The sky roared with thunder.
Rain descended upon the Kingdom of Frostalia in relentless waves, hammering against the towering walls of the royal castle.
Lightning tore across the night sky.
For a brief instant, the entire kingdom was illuminated in white.
Then darkness returned.
Deep within the royal palace, hurried footsteps echoed through the stone corridors.
THUD. THUD. THUD.
A young maid came rushing through a pair of enormous wooden doors.
"Doctor! Hurry! Lady Luna is—"
Before she could finish, the elderly physician had already seized his medical bag.
"Inform His Majesty immediately!"
"Yes, Doctor!"
The maid turned and ran.
The physician hurried into the royal chamber.
The room was filled with tension.
At its center stood a magnificent bed.
Upon it lay a beautiful woman with long silver hair.
Her face was pale.
Sweat covered her forehead.
Her fingers were tightly wrapped around the sheets as another wave of pain passed through her body.
It was Lady Luna.
Outside...
Thunder shook the heavens.
Lightning flashed through the windows.
Hours passed.
The storm continued.
Then—
"WAAAAAH—"
Silence.
The doctor froze.
He looked toward the newborn.
The baby...
Wasn't crying.
Instead, the infant calmly opened his bright blue eyes.
He looked around the room.
Quietly.
Almost thoughtfully.
The doctor stared at him in disbelief.
He gently lifted the child into his arms.
"My Lady..."
He couldn't hide the amazement in his voice.
"Your son is remarkably brave."
He looked down at the infant.
"Not even a single cry."
Queen Luna smiled weakly.
Her exhausted eyes softened as she looked at her child.
"After all..."
She took a slow breath.
"He is His Majesty's son."
The doctor carefully placed the newborn beside his mother.
The infant slowly raised both hands before his face.
Tiny fingers.
Tiny palms.
He stared at them.
His eyes widened.
"What...?"
His lips moved.
But no words came.
He frantically looked around the room.
The people surrounding him exchanged confused glances.
No one understood what was happening.
The newborn simply stared.
"..."
Later that night...
The royal nursery had fallen completely silent.
Moonlight filtered through the windows, casting pale shadows across the elegant room.
The newborn lay quietly inside an ornate cradle.
His bright eyes remained open.
He stared toward the ceiling.
Then his thoughts began to race.
"What is going on?"
"I..."
"Was I reborn?"
His tiny hands moved slightly.
"As a human?"
A strange silence filled his mind.
"Instead of a demon..."
His expression remained innocent.
But the thoughts inside his head were anything but innocent.
"What am I supposed to do now?"
Some time later...
The palace had grown even quieter.
The newborn remained alone in the nursery.
Then—
Tap.
Tap.
Footsteps echoed through the corridor.
The nursery door slowly opened.
Creeeak...
A young man entered.
Long emerald-green hair fell gracefully around his shoulders.
His golden eyes possessed a depth that seemed far beyond his youthful appearance.
He wore simple white robes trimmed with gold.
Yet despite their simplicity...
An overwhelming presence filled the room.
The man stopped beside the cradle.
He looked down at the infant.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"You look quite good in this form, Kritos."
The baby's eyes widened.
"Who is this man?"
"How does he know who I am?"
The stranger smiled.
Almost as if he had heard the question.
"Because..."
His golden eyes gleamed.
"I am a god."
Kritos stared.
"Another god..."
"So, what brings you here?"
The stranger gave a respectful bow.
"My name is Aureon."
"I am the God of Wealth."
"I have come to deliver something that belongs to you."
He raised one hand.
A small black orb materialized above his palm.
Darkness immediately began flowing around it.
It twisted like living smoke.
The light surrounding the orb seemed to disappear into it.
"This..."
Aureon's voice became solemn.
"...contains the remaining power of Erebus, the God of Darkness."
Kritos froze.
"Erebus...?"
Aureon nodded.
"You have been chosen to become the next God of Darkness."
Kritos's eyes remained fixed upon the black orb.
"Lord Erebus... is dead."
"Is that why you all reincarnated me?"
Aureon sighed.
"Actually..."
"Even I don't know."
"I was only ordered to bring you here and deliver this."
He lowered his hand slightly.
"There is one more thing."
"You must make this power acknowledge you."
Kritos stared at the orb.
"I don't know how."
Aureon gave a small shrug.
"But my lord believes..."
"...you will discover the answer yourself."
Kritos narrowed his eyes.
"Your lord?"
"Who is he?"
Aureon smiled mysteriously.
"I'm afraid I cannot tell you."
He turned toward the palace window.
Rain continued pouring outside.
Thousands of droplets raced down the glass.
Aureon remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke.
"But I will tell you one thing."
His golden eyes returned to the infant.
"You are going to love the place where you were born."
Kritos's eyes widened.
"What are you talking abou—"
Before he could finish—
Aureon's body began dissolving.
Golden particles drifted through the air.
His figure disappeared piece by piece.
Within moments...
Nothing remained.
Silence returned to the nursery.
Kritos stared at the empty space where the god had been.
"So..."
"That woman is my mother."
"Her name is Luna."
His tiny eyes shifted toward the window.
"I still don't know who my father is..."
He looked around the magnificent nursery.
"But judging by this palace..."
A realization slowly formed within his mind.
"I've been reborn into a noble family."
