The marble corridors of Terrasil’s royal palace were hushed and imposing as King Alden strode into the council chamber. The air was cool and smelled faintly of incense, a constant reminder of traditions that had lasted centuries. At the head of the long, polished table sat Lord Reivan, one of the king’s most trusted advisors, his face lined with worry that matched the severity of the situation.

  King Alden’s voice broke the silence, heavy with concern. “Reports from Ulaz Village are alarming. A demon attack has left the settlement in ruins, and yet a few key survivors remain. I find it unsettling that such chaos still exists in our borders.” He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “The balance of power is shifting. If we don’t act soon, this kingdom will crumble.”

  Reivan cleared his throat before replying, “Your Majesty, I have received scattered reports. The villagers speak of a young boy—barely more than a child—who played a central role in defending Ulaz. His name is Sam. Though the details are vague, his abilities appear… unusual.” His tone was measured, but there was a note of caution underlying every word.

  The king’s gaze hardened. “A child? Yet, if he truly possesses such power, he cannot be dismissed as merely lucky. We cannot afford to overlook anyone with potential in these turbulent times. But we must be discreet.” King Alden’s voice softened as he added, “If he’s a threat, we must be prepared; if he is a beacon of hope, then we must protect him.”

  Reivan nodded slowly. “I will send a small, trusted team to investigate Sam and his companions without drawing attention. We need to understand what exactly we’re dealing with. There are whispers that his power might be connected to forces we scarcely comprehend.” He paused, glancing at the king, whose eyes betrayed the weight of responsibility. “We must tread carefully, Your Majesty. Our kingdom’s future may well depend on what we uncover about this boy and his mysterious abilities.”

  King Alden leaned back, his face etched with quiet resolve and worry alike. “Make sure the investigation is discreet, Reivan. The last thing we need is panic or discord among our people. We have seen the effects of uncontrolled fear before.” His voice, though regal and commanding, carried the tremor of genuine concern for the fate of his realm.

  Reivan murmured, “Understood, sire. I will assemble a team and report back as soon as possible.”

  As the meeting concluded, King Alden remained seated, lost in thought. He stared at a worn portrait of his late mentor on the wall, recalling the counsel of those who had come before him. In that quiet moment, the king’s voice was barely a whisper, “We must act before the darkness grows any bolder.”

  In the corridors outside, the clatter of servants and the murmur of palace life went on as usual. But within the council chamber, an uneasy silence lingered—a silent vow that the kingdom would do whatever it took to protect its future, even if that future lay in the hands of a young boy whose true potential remained shrouded in mystery.

  As King Alden sat in contemplation, the heavy doors of the council chamber creaked open, and three figures stepped inside—Lord Reivan, the head of intelligence; General Arstol, the commander of Terrasil’s military forces; and Grand Magus Elara, the kingdom’s foremost expert on magical phenomena.

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  The tension in the room was palpable as the king gestured for them to take their seats. He didn’t waste time with pleasantries.

  “You’ve all read the reports,” Alden began, his fingers steepled in thought. “A child at the center of a battle against demons. I want your honest assessments—what are we dealing with?”

  Lord Reivan was the first to speak. “My sources confirm that the boy, Sam, was instrumental in the village’s survival. The details are murky, but he seems to have abilities far beyond what one would expect of his age. Some claim he fights like a trained warrior, others whisper of magic unlike anything seen before. What’s more, the name Drazara has surfaced.”

  The moment the Demon Goddess’s name was spoken, a cold weight settled over the room.

  Grand Magus Elara, an older woman with silver-streaked hair and piercing violet eyes, let out a slow breath. “Drazara… That complicates things. If there is even a remote chance that this boy is connected to her in some way, we need to act immediately. The last time Drazara’s forces made a move, entire kingdoms fell.”

  General Arstol scoffed, arms crossed over his broad chest. “You’re all speaking as if a child could truly pose that level of a threat.” His gaze hardened. “We need to be pragmatic. If this boy has abilities beyond reason, he must be closely monitored. If he’s a danger, we eliminate the risk before it grows.”

  King Alden’s expression darkened. “Eliminate?” His voice was quiet, yet it carried an undeniable weight. “You would advocate for killing a child simply because he possesses potential power?”

  Arstol held his ground. “You speak as though power is inherently neutral, Your Majesty. But power like this—power that defies explanation—is dangerous. We cannot allow sentiment to blind us.”

  Elara interjected, her voice sharp. “And if we destroy a child who might be our greatest ally? You would turn a boy into a martyr before we even understand what he is?”

  Reivan, who had been listening intently, finally spoke. “I propose a different approach.” He met the king’s gaze. “We send observers—capable, discreet individuals who can determine Sam’s true nature. If he’s a threat, we act accordingly. If he’s an asset, we ensure he remains on our side.”

  King Alden nodded slowly, his mind weighing the risks. “A careful approach is the only course of action we can afford right now. We will not strike in ignorance.” He turned his gaze back to Arstol, voice firm. “You will not move against the boy unless I command it.”

  Arstol exhaled through his nose but nodded reluctantly. “Understood.”

  Elara’s fingers tapped lightly against the table. “I will prepare an analysis of known magical anomalies and compare them to what little we’ve gathered about Sam’s abilities. If there is any connection to Drazara, we must be ready.”

  Reivan inclined his head. “Then I will begin assembling a team to observe him. We’ll ensure that no action is taken prematurely.”

  King Alden leaned back in his chair, feeling the weight of leadership pressing upon him more than ever. “Very well. But understand this—if the tides of fate have set this boy on a collision course with forces beyond our understanding, then we must be prepared. Not just for his sake, but for the entire kingdom.”

  The room fell into silence as the unspoken truth hung in the air. Whatever Sam was, whatever his role in the coming storm—one thing was certain.

  The kingdom would soon find out.