Metal sang as Jungkook swung his sword at his masked opponent, who parried his strike with ease. Shifting his stance, he sprang forward and attacked again and again, each strike louder and stronger than the last.

Sand crunched, and sunlight glinted on the blades as they clashed in fervor. Jungkook feinted right before charging left, but his opponent deflected his assault and struck back, their blade barely missing Jungkook's neck as he retreated. Perspiration dripped down his forehead as he gripped the hilt of his sword with both hands and lunged forward.

He remembered the assassin—how she had ripped his sword right out of his hands.

Metal clashed.

How she had caught up to him in Anilium.

Blades whistled through the air.

How she had nearly strangled him to death while he could do absolutely nothing.

He leaped forward and struck again.

He was too weak.

And again.

He was too slow.

And again, when he shifted his feet, but this time, his opponent ducked and swept their foot under his. Jungkook stumbled and fell onto his back. Before he could get up, his opponent stepped on his wrist and rested their blade against his neck.

It was over. Jungkook lost. Again.

"That was a good round, Prince," Nickelyn said from above him, taking her mask off and removing her foot from his wrist. She offered him a hand and pulled him to his feet. "You got faster and stronger, but"—she smacked his legs with the flat end of her sword—"your posture is still as horrible as ever. It only takes one hit to tip you off balance."

"I am trying," Jungkook said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I am not a natural like you."

"No one is. You just have to practice." She slashed her sword down, but Jungkook was quick enough to block it. "Look at that. You have improved. Last time, you couldn't even react."

Jungkook sighed. "One day, you are going to end up killing me."

Her lips curved into her toothy grin. "Before that ever happens, that thing"—she pointed to his pendant—"will save your ass."

"How is it supposed to save me if I don't even know how to control it?"

"You underestimate magic. I thought Elias was teaching you better, but since he isn't, I will show you. Come on, let's go another round," Nickelyn said, raising her sword.

Jungkook's knees buckled, his arms trembled, and the sun's heat seared his skin. Another bout would break him. "I need rest. If you drain all my energy, Elias will be upset when I can't summon an ounce of magic, and we've been at it for hours."

Nickelyn crossed her arms. "We need to work on your stance, and if it comes to it, I'll deal with that conceited fool Elias. I have another hour with you, and I'll get you to learn a proper stance in no time."

"This better be the last round."

"That depends on your stance."

Jungkook moved his right leg ahead of his left, his toes pointing forward and his feet shoulder-width apart. Nickelyn stood in the same stance, her knees slightly bent. She raised her hand to her mask, and Jungkook knew the moment it was over her nose, the fight would begin.

His body tensed as he carefully watched Nickelyn's feet, hands, and eyes. Suddenly, she broke eye contact, staring at something behind him. Wheeling around, he saw Elias standing outside the sparring ring. As Jungkook and Nickelyn lowered their swords, Elias approached them, glowering.

"Speak of the devil," Nickelyn said. "Well, if it isn't grumpy four-eyes."

Elias ignored her and rested a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "I have an important matter to discuss with Jungkook, so cut your lessons short today."

Nickelyn thrust her sword into the sand and rested her crossed hands on the pommel. "If you think I'll let you storm over here and take my pupil away, then you are mistaken. He has an hour of training left, and whatever complaint you have can be discussed during his break."

"It'll be in your best interest to let him go when I ask kindly." Elias placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

Jungkook grabbed his wrist and whispered, "Elias, we can discuss this later."

"Listen to the prince and go have your tantrum somewhere else." Nickelyn scoffed, walking towards Jungkook. "Come on, Prince. We have—"

"Lieutenant Baryos!" Elias's stern tone chilled Jungkook's blood. "As your brigadier general, I command you."

Nickelyn froze, her lapis eyes glancing at Jungkook. Biting her lips, quietly, softly, she said, "We'll end your lessons here."

Jungkook glared at Elias, who motioned for him to follow. Sending Nickelyn an apologetic wince and sheathing his sword, Jungkook reluctantly followed Elias. They walked to the gardens, past the statue of Luxias, and down one of the stone paths. When they were out of earshot and away from curious eyes, Jungkook yanked Elias around by his wrist.

