POV: Kael Lanpar
(Moments before the journey to the Palace of Snow)
As I walked beside my sister toward the carriage that would take us to our destination —the border between Auroria and Vetraya, the original name of the Kingdom of Acrona— I couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that something was going to go wrong.
When we arrived and I set foot on the grounds of the Astrales estate —the place I had already come to consider my home— a sharp sensation twisted in my gut, warning me that this trip would bring nothing good.
It felt like a point of no return. That phrase echoed in my mind with every step I took beside my sister. And in front of us, the coachman who would drive us straight into what felt like a premonition… one that, most likely, would come true.
"You look deep in thought, little brother," Mayrei said, giving me a light tap on the shoulder. "Cheer up, everything's going to be fine. You'll see."
If only I could believe your words, I whispered to myself, but the memories of a man who lost everything and became a monster taught me that words… are often just that. Words.
I hope everything…
"Damn it, my hat!" Mayrei shouted as a gust of wind snatched it away, sending it tumbling down onto the red carpet that lined the ground.
"I'll go get it," I said, already stepping back. "Tell Father I'll be right there."
Mayrei nodded and kept walking, while I let out a sigh I had been holding in for far too long.
"I don't even know how I'm still standing…" I murmured, moving my index finger to summon the hat with a gust of wind magic. It landed softly in my hand.
I had been carrying dark thoughts for a long time. Thoughts that nearly made me throw away my chance to live… a chance I now wanted more than ever. But even with that longing, the memories weighed heavily.
And the truth I had long ignored… did too.
I dusted off my sister's hat while my gaze remained distant, not realizing who was standing in front of me —until I heard her voice.
"So… you were going to leave without saying goodbye?" Airis said, her voice a mix of annoyance and sadness. "Weren't we supposed to be friends?"
I couldn't help but smile when I saw her. That tone of hers… that way of hiding her true feelings behind a mask of pride —it was something I deeply admired.
It was one of the reasons I hadn't given up. Seeing her… even after losing her entire race, after watching her father die before her eyes… and still moving forward, crying but never surrendering. That wasn't normal. That was admirable.
"W-what are you doing?" she asked, eyes wide, as I stepped forward and hugged her.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Airis," I said, holding her tightly. "Take care of yourself… and promise me we'll keep in touch. At least… one letter a month."
I knew my words had reached the right place when I felt her hugging me even tighter, as if she didn't want to let go. Her tears began to soak into my formal attire.
"I'm going to miss you too," she said between sobs. "You bastard… why did you make me care about you… only to leave me behind?"
For a moment, I felt my heart break.
I had formed a bond with her —not through Matías's memories, but through the moments we had shared.
She was my first real friend.
I had promised Vastiar I would never abandon her. It was part of the blood pact. But this… this went beyond duty.
It was a promise from the soul.
And yet, I also had a commitment to my family. And as a royal family, we had responsibilities that extended far beyond our personal wishes.
(Back to the present)
Before our departure, I had made a request to my father: that Airis travel with Striker Boro for a special training program —with the possibility of becoming his successor… should he ever fall.
Beyond ensuring her protection in my absence, it would allow her to grow stronger, to rely on no one but herself. A faint smile formed on my face as I imagined her future. If even now, so young, she already wielded astral magic with such mastery…
Who could possibly stop her once she was grown?
"Please, Your Majesties… step down," said one of the servants as he opened the carriage door. "Welcome to the Palace of Snow."
One by one, we stepped down from the carriage.
And the first thing to greet us was the breathtaking sight of a palace made entirely of magical crystal. Transparent. Pure.
A unique resource that could only be crafted by the Astrales family —the sole bearers of the gift, and the only ones authorized to trade it.
"It's even bigger than the castle in Auroria," I murmured, my gaze lost in the towering structure before us.
"It was built solely for protection and defense," my father replied, gently rubbing my head. "If it's not the safest place in the kingdom, it's certainly among the most secure."
Beyond the sealing runes carved into the structure and the enchanted pillars holding up the magical barrier that surrounded it, his words gained weight through the sheer number of soldiers and Destroya-rank mages guarding every corner of the place.
