days had passed since I first woke up in the cave, and yet every Two moment with Vyrmoth still felt surreal. The more I got to know him, the more he surprised me.
He was nothing like I had expected.
Kind. Gentle. Almost shy at times.
We sat by the fire as the wind howled outside the cave, his icy-blue eyes glowing softly in the dim light. He spoke softly, his voice low but steady.
"The curse came suddenly," he explained. "I was still in my egg when it happened. Unlike Xenos, my egg was taken far from the others… hidden in the northern cliffs."
He paused, staring into the flames.
"I don't know who moved me there. But when I finally hatched, I was found by the Ikanari — a tribe of semi-human, semi-polar bear creatures. They raised me as one of their own."
I listened, completely captivated. "The Ikanari… I've heard tales about them. I never thought they truly existed."
"They do," he smiled faintly. "They taught me how to control my powers… how to live as both man and beast. I owe them everything."
My heart ached for him. "And all this time, you had no idea your brother was alive."
His smile faded. "No. I always believed I was alone."
I reached out, placing a gentle hand over his. "You're not alone anymore."
He met my gaze, something warm and vulnerable flashing in his eyes. "And Xenos? What is he like?"
I hesitated for a moment, my heart tightening. "He's strong. Brave. Stubborn." A small smile tugged at my lips. "And sometimes reckless. But… he carries a heavy weight. We both do."
Vyrmoth listened carefully as I spoke about Xenos, about everything that happened. The wars. The betrayal. The egg. Mortis. And finally, I told him about my bond with his twin — every complicated, painful, beautiful part of it.
His expression was calm, but I could sense the heaviness behind his silence.
"He loves you," Vyrmoth finally said, his voice soft but sure.
I blinked, surprised by the certainty in his words.
"And you love him too," he added gently. "That much is clear."
I looked down, my cheeks warming. "It's… complicated."
"Of course it is," he said with a faint smile. "But love usually is."
The moment hung between us, quiet but comforting.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of everything pressing on my shoulders once again. "Vyrmoth… I didn't come here only to find you."
He tilted his head slightly. "What do you mean?"
"I need you to meet someone," I said carefully. "Someone who can help us both." My eyes met his. "Smokey. My grandfather. The real god."
For the first time since I met him, Vyrmoth's eyes widened in true surprise. "The god of creation?"
I nodded. "Yes. And he's been waiting to meet you."
Vyrmoth was silent for a moment, absorbing my words. Then, slowly, he nodded.
"Very well," he said. "If it means protecting the egg… and my brother… I'll follow you."
I exhaled in relief, my heart swelling with hope. For the first time in what felt like forever, we were no longer just surviving.
We were beginning to fight back.
I reached out and gently took Vyrmoth's hand. His skin was cool to the touch, like the soft chill of winter snow, but steady and strong beneath my fingers.
"Don't stress," I whispered with a small smile. "It'll be quick. Just focus on my voice."
Vyrmoth chuckled softly, his eyes glimmering with playful warmth. "Careful, Sage. If you keep holding my hand like this, I might start catching feelings."
I couldn't help but laugh, shaking my head. "You're impossible."
He grinned but closed his eyes, allowing me to guide him through the connection. I closed mine as well, drawing in a deep breath. My magic swirled gently around us, wrapping both our souls in a familiar pull as I reached for the higher plane.
In seconds, the white space unfolded before us — endless, bright, and filled with a divine serenity that always made my heart ache with peace. And there he stood.
Smokey.
His towering form radiated warmth and wisdom, his soft eyes immediately falling on me.
"My little one…" he breathed, stepping forward.
"Grandfather," I whispered, my voice trembling slightly. "I did it."
Pride shone in his gaze as he reached out and cupped my face in his large, gentle hands. "You've done far more than I ever imagined. You found him."
He turned his attention to Vyrmoth, whose usual calmness seemed to falter under Smokey's overwhelming presence.
Vyrmoth lowered his head respectfully. "I am honored, Lord Smokey."
"No," Smokey said softly, stepping forward and pulling Vyrmoth into a strong embrace. "It is I who am honored, child."
Vyrmoth stiffened at first, but slowly relaxed into the unexpected warmth. His eyes met mine, blinking with emotion he hadn't yet dared to speak.
Smokey stepped back, his gaze sweeping between us both.
"Sage," he said with a calm yet firm tone, "the time for secrets has passed. You've done all that I asked. The egg is safe. Vyrmoth is found. And now... it's time to return to your people."
I nodded slowly. "You mean… I can tell them everything?"
"Yes." His expression grew serious, though the pride in his eyes never dimmed. "The truth must be known. The path ahead will not be easy, but hiding it will only bring more pain. Let your people stand with you. Let your family stand with you."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. My heart already ached thinking of how Xenos would react. But I knew Smokey was right. We couldn't keep this hidden any longer.
Smokey smiled gently, sensing my hesitation. "You are stronger than you know, Sage. And you have always carried a heart wide enough to heal even the deepest wounds."
I felt my eyes burn, but I forced myself to smile. "Thank you… Grandfather."
Smokey turned back to Vyrmoth, placing a hand on his shoulder. "And you, my brave one… you have endured so much. But now, you are where you belong."
Vyrmoth straightened his posture, his voice soft but steady. "I will protect them, my lord. All of them."
Smokey gave one last nod before the white space around us started to shimmer and fade.
"Go now," his voice echoed softly. "The future is waiting."
The moment my eyes fluttered open, the cold cave was gone — replaced by the soft glow of the teleportation circle humming beneath us. Vyrmoth's fingers still gripped mine tightly, his wide eyes darting around in amazement as the golden light carried us through the portal.
In a flash, we landed inside the grand hall of the castle.
Vyrmoth staggered slightly, steadying himself. "That was… incredible."
I smiled softly, though my heart was already heavy with what was to come. "It's only the beginning."
The castle was buzzing with tension. Guards stood frozen, eyes widening as they took in the sight of us — of Vyrmoth standing beside me. Whispers spread like wildfire, heads turning, people murmuring.
I could feel the weight of their stares digging into my skin, but I held my head high. There was no going back now.
And then — the sound of footsteps echoed down the marble corridor, hurried and desperate.
"Sage!" Jemisha's voice rang out, thick with tears. She came running toward me, her sobs shaking her entire frame.
I opened my arms instantly as she crashed into me, clutching my shoulders with trembling hands. "Jem— what happened?"
She could barely speak through her cries, but her words struck like a blade to my chest.
"N-Nero… he—he came to my room last night. He—he shifted into his human form…" her voice broke. "He… abused me."
My entire body froze, fury flaring inside me so suddenly that I could hardly breathe. The world around us seemed to fade as Jemisha's sobs filled the air, and I pulled her closer, my voice tight with emotion.
"You're safe now," I whispered fiercely, brushing her hair back from her tear-streaked face. "He won't touch you again. I swear it."
Vyrmoth stood by quietly, his expression darkening as he realized the weight of what had happened. His fists clenched at his sides, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of the rage that lived beneath his calm surface.
"We'll find him," he said quietly but firmly. "He won't get away with this."
I nodded, my own heart twisting with guilt and fury. I had been gone for only a few days, and yet horror still managed to find its way inside these walls.
This was no longer just about the war.
Mortis was escalating.
And now, I knew—we would burn him to the ground.