Regaleon: The Forgotten Knight

Far away from the crimson fog and the dreadful silence of the Crimson Forest, another night unfolded beneath an entirely different sky.

The Frozen North glowed beautifully beneath dancing auroras.

Curtains of emerald, silver, and pale violet stretched endlessly across the heavens like rivers of light flowing through the stars themselves.

They shimmered and shifted slowly above the northern lands, bathing the snow-covered world below them in an almost dreamlike radiance.

Most people from Southern Valoria thinks that the Frozen North was a wasteland; that it is a cursed stretch of endless snowstorms, glaciers and monstrous Tides where nothing truly lived...

But those born beneath the northern skies knew the truth.

The Frozen North lived. But it simply lived differently.

Towering frostwoods stretched across the land endlessly; ancient trees rising proudly from the earth like forgotten titans.

Their trunks were so massive that five grown men together could not fully encircle one. Frost cling permanently to their bark side while snow gathered thickly upon twisted roots that spread across the frozen ground like veins beneath the pale sky.

High above, their enormous branches intertwined together, forming vast canopies that concealed portions of the aurora-lit sky.

Whenever the cold winds passed through them, the frostwoods produced low creaking sounds, almost like whispers echoing through the forest.

The night was cold.

But unlike the suffocating chill of the Nether Lands, this cold felt natural.

Snow drifted softly through the air in restless waves, coating branches, roots, and frozen streams alike beneath layers of silver-white.

Through this endless frostwood stretched a carefully carved road.

Ancient roots thicker than castle towers had been forcibly split apart generations ago to create passage, while the path itself had long since been reinforced with compacted froststone and ironwood beneath the snow to withstand the brutal northern winters.

And upon this ancient road, a convoy moved steadily through the frozen wilderness.

At its center traveled a massive luxurious carriage crafted from black ironwood and reinforced with engraved steel plating.

Runes shimmered faintly along the carriage frame, glowing softly when snowstorms brushed against them.

Four Frostmane steeds pulled the carriage powerfully through the snow.

They were rare Animas native to the Frozen North and highly prized by the noble houses that ruled the region.

Their coats were pale silver-white, almost blending into the snow itself beneath the aurora. Along their necks ran strands of icy-blue fur that resembled drifting frozen mist, while their bodies were taller and leaner than ordinary warhorses.

Despite the thick snow blanketing the road, the Frostmanes moved with an unnatural grace.

As they moved, soft vapor escaped their nostrils with every breath while their luminous blue eyes glimmered faintly beneath the northern skies.

The banners if House Valehart fluttered proudly against the cold winds...

Upon the dark navy fabrics was embroidered the image of a Golden knight riding atop a Pterafrey, the ancient symbol of one of the most powerful Houses of Valoria.

Dozens of knights surrounded the convoy vigilantly.

Heavy fur cloaks wrapped around their armoured bodies while snow gathered across their pauldrons and helms.

Some wore ordinary northern steel armour built for durability against the cold, while others possessed Armours etched with glowing Runes that shimmered faintly beneath the auroras.

Every knight rode upon armoured Frostmane steeds, their gazes sharp and alert.

The Frozen North was beautiful but beauty did not mean safety.

Inside the luxurious carriage, warmth replaced the biting cold outside...

Amber crystals embedded carefully into the carriage walls flickered softly with golden light, illuminating the interior with comforting warmth.

The air carried the faint scent of cedarwood and old parchment while the sound of the snowstorms outside became muted against the reinforced carriage walls.

Two figures sat opposite one another within the cabin...

Near the carriage window sat Maverick Valehart; the object of discussion between Lady Seraphina and Cedric.

The young noble looked barely older than twenty. He was tall and broad-shouldered, yet refined in appearance.

His golden hair fell loosely across his shoulders while a dark navy coat rested comfortably afmriund his body underneath a heavy white fur mantle.

Frost patterns were embroidered carefully along the edges of his clothing while black leather gloves covered his hands.

Like every true member of House Valehart, he possessed golden eyes. Yet unlike the fierce, commanding gaze often associated with the family, Maverick’s eyes carrier an almost lazy indifference.

He looked relaxed; too relaxed.

Even now, while gazing through the frosted carriage windows at the auroras outside, he appeared more interested in resting than anything else.

Yet beneath that laziness lingered something dangerous. Something hidden, like a blade concealed within silk.

Across from him sat his father, Goldric Valehart.

The resemblance between father and son was undeniable. But where Maverick appeared easygoing, Goldric embodied authority itself.

The older man possessed broad shoulders and a heavily built frame that carrier the unmistakable aura of a seasoned Knight.

His black beard, streaked faintly with strands of gold, was trimmed neatly while long golden hair touched with grey flowed across his shoulders like a lion’s mane.

His golden eyes were deep and unreadable, like the eyes of a man who had lived through war, politics, betrayal, and survival.

At the moment, Goldric calmly read from a thick leather-bound book resting within his hand while the carriage swayed gently along the frozen road.

Outside, the distant thunder rolled faintly across the northern skies.

Maverick narrowed his eyes slightly while watching the heavens through the window...

”It looks like the storm will worsen tonight.” He noted.

Goldric lifted his gaze from the book briefly before looking toward the skies outside.

His voice was calm and firm as he replied. ”It will. We are in the season of the Tide after all.”

