(Alex, 17)

"Everything alright, Niko?" I ask.

Niko and Tasha look distressed, too, but I know Niko is probably worse than either of us. The two of us have others we can rest upon, while Niko only truly has Jason and Princess Lina, neither of whom showed up to university today. Nor did Prince Jacob, either, and no one knows why.

All anyone knows is that there was a disturbance at the palace last night, and they ain't letting anyone in or out. It's locked up tight. The fact that Jason missed university means something happened. That, or he ended up sleeping all day because of his injuries. Finding out that he's a lot worse than he's been showing us was a bit unsettling, even if I expected it.

Strangely, Eden missed university today as well, which ain't something which makes sense to me. Jason because he's recovering, the royal twins because of the disturbance, and Eden because… why?

"Yes," Niko answers my question. "I am curious to know what King Zachary is planning on saying."

During university, a message went to everyone announcing that a public statement would be made from the Royal Stand at the palace. It is one of the few times commoners are allowed into the palace without a personal invite.

The Royal Stand is a balcony at the front of the palace's main building, the one which houses the throne room. The palace grounds, just in the area we will be allowed to enter, can fit several thousand people, so it will be packed full.

Such a thing only ever happens when there is a massive announcement, which means it has to do with the disturbance last night for sure. It also means all training groups are canceled for the day, so we are on our way to the palace to hear whatever it is. There will be hundreds of Royal Guards blocking access away from the main area of the grounds. Possibly even a thousand or more.

The group of Marrans join us on our trip, taking up positions behind us. Niko is a royal, and they are making sure no one tries something funny with him in the crowd. Today is rather cloudy, the sky thick and dark grey, as if the heavens wish to open up and drench us all.

Because of the announcement and everyone wanting to hear the news coming from the palace, the place is packed before we even arrive, and the small group of us wind up at the back. I'm sure the others are doing so, too, but I enhance my sight. A lot of people will likely be doing this so that they can see His Majesty.

I'd rather not be here, but Connor convinced me to come. Barry and Sarah are here, too, as well as the rest of the Magi and my crew. But we're a tiny group in the face of the thousands present.

At the moment, only twelve people stand on the Royal Stand, all of them Royal Guards. One of Jason's microphone enchanted items is set up as well, though I suppose it was a joint effort between him and Sage Jared. Jason is always ready to admit his papa does a lot of the work on the stuff he tries to make.

At precisely four in the afternoon, Prince Jacob steps out onto the balcony, followed by Princess Lina, their four personal guards, and Eden. Jason, Sage Elena, and Sage Michael step out as well. He's returned from Kelrar? Or is he only here temporarily again? Sage Elena and Sage Alyssa come out as well, and judging by their expressions they are more than just support right now. They are guards.

It takes me a moment to notice at my shock of everyone but King Zachary being there for me to notice that the royal twins have their circlets on. Adorned in jewels, Jacob's is maybe an inch or so in height and forged of silver and gold, while Lina's is slender and forged of silver.

Did they come out before His Majesty, then?

Prince Jacob steps up to the microphones. They usually do not announce the king when he does this. Everyone knows he is here.

His Highness raises a hand, and all of the murmurs of confusion begin to cease. Only once it is silent does he lower his hand. The wingbeat of a phoenix could likely be heard here, it has grown that silent.

"Citizens of Varil," Prince Jacob says. "Last night, Duke Amier led an assault on the palace. His soldiers made it deep inside, using ancient artifacts in an attempt at slaughtering myself, my sister, my cousin Franklin, and my papa, our glorious King of Varil."

That's right, Prince Franklin is in Varilsy right now, but he ain't up on the podium. I'm barely able to think about that as I process the news. There was a coup during the night. Or at least, an attempted coup.

"During the assault," Prince Jacob continues. "My papa, one of his guards, and my cousin were severely wounded. Franklin is, as we speak, being treated by the best of our people. Sage Elena here has only briefly stopped her treatment of him to join us here, now that my cousin is in a stable condition.

