The sky roared with thunder.
Rain poured relentlessly over the towering castle as flashes of lightning illuminated the kingdom of Frostalia. Deep within the royal palace, hurried footsteps echoed through the stone corridors.
A young maid burst through a pair of large wooden doors.
"Doctor! Hurry! Lady Luna is—"
Before she could finish, the elderly doctor had already grabbed his medical bag and rushed past her.
"Inform His Majesty at once!" he shouted.
"Yes, Doctor!"
The doctor hurried into the royal chamber.
On a grand bed lay a beautiful woman with long golden hair, her face pale with exhaustion. Beads of sweat covered her forehead as she cried out in pain, clutching the sheets tightly.
It was Queen Luna.
The storm outside seemed to grow fiercer with every passing moment.
Hours passed.
Then...
"WAAAH—"
Silence.
The doctor blinked.
The newborn baby never cried.
Instead, the infant calmly opened his bright blue eyes and quietly looked around the room.
The doctor gently lifted the child into his arms, unable to hide his amazement.
"My Lady... your son is remarkably brave. Not even a single cry."
Queen Luna smiled weakly despite her exhaustion.
"After all... he is His Majesty's son."
The doctor carefully placed the baby beside his mother.
The infant slowly raised both hands before his face.
He stared at them.
His tiny eyes widened.
"What...?"
His lips moved, but no words came out.
He frantically looked around the room.
Everyone watching exchanged confused glances.
"..."
Later that night...
The baby lay alone in an elegant cradle inside the royal nursery.
His eyes remained wide open.
"What is going on?"
"I... was reborn?"
"As a human?"
"Instead of a demon..."
"What am I supposed to do now?"
...
Some times later in the night when kritos was alone.
Suddenly....
Footsteps.
The nursery door slowly opened.
A young man with long emerald-green hair stepped inside. His golden eyes held an ancient wisdom, and although he wore simple white robes trimmed with gold, an overwhelming divine presence filled the room.
The green-haired man stopped beside the cradle.
"You look quite good in this form, Kritos."
"Who is this man?" Kritos wondered.
"How does he know who I am?"
As if reading his thoughts, the stranger smiled.
"Because... I am a god."
"Another god..."
"So, what brings you here?"
The man gave a respectful bow.
"My name is Aureon."
"I am the God of Wealth."
"I've come to deliver something that belongs to you."
He raised his hand.
A small black orb materialized above his palm.
Darkness flowed around it like living smoke, swallowing the light nearby.
"This," Aureon said, "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."
"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."
"There is one more thing."
"You must make this power acknowledge you."
"I do not know how."
"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 as rain continued to pour outside.
"But I will tell you one thing."
"You are going to love the place where you were born."
"What are you talking abou—"
Before Kritos could finish speaking...
Aureon's body dissolved into countless golden particles that drifted through the room before disappearing completely.
Silence returned.
Kritos stared at the empty space where the god had been standing.
"So... that woman is my mother."
"Her name is Luna."
"I still don't know who my father is..."
"But judging by this palace..."
"I've been reborn into a noble family."
"No..."
"Something even greater."
...
The scene shifted to the grand banquet hall of the Frostalia Royal Palace.
Brilliant crystal chandeliers illuminated the vast hall, their golden light reflecting off polished marble floors. Long tables overflowed with exquisite delicacies, while nobles dressed in luxurious garments filled the room with quiet conversations. Musicians played elegant melodies as servants moved gracefully between the guests.
At the very front of the hall stood two magnificent thrones carved from pure white stone and adorned with shimmering blue crystals.
Lady Luna sat upon one of them, wearing an elegant white gown embroidered with silver snowflake patterns. Her long silver hair cascaded down her back like flowing silk, and her sapphire-blue eyes calmly overlooked the gathering.
The throne beside her remained empty.
"So this is a party for my birth..." Kritos thought while lying comfortably in a beautifully decorated cradle beside the thrones.
"And I'll be getting a name too..."
He let out an imaginary sigh.
"It's probably going to be some awful human name."
After a moment, another thought crossed his mind.
"It would be nice if I got a name like... Fuji."
A strange feeling warmed his heart.
"Fuji..."
"Heh... Just saying that name makes me feel happy."
His expression became puzzled.
"Why is that...?"
"Is it because of this human noble bod—"
"My Lady," one of the nobles said with a respectful bow. "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 once more.
"Of course, My Lady."
Just then...
The enormous doors of the banquet hall slowly opened.
Boom...
Every conversation ceased instantly.
A royal knight stepped forward and announced in a loud, commanding voice,
"His Majesty, the King of Frostalia... Asfer Frostalia!"
Every noble immediately lowered their heads.
King Asfer entered the hall with calm yet commanding steps.
He possessed short snow-white hair that contrasted beautifully with his piercing sapphire-blue eyes. His sharp, well-defined features carried both kindness and authority, while his tall, athletic physique reflected years of rigorous swordsmanship. Draped over his royal white uniform was a long fur-lined cloak bearing Frostalia's crest, and a beautifully crafted silver crown rested upon his head. Without uttering a single word, his very presence demanded the respect of everyone in the hall.
Asfer made his way to the empty throne beside Lady Luna and quietly took his seat.
One after another, the nobles stepped forward carrying extravagant gifts.
"This precious artifact is for the young lord."
"Please accept this enchanted jewel."
"It is an honor to celebrate the prince's birth."
Although their smiles appeared sincere, Kritos could see through every one of them.
"They're not doing this for me..."
"They're trying to earn Father's favor."
His crimson eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"Of all places..."
"I was reborn into the royal family... of Frostalia."
The innocent look on his face disappeared for a brief moment.
A cold, sinister 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 inside his thoughts.
"Perfect..."
"Now..."
"I will destroy Frostalia..."
"From the inside out."
As the hall remained silent, King Asfer slowly rose from his throne.
He walked toward the royal cradle.
Stopping before it, he looked down at the tiny infant with a gentle smile.
Then...
With great care, he lifted Kritos into his arms.
Asfer turned to face the gathered nobles, a gentle smile on his face as he held the newborn prince in his arms.
He looked down at the infant for a brief moment before raising his gaze once more.
"My people!"
"Today shall forever be remembered in the history of Frostalia."
"The royal family has been blessed with another son."
"A child born beneath the roaring heavens during the fiercest storm."
"I do not see that storm as a sign of misfortune."
"I see it as the heavens proclaiming the arrival of a remarkable future."
"This child is my second son..."
"...the Second Prince of the Kingdom of Frostalia."
"From this day onward..."
"He shall bear the name..."
"Ereck Frostalia."
"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."
"And may the name Ereck Frostalia one day echo across the entire world!"
Thunderous applause filled the grand hall.
"Ereck..."
Kritos repeated the name silently.
"So..."
"This is my new life."