The storm above the Northern Coast was a living thing, clawing at the trembling waves below with its booming thunder. The winds screamed in the rigging of ships, and even the most experienced fishermen hurried their boats into the harbour. However, beyond the coastline, a solitary dinghy cut through the boiling waves, parting the air as it blitzed in the direction of the docks. It was a pitiful craft by all rights, weathered, old, without a sail, and no more than a rowboat. However, it did not look frail; it looked almost ... intense as it split the sea with its hull. Despite the rain, not one drop of water landed on its creaking planks, nor did they dare to touch the cloaked figure who stood atop the run-down boat.

  Trembling voices arose as the dinghy approached the harbour. Fishermen stood frozen, a dockworker mumbled a prayer and placed a charm on his lips. "He's come in the heart of the storm!" An old lady exclaimed, clutching her shawl. Children, who are half curious, half terrified, tried to approach with caution, only to be yanked behind anxious adults. "Did you see? The sea parted for him!". He took his first step onto the wet, fishy flooring of the harbour. the wind froze, the storm silenced itself, the raindrops seemed to hurry themselves back atop the clouds. The man turned to look back at the sea, as if determining if he wanted to go back. Reluctantly, he chose the land. At that moment, even the sea itself let out a sigh. It wasn't sadness, it was relief. The gathered crowd parted a corridor for the man, in fear. Something reserved for the fiercest of storms, the most ruthless of rulers, and the men who even the sea itself refused to swallow. The fog thickened with every step the figure took, the rain crashed down harder, and the winds howled sharply. And the man was no longer there. Nor was the storm. In his place was a black seashell, which was quickly swallowed up by the hungry tide. The vibrant light of the sun shone through the clouds for the first time in decades.

  Alessandre gasped; the bathwater was ice cold, not streaming as it should be. "Young master, wake up! What's wrong? You've been in here for so long!" the voices fled like the coastal storm under the panicked voice of Elysande, a waking bell that rang almost too loudly. "This water is ice cold, young man! Did you not turn on the heater before you hopped in?" Alessandre opened his mouth to explain, but no words came out, only a sigh. At the last second, he decided not to further worry the already panicked head maid. "Head down to the hall for dinner. You've already missed lunch." Elysande sighed, turning to leave. Alessandre glanced outside the window. The sun had already turned orange-red, sinking beneath the mountains. For a heartbeat, his left eye flashed an eerie, deep blue under the faint light of the setting sun. The air stilled a bit, and even the house held its breath. No one noticed, not even the boy himself.

  Chatter in the hall was seized almost instantly as Alessandre arrived in his usual attire - a fine, ivory cotton shirt, a deep blue silk hose, an Aetherium-powered hand-held pocket watch tucked in his navy waistcoat made of velvet and silk. He walked to his seat. Sylphiette and Elysande were already seated to his side. Some servants were seated across the long table - they were Alessandre's closest servants, and were invited to have dinner alongside him. "Young master, would you like to begin dinner?" A maid asked, and a gentle nod was all she needed. The chandelier lit warmly, painting the hall a cozy orange. Dishes were served one by one, their aroma engulfing the entire hall. First came some freshly baked sourdough bread, sliced to just the right thickness. Each slice glistened with the melted butter spread on top. Platters of crackers, different cheeses, and ham were placed along the table, caviar taken freshly from the Bluevein Sturgeons that occasionally roam near the Northern Coast. An enormous bowl of creamy vegetable soup with pumpkin, onions, leek, carrots and potato was placed on a tray and served to each person individually. Then came the roasted chickens, their skin crispy, dripping with the perfect glaze of spiced honey. Steaks came on plates, cooked to perfection, and served with a drizzle of peppercorn bearnaise and mashed potatoes.

  Sylphiette swallowed, her mouth watering. Elysande gasped at the perfect glaze. Every eye was aligned with Alessandre. "I would like to thank you all for the hard work, not just today, but yesterday, and in the future. Let us celebrate with tonight's dinner, and may the Vera family be blessed as we move along our paths."

  "Bon appétit."

  The hall remained halted for moments, then the feast began. Soft clicking of glasses full of wine, chatter, laughter, and soft murmuring of thanks. Even in winter, the air in the estate felt extra warm. Aless assembled a piece of cracker with caviar carefully, and then slid it into his mouth. Flavour burst as the popping of the delicate roe next to the crispiness of the cracker, dressed with cheese and ham. Elysande carefully ripped off a leg of a roasted chicken and put it into Sylphiette's plate, followed by a pat on the head before serving herself. "Eat lots, you're still growing!" Sylphiette nodded in a silent but heartfelt thanks.

  "Young master! Did you hear about what happened on the Northern Coast just the other day?" One of the half-drunk servants blurted out across the table. A death glare from Elysande pinned him. He flinched and hung his head low in shame. "Tell me about it Tom. I'd love to know!" Alessandre responded just in time before havoc. Tom looked up nervously, unsure of how to respond. Elysande rolled her eyes and gave a slight nod. "S-so uhm... some shady lookin' man landed on the dock, people were really terrified of him, one of my friends was absolutely petrified when I asked! A-and...he disappeared right before their eyes, it was unbelievable, just vanishing from plain sight like that. Even the storm parted for a couple of days!" Tom shook slightly, as he felt the eyes of everyone glaring into him in curiosity. "Many say...he was an omen."

