Chapter 21
Cold.
That is the first thing Shin feels.
Cold air brushes against his skin as he walks forward.
One month has passed since he left.
Or at least…
that's what it feels like.
Everything is quiet.
Too quiet.
The world moves on
but something inside him no longer does.
At the Kingdom
Seven months have passed since Shin disappeared.
Seven months since the king took control of the city.
The atmosphere in the palace is tense.
Ray stands near a window, arms crossed, staring outside.
Arthur walks back and forth behind him.
Restless.
Frustrated.
"We have to find Shin," Ray says finally.
Arthur stops.
"…Yeah."
Silence fills the room for a moment.
Then Arthur speaks again.
"I'll talk to my father."
Ray nods.
"…Do it."
A pause.
"Tomorrow, we leave."
Arthur clenches his fist.
"…No matter what."
The Throne Room
The massive doors open with a heavy sound.
Arthur steps inside.
The king sits on his throne, calm as always.
Watching.
Waiting.
Arthur walks forward.
Each step echoes through the hall.
"…Father."
The king smiles faintly.
"What is it, Arthur?"
Arthur's expression hardens.
"…Why did you do it?"
The king tilts his head slightly.
"Do what?"
Arthur's fists tighten.
"The city."
Silence.
Then The king laughs.
Cold.
Arrogant.
"Because that boy was unfit to rule."
A pause.
"A weakling."
Arthur's teeth grind.
"…Shut up."
The king's smile fades slightly.
Arthur steps closer.
Eyes burning.
"How can you say that…?!" he shouts.
"He saved people you would have abandoned!"
The king leans forward.
"And yet he failed."
Silence.
Heavy.
Crushing.
Arthur's breathing becomes uneven.
Then "…I just came to tell you something."
The king watches him closely.
Arthur lifts his head.
"I'm leaving."
The king's eyes narrow.
"…What?"
Arthur's voice is firm.
"I'm going to find Shin."
A pause.
The king stands slowly.
"Arthur."
His voice is deeper now.
"You are the next king."
He steps down from the throne.
"I will teach you everything you need to know."
Arthur doesn't hesitate.
"…Forget it."
The king stops.
Arthur's eyes are filled with anger.
"Monster of a father."
Silence.
Sharp.
"I will never take your throne."
The words hit harder than any weapon.
Arthur turns around.
"Goodbye."
The king stands there Speechless.
Shocked.
Angry.
And something else.
Disappointment.
But he says nothing.
Back to Shin
The sound of water.
Wind through trees.
Leaves moving softly.
Shin walks through a forest.
Alone.
"…Finally."
His voice is quiet.
"Water… forest…"
He looks around.
For a moment
peace.
Then he looks down at his hand.
The sword.
His only companion.
"…This is all I have left."
A pause.
His grip tightens.
"But I won't give up."
His eyes sharpen.
Focused.
Determined.
"I have to find it."
A breath.
"…The Tree of Truth."
The wind grows stronger.
The forest seems endless.
And Shin
keeps walking forward.
What is Shin's plan?
Will Shin's friends find him?