He paused.
"No..."
His thoughts changed.
"Something even greater."
The scene shifted.
The grand banquet hall of the Frostalia Royal Palace was filled with light.
Brilliant crystal chandeliers hung from the enormous ceiling, scattering golden reflections across the polished marble floor.
Long tables stretched across the hall.
They were covered with exquisite food, expensive dishes, and countless delicacies prepared for the royal celebration.
Nobles dressed in luxurious garments stood throughout the hall, speaking quietly among themselves.
Musicians played elegant melodies.
Servants moved gracefully between the guests.
At the front of the hall stood two magnificent thrones.
They had been carved from pure white stone and decorated with shimmering blue crystals.
Lady Luna sat upon one of them.
She wore an elegant white gown embroidered with silver snowflake patterns.
Her long silver hair flowed down her back like silk.
Her sapphire-blue eyes calmly surveyed the gathering.
Beside her...
The second throne remained empty.
Near the two thrones stood a beautifully decorated cradle.
Inside it...
Kritos lay comfortably.
He looked around the enormous hall.
"So this is a party for my birth..."
His tiny face remained calm.
"And I'll be getting a name too..."
A silent sigh passed through his thoughts.
"It's probably going to be some awful human name."
Then another thought appeared.
"It would be nice if I got a name like..."
He paused.
"Arno."
A strange warmth suddenly spread through him.
"Arno..."
He repeated the name silently.
"Heh..."
"Just saying that name makes me feel happy."
His expression became puzzled.
"Why is that...?"
"Is it because of this human bod—"
"My Lady."
A nobleman stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"I am eager to know the young lord's name."
Lady Luna smiled gently.
"I think you'll have to wait for my husband."
The noble bowed.
"Of course, My Lady."
Then—
BOOM.
The enormous doors of the banquet hall slowly opened.
Every conversation stopped.
The musicians fell silent.
Every noble turned toward the entrance.
A royal knight stepped forward.
He raised his voice.
"His Majesty..."
A pause.
"The King of Frostalia..."
"ASFER FROSTALIA!"
Every noble immediately lowered their heads.
King Asfer entered the hall.
His presence alone commanded attention.
He possessed short Black hair that contrasted sharply against his piercing sapphire-blue eyes.
His features were sharp and well-defined, yet there remained a quiet kindness within them.
His tall, athletic physique reflected years of rigorous swordsmanship.
A long, fur-lined cloak bearing Frostalia's crest rested over his royal white uniform.
A beautifully crafted silver crown rested upon his head.
He walked through the hall with calm, commanding steps.
No words were necessary.
Every person present already understood who had entered.
Asfer reached the empty throne.
He quietly took his seat beside Luna.
The ceremony continued.
One after another, nobles approached.
Each carried an extravagant gift.
"This precious artifact is for the young lord."
"Please accept this enchanted jewel."
"It is an honor to celebrate the prince's birth."
Kritos watched them.
His innocent face remained unchanged.
But his thoughts were sharp.
"They're not doing this for me..."
"They're trying to earn Father's favor."
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
Then the realization struck him.
"Of all places..."
"I was reborn into the royal family..."
His thoughts paused.
"Of Frostalia."
For the briefest moment...
The innocence disappeared from his expression.
A cold voice echoed within his mind.
"How ironic..."
"The kingdom that wished for my death..."
"Has now raised me as its prince."
A faint smile appeared within his thoughts.
"Perfect..."
"Now..."
"I will destroy Frostalia..."
"From the inside out."
The hall remained silent.
Then—
King Asfer slowly rose from his throne.
Every noble turned toward him.
He walked toward the royal cradle.
Stopping before it...
He looked down at the newborn.
For a moment, the king simply stared.
Then a gentle smile appeared upon his face.
With great care...
He reached down.
And lifted the newborn into his arms.
The tiny infant rested quietly against him.
Asfer turned toward the gathered nobles.
His expression was filled with warmth.
He looked down at the child once more.
Then raised his gaze.
"My people!"
His voice carried throughout the enormous hall.
"Today shall forever be remembered in the history of Frostalia."
"The royal family has been blessed with another son."
He held the infant securely.
"A child born beneath the roaring heavens..."
"...during the fiercest storm."
A quiet smile appeared on his face.
"I do not see that storm as a sign of misfortune."
"I see it as the heavens proclaiming the arrival of a remarkable future."
The nobles listened silently.
"This child is my second son..."
Asfer looked down at the newborn.
"...the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Frostalia."
He paused.
Then—
"From this day onward..."
"He shall bear the name..."
His voice echoed through the hall.
"Ereck Frostalia."
The name settled over the gathering.
Asfer continued.
"May he possess wisdom beyond kings..."
"...courage greater than heroes..."
"...and compassion for every soul who calls this kingdom home."
"May the gods guide his every step."
His gaze softened.
"And may the name Ereck Frostalia..."
"...one day echo across the entire world!"
For a heartbeat...
Silence.
Then—
THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE.
The entire banquet hall erupted.
Nobles applauded.
Servants smiled.
Voices filled the enormous chamber.
But within the arms of the King...
The newborn remained strangely calm.
"Ereck..."
Kritos repeated the name silently.
He stared upward.
"So..."
A quiet realization settled within his mind.
"This is my new life."