"Damn it, be more careful!" yelled one of the guests, ducking just as a massive white owl with antennae swooped down from the sky and landed near the carriage.
"I see magical creatures caught your eye," my sister said with a grin. "That one is a Shadow Owl, native to our kingdom."
I had seen a few magical beings before, but more seemed to appear with every passing day. This world was teeming with creatures woven into the fabric of nature itself, as if they were part of a living network… much like the world Matías once called home.
After that awe-inspiring moment, we entered the palace. And if the outside was already impressive, what I saw inside left me speechless.
Despite the memories I carried from my past life —many of which made places like this seem familiar— this was something entirely new. And utterly incredible.
Portraits moved like films, replaying scenes from the past in looping fragments. Musicians floated in mid-air, playing melodies so vivid you could almost feel them on your skin.
It was all beautiful.
And for a fleeting moment, I wished with all my heart that nothing would go wrong. But the dark feeling still lingered. I couldn't rest. Not completely.
"Alfin!" my sister shouted, running toward a group of teenagers. "Are you feeling better? How have you been?"
For a second, I wanted to run up and greet my young master too. But I couldn't.
My mother's hand held me firmly, pulling me back. At least I felt some relief seeing Alfin was okay… though that scar near his eye told another story.
"Are you really trying to slip away again, Kal?" my mother scolded, frowning. "You've been acting strange lately. Are you alright?"
It was only natural for her to worry. After all, I was only five years old, yet I behaved with the seriousness of an adult… and eyes as weary as an old man's. Anyone would think something was wrong.
"I'm fine, Mother," I replied, forcing a smile. "I just wanted to say hi to Alfin. I'm glad to see he's recovered."
She let out a deep sigh, then kissed my forehead and looked at me with gentle affection.
"I promise you can greet him after the meeting," she whispered, brushing a hand through my hair. "Until then, let's get through the ceremony, alright?"
"Alright…" I muttered, hiding my frustration.
We kept walking. I walked beside my father, who was carrying my baby sister in his arms. It was a solemn moment —but my mind remained restless.
"Your Majesties, it is an honor to welcome you back," came a familiar voice. It was Nova. "And it's a pleasure to see you again as well, young prince."
"Nova, it's good to see you again," I replied with warmth. Knowing that our royal guard —the man who had protected my father for years and saved my life more than once— was safe gave me a small sense of peace.
After exchanging smiles with Nova, we continued forward, greeting a few nobles seated at white quartz tables adorned with crimson cloths. Everything was perfectly arranged.
"They seem to take attire and decoration very seriously here," I thought, noticing the clothes around me. White with red accents —just like mine.
"There they are," my father said suddenly, his voice carrying weight.
I followed his gaze —and saw them.
At a table in the back sat several imposing figures, laughing and sharing drinks. By the crowns they wore and the grandeur of their robes, there was no doubt who they were.
The one sitting cross-legged, drinking with gusto, was Máximo Quinto —the dwarf king. His height left no room for doubt.
Next to him was Darknight, the elven king, seated with his family. His pointed ears gave him away instantly.
"Well, well, Xavier… you finally decided to show up," said the dwarf king, raising a goblet. "We thought you were going to leave us here, abandoned with all the drinks."
"I would never do such a thing," my father replied with a sarcastic smile. "You know how important a good drink is… and I know you can't live without me."
"Xavier, my old friend! How have you been?" said Darknight, hugging him tightly. "I see you have an heir now… and clearly, you haven't wasted any time with your wife."
Despite being kings, they were surprisingly fun. A few of their jokes even drew a smile from me —especially since I knew that even in the midst of a civil war, my parents had brought my younger sister into the world.
After all, they're still human. With feelings. What else can you expect?
"This is my heir," said my father, gesturing toward me. "Kael Lanpar, future king of the Human Realm and next head of House Lanpar."
"I think he's the same age as my daughter," Darknight added, glancing around. "Kessie, come say hello."
From behind the elven king's majestic cape stepped a small girl. Her pale silver hair shimmered under the light of the hall, and her deep navy-blue eyes locked onto mine.
She looked about my age, though it was obvious we came from very different worlds.