"What is wrong with you!?" Jungkook demanded, his voice rising.

Elias tugged Jungkook's hand off him. "You know exactly why I am pissed. What did you say to Snow? I thought we had decided to leave your demon problem in my hands, yet this morning, Snow told me you had decided to investigate yourself?"

"Is that what you are so upset about? Is that why you marched to the training grounds and dragged me over here? A change in our plans?"

"A change in our plans? Is that all this is to you?" Shaking his head, Elias rested his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Don't you understand the gravity of our positions? Of my position? We don't have the time to deal with this."

"What are we so busy doing? I do nothing. You do nothing. The king does nothing! All we do is turn a blind eye towards the problems we need to solve."

Elias seized the collar of Jungkook's tunic. "You need to grow up and see the goddamn truth. How stupid can you be to waste your time on such trivial matters? This—this demon and the night watch shouldn't be your concern."

Jungkook's eyes twitched. It became hard for him to breathe, to see, to hear.

That shouldn't be your concern. Snow. Elias. That was all they ever said. They ignored injustice and slaughter with that excuse, and King Aethyrias, his father, did the same.

The memory of how the king abandoned Jungkook was still fresh. He had stood beneath his father's shadow that day. Back then, his father was a mountain—almighty and unbreakable. Even in the darkest hours, his father never shed a tear. Even when all hope seemed lost, he inspired others to rise. And even when everything was taken away from him, he still loved his family.

But that was before Queen Mariessa died, before an assassin broke into the castle, before the queen sacrificed her life to save Jungkook. So as Jungkook stood in his father's shadow that grew and grew beyond the height of a mountain, he heard those cursed words that haunted him to this day: "A nuisance like you shouldn't be my concern."

After hearing that, everything Jungkook knew and loved about his father dissipated, and a hole was carved into his chest. It was so deep and empty he didn't struggle as the servants dragged him to his uncle, as he was transported far away from his home to Lumina. His life was destroyed, and it was justified by those words. Now, he was told to abandon his people using that same excuse, and just thinking about it revived that hollow void.

But this time, he was older. This time, he had a voice. Smacking Elias's hand away, Jungkook said, "Shouldn't be my concern!? That's all you ever say! So tell me, what should I be concerned about?" Elias's eyes went wide as he took a step back. "Tell me," Jungkook demanded. "Come on, tell me!"

Elias went pale, and his grip on his sword grew tighter. His dark eyes trembled as he removed his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I want to—I need to—" He stumbled over his words, struggling with something within himself. Jungkook thought of pushing more, but Elias replaced his glasses and averted his gaze. "Forgive me. I have not been myself lately. I was worried because there have been sightings of a possible demon wandering Clarica."

Jungkook perked up. "I was right. Then that is all the more reason to make this problem a priority!"

"But there is something you do not understand." Elias ran a hand through his hair, growling. His next words were strained as if he was forcing them out. "I will join you in your mock search, and when we find nothing, we will leave this matter in my hands."

He tried to walk away, but Jungkook stopped him. "You didn't answer my question. What should I be concerned about?"

Elias glanced at him. It took a moment for him to respond, but when he did, it was quiet—sad even. "Just watch yourself," he said before striding down the garden path, leaving Jungkook utterly confused and alone.

* * *

Elias sat behind the desk in his office, burying his face in his hands. In the corner of his eye, he saw the filed reports of demon sightings stacked in the corner. Before confronting Jungkook, he had skimmed over them when Snow barged into his office.

He had quickly closed the file, hid it under his arm, and said, "What brings you—"

"There were two sightings of a demon: one from a merchant heading towards Clarica and another from a barkeeper in Clarica. So, how is your investigation?" Snow crossed her arms, her gaze cold.

"Word travels fast," Elias said, wringing his hands. He opened the file under his arm and lifted the report so that Snow could see. "I was just reading about them. And for the investigation, I handpicked my best men to search for the demon."