"As for my papa and David," Prince Jacob says. "Their injuries were caused by an ancient, enchanted dagger. There is no mortal which can mend their injuries. As such, they have been sent to the Phoenix Sanctuary in the Unwild Lands, near Jeshema Kingdom, to recover. The guardian of it has been kind enough to allow my papa and his guard to recover there, with its healing energies bolstering them. She has promised to assist in their recovery as well."

As he speaks, I notice a black wolf stuffie and a lion stuffie jumping up onto the balcony's railing, sitting on it to either side of Prince Jacob.

"Despite that," he says. "It will take no less than three weeks for Papa to recover enough to return. Until then, I, Jacob Varil, First Prince and Crown Heir of Varil, will be acting King of Varil. This morning, I signed an alliance with Jeshema Kingdom, the land of the Sages. Before, their alliance with us was based on the friendship the Sages held with my Papa and which their son held with me.

"Now," Prince Jacob says. "Many of you may not wish to see me in power, especially after the rumors of what occurred in ancient times in my past life. Some of you will remember what Enaveka, the god which spoke with me, said. I wish for you to cast this aside. Both stories should be cast aside. Look at what is now. As my sister, papa, and cousin slept, our palace was assaulted. I was busy dealing with the paperwork from an assassination attempt on me at the time, as well as preparing for a few things coming up.

"In the coming days," he continues. "There will be changes. Sageson Magical Technologies' Combat Technology Division will begin producing defensive golems. It is something my papa had contemplated allowing them to test in one of our villages, but extreme times call for extreme measures. These golems will be placed throughout Varilsy for both the protection of my line and for the protection of our citizens, for all of you."

He falls silent, allowing the news to sink in. The royal family was attacked, and Prince Jacob is authorizing a foreign nation to create golems to be placed throughout the royal city. That might be used against them later, but for now, it is a necessary defense.

"For those wondering what happened with Duke Amier," Prince Jacob says after a minute of silence. "He died in my papa's chambers. I arrived during the fighting, and Duke Amier attacked me. Wolf Alpha, a golem in the form of a stuffie," he indicates Wolf Alpha as he speaks. "Protected me and slayed Duke Amier. From now on, you may see Lion Alpha," he indicates Lion Alpha now. "Accompanying me. He is there to protect me, to ensure that any further attempts on my life are guaranteed to fail. These are golems created by my friend, Jason Jeshema, and several versions of them have already been active throughout Varilsy, with the permission of my papa. For all of you ordinary citizens, you have nothing to fear of them. Their duties are to protect, so only those who wish harm upon me or my family need fear them and their abilities.

"Security of the palace," Prince Jacob continues. "And security of Varil City, will be increasing over the next several months, even beyond when Papa returns from his recovery. In addition to the attempts at destroying the family which has ruled this nation for many centuries, leading us into a glorious and powerful age, war brews on the horizon and traitors pull away.

"In spite of that!" He continues, his volume rising. "We are Varil! We stand firm, we stand strong, and we last long! Shadows are cast by light, and light drives the shadows away! In every darkness, there is brightness!

"Two Feldays from now!" He continues. "Sageson Magical Technologies will be performing another exhibition, displaying more of the creations they are bringing to our people! When they do, they will reveal to us a project which they have been working on for several years now, which is finally achievable!

"From the plans I have seen!" He smiles at everyone. "It is something which will amaze and wow man, woman, child, and elder, commoner, noble, and royal alike!"

The train! So they are finally ready to reveal it to people? Have they built the tracks yet? Or will they only begin construction after its announcement?

"And then!" Prince Jacob continues. "The weekend after that is the Varil Food Exhibition! Chefs have already begun arriving from around Varil to participate, and more will arrive over the coming weeks to participate! This year, I am pleased to announce that Sage Elena, one of the most renowned chefs born in Varil, has asked to participate!"

