Edric
Contains spoilersOverview
In a retrospective scene before his death, King Edric Azer reveals to Prince Kitt Azer elements of his covert plans and manipulates Kitt into aiding Paedyn Gray for his own ends. Edric positions himself as the technical leader behind the Resistance with Calum as its face, warns Kitt to harden his heart against Paedyn, and charges him to continue the eradication of Ordinaries. The exchange shatters Kitt’s idealized image of his father and fuels Kitt’s resolve to surpass Edric’s limited ambitions.
Summary
Before Edric Azer’s eventual death at the hands of Paedyn Gray, Edric meets privately with his heir, Kitt Azer, and discloses key pieces of his strategy. Edric admits he is technically the leader of the Resistance, with Calum serving as its public face, and that he has hidden his most powerful agents, the Fatals, to preserve their effectiveness. He notes that Kai does not know these truths but declares it is time for Kitt to learn them so Kitt can carry on Edric’s plans.
Kitt, long starved for his father’s approval, brightens at being entrusted with purpose, even as he resents the indifference that has defined their relationship. Edric directs Kitt to allow Paedyn to use the castle tunnels—subtly and plausibly—anticipating she will try to convince Kitt to take her there. When Kitt defends Paedyn, Edric snaps that she is “nothing” and warns Kitt not to feel for her, asserting that such people will take everything from him.
Pressed for the reason behind these maneuvers, Edric declares he is finally able to end the Resistance. Kitt is taken aback to learn that Edric’s ultimate ambition is merely a purely Elite Ilya. The revelation disappoints Kitt, who had imagined a grander design behind the harsh upbringing he and Kai endured. Inwardly, Kitt vows to become greater than Edric to earn the love he has never received.
Edric then plots to manipulate his daughter—implied to be Paedyn—by making her believe she is influencing his sons, thus pushing her toward Kitt while Kitt unknowingly furthers Edric’s agenda. Edric prepares a letter for Kitt, mirroring one his own father Landan once left him, to pass on the secret of the Plague.
Edric reflects on Kai with contempt mixed with awe, resenting that Kai’s formidable power does not originate from Edric’s blood. This fuels Edric’s brutal training and emotional cruelty toward Kai. Edric also hints that Paedyn’s birth is entwined with his loathing of her, and that Kitt does not fully grasp the depth of Edric’s hatred for Ordinaries.
The scene closes with the assertion that the three youths—Kai, Paedyn, and Kitt—will eventually uncover the lies that shaped them, though Edric will never learn the true meaning behind a rose on Iris Moyra’s jewelry box.
Who Appears
- Edric Azer
king and father; reveals he is technically the Resistance leader, manipulates Kitt to guide Paedyn through tunnels, declares his goal to eradicate Ordinaries, prepares a letter passing on the Plague secret.
- Kitt Azer
heir; seeks Edric’s approval, learns of Edric’s plans, is instructed to aid Paedyn through tunnels, becomes disillusioned with Edric’s limited ambitions and resolves to surpass him.
- Kai
Enforcer and son; discussed as unaware of Edric’s secrets; Edric both values and resents Kai’s power, subjecting him to harsh training.
- Paedyn Gray
discussed as the girl Edric seeks to manipulate via Kitt; Edric warns Kitt not to feel for her and suggests her birth ties into his loathing.
- Calum
discussed as the public face of the Resistance and one of Edric’s hidden Fatals.
- Iris Moyra
discussed; Edric recalls his past love for Iris and alludes to a rose on her jewelry box whose true meaning he will never know.
- Landan
mentioned; Edric references a letter Landan left him, which Edric mirrors in his letter to Kitt about the Plague.