Chapter 28: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!
Eren woke with a start, the lingering images of Elena’s nightmarish forest still vivid in his mind. Sunlight streamed through the gauzy curtains of his chamber, yet the shadows of his dream seemed to cling to him, refusing to dissipate with the morning light.
He sat up, pressing his palms against his eyes as if he could physically push away the memory of Elena’s knowing smile, her cryptic words about prophecies and hidden magic. The crown of thorns, the blackening earth beneath her feet, the forest that responded to her emotions—it felt too real, too detailed to dismiss as a mere dream.
’What you’ve seen of your mother’s air elements is merely the surface of what’s possible,’ her words echoed in his mind.
Eren’s hands dropped to his lap. If this wasn’t simply his mind conjuring nightmares, if Elena had truly reached across realms to speak to him...
"Are they hiding things from me?" he whispered to the empty room. The question hung in the still morning air, unanswered.
He thought back to his conversations with Naia about magic in this world. She had explained the basic elements, demonstrated simple skills, but had there been hesitation in her eyes? Had she deliberately kept her explanations surface-level? And his mother—her powers as Queen seemed to extend beyond mere air manipulation, yet she’d never elaborated on the full extent of her abilities.
The more Eren thought about it, the more certain he became. He needed answers, and he wouldn’t find them waiting patiently to be offered. The only person likely to give him straight information was Lyra. His warrior sister had proven the most direct, the least concerned with protecting Eren’s supposed fragile state.
With new determination, Eren dressed quickly in simple attire and set out toward Lyra’s chambers on the eastern wing of the palace. As he strode through the corridors, servants bowed respectfully.
"Good morning, Princess Eren," a young elf murmured as she passed with an armful of fresh linens.
"Morning," Eren replied absently, his mind too preoccupied to notice her pleased surprise at being acknowledged.
Another servant, Rose—a wiry elf with keen amber eyes who always seemed to be watching Eren’s movements around the palace—offered a deeper bow than usual. "Princess, you’re up early today. Is there anything you require?"