Path of the Extra

A knock echoed through the room just as Azriel's words reached Aeliana's ears.

Annoyed, she shot a cold glance toward the door.

Whoever it was had just ruined her chance to finally get her son to speak to her properly.

She had been so close.

She could feel it.

A little more, and Azriel might have said something important.

'At least I know he's hiding more than he shows...' she thought with an inward sigh.

She had to settle for that, for now.

"Come in," she said, attempting to mask her frustration as the door opened.

Surprisingly, it was her daughter and Mira who entered.

They exchanged hesitant glances, sensing the heavy atmosphere between Aeliana and Azriel.

"Did something happen?"

Aeliana broke the silence first, not wanting the two to catch on to what was happening.

Mira nodded, bowing slightly.

"A report just came in from SICVC. They've already sent a rescue team towards the king's location, but..."

She hesitated before continuing, her voice uneasy.

"We've lost all contact with them. The last thing heard were their screams. It's believed they're dead."

Aeliana pressed her lips together, suppressing a flicker of dread.

"Make sure news of the king being trapped doesn't leave SICVC. Anyone there stays there."

Mira bowed again.

"I've already done so, my queen."

"What was the rescue team composed of?"

Aeliana asked, her voice low.

Mira responded without delay.

"A single master, two experts, five advanced, six intermediates, and ten awakened."

Aeliana furrowed her brow.

'They all died just like that...?'

It was a heavy loss.

The number of humans in the Void Realm was limited, and losing even a single master was devastating, let alone the others.

The number of masters on Earth wasn't many to begin with.

Most didn't have the talent to become one, and those who tried by hunting void creatures often didn't survive.

Every potential hero mattered.

Undoubtedly, SICVC and Earth had taken a critical hit with this loss.

SICVC—Sunken Islands Crimson Void Capital—was one of the conquered territories in the Void Realm, claimed by the Crimson Clan.

Though the Void Capital wasn't in the actual Sunken Islands, it was close enough to be named after the mysterious place.

Each of the four great clans had their own Void Capital, and a known landmark in the Void Realm was usually where one was built.

The flags of either the Crimson, Nebula, Frost, or Dusk clans marked them.

Currently, the Crimson and Dusk clans controlled the most Void Capitals.

'Should this stay a secret?'

Aeliana wondered, her gaze drifting to her daughter.

Initially, she didn't mind if Jasmine went on the rescue mission.

The team was to be led by Mira, a grade-3 grandmaster, and Amaya, a grade-3 master, with Crimson soldiers supporting them.

It would be valuable experience for Jasmine as the future queen.

And Aeliana had doubted her husband was truly in danger—he would've returned by now if not.

But he hadn't.

Which meant something was keeping him there.

Aeliana scowled as her mind raced.

'If Mira goes, it might make a difference...'

But was it safe?

What exactly was keeping her husband trapped?

Suddenly, Azriel spoke, his voice breaking through the tense atmosphere.

"You're right, Lady Mira. They're dead."

All heads snapped to him.

Azriel stood there, a slight smile playing on his lips.

His earlier grim expression had vanished.

The women exchanged confused looks, and Azriel elaborated.

"There are only two ways to reach the Sunken Islands: by air or by water. The first option's useless since you'll eventually have to go underwater. The second one is the real way, but also the most dangerous. After all, we know that water and void creatures are a deadly combination."

He was right.

The oceans were teeming with void creatures, and battling them in water was one of humanity's greatest disadvantages.

Aeliana blinked.

"How do you know that?"

Azriel had never shown an interest in studying the Void Realm.

Even though it was an optional lesson, he had avoided it.

So why was he so confident now?

Azriel's smile widened.

"How else? I've already been there."

"...!"

Everyone's eyes widened in shock.

'What...! He was so close to one of our Void Capitals!?'

Aeliana was in disbelief.

But it was possible.

SICVC was different from other Void Capitals. It was isolated, surrounded by unconquered territories. There was a slim, almost impossible chance that Azriel had been near it.

But then... why hadn't he gone all the way?

As if reading her thoughts, Azriel continued,

"The Sunken Islands are underwater, in the middle of an endless sea. It separated the place where I was from the Void Capital—unless I crossed it, of course."

Hearing his words, Aeliana felt her heart clench as everyone else's faces darkened.

Azriel, however, remained unbothered, still smiling.

