Aether Chronicles: Birth Of A Legend

Raegar's red eyes widened, the letter trembling slightly in his hands as the words sank in. 'I can't believe mother is pregnant, how will Isabella act toward this new baby?' he wondered while sipping on the juice.

The dining hall's clamor, Rune's booming laugh, Caspian's mock complaints, and the girls' relentless banter faded to a dull roar. A new sibling. A fresh spark of life in the family he'd found himself in caused him to think. 'Maria and Mark were good siblings, I hope I can be a good big brother again.'

Drusilla, ever perceptive, caught the shift in his expression. She leaned forward, her human-sized form still drawing curious glances from nearby tables. Her blue eyes are full of concern as she nuzzles into his neck.

''What's up, Rae? You look like you just saw a dragon in your stew,'' she whispered with a soft giggle.

Raegar blinked a few times, snapping back to the moment as he heard her words. He folded the letter carefully, slipping it into his ring for safety because he wanted to go over it later on back in the room.

Seconds later, he met the Dark Faires' curious gaze. ''Just… news from home,'' he said, his voice quieter than usual. ''The County is doing well. Father's still in the north, and Jasper's with him now, fighting with the Dawnfire Army. My sisters are stirring up trouble in the capital, as usual.''

He paused, a faint smile breaking through. ''And… my mother's pregnant. I'm gonna be a big brother.''

The table fell silent for a heartbeat, the weight of his words sinking in. Then Luna let out a dramatic gasp, her green hair bouncing as she leaned across the table. ''A big brother? Rae, that's huge! You're gonna have to teach the kid how to dodge bandits and wield Aether like you!''

Zahara's eyes sparkled with excitement. ''That's amazing! Do you know if it's a boy or a girl? Oh, imagine a little Rae running around Blackwood!''

Selene smirked, nudging Luna. ''Let's hope they get his courage and not his habit of eating all the campfire bread.''

Rune roared with laughter, slamming a hand on the table. "A new sibling? You're in for it now, mate! Better start practicing your lullabies for whenever you return home.''

Caspian, still sore from his lost bet, grinned despite himself. "Congrats, Rae. But don't expect me to babysit when I visit Blackwood."

Drusilla, still perched on his lap, gave him a playful nudge. ''Big brother Raegar. I like the sound of that. Bet you'll teach 'em to summon a storm before they can walk.''

He shook his head, chuckling as he picked up another piece of bread, though his mind was still reeling. The hall's energy swirled around him, students laughing, trays clattering, and the girls' teasing now focused on what kind of sibling he'd be.

But beneath it all, a quiet pride bloomed. Blackwood was safe, his family was strong, and he would be an older brother again. Following this, the others finished their food before rushing off to their last class of the day.

Ten minutes later, the once-lively hall had fallen silent, its long tables now empty save for him and Drusilla, who lingered in the soft glow of the chandeliers. The Dark Fairy, her eyes sparkling with mischief and warmth.

Suddenly, she sprang to her feet. ''Come on, Rae!'' she called, her voice bright with enthusiasm. ''Let's go for a walk, stretch our legs and breathe some fresh air!''

Raegar let out a chuckle, the sound warm and familiar, as he pushed back his chair and rose to follow her. But as he turned toward the exit, he caught sight of the same eerie woman who had been watching him from the shadowed doorway of the kitchen.

Her eyes, sharp and unblinking, seemed to pierce through him, sending an icy shiver racing down his spine. For a moment, he hesitated, his instincts prickling with unease. But Drusilla's cheerful tug on his arm pulled him back to the present.

He shook off the feeling, dismissing it as a trick of his imagination. Together, they stepped out of the dining hall, leaving its warmth behind for the crisp air of Drakenwood's sprawling gardens.

The chilly breeze carried the faint scent of frost-kissed roses and damp earth, and the paths stretched out before them with only a handful of other students lingering around, bathed in the pale light of the late afternoon sun.

