The soft rays of the morning sun gently bathed the Elarion castle, spreading across its marbled walls and golden spires that were now in the process of restoration. Though the scars of the recent attack still lingered in every corner—broken towers, shattered homes, and the lingering grief of lost lives—a sense of renewed purpose could be felt in the air. Life had not stopped. It never did in a kingdom as proud and resilient as Elarion.

Inside the castle, Prince Zayn stood before the wide window of his chamber. Though he had awakened only days ago from the mysterious incident, his body had fully recovered, and his mind was sharper than ever. There was something different about him now. Though still cheerful in spirit, a layer of quiet intensity had wrapped itself around him. He was searching—not just for answers about the strange light that had saved the kingdom, but also for how to control and understand the storm inside him.

Queen Anila had noticed it first: the way Zayn's eyes sometimes flickered with crimson when he was lost in thought, the way he no longer laughed as freely. She sat beside him, gently brushing his hair with motherly affection.

"You don’t need to carry everything alone, Zayn," she said softly.

Zayn turned his head slightly. "I know, Mother. But if there’s something in me that can either save this kingdom or destroy it, I need to understand what it is. Before it's too late."

Later that day, Zayn requested an audience with King Hamza. The king welcomed his adopted son into the grand chamber, surrounded by officers and advisors still deep in discussions about rebuilding and reinforcing the kingdom’s defenses.

"What troubles you, my son?" King Hamza asked kindly.

Zayn bowed slightly, then stood tall. "Father, I have a request. If I am to train in Varovia to understand what happened to me, I don’t want to go alone. I want my friends—Sam, Ammar, Hiba, and Zaid—to come with me. They are my team, and I believe we all need this training. Not just in power, but in real combat. We rely too much on our abilities. We need to become stronger with weapons, strategy, and discipline."

The council chamber fell quiet.

General Tahm, standing at the king’s right, nodded approvingly. "He's right. We were unprepared. Our systems failed when our powers vanished."

King Hamza tapped his fingers thoughtfully on the armrest of his throne. He looked at Zayn with pride, then turned to his advisors.

"If we are to build a future where our people can withstand any enemy, we must evolve," he said. "Magic alone cannot protect us. We shall send not just Zayn and his friends, but a whole group of students to train under the guidance of our allies in Varovia. The vampire kingdom has offered us their help. We shall accept it fully."

The council buzzed with agreement.

Within a day, notices were sent across the kingdom. From cities and farmlands, from noble homes and training academies, fifty of the most promising young students were selected. The news spread quickly, bringing a strange mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Many parents felt uneasy sending their children to train in a kingdom long considered mysterious and distant, but King Hamza’s reassurance comforted them. Varovia was a friend now. They had come in peace, offering help when no one else did.

Meanwhile, Zayn informed his team. He gathered Sam, Ammar, Hiba, and Zaid in the royal courtyard.

"We’re going together," Zayn said firmly.

Sam smirked, adjusting his gloves. "You think I’d let you go off alone and have all the fun?"

Ammar laughed, flexing his arms. "Time to show the vampires what strength really means."

Hiba nodded thoughtfully. "Training under vampires might be tough, but it could help us understand more than just fighting. They have knowledge we don’t."

Zaid grinned. "I heard they train on floating platforms and night battlegrounds. Sounds fun."

Zayn smiled at his friends. He was glad they were with him. In a way, they were more than a team. They were his family.

By the end of the week, the castle courtyard was filled with the fifty chosen students, standing with bags packed and expressions ranging from excitement to nervousness. King Hamza addressed them all personally.

"This is not just a training trip. This is the future of Elarion. Learn well. Grow strong. We rebuild not only walls, but spirit."

Queen Anila handed each student a blessed pendant imbued with light, a token of protection for their journey.

When the grand gates opened, the delegation from Varovia waited with sleek black carriages and escorts dressed in elegant dark uniforms. Leading them was Prince Aldric of Varovia, a tall and composed vampire with sharp features and an air of calm dignity.

He bowed respectfully to King Hamza. "We welcome your children to our land. They will be treated as our own."

Zayn noticed how Aldric's eyes briefly rested on him, a flicker of curiosity in the vampire prince's gaze. But he said nothing.

As the carriages rolled out of Elarion, escorted by Elarion guards and vampire knights, the people of the kingdom lined the streets to watch. Some waved. Some shed silent tears. But most looked on with hope. They knew that this journey was not just a military decision. It was a symbol that Elarion would rise again, stronger, wiser.

Behind them, the kingdom had begun rebuilding anew. New structures rose where old ones had fallen. Technology was being developed alongside magic. A new academy was already being planned—one that would train warriors not only in abilities but in combat, logic, and invention. The people worked together, shoulder to shoulder, mending wounds of both stone and soul.

And as the fifty students disappeared into the distance, a new chapter had begun for Elarion—one not written by power alone, but by unity, resilience, and the courage to change.

Prince Zayn leaned back in his seat, watching the kingdom fade behind the trees. For the first time in weeks, a quiet smile returned to his face.

"Let’s begin," he whispered.