A wave of excitement fills the crowd. Prince Jacob has successfully lightened the news of His Majesty's injury and the coup. Even on the streets, I knew of Sage Elena's famous chef skills, though I honestly forgot about them after meeting her. She's always scolding Jason or giving him disapproving glares, and she taught us how to make potions at camp.

She did make our food, though. With the help of Jason, and in the second training camp, her new adoptive children. It was pretty good, but nothing to write home about. She was making it in batches to feed a group of hungry teenagers, though, not to impress or wow people.

"So remember," Prince Jacob tells everyone as the crowd starts to quiet from his news about Sage Elena. "Even in this time of brewing war and after the attempt at destroying the Varilan Royal Family that has brought Varil to glory, power, wealth, and the status as the most powerful kingdom in the world, there are still bright spots to look at, and plenty of wonderful things to appreciate. If you wish to know the full list of defensive and preventative measures being made, you can request it from any local guild or governmental office. Forms have already been given to them outlining changes, including the defensive golems being constructed.

"I promise you," he says. "That those few who wish to destroy my family and plunge Varil into an era of chaos and tyranny will not succeed, and you, the people, will be protected."

Prince Jacob draws a sword, and it takes me a moment to realize he drew Mountain's Wrath.

"Nearly thirty-eight centuries ago," Prince Jacob calls out, Magus Sword held high. "I used this sword to protect humanity as the King of Spring. When that protection was no longer needed, I founded a nation, with this very city as its start and heart! I sheathed this sword and used my magic to make the land thrive, the people able to live off of it in a way they had not managed in thousands of years, since before the war had begun!

"Now!" He says, sword still held high. "I will use this sword, and all others at my disposal, to protect you, the people of Varil, just as fiercely as I did back then! This I swear as Jacob Varil, Ethan of Light, and King of Spring!"

His rhetoric could use work, but I can understand why Jacob is doing what he's doing. He wants to win the people over, to make it more difficult for those who wish him dead to succeed.

"And if I am lying!" Prince Jacob calls out. "Then I call upon the King and Queen of the Gods to strike me down as I stand!"

For a moment, there is silence.

Then the clouds above disappear. The sky turns clear as far as the enhanced eye can see, as if the clouds were never present in the first place. Prince Jacob looks just as startled as everyone else as the sun hits upon him and his sword, light shining everywhere from the touch upon the sacred, holy metal.

Some people will be skeptical and think that was done by magic, but by Prince Jacob's startled reaction, I can tell he did not expect this. I can also smell divinity in the air.

Smell divinity in the air?

What the heck? Now I'm smelling divinity?

(Jason, 16)

"Did you do that?" Jacob asks once we're safely back inside.

"No," I answer. "That was definitely a divine hand which cleared the sky."

Jacob raises an eyebrow at me as Mama Elena leaves to return to treating Franklin.

"Not mine," I tell him. "Actually, I think it might have been the Queen of the Gods who cleared the sky. I can't do a spell like that until I finish recovering."

"Okay," he says, then looks at the stuffies. "What do you think people made of them hopping up like that?"

"Most people probably didn't notice," I shrug. "But you did draw attention to them right after I started talking."

"Yes," he nods. "Unfortunately, my planned script was forgotten when I began talking."

"It was your first time talking to that many people," I place a hand on his shoulder reassuringly. "And in an official position, too. Until now, everything you have done has been as Prince Jacob. You addressed smaller groups, not crowds of thousands."

"Indeed," he sighs. "Did you see the group?"

"They were all clustered towards the back," I nod. "I had Tiger Alpha and Bear Alpha manipulating things so they'd all be together."

Jacob gives me an unimpressed look.

"Just a bit of force magic," I chuckle. "Not mind magic. They used force magic to subtly keep others from splitting the group. I'm not sure they noticed, but everyone had formed a protective circle around Niko."

"I noticed that," he nods. "Was that the stuffies?"

"No," I shake my head. "The group did that themselves. They subconsciously acknowledged that a royal was in a crowd of people who might have hostile intents towards him and formed up around him as protection. Niko definitely noticed, though. I was watching everything before we stepped out, and he gave them an unimpressed look."