At the mention of the Tide, Maverick’s expression shifted slightly as the laziness in his gaze receded just a little.

He then leaned back comfortably against his seat...

”About that...” He said casually. ”Why exactly did you decide to return to the capital during Tide season?”

His voice was light but there was a genuine curiosity within his tone.

House Valehart held enormous responsibilities in the Frozen North. During Tide season especially, countless matters required attention.

In fact, the king himself had entrusted the northern defenses largely to House Valehart for generations...

So leaving now was something strange.

Goldric slowly closed the book within his hand. The soft thud echoed quietly inside the cabin as he calmly raised his eyes toward his son.

”You know, there are certain things I have not properly explained to you before because you remained unawakened...”

Then his voice deepened slightly.

”But now that you have awakened your Soul Essences... It is time you understood these matters.”

The atmosphere within the carriage subtly changed at that...

Goldric studied his son briefly before speaking again.

”You already know about your cousin Cedric...”

Maverick nodded lazily. ”The twin King Tier Soul Essences prodigy?”

A faint smirk tugged at his lips as he added. ”The one you compared me to repeatedly while I remained unawakened?”

Something subtle hid beneath his tone when he spoke. It was not exactly anger, but it was certainly annoyance...

Goldric ignored his statement completely and continued.

”Cedric is being pushed as the next heir of House Valehart because your uncle, my brother, intended to formally establish him as successor.”

Maverick raised a brow...

”Well, that was unexpected. What about his first son?” He asked.

Then he titled his head slightly as his smirk deepened faintly. ”You know, the silver-haired one. The so-called heretic born from a maid.”

At that, Goldric scoffed lightly.

”That one?” Dismissal filled his voice as he replied. ”He was exiled into the Nether Lands yesterday.”

For the first time, genuine surprise crossed Maverick’s face as he said. ”...I heard nothing about that...”

”That’s because it is irrelevant...” Goldric’s tone remained stern as he continued. ”The important matter is Cedric.”

The older man leaned slightly forward. ”He is the one who would become your rival for the position of heir.”

Silence lingered briefly between them...

Then, Maverick pinched the bridge of his nose tiredly. ”I really do not understand your obsession with succession...”

His gaze drifted back toward the auroras outside. ”I kinda like it here in the Frozen North...”

Goldric’s eyes narrowed immediately. ”What do you mean by that?”

Maverick shrugged lazily. ”I mean exactly what I said.”

Then he gestured vaguely toward the snowy wilderness outside.

”This place is my home. I grew up here. Fought here. Survived here...”

Then he looked back toward his father and continued. ”Honestly, I prefer it over Valor.”

Goldric’s gaze hardened as he said with quiet authority. ”I have told you several times, the House comes first. Not your preferences.”

Maverick sighed softly.

How many times have he heard those exact words?

It was reiterated in the same rigid tone and mentality that was very typical of his father...

Goldric continued, his voice deepening slightly. ”And besides, very soon, Valor itself would descend into chaos. So we have to be prepared.”

Now, Maverick’s attention sharpened fully, the lazy indifference vanishing almost completely.

”What do you mean by that?”

Goldric leaned back slowly and dropped a bombshell. ”The king is dying...”

Suddenly, the carriage felt quieter.

Maverick frowned immediately as his voice sharpened. ”That makes no sense. Eyewitnesses placed the king at yesterday’s Awakening Ceremony.”

”You are correct...” Goldric replied calmly. ”But that was not his true body...”

Hearing that, realization immediately dawned on Maverick’s face. ”That was his Avatar, wasn’t it?”

Goldric replied. ”Yes. All through yesterday, the real king remained within the palace, resting.”

Suspicion flickered within Maverick’s eyes as he asked. ”And how exactly do you know all of this?”

Then suddenly his eyes narrowed dangerously. ”...Wait. You are not spying on the royal family, are you?”

Goldric snorted lightly before replying. ”I am not foolish enough for that.”

Then his voice lowered slightly. ”The First Prince infirmed me personally about the king’s health.”

This time, Maverick looked genuinely shocked as he asked.

”...And since when were you allied with the First Prince?”

”That is what I am trying to explain to you...” Goldric replied seriously.

The older man folded his hands together calmly as he continued.

”The king’s health deteriorates day by day. And according to the First Prince... He may not survive another year.”

Silence filled the carriage again...

Maverick stared quietly through the frosted window for several moments before speaking.

”So in a nutshell, the First Prince told you all this because he wants House Valehart support, right?”

Goldric nodded once. ”You understand quickly...” Then he continued.

”The First Prince was never considered exceptional because he failed to awaken powerful Soul Essences when he was young. Because of this, the king never truly favoured him.”

Maverick leaned back slowly as he said. ”So why approach you specifically? I mean, why didn’t he go directly to the Lord of the House himself?”

Goldric’s eyes narrowed before he replied. ”Because Cedric is already involved with the Third princess.”

Understanding flashed across Maverick’s face immediately.

”...I see.”

Now it all made sense.

If Cedric inherited house Valehart while remaining aligned with the Third Princess, then the entire political balance surrounding the throne would shift dramatically.

Which meant...

”So that is why you want me to compete for succession.”

Goldric nodded slowly.

”If you claim the position of heir...”

He wasn’t able to complete his sentence because suddenly...

The carriage jerked violently.