Amara followed his line of sight, her expression darkening. “We should go home,” she said softly, before helping Cassius to his feet. As they turned away, a heavy silence settled over them—an unspoken understanding that something had changed, and not for the better.
The next day, Mel lay sprawled on the floor of Anita’s room, wrapped in bandages, groaning in pain.
“I’m in so much pain,” he whined as Althara sat beside him, gently blowing enchanted clouds over his wounds to speed up his healing.
Anita sat on her bed watching them. “So, you met our eldest sister?” she asked, directing the question to Althara.
Althara nodded, her expression unreadable. “Yeah. She’s insanely strong… but she believes Andhraka was innocent.”
Anita shook her head. “Figures.” She then turned her attention to Mel. “What’d you learn from Pride?”
Mel winced as he shifted, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a mask. “This belonged to one of the people who paid to watch me get obliterated by that hydra,” he said, holding it up. “I also got pictures—of the hydra, the coliseum, the masked spectators.” He exhaled sharply, eyes darkening. “If it wasn’t for Dorian, I would’ve died.”
Anita raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t you have just come back to life?”
Mel went silent for a moment, his gaze dropping to the floor. “Dying has got to be the most traumatic thing ever,” he admitted, pulling his knees to his chest. “It hurts like hell… and coming back is even worse.”
Mel rested his head against the bed frame, staring at the ceiling with a tired sigh. “So, it turns out the Pride Kingdom is making money by somehow creating mythical creatures and forcing strong fighters to battle them. That’s sick.” His gaze drifted to the bandages wrapped around his body, the dull ache from the hydra’s attacks serving as a painful reminder. “And I was their latest entertainment.”
Mel pushed himself up, wincing as his muscles protested, then rolled his neck and shoulders with a sharp crack. “I need to train more,” he muttered, stepping toward the door.
Before he could leave, Anita caught his wrist, her grip firm but gentle. “Mel,” she said softly, her eyes searching his. “You’re injured. If you push yourself like this, you’ll die.”
He paused, fists clenching at his sides. “You’re right, but—”
“There is no ‘but,’” Anita cut in, her voice unyielding. “No fighting, no flying, no saving anybody. You need to rest.”
Mel flinched at her tone, then let out a heavy sigh. “Fine.” He raised his hand, and a dark aura crackled around him before slowly dissipating. “I’m sealing off my black lightning and cloud magic for now.”
Althara’s eyes widened. “You can just turn off your magic?”
Mel tilted his head. “Can’t anyone?”
She shook her head, extending her hand as wisps of cloud magic curled around her fingers. “It’s like losing an organ. No one does it—maybe because they can’t. But you… you have multiple.”
Mel glanced at his palm, watching as only faint threads of lightning flickered beneath his skin. “I’ll be fine,” he said, his voice steady. Then, without another word, he turned and walked out of the room.
Solstice City
Mel scaled the castle wall with ease, his fingers gripping the stone as he reached Rue’s window. Peering inside, he saw her pacing, rummaging through her things, and dressed far more elegantly than usual. He tapped on the glass, catching her attention. Rue glanced up, then motioned for him to come in.
Sliding the window open, Mel climbed through, but as he landed, he miscalculated his footing. Reacting quickly, he shot out a web to cushion his fall before straightening up and dusting off his shirt.
Rue arched an eyebrow. “You usually use clouds for that,” she remarked, fastening an earring.
Mel exhaled. “Turned them off. Cloud magic and black lightning—gone for now. Anita said no fighting, no rescuing, and no magic until I heal.”
Rue nodded as she slipped on a silver heel.
He gestured toward her silver and purple dress. “Where are you going? Thought you gave up the whole ‘princess’ act.”
She groaned, but not at him—at the situation. “Royal camp. For princes and princesses.”
Mel tilted his head. “What’s camp?”
Rue paused, staring at him. “You’re kidding.”
“I’ve heard of camping, but not camp.”
“It’s a place where parents send their kids to get them out of the castle for a while. No politics, no royal duties—just time away. It’s actually pretty nice.”
Mel’s eyes widened like a child discovering a new toy. “That sounds amazing! Can I come?”
Rue sat down, struggling with the zipper on her dress. Without hesitation, Mel knelt beside her and zipped it up with ease.
“Thanks,” she muttered, picking up her bag.
