Point of View: Sylvanas
As we crossed the portal, the air changed.
Cold descended from the mountains surrounding us—sharp and dry. The sky was painted in shades of orange; dusk was approaching.
"Stay alert. This is a Level 2 planet."
Their gazes swept across the surroundings, tension held beneath the surface. We didn't know what kind of creatures inhabited this world.
Moon appeared at my side and began sniffing the air cautiously. Her body was tense, her ears raised.
I looked at her.
She gave a slight shake of her head.
"For now, it seems safe…"
One of the Pillars spoke up.
"Shouldn't it be safe if we paid for the portal?"
I looked at him without softening my expression.
"I wouldn't trust my life to an assumption made by the System. If something goes wrong…"
I didn't finish the sentence.
I didn't need to.
They understood.
I glanced at the sky once more.
"Split into groups of twenty-five. Find high ground to spend the night. I want everyone back in twenty minutes."
They nodded and dispersed with discipline.
When the last of them disappeared among the rocks, I lowered my voice.
"Moon… are we alone?"
She nodded.
"System, establish communication with Kael."
The response was immediate.
A screen unfolded before me.
Kael appeared on the other side.
"Sylvanas. I see you made it in one piece."
I crossed my arms.
"Spare me the jokes. What do you want, Kael?"
His expression turned serious.
"Are you alone?"
I nodded.
He remained silent for a few seconds before speaking.
"I want to propose an alliance between Atlantis and Arcadia."
I raised an eyebrow.
"And you needed this much secrecy just to say that?"
"Yes. There are too many eyes in Dalaran… and the Guardian seems to be everywhere."
That wasn't a lie.
But it wasn't enough.
"What's the purpose of this alliance? Arcadia isn't in danger, nor do we need help."
He didn't answer immediately.
"Give me a valid reason, or I'll end the call."
He sighed.
"It's about my daughter. Vaelira."
I blinked.
"What could happen to your daughter that would make you move all of this?"
His gaze changed.
It became… vulnerable.
"I was at the Guardian's meeting as well."
My frown deepened.
"That's impossible. You weren't there."
"I was the first to arrive. He asked me to remain silent and just listen. After that… somehow, I became invisible to all of you."
My confusion grew.
"Why would he do that?"
Kael clenched his jaw.
"I didn't understand it either… until I returned to Atlantis and my daughter greeted me with a smile."
He fell silent for a moment before continuing.
"The Guardian knows me too well. I desire power, yes. But I'm a warrior. My body can endure wounds, fractures…"
His voice grew hoarse.
"What I cannot endure… is watching my daughter die while I keep ascending."
A pressure formed in my chest.
I understood all too well.
I still couldn't accept the idea of watching the council… and Eldrin… die.
"Why Arcadia?"
"You have a strong kingdom. Why come to us?"
"Because I can't fully trust all of mine," he answered without hesitation. "My situation isn't as extreme as Rangar's… but it's not as stable as yours either."
That made me think.
We Primordials are unusually united.
I once believed that was normal.
But I later learned it wasn't.
"What exactly do you expect to achieve?"
Kael took a deep breath.
"I reached an agreement with the Guardian. My daughter will take part in the Prometheus Project."
My gaze hardened.
"I thought you wanted to keep her away from danger."
"Danger always exists," he replied firmly. "I just don't want her to die for being weak… or for growing old."
That said everything.
He didn't want to protect her.
He wanted to elevate her.
"What are you asking?"
"We will sign a soul contract. Before Vaelira enters the Prometheus Project, I want to make sure that if something goes wrong… Arcadia can protect her. Hide her. Support her."
"And what does Arcadia gain?"
His answer came immediately.
"A favor of equal magnitude. If I cannot fulfill it… my daughter will do so in my place."
Silence stretched between us.
It was a heavy deal.
Too heavy to decide on my own.
"I can't accept this alone. I'll discuss it with Arcadia's council… and with Eldrin."
I looked at him firmly.
"When I have an answer, I'll contact you."
He nodded.
"Thank you, Sylvanas."
The connection cut.
The mountain wind was the only sound once more.
I stroked Moon's fur.
"He's a good father…"
She looked at me in silence.
Maybe we weren't as abnormal as I thought.
Maybe we were just fortunate.
---
Point of View: Kael
The screen faded.
I remained there for a few moments, making sure no one was watching.
Then I murmured:
"I didn't tell you the whole truth, Sylvanas."
The Guardian doesn't make agreements on a whim.
Much less out of simple emotions.
I looked toward the ocean stretching before me.
"I always knew you were special…"
I closed my eyes.
"But I never imagined you were the chosen one."
My daughter wouldn't just participate in the Prometheus Project.
A new era would begin through her.
Pride swelled in my chest.
But it wasn't enough.
"I won't allow you to be just another piece on his board."
I was the one who spread the title.
The Pearl of the Ocean.
She doesn't know it yet.
I smiled.
"I'll make you the brightest pearl this world has ever seen."
My gaze hardened.
"And I'll make sure your light never fades."
Even if, to achieve it…
I must give everything I have—
Even my life.