The man's exhale rumbled like the bellow of a dragon, smoke curling from his mouth as he spoke.
"Do you take me for a fool, Casmaran?"
His voice carried the weight of a king's decree — sharp, controlled, and absolute. His fingers dug into the gold armrest of his throne until the metal groaned and cracked under his grip.
"Find him. Now."
When the king opened his eyes, they gleamed a molten gold — slit like those of a dragon staring down its prey.
"If he is not returned to me, I will see to it that you are stripped of your title as Court Angel and banished from the Land of Rakiel."
The man cloaked in darkness bowed low before the throne. "Understood, King Uriel." His voice was calm, but the air around him trembled before he sank into the floor, his form consumed by shadow.
Uriel exhaled once more — smoke veiling his face before leaning back into his throne, disappointment etched across his regal features.
...
Casmaran's fist collided with a braced forearm, the impact echoing through the courtyard.
"You've got your guards on, Lo? Didn't expect that," he said, smirking through the sting.
Loretta scoffed, slamming an open palm square into his brother's chest. "You told me to make it look realistic, didn't you?"
Casmaran staggered back, coughing up blood as his knees hit the ground. Loretta didn't hesitate — he spun, his heel cracking across his brother's temple before vanishing in a blur of motion. One leap carried him miles away, the wind howling in his wake.
Cloud Movement.
He landed atop a high-rise spire, hands on his hips as he gazed toward the endless sky. "Whew... didn't think you'd put up that much of a fight, big bro." His expression hardened.
"But I'll find big sis. I promise."
Forming a string of ancient signs, Loretta's battle attire dispersed in a burst of smoke, replaced by a loose windbreaker, combat pants, and worn boots. He took a deep breath — one last moment of stillness — then dashed forward, the city lights stretching behind him as he ran from everything he'd ever known:
his life, his family, his royalty.
"Thank you, Casmaran."
...
A tall man with straight crimson hair flowing down his back drifted toward Casmaran, his pristine church robes brushing lightly against the ground. His presence was almost divine — yet something about it felt wrong.
"And what am I to tell the Great Lord Uriel, hmm?" His tone was smooth but mocking, his voice echoing like a thousand whispers speaking in unison. "Court Angel Casmaran."
Casmaran gritted his teeth, clutching his chest and forcing out a ragged breath. "Bishop Vareth... I'm sorry. He — he got the best of me. I wasn't ready for him. Whatever he hit me with... it was like it struck my very soul."
Vareth's foxlike eyes opened, glowing faintly gold as his lips curved into a smile. "Oh? So that's what the boy is capable of. Fascinating." He turned slightly, his robe fluttering with the motion.
"I'll leave you to recover, then. You've already lost your twin sister and now your younger brother. Do take good care of your remaining half-brothers. You shoudln't have left them in the hands of the serpent."
The smile lingered, sharp and venomous, as he began to float away toward the distant cathedral.
Casmaran watched him go, his jaw tight. "Weird bastard," he muttered, pushing himself back to his feet.
...
"Shit... I never realized how isolated we really were from the rest of the world." Loretta muttered, trudging through the dry, cracked earth. "What the hell's even the nearest city from here?"
He reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek black phone. "Arystel?" he read aloud, raising a brow. "Already close to the Land of Waves, huh..."
He started to slip it back into his pocket — then stopped. His expression hardened. "Yeah, no. Don't need them tracking my ass." With a quick squeeze, the device crumbled to dust in his palm.
The journey that followed was grueling — miles upon miles of barren land separating him from the glittering nations beyond Rakiel's borders. Loretta didn't know much about himself, or the world he was walking into. But one thing burned clear in his mind: he hated Rakiel. And more than that — he hated his father.
After what felt like forever, the horizon finally broke open. Gleaming towers rose into the sky, light reflecting off the magitek veins running through them.
"Fuckin' hell..." he breathed, eyes wide. "This is insane."
But before he could even take another step closer, a spear pressed against his throat—followed by the hum of a golden blade crackling to life at his back.
Loretta's hands shot up immediately.
The man with the spear spoke first, his voice dripping with venom. "What's Rakiel scum doing in the Land of Waves — especially the first prince?" Scars ran across his face and arms like battle-worn maps, each one telling a story of hatred.
Before Loretta could even respond, the man behind him added, his tone calm and almost angelic. "Were you sent to destroy us? Or do you come seeking peace?"
Loretta drew in a deep breath.
Speak wisely, mate... don't fuck this up.
"I'm here on my own terms," he said carefully. "I've deserted Rakiel."
But his words only seemed to make things worse. The spear pressed harder against his neck, drawing a thin line of blood.
"Like hell we'd believe that bullshit."
I might seriously have to defend myself...
The air around them began to stir, faint currents swirling around the group— until, suddenly, an oppressive force blanketed the area. A wave of raw fear so heavy it could crush the soul washed over them.
That pressure... Someone here possesses King's Authority...?
All three of them dropped to their knees, trembling, sweat dripping like rain.
"And what do we have here?" a voice called out, smooth yet commanding, with a hint of playfulness beneath it.
The figure stepped closer. "Rakiel boy — raise your head. Let me see your face."
Loretta obeyed, slowly lifting his chin, his pulse racing.
"Oh!" The man's tone shifted the moment their eyes met. "Ahjma'il, Ragna — leave us. I know the boy."
The two warriors vanished instantly, obeying without question.
Loretta's whole body shook.
How does he know me?
"You're his kid, aren't you?" the man asked, smiling faintly. "Uriel's?"
Loretta's eyes widened. "Y... Yes, I am. If I may ask, how are you familiar with my father?"
The man chuckled softly, almost nostalgically. "He didn't tell you any stories, did he? You should've recognized me. I was almost your uncle." He grinned, eyes glinting with memory.
"Back in the day, Uriel was my best friend — and my right hand man."
Loretta's breath hitched.
"What...?"