A collective gasp rippled through the High Silhouette Lords. Murmurs of disbelief turned into a rising tide of chatter.
"However," the Speaker interrupted, his voice strained, "the artifact can only decipher four of them at this time. The remaining twenty-two are tightly sealed, hidden from sight, showing only their starting alphabet. The four active powers are... Distance, Order, Repel, and Vector."
Seated on his high perch, Lestel Umbraxis narrowed his eyes, a grim expression crossing his weathered face. He didn't share the crowd's unbridled astonishment. As a master of the Gloam Synod, he understood the lore. Every First Child carried the twenty-six alphabetic powers. But to Lestel, this was just a simple blessing, but also agonizing curse.
"Twenty-six powers," Lestel thought bitterly, glancing at Kael. He will never have enough time, nor ether, to master every single one. More is not inherently better.
But as Lestel looked around the hall, he saw the spark of awe in the eyes of the Dusk Marshals and the Veil Lords. He realized that logic did not matter in this moment. Morale, he conceded internally, is far more important.
The Black Sovereign stood up. His immense cape billowed behind him like a cloud of pure dark matter, and his presence alone silenced the entire coliseum.
"Kael Eidolon has brought hope, strength, and courage to us all this day!" Berstel Un Eidolon roared, as he raised a fist toward the cocoon sky. "In this very era, under the banner of my son, First Child, we will finally halt the expansion of the devouring Black Hole that is occupying the Surface! We will tear through this cocoon sky, and we will march into the Beyond!"
The hall erupted into a deafening roar of cheers, weapons clashing against armor. Amidst the chaos, Kael stood perfectly still, his eyes locked onto the vast sky he was apparently destined to break.
~~
The comforting sofas of the High Nobility quarters did little to muffle the exhaustied Kael. Unlike the other children, who stumbled and strained to maintain even a flickering connection with their bounds, Kael held his bound effortlessly. It wasn't entirely unprecedented in the long lineages of Nocthe Kingdom, but it was rare enough to draw eyes.
The welcoming ceremony, after the First Divide event, had been an agonizingly dull parade of forced smiles, and sycophantic greetings from noble heads pushing their heirs forward.
"Kael, my son will also be attending the academy this term. I highly hope you both can become close friends."
"Kael, please meet my daughter, Lady…"
The voices had begun to blur, until Vestera sensing her son's quiet suffocation, smoothly excused them from the ballroom. She guided Kael through the labyrinthine corridors of the estate, finally slipping into the secured, lavish privacy of the high nobility quarters.
The heavy doors clicked shut, locking out the noise.
"Are you alright, Kael?" Vestera's bound asked, her voice changed to genuine concern. "Was the crowd too overwhelming for you?"
"They were too noisy,"Kael bound's voice echoed, speaking with effortless clarity.
Vestera's bound smiled softly, a mix of pride and wonder warming her expression. "Hmm... you are already able to utilize your bound so smoothly. Most children your age can barely maintain it." She walked over to the grand window overlooking the manicured estate grounds. "Tell me, what do you feel like doing now that you got your bound and powers?"
Kael leaned his head back against the plush velvet sofa, staring up at the vaulted ceiling. "I wish I could explore more. Honestly, mother... I wish I had been born with shapeshifting abilities also. If I could just change my face, I wouldn't have to talk to any of them."
Before Vestera could reply, the heavy oak door swung open without a knock.
"So true. They hop onto you as if you're some glittering treasure," a new voice chimed in. It was a bound's voice, carrying a distinctly playful resonance.
Both Vestera and Kael snapped their attention toward the doorway. Standing there was a young woman radiating an undeniable aura of power and authority, but her demeanor was relaxed and casual.
"I am Zephyra Eidolon," she announced, a small, knowing smirk on her lips. "Daughter to the Queen."
Vestera immediately began to stand to offer a formal greeting to royalty. But Zephyra quickly waved her hand, dismissing the gesture. "Please, it's alright. Keep your seats warm. I just wanted to come see my youngest brother."
Zephyra crossed the room with fluid, graceful strides. She stopped directly in front of Kael, her eyes scanning his face before she reached down and playfully hoisted him up. "Look at you," she laughed softly. "You really are still just a kid."
Kael, caught off guard but trying to maintain his composure, straightened his posture as best as a child could. "Greetings, Big Sister Zephyra. I have actually wanted to meet you... and my other siblings."
Zephyra's smile faltered slightly with skepticism crossing her features as she set him back down. "Well, to be completely honest with you, little brother... that is not the best idea."
Kael blinked, confused. "Why do you say that, Lady Zephyra?"
"First of all, call me Big Sis Zephy," she corrected, poking his nose.
"No," Kael replied stubbornly, puffing out his chest. "I shall treat you with the respect proper to your title."
Zephyra chuckled, clearly amused by his rigid manners. Reaching into a small, ornately embroidered pouch at her waist, she pulled out a handful of vibrantly colored, glittering confections. "Tell you what. I'll give you some of this candy I bought from a far-off town in the south if you call me "Big Sis Zephy"."
Kael froze. He was naturally a curious child, always drawn to anything new, or unexplored. Now, he found himself utterly trapped in a profound psychological dilemma. On one hand, his upbringing demanded he remain humble and respectful. On the other hand, he had never tasted anything before in his entire life, and the sugary aroma wafting from her hand was intensely tantalizing. He was desperate to try it.
The internal battle lasted all of the five seconds.
"B... Big Sis Zephy," Kael mumbled, as he held out his hands. "Please... give me the candy."
"Good boy," Zephyra beamed, dropping the treats into his palms. "Here you go."
Kael popped one of the sweets into his mouth. The moment the flavor burst across his tongue, his eyes widened in absolute awe. It was a sensation entirely new and completely magical. He had instantly fallen in love.
"I love it!" Kael cheered, all remnants of his noble stoicism vanishing. "You have to bring me more of this, Big Sis Zephy! Promise me!"
"I will, I will," Zephyra's bound laughed with a deep, amused chuckle.
~~
A/N: Bestel has a Queen and 5 concubines so naturally he has at least a dozen of offsprings.