As they walked, Drusilla's laughter rang out like a melody, but his thoughts lingered briefly on the mysterious figure in the kitchen, a shadow that seemed to linger just beyond the edge of his understanding.

They walked down the stone paths wound through hedges and blooming flowerbeds, their edges softened by the spring frost that clung to the leaves, leaving a chill in the air. The late afternoon sun cast long, golden rays across the grounds, painting the world in hues of amber and shadow.

His boots crunched softly against the gravel as he walked beside Drusilla, her smaller frame practically bouncing with energy. She chattered animatedly, her voice weaving stories of her own, tales of moonlit flights through enchanted forests and the pranks she'd played on unsuspecting travelers back on her home continent.

He listened intently, a faint smile tugging at his lips, his earlier unease about the woman in the kitchen fading with each step. There was something about the blonde's presence, her joy and spirit, that made the world feel lighter, as if the shadows could never truly take hold.

As they reached a quiet corner of the garden, where a stone bench sat beneath the sprawling branches of an ancient oak, Drusilla suddenly fell silent. The shift was so abrupt that he glanced at her, his brow furrowing.

Before he could ask what was wrong, she grabbed his arm, her grip gentle but firm, her fingers cool against his sleeve. She stopped walking, her eyes fixed on the ground for a moment, as if gathering her thoughts.

''Raegar,'' she said softly, her voice stripped of its usual playfulness. She looked up at him, her blue eyes shimmering with an intensity that caught him off guard. ''I just… I want to thank you.''

He tilted his head, puzzled. ''For what?''

''For this,'' she said, her gesture encompassing the garden, the school, the moment they shared. ''For letting me in. For showing me your life… And all the things that come after, once we finish at Drakenwood.''

His expression softened, a warmth spreading through his chest that had nothing to do with the fading sunlight. He wasn't one for grand displays of emotion, but her words struck a chord deep within him.

''You're welcome,'' he said simply, his voice low but steady. ''But it's not just me showing you my life. You've brought something to it, too, Drusilla. Something… bright.''

The Dark Fairies' smile returned, soft and genuine, and for a moment, they stood there in the stillness of the garden, the world around them fading to a quiet hum. The wind rustled the leaves above, and a single golden leaf drifted down, catching in her hair.

He reached out instinctively, brushing it away with a careful hand. Drusilla laughed, the sound light and clear, and the moment felt like a promise of trust, of something unspoken that lingered in the air between them.

''Come on,'' she said at last, tugging his arm again, her mischievous spark returning. ''There's a fountain up ahead, I want to see. Bet I can balance on the edge better than you can!''

He chuckled, shaking his head as he followed her lead. ''You're on,'' he responded with a chuckle.

***

As Raegar relaxed in Drakenwood, his elder brother faced a far grimmer challenge in the frozen north. Jasper, a seasoned warrior and heir to the Blackwood legacy, led a small army against the Northern Forest Giants.

Their encampment sprawled just beyond the edge of Wintershade Forest, a dense and eerie woodland shrouded in perpetual mist. Reports from terrified villagers and scouts painted a dire picture: the giants' raids had grown increasingly frequent and ferocious.

The attacks left trails of devastation, shattered homes, trampled fields, dead villagers, and kidnapped women in their wake. With each passing day, the threat loomed larger, testing Jasper's resolve and prowess as he rallied his forces to protect the realm.

''Should we send for the Ghost of the South?'' one of his commanders questioned. ''I heard from the merchant that he wiped out an army of barbarians.''

Jasper's head snapped toward the man with narrowed eyes. ''Who is this ghost? I've heard much about him,'' he questioned.

The surrounding men and women laughed, causing his temper to flare, but soon a deep voice echoed from behind them. ''That would be your little brother's son.''

He turned around to see Alaric Blackwood standing there with a smile as he continued. ''Little Raegar has earned a vicious reputation and has been asked to help us clear the Northern Lands of the Forest Giants.''