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  The hall went silent. Elysande lowered her head in ponder, her knuckles tightened around the teacup, servants exchanged glances. Alessandre blinked, for a second, he had forgotten where to rest his hands. Everyone was unsettled, but no one knew why. Alessandre shook his head and looked down at his food, the caviar turned a bit sour in his mouth. " Is that so? As unbelievable as it sounds?" Alessandre took a deep breath, trying to hold in his excitement, trying to contain his shaky breath. "I...can't confirm it whatsoever, b-but if you give me time...then maybe I-I can travel there and see it for myse-"

  "I'd appreciate that so much."

  Chatter faded into the walls, textured by clinks of cutlery. Dinner continued, eerily. The air felt more moist than usual, the chandelier dimmed a bit, stretching shadows along the hall. "I think I'm full...I'll return to my room for now." Elysande sighed as Alessandre stood up to leave. Sylphiette reached out to grab his hand, wide-eyed. Her hand felt cold. "I'm okay, don't worry." With a pat on the head to Sylphiette and a nod to Elysande, he walked off out of the hall with a lump on his chest, his steps heavier than usual. The distant caws of crows fighting for nests pierced their way into the estate, the moon among the stars hid into the clouds and the boy in the ivory cotton shirt stood, watching through his windows.

  Aless threw himself onto his king-sized bed, turning off the lights. Too many thoughts cramming into his head, too much emotions shooting through his heart. He couldn't even tell if it was worry or excitement. A furry lump hopped onto his arms - Luna, a fluffy odd eyed Persian cat and the Vera family pet. No one knows how long it has been around for - not even Elysande, who sometimes even reminisces about playing with Luna when she was a child. One golden, one deep blue, Luna's gaze shimmered elegantly, even in the dark, even among the stars. Feeling the calming gaze, Alessandre felt his eyelids become a thousand tons heavier. The chaotic thoughts reluctantly softened their gnawing as sleep reached for embrace.

  "Alessandre...Alessandre...Alessandre...talk to me...I'm over here..." The boy jerked awake, the unrestrained pain flayed his head, as if someone was whipping his brain with a whip. He opened his eyes,

  and saw it.

  The boy awoke to emptiness: what remained was the cat, and a dead tree, perched into the dry, cracked and endless land. It stood stubbornly firm, yet it was pale, colourless under the weight of the shimmering stars hanging in the sky. Alessandre scrambled to his feet. Could it be a dream?

  "No, little Alessandre. This is not a dream." The voice came from the cat, who elegantly hopped off the dead branch and onto the cracked floor. "This, is a result of you, little Alessandre." The cat slowly paced to his feet, then hopped up to his shoulder. "Can't you feel it? Something in you has woken up. Can you feel what it is? Or rather...who it is?"

  "Alessandre...Alessandre...Alessandre...? Time for breakfast..." The boy jerked awake, the unrestrained pain flayed his head, as if someone was whipping his brain with a whip. He opened his eyes, the ceiling was back. The bed reappeared, the windows, the room, the manor, none seemed to have ever disappeared. The room is quiet. Outside, the melodic chirping of birds had already started. The sun peeked from under the horizon, which was flushed with a pink-orange hue. The cat laid lazily beside Alessandre, softly purring, still very well asleep. Alessandre reached up and rubbed his eyes, his left eye felt sore. Abnormally so.

  A soft, furry tail swayed across the cross-legged boy's chest, drawing him back from the trance. "Time to get up, I've gotta go send Tom off for the excursion." Alessandre wobbled his way out of his room, passing Elysande who was on her way to deliver him breakfast. "Young master! You're looking like a living skeleton! Straighten your back, walk with pride!" She yelled out behind him, but her young master was already preoccupied with something greater, something that has been itching his head since eight years ago.

  Outside the tall gate was a horse carriage, bathing in the sunlight, under the towering grandeur of the estate. It was just a normal carriage, nothing fancy, no luxury, nothing compared to what Elysande would force Aless into for a noble gathering. It was just enough to get by, humble, but its curtains waved imperiously under the babbling of Tom. Even the horses neighed haughtily, as if saying: "Guess who's goin' on an excursion under the command of LORD ALESSANDRE? Yeah, you war horses in the stable better respect me after this! This isn't just a trip, it's a journey of honour!"

  "Young master? M-miss Elysande is with you I-I see!" The servant jumped a bit in surprise, dropping his hat. "Tom!" Alessandre burst out the gate, almost tripping on a lazy pebble lying on the floor. "Young master! Watch yourself!" Elysande was fast to react, catching the careless noble before he could give the land a hearty hug. "Safe travels Tom. And if you can, try finding out who that man was." Alessandre pulled out his pocket watch and slid it into Tom's hands. "Here, if you need to tell the time. I know you've always wanted one of these." The boy jumped up to Tom's ears and whispered, "It's limited edition from Severin's". The servant was speechless, the wide silly smile on his face explained more than words could. "T-thank you young master..." Tom whispered under his breath, clutching the watch as if it would turn back the storm clouds, only the pebbles heard him.

  Without staying for another second, Alessandre ran back into the estate, calling for Sylphiette. Elysande gave Tom an approving nod, "Safe travels, young man. Safe travels." She pulled out a faintly glowing, glassy shard and tucked it into the nervous servant's pocket. "If you find yourself in trouble, any trouble, crush it and we will send help. Remember though, there is only one. Use it wisely, if you even need to." Tom nodded frantically. "Y-yes! Of course! I-I-I am feeling a tad bit nervous, b-b-but if you think I-I'll be ready then...I'm off! A-and thank you, and young master for s-sending me off like t-this...I never could've expected..."

  Tom disappeared into the intersection between the sky and the pebble road. A strange breeze paced by, the sky turned cloudy. Elysande stood and watched as the carriage slowly faded out of sight, her expression was unreadable. But even the sun, from behind the clouds could tell:

  She's dead serious.