Imperial and Master Kaien were deep in training when Imperial, concentrating on his lightning techniques, accidentally released a surge of energy that struck a giant stone pillar nearby. The force of the strike caused the pillar to tremble violently, and a loud scream echoed through the forest.
Startled, both Imperial and Kaien immediately turned toward the sound. The serene stillness of the woods was shattered by the piercing cry, and instinctively, they ran toward the source, moving quickly but cautiously through the dense thicket of trees and underbrush. Imperial's heart pounded—not just from the sprint but from the dread of having possibly hurt someone with his uncontrolled magic.
As they neared the clearing, Imperial's sharp eyes caught sight of a girl about his age struggling desperately to move the massive stone pillar. Her muscles strained visibly beneath her worn clothes, and she grunted with effort, but the giant block did not budge. The girl's dark hair clung to her sweaty forehead, and her eyes were fixed with fierce determination on the immovable pillar.
"Hey, are you okay?" Imperial called out, stepping forward cautiously, eager to help but careful not to startle her further.
The girl looked up abruptly, her gaze flickering over Imperial and Kaien. Her expression softened for a moment as she glanced down at the base of the pillar, now partly exposed where Imperial's lightning had struck. Imperial followed her gaze and saw strange, swirling symbols etched deeply into the stone's weathered surface. The markings glowed faintly with an otherworldly sheen that seemed to pulse faintly under the morning light.
Before Imperial could ask what the symbols meant, the girl took a hesitant step forward and began to read aloud, her voice quiet but steady:
"'The past is false... follow the thunder.'"
She paused, her eyes distant and unfocused for a moment, as if repeating the words summoned memories or visions only she could see. Then she added, almost as if in a trance, "Follow the thunder…"
Imperial and Kaien both stared at her, curiosity and a hint of unease tightening their chests. Kaien furrowed his brow deeply as he leaned in to examine the pillar and its inscriptions more carefully. "You read it correctly," he said slowly, almost reverently. "But there must be more. The previous lines must hold similar meaning, but I can't make sense of them."
He turned toward the girl, his voice softening with a mix of respect and wonder. "How is it that you can read these words? They're written in an ancient script, one long lost to most scholars."
The girl hesitated, her face flickering with uncertainty and a guarded caution. Her eyes darted between the two men as if weighing the risk of revealing too much. Finally, she whispered, "I don't know... I don't know how I'm able to understand these words. It's like they speak to me, but I've never learned this language."
Imperial, still concerned and feeling a bit guilty, stepped closer. "Are you sure you're okay? That scream... I was worried that I might have hurt you with my attack."
The girl's eyes narrowed sharply, and without warning, she swung her fist and knocked him lightly on the head.
"You idiot!" she snapped, voice laced with anger and fear. "Do you have any idea how close you came to killing me? I could've died because of that attack!"
Imperial rubbed his head, wincing at the unexpected hit. "What the heck! I already apologized!" he protested, frowning. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
The tension between them cracked into a string of quick, heated words, their voices rising as they exchanged insults and sharp retorts. The girl's frustration mingled with genuine worry, while Imperial's temper flared at being scolded when all he wanted was to help. The argument grew louder until Master Kaien cleared his throat firmly, cutting through their bickering with the authority only a master could wield.
"What's your name, young lady?" Kaien asked, his tone calm but commanding. "And what are you doing in this forest?"
The girl's face shifted again, this time to seriousness. She glanced at Kaien and Imperial, weighing her options carefully. After a brief pause, she sighed deeply, deciding the truth was the safer choice. "I'm Ari," she said quietly. "I live in the commoner's region outside this town. I was out gathering fruit when something strange happened. My locket... it started pulling me, almost like a magnet. I followed it here, and that's how I ended up near this pillar."
Master Kaien nodded thoughtfully, his eyes softening with understanding. "It's natural to be cautious," he said kindly. "But don't worry. You're safe with us."
His gaze brightened as he smiled gently. "I'm Kaien. You can call me Uncle Kaien."
Ari's tension visibly eased, her shoulders relaxing. She looked at Kaien with a curious glimmer in her eyes. "You're a commoner, too?" she asked quietly.
"Yes," Kaien replied, his voice warm but firm. "I am. But don't worry. There is nothing to fear here. In this forest, royalty and the royal army rarely come—and if they do, you are still safe. I was a royal army vice general some years ago, but now I've retired from that life."
Imperial, still absorbing the conversation, blinked in surprise. "Wait... you were a vice general?"
Kaien chuckled lightly, waving his hand dismissively. "I was. But that's all in the past. It's not important to your training."
Imperial stared at him incredulously. "Master, you never told me you were a vice general in the royal army!"
Kaien shrugged casually. "It's not relevant. I'm retired now, and you're here to learn—not to hear old war stories."
Ari's eyes flicked between Kaien and Imperial, curiosity blooming in her gaze. "So... if you're a commoner, then why is he dressed like royalty? He's wearing royal attire. Does he have some connection to the royal army or something?"
Her words triggered an image in her mind—Imperial dressed in regal robes, marching proudly in a grand parade surrounded by soldiers twice his height. The thought made her shudder. "Uh, that's really so unreal just thinking about that..." she murmured.
Imperial mumbled awkwardly, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks under her gaze. Before he could reply, Kaien chuckled knowingly.
"He is Imperial," Kaien said, eyes twinkling with amusement. "And you noticed correctly. He is related to royalty—in other words, he is a royal."
Kaien's smile grew broader. "He's a bit of both. Imperial's royal blood runs deep, but he's not like the others."
He paused before adding formally, "His full name is Imperial Alden."
Ari's eyes widened in shock. "Imperial Alden?" she repeated, her voice barely a whisper, filled with disbelief and awe. "Isn't that one of the top three families in the empire?"
Imperial nodded, feeling suddenly very awkward under her intense gaze. "Yeah. That's me."
For a long moment, silence hung heavy between them as the weight of their meeting settled in. Imperial, Kaien, and Ari stood in the clearing, surrounded by the whispering forest and the mysterious ancient pillar—a symbol of secrets yet to be uncovered.