The Nobles of the North

Chapter 1: Threat In Regalia

Today's the day.

The morning was as ordinary as any other - blindingly beautiful. Sunlight filtered through the tall columns of the Nobles Keep, casting tall shadows on the hallway. The people of the city, also known as the Arches, can be heard as peaceful murmurs outside. They go about their normal, ordinary day doing god knows what - Rios couldn't be bothered to know.

Because deep down his cold--almost inexistent--heart, a different kind of atmosphere prevailed. One could say they have to make their utmost efforts to see through him on a normal day, but today, no efforts were made. A heavy silence hung in the air, thick and oppressive.

Rios paced around his room, his arms crossed and his fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on his arm. The rooms in the castle have always had tall ceilings, but today, it felt almost claustrophobic.

The room has been silent for half an hour, with the hum of the city outside as a white noise. It used to be comforting. However, his anxiety had been gnawing at him for days.

The huge clock mounted above the two-door entrance ticked with exaggerated loudness, each second a heavy weight pressing down on him. He tried to focus on calming his mind since he is known to be the most composed of them four. Rios did not want to risk going off brand.

"Rios?" He heard Kye's voice on the other side of the door, her voice hesitant and careful. As if tiptoeing on eggshells.

Rios simply looked at the door, and it widely opened for him. As if it was sentient enough to obey his every whim - like any other object he sets his eyes on. Or person. If only he can manipulate time as much. Unfortunately, he has not reached such greatness of power yet. Much to his disappointment.

As soon as it opened, he saw the rest of the Elites standing beside each other.

Kye stood in the middle - the shortest of them all. Her pin straight hair flowed down to her thighs, with fringes almost covering her small dark eyes. With the sun hitting her pale face, she looked as if she was shining.

Rios has always found her meek and shy, but adorable once you get to know her fully. She does not speak much but listens a lot. No one really knows much about her, but she knows a lot about everyone.

She is the most elite scholar of the North, known for her uncanny ability to absorb information at an unprecedented rate. Words, numbers, and concepts flow into her mind like water into a reservoir, creating a vast, ever-expanding library in her mind. Her brain is an archive capable of storing and retrieving data with unparalleled efficiency.

Blaze stood on Kye's left - funnily the second shortest of them all. He claims to be taller than Nadra by an inch, but sometimes men lie, and the women just go with it to avoid unnecessary tantrums.

They try not to tell him, but the only reason he looked tall is because of his top hat that he refuses to remove, which probably added the extra inch he needed for his height. His jet-black hair is a little below his shoulders, but Rios always thought he's bald at the top. Any guy who never removed a hat has suspicious hair, regardless if they have a violet pair of eyes and olive skin to match with it.

As a black mage, his hands are more lethal than any sword. His magic is raw, untamed, a force of nature capable of levelling mountains. Besides his reliant spells, he is a physical powerhouse. His body, honed through rigorous training, is a weapon in its own right.

Nadra stood on Kye's right - towering on both her and Blaze. With her wavy white hair and pale skin, she looks almost dead. The only thing that makes her look alive is her red-orange set of eyes that pierces through your soul as if she can make you repent in this lifetime and the next.

Nonetheless, her power as a white mage has always been a soothing balm. With gentle touches, she can heal wounds, both physical and emotional. Adding into her ethereal appearance, she possesses inner strength and great defences.

There is a reason why she is also a protector; her magic extended beyond healing. Like a fortress, she can weave spells to repell attacks for the people she heals.

The three Elites stood there, looking at Rios with expecting gaze, waiting for his next command. He looked back at them with his cornflower blue eyes, framed by his blonde hair that touched his eyebrows. Blaze always envied his tan skin and tall frame, but at the moment, Rios felt so little.

He did not need to use his powers to read their minds; their faces had their own language for him to understand.

As a psion, he could delve into the depths of anyone's mind, extracting layers of secrets and hidden desires. He also has advanced telekinesis, allowing him to manipulate the physical world with a mere thought. And the most dangerous of all, he has the ability to subtly influence the minds of others, bending them to his will.

This has not been an issue eighteen years ago when he was seven and was the only psion alive in Regalia and all the other regions.

But eighteen years ago today, a second psion was born. The prophecy has warned all the four regions that she will be the downfall of Regalia.

They have searched for her far and wide to try to prevent the damage before any is inflicted. A psion can only use their full power once they turn eighteen. If they have gone through proper training, they might end up like Rios, who is a respectable citizen of Regalia and a member of the Elites.

If not, they might end up destroying everything. Such great power can not be easily tamed by untrained body and mind.

There is a reason there are not a lot of psions, and only one can be born in a lifetime. It is a miracle two have been born in this mortal coil. But is it really a miracle?

There can only be one.

"Nadra, search the shadows of the South," Rios began to say, shocked at his own volition but continued anyway, "Kye, examine the elixir of the East. Blaze, I trust you win against the whispers of the West."

The three looked at him and nodded, slightly relieved to see that the situation had not completely rattled Rios. He is still thinking clearly and tactically. Otherwise, he would've physically stopped the big loud clock from ticking so as not to lose his trail of thoughts.

"You'll take care of the North?" Blaze whistled, "That's a lot to cover."

Kye nodded, and her eyes looked as if she had been talking to someone else from far away. As if she is seeing a map in her head that the three can't see, "Divide half of the North into thirds. We'll take care of it."

Rios looked at Nadra, and in a split-second, even without using his power, Nadra understood. She gave him a small smile and said, "Try not to die."

Rios smirked, "What's the worst thing that can happen?"

Kye blinked, "Do you want me to answer that?"

Blaze put his whole palm on Kye's face, which was easy considering she had a small face. "If you die, I will kill you."