𝗖𝘆𝗿𝗮 𝗨𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗺 - •°Chapter 4: A Queen's Prayer, A Nephalem's Promise°•

Lloyd’s face mirrored the turmoil stirring within him as his father’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind. His brow furrowed, eyes narrowing, reflecting the same grim expression King Zarius had worn during their conversation. The weight of his father’s cryptic answers clung to him like a shadow, and the unease gnawed at him, persistent and sharp.

His gaze drifted across the room, as if the cold, dark corners might offer answers. Only a handful of souls knew about Cyra’s existence — himself, his father, and the few guards and servants bound to silence. The outside world remained completely unaware, and Lloyd knew this secrecy was no accident. King Zarius was calculating; revealing Cyra would unleash chaos, but only when it best served his purposes.

The burden of that secret pressed heavily on Lloyd’s young shoulders. He couldn’t shake the feeling of being a mere pawn in his father’s sprawling game of power and manipulation. The silence around him grew suffocating, broken only by the soft flicker of candlelight and the distant, ever-present thrum of demonic energy. His heart felt caged — trapped in a web spun from his father’s ambition, and there was no escaping it.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

Two hundred and fifty-five years had passed since Lloyd’s mother vanished, leaving behind nothing but questions and a hollow ache that time refused to fully dull. Now, at the age of 755, Lloyd had long grown used to carrying that weight, though it never truly faded. His father’s explanations over the centuries had done little to ease his suspicions — had the Angels uncovered their secret and eliminated her? Or had something far worse happened? The more he dwelled on it, the more certain he became that her disappearance had never been by choice.

In all that time, Lloyd had dedicated himself to caring for Cyra, who was now 255 — young by their kind’s standards, but growing into her own. He made sure she received all the affection, guidance, and protection she deserved. Yet, he knew he could never truly replace the mother she’d never known. That guilt lingered at the edges of his mind, though it was slowly replaced by a colder certainty: his mother hadn’t left willingly. She had promised to protect Cyra. She would never have abandoned that promise. Someone had taken her — but who, and how, remained an unsolved mystery.

The desire to uncover the truth simmered beneath Lloyd’s calm exterior, waiting for its moment. But for now, Cyra’s safety came first. As one of only two known Nephalem since Xeris, Cyra’s existence was a dangerous secret. Even King Zarius insisted on keeping it buried — though Lloyd suspected his father’s motives went far beyond simple protection. Still, for now, he clung to the belief that they shared the same goal: keep Cyra hidden. Keep her safe.

At least... that’s what he told himself.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

In a majestic chamber bathed in radiant light and adorned with intricate golden accents, towering marble pillars reached toward the heavens while the polished silver floor reflected every gleam like a mirror. At the far end of the room, Queen Zoya sat on her throne, her worried expression breaking the serene elegance of her surroundings. Her piercing yellow eyes swept across her gathered advisors and guards, as if searching their souls for answers they could not give.

"My friends," Queen Zoya began, her voice steady but heavy with long-standing concern. "It has been two hundred and fifty-five years since Nadia vanished… and still, we remain no closer to finding her." She paused, scanning the faces before her. Some bore thinly veiled frustration, others remained composed — masks of patience that had worn thin with time.

"We have searched every corner of Heaven," she continued, "followed every trail, questioned every witness. And yet—" her voice faltered for a moment, "—she remains gone."

At her signal, one of the senior guards stepped forward — a seasoned veteran with a scar across his cheek and weary eyes that had seen too much. "Your Majesty," he said cautiously, "there remains... one possibility. The Bridge of the AfterLife."

Zoya's expression darkened, her fingers tightening around the armrests of her throne. The Bridge — the narrow, dangerous passage between Heaven and Hell — was a place only the most desperate or foolish dared cross. The idea that Nadia would willingly enter the realm of the damned was unthinkable.

"Thank you, Varethiel," Zoya said softly. "But I will not risk the lives of my people by sending them across. The dangers of that place are too great — even for us." Her voice trembled, though she fought to keep her composure.

As her advisors and guards bowed and departed, the chamber fell into a heavy silence. Alone once more, Zoya whispered to herself, her voice breaking as her gaze drifted to the heavens above. "Where are you, Nadia? What truly happened to you?"

A single tear slid down her cheek — the only outward trace of the sorrow she had carried for over two centuries.

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

King Zarius' eyes gleamed with intensity as he thought about Cyra, his mind set on unlocking her Devilish potential. He would personally oversee her training, molding her into a formidable force to be reckoned with. But for her Angelic side, he had already arranged for a specialized instructor — someone who could harness her heavenly abilities and teach her to wield them with precision.

As for Lloyd, King Zarius' expression turned sour, his thoughts laced with lingering disappointment. He had begun training Lloyd from the tender age of 260, hoping to mold him into a worthy successor. In the beginning, Lloyd’s lack of natural talent had proven to be a source of endless frustration. However, over the centuries, with Draco’s unrelenting guidance and brutal discipline, Lloyd had shown significant improvement — finally developing into a competent fighter who could hold his own. Zarius took some satisfaction in that. The progress had been hard-earned, but steady.