'How must it have felt... to be so close to home but unable to return...?'

All because of a sea that could've killed him.

It hurt.

Aeliana realized just how close her son had once been to returning.

But he couldn't.

His eyes seemed distant, as if recalling those moments vividly.

Aeliana bit her lip, unable to comfort him.

'I shouldn't have scolded him earlier...'

Perhaps there had been a better way to talk to him.

Then Azriel looked at her and the others.

"What I'm trying to say is that it's a void creature—specifically one that rules that part of the sea—attacked the rescue team. It might've destroyed dad's way back to the Void Capital too."

A crooked smile tugged at his lips as he added,

"I personally named that annoying bastard Tarshakael."

"Tarshakael..." Mira repeated cautiously, an ominous feeling washing over the room.

"How strong is it?"

Azriel's next words confirmed why they felt that way.

"I didn't get close last time, but I almost lost my life. From what I gathered, I'd say it's a Titan."

Aeliana sucked in a sharp breath, not at the mention of a Titan, but at the thought of her son nearly dying because of one.

Perhaps sensing her worry, Azriel gave her a gentle smile.

"Don't worry, Mom. Titans love me. In fact, one's crying to meet me right now!"

Those words... did he realize they weren't reassuring in the slightest?

Azriel didn't seem to notice her worsening mood.

"We're going to have a talk about that later..." Aeliana muttered darkly, making Azriel stiffen.

Her eyes narrowed.

'Why is a Titan hunting him?'

She was certain he wasn't lying this time.

Azriel cleared his throat, regaining their attention.

"Well, besides that, there is a way to avoid fighting Tarshakael."

Jasmine blinked at him.

"Go on."

Azriel's lips twitched.

"Can't sleep, can't eat, can't have fun, huh... Well, you can face Tarshakael and other Void creatures that survived under his rule. But, Mira, I doubt you'll stand much of a chance alone. The grandmaster at SICVC must also stay put, so…"

Aeliana's gaze locked onto him as he said softly,

He turned to Aeliana, his voice steady.

"Let me go as well."

The room fell silent as Aeliana's heart stopped.

For a brief moment, she could only stare at her son before her temper flared.

"Absolutely not."

Her voice was firm, commanding. No one dared argue with her.

Except Azriel.

His lips curved up as he responded, equally soft.

"Mom, I've already been there. I know how to avoid Tarshakael. I can handle myself. You don't want anything to happen to Jasmine, and we don't even know if Dad's safe. The longer we wait, the worse things might get."

Aeliana's hands clenched into fists as she fought to keep her emotions in check.

Her son had already survived the horrors of that place once.

How could she send him back?

"...I can't send both my children into that nightmare," she said, her voice trembling.

"Not after what you've been through."

Azriel took a step forward, shaking his head.

"You're not forcing me this time, Mom. I'm going willingly. Trust me, I know what I'm doing."

His tone carried a certainty that made Aeliana hesitate, wondering if he was really just an intermediate.

No.

He was a prince. She reminded herself of that fact, calming her nerves, if only a little.

"I may not have entered the Sunken Islands myself, but I know its waters. I know how to get to the middle at least. And I definitely know how to avoid Tarshakael. Let me go, and I promise I'll bring back both Dad and Jasmine safely."

Aeliana studied him in silence, torn between her instincts as a mother and the faith she had in her son.

Finally, she let out a bitter smile.

'Even now... I'm still a pathetic mother.'

"Fine. You have one week. If you're not back by then, I'll send every saint on Earth after you. I don't care if you need an extra hour or even a day."

Azriel's face lit up with a smile, but it only made Aeliana squint suspiciously.

'Is he really so eager to return to the place where he spent two years?'

Jasmine and Mira exchanged uneasy glances.

Neither of them seemed on board with the idea of Azriel going back.

Yet, it was undeniable—if anyone knew how to navigate past a titan without fighting, it would be him.

And maybe, just maybe, it was the safest option after all, despite the risks.

Humans had always taken risks.

Especially Azriel, given the feats he had already accomplished in the void dungeon.

"You don't need to worry," Azriel reassured them.

"I'll be back before the academy starts again. Oh, and one more thing..."

Aeliana felt a twinge of regret, already sensing that his next request would test her patience.

"What is it?"

She really wished she hadn't asked.

"I want Nol, Lumine, and Yelena to come with us."