ShadowBound: The Need For Power

Liam and Ariana made their way back to the academy, the streets now bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun. Thankfully, they didn't run into any more thugs along the way. Ariana walked quietly, sneaking glances at Liam from time to time, while Liam strode forward, hands in his pockets, as if nothing had happened.

After a few moments, Ariana finally broke the silence. "Um… Liam."

"Yeah?" he replied without looking at her.

"I just… wanted to say thanks for what you did back there."

"Don't mention it," Liam said evenly. "They were following both of us. No need to thank me."

Ariana still hesitated. "Still, thanks. And… sorry I wasn't any help back there."

"There's no need to apologize either," Liam said. "Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. I'm not saying your strength is hiding."

Ariana's face heated up at that.

"What I mean is," Liam continued, "you have spatial affinity. You could have made a portal and taken us straight back to the academy. But you listened to me, trusted me, and in doing that, you didn't even think of what you could've done to change the situation."

Ariana lowered her head slightly, letting his words sink in.

"You did well by doing nothing," Liam added. "But judging by the look in your eyes, I doubt you'll want to be 'useless' again. That choice is up to you."

She glanced at him, her expression softer now.

"And besides," Liam went on, "if you had used your magic to fight back, those thugs could've turned it against us. They could have pressed charges."

Ariana sighed. "Yeah, I know… I would've been breaking academy rules anyway."

Liam didn't respond, and they continued walking in silence. As they passed through the academy gates, Ariana stole one last glance at him, thoughts swirling in her mind.

They strolled through the quiet halls of the dormitories. Liam walked Ariana all the way to her room before heading off to his own.

"You didn't have to walk me all the way, y'know," Ariana said, stopping in front of her door, hands tucked behind her back. "Your room's in the other hallway."

Liam shrugged casually. "Dylan once told me a guy should always walk a lady to her door after going out together. Says it's a rule or something."

"Oh–is that so?" Ariana blinked, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Yeah. And we did go out to eat and explore the district. So it counts, right?" he said, expression unreadable, tone flat as usual.

"N-no, it definitely counts. It's… sweet. I mean, thank you," she stammered, her blush deepening until it touched her ears. Her fingers toyed nervously with the door handle as memories of the day flickered through her mind.

"Well, have a good—"

Before Liam could finish, Ariana had already slipped inside and shut the door with a quiet thud.

He stared at the closed door for a beat, face blank. "Did I say something wrong?" he muttered. Then, with a small shrug, 'Maybe she's got something to do… doesn't matter. I've got training to get to anyway. I can finally try that new technique.'

Just as he turned to leave, the door flung open again at lightning speed.

"Sorry, Liam—good night!" Ariana called out quickly, eyes barely meeting his before slamming the door shut again.

Liam blinked.

"…Good night, I guess."

***

City of Llis, Western District – Hawthorne Residence

Three days had passed since Asher's conversation with his father. And today was the day—he was supposed to give an answer, though the meeting wasn't until later. Until then, he had time to breathe… and think.

It also marked the end of Nila's three-day leave from the Crimson Knight Academy. She had intended to leave early in the morning, but her plans were effortlessly hijacked by the ever-doting—and overwhelmingly affectionate—Lady Afina.

"Mom, I said I ate everything," Nila whined, sitting stiffly at the table as Afina cupped her face with both hands, brushing her thumbs gently across her cheeks. "Yes, even the veggies, okay?"

"You're too skinny," Afina said, pouting as she fussed over her daughter's collar and smoothed her already-immaculate ponytail. "I can see your cheekbones. And your lips—so chapped. Do you not drink water in that place?"

"Mother, I'm not twelve."

Afina clicked her tongue, unconvinced. "You're my daughter. You'll always be twelve to me."

As the mother-daughter exchange played out, Asher leaned casually against the wall nearby, arms crossed, a small smile tugging at his lips. The usual storm in his chest was momentarily replaced by something warmer, calmer.

"Careful, Nila," he drawled. "She might just hug you to death before you ever get back to the Academy."

Nila shot him a look. "Aw, is someone jealous of the attention?"

Asher shrugged. "I mean, I wouldn't mind a little cheek-pinching now and then."

Afina turned immediately, her eyes lighting up. "Asher, come here then—"

"Wait—no, that was sarcasm! Sarcasm!" he laughed, dodging as Nila burst into a triumphant smirk.

