[Author's Note:]
Hey everyone,
I just want to ask you something from the heart. Writing this story takes a lot of effort, and sometimes it feels like I'm just throwing words into the dark. What keeps me going are your comments and reviews—they let me know you're actually out there, enjoying the journey with me. Even a few words mean so much.
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Auren staggered out of the house, his knees trembling, sweat pouring down his face. His body felt hollow, every last drop of mana wrung out of him by the curse he had cast. His chest rose and fell like a hammer striking iron, but a grim smile lingered on his lips.
It was done.
His mother's soul had justice.
Caius would never breathe free again.
But now… now was a new chapter. His chapter.
Outside, Riven sat slumped against the fence, staring off into the sky with wide, vacant eyes. His hands were shaking—he hadn't even realized until the blood from his palms trickled where his nails had dug into his skin.
When Auren lowered himself beside him, Riven didn't look right away. His jaw was tight, his breath sharp, like a man fighting to swallow what he'd just witnessed.
Finally, his voice broke the silence.
"I don't know why… but sitting here, I feel like you're not even Auren anymore. The Auren I grew up with… he wasn't like this. He wasn't cruel. He was kind. He laughed too much. He cried too easily. He… he was my best friend. And now—" Riven's voice cracked. "Now I don't even recognize you."
Auren's eyes lowered, his chest heavy. So it's time… he thought. The secret he'd buried from the moment he woke in this world.
"Riven," he said quietly. "You were the best friend of Auren—" he paused, searching for words, "—the old Auren."
Riven's head snapped toward him, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What the hell do you mean by old Auren? Don't talk in riddles."
Auren drew in a long breath. His eyes burned, not with tears, but with the weight of truth.
"I mean… the Auren you swore to protect, the one who was your brother in everything but blood—he was killed. By Selene."
Riven's face twisted in disbelief, anger, grief—all colliding at once. His voice rose, ragged. "Killed? Don't you dare say something like that. I—I swore on my life to protect him. I promised him, Auren promised me we'd grow up together, we'd—" His words broke into choking sobs. Tears finally slid down his cheeks as he buried his face into his palms. "You're telling me I failed him…?"
Auren placed a hand on his shoulder. For the first time, his voice softened—not as the cruel avenger, but as someone who bore the memories of another's pain.
"You didn't fail him. You couldn't have stopped it. Selene killed him before you even knew. But when his soul passed, I came. From another world. I was… reborn into his body."
Riven lifted his head slowly, his eyes bloodshot, his face broken. "You… aren't my Auren."
"No," Auren admitted. "But I carry him. I saw his memories. His pain. His wish. He wanted revenge—for his mother, for himself. He wanted to tell you, but he was too weak, too afraid. He couldn't bear to see your eyes filled with the same hate he felt."
Riven's hands clenched into fists. His lips trembled. "And… did you…?"
"Yes," Auren said, his voice low, sharp with finality. "I killed Caius. I gave him a punishment worse than death."
Riven's breath hitched, but he forced the next words through trembling lips. "And Selene… she's alive in the village. What about her?"
Auren's eyes darkened. His tone became ice.
"No, she isn't. While we traveled to Central… I reached into her with my magic. Across distance, across walls. I invaded her flesh, her mind, her soul. And I broke her. What I did to Caius, I mirrored in her. In that moment, both of them fell. That was my gift to the Auren you lost."
Riven's chest heaved, his tears falling freely. He shook his head, half in horror, half in grief. "I… I don't know if I should hate you or thank you."
Auren looked away, staring into the horizon as if daring the world to challenge him.
"You don't have to decide. Just know this… your Auren rests now. His revenge is complete. And me… I'll carry his name. But I won't live his life. I'll rule this world, Riven. Not with innocence. Not with weakness. But with power that no one can break."
Riven turned his face to the ground, silent tears soaking the dirt. The promise he had made still burned in his chest like a brand—protect Auren until his last breath. But now, the boy he had sworn to protect was gone.
All that remained was this man, this reincarnated monster, who wore his best friend's face.
And Riven… had no idea if he could bear to follow him any longer.
Riven's eyes refusing to meet Auren's. He had already seen too much—far more than any brother in arms should ever have to witness.
Auren, his voice calm but hollow, finally turned to him.
"You are free now, Riven. Go back to our village. Your grandmother is waiting for you."
Riven froze. His lips quivered before words forced their way out.
"If I had to go back… if that was always the plan… then why?" His voice cracked, heavy with both anger and heartbreak. "Why did you drag me here, Auren? Why make me watch all of this?"
For the first time, Auren's eyes softened—but only for a breath. His face still wore that cruel serenity, the aura of a man who had torn apart gods and family alike. He stepped closer, his boots crunching over the dried flakes of blood on the ground.
"The reason…" Auren said, his voice low, almost a whisper, "…is not for today. Some truths will crush you if revealed too soon. When the right time comes—you'll know why I made you walk this path beside me."
Riven's jaw clenched, his body caught between rage and loyalty. He wanted to scream, to demand answers, but the weight in Auren's voice silenced him. Somewhere deep in his heart, he understood this was no ordinary lie or excuse. It was a warning.
Auren turned away, shadows crawling across his back like living serpents. "Go, Riven. Live. The time will come when you'll understand why I couldn't let you stay blind."