be able to help the Unruly, too. While he continued to mull over theories, he noted the hallways were empty, meaning he could walk without being harassed by his mother. 

After the announcement yesterday, starting from the moment he publicly disowned his brother, his mother had been harassing him every chance she could get, no longer feeding him sweet words to wrap him around her finger. 

She got what she wanted, so he was no longer necessary. Zhen Xue was no longer the ruler, and since Xu Yang had always been very helpful to her, she didn’t think he would disobey her. Therefore, to his blissfully unaware mother, the crown was hers to claim. 

The only obstacle left for her now was the King, whose health seemed to have deteriorated since last night. It still didn’t sit right with him when Zhen Xue told him about that part of the plan. He could not deny that the thought of his father being poisoned made his stomach twist into a knot. 

After all, no matter what his father did, that was still his father, but Xu Yang wasn’t so softhearted as not to let him suffer a bit. Especially when his negligence was the root cause of their problems. If he had done research like Xu Yang, they wouldn’t be in this mess.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, he paused with a sudden chill. 

Someone was watching him. 

Thinking fast, he spun around on his heels, prepared to draw his sword, only to stand down at the sight of Ming Yi.

Ming Yi visibly stiffened, surprised to be stopped. 

“You still haven’t showered yet?” Xu Yang demanded, scrunching his nose. 

Ming Yi glared at him, shoving past. “Busy,” he stated. The library doors shuttered as he opened them, and Xu Yang followed him inside.

“Busy doing what exactly?” he asked, matching his strides.

“None of your concern,” Ming Yi quipped back. It wasn’t just that he smelled terrible, but he looked the part too. His hair was uncombed, dark circles under his eyes, and there was this dark aura around him that was uncomfortable to say the least.

Xu Yang stared after him with growing concern. Normally, Ming Yi’s rebelliousness wouldn’t bother him, but he needed to be sure this knucklehead hadn’t completely gone bonkers in his brother’s absence. He unsheathed his sword from the scabbard, holding it to Ming Yi’s neck, stopping him in his tracks. 

The steel glistened under the lights overhead while a moment of silence passed between them. 

“It was already suspicious you didn’t go after my brother, so I will only say this once,” Xu Yang said, holding the hilt firm. “Don’t forget who you serve.”

Ming Yi turned his head just slightly, enough to glare at him. His bright green eyes seemed to glow with intensity. “I serve Dianxia,” he growled low, voice rough. “You may have the crown, but you will never be him.”

After a moment of consideration, Xu Yang relaxed his grip, sheathing his sword. With a sigh, he stared down at Ming Yi, who hadn’t moved yet. “Good enough,” he replied. “At least you haven’t lost your way.”

“Of course I haven’t,” Ming Yi said, looking offended. “Not when he needs me the most.”

“Well, you could have fooled me!” Xu Yang sighed dramatically. “Nearly scared me right into the Underworld. The way you sneaked up on me in the hallway, I thought you were going to cut off my head!”

Upon hearing that, Ming Yi turned around, his expression somber. “I wouldn’t do that, no matter how I might want to after yesterday. Dianxia would be sad to lose you.”

With a scoff, Xu Yang gave him a flat stare filled with dry humor. “Should I be grateful you thought that far?”

“You only did what he asked,” Ming Yi said, looking away with a heavy expression. “I know he can make it hard to refuse him.”

Seeing that Ming Yi wouldn’t bite, Xu Yang sighed, losing his teasing nature. “You’re right, he did.” While crossing his arms, he leaned against the bookshelf with a relaxed posture. “Did he really believe we would let him fight alone?”

“Probably,” Ming Yi replied with quiet defeat.

Xu Yang revealed a grin, determination swelling within him. “Well, that’s too damn bad. So, let’s do our best to catch up to him, okay?” He raised his fist, an offer for Ming Yi to fist bump, and after a moment of blinking in surprise, he did.