"I can just imagine that," Jacob chuckles. "Let us move to another room."

I nod, and the group of us move to a room to talk and relax after Jacob's Royal Stand. I am exhausted, having not slept in nearly two days, now. Right now, all I want to do is go home and sleep for a day to recover my energy, but that's not possible.

First, I'd need to eat regularly to make up for the high amount of power needed to fight the god's curse. Second, I'm still helping with the palace's inspections and buffs.

Jacob talks for a bit, though I end up dozing lightly as he does, as much as I try to stay awake. Then, he brings up the Leviathan, and I force myself to stay awake, hoping it works.

"Since the Leviathan first appeared before the Twelve Honors," Jacob says. "The Leviathan has struck a total of eight times. That's more than once a week. Papa has had investigators attempting to discern who they are, but the group leaves no trace of magic behind, and no signs of where they were. One, their trail was followed, only for them to disappear. We believe they may be utilizing some form of gate spell, as once they stepped through a certain point, they disappear. Each set of footprints went to that point, rather than all simply stopping at that point."

"This was the muddy day incident, yes?" Papa Michael asks.

"Correct," Jacob nods. "A baron who had dealings with the sex trade was killed, as was his staff. The four women he had in a secret room in his home were given cloaks to put on and brought to the main room, then assured that guards would be there soon. A red flare was then sent up."

In every incident so far, the Leviathan and his minions have sent up a red flare after finishing their job.

"Jason," Jacob indicates me. "Has attempted to trace them as well, and yields a no-residue result. He's attempted to think of if he created an item which could do that when he was Nolan, but says he cannot so far."

"Seven hundred years of memories can be hard to sort through," I say. "Even with triggers. Nothing is triggering it, so we may be dealing with an actual god doing this, rather than a mortal."

"Is it possible for a mortal to do this?" Mama Elena asks me.

"No," I answer, then think for a moment. "Well, not at the moment."

"What does that mean?" She asks, a warning note in her voice.

"Once I hit greater grey," I explain. "I'll be able to. That's the point at which a mortal would be able to conceal any sign of their magical residue. It takes being mega grey to conceal someone else's."

"Mega grey?" She asks.

"Fifth-level of grey," I nod. "It means powerful. If we are dealing with a god, then we should be grateful we're only dealing with one who is targeting criminals. For now. Hopefully, if they have a much darker side, they don't show it until after I've finished recovering from my fight with Enamas."

"Even with Reaper?" Mama Elena asks.

"Erm," I say. "Reaper is really just a threat. As long as they don't know my current fighting skills aren't that good because of my injuries, there isn't an issue. But in an actual fight? I'd probably lose. I mean, I lost to Papa Michael, and gods who fight are much more talented than him."

"He has a point," Jacob says. "Even the weakest of gods who fight could probably defeat him right now because of those injuries. Moving on, Sage Alyssa, do you know how long it will take for the first batch of statues to be created?"

"Jared, Jason, and I finished tweaking the enchantments," she answers. "On the preliminary version of them. There are a few people we can trust within Sageson Magical Technologies to craft them. With the assistance of magic, one can be produced in around fifteen hours, so we can average one a day, as long as the workers take at least one day off a week."

"Okay," Jacob says. "Please construct them as quickly as possible, but without sacrificing quality. How are the other projects coming?"

"We haven't found how they entered yet," Mama Alyssa lies. "But we'll continue searching as we alter the wards and examine everything again."

"And the other project?" He asks. "The one Papa had you two working on these last couple of weeks?"

"We're almost done," Mama Alyssa answers. "When we finish it, the entire city will be blocked to spells such as teleports and gates."

"Who all is being keyed into the network?" Jacob asks.

"All of us Sages," Mama Alyssa answers. "And all members of the elite training group which journeys with us to the training grounds. A handful of Royal Guards who are aware of how to cast the gate spell know as well, in case of an emergency, and all twelve Captains of the Royal Slayers."