"She's a bit shy," said the elven queen, Miranda. "I'd love for our children to become good friends."
"That would be lovely," my mother added warmly. "It would be like seeing our childhood in them… as they carry our future forward."
After a round of formal introductions —and a few over-the-top tales from the dwarf king about crushing elven pride during the war— my head started to nod from boredom. I was falling asleep in my chair.
The Lankerman girl didn't speak much either, and the atmosphere had lost its charm.
"Mother," Kessie whispered. "Can I go for a walk around the palace?"
"Of course, sweetheart," the queen replied sweetly. "Striker Ameria, accompany Princess Kessie. Protect her at all times, understood?"
The Striker nodded silently, and both of them began walking away from the hall toward the gardens, where other children were playing.
"Kal, would you like to join Kessie?" Miranda asked kindly. "You look terribly bored, surrounded by these drunkards."
"Drunkards?!" Máximo barked with laughter. "Beer is life!"
"Actually, I'd rather stay here a bit longer," I replied, picking up a book resting on the table. "I want to stay with my family."
My answer dimmed Miranda's eyes for a moment. It seemed Kessie didn't have many friends… and honestly, with that attitude, I wasn't surprised.
That aside, I was still amazed by the Strikers. I couldn't sense them —they were like shadows, only appearing when commanded by their respective rulers.
It was fascinating… but also unsettling. I didn't want to imagine Boro standing behind me without me even noticing.
Just as I was about to lose myself in that thought, something strange caught my eye through the crowd.
As Kessie and the Striker exited the hall, I saw the supposed protector discreetly draw a dagger.
That wasn't an innocent move.
Thanks to my grasp of astral magic, I could sense emotions and intent. The Striker's aura overflowed with malice. This wasn't good. Something was very, very wrong.
"I think I'll go out and play for a bit," I said, slipping down from my chair. "I'm done with the book. I'll come back later."
"Alright, Kael," my mother said. "If anything happens, find Nova or your sister."
I nodded and began weaving through the crowd, doing my best not to lose track of Kessie and her escort.
Though truth be told… I knew I wouldn't lose them.
"Wind Dash," I whispered, trying to replicate Alfin's technique.
Mine was still imperfect, but fast enough to close distance quickly. Unlike the original, though, it had less range and drained more of my stamina.
"Be more careful, young prince!" scolded a waiter, catching a plate midair just in time.
"Sorry, sir," I said, picking up speed. "That was my fault."
How the hell could this be happening in a place so secure? I thought, as I began sensing more presences —each cloaked in a malicious aura.
Not all of them were the same. Some felt... controlled. As if their souls had been replaced.
Maybe I should've told my parents. Told someone. But… who would believe me? After all, I'm just a child. One who's only just beginning to live —literally.
With each step, I moved deeper into a darker part of the palace. Even though there were plenty of windows, the moonlight didn't shine here like it did in the rest of the building.
"This… this feels like another dimension," I murmured, recalling the same strange sensation I had when I first entered the kingdom of Acrona.
Slowly, I unsheathed Crimson Dusk, activating the infernal fire runes that pulsed along the blade. The flames barely lit my path —and what unsettled me most was that I was alone.
If anything went wrong here… it would be the end of me.
For a brief moment, fear surged through every fiber of my body, reminding me that in this life, there are no second chances. But the one in danger was the daughter of my father's friend. I couldn't afford to fail.
"Kid… I don't like this one bit," Vastiar's voice echoed in my mind. "Be careful. Don't lower your guard."
"Vastiar, can you see them?" I asked within my subconscious. "I think… I think I lost their trail."
I swallowed hard and clenched my teeth. Adrenaline coursed through me. I had known from the start that something bad would happen. And even so… I couldn't stop it.
"Damn it…" I growled.
A sharp whistle made me instinctively turn my head. Everything slowed. A needle grazed my cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.
Had I not reacted in time, it would have been lethal.
"I didn't come for you, brat," said a mocking female voice. "What's the heir of the Lanpars doing here? Trying to play the hero?"
Her voice echoed from all directions, as if she were speaking from multiple places at once. I couldn't locate her. My head was spinning.