He allowed himself a faint smirk as his gaze shifted back to Cyra. If Lloyd could rise under the weight of expectation, then so would she. After all, Cyra possessed even greater potential — born of both Angelic and Demonic blood. With the proper discipline, the right pressure, and his careful manipulation, she would far surpass her brother in time. And King Zarius had every intention of ensuring that outcome.

Draco’s appearance was as intimidating as his skills — dark blue hair fell to his shoulders, framing his chiseled features and piercing red eyes. Black horns protruded from his forehead, and his wings, a deep black with crimson streaks, stretched wide enough to cast an ominous shadow. His attire, always black, seemed to absorb the light around him, making him nearly invisible in the gloom. Despite his fearsome demeanor, Draco was a master of his craft, and King Zarius trusted no one more to shape his heirs into weapons worthy of his ambitions.

The training hall was a vast, cavernous space buried deep within the palace — its towering stone walls looming like watchful sentinels, the thick black mats beneath their feet muffling each fall, each brutal impact. The metallic clang of steel rang through the chamber once in a while.

At the center of the arena, Lloyd and Draco moved like shadows in a relentless duel. Lloyd’s crimson eyes burned with focus as he lunged forward, his kick cutting the air with precision — but Draco was faster still, shifting aside with effortless grace, his dark wings flaring for a brief moment as he countered. The dance between them was vicious, but controlled — a testament to years of training.

Cyra stood at the edge, her mismatched eyes—one red, one yellow—sparkling with excitement. Her snow-white hair bounced as she practically hopped in place. “Wow! Lloyd is so cool!” she giggled, her small tail flicking in rhythm.

King Zarius watched her, lips curling into a faint, calculating smile. He leaned slightly toward her, his voice calm, yet deliberate. “And what if I told you, my little one... that you could become even greater than him?”

Cyra’s eyes widened, glowing as bright as the halo hovering above her head. “Really?!” she gasped, her tiny hands clapping together, horns gleaming under the torchlight.

Zarius gestured toward the fight. “Study them. Not just their strength — but their control, their instincts, their discipline. Power means nothing without mastery. That is what I will teach you.”

Cyra nodded eagerly, beaming with pride. “I’ll do it! I’ll be the best you’ve ever seen!”

The faint smile vanished from Zarius’ face, his tone hardening. “I expect nothing less.” His gaze sharpened, voice dropping to a whisper only she could hear. “There is no room for failure, Cyra. You understand that, don’t you?”

“I won’t fail, Father. I promise!” she answered, her voice strong, though a tiny shiver ran through her tail as his eyes bore into hers.

Under his breath, King Zarius whispered, “You better not.” His crimson eyes narrowed, watching her like a predator gauging its prey — daring her to stumble.

But Cyra only giggled, her innocence shielding her from the dark weight of his words — for now.

Hand-to-teleport combat was a brutal art, one mastered only by the most disciplined Devils. It allowed them to vanish and reappear in an instant, striking from impossible angles, their movements a blur of precision and violence. Mastering it required immense concentration, flawless control, and ruthless instinct.

Lloyd and Draco moved across the training hall like shadows, their bodies flickering in and out of sight as they exchanged vicious blows. The sharp crack of impact echoed through the chamber with every strike. Lloyd’s crimson eyes burned with focus as he kept up with Draco’s relentless pace, every move a testament to the years he had poured into this grueling discipline.

From the sidelines, Cyra watched with wide-eyed fascination, her mismatched eyes glittering with admiration. She clapped quietly, her small tail curling as she followed their every movement.

When the session finally ended, the two combatants lowered their guards, their breathing steady despite the intensity. King Zarius approached, his presence casting a long, ominous shadow over the scene. His voice was low, measured. “Lloyd.”

Lloyd straightened, awaiting his father’s words.

“You will begin teaching Cyra the fundamentals of combat,” Zarius said. “It’s time she learns to defend herself before her advanced training begins.”

Lloyd nodded, trying to conceal the flicker of excitement that sparked in his chest at the thought of working with his sister. But before the emotion could settle, his father’s voice hardened.

“Do not go easy on her, Lloyd.” Zarius’ gaze sharpened, boring into him. “She is not fragile. I want to see her pushed — to her very limits.”

Lloyd answered with a clipped, “Alright.” But inside, his instincts warred with the command. The thought of being harsh with Cyra — of exposing her to the cruelty of their world so soon — made his stomach twist.

Zarius watched him carefully, sensing the hesitation. His tone dropped even colder. “I know you, Lloyd. Your sentimentality is your weakness. You will not coddle her. You will bring out her potential. And I will be watching.”

For a brief moment, father and son locked eyes, tension crackling between them like static. But Lloyd lowered his head, knowing better than to voice his defiance. “Understood, Father.”

Without another word, King Zarius turned and walked away, his silence hanging heavy in the air — a threat unspoken but fully understood.

»»———————-　♔　———————-««

Cyra: "Yay! Combat training! Can I use my tail to swat people?"

Lloyd, sweat dropping: "Uh, no Cyra. That's not exactly how it works."

62Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwSXPUINxD

[A/N]: I believe it's safe to say that things get more exciting from here! XD

Thanks for reading! ^^

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