Kelseyalicia

The sounds of battle thundered through the vivid amethyst jungles of Zamballa as Queen Kadma wielded the Heart of Zamballa against Nerissa's thralls, the Knights of Destruction. The jungle's lush beauty starkly contrasted with the chaos erupting within it. Kadma fought with a commanding presence, her mastery of the Heart radiating confidence. "Try to destroy me all you like," she declared, her voice sharp and resolute. "Your powers are nothing compared to mine!" "We’ll see about that!" Shagon snarled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Kor, Ember, Tridart—full frontal assault! Let’s teach this queen why no one crosses Nerissa’s Knights!" With a flash of red energy, he unleashed another devastating eye blast. Kadma absorbed the attack effortlessly, redirecting it with a flick of her wrist. The counterstrike hit Shagon’s wing, sending him spiraling out of the air and crashing to the ground. Ember lunged next, thrusting her fiery trident forward in a blaze of inferno. Simultaneously

Caleb was sleeping restlessly, his body writhing beneath the sheets as if he were even asleep, and his turmoil refused to relent. It had been a week since the confrontation on Mt. Thanous with his former friends, but the exhaustion clung to him like a second skin. Using such immense magical power for the first time had drained him more than he had ever anticipated. His mother, Nerissa, had warned him. "You must pace yourself, Caleb," she'd said with her usual calm authority. "Your body needs time to adjust. Push too hard, and you'll do irreparable harm." He hadn’t listened, of course, and he'd learned the lesson the hard way. The moment they'd reached their new hideout after escaping that cursed cell, Caleb had collapsed, his legs giving way beneath him. The others had barely reacted, save for one. Shagon, ever smug behind his golden mask, took the opportunity to gloat. "Looks like the 'Prince' isn't so omnipotent now, is he?" Shagon had sneered, his voice thick with mockery.

Nerissa watched intently as her minions, Shagon and Kor, dragged Caleb into the room that had once been her cell. Her tone was sharp as she barked, "Careful, you idiots! I want him unconscious, not dead." The two brutes flinched slightly but obeyed, depositing Caleb onto the bed with little grace. Nerissa waved them off, her focus now entirely on the unconscious boy. Once they were gone, her expression softened as she stood over him. "It's been a while, hasn't it, Caleb?" she murmured, her voice almost tender. Her fingers brushed a lock of his hair. "What must you think of me? A mother who abandoned her child, only to resurface as the enemy you've fought so hard against. Do you despise yourself, knowing my blood runs in your veins? You will, for now. But when you awaken, you’ll see the honor in being my prodigy." She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Rest, my child. When you wake, everything will be different." After a moment of toying with his hair, Nerissa left