"Seeing is believing, but truly, I am glad to see you alive, my prince," Malcolm said, his voice steady as Azriel walked beside him, with Yelena keeping a silent presence by his side.
This time, Cole trailed behind them, his eyes fixed sharply on Malcolm's back, his Soul Echo simmering beneath the surface.
Malcolm, unable to attend the Christmas banquet due to being in the void realm, now saw Azriel for the first time since the prince's supposed death. For months, he had relied on whispers and news from Earth to piece together the fate of the Crimson Prince. Asking the king directly had never been an option.
Azriel's mouth twitched into a small smile.
"It's been over four years, Grandmaster Malcolm. How is your son?"
Malcolm inclined his head slightly as they continued their unhurried pace through the dark passageway, each step echoing.
"He's well, my prince. Currently, he should be in America, handling some negotiations, if I'm not mistaken."
Azriel nodded, though the subject of politics held little interest for him. Malcolm, perhaps sensing this, did not linger on it.
"Finding you here was unexpected," Malcolm continued.
"His Majesty ordered us to map out every inch of this underground network before seeking an exit and reporting to SICVC. I hadn't thought I'd come across you as well, not until Her Highness mentioned it."
Both Azriel and Yelena exchanged looks of surprise.
"My sister has been found?" Azriel's voice was sharper now, tinged with urgency.
Malcolm's expression softened.
"Yes, we located her after she defeated an Eclipse Wraith. She was with a blond boy—I believe his name was Cadet..."
Yelena's voice burst out before she could stop herself, a wave of relief washing over her features. Malcolm raised an eyebrow at her reaction before giving a slight nod.
"Yes, that was the name. This new generation… they're formidable. It's almost unsettling," he muttered, the final words meant more for himself than anyone else. Azriel caught them and allowed a subtle smile to touch his lips before it faded into a more serious expression.
"Have you seen someone with silver hair and red eyes?" Azriel asked, the tension in his voice palpable. Malcolm frowned, glancing at Yelena, who now looked equally concerned. He shook his head slowly, making Azriel's face darken further.
"We've searched nearly everywhere," Malcolm continued, "and apart from Cadet Lumine, Her Highness, Master Amaya, and the soldiers, we haven't found anyone fitting that description."
'Damn it… where are you, Nol?'
Azriel's mind raced, not out of concern for Nol's strength—he knew the boy was capable—but for his reckless curiosity. Nol's insatiable thirst for knowledge would have him courting danger, flipping a coin to decide whether to back off or edge closer, and Azriel feared that coin often landed on the latter.
Silence settled over them as they walked deeper into the maze-like network, ignoring Cole's presence entirely. After what felt like an eternity, they reached a more expansive chamber, branching paths extending out like veins in the dark stone.
The voice of Amaya cut through the still air. Azriel turned to see her, Jasmine, and Lumine approaching swiftly, their faces bright with recognition.
"The prince is here," someone whispered.
Azriel ignored the scattered murmurs and focused on the group approaching. Lumine, propelled by worry, was suddenly standing in front of Yelena, too close.
"Are you alright? Were you hurt? Do you need a health potion?"
The questions tumbled out of him like a waterfall. A faint flush rose to Yelena's cheeks as she pressed her hands against his chest, gently pushing him back, aware of the eyes on them.
"Ah, young love…" one of the soldiers muttered.
"Poetic, even here," added another.
Realizing the situation, Lumine's face turned red as he coughed awkwardly.
"S-sorry. I'm just glad you're safe."
"Me too," Yelena managed, her voice barely above a whisper.
Amaya and Jasmine stepped forward, shifting the focus back to Azriel. Jasmine's eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing him.
"Before you start worrying, I'm fine. Not a scratch. Honestly, I'm envious. Why do you get to fight while I don't?"
Amaya's gentle laugh broke the tension.
"Déjà vu," she said, earning an exasperated look from Jasmine.
"Please, don't start sounding like Father," Jasmine replied, chuckling. The soldiers in their crimson uniforms visibly relaxed, some laughing as well, nodding in agreement. They didn't need another battle-maniac king to keep them on their toes.
Azriel's gaze swept over Jasmine, relieved to see her unharmed. The mention of the Eclipse Wraith gnawed at him, but he focused on the present, exchanging a look with Lumine.
"I'm glad to see you're still breathing, Lumine."
A wry smile touched Lumine's lips.
"It might have been different if it weren't for Her Highness."
Azriel's smile widened, but his eyes turned colder.
'So they were together, alone, in a maze… together.'
Jasmine's voice pulled him from his dark thoughts. He forced a softer smile.
"It's nothing. Just worried about Nol."
Jasmine's expression mirrored his concern.
"So, he's still missing…"
"My prince, we can organize a search if you wish," Malcolm offered, sensing the weight of the name.
Whoever Nol was, he seemed important enough to cause worry.
Azriel shook his head, surprising them all.
"No need. He'll show up when he's ready. Knowing him, he's probably off somewhere… enjoying himself."
The soldiers exchanged puzzled glances, but Azriel paid them no mind.
'If he were in real danger, he'd use [White Haven] to contact me,'
he reassured himself.
"Rest assured, that boy is already where he needs to be," came a voice, cold and commanding. The group turned as one, eyes landing on the imposing figure in the center of the room.
Almost everyone dropped into a bow or a salute, some falling to their knees, including Malcolm. Lumine and Yelena's faces paled as they felt the weight of Joaquin's presence.
Only Jasmine and Azriel stood unbowed, eyes locked on the king. In an instant, Joaquin was before them, his expression softening as he looked at Jasmine.
"Are you hurt, my daughter?" His voice, gentle and layered with concern, made Jasmine nod silently.
"I'm fine, Father," she said, though she frowned when he didn't immediately acknowledge Azriel.
Then Joaquin turned to his son, a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.
"You look like hell."
The soldiers exchanged uncertain glances. Had they missed something between father and son?
Azriel's lips twitched.
"Is it a requirement that every saint I meet insults me?"
Joaquin chuckled darkly, before the smirk broke into a rare, warm smile. His hand landed heavily on Azriel's shoulder.
"It's good to see you alive… and intact."
Malcolm took a breath, daring to speak.
"My king, now that we've found both the prince and princess, should we proceed to SICVC?"
Joaquin's eyes shifted, sharp and unreadable.
"No. I've changed my mind. We're going to the Sunken Islands."
Malcolm's jaw dropped, echoing the stunned silence of the other soldiers.
"But, Your Majesty… we agreed it was too dangerous."
Joaquin's eyes turned cold.
"Danger? As long as I'm here, what could possibly threaten us?"
"If he can't protect us, who can?"
"Better here than that half-built void capital…"
As silence settled again, Joaquin's gaze found Cole, lingering in the shadows. The room's temperature dropped.
"It's been a while," Joaquin said, his voice low and biting.
Cole stiffened, sweat breaking out on his brow.
"It has, Your Majesty."
Azriel leaned toward Jasmine and whispered,
"Care to tell me why this feels so personal?"
Jasmine's face darkened as she kept her eyes on Cole.
"A year ago, at a party, he tried to force himself on me while drunk. Lady Mira intervened before he even touched me, but when Father found out, things between the government and us deteriorated even more."
Red lightning crackled briefly around Azriel, vanishing before most could notice. Those who did felt a shiver run down their spines at the sight of his expression—a chilling echo of Joaquin's own fury.
Jasmine squeezed his shoulder lightly.
"There's no need. He didn't touch me, and Mira made sure he regretted trying."