Rue tapped a few keys on her laptop, deep in thought. “Can you come?” she mused. “Well… technically, you are a prince. Your father was a king before he died. And you’re also the king of Atlantis. But you’re also Mel, and no one trusts the son of Merlin. But also, I don’t want to be there alone with all those snobby, ignorant royals…” Her eyes suddenly lit up. “Wait! You could be a C.I.T!”
Mel blinked. “A what now?”
“Counselor-in-Training,” Rue explained, scooting closer to him as she pulled up the camp’s website. “Look, they take young royals who are qualified to mentor the kids.” Mel leaned in, watching as she scrolled down to the enrollment section. “Melanthius Shadowbane… sixteen… date of birth, August 15th… Status: King of Atlantis…” Rue muttered as she typed in his information. Mel smiled in excitement. “So, I’m officially a camp counselor now?” “Not yet,” Rue said, clicking the submit button. “But give it a few hours, and we’ll see.” Mel grinned. “This is gonna be fun.”
Solstice Royal Camp
Est. 874 A.R.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Official Letter of Acceptance
To: Melanthius Shadowbane, King of Atlantis
From: Lady Evangeline Thorne, Camp Director
Dear King Melanthius,
I am pleased to inform you that your application for the Counselor-in-Training (C.I.T.) program at Solstice Royal Camp has been reviewed and accepted. While your status as both a royal and a ruler presents unique circumstances, your qualifications and background in leadership make you an exceptional candidate for this role.
As a C.I.T., you will be expected to guide and assist younger royal attendees, uphold camp values, and ensure that all activities remain safe and orderly. Please review the following rules, which you are required to follow and enforce during your stay:
C.I.T. Responsibilities & Rules:
- Leadership & Conduct: As a C.I.T., you are a role model for the younger royals. You must demonstrate proper etiquette, patience, and integrity at all times.
- No Use of Magic or Abilities: To maintain fairness, all attendees—including counselors—must refrain from using magic, enhanced abilities, or weapons during camp activities.
- Curfew Enforcement: All campers must be in their quarters by 10:00 PM. C.I.T.s will assist in ensuring compliance.
- Conflict Resolution: Should disagreements arise among campers, you are expected to de-escalate tensions peacefully and report any major conflicts to senior staff.
- Activity Supervision: You will oversee and participate in group activities such as diplomacy exercises, survival training, and team challenges.
- No Unauthorized Departures: Campers and C.I.T.s are not permitted to leave the campgrounds without permission from the director.
- Respect Between Kingdoms: Camp is a neutral zone. Political disputes, rivalries, or prejudices must be left outside of camp boundaries.
- Confidentiality: Information shared by campers must remain private unless it poses a risk to safety.
- Emergency Protocols: In case of emergencies, all C.I.T.s must report directly to the senior counselors or camp officials.
- Dismissal Clause: Failure to follow the camp’s rules or display proper leadership may result in immediate removal from the C.I.T. program.
Your acceptance into this program is both an opportunity and a responsibility. I trust that you will approach this experience with the same dedication that has brought you here.
Welcome to Solstice Royal Camp, C.I.T. Shadowbane. I look forward to seeing the leader you will become.
Sincerely,
Lady Evangeline Thorne
Camp Director, Solstice Royal Camp
Mel flipped off the bed, landing with a burst of excitement. “Yes!” he exclaimed, his energy radiating through the room as he sprinted toward the window.
“I need to grab my clothes!” he added eagerly before vaulting out. With perfect precision, he shot out his webs, using them to glide effortlessly down the castle wall, slowing his descent just before he touched the ground.
Turning back with a smirk, he called up to Rue, “Meet you at the carriage hub!” before taking off at full speed.
Rue waved at Mel as he disappeared, then let out an excited squeal before flopping onto her bed, burying her face in a pillow. “Mel! He’s so cute!” she whined to herself, kicking her feet against the mattress in frustration. Rolling onto her back, she stared at the ceiling. “We’ve known each other long enough… maybe I should just ask him to be my boyfriend.”
Her excitement wavered as reality sank in. “But he sees himself as a curse. He won’t date anyone…” she muttered, biting her lip. “And he’s immortal—how would that even work?” She groaned, lightly banging her fist against the wall.
Then there was Bimoth. “He has a crush on me, and I don’t want to mess up their friendship.” Rue sighed, running a hand through her hair. “I mean, Bimoth was my best friend, but I’ve always seen him as a little brother to protect… until he got stronger and defeated that king.”
She flopped onto her side, her frustration growing. “And Mel has so many girl friends… that would drive me insane.” She let out another groan, sitting up. “Ugh, this is impossible.”
