517 AN
Ten years had passed since Key left Starhaven to train at Guru's Temple. Now, the city welcomed him back, the whisper of the wind carrying faint memories of his childhood, mixed with curiosity about all that had changed during his absence.
The city's main gate towered before him, its shadow cast wide across the ground. Standing beneath its massive stone walls were two familiar figures, Guardians he had once known well: Nemu and Polos.
Nemu was broad and muscular, with thick brown hair, while Polos, even larger, had jet-black hair that gleamed in the light. They looked almost exactly as he remembered.
But as their eyes fell on Key, their expressions shifted.
The young man before them bore little resemblance to the boy they had once known. His hair now brushed his shoulders, his body lean yet athletic, and his once-soft features had sharpened into a calm but striking handsomeness. His piercing gaze made him nearly unrecognizable.
Key wore a white long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, and boots. At his hip hung a katana, glinting faintly beneath the light.
The aura he radiated made Nemu and Polos instinctively wary.
This was no longer the child they remembered, but a seasoned fighter, someone not to be underestimated. Even though they were larger than him, a troubling thought crept in: could they even defeat this young man if he were an enemy?
That thought vanished the moment Key waved warmly and called out with a cheerful smile.
"Mr. Nemu! Mr. Polos! It's been so long!" Key greeted them with a warm, bright smile.
Key laughed softly, a hint of nostalgia touching his voice.
"The gatekeepers haven't changed a bit. It's good to see you both again."
Key (with a laugh):
"The gatekeepers haven't changed a bit. It's so good to see you again."
Polos squinted at him, suspicion plain on his face.
"Hold up... who the heck are you? We met before?"
Key paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Eh? I'm K—"
"Key!" Nemu cut him off with a bark of laughter.
Stepping forward, he clapped a massive hand onto Key's shoulder.
"Look at you, kid! You actually grew up! Did you finish your training at Guru's Temple?"
Polos still looked doubtful, his disbelief written all over his face. Slowly, realization crept in, shifting his expression from confusion to shock.
"K-Key?" he stammered.
"Is it really you? You've gotta be kidding me…"
The shock in his voice was unmistakable, but the corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile. Still, uncertainty lingered in his eyes.
"You've changed so damn much," he muttered, shaking his head. "Honestly, for a second there, I thought you were about to attack us."
Key gave Nemu a small nod before answering.
"Yes. I have just completed my training. The moment I finished, I returned here right away. I couldn't wait to come home."
A faint smile softened his features.
"And… well, I admit I was a little worried the two of you might have forgotten me. Ten years is a long time."
He turned slightly toward Polos, an amused spark crossing his eyes.
"Why would I attack you, though? Do I really look that suspicious?"
Polos shifted awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck.
"That's not... look, that's not what I meant," he grumbled.
"It's just… that aura you had earlier. It felt weird."
Nemu let out a loud chuckle and shot Polos a teasing, almost gleeful look.
"Oh, don't mind him, Key," he said, grinning wide.
"He was scared, that's all."
Polos flushed, his brow furrowing.
"Hey!" Polos barked, glaring at him. "I wasn't scared!"
Nemu only laughed harder, while Polos fumbled for words, pride warring with the truth he couldn't quite deny.
Key shook his head with a smile, raising his hands as if to calm them both.
"All right, all right," he said kindly.
"There's no need to argue. After so many years, it's understandable that you wouldn't recognize me right away."
Polos let out a long breath, finally allowing himself a small smile, though traces of embarrassment still colored his face.
"Yeah… well," he muttered, rubbing his neck.
"Key, go on. Visit your parents first. Don't waste your time hanging around with someone like Nemu."
"Hey!" Nemu barked, offended.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
Polos shot him a smirk. "Exactly what it sounds like."
Before Nemu could fire back, Polos turned to Key again, tone shifting to something lighter.
"Oh, and if you've got time later, swing by Garcias. We can talk more there."
Garcias, the small tavern run by Key's parents.
Key's expression softened, and the thought of its food stirred a familiar hunger.
"Of course," Key replied, smiling softly.
"Thank you, Mr. Nemu, Mr. Polos. I'll see you both soon."
With that, Key stepped past the gate and into Starhaven.
The city he once knew now felt strangely unfamiliar. The streets were cleaner, the buildings more numerous, but the air still carried the warmth he had missed for so long.
Before heading home, he decided to wander for a while. He wanted to see what had changed, letting nostalgia wash over him as he rediscovered the new face of his homeland.
— — —
[The Flower Garden]
The gentle breeze carried the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers across the Garden of Starhaven. Beneath the towering starwillow, children gathered in laughter, their voices ringing like tiny silver bells swaying with the wind.
At the heart of their circle stood Prince Nexa Starfall, nineteen years old, tall and noble in his black and white royal garments. His deep violet eyes glimmered softly as he listened to their chatter, his presence radiating a quiet comfort that words could never capture.