Snow scowled. "How can you lie with such a straight face? We both know that you can't fool me, so cut the act and tell me the truth."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Snow slammed her hands on his desk and leaned forward. "If you sent men, the guards would be murmuring about it, but all I hear are whispers about the king and rumors about an insurrection." Her sea-green eyes narrowed. "There are also rumors claiming you have joined hands with Tiberius Faelaux. I refused to believe it, but at the same time, you are a man of greed. It is not a shock to see you submitting to it."

It took all of Elias's willpower not to flinch. "If you are assuming I am betraying my king, let me clear my name. I am not."

He wondered why Snow was here. If she caught his tail, then she would surely use it against him. But that didn't explain why she revealed her cards. She wanted something from him, and based on how she was setting the playing field, he was curious to know what.

"You are lying," Snow said, the shake of her head slight. I thought Jungkook was your friend, yet here you are sharpening your knife behind his back."

Elias gritted his teeth. "Are you accusing me of treason?"

"Yes, because it is written all over your face. Do you take me for a fool? Do you take Jungkook for a fool? Even he notices something is wrong with you. Are you not ashamed? All he ever did was help you climb the ranks."

Agony pierced through Elias, razor-sharp. But as much as he wanted to dump the swelling regret weighing him down, he couldn't bring himself to do it. "I did not join hands with Tiberius, and I am not part of the insurrection. I will never be."

"Then prove it. Jungkook wants to investigate the demon he saw, so I want you to meet us in the gardens at nightfall in a week and help."

Elias didn't expect this. Of all the things in the world, he never expected Snow to agree to such a ludicrous idea. "That's ridiculous. These sightings are not even confirmed. This is baseless speculation. I can't run around risking my title and my rank because of Jungkook. Just leave it to my men."

"The men you refuse to send?" Snow asked, raising a brow. "After using Jungkook all these years to get where you are, you can't even help him with his one wish?"

Elias spat. "As if you are helping him out of the kindness of your heart. The only reason you tolerate Jungkook is so you can gain his favor before he becomes the next king of Lux."

"You are projecting yourself onto me," Snow said, closing her eyes and inhaling a sharp breath. She was quiet for a long moment. "I don't know why you have joined Faelaux, but Jungkook deserves our help. If it wasn't for him, you would still be a colonel and I would be another common ambassador of Umbra. We owe Jungkook this much."

Elias was silent. He stared into Snow's eyes, bright yet as dark as the deepest oceans. "What if I refuse to help?"

Snow frowned, sorrow overtaking her expression. "Then expect a word from Captain Novire about your role in the insurrection."

Averting his gaze, Elias unconsciously reached for the hilt of his sword only to find it missing. A bad habit. He always rested his hand on the hilt when he was stressed. As he opened his mouth to speak, he felt fingers caress his cheek. Snow stood before him, looking into his eyes, her fingers playing the invisible strings of his heart.

"Don't lose sight of who you are," she whispered before moving her hand and leaving him in the darkness of his office—the darkness he now sat in. Brushing the memory aside, Elias closed his eyes and sighed. Snow wasn't wrong; he owed Jungkook, the idiotic prince who didn't know how to care for himself. Just thinking about him made Elias's blood roar, but whether from fury or guilt, he didn't know.

He rested his head on his desk, letting the darkness thicken and the hole in his heart ache. Someone knocked on the door. When he didn't answer, the door opened anyway. Before he even saw who it was, he knew it was Jungkook.

Smiling kindly, Jungkook said, "My lesson started a while ago. I thought you had forgotten, so I came here to remind you."

Bewildered, Elias found himself gaping at him. Why was Jungkook doing this to him? A while ago, he was furious, so why was he smiling? Why was he digging that hole of regret in Elias's heart? Elias didn't respond, unable to trust his voice, so he stared at Jungkook in silence as Snow's words echoed in his ears, Don't lose sight of who you are.

But he was losing sight of himself. He was changing. Everything was, and he was so afraid things would never be what they once were. That, in the end, instead of standing next to Jungkook, he would face him from another side.

But until then, all Elias could do was balance on the tightrope he dared to cross and fear for Jungkook, Snow, and himself.