"Where am I?" Helios thought, slowly opening his eyes to reveal their striking red and gold hue.
"So, you're finally awake," a voice called out from the shadows. "I am the First Elder of the Vaelthorne clan."
Helios looked up to see twelve figures. Their faces were shrouded in darkness, but their crimson eyes pierced through the gloom, watching him intently. Helios tried to shift his position, but the heavy chains binding him rattled violently.
"Why do I have chains on me?" Helios demanded, his voice laced with frustration as he struggled against his restraints.
"You might fall into madness at any moment, so we chained you up," the Second Elder explained calmly.
"Fine then. What do you want from me?" Helios snapped, his gaze hardening as he glared at the figures perched above him.
"Nothing much," the First Elder replied smoothly. "Just for you to become the heir of our clan, just like your father."
"I agree," Helios said, his voice suddenly dropping into a composed, steady tone. "Being the heir of a Seeker clan doesn't sound that bad."
"You didn't let me finish," the First Elder interrupted. "You have to give up your title as the Leader of Blackthorn."
"Why should I?" Helios asked, his brow furrowing with suspicion.
"We can't have you holding too much power," the Fourth Elder interjected. "Leading a Seeker clan and a Seeker organization at the same time is out of the question."
"Well, I don't want to be your heir then. Go find someone else," Helios muttered, turning his head away in defiance.
"We can't," the Second Elder sighed. "Only your side of the family can become the Patriarch of the clan."
"Then why don't you just agree and let me lead Blackthorn and the Vaelthorne clan simultaneously?" Helios suggested. A bold smile played on his lips as his dual-colored eyes began to glow with intensity.
"No! That's impossible!" the Fifth Elder shouted. Suddenly, the room erupted into chaos as the elders began arguing loudly with one another.
"This is a dumb conversation. I want to go home," Helios thought, shaking his head in exasperation. "I have a good idea!" he called out, trying to raise a hand, though the chains jerked him back.
"What do you want, you Veilborn?!" the Fifth Elder bellowed.
"I think he hates me," Helios noted inwardly. Aloud, he asked in a curious tone, "Why don't we make Luna the heir?"
"Your sister is too young to be the clan head," the Fifth Elder countered.
"But we're Seekers," Helios pointed out. "That means we can all live for a long time, and the current Patriarch is still alive."
"That is true. We do have plenty of time on our hands," the Second Elder admitted, considering the proposal.
"I've been alive for three hundred years, so we can wait a little longer for a new Patriarch," the Sixth Elder added.
"Seekers can live for three hundred years?" Helios asked, his voice filled with genuine confusion.
"No, I've lived for six hundred. I'm older than quite a few people here," the Fifth Elder boasted, puffing out his chest with pride.
"You guys can actually remember your age?" the Twelfth Elder asked blankly.
"I'm not surprised you don't know yours," the Seventh Elder remarked, turning to the Twelfth. "You were already there when we were born. How old are you, exactly?"
"Good question," the Twelfth Elder mused. "I don't remember. I only know I was there back when Vaelthorne wasn't even part of the Four Great Clans yet."
"Shouldn't you guys just retire or something?" Helios asked bluntly.
"We can't," the First Elder sighed heavily. "Those useless descendants need our help with everything."
"I just want to go on a fishing trip," the Second Elder whispered wistfully.
"That's sad," Helios said, looking down at his bindings. "So, can you guys untie me now?"
The First Elder looked around. "Should we untie the kid?"
"I mean, his hair isn't silver anymore, but his eyes are still different colours, so I really don't know," the Third Elder answered hesitantly.
"Untie him! His presence disgusts me!" the Fifth Elder barked.
"Okay," the First Elder said. She snapped her fingers, and the chain artefact instantly recoiled, returning to her hand.
"So, can I leave now?" Helios asked, glancing up at the council.
"Leave before I change my mind about killing you," the Fifth Elder threatened.
Helios didn't need to be told twice. He ran out the door, slamming it shut behind him.
"Finally out of that place with those crazy old people," Helios muttered as he hurried through the hall. He reached his car and sped off toward his estate. "I hope Luna and Sara are okay," he thought, pressing harder on the gas.
When he reached the mansion, he pushed the doors open wide. "Anyone home?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the grand hall.
"Helios! You're back!" Sara cried, hurrying down the stairs.
"Brother!" Luna squealed. She sprinted toward him and leapt into his arms.
"You two are okay," Helios breathed, a wave of relief washing over him.
"Yes, ever since the King retracted the execution order for the both of you," Sara explained, her eyes softening as she watched him hold Luna. Then, her expression turned intrigued. "Helios, one of your eyes is still golden."
"Maybe it's a side effect of using the Veilborn power," Helios said, his voice tensing with nervousness.
"I can't tell them it's because Helios's soul and mine are slowly fusing together," he thought fearfully.
"Why do I feel like you're lying?" Sara asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"I would never lie to you," Helios insisted, meeting her gaze.
"I believe you... for now," Sara replied playfully.
"So, are you staying here tonight?" Helios asked, a shy flush creeping onto his cheeks.
"Yes. It's too late for me to go home," Sara teased, leaning in slightly. "Or do you not want me to stay?"
"This is going to be your house soon anyway," Helios stammered, his face turning bright red.
"Yes... it will be our house in the future," Sara whispered, looking away with a shy, happy smile.
"I think I should go to sleep and leave you two alone," Luna announced, jumping down from Helios's arms and darting up the stairs. "Goodnight, Brother! Goodnight, Sara!"
"Goodnight,Moon " Helios called out. He turned back to Sara. "So... goodnight."
"See you tomorrow, Helios," Sara said softly, walking up to her room.
"Love," Circlet's voice echoed mockingly in the back of Helios's mind.