The children adored him, not merely as their prince, but as a teller of tales, one who breathed life into the legends of Nebura's past. Twice each month he came to them, to play, to share stories, and to fill their young hearts with the beauty of olden days. Yet on this day, a different kind of curiosity sparked in their eyes.
A freckled boy, brow furrowed in confusion, finally asked.
"Um… Prince Nexa? How come we haven't seen you here much lately?"
Nexa crouched down so his gaze met the boy's, his smile warm and reassuring.
"Ah, sorry about that," Nexa said, his tone gentle and a little apologetic.
"I've been traveling around the kingdom these past month. Duties and all that. That's why I couldn't visit the garden for a while."
The children exchanged glances, their curiosity now burning brighter.
"I've never been to another city before!" one boy exclaimed, practically bouncing on his toes.
"Me neither!" another child cut in, puffing his chest with enthusiasm.
"But I really wanna visit Sunhal someday! My uncle lives there, and he said he'd take me when I'm older."
"Sunhal…?" a younger boy echoed, eyes wide as moons. "Where is that? Is it far?"
Before Nexa could answer, a bright little voice rose above the rest. A girl leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Prince Nexa, how many cities have you gone to?"
"Yeah!" another chimed in quickly. "How many cities do we even have?"
And from the back, someone shouted with unrestrained cheer,"Tell us everything, Prince Nexa!"
Nexa laughed softly, raising a hand to calm the small but fervent crowd.
"All right, all right," he said, smiling as their eager faces tilted up at him.
"I'll tell you about every city in Nebura. Even the one I just came back from."
Nexa's voice flowed gently, drifted across the garden like a gentle spell, pulling every child into the world of his words.
"Our kingdom has six cities," he began.
"Each one special in its own way. And right now…" He paused, eyes glimmering as he swept his gaze around the children.
"We're standing in the capital. Do you all know its name?"
"Starhaven!" a child shouted proudly, almost before he finished the question.
Nexa nodded, clearly pleased.
"Exactly. Starhaven sits right at the center of Nebura. It's known for its beauty, its flower gardens" he gestured around them with a smile,
"and, of course, the palace where my family and I live."
The children nodded eagerly, their faces glowing with pride in their home.
Nexa's gaze softened as he turned back to the boy who had spoken earlier.
"You said your uncle lives in Sunhal, didn't you?" Nexa asked gently.
"Yes!" the boy replied, his grin wide and earnest.
"Well then," Nexa said, his smile growing,
"let me tell you about Sunhal. It lies to the east of Nebura, close to the sea. I haven't visited it in about two years now. Sunhal is home to the best fishermen and shipwrights in the whole kingdom. They build ships so sturdy they can cut through even the roughest waves."
He paused, a playful spark lighting his expression.
"And the food…" Nexa leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a treasured secret.
"Sunhal's seafood is so delicious. Fresh, rich, absolutely unforgettable."
The children fell silent in awe, some of them already imagining the taste of Sunhal's delicacies.
"Now," Nexa continued,
"if we look to the west, we find Evesholt. That was the first city I visited on my latest journey. Evesholt sits right at the edge of Nebura's Ancient Forest. The people there are strong and resourceful, living closely with the forest. They're hunters, woodcrafters, artists with amazing skills. I spent five days among them, learning a bit of their craft and admiring their skill."
The children's eyes grew distant for a moment, filled with pictures of towering trees, hidden creatures, and forest secrets.
"And after that," Nexa said, voice calm and steady,
"I headed south to Dawnsville. That city rises along the banks of the River Luminara. It's always lively, markets full of bright colors, and festivals almost every month. I was lucky enough to arrive right as a grand celebration began. Music filled the streets, dancers spun under banners of every shade, and the whole city seemed to glow."
He spread his arms wide as if embracing the memory.
"It was like stepping straight into a dream," Nexa said with a soft smile, his eyes seeming to reflect memories only he could see.
The children's eyes widened, their imaginations already racing, shimmering seas in Sunhal, the endless green wilds of Evesholt, the dazzling festival lights of Dawnsville. Wonder lit their faces like lanterns.
Then Nexa lowered his voice, not to frighten them, but to draw them in further.
"After ten days in Dawnsville, I traveled on to Lanvale, the last city of my journey. Lanvale sits near the border of the Kingdom of Novalot. Because of its location, it is well guarded, fortified with walls and thick, thorny barriers. I stayed three days within its gates."
He straightened a little, his tone shifting into something solemn.
"And Lanvale," he said, "was once the site of a great battle during the reign of King Artha Starfall."
The children gasped softly. One girl clutched her friend's sleeve. Even the breeze seemed to pause.
Nexa nodded slowly.
"Yes. King Artha led Nebura's armies and defended Lanvale from an invading force. His victory brought peace to both Nebura and Novalot. The people of Lanvale still honor him for that."
One of the boys began to count on his fingers, then looked up in confusion.