Uncle Zach asked us to ward the city against this as a preventative measure in case of war. Cities might already be warded against teleport spells, but he wanted us to do more than just a perimeter ward – he wants a full ward in every last corner of the city, in addition to us adding in the anti-gate wards. It isn't easy for us to do, but we've been managing it. Bear Alpha has been assisting us as well, and is the main reason we've gotten as far as we have. He can work day and night without rest, even if he does complain about overtime.

As for the gate spell, he trusts my mamas and papas, and they and I picked my training group. He knows exactly how powerful its members are and will be, and doesn't want them aware that such a ward is in place unless they need to. In a bad enough emergency, a group likes ours will be needed.

"And it doesn't affect the warp crystals?" Jacob asks. "Or the gates? Putting in these extra wards, I mean, as I know they were not affected by the city's normal ones."

"No," I answer. "Mama Alyssa had suspected your papa might ask this of us, and had me picking spots for them where they'd not be affected as much."

Jacob gives us a stunned look, and I chuckle a little. There's more to the warp crystals than that, too – they actually help bolster these wards we're putting into place, among other things.

"We think of stuff like this, too," I tell him.

"Says the man who didn't think of that," Mama Alyssa lightly slaps me on the back of the head. "Your expression when I told you to do that made that clear enough, Jason."

"Yeah," I grin. "I hadn't thought about that. Anyway, no, the gates and warp crystals won't be affected by the wards. In fact, most are already covered by them. Part of the cost for the use of the crystals is actually to help support things such as these wards. Mana generators require maintenance and watching, after all."

"They need maintenance?" Jacob gives me a stunned look again.

"Sort of?" I answer. "They mostly need watching in case something goes wrong, which nothing has so far. If something goes wrong, though, they'll need it. The enchantments that link the generators to things, however, do need maintenance, as many enchantments do. Because of where they're located, there's a higher risk of an enchantment coming off, which is why each link has several enchantments to it – as a fail-safe. If one comes off, the others continue to run, giving time for a new enchantment to be placed."

"I see," he says. "Jason, it is clear you are about to pass out. Why not return home and rest up?"

In other words, they need to discuss things without me.

"Alright," I say. "Wolf Alpha, could you open a gate to Tiger Alpha, please?"

Even if the stuffie cannot be seen with eyes right now, he's still around. A grey gate appears, and I step through it, finding myself in the family room at the house. Tiger Alpha is currently sitting on Alex's lap, telling him a story about one of the imaginary mice he's chased.

"Hey, Alex," I move to the couch Alex is on and sit, then let out a heavy sigh. "I'm exhausted."

"Then go get some sleep," Alex tells me. "Others might not have noticed, but I knew ya were using magic to conceal your exhaustion during the Royal Stand, Jason."

"Yeah," I nod. "I had to for appearance's sake."

"What happened?" He asks. "Why weren't ya at university? Ya were involved with the cleanup?"

"Mama Alyssa and I," I explain. "Were searching the palace for how the intruders entered while also increasing the wards. And last night, after the attack, I'd made Lion Alpha."

"Did you find how they entered?" He asks.

"Yes," I answer. "Due to security reasons, I'm not permitted to say why."

The official statement going out soon is that the breach method has already been found and secured, but we aren't telling anyone the specific method so that others don't attempt it. Mama Alyssa and I aren't tell Jacob the actual method of entry, and will tell him tomorrow that we found it and fixed it, but not what it was.

Because warding against it will not be easy. There is no reason to make Jacob even more nervous than he already is, we could tell he was shaking, and the way he fumbled his planned speech showed it as well.

"I just wanted to make sure ya were okay," Alex tells me. "Since ya weren't at university today."

"I'm fine," I smile. "Thanks."

"Go get some sleep," he tells me. "I'm sure ya need it more than ya need to sit and talk with someone."

"Thanks," I give him a kiss, then head up to my room, change into a nightshirt, then collapse onto my bed.