With a final groan, Nila stood and gently pried herself from her mother's grasp. She grabbed her sword and sheath from the nearby rack, adjusted her coat, and moved toward the door.

Afina, of course, followed, seizing the opportunity to pepper kisses all over Nila's face like rapid fire.

"Mom! Seriously!" Nila giggled between squawks. "I'm already late!"

"Don't let any smooth-talking boy trick you into opening your legs!" Afina called, completely serious.

Nila froze mid-step and turned, her face scarlet. "MOM!"

Asher was already grinning like a fox when she stormed over to him. "So you do have a boyfriend."

Smack. Her hand landed on the side of his head.

"I'll kill you," she muttered, ruffling his hair like a bird fluffing feathers.

Asher was still chuckling when she leaned closer and whispered, "I wish I could've stayed. I would've loved to see the look on Dad's face when you throw your answer in his."

He looked at her, surprised for a moment.

Then she pulled him into a tight hug.

"Don't die," she whispered this time, more serious. Then she kissed his cheek.

"Ew," Asher immediately said, cringing as if she'd cursed him. "What was that? Poison?"

Smack. This time to the back of his neck.

"I hope it was," she said, grinning before rushing toward the carriage waiting outside.

Asher and Afina stood by the doorway, watching the carriage roll out of the estate gates.

"She's going to do great," Afina murmured softly, her silver eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Asher nodded silently.

Then Afina turned to him with a gentle smile. "Do you have time to speak with your mother… before training begins?"

Asher looked at her, the smile fading into something more thoughtful. "Yeah," he said after a pause. "I've got time."

Afina reached out and softly held his hand, guiding him inside.

"Good," she whispered. "Because I need you to hear something… before you go to your father."

Afina led Asher into the sunlit sitting room just adjacent to the hallway, her hand still loosely holding his. The room smelled faintly of lilac and parchment—his mother's signature scent. She guided him to the cushioned couch and sat down beside him, her expression softer than usual, almost… conflicted.

Asher studied her carefully, sensing the shift in her energy. "Alright," he said, breaking the silence. "What is it?"

Afina didn't answer right away. Instead, she looked toward the tall glass window, watching the light flicker through the trees outside.

"You've grown so much," she finally said, her voice low. "You look more and more like your father with each passing day."

Asher raised an eyebrow. "Is that… supposed to be a compliment?"

She let out a gentle laugh, then turned her silver eyes on him, full of emotion.

"It's a curse and a blessing," she said honestly. "You inherited his fire… and his burdens."

Asher leaned back, folding his arms. "If you're trying to talk me into saying yes to him, Mom—"

"I'm not," she cut in firmly, placing her hand on his. "I would never force you to do something you don't want to do. But I want you to understand something."

He glanced at her, listening now.

"Your father… he doesn't know how to ask. He only knows how to demand. That's the only language he grew up understanding. And that's the only way he knows how to show love."

Asher looked down at their joined hands. "If that's love," he said bitterly, "then I don't want it."

Afina squeezed his hand gently.

"I know," she said. "I know. But listen, Asher. You don't have to play by his rules. He's not as untouchable as he wants everyone to believe."

Asher tilted his head slightly. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying…" she hesitated, looking him straight in the eye now, "your blue flames are more than just a family heritage. They're a symbol. Your father holds so tightly to tradition and bloodlines because deep down, he's terrified of losing control."

"And the one thing he can't control," Asher muttered, catching on, "is me."

Afina nodded slowly. "Exactly. And if you're going to confront him, you have to do it your way. Not his. But… don't give him ultimatums. He doesn't respond well to those."

He exhaled through his nose. "Nila already warned me not to do anything dumb like threatening to disown myself."

Afina chuckled softly. "Good. At least one of you listens."

Asher smiled faintly, then turned to her. "What would you do, Mom? If you were in my place?"

She stared at him for a moment, then brushed his hair out of his eyes with that gentle, motherly touch.

"I would remind him," she said, "that power doesn't make someone worthy. Choice does."

He nodded slowly, her words sinking in deeper than he expected.

"Thanks," he said, his voice quieter now.

She kissed his forehead, just like she always did.

"Go," she whispered. "Train. Clear your mind. And when the time comes… speak like the man you've become. Not the boy he still thinks you are."