"Um… Starhaven, Evesholt, Dawnsville, Lanvale, Sunhal…" He frowned up at Nexa.
"Prince, that's only five. You said there are six cities."
Nexa's smile returned, warm and touched by the boy's careful listening.
"Ah. You're right. There is one more."
He lifted a finger, pointing northward.
"The sixth city lies to the north." he said, his voice gentle.
"Nordstaria, it's a place of balance and skill. The people there are master smiths and clever merchants. They forge blades no other city can match and craft goods sought by travelers from every corner of the realm. Yet despite all that talent, Nordstaria is peaceful quiet, steady, a city where life moves at its own calm rhythm."
The children listened, wide eyed and silent, as if their world grew larger with every word spoken by their beloved prince.
A little girl furrowed her brow, doubt flickering across her face.
"Um… Prince Nexa?" she asked softly.
"Didn't you say you stayed five days in Evesholt, ten in Dawnsville, and three in Lanvale? That's only eighteen days. But… a month's longer than that."
Nexa laughed, his deep voice ringing with mirth.
"You're absolutely right," he said, grinning down at her.
"I really was in the cities for only eighteen days. But you're forgetting something important. The roads between those cities are long. Traveling takes time. And I had to rest here and there along the way. So when you add it all up, it becomes a month."
"Ohhhh," the children nodded in unison, satisfied with his explanation.
Their admiration grew deeper, their minds filled with visions of distant lands and grand adventures waiting beyond Starhaven.
Without their noticing, someone had approached in silence. Princess Rhea Starfall, twenty one years old, stood behind Nexa. Her gown of gold shimmered beneath the sunlight. With a teasing lilt in her voice, she spoke.
"Nexa," she said in a lilting, teasing voice,
"are you telling King Artha's tale again? You always manage to slip that one in somehow."
Startled, Nexa turned, a faint blush rising to his cheeks.
"Oh, come on," he muttered.
"Why do you always just appear out of nowhere whenever I'm in the middle of a story?"
Rhea smirked, her elegance perfectly at ease with her playfulness.
"Because it's fun watching how much these kids adore you. And because you somehow make history sound way more exciting than it actually is."
Meanwhile, not far from the garden, Key strolled leisurely toward his family's modest inn and eatery, a small establishment tucked away near the flower gardens. The air was fragrant with blossoms, refreshing each breath he drew. Passing by the lively scene beneath the starwillow, his eyes briefly caught sight of the gathered children. Their laughter and games stirred something within him.
"This garden feels more alive than ever," Key murmured to himself.
Amid the crowd, two figures stood apart, radiant in both bearing and attire: the prince and princess of Starfall. Yet Key did not know who they were. He gave them only a fleeting glance before continuing on his way, his mind already set on reaching the inn, where Hans and Laura awaited him.
What Key did not realize was that his presence had not gone unnoticed.
In the midst of his tale, Nexa suddenly fell silent. A sharp current of energy had swept across the garden, brushing against his senses. His violet eyes narrowed, following the figure of the young man walking away. His heart quickened.
What was that?That felt like a beast walking straight through the garden…
He studied the stranger's retreating back, trying to grasp the strange sensation that had unsettled him.
Did that come from him? he wondered, unsettled.
No. No, that doesn't make sense.
Beside him, Rhea too had felt something, though not the same as her brother. Her gaze lingered on Key when their eyes briefly met, and unlike Nexa's wary instinct, something softer stirred within her.
Who… is he?I've never seen him before. Is he from another city? Or maybe even another kingdom?
For the first time in her life, her heart fluttered with a feeling she could not name, awakened by no more than a fleeting glance. That brief encounter left a mark she could not easily brush aside, a spark of curiosity that began to grow quietly within her.
The children noticed the sudden silence between the prince and princess. Confused, they exchanged looks before one of them asked.
"Prince Nexa? Princess Rhea? …Are you okay?" one child asked, tilting their head in innocent concern.
Snapping from their reverie, the siblings exchanged a quick glance, then masked their unease behind gentle smiles.
"It's nothing," Nexa said, his tone soft and steady.
"Yes, don't worry," Rhea added, her voice warm and calm despite the faint tremor beneath it.
The children relaxed, though curiosity still flickered in their eyes. After spending a little more time with them, Nexa and Rhea bid their farewells. Nexa promised to return with more stories, while Rhea smiled warmly, though beneath her composure swirled a storm of unanswered questions.
As they walked back toward the palace, neither spoke. Both remained lost in thought, their minds bound to the memory of the stranger who had crossed their path.
For Nexa, unease gnawed at him.
How can someone radiate that much power, he thought grimly, and yet no one in the city senses a thing?
For Rhea, the question was simpler, yet burned just as fiercely.
Who is he? she wondered, a soft ache blooming in her chest.
The young man who had walked through the garden without pause had left more than silence behind. He had left a ripple, a lingering impression neither prince nor princess could ignore.