We really cannot tell Jacob – or Uncle Zach, one he returns – the entry method. I already have the Beta Stuffie Golems patrolling the palace perimeter just in case someone tries it again, and that's all we can do for now.

Mama Alyssa's reaction when she found out about them was amusing. Their cores are a lot easier to make, because they aren't as sophisticated as the Alphas. Every time I make an Alpha, I make a beta within a few days, just in case. They can't use certain spells, but other than that, they're almost the same.

Lion Beta will exist within a week, and once he does, I'll set him to guarding the perimeter as well.

We aren't telling Jacob about the Beta Stuffie Golems. Beta Defense Force is using concealment spells to prevent notice, and it's better that way. The fewer who know of them, the better.

As for the entry method… we initially thought that maybe someone phased them through, but dismissed it. A phasing spell isn't something someone can just cast. The amount of mana to move a single body through isn't insignificant. A Magus at grey-level magical power would be able to move that many people because of our strength of magic and amount of mana, but not someone before that. Even Niko can only move himself at the moment.

Then there's the fact that phasing means only the body moves. Dimensional storage might be a useful thing, but in reality, it's not something ordinary soldiers or guards could use. The students in the A-Class and S-Class at the Royal Knight University and Royal Mage University are beyond ordinary. That's why it's expected that they can all use them.

Even if someone did hold all of their gear, there's no way the force would have managed to get dressed and equipped without notice – Wolf Alpha would have noticed that, even with a time delay.

After around five hours of searching, Mama Alyssa found it. She called me over, and I agreed with her on what she found after my own examination.

They used a large-scale illusion spell on both sides of the wall to conceal their presence. Ordinarily, such a spell isn't feasible, but it seems they somehow acquired a mana generator, which gave them the necessary mana required to overpower the illusion-disturbing wards.

Then, they transmuted the walls. They transmuted the palace walls into an easily-moved material, created an opening with earth magics, let everyone through, then undid their work. The transmutation destroyed the enchantments on the wall in that section, which is how Mama Alyssa noticed it from a distance, though she'd have noticed it when she approached it because of the magic left behind.

We still need to find the mana generator, and figure out where it came from, find out who lost one without reporting it. The most likely answer is that someone gave it to them, specifically to betray the royal family.

Transmuting the walls is not something we can easily ward against, so Mama Alyssa repaired the wall, and I nearly killed myself to open up my spatial storage and let out the Beta Defense Force.

Her shock at them caused her to not notice me nearly dying there, and unfortunately, the puke made her aware of it. Then I had to sit in on a lecture between her and Mama Elena over doing that. It seems 'my cousin and friend nearly died and my uncle is currently under the care of a god due to an injury' doesn't qualify for a reason to set back my healing as much as dying would.

I am seven and a half centuries old, if you go by my mortal years! I am as old as the universe, if you go by my soul's age! Do they not realize just how much of Nolan I am because of me being middle grey?

This is nothing to me! I am Nolan and Lucas, and they are me. We are the same being. I have suffered greatly over my seven and a half centuries – nearly eight, now – and dying? Ha! As if that actually bothers me!

Just let me make sure those who cannot recover as well are more protected! Let me set back my healing some for that!

Letting out a sigh, I close my eyes. I need to rest so bad right now, I should stop stressing over what's going on and how stupid my mamas and papas are being. They're mortal, so their minds cannot fully comprehend what I am going through.

To them, death is final. Because of that, they look at it differently. Me? I've died many times as Nolan and once as Lucas. Now that my past is integrating itself back into me at an accelerated rate, so too are other things. Pain is beginning to mean less to me. I haven't even had a holy spell active since sometime last night.

While in extreme agony because of that, it's probably closer to if someone stubbed their toe, or accidentally shut their door on their arm, or had a crate fall on their foot.

Letting out another sigh, I fall asleep wishing the Magi would reach grey much more quickly than they are, so that I am not the only one going through this right now. I pray to Mama and Papa that the others continue to work on training their magical power at the accelerated rate when they're in absolute privacy. That will help them return to being who they really are.

It's lonely, being the only one.