The chamber blazed with both gold and black lightning, arcs crackling violently around Kaelvir's body. Yet, unlike before, his frail form no longer convulsed. The violent seizures had stilled, leaving only a faint trembling. Gradually, even that ceased.
The storm of lightning recognized its task was complete. With a final cascade of sparks, it drew inward, condensing into a shimmering rune of intertwined gold and black. The rune drifted through the air and settled against Kaelvir's ear, replacing the old cowry earring.
It pulsed faintly, alternating between gold and black, hanging with an ominous yet majestic silence.
Beside him, Zar sat cross-legged, pale and weakened, yet unable to hide his satisfaction. For the first time in years, Kaelvir's eyes glowed with clarity. The brilliance dimmed, leaving behind intelligence—awareness.
Kaelvir blinked, staring up at the familiar ceiling. With a groan, he sat up, clutching his head, pain throbbing behind his temples. His gaze swept the room, and his eyes widened. The place was wrecked—scorched and shattered as though a storm had torn through it.
Before he could speak, a calm voice reached him.
"You really made quite a mess this time around."
Startled, Kaelvir turned to see Zar. His father's face was pale, his aura weak, yet he sat with a faint smile. Something stirred in Kaelvir's chest—a closeness, not just of blood, but of soul. For the first time, Zar wasn't merely the father of this body—he was his father in truth.
"Father!" Kaelvir dropped to his knees beside him, panic flashing in his eyes. "Why are you like this? What happened? How are you injured? And this… what happened here?"
Zar waved off his worry with a faint chuckle. "Not to worry, son. I only overexerted myself. The more important question—how do you feel now?" His voice carried an excitement he could not conceal.
Seeing his father's expression, Kaelvir hesitated, then decided to speak. He revealed what he had endured in the dreamscape—the damaged state of his soul. Zar's expression hardened in shock, but then he shook his head firmly.
"No. Not when you were young. You were never exposed to danger then." His gaze drifted into memory. "It could only have been before your birth—when your mother carried you."
His voice softened, tinged with grief. "She faced countless dangers in the dream realm. Her body was injured, her soul scarred. She gave birth to you early, then entered seclusion to recover."
Kaelvir's heart tightened as he listened. "Father… is the dream realm truly that dangerous?"
Zar's eyes grew somber. "Far more than you can imagine. Never underestimate it. The rat you dismiss as harmless could transform into a mythic beast in the next breath—and devour your life."
Kaelvir shivered. He had not thought the dream realm could be so terrifying.
Zar continued, his tone firm. "But now, your soul is whole. Your seedbound is complete."
Kaelvir nodded. "Yes. I can finally undergo the awakening ceremony."
Zar exhaled heavily, relief etched into every line of his face, as if a weight long carried had at last been lifted. Yet his expression darkened a moment later. "Listen well. No one must know of your split soul. If anyone asks, you'll say I gave you a pill to heal your damaged soul and restore your seedbound. Understand?"
Kaelvir smiled faintly, warmth stirring at his father's careful protection. "Father, I'm not that foolish. I told you because you're my father."
Zar's stern gaze softened. He nodded. "Good. Rest. Your siblings will come soon."
When he stood, his steps faltered slightly, dizziness washing over him. Kaelvir reached out quickly. "Father, you're not well. What truly happened?"
"I'll be fine," Zar said quietly. "I just need rest. Don't worry about me. Focus on preparing yourself—the awakening will take place in a week."
Kaelvir bowed deeply. "I will not disappoint you, Father."
Zar gave a faint wave and left the room.
---
Outside, Esuryon and Kaelvon stood guard, blood dried at the corners of their lips. Ani clung tightly to Fay, still trembling.
The moment Zar stepped out, Kaelvon and Esuryon rushed forward. "Father! How is brother? Is he alright now?" Ani and Fay hurried after them, worry plain on their faces.
Zar raised a hand calmly. "He's fine. He only needs rest. But remember—what happened today must never leave these walls."
Before he even finished, they had already darted into the room to see Kaelvir themselves. Zar could only shake his head with a wry smile.
Then shadows fell over the courtyard. One after another, the clan elders appeared.