"You traitor!" I shouted in fury. "You're betraying your kings? What are you going to do to the girl? Kill her!?"
"Hmm… and a loudmouth too," she retorted, launching another wave of needles.
Seeing them coming from every angle, I summoned a spinning wind dome. The needles bounced off it and flew back in every direction.
"You damn brat!" she roared behind me.
I leapt backward just in time. I managed to dodge her next strike thanks to my reflexes —but I knew I wouldn't last much longer.
Even with the memories of a past life, in this body I was still just a child. Powerful, yes, but inexperienced.
She was a Striker. And I was clearly at a disadvantage.
In a matter of seconds, the distance between us vanished. I felt her hand clamp around my neck and slam me into the wall with brutal force.
Of course I'd be the one dumb enough to take on a Striker, I thought, as blood trickled from the corner of my lips.
She didn't give me a second to breathe. She hoisted me up again and kicked me square in the stomach. My body flew through the air and crashed hard against the floor.
My fingers slipped open, and Crimson Dusk landed just out of reach.
"Help me, please!" I heard Kessie's sobs, distorted by the ringing in my ears. "I'm scared! Someone… please help me!"
My arms trembled as I forced myself up. I crawled toward my dagger and grabbed it with the last bit of strength I had.
"Wind Dash…" I gasped through clenched teeth.
"Kael, before you do something reckless… listen to me," Vastiar's voice returned, this time urgent and commanding.
"What now!? Can't you see I'm getting my ass kicked!?" I snapped, my vision spinning.
"I don't have time to explain why," he said, firmer now. "But if you want to survive… do as I say. Just say: 'Continental Destruction.'"
It was like time froze. The Striker stood still, still holding the sack that contained Kessie.
I analyzed every possibility… and came to the conclusion that trusting Vastiar wasn't the worst idea.
"Continental Destruction," I whispered through gritted teeth.
At that moment, a searing flame burst from Crimson Dusk and ran up my arm, fusing with my mana.
Time resumed.
I dug my feet into the ground, cracking the stone beneath me, and shot forward like an arrow.
She tried to mimic my movements —but it wasn't enough.
I raised my arm, now blazing with infernal fire, and brought it down with all my strength. I felt my fist sink into her abdomen. I heard the crunch of bones.
The Striker was launched backward, crashing through a crystal window and smashing through multiple walls as she flew.
I quickly extended my arms and caught the sack holding Kessie, lowering her gently to the floor.
I was gasping, breath ragged, my eyes staring blankly at the growing crowd gathering at the entrance of the hallway.
But it wasn't because of what I had done.
No.
It was because of what stood behind me.
I moved forward with effort, dragging my feet. Kessie, still trembling, clung to my arm, trying to support me. And when we finally reached the center of the commotion…
My worst fears were confirmed.
There, lying in a thick pool of blood, was the body of the elven envoy. His ceremonial robe soaked through. His face—unrecognizable.
The look in my father's eyes —and in the elven king's— said it all. No words were needed to understand the weight of what this meant.
This wasn't just bad news.
"Calur…"
A voice whispered from deep within, breaking the silence.
Between the flow of the real and the unreal, a darkness seeped into Kael's eyes. A vision —or perhaps something more.
Matías was watching through him.
And as he took in what had happened, he let out a bitter smile. Cold. Empty.
He knew his fears were beginning to repeat. He knew the words he once spoke were now becoming reality.
A cycle was reawakening.
One he had sworn to break.
Disgrace. Death. Delusion.
Every story carried by those present was stained with those three truths. The deaths to come. The false peace they were about to sell us.
And the invisible cracks that would begin to splinter that stone wall they told us could never break.
Then, his voice returned.
"Soon… no matter how hard you try to undo my mistakes," he paused, as if remembering something with bitterness, "you will face the same wall I once saw. And then… you'll understand just how far we are from true freedom."
It is not the imposed fate that will transform you, Kael.
It is the truths of a world you think you understand.
Soon, I will reclaim what is mine.
I am Matías Castleboard.
You are only a shadow… the reflection of an innocence that will, sooner or later, be torn away—
—to make way for my return…
…and for my destiny, forged by my own hand, in defiance of the gods.