Deep beneath the Solstice City camping grounds, hidden from the world above, lay a vast underground chamber shrouded in darkness. At its heart stood a colossal throne, carved from obsidian and pulsing faintly with an eerie, otherworldly energy. The air was thick with the weight of forgotten power, the silence disturbed only by the distant echoes of dripping water.
Seated upon the throne was a lone figure—an ancient prisoner bound by fate itself. He was a towering presence, standing nearly fifty feet tall, his form draped in flowing white robes that contrasted sharply with the abyss around him. His arms bore deep, jagged scars, mirroring the lightning-wrought wounds that marred Mel’s own flesh. Each mark seemed to smolder faintly, as if remnants of a power long suppressed still burned beneath his skin.
His hair was short and jet-black, a stark contrast to the pale, intricate symbols etched into the skin of his neck—runes of an ancient language, binding him to this place. His eyes, hollow yet seething with unspoken torment, flickered open as if sensing a shift in the world above.
For centuries, he had sat in stillness, cursed to remain on this throne for eternity. But now, something was changing. A presence was approaching—one he had waited for his entire existence.
His brother had finally arrived.
Moments later, Mel and Rue stepped off their carriages, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows across the sprawling Solstice Royal Campgrounds. The scent of pine and fresh earth filled the air, mingling with the distant laughter of early arrivals. Towering banners in shades of silver and deep purple—colors of Auroria’s royal family—fluttered in the breeze, marking the entrance to the camp.
Mel rolled his shoulders and cracked his neck, adjusting the weight of his bag. The cobblestone path beneath them led toward the grand Royal Pavilion, an ornately carved wooden structure where counselors and staff bustled about, preparing for the influx of noble youths. Beyond it, rows of elegant yet sturdy cabins stretched across the landscape, their exteriors decorated with golden nameplates denoting each prince’s or princess’s lineage. Further ahead, a shimmering lake reflected the sky like glass, surrounded by lush trees that rustled in the breeze.
Rue took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air, while Mel simply glanced around, his expression unreadable.
"Welcome to Royal Camp, Mel," Rue said with a small grin, tossing her bag over her shoulder.
“Camp!” Mel shouted, his excitement palpable as he grabbed Rue by the arm, tugging her along.
“Whoa! Let me go, you idiot!” Rue barked, trying to pull away. Mel didn’t let go, his grin wide as he scanned the bustling campgrounds.
“This is amazing!” he exclaimed, watching as the princes and princesses settled into their cabins or interacted with one another. It was all so new, so full of life.
He caught sight of a sign that read C.I.T.s Here. “I’ll go get signed up,” he said, releasing Rue’s arm gently. “You should get settled in your room.”
Rue rolled her eyes but didn’t protest. “Fine, but don’t be an idiot while you’re at it,” she muttered as she grabbed her bag and walked toward the cabins.
Mel jogged over to the line for C.I.T. registration, his mind racing with possibilities. He stood nervously, his fingers tapping against his bag as he waited for his turn. A girl at the desk chewed on a piece of bubblegum, popping it lazily as her eyes flickered toward him.
“Put your phone in the basket, and show me your C.I.T. registration,” she drawled, unimpressed. “And write down the name you want us to call you.”
Mel fumbled slightly but pulled out the paperwork from his pocket and handed it to her. She snatched it without looking up, popping another bubble. “King Melanthius,” she read aloud, sounding as though she couldn’t care less.
Mel offered a polite bow, trying to hide his discomfort, and scribbled ‘Mel’ on the line provided. The girl glanced at the sheet, raising an eyebrow.
“Your nickname is just your real name shortened? Lame. Don’t you want something more fun for the kids to call you?” she said, showing him her own card that read "Mountain."
Mel blinked, a little surprised by the idea. "Mountain, huh? That’s… unique." He paused, considering.
“Fine, I'll go with 'Fox,’” he said, his lips curling into a small grin as he wrote it down.
The girl raised an eyebrow again but shrugged, clearly uninterested in commenting further. She snatched the paper from him, stamping it with a heavy thud and handed him another sheet with a list of names and a pen.
“Alright, you're in the Lightning Cabin. First task: take attendance, check the bags, and run some icebreakers,” she said flatly.
Mel nodded, his nerves settling into a determined focus. He grabbed the paper, shouldered his bag, and walked off toward the Lightning Cabin, a new sense of purpose filling him.