"Patriarch." They bowed deeply. Among them, Eldran and Morvain stepped forward. Morvain's yellow robes shimmered as he spoke gravely. "Patriarch, what happened here? What was that phenomenon earlier?"
Zar frowned. "Phenomenon? What do you mean?"
The elders exchanged startled glances. Eldran stepped up, voice firm. "We mean the terrifying dark clouds that gathered over the sky."
Zar looked up. The sky was clear. His confusion deepened. "When did this happen?"
"Ten minutes ago," Morvain replied, suspicion flickering. "Where was Patriarch during that time?"
Zar's expression sharpened. "I was with Kaelvir. A traveling master gave me a soul pill to heal his damaged soul. What is the meaning of all these questions?"
The elders explained what they had witnessed. Zar's face darkened. He recalled the ripple in space he had felt earlier. His voice turned cold.
"Clan hall. Now. Anyone late will be punished."
He vanished on the spot. The elders stiffened, sensing his seriousness, and hurried after.
---
Far away, in a magnificent golden palace, the Emperor of the Tharavon Empire, Vaelric Thorne, sat upon his throne. His crimson robe shimmered with gold embroidery, his blue hair cascading like silk. Piercing sapphire eyes swept his ministers.
"I assume you all sensed it," he said coldly.
The hall fell silent. A cunning minister stepped forward, bowing low. "Your Majesty, we did. We believe it may signify a new title holder. What are your orders?"
The emperor's lips curled into a sneer. "Orders? Send the Flame Guard. Find this title holder and bring him to me. I will not allow a wild card to disrupt my empire."
One minister paled. "Your Majesty, forgive me, but title holders are no ordinary cultivators. To act rashly may provoke one we cannot afford to offend."
Vaelric's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You mean to tell me I should fear him?"
The minister lowered his head hastily. "Never, Your Majesty. Only that if we move, we must do so with our strongest."
The emperor leaned back, his sneer deepening. "Even if he is strong, can he stand against an empire alone? No. He will have no choice but to bend. Meeting adjourned."
The ministers bowed and departed. Alone, Vaelric's voice sliced through the silence.
"Come."
A shadow materialized, kneeling.
"The presence of the title holder was sensed near the Sacred Fire Kingdom," Vaelric commanded. "We will move first. If he bends, good. If not… erase him. If I cannot use him, no one will."
---
At the border of the Sacred Fire Kingdom, high above the clouds, a fox-eared woman in black and crimson robes floated. Wind whipped through her dark hair, her beauty both enchanting and sinister.
Her gaze pierced the horizon toward Dreamtide City. Her lips curved into a smirk.
"Found you, young lord. You cannot hide from me. I can already smell your scent."
She inhaled softly, her eyes glowing with hunger and mirth, then vanished like she had never been there. Peace returned to the skies.
---
In Kaelvir's room, warmth replaced chaos. Ani clung to him desperately, tears streaming down her face. Her embrace trembled as if afraid he would vanish at any moment. Kaelvir's heart softened in ways it never had as Orien. His bond with Kaelvon, Esuryon, and Fay also felt more genuine than ever before.
Kaelvon and Esuryon clapped his shoulders firmly.
"We're glad you're back."
"Little brother, you nearly killed us with worry," Esuryon sighed. "My heart can't take this anymore."
Kaelvir smiled, his voice light. "I'm sorry. Next time, I'll be the one saving you."
They laughed, the tension easing.
After calming Ani at length, she finally released him, wiping her tears. His siblings remembered their father's words and left him to rest. Only Fay lingered, her eyes red with silent weeping.
Kaelvir approached her gently. "Enough now. I'm fine, aren't I?" His voice was warm as he brushed away her tears with his thumb.
Fay sniffled, unable to meet his gaze. The sight touched Kaelvir deeply. He drew her into a firm embrace. "I'm sorry. I broke my promise not to make you cry. Will you forgive me… again?"
Her body stiffened, then slowly relaxed at his words. "This time… I thought you wouldn't make it. I was so scared," she whispered.
Her light embrace grew warmer. Kaelvir closed his eyes, happiness stirring within him. He wanted to believe in brighter days ahead.
But fate had already set its course.
Disaster loomed, closer than he could ever imagine.
---